Gnomeo & Juliet / Iced Cinnaman Espresso and Chocolate Chip Biscotti

Dear Readers,

     Last night I visited with family and we watched a lovely animated film entitled Gnomeo & Juliet.
Another gem from the creative geniuses at Rocket Pictures.  I was thoroughly charmed.  Montagues and Capulet's are feuding human neighbors who live in adjoining English Homes on "Verona Drive."  Both homes have tacky lawn decor- from garden gnomes to plastic flamingos which of course come to life when the humans aren't around.  As a lover of anything kitchy- I was delighted.  Particularly when I saw that one of the gardens has an actual bathroom toilet used as flower vase.  I was in heaven!

      Obviously, the star-crossed lovers are  gnomes in opposing gardens.  James McAvoy and Emily Blunt do a superb job of providing the voices of the lead characters.       What is really lovely that they incorporated a great deal of dialogue from the actual Shakespeare play.  This is definitely not a picture that talks down to it's audience.  It is entertaining to children, yet sophisticated enough for adults.   Classic Elton John songs provided much of the score.  I was delighted when, in a dream sequence, the gnome named "Paris" actually serenades Juliet with a classic Elton song while wearing a pair of signature Elton John sunglasses.   Two of my favorite characters were a flirtatious frog named Nannet, Juliet's nurse- voice provided by Ashley Jennings, and the "Featherstone"- which came if the form of a romantic Latino Pink Plastic Flamingo- voiced by Jim Cummings.  Adorable- very creative.  There's a wonderful scene when Gnomeo has a debate with Will Shakespeare himself (The Bard is actually a Statue that comes to life when humans aren't around)  They debate the depressing ending of true story of Romeo and Juliet.  Genius! 

    The film was filled with surprises- including celebrity voices of Dolly Parton, Hulk Hogan, Patrick Stewart, Michael Kain, and many more.  Clearly, many people wanted to be a part of this smart animated film.  The commercials and previews used to advertise this film really did not do it justice.  The last animated film that I enjoyed this much was Toy Story 3.  

    During this film, I sipped on a concoction of Iced Cinnamon Espresso: I mix in cinnamon with the espresso before brewing, then pour over a tall glass of ice and 2 tsp of sugar.  My iced beverage and  chocolate chip biscotti were just like the film- sophisticated, yet sweet.  

Watch Gnomeo & Juliet- it's pure pleasure.  My only regret is not seeing it sooner.  

FRIGHT NIGHT / Clearview Cinemas / Popcorn and Mike N Ike Candy

Dear Readers,

Tonight I found myself at Hoboken's Clearview Cinema for a showing of "Fright Night" starring Colin Farrell....

The Clearview is a charming (small) and clean theatre.  For some reason, I'm always amused when the ushers actually enter the theatre and make an announcement "Hi everyone, my name is John, I'll be your usher this evening.  Please let me know if you need anything...."   Really John?  I should let YOU know if I need anything? How 'bout a neck rub? Better yet- can you get me some of those little soft pretzel nuggets that every theatre always seems to be out of?   During tonight's film, there was a very loud group of hooligans who would erupt into gaggles of laughter when scenes were far from funny.   I wanted to call John and say "John, dear... please deal with this riff-raff.  They're getting in the way of my Clearview experience!"   But alas, John was nowhere to be found.  Oh well...

As for the movie- Fright Night.  Aye me, what can I say?  As a True Blood fan I was really looking forward to this movie.  But I didn't know exactly what to expect as it's being advertised as a "horror/comedy."  To be honest, it was neither...  It stars Colin Farrell as the hot, friendly new neighbor that moves in next door...but this neighbor has a secret that everyone learns about just too quickly.   But unlike the vampires on True Blood,  Mr Farrell actually keeps his clothes on for the entire film.  With all the violence, fire, and brimstone, you'd think he'd at least lose his shirt.  That wife beater stayed on for dear life. 

Toni Collette has a supporting role, but I really wish she had more pivotal part.  She is a great actress who could have really brought this movie up a notch.  David Tennant plays a saucy Vegas magician that added some nice flavor and I really would have loved to see more of him as well.   Instead, much of the movie's plot revolved around the whiny teenage characters.  I didn't sign up for a Twilight-esk movie. I prefer my vampires and their victims to be grownups.

The beginning was engaging,  and I actually enjoyed the first few cliches- (small spoiler alert) ... Scary Vampire is chasing the main character... where does he run? Down to street? To the police?  No! He runs INTO the abandoned house.  And does he run out the back door?   Nope! He runs UP the stairs and INTO a closet so he's completely trapped!   This was one of the few scenes I actually enjoyed.  Sometimes predictability can be immensely entertaining.  It's too bad they didn't have the main character receive a scary phone call and then realize that the call was coming from inside the house!  I've always loved that scenario...

I could have done without the odd face prosthetics and mouths so filled with pointed teeth, they looked like sharks.  All I wanted to see on Colin were 1 set of simple fangs- less is more.  Just cause he's biting necks and killing doesn't mean he can't still be attractive....perhaps Colin could go to True Blood Charm School.
At least the movie was in 3D- so periodically- blood, silver bullets, etc would shoot off the screen to revive me out of my boredom. 

During this fiasco, my movie companion and I shared many snide remarks and ate yummy Mike And Ike Candy and Popcorn with White Cheddar Seasoning... making the popcorn the highlight of our evening!

My advice, Fright Night is definitely a rental that you must watch with friends so you can take turns mocking the movie. 

Catch and Release// Fresh Cherries

Due to last night's overindulgence of leechee martinis, I decided to stay in this evening and watch a movie. 

It's just as well as there were sever thunderstorms in the area and who wants to drive in that?

 

Tonight's selection:   "Catch and Release," a gem of a movie written and directed by Susannah Grant.  

Released in 2007, this film tells a story of a man who tragically dies right before he is about to get married.  His bride-to-be must pick up the pieces and in the process discovers some unsettling news about her deceased fiance. Get out the Kleenex! Before you lable this a complete chick flick- know that Kevin Smith does a fantastic job of lightening the mood with sharp humor... Yes, he speaks in this film- Silent Bob is long gone!

Was it predictable? A little. Did I care? Not at all. 

 

Also starring:

Timothy Olyphant- Fantastic actor- so under-rated.  He always chooses interesting projects.  And yes, and he IS easy on the eyes- but that's not why I like him.  There's a natural, unforced way of conveying emotions- an unforced way of delivering a scene... he's the bee's knees.

Jennifer Garner: Once again- cast as the "girl next door going through hard times.  Truth is, she does it so well and I'm the first to turn on the waterworks whenever she cries in her movies.

Julliette Lewis- so awesome- she steals every scene she's in.  To me, Juliette is like a younger Meryl Streep- she can morph into anything.

 

While watching this film, I snacked on fresh, bittersweet cherries.