I made a real effort this weekend to not drive myself crazy trying to get things done and to take some time out to just relax with my family. The only time I spent on my computer was in a delightful volley of comments on Facebook with some old classmates from elementary school, after one guy posted a photo from our fourth grade play, Mr. Grumpy's Toy Shop. What fun to reminisce and rediscover friends I hadn't seen in 30 years!
After a busy Friday and Saturday, all four of us were pretty wiped out yesterday, so we just hunkered down in the house together and took it easy. The boys each had a little homework to do, but otherwise, we gave ourselves a break and watched two movies together - one of them in the middle of the day! (oh, the scandal...) The dark and wet weather cooperated with our lazy spirits for a nice quiet Sunday at home. And the movies? All were excellent:
- Friday night, Ken and I stayed up way too late watching Shutter Island. I read the book a few months ago, so I knew how it ended, but I didn't remember all the details. I thought this was an excellent book adaptation - it stuck very close to the book and really captured the plot and characters well. It's the very spooky story of a Federal Marshal who is called to a mysterious island to investigate the disappearance of a patient from an isolated facility for the criminally insane. We both liked it.
- I watched another book-to-movie adaptation last week during my lunches: Memoirs of a Geisha. I've quoted from this beautifully written book a couple of times here in my blog. In this case, the movie did not - and could not possibly - live up to the standards of the book, but I wanted to see the visuals of the time and place the book is set in, the early years of the 20th century in Japan. The movie didn't capture the depth of emotion of the book, but I did enjoy seeing such a wonderful book brought to life on the screen.
- With the kids on Sunday, we watched The Pursuit of Happyness, a wonderful and inspiring story of how a man, played by Will Smith, and his young son, played by Smith's real-life son, Jayden, went from living on the edge to homelessness and back out. Ken and I had seen it before, so I knew the kids would like it. Even though I knew what happened, I still teared up! It's a heartwarming movie based on a true story.
- After dinner, we watched another amazing movie based on a true story, The Blind Side, with Sandra Bullock in the starring role as a wealthy southern mother who takes in a poor, homeless, rather large black boy. It was just as wonderful as all the reviews said - we all loved every minute of it. If you haven't seen this inspiring movie yet, you should.
I really need to watch Blind Side. For a while there, it did not interest me. It does now.
ReplyDeleteI read Memoirs of a Geisha and really liked the book. The movie was horrible in my opinoin. The movie did not do the book justice at all. If I recall correctly, the visuals of the costumes and scenery was the most impressive thing.
I'm glad you got to relax! A little mental relaxation goes a long way towards bodily health. We recently rented "The Invention of Lying" - some plot holes, but cute all the same.
ReplyDeleteIbeeeg -
ReplyDeleteThat's what I'd heard, too, but I still wanted to see the movie just for the visuals - the whole time I was reading, I was trying to picture what the kimonos looked like, the make-up, the hairstyles, etc. I think it's impossible to capture such a long book with such emotional depth in a 2-hour movie.
Sue
Hi Sue!
ReplyDeleteI've only seen the last two and they were both fabulous. Sounds like you had a great movie line-up this weekend. Hope your week goes well and you are able to relax and enjoy what I know is gorgeous weather in Delaware.
BTW, your senate race is making the news everywhere. Isn't politics lovely???
Really? I had no idea Delaware was making national news this week! Frankly, I'm so sick of all the mud-slinging, I've been tuning it out!
ReplyDeleteBut, yes, our weather is absolutely perfect! The temps finally dropped below 90 and we've finally been able to turn off the a/c and open the windows!
Sue
I just discovered your blog and am glad to have found it! I have Psoriatic Arthritis & Ankylosing Spondilitis (spinal arthritis) and have been living with chronic pain, fatigue and infection for 15 years or so, as well as the emotional tolls. Your previous post struck me because it sounds so much like me!
ReplyDeleteGlad you watched some movies & relaxed :) I liked Memoirs of a Geisha, but not nearly as much as the book. The book was spectacular! The Pursuit of Happyness was inspiring, too. It's been a while since I've seen it, but I remember liking it. And what can I say about The Blind Side? I loved it. Sandra Bullock was amazing and the story needed to be told. I think this is one I can watch over & over again.
ReplyDeleteI didn't watch anything this weekend b/c I was away on a women's retreat, but next week I'll have a few to report :)
Welcome, Jo! Nice to "meet" you, though I'm sorry to hear you count yourself among those of us with chronic illnesses.
ReplyDeletePJ - Hope you enjoyed your weekend retreat - sounds great!
Sue
I saw The Pursuit of Happyness a few years ago and loved it. I am a big fan of Will Smith and think that he is getting better and better.
ReplyDeleteI know that Shutter Island was generally not well received but I liked it. I am also a big fan of Leonardo Di Caprio, who has made some brilliant films in recent years.
I watched The Blind Side with my wife a couple of weeks ago and we both loved it. She cried almost non-stop! Even my dad, who is more of a fan of action films and tough dramas, really enjoyed it.
I have treated myself to old movies in recent weeks, mostly Pacino and De Niro: The Fan, Showtime, Flawless, Mad Dog And Glory, Glengarry Glen Ross, Bobby Deerfield. I watched The King Of Comedy last night- I had forgotten how good it is! In my opinion, it is one of De Niro's lesser known but best performances.
Your last post, on the inability to relax, really struck a chord with me, as I am sure it did with many people. As you will have guessed, I watch lots of films. This has always been the case, since long before ME/CFS blighted my life, and I still make time for what is one of my favourite hobbies.