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Monday, August 29, 2011

Movie Monday 8/29

Well, we survived the hurricane, and Jamie came through his oral surgery this morning just fine.  We are hoping that the IV fluids he got in the hospital will help prevent a severe crash - time will tell.  He's got a sore throat and swollen glands, so that's not a good sign.  He's in a lot of pain now but enjoying his smoothie.  I will post again tomorrow about tips for people with CFS having surgery.

For today, how about a more fun topic?  Movies!  Since I skipped last Monday, today's post will cover two weeks.  We actually didn't watch a lot of movies partly because it's been so hectic here and partly because the kids are still totally hooked on watching old episodes of Bones!  It's a great series with a wonderful sense of humor.  As for movies:
  • A couple of weeks ago, we watched Alice in Wonderland, the new version.  It was pretty much just what you would expect from a collaboration between Tim Burton and Johnny Depp: really, really bizarre!  We all enjoyed it - a very creative, colorful production, a totally new approach to Alice.
  • We also watched The Truman Show starring Jim Carrey with the kids.  Ken and I had seen it many years ago, and the boys both loved it.  It's just such an ironic, insightful look at our voyeuristic society.  And talk about premonition!  One year after the movie was released, the first reality TV show, Big Brother, premiered.
  • During the big sleepover this weekend, Ken and I watched The Hereafter, starring Matt Damon.  I've wanted to see this movie ever since it was released into the theater.  As its title indicates, it's about the afterlife.  There are three separate stories that eventually come together: Matt Damon plays a psychic in San Francisco who can sense messages from people's dead loved ones; there's a young boy in England who suffers a crippling loss; and a well-known TV journalist in France who has a near-death experience while on vacation.  I loved this thoughtful and thought-provoking movie!
Have you seen any good movies lately?

8 comments:

  1. I have not seen any movies lately but I have several on my "list". I hope Jamie does well from the surgery. Take care

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  2. Yeah, glad to see that Movie Monday is back! This week I have watched Pulp Fiction, Dead Man Running and Jumper.

    I also watched Man On Wire again. It is a beautiful, unique film about Philippe Petit, who in 1974 walked across New York's Twin Towers on a tightrope. It is one of my recent favourites and I cannot recommend it highly enough.

    I saw The Hereafter at the cinema and have to say that I didn't enjoy it. I am a big fan of Matt Damon and was curious about the story but left disappointed.

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  3. Chris -

    Pulp Fiction is excellent! We need to get that one for the kids - we recently watched Get Shorty with them.

    Jumper was only mediocre as a movie, but it is a GREAT book!! Much better in books form - one of my favorites.

    I read a book that included the story of Philippe Petit, so I am curious to hear more. Thanks for the recommendation!

    Sue

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  4. Sue- I used to read every day but since CFS/ME knocked down my door I have mostly been unable to indulge one of my favourite hobbies because it gives me a headache. As a result of this, I have been "reading" Burroughs' "Queer" for several months and am still not close to the end. Yet another negative of this bloody illness!

    I really liked Jumper as a film so will definitely have a look at the book when I am able to read again.

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  5. Chris -

    Sorry to hear you can no longer read. That's one thing that hasn't been affected for me, and I am constantly grateful for that!!

    Have you tried audio books? I know lots of people with CFS enjoy audios as an alternative to reading on paper. And now they are usually available as MP3 files as well as on CD.

    Glad you liked Jumper. I love stories like that!

    Sue

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  6. Hi, Chris -

    I thought of something else while I was napping!

    For the movie version of Jumper, all they retained form the original book was the title and the basic concept of a young man who can teleport. Even the main character was changed. The movie is totally focused on action - bad guys chasing him, basically.

    The book is still fast-paced but much more detailed and thought-provoking. In fact, the author, Stephen Gould, later wrote another version called Jumper: Griffin's Story to match the movie adaptation.

    Maybe you can find Jumper on audio!

    Sue

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  7. My recent fave to rent is Pirate Radio and in the theater was Midnight in Paris!!!! So wonderful.

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  8. My husband and I LOVED Pirate Radio!!

    Sue

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