Category Archives: movies

just like that

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Watching Juno together here under the Big Top. A favorite movie here for so many reasons…the music, the humor, the family, the story and so much more. So yeah, we watched Juno here under the Big Top for the umpteenth time tonight.  Then comes that scene…

that scene where Vanessa holds her baby boy for the very first time.

:::sniff:::

I KNOW!

Daniel looks over at me. I look back at him and smile trying to blink back tears and quickly look back at the television.

Daniel: Was that what it was like, Mom? You know, when you held me when I was a baby?

:::sniff-sniff:::

Mom: That is exactly how it was, son. It was just like that.

I KNOW!!

I can’t believe how blessed I am to say that I am this boy’s mom.

 

the great and powerful

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Earlier this week, Jodie and I had the opportunity to see Oz, The Great and Powerful, a prequel (if you will) to The Wizard of Oz.

Oscar Diggs (James Franco), a small-time circus magician with dubious ethics, is hurled away from dusty Kansas to the vibrant Land of Oz. At first he thinks he’s hit the jackpot-fame and fortune are his for the taking. That all changes, however, when he meets three witches, Theodora (Mila Kunis), Evanora (Rachel Weisz), and Glinda (Michelle Williams), who are not convinced he is the great wizard everyone’s been expecting. Reluctantly drawn into the epic problems facing the Land of Oz and its inhabitants, Oscar must find out who is good and who is evil before it is too late. Putting his magical arts to use through illusion, ingenuity-and even a bit of wizardry-Oscar transforms himself not only into the great and powerful Wizard of Oz but into a better man as well. Written by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Under the direction of Sam Raimi, “Oz, The Great and Powerful” proves to be a entertaining and visually stunning fairy tale fable that reverently tips its hat to L. Frank Baum as well as to Victor Fleming‘s “The Wizard of Oz“. Raimi gives an old school feel to this film that manages to balance the right tone of epic nostalgia and childlike intimacy. It is a beautiful film to look at and it is very inviting. The character’s looks all represent their personalities and the CGI animated effects for the imaginary characters match the feel and look of the film. From the childlike wonder of China Doll to the scary fanged flying baboons, Raimi manages to let them connect on a visual level with their environment and not for once that they over power the seamless look of the film. It is a beautiful, visual affair and that is all thanks to the grace that Sam Raimi and his ability to let the audiences feel their way around this beautiful world.

Yes, overall it was a very entertaining film. Unfortunately, I found myself disappointed with James Franco’s portrayal of the Wizard. The problem that I had was I saw James Franco up on the big screen rather than Oscar. It was only during the climatic confrontation of good against wicked did he seem to finally transform just a little into the Wizard. Rachel Weisz and Michelle Williams both turn in wonderful performances. Weisz’s Evanora proves to be a charming, velvet-y kind of wicked witch who easily catches one off guard with her evil wickedness. On the other side is Williams’ Glinda who manages to be good without saccharine and with a definite edge to her character, the perfect foil against Evanora.

All in all, yes, I did like this movie and yes, I would recommend it. Oz, The Great and Powerful is rated PG. There are some dark and perhaps scary scenes…

HELLO?!

FLYING BABOONS!!

And to think that I was scarred for life by those flying monkeys when I first saw The Wonderful Wizard of Oz when I was four years old. Parents, consider this before you plan to take the whole family. As for me, I am seeing it again because, hey, it’s my birthday today.

Jodie and I received no compensation other than admission to the movie and some sweet 3D glasses.

looking through Oz colored glasses

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Struggling…struggling much, much too hard here. Since receiving news Friday that will gravely affect our finances, our Big Top, our family, our ability to care for our family, I have become unbelievably overwhelmed…

and crying a lot…

and sleepless…

and literally shaky…

and not hungry…

and on and on.

I’m already barely hanging on with depression and anxiety that my former family doctor was certain I could fix with hypnosis. Hormone therapy and running (oh thank glob for running!) keeps me going as does my circus clowns but Friday I was knocked down…knocked down hard. Getting up earlier this week I was knocked down even harder trying to solve our problems because the care and feeding and housing of my family does not matter much at all when The Man demands that which you don’t have…right now! Miss Hardy of the IRS made that very clear to me. Prove your hardship. Prove that you must house and clothe and feed your circus act and then maybe we won’t take away all your money that you can barely live on paycheck to paycheck is what she told me. In the meantime, it belongs to The Man.

I felt as if I could not breathe. And then for almost an hour I went to a very, very dark place inside myself. It froze me. I felt as if I was encased in concrete or perhaps frozen in carbonite. Frozen in that dark place, I have never felt so hopeless, so demoralized, so unable to do anything…except that which my mind seemed to be telling me I must do. It was such a scary idea in my mind.

Yeah, I could very well be having a nervous breakdown. Aren’t you glad I am oversharing that?

Sorry. I just can’t help myself.

I need help.

Desperately so, I know…and no, Dr. Assdale, I don’t imagine that hypnosis is what I need.

But first I must fill out this damn 433F form, as well as 656 Form and then call back Miss Hardy and beg for a little grace…grace I certainly don’t deserve but dammit my family does!

I can’t wait to call her back because I know I can not emotionally and physically take verbal insults and abuse from her again.

But I have to. I must. I have no other choice.

But before I do, I took a break…a brief break, but a very much needed break and journeyed to Oz with Jodie.

Looking through these Oz colored glasses while enjoying a sneak preview of Oz, The Great and Powerful was a much needed balm. An oh-so, but desperately required respite before I completely fall apart and actually listen to that voice in that very dark place.

Don’t worry, I won’t listen to that voice, not ever. I guess that is one good thing Mommy Dearest taught me by doing…to herself…repeatedly…when I was just a child. Actually I credit my circus clowns who call me away, distract me, love me and hold on to me so tightly.

The movie? I enjoyed it. I’ll share a review later. But first I must finish filling out those forms and then prepare to call Miss Hardy back.

If you pray or think good thoughts or light candles or are into voodoo I need all of it desperately.

Thank you.

love day

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Happy Love Day Y’all!

You don’t need pretty flowers, or pretty cards with heart-felt messages. Forget about what jewelry companies try to sell you. You don’t even need chocolate or wining and dining.

Well…

Oh geez…

Just tell someone whom you can’t imagine living without that you love them because day to day, everyday, sometimes we do forget because we know the people we love will always be there, always loving us. But the thing is love needs to be nurtured and cultivated. So go ahead. Tell someone you love them…even if you just did yesterday or early this morning. Tell them again.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Nominated for Best Animated Short in this year’s Academy Awards, Paperman.