November 24, 2004
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WEDNESDAY MOVIEElf
There I was in the video store, which is like my Cheers, and they were playing Elf on the screens dotted around the walls and it just struck me right for the frame of mind I was in. My grandchildren had already seen it twice without me, so I figured why not find out what they liked about it. Well, I still don’t know what they liked about it, but what I liked was that it was funny enough to make me laugh out loud, friendly enough to keep my stomach from curdling (unlike Bad Santa), and full of lovable characters who, besides Will Ferrell (brilliant as usual), included Jimmy Caan (so nice to see the bad boys of earlier years like him and Walken playing comedy roles in their old age), Mary Steenburgen, and Bob Newhart, plus Ed Asner as Santa. It’s a definite child-at-heart movie with no pretensions for Academy Awards, just good cheer and warm fuzzies. Take a time out and watch it over the holidays (if you haven’t already).
Deep Thought: “As I walked through the woods, I looked up and saw a squirrel. I smiled and he smiled. At least I think it was a smile. My teeth were showing and my cheeks were pulled up. That’s a smile, isn’t it? (The squirrel was definitely smiling.)”
Today I am grateful for: Holidays that are supposed to be about gratitude
Guess the Movie: “Hey, we’re back. That last two seconds of silence was Marcel Marceau’s newest hit single, “Walkin In The Wind.” And now, here are the headlines. Here they come right now. Pope actually found to be Jewish. Liberace is Anastasia and Ethel Merman jams Russian radar. The East Germans, today, claimed the Berlin Wall was a fraternity prank. Also the Pope decided today to release Vatican-related bath products. An incredible thing, yes, it’s the new Pope On A Rope. That’s right. Pope On A Rope. Wash with it, go straight to heaven. Thank you.” Answer: Good Morning, Vietnam!.
Winner: suzyQ_darnit.
America’s Heartfelt Holiday
by James Carroll
Thanksgiving is preferable to Christmas. No denominational strings are attached to this week’s observance, to the benefit of those for whom the birth of Jesus Christ is an emblem of exclusion. Thanksgiving has not been taken hostage by the extravagance of gift-giving or the burdens of shopping. Built around the meal, the feast celebrates the exquisite tension between appetite and its satisfaction. Honoring the turning of the year, it is a first pushing back against winter’s cold darkness with the warmth and light of fireplaces, candles, the illuminations of reunion. (Rest of article here.)
End of Day: 9:15 pm
+ = Let go of an obligation that was weighing me down.
- = Butterflies only live 2-4 weeks.
Comments (13)
Thanks for the tip about “Elf” – I was wondering if it would be worthwhile to watch or not.
Ummm…”Good Morning, Vietnam?”
Wow, you got it!
i loved this movie when i saw it in the theatre last winter… so rented it and made my sister watch it – i thought she would appreciate it. Sadly, she said she was dumber for having sat through it. oh well, it still amused me… especially “when you see gum on the sidewalk, leave it there! It’s not free candy.” hahahaaa
I’ve had Elf on my list of movies to see on video. Looks like the time has come. I really liked Robin Wms in Good Morning Viet Nam. Some of his impromptu lines are hilarious.
How early do I have to get here to answer the movie question?
Thanks for the reminder (and recommendation) about Elf. I missed it last year. Now I’ll have at least one holiday movie to watch and won’t feel so totally estranged from the human race because I hate the holidays.
T
thanx i was wondering what movie to get tonight
Thanksgiving is a favorite for my family although most years we do it early so my mom & stepdad can snowbird.
enjoy the holiday…
Sounds like a fun movie!
Hope you have a grand holiday!
Ok, I was wondering if there was a good reason to see Elf! Thanks for clearing up that matter! I’m adding it to my netflix queue!Thanks!
I liked that Thanksgiving article. Thanks for the link.
I liked that you questioned your smile instead.