Month: February 2017

Movies About Women: My Reviews

The Academy Awards (Oscars) are coming up. That means  TV Stevie is trying to see every motion picture nominated in the major categories–and not so major categories if the films are readily available for watching.

A few weeks ago, we decided to go to an early showing of Twentieth Century Women. The trailers lured me into thinking the movie was something it wasn’t. It was well acted. The ramshackle house in which most of the action took place was a nice metaphor for people who lived there, as was the vineyard in which the defining moment took place.

But something was…off about the movie. One of the women was born the same year I was, and I should have been able to relate to her, her music, and her state of mind at that age, but it was like a foreign country to me. In fact, I couldn’t relate to a single character.

And the pacing was off. I do have a difficult time sitting during movies, even at home, and when I start to wonder how much longer I have to sit through this, I know it’s not me. At home, I can stand and stretch. Run to the kitchen to refresh my beverage. But I can’t do that in a movie theater.  I wanted to do that several times during this picture.

TV Stevie and I then grabbed lunch and returned to the theater to see Hidden Figures. I am so glad we decided at the last minute to do this. This motion picture is wonderful. Just incredible. Although I haven’t seen any of the other contenders for Best Picture, I want this one to win. It’s about women. Powerless women.  And even without power, they made their voices heard and were able to make great contributions. It’s about time those contributions were acknowledged.

No pacing problems here.  I didn’t want the film to end.

 

Showering with a Friend

Today is National Shower with a Friend Day.

My favorite showering-with-a-friend scene in a book comes from Linda Howard’s Mr. Perfect (which happens to be one of my all-time favorite books). The scene comes at the end of book, when the villain has been caught and the hero and heroine are about to embark on their happily ever after. It’s not a particularly sensual scene. In fact, it’s funny. Whenever I hear “shower with a friend” I think of this scene, and that’s the best thing an author can do.

Style over Substance

I’m not one to care overmuch about the appearance of things. I usually drive an older car. As long as it runs and it’s safe, I’m happy. I don’t need big and shiny and new.

I used to wear makeup. I stopped this past summer because it was melting off my face. I never started again, because I find I’m happier without it. My left eye doesn’t tear up all day long anymore. And shoes! I used to wear sexy, strappy heels. Now I aim for comfort. If I’m comfortable, I’m happy.

I know a woman who bakes cookies as a side business. She gives the misshapen, slightly overcooked, not perfectly decorated ones to her friends. “It’a all about presentation,” she tells me.

I see elaborately decorated cakes or fruit/vegetable presentations and while I do admire the artistry–some people are really clever and talented enough to pull it off–I wonder, “Why?” Why go to all that work for something that’s going to be eaten anyway?

Okay, yes, I wash my clothes and shower on a regular bases, even though I know they and I will only get dirty again.  But a clean body and clean clothing are necessities. A cake that took 100 hours to decorate is not. Who am I trying to impress with cosmetics? I shouldn’t be driving a car at all (but I am a hideously spoiled American).

I would rather be known as fair, honest, and kind than stylish.