Left Coast Mama » movie talk

Family Movie Night

Gwen — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 05:08:50 +0000

In our quest to find movies that don’t make Aidan run screaming “I don’t want to see this movie. It scares me,” we have tried a number of different family films over the last few weeks. Usually if we can keep a hold of him and reassure him, Aidan will make it to he end of the movies. Sometimes he loves them and sometimes he, well, he doesn’t.

So far some thumbs up movies:

Toy Story 3 (He did have to be reassured a few times, especially at the dump.)

How to Train Your Dragon (Oddly enough he really liked this movie, and had to be reassured a lot less than usual.)

Mary Poppins (He had no trouble with this one at all. I wasn’t sure what his reaction would be.)

The Sound of Music (We haven’t watched the whole thing, but so far so good.)

The thumbs down:

Finding Nemo (He spent some time under the dining room table for this one.)

I am to the point where I think I really need to get him to watch as many kid movies as I can to desensitise him a bit. I mean if he can have a problem with Cars, a movie he has watch a dozen times, we really need to find a way to help him manage his anxiety with minor conflict.

What are your kids favourite movies? Or, what are your favourite kid movies?

New Moon

Gwen — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 06:01:22 +0000

Last year around this time I was a mom with a newborn again and tired as all get out. Some things were easier, but not everything. With problems breastfeeding and not enough sleep and no chance to sleep when my baby slept because I had a three year old who no longer took naps and wanted some attention. So I was surprised when Anthony suggested that I take some time and go to the opening weekend of Twilight.

I went to see a late afternoon matinée and I was a little unsure if I really wanted to be there. I also felt guilty for maybe wanting a little time to be out by myself so soon after Quinlan was born. I didn’t take that time when Aidan was born, so how could I justify the time with Quinlan? Didn’t I love him ans much as Aidan? Of course I loved him as much as my first born, but I was also dealing with a three year old, and a newborn and no chance to go to see a movie at the baby friendly showings. Anthony was very capable of taking care of the boys and a few hours were not going to kill me, just make me a little uncomfortable.

In a week or so, New Moon will be coming out in the theatre. I am ashamed to admit it but I am pretty sure I will stick Anthony with the boys again and go to the movies by myself. I am not ashamed because I am taking time for myself. I am ashamed because I am going to see another movie that is not as good as the book, and with inferior casting. I may be going out on a limb here, but Cedric Diggory wasn’t my idea of Edward. I think that Rosalie and Carlisle are too blonde and not really that pretty. The guy who plays Jasper isn’t old enough and my god what were they thinking when they cast him? The only one who has any resemblance to the cast of characters in my head is Alice. All the others are pale imitations or downright wrong. I certainly hope they find a way to make the Vampires actually sparkle this time. I am not sure I can take the minute amount of glitter they tried to pass off last time.

Despite all the criticism I can throw at the last movie, I will still watch them all. I will probably watch them multiple times, though only once in theatre. I will watch because I am a sucker for these kinds of things. I will watch because it is a night out by myself. I will watch because inside I am still a teenage girl who likes her sparkly vampires.

Girl’s Night

Gwen — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 02:00:05 +0000

Last night my friend Tammy and I actually got the chance to go out and actually see a movie and go to dinner. All I can say is, I didn’t know how much I needed it. Tammy and I are both busy, but Tammy is insanely busy. Such is the life of a veterinary surgery intern. By some miracle she was able to get out of work early enough for us to go to an early show and then to dinner. A chance to watch a definite “Chick flick” and get some quality girl talk time.

We went to see 27 Dresses. All I can say was that it was a fun romantic comedy with some nice eye candy and a very “Izzy” character played by what-her-face from Grey’s Anatomy, Katherine Heigl. Not a whole lot for those of you who don’t like the romantic comedy but if you are looking for a good escape with some nice eye candy from “Cyclops” James Marsden, you could do worse than 27 Dresses. While it is totally formulaic we both enjoyed it, although I was absolutely embarrassed for them during the Benny and the Jets scene. The best thing about it though was that it was a movie out. I didn’t need a babysitter because Anthony stayed home. What do you think, a great Valentines gift eh?

Harry, Harry, Where Are You?

Gwen — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 18:08:09 +0000

I ordered my copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows months ago. I have been counting down for months till it came out. I was too cheap to up the shipping costs to get it on the day. Anthony didn’t take my hint that he could up the shipping from the free shipping so that I would miraculously get the book on the day it came out. (It really wasn’t that subtle. I coyly said, “Well you could up the shipping for me.” Grinning.) I don’t know how he could mistake that for anything but I can’t justify it for myself, but my wonderful husband could do it for me. Ok I guess to a male mind that didn’t mean the same as doing it myself, or actually asking him outright to do it for me.

Now I am in spoiler hell. I am trying so hard to avoid spoilers, and because EVERYONE has already read the book, the blogging world is full of them. I want to know but I do not want to know. Does Harry die? Will he finally get some time with Ginny? Do they kill off Ron? Will Snape redeem himself? Who does die? What will be Voldemort’s undoing? Is Dumbledore really dead? Will Sirius come through the veil? Are Dumbledore and Harry related? What happen to the other members of the D.A.?

I guess I will just have to read the previous books again while I am waiting. Sigh.

P.S. Do not under any circumstance answer my questions if you know. I want to read them for my self. I will discuss the book with any of you AFTER I have read HP7. You can however leave some “Na na na na na s, I know what happened, but I’m not telling,” comments. I am a comment whore after all.

P.P.S. Anthony and I are planning to go to see HP and the order of the Pheonix on friday for our anniversary (7 years already). I can’t wait. (I hope Tammy can still babysit.)

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Related: anniversaries, Book Talk, Gwen, Harry Potter, kid lit, movie talk.

Pirate’s Curse Lifted

Gwen — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 16:18:39 +0000

We, Anthony and I actually made it to a MOVIE, on time and with no worries about the boy. Aidan didn’t even notice that we left (we did say goodbye but that didn’t seem to matter) and after his show (The Letter Factory) he turned off the TV and told Nana that he wanted to go to bed. He did get up one, but even with that he was asleep by 7:45 pm. Wow.

Pirates was a good movie and we thoroughly enjoyed it. It was better than the second Pirates and darker than the first, but the best part was that Anthony and I actually got to go out alone. We did wonder however, how Chris the Brit (as taught to him by Tammy) could fall asleep during it. Yes it was long but it didn’t feel long. I am glad we were able to make it to the 7:00 show, 10 would be just too late.

Anyway, I know this is a short post but with Nana here we are trying to do some things even though the weather has been crappy. have fun today everyone!

Woohoo, A Date!!

Gwen — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 01:00:23 +0000

Since Nana is in town Anthony and I are going on a date. We will actually be able to see Pirates in theatre, unless of course the curse stands. Wish us luck!

I Couldn’t Resist

Gwen — Sat, 28 Apr 2007 02:28:56 +0000

I love, love, loved The Golden Compass series by Phillip Pullman. I just found a link to finding your own Daemon. This is what I got, but I guess I need you to make sure that it is right on. You can also take the test for yourself.