Becoming Obsessed

Last night hubby & I had a lovely date night where we were able to go see the film "Becoming Jane". It was delightful! They successfully took the facts that are known about Jane Austen's life and filled in the rest to created a lovely, enjoyable historical fiction film worth watching again & again. Add to the pleasure that the film was at the Oriental Theatre in Milwaukee, one of the old ornate movie houses...complete with the organist playing before the film. After the film Marsha Huff, the head of the Jane Austen Society of North America did a talk back, discussing the fact from the fiction, answering questions, etc. All in all it was quite simply a lovely evening with my own Mr. Darcy.
(I couldn't help but show these two film shots.)

Faith or Fear?

Ok, I'm going to risk offending someone, but this is my blog, so I can express my thoughts, and if you can add any insight to counterpoint to this, I welcome it.
That said...today I realized evangelical christians scare the crap out of me! Seriously! I am a firm believer in balance; that any extremes are bad. And these people are definately the extreme. I had Jehovas Witnesses at my door...thankfully they left with a simple "I'm sorry, but I don't believe the same things you do and I really don't have the time to get into a discussion about it." I've actually gotten into religious discussions with these people before...and had an older man shake my hand & left respecting me despite the fact that I'm Catholic. But what really disturbed me was the fact they were dragging their children around with them. Little kids, no more than 10 and as young as about 6, dressed in long sleeves & trousers (or skirts) on a humid 90+ degree day, while all the other kids are running around playing & swimming. Is this the self-sacrifice God expects of us? Somehow, I don't think so.

Then I had to satiate my curiousity and watch the documentary "Jesus Camp". Wow...talk about scary! These evangelical Christians are only perpetuating fear in children. They are teaching them ridiculous things like "there is no such thing as global warming". Ok, its one thing to argue creationism vs. evolution (a pointless argument to me as I believe they go hand in hand) but its another thing to say global warming is a lie. What?? Are you kidding me? (Watch "An Inconvenient Truth" please!) They are teaching kids that God allows us to hate anyone who doesn't believe what they believe. They are telling kids things like"Harry Potter is evil & would be killed if this was during the Old Testament". Uh...hello....have you actually read the Old Testament? 1. Taught in parables. 2. If you are going to say that is the teaching of the Bible to believe then you sure as heck better not be eating an shellfish or certain meats either. People, you don't get to pick & choose which parts of the Bible suit your needs! And by virtue of calling yourselves "Christians" that means you believe in Jesus Christ, and therefore the teachings of the New Testament...stories of love & kindness & forgiveness. Jesus embraced the outcasts for a reason...to show love to ALL. *sigh*

I truly believe our American media perpetuates fear. These people simply live by it, and unfortunately, are breeding a new generation with fear AND hate.
Update: I feel like I have to say, so I don't sound like a hypocrite...I don't expect others to believe what I believe. That's why I welcome any opposing views...or support.

A glass of wine, a good movie & You

One of my favourite distractions is bopping around Netflix, checking out films I might never had known about, rating those I have seen, and seeing what recommendations they come up for me. (Trust me, some really make me chuckle.) It is rare that I go to the cinema, I just can't often justify the rising cost for the quality of the movies. Harry Potter cost us $20 the other night, plus another $9 for the smallest popcorn & one medium drink. So for me to spend that it has to be a film I REALLY want to see on the big screen (in this case, the MegaScreen). Otherwise I'll just wait until the film is out on DVD, snuggle up at home & watch it. I was never any good at returning a movie to the rental shop on time. I've probably spent far more money in late fees than going to the cinema would have cost me. And thus, the glory that is Netflix.

Now that I officially sound like the spokesperson for Netflix, I'll invite you to join my "Friends" list. I'm always looking for something new to watch.

Order of the Phoenix

Since baby boy was spending the night with the grandparents, we took advantage of the time to go see "Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix" on the MegaScreen last night. I quite enjoyed it! I keep hearing people talk about how dark it is, and yeah, it should be! This is really the turning point in the HP stories. They've been students getting into some pretty difficult situations, but now the gauntlet has been thrown down and it's now no-holds-bar against Voldemort.

I felt it was done well, though I would have liked to have seen more with the actual Order of the Phoenix. The fight between Voldemort & Dumbledore was exactly as I'd pictured it in the book. Luna Lovegood is far more endearing than I expected (I thought she'd just be annoying, but really that title went to Cho). The special effects were excellent. Given this was my least favourite book, I can't wait for more!

Confession time...Daniel Radcliffe (Harry) is just far too good looking & has far too nice of a body for a boy so young.

Dumbledore's Army

Allow me to briefly state just how freakin' excited I am that Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix opens tonight at midnight! I can't wait to see it! (No, I'm not going to the midnight show, but I will go on Thursday night hopefully.) And then next week the 7th (and sadly, final) book will be out! I have oh-so-much speculation about it, and who will die. How 'bout you, are you excited about Harry Potter month?