Funny, and with tons of cameos. The interview/interviewee framework was a good setup. I wonder if Rosario Dawson will ever get a vehicle that really showcases her talents?
Cost: free from library
Where watched: at home, while the snow tapered off.
poster from: http://www.impawards.com/2014/top_five.html
Here’s what you usually get when you go to isitsnowinginpdx.com. Because there’s often a lot of weather related anticipation/hand-wringing about the possibility of snow. And most of it comes to naught. I find the weather hype annoying.
But today I woke up at 4:30, read in bed, fed the cats, returned to bed and drifted off again after 7. When I woke up around 8:30, there was…snow? It’s been so long that snow has arrived without days of anticipation that I almost didn’t believe I was looking at actual snow. But snow it was. I stayed in bed and took in the view.
Antares kept track of the snow out the window. 
So I’m going to ask you one more time. Is it snowing in Portland?
I bought a tablet!
And because I’ve learned that buying an electronic device is just the beginning of your expenses, aside from the tablet I bought a memory card, a heavy-duty case and also a new bluetooth speaker. For unknown reasons the bluetooth speaker that worked perfectly fine with my phone was all crackly when used with the tablet. I also bought a new case for my phone, as my old one was on its last legs.
One thing I like about Samsung products (and perhaps other products do this, it’s just that I’ve only had Samsung phones) is that when you get a new device and log in, everything is automatically downloaded. It’s pretty cool.
One thing I’m looking forward to is having a bigger platform to read the digital editions of the newspaper. You can see the difference here:
And look how much bigger the pictures are on the tablet!
I had a $25.00 credit for apps from Amazon and bought Ticket to Ride, Carcassonne, and Settlers of Cataan. Ticket to Ride is by far the prettiest of those apps, and my inability to win, dammit, has had me playing many games. I anticipate that not as many games will be played once I start back to work, but it’s an amusing diversion.
My old phone case served me well. And was cheery.
Poehler & Rudd come together for a spoof on the romantic comedy genre. As with most spoofs, I found it amusing, but too long. There are a million cameos, so if you get board you can spend your time extras spotting.
Cost: free from library
Where watched: at home
poster from: http://www.impawards.com/2014/they_came_together.html
I took my mother to this second viewing of the film* and we both enjoyed it. This time, I paid attention to the sweaters, which were marvelous–the ones in Ireland seemed to be hand-knit. Still great acting, still great plot, still great Julie Walters as Mrs. Keogh, boarding house matron.
Cost: free due to Regal Crown Club payout.
Where watched: Regal City Center Stadium 12
*My Number 1 film of 2015, in case you have forgotten.
poster from: http://www.impawards.com/intl/misc/2015/brooklyn_ver3.html
Beards? They are for men who I am NOT in a relationship with.
I’m sorry I watched this in 2015, rather than 2016, because now it has to wait an entire year to appear on my “best of” movies. Bre Larson continues on her fabulous streak* and Jacob Trembly manages his role as a kid marvelously. I’d heard that the middle was harrowing, but man, even with the warning, I had no idea.
Cost: $4.00 (although I think the woman gave me the wrong change so I only paid $3.00)
Where watched: Laurelhurst.
*Short Term 12? Have you not watched it yet?
poster from: http://www.impawards.com/intl/ireland/2015/room.html
I really dislike this poster.
I purposely didn’t plan very many projects to work on over the break. In fact, the only plan was fix cat tree, so Antares would stop scratching the furniture. Julie came over and we used sisal rope to replace the fraying sisal. Good job us!
As a reward, we prepped for my t-quilt, yet another massive undertaking. My last quilt was made out of 3″x3″ squares of denim and other old pants. It took more than five years and when it was done, I found it to be ugly. But it’s super warm and keeps me warm every winter. I just put a comforter on top so I can’t see my design. So I have low expectations for this project. But at this point I need to get started as I have been saving t-shirts from high school. (Borah High Class of 1993.)
I bought sheets at Fred Meyer (one black, one white) and we created a 15″x15″ template and cut out squares of backing for the t-shirts. Then, we created a frame (seen behind the square template made out of brown paper bags) so I could center my t-shirts before I cut them to size. And then we cut two t-shirts so I could get started.
My plan is to affix the t-shirts to the sheet/backing using Sashiko embroidery. I’ll let you know how it goes.
In the meantime, it was nice to have Julie’s big self-healing mat and rotary cutter, as well as her company. Thanks Julie!
I love to watch films that tell women’s stories. Sadly, they are not as prevalent as they could be. So here’s a supplement to my top list of 2015 films. These are the best films I watched this year that tell some aspect of what it’s like being a woman in the world.
A New Leaf
I’m quibbling with my choice of including this on my list, because the main character is Walter Matthau, but a woman wrote, directed and starred in it, plus it’s a pretty fun movie. So it stays.
Alien
Sigourney Weaver! She is awesome.
Begin Again
Another movie with a man as a (possibly the) main character, but it stays on the list because it also manages to capture several different aspects of being female in the music world. Or even just the world.
Brooklyn
Finding one’s way in life, in a new country, in a relationship. It’s all there.
Cinderella
The classic template for female existence, not reinvented, but incredible to watch. That dance at the ball!
Inside Out
It’s the inside of a girl’s brain and the two emotions we spend the most time with are voiced by females.
Martha Marcy May Marlene
Elizabeth Olsen is fantastic as a former cult member trying to find her footing.
Mistress America
It’s a screwball comedy with two awesome female leads.
Short Term 12
Bre Larson is in command as the head of a short term care facility.
Skeleton Twins
Kristen Wiig captures layers of depression with a nuance that hopefully means she will have a long career making movies.
The Intern
Surprisingly, a tale of a female executive who is trying to make the best choices for her company, her relationship and her family.
Unexpected
The first movie I’ve seen that directly deals with feelings around becoming a mother. (It’s very weird that there are not more films that deal with this subject.)
We Are The Best
Punk rock girls in Sweden are the best!
Zero Motivation
Hilarious and funny tale about being female in the Israeli army.
Here’s my top pick for the year. You must see this film!
I’ve got a top 17, broken into two categories:
Top 10 New Movies (movies I watched in 2015 at the movie theater)
Top 7 Discoveries (movies I watched in 2015 on DVD)
Top 10 New Movies:
(in alphabetical order)
Brooklyn
Dear White People
Ex Machina
Inside Out
Love and Mercy
Mistress America
Spotlight
The Big Short
The Intern
Zero Motivation
Top 7 Discoveries
(In alphabetical order)
Begin Again
Rudderless
Short Term 12
Tonight You’re Mine (aka You Instead)
Unexpected
We Are The Best
Whiplash
Honorable mentions New Movies:
Bridge of Spies
Cinderella
Dope
Furious 7
Skeleton Twins
Sleeping With Other People
Straight Outta Compton
Tangerine
The End of the Tour
The Man From UNCLE
The Martian
Honorable mentions Discoveries:
A New Leaf
Alien
All the Real Girls
Inside Llewyn Davis
Like Crazy
Martha Marcy May Marlene
Now You See Me
Only Lovers Left Alive
Thanks for Sharing
The Art of the Steal
The Grand Seduction
Two Night Stand
