What MOVIES or DVDs have you watched? (PART SEVEN - 2014) (ongoing thread)

[Joy H., Group Founder]

I started watching a film adaptation of Cranford with Judi Dench. Looks pretty entertaining. The Constant Reader Group at GR is reading it as a group selection.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0974077/?...

[Nina]

Just ordered, "The One Hundred Foot Journey," as it got really good reviews in the paper here. Have any of you seen it?

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Haven't seen it, Nina. It's on my "Keep in Mind" shelf.
The Hundred-Foot Journey
Is THAT the book?

[Nina]

That'a the book the movie is taken from. I'll let you know what I think.

[Nina]

Just watched, "The Black Stallion," and it is very good. Mickey Rooney got a recommendation for aupporting actor award. But, the star was the horse and the boy actor was very beleivable.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

I didn't read The Black Stallion but I watched the film. Here is my review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Very exciting film.

[Werner]

Barb's read (and greatly liked), not only The Black Stallion, but several of Walter Farley's other horse-related books, although I haven't read any of his work myself. I can't recall for sure if I've ever seen the movie version myself; but again Barb has, and adds her recommendation to Nina's and Joy's!

My grandkids got the Disney animated movie Frozen (2013) for Christmas this year on DVD; I was there last night, and Deborah put it on for them. Miracle of miracles, they were sufficiently quiet and attentive that the adults could actually watch (and hear) it as well. I consider it well done, with an intelligent script and well-organized plot, serious messages, and wonderful artwork. It won two Academy Awards, including for best animated feature film (a rare case where the Academy and I agree!), and the Golden Globe Award in the same category. The imdb entry is here: www.imdb.com/title/tt2294629 .

The screenplay was based on a story by Hans Christian Andersen, "The Snow Queen," but never having read any of his work, I can't say how closely it follows the original. I need to read his fairy tales one of these days!

[Nina]

Thanks for the Frozen tip, Werner. I felt frozen when I went for a walk this afternoon.

[Werner]

You're welcome, Nina. (It's cold here, too! :-) )

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Werner, thanks for the info re "Frozen". I didn't realize it was based on a story by Hans Christian Andersen, "The Snow Queen". My kids had that book years ago. I probably still have it on a shelf somewhere.
I haven't seen the movie yet but maybe I'll take a look at it.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

I've started a new "movie" thread/topic for 2015.
See: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Nina]

How arre you celebrating New Year's Eve? We are staying close to home and having hot chocolate and molasses ginger cookies with a widow neighbor lady. Tomorrow we go to an annual New Year's Day gathering at former sailing friends of ours at their lake house. At one time, sailing was a big part of our life as it was yours, Joy, as I remember. In any case Have a Happy One..nina

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Nina wrote: "How arre you celebrating New Year's Eve? ..."

Nina, we're staying home. Ed serves special snacks to me at Midnight. We watch the ball come down on TV. A nice quiet, but special, evening.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Happy New Year to all!

[Nina]

Couldn't access the new movie topic but will say here we watched, "The Black Stallion," as you know Joy and thought it excellent. We especially enjoyed reading the link to how the movie was made put on here by Joy.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Nina, thanks for your appreciative comment.

Nina, I had no trouble accessing the new 2015 movie topic. Here's the link again:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Werner]

Barb and I don't have any special plans for New Year's eve; but tomorrow evening, we'll be having a combination Christmas dinner (postponed from Dec. 25) and New Year's dinner at Deborah's house.

Echoing Joy and Nina's wish for a happy new year to all in 2015!

[Jim]

Have a good evening. We're not doing anything special, either. Never have. I am working on a very nifty offset candlestick.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Thanks for all your good wishes and for your loyal participation at this group.

[Nina]

Jim,

I am curious as to what an offset candlestick is. Please inform..

[Jim]

Sorry, Nina. That's shorthand for turning a candlestick on the lathe using offsets to create odd patterns in it. This album on FaceBook shows some of them, although not the one I turned today. Make sure to read the picture descriptions & I think it will explain it better.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?s...

The one I did today created a long airy looking candlestick out of walnut with leaf shapes in the center. Unfortunately, I didn't drill it to take the candle first, so now I have to do that. I hope I don't break it.

That's something to think about any time you buy something from a crafter or artisan. What you are buying isn't just what you see, but the culmination of many hours & attempts. All of the candlesticks on the FB page are just done for practice. I don't particularly care for most of them. I like bits & pieces of each. I finished them all, but most will probably wind up in the shop as something to look at & use as gauges for other pieces.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Jim, you must LOVE doing that wood work. It's so wonderful to LOVE what you do!

[Nina]

Thanks for the explanation, Jim. It makes sense and yes, having an artist daughter and husband who does woodworking I do know the hours spent don't show up. Years ago my husband and daughter did theme wooden necklaces. He cut them out and she hand painted them in tiny details. This involved several steps before she couldn't even do the paint job. Also, my husband hand crafted the back clasp. They hung on leather and truly were works of art. They sold at high class shops for twenty five dollars. At that time wooden necklases sold from China or Mexico for around five dollars.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

I am closing this 2014 movie thread/topic. Please move on to the next movie thread/topic for 2015. The link is: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Thanks for your participation!