Movies for Winter: January Crafting

Weekends in January

I spend a lot of time in January recovering from the hectic holiday season that is Halloween through New Years. I like to use this time to create scrapbooks, candles, and other arts/crafts projects.

Auntie Mame

No one has a good time like Rosalind Russell’s Auntie Mame. A fabulous romp with only one set of fools (the rigid fiance’s parents…).

Housesitter

I love the ability to play that Goldie Hawn demonstrates in this movie. I think it is one of the funniest around.

Practical Magic

The house reeks of crafting, from magic craft to spinning and cooking.

What’s Up Doc

We had this movie on video tape when there were few video tapes to be had. My family watched it a lot. Even though I’ve seen it a zillion times I still think it is one of the funniest movies ever made.

Dharma and Gregg, The TV Series

Very amusing series about an uptight attorney marrying a free-spirited daughter of hippies.

Movies for Winter: New Years

December 31 & January 1

Thirteenth Warrior

I think this is one of my favorite movies of all time. I am a huge fan of the story Beowulf and this is an adaptation of it. This is a good film to stay up late and watch. I’m considering finding and watching other viking movies so that I can have nordic film fest.  And if you’ve been following this page you can see that I have added a few. 

Beowulf & Grendel

Gerard Butler as Beowulf the story is an interesting retelling, well worth the watching.

Beowulf

This one starting Christopher Lambert is a fantasy, futuristic, silly romp.

Beowulf

Starring an animated Ray Winstone and Angelina Jolie.

Pathfinder

The story of a viking boy left in the new world and raised by natives. Eventually, he must choose which people he belongs to.

Other choices – Any number of film themes would work including:

The Robin Hoods

• Robin Hood with Errol Flynn
• Robin Hood the Disney version
• Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves
• Robin Hood, Men in Tights
• The Court Jester
• Robin of Sherwood, the series

The Jurassic Parks

• Jurassic Park
• Jurassic Park, The Lost World
• Jurassic Park III
• Godzilla (the Matthew Broderick version for kicks)

The Musketteers

• Cyranno de Bergerac (with
• Three Musketeers (with Richard Chamberlain)
• Four Musketeers (with Richard Chamberlain)
• Return of the Musketeers (with Richard Chamberlain)
• Three Musketeers (with Michael Wincott)
• Man in the Iron Mask (with Richard Chamberlain)

The Aliens

• Alien
• Aliens
• Aliens 3
• Aliens Ressurection
• Aliens vs Predator

The Mummys

• The Mummy (with Brendan Frasier)
• The Mummy Returns (with Brendan Frasier)
• The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (with Brendan Frasier)
• The Scorpion King

Movies for Winter: Christmas

December 25

Christmas Carol (Patrick Stewart’s)

The Christmas Carol is one of the few traditional tales that I like. I’m particulary touched by this version. As a Star Trek the Next Generation fan, I liked the inclusion of the flute/whistle instrument that he also used in the series.

Gremlins

Okay so this isn’t a traditional movie by any stretch of the imagination, but it is set at Christmas time and it is delightful. I’m a little non-traditional you could say.

Mixed Nuts

Now here’s a true Christmas movie. It is about acceptance, change, giving, love and having a good time no matter how many disfunctional people get invited to the party.

Muppets Christmas Carol

I really love Gonzo and to have him narrate this version of the Christmas Carol is delightful. I must admit that I fast forward over the schmaltzy love song every time, but otherwise it’s great fun.

Buffy Episodes

Buffy the Vampire Slayer “Amends” (season 3 episode 10)

At Christmas-time, evil haunts Angel, torturing him with visions of his murderous past and urging him to kill Buffy.

Buffy Season 7

As a follow up to the episode Amends watch the entire seventh season, but only if you have the time.

Movies for Winter: Yule

Winter Solstice December 20-22

Batman Returns (2).

 

My favorite scene has to be when Catwoman blows up the department store and says “meow” to Batman and the Penguin. Set at Christmas time this is a film to help you keep perspective on what’s important (good costuming and a whip).

 

Cinderella (Rogers & Hammerstein)

 

This movie was released in 1965 and as a little girl it was rerun on television every Christmas season. I loved this movie. I wanted to marry a man who looked like the prince. I now enjoy the irony of the song the stepsisters sing at the ball about Cinderella. Still, this is a charming movie full of nostalgia for me.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

The first of the Harry Potter series. The first time we see Christmas at Hogwarts, it is enchanting.

 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Another beautiful movie.

 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Perhaps I associate the Harry Potter movies with Christmas because they are released around the holiday season. The rest of the movies tend to be a bit darker than the first three and not really Christmasy.  Though there is the Yule Ball in the Goblet of Fire and the Christmas at Grimmauld place in the Order of the Phoenix.

 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1

 

The Secret of Kells

(see my review at: https://lirala.wordpress.com/2011/01/12/secret-of-kells/)  A yule film for the theme of the return, saving, and coming of the light.

Movies for Winter: Decorating

Varies, I usually decorate the weekend after Thanksgiving.
I love to watch the Lord of the Rings Extended DVD versions while decorating the house for the coming winter holidays.

Fellowship of the Ring

The foundation of the story, the beginning of friendships, trusts and war. I particularly like the scene where the fellowship begins to work as a team in order to fight the orcs and troll in Moria.

 

Two Towers

Where The Fellowship Of The Ring is about beginnings, The Two Towers is about the ripening and the start of the harvest season. Saruman’s plots come to fruition, Faramir, Frodo, Samwise and Gollum/Smeagol all grow in new directions and we get to see trees go to battle.

 

Return of the King

Endings, the only movie I’ve ever watched that has 6-7 (depending on how you count them) endings. However, this movie has war, adventure, sorrow and heroism in full measure. I always love the parts where Pippin lights the signal fires, Sam carries Frodo, Eowyn declares “I am no man” and of course, every scene with Legolas and Gimli.

 

 

 

Lord of the Rings Specials

Of course, if you haven’t finished decorating after watching all three of the extended editions you can always move into the special features. There are hours and hours of interesting things to watch. If you’re even more desperate for LOTR info, watch the commentaries that run with the movies.