Movie Review: The Artist

This past weekend Stefan and I had a 'kid free weekend'. This normally necessities itself about every 5-6 weeks, when we stop and realize we haven't been on a date in over a month! One or two grandparents will take over for the weekend, spending quality time with Lu and Ani and giving us about 36 hours to do as we please. We usually try to find time to relax, go out to eat or do something special like a movie, do house projects that are much easier when not interpreted, and get together with friends. This time...we did all of those. It was a packed weekend but very fun, and I didn't have to cook for three meals--superb!

On Saturday evening we decided to use up some Christmas gifts--movie bucks--and go to a unique movie called The Artist. The movie is a black and white silent film, but modernized with a few sounds when relevant to the plot. The story is about a silent film actor who is popular in the 20s, and his demise of fame (leading to his self-worth spiraling downward), his encounter with an up-and-coming star who is in love with him, and how he gains back his self respect with the help of a few unlikely friends.

Although I've seen plenty of black and white films before, I'd never seen a true 'silent' film, where all actions play out the drama, and when a few speaking lines are necessary, the screen is fitted with their lines/dialogue. It was a really fun movie to watch since it was unique to me, especially seeing that in the theaters. The music and acting was excellent. The two main characters, and the dog, were full of heart and the audience loved them both. Not many movies are worth the outrageous $9-10 per person, but this one was. We were both very happy with the choice and felt the cost was worth the movie. I would probably see this again when it comes out on netflix, and I recommend it to anyone who loves artsy movies, old-fashioned black and whites, humor and drama, or has a thing for the roaring twenties. A high 4 out of 5 stars for all characteristics listed above, this was a fun show!

Comments

Home School Activities: Board Games We Love

My children have recently become enthralled in the world of board games. I was never a board game player. Sure, I remember long summer hours (days? it seemed like it..) spent around a Monopoly board, but I was never one to suggest to get out the cards, or a game. As my children have grown and they are now able to do activities with me, I started noticing that they really took to puzzles (when done all together) and the one or two board games I happened to have kept in the storage room. They were always asking to play Candy Land and so I figured I should branch off a bit. Over the course of the last year, I have found GREAT games, even ones that I love to play alongside them. The amount of 'teaching' they have gotten through games is jaw-dropping. Counting, team-playing, math related patterning, are just some of the skills I've watched develop. I asked before Christmas on facebook what my friends and their own kids loved and I was thrilled with the response. We have found ov...

Top 10 Books of 2017

early sunset in Ft Langley I love reading all these "Top 10" lists of favorite books read throughout the year, so I'm adding my two cents. I'm involved in a Book Club that I love with women from our church, a small group that meets every week and goes through a book every few months, my own list, books I'm reading aloud to the kids and books I'm reading for educational purposes (think professional development). I took a look at all of those combined and this is what I got, in no particular order: * The Problem of God by Mark Clark - I loved going through this academic apologetic book with my friends from church. It led us to great discussion, and good food for thought. I listen to Clark's sermons every week and so knew I'd probably love his writing style, too. If you have objections to Christianity, or are feeling confused about what to believe, this is a great primer. * You're Smarter Than You Think by Dr. Thomas Armstro...

August Book Titles

* 50 Women Every Christian Should Know by Michelle DeRusha -- I heard the author on a podcast and the book sounded good. It was described as a book full of 5-7 page mini biographies on each woman, and that sounded both easy and interesting. It was. I really enjoyed this book and plan to give it away as a Christmas gift to someone I know will get a lot out of it. I really don't know that much about Christianity's historical females, and I felt I learned a lot. Some of the women I had never even heard of before, and it was fun to read about women I'd heard of before by name, but knew little about their lives. * The Story of Science by Susan Wise Bauer -- Oy. This book was tough to get through. Not because the writing wasn't good (it was excellent), but because of the subject matter and my right-brain. Out of any schoolish subjects, I would rate Science as my least favorite and most difficult. I read this book because when I had the kids' school order it, I thoug...

Our House in the Middle of Our Street

Search This Blog