The Closing of the Year
Mamacita says: It used to worry me that the vast majority of my favorite movies are always the very ones that end up on “Ten Worst Movies of All Time” lists But it doesn’t any more, because I figure that people like what they like, and those lists might be one of the reasons more people don’t speak up and say “Wait a minute; I saw that and really enjoyed it.” Fight back, quirky movie lovers. As for you people who use such lists as actual guides for what you should or shouldn’t watch, the hell with you. You’re stupid.
I firmly believe that over half of the film reviewers in this country: 1. Go to see a film based on a book without first reading the book and therefore have no right whatsoever to say anything about it, * 2. Don’t even watch the movie before “reviewing” it, 3. Are from some planet whose customs and tastes are completely alien from mine, 4. Have no sense of humor, and 5. Consider a movie silly unless it’s an expose’ or a piece of horror. Fresh air, nice people, and honest laughter are as “realistic” as are blood, war, degradation, drugs, betrayal, and psychopaths, and given a choice – and we all are – as to what kind of movie to see, I’ll pick the quirky, out-of-the-box, well-written, romantic comedy/drama any time. If it’s got Christopher Guest in it, all the better; I do enjoy a film that knows how to woo me with a witty turn of phrase. My movies also have to have satisfactory, if not always happy, endings. I hate loose ends, idiots, ignorance, dirt, and films that make me feel depressed. I watch movies to feel happy. They’re an escape into a better world, not a descent into hell. Well, unless you choose to descend into hell. . . .
Life is hard enough without paying money to watch people slash, kill, rape, stalk, betray, wallow in their own misfortune, and take pride in their own ignorance. No, thank you.
That’s my opinion, anyway. Take it or leave it.
I’ve been watching my stack of Christmas movies all month, and I’m ending my holiday marathon with a film that is apparently #5 on many “Worst Films” lists, but which is in the top ten of my own personal “Movies That Fill Me With Memories and Make Me Really Happy” list.
Bonus: The soundtrack is bloody awesome. It opens and closes with this song:
Pay attention and you’ll see Dumbledore and LLCoolJ playing father and son. How much quirkier can a movie get?
*This film wasn’t adapted from a book. I fully understand why the reviews were bad, too. I just have the ability to, sometimes, read between the lines, dive into the subtlety, become one with the whimsy, and appreciate the humor. Unlike so many reviewers and the public whose tastes they control. (Shouldn’t it be the other way ’round?)
I do read some reviewers’ lists of bad movies; I use their list to make my own of must-see films. I figure, if these guys hated a movie, it must be right up my alley. There are also a few reviewers whose opinions I respect.
But seriously? If I want to educate myself about all the ills in our society, I’ll read about it. I go to the movies to get away from society’s ills, not to immerse myself in the muck.
Bring it on, lovers of movies that do not make people smile.
. . . and Peace on Earth to Men of Good Will
Mamacita says: Merry Christmas. Happy Hanukkah. Fruitful Kwanzaa. Happy Holidays. Peaceful December. Happy Solstice.
Please pick one, or two, and apply them to yourself and to your family.
Christmas Eve is such a magical time. It’s all ahead of us, you see. To paraphrase Katie, age 8, in What Child Is This, by Caroline Cooney, the night before Christmas isn’t called a ‘night,’ it’s called ‘eve,’ and Christmas morning isn’t called ‘morning,’ it’s ‘morn.’ Eve and morn: two special words to highlight two special times.
How special are they? They are special already, in their own right, but how you make them special for yourself and for your children is entirely up to you. I hope you give them memories they will cherish all their lives, so much so that they will pass the glory along to their own children.
Children flourish with roots, but they soar with wings.
May your Eve be full of anticipation and warmth, and may your Morn be all you hoped it would be.
Let Your Kids Make Their Own Trees!
Mamacita says: This was too good NOT to share! What a fantastic activity for kids at any time, but especially during holiday season!
Just think of all the lessons we can sneak in, with this activity! Holidays, following directions, scissor usage, where paper comes from, recycling. . . . I’m SO using this one with my summer program this year!
Thanks again, Steve Spangler. Teachers and parents can always count on you to give us wonderful ideas for our children.
In fact, it’s not just kids who love Spangler Science “stuff,” either. My college students have had their share of wonder, and I haven’t met an adult yet who wasn’t fascinated!
This “tree” activity is free and simple and fun and educational. Just make sure your children are old enough to handle scissors safely, and if they aren’t, let them watch YOU do it! That moment of making/watching the tree grow will help instill a sense of magic and wonder and desire to find out HOW and WHY and WHAT IF and shouldn’t those be a goal of any and every lesson?
This would be an excellent annual Christmas Eve activity, wouldn’t it. Why not gather up some of those old newspapers, grab a roll of tape and some scissors, and have some fun with your kids tonight?
I recommend that all teachers and parents sign up for Spangler’s Experiment of the Week; you’ll get a new experiment – every detail of it – in your inbox every week. Your kids will blow the Science Fair out of the water!
Did I mention that it’s free? All Spangler videos and instructions are free. Absolutely, positively, 100% free, and with no obligations to buy anything. Most online instructors, particularly the science guys, charge for their knowledge and experience, but Steve Spangler gives it away. Yes, he’s got an awesome catalog where you can purchase a lot of his amazing science toys and more complicated experiments, etc, but the bulk of what he offers our children is free. FREE.
I’ve met Steve Spangler. He’s the most enthusiastic and sincere instructor I’ve ever encountered, and his passion for our children’s understanding of and excitement for the wonders of the universe is unsurpassed by anyone in my considerable experience. Take advantage of what this man has to offer your family, my friends.
I stand behind every word I’ve said here. That’s considerable bulk, my dears.
Have a wonderful Christmas Eve. Make trees with your children. Hang ’em from the ceiling! (The trees, not the kids.) Decorate them. Make party decorations. This activity is a great show-and-tell for your kids, too. Why not encourage your children to share what they’ve learned with other kids? Our children are bursting to learn and share, if only we give them the outlets!
No, not THAT kind of outlet. Keep their fingers AWAY from them.
If I tell you that my kitchen is now covered with newspaper trees, you wouldn’t be a bit surprised, wouldya. Nobody here was, either. In fact, the little neighbor kids are coming over here in a few hours to make trees with me. They’re used to me by now, but it’s still a surprise for their parents every time.
Science is awesome. Too bad most school systems don’t think so. But then, if science were important, it would be TESTED, now wouldn’t it. But you really don’t want to get me started on that. Not at Christmas.
Have fun! Post pictures!!! I’d LOVE to see your kids’ newspaper trees!
