I Heart Coffee.

I may not be a devout or even practicing Catholic, but the Lenten tradition of giving up something between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday refuses to leave me alone. Each year I do my darndest to sacrifice a little something, so this year, I went back to giving up coffee and soda, two things which have proven to be my biggest vices -- although, I personally do not really think of coffee as a vice. Really, I don't see anything wrong with it -- unless it's just a horribly bad brew. I  mean, I guess the caffeine isn't "all that good" for me as some people have pointed out. And while I usually respond with, "Pfft," I did decide to cut out the hard stuff. Since February I haven't had any carbonated beverage or any coffee. I thought about cutting out caffeine completely, but hey, I'm not completely nuts-o (keep comments to yourselves), and therefore, have been keeping up my tea routine. Anyhow, this Sunday, April 4, is EASTER! FINALLY! Or as I like to refer to it: The Day the Madness Ends. I am beyond excited to brew that first cup of joe, then head up to a coffee shop or two and really reconnect with that little, magical cup of pure bliss: Coffee! Coffee! Coffee!

Anyhow, the reason I write is because I came across an image that speaks to me and reminds me that the end is near. So very near.

And if anyone has any coffee stories they'd like to share with me, please refrain until Monday. I'll be fully caffeinated and functional by then ;)

Heartbreaking, Yet, Hopeful

So I have two new movies to share, but since both were dramas to the max, I think I'll break up the posts. 

First, Precious, the 2009 Academy Award winning film about a 16-year-old girl - named Precious - growing up in Harlem with an abusive and hateful mother and not one, but two children - her children conceived after she was raped - by her own father. Yes, heavy stuff. However, as horribly sad and angering the narrative may be, the film contains a lot of humor and joy - mainly through the imaginative nature of Precious (played wonderfully by newcomer Gabourey Sidibe) and the characters she meets outside of her cold, dark apartment. The film follows Precious on her journey to self-discovery and education, meeting a social worker (Mariah Carey looking way rough) and a teacher who fill in the void left by her uninterested mother. There are also her classmates who add much laughter to her life and allow her to see just who she is and will become. 

Similar to Tarantino, director Lee Daniels' passion for film shines throughout Precious. My most favorite scene occurs when Precious and her mom - played brilliantly by Mo'Nique who won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for the film - are watching Two Women - the Italian masterpiece directed by Vittorio De Sica and starring Sophia Loren - who won her Best Actress Oscar for that film. The Italian movie is about a mother and her 13-year-old daughter who are trying to survive in World War II Italy. The mother does everything to protect her daughter; yet, in a horrible turn of events, both are raped by soldiers in a church. The film is a true testament to the human spirit, as Precious strives to be. But what makes this scene in Precious so memorable is that while she watches the TV screen, Precious transplants herself and her mother into the movie, and we the audience watch Monique and Gabourey re-enact their own vision of the Italian scene - in black and white and with subtitles. It's so well done, and the fact that the American actresses speak in Italian truly enhances the power of Precious' imagination.

I have to say, I'm so glad I saw this movie. I had some trepidation after I heard the premise and thought to myself, "I just don't know if I can handle it." But honestly, the backstory is far  worse than what plays out on screen. I'll give you fair warning: There are a few tough moments, but I do not think they are enough to warrant staying away. I recommend this movie. Precious is a figure who has been through more than anyone, let alone a 16-year-old girl, should ever endure, yet, she manages to stay positive and hopeful. Also, I really hope to see more from Mo'Nique and Gabourey Sidibe. Honestly, I want to be friends with Gabby - if you had the chance to see any interviews with her this last year, I'm sure you feel the same. She's just too adorable!

The other movie I recently saw is a new documentary called Prodigal Sons - also, not a light, breezy film - and a post that will come later this week. Stay tuned!
 

We All Make Mistakes.

http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/03/29/commercial-free-channel-runs-a-commercial-and-apologizes/

Last night, Sunday, March 28, 2010, became the first (and hopefully LAST) time TCM ran a commercial. As explained in Stuart Elliott's blog post (click above link), the coding for the Toyota spot was similar to the coding for one of our promos. With the size of our Broadcast center and the number of networks which air out of the building (TNT, TBS, CN, Peachtree TV, TruTv), I gotta say, that's a pretty good track record --- in 16 years of the network, only one commercial has ever aired. Fortunately, there are no plans for TCM to continue this trend, and this matter will hopefully be a one time event. I just wanted to reassure all of you die-hard TCM fans.

And I know what you're ALL thinking, but no. I had no role in this mis-hap. I was on vacation. But now I'm back and keeping tabs.

And hey, WATCH TCM!

A Happy, Little Monkey!

For anyone who knows me, it is quite clear that I have a soft spot for Curious George. Well, last week, the Jewish museum in New York opened an exhibit: Curious George Saves the Day: The Art of Margret and H.A. Rey. What many people don't know is that Curious George grew out of the darkness of World War II France, where Margret and H.A. Rey lived and eventually fled because, well, they were German Jews. While the couple was seeking refuge at an old chateau in southern France, the authorities raided the place, suspecting the Reys of hiding explosive devices. Instead, the authorities found the illustrations of a monkey and let the Reys be. In 1940 the couple embarked on a life-saving journey which brought them to New York where they continued to illustrate, write, and publish the many adventures of Curious George. 

Because of that genesis of Curious George, the title of the exhibit is perfectly apt; had it not been for those drawings, who knows what could have happened to the Reys. But what's striking is that while reading their many tales, you'd never suspect that Curious George was born out of such a dark and dangerous time. Never do his misadventures allude to war or persecution, and I find it absolutely remarkable that Margret and H.A. Rey were able to create such a happy and adorable character during such a horrible period. 

For me Curious George has always been a constant source of happiness and joyfulness. I own many of the books, as well as the 2006 film, Curious George, which is actually pretty enjoyable - unless you really don't like Jack Johnson - as well as a number of stuffed Georges  - one of which rides in my car with me. Also, my most favorite store is a bookstore on Harvard Square called "Curious George Goes to Wordsworth." It's a fantastic bookshop that caters to children's books - not just The Adventures of Curious George - but ALL the stories my generation grew up with - from Amelia Bedelia to Eric Carle to Where the Wild Things Are to the Bernstein Bears - I mean EVERYTHING. It's a fantastic shop where you can relive your childhood memories and recall the stories you loved once upon a time.

I really hope to make it to NYC this summer to see this exhibit. It seems very educational, and I love that they have so many of the original illustrations that the Reys sketched in the 1940s and beyond. If you happen to find yourself at the Jewish museum, please let me know what you think of the exhibit! Until then, I'll be a Curious Courtney!

Food Fun for Me!

Okay, I have to share that I just ordered 2 new cookbooks from Amazon, and I'm super stoked! I promise, this blog will not turn into a Julie & Julia (or Courtney & Martha) blog. It will remain true to its cinephilia, but if I happen to pair a meal with a movie, please do not hate me for mentioning or elaborating upon what I prepare. Perhaps I'll start movie nights based around a dish - or vice-versa. I mean, it would be very easy to pair food and wine with, say, The Godfather, as I've done before. Hmmmm...I wonder what I could come up with for, say, 2001: A Space Odyssey - this could be a fun project! Anyhow, we'll see how successful I am with the recipes sans films. I really do hope I'm able to make Nana proud! 

Oh - and from Netflix today I received Precious and Days of Heaven. I'm really looking forward to both! I'll write more once I've watched.