Movie Review: Hairspray (2007)

Our fair city has a summer movie in the park series that ended last night with "Hairspray." I took the kids to the park and we sat on the lawn and watched one of my favorite movie musicals. [Side note: Before the movie there were a few games and contests we could participate in. The not funny MC announced that the DJ and AV specialist for the evening was local celebrity Mike Lookinland (from The Brady Bunch). So, if you were wondering what Bobby Brady was up to these days, he's the A/V guy at the park.]

Secretly, I own this movie so I was already a fan. I didn't see it on the big screen, though, and it was fun to watch it with a crowd. According to imdb.com, in the movie "Hairspray," "pleasantly plump teenager Tracy Turnblad (Nikki Blonsky) teaches 1962 Baltimore a thing or two about integration after landing a spot on a local TV dance show. (So it's basically "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" plus a message about equality and minus the Joey Lawrence look-alike that no one ever saw again.)

I heart this movie. I love the cast, the music, the dancing, the fact that the plot involves something that actually matters. All around good stuff. My only beef (and this is me being very nit-picky) is that Nikki Blonsky's acting style is too (for lack of a better word) big for the small screen. She seems very theatrical while everyone else is able to play over-the-top characters very naturally.

Fast forward moment: Is it me or is "Welcome to the '60's" ten minutes too long? And why does Jerry Stiller sound like that guy from "Sanford and Son"?

Grade: A-

I can't decide who I love the most in "Hairspray." I think it's an eight-way tie between James Marsden, Zac Efron, Amanda Bynes, Christopher Walken, John Travolta, Allison Janney, Elijah Kelley, and Queen Latifah. Tie breaking rules reveal that the award for most lovable goes to Zac Efron for making something this embarrassing look so adorable:


P.S. If you're going to buy the DVD (DO IT!), be sure to buy the "Shake-N-Shimmy" version. That way you can learn all the dance moves without having to freeze every frame, like I do.

She Followed Him to School One Day

Harrison started kindergarten yesterday. As I was tucking him into bed the night before, he whispered to me, "Mommy, I'm a little apprehensive about school." I told him if he knew what "apprehensive" means, he's probably going to do fine in kindergarten.

I walked him to school the next morning and fought back tears the whole way. I watched him walk toward the playground and get smaller and smaller while it seemed the other kids were getting bigger and bigger.

Later in the afternoon, I was listening to "Into the Woods" in the car. The song "Children Will Listen" came on and I completely lost it. I found myself wishing I had taught him more about how to take care of himself when I wasn't around. He's just so little!

He had a wonderful first day and I'm sure he'll figure out how to get along without me. Or maybe that's the real reason I can't stop crying.

Movie Review: On A Clear Day You Can See Forever (1970)

Oh, wow. Where to begin. First of all, you're welcome. I've watched the movie in it's entirety and now you don't have to. I've always been curious about this musical because I love Barbra Streisand and I like the title song. So, here's the plot as written on the DVD cover:

"Streisand is Daisy Gamble, a kooky chain-smoker desperate to kick the habit. She finds the perfect cure in the form of Dr. Marc Chabot (Yves Montand), a psychiatrist who uses hypnosis. However, when Daisy goes into a trance, she can regress into past lives and different personalities--including "Melinda," a 19th-century English coquette. And before you can say "amour," Dr. Marc has fallen in love with the enthralling, elusive Melinda . . . while Daisy, in turn, finds herself falling head-over-heels for the handsome hypnotist! Bob Newhart and Jack Nicholson add to the tune-filled fun in this romantic romp."

Can you believe this movie even got made? Just to be clear, Bob Newhart and Jack Nicholson do NOT add to the tune-filled romp. Streisand and Montand are the only characters who ever sing. Newhart and Nicholson are featured for about ten minutes of combined screen time. The movie is directed by the great Vincente Minelli, making this an excellent case of "When Bad Movies Happen To Good People." This movie narrowly escapes an "F" grade only because Daisy is a very watchable character. Melinda on the other hand . . .

Fast forward moment: All flashbacks, Yves Montand singing, anything without Daisy.
Grade: D

This isn't a Rewind That! moment. I thought it was the perfect representation of just how bad this movie is. Here you have the most bizarre example of flirting I've ever witnessed:

Chicks and Ducks and Geese Better Scurry

Our playgroup met at Wheeler Farm this morning. You may remember that our last trip to a farm didn't go so well. I think the kids were expecting something stuffed or animated when they met live animals the first time. This time there were no surprises. Animals stink and make noise and are officially "scary" and that's cool as long as that's what you're expecting. I put Harrison in charge of the map and Chloe in charge of wearing sunglasses and complaining, so they look like tourists in all the pictures. Enjoy!



As we were heading out of the parking lot and into the farm, a couple of women got out of a van, yelled at me, and waved. I waved back because I'm the only one they could have been waving at, but didn't recognize them and walked away. As we were leaving the farm, I saw the same two women having a picnic with a redheaded woman who is at least 50 pounds heavier than me. Oy!

Movie Review: Easter Parade (1948)

I promise they won't all be Judy Garland movies! "Easter Parade" stars Fred Astaire as dancer Don Hewes who is suddenly dropped by his dance partner and love interest Nadine, played by Ann Miller. In an effort to make her jealous, he hires Judy Garland's Hannah Brown to replace Nadine. Then there's Peter Lawford as a man alternately referred to as Johnny and The Professor. Johnny/The Professor is everyone's best friend and has the hots for Hannah. But Hannah has the hots for Hewes. Which makes Johnny/The Professor Duckie from "Pretty in Pink."

I had only seen bits and pieces of this one as a kid and I don't think I appreciated it much back then. Astaire and Garland are wonderful. Speaking of Judy Garland, did you know she was gorgeous and totally hilarious? I always thought she was kind of pretty and medium hilarious, but this movie proves otherwise. It's my new favorite role of hers.

The only minus I'd give this one is Irving Berlin's music. It's enjoyable enough, but only a couple of memorable tunes. (Most notably "Easter Parade," which I can't seem to get out of my head.) Probably the most well-known number is "Steppin' Out With My Baby." Everything else was great, especially the costumes.
Grade: B+

Fast forward moment: Ann Miller. Why didn't I like her? Was it her two-toned hair? Her freakishly fast feet? Or was I still smarting from the fact that she dumped Fred Astaire's character? Who does she think she is, anyway? Whatever the reason, I found myself fast-forwarding through her dance numbers to get to the Garland/Astaire scenes.

Rewind That! moment:

It's Not Me, It's Utah

In chuch on Sunday I heard the term "in the mission field" (referring to every place in the world other than Utah) used five times. Oh, Utah! Just when I thought you and I might have something special here. You with your beautiful sunsets, cheap haircuts, and above-the-rim shakes. The thing is, . . . well . . . I think it would be better if we went back to being just friends. I mean, we both knew that I wasn't interested in anything long-term. I've always been upfront about that. It's not that I don't think you're great. I just feel like we're not meant to be together forever. In time, I hope you see that this is the best thing for both of us. But, hey! We can totally hang out! Maybe I'll see you at a family reunion, or something. Take care.

Movie Review: Summer Stock (1950)

"Summer Stock" stars Judy Garland as a farmer and Gene Kelly as . . .(wait for it). . .a director! It's one of those classic old musicals where they simply have to put on a show in a barn in hopes that a movie producer will see it and take it to Broadway. Is that how show business still works? (If so, I have a great use for your barn, Jen.) Of course, by the end of the movie, the barn looks suspiciously like a million dollar sound stage. My other favorite magic trick is Judy Garland's yo-yo-ing weight throughout the movie.
This is one of my very favorites because Judy Garland and Gene Kelly are so well matched in their talent level. Their scenes together are delightful. There are a lot of fun dance numbers and character actors in it. Also, many fast-forward moments. I would fast-forward until Gene Kelly appears. (You won't miss anything important.) If, like me, you have a dead man crush on Gene Kelly, then this is a must see.
Grade: B+

Here's one of my favorite numbers of the show:

The Search Begins

I love movie musicals. Especially the old MGM musicals where everyone is in fuzzy lense, the plots are completely improbable, and the whole thing ends with a million dollar dance number. Musicals make me happy and my local library has an extensive collection of them. (In fact, I'm 78% sure that there are more movies than books in our library.) I checked one out when Jeff was on call the other night and it was the perfect pick-me-up. I plan to watch and review one every time he's on call in an attempt to find the perfect movie musical. If you have any suggestions for a musical I simply must rent, let me know. (If you suggest "Grease" or "The Wiz," you are invited to stop reading my blog.) And so, the search begins!

Panda Day #2

Chloe earned another Panda Day! (Who knew all I had to do was promise her bubbles if she pooped in the potty? I guess Nicole and Lindsay knew.) We finally saw Kung Fu Panda and everyone's dreams came true. After the movie, we headed to the tattoo parlor where Chloe got this beauty:

Because she's #1 at going #2, knowwhatimsaying? (That's going to be the tagline of her made-for-t.v. movie.)

Now we just have to conquer public restrooms and peeing in the woods and she'll be set for life.

You're the devil, Creamie.

When Jeff's on overnight call I tend to overeat. In my search for a satisfying snack that wasn't as fattening as Haagan Dasz, I discovered these:

I opened my first Creamie and was swept up in a wave of deliciousness. I was about to throw away the stick when I noticed there was a little message on it. "Chill. Have another Creamie." Another Creamie? What an inspired idea! I went to the freezer and enjoyed another piece of heaven on a stick. When I finished my second one, I found another message on the stick. "Treat yourself to another Creamie." Surely a sign from above. This little dance continued until I had eaten most of the box. I have since bought five more boxes and I still haven't tried all of their sweet, sassy flavors.

You're the devil, Creamie.

Two Crazy Redheads

When I was younger, my family lived in Utah for a few years. My best friend from those years was a fellow crazy redhead named Emily. We spent our days walking to the Apple store (a gas station) for penny candy, recording audio tapes of our scripted game shows, and swapping "He looked at me" stories about boys we were crushing on. My favorite memory is when we collaborated on a musical script entitled "Annie: A Comedy." Since we were both clearly perfect for the role of Little Orphan Annie, we agreed to share the role and let each girl play Annie in every other scene. (The idea that this may be confusing to our future Broadway audiences never occurred to us. It was all about the friendship, man.)

Before I moved to NC, Emily wrote me what is still one of my favorite poems:
Best Friends
Two crazy red heads; the perfect pair
Could never get over their great hair.
They had adventures together forabout
A year but now moving time is near.
It takes a lot to be someones best
friend, and my best friend is the best.
She's funny and nice and cute and sweet.
She's my best friend, and can't be beat.
Yo baby yo baby yo baby, yo yo,
I'm gonna be sad to see you go,
I love you to death! WRITE ME-K-

Last week I got to thinking about Emily and wondering what she might be up to these days. It turns out she lives here still, so we got together yesterday. We met at the Apple store (she with her three kids and me with my two) and headed to the park for lunch.

The boys formed a secret club (called "Secret Club") where they did secret stuff like eat Ring Pops.

Top: Harrison, Owen, and Max in the clubhouse. Bottom: Ethan, the oldest of the handsome, little devils.

Top: Chloe whining about wanting a Ring Pop. Bottom: Maxwell and Maxwell: together at last!

L-R: Preggo Emily, Owen, Ethan, Max, and Harrison ride the buffalo.

Just the girls: Emily, Melissa, and Chloe.

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

Harrison had his final t-ball game last night. I was remarking to Jeff early on in the game that it was difficult to tell whether the kids had improved or not. No one ever gets out and during the last game, they let every kid hit a home run.

His first time at bat, Harrison got back to home plate and said, "Whew! That was a long run!" So his last time at bat, he skipped first base and ran straight to second. Once he got to second, he skipped third and went straight home. He was very pleased with his ingenuity and I'm pretty sure he wondered why no one else had thought of it before. I declare that not improvement.

He did get a cool trophy and the coach gave him the award for "Most Enthusiasm."

Mr. Ziggety Zag

Here Mr. Ziggety Zag (alias Harrison Maxwell) demonstrates why superheroes shouldn't fly while wearing capes.

My parents are moving this week and they can't take the trampoline with them. The kids will miss both equally.

When Pigs Fly

Friday morning the kids and I met Nicole and Bridget in Sandy for a hot air balloon launch. We got there early enough to watch each balloon come to life.

And then one of them finally took off!

Then it started to look like rain, so they deflated all the balloons and packed them in.

I went back Saturday night for their evening launch, but it started pouring an hour before it was supposed to start.

Dear Sandy City Hot Air Balloon Festival,
You suck.
Signed,
Me.

Two years ago we went to a launch in Provo on the 4th of July. It was very cool.

Much cooler than this:

Nicole has some cute pictures on her blog, too!

Pandamonium!

In an effort to teach Chloe not to be a Poopy Pants, I made her a potty chart. Every day that she stays dry, she gets to put a sticker on the chart. After seven stickers, she gets to have a Panda Day. We started this two (very long) weeks ago and today she finally got to have her Panda Day.

I gave her a stuffed Po doll so that Coco Pup would no longer be an old spinster panda. Then I took her to the only place in town showing Kung Fu Panda.

When we got there, we were told that they were no longer showing it. WAAAAAGGHHHH! I tried to explain that it was Panda Day and we'd been waiting for this for weeks, but they seemed unmoved.

I took the kids aside to think of a new plan and discovered that we had entered a strange new land adjacent to the movie theater. Inside were bumper cars, a putt-putt course, a roller coaster, a playground, a skating rink, and a carousel with this uber-creepy panda.

After a few nauseating rides, I took the kids to Panda Express for "Panda Cookies."

Here's Chloe's fortune:

Hopefully that means we'll get to see Kung Fu Panda someday.


So, while she did stay dry for seven days, every other day she was a Poopy Pants. Anyone know any tricks for making a kid do their bidness in the toilet? I'll try anything legal.

Has Anyone Here Had a Birthday?

It's me! I've had a birthday! (That's how our family birthday song begins. Yes, we have a family birthday song. Don't be jealous.)

Thank you for all of the sweet birthday wishes and comments about getting older. I've decided to take Nicole's advice and be glad I'm not "a stupid kid" anymore. I guess that means now I'm just stupid.
Jeff and I were able to go out on a date for the first time in a long time. Three cheers (one cheer apiece) for Tivo, Thai food, and Tina Fey movies!

Friday night my sisters, Makenzie and Nicole, came over for Happy Fun Night (since Jeff was on overnight call). You can tell we're having happy fun because we're wearing feather boas, see?

Saturday I returned to my birthplace: Pocatello, Idaho. There I gave the kids a tour of the hospital where I was born, the mall where my mom's water broke, and the Golden Corral where . . . my grandparents insist on making us eat every time we go to Pocatello.