Weather report: Currently 39 degrees (wind chill of 34). The dewpoint is 27 and it is overcast. There is still a great chance of snow tonight and tomorrow. Not much accumulation is expected if any, but snow none the less. In October...that's nuts to me. Last October I was in Miramar, FL and it was likely 88 and humid! On a related weather note, how glad am I that we're not down in S. FL right now? Very glad. I can't imagine having a little baby and no power. At least it's not been too hot the past few days down there, but still. For all of you down there...I'm thinking about you!
News of the day: Elisabeth is getting BIG! She had her doctor's appointment yesterday and she weighed just 1/2 ounce shy of 11 lbs. She also grew an inch (22 inches long!). Her shots went pretty well too. Much better than last time. Maybe it was because her daddy was there with her too. Daddies always make everything better!
You get 2 movie reviews for the price of one today. Lucky you!
First, Spanglish. I was curious to see this movie when it came out in the theaters but never made it. So with the power of Netflix...I finally got to watch it. The premise is of a Mexican immigrant, Flor, and her daughter Cristina who come to Los Angeles. Flor eventually ends up working as a housekeeper for a wealthy family. She speaks almost no English which makes communication difficult. The film really explored many different relationships in an honest way (spousal, parental, employer/employee, friendship). The difference in cultures is also highlighted very well. Tea Leoni's character is a complete nut and Adam Sandler was very good in his role, quite a departure from his normal roles (like Happy Gilmore). There are some very funny scenes, but also some that are quite emotional. I give Spanglish ***.
Next, Mona Lisa Smile. This was the second time I've seen this movie. The first time was in the theater. So I liked it enough to view it twice! The movie takes place at Wellesley (an all girls college in Massachusetts!) in the 1950's. Julia Roberts plays an art history professor who has quite "liberal" views for the time period as well as for the college, which prides itself on tradition over radical education. The movie chronicles Julia Roberts' character's influence upon her students and the students' responses to that influence. The movie is not as fuzzy as it may appear; there are some interesting questions raised, especially for women. What is it that makes a woman successful, happy and fulfilled and how is that acheived? Is it marriage and a family, is it a career, could it be both? These questions are explored by the students, and each comes to terms with these ideas in a unique way. The performances given in this movie by Roberts and Kirsten Dunst in particular are excellent. I give it ***.
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I really enjoyed Spanglish when I saw it after its DVD release. I much prefer Adam Sandler's performance in this kind of film to the slapstick humor of Happy Gilmore-- it's quite a progression for him, but very well done.
As much as I disliked his wife's character (sorry, I forgot the name), I would have been very disappointed if Adam's character had decided for a "happy" ending with Flor rather than face his marital problems head on. As right as it would have felt- it would have just been wrong.
****
-Drew
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