Sunday 20 June 2010

Films

Before I explain a bit more about why there is such a title to this post, let me share a couple more photos of things going on in our garden.

We both like to use pots of all different sizes, shapes and colours. This enables us to move things around at a whim, or replant when things go over for their season, thus maintaining constant lushness and colour throughout the whole year. Above is a small cluster of pots containing Lotus, Persecaria, Zonal Geranium, trailing Geranium, and a red lily.

Since repotting the Paulownia into it's monster pot, it has started at last to thrive. Before I set off yesterday to do the soldiers garden, I was outside with the usual cup of tea and had to take this picture.

Now, why the post title 'Films'?
As with most households, we had always had a TV in the living room. It's big, black square screen dominating the area where it sat and aesthetically destroying that area. Not only that, but as I think most people find, particularly in this day and age of cable TV, it is too convenient to simply watch. Both of us, as again many people probably find, would come home at the end of a day and crash in front of it, switching from channel to channel, watching a constant stream of rubbish, but often too tired to do anything about it.
Finally, after planning but forgetting to carry out many times, the TV was taken out of the living room, thus restoring this area to a place where one can now relax with a book and/or a little music (quick mention that yesterday I managed to get hold of a copy of the three tenors in Rome...superb!!)
The TV is now in the bedroom, with no connection to a network at all, and just a simple DVD player attached. This is solely for the purpose of being able, on those times when we wish, of watching something worthwhile with a cup of hot chocolate.
And so, a quick review of the films seen so far over the last few weeks...

The Italian Job

Well, what can I say about this one? An absolute classic, and I defy anyone not to join in when Michael Caine says the famous line 'You're only supposed to blow the bloody doors off!'

My Fair Lady

We are both huge Audrey Hepburn fans, and along with many other DVDs, have her whole collection. I first followed the story as part of my exam studies at school in the book Pygmalion.
Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison in this are simply wonderful. One of my favourite films of all time.

Stagecoach
There is a time and a place for John Wayne. Stagecoach was a very early film of his, and one that I found a little lacking in substance, unlike some of his later films. I wouldn't say that to his face if he were still alive though as he was an extraordinarily large guy.

Australia
Nicole Kidman can be either very good, or very bad in my opinion. In this film she was obviously at home in her native country, and portrayed the widowed wife trying to run the cattle farm very well. A good storyline that keeps one interested from start to finish.

Paris when it Sizzles

Another great Hepburn film, with William Holden starring opposite her.
I think the only thing that I can say at this point is that you MUST see every Hepburn film!
That's it for now folks. Not very 'gardeny' I know, but this is 'A Day in the Life' and not 'My Gardening Blog'

4 comments:

  1. Dear Gary, I love a change from gardening so, I assure you, no apology is required. For thirty or more years I have not had a television and do not ever think about it. What you say is true, without one there is so much more time for reading, which I love, listening to music, or doing any manner of much more interesting things.

    Now, DVDs and the cinema - you are talking to the converted. Like you I enjoy watching DVDs - love Miss Hepburn! - but do need to treat myself to a proper DVD set up rather than relying as I do on the screen of my small laptop. In Budapest we have numerous Art Cinemas which I frequent as much as possible for they show unusal films, seldom screened, low budget, as well as those which are 'popular' and do the rounds.

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  2. I am the TV-police here, which my husband hates , but I have told him he is wasting years of his life with trash and now a constant upgrade of filth and crudeness with no end in sight keeps streaming into the home. I love the idea of the TV and cable bill going bye-bye.
    The only suggestion, and you can take it or leave it, is I don't personally want a TV in the bedroom. Family room, side study...but bedrooms are for your quietness times of all. It should be a sanctuary above your living room. Make sense ? Don't care ? I say whatever works for you as a couple, and you both are to be given kudos bigtime for ditching the biggest growth-inhibitor in EVERY way...which is the television. Internet may be the closest second purveyor of trash as well. Ok, jumping off my soapbox , got things to do, Happy Father's day, Gina

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  3. Hi Gary,
    I'm trying to catch up with my blogging world. I love your potted plants and selection of movies. Good thing to move the TV. Ours is also in the bedroom but unfortunately, is still connected to cable. So we sometimes veg in front of it, flipping channels and hoping to find something good. Never seems to happen though!
    Jean

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  4. Good for you on the TV move. Bravo! Our TV is in the loft and I'm very glad it's not in the living room. I prefer movies best. Recently had a week of English movies watching: Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, A Room With A View, and Becoming Jane (not English but about Jane Austen). Enjoy your living room!!

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