To watch or read first...

Image from storyblocks.com

Today is National Book Lovers Day, and it has me thinking about something I heard Ken Jennings mention on a Jeopardy! episode. I didn't write down the exact wording, but it was basically: Watching the movie first will not ruin the book, but reading the book first will ruin the movie.

I recently read The Enchanted April by Elizabeth van Arnim and even though I have seen the movie twice, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. 

Also, I saw the movie of A Wrinkle in Time (2018) before I read the book (by Madeleine L'Engle) and appreciated both. The lovely, engaging visuals of the movie helped me picture what the book described, and the book helped me better understand one of the main scenes in the film.

Most of us have woeful tales about reading a book and then being disappointed in the movie... but what do you think about that in reverse? Do you agree that seeing the movie first will not ruin the book when you read it? 

Well, that was awkward!

In honor of Awkward Moments Day* I am sharing a post I wrote three years ago...

Awkward situations.

Put me in an awkward situation in real life and I will squirm with discomfort, but seeing it in the movies? That's a laughing matter!

Consider the scene in Two Weeks Notice (2002) when Lucy (Sandra Bullock) desperately needs a restroom while stuck in a traffic jam. George's (Hugh Grant) solution involves leaving the vehicle and rushing her to a ramshackle RV spotted far ahead of them to beg use of the toilet. Lucy is mortified, and her awkward situation provides a great comedic scene! (Clip found here.)

And can you imagine going back in time and meeting your mother as a teenager... and she seems to be making the moves on you? Awkward! (Back to the Future, 1985). (Click here for that scene.)

In Roxanne (1987) (loosely based on Rostand's story of Cyrano de Bergerac), a new-to-the-station firefighter, Chris (Rick Rossovich) has been warned that the Chief (Steve Martin) gets violent when anyone brings attention to the size of his nose. Here's the awkward situation when Chris sees that nose for the first time...

Movieclips: Hypnotic Nose - Roxanne

I watched an edited version of Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987). Oh my goodness, awkward moments abound in that film. If I had to choose a favorite, though, it would be the scene where Neal (Steve Martin) and Del (John Candy) share a motel room with only one bed.

Movieclips: Those aren't pillows!

The entire scene from when they awaken snuggled together to where Neal rinses his face with dirty water (Del's socks are soaking in the sink) and dries off with huge whitey tighties... the awkwardness of it all makes me laugh.

Do you have a favorite awkward situation portrayed in film?

*according to Sandra Boynton's "Every Day's a Fabulous Holiday" calendar 

Happy Popcorn Day!

I mentioned in my previous post that I have Sandra Boynton's "Every Day's a Fabulous Holiday" calendar. Well, today is Popcorn Day, and what goes better with popcorn than a movie?

I posted about popcorn in these posts:

A stand for concessions. (In this post, I express the desire to pay the movie theater for permission to bring my own luscious popcorn into the theater.)

And...

Why I watch movies (as if I need a reason): Popcorn

Ever wonder how popcorn got its start in the movie business? There are several YouTube videos that discuss its history, and how it was originally banned from the cinema. Here's one...

How Popcorn Went From Banned to Saving Movies

Tonight, I'll be enjoying popped kernels of goodness to celebrate Popcorn Day, how about you?

Appreciate a Dragon Day

Hey, real quick. I looked at my calendar* and saw today is Appreciate a Dragon Day. Yep, it's an actual holiday observed yearly on January 16. 

I had to look on-line to learn how to celebrate such an occasion and the website suggested watching dragon-themed movies. 

Watch movies? Well, I better hurry and post on here to spread the news and share my favorite movie dragon... Mushu, on Disney's animated Mulan (1998). Voiced by Eddie Murphy, Mushu is my absolute favorite dragon!

And listed by year of release, here are other movies with dragons I've enjoyed:

Pete's Dragon (1977) (I liked this version better than the remake.)

The NeverEnding Story (1984)

How to Train Your Dragon (2010)

Can you tell I prefer dragons who are comedic or friendly? 

What are your favorite movie dragons?

*I have Sandra Boynton's "Every Days a Fabulous Holiday" calendar with "365 offbeat honest-to-goodness official holidays"... so much fun! It might generate ideas for future posts, too.