Home for the Holidays- Planes,Trains, and Automobiles

The first movie in my Home for the Holidays Christmas countdown isn't actually Christmas movie . . . and isn't actually about a house.  But it's about finding your way home in time for  Thanksgiving- no matter how many modes of transportation stand in your way.

I remember watching bits of Planes, Trains, and Automobiles on tv when I was younger, but a few weeks ago we rented it and watched from start to finish.  After 6 years of traveling for work- I could certainly relate!  What is most frustrating about delayed flights and cancelled rental cars and disgusting hotel rooms is that you feel completely out of control.  You were looking forward to a trip to Florida and all of a sudden you realize you'll be spending the next 8 hours in the Atlanta airport getting territorial about dirty corner of carpet and an outlet to charge your phone.

Or you think you'll be in Chicago with your family by sundown and you end up in a crappy motel in Wichita, being spooned by John Candy.
 
With travel complications, its easy to get annoyed with anyone.  Especially someone who spills beer on the bed, smokes cigars in the motel room and leaves his dirty underwear in the sink.  That's why I love this scene when Neal  (Steve Martin) totally goes off on poor Del.

I mean, I've been annoyed with people before, but usually roll my eyes and silently fume until I can complain behind their back. Neal says everything you've ever wanted to say to someone who is driving you crazy!  You're practically cheering out loud watching this part.  Or at least I was.  I'm probably a horrible person.
That's why my very favorite party of the movie is when Del states very simply "I'm an easy target. Yeah, you're right, I talk too much. I also listen too much. I could be a cold-hearted cynic like you... but I don't like to hurt people's feelings. Well, you think what you want about me; I'm not changing. I like... I like me. My wife likes me. My customers like me. 'Cause I'm the real article. What you see is what you get."

Yep, I'm a horrible person.  Now of course Neal will go on to many more angry tirades and Del will continue to be well- meaning and accident prone.  But is the end, Neal invites Del home.  And isn't that what the holidays are all about?

So whether your trampled a little old lady as you sprinted into Target on Black Friday, or considered punching the airline representative who told you your flight was delayed once again, try to remember that it's the holidays and getting home is important to everyone.  And maybe we could all be a little more like Del.

Unless of course,  the rental car company left you in the middle of "f***ing nowhere with f***ing keys to a f***ing car that isn't f***ing there!"  That's unacceptable.

Home for the Holidays

Lately, I've been thinking a lot about the concept of home.  I was born in Florida, but I've lived in South Carolina for 10 years.  My parents sold the house I grew up in and now live 20 minutes away.  I live in a one bedroom apartment but I'll move to my fiance's house after we get married.

I didn't really think about all of this until suddenly Christmas music was playing on the radio and there more leaves on the ground than on the tree outside my bedroom window.  It's time to decorate for the holidays, time to go home for the holidays- but where is that?

I know I'm so fortunate to have friends and family that make me feel at home no matter where I am.  But I'm looking forward to sharing a house with someone next year.  And in the meantime, I thought we'd count down my favorite Christmas movies that feature homes and hearts- wherever they are.

P.S.  Last year I counted down my favorite rom-com's of Christmas.  Add them to your Netflix queue!

The 5 Rom-Coms of Christmas
1. It's A Wonderful Life
2. Love Actually
3. Meet Me in St. Louis
4. The Holiday
5. Miracle on 34th Street

Skyfall Review

First of all, in the middle of all of the "James Bond turns 50" and "who is the best Bond ever" hoopla, I have to tell you that the only Bond I've ever known is Daniel Craig.

And that's fine by me!  I half-heartedly started watching Casino Royale on tv one night  and the next thing I knew I was sobbing over Vesper Lynd and announcing "there are dinner jackets and then there are dinner jackets!" every time my boyfriend put on a suit.

I found Quantum of Solace to be sort of like Sex and the City 2.  Lacking the romance and style of the first film, we had some fun until the plot dragged on and everyone was ready to get out of the desert.

Anyways, I was really excited about Skyfall and even went to see it on opening night!  I haven't done that since . . . come to think of it . . .Sex and the City 2.

Anyways, it seems the new trend with our action heroes is to bring them down to a more human level.  Remember when I wrote about waiting for Batman to finally rise in "The Dark Rises?"  We spend a good part of Skyfall watching a fallen Bond.  Broken, both physically and mentally, poor James wonders if he's still capable of fulfilling his 007 duties.  Delving into Bond's psyche, including a tragic childhood, is interesting enough, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't relieved to see him start to take down the bad guys.

Those bad guys include Javier Bardem as the delightfully flamboyant and creepy villain, Silva.

  

We also have some beautiful but boring Bond girls, Ralph Fines as the chairman of the British Intelligence and Security Commission, and of course Dame Judi Dench as M.

Although so much of the action in Quantum of Solace was fueled by revenge over Vesper's death, I was hoping Skyfall would introduce  a new lady into Bond's life.  And I know the Bond franchise doesn't really deal with feelings, but this is CFC- what do you expect?  So while Vesper left big shoes (and gorgeous gowns) to fill, I think we realize that the love his life is really M.  And that's the story at the heart of Skyfall- Bond being Bond, but with the criticism, support, and respect of his most favorite boss.

And as Daniel Craig is still signed on for more turns as the sexy secret agent, I do hope he finds the one.  But until he does, perhaps Bond can reflect on his friendship with M and on the words of Charlotte York- "Maybe we can be each other's soulmates."

Skyfall, rated "PG-13," action, starring Daniel Crag, Javier Bardem, Ralph Fiennes and Judi Dench "B"

MTAD Monday- Parental Guidance

Family fun, just in time for the holidays.  Endorphins.

MTAD- Gangster Squad

Emma Stone looks ravishing! Ryan Gosling is hoping to take us to bed! They have a cute bulldog!

Happy Weekend- Say Yes to the Dress

Happy Weekend!  I hope you have something fun planned!  I'm going wedding dress shopping tomorrow which is wonderful and surreal all at the same time!

Weekly Run Down:
Story of the Week:
 Kristen Stewart is still a pain

Once again, why issue a public apology if you're going to act like this when you're asked about your relationship on national tv?

Look of the Week:
Cameron Diaz at the Gambit premiere

I love this look for a holiday party, especially the dainty cuff and pretty ivory skirt.  Speaking of holidays, looks like Cameron might have gotten two early Christmas presents this year.  You know what I mean.

Rental of the Week:
Plains, Trains and Automobiles
There's not a lot of holiday movies that take place in November.  But this hilarious John Hughes comedy is all about trying to get home for Thanksgiving.  Funny and sentimental and Steve Martin + John Candy= comedy genius.

Movie Ticket of the Week:
Skyfall
We saw the new Bond movie last night and it was stylish and sexy and tons of fun!  I can't remember the last time I saw a movie in theaters and I felt like part of myself was missing.  But Bond is back and so is CFC!  Movie review coming soon . . .

Funny YouTube video of the week:
The Pitch
My friend Scott used to be my student assistant way back in the day.  Now he's on to bigger and better things- like writing and starring in this new series of digital shorts! (Featuring Joan Cusack- seriously!)

Happy Weekend!

Movie Quote of the Day

First, I was annoyed with people's facebook posts.  Now I'm annoyed with people's facebook posts about how they are annoyed with people's facebook post.  So, here's my presidential blog post.  CFC is nothing if not relevant.

"Two hundred pairs of eyes are focused on you with two questions on their minds - who's this girl, and why is the President dancing with her? "

  "Well, first of all, the two hundred pairs of eyes aren't focused on me. They're focused on you. And the answers are Sydney Ellen Wade, and because she said yes."

If by relevant, you mean quoting a romantic comedy that's nearly 20 years old.

Texts from my Mom

See Also:
Baby on the Way 
Hit and Run Review
What's on my DVR
A Date with Elton John

Christmas Crushes

Well now that its November 1st, its time for Christmas right?!  

Every year I find its a fine line between enjoying the season as much as possible . . . and totally exhausting myself by December 10th.  A few things I've been Christmas crushing on since mid- October:

 Kate Hudson's Ann Taylor Holiday ads

 Michael Buble in a new Christmas music video

And of course, the very first Target Christmas commercial of 2012.