Friday, December 21, 2012

MOVIE WEEKEND

Gentle Readers . . . and Maxwell,

I'm afraid this news will come as quite a shock to you, but I saw a movie in a theater. The trip represented my first visit to a theater since August, 2011, when The Hurricane and I saw the final Harry Potter movie.

As you may recall, The Hurricane visits me even as I write. She insisted I see Lincoln on a big screen in an actual theater. She said it was one of the most amazing movies she's ever seen.

So, thanks to The Hurricane, we drove to the theater and purchased our tickets for the matinee, and I'm pleased to report that The Hurricane knew of what she spake. Lincoln is indeed an amazing movie.

Based on the book Team of Rivals by my heroine, Doris Kearns Goodwin, the movie chronicles the final months of the Civil War and the passage of the 13th Amendment to The Constitution of these United States. The Hurricane knew the outcome of the vote on this amendment to abolish slavery, yet she found the counting of the votes suspenseful.



According to the Internet Movie Data Base (IMDB, which in some circles -- including mine -- is now used as a verb, as in "I'm going to IMDB such-and-such a movie because I can't think of the name of the actress who was in it"), director Steven Spielberg spent 12 years on his research for Lincoln.

It shows.

I felt as if I were watching the actual events unfold. Every shot is beautiful.

I also learned a great deal about everything that was going on at the time. The Hurricane and I were amused by the fear some men felt at the thought of giving all slaves their freedom, because dammit, then they'd expect to vote. And if black men got to vote, then Dear Lord No! next it would be women at the ballot box.

Lincoln can also boast of lovely performances.

Daniel Day-Lewis IS Abraham Lincoln as I imagine him to be. I comment in this fashion because all traces of the actor are erased. Day-Lewis is so totally at one with this role that had I not been told it was Daniel Day-Lewis in the part, I wouldn't have known who it was.

The Hurricane and I predict that Daniel Day-Lewis will win the Academy Award for Best Actor for this role (if he wins, then I believe it will be his third best actor award).

Rather astonishing to me, though, is Sally Field as Mrs. Lincoln, or "Madam President" as Mary Todd Lincoln preferred to be called. She is outstanding. I don't know if she'll win an award, but surely she'll be nominated for Best Actress or Best Supporting Actress.  

The Hurricane also believes Lincoln will win the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. How the dialog doth sparkle and move the viewer.

Thaddeus Stevens: Retain, even in opposition, your capacity for astonishment.

Lincoln has The Janie Junebug Highest Seal of Approval. If you're going to see one movie in a theater during this holiday season, then I recommend you see Lincoln.

Dee and Rita, I think you will like this movie. I'm warning the rest of you that it's not for children, and it might not be for you, Maggie, because of a sequence of upsetting shots when President Lincoln and son Robert visit a hospital for soldiers. There will be blood.


However, The Hurricane and I find ourselves intrigued by Les Miserables, which opens Christmas Day. Next week I might be recommending another film seen in a theater.

Oh! such wild times I do have with the fruit of my loins.

Infinities of love,

Janie Junebug

P.S. The Hurricane and I also discussed our amusement over people who said President Obama had no experience because he was ONLY a grassroots organizer. What were abolitionists? Grassroots organizers. What were suffragettes? Grassroots organizers.

I could go on, but I think I've made my point that grassroots organizers can be rather powerful. Additionally, they are OF the people, and not above them.

43 comments:

  1. That is next on my list, will probably see it during these upcoming holidays. I am definitely waiting for Les Mis because Russell Crowe is the secret love of my life (ok, not so secret now), but I must say there are quite a few good movies out these days.
    FUn with the fruit of your loins, that really cracked me up, u rock! :)

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  2. I have heard such great things about this movie that I can hardly wait till it comes out n DVD. I can't make it to movie theaters anymore, but this sounds like it was worth the trip to the real place with the big screen. Awesome! I'm sure I'll love it!

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    1. I'm sure you'll love it, too. Oh, how I wish you could go to a theater, but not Ford's.

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  3. I am DEFINITELY going to see it!!

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  4. Sounds like an exciting movie
    www.thoughtsofpaps.com

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  5. I LOVE your comment about grassroots organizers. I would love to see Lincoln in the theater. In all the years I've lived up here, I've only been to the movies once. I think I saw Dreamgirls, so that was a long time ago. I don't want to see Les Miserables, but look forward to your thoughts on it.

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    1. Les Miserables is not a definite, but if I go, then you will hear about it.

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  6. Mrs. C. and I are planning on seeing Lincoln on Christmas Day. We're really looking forward to it. The clips I've seen look astonishing.

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  7. Wow, that's quite a recommendation from you, but I've been hearing nothing but good things about this movie. For the first time in a couple decades, I might just have to grab Smarticus and go to the movies.

    Take care, and a very Merry Christmas to you. Seeya next year.

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    1. The Hurricane said it was a movie that should be seen in a theater, and she was right.

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  8. I love IMDB. It was my first favorite website in the 1990s. I will see Lincoln.

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  9. Everyone I've talked to has said Lincoln was incredible. I plan to see it next week.
    R

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    1. I hope you are as moved by it as I was. I want to see it again. Spielberg is da man.

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  10. Hi Janie - I missed Lincoln down here .. I'll have to make a plan to see it - it's a film I've been wanting to see - endorsed by many and now Hi5 rating from you ... so pleased you thoroughly enjoyed it. Les Mis is on .. and that I'd like to see ..

    Cheers - enjoy your outings ... ?! Happy Christmas and New Year .. cheers Hilary

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  11. Lincoln is a movie I absolutely want to see! I've heard many good things about it.

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    1. All the good things you've heard are true. Or at least I hope they are. I don't know what you've heard.

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  12. Janie, good observations. I saw Lincoln too and learned a few more things about American History.

    I can tell you're having a lot of fun with Hurricane.

    Cheers

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    1. I was having fun with her, but now I'm ready for her to go home and let me live in peace.

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    2. How long has Hurricane been there?

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  13. This sounds like an iconic movie. I'm glad you enjoyed it and you have tempted me to try and see it too! Happy Christmas to you!

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  14. Merry Christmas Janie. All the best to your and your family.
    Rick

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  15. Merry Christmas, Janie! Have a terrific day!

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  16. Secret...I don't care for the holidays and I'll be glad when they are over. Don't tell.

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  17. When it is Oscar night, I will think of you, when it comes on tv here, I will think of you Janie. Merry Christmas Janie.

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  18. I can hardly wait to see this movie. It had already sparked my interest, due in part to my son's fascination with the assassination of Lincoln at a young age...

    (http://legalmist.blogspot.com/2008/11/overheard-at-my-sons-art-class-this.html
    photo of picture here: http://legalmist.blogspot.com/2008/11/late-breaking-news-kids-art.html),

    but after this review, I simply will not miss it.

    Merry Christmas, dearest Janie Junebug!

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  19. Hope you're having a good day. I didn't shower. That's my statement.

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  20. I can't get the man to a real movie theater, just as well since no doubt as soon as the lights turn low I fall asleep. Wishing you and yours a merry xmas!

    XOXOXO
    Dawn

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  21. Oh, excellent! I really wanted to see this, so glad to hear the good review :). Merry Christmas!

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  22. I cannot remember the last time I saw a movie in a threater it was that long ago.. I have seen the shorts to the movie Lincoln and thought I may like it.

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  23. I read your comment on my blog. My kids would love for you to come over and make snow angels and hot cocoa with marshmallows! I would like to listen to anything that sounds like the Vienna Boy's Choir. So yes, we can switch, but not for too long. Schultz might miss me. ;)

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    1. Schultz would probably think I'm the nicest mommy in the world and he wouldn't notice you were gone. However, the Z-Boys would miss ME!

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