Pleasantly surprised...

When the movie "Australia" came out I really wanted to go see it. I LOVE Hugh Jackman ("Scoop", "The Prestige" "X-Men") and I have enjoyed many Baz Luhrmann movies but I couldn't get you-know-who to go see it with me, and it didn't get the greatest reviews when it was released.

However, coming home from a trip this week, it was one of the in-flight movies, so I was able to watch it. WOW!!! First of all the movie was great, the story was great, and Nicole Kidman was really good, but.... HUGH JACKMAN!!!! He is really the whole package!

Not only is he a great actor, slightly good looking... ok he is drop dead gorgeous, he sings and dances, and he is a great cowboy! Is there anything he isn't? Really? I saw him on an interview and he also spoke so sweetly about his wife and 3 children and how he makes breakfast on Saturdays as a tradition. THAT MEANS HE COOKS TOO!

Anyway, back to the movie, I went and bought it the day after I got home and I can't wait to watch it again. It is long, but that means more time to look at HJ!

It's Time to Start Your St. Patrick's Day Film Festival

I am getting ready to go to England next Thursday and it hit me that I wouldn't be home on St. Patrick's day so today I officially started the "St. Patrick's Day Film Festival". I love any holiday, the decorations, and the movies that go along with the holidays so here is my official list of St. Patrick's day movies. These are not in any order because I love everyone of them in different ways.

First is "The Quiet Man" starring John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara. This movies captures the beauty and traditions of Ireland. Anyone who hasn't seen this movie is depriving themselves from a classic! And Maureen O'Hara is so beautiful!
The next is "The Secret of Roan Inish". This is a beautiful story where you need to suspend logic. It is almost like a modern day folk tale. This was a small independent film when it was released in the theaters so not too many have seen it but it is fun and magical.

"Waking Ned Devine" is another Irish movie that was only in a few theaters here but it was a great hit. It is probably one of the funniest movies I have ever seen. Even my husband likes this one. It has romance, suspense, and mystery. HILARIOUS MOVIE!!!

"Into The West" is quite the opposite of Ned Devine in that it is a much more serious movie. It is about modern day gypsies in Ireland. The two main characters are 2 brothers who get a horse and what they do to try a keep it.

Their father is played by the amazingly handsome Gabriel Byrne, (can't you just melt into his eyes!). He is still mourning the loss of his wife and doesn't have much time for his 2 sons who need him so badly. The two boys that play the sons are also very good in this. I doubt too many have seen this one either but it is worth adding it to your list of "must see "movies.

Color Change for this next one..."Finian's Rainbow". This was Fred Astaire's last movie that he made and it is my favorite of all his movies. He is Finian McGlonergan, who, with his daughter, have come all the way from Ireland to make his fortune in the Southern community of Rainbow Valley. It also has Petula Clark, as his daughter, and Tommy Steele as the Leprechaun. This is a story about civil rights for African-Americans, set in the 60's in the south. But if that sounds heavy, this movie is not at all heavy, it is a comedy/musical. And the music is fabulous! Fred Astairs' dancing is the best of his career. All of the musical numbers will make you want to get up and dance. The best thing about this movie though, is the message it gives you and the humor it presents it with. Your entire family will have fun with this movie and it will make them start believing in leprechaun's and magic!

(did you like the rainbow colors?)

Now, the next movie I have blogged about before, because it is so great anytime of the year. If you don't think Peirce Brosnan can sing, then see this. "Evelyn" was the first movie Brosnan made with his new production company he started after he hit the jack-pot as 007. It is the true story of a family in Ireland in the '50's and the fathers fight to keep them together when the mother deserts them. And yes. Brosnan sings and he is great when he does Irish drinking songs, but I even liked his singing in Momma Mia!

Last, but not least, and it's a fun one for the kids, is the old Disney classic "Darby O'Gill and the Little People". This is a fun story with leprechauns, banshees, and magic! But the highlight of it is a very young and singing, Sean Connery (yes he sings!). I remember this movie as a child and I love it as much today as I did then. It is really a Disney classic!

So that is my list. If you have any other Irish movies that you love, that you think should be added to the St. Patrick's Day flim Festival list, let me know. I'm always open to a great Irish movie.

Have a Happy St. Patrick's Day and I will return in 2 weeks. This list will keep you busy until I return!

March in Arizona is Heaven!

There is nothing better than fruit fresh from the tree and we are still up to our chins in fresh citrus. But this month starts the new growing season even before all of last years fruit is off the trees.

Just two days ago you could smell it in the air when you opened the windows. The citrus blossoms have bloomed and they are heavenly. Not only are they beautiful but the air has the constant heavey scent of the blossoms. I remember the first March I was here I was shocked at how wonderful the smell is everywhere you go. I have grown up around fruit trees my whole life but nothing prepared me for this.

I always tell people that this is the best month to visit but no one listens so I will just keep enjoying the beauty, weather and smell of March without them! March is really like heaven here in AZ!