W is for Witches and Wizards

I don't claim to be an expert on movies of the magic persuasion.  I certainly haven't seen all witch and wizard movies out there.  However, I have seen enough to have a few favorites. Here are mine.

Minerva McGonagall (Harry Potter)

Seriously.  She can turn into a cat (or anything else if she wants to).  

She's a bad-A old lady.  Plus, I'm just a big Maggie Smith fan. 

Merlin (The Sword in the Stone)

I loved this kooky old dude, especially when he flew in wearing Bermuda shorts and high tops.  Awesomeness. 

Turning himself into a squirrel and then being harassed by a desperate lady squirrel was pretty funny, too. 

The Sanderson Sisters (Hocus Pocus)

I watch this movie every year at Halloween.  I love these three!

Gandalf (Lord of the Rings)

He's Gandalf.  Dude died and then came back.  

Hermoine Granger (Harry Potter)

If it weren't for her, Harry and Ron would have bit it halfway through the first book. 

 I love a strong, beautiful female character.

Severus Snape (Harry Potter)

Bad guy turned good guy pretending to be bad guy.  Honestly, I didn't love Snape until Alan Rickman brought him to life.  

Fantastic character, but Rickman just made him complete. 

Louise Miller (Teen Witch)

Who doesn't love a teenage girl with the power to make herself beautiful and popular?  

Mad Madam Mimm (The Sword in the Stone)

She scared me as a kid.  She was psycho.  Still creeps me out a bit. 

I didn't  pick Albus Dumbledore because I was often frustrated with him.  For one, he let children do stuff that was WAY too advanced for them.  Also, if you're going to let a child fight evil on a regular basis, you could at least keep him in the loop instead of being all mysterious and withholding information.  

I also didn't pick the Wizard from Oz because, well, he wasn't really a wizard.  

V is for Villains

Scarface.  Hannibal.  Darth Vader.  Jack Torrence.  Principal Rooney.  These are just a few of the baddest dudes in the history of villains.  Some are evil enough to give even the manliest man nightmares, and others are just hysterically awful - or awfully funny. 

These are the best fictitious villains EVER, according to me.

The Joker (The Dark Knight) - Heath Ledger

Ledger was so disturbingly convincing in this role that no one was surprised to learn the actor had trouble sleeping after portraying the Joker. 

Favorite evil act:  Doing the "magic" trick to the mafia guy with the pencil.  Eww.

Favorite evil quote:  "See, I'm not a monster, I'm just ahead of the curve."

Megamind - Will Ferrell

This dude was hilarious.   He wanted to be evil so badly, but he just couldn't pull it off.   His only goal is to defeat Metro Man and run Metro City.

Favorite evil act:  Walking down main street in Metro City blaring "Back in Black" on a boombox.

Favorite evil quote:  "Uh, yes, the spyiiiiiider. Even the smallest bite from...arachnis deathicus... will instantly paralyze... ARRGH! GET IT OFF!"

Dr. Evil (Austin Powers films)- Mike Myers

The most ridiculously funny bad guy ever.  Spends all of his time either frozen in space or trying to take over the world by defeating Austin Powers.

Favorite evil act: Busting out of prison with Mini-me after rapping with the inmates.

Favorite evil quote: "I'm one crazy mofo.  I had to pop a cop 'cause he wasn't giving me my props in Oaktown.  No?  I heard that somewhere..."

Annie Wilkes (Misery) - Kathy Bates

Psycho single lady who "rescues" injured author then holds him prisoner because she loves him so much. 

Favorite evil act:  Hobbling Paul after he tries to escape.  I can't even watch that scene.  Once was enough. 

Favorite evil quote:  "Now the time has come. I put two bullets in my gun. One for me, and one for you. Oh darling, it will be so beautiful."

John Doe (Se7en) - Kevin Spacey

A killer obsessed with the seven deadly sins.  I could only watch this movie once.  The scenes are so disturbing and the ending so awful I just can't stand to go through it again. 

Favorite evil act: *SPOILER ALERT* Well, none of them were "favorites" but the worst thing he did in my opinion is the last thing he did:  Tracy's head delivered to Mills in a box.

Favorite evil quote:  "I admire you. I don't know how you found me, but imagine my surprise. I respect you law enforcement agents more everyday."

Michael Myers (Halloween)

Psychotic boy murders sister, spends years in a mental institution, escapes and decides to take it out on young folks everwhere.  For twenty-something years.  That's dedication.

Favorite evil act:  Well, the dude just never dies.  What freaks me out the most by Michael is when he does that head-tilt thing, as if he's considering.  CREEPY.

Favorite quote (since Michael didn't talk, I'm going with Dr. Loomis): "I met him, fifteen years ago. I was told there was nothing left. No reason, no conscience, no understanding; even the most rudimentary sense of life or death, good or evil, right or wrong. I met this six-year-old child, with this blank, pale, emotionless face and, the blackest eyes... the devil's eyes. I spent eight years trying to reach him, and then another seven trying to keep him locked up because I realized what was living behind that boy's eyes was purely and simply...evil."

Col. Nathan Jessup (A Few Good Men) - Jack Nicholson

Yeah, he ordered the Code Red.  What about it?  The ultimate B.A. himself, Mr. Nicholson. 

Favorite evil act:  His five minute rant during the trial. 

Favorite evil quote: "I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said thank you, and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon, and stand a post."

Joan Crawford (Mommie Dearest) - Faye Dunaway

The first time I watched this momma I decided I would never complain about my Mom.  Ever. 

Favorite evil act:  The entire wire hangers scene.

Favorite evil quote:  "NO WIRE HANGERS!!!"  Duh.

Stu and Billy (Scream) - Matthew Lillard and Skeet Ulrich

I figured out Billy right off, but Stu was a surprise.  He was so funny you hated to see him bite it at the end. 

Favorite evil act:  Opening scene.  Brilliant.

Favorite evil quote:  "My mom and dad are gonna be so mad at me!"

Hannibal Lecter (Silence of the Lambs) - Anthony Hopkins

Quite possibly one of the most terrifying characters ever, and he's not even the main killer in the film. THAT's talent.

Favorite evil act:  Stealing the guard's face to escape. 

Favorite evil quote:   "I do wish we could chat longer, but... I'm having an old friend for dinner."

Sue Sylvester (Glee) - Jane Lynch

 She has the best one-liners and is always primed for a fight with Will.  Honestly though, I much preferred her in seasons 1 and 2.  Now she's a softie.  What a bummer. 

Favorite evil act:  Marrying herself.  Because she would never love anyone else as much as she loves herself.

Favorite evil quotes: 

 "By the way, you cry more than Michael Landon in 'Little House on the Prairie' during sweeps week."

"Santana! Wheels! Gay kid! Asian! Other Asian! Aretha! Shaft!"

"Oh I will bring it, William. You know what else I'm gonna to bring? I'm gonna bring some Asian cookery to wipe your head with. Cause right now you've got enough product in your hair to season a wok."

"Your resentment is delicious."

"It is my strong recommendation that both of these students be hobbled."

"I'm gonna take your house, your car and your extensive collection of vests. I mean, seriously, you wear more vests than the cast of Blossom."

"If that list is one minute late, I will go to the animal shelter and get you a kitty cat. I will let you fall in love with that kitty cat. And then on some dark, cold night I will steal away into your home and punch you in the face."

Well there you have it.   Did I miss any totally awesome villains?  Hubs is currently mad at me for not picking Darth Vader.  I told him to write his own blog. 

U is for Unusual

I'll be honest with y'all, I'm not feeling particularly inspired today.  This week has been SO long, and it's only Wednesday.  My kid has four - count 'em, FOUR - t-ball games this week, I have a paper due next Monday, my in-laws are coming to visit this weekend, and I have a cold. On the plus side, we're getting our rescue puppy Sophie this week, so there's something to smile about.

So what I did today in my laziness is google "unusual".  This is some of what I found:

If you ever see me like this, call 911, because I'm broken.

This is just adorable.

Yeah, that's a tad unusual.

We all know nobody's touching that. 

Is this that dorkfish Bill Engvall was talking about?

Straight out of my nightmares.

I don't think that's how you wear it....

Um...I don't even....

Why?

This makes me uncomfortable.

I've always wanted a pair!

This is awesomely cool.

Neat tree.

That's it for today, folks. Happy Hump Day!

T is for Tearjerkers

The hubs and I were watching Toy Story 3 recently with our daughters, and at the end he looked over to see me bawling my eyes out.  Hubs proceeded to start laughing at me, which provoked a loud "WHAT?!" from me.  He replied that I cry over nearly half of the movies we watch.  I argued, of course.  He insisted that any and all movies that have the slightest emotional content cause me to end up sniffling and surrounded by kleenex.  Of course, I set out to prove him wrong.....and was shocked to learn that there are, in fact, a ton of films that reduce me to tears.

Honestly I shouldn't have been surprised, I cry over everything.  I still can't watch the last episode of Friends without sobbing for a good ten minutes.  There are even some Hallmark commercials that make me cry.

Blog law states that I'm required to share such a realization with you guys, so here it is: 

The Moves That Make Me Cry
 No Matter How Many Times I Watch Them

Steel Magnolias

It doesn't matter that I've seen this movie more times than I can count.  I always find myself completely hysterical at the end, until the comic relief kicks in, which then leaves me half sobbing-half laughing.  Ridiculous.

Fried Green Tomatoes

Okay, I cry a little bit when Buddy dies.  When Ruth gets sick, though -  sobs.  Heaving, shaking sobs.  It's just so sad.  That stupid pond story.

A Walk to Remember

The book made me cry so much more than the movie, but it did still wrench some tears from me at the end.  Shane West crying would make any woman tear up. 

Armageddon

Okay.  First off, let me just say that whoever decided that BRUCE WILLIS would die should have been fired.  Immediately.  That scene with him and Ben Affleck - so sad.  I get so upset over it that I usually just skip the entire scene.  Seriously.  I haven't watched that scene in over four years. 

Independence Day

"Is mommy sleeping now?"  "Yes, mommy's sleeping now."  ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!

My Best Friend's Wedding

Aside from the awesome speech Jules makes after the wedding, this movie is near and dear to my heart for various reasons, and I always cry.  Every time. 

Stepmom

On Christmas morning when mom and kids have their own Christmas upstairs, and when mom and stepmom have dinner together.....so sad.  I think this one makes me cry more because of my grandmother, who passed away from cancer when I was a child. 

Forrest Gump

First bubba dies, then momma dies, then Jenny dies.  When he's talking to Jenny's grave, the tears just start and won't stop. 

Marley and Me

Hysterical sobs at the end of this film.  Completely unconsolable.  If you've ever loved a dog, this movie will make you cry.  Even the hubs was crying big 'ol alligator tears during this one!

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2

Yeah, Dobby died at the end of Part 1 and it's sad and all.  But when Fred Weasley dies (FRED?!?!?) I'm a sobbing mess.  It was way worse when I read the book.  I was so upset about this.  I'd rather they killed Luna Lovegood off. 



S is for Sanrda Bullock

Women love her because she's down to earth and funny.  Men lover her because she's beautiful.  Basically, everyone loves Sandra Bullock.

In celebration of Sandy (and because I CAN'T WAIT to see her new movie with Melissa McCarthy this summer) I'm giving y'all my list of her best films -according to me, obviously.  In no particular order, here they are:

Speed

First time I saw Miss Bullock in a movie, and she had me captivated.  It can't be easy to star in a film that has you on a bus for the majority and still be interesting, but she pulled it off. 

Miss Congeniality

I thought she was hilarious in this film.  Rude, dirty, mannish FBI agent-turned beauty pageant contender.  Awesome.  Michael Caine is also a plus as pageant trainer Victor Melling. (Plus Benjamin Bratt is HOT.)

Love Potion No. 9

Although this was one of her first films, I didn't see it until I was in my late teens (circa 2000ish).  I LOVED it.  Sandy showed off a bit of her comedic talent, and Tate Donovan was adorable.  Can't beat this kind of cheese.

The Net

This is one of her not-so-well-known movies, but it's on my list of all time favorites.  Think back to the time before computers were in every home, and most people had never even heard of the internet.  It's suspenseful conspiracy theory stuff.  Greatness.

The Proposal

I love Sandra Bullock.  I LOVE Ryan Reynolds.  Put them together in a rom-com and add Betty White, and I'm there.  There wasn't anything I didn't like about this movie. 

Two Weeks Notice

First time I saw this one, thought it was just okay.  Watched it again, and it got better.  By the fifth or sixth time, it was one of my favorites.  Hugh Grant's sarcasm mixed in with Sandra's makes for great comedy.  Heather Burns is an entertaining supporting role (you'll remember her from Miss Congeniality). Oh, and I love to hate Alicia Witt's character June. 

The Blind Side

I didn't think I'd like this movie, but I was pleasantly surprised.  Sandra definitely deserved the Oscar she won for this one.  Tim McGraw was another surprise in this one.

Hope Floats

Sandra as the scorned wife forced to move home to momma's house with smart aleck kid and readjust to smalltown life.  How could you not like that storyline?  Plus, Harry Connick, Jr.  Aahhhhhhhh.

Honorable Mentions:

Murder By Numbers, Crash, 28 Days and While You Were Sleeping