NANA SAYS MOVIE TIME IS QUALITY TIME

March break is always a challenge to working parents. So this Nana took two vacation days to help babysit two grandchildren full days and a sleepover. What to do with a rainy, muddy outdoors day in Ontario? To the movies for the early show and in 3D. The Little Prince was a modern adaptation of a children's classic book. Watching my young son mesmerized by the story was delightful. Earlier, he had stated it would be boring to see a paper person come to life! The movie was a story within a story so had many layers of teaching for children and even adults too! As a child, Saturday was a time to go to the movie theatre in Weston! The old Fox Theatre would have two features and a documentary with the movie ticket. Thinking back it gave my mother time without all of us. My older sibling would be in charge. We walked! No car ride!! For this Nana it was something simple to do. The grandchildren were fighting a cold so needed a quiet activity although they had not been so quiet running around and playing at my house. There are good children's movies. Animation has become a wonderful art form. Just look at the awards' season with all the entries. Of course Nana has VHS tapes and DVDs for home watching. I was able to see the grandchildren experience the movie- Teen Wolf with Michael J. Fox for the first time. It was a favourite of my girls when they were younger! So old classics become new for this generation. Can't wait to have them watch TCM- Turner Classic Movies with me on TV. Oh movies, those wonderful little time savers for exhausted grandparents and parents!

THE AWARDS SEASON IS FINALLY OVER

For the past two months, one award show after the other has claimed a Sunday spot. The same stars and same accolades do drag it out. Some of our favourite movies win while others get shut out of the awards entirely. I usually manage to see 2 or 3 of the movies nominated. But I must be getting older as I have not made it to the end of one award show  yet. My sleep calls me. The reviews and reruns in the morning, in the papers and online give the highlights anyway. The fabulous gowns and I think all the people look fabulous are in overkill. How many evening dresses does one need in their closet. I miss Bob Hope being the emcee. I love movies and I have ones I like to see annually. Of course the classic Christmas ones like It's a Wonderful life and Scrooge. If I am feeling melancholy, Out of Africa is one I like. Ben Hur at Easter. Once in a blue moon, The Sound of Music which is Adolph's favourite. Whimsical romantic ones like French Kiss or Under the Tuscan Sun. Of course. Love Story that came out just before I was married.  Recently I bought The Best Marigold Hotel for $5.00 at Walmart. Pleasant British film with exceptional acting. It was a flick I missed at the theatre. I will not be seeing 50 Shades of Grey- just looks like soft porn. The younger generation is heading to see it in droves. There are some films still playing at the movies I still want to see. Will I try to see the winners from the Oscars? Hum- probably not! If thought is given to past winners, they often were not the box office winners. Sometimes what the masses likes to see does not filter down to the nominations. Those action films that are computer generated make lots of money- poor acting but fun for some audiences. The best thing is that movies are made for all to enjoy. The variety from drama to comedy to biographical to animation let's everyone find something to enjoy. Foreign films can be seen in some theatres. Of course being able to see in many venues from the movie theatre to one's TV and even on the little cell phones or do I have to call them smart phones and even tablets, allows accessibility to all. The large screen still gives the best viewing. So will the networks go back to some regular Sunday night shows. In my youth, Ponderosa was in the Sunday night slot. Then later, Murder She Wrote was popular. A lifetime can be experienced by the movies and shows watched. Of course, with all the technological equipment, the old home movies can be updated and put on modern devices. Sometimes those movies are actually the best. Why? Starring US- the family!! Do you have favourite movies that bring back memories? Or you just like to see them?

FAMILY DAY ONTARIO STYLE

A vacation day in the middle of February is a welcome relief. Titled Family Day, it allows time to do some family activities. The stores are closed so shopping is not an option. Time with family. Tobogganing, skating, go to a movie or activities at home. For working parents, an extra day to get work done around the house. How did you enjoy family day? Was the time well spent?

CHRISTMAS MOVIES

Every year I watch the same Christmas movies over and over. The Christmas Carol - the original black and white one with Alister Sims is one of my favourites. That Magic Christmas has been playing on the television. Just watched Love Actually again for another year. The Bells of St. Mary, The Christmas Story, The Santa Claus, Home Alone, Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, The Little Drummer Boy are favourites for young and old. Every TV show has their Christmas specials with sappy themes. Why do we watch them? To make us Cry? To make us feel for the season? Christmas with movies is part of our lives. Love them and watch them over and over. What is your favourite movie?