Rainy Days and Sundays...Brokeback Mountain, Last Holiday...Movies

Hi all:
It's a rainy Sunday in Illinois. What happened to the snow this winter? I'm so distraught that this area has had only one or two decent snows this season.

I went to see Brokeback Mountain yesterday. Ang Lee, the director, graduated from the University of Illinois. Being a College of Communications graduate, I was able to hear him speak several years ago...as well as Oprah, Roger Ebert, etc. I was disappointed in Ang Lee's work. My thoughts during the movie ran towards disjointed scenes pieced together. Beautiful scenery placed haphazardly. The storyline was fine. Heath Ledger did a marvelous job speaking as though he had a wad of snuff in his mouth. I never saw him mess with snuff, but he spoke as though it was always present. I've been around farm folks most of my life, being located in an area that is both farming country besides an area of higher learning. I see few people who use "chewing tobacco" anymore, but back in the 60's and 70's it was "popular." I am proud of Ang Lee for not showing any chewing tobacco--it doesn't need promoted. I rather see cowboy boots and Carhart clothing come back into mainstream. In my opinion, the movie started slowly and didn't gain too much momentum throughout, but rather, was consistent. Ms. Hathaway's character (Jake G's wife) cracked me up. She looked Texan for real -- the big hair -- hair that went when she was young from being brunette, lone, flowing, to blonde, hairsprayed, teased, overprocessed, and overworked hair when she was a young wife and mother. So, how do you think Jake's character (Mr. Twist) actually died? Do you think it was an "accident?" He was so young. The love between the two cowboys was special-Heath's character didn't expect to enjoy loving a man. More later.

Last Holiday with LLCoolJ & Queen Latifah. I like the Queen. I like her in anything she chooses to do. Most of her movies are lame as far as substance. Why does she choose those movies...just to keep working...that is all that she is offered? She's a smart, funny, beautiful woman. Last Holiday is a pleasant movie. I don't remember any bad language or sex scenes. Amazing, huh? I didn't love LLCoolJ as an actor. I thought he was boring or contrived--he acted as though he'd break if he moved or showed emotion. I don't know what it is about Gerard Depardieu, but I think he is sort of sexy in a big oaf sort of way. Did you not want Chef & Queen to get together? Come on? When did Timothy Hutton get so emaciated looking? I didn't find him pleasurable to look at at all. He looked too small for his frame. California & movie & entertainment industry--we'd rather see you looking healthy then looking frail, pale & ill. Now Queen Latifah...she LOOKS healthy. She looks happy. She has some flesh on that body of hers. Alicia Witt did a good job of playing Kragen's mistress. It's good to see that Alicia has been able to successfully move from television to movies--she's good at what she does--a good actress. I hope to see her in even bigger and better roles in the future.

I plan to go to see either Nanny McPhee, End of the Spear or New World today. I'll let you know what I think.

P.S. Think positive thoughts...my mother has a biopsy on Tuesday!