Oh, Hermione.

I am one of those huge dorks that obsesses over Harry Potter books and movies. Just went to see the latest installment of the films this weekend and it did not fail me. Such great movies and books! Hasn't Emma Watson turned into a beautiful woman right before our eyes? I love her as Hermione Granger, she perfectly plays the super smart and super cute witch that dorks like me idolize. 

Kid Movies

Some days you just need some comfort. Just like comfort foods, we all have comfort movies. Those flicks that restore our faith in the world. Most of mine are movies that I watched as a kid, like The Parent Trap. I used to watch this movie with my mom on lazy days around the house when were snowed in or sick. Now and Then came out when I was about twelve and it was so great, it really captured that little known undying friendship that you make when you're young and stays strong all your life.  A Little Princess was a magical movie for me. This little girl was so good no matter what life handed her, she was a blessing to every one around her, and never lost her imagination. And of course, Mary Poppins. Practically Perfect in Every Way. I hope to be Mary Poppins one day, complete with a carpet bag full of furniture and a magical umbrella.

Mastering the Art of Julia

I know I'm about a year too late, but did you guys see that wonderful movie, Julie and Julia? I'm re-watching it. I forgot how wonderful this movie is. Its one of those you can pop in at any time and enjoy over and over again. Based on the book by Julie Powell, this movie really brought Julia Child back onto the front burner. She was such a wonderfully exciting woman. I find it so extraordinarily inspiring that she didn't even begin culinary school until she was 36. There is so much pressure for those of us in our 20s to know just what we want to do with our lives as soon as we graduate college, and just look at Julia. She found her calling a little later, and it happened perfectly for her. Mastering the Art of French Cooking is in the top 10 Best Selling cookbooks of all time. Julia brought this art to the women of the United States, and we could never thank her enough. If you haven't seen this great movie, watch it! It will inspire even those whose cooking level is only making toast or a box of Shells and Cheese, to poach an egg or even attempt Beef Bourguignon.

Dear Winona,

Oh, Winona, where did you go? I love you, even if she did steal some stupid pair of cashmere socks. Winona Ryder was one of those rare actresses who was charming, beautiful, and actually made really good movies. Everyone loves Heathers and Edward Scissorhands, but as she grew her movies got even better. Reality Bites was an excellent representation of that oh-so-wonderful time after you get out of school and you have to actually try and do something with your life when you honestly still have no clue. I love that she played Jo in Little Women, no one could have played that role more perfectly, and Girl, Interrupted was amazing too. Her relationship with Angelina Jolie's character, Lisa, was so weird and dynamic. That movie really makes you question your own sanity. I just miss these amazing movies that were coming out throughout the 90s and now, well we just don't hear much from Ms. Ryder anymore. Winona, if you're out there, give us more please, we miss you!

Comforts

Everyone has their own rituals for comfort. Things they go to when having a bad day, or if its just one of those lovely rainy/snowy days that we are fortunate to have once a while. You know the ones, you can hole up in your home, watch movies, eat, work on projects. Here are some things I go to when I'm in search of comfort. A perfect day of comfort for me would include Macaroni and Cheese, watching Anne of Green Gables, sipping a warm cup of tea during the day, maybe having a delicious glass of wine at night. I'd slip into my most comfortable clothes, hoodies, yoga pants, my Minnetonka Moccasins, I'd knit, enjoy some I Love Lucy episodes, listen to John Lennon's solo albums. 

Chick Flicks Forever!

Everyone has movies that they watch over and over again. These movies are the "chick flick" movies that I discovered when I was a teenager and really spoke to me. I love to watch these movies on snowy winter days, days when I want to hide out and knit, I like to play them in the background while I clean the house, or just when I have alone time and want to hang out by myself. Fried Green Tomatoes , based on the novel by Fannie Flagg  starring Jessica Tandy , Kathy Bates , Mary Stuart Masterson , and Mary Louise Parker , is an awesome story about best friends, finding yourself, and family. While it is kind of a chick flick, it still has a really good story, a murder mystery, and a loving community in the 1920s south. It is sad yet joyful and so inspiring. Foxfire is one of Angelina Jolie's first movies, released in 1996 and loosely based on Joyce Carol Oats novel by the same name, this movie is about a sort of sisterhood bond between a group of girls who beat up a teacher who sexually harasses female students. It has a great 90s Grunge soundtrack and also stars Rilo Kiley's Jenny Lewis and supermodel Jenny Shimizu. I think this movie genuinely changed my life. Angelina Jolie's character hitches rides from town to town and thinks for herself. I wouldn't have been the same pain in the ass teenager without this movie!   How To Make an American Quilt stars Winona Ryder (I miss her, why'd she have to steal those damn socks?!), Maya Angelou , Ellen Burstyn , and Anne Bancroft .  This movie is about a group of women in a quilting circle who advise Winona Ryder, who is about to get married, about being true to herself. They each share their stories about finding their soul mates. It is sad, real, lovely, and funny. If there are any of these movies you haven't seen, add them to your queue! 

Toy Story 3

I grew up with the Toy Story movies and when I heard they were making a third one, I got really excited! I went to see it last night and it was just as great as the other two. It was hilarious, bittersweet, and a little heartbreaking. It made me want to go home and hug the teddy bear I've had for 24 years. 

That's Anne with an "E"

Lucy Maud Montgomery is the woman behind Anne of Green Gables . She published these books in 1908, and although they were meant for younger readers, these books top my list of favorites even today.  I also watch the mini series, created for PBS in 1985 probably once a month, sometimes more. This story never seizes to inspire me. I get something from it every time I read the book or watch the movie. In short it's about a red-headed orphaned girl who is bounced from home to home to take care of bratty little kids until one day, she winds up at Green Gables on Prince Edward Island in Canada (by Providence.) Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert, a bachelor and spinster brother and sister, send for a young boy to help them with chores around their farm, Anne (with an E) is sent instead. While Anne proves to be a trouble maker, talking too much, smashing her slate over  a boy's head at school, she also proves to be remarkably smart. She gets the best grades in her class, recites "The Lady of Shallot" over and over, and is on a quest to find a "bosom friend." You cannot help but fall in love with this story. Anne is the underdog who rises from her sad past and makes the entire town proud to know her. This story is about love, family, and community. The relationships Anne creates with Matthew, Marilla, Diana, and the rest of the town are touching. Anne may be a supreme trouble maker, and overly dramatic, renaming Barry's Pond to "The Lake of Shinning Waters" and the avenue to "White Way of Delight" but she is genuinely endearing and wonderfully real. You will love this interpretation of Montgomery's story. Pick up the DVD and book and get in touch with your wholesome side!

Tina, Tina, Tina

If you don't have a crush on Tina Fey, there is something wrong with you. As Saturday Night Live's first female head writer, one of the best anchors of the show's "Weekend Update," winner of a ridiculous amount of Emmy's, Golden Globes, SAG awards, and now star and creator of her own show, 30 Rock, there is almost too much to love about Tina.  So, now she's made her way to movies. First writing and having a rather small role in "Mean Girls," then starring in "Baby Mama" with also rocking funny chick, Amy Poehler, now she's co-starring with Steve Carell in "Date Night" which opens today. I love Tina, she's kind of a hero for me. She is beautiful without being intimidating, funny in a real, non-vulgar way, really talented, and the kind of woman you'd love to have as your best friend. I watch 30 Rock re-runs on my netflix instant queue almost everynight and laugh at the same jokes over and over. Her portrayal of Sarah Palin, just put icing on the cake. Watch her host Saturday Night Live this weekend!!!

Lars and the Real Girl

Have you seen this movie? It was released almost three years ago and I watched it for the second time tonight, it was just as good the second time around. Lars and the Real Girl stars super cute Ryan Gosling, Emily Mortimer, Paul Schneider,  Patricia Clarkson, and Kelli Garner. This movie is more than its premise...Dude falls in love with a sex doll.. This movie is about community and love and family and compassion. It is heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time, totally original, funny and just all around beautiful. If you haven't seen it, put it on your queue, go down to Blockbuster, or just buy it out right. You can't not love it.