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This blog is the work of an educated civilian, not of an expert in the fields discussed.

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Holiday Movies

And Also: Cecil Adams, the answer man, for some reason decided to wade into the abortion waters. The first entry pretty good (up to a point; see, e.g., talk of "inconveniences the mother" etc.), but the follow-up (he rarely does that) ill advised. The "no pang" bit was really annoying.


I got HBO and Starz channels now ... my local listings does not let me know what is on most of them, and overall, don't generally find much of interest. Whine whine. Big Love, the polygamy show, was on last night -- Amanda Seyfried plays a minor character. I expected her to break out in song at some point. I watched the show in the past -- didn't quite find it too interesting, if worth a look; yesterday's episode (or the one shown) was a bit dull. Chloƫ Sevigny, whose character generally is somewhat unpleasant, is particularly bitchy here.

Watched the new Hallmark movie, An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving (Sunday night, Colbert's Christmas special). The plot is fairly routine, but it is carried out with particular skill here. Jacqueline Bisset plays the rich grandmother who is called in against the mom's wishes by the strong-willed older daughter (and writer in training) one troubled autumn on a farm sometime after the Civil War. This daughter imho makes the movie. Though the IMDB puts Tatiana Maslany (sans photo) low on the list for some reason, her character is not only the voice of the film, but she plays it was verve and feeling. Her sister and mother here, also Canadian talents, provide superior support. JB is good too. But, Tatiana is the star.

A bit more routine, but still charming (Carla Gugino and Laura Dern this time are the ones who add more bite than you might expect in Hallmark fare; CG also is someone who deserves more quality work) film was re-broadcast last night as well -- A Season of Miracles. This was of the Christmas variety, even if Thanksgiving is not quite upon us. I can be a sucker for the cute holiday movie ... Hallmark (I have its movie channel too) and Lifetime (with a movie channel too) both will supply more than enough, most not worth watching I'm sure, by New Years.