Sunday Thoughts

This weekend has become a sort of the start of the Christmas season for reals thing for me. My mom's birthday is the 10th (Happy Human Rights Week!) and I usually take her out for brunch. I also took out my sister as an early birthday present (did this at least a couple times). And, while at her place, I put up my mom's Christmas tree.

I watched the Holiday Affair, a 1940s generic holiday title if one that is accurate.  A war widow with a young son is hanging on to the past and playing it safe, including going out with a safe, if a somewhat boring guy.  The film's value is shown in part by the guy not just being a boring stereotype.  He gets some respect as well in the screenplay.

While getting into a bit of trouble as a comparison shopper [buying something only for that purpose with no intention of keeping it apparently was illicit at the time], she meets and falls for a more fun guy who also has the nerve to push up against her some.  Harry Morgan (MASH guy) has an amusing bit at the police court.  

Janet Leigh IRL (about 22) is a bit younger than her character seems (her son is like six) to be but worked well.  The mom and son have good chemistry.  There is a bit too cute a scene involving the son and the ending is a bit too rushed, but overall, I liked it.  

The film surely was better watching than Giants/Jets football.  The Eagles just owned the Giants. So, the Giants will go to the rematch with the Commanders tied 7-5-1, continuing their "coming back to earth" period.  

The Jets continued their Defense good, offense, and other things not quite good enough period.  They have been 1-3 (the Bears such and didn't even have their usual starting QB) with each game close enough to be tantalizing.  Zack Wilson (who fell from grace so much he wasn't even the #2 on Sunday) couldn't handle the Pats, setting up for a special teams fail sealing the deal at the end of the game.  Mike White beats the Bears and is overpraised for it.  And, then two close games versus top teams (Vikings and Bills), but the Jets in both looked not quite there.  

The Bills game (who thought the Jets would sweep them? who started as QB the game they did beat them?)  showed a Jets team with multiple issues. First, they gifted the Bills a TD (always a killer) at the end of the half after the old "let's see if they jump" 4th down maneuver actually worked.  The Jets then tied when they came back, but the Bills went up 14-7.  The defense still kept it close, even getting a safety.  

Still, Mike White got hurt, and (oh no!) Flacco came in.  Mike White (somewhat thankfully given Flacco's performance) came back.  After the safety, they were driving (down by 11), but ... turnover.  Time running low, on 4th and 1, they went for the FG later on, and a drive with less than a minute to go was four bad-looking throws.  The coverage I saw did not suggest Wilson is starting any time soon.  

So, what?  Another Jets QB bust?  I need to see Mike White actually win more than a game versus a bad team to tell me he's the one, even if some reports are that his teammates like him.  Oh well.  

The Texans actually showed up versus Dallas, but could not ice the game late.  Dallas ran the length of the film, basically, and iced the game themselves.  Texans either being really bad or finding a way to lose is at least on brand.  It's somewhat amazing the team managed a win and a tie.  

There are lots of holiday movies on these days, including on CBS.  This includes new movies on Saturday and Sunday sometimes. The Holiday Sitter is a basic Hallmark film (the non-domestic guy finding his domestic spirit by having to watch kids was done too), except that this is about a gay guy.  Hallmark now not only has gay supporting characters but is willing to have a few films with gay and lesbian leads.  So, the big kiss now is between two guys.  Which is nice.  The film overall was a decent watch.

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I noted -- though it might not feel like it -- that next week is Christmas Eve. Hey, Saturday counts, even if it really feels like it's two weeks away.  As to the birthday brunch, the darn place did not have the falafel I wanted.  It was on the menu.  I didn't want my usual veggie burger.  Oh well.  I liked the drink, toasted corn muffin, and coffee.  The other things were okay enough.  And, the price was okay.  I still wonder how Monica and Julie -- back in the 1990s -- spent over $50 for brunch.