A Little Wine and Cheese

I love cheesy movies. I don’t need to tell you that wine goes good with cheese. Everyone’s already aware. But if you’re looking for a recommendation try Wonderwall, a lovely Shiraz out of Australia. Delightful. Now, onto the cheese. I could also add an addendum here about falling for Alan Rickman. Because my pick for best cheesiest feel good movie ever is Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves. With Kevin Costner. I never got tired of watching it. There’s something about prowess with a bow and arrows that is very appealing.

Maybe I have tree house envy. For an exiled group of outlaws, they built an incredible fortress in Sherwood Forest without access to anything. Like a Home Depot. Or Lowe’s. Or nails. And they way they got the blacksmithy up and going and manufactured all those swords was nothing short of a miracle.

And then there’s my love for Alan Rickman. See how I tied that all in together? And also because Robin Hood is one of my favorite stories. I also loved the recent Russell Crowe version. But that’s another blog post. Which I wrote but can’t find.

Let’s start with the Sheriff of Nottingham, should we?

“That’s it then. Cancel the kitchen scraps for lepers and orphans, no more merciful beheadings, and call off Christmas.”

 

Yep, he’s a badass. In the best, cheesiest way possible.

We won’t get into Kevin Costner’s sometimes-it’s-there-and-sometimes-it’s-not accent. He’s still adorable as Robin Hood.

I’ve seen knights in armor panic at the first hint of battle. And I’ve seen the lowliest, unarmed squire pull a spear from his own body, to defend a dying horse. Nobility is not a birthright. It’s defined by one’s actions.

I swoon in the face of such clarity of thought. For a member of the aristocracy he’s quite liberal in his thinking. I guess fighting with King Richard all those many years and then escaping as a prisoner of war gives one perspective.

And let’s not forget his I would die for you line. More sighing ensues.

Then there’s Morgan Freeman. Whom I love. Because he’s Morgan Freeman. And he has that excellent voice. He could be reading instructions from a shampoo bottle and I’d still listen.

A wise man once said: “There are no perfect men in the world; only perfect intentions.”

I mean, come on!

Are you with me? Or do you have your own pick for best, cheesiest movie ever?

On Katniss and Other Opinions

I was one of those annoy girly girls as a teenager. I was also clumsy and scared of grasshoppers. I wouldn’t have lasted three seconds in a Hunger Games arena. Which is probably why I loved the book so much, and the main character, Katniss Everdeen. To busy surviving to worry about being likable, she’s gutsy and loyal and a bunch of other things.

For me she’s the epitome of one of my absolute favorite sayings!

“You never know how strong you are, until being strong is the only choice you have.”  Unknown

For Katniss Everdeen it’s not about being likable, or even being the best. It’s certainly not about choosing between Boy A or Boy B. It’s about survival. It’s about winning. And it’s about clinging to your humanity while forced to do the unspeakable.

It looks like it’s going to be a terrific movie! It’s already a damn good book. So, if you haven’t read it, reconsider. Katniss Everdeen is a hero worth knowing.

In other news, I’m reading Any Known Blood by Lawrence Hill for our April book club pick. It’s about five generations of men named Langston Cane. I just hope I can stay awake long enough to finish it. And the thing about ereaders? You can’t gauge where you are in a book. I was sure I had to be at least halfway through because I’d been reading for like ever. But no, 19% read. I don’t know if I can survive another 80% worth of Langston Cane’s. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a poignant story told by a masterful storyteller. It’s just meandering and taking it’s time to the end.

What I was doing while I should have been reading or writing. Watching Swamp People! One gator jumped right in da boat! I don’t why but this show fascinates me. Maybe it’s the need for subtitles! I don’t know…Also Battle Castle. Six mighty castles; six epic seiges. My new love – the History channel.

Any new loves? Going to see The Hunger Games? What are you reading?