Juno

Another movie review since it is still in the top 10 this week.

Juno was a great movie. I thought it was cutting edge in dealing with a difficult topic: teen pregnancy and families. The family was a bit too supportive and the ending too neat--but the dialog and the acting were very good. The relationships in the movie were strong studies in people and personalities as well. The story:

After taking three pregnancy tests, 16-year-old Juno MacGuff (Ellen Page) discovers she is nine weeks pregnant by her friend and longtime admirer, Paulie Bleeker (Michael Cera). Although she initially opts for an abortion, a last minute change of heart leads her to decide to have the baby and make a plan for the child's adoption. With the help of her friend Leah (Olivia Thirlby), Juno searches the Pennysaver and finds a couple she feels will provide a suitable home. Along with her father, Mac (J. K. Simmons), Juno meets the couple, Mark and Vanessa Loring (Jason Bateman and Jennifer Garner), in their expensive home and finalizes the adoption arrangements.

If it were only that simple and that is why the story is so interesting and compelling. I found it fresh and enjoyable and the character development was superb.

Rating: Highly recommend--see now in theaters, buy when it comes out on DVD

Fool's Gold

Went and saw Fool's Gold over the weekend. It was a funny movie and very entertaining. Academy Awards performances? No--but very entertaining and funny. Of course you put four of my favorite things together in a movie and I'm bound to like it: SCUBA Diving, Key West, Treasure Hunting, and Warm South Florida Atlantic Ocean water. The imagery in the movie is at times stunning and I kept thinking--I want to dive there! The story is a bit trite and predictable, but that is what makes it all work. I say it is definitely worth paying movie theater prices and seeing.

Rating: Pay to see in theater when in need of diversion

Ethan and Autos

So we took Ethan to the Auto Show in Baltimore on Sunday. It is hard to tell which is fastest--a three year-old on a mission or a fully ready to roll Lamborghini.

The cars were fabulous and there were so many of them. Ethan really likes trucks and he sat in quite a number of them throughout the day. Poppop was having E check them out to see if they were good. E also recognized the interiors of his Mama's Touareg and Gamma's Lexus--which was pretty impressive.

Mostly he liked the speed. The wide open areas (despite thousands of people) were just ready for him to run full tilt. And he did, with Poppop right behind to make sure he was OK. He was fascinated with the seat and demo player set-up the VW area had. It rotated and was white like an egg. But he was all about the cars, trucks, and the speed.

For me, the two best cars were a 68 Mustang Shelby Cobra and a 2008 Jaguar XK Coupe. I think the Jaguar would make a great Valentines Day gift.

A New Scooter for E

So guess what "damma" and mama came home with last night? A new scooter for Ethan. Yeah--and guess who was on tap to put it together? You guessed it. Poppop! And I had help, too. Exuberant help that couldn't wait to start riding on it. Even while it was still in pieces on the floor. Actually, we worked very well together and the project only took a little longer than would normally be expected in a job being done by a well trained monkey! But it was a good time and "E" was able to provide excellent help especially finding the trash can for all of the small plastic wrapping pieces.

New Position - An Update

Well, after all of the waiting and wondering I decided not to take the new job after all. Actually, they moved the location of the job to a place I really didn't want to drive to--so I passed on the new position and decided to stay where I am--at least for a while.

Life is moving along at it seems an ever increasing rate of speed. I've been playing in a Racquetball league and loving it. It has provided me with a way to stay in shape and meet new people. I moved up to the A League for the winter session after winning the B league in the Fall, and surprisingly, I'm not doing too badly, so far. And my game is getting better, too. Something to do I guess.

A Day with Ethan

Yesterday was an incredible day. Not only did the Giants upset the classless Patriots in the Super Bowl, but Chris and I got to spend most of the day with Ethan. It was an unexpected surprise when I saw "E" and Chris walk into Church as I was preparing for the late service. I always enjoy E in church and yesterday his bright smile was especially appreciated.

So after church, we decided to watch E for the day until the evening festivities with the Super Bowl began. What a great decision. He was a great help cleaning the leaves off the back area near the pool and he enjoyed standing on the diving board wondering why Pop-pop wouldn't open the pool so he could swim. We finally found a place where he could put his hand in the water to see how cold for himself.

The highlight of the day? Watching an almost three-year old get a tricycle up a small hill in the driveway and pick his feet up so he could race down the him--backwards, into some of the ornamental grasses we have. It was a sight to watch. Of course, there was a grandparent always within reach of the budding stunt man to ensure that his backwards ride did not end on the bumper of a car.