Movie Review: PBS Masterpiece Theater: Oliver Twist

Once again I found myself mesmerized not only by PBS and their Masterpiece Theater, but by the brilliant actors they have portray these iconic characters. This Sunday marked the ending of Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist. Needless to say, it was awesome. Fantastic adaptation...fantastic actors.  Watcher's would have seen such famous actors as Tom Hardy as Bill Sikes, Timothy Spall as Fagin (who also plays Peter Pettigrew in Harry Potter).  

Overall I was really happy with the way Masterpiece decided to arrange the movie.  I would gladly watch it again and most definitely would recommend it to anyone who's literary interests include Charles Dickens.

Valentines Day "We loved with a love that was more than love" Poe

Ahhh......Valentines Day.

A day for lovers....for romanticism.....for kissing and loving.

Love intoxicates.....it binds.....it blinds.....and it free's.

A day to show feelings...and secrets....and admirerers.

Even though I have no significant other to share the day with....well...I always have my son....and he got those Necco candy hearts and was delighted......I say "Love On" dear loved ones.  Rejoice in your day.  

To quote Poe "love with a love that is more than love".

Movie Review: PBS's Wuthering Heights

I’m not sure if any of you follow Masterpiece theater on PBS or not.  To be honest, I never did until the night of January 18 2009.  It was a Sunday night at precisly 9 p.m.  Nothing of interest was on.  As I was looking through the guide on my digital cable, and saw that Wuthering Heights was going to be on, I figured “why not”.  After all, I hold a MA in English and have read Wuthering Heights many times throughout my college career.

Now, this is where two obsessions start.  The first being that PBS Masterpiece Theater has become a staple on my television set at 9 p.m. sharp on Sunday nights to watch the newest rendition of a classic novel. The series itself is genius really and I don’t know why I never gave it the time before.  Silly me.

The second obsession became that of the British actor Tom Hardy. Sigh. Not only was this man a positvely brilliant Heathcliff, but he’s gorgeous to boot. It’s only fair to mention that the actress who portrayed Cathy, Charlotte Riley, was phenomenal as a new comer.  I’m on edge waiting to see what else I can see her in.

Tom Hardy was Heathcliff in every respect. I LOVED this adaptation of the book.  He completly got the part right and nailed every scene effortlessly.  I am now a huge fan of Tom and of Masterpiece Theater. I can’t get enough of either.

If you’re at all interested in the series, go to www.pbs.org and you can have a look around.

The Single Mother

I have a beautful son who is two and a half.  I am a single mother.  His father is a big part of his life but we are not together.  I am writing this blog about being a single mother because today was a hard day.  And you will have those days, as every mother knows.  Ever since my child was born, I knew it was going to be hard. Actually I knew the moment I found out that I was pregnant it was going to be hard.  My entire life changed the day that I took the test and saw the two lines appear. I no longer thought only of myself and I knew that I was going to be completely responsible for another human being.  Needless to say...it was overwhelming.  But you get through your pregnancy and you get through your labor and you bring home your incredible child....and all nine months of waiting pay off when you gaze into your child's eyes.  However, the doubts of motherhood and parenting....become abundantly real. No one prepares you for them.  If this is your first child....EVERYTHING is new....and hard.  And you find out exceptionally quick....that's its all even harder when you do it alone. 

It is, however, exceptionally rewarding. Once you get past the infant stage and move on to the toddler age, you get to hear yourself called "mommy" and you get lots of hugs and kisses. So whatever hard times you think you'll never survive as a mother, the unconditional love you receive from your child makes it all the more enticing to keep doing your best. But because it is hard in every respect (physically, emotionally, etc) if you were to ask me at this time if I ever planned on having any more children...my answer will be no. One is enough in my book. While I always dreamed of having a daughter, having a son has been rewarding. There really is nothing like the bond between mother and son...or mother and child for that matter. No one will EVER be more important in your child's life than you.  You are your child's first role model in every aspect of life. You are who they run to with bruised knees and broken hearts. Advice could never be given more lovingly and honest than when it comes from a parent. That's huge in my book. It makes me strive to better myself in all aspects. If I want my son to be strong in his life then I must be strong in mine. If I want my son to grow up to be a hard worker and go after what he wants, then I too must show him that anything is possible.

While being a single mother is dauntingly hard, there's no doubt about it. But my advice would be to keep at it mothers...never let anyone bring you down...and strive to be the best you can be because your children deserve a great role model.  

Restaurant Review: Chili's

Let me start by saying that my friend and I have eaten at this particular restaurant numerous times considering we live in the area, this way my readers will be in the know that this incident I’m writing about isn’t just a one time thing.  Each time I have frequented it, I’ve noticed that when you are first seated the waitress comes around your table frequently.  To take your order…get you drinks…and what have you.  But after you receive your order it never fails, your waitress disappears.  She becomes Houdini and is no where to be found.  I’m not exaggerating either, your plates of food get put down in front of you, and then you and your dining partner(s) are on your own until your plate is empty…or you’ve been done eating and haven’t moved your jaw to chew anything in about fifteen minutes…whatever comes first.  When you’re literally just about to the point of aggravation, here comes your waitress with the bill in hand.  So if you did happen to want anything else, another drink or desert let’s say, you’re out of luck…you’re DONE.  You get a half-smiled “thanks so much” as she puts the bill down and that’s literally the extent that you interact with your waitress while you visit Chili’s.  

Now, I’m sure you wondering why I continue to eat there…yes? This is where the “review” part kicks in.  To be honest…the food’s good.  I happen to like the chicken taco’s and the new chicken finger platters they have so I see no harm in returning…as long as I can look past the Houdini -trained waitresses. Also I tend to get desert there because they have this insanely awesome chocolate molten cake.  It’s this mouthwatering, rich, chocolate cake that has a “molten” center, if you will.  So that when you insert your spoon (or fork…whatever you prefer to eat your desert with) into the center of the cake, hot liquid chocolate comes oozing out.  They top it with vanilla ice cream and a chocolate hard shell coating….and it’s Heaven in my book.  I’ve gone there JUST for this desert and I’m not ashamed to admit that.

In closing this blog, let me add that I am in no way saying that I will not frequent my local Chili’s again….that I will.  I’m just pointing out that the food is great but the service isn’t as high ranked.  I haven’t had an unpleasant waitress per say, just ones that come back to your table out of habit rather than want.