March in books and movies

End of another month, so time to share with you the movies I've watched and the books I've read. Let me know if you've watched any of them or read them too.
Movies
Gideon's Daughter
Seven and a Match
24: Redemption
Dirty Filthy Love
Transsiberian
Kinamand
Penelope
Memento
The contract
The Vanishing
Breaking and Entering
Mortal Danger

I have to say that I loved Gideon's Daughter. A major part of that is, I confess, due to the fact that Bill Nighy starred in it and I have a bit of a soft spot for Bill Nighy. Basically, I think he is wonderful.......And I know all the words he says are scripted but .....he does have that dry, understated sense of humor..... and he makes me melt! What more can I say! I just enjoy watching him!






Kinamand was also a sweet film too. Quite tender.





We also saw the live HD broadcast of two of the Met Opera's at the movie theater too:
Madama Butterfly
La Sonnambula

In Madama Butterfly, they used puppetry for Butterfly's little son and in a few others places. I tell you, I have never seen such wonderful puppets. Each puppet was "brought to life" by three people - one with the head and one arm, one with the other arm and the body and the third person bent over all the time with the legs and feet. The emotion the puppeteers got from these puppets - especially the little boy were absolutely amazing. I cried. It was heartbreaking. It was so incredibly beautiful and moving - and for me - so unexpected.
La Sonnambula was wonderful too - I highly recommend both of the operas and if you have a chance to see any of the HD broadcasts - take it! I guarantee you won't be disappointed. They have been a highlight of our winter.

Books
I haven't read many books this month. Just don't seem to have had the time..... Anyhow I have read:
Gomorrah by Roberto Saviano
Paths of Glory by Jeffrey Archer
...although I haven't quite finished Paths of Glory.....just a little to go.

I enjoyed Paths of Glory but it's not quite as gripping as the other Jeffrey Archer books I've read. The book is all about Mallory who tried to be the first to climb Mount Everest. As I haven't finished the book, I can't give anything away....but I'm eager to get to the end to see what happens. If you've never read Jeffrey, do give him a try. The others I've read are "Not a penny more, not a penny less" and "Prisoner of Birth". Both highly recommended.


So what have you been watching and reading? Do share your month in movies and books!

Under the greenwood tree

As I drive to the city - (I generally go down to San Francisco twice a week, but this week it's been 6 days in a row) I really enjoy listening to audio books. I download them on my ipod and play them through my car stereo. The last couple I listened too have been really long and I've soooooo enjoyed them - I'll write about them next week - but I'm waiting for a particular day...... but I do like to listen to things that I'd probably never bother to read...so something either really long works well, or a classic that I never read when I should have....

I asked my dad last week what he thought I should download next and he suggested "Under the greenwood tree" by Thomas Hardy. I don't think I've ever read Hardy - so I downloaded it and started it this week. My dad said his stories tend to have sad endings......
I started listening on Friday....and finished it today. My first reaction is that it was much too short. The last couple of books I'd listened to were 40 hours and 45 hours yet Hardy's was a mere 5 hours!!! It was all over so fast!!! That was somewhat of a disappointment! There I was, only just getting into it - and it was over!!! But that wasn't Hardy's fault - it was just what I'd got used to!

Anyhow, it was quite a sweet story - passed the time nicely on the drive down and back - but the ending wasn't quite as sad as I'd hoped :-( Yes, a bit of deception between the protagonists... but following my dad's comment, I was expecting something worse..... with the vicar maybe - but it was all turmoil kept inside for the characters!!! I'm glad I listened to it - I liked it - but I think in future I need to choose longer books for my journeys!

Anyhow - the actual 'tree' part of the tale doesn't come into the story until the very last chapter ..... so I thought I'd share a few of my trees with you....The one above is called "Great oaks from little acorns come".

This one to the right is another from my nursery rhyme collection - "Oranges and Lemons". The oranges and lemons are added to the tree using coloured resin. And the earrings below are "Cherry Trees" where the cherries are small corundum lab grown cabochons. I think the tale of Dick Dewy and Fancy Day could have ended under any of these trees!! What do you think? Have you read any other Hardy books and care to suggest one to me? Dad - want to comment? Any good book recommendations always gratefully received - especially if they are long..

I know I value trees much more now that I live in a warm place - ie not England!!! The shade of a tree is such a welcome place...Our little wooded area at our home is always cool - a perfect respite from the heat...and also a place for birdhouses and the birds.... So get out there and love those trees!