Be Kind, Rewind (2008)

A movie about the magic that is the movies…

Rating: PG-13

Genre: Comedy/Drama

The gist: Mike (Mos Def) works for Mr. Fletcher (Danny Glover) at the Be Kind Rewind movie rental store – where you can rent a VHS for one day, for one dollar.  When Mr. Fletcher leaves town to research ways in which he might revitalize his failing business, he puts Mike in charge, with the following instruction: do not allow Jerry (Jack Black), Mike’s conspiracy-theorist friend, in the building.  But Jerry does enter the building.  Magnetized.  And he erases every movie in the store.  In an attempt to stay out of trouble – and keep what little business they have left – Mike and Jerry decide to re-film the movies themselves.  With the help of Jerry’s mechanic, Wilson (Irv Gooch), and Alma (Melonie Diaz), a young girl from the local dry-cleaners, they make short clips of our most beloved movies.  In the end they become not only the stars of the shows, but their whole neighborhood as well.

My take: The first part of the movie moved so slowly, it was almost painful.  As I was sitting there – trying to make sense of it all – the thought did cross my mind that I could easily excuse myself and never return.  And that’s a pity.  Because the mid to end of the movie proved it could have been a classic film.  Of course, the fun begins once Jerry and Mike decide to “swede” – or film their own version of – the movies that have been erased.  Not only do the remakes provide a sense of nostalgia for anyone familiar with the movies being made, but anyone in the film business is sure to be reminded of his/her first attempt at making a film on a non-existent budget.  Needless to say, there are plenty of laughs in the middle of the movie.  But in the end, it’s all heart.  Though Michel Gondry (Writer/Director) could have given us a stronger opening, he still manages to give us a great movie about movies – reminding us that movies bring us together; and for a few brief moments, they allow us to forget the disappointment that may be lingering right outside the door…

We think we’re all cool with our texting abbreviations – like we made it all up or something.  Well, let me just tell ya, it’s KY; that’s know use to you – or, you know, no use.

Comical abbreviations were a fad that began in Boston, 1838, and moved to New York and New Orleans the following year.  Some of the abbreviations were straight forward:  GT (gone to Texas) or SP (small potatoes).  Others took the lead of humorists of the day, using exaggerated misspellings:  OW (oll wright) or KG (know go).

While most of these abbreviations barely survived a generation, there is one infamous exception. OK was first printed in Boston’s Morning Post March 23, 1839.  Sure, we may have forgotten what the abbreviation stands for (oll korrect), but we understand the meaning all the same.

So you see quirky abbreviations are nothing new; it’s their usage that has changed. I guess you could say the main difference between the two is that our texting abbreviations are an offshoot of laziness; the abbreviations of yesterday – an offshoot of wit.

And with that, NS (nuff said).

Note: There are many stories concerning the origins of “OK” – most can be refuted.  The information, above, was included in a series of articles by Columbia University professor, Allen Walker Read, published in the American Speech journal in 1963 and 1964.  Professor Read’s research seems to have passed the test of time.

First up is a website dedicated to saving the words. A much more interesting cause than saving whales or trees or spotted owls. Check them out.

Next is a related cause, The Society for the Preservation of Beautiful English. we are personally involved in this cause and if you are a member of Facebook, please feel free to join the group and start making suggestions for the print dictionary.

And finally Flashlight Worthy Books is a site dedicated to suggesting good books to be read every day. They work to compile lists of best books catering to any taste.

Now, on the Flashlight Worthy site they frequently remind their users that they are supported by purchases made through their Amazon store. Many websites (including this one) have an Amazon store wherein they make suggestions that their website’s readers might enjoy. When anyone clicks through to Amazon and purchases anything (not just the suggested items) then Amazon pays a tiny commision back to the original, referring website. It is a small way that those of us who write online make a few pennies and sometimes even dollars. We encourage you to support any website who does this and nudge you to check out The Complete Woman Store (remembering that by clicking the Amazon logo you can also search their entire inventory and not just the things we’ve chosen).

Movie review: Les Choristes (2004)

Rating: PG-13 (language, sexual reference, violence)

Genre: Drama

Language: French – English subtitles

The gist: Set in 1948, Les Choristes is the story of Clément Mathieu (Gérard Jugnot), a composer who has all but given up on his music. He accepts a Supervisory position at Fond de l’ Etang (“Bottom of the Well”) – a boarding school for orphans and problematic boys. Despite the fact that the school is administered by the cruel Rachin (François Berléand), problems abound. In an attempt to keep the boys from trouble, Monsieur Clément begins to teach them music. Along the way he discovers the musical ability of the rebel Pierre Morhange (Jean-Baptiste Maunier), the charm of Pierre’s single mother, Violette (Marie Bunel), and the unwavering hope of young Pépinot (Maxence Perrin) – the orphan boy who waits near the gate, every Saturday, for his father’s return. Though not as he might have envisioned, Clement’s brief stint at Fond de l’ Etang will change everyone’s life forever.

My take: Les Choristes is a charming look at a few of the forgotten ones, following WWII. Directed by Christophe Barratier, the story generates laughter one minute, tears the next. Subtle themes speak of the need to feel connected, the importance of a father figure. The boys do their own singing – and their voices are angelic. While all the actors perform well, Gérard Jugnot deserves extra kudos. His portrayal of the kind-hearted Clément Mathieu creates a character both easy to believe and easy to love. More than anything, however, the film is a simple tribute to the human spirit. For that alone I would recommend this film; the talents of the writers, director, actors and film crew are but added perks.

An aside: Don’t pass over a movie simply because it is not in your native language. Sure, reading subtitles may prove a bit awkward at first, but it will come naturally before you know it. Foreign films offer a glimpse into another culture – not to mention, they open a whole new world of great films.

This is the first in a sporadic series of movie reviews we will be offering from Ms. Amy Bruggeman. We will only be reviewing foreign or independent films. If you have a suggestion for us, please drop a line in the comments.

Movie review: Dear Frankie (2004)

Rating: PG-13

Genre: Drama

The gist: Nine-year-old Frankie (Jack McElhone) moves from place to place, along with his mum (Emily Mortimer) and grandmum (Mary Riggans). Seems the only constant in his life are the letters he receives from his estranged father. The letters speak of far-off lands and great adventures at sea. But it is not his father who pens the letters – it’s his mother. She writes them to save her son from a horrible truth; she writes them to receive his replies and “hear his voice”. When the ship she invented is set to dock in the seaside town where they reside, she must make a choice: tell Frankie the truth, or hire a stranger (Gerard Butler) to pose as his father for a day. Her decision will change all their lives forever.

Our take: Everything from the screenplay (Andrea Gibb) to directing (Shone Auerbach) is simply wonderful. This film was obviously made with great care and deliberation. The setting provides a backdrop for the overall feel of the movie. Despite the serious tone, the writing is heartfelt and uplifting. Jack McElhone deserves special mention for his compelling portrayal of young Frankie – though all the actors/actresses give superb performances. Even the minor characters find a way to your heart. Quite simply, Dear Frankie is a film about love – in all its forms – and you’ll be hard pressed not to love it back.

An aside: I’ve heard a rumor that “they” are planning to make an Americanized version of this movie. Personally, I hope the rumor is some sort of cruel joke and simply not true. For one, Americanized movies are rarely as successful as their foreign counterparts. Secondly, why? It’s in English for crying out loud. Granted, accented English, but English all the same. So if you’re reading this and you happen to be the one planning such a travesty – just say no. Back away from the remake. There can be but one Dear Frankie. And this is it.

P.G. Wodehouse authored around 90 novels. They are all worth at least some of your time but Very Good, Jeeves is one of the best. If this book doesn’t make you laugh then you probably need to check with a psychiatrist or something and have your sense of humor examined.

William -an Englishman by Cicely Hamilton was ‘written in a rage in 1918; this extraordinary novel… is a passionate assertion of the futility of war’ (the Spectator). “In our view William is one of the greatest novels about war ever written: the book, which won the Prix Femina-Vie Heureuse in 1919, is a masterpiece, written with an immediacy and a grim realism reminiscent of an old-fashioned, flickering newsreel.” (From Persephone Press.)

This sweet novel by Elizabeth Gaskell is very moving for its depiction of Britain’s “spare women”; those gentlewomen who had no inheritance and no hope of marriage. It reads quickly and raises many intriguing issues that are almost without hope of answer.

A Catholic writer living in the highly Protestant Bible Belt, O’Connor wrote astonishing stories. Her style is distinctive and her stories will refuse to leave you after you read them.

Evelyn Waugh was an astonishingly gifted writer. Some of his comic novels are hard to read through the laughter-induced tears. Brideshead Revisited was written in the middle of World War Two as he was convalescing from a wound. We don’t know anything about the series or the movies but we can assure you that the book is better (Hollywood never gets it quite right).

This semi-autobiographical novel is full of interesting twists and surprises.  If you’ve ever wanted to live “a hundred years ago” David might convince you not covet the trials of a previous generation.

Many have tried to pretend that by imitating elements of Faulkner’s style they can lay claim to his greatness. This novel, while not easy to digest, will establish him as the standard. Faulkner-esque isn’t good enough, you must be Faulkner.

Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day is a lovely little novel is ‘the sweetest grown-up book in the world’ (India Knight) and we find it to be a thrilling read.

Jonathan Swift’s satiric masterpiece, Gulliver’s Travels is fascinating and readable on several levels. Parts of it are quite appropriate for children while other bits are most certainly not. It is both amusing and thought-provoking and is highly recommended.

Whether or not you consider yourself a feminist, it is entirely necessary for a thinking woman to understand early femininist thought. Friedan’s seminal work will help you along that path.

Another classic work that colors so much of American thought, Pilgrim’s Progress is also an enjoyable and eminently readable bit of allegory. It will not readily fit into modern fiction paradigms but is worth the effort it will take to appreciate it.

This Hardy novel is intriguing and sad (like most of Hardy) and it deals with many institutions of Western culture. Education and marriage and parenting are all up for grabs and the book holds some disturbing surprises.

The Wind in the Willows by Kennethe Grahame is a children’s classic but works for adults also. This is another one of those books that defines the reader and if you don’t care for it, we suggest trying again because the book is not at fault.

The short story is what made Hemingway famous and while he was the quintessential “man’s man” his fiction is a worthwhile area of study for women. Understanding the male psyche is useful on several levels.

This play was so controversial when it first came out that an alternative ending was required for the first German production of it.

This book comes with a high recommendation from P.G. Wodehouse but if that isn’t enough for you (it is for us) it may help to know that it is that rarity of fiction – an homage to happy married life.

This ancient epic is both an interesting look into the earliest stages of civilization and a testament to the…um…power of women.

This novel by Salman Rushdie is a post-modern fantasy that illumines Indian culture and social expectations. It is well regarded by critics though not as famous as his The Satanic Verses.

Despite it’s intimidated heft, Middlemarch is a genuinely enjoyable read and will repay your investment as you go.

The Metamorphoses by Ovid is a narrative poem in fifteen books that describes the creation and history of the world. Completed in 8 AD, it has remained one of the most popular works of mythology, being the Classical work best known to medieval writers and thus having a great deal of influence on medieval poetry and of course having an influence on the rest of Western thought and literature.

“Only connect! That was the whole of her sermon. Only connect the prose and the passion and both will be exalted, and human love will be seen at its height. Live in fragments no longer.” From E.M. Forster’s Howards End.

Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights is a masterpiece and lends credence to genetic theories of talent. The same family produced both Jane Eyre and this enduring classic.

I’m sure you loved the movie, blah, blah, blah…but seriously you must read Gaston Leroux’ Phantom of the Opera. It is well worth it!

Oscar Wilde was a renowned wit and fop in his day, and in our opinion that should be reason enough to read his works. “The Importance of Being Earnest” is his best-known work: it is a delightful romantic comedy about a case of mistaken identity. Wilde’s sharp and satirical social commentary and his insights into human nature ensure that there is never a dull moment in this play.


Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness ought to be read together with our next recommendation. On its own it is full of insight into Colonial thought and together with Achebe it provides more understanding of Africa and Africa’s problems today than you will find on CNN.

This novel by Nigerian author, Achebe, is full of intriguing detail and in addition to being a seminal moment in literature is also just a rich story.

The Priory by Dorothy Whipple deserves renewed recognition as a minor classic. Whipple is not quite Jane Austen class but she understands as well as Austen the enormous effects of apparently minor social adjustments…

Henry David Thoreau’s masterpiece is remarkable for it’s philosophy of self-reliance and for its lovely nature writing. You may not be particularly interested in a scientific theory of the dimensions of ponds, but the idea of only working as much as is absolutely necessary for survival is sheer fantasy for most women.

Just having a copy of this book on your shelf will get you some serious street-cred with intellectual friends. Reading it is even better. Living in a culture deeply imbued with Christian thought and morals makes it necessary to understand these foundational works.

And speaking of foundational works…the Christian Scriptures are essential knowledge for interacting with Western Literature. Much of the symbolism of our poetry can only be understood in light of common Biblical stories. Not to mention, that Jesus guy had some really interesting things to say…oh and David wrote some incredible poetry. And don’t forget to read Job!

Any of Chekhov’s short stories would gain a place on this list but rather than limit our selection to one (like “The Black Monk”) we will recommend picking up a collection and reading at least two or three. They are all excellent.

Thomas Paine’s Common Sense is foundational both to American thought and to American self-perception. Yankee ingenuity, pragmatism and just basic philosophy abound. Worth reading if only to understand why and how we share so many basic ideas.

Having already recommended several Lewis books we’re hesitant to offer many more. However we would hate to let some prejudice about proportion prevent us from letting you know how absolutely incredible The Great Divorce is. We promise that it is not about the dissolution of lawful unions.

The BFG is another of those wonderful books that is great for children or adults. Read it on your own or read it aloud to your kids (or nieces and nephews, or brothers and sisters).

This is an exceptionally long book. Really, it is four books in one. But it is a striking example of the joy of simply luxuriating in well-written prose. We highly recommend the Everyman’s Library edition both for its sturdy binding and the excellent translation work of John E. Woods.

This short novel is a justly famous and very moving. We find it to be an excellent book to recommend to those readers who are afraid of tackling the big Russian novels.

Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale is one of the best of the Dystopian novels; both for the intriguing and counter-intuitive world she imagines and for the deft way she handles words. We found it disturbing but in the best possible sense.

This fascinating novel of medieval monastic life is rich and rests in rich history. The details about book storage and organization in Medieval times are simply mind-boggling and the mystery in the monastery is appropriately complex.

This classic work on politics and intrigue is fresh and relevant to many modern situations. Things like book clubs, scout troops and the boardroom.

This delightful novel is full of twists and turns and has the single most satisfying denouement in the history of literature. There are even sequels, though none quite measure up.

You probably already know that you need to read this and we would highly recommend that you do so. Knowing what you ought to do and yet avoiding to do it shows great weakness of character (we plan on reading it this year since we have not yet done so. Ahem.)

This is another of the ones you (and we) know we should have read by now, but probably haven’t. What are we waiting for? We’ve already worked through 91 books on the list.

While we’re on Steinbeck, we’d like to recommend his short novels too. The Pearl is one of the greatest and clearly demonstrates the problem of wealth. Sad but good nonetheless.

This isn’t as highbrow as our usual taste but this novel, based on true events, is a striking portrait of independent American womanhood. The cheesy movie notwithstanding, we are impressed by the life of Catherine Marshall’s grandmother Christy.

This classic play of romance, deception and crippling disfigurement is ripe with humor and full of charm. Rostand’s “Cyrano de Bergerac” is as thrilling on the page as in performance. We also recommend the Steve Martin movie adaptation “Roxanne”.

Rider Haggard created a fascinating novel with unusual features. We are especially fond of the the full title She Who Must Be Obeyed. In most lives that is “mom” not an immortal goddess.

This is the great western romance. It is a rich, full-blooded book and well worth it. Be advised that you may be tempted to explore a Western state to find your own cowboy after reading this. We recommend a two month waiting period before heading off on such an expedition.

This book is over-the-top hilarious. It’s a trilogy in five books, nihilistic and did I mention hilarious? The movie was in no way representative of the deep humor of the original. Definitely worth a read or two.

This novel of China is one of the true classics that is just a deeply engaging story. It really is very hard to put down even from the first few chapters.

Joy Davidman authored a fascinating book on the Ten Commandments called Smoke on the Mountain. Her interpretive framework is colored by both her Jewish heritage and her Christian faith. She later married C.S. Lewis and while her work is much less famous than his, it is of a very high quality. Her insights on the sixth commandment are of particular note.

This is not one of Twain’s more popular works, but given his extremely satiric style, it is a surprisingly and pleasingly reverent book. We particularly enjoyed his unwillingness to question tradition and the loving detail throughout the book. Do pick up a nice copy and read about a remarkable woman.

We will only count this recommendation as one book on our list of one hundred although we are recommend all six of Jane Austen’s novels at once. It really doesn’t matter which one you read or how many or in what order. All three embody rich lesons on manners and morals and are equally charming, instructive and entertaing. We are particularly fond of Persuasion and Sense and Sensibility and Emma…who are we kidding? We love them all.

After reading Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey pick up this Gothic novel and see where the all the satire comes from. Engaging, fun and dark it is a good read in its own right but even more interesting when understood in the context of Austen’s criticism.

“Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.”

Tolstoy not only wrote this immortal opening line, he lived up to it throughout the rest of the novel.

This is a lovely book. Slightly Gothic, very romantic and literary. Jane makes moral decisions, enjoys a rich mental life and gains her just reward. This is one of our personal favorites and we highly recommend reading the book and avoiding the movie.

This book should be read for several reasons. One, it is really, really old. Two, it is really, really good. If 1700 years of admiration isn’t enough to recommend a book to you, well we’re not sure what will be. This book is powerful, intellectual, spiritual and compelling evidence that modern man isn’t so much better or wiser than ancient man. And every woman should be free from chronological snobbery.

This beautiful novel is a powerful portrayal of the inner life of a woman. It is real life mixed up with a myth and it is amazing that this deep understanding of a woman’s thought life came from the pen of a man. This is a novelization of the myth of Cupid and Psyche and Lewis originally intended for it to be an epic poem. When he couldn’t get the poem to take shape he started writing it as a novel and it all came together. It is dedicated to the woman who became his wife, Joy Davidman.

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare are necessary reading for every English speaking person. The best approach is to read one of the plays, the see it performed (movies are ok) then read it again. This will give you a deeper understanding of the themes than simply reading them. After you have done this for a few plays, go ahead and just read through a few without seeing them. Soon you will be a Shakespearean!

Maxine Hong Kingston wrote an amazing little book about being a woman, about being the child of immigrants, about being Chinese. The Woman Warrior covers a lot of ground in impressive, rich, lyrical prose. We highly recommend this book and the companion volume China Men.

This is a dashing, dark and romantic tale. Revenge takes center stage and its machinations are complex. What would you do with essentially unlimited knowledge and power?

Another tale of revenge but one that deals with infinite love and forgiveness too. The chariot race simply will not allow you to put your book down.

With a Rodrigo and an Elvira this book is the very definition of Romantic. Robert Southey’s translation work was much like Malory’s with the Arthur legends, a compilation and conflation of sources.

And speaking of Malory…his compendium of Arthurian lore is a classic and well worth reading. It is commonly known as Le Morte D’Arthur or “The Death of Arthur” but that is properly only the title of the final section. There is much to love about this book, not the least of which is its gorgeous Middle English prose.

This tale of homecoming has fascinated for millenia and the Robert Fitzgerald translation makes it as engaging and fast-paced as Homer ought to be. The final destruction of the suitors is hugely satisfying.

More about sons than lovers this novel clearly illustrates the potential tragedy of loving ones children too selfishly. A mother is discontent in her own marriage and sows discontent in her sons.

The noble male characters are almost overshawdowed by the engaging, dark, mysterious and virtuous Rebecca. Well worth the many hours it will take to get through it.

This fantasy title is richly mysterious and difficult to summarize. Lilith was Adam’s first wife (before Eve) and this story plays with the myth and dislplays a rich world of delight.

This early feminist work is full of insights into the perception of women in nineteenth-century England. Read it for a renewed appreciation of simply having access to higher education and for a contrast to feminism of the lipstick variety.

This tale of revolutionary Russia is rich with detail and the character of Lara is almost more fascinating than that of Zhivago himself.

The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius are a fascinating insight into Stoic philosophy and while we don’t advocate Stoicism, we do appreciate that he tells you how to get up in the morning when your pillow doesn’t want to let you go.

This coming-of-age novel is engaging on several levels. The naturalist’s love of the Limberlost, the tormented mother-daughter relationship and the final realization of perspective and truth all work together in a truly delightful story.

There is no way to describe this book without explaining the entire thing. It is unexpected, profoundly unexpected. It is literary post-modernism and that is, for it, a high compliment. Go out and get a copy and then read about yourself doing so.

This classic Orwell title is both a quick read and a powerful insight into totalitarian regimes. Orwell was himself a Socialist but clearly saw the dangers inherent in the Russian regime.

In an age of genetic experiments, stem cell research and cloning we need a reminder to examine the moral issues surrounding science. Mary Shelley, the daughter of Mary Wollenstonecraft and the wife of Percy Bysshe Shelley, wrote a fascinating novel that can do just that.

Another fabulous book, which like If on a Winter’s Night a Traveler… defies description. The denouement is as glorious as it nearly defies description.

Raskolnikov’s torment is the center of the story but the striking and strong female characters almost carry the story away from him.

This classic by Lousia May Alcott has everything; the tomboy, the domestic, the artist and the angel. They have always been and will always be lovable.

Anna Sewell wrote to end the abuse of animals and it is striking that our day in America still sees the same spirit animating activism. This a great book for children too as it can ingrain that sense of obligation toward animals in the very young.

OK, you don’t have to read this one, but you should learn about it. It is a very long, repetitive work but it is the first novel ever written and it was written by a woman in eleventh century Japan.

So much of Western thought is colored by knowledge of Plato and his forms, it can be frustrating to try and read a philosophy textbook but actually reading Plato is relatively simple and very satisfying.

If you want to understand the bad-boy appeal and the drive for independence and adventure this is the book for you.

This is the story of a young woman’s struggle for independence. It doesn’t end in a satisfying way but there is so much about youth and love and power here that the book should be re-read many times.

Willa Cather has other books that one might think of as more “womanly”. She does masterfully craft the strong female character, but this books has striking depth and richness and in our opinion ought to be higher on people’s lists.

This espionage novel is a fascinating account of human weakness, wisdom and folly. Parsing the moral decisions would take months but the book itself can be read in but a few days. Graham Green is rich.

This Russian novel is dense and layered but don’t be intimidated by the convoluted opening or the opaque situations. Sit back, let the novel wash over you and glean what you can. You won’t be lessened by reading it.

This novel about age, loneliness and education, centers around a male lead and the wisdom and peace and intensity of the novel are all quite worthwhile. Very enjoyable.

This classic novel is actually much more complex than the movie lets on. Scarlett strives to survive on her own in a rapidly changing topsy-turvy world. We don’t recommend her narcissism but we do admire her spirit.

This classic title is still discussed and re-interpreted. Whatever your moral boundaries, Hester Prynne has something to teach you. The story is satisfying too with tension, drama and love.

Although this is a young-adult novel, it’s information and context mayhelp illumine the period for you . Especially nice if you read it along with The Scarlett Letter.

This is an all-time world classic and well worth the extra effort. The language may be somewhat unfamiliar to most but will be readily understood with a bit of patience.

Dashing adventure, fictional kingdoms and mistaken identity make Anthony Hope’s novel sheer delight.

Another coming of age novel that will keep you at the edge of your seat. This one is all about discovering what one really thinks and why. An astonishing first novel from one of the 20th century’s greatest.

This slender volume is a must despite it’s seeming incongruity with modern female life. We have to be on our toes all the time and Sun Tzu fully understands and explains how to think about this.

This work is toweringly beautiful and surprisingly deep. The punishments meted out in the inferno are shocking to modern ears but truly fascinating.

Wonder why we’re recommending so many books? Read this and feel the urgency, the necessity of literacy and education. Also, it is just a great read!

Another great book and an interesting parallel to modern American life. You’ll also feel the need for more Shakespeare after reading this…which is a very good thing.

This is an astonishingly good, fun read despite the fact that it weighs in at about 5 pounds. We love that a 12oo page book can be so immensly readable.

This is an epistolary and loosely autobiographical novel by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, first published in 1774; very dramatic and even overwrought it is nonetheless very moving.

We don’t think we have to offer much of a recommendation to get you to read these; they are after all, extremely popular. But just in case you needed an extra push, we will provide it. They are amazing, rich and imaginative and very much worth the many hours they will take to get through. One caution: once you get into them you may not be able to put them down.

Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales were revolutionary both for their style and their subject matter. We recommend an annotated rather than a translated edition to enrich your understanding of the English language.

Another one that doesn’t need much of an introduction. This collection is wonderful for both children and adults. If you’ve got them, read this one out loud to your kids.

For Part Two go here.

They are available for purchase at their website and at Amazon.

Some of our favorites are Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day and How to Run Your Home Without Help.

We are not movie “buffs”. We are not even sure what “buffs” are. However we are certain that you must watch these movies. They will help complete you.

An Affair to Remember – We love Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr was worthy of him.

To Catch a Thief – Speaking of Cary Grant…and this time in the company of Grace Kelly.

Arsenic and Old Lace – The last Cary Grant movie we will recommend…other than to say, watch all of them…this one is hysterical.

Father Goose – OK, we’re pretending it’s not a Cary Grant movie…

Die Hard – Just the first one, but do watch it several times. It is the best of the action movies. Tense, complex, real and romantic.

Lethal Weapon - It’s just so funny.

Pride and Prejudice – The six hour BBC production. It is a movie that is faithful to the book. What more could one ask?

The Princess Bride – “As you wish.” Really? We could get used to that!

Strictly Ballroom – Australian mockumentary about ballroom dancing. So delightful; just like the soundtrack.

The Spanish Prisoner – A subtle, quiet movie about a con. Steve Martin co-stars and is serious. No, seriously he is and it is great.

The Incredibles – “If everyone is special then no one is.” Need we say more?

Beauty and The Beast – The library scene is all you need.

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon – In the words of Stephen Greydanus “mystery, beauty, hope”

The Searchers – A surprisingly complex and good, though controversial John Wayne film.

Tombstone – Irresistible for Val Kilmer’s consumptive Doc Holliday

Braveheart – Love, sacrifice, revenge and such a satisfying little insult at the end.

In Pursuit of Honor – Brave men sacrifice themselves for beautiful…horses.

The Happiest Millionaire – “Let’s have a drink on it now!”

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers – Other than the whole bride-napping thing…

The Pirates of Penzance – “With cat-like tread, upon our prey we steal.” Sung at the top of their charming lungs.

Ever After – We are not huge fans of Drew Barrymore, however this is the best version of the Cinderella story. Period. We watched it six times in the theater.

The Mask – Hilarious and best served at 2am.