Tis the season...

... to watch movies. Holiday movies. They engender in the viewer a feeling of contentedness and joy. Whether it be Charlie Brown Christmas, Frosty, White Christmas, or It's a Wonderful Life, everyone has their favorites. December can not come to an end in my house without a viewing of White Christmas. The singing and dancing alone make it a classic. Here in Chicago there is even an annual sing along viewing at The Music Box theater. What can be better than a room full of people singing along "Sisters, sister, never been two more devoted sisters..."

Another one of my favorite holiday movies is one that I must confess to watching year round. Whenever I am feeling melancholy or romantic or bored or am cleaning or... well, you get the point. This movie isn't just a holiday favorite, it is one of my all time favorite films.

What movie is this, you ask? Why Love Actually, of course.

Why do I love it? It is not one specific reason, but a collection of many. Love Actually contains romance, comedy, serious moments, fabulous actors, and sharp, realistic dialogue. Here are some of my highlights:

Liam Neeson. He may not be conventionally handsome, but there is something so compelling about him. His interactions with the boy playing his stepson are fabulous. They have a great chemistry and report. The emotion he shows as a grieving husband is touching. There is a moment between him and Emma Thompson in his kitchen where he suddenly starts to cry. The emotions ambush him. It is believable and real. Emma's response is classic. "If you keep crying all the time no one will ever want to shag you."

Alan Rickman. I love him. Seriously, ever since I was in junior high and watched Robin Hood Prince of Thieves. He was so evil. In Love Actually he is... well, kinda stupid. He and Emma Thompson play a husband and wife. Watching them, you actually believe they are a married couple in real life, it's so natural. It is a testament to their acting abilities. When they are sitting in their family room and Emma is picking out gifts for her daughter's friend, I always laugh out loud. "Should we give her little friend the one that looks like a transvestite or a dominatrix?"

Billy Mack/Nighy. Oh man, he is such a highlight of this film. His skeezy former rocker is lovable and reprehensible. He gets extra points for the slight against Britney Spears. The song he sings in the movie is on my Christmas playlist. Cheesy? Yes. Fabulous? Most definitely.

Colin Frizzle. "And he has a big knob!!!" heehee! It makes me giggle like a 13 year old boy every time. I love that he goes to Wisconsin, of all places. In the commentary, Richard Curtis admits that he didn't realize what the state was like when he wrote the film. It wasn't until after filming it that he realized how unintentionally funny that is. I remember leaning over to my friend in the theater when we saw it and agreeing with Colin's assessment that he could come to America and get a girl simply because of his accent. We silly girls are a sucker for an accent. There once was this Kiwi that I knew.... ::sigh::

Karl and Sarah. Their story is heartbreakingly sad. It was the love that should have been. The truly sad part is that so many times in life outside circumstances impact your romance in a negative way. Everyone has experienced that at some level in their lifetime. I think that is why this plot line rang so true.

I love that the most innocent of all the couples is the one that we see naked together. This was such an odd, random story. So cute. When he leaps off her front stairs after their first date I wanted to squish him. "All I want for Christmas is you."

Speaking of, little Sam and his crush on Joanna? Adorable!!!!

Lastly (for this post since it is getting long, but not the last thing I love about the film): the unrequited love. Not just the story, but his declaration. If any man ever did this for me I would cry like a baby and then be all his. It is sweet and funny and romantic. I just love it.

I finally get it!

Yes, my friends, you can call me a Crusader.  I have completely fallen under the spell of North & South.  Oh, Mr. Thornton.  He is all that is starchy and broody.  His mother? Fabulously judgmental.  Higgins? Earthy and real.  I'm not really sure what to say or how to say it and remain coherent.  I will degrade into a babbling fangirl.  OK.  Here is my attempt to list a few thoughts and favorite moments.

1)  Fist of Doom.  Yes.  Just... yes. 

2)  The scene when Margaret is leaving Thornton's home after saying goodbye (before leaving Milton.)  The framing of the shot is stunning.  The carriage in the courtyard, snow falling, camera behind Thornton framed in the open doorway... beautiful.  The expression on his face as he stood there saying "Look back."  Guh. 

3) The Kiss.  You know what I am talking about.  The hand on the side of the face is a "thing" for me.  Gets me every time.

4)  Higgins reaction to his daughters death.  He is such a strong man.  When he breaks down it is simply gut wrenching.

5) I LOVED the cinematography in the scene when Margaret goes to the mill and sees Thornton for the first time.  The cotton floating through the air gave it an almost magical quality.

6)  Thornton's sister was HORRID!  That is all.

7) I actually liked Higgins so much that I almost wished that he and Margaret would get together.  There was just something about him that was so compelling.  Also, if Margaret ended up with Higgins, Thornton and I could run off together and he could hold my face while WE kiss.


Like I said, not very coherent.  Let's just say North & South is now being added to my Amazon wish list.  This one needs to be added to my personal collection.

i can haz North & South?

Why, yes I can!  I just received an email from my local library informing me that my request for the North & South DVD has arrived.  Alls I have to do is swing by and pick it up.  (God, I love this whole online inter-library loan request thing.)  You know what that means... Shannon glued to the TV for hours.

Will I become a Crusader?  That is yet to be determined.  I will keep you update.