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Do You Have Gumption?
*** Either you have it, or you don’t. Either you find it, or you won’t. Gumption comes from way deep down, and sometimes it’s tough to identify. Sometimes, you have to do a little soul searching to find it. Take, for example, Iris in “The Holiday.” Iris had been in love with the same man, Jasper, for years, and he didn’t return the sentiment. It was unrequited love in the keenest sense. Jasper used Iris, her kindness, and her love to his benefit, and she allowed that to happen. It’s not an unrealistic story. These types of love stories take place every day. However, Iris finally snaps, realizes what gumption is, and…
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Go Ahead—Call Me Corny
* * * Last night I snuggled in and turned on the television, which is something I don’t normally do. I don’t watch a lot of TV, but during the months of November and December, I tell my husband to clear some room on the DVR because I record every Hallmark movie so I can watch them from the time the semester ends until Christmas. This is when I get to be “ruler of the television,” as I watch Christmas movie after Christmas movie and feel the holiday spirit. It’s a lovely part of the down time I get with my family, and I love it. I won’t apologize for…
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Farewell, Eli Wallach
This hopeless romantic was very sad to learn of the death of actor Eli Wallach this morning. At 98, Mr. Wallach left this world, leaving behind a host of films for us all to enjoy. One of my favorite romantic comedies of all-time is “The Holiday,” and this scene is one of my favorites. He played the part of Arthur Abbott, a retired screen writer, in the film. Kate Winslet, visiting Los Angeles on her holiday, befriends him, and the friendship that ensues is the best relationship of the film. Eli was married to the same woman, actress Anne Jackson, for 66 years. In this clip, she toasts him for…
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Looking For A New Year’s Eve Movie With New Year’s Eve In It? Top 5 List From Steph’s Scribe…
If you’re like me and will be staying home on New Year’s Eve, I’ve compiled a list of movies that might suit you for that night. You can pop it in and be done with it just before the ball drops and the celebrations begin in Times Square. I picked lighter movies that in some way depict New Year’s Eve. This would be my list… 5. About A Boy. Hugh Grant and Rachel Weisz star in this film. Grant meets Weisz at a New Year’s Eve party, but the story of the friendship with “the boy” is heartwarming and sweet. Hugh Grant is superb in this role. 4. Trading Places.…
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The Top 7 Best Lines from Holiday Movies
Steph’s Scribe has chosen these seven as the best lines from Christmas Movies. Care to agree or disagree? 7. “You’ll shoot your eye out, kid.” — Santa from A Christmas Story 6. “The only people who grow old were born old to begin with.” — The Bishop’s Wife 5. “…And suddenly there was with the angel, a multitude of the Heavenly Host Praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace and goodwill toward men. That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.” — Linus from A Charlie Brown Christmas 4. {To the doorknob of Marley} — “Hello! I don’t know whether you can hear…
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Dreaming of A Writing Cottage
Ever since I saw the piece on “60 Minutes” about writer David McCullough, his process and his writing shed, I’ve been dreaming of a writing cottage of my own. I know it’s asking a lot. My office at home is fine; it’s got a chandelier, beautiful blue walls, pink curtains, and it does the job for now. However, someday, I envision having a little space of my own, separate and detached from the house. Someday…someday…someday… A girl can dream, can’t she? If it ever did come to pass, I know exactly what it would look like. I did some research and included some photos of my ideal writing cottage. This…
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Lessons from “The Holiday” and James Cameron: Find Some Gumption
I could watch “The Holiday” over and over, and it’s not just to see charming Jude Law in action. Nancy Meyers’s adorable flick became a rom-com favorite of mine because I especially love the relationship between Arthur Abbott (Eli Wallach), a retired Hollywood screenwriter, and Iris Simpkins (Kate Winslet), a British journalist on holiday in L.A. How sweet and special is this relationship? And what lessons can we learn from it? I’m allowing this movie relationship to influence a short story I’m currently writing (the first part of it I posted a few weeks ago) that involves a nurturing relationship between a younger woman and an older woman. My two…
