Monday, January 21, 2013

I Don't Mean to Wax Poetic and Some Other Thoughts

Okay, so I was reaching for a catchy post header so I could put up a couple of pictures we took over the weekend while we played tourist with some fun out-of-town (you know who you are!) visitors.

Some may already have seen Mr. T in his co-starring turn with ET which I posted on FB:


 
At Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum on Hollywood Boulevard.  
Yes, we went to a wax museum.

I finally got Ryan Seacrest to spill the beans on what's really going on behind the scenes at American Idol this year:


And Mr. Tennis took control of the Enterprise and showed these walking stiffs how to properly run a spacecraft.


We actually had a lot of fun seeing all the different wax figures, from present day celebrites and well known people, to many from the past.  Some were better representations than others, but how fun it was to actually walk up to these famous, sometimes infamous people and pose with them. 

The museum was not like the wax museums I remember as a child where the figures were behind ropes and you had to look at a distance. They were standing about the rooms in different poses and could be scrutinized from any angle and sometimes you weren't even sure who was real and who wasn't.

I've been laying a bit low with a bad knee and trying to not injure it again.  
Lost the cane quite awhile ago, so this picture is a shameless attempt to garner sympathy.


What better excuse to go see some movies with the gift certificates we received for Christmas.

On my sidebar you can see we have taken in Les Miserables and The Impossible, two excellent films about survival and triumph, although they couldn't be more different in style, content, and place in history.

We also saw:


Not getting great reviews, but we were drawn to the stylized film technique, costuming, set design as well as depicting Los Angeles in the 1930s, when gansters and corrupt law officers ruled parts of the city. It was a very violent movie set amongst beautiful people and beautiful places.  "The Untouchables" it is not.

To continue to get "ready" for Oscar night, we saw:


Wow. A suspenseful, frustrating, astounding, incredible, violent, inspiring, conflicted account of  a woman CIA operative's tireless efforts to find Osama Bin Laden.  Directed by Best Director winner, Kathryn Bigelow, full of controversy, this film should have nabbed her a nomination again.  This movie takes patience to watch as it takes it's time to work up to the well-known compound raid which was filmed in real time.


And I watched, "Amour". 


Another one of this year's Oscar contenders. A French film with subtitles, the story follows a distinguished older couple grappling with failing health and is a testament to the strength that can exist
between a married couple.

Not a happy movie, but so well acted and filmed that you forget you are not watching "real" people deal with very difficult issues and choices.

As good as all the above mentioned are, I think I'm ready for a RomCom next.

Thanks Mr. Connor for the gift cards! 


 We saw Rachel at the wax museum and said hi for you!

What have you seen at the movies lately that you've enjoyed?


14 comments:

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

The wax museum looks fun...although Ryan was giving you kind of a creepy leer... I haven't been to a movie for awhile, hoping to get out and go this week!

rottrover said...

I hate to admit that I actually enjoyed Jack Reacher - the new Tom Cruise action film. It's not what the trailers lead one to believe it is. It's really a good old fashioned murder mystery. Pretty fun.

Olive said...

We loved Les Mis. I probably will not go see another movie until CC comes home this summer. She is my movie going gal. I find wax museums kind of creepy.

Sue said...

Okay, I'm a bit slow! I really thought for a few minutes that you got to meet Ryan Secrest! I guess there's a reason I'm blonde! I've been SO busy working, I've missed catching up on all my favorite blogs! Glad you are enjoying sunny SoCal.

Take care. . .

Heather said...

Ah, the memories of visiting a wax museum, so much fun when you wonder if the person standing next to you is alive or not! I'd love to see Les Mis... we don't have a theatre so it may be a while! Oh, and I did read your previous post the other day but forgot to comment because I just checked to see what I had said and didn't see it, so I'll mention it here... so much fun to see so many "babes getting along"... love it! And thanks for visiting my blog and your lovely comment! Cheers~

Mr. Connor said...

What was the other wax museum you visited ? Lots of fun and more news things all the time ~ Great !

Mullin Avenue Workshop said...

The wax museum does look interesting, although wax museums do feel abit creepy to me as well. However that might be because of one I saw which seemed to feature some grisley murders, of some kind. It was along time ago, so that is all I can recall, just a sensation of abit of horror.It seems to me the museum was in Banff, Canada, and I probably saw it in the 60's.
Thankfully this one looks more upbeat.
Regarding movies, I did like "The Hobbit", and "Jack Reacher". As I had mentioned on my blog, I chose Jack Reacher because one or two blogging friends speak highly of the books, and I must say the movie told a riveting story, although violent.
The Hobbit surprised me, as I didn't really expect to like it as much as I did.
I personally prefer feel good comedies, as well as romantic comedies - so I hope you will find one to enjoy!
Brenda

Patricia @ 9th and Denver said...

Aw! the wax museum looks fun!!! I like the idea of interaction..getting to be a part of the scene.
So sorry to hear about the bad knee...be careful with it!

the movies? Naw. Haven't been in a while. We had an invite to the new Arnold Schwarzenegger movie the other night...but we were too tuckered out for a 10 pm showing!!! Having the Littles all week--wore me plumb out.
I've always been a night person...but NOW am in bed most nights by 10:30 pm.
I'm about to head there now (11pm) we had the day off--and will pay in the morning! :) I'm getting old.

take care-- Pat

Anonymous said...

Love the photo ops at the wax museum. I always enjoy Am. Idol - gets me through the boring winter months! Hope you have a nice day!

Robin Larkspur said...

We went to a wax museum in Anaheim after a day at DisneyLand. I am not sure if it is the one you are talking about. The kids were a little young and got freaked out so we left.
We are mostly Netflixing it these days, but I am dying to go see The Hobbit at the theater.
You have my sincere sympathies about your knee, I too have a troublesome knee. The cane definitely adds a pitiful touch! Take good care.

RURAL said...

It's too cold to go to movies here....and my husband falls asleep, so honestly I can't remember the last one we've been to.

But I certainly would like to see the Impossible..it looks good.

Jen

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

What a wonderful wax museum! Everyone looks so REAL! We don't go to the movies much but I would love to see Lincoln. Enjoy your week...take care of yourself and don't do so much!

Debby@Just Breathe said...

You have been so busy. Sounds like fun times. I hope to get caught up with you on the movies soon. I know I still have a month to see them. Mark is going to Brazil next week so I will be going to several next week. Debby

the cape on the corner said...

i am so jealous of all your movies! i've only seen what's available on netflix...so that's only the beasts of the southern wild, which i did not love. i did love compliance, which was totally uncomfortable and disturbing, but very effective and thought provoking.