A new favorite movie! (it's a Jane Austen of course!)

It's no secret that I am a Jane Austen fan. I have seen and read Pride and Prejudice hundreds of times combined. I own multiple copies of the book and a large book containing all of Jane Austen's published works (and I am in great need of a new copy since the cover recently fell off, due to over use). As such a huge Austen fan, I don't know how I have managed to go the past couple of years without seeing this BBC version of Austen's Persuasion.

As mentioned in this post, I have recently decided to give movie borrowing at the library a try. While perusing the online directory of movies available in the county library system, I found that this movie was available to borrow and swiftly placed a hold. On Monday I stopped by the library in order to return books that were due and pick up this movie. I have since watched the movie two times and I am on my third watching right now. Thanks to the library, I now have a new favorite movie, and an addition to my ever growing Amazon.com wish list.

The BBC always does and excellent job of sticking to the novel, when creating a movie based on a classic novel. I am often disappointed in a movie version of a favorite book, but when I see a BBC production I am rarely disappointed. The acting is very good, and consistent with Austen's descriptions. Sally Hawkins does a wonderful job as Anne (reminding me somewhat of Minne Driver in Return to Me in her mannerisms) and Rupert Penry-Jones is a gorgeous Captain Wentworth (seriously, he is HOT, and I really don't say that very often about actors...what is it about Austen men? One of the few other actors who I consider to be eye candy is Collin Firth of Mr. Darcy fame).

Amazon has Persuasion right now for only $11.99 or as a combo with the newer BBC version of Sense and Sensibility for just $25.49. What a bargain especially when you take advantage of free Super Saver Shipping when you order $25 or more of qualifying items.

I received no compensation for this post. The opinion expressed is completely honest and 100% my own. As an Amazon associate I will receive compensation for any purchases made through links on this page.

Introducing one of my childhood friends to my daughter

Favorite books and movies often feel like wonderful friends. They don't judge you, they are just there when you need them. The Anne of Green Gables books and movies are these types of friends. I have many fond memories of watching the movies on PBS (impatiently waiting through the pledge drives in between portions of the movie). A childhood friend and I even liked to pretend we were Anne and Diana (we would switch who was who so that we each got a chance to end up with Gil...seriously...who didn't have a crush on Gilbert Blythe after watching these movies?)

I have owned VHS copies of the first two movies for years, but in the last year or so our last VCR died and I have not been able to meet up with my old friends Anne, Diana and Gil. As my daughter has arrived at the preteen years I have had an increasing desire to introduce her to these wonderful friends, but alas, my VHS copies were useless and I did not own a copy on DVD (anyone reading this who wants and idea for my or my daughter for Christmas..DVDs of both Anne of Green Gables and the sequel (formerly known as Anne of Avonlea) would be great gifts this year :)). After a recent family party while visiting in California, I was inspired by discussions of movie borrowing from the library. Did you realize that you can borrow movies for free from the library? Seriously why have I NOT taken advantage of this before...ok back to my story (can you tell I like to go off on tangents...you are probably getting used to that by now). Yesterday I had a book to pick up from the library, so I decided to head to the movie section and see if I could find Anne of Green Gables.

There sitting on the library shelf was my old friend Anne. Oh how I have missed that old friend. I swiftly grabbed one of the two copies available and brought it to the checkout counter (along with a copy of Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were Rabbit as requested by my son who was also with me at the library).

Yesterday afternoon my daughter and I watched Anne of Green Gables. I wish I could say that I was able to sit down and watch the movie together, all the way through. But, those of you who have seen Anne will know how long it is and that a mom of five children rarely gets the opportunity to sit that long! Surprisingly enough, even a couple of the boys sat and enjoyed parts of Anne.

Do you have movies that feel like old friends that you are anxious to share with your children?

All I Want For Christmas

All I Want for Christmas is a family favorite in our house. The movie, featuring Lauren Bacall, Thora Birch, Ethan Embry, and a cameo appearance by Leslie Nielsen (as Santa) is a great one for the whole family. Released in 1991, this Christmas tale has mostly flown under the radar. I don't know too many people who have heard of it, let alone seen the film.

All I Want for Christmas follows siblings Ethan and Hallie in their wacky attempts to reunite their parents, who divorced a year ago. Mice loose in the house, mother's boyfriend trapped in an ice cream delivery truck and taxis that never arrive are just a few of the adventures to be found. Hallie even resorts to asking the big guy in red for help getting their parents back together again. Can Santa help?

This movie is one that I must watch EVERY year, and has been since I was in high school (when my family discovered it). We owned a copy of the movie on VHS, but our VHS player recently gave up the ghost. This dilemma was solved for me when my mom (what would we do without our moms, huh?) bought me a copy on DVD from Amazon.com! I am typing this right now, as I give my new DVD a test spin! No special features really, but a GREAT family holiday movie!

I received no compensation for this post. This is 100% my own opinion. Any purchases made through links to Amazon will result in compensation.

Hotel for Dogs from 5 Minutes for Giveaways

Have your kids been begging you to buy this movie every time they see display when you head to the store? Here's your chance to make you and your kids happy: a chance to win a free copy of Hotel for Dogs! 5 Minutes for Giveaways (a sister site to 5 Minutes for Moms) is offering five copies of this new movie from Dreamworks and Nickelodeon.

All you need to do is leave a comment here by May 22nd.

Twilight Fans don't miss this one!

Schmoop and Pink Lemonade of Life are giving you the chance to win your own copy of the hit movie Twilight! Yep, you read that right, you can win your own 2 disc DVD copy of Twilight (and some popcorn to make it a true movie night). All you need to do is head over to Shmoop and read about how they can help your children write better papers (without plagiarism!). Then hop on over to Pink Lemonade of Life and leave a comment telling your favorite thing about Schmoop! 

But hurry! This giveaway ends Wednesday, April 14th! Leave your comment here to win!

Easter Beagle Goodies from My Trendy Tikes

Snoopy is a classic! Each member of the family can sit down to a Peanuts movie and laugh along together. Would you like to win a fun Peanuts prize pack, which includes a copy of the movie It's The Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown? My Trendy Tikes has 2 Easter Peanuts Prize Packs to give away! What will you get if you are the lucky winner? Here is what is included:

1 Easter Beagle Plush (Snoopy dressed as the Easter Bunny err Beagle)

1 It's the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown dvd

1 Easter Beagle egghunt book

This giveaway couldn't be any easier to enter! There is only one entry option and that is to answer this question: "what does your family do with eggs after they’ve been found?" Leave your answer as a comment here by April 2! Easy Peasy! (Don't forget to leave your email with your comment if your email address is not public in your Blogger profile)