Marni's World

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October 31, 2009
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One of the things I love about being an English, baby! cast member is how much I learn from my fellow cast members.  At our most recent shoot, we discussed the beauty of fall and I learned of the term "leaf peeping." I thought it was some new dirty term for voyeurism, but as it turns out, I am a leaf peeper. Leaf peeping is the act of traveling to see fall leaves changing color.

Now, I have been thinking a lot about this since that fall is in full swing here in the US. I love the change of seasons and am usually fully aware of the first signs of fall. This year, however, fall sneaked up on me. That is to say, I have been so busy I hadn't even noticed that all the leaves changed colors. This worries me. Leaf peeping is one of the simplest and easiest ways one can still interact with nature. It is a time to behold the wonder of nature. I, like many people, have been so caught up in my daily life that I hadn't even noticed this phenomenon-taking place. It was as if someone turned a switch this year and all of a sudden everything was orange, yellow, and red instead of green. Am I really so detached from what is going on outside my door that something as obvious as the change of seasons has alluded me this year?

Due to this recent revelation, I have made a vow to embrace my inner leaf peeper.  I plan to actively go out to a remote area, which isn't hard to do here in Portland, and take the time to observe the beauty of fall. I have decided I will make it an annual event much like we did as a family growing up in New England where the changing of the leaves is practically an industry since so many tourists come to see the beautiful trees.. I will take a day to go out and enjoy the wonders that nature provides because it is a remarkable occurrence and one that is worth peeping at.

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September 30, 2009
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October has been my favorite month ever since I was a little girl. Back then, it was for the selfish reason that it's my birth month.  Now, as an adult, I have come to love October because, in honor of Halloween, October equals scary movie month.

I don't know what it is about scary movies but I LOVE THEM!!!!!!!! I can't get enough. I often wonder if there is something wrong with me. I mean why do I like horror films so much?  I am not a violent person. The sight of blood makes me queasy. So why is it when it is on the big screen, it is all OK and even appealing? I don't have an answer but I do have some favorite horror films. So if you, like me, have an inkling towards the macabre, here are five films I'd recommend viewing.

1.  The Shining -  This movie never ceases to be scary. It is a classic Stanley Kubrick film based on the novel by Stephen King. It stars Jack Nicholson and he has never been better or scarier. If you take away one thing and one thing only from this film it's, REDRUM!

 
2.  The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (Original version) - The remake was terrible so if you have never seen the original 70's film, you must.  Texas has always seemed a little scary and this film confirms it.  Now whenever I hear a chainsaw fire up, I bolt!

3.  Ils (Them) - This is a French-Romanian horror film that blew me away when I first saw it. It is based on actual events (which always makes things scarier) and is 77 minutes of pure fear. I watched the entire film through a slit in my fingers with my hands across my face in a fetal position. No Joke!!!!!

4.  The Descent - Spelunking has always terrified me but this film assured me that I will never go crawling around in caves. My God, women can be so cruel, especially when they don't know who or what is watching them!!!!

5.  Halloween - Again, the original Halloween, not the remake. I haven't seen the Rob Zombie version but I always believe you shouldn't mess with a good thing and believe me; the original is a good thing. Jamie Lee Curtis stars in this film and she is brilliant as the sister of the crazed killer who enacts revenge on her.  Watch it this month in honor of Halloween if you dare!!!

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August 18, 2009
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When we get together to discuss topics for English lessons, it seems that lately I am constantly bringing up celebrities who've passed away as potential topics. There have been a lot of celebrity deaths this summer, but one that has me particularly saddened is the passing of filmmaker John Hughes. We did not do a lesson on John Hughes because our main man Jason, said, "Who's that?" If you, like Jason, have no idea who John Hughes is, then I suggest you run to your local video store, netflix cue, or whatever means you use to watch movies these days, and watch one of his films. 

John Hughes defined what it meant to be a teenager in the '80s. Most of his films were stories about American teenagers sifting through the emotional filth of being a teenager. Some of his classics are Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink, and Ferris Bueller's Day Off.

If you haven't seen any of these films, then I might suggest starting with The Breakfast Club. The Breakfast Club is a classic because of its central message. The film is about five teenagers serving a Saturday detention. Each character is the embodiment of a certain high school stereotype.  You have the popular girl, the jock, the nerd, the weirdo girl, and the burnout or "criminal" as he is referred to in the film. Throughout the movie these five teens realize they have more in common than they thought and they come to rely on each in ways they never imagined. I think that this film stands the test of time, even though it was made in 1985, because teenagers today still grapple with the same issues of fitting in and feeling like outcasts.  

John Hughes was a film maker who made being a teen more manageable for those of us growing up in the '80s and '90s.  His style is unlike any teen movie or shows being made today.  He will be missed but his legacy will live on in his films.

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