Murder on the Orient Express

This movie, chock full of movie stars, did not receive a good review by the critics - Rotten Tomatoes gave it 58%, Roger Ebert 2/4 (nor audiences) but I went to see it anyway.  It is a classic Agatha Christie story starring Hercule Poirot, the famous Belgian detective.  Although he is looking forward to a holiday and is enjoying reading his Dickens novel, he finds himself on a train with a murder mystery he is asked to resolve.  It is your typical Christie story ... someone is murdered, Poirot questions all the suspects, deduces who the murderer is and gets the suspects together at the end to do the big reveal.  No surprises here.  Although I enjoyed watching it I do not think this production is among the greats in the film industry.  I give it 2-1/2 stars out of 5.  (a moot point:  Poirot's moustache kind of bothered me).  

Loving Vincent

How do I describe this masterpiece of a film.  Over 100 painters worked at recreating many of the paintings of Vincent van Gogh (he painted 800 in his life time and during his life, sold only one!) to create the storyline of the movie ... the mystery of the death of Vincent.  His paintings are animated although there are a few scenes with real actors.  These scenes are in black and white and there is slight movement or shimmer on the scenes making it is difficult to know if it is real or a painting itself.  It is difficult to explain what I watched on screen, so below is a link to Youtube explanation:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOtwJL4iV8s

I sometimes judge a  movie by how many times I look at my watch.  This movie was over before I knew it - not one sneak peak at my watch - and left me wanting more.  Oh yes, one additional suggestion ... see it on a large screen if possible...your eyes will thank you.  I will definitely watch this marvellous creation again and give this movie 5 stars out of 5.

November 10

Getting a bunch of seniors to sit still for a photo is as difficult as getting two 3 year olds to do the same. The plus side is everyone is having fun and that's what counts.  Gail's Birthday dinner was celebrated at Sanchez Cantina tonight.  Great Mexican food, great company and lots of laughs.  Thanks for having a birthday Gail!

November 9

Winter is seeping into the landscape.  Driving to town this morning with slight ice fog in the distance.  Above, the sun it just rising over the trees at 10:00 am.  Weather is a bit cooler now, around the -15°C mark.  It's a good reminder to dress properly.  On the very plus side, the northern lights were spectacular the other night.  They lit up the entire sky.  I'm sure I said this before, but it doesn't matter how long you have lived in the north, even if it is all you life (right SR?) you NEVER tire of the magic of the Northern Lights.

And, being November 9th ...  Happy Birthday Dawson!

Happy Hallowe'en

This is Hallowe'en number 4 for the twins.  Of course, the family comes to my house as I have the busiest Hallowe'en street in the world (I think).  Above is Emerson Batman with Lily Minnie Mouse.  This is what he wore to Day Care and no Debbie, I don't think he is not happy but this is what he looks like when you put a mask over his eyes.  Or maybe this is his tough face???  Alanna was a Flying Unicorn ballerina for Day Care but as soon as she comes to my house she transforms into Princess Allana.

We ate a quick dinner then it was time for another transformation.  Above Brooke is performing magic on Emerson's face.

And this is the result.  Shark Mouth.

And here is the Shark!

Alanna was transformed into another Flying Unicorn (her current favourite thing) and in case you couldn't recognize what she was you just had to read the front of her hoodie.

The family was ready to depart.  The theme was eclectic this year.  Everyone was just whatever they wanted to be.  

And off they went.  

While they were off Trick or Treating, I stayed home to hand out the candies at my house.  

 Last year we have around 100 Kids!!!!  This year we have around 160 Kids!!!!  I think part of the reason our street is so popular is the Haunted House that is just a few houses down from me.  (Lucky me!)

Once home again the kids emptied their jack-o-lantens out to see what they got.  They also helped me hand out the treats to the kids that came to the door.  They each could eat about three small treats before they had to repack their pumpkins.  (If left to themselves of course they would have eaten ALL the candies at once). 

!!! Happy Hallowe'en Everyone !!!