Saturday, November 10, 2007

Our Date with Fred Claus

Our "date night" was a little bit different than normal, I must say. "Date night" used to entail dinner and a movie...you know, basic date stuff. Last night, however, we (meaning I) decided to do something different. Poor Randey just sort of looked at me with glazed eyes when I said I really, really wanted to go to Barnes and Noble before we went to see our movie. While he doesn't mind going to B&N, he's not a huge fan of the place either. But hey - there were a couple of Star Wars books that I wanted to look for. Yeah, I said Star Wars books. You guys know I love that stuff...can't get enough of it. Uh-huh, that's what I'm saying. I'm a 44 year old, chunky-butted, formerly menopausal but currently depressed instead, housewife who loves reading Star Wars books. And I didn't have the last two to have been published! Oh the shame! How can I even call myself a Star Wars fan, right? Falling so far behind in my Star Wars reading is, in itself, reason enough to put me into a state of deep, dark despondency (Hey, wonder if Doctor Depression counted my incomplete book list as one of the reasons for my woebegone state of mind? Must have, I'm sure. He obviously knew so much about me by reading between the lines during our little "talk". But that's getting off the subject so we'll leave that be for now). Anywho...since we were headed over to Barnes and Noble, I thought "Gee whiz, why not go to Hobby Lobby, too, since they're right by each other". I shared that thought with Randey. He smiled that "sure, go ahead and eat half my dessert because you were too stupid to order your own" smile and I watched his eyes glaze over even further. I was afraid to ask about going to Michael's. I figured if his eyes got any glaze-ier, he wouldn't be able to see to drive and I sure as heck can't see to drive at night so I shut my mouth before I talked myself right into a taxi. So off we went. First to Hobby Lobby, where we (meaning I again) found a few cute Halloween decorations marked down by 80%. Can't beat that, now can you? I'll have to take pictures to show you. And, of course, we (still meaning I) found a few more Christmas ornaments. (You can never have too many. Duh. Everybody knows that, right?) After scouring HL for any and all bargains, we headed to B&N. I found 3, count 'em, 3 Star Wars books that I didn't have (yeah, so I read the little Scholastic ones, too. So what? They're well-written. Really. They are!). We decided to grab a sandwich and lattes from the B&N Starbucks for dinner (not the best choice, as it turns out). The lattes were good. The sandwich? Not so much. I'd even go so far as to say "ick". Because, well, it tasted.......ick. Randey didn't eat. There's a reason behind that but we won't go into it here. And then we went to the theater. (yippee!) As you all know, we were going to see Fred Claus, starring Vince Vaughn and Paul Giamatti. How was it, you ask? Let me tell you...it started out a tad bit slow. I'm not sure at what point it picked up, but by the end of the movie, Randey and I were grinning and laughing and having a great time. It wasn't the best Christmas movie I've ever seen, but I thought it was pretty darn good. I might even go see it again. (And if you knew just how tight-fisted I can be sometimes, you'd understand what a compliment that was. Although, come to think of it...I am pretty free with our cash when it comes to Christmas stuff so maybe that's not such a compliment after all. lol) I love Vince Vaughn so I fully expected to enjoy his performance. But Paul Giamatti...while I certainly don't dislike him, I didn't think I would care for him as Santa Claus. But man, he was good. I actually liked him as Santa. And the North Pole looked fan-tab-u-lous! So pretty and sparkly and festive. My idea of paradise. Ya'll can keep your sandy beaches and your Tuscan villas....if Santa Claus's North Pole was for real, that's where you'd find me hanging out every chance I got! But alas, it's not real, is it? So I'll just have to settle for plastering Christmas decorations all over every available surface in our living room and pretending I'm drinking my hot cocoa with Santa every evening. Wonder if I could get Randey to wear a red suit? And maybe a furry little hat. Hmmmm. Randey Claus/Santy Claus.... they sound pretty close, don't they? I could probably convince him to wear a Santa suit, if I got him drunk enough (good trick really, since he doesn't drink alcohol!). Oh but I digress....Christmas always makes me prone to fantasy. Back to what we were talking about...oh yeah, Fred Claus. I give it a thumbs up....and now that I've told you my opinion of the movie, go away....I'm trying to focus on that vision I have of Randey wrapped in red and white fur and wearing leather boots. Yeah, baby! Ho-ho-ho!

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P.S. Vee over at A Haven for Vee asked me what was my favorite Christmas movie. That's a tough one. I love It's a Wonderful Life. And Christmas Vacation just cracks me up every single time I watch it. Then there's The Ref...horrible language, but so flippin' funny that I can't help but love it. Oh. and Scrooged with Bill Murray. Gotta love that one! The Home Alone movies (I and II) - come on! You know those are great ones, right? But then again, there's the Santa Clause Trilogy....those always make me feel good(and the 3rd one is coming out on DVD November 20th!). Miracle on 34th Street...I love, love, love the story of the original, but the beautiful sparkle of the scenery in the newer one is just too hard to resist. Oh heck. This is almost impossible to choose a favorite! But if I absolutely had to...I guess I'd go with White Christmas. For today anyway. I may feel differently tomorrow. So much visual Christmas cheer - so much love for all of it! You know what? I think I just realized what I'm "thankful for" today! I am oh so thankful for the joy of Christmas movies!

14 comments:

  1. Diversion shopping is one of my favorite activities.

    I thought the same thing about PG playing Santa but I trust your opinion!

    Favorite Christmas movies - how do you pick a favorite? I watch all of them. Over and over and over again. Including the TV specials.

    Love,
    Julie

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  2. Your husband sounds like a peach.
    I think you're pretty okay, too.

    When you started in on that list of favorites, I wasn't sure if you were going to be able to stop. My favorite didn't make your list, but I am sure that you just overlooked it. ;)

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  3. Sounds like you had a good time...Vee should be careful what she asks you next time...LMBO!

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  4. Looking forward to seeing this movie now.My current fav is White Christmas

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  5. Okay,

    You just decribed my idea of the perfect date. If you went to the mall also it would have been just perfect. I will go see this sometime soon, just because sometimes you need to go see a movie for no reason other to be entertained. You are too funny as always. And I too think The Ref was funny, too bad they couldn't take out the bad language but I think Kevin Spacey is so good in it. Good Stuff Kari!

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  6. I love the way you tell a story! just had me smiling all the way through and even giggling at the end with the picture you were painting of Randey in the Santa suit!

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  7. WHAT!!!!! Are you SERIOUS? The North Pole ISN'T real? You have just shattered my life! My Christmas will never be the same again! I suppose next time you are going to post telling me that the Great Pumpkin isn't real either! LOL

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  8. I'm glad you enjoyed the movie. Poor Randey, I can just imagine his eyes glazing over each time you made a suggestion for your date night. Too funny!

    BTW, I LOVED the Ref. We actually own it and watch it every year. Cracks me up.

    HUgs!
    Kat

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  9. Haha Kari! You have Randey well-trained, shame you missed out on Michaels too!!! But best not to overload him-you know how cranky men can get shoppping (well mine does)!!!Glad you enjoyed the movie, and now I fancy a Starbucks coffee with cream on top...I'm going to have to get out of bed and make myself a hot drink...see you soon xx

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  10. Didn't eat, huh? Is there something we need to know about that place??

    I can't wait to see the movie!

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  11. ROFL! You crack me up! I like all of the Santa Claus movies too! There are soooooo many to like! I want to see Fred Claus!

    OK! Going AWAY now! LOL! So you can continue fantasizing about Randey Claus! LOL

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  12. What? Santa's North Pole isn't real??? What you trying to tell me here??? hehe I've heard the movie was out but this is the first review I read of it...I think I'd enjoy it too, mostly because I love anything to do with Christmas, no matter how cheesy it is! lol Have Randey's eyes gone back to normal now?? Poor man, making his eyes glaze up like that!! xoxo

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  13. Im glad you liked the movie. i am wanting to go,but was waiting to hear what you thought.

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  14. How about "While You Were Sleeping" which is also my favorite chick flick. Or "A Midnight Clear" about American and German soldiers celebrating Christmas in the Battle of the Bulge in WWII. I love the animated "The Snowman" (I hate cartoons - it's not cartoonish.) I also must watch "A Christmas Story" about Ralphie and the Red Ryder BB gun.

    Julie

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