Garden Innovations – & – an Urban Legend (My Mortal Kombat II Movie Review)

My vegetable gardening endeavors are going quite well. I’m continually learning and improvising. Let’s take a quick visual tour.

I hope this flipped trellis protects my pumpkin plants against deer;
I will have to keep track of it...

This contraption provides portable shade, which I concocted last
summer and started calling my Mobile Oasis. Our twenty-nine old neighbor thinks it is BADA$$. ~grin~ And he likes my idea of adding a cup holder, perhaps a small motor, and thinks I should market the altered hand truck.

My carefully cultivated soil for carrots got raided by raccoons overnight last week; the aforementioned kind neighbor
lent me wire cutters to create this barrier.

This morning my husband offered to see a horror movie called “Hokum” in theater. It’s been on my watch wish list so I got my butt into gear for a 10:15am show time. Weirdly, the next three days only offered late night viewings. But neither of us looked close enough at the Sunday listing; it should have been obvious the options wouldn’t be early one day and late the following.

So we had choices. The kind ticket seller mentioned another scary movie but we hadn’t heard of it and I suggested just leaving. On our way toward the exit my guy reminded me of our mutual interest in “Mortal Kombat II”. Lucky for us, our timing was perfect.

Both of us were hooked by actor Karl Urban portraying the flippant Johnny Cage. His film and cinema presence always delight. I did wonder if this Kiwi acting powerhouse would prove too old for the role of a former Black Belt fighter turned action star. I also questioned how this remake would fare against the nineties film we adore.

Happily, I cannot state enough how the character and plot adaptations surpassed all my expectations. Though this popcorn flick isn’t groundbreaking it had me utterly engaged and laughing at the many relevant cultural references.

Do you know that carrots need a particularly fine growing medium and appreciate a bone meal additive? Should I have been surprised that the bone meal attracted opportunistic raccoons?

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Our Fun Morning – A Movie Review of “Send Help”

My husband and I saw a trailer for a new Sam Raimi film when we last visited the cinema. Happy that the director returned to his darkly comedic horror roots, I immediately wanted to see “Send Help”, its unique premise deciding me.

Right away we witness mousy corporate employee Linda Liddle get shafted by her arrogant new boss Bradley, heir of the company founder. Giving her long awaited promotion to a college crony, he promises her a fresh opportunity overseas.

The company jet crashes and dynamics take a drastic turn between the two sole survivors. A key term here is survivor, as in the television series by that name.

Who’s the boss now?

Like Raimi’s early “Evil Dead” movies this contains some shameless jump scares and overtly disgusting scenes. Neither were overdone, though I did avert my eyes a few times. I also laughed more often than I avoided gagging. Various character and plot twists kept us riveted and on edge. I even appreciated the survival tip illustrations sprinkled through its end credits.

Do you think her surname Liddle implies her ‘little’ timid nature? And if you enjoy the movie theater experience, do you ever stay until the lights come up?

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The Big Chill

The other day I decided to inventory frozen foodstuffs. We’ve been stocking up on sale items, especially buy-one-get-one-free (!) deals, which I often proceed to repackage in vacuum sealed bags. Yet regardless of packaging I like to rotate items from the cellar to the kitchen, putting newer stuff in the deep freezer.

I decided utilizing a portable cooler would aid my efforts and thus toted fresh purchases down the stairs. Then I went further, stashing newer pork items at the bottom, older ones atop, and putting the entire cooler inside. Before finishing up I heard my phone announce a text message.

But where was it? I looked on the main floor all the while knowing it to be futile. Finally, I remembered. That wheeled cooler has outside pockets to hold shelf stable items like my smart phone. ~shakes head~ I’m also grateful for not having buried the cooler under a whole lot.

Whew! My husband would’ve put me in the deep freeze if my awesome cellular phone became damaged. I promptly disassembled the Otterbox brand case and thoroughly dried all three pieces. By the way, there is still another unused layer; I don’t like carrying it on my waist and the part with the clip is too big for my everyday fanny pack and most purses.

Have you ever seen the 1983 flick “The Big Chill”? And can you recommend another protective phone case brand?

What a great cast...

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A Movie Review – & – Mixed Signals

Having heard stellar reviews regarding “Godzilla Minus One”, this childhood fan planned attending solo; my husband hates reading subtitles. Our friend Scars, not really a movie fan, surprised me by offering to attend.

I found headlining actor Ryûnosuke Kamiki
enthralling in more ways than one... Heh...

The film featured some of my favorite elements. A simple tale enhanced by historical reality, interesting character development, and lack of obvious computer generated imagery provided me great entertainment.

Unable to hang out afterward and talk, I’m unsure if Scars would agree as wholeheartedly. He needed to go home and treat increasing leg pain from his lifelong battle with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. That would certainly distract me from entertainment, not to mention the fact he’s facing another joint replacement surgery.

Before we parted he did, however, urge I attend a local self/public defense training course with a nationally renowned instructor he’d like me to meet. Flattered, I explained the prohibitive cost. He replied that this would be his gift for many past birthdays and Christmas’s we missed.

I decided leaving my comfort zone and the course itself would benefit me and, after talking to my husband, offered an agreement. In lieu of monetary compensation I would occasionally assist him and his father following surgery. Then last night Scars sent a text message that the simulated confrontations could be stressful. And his niece might attend, he added.

Would such an exemption make you offended or glad? Should I press for this new adventure?

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Minor Disappointments – & – My (Spoiler Alert) “Renfield” Movie Review

Yesterday I tried a new recipe that seemed so promising and well… was not. A sauce containing honey, raisins, pine nuts, and smoked Spanish paprika took a fastidious effort as I carefully measured out each ingredient. Sad to say, my husband and I found it lacking, perhaps acidity from citrus or tomato. Nothing stood out except what I considered an overly smoky flavor.

However good or bad this looks to you,
my guy praised my presentation...

And while he thought his lightly fried cod fillet was fine, mine seemed half raw. I hate to admit that I tossed out the last few bites. At least the fish, if indeed undercooked, didn’t make me ill.

Oh, well. We like to remember that never having a failure would make the successes less celebratory.

Moving on, I was excited to watch the movie “Renfield” on Amazon Prime. The only high point was Nicolas Cage nailing his Dracula role. For him alone I am glad we watched but the remaining so-called humor fell flat, the comedic plot points forced.

The characterizations were fine. Renfield himself was rather endearing. And Iranian/American actress Shohreh Aghdashloo is always a joy; I adore her husky voice and powerful feminine presence. But while I don’t blame actress Nora Lum, Officer Rebecca grated on our nerves.

Its thin plot would have benefitted from better cohesion. More Nic Cage scenes would have definitely helped. On a final note, Renfield’s enjoyable exposition struck me as random. It’s as if the writers were being lazy.

Are you familiar with Ms. Lum’s musical and/or film performances? Doesn’t her stage name Awkwafina sound like bottled water marketed to gawky teenagers?

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Envious, Curious, Freaky, & Ultimately Cozy

A few days ago I popped out for some fresh vegetables and fruit. When my path is clear I like glancing around at houses. Deck systems and porches overlooking water features spark my envy. Ah, well.

Cutie mandarins; one of my tasty purchases...

What makes me curious is how seldom I see outdoor spaces being used. The single solitary person standing outside last Sunday was taking a cigarette break. I embrace every opportunity even during inclement weather.

Changing things up, here is my review of the body swapping film “Freaky”. The premise is old, of course. 1976’s and 2003’s “Freaky Friday” plus the very different eighties flick “Dream a Little Dream” come immediately to mind.

This 2020 film’s unique antics involve a serial killer and teen-aged girl. I’ve been curious to watch and took the chance after my husband fell asleep. I chose well. Its rather unusual R rating provided horrific elements; the single note humor would have bored him.

My praise centers on Vince Vaughn portraying a ditzy high school student. He was brilliant. The young actress did a fine job; her would-be killer offered little material. If you’re a huge comedy horror fan (geek) like me I recommend this and that you watch until the end.

Meanwhile, my Sunday drive through dreary conditions and windy drizzle made me oddly happy. I watched folks bustle about knowing my sole obligation was getting home unscathed. My cozy abode awaited.

Do you have access to a sheltered outdoor area? Is that something you do or would appreciate?

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Strays – A Movie Review

When my friend Scars and I went to see “Evil Dead Rise” (which I enjoyed immensely) the cinema showed a trailer for a live action/animated film called “Strays”. I laughed and laughed, vowing to go see it. Scars wasn’t available to go this morning, but my husband agreed.

This is from a Today Show clip...

Well, I laughed myself stupid. But I was alone. My man almost fell asleep and an older couple actually left a short way into the film. I’d rather have waited for Scars or even gone alone.

This does prove my theory that I have a seventeen-year-old boy’s sensibilities residing in an aging woman’s brain. lol The raunchy humor, despite overly excessive swearing, suited my inner child.

Do you have a juvenile side? Have you ever attended a film screening solo?

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God’s Children are Not for Sale - A Movie Review

Well, my friend Scars and I saw “The Sound of Freedom” this morning. As expected, I cried several times. Yet I’m glad we went.

The claim it’s a product of the QAnon conspiracy theory left us both baffled. Whatever you think of the 45th United States President, this movie has nothing to do with extremism.

Child sex trafficking is real and our society needs to shine a light into that darkness. Yes, I’m standing by that opinion.

steps off soap box

If you’re still reading this (~grin~), the film’s production values were excellent, from sound quality to some stunning cinematography. I especially enjoyed the characterizations. Bill Camp as Vampiro blew me away. I want to add more about his portrayal but won’t spoil the movie-going experience.

For the faint of heart, please know that the child abuse remained evident without tasteless depiction. And I imagine the child actors received direction without context, such as did the little boy in 2007 horror/comedy “Planet Terror”. According to that movie’s special features, producer Robert Rodriguez directed extra scenes for his son Rebel’s personal screening. Those additions erased Tony’s tragic end.

Isn’t it sweet that Robert Rodriguez went to those lengths for his boy? Are there any theatrical releases you anticipate seeing?

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Signs of Life and Silliness

I've spotted truly beautiful skies of late. My old Canon PowerShot captured some cool moon shots.

And we are fortunate to see a lot of rainbows over our neighborhood. This isn't one of the brightest, but certainly the most recent.

 
Then there is me being silly. On my husband's desk I enacted a scene from a favorite film, "The Mist". Various critters are lined up in front of the goofy, many-eyed green and red guy on a 'pedestal' behind a roll of coins. That creature represents the preachy, fanatic fearmongering Mrs. Carmody (portrayed by super talented actress Marcia Gay Harden). I don't want to spoil the scene revolving around the word expiation; it's one of many standout sequences I will describe if requested.

Sorry. It's not the best prank to share considering
all the explanation I deemed necessary.
~shakes head~

I also found a way to disguise my elf's missing foot. Heh... He 'dozed off' guarding a gnome friend's car.

Have you ever seen "The Mist"? Did you know it was based on a short story by Stephen King, or that he preferred Frank Darabont's revised ending? And since this 2007 DVD includes a black and white viewing option, would you choose that or the theatrical colored release, and why?
 

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Cultural Curiosities

The interesting (and appreciated) comments received on my “Planes, Trains, and Automobiles” post started me considering all sorts of regional differences. As for covered bridges, it makes sense that they only behoove societies receiving regular snow and/or freezing conditions. Of course, they don’t guarantee safety. Heh…

Classic dark comedy aside, I ponder over other territorial peculiarities, many just within United States borders. Take Sweetest Day, for example, observed on the third Saturday in October.

I believed Midwestern greeting card companies contrived this holiday. Today’s research uncovered an altruistic nature. You can the article here if interested. In a nutshell (as we say in Ohio), the holiday now synonymous with St. Valentine’s Day originally focused on community goodwill – uplifting all laudable and less fortunate neighbors.

This next practice may or may not be common, but around here our Mexican and Chinese style restaurants designate dishes with an additional number and/or lettering system. I suppose this makes ease of communication easier for nonnative speakers on either side of the menu. I’m not sure. For certain, though, I wouldn’t thrive where few spoke some form of English.

Speaking of communication, my minor relocation from northeast to southwest Ohio posed a few issues. I mean, why respond to my question or comment with “Please?” That turned out to be a plea for the original speaker to repeat his or herself. I’d heard the phrase “Excuse me?” or a succinct “What?” all my life.

And I had no idea what ‘briar’ meant. That’s the equally derogatory equivalent to ‘hillbilly’ from my youth, meaning a ‘hick’ or ‘hayseed’ or ‘rube’ or ‘redneck’. I don’t think we have half as many words for our wealthier citizenry.

Hmmm…

Have you heard of Sweetest Day before? As I learned not long ago, do you know the distinct difference between a redneck and hillbilly?

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What if?

Sorry for ripping off your idea, Liz A. ~grin~ Alongside her inspiring Tuesday blog installments, such as this, my speculation is based on a real event as well as a movie.

To start, the quirky film “11:14” features a stellar cast whose stories revolve around a terrible incident occurring one night at, you guessed it, 11:14. I enjoyed this DVD again last week, going so far as to re-watch the included ‘making of’ documentary.

To avoid spoilers, let me say the plot follows various characters whose viewpoints converge with tragic intricacy. Its creators distort the timeline enough that, while I have no trouble following, still found myself surprised by the final reveal linking two duplicitous human beings.

The film’s portrayal of instances, momentary decisions shaping our existence, is what brought “11:14” to mind.

As usual, yesterday afternoon I drove my husband around on our few various errands. Snowfall grew denser as we neared home, decreased visibility causing me to bypass my usual left turn.

Today I can’t help wondering what different outcome might have resulted if not for incliment weather.

You see, following a curve mere yards from our street, we found a distracted driver headed right toward us. As happened just over a year ago, I concentrated on minimizing the impact and didn’t tense up, let alone have time to honk my horn.

I’m happy to report this ended better than that January 2019 occurrence and we escaped this collision. It’s a wonder, as my best option was to pull onto the curb, stop, and hope for the best. Otherwise our Blue Meanie would have bashed into one of many nearby obstacles and no doubt been totaled by the insurance company.

The Blue Meanie named and personalized last spring...

One can only hope our red 2013 Volt lives on providing parts for others. ~sigh~ What can I say? I grew up in a family of automobile fanatics including a few amateur racecar drivers. And we intended to drive that machine until our last days.

Anyway, thank heaven this gal noticed in time to swerve. We concluded our journey with twin headaches, fortunately allayed with a guilty barbecue take-out meal.

So, what if I had not detoured? Do you think that split second decision prevented another, perhaps fatal accident? How likely is it she would later have blown through a traffic stop or some such and plowed into us, or some other hapless commuter?

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Whacked Out of My Mind

I know there is nothing unique in my charmed life’s recent downturn. Without over-thinking it, I could name a half dozen people enduring far worse.

Still, I need to rant. And anyone reading who is knowledgeable of the film “Jacob’s Ladder” will learn just what pervasive morbidity my mind harbors.

Anyway, the whiny rant:

This morning we got bad news about kitty Jezebel’s blood work. At fifteen plus years of age, she didn’t surprise us with news of some kidney dysfunction. But the old girl could be in the early stages of actual disease.

Worse, the technician left word that elevated calcium levels could well indicate cancer. Not very good at staying optimistic of late, my thoughts went right to that leg pain and the fact we may not be bringing her home after her Monday morning appointment.

I know we will not put her through the aggressive treatment her predecessor Luna received before passing away in 2014. My husband still admits profound guilt over those extreme efforts to stave off my inevitable pain, despite the fact our sweet girl fought hard herself to stay on this earth. Even hearing me insist her chemotherapy and that radical mastectomy furthered veterinary oncology can’t assuage his regret.

Meanwhile, thinking of all that’s happened in the last thirteen months, starting with my father’s estrangement over a dumb misunderstanding to every major or minor insult and injury since, I developed an eerie sensation. I mean, come on. Yesterday afternoon I netted one of my four adult ‘typhoid’ mollies, the poor creature found dead at feeding time.

What more can go wrong?

More poignant, what if my reality isn’t what I think?

That wonderful flick “Jacob’s Ladder” introduces us to Jacob Singer, a military veteran of gentle disposition returned from the Vietnam war. He soon begins experiencing demonic sightings. Reunited with his fellow servicemen, they compare notes and start suspecting nefarious governmental, wartime experimentation. One by one they begin dying mysteriously. There are fantastic twists and turns, so I won’t say more and spoil it.

If you’re unfamiliar with the plot but interested in how the movie provokes my surreal sensation, please leave a comment and I’ll visit your blog with the answer.

On another ‘whacky’ note, our tiny back stretch of grass is so long I fear any regular lawnmower will choke. So I plant to try and run the weed whacker out there this afternoon. Wish me luck.

You know I have to ask if you have seen “Jacob’s Ladder”. And have you ever considered that the term talkies gave way to movies from ‘moving pictures’? I just thought of that while typing this.

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Ups and Downs – aka – A Beautiful Boy, My Lovely Man, and One Lucky Lady

I have seen light at the end of the tunnel through my anxiety issues. Talking to a doctor and getting on medication have me feeling on a more even keel. I even managed getting to the YMCA two days in a row last week.

Then I fell ill with some sort of stomach bug the night after my second trip. In an ironic twist, my husband thinks I picked up something at the gym since we ate pretty much the same exact foods at home all week and he stayed healthy while I turned inside out.

It took me five days recovering before I felt up to proper exercise. A little apprehensive, I returned to the gym yesterday. And I got my payoff, dirty old lady style.

While on one of the resistance training machines, I saw the most beautiful boy walk past. He had exquisite lean muscle tone, impossible to miss since he wore a sliced up excuse for a shirt that gave a gorgeous view of his bared arms and lats. And he worked that thick head of shoulder length dark hair, flipping those coiled locks after each rest between weight lifting sets.

Since my lovely spouse is so confident and tolerant of my adolescent sensibilities, I admitted my lechery upon returning home. He laughed when I spoke of changing my routine to keep the guy within casual viewing range. Back in the nineties, my silly guy debated with me over who was hotter from the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, Legolas or Aragorn. Over time, I came to agree with him that it’s the latter. ~grin~ He called Legolas a ‘greasy elf’.

Viggo Mortensen - the Face of a Hero King

Have you read J. R. R. Tolkien?

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A Comical Choice and Amusing Accord

Discussion regarding our new Chevrolet Volt led to my sharing prior thoughts on calling her Blue Meanie. My husband liked the idea, as it turned out, having enjoyed with me a recent viewing of the Beatles animated film “Yellow Submarine.”

Mean, yes. Also fun and colorful!

Since we have a collection of plush and plastic sharks honoring our favorite vacation spot, I suggested maybe trying to find a Blue Meanie plushie. That idea fell by the wayside when he found them costing $50 and, in addition, I didn’t want to crowd out the sea life.

Heh…

Another idea came to me, and I ordered vinyl stickers, including the one above from Redbubble and this below. I hope they hold up well as the one we had on our last Volt, again advertising our love of North Carolina’s Outer Banks.

Ordered off Amazon in a smaller size than the one shown above...

Have you ever seen the psychedelic film “Yellow Submarine”?

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A Sinking Feeling or: How I Learned to Keep Worrying and Hate the Mattress

See at Bottom an Explanation of the Russian Ambassador's Expression...

I suppose hate is a strong word. Oh, and please forgive the bad homage to “Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb”. That movie never gets tiresome.

As for the sinking feeling, our memory foam seems to have forgotten its purpose. I think the idea is to keep me in bed, not dump me to the floor.

That happened with Jezebel the cat tucked against my hip when my cell phone, on the far side of the nightstand, rang. Busy writing, I first ignored it, then got a voicemail alert that always proves too distracting. So I leaned over, attempting not to disturb Jezzy, and that whole edge of the mattress sank under my elbow.

She, of course, moved away while I struggled against cracking my skull upon the furniture. Good thing we have a sturdy headboard. And I’m thankful to have been alone. Going viral as an Internet gif is not on my wish list.

But have you seen those commercials in which a woman jumps up and down on a memory foam bed and a full glass of wine at the foot sits motionless?

Lies. All lies.

Earlier that same morning, I woke up at 4am to use the bathroom. That is not normal for me, blessed with strong bladder control. But my husband tossing and turning jolted me to the point even my brain started sloshing.

I can’t blame him, though. My tendency for heavy sleep has been disturbed. After the decimation of my tropical fish tank and the failure of multiple aquarium heaters (???), stress over keeping those few survivors alive through wild water temperature fluctuations woke me every few hours.

To this day I have mild panic attacks just turning on my new digital thermometer. Changing tank water on Friday tested my heart, let me tell you. I hope that by springtime the tendency to overreact to every little thing will have faded.

Have you ever seen “Dr. Strangelove?” Did you know that Peter Sellers cracking up his fellow cast members resulted in the scene (at top), meant to be lit brighter, being filmed in heavy shadow?

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