Friday Review - CCSI!!!

Today, instead of reviewing a movie, I am reviewing our very own show . . . CCSI! I think all of us have tuned in to see the pilot of this new and original series, starring, written, and produced by our very own selves! Thanks to Sassy Cat for coming up with this original idea! If you haven't already, you can view the pilot episode here.

CCSI, or Cat/Canine Crime Scene Investigators, premiered on the weekend of November 17 after much anticipation by the members of the catblogosphere. Our review covers parts I and II of this original episode.

CCSI: The Kidnapped Cat Caper

Produced by: Sassy Cat Little

Written By: Opus and Roscoe

Directed by: Ruis

Photography: Opus and Roscoe, Asta, Daisy, Maggy and Zoey

MoMo as Fluffy

CCSI is a bold and innovative show that is written by, produced by, directed by, and stars kitties and doggies from throughout the blogosphere. The first episode, "The Kidnapped Cat Caper," showcases the talents of cats and canines alike as it rivets the viewer with edge-of-your-seat suspense.

Daisy as Miss Fistacufs

Our very own Daisy stars as Miss Fistacufs, who is desperately searching for her missing cat Fluffy, portrayed by MoMo. Detective Gil Fishham, played by Latte, is on the hunt for Fluffy, and some suspicious characters he meets along the way make him suspect the worst: foul play! Will Miss Fistacufs ever be reunited with her darling Fluffy? Detective Fishham is determined to find Fluffy, no matter what it takes!

This reviewer was drawn into the story from the very first by Daisy's portrayal of a sweet lady who is desperately worried about the welfare of her missing kitty. Latte's performance as the detective was very realistic. He was thorough in his investigation and shone in the part with his serious demeanor and dark good looks. His shrewd blue eyes seemed to catch every detail of the case.

Latte as Detective Gil Fishham

The supporting cast did a great job adding to the realism of the show. The docks came alive and seemed to be full of threat for a lone kitty! As the show progressed, the worry for Fluffy's well-being increased as more and more suspicious characters were found and interviewed by Detective Fishham.

Did Mr. Pesce (Asta) finally snap after Fluffy stole one too many fish from his stand?

Asta as Mr. Pesce

Or did Snarles the guard dog (Tigger) get too carried away with his job?

Tigger as Snarles the Guard Dog

This was a wonderful original kitty and doggie production, full of suspense and intrigue. The writing, directing, acting, and photography on this show are all excellent and of the highest quality. Once again, furries outshine their beans! I give "CCSI: The Kidnapped Cat Caper" two paws up and a purr!

Don't forget to tune into Sassy's blog for the second episode of "CCSI: The Santa Case!"

Raise a Paw!

My sisters and I are raising our paws for the Cherokee County Humane Society. This is our local humane society who helps out all of the homeless furries in our area. Our doggie brother, Loki, was adopted from their shelter, and all of the homeless furries you see in our sidebar have been rescued and are being taken care of by them.

Thursday Thirteen - Holidays

This picture was taken last Christmas Eve. You can see how me and my sisters were checking out the stockings to see what Sandy Paws had brought us. I can't wait to see what we get this year! We've all been very good kitties . . . well, mostly good kitties. Seeing this picture brought back all the fun we had over the holidays last year, so I thought my Thursday Thirteen would be about what I am looking forward to doing this holiday season!

1) This year my sisters and I are doing something new . . . we are mailing out our very own holiday cards to other kitties! I've already gotten several addresses sent to me in my email, and it got me so excited! I can't wait to start mailing off my cards and receiving some of my own. My mommy says that she is going to do her best to NOT be lazy and get our very own christmas cards made up using the graphics Maggy and Zoey were nice enough to create for us. If any of the rest of you kitties would like to join in the fun, just email me your address at princetybaltATgmailDOTcom. =^_^=

2) Our yearly visit from SANDY PAWS! We must be extra special furries, because Sandy Paws always visits us a day early! On Christmas Eve, mommy either cooks or is lazy (as always) and orders pizza, and our grandparents and Uncle Sean come over to eat and open a few presents . . . and THEN we get to look in our STOCKINGS! Last year we got mousies and jingly balls and treats . . . I've gotten myself so excited I don't think I can wait another month!

3) Another week with mommy! Because mommy works for something called a University, she usually gets the whole week of Christmas off. So that means that in just a few weeks I get another great week full of special mommy-time and snuggles!

4) The closer it gets to Christmas, the more time we'll get to spend with the tree. Right now we have only managed to sneak in a few times to bat at it, and Ivy made one attempt to climb. Rest assured, we will have many more adventures with it before mommy stuffs it back in that box again.

5) More and more presents! Sandy Paws isn't the only one to give us stuff. Mommy has friends who give us all presents, too . . . Aunt Debbie and Aunt Cheryl. Plus there is Grandmama . . . she likes to spoil us, too. Mommy says we are rotten. Is that bad?

6) Mommy will start having to wrap presents soon, and that means extra supervision will be needed. I will have to stand on top of anything she is wrapping to make sure it doesn't try and get away from her, and I'll have to attack any pens she uses to write names with to make sure they don't get any funny ideas. This is fun stuff, but I never let on that it is anything other than yet more tiresome work she forces me to do. (I'm learning how to do that with an attitude from all of the meezer rules!)

7) With the weather getting colder, there will be more squirrels and birdies visiting the feeders on our front porch. That means the twins and I will have many more wildlife watching opportunities.

8) The heater will start clicking on more and more often. I love to sit in front of it and let the warm air blow gently through my furs.

9) FOOD! There will be more food in our house and mommy will actually cook more (or at least get pizza delivered more), so there will be more interesting smells. And she'll actually turn on the oven for once so I can lay on it and warm my bum. Ahhhhhh . . . sweet, sweet warmth!

10) SECRET PAWS! This is the first time we've participated, and I can't wait to start shopping! Mommy has promised that she will help us with that this weekend. She said she stopped by Petsmart last night looking around for ideas. Riiiiiiight. She came back smelling like strange kitties! She probably just went in to pet and coo at the kitties up for adoption. You can't have another baby, mom! I'M the baby!

11) Kimo and Sabi and their new blurpy baby girl! I can't wait to hear all about her. They are going to be great big brothers!

12) Dragonheart's baby brother! I can't wait to meet him. Dragonheart is such a wonderful kitty, and I know that he will be a great example to his brother when he gets to come home.

13) Just basking in the warmth and joy and goodwill of the season. This is the one time of the year when people are more like us furries and take the time to think of others and care about one another. Purrs and headbutts to all of you, my friends, during this wonderful season!

Festive Wordless Wednesday

Thanks so much to Zoolatry for creating these wonderful holiday pictures for me and my sisters!

Also, if any kitties would like to exchange holiday cards with us, please let me know by sending me your snail mail address at: princetybaltATgmailDOTcom. I have made so many wonderful friends here that I want to show my appreciation by sending holiday greetings out to any kitty who would like to receive them!

Tree Trimmin' Tuesday!

Well, as you kitties know, our house was decorated last week so that we could be extra sure that we furries were ready for Sandy Paws. Mommy thought she was the one doing all the work, but that just proves how silly mommies can be. Of course most of the difficult work was done by me, with a little help from the terrible twins. Part of my princely duties is to make sure that all is in order for the holidays, and that includes inspecting every decoration to ensure that it is up to my high kitty standards, and to supervise mommy to make sure she is doing her job correctly. I thought I would share a few pictures with you all to show how difficult it was getting ready for the big Sandy Paws visit.

For some reason mommy always packs the tree away in a box. That means we have to make sure none of the bits are missing, and to check out any interesting smells. Holly is helping me here.

I got a little worried about mommy. This is not where our tree goes! See how much she needs me?

Ivy and I had to make sure the tree skirt was properly put in place.

Holly did some quality control work behind us.

Ivy checked to make sure all of the lights were working.

And finally I got to enjoy our tree after all that hard work!

Mancat Monday - I'm Back!

Hello everykitty! I am finally back. Mommy can't be lazy anymore because her vacation is over. It was wonderful. There was lots of snuggling on the couch and even some HAM! We slept in late, cuddled in front of the fire, and decorated for Christmas. Our stockings are hung up so Sandy Paws can come visit us and leave us good kitties and doggies toys and yummies. I was excited to see that so many of you stopped by to visit my blog even when I hadn't updated it! That made me feel special. Also, I was excited to FINALLY check my email (thanks again, lazy mommy!) and found out that our Secret Paws is here! We are all excited about that, kitties and doggies alike! I can't wait to start shopping.

Since I got so much positive respone to a kitty version of "Phantom of the Opera," I may give serious consideration to starting a casting call for "Kitty of the Opera," with a weekly installment of the screenplay for all of us kitties to enjoy. Let me know what you all think!

Friday Movie Review - The Phantom of the Opera

Today's movie review is one that will make my mommy swoon when she reads this. She has always loved the story of "The Phantom of the Opera," has read the original novel as well as many other variations, has watched just about every version of it on film, and has the entire score of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical memorized by heart. It is no surprise, then, that this film would be high on her list. I am sad to say, though, that this film version is her favorite, not only because it is based on the musical, but because of the star. My mommy adores Gerard Butler. In something that she calls a "Top Ten List," Gerard Butler is her number one. I don't know exactly what this means, but I do know that mommy acts like she's had some really good catnip whenever she sees him in anything.

The Phantom of the Opera (2004)

Directed by: Joel Schumacher

Screenplay By: Joel Schumacher and Andrew Lloyd Webber

Based on the novel by: Gaston Leroux

I am sure that most of us kitties are aware of the basic storyline. The famous Paris Opera House is cursed by the presence of a "phantom." A young ingenue named Christine joins the Opera's ballet troupe, and the phantom falls in love with her and trains her voice in secret. Soon Christine gets her chance to sing the lead in an opera, and the audience loves her, as does her old childhood friend, Raoul. However, Christine is abducted by the phantom, who turns out to be no ghost but a disfigured musical genius living in the Opera House's catacombs. Will Christine choose Raoul or the phantom?

Here are a few pictures from the movie. It is a gorgeous production, and while it doesn't follow the stageplay exactly, it still does a wonderful job. The colors are rich and vibrant, the Opera House is larger than life and opulent, and the musical score is rich and full of feeling.

The Phantom Takes Christine to His Lair

The Phantom Seduces Christine

My Mommy Swoons

My mommy loves this movie. She loves it enough that she talks to it. For example, when the Phantom asks Christine "Have you forgotten your angel?" my mommy cries out "No I haven't! I'm right here!" I think she's disappointed that he never seems to hear her.

As good as this movie is, I have to say that we kitties could do a much better job. Just look at all the talented kitties we know right here on the catblogosphere! I believe that if we all got together, we could produce the best interpretation of Gaston Leroux's "Phantom of the Opera" ever!

I can just see it now . . . Daisy can be in charge of costumes . . . Monty Q. Kat with his spectacular singing skills can play the lead role as The Phantom with our sweet Abby as Christine . . . HRH Yao-Lin can direct (he has had all that experience with his slave) . . . Adan would make a very dashing and sweet Raoul . . . Cheysuli would make a very convincing Madame Giry . . . and I can just see Princess Tara as Christine's best friend, Meg Giry. Captain Jack and Dante could be in charge of all the props and lighting. They wouldn't have any problems balancing or dealing with ropes, after all that time at sea! There are so many parts and jobs that so many of us could do! I think it would be absolutely wonderful. And I, of course, would produce!

We would have stunning musical numbers, such as "The Kitty of the Opera," "All I Purr Of You," "Prima Kitty," and "The Meowing of the Night."

I am telling you kitties, we would have a HUGE hit on our hands!

I give the human movie "Phantom of the Opera" two paws up, because they did the best they could, being only people. But I give our future production "The Kitty of the Opera" two paws up plus a purr!!!!!

Thursday Thirteen - Thanksgiving Holiday!

Guess what, every kitty? Next week is the Thanksgiving Holiday . . . and my mommy is taking off work to spend the whole week with me! Isn't that great? Well, it is mostly great. My Thursday Thirteen today is going to be about the pros and cons of having mommy home with me all week.

First, though, I wanted to ask everyone's opinion because my mommy and I were wondering about something. Ever since I was a wee little kitten, we've known that I am a handsome lynx point. What we aren't sure of, though, is what actual color I am. We go back and forth all of the time. At first when I was a kitten I was so pale that we all thought I was a blue lynx point. But then as I got older I got darker, and we thought maybe I was becoming a seal point . . . but the rest of my body stayed a lovely warm, pale cream color. Then there are the chocolate points . . . but I am pretty sure I'm not that. The problem is that my face and paws and tail are a lovely dark gray, but if you look at my back there is a lot of darkish brown . . . and some of that same dark brown is on my nose. It is even harder to tell because my color can look different (brown or gray), depending on the light. Does anyone have any ideas? I'll put up some pictures to see if anyone can tell.

This is my face as a baby.

This is my manly back.

And this is my face as a princely mancat.
Thanks to any kitty who can help me out or give a good guess!

Okay . . . now for my Thursday Thirteen!

Here are the thirteen pros and cons of having mommy home with me all next week!

1) Monday (19th) is mommy's birthday, so I can celebrate with her all day. That means I will be getting stinky goodness that I will be forced to share with my sisters, and extra cuddles with mommy and our favorite snuggly Jack Sparrow fleecy blanket on the couch. This is definitely a pro . . . except for the sharing stinky goodness part.

2) Since mommy will be home, she will be lazy, and I probably won't be able to post or visit any of the other kitties at all next week. This is most definitely a con! I will be out of the loop! I won't know any of the latest gossip! I don't think I approve much of this at all. How dare mommy be lazy.

3) Next Thursday is Thanksgiving, so there will be yummy food at grandmamas. We won't be able to go over there with mommy, but I am sure she will bring us back some of that lovely food. I hear there will be ham . . . a pro!

4) With mommy home the doggies will be in . . .and out . . .and in . . . and out. They can never make up their minds where they want to be when mommy is home all day. This means that I will be having to hide from Dana's overt affection for most of the week. A mancat can take only so much affectionate doggie grroming, after all. Doggies are so sloppy with their kisses! This is a con.

5) When mommy is home, she sleeps in. This disrupts my princely schedule. At a certain time every morning, I expect the blinds to be opened so that we kitties can watch the birdies and squirrels outside, and I also expect to be given my morning temptation treats. I will have to make an extra effort to wake her up so that she will remember to keep to my schedule. This is a con.

6) However, mommy sleeping in means more snuggle time in the morning! So, while I will have to get her up to make sure she keeps with the program, I can finish my morning duties and come back to bed for extra snuggling. This is a pro.

7) It is supposed to be very nippy outside all next week. That means cozy snuggles in front of the fireplace. This is a pro.

8) With mommy home, we will be watching a lot more tv and movies, so I will be able to get more ideas for my Friday Movie Reviews. This is helpful to all of us kitties, so this is a pro.

9) When mommy is home, sometimes there are "projects" that are done to the house. This usually means that grandmama and grandpapa come over with loud and noisy tools and lock us up in the bathroom or dining room for hours at a time so that we don't get hurt or escape. This makes all three of us very, very angry. This is probably the worst con of all! Maybe this won't happen. *paws crossed*

10) Mommy will probably go ahead and start decorating the house for Christmas. This is both a pro and a con. It is fun to supervise the decorating and to investigate the tree. However, since we kitties can't seem to leave the tree alone . . . and, I am embarrassed to say, have several times almost killed mommy's poor little artifical tree . . .we aren't allowed to spend much time with it anymore, and each time has to be supervised. This takes all of the fun out of it. Having the tree locked away from us is a con. Helping to decorate and having our stockings hung up on the mantel for Sandy Paws is a pro! I can't wait to see what we get this year.

11) If mommy decides to decorate, she will think that she needs to clean. That means she will get the big, noisy, sucky monster out and torture us all with it. This is a definite con!

12) Mommy may actually COOK! She rarely does this, so it is always exciting. We kitties adore helping her in the kitchen. She tells me this is one of the reasons why she doesn't cook often, but I don't understand why. You would think she would appreciate having those extra paws helping her out. Plus, if she cooks, then the oven will be on and I can sit on the stove and warm my bum! This is a pro!

13) Having mommy home all week means more special mommy time, and this is the biggest pro of all. If I had my way my mommy would never leave me. Do you think that one day we kitties would be able to travel everywhere with our mommies? I've seen how some people carry their blurpy baby things in kanga pouches. I think my mommy should buy one for me. That would be purrrrfect!

Wordless Wednesday - Disciplining the Mousie

Tybalt and Torties Tuesday . . . plus meme!

What are you looking at Ivy?


It is my pink mousie!


Holly is staring at it, too.

Mommy, quit teasing us with my mousie!


I'll show you all and catch it myself!

I don't know that you can do it Tybalt.

We'll watch you and see.

Ha ha ha . . . SUCCESS!

Also, I was tagged by Mickey for this meme! These are the rules:

* Link to the person who tagged you and post the rules on your blog
* Share 7 random and/or weird facts about yourself
* Tag 7 random people at the end of your post & include links to their blogs
* Let them know they’ve been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog

7 Random and/or Weird Facts About Me!

1) I am named after Juliet's cousin Tybalt in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Mommy named her car Romeo. This is another reason I am never allowed outside or in the garage, because Romeo kills Tybalt in the play.

2) Straws aren't my only love. I also love to chew on bags, especially potato chip or pretzel bags.

3) I love to keep my bum warm. Sitting on the stove when the oven is on is one of my favorite things to do. Once I sat on mommy's warm sausage biscuit. It felt good! I didn't get in trouble. Mommy just laughed at me.

4) Every morning I sit outside mommy's bathroom door while she is getting ready for work and I cry and scream and claw up the carpeting outside the door.

5) I have only slipped past mommy and into the garage/basement once. Ivy has done it lots of times. I was scolded, and I didn't like that.

6) It hurts my feelings when mommy scolds me, and I sulk and refuse to come to her for MINUTES after it happens.

7) I drink out of mommy's glass when she isn't looking. So farI have discovered that I like coffee, hot chocolate, peach tea, and Dr Pepper.

I am going to tag some other new members of the cat blogging community. I tag:

The Furry Bambinos

Sassy

Tigger, the FBI Cat

Mancat Monday - Adorable

Never be afraid to look adorable and floofy when you are a mancat.

Friday Movie Review - The Cat Returns

Today I am reviewing an anime called "The Cat Returns." The original Japanese title is "Neko no Ongaeshi." My mommy loves anime and has a huge interest in Japanese culture, so we kitties get to see a lot of it. This film is a Studio Ghibli production, which has recently become famous in the United States for the award winning film "Spirited Away." The Studio Ghibli films are very easy to find and have all been dubbed in English thanks to the interest that Disney has shown in their work.

The Cat Returns (2002)

Director: Hiroyuki Morita

Writers: Aoi Hîragi and Reiko Yoshida

This film is about the adventure a Japanese schoolgirl named Haru goes on after saving a cat from being run over by a car. Haru doesn't realize that the cat she saved is really a prince! When the cat actually speaks to her and thanks her for her bravery, she is shocked and thinks that it is just her imagination, because everyone knows that cats can't talk. (Ha ha ha . . . silly humans.) Later on that night, Haru is visited by the prince's father, the King of Cats, and his entourage, who promises to repay her for saving his son's life.

The King and his entourage visit Haru

Soon Haru finds herself abducted to the land of cats, and engaged to the prince . . . and turning into a cat herself! Along the way she finds help from the Baron, a beautiful cat statue that comes to life at sunset, and Muta, an overweight and lazy kitty.

Haru discovers the Baron in a window

This film is beautifully animated, and has some VERY funny moments. There is also a little romance involved, as Haru develops a crush on the handsome and dashing Baron! (You ginger kitties should appreciate this, since the Baron is a ginger!) All of the characters have wonderful and engaging personalities, and if you are anything like me (and my mommy) you are sorry when the movie ends. I definitely feel that there should be a "The Cat Returns 2."

Haru and Muta

One of the funniest momets in the movie is between Haru and Muta.

Haru: Thank you, Moo-ta...

Muta: What? 'Moo'? So now you're saying I'm a fat cow?

Haru: No! You're just fat... Oh!

This movie includes action, adventure, fantasy, romance, humor . . . and lots and lots of cats! There are tuxies and gingers and floofies and widebodies (MUTA!) . . . just about every type of cat is represented. I definitely recommend this movie as must-see viewing for kitties everywhere.

The Baron defends a kittified Haru

I give "The Cat Returns" two paws up!

IDYA Challenge - For You, Anastasia!

Okay, Anastasia! Since you took the trouble to come back and visit to challenge me personally, I have taken you up on your dare! I have dressed up my mommy . . . outfit and makeup and all . . . and turned her completely into someone or something else.

Behold! My mommy as THE BRIDE OF DARKNESS!

Notice the dark circles around her eyes! The blank stare!

(This is my mommy without her morning coffee.)

Tybalt the Space Kitty!

Thanks to MoMo for suggesting that we all turn into space kitties today to celebrate the shuttle launch! I decided to try and play around with paint last night, and here is what I managed to come up with.

I am a spacey alien mancat!

On a more serious note, several kitties that we all know and love are going through hard times, as are their bean parents. I wanted to take a moment to let all of you kitties know how much we all care about you, and that you are in our prayers. We are all purring very hard for you. Special purrs and headbutts go out to Icon's sister Chloe, who they discovered just yesterday is very ill with secondary viremia Feline Leukemia Virus. My mommy lost a special kitty to Feline Leukemia when she was a child, so mommy's eyes have been leaking lots for Chloe and her family.

I was listening to the radio with my mommy yesterday and this song by Pink came on . . . "Who Knew?" Parts of the song reminded me and mommy of all the special kitties who have gone over the bridge, and we wanted to share it with you today. Here is an excerpt from the song.

I'll keep you locked in my head

Until we meet again

I won't forget you my friend

What happened. . . ?

That last kiss

I'll cherish

Until we meet again

And time makes it harder

I wish I could remember

But I keep your memory

You visit me in my sleep

My darling

Who knew?

My darling

I miss you

My darling

Who knew?

Wordless Wednesday - Wish

Holly: I wish I may I wish I might . . . . .

Tybalt: I wonder what Holly is wishing.

Tortie Tuesday Take Two!

Holly: Our brother Tybalt has decided to be generous and give us another chance with the blog. Hopefully Ivy will be able to control herself better this time.

Ivy: Tybalt is just too sensitive.

Holly: I wanted to post a picture of my toes for "Toesie Tuesday," but I couldn't pose well enough for mommy last night, so instead we are going to show you some of our nightly activities.

Ivy: Well, at least the ones that Mommy can know about. *giggle*

Holly: Shush! You are going to get us in trouble again! As I was saying . . . it is important for Torties to be able to nest properly on their mommy's bed. Here I am demonstrating my nesting skills.

Now, I have to admit I don't do this too often. Usually I like to nest on top of mommy's shoes or her clothes, but when winter comes and the house gets cold at night, I will snuggle up with mommy.

Ivy: That's true! It's always me and Tybalt on top of mommy hogging the bed.

Holly: I'll be joining you soon. It is beginning to get nippy out. What were you going to demonstrate, Ivy?

Ivy: Well, it is important for a Tortie to be well-read! I enjoy sitting on books, knocking over books, and pulling books off of the bookcase. I have also been known to chew on books. This means that I am an intellectual kitty. Here I am checking out mommy's latest pile of books on her nightstand.

Holly: Well, that is the last demonstration for today! I hope you enjoyed our second official Tortie Tuesday!

Ivy: WAIT! I had just one more thing I wanted to show everyone before we left . . .

I caught Tybalt playing with his catnip mousie on mommy's bed last night! Isn't he just adorable?

Holly: I don't think you should have done that . . . we may not get our third Tortie Tuesday now! I hope everyone lets him know how cute he is so he isn't too mad at us. Happy Tuesday every kitty! *waves paw*

Ivy: Of course Tibbles is cute! Until next week, kitties! *waves paw*