Friday Movie Review - Moulin Rouge

By popular demand, today's movie review is:

Moulin Rouge (2001)

Directed By: Baz Luhrmann

Written By: Baz Luhrmann & Craig Pearce

"Moulin Rouge" is set in the Bohemian community of Paris, where the Can-Can is a new and scandalous dance, and philosophers, artists, and writers all congregate together in cafés and dancehouses, enriching the culture even as they embrace their impoverished "bohemian" lifestyle.

Against this backdrop arrives Christian (Ewan McGregor), a hopeful writer. Soon upon his arrival he meets Toulouse-Lautrec (John Leguizamo), the now famous artist, and his strange and exotic bohemian troupe. Sensing that Christian is a genius in the making, and noticing he is a handsome genius in the making, Toulouse and company hire Christian as their playwright and bring him to the Moulin Rouge, a wild and scandalous nightclub, to meet the beautiful star Satine (Nicole Kidman), and convince her to star in their play. Of course, once Christian sees Satine, he is smitten right away. Satine, on the other hand, mistakes him for the Duke she is supposed to seduce in order to get funding to make the Moulin Rouge into a legitimate theatre. At first she is happily surprised to find that the Duke is so young and handsome (if a bit shy), but after realizing her mistake she is distraught, realizing that she is now in love with Christian, but still obligated to seduce the Duke.

Eye Candy for the menbeans (Almost Dad)

Nicole Kidman as Satine

Christian and Satine engage in a clandestine love affair, and manage to keep the Duke at arms' length, while at the same time dangling him on the line for his patronage. However, soon we learn that Satine is fatally sick with consumption (now known as tuberculosis), and the Duke learns of the affair. Can there be a happy ending for Satine and Christian?

Eye Candy for the ladybeans (Mommy)

Ewan McGregor as Christian

"Moulin Rouge" is alive with color, movement, and sound. From the very first moment of the film, you know you are not watching your average movie. It is a truly unique work, incorporating the historic bohemian style with modern-day reworkings of classic rock music. Christian wins Satine's heart by singing Elton John's "Your Song," and later laments her coming assignation with the Duke to The Police's "Roxanne." Satine is introduced to us during her first performance, in which she sings "Diamond's Are a Girl's Best Friend." The clever use of music and color keeps a kitty's attention, and the humor and interesting cast of characters help keep an interest in what otherwise might have been a sordid and depressing tale. (Opera fans should note that the central romance between Satine and Christian is very much La Bohème.)

The Bohemian Life

I give "Moulin Rouge" two paws up. This film may not be to everykitty's taste, but even if you hate it, you have to admit that it is an unusual and creative work. I suggest that if you have not yet seen it, you should.

There you go, kitties! Happy Friday. Purrrs!

Thursday Thirteen - Tortie Style

Tybalt received this award from the lovely Diamond Emerald-Eyes yesterday. Way to go Tybalt! He'd like to share this award with his sweetheart Samantha, Queen Snickers and Empress, and the kitty fashionista herself, Daisy.


On to other exciting news, we Terrible Tortie Twins were officially accepted into the T.A.T.A.! You can read our submission here.

In celebration, Tybalt is letting us take over the Thursday Thirteen, and we are going to fill you in on our favorite things to do!

Favorite Activites of the Terrible Tortie Twins

1. Opening cabinet doors and exploring.
2. Whapping the cabinet doors so they slam loudly at 3 AM.
3. Scratching mommy's walls, doors, and doorjambs.
4. Bunnykicking.
5. Flinging Poo. (Ivy)
6. Snorting catnip.
7. Patting mommy's face. (Holly)
8. Loving on the doggies.
9. Stealing dogfood.
10. Drinking the doggies' water. (Holly)
11. Watching squirrels and birdies out the window.
12. Whapping the blinds loudly at 3 AM. (Ivy)
13. Demanding affection from mommy.

Wonderful Wordy Wednesday

I was recently given some very wonderful awards, and I want to share them with you today.

First, Miss Peach gave me this lovely award! I was so touched to get such a special award from such a special kitty.

I think every kitty deserves it, but I will try to share it with just a few of you, so that you can have the joy of sharing it with others.

Faith - For being the inspiration for Tough *ss Torties and for knowing how to get what she wanted, like any good self-respecting Tortie would! Miss Faith Boomerang, you are an inspiration to us all.

Rascal - For being diagnosed with lymphoma, but hanging in there like a trooper! I am so glad you are doing better, buddy. I'm still purring for you!

Dr. Tweety - For being patient with his mommy during her time of loss and for being such a good mancat to Delilah, who is still not doing well. I'm purring for you all, Doc!

And now . . . . I would like to proudly show my Acatemy Award, presented to me by Skeezix for my work with CCSI. I was never more surprised or excited in my life! Thanks to everykitty who was a part of the production, and thanks to Sassy and Little Productions for making CCSI possible.

Here is a close-up of my award, does he look like anyone you know? A handsome devil, isn't he?

Here is a picture of me and the other kitties (and my beautiful Samantha! *sigh*) after we received our awards. Thanks to Sassy and Ruis for sharing this picture with me!

l-r: Gemini, Tybalt, Samantha, Sammy, Daisy, Willow, and Adan

Also, the Terrible Tortie Twins intend to apply to join the Tough *ss Torties today! They have their paws crossed that they will be considered tough enough.

Terrible Tortie Tuesday

Holly: Oh, I see something out there! Something I want to get! It is making me chirp and climb the window, I want it so badly!


Ivy: Out of the way, sis! Let me see! Oooooh . . . . I want to play with it! Do you see it?

*Introducing Timmy the Squirrel*

Tybalt: Oh, I see him. Just look at Timmy . . . standing there and taunting us with his curled poofy tail! Girls! He's hopping up the stairs! I can't believe it!

Tybalt: Just look at him!

Terrible Tortie Twins : Timmy . . . we'll get you someday. Just wait and see. *rubbing paws together*

Mancat Movie Monday - Romeo + Juliet

Kitties, I was very upset. My usual Friday Movie Review was interrupted! My mommy came home from work early on Thursday afternoon and didn't go to work all day on Friday because she had a severe migraine. I was so busy snuggling with her and purring for her to get better that I neglected my blog. However, I decided that was no reason to skip or delay my review . . . so today is MANCAT MOVIE MONDAY!

You may remember the family picture I had on my blog last Wednesday. Well, kitties, that picture was taken right before Mommy and Almost Dad LEFT ME to go to the Shakespeare Tavern to see Romeo and Juliet! I was one mad mancat. How could they leave me to see Shakespeare without me? ESPECIALLY the play that has my namesake in it?! Mommy explained to me that they don't let kitties in to see plays. I almost pulled out my "Igor Kittenovsky" disguise again, but then I remembered that seeing the play was mommy's Valentine's present to Almost Dad, and that we had the movie at home. So while they were gone, my sisters and I sat down with some temptations and a Dr Pepper I had Holly help sneak out of the fridge, and we watched "Romeo + Juliet."

Romeo + Juliet (1996)

Directed By : Baz Luhrman

Written By: William Shakespeare (Play)

Craig Pearce (Screenplay)

Two households, both alike in dignity

In fair Verona, where we lay our scene,

From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,

Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.

From forth the fatal loins of these two foes

A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life;

Whose misadventured piteous overthrows

Do with their death bury their parents' strife.

William Shakespeare - Romeo and Juliet Prologue

Kitties, if you can't sneak into a theatre to see the play performed live, this is the next best thing. While it is a more modern telling of Shakespeare's classic tragedy, the dialogue is straight from the original play. Although they use guns instead of swords, and Mercutio shows up to the infamous Capulet party in drag, the spirit of the play is still intact; in fact, this kitty reviewer dares to say that Shakespeare's work is actually enhanced by the modernization. Leonardo DiCaprio is a magnificent Romeo, and Claire Danes is a wonderfully luminescent Juliet. And as for Tybalt . . . well, John Leguizamo plays my namesake with verve and flair, a true Prince of Cats.

Tybalt

I have watched this movie many, many times with my mommy. There are parts that I can actually quote, like the prologue I added above. The ability of the actors in this film makes the sometimes incomprehensible Shakespearean dialogue easy to understand. Mercutio's death, and Romeo's subsequent killing of Tybalt, has never been portrayed with as much feeling as it is in this film, and when Romeo stands in the pouring rain crying to the heavens "I am fortune's fool!" it is hard for a kitty not to tear up in sympathy.

Romeo and Juliet Meet

There are parts of this movie to appeal to anyone. Ivy loves the very beginning, when the men of Capulet and Montague meet and have an altercation . . . she loves the comedy involved in the insults, and of course the ultimate explosion of the gas station. Holly loves it when Romeo climbs up to the balcony in order to sneak another peek at Juliet. My favorite parts are any of the fighting scenes . . . there is so much color and movement! My mommy's favorite scene is when Romeo and Juliet first see each other at the party . . . there are no words, only music, and yet no words need to be spoken; all of the wonder each feels is flawlessly expressed in their movement and faces.

Romeo and Juliet Kiss

I give this movie two paws up and an excited "chirp." This is definitely one of those movies that you must see . . . make sure your bean gets ready with pjs, a fuzzy blankie, yummy snacks, and plenty of tissue for the leaky eyes before you watch it together.

Happy Mancat Monday, Everykitty!

Thursday Thirteen - What I Watch With Mommy

13 Things I Like to Watch With Mommy

1. Classic Movies - Last night we watched "Some Like It Hot." Mommy was on the phone to Almost Dad and squealed something about lemons dragging . . . I am not sure what she meant, but it was pretty funny seeing a man do the tango in a wig and dress.
2. Disney Movies - The latest one I reviewed was "The Aristocats" which is a great animated feature. However, there are a lot of wonderful live-action Disney movies as well, such as "The Cat From Outer Space." I will have to review that one soon.
3. Shakespeare - After all, I am named after a character from "Romeo and Juliet." I was reared on the classics, and you can't get any more classic than the Bard himself!
4. "Breed All About It" - Sure, this show is only about dog breeds, but it is still pretty interesting. Almost every weekend, mommy and I spend a little extra time in bed in the morning and watch this. Sometimes the show makes my mommy's eyes leak, like when they were showing how Rottweilers actually make good therapy dogs. I just liked the way the doggie looked in his clown suit.
5. "Nova" - Every Tuesday night mommy and I get a little educational time in and watch "Nova" on PBS before we go to sleep. I've learned all sorts of interesting things. One week I learned all about black holes, and several weeks before that they taught me about "genetic memory" encoded into DNA!
6. "America's Ballroom Challenge" - Yet another show on PBS. (Mommy is a big fan of educational television.) For the past several weeks, mommy and I have been watching the dance competitions every Wednesday night. Last night was the Latin competition, and in the show dance part a couple dressed up as robots and danced to music from "Transformers!" I bet Almost Dad was very impressed.
7. British Comedies - Our favorite is "Are You Being Served?" Mommy loves the character Mr. Humphries, but I think she should like Mrs. Slocombe more. After all, Mrs. Slocombe takes very good care of her pussy. I don't know why everyone laughs when she talks about it.
8. Cartoon Network - I'm a big fan of cartoons. They are bright and colorful and have a lot of movement in them. Most of the time we watch more recent cartoons like "The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy," but we also watch the older classics such as "Scooby Doo, Where Are You?"
9. "Family Guy" - Thanks to the joys of syndication, mommy can work in several hours of Family Guy reruns a night. She's a big fan of Stewie and Brian, so if it is an episode focusing on them, you can bet we will watch it (whether I want to or not.) I like the ones where Peter fights the Giant Chicken. There is a lot of action and movement in those episodes!
10. Spooky Movies - Mommy has always been a big fan of classic horrors and thrillers. We watch a lot of movies that have Vincent Price in them. We also watch pretty much anything that has vampires in it.
11. Mel Brooks - His movies are very funny, but my mommy and I love "Young Frankenstein" best. I cannot even tell you kitties how many times we have watched this movie. I think I can quote it to you now. =^_^=
12. Animal Planet - Some of the shows we avoid because they make my mommy's eyes too leaky, but we do watch a lot of other shows on Animal Planet besides "Breed All About It." My favorites are the ones that involve kitties. Last weekend we watched "Awesome Pawsome," which was about raising domestic tigers in Australia. I love watching our bigger cousins . . . I still can't believe they like the water!
13. Anime - Japanese Animation is watched A LOT at our house. It is a good thing I'm a fan of cartoons, or otherwise I'd be one unhappy kitty! A lot of the animes have at least one kitty in them, which makes me happy. I am also learning how to meow in Japanese by watching them subtitled rather than dubbed.

Wordless Wednesday - Family

Tortie Tuesday - Onion, Anyone?

Hello Everykitty! Holly here. I'm taking over the blog for today's edition of "Tortie Tuesday."

I did something new this past weekend, and I was wondering if any other kitties had ever done it.

Mommy was cooking on Saturday! This hardly ever happens. My sister and brother and I were snooping around the kitchen table and counter to check out what was going on. And then I saw it sitting on the table. It was round and it smelled interesting. I just had to WHAP it. I reached out and patted it with my paw gently . . . and then a little harder . . . and then I WHAPPED it right onto the floor!

That was when things got really interesting. I got down on the floor with it and wouldn't let Ivy or Tybalt see it. I patted it some more . . . and then I grabbed it and BUNNYKICKED! Oh, it was soooo much fun! I bunnykicked it like mad. I stopped to sniff it and rub my head on it and then I bunnykicked it some more! Grandmama was there with mommy, and they LAUGHED at me. Mommy asked me what I was doing with her onion! That was when grandmama and mommy decided that it was picture time, so I stopped. All they managed to get of me was a post bunnykick/whap. . . the onion had already been whapped across the kitchen.

After the camera was put away, I whapped and bunnykicked the onion some more. Mommy finally took it away from me and hid it. I didn't like the onion anymore once it was peeled, anyway.

Have any of you other kitties discovered the joy of bunnykicking an onion?

Mancat Monday Mail-Call

When mommy got home Friday, she told me I had mail! I was so excited.

I was even more excited when I saw who it was from . . . . . SAMANTHA!

I took the envelope to my spot on mommy's bed so that I could open it up in privacy and comfort.

My tuxie princess sent me the cutest card! And look, she put her picture on front! It was so adorable and sweet! Thank you, my sweet Sam. I will treasure it always. Purrrrs.

Friday Movie Review - Bringing Up Baby

Here is our last romantic Valentine's Day inspired movie review. This movie is a true classic, in every sense of the word, and involves a cat - our larger and wilder cousin, the leopard.

Bringing Up Baby (1938)

Directed By: Howard Hawks

Screenplay By: Dudley Nichols and Hagar Wilde

This film epitomizes the "screwball comedy" genre of its era. Cary Grant plays Dr. David Huxley, a dedicated and serious paleontologist. Through a series of misunderstandings and mishaps, he becomes acquainted with the young and seemingly scatterbrained heiress, Susan Vance (Katherine Hepburn.) While David tries to cut their new relationship short, Susan is eager to see it continued. Seizing on the opportunity when she finds herself in custody of a tame leopard that is meant for her aunt, Susan calls David to request his help. Of course, they have many misadventures on the way . . . and fall in love.

"Bringing Up Baby" is quirky and funny, and the leopard (named Baby!) is beautiful. Kitties and beans alike can appreciate the difficulties David and Susan encounter as they transport their lovely, graceful, and LARGE feline companion to her aunt.

I give this film two paws up . . . a definite must-see!

I hope this meets with your approval as a romantic date movie, Diamond!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day!

We send extra purrs and nosekisses to our special valentines.

Tybalt and Samantha.

Ivy and Java.

Holly and Almost Dad!

And here is where we will be all day . . . on the Love Cruise!

And here are some 'nip candies to share with everyone! Have a great day! PURRRRS.

***UPDATE***
Holly asked Kashim to be her special valentine at the Love Cruise, and he said YES!

Wordless Wednesday

When is it my turn, mommy?

Tortie Tuesday - 'Nipped Out

Ivy: Finally! Another Tortie Tuesday!

Holly: Yes, kitties, Tybalt is sharing his blog again with us today. And it is EXTRA exciting, because not only are we introducing you to our new Nip Lounger, but we also won an award!

Ivy: The nice kitties at PB&J gave us this great award:

This award was started by Chance's woofie brother Shadow. Isn't he great?

Here are the rules:

Give this award to at least one blogger who has a woofie as a friend. If they let a woofie blog sometimes, post information on woofie safety, or just love to cuddle with a woofie of their own, then send this award to them. Make sure you leave a comment on their blog letting them know you are giving them this award and don't forget to link back to the person who gave it to you.

We would like to pass this award on to our good friends Sassy and MoMo, who are not only friends of woofies, but are also NOMSS sisters with woofies! We would also like to pass it along to Riley and Tiki, who share their blog with their very own woofie Kesey.

Holly: And now for the main attraction . . . the NIP LOUNGER! The nip lounger is a fleecy catbed that has a special zippered pocket in the back that you put the 'nip in. Here we all are, checking it out.

Ivy: As you can see, I took to it right away. Look at my cute little pink tongue!

Holly: Yeah, you took to it so well you wouldn't share! Just look at you rolling all over it and not letting me or Tybalt near. Java, I hope you don't mind that your valentine is a nip hog!

Ivy: Oh, hush. You got your turn.

Holly: Right, only after I put my paw down and gave you THE LOOK.

Ivy: Yeah, well, look . . . you did some rolling of your own!

Holly: And then YOU found the baggie the catnip came from and wouldn't share!

Ivy: But you were the one who stole it out of the trash later . . .

Holly: Shhh! You promised you wouldn't tell! Now mommy will see this and know who did it. Maybe she'll forgive me when she remembers how sweet I was to her while I was all nipped out. Look, mommy! Remember how snuggly I was?

Ivy: You know mommy forgives us anything, sis. But reminding her how cute we are always helps!

Mancat Monday

Happy Mancat Monday, everykitty!

I would like to thank you all for thinking of my mommy after she was so silly and hurt her back. She is doing much better now, and she knows the improvement is thanks to all of your extra purring on her behalf!

My sisters and I are busy getting ready for Valentine's Day. I will be spending the day with my lovely Samantha, Ivy will be meeting her valentine Java for the very first time, and Holly won't say who her valentine is. She did get a secret admirer valentine through e-mail . . . I wonder who that could be?!

Mommy gave us our Valentine's Day presents early, probably because she just couldn't wait. My mommy is silly like that. =^_^= We got a new kitty cube to match the one we got for Christmas, and the best gift of all . . . a Catnip Lounger! We have pictures of it, but I think the twins are going to be putting them up for tomorrow's Tortie Tuesday. Let me tell you, that Catnip Lounger is great. All of us have rolled in it and drooled in it and napped in it and had sweet nip dreams in it. It's in front of the heatbox in mommy's room, too, which is the perfect spot! The only problem is, none of us want to share it. I'm ashamed to admit there has been some extra whapping going on in our house over it.

Oh, and before I forget . . . .

On Friday I reviewed "Fruits Basket," and there was some concern expressed that the bunny wasn't represented. Let me tell you, ALL of the chinese zodiac signs are represented, although some of them are left out of the anime. For instance, my mommy's sign is the Horse, and the character who is possessed by the horse, Ren, isn't in the anime but is in the manga. However, you all can relax . . . the sign of the Rabbit is in both the anime and manga! So the bunny is well-represented. The Sohma family member who is possessed by the spirit of the bunny is a young boy named Momiji. Momiji has a very sad background, but like Tohru is always optimistic and friendly. Momiji is super cute, and looks younger than his years. He adores everything cute, and even wears a bunny backpack to celebrate his sign! Here is a picture of the adorable Momiji.

Ok . . . I think I am now off to claim my spot on the Catnip Lounger! Wish me luck!

Friday Movie Review - Fruits Basket

I am reviewing something a little different today. Inspired by both Valentine's Day and the Chinese New Year, as well as MoMo's campaign for a "Year of the Cat," I have decided to review the anime series "Fruits Basket."

Fruits Basket (2001)

Creator: Natsuki Takaya

Fruits Basket is a charming manga (comic) which was made into an animated series for one season. Fruits Basket centers on a young girl, Tohru Honda, who has recently become an orphan after her mother dies in a car accident. After briefly living with her paternal grandfather, she is forced to move when his house undergoes renovations and other relatives move in. Instead of asking for help from friends, the independent Tohru decides to spend the time it takes for the house to be renovated camping out in a tent in the woods, while going to school and working a part-time job as a janitor.

Tohru and the Sohmas

One day Tohru discovers that her classmate, Yuki Sohma, lives very close to her tent . . . in fact, her tent is in the woods on his family's property! Tohru does not share her secret with him, but it is later discovered anyway by Yuki and his uncle Shigure as they walk home one night, and come upon Tohru and her camp. Taking the sick and feverish Tohru home with them, Shigure and Yuki hear her story and offer to let her live with them. Knowing how independent she is, they deny that they are offering her charity, and instead ask her to become their housekeeper in exchange for room and board. Soon Yuki's cousin Kyo also moves in, and Tohru discovers the Sohma family secret.

The Sohmas have lived under a curse for many generations. Under this curse, thirteen of the Sohma family members are possessed by the twelve animals of the Chinese Zodiac . . . plus the spirit of the Cat, which was left out according to Chinese legend. For example, Shigure is the Dog, Yuki is the Rat, and Kyo is the Cat. The curse shows itself by transforming the person possesed into the animal under several conditions: when the person is sick, weak, tired, overly emotional, or hugged by a member of the opposite sex. Normally when their curse is discovered, the outsider has their memory erased and is discouraged from having any further contact with the family. However, in the hopes that Tohru is the one who will eventually break the curse, she is allowed to continue to live with the Sohmas. Will Tohru be able to break the curse?

Shigure, Yuki, Tohru, and Kyo

The legend of the Chinese Zodiac permeates the entire story and lives of the characters. Kyo and Yuki, being the Cat and Rat, have a strong rivalry between them, just as if they were truly the Cat and Rat in the legend. Kyo struggles for acceptance in his family, just as the Cat wishes to be included in the zodiac. Tohru finds herself sympathizing more with Kyo and his struggle, as she has always supported the Cat from the legend since childhood. However, she also grows close to shy and insecure Yuki, who fears becoming too close to anyone due to the curse. A romantic tension springs up between the three, even as friendship grows.

Yuki transformed into the Rat

"Fruits Basket" is a heart-warming series, full of humor, drama, romance, and whimsy. Tohru captures your sympathy from the first episode, with her optimisim even in the face of tragedy and hardship. The Sohma family members are each as unique and lovable as the animal spirits that possess them. This series can be highly addictive, and once you see the first episode, you will not be satisfied until you reach the end . . . and then you will be saddened that they did not produce more than one season.

Kyo transformed into the Cat

This kitty gives "Fruits Basket" two paws up, a warm purr, and a tail poof. Not only is this a wonderful anime that gives us proper support for including the Cat in the Chinese Zodiac, it also provides fantasy with a warmth and rare insight into the troubles of adolescence. I am sure that every kitty out there would love this series. Even my grandmama, who is very picky about anime, enjoyed this one. Celebrate the Chinese New Year and watch this series today!