MY FAVORITE THINGS: Special events

Showing posts with label Special events. Show all posts

Happy Africa Day!

Africa Day (May 25) marks the founding of the Organisation of African Unity (AU, formerly OAU) and its contributions and successes over the years. On this day, in 1963, it was founded to fight against colonialism and apartheid.

Today, Africa Day is commemorated especially as 202e is its 60th year.

Happy Africa Day 2023!

CELEBRATING "INTERNATIONAL KISSING DAY" IN MOVIE AND T.V

As we celebrate International Kissing Day today, which of the following sweet loving kisses shown below is your favorite????

THE BIG BANG THEORY

February 14th... a very special day. Love is in the air and presents are exchanged. Valentine gifts come in many forms but the usual stuff given and received are...

A LOVELY BOUQUET OF FLOWERS

A CUDDLY TEDDY BEAR

AN EXPENSIVE BOTTLE OF PERFUME

A PRETTY GREETING CARD

A ROMANTIC CANDLELIT DINNER FOR TWO

A yummy Box of CHOCOLATES

While Valentine's day is neither an official public holiday nor a religious holiday, it's pretty much a huge made a big deal of in most countries and commercialized to the full! If you step into most supermarkets here in Nigeria right now, you would find greeting cards, fake but scented roses, chocolate bonbons and teddy bears on the stands and people buying them for their 'valentines'.Who doesn't like receiving a very thoughtful gift or gesture, after all. But is that what Valentines' Day is all about, just exchange of gifts and feeling extra romantic? NO.

If one traces Valentine's day to its origins, it would be clearly that it's far more than that. Love comes in many forms; a gesture, loving words, a direct expression. And it's not limited to couples exchanging gifts. Children can express love and appreciation to their parents and vice versa. Friends can show how their friendship is important, which would further deepen it.

In my opinion, its more like a day of expressing and showing universal love. Giving a present is a lovely addition but should not just be about giving presents or spending money. How about doing something nice for a loved one, or a kind deed and that gesture of kindness may be passed on to someone else that day.

We must remember how precious life is and how the people in our lives are very important. In some cases, a present can be given merely to keep up tradition. What really comes from the heart and given because the giver wants to and not expected to is the real gift that anyone can receive. And the real message of Valentine is giving Love, Friendship and Hope.

So... Happy Valentine's day everybody.

Click on link- THE STORY OF VALENTINE'S DAY

SCARIEST PICKS FOR HALLOWEEN

MAGIC (1978)

CURSE OF CHUCKY (2013)

HELLRAISER (1987)

THE THING (1982)

CARRIE (2013)

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Comments by CommentNation.com

FATHER'S DAY: MEMORABLE DADDYS

I should have posted this on Father's Day but sorry to say I was under the weather that day. My father sadly died in 2010 and though he was strict with us kids, I found myself thinking of him as I got this post ready. Thanks to his insistence we read as many books as possible, and my interest in writing was born. So far I have two blogs and two children's books on the stands- and I pray to God for His guidance in writing more.
Anyhow, Father's Day is a day when Daddys all around the world are celebrated and below is a small list of movies with memorable fathers.

1. Alberto Rodriguez in THREE HUNDRED MILES FOR STEPHANIE

Based on a true story (and a heartrending one), a police officer is a devoted father to his little daughter Stephanie, despite her severe health problems and physical disabilities. When Stephanie fell ill yet again, Alberto was told her illness was terminal. He prayed to God- "Let me love her just a bit longer" and promised he would embark on a 300-mile marathon from San Antonio to a sanctuary in San Juan de los Lagos to give thanks if Stephanie lived to see her fifth birthday- an act of faith, hope, patience and love. This memorable event was in 1977 and the TV movie made from it, starring Tony Orlando.

The real Stephanie Rodriguez died at the age of 26, on February 6th, 1999.

2. Chris Gardner in THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS

Also based on a true story, a salesman (Will Smith) struggles with poverty, homelessness and completing an unpaid internship at a stockbroking firm- at the same time taking care of his son, his wife having given up and left. But somehow he manged to press on and not lose hope, as most of what he was doing was for the sake of the son he was determined not to lose to Child Protective Services.What broke my heart was the scene where they spent the night in a public rest house but the story ended happily with Gardner earning the coveted position and today, by God's Grace, is the CEO of his own brokerage company.

3. Sam Dawson in I AM SAM

If ever there was a very loving and memorable father, that is Sam Dawson (played by Sean Penn) in this very moving 2001 movie. Half the time I was upset for him, hoping and praying the judge would rule in his favor. Sam is a single father devoted to his little daughter, Lucy (played by Dakota Fanning); Lucy's mother having abandoned them after Lucy's birth. Unfortunately, Sam is mentally challenged which causes certain unkind people to make fun of him and while Lucy is not exactly embarrassed by her beloved daddy, she is embarrassed she's is more advanced than him in intellect and begins pretending to be stupid just so he would not feel bad. Lucy was taken away from Sam as he was deemed an unfit father because of his condition and to add salt to the wound- only allowed to visit his daughter twice a week, under supervision.

So Sam got a lawyer, Rita (Michelle Pfeiffer) to get Lucy back and as the the custody case went on; Rita learnt to be a better mother through Sam's advice and the foster family who wanted to adopt Lucy (the poor thing kept sneaking to her Daddy's place every night) realised Lucy's place- and where she wanted to be- was with Sam; who may not possess a high intellect but possessed a lot of love for his child.

4. Stanley Banks in FATHER OF THE BRIDE

The original starred Spencer Tracy as the overprotective and harassed papa of the bride to be; Elizabeth Taylor in 1950, with Joan Bennet as the peace making Mama. It was remade in 1991 starring Steve Martin, Kimberly Williams as the bride to be and Diane Keaton as the Mother of The Bride.

Both Tracy and Martin played the same role, a father who is taken aback by the sudden announcement from his daughter she's getting married and he's upset because he still sees her as a 'little girl' instead of a young woman of 21 hence reluctant to let go of her. And there's the reluctance to pay for the wedding but what I really want to know is, was the reluctance because he felt it was too extravagant or simply because he didn't want the wedding to hold at all? But either way, Stanley Banks proved to be a good, unselfish father and his relationship with his daughter remained just as close after she was married. Actually, I initially found him rather possessive and unreasonable but then again, a son or daughter is always a child in the eyes of the parent.

5. Daniel Hillard in MRS. DOUBTFIRE

Daniel Hillard (played so comically by Robin Williams) is another memorable father. He's clearly devoted to his son and two daughters but also very irresponsible. How many fathers would throw an animal-themed party (and I mean with live animals) for their son even after the boy brought home a bad report card? His actions caused his wife Miranda (Sally Field) to finally lose her temper and divorce him, gaining sole custody of the children, to his dismay.

So what did he do, he went out of his way to be able to see his beloved children more often by getting his makeup artist brother to transform him into "Euphegenia Doubtfire" (who reminded me of a much older Mary Poppins without the umbrella and hat) and got hired as the children's nanny/housekeeper. The charade not only got him precious hours with the children- he also learnt to be a better parent and realized how his past immature behaviour deeply affected Miranda. It's a pity it took a divorce to make him a better parent and person but his love for the children was always constant.

6. Peter Mitchell, Michael Kellam and Jack Holden in THREE MEN AND A BABY/THREE MEN AND A LITTLE LADY

The 1987 movie featured 3 bachelors; Peter (Tom Selleck), Michael (Steve Guttenberg) and Jack (Ted Danson); who suddenly found themselves forced to look after a baby girl left on their doorstep. After several comic attempts plus having to deal with a vengeful drug dealer, the three men- particularly Jack who was the biological father, accepted their new roles, even after the mother Sylvia returned to claim the child.

In the 1990 sequel, they remained doting fathers to five-year-old Mary and had to contend with Mary's nasty stepfather-to-be. This is one of the most heartwarming 'father' stories I've ever watched- three confirmed bachelors doing anything for their 'little girl' and one of them finding love with Silvia.

Rumour has it there is to be another sequel- THREE MEN AND A BRIDE- and I'm willing to bet there would be a major tussle over who gets to walk the bride down the aisle; her father Jack, her stepfather Peter or her godfather Michael!

TOP MOVIES TO WATCH ON VALENTINE'S DAY

The best kind of love stories, my personal belief, is the one that contains a good amount of angst and my selection below contains just that. Check them out!

SABRINA (1954)

My favorite movie of all time and cannot stop re-watching; about a love triangle between two wealthy brothers and Sabrina, the beautiful and very sweet daughter of their chauffeur. There's a 1995 remake and that's one worth watching too. (Humphrey Bogart & Audrey Hepburn) (1995: Harrison Ford & Julia Ormond)

Memorable line:
Sabrina: It's so strange to think of you being touched by a woman. I always thought you walked alone.
Linus: No man walks alone by choice.

(remake)
Linus to Sabrina: I think you know I love you

AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER(1957)

I first heard of this film while watching Sleepless in Seattle and after seeing it on TCM, I understood why! Two people meet and fall in love on a cruise, promising to meet each other on top of the Empire State building in 6 months but alas... only one of them made it to the rendevous... (Cary Grant & Deborah Kerr)

Memorable line:

Nicky to Terry: There must be something between us; even if it's only an ocean

JANE EYRE (1983)

Charlotte Bronte's story about a governess who falls in love with her employer and vice versa is a popular watch and read on Val's day. It has many adaptations but I recommend the 1983 version starring Timothy Dalton & Zelah Clarke

Memorable line:
Edward to Jane: Jane, you strange, almost unearthly thing... I love you!

THE NOTEBOOK (2004)

The very moving story of two people of different classes who fall in love in the 1940's is definitely a must watch! (Ryan Gosling & Rachel McAdams)

Memorable Line:

Allie: Do you think our love can take us away together?

Duke/Noah: I think our love can do anything we want it to do.

THE PROMISE(1979)

Another story about a couple of different classes; the main antagonist being a snobbish and evil mother who succeeds in separating the couple after a car accident that ruins the heroine's face. I'm not talking about the Bollywood remake Yeh Vaada Raha starring Rishi Kappor & Poonam Dhillon but the original starring Stephen Collins & Kathleen Quilan and later novelized by Danielle Steel.

Memorable line:

Michael: How can I believe such a thing as beauty could die?

Nancy/Marie: Michael... (they kiss)

HOW STELLA GOT HER GROOVE BACK(2001)

A business woman in her 40s meets a 20 something young man while on holiday. A fling or is he the one??? (Angela Bassett & Taye Diggs)

Memorable line:

Stella to Winston, in reply to his earlier marriage proposal: Yes... Yes!

(They hug and kiss)

GHOST(1990)

Keep the tissues handy for this moving story. A man is murdered during a robbery but his ghost keeps watch over his beloved girlfriend as the man responsible for his death is still very much around.
(Patrick Swayze & Demi Moore)

Memorable line:
Sam to Molly (as he's about to go to heaven): It's amazing Molly... the love inside, you take it with you.

SOMETHING NEW(2006)

An interracial couple meet on a blind date and fall in love afterwards but the heroine has to listen to her heart and decide what she really wants; not listen to the opinions of her friends and society. (Saan Lathan & Simon Baker)

Memorable Line:
Kenya: You're the one I want Brian, I love you.

Brian: I love you too Kenya, I never stopped loving you. (kisses her)

TIM (1979)

Starring Mel Gibson in one of his earliest roles and Piper Laurie, it's the story about a 20 something rather mentally challenged young man who falls in love with his employer/mother figure; a businesswoman in her 40s; much to the dismay of his older sister.

Memorable moment: Tim and Mary walking along the beach after affirming their love.

PRIDE & PREJUDICE

Jane's Austen's tale of a spirited young woman who falls for a rich snob after an initial dislike for him is always a must watch for Val's day. I recommend the 1995 version starring Colin Firth & Jennifer Ehle.

Memorable Line:
Liz: Perhaps I didn't always love him as well as I do now but in such cases as these a good memory is unpardonable.

MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE(1999)

A columnist finds a message in a bottle and tracks down the writer, a widower. They fall in love but he still has trouble letting go of the memory of his late wife. (Kevin Costner & Robin Wright Penn). Adapted from the best selling novel of the same name, written by Nicholas Sparks

Memorable Line:
Garret: Teresa, I don't want to lose you.

Teresa: Then don't.

YOU'VE GOT MAIL(1998)

Two business rivals reluctantly and gradually fall in love with each other, at the same time unaware they are each other's online penpal. (Tom Hanks & Meg Ryan)

Memorable Line:

Joe: Don't cry ShopGirl, Don't cry...

Kathleen: I wanted it to be you, I wanted it to be you so badly! (They kiss)

NOTTING HILL(1999)

A simple, unassuming travel bookstore owner falls in love with a movie actress. Will their love overcome the obstacles between them? (Hugh Grant & Julia Roberts)

Memorable Line:
Anna to William: I'm just a girl, standing in front of a boy... asking him to love her.

THE THORN BIRDS(1983)

A forbidden but long lasting love between the only daughter of a sheep station manager and the parish priest who later became a cardinal. (Richard Chamberlain & Rachel Ward)

Memorable Line:

Meggie: Do you know how terrifying it is, that power you have over me?
Ralph: How could I fail to know? (kisses her)

50 FIRST DATES(2004)

An aquarium vet falls for a lovely girl who has short term memory so he goes out of his way to make her fall in love with him and remind her of their past encounters... every day. (Adam Sandler & Drew Barrymore)

Memorable Line:

Henry to Lucy: You're the girl of my dreams and apparently, I'm the man of yours.

SWAN PRINCESS(1994)

A prince goes in search of his fiancee- believed dead- not knowing she is under a spell.

Memorable Line:

Odette: Will you love me Derek, till the day I die?
Derek: No, much longer than that Odette, much longer. (they kiss)

PRETTY WOMAN(1990)

A hooker and a cynical business man unexpectedly find love with each other (Richard Gere & Julia Roberts)

Memorable Line:
Edward: So what happens after he climbs up and rescues her?
Vivian: She rescues him right back (They kiss)

THIS YEAR'S HALLOWEEN PICK

Comments by ZingerBug.com

We don't celebrate Halloween here in Nigeria- no scary decorations outside our house and trick-or- treating yet some us mark the occasion in the little way we can. I for one do the same thing every year; read a scary book e.g Tales from Edgar Allan Poe, Ghost Stories and some of Stephen King's stuff- Skeleton Crew, Pet Sematary and The Shinning. And then the scary movies; I've gone through Hell Raiser, Interview With The Vampire, Evil Dead, Friday the 13th and last year was Child's Play. This year (and I hope I'll be able to sleep!) my selection is the scary and unappreciated 1995 Tales From The Hood.

A cross between Night Gallery and Creepshow with some elements of Twilight Zone and Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction- it features a mostly African American cast, written and directed by Rusty Cundieff with Spike Lee as executive producer. Apart from the supernatural undertones; each story in this anthology movie deals with contemporary issues like child abuse, racism, corruption and trying to find redemption; grittier than any horror movie I've watched over the years and while it had good reviews from some; others gave it bad ones, which I don't understand- it's not like violence and strong language isn't present in other horror movies and when it first came out it was called a 'black horror' movie, which disgusted me; this is a movie where the focus is more on African Americans and then it's just dismissed as a 'black horror movie'. It's not like there's been a lot of African Americans in the horror films of the past- lead characters that is. And so far the few horror film with a dominant African American cast include Blacula and Vampire In Brooklyn(and this one had some comic elements in it); instead to just embrace it , they just diss it.
I've always like anthologies so I chose this movie as my Halloween pick for this year. It's a shame it's now out of print in DVD, mine is an old, old copy but still clear in picture. Maybe next year, by God's Grace, my pick would be The Ring; I'm yet to see that. But seriously I do wish we celebrated it her, I would've dressed up as maybe Tina Turner or Little Eddie Beale or maybe even Lil' Kim!

Comments by ZingerBug.com

WELCOME 2011

Well, this is my first blog post for 2011 and by May, MY FAVORITE THINGS will be 3 years old; amazing I wasn't at all sure this blog would catch on at all but thanks to God for giving me the perseverance to continue with it and I really appreciate every visitor who not only took the time to read my posts but also left the kind comments and posts.

2010 has come and gone... along with a few loved ones I lost, my father who lost his battle to cancer and my cousin, who succumbed to tuberculosis (R.I.P). Then there was the struggle to balance a full time job with my part time studies in LAG as well as write my first novel- which I PRAY to achieve this year. But I did make several wonderful online friends and motivation to write my novel thanks to their kind comments on my online work; I feel that I'll achieve a lot in this New Year. But at the same time I don't plan on just working, reading and working some more like I did last year. For the first time in a long while, I'm going to find time and do a lot of things I haven't done before- there are a lot of them so I'm not going to bother making a list here! (laugh) but I can add two resolutions- Be a much better person and do all the good things I'm yet to do.

Happy New Year. And may the future bring out far more joy than pain to everyone. AMEN.

VALENTINES DAY: MEMORABLE COUPLES

Hi all, Happy Valentine's day once again; the season of love, friendship and reconcilation like I told a journalist from Genevieve Magazine when he interviewed me on my opinion about this special day. I also told him that Valentine's Day should'nt be limited to couples only, but friends and family exchanging loving message and meaningful-not expensive- gifts as that type is far more sincere and symbolic.
Last year, my Valentine posts had been on MEMORABLE KISSES and MORE VALENTINE'S DAY KISSES, this year it's Memorable couples. It took considerable work but I managed to get quite a collection of my favorites!
Now starting with T.V couples...

Bo Brady & Carly Manning(DAYS OF OUR LIVES). After a 16 year breakup, Carly returned to Salem just when Bo's wife Hope moved out of the house and now it seems like Bo and Carly's once all consuming love is slowly rekindling. I JUST hope I'm not wrong because I REALLY want them back together for good.

Buffy & Angel(BUFFY, THE VAMPIRE SLAYER). The unforgettable love between a headstrong vampire slayer and her more -than- 200- year old lover, Angel/Angelius who just happened to be a vampire with a soul.

Marcus and Ruth(MULHERES DE AREIA- 'Sand Women' a.k.a 'Secrets of the Sand') Marcus fell in love with Ruth at first sight but then got carried away by her seductive twin sister, Raquel. But time and several events drew him back to the woman he truly loved.

Ridge and Brooke Forrester(THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL) Despite years of breakups, other relationships, third party inteferances, this couple's love had stood against all odds. Hope it will remain that way!

Rosa and Ricardo (ROSA SALVAJE, 'WILD ROSE) Sparks flew from the moment a rich young man fell in love with the beautiful but VERY headstrong girl from the wrong side of the tracks! Despite misunderstandings and a lot of interferance, their love prevailed.

Ralph and Meggie (THE THORNBIRDS) shocking it may seem, but the forbidden yet passionate love between a Catholic priest and the young girl he took under his wing lasted for over 40 years.

Now for the movies...

Joey Drayton and John Prentice(GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER). In the movie, the two met and fell in love at the time interracial marriages was frowned upon in the U.S.(personally, I don't see how it's any of society's business). Despite initial family oppositon and future problems with society, they stood firm in their decision to be together.

Sarah and Derek(SAVE THE LAST DANCE) a lonely, bereaved girl gets consoled by an unexpected love.

Kenya and Brian (SOMETHING NEW) an uptight workaholic, looking for the perfect man ended up falling in love with a guy completely opposite to what she ever dreamt of!

Justice and Lucky (POETIC JUSTICE) Two people suffering a great loss are joined together in love.

Nickie and Terry (AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER) considered to be one of U.S greatest romance films of all time, this is about a couple who met on a cruise and fell in love, despite having prior relationships. They both agreed to meet at the top of the Empire State building in 6 months time if they were still love with each other. However, it took more than 6 months before they really got back together again.

Arthur and Guinevere (King Arthur) A Christian Roman soldier in the course of an unscheduled rescue falls in love with a Woad girl, who later became his queen.

Nero and Acte (NERO). a young prince, raised with slaves as a child, is compelled by his mother and others to marry his cousin, but his true love and voice of reason was his childhood sweetheart, who happened to be a slave. His paranoid induced deeds drove them apart but before dying in her arms asked for her forgiveness, which she readily granted, she'd never stopped loving

him.

Anne Elliot and Captain Wenworth (Jane Austen's PERSUASION) a girl is persuaded to end her relationship with a poor naval officer but when they meet again several years later, their circumstances have changed. At first Wenworth was angry and bitter towards Anne for being weak enough to listen to third party inteference but after another man starts to court her, he realised he'd never stopped loving Anne and they got engaged once again.

In LIITLE WOMEN four sisters from a poor home always managed to create fun and joy, including their neighbour, a rich but lonely boy, Laurie to share it with them. Three out of the sisters found their soul mates...

Meg fell in love with Laurie's private tutor, John Brooke.

Jo fell in love with a German professor, Fredrich Bhaer

And Amy...? Well, her soulmate turned out to be Laurie himself!

Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy (PRIDE AND PREJUDICE) a beautiful witty girl catches the eye of a rich, handsome snob but his pride and her prejudice almost prevented them from getting together but fortunately, both came to their senses.

Liz and Darcy (1940)