Happy New Year! (early)

In this part of the world, they call it Hogmanay, but it's still New Year's Eve! We'll be in Edinburgh tomorrow, listening to the New Year's bells a full six hours earlier than family and friends in America. Hope you all have a healthy and happy New Year's Eve. And don't forget to cheer on the Illini at the Rose Bowl on New Year's day!

I-L-L!!!

I-N-I!!!

300th Post!!!

Yippee!!! Hooray!!! I think I'll celebrate with a single, completely random picture. A picture of the greatest made-up band in the world:

Have You Gone Yet?

Now officially receiving the BingBongBoom! seal of approval, garnering 4 stars upon first viewing, is 'I Am Legend.' If you still haven't seen it yet*, you're mad. It's fantastic, and I left the theater in a movie haze of epic proportions (ie, I could only blather on about the amazing intricacies of the film for the next thirty minutes before taking a breath).

Will Smith is spellbinding, sharing the screen with no one for 2/3 of the movie. I didn't see 'Pursuit of Happyness,' so I don't know how this performance compares. I also don't know how the Academy couldn't recognize this one with another nomination. (Oh wait, yes I do: because it's a 'horror' movie--but it's really not. They really need to get off their old butts and start expanding their selection criteria to more than just 'drama.')

*Yes, yes, I know I was late in seeing it, too, but it came out the night before we high-tailed it to Scotland, and it just came out yesterday on this side of the pond. I also got to pay just over $10 to see it--no thanks to the strong £ and weak $.

Hope it was Jolly

Unfortunately, the Christmas posts come to an end for another year. I do hope you took some advice from me along the way, whether it be watching one of my Top 10 Christmas Films, trying a new Christmas recipe, or staying away from Wal-Mart. I got to experience another wonderful Christmas dinner last night here in Scotland, and I got to sample that rarest of British delicacies: the roasted potato done up in goose fat (--just like Nigella and Jamie like 'em). Our treasure troves of gifts started at 11:00 and finished at 2:45, but it wasn't all about greed and toys over here (even though I did get some toys for the first time in years!). It's about being with family and loved ones, and I hope all of you got to do that yesterday.

Onwards to New Year. Here's a hint for a happy one: don't make a resolution, cause then that will be all you think about, and you'll feel bad if you fail at it, and just don't do it. Be happy for health, love, and hugs instead!

The Verdict is In

The Doctor's voyage on the Titanic was much better than Giardano's!




I can now say this officially after spending last Christmas night watching the Doctor Who Christmas Special, 'Voyage of the Damned,' live on the BBC. Yes, much more enjoyable than watching Rose holding on at the end of that epic Jim Cameron film. It also had Kylie doing a lovely British accent, and a short guy with a red, spiky head. (Buuuuuuut, I think Boom Boom Mason's 'Titania' is still heads and toes above them all.) What is rubbish though is that tawdry Brit soap, EastEnders, beat out the Doctor in ratings last night. I think he needs to take that sonic screwdriver of his and wipe the whole soap out. (Honestly, it's HORRIBLE.)

Giddy with Excitement

It's almost here...

THE BEST DAY OF THE YEAR!!!

Your shopping better be done. You better not even think of waltzing into Wal-Mart. You should be sipping hot cocoa, relaxing with family, and kicking your feet up to some Christmas tunage. Yes, that's what you better be doing. If I hear otherwise, I shall not be happy. :)

Top 10 Christmas Movies

I won't say it was easy. I won't say it was quick. I won't say it didn't produce blood, sweat, and tears (cause it did, oh, it did). BUT, I've finally done it: I have compiled my list of the Top 10 Christmas Movies ever made ever. Drumroll please...

10. Smoky Mountain Christmas: Dolly Parton, country Christmas songs, a John Ritter cameo, and Phoebe from Monster Squad...a true timeless classic from the good people at ABC.

9. Home Alone: I even admit that I got kind of annoyed with Kevin's screaming, but now when I watch it over again it's great to see Kevin discover the true meaning of Christmas...and hear Daniel Stern's girly scream in the middle of it.

8. Scrooged: Bill Murray + Christmas=why didn't they come up with this before 1988?

7. A Charlie Brown Christmas: Martin says this doesn't count, because it's a 30 minute TV special, but oh, well says I! I still cry when they read out the Christmas story at the end.

6. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (movie): Ha! I thought in 1999 when I toured the movie lot with Catherine. Jim Carrey and Ronny Howard doing the Grinch? Pathetic! Um, not really. It's awesomely perfect: the back story they give the Grinch, the Who's makeup, the music, everything! Even Carrey's physical acting was perfect for this gem.

5. One Magic Christmas: One from my youth. I talked about it yesterday, and yes, it still makes me cry.

4. Love Actually:...is all around. A modern-day classic with a one of the greatest ensemble casts ever put together. It is for mature audiences, but once you're of age, even the most cynical Christmas hearts will love it.

3. A Christmas Carol (with George C. Scott): Sorry Sims fans, but Patton got it goin' on in my Christmas opinion. A small CBS TV film from 1984 stole my heart as a child, and it's still one of my fave Christmas movies to pull out on Christmas Eve. Plus, I got to meet David Warner in 1999--my favorite Bob Cratchitt (and I think he was chuffed I remembered him for that role).

2. Elf: You knew it was coming! Will Ferrell, smiling is MY favorite, and I do it every time I watch the entire 90 minutes of this holiday classic. I think you made it just for me.

1. It's a Wonderful Life: Nothing will ever compare. George Bailey, you really do have a wonderful life, and thank you for reminding us every Christmas how precious life is. This Capra classic teaches us to be thankful for what we have, and no Christmas Eve would be complete without this reminder.

There it is, folks! I hope you've enjoyed. I do want to give an honorable mention to the Ant & Dec Christmas Special (with special guests Ricky Gervais and Robbie Williams) I mentioned the other day, because it is the best variety show type Christmas special I've ever had the privilege to watch. I don't know if I'll ever get to see that gem again, but I want to start a campaign to get it on DVD. If Tom Jones' Christmas specials are on DVD, this one definitely should be, too...even if there aren't any go-go dancers (or maybe that should read 'especially since there aren't go-go dancers!').

BBB! Salutes Mary Steenburgen

That's right, folks, Mary Steenburgen! Ted Danson's better half, part of the best trilogy in film history, and co-star of two of the finest Christmas films ever made! We wanted to take time out of our busy holiday schedule here at BingBongBoom! to salute one of Hollywood's oft-overlooked actress, Ms. Steenburgen. Her performance in 1985's One Magic Christmas was simply wonderful. It was so subtle and refined. You wanted to help her out so badly! In fact, I still try to talk her into the Christmas spirit everytime I watch that awesomely underrated Christmas movie. And let us not forget that instant holiday classic from 2004 Elf. You all know it's one of my favorites, and her quiet performance of Buddy's stepmom is inspiring: she accepts Buddy without question and strives to make him an integral part of her family (even though scary Jimmy Caan wants to deny him a place in his polished NYC brownstone fam).

Thank you, Mary Steenburgen, for making my Christmas holidays more enjoyable since 1985! I salute you!

What Are You Doing to Get Ready?

Well, if it was the Christmas of 2005, I would be watching Ant & Dec's Christmas Special with special guest Robbie Williams (and his good friend, Jonny). Buuuuuuuuut, since it's not 2005, I've got other things planned. For instance, wrapping presents! That always gets me in the mood for the Big Day. Read on to find out what you can do from the comforts of your home, while out and about, or when with special in-laws (like I am!):

1. Go to foodnetwork.com and find some special, new holiday treat to incorporate into your Christmas traditions. Be bold; be brave; just do it! (Ina would.)

2. Make a Christmas mix CD/playlist. (I suggested this last week, so who took me up on it?) What's that? You've NEVER done that before!?! Shame on you! If you don't know what to do, contact me or my mix buddies of old: Hosefy and Brian from Pages. They ALWAYS know what to put on a quality Christmas mix...and those are the only two I know who might own more Christmas music than me.

3. Go to your local bookstore (Pages if you're in Champaign), bring your favorite yuletide tome, listen to the holiday music piping through the stereo system, and embrace the Christmas embience. Ahhhhhhh!

4. Empty your RV waste into a sewer system. Oh wait! That's just Cousin Eddie. Um, well, why not give it a whirl anyway?

5. Speaking of whirls...try a new microwave dinner. If you're too lazy to go to the lengths of an Ina recipe (or find yourself home alone), follow Kevin McCallister's cue.

6. Watch Elf.

7. Spread Christmas cheer by singing loud for all to hear. :)

8. Read from the Tall Book of Christmas on Christmas Eve.

9. Don't go to the mall!!! It'll be crazy, you run the risk of getting run over by an insane mom with her crying baby in a pram, and you'll leave with no Christmas spirit whatsoever. Just don't do it. (Seriously, I'm begging you.)

10. Watch Elf.

Hope you have fun!!! I highly recommend numbers 6 and 10 myself.

ONE WEEK, BABY!!!

That's right, folks! Only one week until the best day of the year! I'm chillin', maxin', and relaxin' in Scotland where it's oh-so-Christmasy! (OK, there were two pop culture references there. Extra friend bonus points to whomever can get BOTH.) The house on Taylors Road smells of the beautiful fresh tree (I really should look into getting one of them--but my artificials can stay up so much longer), but there is no snow on the ground. Of course the first Christmas in years it snows in the 'Paign, and I miss it! Well, that's okay, because I get to see the Doctor on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day...not that he's the reason we came over for Christmas...um, no, not at all. ;)



WOW! Is anyone tracking this? I don't even think I am!



Just know I'm hoping all of you are getting geared up and ready to celebrate! I also hope all my lil kiddies are doing well back at the school without me. That's right: I played hooky all this week! And the feeling is GLORIOUS! More Christmas fun from me tomorrow!

Tis the Season

For vampires and zombies!?! Well, I'm always game for such, so I'm goin', you're goin', we're all goin'. Have fun at "I Am Legend" tomorrow. The book's ace. I just hope Will Smiff provides.


Movie Website
Buy the book
Movie showtimes

What the SHIZ is Wrong with Me!?!

Um...hello! How could I forget to mention the ROSE BOWL!?! I really have been out of it. Anyhoo...Illini gonna represent; Illini gonna get whooped; but Illini gonna have LOTS of fun!!! Too bad there's not Illini beer anymore. I might actually drink that stuff, and I bet it went down so smooth, too. ;)


There's gonna be lots of Chief Rose Bowl stuff, right, Jacob? Oh, wait...Kudos to the News-Gazoo for having the super fan pics from our 1984 visit.

May 22, 2008

I'm still looking forward to Christmas, but I didn't think it would hurt to look forward to May 22. The new Indy poster has been revealed with the release date. I like that Mr. Ford doesn't look old in the poster--one good reason to always be illustrated after the age of 45. Check it out and lemme know what chu tink.

Preparing for the Holidays

I've been so busy preparing for Scotland that the posts have fallen off a bit. That's right, folks! We will be traveling across the pond again for a holiday visit! We are so excited.

Christmas has definitely taken over BingBongBoom! headquarters. There's a tree in almost every room, with a new one added to the roster: a penguin tree! Yippee! Hooray! I hope everyone is having as much fun as I am getting ready for the best day of the year.


If you're wondering what to do, though, here are just a few ideas to get you in the mood:

1. Make a Christmas mix CD.
2. Go buy another tree and theme it up! Be creative: White Stripes, Illini, Doctor Who, penguins, whatever floats your boat. Submit your theme trees, so I can share them!
3. Watch a Christmas movie. Um...there are too many to name here. Check out last year's December posts for a list.
4. Make someone an ornament! It's fun, simple, and cheap! Breeze by your local Hobby Lobby or Prairie Gardens for an 80 cent ornament and paint pen. It's fun and will make someone you love smile.
   
5. Sing a Christmas song loud for all to hear!!!
   

A Doctor Who Advent

Well, it's December 1, and what could be better than an Advent Calendar filled with chocolate? An Advent Calendar filled with special Doctor Who messages! The holiday greetings will come from the set of the Christmas special, co-starring everyone's favorite Aussie angel, Kylie Minogue. Go to the official Doctor Who website to keep up with the daily Advent greetings. This just makes counting down for Christmas even more exciting. YIPPEE!