Judy's World: Love the Winter Olympics!

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Love the Winter Olympics!

It's figure skating heaven for me this week with the Olympics. I love having the competitions and seeing so many skaters! One of my "rich girl" fantasies is to be a figure skating groupie and go to all the competitions every year! The pairs competition finished first, and I thought the winners were spectacular. Since we don't really have great USA pairs, I was happy with the Chinese wins. I have watched Shen and Zhao for many years, and they are magnificent! The Russians have dominated the pairs for as long as I can remember, so it's nice to have somebody else for a change!

Tonight was the men's short program. I have followed Yevgeny Plushenko's career and was very happy to see his fantastic short program. I am also a great fan of Evan Lysacek, the best American, in my opinion. Another favorite, Brian Joubert of France, messed up and would have to have a phenomenal free skate to overcome it. The Japanese have created quite a strong figure skating culture, and two of their men are particularly strong.

I don't have as strong preferences for the ladies figure skaters. I think they perform first on Friday, since the men's long program is on Thursday. The ladies are the "divas" and are usually placed on the program for the maximum viewing audience. The favorite is (South) Korean Kim Yu Nah, and she is SO GOOD! There are two Japanese skaters who have been around quite awhile, her chief competition. None of the U.S. ladies seem to have what it takes right now to be serious contenders for Gold, in my opinion. But they will do us proud, just the same.

Our ice dancers, Belbin and Agosto, are very good, but the other American pair, I can't remember their names since they are new to me, (Davis and White?) have a chance, as well. Belbin and Agosto have been skating quite awhile so I have watched many of their routines. I think Tanith Belbin is just about the most gorgeous woman I have ever seen. Ice dancing is relatively new to the Olympic Games, so I have had limited exposure to it. The Italians used to be the consistent champions, so I'm looking forward to seeing if they have good competitors this time around.

I do enjoy the skiing, as well, but I don't follow that sport and don't know the big players. I'm DVRing the broadcasts so I can fast forward to the skating parts!

3 comments:

AnonymousFebruary 18, 2010 at 6:02 PM
Have you watched snowboarding? It was actually pretty cool. We watched the American guy go from fourth to first and win. It was pretty cool. Can you believe I'm actually watching the Olympics? This is our first time since we've been married.
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The GramsterFebruary 18, 2010 at 11:48 PM
I do like snowboarding. And I really like the various ski events, also. Yeah, it's hard to believe you're watching the Olympics. Watching ANY sport! You must be maturing....:)
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AnonymousFebruary 19, 2010 at 10:46 AM
By "you must be maturing" do you mean that my life has gotten so boring, and I've gotten so tired, that I've resorted to watching the Winter Olympics? That's probably the likely answer. But maybe "maturing" means getting tired and boring....
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Books and Movies

Good books recommended by Leah: Astrid and Veronika and The Women of the Silk. Don't know the authors, but really liked them both.
An Education. This is an excellent BBC movie with a positive message. Definitely PG-13, although pretty mild. I don't know that I think it's "best picture" material, or even "best actress" for her, just because I don't think the role was that demanding. But definitely a movie worth seeing and deserving of critical recognition.
Valentine's Day. It was just what I thought it would be: fluffy with too many story lines to really care about anybody, but an entertaining couple of hours. Not as bad as people are saying. Forgettable, predictable, contrived, but sometimes that's good enough!
Up in the Air. Excellent movie, George Clooney was terrific, and his character's personal journey very believable. I really liked it, would have preferred fewer F words and could have done without the brief nude female backside.
Leap Year. It was just what you would expect--predictable, dumb, and forgettable, but if that's all you expect, that's what you get. A couple of hours away from the rat race in a dark theatre, munching popcorn. Worked for me.
The Young Victoria. Emily Blunt and Rupert Friend. This was a really, really exceptionally fine film in every way. Emily Blunt was astonishing as Victoria, and the film was beautiful to watch, the characters real and interesting, and the costumes and sets simply gorgeous. I hope it gets some awards. A number of people in it deserve recognition. Five stars out of 4!
Sherlock Holmes. I have become quite a Sherlock Holmes fan from watching so many BBC episodes, so I have a very definite vision of my own about this character. I did really enjoy seeing Robert Downey, Jr., one of my favorite actors, with Jude Law, another favorite. I thought they played very well together. However, I don't see Sherlock Holmes as a super-hero, action figure, with blazing guns, lots of explosions, and fist fights with everybody! In my mind he is very cerebral, methodical, scientific, and of course, eccentric. Robert Downey, Jr. captured some of his quirks, but the whole action-packed visual chaos thing just didn't do it for me. I think they were trying to get a "blockbuster superhero" out of the Sherlock Holmes personna, and it just didn't work for me. I am glad I went; I was very curious. But Jeremy Brett remains the ultimate Sherlock Holmes, in my opinion.
Invictus: This was a great movie to see on Christmas Day. I am always inspired by men and women "of the world" who follow the promptings of the Spirit and who clearly have been foreordained to do our Heavenly Father's work with his children. I am reminded that one need not be perfect to be an instrument in God's hands; nor is it necessary that I agree with all of his or her ideas or values to recognize the good works that are done. Nelson Mandela accomplished a wonderful work, contributing immensely, I am sure, to the growth of the Church in Africa by lifting the Africans within his sphere of influence.
Twilight: New Moon. What can I say? I think the kindest thing I can say about this movie is that it was obviously not written for my age group! For the mosr sophisticated among you, may I just say, this is "Le Bad Cinema." Oh, dear, there's just too much material to get started with a description of the stupidity of it. The appropriate emotional development level for this one is probably 15 or under, but the material is totally unsuited for anybody under 21. On the other hand, I should hope that anyone over 21 wouldn't be interested in such drivel. But now if someone asks me about the book, I can say, Oh, I've seen the movie! As usual, it's "good Mormon" fiction if the characters don't sleep together. Do they sell the books at Deeret Book? I'll have to see if Sheri Dew agrees with my assessment of their immorality...
Blind Side. If you like footall, this is a football movie. If you don't like football, it isn't! It isn't too corny or sentimental, I didn't feel manipulated. Enjoyed it very much.
This is It! Michael Jackson was so incredibly talented. It was really fun to see him working with the cast and doing bits and pieces of his greatest hits. If you recognize his talent and creativity, you'll like this documentary.
Everybody's Fine. Very good movie. Family angst, probably everyone who grew up in a normal family can relate to. This one is happier than most such tales--family not quite so dysfunctional as the usual movie family. Loved it, DeNiro is superb.
Bright Star. This is the true story of poet John Keats's love affair with Fanny Brawne in 1818. It is beautifully filmed, with well-developed characters and marvelous acting. I loved it, and it's rated only PG. A must-see for anyone who enjoys quality cinema. It was a feast for my soul.
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs Very clever and visually exciting adaptation of the favorite book. I quite enjoyed it, and it must be spectacular in 3D!
The September Issue. The Devil Wears Prada pretty much got it right. This documentary of Vogue editor Anna Wintour toned it way down but it was fun to watch and thank goodness none of us are working at Vogue.
Fame. OK, it's a corny remake of an old movie, but the kids are attractive and interesting and it was just kind of a no-brain feel good film. Thumbs up.
My One and Only. It was very fun, lots of nostalgia stuff, highly recommended.
Julie and Julia. Loved it twice!
500 Days of Summer This was a fun indie film which I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.
The Proposal OK, Sandra Bullock always plays the same kind of parts, but this was fun enough and a "feel good." OK, my son says it's not "clean" but it was basically unobjectionable from my perspective.

Judy's World

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Love the Winter Olympics!

3 comments:

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