Movies, like any art form, have the power to evoke, inspire, question and elate. These are some of our favorite picks in random order, along with a few goodies inspired by these flicks. Our Exuberant Pairings are a great gift idea - grab a movie in the theme of your gift of choice and take both to share with the lucky recipient. A meaningful gift to remind them of that special or "just because" moment you helped them celebrate!
1.
Bottle Shock: There are certain moments in history when America has proven itself to th
e world. One such moment, however, never got the recognition it deserved - the famo
us 1976 'Judgment of Paris' tastings, which changed the history of wine forever. Told through the lives of a father who sacrificed everything to create the perfect hand-crafted chardonnay and an unwitting British wine shop owner who hoped to revive his own failing Parisian business by sponsoring a competition which pitted the traditional French powerhouse against the California upstarts.
:
blind wine tasting kit to test even your most know-it-all friends
2.
Son of Rambow: A love letter to the movies set in the 1980s. Will is a shy young boy who
is different from other kids because of his family’s religion which does not allow
him to have friends at school or watch television. He gets into a fight with Lee, a tough kid constantly getting into trouble. Lee forces Will to help him make a homemade version of FIRST BLOOD. After watching the original, Will is captivated and writes his own sequel, casting himself as the son of “Rambow”. The boys use imagination and grit to launch the project and bond as blood-brothers. Soon the entire school wants to participate, including the ultra-cool French exchange student, jeopardizing the integrity of the production as well as Will and Lee's growing friendship.
:
a little camo coverage for boys and
grown-up camo for dad
3.
Paris, Je T'aime: Eighteen famed directors present his or her own short story for this
cinematic homage to the City of Light. A slew of indie actors come together for these
pieces, each featuring a different cast of characters. Each tale is markedly unique and specific to the quirky style of its director with some relying on sparse dialogue and vivid imagery. Mysterious and magical, evoking the city’s romance and longing.
:
puzzling love in pewter
4.
Vitus: Vitus is a 12-year-old boy who seems to be from another planet--he has heari
ng like a bat, plays piano like a virtuoso and studies encyclopedias. His love of flying and mischief
offers him a chance at a normal childhood; but when Vitus employs a ruse, his future as a piano virtuoso falls at risk.
:
classic instruments help develop an ear for sounds, strengthen dexterity, reinforce color identification
5.
Love Actually: Cynics believe we live in a world of hatred and greed. Love actually,
the equal-opportunity mischief-maker, is causing chaos for all. Laughter, havoc, heart-break, choice and risk - exciting, unexpected, inconvenient and inexplicable. Set in London,
this ultimate romantic comedy weaves together a spectacular number of love affairs into one amazing story.
:
modern portable totes travel in style
6.
WALL-E: One of the most moving love stories, this animated film with virtu
al
ly
no dia
logue features a photorealistic world. Amidst a desolate and polluted future Earth, WALL-E the robot and his pet cockroach are the last living things on Earth. WALL-E allocates and disposes human waste for 700 years simply because no one turned him off when the human race left the now-hostile planet. Eve, an assertive automaton crashes from above, becoming the object of his infatuation. At the drop of a hat, the tender and inquisitive little guy follows her back into the dangerous unknown.
:
flower planting kit in biodegradable bag spread green
7.
Joyeux Noël: Based on a true event during World War I, this is a touching tale of an
u
n
likely, if fleeting, reconciliation amidst battle. Trenches occupied by French and Scottish troops lay a mere hairbreadth away from their German counterparts, to the point where an alarm clock in the French trench can be heard in all three dugouts. Suddenly, and entirely accidentally, Christmas Day brings a magical moment of humanity event to war history.
:
soccer-themed reusable water bottle soccer, the international sport
*Film descriptions referenced from IMDB and RottenTomatoes.
I couldn't live without trees. There is nothing quite like the pattern of light and leaves when you look up through the boughs of woods, the soft rustling of leaves as the wind passes through, or their fiery autumn hues. My husband and I are very fortunate to have a few large picture windows facing trees and prefer nature-inspired decor. This great idea from the folks at MarthaStewart definitely give rooms the treehouse effect with a graphic, modern aesthetic. Let's just hope it's critter-free and has eco-friendly potential. The pooch better not get any funny ideas!
