My 30th birthday and blog progress!

Today is my 30th birthday!  My original plan was to watch all 1001 movies from the list by today, but that obviously didn't happen, and I really didn't think I was going to do it.  When I started this blog in February 2013, I was suffering from a nerve disorder and confined to a wheelchair.  I was in constant pain and often had seizures as well.  Since I couldn't go out or play sports or anything, I had to find something to occupy my time.  Also, with my autism, I often prefer being alone than in crowded indoor areas.

I looked at many small film lists and then I came across the really really big list - The 1001 films you must see before you die.  And I thought, that sounds really morbid, but I'm in pain in a wheelchair, am I really living?  How long would this take me to do? 30 sounds like a nice round number, I'll pick that.  After having several surgeries, I wasn't entirely sure I would make it 30 so I would try to watch what I could while I had the time.

Not only did I have several surgeries, but I had rehab and lots of therapy.  I learned what triggers my seizures and try to avoid them, which isn't always possible but I no longer rely on medication every day.  After 3 years of constant work, I can now walk completely unassisted.  And after being told by a fertility clinic it was impossible for me to have kids, I am now expecting a baby due in October.

I am so happy at everyone who stops by my blog, and I enjoy reading your comments.  I also enjoy reading many other film reviewer's blogs as well.  I have been pain free for almost a year now.  It feels really great.  I am now watching films as my schedule allows me.  When my baby is born I will retire to being a full time mom, which I am excited about.  This will also allow me to spend more time with my daughter.

The Earrings of Madame de...(1953)

Today's film is The Earrings of Madame de... .  The main lessons we take from this are don't cheat on your spouse and don't lie either.

Madame de's first name is Louise, and her last name is never revealed.  So we'll just call her Louise.  She's very rich and pretty, but at the same time greedy and selfish and a shopaholic as well looking at her closet.  She's amassed quite a bit of shopping debt so she decides to pawn her earrings.  Everyone at some point in time has had to pawn something to pay off a bill.  The struggle is real.  However, the earrings she chooses were a wedding present from her husband, even though she's not fond of the style.

The whole problem comes from Louise's inability to tell the truth.  Her husband is obviously wealthy, but has no idea of what debt she may owe or why.  Well we know why - she shops too much but he doesn't know that.  It's not like they had online bank receipts back then.  She makes this huge show about losing her earrings at a theatre so much that it makes the news.  But her lie is revealed quite quickly.  Now that her husband has the earrings, he gives them to his mistress who is traveling to Constantinople.

Let's talk about how awful Louise and her husband's relationship really is.  They not only sleep in separate beds, they're straight up sleeping in separate rooms.  He had a mistress, and she's sweet on a hot Italian diplomat named Donati.  And they have no problem constantly lying to one another.

One of the reasons Louise falls for Donati is because he dances with her at every social gathering.  Certain husbands refuse to dance with their wives and it can be frustrating.  We don't care if you "don't have rhythm", if you don't dance with us we'll find someone who will.

Donati purchases the diamond earrings and gives them to Louise, not knowing they were originally hers.  This makes her husband hella mad.

Louise's husband becomes jealous of her love interest and challenges him to a duel.  This isn't fair because he's a general with combat training and a duel isn't going to be a challenge.  So, her husband thinks its okay to have a mistress but his wife can't even look at another man?  Typical men.  He shoots Donati and kills him with one shot.  Meanwhile, Louise tries to stop them but she is too late.  I think the film is very well shot, and the costumes are beautiful.  I will give it an 8/10.

Safe (1995)

Today's film is Safe.  It's about a wife who is sick and tired of being sick and tired.  And I can relate that.  I haven't watched any films in over a month because I am expecting a baby!  The fatigue and nausea makes it hard to stay up and focus on anything, especially long movies.  We don't know if it is a boy or girl yet, but we will find out in a few weeks.

Carol the housewife is easy to relate to because there's nothing unique about her.  She's a generic housewife with a great house and a great husband.  She develops a mysterious illness out of nowhere.  Is it depression?  Is it allergies? What could it be?

Carol later finds out that the chemicals of modern living are what is making her sick, so she goes to a retreat out in the country to find healing.  Personally I think her symptoms are psychosomatic, and maybe a few weeks in the fresh air will do her good.  We last see her looking in the mirror saying "I love you".  That is the first step to feeling better.  She may need treatment for anxiety as well.  It may take her a while to get better, but health is always a journey.  I like how it doesn't present her illness as some weird science fiction disease, but leaves it open to interpretation.  I will give this film a 9/10.