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This is the place for friends to talk about books, movies, music, food, and everything fun!

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Happy Thanksgiving!


Dear Readers,

My friends and I have so much to be thankful for this year! 

First and foremost, I'm very thankful to all of you for reading and commenting and recommending my blog. I do it all for you.

I'm exceedingly grateful to my blog staff, Dizzie and Alfie, who assist me with my movie reviews, and work tirelessly both in front of and behind the camera, helping me turn out new blog posts each week.

My neighbor Cali is always happy to lend an ear when I need a girlfriend to talk to, and Frank's sister Ceecee does all she can to help us, even though she doesn't get out of the house much. Thanks, girls!

I'm especially thankful for my new boyfriend, Frank. I know he is a favorite of yours, and I'm grateful to him for making so many personal appearances on the blog, despite his busy schedule of busking and cooking.

Does anyone else have something they would like to add?



Dizzie: I'm thankful The Boss gave me my first job as her blog intern, even though she doesn't pay me. I'm also thankful for car rides, my Oinkies, and my girlfriend Willow, not necessarily in that order.



Alfie Cat: I'm thankful for dumb rabbits, birds, mice, and frogs. I'm also thankful that this blog has given the entire world the chance to know and appreciate me.



Cali: I'm thankful to be part of this troupe. I take great satisfaction in helping others, and making people happy.



Ceecee: I'm thankful for my big brother Frank. He's very protective and supportive. He's also my best friend. That poodle better not break his heart, or she'll have me to deal with!



Mr. Frank: I'm thankful that I finally got the girl! Doll Face said "yes" to going steady with me. What more could I possibly want? Other than my own restaurant, and to be recognized as a talented tuba player, that is.



Lilly Faye: Thanks everyone!

Dear Readers,
Remember, we don't need a turkey and pumpkin pie, or a special date on the calendar, to be thankful for what we have. If Thanksgiving isn't celebrated where you live, you can still count your blessings, and I hope you have many, many wonderful things to be thankful for.

Love,
Lilly Faye



Monday, November 24, 2014

Lilly Faye's Movie Review: Edge of Tomorrow, starring Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt


Dear Readers,

Edge of Tomorrow, sometimes referred to as Live Die Repeat, is based on the Japanese novel All You Need is Kill by Hiroshi Sakurazaka, which was itself followed by a series of graphic novels or manga by the same name.

In the film version starring Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt, aliens have invaded earth, and all of humanity is working together to fight them. In an echo of World War II, the world's United Defense Force is trying to stop the enemy's advance across Europe. There is even a large scale beach invasion similar to Normandy.

Major Bill Cage (Cruise) is a former advertising guy brought in to sell the war effort. Cage is a coward who wants no part of it. When he challenges the general in charge, he is arrested and forced into joining a suicide mission.

Cage is killed immediately, but keeps coming back to life, reliving the same battle over and over, learning and sharpening his skills each time. Rita (Blunt), a special forces soldier who once had the ability to reset time and lost it, uses her knowledge to train Cage. With Rita's help, Cage develops into a confident, battle-hardened soldier.



Dizzie: Finally, a movie with plenty of tension and conflict! I was on the edge of my seat!



Lilly Faye: I liked Tom Cruise, because of his willingness to let himself be the butt of the joke. This movie had a lot of humor.



Dizzie: I liked Emily Blunt. Hello!



Alfie Cat: Edge of Tomorrow is basically Groundhog Day re-imagined as a sci-fi action movie. Even the female lead in both movies is named Rita.



Lilly Faye: I think that was an homage, Alfie.



Alfie Cat: And why are space aliens always depicted taking over the world? Everyone knows that cats are destined to rule the world.



Lilly Faye: Now that is scary! Time to rate the movie.



Dizzie: I liked it!



Lilly Faye: I agree, Diz. Edge of Tomorrow is fun and entertaining.


Lilly Faye's Movie Rating: Two Paws Up!



Friday, November 21, 2014

I've Got Your Soup to Keep Me Warm

Frank's place, on the coldest day of the year so far...



Mr. Frank: Ceecee, I'm ready to take my soup over to Doll Face now. I left a bowl for you on the kitchen table.




Ceecee: Thanks, Frank. Good luck! I hope she appreciates it.


Next door, in Lilly Faye's living room, a few minutes later...



Mr. Frank: I made you Butternut Squash, Cider and Apple Soup. I'll dish up a bowl for each of us.

Lilly Faye: It sure smells good, Frank. Soup is just what I need to get me through this cold weather.

Mr. Frank: Anything for you, Doll Face.



Lilly Faye: Yum, that was good! I think your soup is working already. I feel warm all over.



Mr. Frank: I hope I didn't overdo it by having that second helping.



Mr. Frank: Doll Face, I have something important to ask you.

Lilly Faye: Come up here and sit by me, Frank.



Mr. Frank: I know Jake the Briard was the love of your life, but it's been almost two years now since he passed away.



Mr. Frank: You're a gorgeous, vibrant girl, with a lot of life left to live. You shouldn't spend it alone. I was wondering if...will you be my girlfriend?



Lilly Faye: I've been waiting for you to ask me, Frank. My answer is yes. I would love to be your girl.



Mr. Frank: Really?! You've made me a very happy boy, Doll Face! 

Now that we have that settled, do you have any Gas-Be-Gone? I'm not sure butternut squash agrees with me.



Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Baby, It's Cold Outside

The phone rings at Frank's place...




Lilly Faye: Good morning, Frank. Lilly Faye here. I'm sorry, I won't be able to go on a walk with you today. The weatherman on the TV said it's freezing cold outside, and little ones like me should stay indoors.



Mr. Frank: Don't worry your pretty little head about it, Doll Face. There's no need for you to be cold with Mr. Frank around! I'll be over soon.



Lilly Faye: You don't have to rush, Frank. I'll be home all day.



Lilly Faye: Hmm, I wonder what he meant by that? Maybe I should freshen up and put on my pearls.


Meanwhile, at Frank's place...



Mr. Frank: Ceecee, where's my apron? I've got a special batch of soup to make!



Monday, November 17, 2014

Lilly Faye's Movie Review: Begin Again, starring Mark Ruffalo, Keira Knightley, and Adam Levine


Dear Readers,

In the movie Begin Again, Gretta (Keira Knightley) and Dave (Adam Levine) are singer-songwriters and lovers who are trying to establish music careers in New York City.

Gretta has a simple, stripped-down approach to everything, from her personal appearance to her style of music. Dave wants to be a rock star, filling stadiums with thousands of adoring fans.

When Gretta and Dave break up, Gretta deals with her pain by singing about her troubles in a rowdy bar, where Dan (Mark Ruffalo), a washed-up former record executive who drinks too much and still carries a torch for his ex-wife, has gone to drown his own sorrows.

Can Dan and Gretta save each other? Will they win their exes back? Will Dan's idea to make a record on the streets of New York launch Gretta's career and revive his own? The answers aren't as obvious as you may think.

Begin Again was filmed on location in New York City. The plot isn't complicated, but it's a lovely ride. Music plays a huge role in the movie, to the point that it's almost a character all its own.

What did you think of the movie, Diz?



Dizzie: Keira Knightley turned in a good, solid performance. She even did her own singing. Adam Levine was quite believable in his first big screen role. And Mark Ruffalo, come on! Who doesn't love that guy?



Lilly Faye: I really liked this movie. It was very romantic. I particularly liked the song, Lost Stars, which figures in the story in a big way.

You can hear Adam Levine's powerful version of it here: Lost Stars, from the movie Begin Again, sung by Adam Levine

And you can hear Keira Knightley's gentle version of it here: Lost Stars, from the movie Begin Again, sung by Keira Knightley

I can't get this song out of my head. I've been singing it all day!



Mr. Frank: If you love it that much, Doll Face, I could learn to play it for you on my tuba.



Lilly Faye: Really? That's kind of romantic, Frank.




Lilly Faye's Movie Rating: Two Paws Up!


Friday, November 14, 2014

November Mailbag, Thanksgiving Edition


Dear Readers,
It's been awhile since we opened up the old mailbag, so let's dive in.

Rosie the Rhodesian Ridgeback, writes: "Dear Lilly Faye, I like your turkey. What's his name?"



Lilly Faye: He isn't a real turkey, Rosie, so he doesn't have a name. Real turkeys are mean. They attack you with their spurs, and then you have to go to the doctor and get a shot. I decided to go with a paper turkey from the stationary store, instead. I think he's pretty. 



Lilly Faye: Otto the Otterhound, writes: "Dear Frank, what are you cooking for Thanksgiving?"



Mr. Frank: Thanks for your question, Otto. I plan to fry a turkey this year.



Lilly Faye: That can be dangerous, Frank. If you set the turkey fryer too close to your house, you can accidentally burn your house down!



Mr. Frank: No worries, Doll Face. That's why I plan to use your long driveway.




Alfie Cat: If anyone wants to make a rabbit stew, just let me know. Also, you're all getting a lucky rabbit's foot for Christmas.



Dizzie: Not so lucky for the rabbit!



Lilly Faye: I'm not even going to ask.

Next, Sarge the Shepherd, writes: "Cali, have you ever been in the military or served on the police force?"



Cali: I'm a civilian, Sarge, but I have been through the Citizens Police Academy, I'm a Neighborhood Watch block captain, and I guard the home front.



Lilly Faye: And she's very good at it, too. No one sneaks past Cali.

We have one last question from Chico the Chihuahua. Chico writes: "Dizzie, you talk about your girlfriend Willow all the time. Why don't we see more of her?"



Dizzie: Unfortunately, Willow lives out of town. Ours is a long distance romance, but when we get together, it's epic!



Lilly Faye: O--kay. That's all for now, Dear Readers. We always love hearing from you, so keep those cards and letters coming.

Love,
Lilly Faye