Take Me to the Movies

For Writer's Post Blog Hop #19.

I have a lot of favourite movies - 'The American President' (Michael Douglas and Annette Benning) is a feel-good movie which makes me laugh, 'Apollo 13' always makes me cry (with relief, not sadness). Love Hugh Jackman in 'Australia' (even though it was panned by the critics) and in the time-travel 'Kate and Leopold' too, and adore Colin Firth in whatever movie (but especially as Darcy in the BBC's 'Pride and Prejudice').

In the end, however, I have to go with my all-time favourite Martin Sheen. I fell in love with him 30+ years ago when I first saw him playing John Dean in 'Blind Ambition' and then playing JFK in the 'Kennedy' mini-series in the late 70's - and, of course, more recently as President Jed Bartlet in 'The West Wing' TV series.

However, my favourite Martin Sheen movies are those from the 1980's when he was a VERY attractive 40+ year old. None of them particularly well known, but all worth watching - Judgement in Berlin, The War at Home (with his son Emilio), Shattered Spirits (heart-reading portrayal as an alcoholic) and Wall Street.

My favourite from this time is a low-budget but delightful movie called 'Da' which I have watched countless times. Martin plays Charlie, a New York playwright who returns to his Irish home when his father dies. Much of the movie shows flashbacks from Charlie's thoughts, about his sometimes difficult relationship with his father as he reminisces and eventually finds reconciliation. It alternates between sadness and humour and can have you laughing and crying at the same time.

It was filmed in Ireland, with most of the location filming being done in the small towns of Dalkey and Bray, a few miles south of Dublin. I had a lot of fun tracking down some of the locations - here are some of them (with a screen shot from the movie, and my own shot of the same location):

If you can't find the DVD of 'Da' someone has put the whole movie (in instalments) on YouTube - it's well worth watching for a real feel-good movie.

7 Things About Me

Many thanks to Jarmara Falconer for this award.

To earn it, I have to tell you seven things about myself, so here goes:

1.  My favourite part of England is the Lake District (have set my second novel 'Fragrance of Violets' there) - love the mountains, lakes, villages and small towns.

2.  My favourite country is Ireland - went there in 2007, fell in love with it, and have been back 8 times since then.  Going again later this month, to Galway for 5 days and Bray for 2 days.

3.  My favourite city is Berlin - love the sense of history there, covering so many different eras.

4.  My favourite colour is blue - my eyes are blue, my school uniform at both junior and high schools was blue, and I was a Girl Guide leader for many years, with yet another blue uniform.  And whenever I'm shopping for clothes, I always seem to be drawn to anything blue.  Love blue skies too!

5.  My favourite actor is Martin Sheen (and has been for over 30 years).  Loved his portrayal of Jed Bartlet in 'The WestWing' and have just seen his latest film 'The Way' about a group of pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago in Spain, which I really enjoyed.  Don't miss it!

6.  My favourite book is 'The Sunne in Splendour' by Sharon Penman.  For me, it is THE definitve book about Richard III and the Wars of the Roses, meticulously researched and bringing all the characters to life.

7.  Last but not least, my favourite food is English fish and chips - with mushy peas of course.






And now I have to pass on this award to 7 more bloggers - but how to choose?  I can't possibly choose from among all the friends I have made during the A-Z Challenge, so if you make a comment here (and you don't already have this award), then please pick it up from the sidebar - and remember to earn it by listing 7 things about yourself!