A Game of Thrones Gift Ideas (2015)

Game of Thrones Gift Ideas
This Christmas we gave the gift of A Game of Thrones, LOL. One son asked for two items in particular and he asked and **POOF** he received because we always give him what he wants...no, that's not true at all! Now that my two sons are grown up, they don't generally ask for anything specific for Christmas.
This year when asked the first son said he wanted boxers and yes, he did receive some boxers. They were NOT Game of Thrones themed but they certainly could have been!
The other son asked for coffee mugs that would fit in his coffee machine and a very specific t-shirt. If you guessed that the specific t-shirt was from the Game of Thrones, you were right and the request for that shirt also led to a Game of Thrones coffee mug, as a matter of fact the "The North Remembers" mug shown right here to the left of this text.
In the end, we decided that we WOULD purchase those two A Game of Thrones (AGOT) things for BOTH of our 'boys' for Christmas and we are big board gamers so we added a copy of the popular Game of Thrones Board Game from Fantasy Flight Games.
Combined, you could say these items made an official Game of Thrones Christmas or at the very least a very nice AGOT themed gift set!
You, too, can put together a similar gift set for someone you are buying for either at Christmas, a birthday or at another special occasion. On this page, you will find a few of the best Game of Thrones themed gift ideas we found when we went shopping for our sons.

A Game of Thrones Coffee Mug

A coffee mug is an affordable, practical gift idea.

Winter is Coming Stark Game of Thrones Coffee MugThis is what started our Game of Thrones themed Christmas giving. One of our sons asked for a Game of Thrones-themed coffee mug that would fit in his single-serving coffee machine. When we went looking, we saw many nice mugs and eventually chose the one shown above. We love the combined practicality and affordability of giving a coffee mug and the fact that it can be customized to suit someone's interests. In this case that was, of course, A Game of Thrones.




A Game of Thrones Book Boxed Set 


Five books equals a lot of reading pleasure!
Game of Thrones Leather Book Set
Of course, true Game of Thrones fans might already have read the books but if your fan has not, the books make an amazing gift idea. Of course, you could pick a single book or, for a really special gift, you could choose a complete Game of Thrones leather bound book set.
One of our sons is working his way through the books. He has to squeeze a bit of reading time in around his university studies and his Quidditch playing. It is going to take him awhile to get through all of the books but that's okay as long as he is enjoying them!
My sister-in-law HIGHLY RECOMMENDS these books. Her only issue with them is one that fans around the world can be heard saying..."When will author George R.R. Martin get on with it and get the next one written?



A Game of Thrones Movie Boxed Set

Game of Thrones - Season 1-4 Box Set Every fan will want to watch A Game of Thrones more than once and adding a quality blu-ray and DVD release to their collection will enable them to do so. As I update this page, seasons one through four are available in a single boxed set, as shown here to the right.
If your Game of Thrones fan does not already own the series, this boxed set that includes seasons one through four on blu-ray disc would make the ultimate gift idea.
Game of Thrones - Seasons 1 and 2
We were surprised to learn that the boxed set shown on the left for seasons 1 and 2 with the Funko toys was actually LESS expensive than the version WITHOUT the toys. 

Buy Seasons 1 and 2 with 
Game of Thrones The Complete Third SeasonFunko figures from Amazon.
You will need a spot on your mantle for the unusual Game of Thrones Season 3 boxed set shown on the right. It contains the blu-ray disc/DVD versions as well as a digital copy of the series.

Buy Season 3 Limited Edition boxed set from Amazon.


Game of Thrones - Season 4

If you are just after the fourth season, you might choose the boxed set shown below which comes with the Joffrey Funko Royal Wedding themed mini figure. Receiving a bonus collectible with the movies makes the set more fun.  Buy Season 4 from Amazon.


A Game of Thrones Board Game

Game of Thrones Board Game
Make sure it's the second edition!

There are several Game of Thrones available but and we did a bit of research and picked this one, the Game of Thrones Second Edition Board Game, for our son, because it ranked a bit better than the first board game. We still cannot personally confirm that this one is better than the first, and I suppose that we might never be able to compare the first and second editions of the game since we may never own the first.
Reviews say things like, "All in all this is just a fantastic board game, especially for those who are a fan of the book and TV series. For those who aren't, it's still an excellent game in and of itself, and it might introduce you to one of the greatest fantasy series of all time."

A Game of Thrones T-Shirt

Game of Thrones T-Shirt
T-shirts are also affordable, practical gift ideas.


We love the gift of a Game of Thrones t-shirt because it is affordable and practical, something that will be used and enjoyed regularly in the same manner that a coffee mug will be. This is a very popular, officially licensed HBO t-shirt.

Our 'boys' (remember they are really young adults) found our HBO shirts to be appropriately sized width wise and just long enough though if the wearer wears his jeans really low and is tall, say 6 feet or more, perhaps a bit short. The fabric of the official shirts IS a bit thinner than many typical graphic shirts but we don't find that to be an issue, as some people do in the reviews. It is, however, something to be aware of.


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If you are looking for a Game of Thrones gift idea, I hope I have given you some ideas. If I haven't provided quite the right idea, you can click right here to check out all of Amazon's Game Of Thrones gift ideas.

See you
at the movies!
Brenda


More Movie Themed Gift Ideas






Meet Vanessa Redgrave: Biography & Movies

WHO IS VANESSA REDGRAVE?


Discover Vanessa Regrave: A biography and list of movies.

(Photo by Georges Biard.)

Vanessa Redgrave is in English actress who has appeared on the stage, on the television screen and on the big screen in movie theaters. She is an award-winning actress and has won the Oscar, Emmy, Tony, Cannes, Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild and Bafta awards.

With more than 35 appearances on the stage and 80 movies to her credit, Ms. Redgrave was declared the greatest living actress of our time by Tennessee Williams and ranked as the ninth greatest actress of all time by The Stage in 2010.

In the book My Life So Far, Jane Fonda said, "There is a quality about Vanessa that makes me feel as if she resides in a netherworld of mystery that eludes the rest of us mortals. Her voice seems to come from some deep place that knows all suffering and all secrets. Watching her work is like seeing through layers of glass, each layer painted in mythic watercolour images, layer after layer, until it becomes dark - but even then you know you haven't come to the bottom of it..."

On this page, learn a bit more about Ms. Redgrave and discover some of her best movie performances. I have not seen all of her movies...yet. You?

What is Vanessa Redgrave's Family Background?


Acting, apparently, is in Vanessa Redgrave's genes. She is related to sir Michael Redgrave, Rachel Kempsen, Lynn Redgrave and Corin Redgrave. She is also the mother of Joely Richardson and Natasha Richardson and she's aunt to Jemma Redgrave.

Where Did Vanessa Redgrave Study?


Ms. Redgrave studied at the Central School of Speech and Drama in 1954 and made her first appearance in London's West End in 1958. Since then it would seem there's been no stopping her.

What Are Vanessa Redgrave's Politics?


Ms. Redgrave frequently chooses difficult roles over profitable roles. I expect this is in part, at least, due to her political activism. In the 1970s she cofounded the Workers' Revolutionary Party with her brother. She ran for parliament several times in the United Kingdom. She is a supporter of the Palestine Liberation Organization. She has served as UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. She has strong convictions and she is outspoken about them, despite the fact that they may have influenced opportunities in her professional life.

Vanessa Redgrave 60 Minute Interview


This two-part 60 Minute interview covers many of the years of Vanessa Redgrave's acting and politics. The first part is just over 6 minutes in length; the second, just under 6 minutes. Both give insight into the choices she has made in her life.





Vanessa Redgrave's First Movie


Morgan: A Suitable Case for Treatment (1966)


Morgan: A suitable case for Treatment, A Vanessa Redgrave Movie

Vanessa Redgrave's first movie was this British comedy classic, Morgan: A Suitable Case for Treatment. Ms. Redgrave co-starred as the ex-wife of a man who was obsessed with keeping her from being married to his best friend and his efforts take some bizarre turns. The movie proves that "love is eternal, sanity is relative and nothing is more dangerous than a heartsick man in a gorilla suit."

It is said that Morgan: A Suitable Case for Treatment turned David Warner and Vanessa Redgrave into overnight stars. This movie, Ms. Redgrave's first film, brought her first Academy Award nomination as well as nominations for a BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role and a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy. She won the Cannes Film Festival Best Actress Award for this role.

Movies From the 1960s

Camelot (1967)


Ms. Redgrave tied for a Kansas City Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actress in Camelot and was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in Motion Picture Musical or Comedy. Camelot was also successful movie at the box office.

Isadora (1968)


Isadora was Ms. Redgrave's second Academy Award nominated performance and also won her a nomination for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture Drama. She won the Cannes Film Festival Best Actress Award and the National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actress.

Movies From the 1970s

Julia (1977)


In Julia, Ms. Redgrave stirred up controversy when she acted with Jane Fonda as a woman fighting the Nazis. It was very successful with the critics and she was nominated for Best Supporting Actress at the Academy Awards. Her politics caused Jewish groups to demand that her nomination be cancelled. It was not, however, and she won the award taking the opportunity to make a comment during her acceptance speech that was not popular with the public.

For this movie, Ms. Redgrave won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress and also won the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture, the Kansas City Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting Actress and the Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actress.

Yanks (1979)


Agatha (1979)


Mary Queen of Scots (1971)


For her role in Mary Queen of Scots, Ms. Redgrave won a David di Donatello Special Award. She was also nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress and a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture Drama.

Movies From the 1980s


Playing for Time (1980)


Vanessa Redgrave's movie, Playing for Time

Vanessa Redgrave took on many important popular and unpopular topics. In Playing for Time, a made-for-television movie, Ms. Redgrave played a prisoner in Auschwitz, a Nazi concentration camp who was spared death because she was a performing artist and able to entertain her Nazi captors.

In a swirl of controversy, Ms. Redgrave won the part over Barbara Streisand and went on to win an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie for her role. The movie was one of the highest rated programs of 1980.

I watched Playing for Time recently and I can highly recommend it.

The Bostonians (1984)


Ms. Redgrave won the National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actress in The Bostonians. She also received nominations for an Academy Award for Best Actressand a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture Drama.

Prick Up Your Ears (1987)


Ms. Redgrave won the New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting Actress in Prick Up Your Ears and was nominated for a BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role and a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture.

Wetherby (1985)


Vanessa Redgrave won an National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actress in Wetherby.

Movies From the 1990s


Howard's End (1992)


Ms. Redgrave was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in Howard's End.

Bella Mafia (1997)


Ms. Redgrave was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Miniseries or Television Film for Bella Mafia.

Young Catherine (1991)


Ms. Redgrave was nominated in Young Catherine for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie.

A Month By The Lake (1995)


Vanessa Redgrave was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy in A Month By The Lake.

Movies Since 2000


Letters to Juliet (2010)


Letters to Juliet stars Amanda Seyfried and Vanessa Redgrave

Letters to Juliet was a beautiful film, a thoroughly modern romantic comedy set in Italy in which Vanessa Redgrave was truly amazing. It was, as a matter of fact, her performance in Letters to Juliet that sent me looking for more information about the actress.

The story is set in Italy and features an American on vacation who discovers a letter to Juliet (of Romeo and Juliet fame) amongst the many that are left every day. However, the one she finds is decades old and has been left unanswered. She sets off on a quest to find the lovers.

Vanessa Redgrave was nominated for a Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture and for a Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Letters to Juliet.

This movie is highly recommended by me for anyone who loves armchair movies and romantic comedy films.

The Gathering Storm (2002)


For her role in The Gathering Storm, a television film, Vanessa Redgrave won the Broadcasting Press Guild Award for Best Actress and the Satellite Award for Best Actress in a Miniseries or Television Film. She was nominated for the British Academy Television Award for Best Actress, the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie, the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Miniseries or Television Film and the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie.

Atonement (2007)


In Atonement, Ms. Redgrave won the London Film Critics' Circle Award for British Supporting Actress of the Year and was nominated for the Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actress. Also available on DVD by clicking here.

Anonymous (2011)


In Anonymous, Vanessa Redgrave plays Queen Elizabeth and her performance was nominated for the London Film Critics Circle for British Actress of the Year.

Unfinished Song (2013) with Vanessa Redgrave

Unfinished Song (2013)  


"Music is the cure for the common crank."

We watched Unfinished Song this weekend, a 2013 film starring Terence Stamp, Gemma Arterton and Vanessa Redgrave and we were totally impressed with the story line and the acting. This is one Vanessa Redgrave movie that you should not miss!

In Closing...


Vanessa Redgrave is still making movies.   I do not have a count of how many movie she has appeared in but a simple search on Amazon turns up the movies listed on this page and more. You can see all of the Vanessa Redgrave movies on Amazon by clicking right here. I truly enjoy her work. How about you?

See you
at the movies!
Brenda

Quick Links To More Celebrity Reading:

Meet Roger Ebert: Two Thumbs Up Movie Critic

Please note that this page was originally written in 2012 on another website.




Summertime Movie Review

Travel to Venice with Katharine Hepburn and Rossano Brazzi in Summertime

Recently I was lucky enough to travel to Venice although this was a trip of a different sort, one made from the comfort of my favorite spot in the family room. I invited Katharine Hepburn and Rossano Brazzi to take me on a trip and they did...to 1950's Italy.

The journey was not a smooth one. Katharine Hepburn plays a woman who travels alone to Venice and seems to revel in being alone. Well, not really. That is very heavy sarcasm on my part because she is actually a very lonely woman. So lonely, in fact, that I found myself frustrated with her when she sat alone soaking up the sights in some of the most beautiful parts of the city of Venice because she was unable to accept friendly overtures.

Despite this frustration, I did enjoy my journey and peek into Venice, Italy. This page will give you a short review of the movie by both myself, other viewers and expert reviewers as well as more information about the movie including the movie trailer, which will give you a quick peek into the movie. Whether you decide to pack your bags and head out or to be an armchair traveller and grab some popcorn and a favorite beverage like I did, I am sure you will enjoy Venice in the Summertime.


Official Movie Description:

"An American spinster's dream of romance finally becomes a bittersweet reality when she meets a handsome Italian man while vacationing in Venice. Katharine Hepburn's sensitive portrayal of the lonely heroine and Jack Hildyard's glorious Technicolor photography make Summertime an endearing and visually enchanting film."

Summertime Movie Trailer:




Fast Facts Summertime:

Actors: Katharine Hepburn, Rossano Brazzi, Isa Miranda, Darren McGavin and Mari Aldon
Based On: Arthur Laurents's play The Time Of The Cuckoo
Director: David Lean
Rating: Unrated
Studio: Criterion Collection
Original Movie Release Date: 1955
DVD Release Date: September 9, 1998
Run Time: 100 minutes
Average Amazon Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars (See all reviews.)

My Review of Katharine Hepburn's Summertime in 100 Words Or Less

Summertime is a love story AND a 1950's Venetian travel film in one. Katharine Hepburn plays a spinster named Jane who arrives in Venice alone but determined to see the sights and have a good time. She is organized and definitely has a focused plan.

"Sometimes I think a schedule in Venice is just, well, all wrong," a tourist tells Katharine Hepburn near the beginning of the movie.

By the end of the movie, Jane gives up on her perfect idea of romance and falling in love. Shall I just say that this movie is made at a time when the sexual revolution had not happened yet, when America was not a free-loving country. Jane is outraged at the idea of illicit love and fearful of sharing her heart with anyone.

Take the love story in Summertime and add a strong dose of Venetian architecture, art, conversation, music, food and you have an interesting trip to Venice from the comfort of your own living room.

More Reviews of Summertime

In 1955, the New York Times said, "The beautiful city of Venice, with its ancient buildings, its winding canals, its mingling of vivid sounds and colors and its bewitchingly romantic air comes off the principal performer in David Lean's and Ilya Lopert's "Summertime."

Rotten Tomatoes says, "Lean's lushly photographed classic about an old maid (Hepburn) who falls in love for the first time while visiting Venice. American tourist Jane Hudson's lack of romantic experience makes her insatiably vulnerable to the lush beauty of Italy..."

Nick's Flick Picks said "In my lifetime of commitment to Katharine Hepburn, her starring role in Summertime remains the great riddle: I can't decide how I feel about it, and it has the odd double-effect of seeming incongruous to her star narrative, maybe even resistant to her abilities, while also illuminating more about Hepburn as actor and woman than anything else she's done, possibly excepting Little Women..."

Finally, this Amazon Customer five-star review sums up EXACTLY how I feel about Summertime: "Summertime pairs Hepburn with Italian hunk Rossano Brazzi in a delicious, sad, funny and ultimately very adult film about a Plain Jane who finds romance in Venice."

Will you be visiting Venice soon?

See you
at the movies!
Brenda

Quick Links:

Who Was Katharine Hepburn?
Audrey Hepburn's WAIT UNTIL DARK Movie Review.
A Passage To India Movie Review.
Period Drama movies on Pinterest.

Please note this post was originally written in 2010 and posted on another website.



The Adventures of Galgameth Movie Review

The Adventures of Galgameth A Medieval Family Movie. A Young Prince, A Heroic Creature, A Magical Adventure.


The Adventures of Galgameth is a coming of age movie about a friendship between a boy and a dragon. Starring Devin Neil Oatway, Johna Stewart and Stephen Macht, it was the first movie directed by Sean McNamara who went on to become a successful producer of both movies and television shows.

The Adventures of Galgameth tells the story of a teenage prince who attempts to free his land from an evil knight who has taken over the kingdom. The knight is a bad ruler and the people live a poor life, which the knight claims is the wish of the prince.

When the prince uncovers the knight's deceit, the knight decides to eliminate the prince but the prince flees, taking his dad’s final words as a guide. The King had told of the statue of Galgameth and of a dragon who would serve the individual who cries upon it...

Fast Facts About The Legend of Galgameth


ACTORS: Devin Neil Oatway, Johna Stewart and Stephen Macht
WRITERS: Sang-ok Shin, Turi Meyer, Al Septien AND Michael Angeli
DIRECTOR: Sean McNamara
STUDIO: Vidmark / Trimark
ORIGINAL RELEASE DATE: August 5, 1997
VHS RELEASE DATE: June 23, 1998
RUN TIME: 110 minutes
RATED: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)

The Adventures of Galgameth is a family-friendly movie that appeals to children because of the medieval setting and because of the dragon. It was filmed in Romania.

Blogger Dizzy Izzy says, "The movie goes by quickly. It’s very cliché and predictable but for a child who hasn’t seen as many movies as I have, they would probably still enjoy it. The movie did a good job of not insulting the intelligence of the audience or talking down to the children."

Another viewer said, "This is a great movie for the whole family. I was hooked with in 5 minutes of watching it. I can watch it over and over again and so do my kids. This is a classic, a must buy, a great movie."

A seemingly low budget film, The Adventures of Galgameth never aired in movie theatres in North America but played on the Disney Channel. It is an entertaining movie for family viewing and, despite the fact that it was a low budget film, I found myself rooting for Galgameth and the prince. I know that my boys would have enjoyed it when they were young because of the medieval setting and, of course, because of the dragon.

Unfortunately, The Adventures of Galgameth has not been released in North America on DVD. If you have a region-free player, you will be able to purchase a DVD copy but, if you do not and you want to watch this movie, you will have to purchase a VHS videotape. You can check for The Adventures of Galgameth on Amazon by clicking here.

See you
at the movies!
Brenda

Quick Links:

A Collector's Guide to Videotapes.
Welcome to Pooh Corner Review (1980s-90s)
The Star Wars Holiday Special (1978)

Please note this page was originally written and published in 2010 on another website.


Kraft's New Mac And Cheese Recipe with Star Wars Shapes

Star Wars Kraft Dinner or Macaroni & Cheese Dinner
I've been reading about it. The new formula for Kraft's Macaroni and Cheese Dinner that is.  I've just discovered that Kraft has released the new formula, which is dye free, for this very popular processed food product with this package of mac and cheese that features noodles in Star Wars shapes.  That release, of course, set to take advantage of what promises to be a really big year for the Star Wars franchise.

Kraft says that it is made with no artificial flavors, preservatives, or synthetic colors.

Testers at Huffington Post say the product looks slightly different than it did before and to be honest, it does not matter to me what it looks like. More importantly, many testers could detect no difference in taste when presented with two different recipes saying things like, "I really liked both and couldn't really tell a difference."

I am curious about what this product TASTES like and will be watching for it at the grocery store. You? Since it is a retired product, you will have to order your Star Wars Kraft Dinner from eBay by clicking here. This post was written in 2015 so if you are buying it now, I don't think it would be very edible. 

See you
at the movies!
Brenda




The Rum Diary Movie Review

Johnny Depp starred in the intriguing drama movie called The Rum Diary, which was based on the book of the same name by Hunter S. Thompson, was set and filmed in San Juan, Puerto Rico and was released on October 28, 2009. It also starred Amber Heard, Aaron Eckhart, Giovanni Ribisi, Richard Jenkins, Amaury Nolasco, Michael Rispoli and Marshall Bell.

The story is that of an American journalist who grows tired of life in New York in the late 1950s and accepts a writing job in Puerto Rico for the newspaper there. Soon he is living the life of the 1950s.  He meets an attractive American woman and her fiance who is involved in a questionable property development scheme. He eventually finds his writing voice and his integrity...

The Telegraph said, "This is a film about lunacy without the fizz of a lunatic at its heart."

Cinematic Corner said, "...it's still a very entertaining and funny ride. And there is plenty of crazy situations and drunken haze in it."

The Rum Diary is another Depp movie that was highly anticipated and with which I was disappointed. However, my disappointment stemmed from the subject matter of the film, which was grittier than I like and rated R, and not because of Johnny Depp's performance.

Watch the movie trailer here and you will quickly see how gritty this film is.



Hunter S. Thompson The Rum Diary BookIf you think you might like the movie or you want to check it out anyway, you might also consider reading the book by Hunter S. Thompson.  It was written in 1959 but only published more recently in 1998. Amazon says that the story is a high paced and exciting one and the characters are "violent, maniacal and alcoholic."  Definitely an interesting look back into the 1950s, Puerto Rico and journalism.

See you
at the movies.
Brenda

More Johnny Depp Reading:

Click here to buy the movie or the book from Amazon.

The Five Best Johnny Depp Movies on Blu-ray and DVD 

The Best Johnny Depp Pics May Be Magazine Covers

Please note that I this post was originally written for and posted on another website.


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