Lilly Faye's Movie Review: Rush, a film by Ron Howard, starring Chris Hemsworth and Daniel Bruhl

Dear Readers,

My friends and family know how much I love to ride in a fast car, particularly in a convertible! There's nothing like the feeling of the sun shining down on me and the wind blowing my ears straight back, while the world passes by in a blur.

So, I was looking forward to seeing Rush, and I was not disappointed. The movie captures the heart-thumping excitement and thrill of Formula One racing. All that was missing was the smell of fuel, motor oil, and burning rubber.

How would you describe the movie, Diz?

Dizzie: Lots of racing and shagging and hurling and fighting. It was good, I liked it!

Lilly Faye: Rush tells the real-life story of the epic rivalry between Austrian driver and master tactician Niki Lauda, and seat-of-his-pants driver and playboy, Englishman James Hunt.

The two men met when they were just young pups racing in Formula 3, and the movie covers the years that followed, leading to their historic battle for the 1976 Formula One Grand Prix World Championship.

Chris Hemsworth, whom you may know from his role as Thor in The Avengers, gives his all in the role of James Hunt. He largely succeeds, although he isn't quite as boyishly handsome or as charismatic as the real James. I can't think of any actor who is.

Daniel Bruhl becomes Niki Lauda, which is pretty amazing. The real Niki was known for his less than handsome looks, even before he was badly scarred while racing. 

Daniel Bruhl, on the other paw, is pretty cute. Check him out as the young violinist washed up on the beach in the film Ladies in Lavender, if you don't believe me. In fact, do yourself a favor and check it out anyway. It's an excellent movie starring Maggie Smith and Judi Dench.

Rush was made for an adult audience. It's rated R for a reason.

Dizzie: Lots of bare bums!

Lilly Faye: There is a bit of nudity, but there are also some very realistic medical scenes that may be hard for some people to stomach. I didn't have any trouble with them, but you might.

Diz, I think we know how we're going to rate this one.

Dizzie: Right, Boss!

Movie Rating: Two Paws Up! Highly recommended!

Love,

Lilly Faye

After the Oscars...Dizzie Parties the Night Away!

Dear Readers,

Happy Mardi Gras! 

I've been trying to make contact with my blog intern, Dizzie, who has been missing in action since Oscar night.

Lilly Faye: Diz, can you see me? Where are you?

Dizzie: I'm still here in Hollywood, Boss. 

I need to clear something up. I did not trip Jennifer Lawrence. She fell over me. There's a difference. Also, I did not get any pizza.

Lilly Faye: Why didn't you come home after the Oscars?

Dizzie: Clooney and his pals took me to a bunch of Oscar after-parties, and they were awesome! 

Angelina couldn't keep her hands off of me. There were trays of food and drink everywhere. 

Someone, I'm not naming names, got charged with contributing to the delinquency of a canine--that would be me. A bunch of us guys got hauled in around 2:00 A.M.

Lilly Faye: You spent the night in jail? I hope you didn't do anything to damage the reputation of the blog!

Dizzie: Relax, Boss. It was only a few hours. There was a slight misunderstanding. I thought Pharrell wanted me to have his hat. We got it all straightened out at the station.

Lilly Faye: Oh, nooooooo.........

Dizzie: Don't worry about a thing, Boss. I've already set the record straight. I explained everything to a reporter from that show, Scandalous Hollywood Insiders Tonight. 

When he showed up at the jail, I raised my paw right away and volunteered to be interviewed. I know how much you want publicity for the blog. I made sure he wrote down "A Poodle Looks at Life," and spelled your name correctly, with three Ls.

Lilly Faye: Oh, dear dawg. I'll never live this down.

Dizzie: Luckily, Sandra Bullock posted my bail. Turns out, she's a huge animal lover! She took me to the In-N-Out for a burger after we left the jail. She's a really great person. Did you know she adopts handicapped rescue dogs?

Lilly Faye: How are we ever going to explain this to THE MASTER, Diz?

Dizzie: Hopefully, we won't have to. I'll be home before you know it. Sandra offered to take me to LAX and put me on a plane. We're headed there now, as soon as she finds an earring she left here Sunday night.

By the way, can you pick me up at the airport, Boss?

Several hours later....

Oscar Night!

Dear Readers,

The Academy Awards have just concluded. Congratulations to all the winners. I know you worked hard to keep us informed and entertained throughout the year. 

I'm disappointed that Sandra Bullock and Pharrell Williams didn't take home statues, but they're still winners in my book.

It looks like Dizzie, my blog intern, is checking in for a live chat.

Welcome, Diz.

Dizzie: Surprise, Boss! I'm here in Hollywood, on the red carpet!

Lilly Faye: Oh, dear dawg! How did you get to California?

Dizzie: I found THE MASTER'S stash of frequent flyer miles. 

You should have come with me, this place is amazing! The rain stopped just in time for the ceremony. 

Lilly Faye: Have you got any behind-the-scenes information to share with us, Diz?

Dizzie: Ellen is such a kidder, and Meryl Streep smells terrific!

Lilly Faye: Dizzie, you have to come home right now, before THE MASTER figures out what you've done.

Dizzie: I can't, Boss. Clooney and the boys have invited me to go with them on an Oscars after-party crawl. They said I could be their mascot!

Lilly Faye: Promise me you won't say or do anything to embarrass me or the blog, Diz!

Dizzie: I can't hear you, Boss. It's too noisy. I'll report in tomorrow!

Oh, dear Readers, I don't have a good feeling about this.

Love,

Lilly Faye

Oscar Fever!

Dear Readers,

The Academy Awards take place this Sunday, and I couldn't be more excited! It's one of my favorite nights of the year.

Dizzie: Boss, can I talk to you?

Lilly Faye: Sure, Diz. I was just filling in my Oscar ballot. Would you like to place a bet in the office pool?

Dizzie: I thought there were only two of us working on the blog.

Lilly Faye: That's right. You and me. That gives you a fifty-fifty chance of winning the entire pot.

Dizzie: No, thanks. I can't afford it. About the Academy Awards, Boss....

Lilly Faye: They're on Sunday night. Don't forget to watch. I'm warning you right now, if Pharrell Williams doesn't win the Best Original Song Oscar for "Happy," I'm going to be one very un-happy Poodle.

Dizzie: I was thinking maybe I could go to the Academy Awards ceremony, and report from the scene, in person.

Lilly Faye: That's crazy talk, Diz. After your Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show debacle, I can't risk the blog's reputation by sending you out on your own again. 

Besides, how would you get there? If you can't afford a measly five dollars to join the office betting pool, you certainly can't afford a ticket to California.

Now, the oddsmakers have Cate Blanchett way ahead in the Best Actress category, but I really like Sandra Bullock. 

What do you think, Diz?

Dizzie: Sandra Bullock played a well-adjusted scientist who followed the rules. Cate Blanchett's character was off her rocker. Crazy always wins.

Lilly Faye: You're probably right.

Dizzie: See you Sunday, Boss.

Lilly Faye: Now where did he run off to? I was about to ask him to bring me fresh water and biscuits.

Oh well, this gives me a chance to watch Pharrell's "Happy" video again. Here's the link, if you want to watch it with me.

Pharrell Williams-Happy (Official Music Video)-YouTube

Love, 

Lilly Faye

Lilly Faye's Movie Review: Enough Said, starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus and James Gandolfini

Dear Readers,

Dizzie and I just watched the film Enough Said, starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus and James Gandolfini. 

It isn't a traditional romantic comedy. Rather, it's a realistic look at two middle-aged people trying to make an intimate connection with one another, and all of the mistakes, foibles, humor, sadness, judgements, and imperfections involved.

Enough Said was one of the last films James Gandolfini worked on before he passed away. I've always liked him, so I was surprised how easily I was able to put his death out of my mind while watching this film. The acting was so natural, and the story seemed so real, that I was totally immersed in the movie, and not thinking about anything else.

How did you feel about it, Diz?

Diz: Yep. He seemed very alive in the movie.

Lilly Faye: Yes, but what did you think about the story, Diz?

Dizzie: I don't know why humans make everything so difficult for themselves. If I'm hungry, I just snack on whatever is nearby.

When we dogs want to make friends, we just sniff each other and then wrestle or roll in the mud together.

Lilly Faye: Wood isn't a food group, Diz.

Dizzie: Well it should be. It's delicious. You don't know what you're missing.

Lilly Faye: Getting back to the movie, actresses Catherine Keener and Toni Collette, and actor Ben Falcone were also very effective in supporting roles.

You may remember Ben in the small but pivotal role of the Air Marshall in Bridesmaids. In real life he is married to actress Melissa McCarthy (Bridesmaids, TV's Mike & Molly.) Diz and I enjoyed Melissa's work in The Heat.

Diz: Yep. That was a good one.

Lilly Faye: Enough Said is not a laugh-out-loud funny movie, but it's definitely worth watching. 

Movie Rating: Two Paws Up. Recommended for teens and adults, but I wouldn't consider it a date movie unless you're over 40.

Love, 

Lilly Faye

A Working Dog's Job is Never Done!

Dear Readers,

Earlier this month I posted about Sparky Patchett, who works at Parnassus Books in Nashville, Tennessee.

Today on the Parnassus "Shop Dog Diaries" blog, Sparky's co-worker, Opie Brennan, talks about managing the bookstore. Looks like a big job! 

You can check out Opie's post and photos here:

http://parnassusmusing.net/

Don't you just love Opie's big brown eyes? I could get lost in them! Another reason to put a visit to Parnassus Books on my bucket list!

Love,

Lilly Faye

Happy Valentine's Day!

Dear Readers,

I hope you are having a wonderful Valentine's Day! Let's peek inside the mailbag, and see what the mail carrier brought today.

Here's something from Dizzie.  While it's not really appropriate for him to send a Valentine to his boss, it's nice of him to think of me on the holiday. Let's see what he wrote:

Dear Boss,

Can I borrow some money from the blog's petty cash?  I'd like to buy Mummy a Valentine.

Diz 

There is no such thing as "petty cash" here at the blog, Dizzie. Every penny counts. And right now my blog pennies are all going toward paying off the expenses you incurred on your trip to New York City. If you need money, ask THE MASTER.


Here's another note. Let's see who it's from:

Dear Lilly Faye,

Another month has passed, and once again you have failed to include me, your best friend, in the blog. I guess this means you don't want to be friends anymore.

Busty Cat

Of course I still consider you my best friend, Busty. I promise to feature you in the blog very soon.

It feels like there is one more piece of mail in the very bottom of the mailbag. This one looks like an actual Valentine! 

Dear Lilly Faye,

Happy Valentine's Day!

From Mr. Frank 

Ooooh, Mr. Frank is the bulldog who was flirting with me in the comments section of the blog on New Year's Eve. How exciting!

Dear Readers, I hope you had some nice surprises today, too.
Hugs and kisses, from me to you!

Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show Report--Day 2 (Dizzie Makes a Splash!)

Dear Readers,

My blog intern Dizzie seems to be missing in action at the moment, so I'll give you a quick rundown on last night's competition. 

The Sporting Group was won by Riley, a female Irish Water Spaniel, the Working Group was won by Matisse, a male Portuguese Water Dog, and the Terrier Group was won by Sky, a female Wire Fox Terrier. 

The three of them, along with the Hound, Toy, Non-Sporting, and Herding Group winners chosen Monday night, competed for the 2014 Westminster Kennel Club's Best in Show title. Sky, the female Wire Fox Terrier, was the big winner.


Oh, hold on...it looks like Dizzie is checking in for a live chat session. 

Lilly Faye: Dizzie, where have you been since yesterday afternoon? I was getting worried about you.

Dizzie: Well, a funny thing happened, Boss. I was over at the Piers for the Portuguese Water Dog breed judging, boy was that place noisy, and when Matisse won, a spontaneous celebration broke out.

Someone, possibly me, yelled, "Everybody into the river!"

Lilly Faye: Dizzie, the Hudson River is filthy! You'll need vaccinations!

Dizzie: Funny, that's what the New York Port Authority officer said. But he must have been impressed with my athletic form when I made that flying dive into the Hudson, because he gave me a citation for it!

Lilly Faye: That doesn't mean what you think it does, Diz.

Dizzie: I just told him to send all the paperwork to the blog address.

Lilly Faye: Why do you look so blurry? Please tell me nothing bad happened to THE MASTER'S very expensive high resolution SLR camera, Diz. 

Dizzie: No worries, Boss. I made certain it was secure around my neck before I jumped into the river.

Gee, I wonder if THE MASTER will want to frame my citation and hang it on the wall!

Boss? I know there's a severe winter storm warning and all, but can you pick me up at the airport? Thanks!

Later, on the ride home from the airport...

Dizzie's Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show Report--Day 1

Dear Readers,
Let's get a report on the first day of the 2014 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show from my blog intern, Dizzie.

Lilly Faye: Welcome, Diz. I see you no longer resemble a French Poodle.

Dizzie: That's right, Boss. My groomer was able to rectify the situation, and I'm feeling and looking more like myself now.

Lilly Faye: That's good. Tell us what happened on night one of the big show in New York City.

Dizzie: Four group winners were chosen Monday night...Nathan, a Bloodhound representing the Hound Group, Classie, a Miniature Pincher representing the Toy Group, Coco Posh, a Cardigan Welsh Corgi representing the Herding Group, and a gorgeous white female Standard Poodle named Ally representing the Non-Sporting Group.

They will all compete with the winners of the Sporting, Working, and Terrier Groups for Best in Show tonight in Madison Square Garden.

Of course, I'm most interested in the Portuguese Water Dog Breed Competition that takes place this afternoon at Piers 92/94. Thirteen PWDs are entered. It will be exciting to see so many of my kind all together in one place, right there on the Hudson River. I'll report back tomorrow.

Lilly Faye: Thanks for your report, Diz. 

He sure sounded excited. I'm glad I took a chance and decided to send him on assignment to cover the show. 

Wait a minute. Did he say he was heading to the piers? On the Hudson River? To mingle with thirteen other Portuguese Water Dogs?

To be continued....

Fashion Week is Here!

Dear Readers,

This is the middle of New York Fashion Week, when designers are showing off their Fall and Winter 2014 collections. I've sent my blog intern Dizzie out in the field to find out what we'll be seeing on the store racks next winter.

Lilly Faye: Welcome, Diz.

Dizzie: Bonjour!

Lilly Faye: Oh, dear DAWG! What happened to you, Diz? You look like a French Poodle!

Dizzie: Oui. There was a small miscommunication with my groomer. I told her I would be reporting on Fashion Week, and asked her to spiff me up a bit. I guess she thought "Fashion" equalled "French."

Lilly Faye: Well, you do look high fashion.

Dizzie: Merci.

Lilly Faye: So let's get to it. What new trends are you seeing on the New York runways this week?

Dizzie: Lace. Plenty of fur, and leopard prints. A lot of red dresses, and plaids of all kinds.

Lilly Faye: Check, check, and check. From all appearances, the designers have been turning to fashion forward bloggers like myself for inspiration!

Dizzie: Looks like it.

Lilly Faye: Thanks for your report, Diz. Before you go, a word of advice. Do something about that haircut before we start blogging the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. I can't send you to cover the Portuguese Water Dog Breed competition on Tuesday looking like a French Poodle.

Dizzie: Will do, Boss.

That's it for now, folks. Don't forget, the 138th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is taking place Monday and Tuesday, the 10th and 11th. Check your local listings.

Love, 

Lilly Faye