The Light Between Oceans is a 2016 period drama based on the novel of the same name. An international co-production between the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand, the film stars Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander, Rachel Weisz, Bryan Brown, and Jack Thompson. The film tells the story of a lighthouse keeper and his wife who rescue and adopt an infant girl adrift at sea. Years later, the couple discovers the child’s true parentage and are faced with the moral dilemma of their actions.
Tom Sherbourne has been traumatized by WWI. He feels a terrible guilt because he survived the war when so many others didn’t. He takes a solitary job as a lighthouse keeper and falls in love with Isabel…something he never expected. He is willing to do anything for Isabel’s happiness. Even sacrifice his principles. But when he realizes he can’t continue, he’s willing to go to prison for her.
It’s a poignant, touching movie with brilliant scenery and beautiful music. Get your hankies ready. FYI: Michael Fassbinder and Alicia Vikander fell in love during the filming of this movie.
Hokey Pokey
The recipe I chose is a candy made in New Zealand. Hence the Chelsea white sugar and Golden Syrup. I’m assuming you can substitute. I’m going to try this one soon!
Grease the base and sides of a 9X9 tin with butter.
Place Chelsea White Sugar and Chelsea Golden Syrup into a heavy-based saucepan. Heat gently, stirring constantly until the sugar dissolves.
Increase the heat and bring to a boil. Boil for two minutes. Stir occasionally, if necessary, to prevent burning. Remove from heat. Add the baking soda and stir very quickly – the mixture will froth up rapidly.
Pour into prepared tin immediately. Leave until cold and set then break into pieces.
Coat hokey pokey pieces in melted chocolate for an extra special treat!
Awakenings is a 1990 film based on British neurologist Oliver Sack’s 1973 memoir, directed by Penny Marshall. In 1969 the doctor discovered the beneficial effects of the drug L-Dopa when administered to catatonic patients who survived the 1916-28 encephalitis lethargica epidemic. Leonard Lowe and the rest of the patients were awakened after decades of catatonia and have to deal with a new life in a new time.
When my sisters and I were little, sometimes my parents let us stay up late to watch an old black and white classic. Other times they took us to the drive-in. There we piled into the back seat in our pajamas with pillows and blankets, watching a double feature.
Prepare time: 30 min
Every once in a while a good western comes along. And it’s even more surprising when it’s a remake. I don’t know how many of you have seen the 1960 version of The Magnificent Seven with Yul Brenner, but it’s a re-imagination of the 1954 Japanese film call Seven Samurai. That makes the 2016 version the third time around.
Turkish coffee is a method of preparing unfiltered coffee. Coffee beans are roast and finely ground and then they are simmered (not boiled) in a pot. They can be served with or without with sugar and poured into a cup where the grounds are allowed to settle. Turkish coffee has a significant part in this movie.
Over the weekend, my grandson and I watched an old Netflix movie I hadn’t seen in ages. *batteries Not Included is a 1987 movie directed by Matthew Robbins. The first time I watched the movie was when my kids were little. I rented it because it looked like something they’d enjoy. Turns out the whole family loved it. I found out was originally intended to be featured in the TV series Amazing Stories, but Stephen Spielberg liked the idea so much that he decided to expand it and make it a movie.
