Mark's must see Movies - Love Actually

Love Actually is the 2003 holiday romantic comedy that was met with much admiration and praise by many critics and viewers at it's release and the film has only garnered more of the same as it's aged. An all star cast consisting of Liam Neeson, Hugh Grant, Collin Firth, Emma Thompson, Bill Nighy, Alan Rickman, and Kierra Knightly combined with a charming plot are what makes this movie the special film it is.

The film takes place in London and follows the lives of the multiple and very different characters in the film and their journeys in and out of love. Among the central characters in the film is the newly elected Prime Minister of England David (Hugh Grant) whose career in politics has left him a bachelor for far too long. Though he seems to grow and instant connection with one of his new assistants. Karen (Emma Thompson) plays the devoted wife and mother who grows increasingly concerned with her husbands flirtatious antics with his secretary. Liam Neeson is the recently widowed Daniel who is caught between his period of mourning and having to deal with his 10 year old step son dealing with his own love crisis. And the last major character is Collin Firth who plays a young writer named Jamie who flees to a isolated house in France after catching his wife cheating on him. During his stay, he meets a woman who doesn't speak English but may be the true love he's been searching for. No matter what kind of plot line you enjoy in a movie, you'll find interests and relate with at least a few of these well written and portrayed characters.

My only real complaint for the film is that at times there is quite a bit going. For the most part the film is made very well but naturally when you follow eight different stories at a time some are well explored and others only have time to be loosely touched on. Bill Nighy for example brings the most comedic value to this movie as the aged pop star Billy Mack and I could have watched his character on screen far longer than he actually is. Just about every time this seasoned actor takes the screen he drew a laugh from me and his performance was vastly underrated. Andrew Lincoln who plays Mark, a young photographer who secretly loves his best friends wife acts out one of the most romantic scenes in recent film memory and one that helped propel the movie into fame.

Love Actually is a holiday movie that won't leave you wanting to sing a bunch of Christmas carols but it will remind you of one of the most important things to remember this holiday season. Love is te most important thing in the wold, without it where would we be? Though we need to be aware of it throughout the entire year, the Christmas season is no better time to truly show someone just how much they mean to you. Love is abundant in the world. As it's said in the opening monologue, Love Actually will show you that love actually is all around.

Haven't done this in a while --- Click here for the trailer to Love Actually 

Thanksgiving Turkey and Cranberry Panini

The day before Thanksgiving, it's the eve of the meal we wait all year for. Oven roasted turkey and all the classic sides will fill our kitchen tables and our stomachs. They will also most likely fill our refrigerators for the next few days with more leftovers than we know what to do with. I'm always looking for new and creative ways to use up those delicious Thanksgiving leftovers and this Turkey and cranberry pannini is my favorite turkey sandwich ever! Fresh roasted turkey, sweet and tart cranberry mayo, sharp cheddar cheese, and peppery arugula blend perfectly sandwiched between two slices of ciabatta bread.


Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Ciabatta Bread
Fresh Roasted Turkey Breast
1/2 cup of baby Arugula
2 Tablespoons of Cranberry relish or Sauce
2 Tablespoons of Mayo
About 1/2 cup of Freshly Shredded Cheddar Cheese
Salt and Pepper

Slice a loaf of ciabatta bread in half length ways. In a small mixing bowl, combine together the cranberry relish and the mayo. Add a pinch of salt and pepper. Spread the cranberry mayo on both the top and bottom of the ciabatta bread.

Spread half of the cheddar cheese over top of the cranberry mayo. Take a few slices of turkey and place them over top of the cheese. Next add the arugula followed by a few more slices of turkey and the remaining cheddar.

Preheat your panini press or frying pan over medium heat. Drizzle a bit of olive oil on both the top and bottom of the bread and place the sandwich onto the panini press. Grill the sandwich until the bread is crisp and the cheese has melted - about 5 to 7 minutes. Rotate the sandwich 180 degrees half way through cooking to get criss cross grill marks. Cut the sandwich in half and enjoy!!

Movie Review - "Four Christmases"

Holidays are when we all look forward to reconnecting with our families...right? Joyful times sitting around the table, eating great food, exchanging beautifully wrapped presents, and enjoying each others company. The 2008 holiday film "Four Christmases" takes a look at a couple who will do anything and go anywhere but home for the holidays.

Vince Vaughn and Reese Whiterspoon star as Brad and Kate, a couple who plan a lavish private getaway for themselves every time the calender rolls into the holiday season. Careful not to offend their families, they lie saying that they travel every year to do humanitarian work when really they're relaxing on a sunny beach of a tropical island. All is set for another tropical vacation until mother nature throws a wrench in the couples plans and their flight has been canceled. To make matters worse, while shuffling through the busy airport, Brad and Kate are surprised by a news anchor on scene. With a live streaming video camera honed directly in on them, all of the greater San Fransisco area, including their families, know that the couple have been grounded. With no where to run, Brad and Kate won't be able to avoid any family time this Christmas.

Venturing from one divorced parents house to the next, four stops in all, Brad and Kate will have to deal with their families and their pasts to survive this holiday adventure. From Brad being attacked by former cage fighters to Kate facing her worst childhood fear, they'll have to have each other's back if they want to make it through in one piece. Robert Duvall, Sissy Spacek, John Voight, Mary Steenburgen, Tim McGraw, and Jon Favreau round out a star filled cast."Four Christmases" might not stand tall as an instant holiday classic, however if you're looking for a comedic film you might have missed the past few years, it's worth checking out. Here is the trailer for an extra glimpse.

Moview Review - "Elf"

Tis' the season for for all things holiday. Music, cards, cookies, and especially movies. There are so many great holiday movies both new and old and it seems like we all have our favorites. While I can't really pick just one holiday film that I enjoy more than any other, there is one movie that instantly gets me in the holiday spirit.

"Elf" is the 2003 Christmas film starring Will Ferrell as Buddy the elf who is dealing with a bit of an identity crisis. Though Buddy is a grown man, he found himself as a young baby being raised by one of Santa's Elves. Not knowing he is actually a human, Buddy has always believed himself to be an Elf despite the many differences between himself and all the other elves. When he finally learns the truth, Buddy takes a voyage by himself from the North Pole to New York city on a quest to find his birth father Walter Hobbs (James Caan). Walter is less than thrilled to discover that he has a grown son who believes he's an elf and wants little to do with Buddy. Buddy will find himself trying to adapt into the real world is a challenge - especially when he's used to the way things are done at the North Pole. Elf is filled with laugh out loud moments and a very heartfelt story at its core. Zooey Deschanel, Edward Asner, Bob Newhart, and Mary Steenburgen also star in the holiday comedy. "Elf" is a new classic among holiday films and whether you've never seen it or are already a huge fan like myself - it's one I'm sure you'll enjoy for many holiday seasons to come. Click here for the trailer for "Elf".