I'm bored. Let's have a contest.
So, it's been exactly one week since I started Little Rivers, right? The first sleeve is half done, and the back is over 15" long now. I'm about half-done with this entire freakin' oversized sweater. And it's gorgeous.
BUT. (you knew there was a but)
I'M. SO. FREAKING. BORED.
The knitting is enjoyable, it's a challenging cable pattern and sometimes I make mistakes, have to rip back and fix, and keep going. The sweater is beautiful and the cables very effective. But it's the same thing over and over again, and I have to do it all over again for the front. I have "over and over again" running through my head over and over again. Seriously. I've got yet another screw loose up there now, and all I hear is "over and over again". Over and over. Every time I think of this sweater.
People, I am not a product knitter. At all.
I knit to entertain myself, to keep that part of my brain busy. I can knit miles of stockinette without getting bored only because I read, watch TV, or play online at the same time. I memorize patterns quickly, and even a complicated cable isn't really challenging if I memorized it a week ago. It never changes. There is no shaping to look forward to, and therefore there are no milestones to reach before finishing the entire back. Just the same thing. Over and over. (and over and over)
I AM BOREEEEEEEEEEEEDDDDDDDDDDD!
The only way I'm going to finish this sweater is by watching a whole lot more TV in my free time. I can now knit the cable pattern almost entirely by feel, I just have to look down at the beginning on wrong-side rows to see which direction those twists go, then it's all by feel after that. I do really want this finished sweater, and I think it's worth all the work. And I still think I can finish by the deadline, but really, if I weren't so bored, I'd be much closer to being done by now.
So here's where you come in, gentle readers.
Got any movie recommendations to get me through this project? Requirements are simple: it must be in English, Spanish or Portuguese (I'm not going to read subtitles while knitting this), and it must not be so predictable that I'll turn it off half-way through. In other words, please don't suggest "The Wedding Date."
This is a very simple comments contest. Rules:
- Comment before Wednesday, February 22nd at Midnight (eastern time to be specific) with your suggestion for something I can rent.
- You can suggest either movies or TV shows that come on DVD/video.
- Please read through previous comments to see if someone already suggested the movie you had in mind, if it's there already please don't suggest the same thing again.
- Only one comment per reader. You can suggest multiple movies if you want, but please do so in one comment.
I'll pick two comments at random next week. The prize for each winner is a copy of String's book, Luxury Knitting, and a personalized stitch marker from the new line I'm developing (which hasn't been unveiled yet, these will be advanced copies made specially for you).
So, please comment away, and save my sanity! Thanks in advance! And good luck with the contest! (and your Olympic knitting, too)
25 Responses
Irie
Okay, I admit that I have no idea about your movie tastes, but I can’t resist the lure of a “contest”…
I suggest “Waking Life”, a unique movie about dreams and philosophy. One of my all time favorites. Other great movies by the same director are “Before Sunrise” and the sequel, “Before Sunset”. Those last two have already been suggested but are worth another mention, I think. :)
“One Giant Leap” is a mind-blowing compilation of music, interviews, and deep thoughts with a fantastic line-up of contributing artists, musicians, authors and philosophers.
If you’re not so interested in philosophy or getting a kick in the head as far as your outlook on life is concerned, then I recommend these quality movies which are more about entertainment and less about social commentary:
- Office Space
- Napoleon Dynamite
- The Blue Planet (BBC documentary series about the ocean)
- Dead Like Me (Showtime series)
- Adaptation
Enjoy :)
Tara
Ooh tough. So many great movies…
I would go with Baz Luhrman’s Strictly Ballroom and Moulin Rouge with the recent movie remake of Chicago for a fun, musical evening. And maybe a little Dirty Dancing to cap things off.
OR
Have an 80s Night! The Goonies for some adventure, Better Off Dead for some comedy (and John Cusack), Breakfast Club for some John Hughes, Girls Just Wannna Have Fun for some cheesy hairdos and early days Sarah Jessica Parker, Helen Hunt and Shannen Doherty.
OR
For a comedy night, rent An Evening with Kevin Smith (if you like him—hilarious), Waiting for Guffman (Eugene Levy and Christopher Guest are genius and Parker Posey is always fun), and Office Space.
OR
TV seasons on dvd are good for endless knitting hours. Try Veronica Mars Season One (for a truly kick-ass sleuth) and Weeds starring Mary Louise Parker (for some comedy, including a surprisingly funny Kevin Nealon).
Lots of great movies recommended in this thread though…can’t really go wrong whatever you choose!
Kathleen
Early seasons of ER, and Wallace and Grommit Curse of the WereRabbit.
Kathleen
Leslie
Watched a great movie last week – Snow Walker. Some of it’s in Inuit, but I don’t think it’s subtitled. If you like SciFi I highly recommend Farscape and Battlestar Galactica. A neat show about clothing designers in the 1920’s: House of Eliot. Have fun choosing!
Janine
Add to the “romantic comedies set in London” list SLIDING DOORS (Gwyneth Paltrow) and FOUR WEDDINGS & A FUNERAL.
The Sandra Bullock oeuvre: WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING, TWO WEEKS NOTICE, 28 DAYS (with the added plus of Viggo Mortensen), MISS CONGENIALITY (but skip Miss Congeniality 2, no matter how mindless you want your knitting viewing to be).
TV on DVD is a knitter’s dream: NORTHERN EXPOSURE is fantastic! WEST WING (although I tend to actually watch this one). GILMORE GIRLS.
I promise you, Little Rivers will be done before you get through this list!
Lauren
Sounds like you need to rent any Almodovar’s you haven’t seen yet. Bad Education was very underrated last year.
Christina
I just rented The Skeleton Key and Four Brothers. I must second Grey’s Anatomy Season 1 which is now on DVD, I looove that show! I also love to watch The Family Guy, I believe the first 3 or 4 seasons are on DVD.
meg
I love Agatha Christie’s Poirot mysteries (with David Sachet of course!) – can you solve the crime before he does? You can almost always find them at the library – rent it for a week FOR FREE.
Another good mini series if you like historical fiction is Horatio Hornblower – the British Empire at the time of the Napoleanic wars.
Ann
If you’re not already into it, rent the first season of Lost. A great tv show that faded before its time is Freaks and Geeks, and that’s out on DVD too. Also: the Angels in America miniseries was good.
In the movie vein: Why not use this time to catch up on some classics? Pillow Talk, Rear Window, North by Northwest—all fantastic flicks to knit to.
Jennifer
Proof, a new DVD out recently with Gwyneth Paltrow, Jake Gyllenhaal, Hope Davis and Anthony Hopkins. Wonderful film that I saw on the big screen, loved it and immediately bought it. Also, another Hope Davis film— American Splendor. For the romantic in you— After Sunset, with Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy. Now, rent these, enjoy them, and go finish that bloomin’ sweater!
Anea MK Botton
All sorts of genres, this is just a sampling of some timeless classics (and there are a million more I adore, but you’ve got quite a tidy list already from everyone, and some pretty good recommendations). I seconded some films others had already named, but I left them since there are links at which you can check them out:
ENGLISH:
About A Boy (2nding Cathi)
The Station Agent
March of the Penguins
Fly Away Home
The Notebook
Garden State
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
The Piano
Chicken Run
Blade Runner
Strictly Ballroom
Millions
To Kill A Mockingbird
anything by Buster Keaton (silent movie star from the early 1900’s)
SPANISH/PORTUGUESE:
Talk to Her(2nding Kat)
All About My Mother (2nding Ali)
Central Station (Central do Brasil)
Tricia Hill
I recommend the new version of Pride and Prejudice with Keira Knightley. Clever, funny and beautifully filmed, it knocks the spots off the BBC version of a few years ago. Real emotional power in the key scenes between the protagonists and excellent turns from supporting characters.
Danielle S
I don’t know why I love British-based movies when I’m knitting, I just know that I do! Try any of the Inspector Lynley mysteries (originally a TV series), or any of the old Agatha Christie/Miss Marple movies starring Joan Hickson. The movie “Possession,” starring Gwyneth Paltrow and Aaron Eckhart, is also entertaining. Also, “House of Mirth” starring Gillian Anderson is surprisingly good (and sad). Finally, not British but still fun fare when trying to knit, is “Le Divorce” with Naomi Watts!
Stephannie
Here’s a trio of musicals: Moulin Rouge — lots of color, songs, etc. Totally predictable but in this case, it’s definitely the journey, not the end. Cabaret — great music, Joel Grey is incredible, great story. Grace of My Heart — this is one of my fave chick flicks. You just can’t help rooting for the main character.
Other movies: the Indiana Jones trilogy. Fun. Before Sunrise and Before Sunset. Sweet and bittersweet. When Harry Met Sally — my fave romantic comedy. The only thing dated about this movie is some of the hairstyles and how the jeans/pants fit! (even Meg Ryan can’t look good in baggy pleated pants).
Get Shorty. Big Easy. Out of Sight. Italian Job (either original or remake). Sea of Love. Usual Suspects. LA Confidential.
Rita
What about Six Feet Under, or Rescue Me, they’re out on DVD. I love both series. Dead Like Me is really good too.
Cathi
I’ve been watching the Oscar movies on TCM, catching ones that I’ve never seen (The Way We Were, Kramer v Kramer, and have The Sting and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof waiting for me).
I’m all about Sopranos (I don’t think anyone mentioned that yet), as well as Gilmore Girls (although not together). For movies, I love About a Boy, Dancer in the Dark (great musical, although it is very Bjork laden, so you’d better like her), All About Eve, Citizen Kane, Moonstruck (kind of falls into the predictable category, but still fun), Fight Club and A Room With a View.
Janet
I just watched “Like Water For Chocolate” for the second time. I really like it. My daughter (who is in her 3rd year of High School Spanish Spanish) watched along with me. It’s in Spanish with English subtitles.
Valerie
Do you like English comedies? Absolutely Fabulous and Fawlty Towers are a riot!
Lina
Well, the Lord of Rings movies are among my very favourites and you can get a lot of knitting done while watching them :) The extras on the (extended version) DVDs are great as well.
Another one of my favourites, a bit lighter one :), is Love Actually. It is a romantic comedy and while it isn’t that surprising it is still very interesting.
Jennifer
I was going to say Firely but someone already did so I will suggest After the Sunset with Pierce Brosnan. Good Action/comedy/love story.
Ali
My suggestion is All About My Mother (I love this film!) or any of Pedro Almodovar’s other films. I can’t speak spanish, so this isn’t a good knit and watch film for me, but for you, no problem!
Judy H in NC
Actually, sometimes a little predictable is nice while knitting, gives you enough to entertain yourself, but not enough to “mess up” your knitting.
I sometimes do my “Julia Roberts”—Runaway Bride and Notting Hill. Or then I will put on either the Lord of the Rings triology, Matrix threesome, or start Harry Potter from the beginning. That’s enough to ensure a day of knitting.
Janet
I just watched “Like Water For Chocolate” for the second time. I really like it. My daughter (who is in her 3rd year of High School Spanish Spanish) watched along with me. It’s in Spanish with English subtitles.
vanessa
i know just how you feel, can never figure out how knitters like wendy can stick with one project from beginning to end.
have you seen the whale rider?
Deb
February 22, 2006
You have to watch “The Day After Tomorrow”- just to get freaked out with all of these weather changes. You knit faster when it gets more tense. I also like “Stargate” re runs, or “Stargate:Atlantis”, sonce sci fi is just kinda fun!