Monday, March 16, 2009

Spring-like Weekend Viewing

I had a nice weekend. It was rather spring-like and it was so good to see the sun. (smile) The hubby and I hung out around home mostly. We went into town on Saturday to pick up a few things. We hadn’t been to town in a while. It was good to see what was going on locally. Then we came back home and hung out some more.

On Sunday, we continued our hang out fest. The weather just kept getting better and we both couldn’t believe how it lifts the spirits. In the afternoon we decided to watch a movie, a retro movie that I’ve always wanted to see, but never got around to. It was The Eyes of Laura Mars with Faye Dunaway and Tommy Lee Jones from 1978. It was just one of those movies that I would see listed over the years on TV, and wondered about. I remember seeing it advertised when I was a kid. So I was intrigued. (smile) Anyway, we enjoyed it quite a lot. It was very 70’s and very hip for the times. It was good in a campy, wonderful way. If you haven’t seen it, it was about a photographer who sees crimes committed in visions, as if she is seeing through the killer’s eyes. What really intrigued me though was the soundtrack. I remember my older sister playing many of those songs on the stereo when I was growing up. So it was a cool blast from the past. (smile) Brit Boy and I danced along when every song came up. LOL.

Later, on Sunday evening, we watched something really great on the BBC called The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency. It is a BBC and HBO co-production and will be shown here and back home in the US. It is brilliant and stars the radiant Jill Scott in the lead as detective Mma Precious Ramotswe. She brings such true warmth and spirit to this role and I just love this series. Jill Scott is already one of my favorite singers and now she is proving herself as a wonderful actress. Her singing voice reminds me of warm honey…so full and divine.

The series is based on the novels by Alexander McCall Smith, about the lady detective and her assistant, played by Tony award-winning actress Anika Noni Rose. It is set in Botswana and gives a fresh view of the continent of Africa. It has a wonderful vibe and both Hubby and I just love it. The series continues over five more episodes. A previous one-off episode was shown around Easter here last year and it was a great success. So I was so glad to hear that they were making more of these stories.

As I mentioned, it is being shown here on the BBC and back home on HBO, so if you get the chance, please check it out.

All in all, the weekend was a great preview of spring and we got to see some good TV :-)

15 comments:

Unknown said...

Sounds like some great tv viewing. I really want to check out that detective series but sadly I do not have HBO and will not be adding another premium channel to my cable.

Anonymous said...

Now, that's what I call relaxing. Even though it was a little rainy over the weekend, my husband and I got out and played some badminton and put in some walking time as well. It was wonderful.

Alicia aka "Fashiona" said...

I am a big fan of old movies and show "The Eyes of Laura Mars" last year for the first time. Freaky but a great movie.

Theresa said...

It's great when the sun shines in England! I have an award for you, stop by my blog and see :)

Mother of pearl said...

I'm glad that you had a sunny day and the The No. 1 Ladie's Detective Agency sounds super interesting. I just wish that I had HBO! Maybe someday they'll put it online, I'll have to check!

Courtney said...

Ah!! Dori, I did it again! My friends came down over the weekend and one of them wanted me to teach her how to blog. She forgot to sign out of my computer so that above comment was really me.

Dori said...

Renee,
Yeah the detective series is GREAT! I really hope that they end up showing it on regular tv so that more people can see it. It's just really refreshing to see a show like this :-)

Jacqueline,
Your weekend sounds great. I used to love playing badminton...haven't played in years. My hubby and I are planning to get out and walk more now that spring is here and mud won't be so deep :-)

Alicia,
Oh yes, I LOVE old movies. I've really gotten into 70s movies lately :-) You're right...there was a bit of freaky in The Eyes of Laura Mars. LOL. Very 70's and campy, but so good.

Tstreasures,
Oh yeah, the sun never meant so much to me. LOL. Thanks so much for the award. How sweet of you...I love the connection of blogging :-)

Mother of Pearl,
Yeah the No 1 Ladies Detective Agency is a must see. I'm going to check out the books when I can too. I hope they offer it to a wider audience soon. It's just a wonderful series. It is lighthearted and funny in some parts and it's just good to see something new like this :-)

Courtney,
It's okay. I got to elaborate on the show due to that comment so it's a win win :-) Thanks for commenting again my friend.

Duni said...

Lucky you to have enjoyed Spring-like weather already.
It could have been a little more sunny over here!
Glad you had a nice time though and got to catch up on some TV!

Have a nice day,

Duni

Census said...

I watched the No 1 Ladies Detective Agency too..it is brilliant!!
Thanks for your get well wishes, I feel much better...except for the cough!!

Maureen said...

I watched The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency too. I'm so pleased they have made it into a new six-part series. Did you see the special last year? It was superb!

I think the cast are all perfect in the show, especially the two leads: Jill Scott as Mma Ramotswe and Anika Noni Rose as Mma Makutsi.

It's just a delightful show. I love all the bright colours and scenery in Botswana too.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a perfect weekend! I really want to see the ladies detective agency too!

The Silver Age Sara said...

I saw that movie many, many years ago but I still can remember enjoying it.

I love the books The #1 Ladies Detective Agency so I'm glad to know about the series.

Your weekend sounds lovely and I'm glad you had great weather.

Anonymous said...

I have heard a lot about the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency. I am looking forward to seeing it here in the US.

Ivanhoe said...

We pretty much just hang out at home on the weekends as well. And we take a big walk to the woods with our dog now that the weather is warmer :o)

Dori said...

Duni,
Yeah, the weather has been really nice here lately. I hope you get some nice weather soon :)

June,
You know exactly what I'm talking about...it was brilliant wasn't it? :) I'm so glad that you're feeling better.

Maureen,
Yeah, I loved the one last year and this six part series is just gonna be great. It is amazingly done..so vibrant with life an bright color and a zest for life. And yes, the leads are spot on. I just love their portrayals :)

Heidi,
I hope you get to see it. It is just GREAT! :)

Mountain Woman,
Yeah "The Eyes of Laura Mars" was an interesting movie. It was so much of the time and it sticks with you. I've got to read the #1 Ladies Detective Agency books because I'm enjoying the series so much. I have another one of Mr. McCall's books that I'm going to be reading soon :)

Anne,
I hope you enjoy it. It's really great! It just has a great vibe to it :)

Ivanhoe,
See, you know the fun of just hanging out too :) I love taking walks like that in the woods. I hope you have a great weekend!