Officially Oblivious to the Joy of Home Videos #atozchallenge #atoz #tuesday #homemade #movies

"All I hear is raindrops falling on the rooftop, Ooh baby tell me why'd you have to go? 'Cause this pain I feel it won't go away, And today I'm officially missing you"

“Officially Missing You” by Tamia is one of many songs I enjoy listening to, yet, am disappointed in the music video that accompanies the track. For all of Tamia’s talent and however nice this tune is, it has a very cookie-cutter video that seems to focus more on how her physical attributes are displayed in outdoor and indoor settings. Thank goodness “Officially Missing You” is a nice song -- it kinda speaks to the joy of basking in sweet memories, whether those memories are of a person, place, experience or object.

Homemade videos, also referred to as Home movies, are among the objects that incite good memories for those who were present during the creation of these videos; And also offer historical accounts of milestones or experiences past, for younger generations to appreciate. Despite all of the smiles and laughter that they can bring to those viewing them, however, our society does not place much value on these items -- from a personal standpoint, anyway.

It seems like funerals are the only time when families break out old home movies to watch together and remember the good ol’ days. That is, if home movies were even a part of their lives at all.  In this day and age, I doubt that many people growing up own more than a few home videos, let alone watch them. Why does someone have to die for us to watch home videos that are otherwise sitting around the house somewhere, collecting dust?

Why do many of us dismiss the value of home videos when they are worth cherishing just as much as we do still photographs? I mean, this isn’t “The Ring” -- you’re not going to die in seven days if you watch the videotape of your son’s high school graduation dinner or your grandmother’s 90th birthday party or your own prom video. So, what’s stopping you? If for nothing else, it is a great opportunity to help younger people learn more about family members whom they may not know, which is especially great if you are a parent.

So, what kind of home videos are in YOUR DVD (or VHS, Super 8, etc.) stash?

When was the last time that YOU watched a home video?

Neighbors from Hell and New Monday Movie Meme Visitors #atozchallenge #atoz

 

“Nightingale, sing us a song of a love that once belonged. Nightingale, tell me a tale. Was your journey far too long? All the voices that are spinnin’ around me trying to tell me what to say. Can I fly right behind you? And you can take me away”

“Nightingale” by Norah Jones is one of those songs that I tend to play if I want to fall asleep or relax after a long day. My mention of such habits are not meant to imply that this is a boring tune or less-than-entertaining track. It just packs a smooth sound with simple lyrics to make for one very calming retreat in the world of music. I am not quite sure if this song is about any one thing in particular -- it seems as though Norah Jones possibly made it up while looking out the window, staring at a bird. I could be wrong.

Either way, birds are interesting creatures -- or shall I say, they symbolize so many different things to us. One bird or a flock of them soaring through a clear and sunny sky could remind us of a new day ahead, where we can start fresh, knowing that with each new day lies great opportunity.

Today, my Monday Movie Meme co-host, Dale at Smurfin’ the Web is highlighting a band called Nightwish. While Dale continues to introduce us to some new music during in the A to Z Challenge, I’m using this time to give all of you who are new to The Madlab Post and/or new to the Monday Movie Meme a little glimpse into one of our previous meme topics that just so happens to start with the letter N.

Neighbors from Hell

Movies featuring neighbors who make you want to relocate or wish you never moved into a particular place of residency.

Read My List of the Worst Neighbors in Film

-and-

Read Smurfin’ the Web’s List of the Worst Neighbors in Film
 
Have YOU or anyone close to you ever been annoyed by a rude, nosey or inconsiderate neighbor?

If so, what was the experience like?

If not, how would YOU handle a neighbor from hell?

Stay tuned in here next week for a fresh installment of the Monday Movie Meme that I have brewing!
 

In the meantime, hop on over to Smurfin’ the Web and check out what the Smurfdok has been cookin’ up for the A to Z Challenge.

3 DIY Wedding Movie Party Games #saturday #atozchallenge #atoz #trivia #karaoke

 

“Maybe you might be more than just a one night lady. Maybe you might be matrimony trying to save me.”

“Matrimony: Maybe You” by Maxwell often delivers the necessarily relaxation that I’m seeking when I listen to this tune. Although it’s not among my top favorite Maxwell songs, I found the track to be appropriate for today’s post as the A to Z Challenge hits Letter M. I like this song for it’s smooth melody but the lyrics could use a little more variety because they tend to get repetitive after about one minute or so. Once the tune starts to play, it’s not unusual to start thinking about weddings, which got me wondering “what’s my favorite wedding movie?”

I don’t think I have one yet but for today, I’ll select “The Best Man” starring Taye Diggs and Nia Long, directed by Malcolm D. Lee. This movie is filled with lots of drama after an advance copy of one of the main characters’ autobiographical book titled Unfinished Business ends up in the wrongs hands.

Controversy and secrets brewing in a wedding party made up of childhood friends began to jeopardize relationships in the hours leading up to the big day. Inspired by the happenings in this romantic comedy-drama film, here are three wedding movie party games that I put together for you to play in celebration of your big day -- or someone else’s if you are in the wedding party or if you are among the happy in-laws.

The Battle of the Wedding Party: Groomsmen vs. Bridesmaids Games: 

1. Host a karaoke game of Groomsmen vs. Bridesmaids teams where each team sings songs from wedding movie soundtracks and the Bride and Groom serve as judges, scoring these performances. The team with the highest score by the judges, wins this game. You could also assemble an alternative judging panel made up of guests in attendance if this wedding movie party game is being played during an engagement party or wedding reception.

2. Host a trivia game where Bridesmaids and Groomsmen have to compete against each other by naming as many movies that contain any variation of "wedding," "marriage," "bride" or "groom" in the title as they can -- within 60 seconds. You can provide each team with notebook paper, posterboard or a large chalkboard to list their answers.

Give the Bridesmaids and Groomsmen one point for each correctly identified movie title that they list on their sheet. The group with the most points wins this movie trivia game. So, to keep in line with these rules, movies about weddings or marriages that do not contain any of the aforementioned words in the title, such as "27 Dresses" and "Fools Rush In" -- even my favorite flick “The Best Man,” perhaps, do not qualify as a point for any of the playing teams.

Just for spontaneous kicks, I’m putting a spin on the 2nd game for the sake of this post and challenge YOU to also name the wedding movie in the following photo -- right here, right now, in the comments section!

WEDDING MOVIE SCENE:

Movie Title: ______________________________

3. Host a reverse movie guessing game where both the Bridesmaid and Groomsmen teams perform short scenes from movies about marriage, weddings or relationships and the bride and groom have to guess the name of the movie. The key element here is the guests of honor are playing on behalf of their entire wedding party. So, if the bride guesses correctly, the bridesmaids team wins a point. If the groom guesses correctly, then the groomsmen team wins a point.

You can also mix this 3rd game up by placing the bride with the groomsmen and the groom with the bridesmaids -- but someone has to keep score, so designate a parent, friend or wedding planner to do so. This wedding movie guessing game is suitable to be played during an engagement party, since there are more choices for someone to keep score -- unless the wedding party is large. In cases of large wedding parties or circumstances where outside guests are not available, choose either the Maid of Honor or the Best Man to keep score.

Can YOU name the wedding movie depicted in the photo in this M blog post?

How many movies containing any variation of “wedding,” “bride” or “marriage” can YOU name within 60 seconds? Ready, set, go!

Also, which one of the three games mentioned here would YOU be likely to play if you were getting married or chosen as a member of someone's wedding party?