Kicked Out!

Okay, this will be brief. I am filled with outrage!

I've been hanging out in this very cool city for almost a year -- very cosmopolitan, very European for an American city. I go everywhere -- cafes, parks, book stores -- even the Apple store welcomes me!

But today -- I was kicked out of the Disney Store! Can you believe it? Trust me, I'm a lot better behaved than a lot of the kids I saw in there. Kicked out just for being a dog.

Wait until I tell my buddies Pluto and Goofy... STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE!

The Terrier and the Whale

Yes, it's true, I do watch a lot of movies for such a small dog. The larger the dog, the fewer the movies. Philistines! To be fair, it is harder for them to sneak into the theatre.

First I saw an odd little movie called Mozart and the Whale which was about a whole lot of birds and bunnies and two very well matched people -- only they're having a hard time understanding just how well matched they really are.

Whales are having a good run lately: The Squid and the Whale, Whale Rider and, curiously over-looked: La Puta y La Ballena. Hopefully, they won't overstay their welcome like those creepy little penguins.

The boy who plays the Whale - Josh Hartnett does an nice job. Makes me almost forgive him for Pearl Harbor. And the girl who plays Mozart seemed to be channeling Helena Bonham Carter. It's a bit like Rainman joins Match.com -- certainly eHarmony wouldn't have him.

The dog quota was pretty low but I do enjoying seeing bunnies running free -- so, I'll give it one restrained "woof."

Another Potter Movie

Tonight we watched a movie called Miss Potter. I thought it would be about Harry's little sister, but no -- it was about another Brit altogether: Helen Beatrix Potter. She was played by the same girl who played Bridget Jones - similar accent, very different character. This one is also unmarried, but is far less concerned about the matter.

The real Beatrix had a dog named Spot!


Beatrix is a painter who writes and illustrates children's books. She talks to her animal drawings and they wink at her and wiggle around on the paper. Very cute, yet odd. As in all movies, something bad happens; but more good things happen, so it's a happy movie.

Emily Watson gets to say "...I would trample my mother!"

The young Obi-Wan played Beatrix's publisher. He's very cute and goofy -- "You and rabbits! Extraordinary!" -- but sadly has no scenes with dogs. Maybe next movie.

His mother is played by the actual mother of someone who's in that other Potter movie.
(Don't click on that link unless you can read Spanish!)

Unfortunately, the dog quotient is rather low as Beatrix is obsessed with rabbits. Now, I like rabbits too -- but my last experience with a bunny resulted in my ignominy. When faced with a fuzzy bunny butt, I ask you: who could possibly refrain from sinking their teeth into that exquisite wriggling lump of fur? Don't worry, I wasn't successful -- only got a bit of fuzz -- but perhaps you'll understand my irritation.

So, as long as you don't mind the lack of canines, you may enjoy this movie. It is sweet, pretty and cleverly fun. I think the real Beatrix would have enjoyed it. Perhaps even Spot would give it a woof!