What do you think about Christmas movies?

 Hello Bookworms!
Alright, I haven't yet finished the Silmarillian, it could be a while. However, for Christmas-or more specifically the first full day of winter-I am addressing something that my sister brought up. It can be generalized as one simple question: What defines a Christmas movie? From that question, my sister claims that her favorite Christmas movie is Marvel's Iron Man 3. I shall endeavor to explain why she thinks so; also, I would like to get several opinions on whether she is right. Mainly, I would like to ask you the question: What is a Christmas movie?
Before I get started, I would like to agree with my sister: Iron Man 3 is a Christmas movie. However, I will let you come to your own conclusions.  I won't be able to thoroughly delve into it, but I shall do my best to explain the main points.
SPOILERS!!!! If you haven't watched Iron Man 3 and you don't want spoilers, Don't Read Yet!
Starting with simple easy requirements which need no explaining. Snow: Check. Presents: Check. Christmas time: Check. Tree: Check.
I have two main points,  first of all, Christmas spirit. As I am unaware what most people define as Christmas spirit, I am forced to resort to my definition: something which captures the essence of Christmas and all that it means. For me, Iron Man 3 does just that. For me, Christmas is: sentiment being appreciated when the gift isn't, feeling like no one understands what is really happening and what you see as important, people from your past who you really don't like, flames and destruction, erupting into fits of anger, feeling like the day will never end; ah yes, Christmas. For those of you who don't have an explosive Christmas, be glad.
My second point is that, while the specific details of the plot are unique, there are underlying story arcs from a story which is commonly agreed to be a Christmas story: A Christmas Carol. (I'm not sure who first noticed it, I heard it from my sister, and she heard it somewhere else) Tony is pretty obviously Scrooge, and instead of not appreciating Christmas and being stingy about money, he doesn't appreciate those around him and is focused on his suits instead of Pepper and Happy, among others. There are two ghosts of Christmas past; Mia, who is the 'ghost' of his past opportunities, and the young kid, who is the 'ghost' of tony when he was young: an unappreciated genius whose father wasn't there for him. The ghost of Christmas present is, strangely enough, the Mandarin, acting as simply a jolly old fellow who likes to drink and party, and doesn't have much in the way of wit. The Ghost of Christmas future is Killian, who shows Tony what his life would be like without the people whom he cares about, and inadvertently making Tony realize what he really had. "You're wrong, she was already perfect"(Tony, battle on the ship). Finally, Tony uses the suits which had been for himself, to help others, and is also willing to give them up.
So, this is my explanation of why Iron Man 3 is not only a Christmas movie, but also my favorite Christmas movie. Please let me know what you think in the comments, and I would love to hear what your favorite Christmas movies are. Habent sua fata libelli!

I'm Taking a Break!

Alright, so yes, I am taking a break from posting, and yes, it has been over a month since my last post. I've been pretty busy, so I just haven't had the time to post; however, I am will being taking on the challenge of reading The Silmarillian, so my next post will be on that massive tome. I hope that when I start up again I will have several posts ready again!
Habent sua fata libelli!

Shady Friday #16

Hello Bookworms!
Ok, so I'm still working on my schedule, finding time to blog and all that. So, I noticed that I haven't really posted that much about my book "Shadow of a Leader", or Soal, as I call it. Therefore, today I will be posting a riddle from it. This riddle is what starts the events of Soal, so it's not the kind to solve immediately. I hope you enjoy it!
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Follow the star of the north ten days,
to seek out the answer, the cure,
Seeking my refuge in wavering ways,
Who'll find the answer? The pure.
From this dark mountain I'll seek my home,
then flee to the fortitude high,
I can return there from where I roam,
There where the answer shall die.
I sought for my rest then was searched for,
Through dark forests many have come.
I seek out the city of Luntror,
To darkness I'll never succumb.
I travel to seek out the answer for all,
Those seeking me will find,
That dark men when finding me will fall,
While only the pure will keep mind.
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So, I know it's not much, but it is the catalyst for the story. I hope you enjoy! Thanks for reading!
Habent sua fata libelli 

Plot summaries, the Secret Life of Walter Mitty

Hello Bookworms!
How time flies when you're hard at work. That's not the actual saying, but it might as well be. It's true! When  you are working hard on something, making sure you do everything just right, you use up a lot of time! So, I need to start scheduling my time better. Now, time to talk about a movie. There will probably be spoilers, but I'll try to avoid the main ones. (As if I'm good at that!)
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So, I finally  got around to seeing The Secret Life of Walter Mitty this week. Honestly, I wasn't planning on it, but it came on while I was waiting for another television show. So, I will keep this brief and to the point. The movie as a whole wasn't one of those "Brilliant, edge-of-your-seat action types with tons of comedic references", but it was well done. The basic premiss was more about normal life, and how "It's not so much about that character, but about how the seemingly unimportant things we know end up making us amazing" (Esther). The scenery was amazing! Iceland and Greenland, the Himalayas, excellent.
The acting was good, I especially loved hearing Patton Oswalt as Todd, hearing about all the places Walter was going. Of course, I couldn't help but think about Agent Koenig! Brilliant and hilarious!
My two favorite scenes would have to be when he actually jumps onto the helicopter and then seeing his face when he realizes, "Wait, this is real! I'm actually doing this! What was I thinking?" And when he out-drives the volcano. I loved that scene! (Yes, a bit of a pyromaniac) So, have fun watching it! Definitely a family movie, really well done. And come on, who doesn't dream like that?
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So, please keep reading my blog, thank you! Please join the site, and PLEASE comment!
Habent sua fata libelli
Oh, and shouting back to my twin sister Elenore Jane! Check out her blog,  http://winterripple.blogspot.com/