Monday, September 28, 2009

Monday At the Movies: Going Back to School & The New Fall TV Schedule

The Monday Movie Meme is brought to you by The Bumbles.

This week's movie topic is all about school ...
September is drawing to a close and that means that lots of Moms & Dads out there are rejoicing that the school system is taking their children in during the week to educate their minds and give the parents a breather. There are lots of college students back in the full swing of course work, research and all nighters. And then there are us Bumbles who have no little ones to send off to school and are far removed from our own school days. So instead, we think of movies that portray various levels of schooling and themes surrounding them. Here are some that we've enjoyed. Share on your blog movies touching upon the world of education and then link back at The Bumbles. And don't forget to visit your fellow participants!
Grease (1978)








Some Kind of Wonderful (1987)

What are some of your favorite school-related movies?



Monday's Movie is hosted by Sheri at A Novel Menagerie.

With the new fall television season underway, Anjin and I have not watched any movies recently. Growing up, television was a nightly staple, but for a few years now, I like to keep most evenings free. Thanks to the DVR, Anjin and I record all the shows we watch and rarely watch them when they originally air. I can't stand sitting through those pesky commercials for one thing. Sure, I could try and read during them, but then I always end up getting caught up in my book and miss part of the show when it comes back on.

Here's a peek at what we've been watching lately (the last show listed hasn't actually started yet, but it's one I definitely will be tuning in for):

Castle ~ Drama/Mystery


Glee ~ High School Comedy/Drama


Vampire Diaries ~ Urban Fantasy/Thriller/Drama


Flash Forward ~ Science Fiction/Mystery/Thriller

Grey's Anatomy ~ Hospital Drama


Dollhouse ~ Science Fiction/Drama/Thriller



V ~ Science Fiction/Drama/Thriller


Sometimes we lose interest in a show after a few episodes and drop them from our line-up. My husband had a 3 episode rule with any new show we watch. He figures that by then, a show should have its feet underneath it and we will know if it is worth continuing to watch.

There are other television shows we follow on DVD during the off season, which are not mentioned here. Those are shows we are a season or two behind on. I actually prefer watching television that way. Not as long a wait in between episodes and I can get through a season quickly.

What television shows are you watching this season?


© 2009, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved.
If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

31 comments:

  1. I'm sooo with you! I haven't seen a movie in weeks! Well, that's partly homework and the other part the new season!

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  2. I'm always excited when the new season starts. My DVR is in full record mode. I'm like you though, Wendy, won't watch them right as they start so I can skip through the commercial. I haven't heard anything about when The Closer is supposed to start up again. Have you?

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  3. I listed Grease and Harry Potter as well...it was hard to narrow down my list, there are so many great school movies! As for TV, we are not watchers. But for those that do, it seems there are so many great shows on these days!

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  4. It's a little funny that book blogging has me watching more TV than I have in years. There are so many shows that I'd really like to watch! Unfortunately we only have the most basic channels here in the UK (which means I'll be avoiding everyone's LOST recaps next year until the DVDs come out) but I'm looking forward to a lot of shows when they make their way across the pond. =)

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  5. Grease has been an all time family favorite movie. I watched Flash Forward last week and will tune in again this week. We record the shows and watch them later as my husband goes to bed very early.

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  6. Oh, I LOOOVE Castle and Glee! I watched FlashForward on Friday when they replayed it and will hopefully catch it again this week. My hubby and I need a DVR. :)

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  7. Grease is on my list too. And Some Kind of Wonderful almost made it. Love that movie.
    I love Castle and enjoyed the first Flash Forward. My husband had much less patience than yours, he gives it one eipsode!

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  8. I've heard that Glee is fantastic. Might have to figure out when the heck it's on and tune in to see for myself.

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  9. We haven't had a t.v. for months now but I do enjoy watching a couple of shows. We prefer to buy the DVDs (so we are usually behind on seasons) but that way we can watch a couple of shows in a row and it sort of feels like a movie night for us.

    One show I am excited about is Dexter!

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  10. I actually tend to wait until a show is over with and then watch it on DVD. It's weird, but I am just not good at required times and all that!

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  11. What great school movies you listed! Those were many of my favorites as well! I never go to the theatre either. Usually watch it on DVD. Every now and then I take Hannah to a kids movie she wants to see, but it's been a while.

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  12. Some Kind of Wonderful Is a movie I used to love and The Outsiders is a great one, too! I read all of SE Hinton's books and was so happy when they made a good movie from one of them!

    I like your husband's 3 episode rule. Some shows that seem promising done't pan out. So far I really like Glee. I enjoyed Fringe last year so woll probaably watch it this year and my husband and I really liked Lie to Me. We'll see how it goes this season!

    Enjoy!

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  13. I love Fall TV!
    I have an award for you here
    http://bookmagic418.blogspot.com/2009/09/awards.html

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  14. I've been recording the Vampire Diaries!! Now I just need to read the books!!

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  15. The Outsiders is a great choice - I just recently saw it on TV again for the first time in forever. So sad - and what an awesome cast.

    I like your re-design but I miss that most adorable header.

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  16. I wish I could name a few, Wendy, but I don't watch TV or own one...

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  17. LOVE every single show you mentioned.

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  18. I love my DVR and I record everything - so I can watch it on my own schedule. Shows I'm watching - House, Lie to Me, Fringe, Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, Mercy, Survivor, Flash Forward, The Forgotten, NCIS, NCIS LA...and I'm sure I'm leaving something out. But, it's cutting into my reading time!

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  19. I've heard great things about Flash Forward already. I'm hoping it makes it to Japan. I didn't know they were re-making V. I remember watching that many years ago. ;)

    I'm just about to order some DVDs from the US (Season 5 of Grey's Anatomy, and House) so we'll be catching up on those this fall. I definitely prefer watching TV on DVD and if I were rich I'd probably watch everything that way. LOL. Instead I buy the ones I know I really want to watch and that are a few seasons behind in Japan, since I'm far too impatient to wait!

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  20. I'm watching The Vampire Diaries (so far, so good), Grey's Anatomy (it's okay. just okay.) and FlashForward (wow!).

    I ditched The Vampire Diaries books in favor of the show. The show is much, much better.

    We all knew what was going to happen on the season premiere of Grey's Anatomy. In my opinion, the one who died should have stayed alive and the one that's still alive should have died. I'm not happy with that decision at all.

    A co-worker recommended FlashForward so I watched it and was not disappointed. I can't wait for the next episode!

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  21. Great line-up of shows!! :) I love fall TV and can't wait to hear which ones you keep! :)

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  22. Sheri - It's been so busy. And then with my back, I haven't wanted to sit in a theater seat. Now that it's feeling better, we might go one weekend.

    Booklogged - I enjoy checking out the new shows. I'd probably watch them all at least once if I thought it was practical.

    The Closer airs during the summer season usually, I believe. That's one of the shows hubby and I watch on DVD. We're one season behind right now. I really like that show. :-)

    Sandy - I tried to keep it at five, but there were so many movies I thought of listing.

    Meghan - Lost is one of my favorite shows. I can't wait for the season to start up this next year. I can't believe it will be the final season.

    Nise - It's such a fun movie. I drive my husband crazy singing along to all the songs.

    I like to go to bed early sometimes too. It's just so much easier to record tv shows and watch them later.

    Lexi - Hubby and I watched last night's episode of Castle tonight. It was so funny. All the grammar comments. :-)

    Kaye - Thanks! I really liked your list too. I almost added Ferris Buellers Day Off. :-)

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  23. Stacy - Some Kind of Wonderful was one of my favorites when I was younger. And I never tire of Grease. :-)

    I'm looking forward to seeing how Flash Forward unfolds. Castle is a hoot. I enjoy it.

    Kristen - I really like Glee. It's different. It takes me back to my own show choir days. :-)

    Iliana - Watching TV by DVD really has its advantages, doesn't it? No long waits between episodes and we can set our own pace.

    Dexter is one of the shows we watch on DVD. We need to watch last season still, I think.

    Kelly - LOL I get that. It's not always easy to make the commitment to follow a show every week. I think that's one of the reasons we end up watching TV series on DVD's sometimes.

    April - Hubby and I love going to the theater to see movies, especially in the spring and summer months. TV shows though we often watch on DVD.

    Amy (Seven Tails) - I loved The Outsiders and SE Hinton. Like you, I read all of her books when I was growing up. I think I saw all the movies based on her books too. Some were definitely better than others. LOL

    My husband believes that a TV doesn't really hit its stride until the third episode. We watched Fringe for the first few episodes last season but then stopped watching. I have a feeling that is one we will catch on DVD one day.

    Deb - I do too! I love seeing what new shows everyone's coming out with. :-) Thank you so much for the award!

    Staci - I started the first book but haven't gotten too far into it.

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  24. Bumbles - The Outsiders is such a great movie. I've been wanting to watch it again.

    Alice - You're probably better off without one, Alice. :-)

    Ryan - It's looking like it will be a good TV season. :-)

    Yvonne - Yes, there's something to be said for watching TV on our own schedules. I'm really curious about Mercy and THe Forgotten. My husband wasn't interested in those so I figured I'd see how they do rating wise and give them a try if my friends say they're worth watching.

    Nat - I hope Flash Forward makes it to Japan too. I seem to be really into Science Fiction TV shows right now. :-) I don't know if the new V will be any good, but I was a fan of the old show when it was on (I re-watched it a couple of years ago and confess it was pretty bad. LOL).

    I've never seen House but I am curious about it since so many people like it. I've been thinking of renting it through Netflix.

    Book Vixen - Every season for the past three I've considered dropping Grey's Anatomy and yet I keep coming back to it. I think I'm just too attached to the characters. We'll see though.

    I haven't been too impressed with the first book in The Vampire Diaries series yet, but I'm not too far in so it's not fair of me to say I don't care for it just yet. But yeah, so far I like the TV show better.

    I hope Flash Forward can keep up the momentum. It looks like it will be a good show.

    My Friend Amy - My problem is I don't like being tied to so many shows during the season. I'm enjoying all the shows we're watching right now so it will be hard to let go of any.

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  25. 3 episode rule is a pretty good one. I don't watch very much TV--although hubby and I are in the bad habit of eating dinner while watching TV. Mostly Office reruns during the summer. I'm LOVING Glee. I do believe it is my dream show that I've been waiting my whole life for. :)

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  26. I always get a little overwhelmed when the new tv season starts -thank goodness for DVR's. What did we ever do before we had those? I can't remember the last time I watched a show when it was actually on live.

    From your list, my favorite is Glee. What a refreshingly different, fun show! I used to be a huge fan of Grey's Anatomy, but I think the quality of the writing really deteriorated after the first two seasons, and I wasn't all that impressed with the season opener.

    I also like House, Gossip Girl (this one falls into the "guilty pleasures" category...), and I'm intrigued with the new medical drama "Mercy."

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  27. Now I'm craving Harry Potter movies...

    I'm watching The Big Bang Theory and Sons of Anarchy.

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  28. I love all the movies that listed here!

    I love castle! I think it a mystery with a good dose of funny dialogue in it. The character were fun.

    I also love Grey's Anatomy, Lost, Chuck, 24, Brother and Sister, Army Wives, Glee, Bones...etc. I watch way too many shows! :)

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  29. We also enjoy Castle. Flashforward looks interesting but not sure if I'll watch it yet. The current shows we watch include House, Castle, Surviving Disaster, Survivor Samoa, Monk and Amazing Race. I want to watch Chuck but will probably get it to watch on Netflix.

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  30. Trish - My husband and I watch TV while eating dinner too. We don't really have a table to eat at though, so it's either there or at our desks in the computer room.;-) We have a kitchen table, but that belongs to the cats since I have to keep their food up high so the dog doesn't eat it.

    Glee is a lot of fun. :-)

    Ingrid - I can get overwhelmed with the start of the new TV season too. Before DVR's we had two VCR's available from the two sets in the house in case we had to record two shows at once. We'd always forget to set one or the power would go off and reset everything . . . It's so much easier now.

    My interest in Grey's Anatomy comes and goes, but I'm quite attached to the characters so I keep watching no matter what.

    I've heard great things about Mercy.

    Jen - Me too! They're so much fun. I can't wait until the final two movies come out.

    Julia - Lost is one of my favorites too. I didn't list it here since it won't be starting again until next year. Same with Chuck. :-)

    Debi - I can't wait to see the second episode of Flash Forward (tomorrow hopefully). I really hope it makes it. The first episode was so good.

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