My 25 favourite Fall Movies

A lot of the movies that I’m drawn to this time of year are related to Fall or Thanksgiving, but an equal number just give me that cozy Fall feeling.  Here are 25 of my favourite Thanksgiving/Fall themed movies  – I hope you find some that you and your friends and family can enjoy as well!

A side note for your convenience: Below you’ll find a list of 25 movies and a television show – some items are appropriate for children, and some are definitely not! Films with asterisks by their titles can be found on family-friendly channels such as The Disney Channel, ABC Family, The Hallmark Channel etc.

25 Movies for the fall:
1.  Remember The Titans*
2.  Stepmom
3.  Miracle on 34th Street*
4.  City of Angels
5.  A Family Thanksgiving*
6.  Planes, Trains & Automobiles

7.  Gigantic
8.  How to Marry a Millionaire
9.  Big
10. Baby Boom
11. Simon Birch
12. A League of Their Own
13. Funny People
14. The Big Chill
15. Son-in-Law
16.  Any John Grisham movie – The Pelican Brief, The Client, The Firm, A Time to Kill, The Chamber etc. (I love these because they’re long and great for a stormy day with a cup of hot cider/tea/chocolate/coffee/whatever!)
17. Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey*
18. A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving*
19. Pocahontas*
20. E.T.*
21. Wild America*
22. The Wizard of Oz*

23. Winnie The Pooh and The Blustery Day*
24. The Kid*
25. An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving – a short story by Louisa May Alcott

Which movies would make your favourite list?

Smile, you're on TV!

You might have grown up with the Cosby Show and are already smiling while you read this. For those of you who have not seen the family series from the 80s which almost single-handedly revived the sitcom genre in the US, the following video will give you a taste of how TV used to be made, before everyone went politically correct. The latest crop just doesn’t compare to how they did it back then.

This episode was about the question of equality in relationships. The following video explains it better than a thousand words. Wishing you a lovely weekend!

A Farewell Spectacular for Oprah Winfrey!

Only one person can unite as many VIP personalities in a single event. When that one person calls ...  everybody ... and I mean everybody... drops what they are doing and runs. No, it is not the President of the Unted States. And no, it is not the coveted Acadamy Awards' Oscar statue.

The diva of American TV, Oprah Winfrey is making televsion history this week by gathering stars and legends of the arts to celebrate her two last episodes (she couldn't mange to fit it all in one) after 25 years of showtime!

Oprah makes you think.

She makes you laugh.

And she’s certainly able to make you cry.

It's no secret—Oprah does not like being surprised. But, in the final days of The Oprah Winfrey Show, she makes an exception for her producers.

After months of secret meetings and careful planning, Oprah's dedicated team is ready to stage the greatest, grandest surprise ever. All Oprah knows is where to go—Chicago's United Center—and what time to show up.

As Oprah steps onto the stage and makes her 4,559th appearance on her show, she's greeted by an audience filled with her friends, family and more than 10,000 loyal viewers. There was an English playwright who once said, "There's no surprise more magical than the surprise of being loved." That's what tonight's show is all about.

Suprise after surpise unravels as Oprah greets star after star: Tom Hanks, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Diane Saywer, Beyoncé, Will Smith, Maria Shriver, Madonna, Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, Usher, Patti LaBelle, John Legend, Queen Latifah, Halle Berry, Jamie Foxx, Michael Jordan, Maya Angelou, Jerry Seinfeld and more.

"It's no secret that millions of people are inspired by Oprah. I am one of those people," Madonna says. "She's a self-made woman who has been at the top of her game for 25 years—and she is still kicking ass! ... She has balls and a wealth of compassion. I have learned so much from her."

Celebrities aren't the only ones who have surprises in store for Oprah. The United Center audience brought along some of their "favorite things" to present to the guest of honor. Every person in attendance bought at least one children's book, which will be used to stock empty library shelves at KIPP Believe College Prep in New Orleans. This school lost all its books during Hurricane Katrina, and when a tornado came through two years later and ripped out an entire wall, the repairs used up the school's library funds, leaving no money for books.

Of course, literacy is an issue close to Oprah's heart. Back in 1986, Tom Hanks says, no one would have guessed that a daytime talk show could inspire people to read, but The Oprah Show did just that. It's been estimated that Oprah's Book Club has helped sell 30 million books.

After an hour filled with farewells and surprises, Oprah tells her friends, the audience and viewers at home that she feels the love. "You have made it possible for us to stand for 25 years," she says. "Your presence in front of your television set and your presence here tonight honors me in the deepest way possible."

The Farewell Oprah Winfrey Show runs today, May 25, 2011. 

Farewell and Thank you Oprah.

I am dedicating this post to my Cuban and my Mexican friend who used to get together at lunchtime in Madrid, Spain to watch "The Oprah Show" on Dutch Cable TV! That just shows you how Oprah crossed boundaries, believes, nations and races in the pursuit of her dream: Changing the world!

Switzerland's answer to Susan Boyle

“Words mean more than what is set down on paper. It takes the human voice to infuse them with shades of deeper meaning.”
Maya Angelou

Next stop: Show business

This 49-year old Swiss housewife and pulic busdriver was inspired by Susan Boyle's performance and told herself she can do it, so can I. Maya Wirz has made it all the way to "Switzerland's got Talent" final which she won last night. Congratulations! Considering this little country only has 7 million inhabitants, I hope her voice will represent a new and unexpected side of Switzerland.

You might recognize two of the judges: DJ Bobo, is a successful Swiss singer, songwriter, dancer and music producer and Christa Rigozzi was crowned Miss Switzerland in 2006. She was born in Monte Carasso, Ticino and has become Ticino's claim of fame.

If you have time, click on the video below and watch Maya Wirz's path to fame.

The video is in Swiss German - which I have deliberately chosen - some of you might start feeling homesick (like myself), others can improve their rusty Swiss German or just have a little giggle while listening to this Swiss dialect,  in any case enjoy the show!

...and the Oscar goes to Harry Winston

"Talk to me Harry Winston, tell me all about it"
Marilyn Monroe in Diamonds Are A Girls' Best Friend

We are counting down to Hollywood's biggest night: the Academy Award ceremony.

Since the 1943 Academy Awards, when Harry Winston outfitted the lady of the night, Jennifer Jones, with her jewelry, Winston has lent the who's who of Hollywood royalty that extra sparkle--and, some say, a lucky charm--on the night of nights. Each year, Winston lends a staggering $200 million worth of jewelry to celebrities. As those very celebrities walk down the red carpet dressed in the likes of Gucci, Versace or Cavalli, one other name is always implied: Harry Winston, jeweler to the stars.

For this year's Oscars, celebrities collectively borrowed $40 million worth of jewelry from the exclusive designer. For 71st Annual Academy Awards, host Whoppi Goldberg alone added that extra sparkle with $41 million in Winston jewelry--including a rumored $15 million diamond ring. Halle Berry was wearing Harry Winston's famous Pumpkin Diamond Ring (the world's largest vivid-orange diamond ring), worth $3 million, when she accepted her Oscar; and Elizabeth Taylor, the queen of diamonds herself, was also loaned $3 million worth of jewelry for Oscar night.

In 1950, Harry Winston, the namesake of the House, was nicknamed by the press "The King of Diamonds"; and with good reason! Winston got his start in the jewelry business when at the age of 12. In 1908, he purchased a glass stone for $2, he later sold that same stone for $800.  It turns out it was an emerald. In 1920 he organized his first business, "The Premier Diamond Company" in New York City. In 1932, Winston acquired the jewelry collection of Rebecca Stoddard for $1 million. The early thirties saw Winston transition from wholesaler to retailer when he opened the first "Harry Winston" in New York City.

Winston has held more of the world's most famous jewels than any other group, with the exception of the British Crown. Although Winston does have some competition in Hollywood, with other retailers looking to outfit the stars on Oscar night, the King of Diamonds is likely to prevail over any competition and remain the premier jeweler to the stars.

It's Superbowl night!!!

Millions of people have counted down the days, minutes and seconds to watch the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Green Bay Packers vie for the championship title.

Tonight is the last game of the season: Who will get THE RING???

Get ready football fans, because today is game day for the game of all games:

the Super Bowl.

Sure, the Super Bowl is for football fans. However, lots of non-football fans will tune in to see all the creative commercials. Most of us know that not many companies have the funds available to book commercial spots during the Super Bowl game. The price tag to air just one 30 second commercial is $3 million. Ad spots were all sold out last October. For companies like Pepsi Max, Doritos, and Best Buy, they have the big budgets. These big companies will air more than five commercials each during the entire game, according to the NFL. But we all know the investment is worth it for these large corporations. While they can afford paying anywhere from $3 million to $20 million for ad spots, they know their profits will only sky rocket as nearly 80 million people are expected to tune into Sunday’s game.

While football fans are geared up for the game, millions of non-football fans will no doubt tune in and check out all the commercials. Unfortunately these commmercials are not shown on international channels but nevertheless invite some friends over, whip up some guacamole, Buffalo wings, nachos, and onion dip and tune in to SSF, ARD, France2, BBC2 or ORF1 (don't forget to switch into English) for the amazing atmosphere.


Another option is to watch the event livestream via your computer. Check out: http://www.watchlivechannels.com/nfl-super-bowl-xlv/ for further details. I have NOT tried this link myself, therefore cannot guarantee that'll give desired results. Would be interested to hear feedback though ;)


Click here for the offical NFL site and get live updates via twitter and start sharing your emotions and opinions.


In case you we're wondering: I'll be rooting for the Pittburg Steelers mainly because my Dad is from Pennsylvania.

Casting call in Lugano

"When I started out, I didn't have any desire to be an actress or to learn how to act. I just wanted to be famous."

Katherine Hepburn

Well, someone across the Atlantic seems to be following my blog. I received the encouragement I needed after experiencing my first blogger's blues.  A producer of the popular show "House Hunters International" contacted me through my blog and is searching for rising stars in Lugano.

All of you recent or imminent houseowners in Lugano and throughout Switzerland, listen up, House Hunters International is looking for you.

"House Hunters International" tells the story of people who have picked up their lives and moved to foreign and exotic locations to pursue a new life. They are currently looking to cast people who have bought or are currently looking for a home in Switzerland, preferably in Lugano. They are looking to shoot over the coming months so you've got to move fast.

Participation in the show is a lot of fun and a great way to document your new life in your new country. The show airs on the Home and Garden Network (HGTV) in the US and Canada and is one of the network's highest rated programmes.

I've added a trailer video on a previous Swiss episode for you to have a peek.

Should you be interested, please contact me at expatwithkids@yahoo.com for more information and in the meantime, I'll start cooling the champagne.