"People become really quite remarkable when they start thinking that they can do things. When they believe in themselves they have the first secret of success"
.....Norman Vincent Peale
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Healthy Aging
5 Healthiest Anti-Aging Snacks:
Snacking often gets a bad rap, but if you make intelligent choices about what you eat, you can actually benefit your health and longevity. Read on to find out how!Why Snacks?Most of us are used to eating three times a day, but it is much healthier to eat smaller meals more frequently -
f ive small meals a day, for instance. Eating in this way delivers a steady stream of nutrients, blood sugar, and energy to your body throughout the day and is also much less taxing on the digestive and metabolic systems.
And when you eat more small meals throughout the day, you will most likely avoid the pitfalls of overindulging at your next meal and may actually consume fewer total calories for the day. Keep healthy "grab-and-go" snacks on hand all the time to avoid the tempting lure of high-calorie snacks. Here are my top five snack choices:
1. Nuts and Seeds Keep You Young: Healthy and appetizing, nuts and seeds are absolutely the best snack of the bunch. Helping yourself to a handful of nuts and seeds every day can improve circulation and muscle tone.
And nuts and seeds are especially full of arginine, an amino acid that helps to combat heart disease, impotence, infertility, and high blood pressure, and it also facilitates the healing process. Additionally, arginine can stimulate the pituitary gland at the base of the brain.
The pituitary releases growth hormones, which begin to decline quickly in humans after age 35. This means that after 35, your hormones start to plunge and you experience some aging symptoms. The skin loses elasticity, the muscle loses mass and strength, the lean body tissue decreases, fertility and virility decrease, and other signs of aging start to set in.
Many nuts and seeds are rich sources of vitamin E, lignants and omega-3 fatty acids, which protect you from heart disease and also from the ravages of aging.Almonds, pine nuts, sesame seeds, Brazil nuts, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, flax seeds, peanuts, and pistachios: mix them in any combination and enjoy! Keep in mind that there are more nutrients in the raw form than roasted. Make sure that the nuts and seeds are fresh and not old and rancid.
2. An Apple a Day for Heart Health: There are many reasons to eat an apple - or two or three - every day. One study discovered that subjects who ate five apples or more a week had a healthier lung function than those who ate no apples.
And scientists have confirmed that apples also contribute to a healthy heart. Thanks to the fruit's rich pectin content, eating two to three apples per day leads to decreased cholesterol levels. Pectin also helps prevent colon cancer, one of the top causes of death in adults over age sixty.
3. Bring On the Berries: In season again, berries are bursting with antioxidants. The enticing red, purple, and blue skins of berries contain bioflavonoids, antioxidant compounds that reduce free radical damage.
These flavonoids are more potent antioxidants than vitamins C and E, and they also help to reduce inflammation - more effectively even than aspirin! • Blueberries are your best pick because not only do they have the highest level of antioxidant activity, but they also possess powerful neuroprotective properties that shield brain cells from damage , helping to slow down the age-related onset of memory loss, Alzheimer's, and senility. • Cherries also contain these beneficial anthocyanin compounds, which stimulate your pancreas to produce insulin. In fact, Chinese researchers have observed that cherries help keep diabetics healthy. These compounds also protect you against cancer, arthritis, and heart disease because they lower cholesterol.To learn more about the health benefits of berries, click here.
4. Avocado: Packed with NutrientsAmong the many antioxidant nutrients, glutathione is known as the "master antioxidant." This naturally occurring compound, found in avocados (as well as asparagus, walnuts, and fish), is made up of the three amino acids glycine, glutamic acid, and cysteine. Glutathione regulates immune cells, protects against cancer, and assists in detoxifying.
A deficiency in glutathione can play a part in diabetes, liver disease, heart disease, low sperm count, and premature aging. Avocados are also a source of L-cysteine, which helps protect your body from the harmful effects of pollution, chemicals, radiation, alcohol, and smoke. L-cysteine may also help boost immunity, protect you from heart disease, and build muscle. It is also useful for combating inflammation and encouraging healthy hair and nail growth. Pair your avocado with whole-grain crackers or whole-grain crisp breads for a fiber-rich tasty treat.
5. Apricots for Anti-Aging: One of the staple foods of the famously long-lived centenarians in the Hunza valley of the Himalayas is the apricot. Research has discovered that apricots have the highest levels and widest variety of carotenoids of any food.
Carotenoids are antioxidants that help prevent heart disease, reduce "bad cholesterol" levels, and protect against cancer. I hope you find the ways to nourish your body with healthy snacks! I invite you to visit often and share your own personal health and longevity tips with me. May you live long, live strong, and live happy!
-Dr. Mao
(Posted on yahoo news - Mon, Jun 09, 2008, 2:24 am PDT )
Snacking often gets a bad rap, but if you make intelligent choices about what you eat, you can actually benefit your health and longevity. Read on to find out how!Why Snacks?Most of us are used to eating three times a day, but it is much healthier to eat smaller meals more frequently -
f ive small meals a day, for instance. Eating in this way delivers a steady stream of nutrients, blood sugar, and energy to your body throughout the day and is also much less taxing on the digestive and metabolic systems.
And when you eat more small meals throughout the day, you will most likely avoid the pitfalls of overindulging at your next meal and may actually consume fewer total calories for the day. Keep healthy "grab-and-go" snacks on hand all the time to avoid the tempting lure of high-calorie snacks. Here are my top five snack choices:
1. Nuts and Seeds Keep You Young: Healthy and appetizing, nuts and seeds are absolutely the best snack of the bunch. Helping yourself to a handful of nuts and seeds every day can improve circulation and muscle tone.
And nuts and seeds are especially full of arginine, an amino acid that helps to combat heart disease, impotence, infertility, and high blood pressure, and it also facilitates the healing process. Additionally, arginine can stimulate the pituitary gland at the base of the brain.
The pituitary releases growth hormones, which begin to decline quickly in humans after age 35. This means that after 35, your hormones start to plunge and you experience some aging symptoms. The skin loses elasticity, the muscle loses mass and strength, the lean body tissue decreases, fertility and virility decrease, and other signs of aging start to set in.
Many nuts and seeds are rich sources of vitamin E, lignants and omega-3 fatty acids, which protect you from heart disease and also from the ravages of aging.Almonds, pine nuts, sesame seeds, Brazil nuts, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, flax seeds, peanuts, and pistachios: mix them in any combination and enjoy! Keep in mind that there are more nutrients in the raw form than roasted. Make sure that the nuts and seeds are fresh and not old and rancid.
2. An Apple a Day for Heart Health: There are many reasons to eat an apple - or two or three - every day. One study discovered that subjects who ate five apples or more a week had a healthier lung function than those who ate no apples.
And scientists have confirmed that apples also contribute to a healthy heart. Thanks to the fruit's rich pectin content, eating two to three apples per day leads to decreased cholesterol levels. Pectin also helps prevent colon cancer, one of the top causes of death in adults over age sixty.
3. Bring On the Berries: In season again, berries are bursting with antioxidants. The enticing red, purple, and blue skins of berries contain bioflavonoids, antioxidant compounds that reduce free radical damage.
These flavonoids are more potent antioxidants than vitamins C and E, and they also help to reduce inflammation - more effectively even than aspirin! • Blueberries are your best pick because not only do they have the highest level of antioxidant activity, but they also possess powerful neuroprotective properties that shield brain cells from damage , helping to slow down the age-related onset of memory loss, Alzheimer's, and senility. • Cherries also contain these beneficial anthocyanin compounds, which stimulate your pancreas to produce insulin. In fact, Chinese researchers have observed that cherries help keep diabetics healthy. These compounds also protect you against cancer, arthritis, and heart disease because they lower cholesterol.To learn more about the health benefits of berries, click here.
4. Avocado: Packed with NutrientsAmong the many antioxidant nutrients, glutathione is known as the "master antioxidant." This naturally occurring compound, found in avocados (as well as asparagus, walnuts, and fish), is made up of the three amino acids glycine, glutamic acid, and cysteine. Glutathione regulates immune cells, protects against cancer, and assists in detoxifying.
A deficiency in glutathione can play a part in diabetes, liver disease, heart disease, low sperm count, and premature aging. Avocados are also a source of L-cysteine, which helps protect your body from the harmful effects of pollution, chemicals, radiation, alcohol, and smoke. L-cysteine may also help boost immunity, protect you from heart disease, and build muscle. It is also useful for combating inflammation and encouraging healthy hair and nail growth. Pair your avocado with whole-grain crackers or whole-grain crisp breads for a fiber-rich tasty treat.
5. Apricots for Anti-Aging: One of the staple foods of the famously long-lived centenarians in the Hunza valley of the Himalayas is the apricot. Research has discovered that apricots have the highest levels and widest variety of carotenoids of any food.
Carotenoids are antioxidants that help prevent heart disease, reduce "bad cholesterol" levels, and protect against cancer. I hope you find the ways to nourish your body with healthy snacks! I invite you to visit often and share your own personal health and longevity tips with me. May you live long, live strong, and live happy!
-Dr. Mao
(Posted on yahoo news - Mon, Jun 09, 2008, 2:24 am PDT )
Monday, June 16, 2008
It's All About You!!!
"Make the most of yourself, for that is all there is for you..."
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
World Seed Vault in Norway!
Here is some facinating news that everyone should know about! http://60minutes.yahoo.com/segment/177/doomsday_vault link found on yahoo news
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Saturday, June 7, 2008
"The Waitress"
Jenna (Keri Russell) is shy, fun, and inviting in her role of a waitress at a local restaurant where she creates and bakes incredibly awesome pies. She is a genius when it comes to new flavors and unique combinations. Unfortunately, she is in a horrible marriage that she desperately wants out of, but cannot figure out just how to leave her husband. She tries to save and hide money, but is caught. Then when she becomes pregnant with his baby, she is saddened and confused to the point that she doesn’t even want the baby. You could say it just isn’t a happy time for her. At least until she meets her new doctor, who she winds up having an affair with.
Now Joe (Andy Griffith) is the owner of the pie shop and he is always coming into the restaurant and giving the waitresses a hard time. Jenna is the only one that will wait on him due to his negative and sometimes insulting demeanor. If you listen closely though, Joe does seem to have a little bit of wisdom hidden within his negatives.
There are sad times, happy times, and some OMG what is she thinking… but in the end she finally makes the right decisions for her and the baby!
That's what life is virtually all about……make the right decisions & follow the right path! AND, by the way, if things don't go exactly the way you planned, so be it. Move on from there and learn from your mistakes!!! Have faith that you WILL make the right decisions and figure it all out along the way.
Now Joe (Andy Griffith) is the owner of the pie shop and he is always coming into the restaurant and giving the waitresses a hard time. Jenna is the only one that will wait on him due to his negative and sometimes insulting demeanor. If you listen closely though, Joe does seem to have a little bit of wisdom hidden within his negatives.
There are sad times, happy times, and some OMG what is she thinking… but in the end she finally makes the right decisions for her and the baby!
That's what life is virtually all about……make the right decisions & follow the right path! AND, by the way, if things don't go exactly the way you planned, so be it. Move on from there and learn from your mistakes!!! Have faith that you WILL make the right decisions and figure it all out along the way.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Beauty Tips:
Though I have never tried any of these, they just might work. Thought it would be interesting to share...
Beauty lies in your kitchen:
EGG: Beat an egg and apply on your face and neck as a mask. Lie down for 20 minutes then rinse your face with lukewarm water. It helps to clean and tighten your skin and reduces wrinkles.
SALT: If you are exhausted physically or mentally try this. Add 2tbsp salt in warm water and plunge your feet in it for while and you will feel better.
CASTOR OIL: Applying Caster oil on the eyelashes makes them long and thick.
HONEY: if you have an oily skin, use mask of honey mix with egg white, for further excellent results add 1 tbsp milk cream in it. It will add glow to your face.
CUCUMBER: Cucumber’s juice and slices of cucumber are good for black circles, is very common tip. Cucumbers are also cleansers. Crush cucumber and add 1 tbsp of milk in it. Apply on your face and after a while wash it thoroughly with tepid water.
POTATOES: shred potatoes tie in a piece of cotton cloth and put it over your eyes for about 10 to 20 minutes. It helps to firm puffy and baggy skin around eyes.
ref: http://www.sobiascollections.com/
Beauty lies in your kitchen:
EGG: Beat an egg and apply on your face and neck as a mask. Lie down for 20 minutes then rinse your face with lukewarm water. It helps to clean and tighten your skin and reduces wrinkles.
SALT: If you are exhausted physically or mentally try this. Add 2tbsp salt in warm water and plunge your feet in it for while and you will feel better.
CASTOR OIL: Applying Caster oil on the eyelashes makes them long and thick.
HONEY: if you have an oily skin, use mask of honey mix with egg white, for further excellent results add 1 tbsp milk cream in it. It will add glow to your face.
CUCUMBER: Cucumber’s juice and slices of cucumber are good for black circles, is very common tip. Cucumbers are also cleansers. Crush cucumber and add 1 tbsp of milk in it. Apply on your face and after a while wash it thoroughly with tepid water.
POTATOES: shred potatoes tie in a piece of cotton cloth and put it over your eyes for about 10 to 20 minutes. It helps to firm puffy and baggy skin around eyes.
ref: http://www.sobiascollections.com/
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
"Shattered"
Gerald (Neil Randall) and Abby (Maria Bello) seem to have it all. They have a great home, wonderful lifestyle, a beautiful daughter and more. But, everything starts to shatter when they decide to have a night out and leave their daughter with a babysitter. An armed man (Brosnan) emerges from the back seat of their car and the rest of the night is absolutely intense and frightening. Intense emotions are flying, and the perfect marriage feels like it has lost its elasticity.
Pierce Brosnan, whom I really like in most of his movies, plays a very strong forceful and believable ‘bad guy’ in this mystery / thriller. This is not your typical Brosnan movie like you’re thinking. He’s no James Bond in this film! He takes the couple and the viewer on a wild roller coaster ride of twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the bitter end of the movie; and definitely keeps you guessing what the heck he is doing and why.
Pierce Brosnan, whom I really like in most of his movies, plays a very strong forceful and believable ‘bad guy’ in this mystery / thriller. This is not your typical Brosnan movie like you’re thinking. He’s no James Bond in this film! He takes the couple and the viewer on a wild roller coaster ride of twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the bitter end of the movie; and definitely keeps you guessing what the heck he is doing and why.
Monday, June 2, 2008
"Mad Money"
Diane Keaton & Ted Danson portray a typical married couple who do not communicate very well, especially when it comes to finances. Bridget (Keaton) is a non working wife, who finds out that her husband has lost his high paying job and they may lose their high class comfortable lifestyle and have to sell their beautiful home. Bridget decides that she should get a job to help pay the bills. When she lands a job as a janitor at a Federal Reserve Bank; she is determined to find a way to steal some of the money that she so badly needs. Bridget devises a scheme to get the money out of the bank to recycle into the economy. She realizes she cannot do it alone and calls upon Nina (Queen Latifah), and Jackie (Katie Holmes) to help carry out her plans. The three of them are fool proof for the most part, until all of a sudden something goes wrong. As they eventually get caught, they wiggle their way out of the legalities and are free themselves of any jail time. Diane Keaton is witty, fun, and quite charming as she strategizes and finds ways to stash the money so it will not be found. The film is a lot of fun to watch and keeps you on your toes thinking at any time they may be caught in the act of stealing from a federal bank. I just kept thinking they are going to jail for a long long time. You will be humorously surprised to see what happens to them in the end.
Friday, May 30, 2008
P.S. I Love You:
Okay, it’s another romantic comedy. Gotta lov'em though. This is a pretty good one too. Given the fact that Hilary Swank (Holly in the film) is not one of my favorite actresses, I was hesitant. Surprisingly, she was even funny at times. I enjoyed her subtle humor and apprehensiveness. She was candid, and yet believable as the woman who lost the true love of her life too early! Holly’s charming and lovable Irish husband, who plays a very short lived role, is a lot of fun to watch too. He becomes her key to surviving the future with his notes and riddles from so far away (in the grave). It is a combination of humor, heart break, and some family and friend support. I think everyone can relate to Holly in some way. Just goes to show you how short life can really be.
My thoughts after this move, - Live life to the fullest; spend your time and energy on the precious and important things that matter! You never know when they will no longer be part of your life!
My thoughts after this move, - Live life to the fullest; spend your time and energy on the precious and important things that matter! You never know when they will no longer be part of your life!
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
27 Dresses
I suppose we could categorize 27 Dresses in with the "chick flicks". It's definitely a fun romantic comedy for everyone to see in their spare time.
Katherine Heigl plays Jane who is always a bridesmaid never the bride. Jane is a really great person and a friend to everyone. She spends her free time helping all of her friends with their problems. She helps them plan their wedding, coordinating anything they might need for that special day! The problem is that Jane never really takes care of herself. She does not know how to say 'NO'. She is so busy running back and forth to weddings, at one point going to two on the same day, that she does not leave any 'real' play time for herself. Jane's untold desire is to be with her boss George (Edward Burns) when all of a sudden Jane's sister Tess comes to town for a visit and sweeps George out from under her. "Well, this is a reality check for Jane, you never really had him anyway! He is just your boss"
At one wedding, Jane meets Kevin (James Marsden), who appears to be very negative on the subject of marriage and weddings, and cannot think of anything to say that doesn't irritate the heck out of Jane. The word cynical comes up a few times. Then Kevin ends up writing an article about Jane and her life. This of course creates a huge emotional down turn for Jane until she realizes that Kevin is really a great guy and George was well again just her boss.
So, some thoughts for everyone... Live life with your own goals closer to the top of the list instead of putting them at the bottom and taking care of everyone else!!! We all deserve to fulfill our needs and desires.
Katherine Heigl plays Jane who is always a bridesmaid never the bride. Jane is a really great person and a friend to everyone. She spends her free time helping all of her friends with their problems. She helps them plan their wedding, coordinating anything they might need for that special day! The problem is that Jane never really takes care of herself. She does not know how to say 'NO'. She is so busy running back and forth to weddings, at one point going to two on the same day, that she does not leave any 'real' play time for herself. Jane's untold desire is to be with her boss George (Edward Burns) when all of a sudden Jane's sister Tess comes to town for a visit and sweeps George out from under her. "Well, this is a reality check for Jane, you never really had him anyway! He is just your boss"
At one wedding, Jane meets Kevin (James Marsden), who appears to be very negative on the subject of marriage and weddings, and cannot think of anything to say that doesn't irritate the heck out of Jane. The word cynical comes up a few times. Then Kevin ends up writing an article about Jane and her life. This of course creates a huge emotional down turn for Jane until she realizes that Kevin is really a great guy and George was well again just her boss.
So, some thoughts for everyone... Live life with your own goals closer to the top of the list instead of putting them at the bottom and taking care of everyone else!!! We all deserve to fulfill our needs and desires.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Spider Man III
My inspiring thoughts from Spider Man III:
At the end of Spider Man III Peter Parker reminds us:
“Whatever comes our way
Whatever battle we have raging inside us
We always have a choice
(My friend harry taught me that
he chose to be the best of himself)
It’s the choices that make us who we are
And we can always choose to do what’s right”
I’m sure we have all at least heard of Spider Man, even if we have not seen the series of three (I, II, III) movies. Not my favorite type of film, but worth seeing if only for the inspiring words Peter Parker leaves us with and the special graphical effects. I’m sure your kids will love all three movies.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
"Joe Jedermann"
"Joe Jedermann" starring Tim Allen. Now this was a very entertaining movie. Tim Allen, who is always great to watch, plays the role of a divorced father. Now this isn’t just any father, but a real schmuck of a guy! He doesn’t seem to run with the ‘in’ crowd, or have really expensive clothing. I think you know what I mean. All of a sudden he is sick and tired of feeling down and depressed, after an incident (a fight in the parking lot) at work that took place right in front of his daughter Natalie (played by Hayden Panettiere). It was supposed to be bring your daughter to work day, but he ends up taking her back to school because he is so embarrassed about the incident that took place.
Now, Tim Allen alone is usually funny, which helps to render a comical film. Add to that the daughter Natalie’s humor, and you have an enjoyable comedy! Natalie is incredibly intelligent, happy, cute, fun, witty, and a real smart arse, for lack of a better word. She really keeps the movie rolling and keeps the audience wondering what she will say next. The wit just doesn’t seem to end. She was, very amusing, and a fantastic little actress. I was thoroughly impressed with her style and her ability to antagonize her mother and father, and get them to think about the outcome of their actions. Usually this is the parent’s role to keep their children in line, but not in this film. Here, at a few instances, the child and parent seemed to have switched real life characters. I realize that it must have been good writing, and she didn’t think of these lines herself, but it sure seems like it just comes natural to her. Keep in mind, I would not especially like my own daughter to talk the way she does, but it is just a movie. If you like a good love story, or some witty comedy, this is a good choice.
Now, Tim Allen alone is usually funny, which helps to render a comical film. Add to that the daughter Natalie’s humor, and you have an enjoyable comedy! Natalie is incredibly intelligent, happy, cute, fun, witty, and a real smart arse, for lack of a better word. She really keeps the movie rolling and keeps the audience wondering what she will say next. The wit just doesn’t seem to end. She was, very amusing, and a fantastic little actress. I was thoroughly impressed with her style and her ability to antagonize her mother and father, and get them to think about the outcome of their actions. Usually this is the parent’s role to keep their children in line, but not in this film. Here, at a few instances, the child and parent seemed to have switched real life characters. I realize that it must have been good writing, and she didn’t think of these lines herself, but it sure seems like it just comes natural to her. Keep in mind, I would not especially like my own daughter to talk the way she does, but it is just a movie. If you like a good love story, or some witty comedy, this is a good choice.
"Instinct"
"Instinct" is a real mind thrilling drama to see
Excellent Movie!
Now here is are real mind thrilling drama for you to see. This story really makes you think. Anthony Hopkins is forever playing the scary roles, or strange characters. Recall silence of the lambs for instance. If you like Anthony Hopkins, you will enjoy him in this film where he plays Doctor Ethan Powell, who was lost for a couple of years in the jungle while studying the mountain gorillas. He lived among the wild somewhere in Africa, and made friends / family with the gorillas! Subsequent to some tragic experiences he encountered on his journey, he no longer wishes to speak. Powell was deemed extremely harmful and psychotic. Dr Theo Caulder is the one person who thinks he can ‘figure it all out’ and unveil all the truths that lie within Powell’s mind. He believes he can get Powell to speak again, and tell him the events as they took place back in Africa. This is a pretty exciting story to follow. I was so intrigued, and sat on the edge of my seat just to see what Powell was going to do or say next; or if he was going to speak at all. It was hard to anticipate what the next action would be on the part of Powell or Caulder. The two are in fact playing mind games with each other to see who is ‘really” in control of the situation, and even in control of their own lives. Bottom line question is...are you in control of your life or is someone else???
License to Wed
Fun Loving Comedy
I’m sure we all know what it’s like to be ‘in love’ with someone. We all know how tough marriage can be. We all know how hard any relationship is for the most part. The divorce rate alone scares me to death! Now, take a newly engaged couple (man and woman) who is totally in love, never fight, and in the midst of planning their wedding. Bride to be Sadie is played by singer / actor Mandy Moore and her other half Ben is played by John Krashinski. Sadie and Ben feel that they are so compatible that nothing can go wrong, or pull them apart. Robin Williams plays Reverend Frank, who insists that in order to marry in the family church, they must pass his personally developed marriage prep course. The course concentrates on trust, communication, fair fighting, and more. Keep in mind that one of the rules is no sex, and the reverend has bugged their home so he knows EVERYTHING! The prep course even takes them through a trial run of what it would be like to have children. Not just A child, but twins. Twin robots that is; they poop, cry, etc.
I especially like the part in the movie where Ben is asked to describe something about each member of Sadie’s family. Need I say more? I’ll leave it at that, and you probably already have an idea where this goes! Can’t imagine what I would say about my in laws! My favorite scene in the whole movie was when Reverend Frank stops over to the home of the couple and Sadie begins to talk to the reverend about their sex life. Ben becomes a bit disturbed by this, and thus he is not a happy camper! Of course this leads to some disappointing words between the newly engaged couple. The bottom line is to help the couple understand each other, communicate, and everything else that goes along with making a marriage work.
All in all, the movie is quite amusing, and at times absurdly entertaining. It eludes to educate the audience about marriage to some degree. It seems that Robin Williams is the key to holding the entire film together with his sense of humor, and witty responsiveness to the developments or subjects at hand.
88 Minutes
Mind boggling and intense - 88 Minutes
Well, of course someone wants to kill Al Pacino. Isn’t that the story of his life on screen? In this murder mystery thriller, 88 Minutes, it seems that everyone he knows may want him dead, and his head is spinning trying to figure out who the real killer is. Pacino plays Dr Jack Gramm, who is a college professor, and also works with the FBI. The whole adventure revolves around Jack after he receives an anonymous phone call telling him that he only has 88 minutes to live. The tension continually builds as Jack is framed and eventually named as the key suspect in the murders. 88 Minutes is mind boggling, and intense. If you think you know who did it, give it a few more minutes, and guess again!
"Bent"
"Bent" - with Clive Owen
We can watch movies, we can watch people walking down the street, we can become friends with people we meet, ignore them, the list of possibilities goes on. Don’t you sometimes wonder if they are happy, or sad, or working class people, rich, or poor, etc? Wouldn't it be interesting to know who and what they are without even asking? Maybe everyone wears a badge of some sort. Well…..the more I think about it….maybe not. It would take all the excitement out of meeting people, and choosing who you meet. Another thought is, do you believe in destiny, and that if you were meant to be here / there / anywhere, then you are exactly where you are supposed to be for the time being???
These thoughts, and countless others came to me while watching a rather out of the ordinary film titled "Bent" starring Clive Owen. In some ways I don't believe he knows himself at all, and then all of a sudden he seems to figure it out. It just goes to show you that some of us can skip through our lives and not even know who / what we are. This is an interesting war story that depicts the lives of homosexuals and people of Jewish faith. As a prisoner of war, the unknown is quite scary to everyone, but Clive Owen never fears his outcome, and claims he will live through it. He stays steady and strong throughout the film, and only shows his ‘true colors’ at the very end, when he feels it's time. Freedom at last I suppose. This movie should be approached with a very open mind. There are adult nudity and sexual scenes that some people would hesitate to watch. I though, have a very open mind for the most part, and like to understand what makes people tick. Very unique settings. Unique acting by Clive Owen. I have never seen him in a film quite like this, but he is very good in the role.
"HOAX"
Fake /Phony / HOAX
A true story about an aspiring author named Clifford Irving (played by Richard Gere) who is desperate and down on his luck. His recent fictional book, which he thought would be a big hit, has just been rejected by a big New York firm. In turn, Irving decides to create a magnificent story that will capture the firm’s attention and yield him millions of dollars. Irving’s inventive new book would be an autobiography of none other than Howard Hughes. Knowing that Hughes does not take to the lime light and do interviews, etc Irving believes he can produce a best seller and put himself back on top of the writing industry. Irving and his partner in crime, Dick (actor Alfred Molina) lie, steal documents, forge documents with Hughes’ signature, and create fake interviews between Irving and Hughes. Irving’s actions and the events that take place are creative and simply brilliant. To see what Irving and his partner strive to accomplish in order to obtain a fortune is totally amazing. Irving’s wife even decides to help. She deposits a check made out to Hughes into a Swiss bank account. Not a good move for her. Irving is eventually stopped in his tracks with legalities and accusations of falsifying almost everything he wrote. Yes, the book is a fake / phony / HOAX, and also provides implications that would impeach President Nixon at the time. Thus, in the end, the book is not published. This movie is at times funny, but mostly deceitful, and just plain wrong doing! Ultimately, Irving, his pal Dick, and his wife are all brought to justice. If you like history you will enjoy this film. As for the acting, I feel that Richard Gere may not have been the best choice for the main character in this film. He seems to remain flat and distant throughout the film, and does not bring about the true essence of the real story. I think the film would have had more of an impact on me had they chosen a different actor for the lead character Clifford Irving. All in all it is a good story and provides the audience with a recap of true past events in history.
"Death Proof"
"Death Proof" - NOT a film for everyone!
Well….not sure how to begin to explain this Quentin Tarantino film. The words demented and twisted actually come to mind. I picked this movie because it starred Kurt Russell, and figured it must be pretty good. Geez, did I think wrong! Stunt Man Mike (Kurt Russell) seeks a good time by simply killing women and he knows just how to play the game to keep the law on his side. This movie delivers a warped sense of right and wrong. Yet there are no legal implications that he has done anything wrong! How does he get away with this I thought? He follows women, practically stalks them, and listens to their conversations to get to know them before he actually meets up with them to kill them. In the end, the tables are turned and the women start fighting back. Boy was Kurt Russell surprised when the women begin to attack him instead! This movie reminds me of a Kill Bill, or Pulp Fiction type of film, both of which I still don’t quite get either. It has to take some strange minds to come up with this type of suspense, murderous thriller. The acting was okay, but not great. I would definitely NOT recommend this for young kids to watch.
"A Crude Awakening"
This is a wake-up call for everyone! It’s the future of all of our lives, and the relationship between our world’s progress and oil. Crude Awakening is the projection of the lengths we will go to obtain oil, and most of us don’t even know that we are headed for a crisis. Oil is everywhere, it’s the basis for everything, but the days of cheap oil are no more! The statistics are a scary, and the alternatives are scarce and costly. The end result is that if we don’t discover more oil, or come up with an inexpensive substitute or alternative, we as a nation / world will be in distress and potentially face a very dim future.
The expert cast refers to oil as the cause of all wars since WWI.
If you enjoy politics, history, and world news, you should see this film.
The expert cast refers to oil as the cause of all wars since WWI.
If you enjoy politics, history, and world news, you should see this film.
My thought at the end.....nothing lasts forever. Like oil, things eventually come to and end, and we all just have to find a positive way to deal with what comes our way!
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