TALK ABOUT IT

HANNA MONTANA The Movie - Who am I?

2009-04-12T12:39:00.000-07:00

Basically the film asks the questions, “Who am I? Where Am I going? What is important?” Self identity and purpose of being are certainly important matters. Despite the importance of theme the critics have panned the film.

However, the fans made this the best opening day of all-time for a G-rated live-action film ever! There is a real disjunction here with the critics. I think I’ll go with the fans on this one. Apparently the critics must think they have worked through the important self-identity issues of life and hence overlook the importance of this film on the lives of millions of young fans!

Here then is the message of the film: Your self-identity is connected to your family, historical roots and to the direction you are headed. Simple as it may seem that is a very good statement to be made in a teenie-bopper film, don’t you think?

Knowing - Love Tempts Fate

2009-03-22T12:34:00.000-07:00

Actress Rose Byrne said this about her film, “It’s a constant human desire to want to understand as much as we can about how long we're going to be around. People have been trying to figure it out forever. And whether it's Mayans or Muslims or Hindus, everyone has a theory on what's going to happen.” I totally agree. The various religions and philosophies generally fall into two schools of thought: 1) Fate. 2) Determination. In other words: 1) you cannot change your fate. 2) You are responsible for the direction of your future. Personally I believe in both. Life is a mix of both. The popular proverb says it well, “When life gives you lemons (fate), make lemonade (determination).” You, me and everyone else are responsible for the future we leave our children. The message in the film is Love = Determination!

Race to Witch Mountain - Enter the Journey

2009-03-15T16:15:00.000-07:00

SEIZE THE OPPORTUNITY

I like what Dwayne Johnson said about his taxi cab driver character, “Jack Bruno is a guy who has struggled to stay on the right path in life for some time. The only personal relationships he has are taking fares from point A to point B in Vegas. But once these extraordinarily gifted kids step into his cab, he gets an opportunity to do something that is really, really special. And that is the opportunity to save the world!”

A cab driver, who isn’t where he thought he’d be in life by this time in his life, finally allows himself the opportunity of take a new direction in life. An incredible journey begins! The catalyst for him were two strange teenagers with a fantastic tale. This film is like a roller coaster Disneyland ride. Although your life’s journey need not be so topsy turvy, it is important to allow yourself to enter into that incredible journey for your life. The apostle Paul said to entertain strangers, because they just might be angels unaware. Good advice. Entertain strangers and entertain new directions, as you are entertained by this film!

Jack had a shot at redemption. He took it. And so can you!

Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience

2009-03-02T16:27:00.000-08:00

Friedrich Nietzsche once remarked, “Only sick music makes money today.” Perhaps that is the view of some toward pop music and in particular to the music of the Jonas Brothers. Indeed, The Jonas Brothers and the industry behind them will make money, but the music is not sick.

The famed author J. K. Rowling has right, “Ah, music. A magic beyond all we do here!” I agree. Music is a divine mystery, no matter its form; it is all a profound gift from the creator of us all. Enjoy whatever musical form speaks to your soul –it is, after all, a gift of love from God.

“Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent.” --Victor Hugo

The Official Academy Award Winners

2009-03-02T16:10:00.000-08:00

BEST PICTURE:
Slumdog Millionaire

BEST DIRECTOR:
Danny Boyle “Slumdog Millionaire”

BEST ACTRESS:
Kate Winslet “The Reader”

BEST ACTOR:
Sean Penn “Milk”

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS:
Penelope Cruz “Vicky Christina Barcelona”

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR:
Heath Ledger “The Dark Knight”

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM:
Japan, “Departures”

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY:
Simon Beaufoy “Slumdog Millionaire”

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY:
Dustin Lance Black “Milk”

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY:
Anthony Dod Mantle, “Slumdog Millionaire”

BEST EDITING:
Chris Dickens “Slumdog Millionaire”

BEST SCORE:
“Slumdog Millionaire”

BEST ART DIRECTION:
Donald Graham Burt, Victor J. Zolfo… ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’

BEST COSTUME DESIGN:
Michael O’Connor “The Duchess”

BEST ORIGINAL SONG:
‘Jai Ho’, “Slumdog Millionaire”

BEST ANIMATED FILM:
Wall.E

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE:
Man On Wire

Confessions of a Shopaholic - Obsessive Behavior

2009-02-14T08:31:00.000-08:00

COMING TO TERMS WITH OBSESSIONS

We can identify with Becky, the shopaholic character in the movie, who is warm, loveable but deeply flawed. As we all are.

Director P.J. Hogan says, “A shopaholic is somebody who believes heavily in retail therapy. Feel bad? Go into a store, you’re cheered up instantly. Everybody can understand that. When we’re down, we’ve all used retail as a way to cheer ourselves up.”

It was Tammy Faye Bakker (remember her?), who famously said, “I always say shopping is cheaper than a psychiatrist.” Over spending can feel so good and so bad at the same time. Why is that? Ah, the human dilemma to which we all belong. Here is a film that allows us to hold a mirror up, not only to our culture, but to ourselves as well –and laugh. Ah the healing power of story. Go. Have a laugh. Be healed!

The International - Money Matters

2009-02-13T16:55:00.000-08:00

THE INTERNATIONAL explores the heroism of individuals against overpowering forces and overwhelming odds. It is a film about the intensity, courage and determination of the human spirit. It is therefore a celebration of human resourcefulness and ambition. However, these noble qualities are far less than primary to the film. Additionally, the fact that it is based on a real historical event has little to do with the end production. Its goal is to merely be an entertaining thriller. And indeed it is. If there was a message, it could be: “The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.”

It was the great poet and writer Dorothy Parker who said' "If you want to know what God thinks of money, just look at the people he gave it to."

Push - Moving On

2009-02-08T10:11:00.000-08:00

Although the film has been criticized for being incoherent, it does deliver a very important message: Despite difficulties, move forward with your life, even in the face of death. And that message is presented in a eye-popping cinematic style not often experienced. I like the style and I like the message. I only wish the delivery had been better.

Ulysses S. Grant said something that really fits PUSH –and your life:
“The art of war is simple enough. Find out where your enemy is. Get at him as soon as you can. Strike him as hard as you can, and keep moving on.”

APPLICATION
1. Identify the enemies of your soul.
2. Do what you know you must to overcome.
3. Commit to moving on.

PUSH ON
“When a thing is done, it's done. Don't look back. Look forward to your next objective.”
--George C. Marshall

The Pink Panther 2 - Hidden Messages?

2009-02-07T12:48:00.000-08:00

HIDDEN MESSAGES? In this depressing world of economic depression we need some humor. And here is Steve Martin to the rescue. But more than the being a comedy, I get the feeling that the filmmakers have incorporated a few messages.

1. Rediscovering the Magna Carta (containing the writ of habeas corpus) in a post-Bush world.

2. The loss of the Pink Panther (i.e. world treasure/economy) brings the world together.

3. International partnership and cooperation is good.

4. Humor is not a cure-all, but it helps.

Am I right about this? Who knows? But as Mary Hirsch, a teacher of humorous writing, correctly observed, “Humor is a rubber sword--it allows you to make a point without drawing blood.”

Coraline - What Love Is and Is Not

2009-02-07T09:37:00.000-08:00

REAL LOVE IS ACTIVE AND DETERMINED
“I also wanted to express that, sometimes the people who love you may not pay you all the attention you need; and, sometimes the people who do pay you attention may not love you in the healthiest way.” -- Neil Gaiman, author

What does it mean when your loved ones don’t seem to love you as much as you would like? The answer in Coraline is found by flipping that question around. It’s ultimately not about how others demonstrate their love to you, but rather, who you demonstrate your love for them. Coraline’s parents are drab when it comes to affections. But when they need help, Coraline goes to great extremes to save them. Real love is active and determined. Nothing can defeat it, not even the evil Other Mother. Here is an important message in a soon to be classic movie.

He's Just Not That Into You - Essential Human Quest

2009-02-06T16:54:00.000-08:00

QUESTION YOUR MOTIVES.
This film brought to my mind a certain human dilemma: Why are we often attracted to want we can’t have, and take for granted what we do have? Perhaps there is an upside to this situation. Could it be a part of essential human quest for something more, something other than? There is nothing wrong in this quest per se, the question is: how are you directing that forward motion. Life is short. Question your motives. Evaluate your goals. Reject dead ends. Reject stupidly. Move on choosing life over death. Honestly, I think this is what the film is about.

Taken - The passion of Bryan Mills

2009-01-31T15:30:00.000-08:00

The passion of Bryan Mills to save his beloved daughter goes along with something that Bette Davis once said, “My passions were all gathered together like fingers that made a fist. Drive is considered aggression today; I knew it then as purpose.” In fact, this could have been a line in the movie.

Passion must lead to aggressive action or it isn’t true passion. In ‘Taken’ Bryan Mills’ passion driven actions are centered in his love for his daughter. Ice T once said, “Passion makes the world go round. Love just makes it a safer place.” And there in is the message of this film!

The Uninvited - Story in 2 Part Harmony

2009-01-31T11:03:00.000-08:00

What the filmmakers attempt to produce is so true to life. Producer Walter F. Parkes says, "Every scene is two scenes. There is the scene the audience is watching …but then it has to be this other scene, which is what's really going on."

For me this is true in real life. Every day we are faced with appearances that may be facades to what lies beneath. Life is not always what it appears to be. This is why great spiritual thinkers have always encouraged focus on the heart and not just the outward appearance. This film is a powerful reminder of this very truth.

New in Town - Fish Out of Water

2009-01-30T17:19:00.000-08:00

I like what Renee Zellweger said of her role, “The fun part is making a jerk out of yourself… getting to be creative with it and ridiculous. And there's no way I was going to miss out on that. No way! I laughed myself silly watching what an idiot I was. It’s so funny because Lucy is so determined to be perfect.”

Such self-deprecation is a key to life, others can better identify with you and it helps breaks down false facade. Ahh, the joy of being honest about yourself to yourself and others. Learn to laugh at yourself. Great medicine!

PAUL BLART: MALL COP, Why The Public Likes Him.

2009-01-25T16:16:00.000-08:00

PAUL BLART: MALL COP came out during harsh economic times. People are depressed and uncertain about their future. Jobs losses are at record levels. And yet people are hopeful with the new president Barack Obama. PAUL BLART was released the week of the Presidential Inauguration. This film really connects to the moment and makes people feel better. Peter Ustinov said it right, “Comedy is simply a funny way of being serious.” The message in PAUL BLART is: “We can get through all this.” And that is the message we all want to believe in. Even though the critics panned this film, the public made it #1 two weeks running! The public gets it! We need PAUL BLART: MALL COP, the bungler who makes it.

Inkheart - Transforming Everything!

2009-01-25T11:56:00.000-08:00

INKHEART dramatizes an important truth: Stories shape us. We live by stories. Poet Muriel Rukeyser was exactly correct in saying, “The universe is made of stories, not atoms.” If you want to change your life, change your story. This is true of the whole of our world as well. A better world would result from better stories, as Arthur C. Clarke humorously put it, “Politicians should read science fiction, not westerns and detective stories.”

Stories have the power to transform us, and that is what INKHEART is all about. Stories are the ink that writes on the scrolls of our hearts. INKHEART is an important reminder of this life changing truth.

The 81st Annual Academy Awards 2009 Nominees

2009-01-22T08:55:00.000-08:00

Best Motion Picture of the Year
Nominees:

--The Curious Case of Benjamin Button: Ceán Chaffin, Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall

--Frost/Nixon: Brian Grazer, Ron Howard, Eric Fellner

--Milk: Bruce Cohen, Dan Jinks

--The Reader: Nominees to be determined

--Slumdog Millionaire: Christian Colson

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
Nominees:

--Richard Jenkins for The Visitor

--Frank Langella for Frost/Nixon

--Sean Penn for Milk

--Brad Pitt for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

--Mickey Rourke for The Wrestler

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
Nominees:

--Anne Hathaway for Rachel Getting Married

--Angelina Jolie for Changeling

--Melissa Leo for Frozen River

--Meryl Streep for Doubt

--Kate Winslet for The Reader

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
Nominees:

--Josh Brolin for Milk

--Robert Downey Jr. for Tropic Thunder

--Philip Seymour Hoffman for Doubt

--Heath Ledger for The Dark Knight

--Michael Shannon for Revolutionary Road

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
Nominees:

--Amy Adams for Doubt

--Penélope Cruz for Vicky Cristina Barcelona

--Viola Davis for Doubt

--Taraji P. Henson for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

--Marisa Tomei for The Wrestler

Best Achievement in Directing
Nominees:

--Danny Boyle for Slumdog Millionaire

--Stephen Daldry for The Reader

--David Fincher for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

--Ron Howard for Frost/Nixon

--Gus Van Sant for Milk

Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen
Nominees:

--Frozen River: Courtney Hunt

--Happy-Go-Lucky: Mike Leigh

--In Bruges: Martin McDonagh

--Milk: Dustin Lance Black

--WALL·E: Andrew Stanton, Pete Docter, Jim Reardon

Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published
Nominees:

--The Curious Case of Benjamin Button: Eric Roth, Robin Swicord

--Doubt: John Patrick Shanley

--Frost/Nixon: Peter Morgan

--The Reader: David Hare

--Slumdog Millionaire: Simon Beaufoy

Best Achievement in Cinematography
Nominees:

--Changeling: Tom Stern

--The Curious Case of Benjamin Button: Claudio Miranda

--The Dark Knight: Wally Pfister

--The Reader: Roger Deakins, Chris Menges

--Slumdog Millionaire: Anthony Dod Mantle

Best Achievement in Editing
Nominees:

--The Curious Case of Benjamin Button: Angus Wall, Kirk Baxter

--The Dark Knight: Lee Smith

--Frost/Nixon: Daniel P. Hanley, Mike Hill

--Milk: Elliot Graham

--Slumdog Millionaire: Chris Dickens

Best Achievement in Art Direction
Nominees:

Changeling: James J. Murakami, Gary Fettis

--The Curious Case of Benjamin Button: Donald Graham Burt, Victor J. Zolfo

--The Dark Knight: Nathan Crowley, Peter Lando

--The Duchess: Michael Carlin, Rebecca Alleway

--Revolutionary Road: Kristi Zea, Debra Schutt

Best Achievement in Costume Design
Nominees:

--Australia: Catherine Martin

--The Curious Case of Benjamin Button: Jacqueline West

--The Duchess: Michael O'Connor

--Milk: Danny Glicker

--Revolutionary Road: Albert Wolsky

Best Achievement in Makeup
Nominees:

--The Curious Case of Benjamin Button: Greg Cannom

--The Dark Knight: John Caglione Jr., Conor O'Sullivan

--Hellboy II: The Golden Army: Mike Elizalde, Thomas Floutz

Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Score
Nominees:

--The Curious Case of Benjamin Button: Alexandre Desplat

--Defiance: James Newton Howard

--Milk: Danny Elfman

--Slumdog Millionaire: A.R. Rahman

--WALL·E: Thomas Newman

Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Song
Nominees:

--Slumdog Millionaire: A.R. Rahman, Gulzar("Jai Ho")

--Slumdog Millionaire: A.R. Rahman, Maya Arulpragasam("O Saya")

--WALL·E: Peter Gabriel, Thomas Newman("Down to Earth")

Best Achievement in Sound
Nominees:

--The Curious Case of Benjamin Button: David Parker, Michael Semanick, Ren Klyce, Mark Weingarten

--The Dark Knight: Ed Novick, Lora Hirschberg, Gary Rizzo

--Slumdog Millionaire: Ian Tapp, Richard Pryke, Resul Pookutty

--WALL·E: Tom Myers, Michael Semanick, Ben Burtt

--Wanted: Chris Jenkins, Frank A. Montaño, Petr Forejt

Best Achievement in Sound Editing
Nominees:

--The Dark Knight: Richard King

--Iron Man: Frank E. Eulner, Christopher Boyes

--Slumdog Millionaire: Tom Sayers

--WALL·E: Ben Burtt, Matthew Wood

--Wanted: Wylie Stateman

Best Achievement in Visual Effects
Nominees:

--The Curious Case of Benjamin Button: Eric Barba, Steve Preeg, Burt Dalton, Craig Barron

--The Dark Knight: Nick Davis, Chris Corbould, Timothy Webber, Paul J. Franklin

--Iron Man: John Nelson, Ben Snow, Daniel Sudick, Shane Mahan

Best Animated Feature Film of the Year
Nominees:

--Bolt: Chris Williams, Byron Howard

--Kung Fu Panda: John Stevenson, Mark Osborne

--WALL·E: Andrew Stanton

Best Foreign Language Film of the Year
Nominees:

--Der Baader Meinhof Komplex(Germany)

--Entre les murs(France)

--Revanche(Austria)

--Okuribito(Japan)

--Vals Im Bashir(Israel)

Best Documentary, Features
Nominees:

--The Betrayal - Nerakhoon: Ellen Kuras, Thavisouk Phrasavath

--Encounters at the End of the World: Werner Herzog, Henry Kaiser

--The Garden: Scott Hamilton Kennedy

--Man on Wire: James Marsh, Simon Chinn

--Trouble the Water: Tia Lessin, Carl Deal

Best Documentary, Short Subjects
Nominees:

--The Conscience of Nhem En: Steven Okazaki

--The Final Inch: Irene Taylor Brodsky, Tom Grant

--Smile Pinki: Megan Mylan

--The Witness from the Balcony of Room 306: Adam Pertofsky, Margaret Hyde

Best Short Film, Animated
Nominees:

--La Maison en Petits Cubes: Kunio Kato

--Ubornaya istoriya - lyubovnaya istoriya: Konstantin Bronzit

--Oktapodi: Emud Mokhberi, Thierry Marchand

--Presto: Doug Sweetland

--This Way Up: Alan Smith, Adam Foulkes

Best Short Film, Live Action
Nominees:

--Auf der Strecke: Reto Caffi

--Manon sur le bitume: Elizabeth Marre, Olivier Pont

--New Boy: Steph Green, Tamara Anghie

--Grisen: Tivi Magnusson, Dorthe Warnø Høgh

--Spielzeugland: Jochen Alexander Freydank

Golden Globes 2009 Winners

2009-01-22T08:45:00.000-08:00

Golden Globes, USA: 2009

Best Motion Picture - Drama
Winner: Slumdog Millionaire (2008)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama
Winner: Mickey Rourke for The Wrestler (2008)

Best Television Series - Drama
Winner: "Mad Men" (2007)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama
Winner: Kate Winslet for Revolutionary Road (2008)

Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy
Winner: Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy
Winner: Colin Farrell for In Bruges (2008)

Best Director - Motion Picture
Winner: Danny Boyle for Slumdog Millionaire (2008)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy
Winner: Tina Fey for "30 Rock" (2006)

Best Original Score - Motion Picture
Winner: Slumdog Millionaire (2008) - A.R. Rahman

Best Television Series - Musical or Comedy
Winner: "30 Rock" (2006)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television
Winner: Paul Giamatti for "John Adams" (2008)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy
Winner: Alec Baldwin for "30 Rock" (2006)

Best Screenplay - Motion Picture
Winner: Slumdog Millionaire (2008) - Simon Beaufoy

Best Performance by an Actress in a Mini-Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television
Winner: Laura Linney for "John Adams" (2008)

Best Foreign Language Film
Winner: Vals Im Bashir (2008)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
Winner: Heath Ledger for The Dark Knight (2008)

Best Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Winner: "John Adams" (2008)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy
Winner: Sally Hawkins for Happy-Go-Lucky (2008)

Best Animated Film
Winner: WALL·E (2008)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Drama
Winner: Anna Paquin for "True Blood" (2007)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama
Winner: Gabriel Byrne for "In Treatment" (2008)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Winner: Laura Dern for Recount (2008) (TV)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Winner: Tom Wilkinson for "John Adams" (2008)

Best Original Song - Motion Picture
Winner: The Wrestler (2008)("The Wrestler")

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
Winner: Kate Winslet for The Reader (2008)

Bride Wars -Celebrating Friendship

2009-01-10T18:42:00.000-08:00

FOREVER FRIENDSHIP!
Bride Wars, despite its title, is at its heart a celebration of friendship. The friendship between Liv and Emma, despite the comical differences, is always the ultimate priority. Both are different and have separate life journeys, but they are always friends. This is the truth of this film. I like how Victor Hugo puts it, “Do you know what friendship is... it is to be brother and sister; two souls which touch without mingling, two fingers on one hand.” Value your friends and celebrate them –despite the differences. Let this film help you do just that.

Gran Torino - Giving Opportunity

2009-01-10T12:48:00.000-08:00

GIVING OPPORTUNITY TO OTHERS!
What spoke to me most about the film was the use of first-timers. "I do like to give people a break," Clint Eastwood stated. "I like to see new people come along, and have opportunities.” What could be better than a retiring veteran, like Eastwood, using his influence to give new people opportunity? Not only is this true of the screenwriter and Hmong actors, but of the story itself --Walt Kowalski, an iron-willed veteran becomes the ‘father’ of the new kid on the block. Contributing unselfishly to the lives of others out of one’s acquired resources, is to me a mark of greatness.

Defiance - The Kind of Inspiration We All Need

2009-01-01T14:52:00.000-08:00

None of us would wish hardship on anyone. Disasters that cripple human existence are exactly that –disasters! So, it is always amazing to hear of acts of endurance, survival, compassion and solidarity that come out such situations as portrayed in Defiance. Inspiring, to be sure. In stark contrast to the murderous persecution by the Nazis, there is the heroic life-giving saga of the Bielski partisans. I give the highest praise the producers of this film who have given us a testimony of those who stood in defiance to Hitler’s evil. Here the kind of inspiration we all need, to be sure.

“The real legacy of the Bielskis is that so many people are here on earth who might never have lived.”
-- Zvi Bielski, one of Zus’ sons

Doubt - It's Good to Doubt Faith

2008-12-28T20:48:00.000-08:00

An amazingly and gripping film about faith and doubt. —From the opening moments of John Patrick Shanley’s DOUBT to its conclusion, uncertainty hangs in the air, drawing the audience into a provocative mystery in which two nuns, a priest, and the mother of a young boy – as well as the audience itself -- are forced to confront their core beliefs as they struggle with judgment and verdict, conviction and doubt— Now what could make a better story than that? To question is such an important part of faith. As Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. wisely observed, “To have doubted one's own first principles is the mark of a civilized man.”

Revolutionary Road - Journey to Self Discovery

2008-12-28T13:07:00.000-08:00

BEING A NON- CONFORMIST!

As Yates said, “The worst thing that you can do in this life is to live a lie.” To live true to the essence of who you are is not easy. “Be not conformed to this world” the scriptures say. And Shakespeare reminds us “above all: to thine own self be true.” Easy to say. Hard to do.

Even Yates struggled with this ideal. Like his characters, he was plagued with alcoholism, depression and difficult relationships. He died broke of emphysema at the age of 66. What this film represents is that very struggle we all have. And let’s be real, it is a struggle. Still, we do need to become all that we are intended to be. Here’s to you and your journey. May this film encourage you.

Marley & Me - The Unconditional Love of a Dog

2008-12-24T18:29:00.000-08:00

I was very surprised. I watch this film at a major Hollywood junket with many other reviewers. We also viewed, Bedtime Stories, The Day the Earth Stood Still, and The Curious Case of Benjamin Buttons. Marley and Buttons were favored best. I thought Marley would have been a so-so film. I was wrong. Reviewers really connected favorably with both of these two films. I think this was because they were about life in all its dimensions –career, marriage, children, birth and death. I recommend Marley to you. In Marley you will experience Unconditional Love in a new tear jerking way. Marley may just be God-in-canine. You know what you get when you spell dog backwards?

Bedtime Stories - Stories Are Life Changing

2008-12-24T11:27:00.000-08:00

A very creative, simple and delightfully entertaining movie. There is no better way to change your life than through the use of story. We all live by the stories we carry around in our heads. These internal stories determine our life course. Wanna change your life? Simply change your story! And that is the message in this film. I like how Jewish poet Muriel Rukeyser puts it: “The universe is made of stories, not atoms.”