October/November Movies & Oscar Buzz 2010
December 28, 2010 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on October/November Movies & Oscar Buzz 2010
We got back from our six week Africa trip the middle of October and slowly eased back into our weekly Friday movie habit. We usually go with our friends, and fellow movie critics, Susan and Bill. Now we’re in full swing!
Jesse Eisenberg
Our Picks – Social Network – heard from friends it was good and we agree – very engaging & great acting, but not our pick for the Oscar – “2 thumbs up”
Inside Job – this documentary leaves you feeling pretty “pissed off” at the banking industry and the scam they pulled off for years before it all came tumbling down. And the same people responsible for it are in charge of the bailout. Go figure! – “2 thumbs up”
Fair Game – the true story of Valerie Plame getting ousted by the CIA got panned by the critics and we liked it – truth and justice eventually prevail if you don’t give up – “2 thumbs up”
127 Hours – as gruesome as it was, we didn’t “feel like we were going to pass out” as was reported by some of the critics. He said, “The story was predictable from the start and I felt it was filled with too many flashbacks just to fill up time.” She said, “Well, we knew the outcome before we went in. I thought the acting was great considering James Franco pretty much carried the movie by himself – “2 thumbs up”
Unstoppable – I wondered how they could make a feature length movie all about a runaway train and it was great edge of your seat entertainment! She said, “How come you liked this movie if you knew the outcome going in?” He said, “I knew they got it stopped, I just didn’t know how they were going to do it.” – “2 thumbs up”
Angelina Jolie
Not as Good as Expected – Salt – just OK – too much “over the top” special effects and felt like “Angie was playing the female version of Jack Bauer.” And as we all know, only Jack Bauer can play Jack Bauer. “2 thumbs sideways”
Inception – forgot that we saw this during the summer and just could not get into it, too bizarre – “2 thumbs down”
Due Date – we surprisingly loved “The Hangover” but this was not near as good and a bit too raunchy for us. Robert Downy, Jr. did a good job. In the end it was just a so-so movie – “2 thumbs down”
Stone – Edward Norton is one incredible actor and this is another example of that – Robert De Niro’s character felt like I was watching “more of the same of De Niro playing De Niro.” “2 thumbs down”
Couldn’t Agree – Winter’s Bone – film about a young girl in the Ozarks was very bleak – acting was very good. She said “thumbs up” – he said “thumbs down.”
WOW Word-Of-the-Week #334: Eclectic
December 27, 2010 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on WOW Word-Of-the-Week #334: Eclectic
Eclectic – selecting what seems best from various styles, doctrines, ideas, methods, etc.
Can you think of the last time you experienced an eclectic environment? Do you know anyone that you would call eclectic? Have you ever confused the word with eccentric?
Last year my brother referred to my husband Chris as being eccentric. I remember thinking that what he probably meant to say is he is eclectic. He definitely doesn’t exhibit bizarre behavior. He is very open-minded and receptive to different ways of doing things. He’s even a very good sport when he gets “put on the spot.”
Eclectic Chris at Church
On our last trip to Africa, Stephen, our travel agent, insisted that we go to Johannesburg. I really did not want to based on feedback from other people who had been there. What a wonderful surprise it turned out to be!
On our Sunday morning tour of Pretoria, our guide Kuliso took us downtown. Just by chance he headed to his old church. It was on the 2nd floor of a building and we could hear them singing for 2 blocks. We walked in to an overflow crowd of 1000 people and a stage filled with Zulu Warrior Dancers performing. They were celebrating Heritage Day that week in South Africa and it could only happen once a year. They made room for us up front so we could film.
One of the girls tagged Chris by putting her headband on his head. Then they pulled him out of the audience to come on stage. Chris had them rolling in their seats as we were the only 2 white people there. It was way cool and so unexpected! Check out my eclectic Chris “getting religion” with the Zulu Warrior Dancers.
Then ironically in this Sundays LA Times, the cover story in the Calendar section reads, “HIS INDIE STREAK, Ryan Gosling’s Instinct for the Eclectic Comes Naturally.” We could say the same about Chris? LOL
This week’s focus is on being eclectic. Are you open minded? Are you able to select what seems best from various styles, doctrines, ideas, methods, etc?
Reader Responses
“Susan, that’s delightful!!! Thanks for sharing. . . .Wishing you a fabulous 2011.” – Donna
“Oohh I want to be more “eclectic”. I dont know what your brother was talking about unless I dont know Chris” – Sandra
“Thanks Sooz! I loved seeing your videos. Chris did a great job! Happy New Year to both of you! Hugs” – Katie
“Whenever I have heard the word eclectic the first thing that came to mind was taste. As in, someone has eclectic tastes. Knowing me, I would probably pick something traditional from the batch. That’s just me. As much as I have an open mind about many things, I will usually go with something that is tried and true for me. Now, if I am traveling and am presented with eclectic choices, I would probably go for something that is different. It depends on the mood I am in at the time. I have not confused eclectic and eccentric. While I have known eccentric people in my life, I never confused them with being eclectic. Heck, I have been accused of being eccentric at times. But eclectic and eccentric offer all of us something off the beaten path. Opting for such can help us learn and grow. And that is what life is all about. Your trip to Johannesburg sounded incredible. Great decision. Happy New Year to you and yours, Susan. I look forward to continue communicating in this exciting new year. Take care.” – “Warrior” Joe
Summer Movies 2010
December 20, 2010 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on Summer Movies 2010
I find something to like about almost every movie I see. My husband on the other hand likes very few. That being said, this summer has been pretty disappointing.
Best Movies of the Summer – Toy Story III – great story, great twists and turns, just plain great FUN even though it was a bit scary. (my 5 year old granddaughter asked to sit on my lap at that part)
Knight & Day – although panned by the critics we both liked it. I belly laughed many times, especially at the end, and even gasped quite loudly on several occasions. Don’t get too picky about where all there change of clothes came from and how realistic all the stunts were. Diaz and Cruise had a great chemistry and the story was just FUN.
City Island – great indie film about a dysfunctional family that all harbor secrets and lies.
Get Low – academy award winning presentation by Robert Duvall as the recluse that plans his funeral while he is still alive.
The Kids Are All Right – great acting by Annette Bening and Julianne Moore
Robert Duvall
Not as good as I expected – Iron Man II – the first big blockbuster that I found to be too over done. We really liked the first one but the sequel was way too outlandish. Too many special effects that were just not realistic (felt the same way about Downey’s role as Sherlock Holmes)
Robin Hood – Ditto review see above. Love Cate Blanchet but it still didn’t work.
WOW Word-Of-the-Week #333: Eccentric
December 20, 2010 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on WOW Word-Of-the-Week #333: Eccentric
Eccentric – a person who deviates from normal forms of behavior especially in a bizarre manner.
Do you know anyone that you would call eccentric? Does Howard Hughes come to mind? Will you be experiencing any type of bizarre behavior this Holiday?
Howard Hughes
In response to last week’s WOW on gratitude, I received this very positive e-mail from Linda. She wrote, “What a beautiful post. I am grateful especially this holiday season because I still have my parents, and on December 26th my two sisters and I will be celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary with family and friends. “
“The best part of it is that my grandpa, 94 years young, who walked my mom down the aisle 50 years ago, will be there to help her celebrate. Isn’t this what we all want? And it’s so true about what you said regarding the stress of spending time with family during the holidays.”
“I remember the movie with Anne Bancroft, Charles Durning, Robert Downey Jr., Claire Daines, Geraldine Chaplin, Dylan McDermott and Holly Hunter called ‘Home for the Holidays.’ And the stress the character played by Holly Hunter went through spending time with her eccentric family. I’m guessing a lot of families may or may not have similar experiences but one should appreciate and be grateful for the family they do have to celebrate with.”
“I think of the homeless and the elderly who don’t have anyone and how their souls are so empty and lost. I can honestly say, I am lucky and I know because other people have told me, ‘You’re so lucky to still have your parents to be able to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. I wish I could have that chance. I would give anything to have that chance to see my parents one more time.’”
“So that is why Susan, your post today hits home because I AM grateful and I do appreciate the love and kindness God has given to me and for letting me still have my parents to celebrate not only for their 50th anniversary but to have them for another day.”
This weeks focus is to understand eccentric behavior. Can you not take it personal? Can you accept that we all may be a little bit eccentric at times?
Reader Responses
“My father always reminds me that it takes all kinds to make a world, and there is not one missing. My mother’s advice is that it would be a very boring world if we were all the same. The key with eccentrics and everyone else is acceptance. Let’s face it, none of us operates on the same type of schedule or lifestyle. Many people in life march to the beat of their own drummer. As long as someone’s eccentricities don’t interfere with the everyday function of our lives, we should not worry about it too much. When we go to dinner with in-laws or relatives who have an unusual way of eating, drinking or talking, it is best to just accept them for what they are. In my own dealings with eccentrics, I laughed off some of the behavior that I encountered. I had to or I would have gone crazy. If there is anything that eccentrics can teach us it is that maybe we should not take life too seriously and lighten up. My mother always reminds me that if there were not people unusual or different from us, who would we have to talk about in our lives? Great word, Susan. Especially at this time of the year when many eccentrics are out and about. Take care. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and yours.” – “Warrior” Joe
WOW Word-Of-the-Week #332: Gratitude
December 13, 2010 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on WOW Word-Of-the-Week #332: Gratitude
Gratitude – a feeling of thankfulness or appreciation.
How often do you feel a sense of gratitude? Are you thankful for what you have? Do you appreciate your life and the people in it?
Elizabeth Edwards
This week it was announced that Elizabeth Edward’s doctors told her that it would be unproductive to continue her cancer treatments. She was told she may have up to a couple of months of life left.
She issued this statement on her Facebook page. “The days of our lives, for all of us, are numbered. We know that. And yes, there are certainly times when we aren’t able to muster as much strength and patience as we would like. It’s called being human. But I have found that in the simple act of living with hope, and in the daily effort to have a positive impact in the world. The days I do have are made all the more meaningful and precious. And for that I am grateful.”
“It isn’t possible to put into words the love and gratitude I feel towards everyone who has and continues to support and inspire me every day. To you I simply say: you know.”
The following day Elizabeth passed. It made me feel sad because she was just too young to die. It also brought up memories of my good friend Dixie who used to say, “You just never know when your time will be up. You could step off a curb and get hit by a bus.” Dixie died in 2006 from a very fast and aggressive form of cancer. I don’t want to be morbid, but we are all going to die. We just don’t know when.
This week focus on feeling gratitude. Do the Holidays typically cause you to feel stress? Is it a challenge to spend time with some family members? If you had only a couple of months of life left would you feel differently?
Reader Responses
“She was a great woman and I felt sad too.” – Elaine
“I find the importance of gratitude every single day of my life. WE ARE HERE, Susan. We can make a difference in other people’s lives with an attitude of gratitude. These last few days have offered me great examples. On Saturday, I took my father-in-law and his cousin for a leisurely lunch at a very nice restaurant in Milwaukee, WI, and afterward we watched the Marquette-Wisconsin basketball game. The lunch, the game tickets were all on me. I wanted to treat my father-in-law for all that he and his wife do for our two girls, especially baby-sitting. And there are not a lot of opportunities when he can catch up with his cousin, who is about 15 years younger than he is. The gratitude went both ways on Saturday. Yesterday I was in the Milwaukee area once again for a wake. While there were warnings about the weather on Wisconsin’s roads, I was able to make my way up safely and pay my respects to a former Marquette basketball coach and his family. The coach was always very welcoming and gracious to me during my lifetime. I wanted to show my gratitud to his widow and family. Because our days our numbered here, we have to make the most of them and show gratitude to those we love. The last two nights, my two-year-old wanted my attention when she was put to bed. So, I held her and talked to her until she fell asleep. I was grateful to be able to take that time with her. My wife and I also make sure that we can take the last two weeks off in December so that we can be home with our two- and nine-year-old girls. I am reminded of a song by 10,000 Maniacs entitled “These Are The Days,” that sums up beautifully how we have to take advantage of those days and moments that are so fleeting. So, I always try not to put off what I can do NOW! I agree with you about the sadness of the passing of Elizabeth Edwards. She was an incredible woman who truly put others before herself, even when she was betrayed. We need to emulate people like her in our daily lives. She gave the full, last measure of her life. May God rest her soul. Thank you, Susan. Great word. Take care. Happy holidays!” – “Warrior” Joe
“I love this one this week – I’m going to print it off and put it on my fridge :)” – Love ya, A
“I appreciated your WOW more so today than usual – this email has two sides and it can be morbid but that’s a choice we make or we can take on the challenge to enjoy LIFE!” – Brenda