We've Come A Long Way!

Hard to imagine that two decades ago, a lot of us wrote things down on paper with pen or pencil.  Journals, notebooks...you name it.  My first computer was a reliable HP from December 1998.  I thought I was in heaven, especially discovering the joys of the Internet.  Adding a printer made life in the written world a lot more interesting.  And then discovering the joys of computer games, such as Tetris, Roller Coaster Tycoon, Myst, Starship Titanic to name a few.  At my place of employment, we use the trusty Apple iBooks; we did have colorful Macs before the iBooks.  To watch children use these wonders of technology...made me feel primitive.  I must admit that for a long time I was afraid- no, more insecure, about using a computer.  At home I could play games and print assignments.  But the 21st Century has made me re-evaluate how information is going to be shared, taught and learned by the students of today.  Moving on this academic year, I have conquered the Powerpoint presentation- it is the most valuable tool in teaching concepts.  Yesterday I began learning "GarageBand" to edit songs for a play.  Each day is a new dawn in the technology area for me.  Blogging, Twittering, iPodding...what is next?  And it is fun to be bilingual...PC and Apple!

Race to Which Mountain?

Boy, have Disney films changed!  Decades ago, the only "action" films Disney produced were the Herbie the Love Bug and animal adventures.  But as times and tastes differ, so did Disney, and all for the best!!  I recall a time when going to a Disney film meant you were a "baby."  Now, going to a Disney film means a guaranteed "thrill" ride from your theatre seat.  I must say I was impressed, entertained and charmed by the latest Disney live-action entry, Race to Witch Mountain.  Dwayne Johnson (even though kids still call him "the Rock") is a likable hero in this film.  He's funny and can pack a wallop.  He can also be loving and show some TLC.  The kids were cute; I guess they are the "blondes" some UFO groups talk about.  I think they will show promise in future Disney features as well as other films.  Disney is probably a great training ground for a lot of child actors.  It was nice to see the original children, now grown ups, in small parts.  Iake (Ike) Eisenmann and Kim Richards, the sheriff and Tina the waitress, are still good looking and I bet they had a blast working for Disney once more.  Of course, now it is a SFX laden film, with a scary assassin creature-thing.  Of course, the government has to meddle and act as if nothing happened and all heck breaks loose.  It was fun to watch a lot of the action occurring at a Sci-Fi convention.   Carla Gugino was delightful as Alex, the scientist who believes in ET life and is agog when  she meets and has proof of their existence.  And Garry Marshall is funny with his wry delivery.  Overall, this film may not be the films of the inteligensia but once in a while it is fun to watch a frothy, light-hearted action film and just have FUN!!   And who knows what new mountain may be in the offing at your nearest Disney theme park- Matterhorn mountain, Mt. Everest, Splash Mountain, Space Mountain and who knows...Witch Mountain...Imagineers- start imagining!!

"Please keep your hands, legs and head inside the vehicle at all times.  Thank you!  Favor de mantner sus manos, piernas y cabeza dentro del vehiculo todo el tiempo.   Gracias."

I Don't Want to Know

So I missed the Battlestar Galactica series finale.  Frak!

Friends from out of town visited and had a great dinner and then it was off to the movies.  Well, I did want to see it and lo and behold, so did my friends.  Knowing was the film of choice and it was sold out,  so we sat in the first row.  I love movies, anyway, so I did not complain.  Critics love to complain about Hollywood actors and the choices of films they choose to take.  Nicholas Cage is probably one of them; all I hear is bad things about his last film, Ghost Rider or something like that.  The ads for his current film show a piece of paper with numbers that apparently predict major world disasters- from airplane crashes to natural disasters.  Don't want to give too much away, but the poster is definitely a spoiler, and as the film progresses, some strange and creepy people stalk his son.  Regardless, it is a great film in the special effects department.  And if you like science fiction, you will enjoy the story.  But then again, that's what movies are for...storytelling.  And let's face it, we all like a story, good or bad.  And we sometimes base our film choices on the poster, the trailers, or word of mouth.  I liked this film, will word of mouth it in the positive, and maybe in a future posting, discuss the final moments.  In fact, those final moments "bothered" me and put me into a serious pensive mood.  Where would I want to ...

"In one of the many, countless galaxies in the universe lies a medium sized star.  And one of its satellites, a green and insignificant planet..."

Requiem Aeternum

Natasha Richardson...gone!  OK, I didn't really follow her career, but she was wonderful in the remake of The Parent Trap.  She was scintillatingly bitchy in Maid in Manhattan.  And in one of her earlier films, she was the perfect picture of innocence in a strange, new world in The Handmaid's Tale.  And, her Tony award winning performance as Sally Ann Bowles in the revival of Cabaret.  I am sure she was destined for greater parts and noble gestures in helping those who need help.  Her immediate family is probably beyond devastated.  Such a loss for her children...there is something about a mother in a child's life.  And her husband- no doubt both in love and caring about their children.  When one is praying, one often thinks of those in most need of prayer.  Rarely do we think about praying for a celebrity.  After all, they seem to have it all.  I don't know much about Natasha Richardson, but I am sure her love of family was deeply genuine.  

I like to remind my friends that everyone of us: rich or poor- are created in the imago Dei- the "image of God."  The celebrities need our spiritual support as well.  I hope Natasha Richardson is in a good place.  She didn't seem like one who let fame go to her head.  

Thank you, Natasha...thank you from an entertainment fan.  Thank you for letting me forget my troubles...for making me laugh, smile, cry.  

"She had her moments, she had some style

The best show in town..."

Kings...Hmmm.....

A brand new series to look forward to.  Kings.  The ads, the teasers, the trailers looked interesting and promising.  And, based (loosely) on the Biblical story of King David.  Set in an alternate earth (that must be the sci-fi angle) it is in contemporary times, retelling the saga of David and his rise to power and the people surrounding him.  The pilot was slow and plodding at times, but then again some preachers' sermons last as long as last night's telecast.  I must admit that by the end of the 2 hours, I was hooked and will give this new series a chance.  Ian MacShane returns to American TV as the King, Silas Benjamin, who is the ruler of the mythical kingdom of Gilboa, at war with Gath.  I am not much up on my Old Testament, so this is definitely going to make me re-read the epic drama in the Good Book.  Let's face it, the Bible is a great source of drama.  On an episode of Good Times young Michael Evans was telling his mom, Florida, about the adulterous affairs and sinful things he was reading about.  She inquired as to which awful book he was reading; he innocently answered "the Bible."  And that got a great laugh from the studio audience.  Anyway, I am going to give Kings a chance and hopefully it will have a good run.  I still cannot forgive NBC for cancelling Surface.  A colleague of mine is still wondering what happened to the kids trapped in the church tower after the tidal wave hit the east coast, and all those creatures swimming and looking for food.

Hmmm....

Beat Out dat Rhythm On a Drum

A Hollywood gem waiting to be rediscovered by today's generation.  I've always heard about this film, bought the DVD and it just sat on the shelf. Finally decided to watch it and what a feast for the eyes and ears!  Probably a little too un-PC for today's PC crowd, but what a piece of Hollywood history!  Dorothy Dandridge, Harry Belafonte, Pearly Bailey and directed by Otto Preminger!  Music by Georges Bizet and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein, II!  Dorothy Dandridge was absolutely gorgeous; I can see why Halle Berry protrayed her in a tv biopic.  I guess for kids today, Miss Dandridge was the Miss Berry of her day.  And Harry Belafonte...very handsome.  And what can be said about Pearl Bailey...that wonderful comic actress and singer.   I know that Mr. Preminger directed The Cardinal and was a respected director in Hollywood.

     It took some getting used to seeing an entire African-American cast; even the extras- almost as if in a parallel universe.  Plus the fact that Carmen Jones was a player, of sorts.  She flirts with Joe and Joe's girlfriend, Cindy Lou is left alone- naive and innocent.  And what does Carmen's "rise" to the top get her?  The film mesmerized me and I can watch it again and again.  It's a great rainy day film.  I don't know if it was a critical success, but it is well worth the watch.  The music is universal and timeless.  Would such a film be successful today?  Oh, with major re-writes and it would be a non-traditional casting field day.  Visually a stunning treat.  The color- magnificent.  Orchestrations sound wonderful.  It is a shame that Miss Dandridge died at such a young age; who knows what she could have done in film, aside from films with an all black cast.  Check this film out and enjoy every frame!