Amazing

Orphaned in Africa

Kids are the future and the kids of South Africa can bring a great change to the community despite their shattered upbringing. You don’t know the story behind most of the kids, but you do know it is mostly tragic. A lot of these kids were left orphaned as a result of AIDS. Some were pulled from alcoholic and abusive parents. Whatever the case, they are without parents in one of the weakest economic areas in all of South Africa.

Our goal here is to end that trend. AIDS leaves more and more victims every day. As a result, the number of orphaned children only increases. We believe we have the tools to bring that devastation to an end. Education is the future.

These kids are so beautiful and each has his or her own story. Nane loves books and wristwatches. Sya loves frisbee and rocks. Colin loves handshakes, music and basketball. Syando loves cards and sugar cane. Mandla loves dribbling the soccer ball. Mfundo loves to teach me words in Zulu. Raah loves geometry textbooks.

All of these kids are innocent products of a broken or dysfunctional upbringing. They have more love than I have ever seen. I thought I would come out here to Africa and love on some kids. I have, but nothing can compare with the love they bestow on me. Their love is unconditional and innocent and pure and beautiful.

Nothing brightens up my day more than a kid who comes up and smiles and gives me a big hug. This program can help these kids rise above their affliction and pain. With a few people to get things running and spread some love, this community can become one that is not affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

These kids have given me more love than I can give to them. I feel so blessed by these kids. They have done more for me in these first few weeks than I can explain or even comprehend.

Love someone and you will change their life as well as your own.

Movie Madness

My second attempt at movie madness went off without a hitch and I broke my previous record of five movies at AMC in one day. Friday, I managed six. However, I think the original movie madness was better because the movies were simply better. That first one included “The Kite Runner,” my favorite movie of the year.

I took my mom to see “The Incredible Hulk” at 11:50 for AMC’s early bird special (still five bucks). We both really enjoyed it. The action and story were much quicker than the previous Hulk. They told the back story in about 2 minutes, while the previous took an hour.

Didn’t care much for Liv Tyler or Tim Roth, but William Hurt and Edward Norton were good. They really chose the perfect director to revive the series. Louis Leterrier (The Transporter) brought a fast-paced, explosive action style to this one and the special effects are the best of the summer.

My mom left me her bag of popcorn, so I grabbed a refill and plexed into “Son of Rambow,” which was a cute, funny story of these British kids with big imaginations. It was imaginative and artsy. It was pretty good, but failed to live up to Kite Runner caliber of which I was hoping.

On my way out of the theater, I found a large drink, so I grabbed a refill of Barq’s root beer and hopped into “The Happening” at 4:05. It was pretty crowded. I was completely ashamed to have seen this movie because the acting is so terrible.

This is easily M. Night Shyamalan’s worst movie. I just don’t think he will ever live up to “The Sixth Sense.” His story this time around is weak and flat-out boring. He put together some kind of lame story warning us that we are killing ourselves by how we treat the earth. Bunch of bull crap. Didn’t buy it for a second.

Night turned to more disturbing content than previous films as he searched for many different ways to portray suicides. Quite violent, though even with the R-rating, it is not even near as creepy as the PG-13 “Sixth Sense.” I don’t know what happened, but the suspense was not there for Night in this one. I laughed out loud at the role he gave himself (might even be more arrogant than “Lady in the Water”). He “plays” a character with no screen time or voice. He is only mentioned in the movie, yet there Night is in the credits as Writer, Director, Producer and Actor.

I angrily walked into “Kung Fu Panda,” which greatly lifted my spirits. It was a delightful, action-packed adventure. Jack Black basically played himself, which was hilarious. Great cast in this one.

Next, I checked out “Before the Rains.” It was about an Englishman building a road in India in the 1930’s who commits adultery and must answer to the tribe in the neighboring village. The drama unfolds nicely and the scenery is beautiful. I felt that it climaxed a little too soon, though.

For the sixth and final film of the day, I found “The Strangers” at 9:45. It was the second Liv Tyler movie of the day (though I didn’t realize it was her until I got home). This used some creepy long shots as opposed to jump cuts and loud music to evoke scariness, which I greatly appreciated. Other than that, definitely nothing special.

All in all, it was a great movie day that lasted about 12 hours. I know it is possible to do 7 and I think 8 might be possible. Next time, I’ll shoot for 7 flicks, hopefully better than this set.

Hulk (2003)

With the return of "The Incredible Hulk" this week, I decided to sit down and watch the most recent "Hulk" directed by oscar winner Ang Lee of "Brokeback Mountain." I thought this movie was pretty good when I saw it the first time in theaters.

Rewatching it, I have decided it has the best comic book feel of all these Marvel movies. The reason: the editing. It was very interesting how the filmmakers used clips to give it that comic feel. There were tons of crazy cuts, zooms and edits. It must have been a laborious task.

Picture the movie screen as a three dimensional cube. On almost every movie, we only see the one side of the cube and therefore never know it is actually a cube. "Hulk" defies the standard technique. Many times the cube rotates to a different side and we see a new clip. Very interesting. Just used to give it that comic feel.

This film was panned by critics as being too serious and dramatic for a super hero movie. I guess that is kind of true, but I enjoyed the change of pace compared to X-Men and Spiderman.

I love Eric Bana in the Bruce Banner role. He really was a terrific cast and he plays the part beautifully (I don't know if I can say the same of Edward Norton). You also have to love Jennifer Connelly (she is just downright gorgeous) and Nick Nolte was a good cast.

The acting wasn't the best and at times I thought I was watching a day time soap. The action was amazing despite the Hulk looking "too fake" according to die hards. The dog fight and the escape in the desert were visually terrific.

My big question: What was with the final battle? It seemed a bit too extreme and over the top? I guess that is what all super hero movies are.

The Hulk is one of my favorite characters because I wish I could turn into something huge and terrifying (and green) when I get angry. I get angry far too often so I'm sure I would be a permanent Hulk.

This movie's ending leaves it open for a sequel, but the lackluster box office performance led to scrapping the project. They, however, decided to resurrect the project just five years later. Quite a bold move because people still remember this one. They claim it to be a sequel/remake.

No Connelly, no Bana and no Nolte. O, and no Ang Lee (who, yes, is a great director). I don't know. We'll see. The action better be too die for.

"You're making me angry. You wouldn't like me when I'm angry."

3.5 of 5

Lady in the Water

Love him or loathe him, M Night Shyamalan quickly rose to fame with the enormous success of the Sixth Sense and has since established himself as a household name. Night a great storyteller. Each movie is so imaginative he nearly deserves enough acclaim to attach his name to the front of all his movies.

"Lady in the Water" was directed, written, produced and acted by Night. Many called Night arrogant after casting himself in the role of a visionary writer who will change the world, if they didn't think that already.

I think Night is a little high on his horse because of the Sixth Sense's great success and inclusion on AFI's top 100 movie list. Night felt he could do anything and people would subscribe to it because his name was at the top.

"Lady in the Water" is a derivation from Night's usual style. There are no big twists in the end. It is a fairy tale. A bed time story for adults. The puzzle does fit together nicely in the end as we were all guessing (or looking for a twist) of how it would culminate.

Night is a bit arrogant and full of himself, but hopefully the massive rejection of this movie will bring him back down to earth. Though not many like this, I found enjoyment and symbolism throughout the strange tale.

Paul Giamatti is the perfect cast in this role and I love him to death. He makes this story world more believable. I do wish that Night would have delved a bit more into the suspicion of the roles of each of the characters. It seemed to go a little too quickly. It tried to get to the end too quickly instead of naturally flowing.

Night takes a shot at critics in this one for their pan of "The Village" by killing off the arrogant and cynical film critic. Maybe this is why so many dislike this movie.

The tree monkeys are some of the coolest things I've seen. They are awesome with their roots and limbs growing on their backs. They were frightening as well.

A thing I have noticed about Night's films is his ridiculously long shots. He will hold a shot until the cows come home. This puts more pressure on the actors, but they perform well. Long shots are not the staple of horror/suspense films in which Night specializes in.

It was pretty cool to see everyone in the apartment come together for the sake of Story and her protection. She came so that man would listen. She inspired change and intellect. She was to pass the "seeds of change."

If we stop and listen, we can find the inspiration for change. We have forgotten how to listen.

Lady is a well-told strikingly original fairy tale, but never establishes itself as something more, something deeper and more meaningful. The suspense is not as well developed as previous Night films. It seems that Night can't live down "The Sixth Sense"

3.5 of 5

The Blessings of Priorities | Metro Family Magazine

The Blessings of Priorities | Metro Family Magazine

Sydney Pollack, You Will Be Missed

Sydney Pollack passed away last week from a short-lived cancer battle. I was not even aware that he had cancer. I thought he was still on top of his game after seeing him in "Michael Clayton" and that he was in the new "Made of Honor."

Pollack was the genius behind "Tootsie" and "Out of Africa" (for which he won Best Picture and Best Director oscars). Pollack was the master of dialogue. He scenes between Meryl Streep and Robert Redford in "Africa" are legendary.

Pollack really knew how to capture the drama in his movies by using intense dialogue and terrific actors. Pollack is also won of the few who championed acting and directing.

He established his name as a director and separately as an actor. He believed his acting ability helped his directing tremendously. In recent years, Pollack turned to producing and was a very effective producer.

I remember a commercial he did for AT&T or something like that for a movie theater. I think it was one of those "turn off your cell phones" things. That was a few years ago.

Pollack was a genius in the film industry and he will greatly be missed. He did so many things for film and clearly left a lasting mark. Pollack's death was a true tragedy and devastating for film. His efforts in directing, acting and producing will never be matched again.

Director
The Interpreter
Sabrina
The Firm
Out of Africa
Tootsie

Producer
Leatherheads
Michael Clayton
Breaking and Entering
Cold Mountain
The Talented Mr. Ripley

Actor
Changing Lanes
Random Hearts
Eyes Wide Shut
Husbands and Wives
The Player