Film Review Fridays--Waking The Dead (2009)

photo courtesy of allmoviephoto.com

Every now and then, you will run across a film about love; one that does not sugarcoat love or smother you with it. Keith Gordon’s Waking The Dead is just that. It poses the question, “is love really enough,” but, with a psychological twist.

Trying to steer away from telling you too much, in the opening scene of Waking The Dead, Fielding Pierce (Billy Crudup) is watching a news broadcast and finds out the love of his life, Sarah Williams (Jennifer Connelly), has been killed in a car-bombing that targeted Chilean activists (she was tagging along with them). The question is, did Sarah really die? From this point on, the film flashes back and forth, during the 70s and 80s, giving us insight into their relationship; how they met, after her death, moments before she left with the activists, their relationship difficulties, their happy moments …We watch as Fielding tries coping with her death, which is turning him into a “mad man.” At a certain point, he thinks he sees her in a crowd, then he gets a phone call from her, then she appears at his house. Is this all real?? Is his mind playing tricks on him?? Is he really going “mad?”

Now, let me give you a little background on the characters. Fielding Pierce is a young, ambition law student, aspiring to become a politician. Sarah is an idealist, kind of a wanna-be activist; she’s lefter-than-left when it comes to her ideals. Both are strong-willed individuals with varying political views, powerful goals, and ideals of what’s right and wrong, which dramatically clash. This again, evokes the question, is love really enough? Does love conquer all?

That’s all I’m going to give you, now click "play."

My take? I really enjoyed this film. It was not the “run of the mill” love story about two people. It actually talks about LOVE in general. Scene by scene, the plot gets better. I think Billy Crudup did an excellent job, as well as Jennifer Connelly. I thought they played their characters perfect, in that they were believable.

GRADE: B-

Click here to watch the trailer or watch Waking The Dead in full-length, click play below.

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Tell Me Something Good--Quote of the Day

Recently I met a person of interest. We're still getting to know one another, so you know how those conversations go...a bunch of question asking. So, the questions posed to me were, "what's one short-term goal you have?" and "what's one long-term goal you have?" I answered, of course. Now, with that said, when I saw the quote below, it reminded of the conversation.

"If we all did the things we are capable of, we would astound ourselves."
--Thomas Edison

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Wednesday Stimulation--Riddle

photo courtesy of pepo

Try cracking today's riddle. Good luck!!!

submitted by spookboy0

Three words are bonded in a mutual tie
And a pattern within them hides from the eye,

One word is a being in entertainment's sake
That brings to people many words, fact and fake,

Another word is conformed to a word meaning "chilly"
But it's also a style, yes! Really really!

The last word resides in the pit of our fears
And it waits for us at the end of our years.

With these words in order, try to find the design
Where the outsides change, and the middle stays lined

Click here for answer.

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Take A Look Tuesday--Some of My Random Snaps

These are just a few of my random snapshots. I think I mentioned I was an amateur shutterbug.

All rights reserved, Copyright © 2009

A nice Saturday afternoon at Baltimore Harbor, MD

DC stop sign

WNBA Game: Washington Mystics vs. Chicago Sky
Verizon Center, Washington, DC

Downtown Denver, 16th Street Market Mall

Hail Storm
Eastern Shore, MD

Trinidad Vacant, Washington, DC

View from room in Colorado

Marissa Coleman, #4, Guard/Forward
Verizon Center, Washington, DC

Clouds from my room

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Musical Mondays--Hil St. Soul

photo courtesy of soulbounce.com

Hil St. Soul is one of the hottest underground groups on the neo-soul/jazz scene. This group offers a sound fusion of classic soul, smooth jazz, R&B, and neo-soul. One half of the group is the face, the voice, and in my opinion, the "Soul," UK diva, (Hil)ary Mwelwa; the other half is songwriter/producer, Victor Redwood Sawyer. Since 2000, the group has been on fire, releasing five albums to date. Their first album, Soul Organic (2000), dazzled Europe and took the music scene by storm. Hil’s popularly known sultry cover of Aretha Franklin’s “Until You Come Back to Me” led to the group crossing the Atlantic. With much success, Soul Organic was named on various critics’ top ten lists and Hil St. Soul was said to be a group to watch. And I have.

Other successful albums have followed over the years, Copasetic And Cool (2002-it was the group’s first album to top the US R&B charts), Soulidified (2006), Black Rose (2008), and Released (2009). All of the albums thus far have strengthened Hil St. Soul’s fan base, as well as displayed solid songwriting and diverse rhythms.

I often say it, and I’m going to say it again, the best music is found in the underground scene. Check out the playlist and get a taste of Hil St. Soul. Enjoy!!

hil st. soul

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Old School Saturdays--The Sugarhill Gang

photo courtesy of laughinsam.com

I know you’ve all heard the song “Rapper’s Delight,” which is the well-known hip-hop single by The Sugarhill Gang; it was a multi-platinum seller in 1980 and the first hip-hop single recorded to become a Top 40 hit. The Sugarhill Gang consist(s)ed of 3 MCs from Englewood, New Jersey, Wonder Mike, Big Bank Hank, and Master Gee. Sylvia Robinson, a producer and indie label owner, assembled the crew in the late 70s. She, along with her husband, also founded Sugar Hill Records.

Although The Gang recorded six albums and released other songs, some of which were minor hits, none of them reached the success of “Rapper’s Delight” (the foundation of the song was the instrumental sample of the song "Good Times" by Chic). It was #36 on the US pop chart and #4 on the US r&b chart in 1979.

Take some time to check out The Sugarhill Gang tracks I’ve put together for you. Go ahead, listen to it. It will be a great start to your Saturday morning. Enjoy!!

**This playlist on has 30 sec tracks, to listen to my full-length playlist, click here.

the sugar hill gang

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Film Review Fridays--In Search Of (2008)

photo courtesy of en.wikipedia.org

The 2008 indie film In Search Of was written and directed by Zeke Zelker. It was screened in New York and in London in October 2008 during the London Film Festival, where it was one of two winners of the From Here to Awesome Film Festival. In November 2008, the film made its theatrical debut in Allentown, PA.

Just as the indie film I reviewed last week, The Other America, the cinematography is raw and gritty. It was shot in Allentown, PA and the Lehigh Valley during the course of a year, on both S16mm and 35mm film. In addition, various cameras were used including the Krasnogorsk camera.

In Search Of is a film that is about sex, the repercussions of actions, manipulation, love, deceit, revenge, attraction, pressure, ego, wealth and all other things that fall in between. We’re shown how decisions can force bad situations on the people involved. Zelker examines the lives of 10 characters that use sex to get what they want out of life. Andy (Keith Nobbs) is a high school football player who is a victim of peer pressure from his teammates. Lauren (Tracy Toth) is cheating on her husband with her “soulmate.” Lauren’s son Jack (Michael Rady) seems to use sex as power, manipulating everyone in his path with his wealth. Dave (Jack Barley) is struggling, trying to keep up a certain lifestyle standard that his girlfriend is accustomed to, so he starts a business that may or may not have been the wisest thing to do.

I actually enjoyed this film as well. The plot was decent and entertaining, and for the most part believable. You know at least one of the characters in the film; they’re your co-worker, a friend, or a family member. I think Zelker could have had fewer characters to make the plot a bit more cohesive. Plus having less characters would have made it easier to spend more time cultivating and completing some of the storylines. Don’t get me wrong, I think he did a great job, but he slightly loses track of a few whose stories might have been interesting. Overall, In Search Of is a good watch. Check out the full-length film below (via hulu.com). Enjoy!!!

GRADE: B-

In Search Of trailer

See the full-length film

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Tell Me Something Good--Determination, Love, and Hope

photo courtesy of abcnews.go.com

Determination, hope, strength, love, and teamwork played a crucial part in the recovery of Janne Kouri. “Instantly I could tell I was paralyzed,” Kouri said, in reference to his August 2006 accident. He dove into the ocean in California and hit his head on a hidden sandbar. Just floating in the water, he recalls getting flipped over on his back, unable to move, waves crashing over him. By chance, an off-duty EMT had passed by and brought Kouri to safety. Luckily his life didn’t end, but he was told that he would never walk again.

Once a star defensive tackle on the Georgetown University football team, Kouri’s take-charge attitude and the help of a new radical treatment, he managed to teach his spine to function properly and learned to walk again, with the assistance of a walker. His treatment is a new therapy known as Locomotor Training; the late Christopher Reeve was one of the first to use the therapy.

Kouri’s experience, the fact that there were no locomotor training centers located in California (he had to move to Louisville for a period of time to receive his treatment), and the urge to help others with spinal cord injuries, he approached his wife, family, friends, and along with the help of his therapist and the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, he was able to raise funds to start Next Step Fitness; funded by donations and grants, Next Step Fitness is an affordable nonprofit rehab center in LA.

Check out the full inspirational journey of Janne Kouri.

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Wednesday Stimulation--Riddle

photo courtesy of tulp

So I thought I'd pose a riddle today. Take your time, use what brain cells you have left this week, and let me know how you do.

submitted by grilledcheese

I drift forever with the current
Down these long canals they've made
Tame, yet wild, I run elusive
Multitasking to your aid.
Before I came, the world was darker
Colder, sometimes, rougher, true
But though I might make living easy,
I'm good at killing people too.

Click here for answer.

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Take A Look Tuesday--Funny Pics

Happy Tuesday to everyone. Have a laugh today. Enjoy!!

all photos courtesy of funlol.com

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Musical Mondays--Midday Mix 1

photo courtesy of fangol

Enjoy the playlist mix while you work, chat, or browse the net. I'm in an "old school" mood today.

old school mid-day mix

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Old School Saturdays--Stephanie Mills

photo courtesy of pavilionconcerts.com

Have you ever watched the shows American Idol or America/Britain’s Got Talent and witnessed a little kid that has a voice that blows your mind? Well, when Stephanie Mills stepped on the music scene, she was known as “the little girl with the big voice.” She was born in March 1957 and has almost been singing every since.

By age 11, Mills had starred in her first play and had won Amateur Night at the world-famous Apollo Theatre a total of six times. Her wins lead to her being cast in the Broadway musical, Maggie Flynn, as an orphaned runaway slave. Between 1973 and 1976, she began opening for the Isley Brothers, which allowed her to be seen by Jackson 5 singer, Jermaine Jackson. A year later, Mills signed with Motown Records, but her first two albums were flops and they had a tough time finding a sound for her, so she left the label.

In 1975, Mills’ big break came when she got the part as Dorothy in the African-American portrayal of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz entitled, The Wiz. Her excellent performance of the song “Home” became her signature tune for years and brought stardom Mills’ way; “Home” was later covered by Diana Ross for the big screen three years later. Signing to 20th Century Fox record label in 1979, she released her first gold album, What Cha Gonna Do With My Lovin; this was her first true music success. Songs such as “What Cha Gonna Do With My Lovin,” “You Can Get Over,” and “Put Your Body In It,” are classic songs from the album. Stephanie continued creating hit after hit during the early to late 80s. Currently, she is touring, appearing on TV shows, performing at various events and working on other projects.

I remember hearing “Home” at a very young age and I was blown away then by Stephanie’s voice. I continued being a fan of her music over the years. This playlist has brought back so many memories of school dances (that I probably shouldn’t have been at) and community teen dances.

Read more about Stephanie Mills. To groove to Stephanie’s music, hit the play button on the playlist.

stephanie mills

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Film Review Fridays--The Other America (2004)

photo courtesy of theotheramericamovie.com

Thanks to hulu.com, I stumbled upon another decent indie film, The Other America. Writer-director, Eugene Martin, examines the lives of three Philadelphia teens, all in high school in his fifth feature film. Shooting in 32 days, spanning over a four-month period, Martin used a trio of nonprofessional actors he discovered during a meticulous research and interview process. Tobias Segal (Ari), Irene Longshore (Cassie) and Vicky Wang (Jackie) are the three main characters.

All three teens are dealing with some type of issue; their struggle to survive and be understood or should I say, being misunderstood, is their common bond. Ari, the main character, is a homeless teen that has a hidden life as a graffiti artist with a well-known tag; after fleeing his abusive father, Ari and his mother have been staying in public housing shelters. He is a typical adolescent that struggles with identity issues, but more importantly, keeping his living situation hidden, by lying, is really weighing on him; both manifest themselves via his graffiti artist alter ego, “Shelter Boy.” Ari’s friends, Cassie and Jackie, are in less than fortunate situations also; Cassie’s mother passed away, leaving her the sole provider for the household and Jackie just moved to the area with skeletons too.


As I watched the beginning of this film, I debated turning it off and finding another film to watch, but the more I watched, I got drawn in. Yea, it’s an indie flick, no Hollywood tricks or treats, it’s slightly gritty and bare bone, which makes it more alive in my opinion. I could say that the plot was typical, which it is, but The Other America is a film that should be taken at face value. The way Martin presents the plot; it’s a real eye-opener into the lives of some teens, what they go through, their hidden struggles, and how they cope. The other element that stood out for me was the resiliency of the human spirit and the hunger to reach one’s hopes and dreams. My only real gripe is about the music. I just wasn’t a fan of most of it.

Check out the trailer. If you’re so inclined, watch it now, below.

GRADE: B-

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Tell Me Something Good--Quote of the Day

photo courtesy of ba1969

"No one needs a smile as much as a person who fails to give one."
-unknown

Smiling:

1. helps to lower our blood pressure
2. helps us to stay positive
3. boosts our immune system
4. releases endorphins, serotonin, and natural pain killers
5. relieves stress
6. changes our mood for the better
   
7. best of all, SMILING is contagious.
   

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Wednesday Stimulation--Brain Teaser (This is tough!!)

photo courtesy of awottawa

Ok, put on your thinking caps for today's brain teaser. The answers are buried, so put those brain cells to work. Here's your dosage of mental stimulation:

A different fruit (a total of twelve) is buried in every one of the following lines.
submitted by aresll

1) Ah! If I get my good ship home (first one is a freebie; the answer is "fig")

2) I'll find a tempting spot,
3) Where mayhap pleasant flowers will bloom,
4) And there I'll shape a charming cot.

5) Where bees sip nectar in each flower,
6) And Philomel on hawthorn rests,
7) I'll shape a rustic, sun-kissed bower -
8) A bower meant for angel guests.

9) Then she who lives and loves with me,
10) Sing our days of calm repose,
11) Sole monarch of the flowers will be -
12) For Myra is indeed a rose.

Click here for answer.

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Take A Look Tuesday--Funny Pics

Another batch of hilarious pics found on our wonderful world wide web. Photos courtesy of lolpix.com and funlol.com.

Dimples, anyone??

It's all love here

Monday Morning

Really??

"Ok, I'm Reloaded!"

"Stay in your lane, bub!"

Thank You Starbucks
I need some milk!

Hmm...

Wearing the Pants

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