I AM

I happen to love films that make you feel great about life, provide hope and thought provocative information and those that inspire us to do better and be better people.  I AM is one such film.    

To my surprise, Tom Shadyac, a Director of many mainstream blockbuster films such as Bruce Almighty, Ace Ventura and The Nutty Professor has directed a film that everyone should see and give some thought to.  After a near-death and life altering experience, Tom wanted to enlighten himself and set out on a journey which led him to discussions with many of the great thinkers, philosophers, scientists and spiritual leaders of our time.  He set off asking 2 questions, what's wrong with the world and what can we do to fix it.  What he ironically discovered was what is right with the world. 


I plucked the lines and insights of Tom's that I love directly from the I AM website - for more than this click here.

• He learned that the heart, not the brain, may be man’s primary organ of intelligence, and that human consciousness and emotions can actually affect the physical world,
• And, as Shadyac’s own story illustrates, money is not a pathway to happiness.  In fact, he even learns that in some native cultures, gross materialism is equated with insanity.
• Shadyac also discovers that, contrary to conventional thinking, cooperation and not competition, may be nature’s most fundamental operating principle.
• The film further discovers that humans actually function better and remain healthier when expressing positive emotions, such as love, care, compassion, and gratitude, versus their negative counterparts, anxiety, frustration, anger and fear.
• When he directs another Hollywood movie, the bulk of his usual eight-figure fee will be deposited into a charitable account, as well.  “St. Augustine said, ‘Determine what God has given you, and take from it what you need; the remainder is needed by others.’  That’s my philosophy in a nutshell,” Shadyac says, “Or as Gandhi put it, ‘Live simply, so others may simply live.’”

At  a time when we grieve over the disaster in Japan, wars, economic shifts and question the human condition, I AM provides a timely and encouraging take on who and where we are at this time in our history. This film would make God proud!  See it and feel good!

Battle of the Comics!

I grew up around comic books.  My brothers were comic book geeks - you know, the ones who immediately run out and buy the latest, they know the artists and writers names and meticulously place the ones that might later become a collectors wet dream in a plastic sleeve that protects the comic book from discoloration or damage. Speaking of wet, it's exactly what my brothers bag of valuable books became one day as my sister accidently vomitted on them.  I think he has finally forgiven her, but it does "come up" :) ocassionally at Holiday dinners.   

Both of my brothers write and illustrate well and I think that growing up reading these books has somewhat framed their humour and beliefs - okay, perhaps my parents did too, but drifting off into these smartly written and brilliantly illustrated fantasy worlds definitely framed their imaginations. 

Spiderman, Fantastic Four, Batman, Superman, Xmen, Captain America - I still remember the song - when Captain America throws his mighty shield...hear it?

Of course while they were busy reading these comics, I was reading these - explains a great deal:). 

This summer, Marvel and DC Comics will be battling it out at the box office - may the best comic house win!  I'll definitely want to see these films.   

Okay, Transformers was not until recently a comic book - the clever IDW Publishing released its comic in 2009 and we all know how well Transformers did in the box office.  Let's see how well the comic book does.

Oh, and did I mention that Marvel has a successful Ipad App and DC Comics recently offered one?  Welcome comic book fans to the age of modern technology. 

Desert Flower

As March is Women's History Month, it is important that we share  stories of our triumphs, struggles, victories, love and life changing experiences.  One powerful story being released in film this month is that of Waris Dirie.  Waris, a Somalian, was a victim of female genitalia mutilation at age 3 and  fled being sold into marriage at 13.    Her story tells of how she survived being shipped off to London by her family and homelessness to become a super model and share her story with the world.  Thus, fighting to save the lives of many young girls who still face these horrible rituals today.  Appropriately with Liya Kibede starring as Warie, Desert Flower is definitely a film worth seeing. 

Watch the trailer here or here - to do more, click here

The Writing is on the Wall!

As a child it was always way too tempting to grab that marker or crayon and create your masterpiece on that beautifully clean open wall - what a great canvas yes?  Now, as adults we can write on our walls - it can be a fun design detail if done well.  Here are a few images that I think adds some creative whimsy to any room.

Lilly Pulitzer

Ace Hotel

                                                                       Wall Written