Supernatural

** Your love...supernatural thing... :)) Enjoy!~ Ben E. King

Persepolis

As I'm obsessed with everything French, I also have a soft-spot for Middle-Eastern culture. I find it to be one of the most mystical, sensual, and traditional cultures today. I'd heard about the Persepolis graphic novels in 2007 but hadn't the opportunity to delve into reading both novels till only recently and was fortunate enough to have it followed up by watching the film, all written, and directed by Iranian Marjane Satrapi and co-adapted scenario for film by French Vincent Paronnaud.

What a delightful treat!

I rolled with laughter and also learned a great deal about the Islamic revolution during the 1980's and the on-going struggles of Iran's past. The film, although in my opinion loosely showcased all information from both books, was just as engaging, and emotionally dynamic. It was an autobiographical  'coming-of-age' story during the Iranian revolution and adapted meaningfully and excellently by Satrapi whose work was nominated for an Oscar and obtained 26 other nominations and 20 wins for all her devotion.

With a budget of $7 million USD and a run-time of 96 minutes, it was a marvelous adventure into the hearts of the people in Iran. Voiced in both English and French, each version leaves a different impression. 

Certainly a work of art to be enjoyed and studied for decades to come. 'Journey with Jair' recommended! You may want to keep the tissues nearby! :))

Keep Cool

** Had the pleasure of meeting the great 'Fabio' on my flight the other night and he was charming and surprisingly humble - here is a video of him I found - showing his true personality. Everyone loves 'Fabio' for his good-looks, but he just is really 'playing a part' and 'keeping cool'. Nice guy to bring laughs and giggles to many in this world! :D ~ Enjoy!

** He was also always serious about his nutrition and has started his own health nutrition company called 'Healthy Planet Nutrition' which is sold at various health food stores here in California and in Chicago. Be sure to check them out! **

Time to Rest

We live during very fast times - insta-satisfaction - no sacrifice, no patience, no time. It is very easy to get caught up in this life's 'rat-race'; in fact if one decides to take time to themselves, others frown upon them and tell them that they are wasting time. How can we waste time really? Life is the longest thing we have to experience and although we are living on borrowed time, if we speed through life, will we really be able to enjoy, experience and be stimulated. Work is important, and it is wonderful to be ambitious and proactive, but it is also equally important to take time to rest, to take time to know thyself and to just be.

Lulls don't mean failure, it only means we are regenerating and re-booting before our next burst of inspiration takes flight. Life shouldn't be a race. No-one should dictate how quickly you should perform or journey through your path in life. Your path, your journey, is unique and significant to only you. Dance to your own tune. Don't rush through it. Feel it, cherish it, be at peace with it. 

It is funny how fast we move about like little ants, rushing for that money, to buy things, more and more things to fill our little ant nests. We don't see what is right in front of us. The beauty, the nature, the architecture, the sites and sounds and beautiful souls right within our reach. Instead we spend time in traffic, whizzing to meetings, and picking up 'over-time' to feel alive or purposeful. Just being, sitting quietly, contemplating and dreaming are also perfectly acceptable ways to be alive and learn purpose.

Don't let your life pass you by…slow down sometimes…you may gain a new perspective…

Why are we so afraid to be silent and spend time with ourselves? If we don't make status updates or keep our schedules full, will we cease to exist? Being here...now...is tremendously precious...take some time to recognize it. :))

I'll leave you with some lovely quotes by one of my favourite authors Kahlil Gibran that may make these thoughts resonate deeper within you:

"…Of Time you would make a stream upon whose bank you would sit and watch its flowing….Yet the timeless in you is aware of life's timelessness…"

"…Go to your fields and your gardens, and you shall learn that it is the pleasure of the bee to gather honey of the flower, but it is also the pleasure of the flower to yield its honey to the bee…For to the bee a flower is a fountain of life…And to the flower a bee is a messenger of love…"

"…We have seen her dancing with the autumn leaves, and we saw a drift of snow in her hair…"

Do you Realize?

** Do you Realize....that you have the most beautiful face...
    Do you Realize....that happiness makes you cry...
    Do you Realize....that everyone you know, someday, will die...
    Life goes fast :)) **

The Other Woman

This 2009 heavy-drama was based on a novel by Jewish writer Ayelet Waldman, with screenplay adaptation and direction by American Don Roos. It was a rigmarole and complicated story of baggage upon baggage upon baggage of issues that come about in broken families. It is really interesting to see what occurs in the cycle happening more prevalent today, from childhood memories to nowadays affairs and "mistakes" by not being able to say 'No' or simply how you really feel. There is no 'right' way, but there's always a way to make things 'right' again.

Depressing to say the least but excellent acting portrayed by cast to say the most. Well-made and well-told story, shedding light on many complicating and hurtful situations that others would rather not deal with at all. Jewish, Natalie Portman (from Black Swan), Californian, Lisa Kudrow (from Friends) , New York city man, Scott Cohen (from Gia), and talented little-man Charlie Tahan, (from Charlie St. Cloud) all were committed to their characters.

The movie was pretty dramatic and heart-wrenching but shared the message that despite the tragedy that happens in relationships, being resilient and accepting that things happen for reasons sometimes we'll never have answers to, is enough to moving on gracefully with pride and joy. Not a hit for 'JourneywithJair' or the box-office, but a message that can be healing for many.

Vanishing on 7th Street

Writer Anthony Jaswinski hasn't loads of film 'hits' under his belt, but he did score Director Brad Anderson who executes films in magically artistic ways; you may recall some of his work like 'The Machinist' starring Christian Bale, 'Session 9', or his most recent this year 'The Call' starring Halle Berry. Jaswinski also managed to pull together a star cast on this 2010 Horror/Mystery/Thriller which included, Canadian heart-throb Hayden Christensen, English Thandie Newton, Colombian John Leguizamo and talented American new-comer Jacob Latimore. With that line-up alone, it's enough to bring in a decent amount of viewers to take a blind plunge.

Blind indeed.

A run-time of 92 minutes, most of which is in darkness and flickering light, its hearty budget of $10 million USD couldn't even save it, as they grossed little over $22 thousand back. Although clever premise and phenomenal acting that was delivered, the audience although initially drawn in, had their intrigue quickly diminished due to not solid enough information and non-satisfying ending.

Reminiscent of many movies, however gladly few different twists. This film had potential with great direction, great actors and great budget, but dismally fell short due to it's disappointing turn of events not to mention insufficient material and smarts to give the audience a believable inkling of what exactly what was taking place.

Young & Beautiful

**Will you still love me when I'm no longer young & beautiful?... ENJOY, the lovely~ Lana Del Rey :))

The Great Gatsby

And just like that you can make a girl's night - dinner and a movie - but dinner and 'The Great Gatsby' = 10 Brownie Points! Well, what a treat for me, I finally got to enjoy this 2013 film by Aussie master-mind Writer/Director Baz Luhrmann. Based on the 1925 novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald, this cinematic masterpiece is now the holder of 6 nominations and most likely a score of Oscar nominations this year. Starring 'Somebody-give-him-an-Oscar-already' talented and determined Leonardo DiCaprio, English-rose Carrie Mulligan, Scottish A+ drunkard Jason Clarke, Muscatian-born, Aussie-raised Isla Fisher, American mellow-man Tobey Macguire (whom I loved in 'Cider House Rules') and Aussie Joel Edgerton whom you may remember from 'The Thing' or 'King Arthur'. 

This film was 'mind-glowingly good'; it made for an exquisite night of fun, awe and wonder at the greatness that can be achieved with a solid team, real professionals and hard-work. If the soundtrack doesn't get you…the powerful love story certainly will. With a budget of $105 million USD, the film has grossed a cool $128 million USD back within just it's first week. Backed by Warner Bros. Pictures, Village Roadshow Pictures and scores of others, it's easy to see why everyone knew the prize presented to them. It was 142 minutes of unadulterated vivid brilliance! The cars, the wardrobe, the opulence and details down to the coffee pots and flowers were all very precise and thought-out. The audience's jaws' hung open by the peerless cinematography and poetic and tender dialogue. It was a luscious story about hopeless infatuation and longing, excruciating adversity and the sad delusion that comes along with it. It unfolded like a pleasant day-dream and switched to a wistful truth many can relate to.

Our wonderful actors, starring and parading all performed in synchronized symmetry. The direction is undeniably seamless, as it's close-shots, and ebbs melted into our viewer's palettes in the most charming way. This drama-romance is certainly now on 'Journey with Jair''s list of favourite films. It's inspiring, satisfying and magnificently made. Certainly a film to be admired and studied for years to come. Don't wipe away your tears…feel the magic… :))

Time to Play

The older we become, the less we forget to play. We become 'bogged-down' with our responsibilities,  work, and financial ambition, forgetting about nurturing our imagination and dreams. In my acting class last-night my acting coach reminded us that we're a lucky few to be able to still tap into that dying art, mystery and imagination of a child. Something we all possessed, something that in most of us slowly dies…the ability to create whole new worlds, feelings, emotions and situations in an instant. How magical is that!? To possess such power. To live without fear. To be the master in all outcomes.

Whether we are more creative than others or not, whether we play for a living or not, we should try to dedicate time to "play" more. As one of my favorite authors Khalil Gibran said:  "And forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair…" For it is true, we are here to not only search and find, desire and conquer but also to enjoy, to experience and to play.

Keep going towards perfection on your life's journey, but take time to really enjoy what is around you. It is good to be focused and dedicated but it is also good to take time to just 'breathe'. Soak in the colours, the sounds, and feel what is around you. Every moment towards your destination is significant and beautiful in it's own way…don't race…finish with grace and God-give style, which is always 'right on time'! 

Bless-up darlings,

Love Jair

[Photo courtesy: Jair]

Wonderful World

** Another classic, with classic lyrics, unforgettable and true... ENJOY!~ Sam Cooke :))

Bachelorette

2011 brought us the hit-comedy 'Bridesmaids' and in 2012 Leslye Headland who wrote and directed this film thought it'd be smart to make a film very similar to it and cash in on it's crazy charm. What makes a film that's already been done just as decent? Star actress' of course and maybe also a crazy airplane scene! This 2012 comedy-romance gave us American beauties Kirsten Dunst and Lizzy Caplan, Aussie funny-gal Rebel Wilson and Omanian-born Aussie-raised wacky red-head Isla Fisher.

Amid the expected chaos, our main characters learn more about themselves and what they truly want in life. Becky's (played by Wilson) big day puts things in perspective for her friends and pivots them into taking a closer look at their lives. These girls were joined with other cast mates like, Hayes MacArthur whom you may remember from 'Life as We Know It' and 'She's Out of my League', Kyle Bornheimer from 'You Again', the handsome and talented James Marsden who's film career is too much to mention as well as Adam Scott whom you may remember from 'Step Brothers', 'Knocked Up' and 'The Aviator'.

Rated R for it's similar sexual content, pervasive language and extensive drug-use as brought the giggles in 'Bridesmaids', this $3 million USD budget did not make it back at the box-office. Good attempt at trying to make another genius film - but unfortunately - that was already achieved and achieved rather brilliantly. Though good acting, 'Bridesmaids' was genuine improv and fantastic chemistry on screen with friends; I felt that 'Bachelorette' was more acting and a tad bit 'teen-shallow'.

On my Shoulder

**A classic tune from a classic artist - Paul Anka ~ Enjoy some sweet lyrics! :))

Yelling to the Sky

This 2011 drama written and directed by Victoria Mahoney was slow and almost painful to watch. There were some good moments, great acting, but the story seemed drawn out and didn't flow well. I was attracted to see this film because of Gabourney Sidibe whom you may remember from 'Precious' (Yelling to the Sky, being her 2nd film), Zoe Kravitz (daughter of legends Lenny Kravitz and Lisa Bonet and scores of films in her own right) as well as Aussie Jason Clarke whom is a hot ticket right now after starring in the recent 'The Great Gatsby'. The film's message was poignant and special being that our main character had to journey through hell and back to be heard/seen/loved by her dysfunctional family. Sadly, it came across as just another 'teen's rite of passage' movie with interesting and often shaky camera angles.

Although the run-time of 94 minutes proved to be agonizing at times, it was an excellent display of Kravitz's forceful talent, violent struggle to stay afloat in a rough high school and showed the still 'unusual' to viewers, interracial family/relationships. Filmed in Bushwick and Brooklyn New York, this film was still able to cross the borders by being nominated at the 'Berlin International Film Festival' as well as the 'Black Reel Awards'.