Upside Down

I love cerebral fantasy dramas and had heard about this one last year starring dimpled Kirsten Dunst and phenomenal English Jim Sturgess (whom you may recall from ‘Cloud Atlas’ among others). This 2012 romance written and directed by Argentine Juan Solanas and with a budget of $60 million USD garnered many raised and confused eye-brows, no nominations or awards and a huge fail at the box-office. It was quite similar and had hints of the movie ‘Inception’.

With a run-time of 100 minutes and loads of CGI, it was a simple enough story between two lovers separated by two worlds with a tiny or perhaps colossal ‘flip-side’. Thrilling at many moments, wonderful cinematography and the audience feels for our main character Sturgess who plays ‘Adam’; however disappointed with the end as they jumped ahead and left many un-answered questions of how things became suddenly okay.

Still I found things to be a little predictable…Adam, Eden (surprising not Eve), disparaging worlds and  a love that’s so close but beyond reach. What did you really think would happen?

Give a Little

**Give a little, have some faith...you might get a whole more than what you asked for :))

The Lifeguard

“Newsflash! Time moves in one direction!”

This 2013 drama-romance received one nomination and was for me quite disturbing. Written and Directed by Liz W. Garcia it’s subject matter could be one identifiable to many during the transition from 20’s into 30’s except for the awkward love story with graphic nudity and strong sexuality regarding a minor.

Keep the children away. No pun intended but this story involved many disturbing images with teenagers as well as drug use and pervasive language. Once the audience goes past those shocking reveals we focus on the wonderful camera work and close-shots, exquisite acting of Kristen Bell, and David Lambert (who in my opinion stole the show).

The soundtrack was helpful, however there was no powerful message or hint of inspiration in this one; it seemed to be one slow awful event to another until it ended abruptly and unsatisfactory. Sure anybody can lose their way and take a break to search for themselves again, but taking advantage and falling in love with a minor doesn’t really quite cut it. 

Prioritize

We are creatures of habit. Our parents taught us, their parents taught them, and their parents taught them also. It’s the circle of life. What many of us don’t know though is that if we practice anything over a period of time, it ultimately stays with us; therefore why should we not practice things that will enhance our daily lives? 

It seems that our current generation is lazy, and becoming more so everyday. We accept things at face value and do nothing extra to find out the truth. Instead of cooking, we buy or microwave, instead of reading, we watch a video, instead of spending time with loved ones, we make excuses. Isn’t it about time we change that cycle? These negative habits. Whatever we spend time with we prioritize these specific things in our lives. My darlings, it is time to prioritize practices that will benefit us physically and mentally.

How shall we find truth and strength if we do not sit and ask questions from the Universe/God? How shall we become more focused, patient and mindful if we do not take time to meditate on these things daily? How shall we heal our bodies from the inside out if we do not put beautiful things into our body or take time to preserve nature? We claim we have the answers. We claim we know the truth. We claim we are the most powerful beings on this earth. I’m sorry to burst your bubble darlings, but it is not ALL about you. In fact, it’s about us!

We are all reflections of each other. Creating distance, harbouring hate, thinking negatively not only hurts your fellow man, but also in turn hurts you. It is time that we prioritize positive things into our lives. Sleep an hour less to spend time with yourself everyday, be silent, meditative and prayerful on a better world, a better you. You can’t just do it once in a while, once a week, and call yourself a master. After all it is a fact, we are creatures of habit, and the more time we spend with things of importance in our lives the more we’ll see the benefits of our sacrifice and hard work.

It’s never too late!

Ready, Set, Begin a new you! :))

Bless-up darlings!

Love Jair

The Lorax

“UNLESS someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not. “- Dr. Seuss

This 2012 animated family comedy reaped in 3 wins, 6 nominations and with a budget of $70 million USD brought in $213 million USD that year; more importantly it was a wonderful and clever environmental and mental reminder of keeping true to your word, respect and not being lost in the glitz, glam and fame which ultimately destroys us.

Many of you reading might say, “Yeah right! A cartoon with such a significant message!?” And I would smile and nod my head vigorously. For those familiar with Theodor Geisel (American writer, poet and cartoonist of German heritage who famously signed and went by “Dr. Seuss”, would know that he spoke carefully, positively and purposefully disguised in colourful images and playful quotes to attract younger audiences.

‘The Lorax’ was one of many he shared with while he was here on earth. Some others include: ‘Green Eggs and Ham’, ‘Oh the Places you’ll Go’, ‘One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish’, and ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’, and ‘The Cat in the Hat’. Most are heart-warming, all positive and motivational and some quite hilarious.

Adapted into screenplay by Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio, this film was directed by Chris Renaud and Kyle Balda who hired successful actors and singers to voice the main characters, like Zac Efron, Taylor Swift, Betty White, Danny Davito and Jenny Slate to name a few. Pop in this DVD for a night of fun - friendly for the children and adults! 

Kundun

"I see a safe journey, I see a safe return."

"They have taken away our silence."

"I believe I am a reflection, like a moon on water. When you see me, and I try to be a good man, you see yourself."

'Kundun' means 'The Presence' which incredibly personifies the overall feeling of the depictions of the Dalai Lama in this film. I had the pleasure of watching this classic and historical film 'Kundun' which follows the re-discovery, childhood into adulthood of Tibet's 14th Dalai Lama. Written by Melissa Mathison and directed by the lovable Martin Scorsese, this 1997 dramatic biography was nominated for 4 Oscars, and received 5 wins and 4 other nominations.

Starring unknowns like Tenzin Yeshi Paichang, Tulku Jamyang Kunga Tenzin, Gyurme Tethong and Tenzin Thuthob Tsarong whom played the Dalai Lama during different stages of his life and others, I must say that the story was exceptionally told and clearly illustrated the violent Chinese persecution and problems he dealt with at that time and still to this day. It was wonderful to bring this film to the west allowing the masses through film to understand the complexity of this war and gain knowledge of the height of calamity and terrible domination that the Tibetan people endured.

Beautifully shot, lovely cinematography and soundtrack; this is one that will be remembered for all time. It was interesting to know that Scorsese had such respect and admiration for the Dalai Lama and Buddhist philosophy as he dedicated this film to his mother Catherine Scorsese. He said that "…the Dalai Lama represents unconditional love, and to me my mother was the closest person with that kind of love".

Playing for Keeps

"This holiday season, what do you really want?"

Written by Robbie Fox and Directed by Gabriele Muccino, this film wasn't anything out of the extraordinary. The same story/plot has been done before; first in 1986 and then again in 2009 and well Hollywood hasn't been too creative lately, so they try again to milk it for what it's worth again in 2012. They figure with some of today's hottest stars, like Scottish heartthrob Gerard Butler, Bostonian Uma Thurman (memorable from Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill movies), Texan Dennis Quaid, Welsh-working-beauty Catherine Zeta-Jones, innocent-eyed Judy Greer, and 'Seventh Heaven' Jessica Biel they'd be able to rejuvenate the magic.

Simple story, and great delivery by actors, the film was sweet to watch but probably not the most awe-inspiring. It speaks to our audience about forgiveness, second chances and making the right choices for your future. A run-time of 105 minutes and a budget of $35 million USD, it only grossed $13 million USD back at the box-office.

There's temptation around every corner, but there's a time one has to grow up and decide what they really want from life. Would you choose to make the right decision or keep playing till you lose everything?