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?

Jeff, who Lives at Home

" Everyone and everything is interconnected in this universe. Stay pure in heart and you will see signs. Follow the signs, and you will uncover your destiny."

Just when you think you're in for a light comedy, lovable Jason Segel proves you wrong. This 2011 comedy-drama, was in my opinion much more drama than laughs; be sure to keep the tissues nearby.  Brothers Jay Duplass and Mark Duplass team together to produce great films that go on to be nominated and win awards, and although with a $10 million USD budget they only make back $4 million USD, the film has been nominated and fondly talked about. 

Ed Helms whom you may remember most notably from 'The Office', bright eyed Susan Sarandon (Thelma and Louise, The Lovely Bones), and Judy Greer (Love and other Drugs, 13 going on 30) also join in on the fun. With great script, wonderful comic timing and a heart-felt solid story and message, the Duplass brothers strike gold!

We always wonder what is our destiny, but really just 'being you'/'being ourselves' is all that we need to be to rise to the occasion. Things unfold and are revealed in exact timing, we needeth brood or stress on things, instead wait for the bus to arrive and then it'll all fall together and make sense.