Emelie

I didn’t have high hopes for this 2015 Horror/Thriller as the babysitter premise has been done before; but when I saw writer Richard Raymond Harry Herbeck attached to this project (The Cabin in the Woods, Cloverfield) I knew that the story and production should be decent. Director Michael Thelin orchestrated this disturbing film perfectly. Just when the audience was afraid to watch any further, he would give you just enough to make you sick but not traumatize you forever.

I think what made this movie deeply unsettling is the fact that a group of innocent children were subjected to immense torment. It’s bad enough parents leaving their children with a replacement babysitter, and the children know they have to follow the rules, but the series of events that unfurled were absolutely terrifying!

Lead actress Irish Sarah Bolger played her part as ’Emelie’ and babysitter exceptionally, and child actors, Carly Adams, Thomas Bair, and Joshua Rush, also did an outstanding job. Viewers got the full effect of the anguish both the antagonist and protagonist felt. It was definitely believable and heart-breaking at some moments, leaving the audience with a wavering unbalanced feeling at the end of it.

This film certainly packs the punch; and it’ll make you think twice before choosing a new babysitter.

Always

** Sing sister sing! That's talent! Thank-you Whitney :)) "...I wish you joy & happiness, but above all I wish you LOVE..."**

Mindscape

“I’m not a sociopath, but I’m smart enough to think like one.”

Directed by Spanish Jorge Dorado and written by Guy and Martha Holmes, this 2013 Dramatic/Psychological Thriller kept audiences on the edge of their seats. Nominated for 3 nominations that year, this story was unique in that it was set some time in the future where associations have the ability to enter people’s memories. The company has proven to be so successful that they even aid large corporations in crime cases. How is it then, that these individuals are ‘stumped’ when it comes to 16 year old ‘Anna’ played by Taissa Farmiga? Is she a victim of past trauma? Or is she really a bright lunatic?

Leading man, English, Mark Strong proved to be a great choice, but I wasn’t as sure for some of the other characters in the story. Everyone seemed clueless even though there were loads of facts they knew about that were uncovered by memory detective ‘John Washington’. The Farming sisters, both ‘Vera’ and ‘Taissa’ never fail to deliver eerie performances and what is seemingly a simple case, turns out to be one of the most challenging and thought-provoking.

Definitely an excellent watch for those who prefer clever entertainment.

Escape from Alcatraz

It’s always a pleasure to soak in a good old movie; and even more a pleasure when it’s a real-life Crime/Drama. Written by J. Campbell Bruce and Richard Tuggle and Directed by Don Diegel, this 1979 film was written and re-enacted based on real evidence of the June 1962 escape from high security island prison ‘Alcatraz’. Starring Clint Eastwood (The Good,the Bad and the Ugly) as main mastermind behind the escape ‘Frank Morris’ and Jack Thibeau and Fred Ward as the ‘Anglin brothers’ this film was an excellent portrayal into the lives of men who won’t ever be forgotten. 

Each character brought something special to the screen but I think it would have been even more interesting if the director brought a little back-story to the real lives of the men who escaped, further widening the believability that indeed they were clever enough to pull off such an attempt successfully. Siegel did a magnificent job at really capturing the details that went into this escape. I felt that Eastwood’s interpretation of Morris was a good choice because someone with high IQ and gifted such as he would try to keep a low-profile and keep focused on what he needed to get done.

Definitely ‘JourneywithJair recommended’ for a night of incredible thrill!

Set up Shop

** "Give it your best shot!" ~ Don't listen to the 'nay-sayers' ->> Sing it Damien...no music like Caribbean music!

Mother Nature

From the beginning of ancient time, our ancestors and forefathers, or should I say ‘fore-mothers’ knew the importance of the maternal spirit, nurturing that and celebrating the ‘inner-goddess’; there was ‘Nefertiti’ the Egyptian Queen, ‘Mother Mary’ the virgin whom gave birth to the son of God and there was ‘Venus’ inspired by poetry and representing divine love. During those times, women lived in a more tolerant, more celebrative and more of a matriarchal society. 

However, like everything in life, things go full-circle, and after the fall of that triumph, women literally began falling from grace. There was the burning of ’witches’ at the stake, stoning in front of an assembly of people, advertising that a woman’s place was to be at home and only a few decades ago in 1920, American women were allowed to vote. Women were suppressed, humiliated, punished wrongfully and even killed because they proved to be too magnificent, intelligent or pure and loving in their intentions. 

Slowly, women are becoming more and more aware and reminded of their strength. We still live on a patriarchal planet, some countries more so than others, but having the opportunity to be a voice to empower women in whatever capacity towards positive change for equality, balance and respect, is something I think we are all capable to do in different ways.

I believe that we should begin teaching the wonders of what it means to be a woman from the time they are small girls because this is the foundation and structure we build on for a sturdy life. It’s wonderful to embrace all aspects of our being, like sexuality, but a young woman must be reminded that being sexy isn’t just by wearing revealing clothes but quite frankly the opposite, it’s a state of mind, body-language, speech, and actions. Following blindly like sheep, in a society that constantly tricks, objectifies and marginalize on women’s sexuality for their own pleasure isn’t right.  

Empowering women is to forage the light within and educate women so that they no longer be subjected to abuse of any kind, and feeling that they are unworthy and must look in from the outside into a world that will only embrace them should they become slave to Man-made rules (pun intended). Women must know that they have choices. That they bring Life into the world. That they are multi-taskers for a reason. That no matter, what nationality, creed or race, we women,  can do many things, all with brilliant grace! 

Vibrations

**Always delightful to hear actors and 'brand-new' actors speak about their craft & the joys of bringing stories to life! :)) I love the gifts given by the director to the actors and the realization that we as humans have the power within to find all that we need.