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The Official, Unofficial Start to My Summer

Yes! May 3rd finally arrived and I am anxiously awaiting the moment when I surender to that comfy theater chair and take-in the much anticipated Iron Man 3.

No, I didn’t go see it on opening night (S0 please don’t spill any details). I can’t enjoy it quite as much with throngs of individuals packed into the cinema. I will be there however…strategically at the right moment.

The film already attracted $15.6 million in North America, on it’s Thursday night opening. Collectively, with its internationally releases, the blockbuster has already earned $361 million. The number is expected to increase by approximately another 100+ million by the end of the weekend.

Nothing new, right? Each year flashy, big budget, action packed films rake in the dough like clockwork. While many scholars of the art form don’t take too kindly to this, movies like Iron Man 3, the upcoming Star Trek Into Darkness, The Wolverine etc offer adrenalizing fun through fantasy. After all, isn’t that what the warmer months are synonymous with? – Fun, Escape, Get-Away….?

So while my body takes a break from frigid and uncomfortable temps, I look forward to launching my mind into the world of super heroes, super intelligence, super strength and Super Fun!

Don’t get me wrong, I have my sight set on the artistic and story driven films as well – we’ll discuss those in another post. The Great Gatsby, among others, is also on my list!

Now Let My Official, Un-official Summer Begin!

Getting Up!

Once again, the timely, instructional and revelatory Life Sucks series at The Bridge DC is having a profound affect.

It is clearly evident, as life evolves, that there is always more to learn. One thing I have learned for sure is that the degree to which one “suffers” is the degree to which one grows.

I am aware that I am in no way alone in experiencing adversity, as there is nothing new under the sun (although recently it has launched me into a sphere I had not been previously). Still, being broken down is necessary in order to be built up, to be restructured, to be refined. I have concluded that pain has its purpose. Therefore, in response to this revelation, via the weekly Life Sucks series and inner reflection, the following emerged:

Obama to Nominate Tom Wheeler as FCC Chairman

Telecom Executive, Tom Wheeler is expected to be President Obama’s pick for FCC Chairman…

Dreaming…Believing… “Girl Rising”

I can never do this film justice with any of my diagnosis – In short, to all Mothers, Fathers, Godparents, Teachers, Mentors etc, Girl Rising is a Must-See and I encourage you to expose the beloved young women in your lives to this film.

The documentary reveals the stories of 9 girls in varied parts of the world who are faced with what seems like insurmountable, even painful circumstances but acquire strength from their dreams and their belief that there must be a better life than their current reality.

I left the theater inspired by each of the young women. Each story resonated with me and renewed my “child-like” faith that the Sky-Is-The-Limit!

I can watch this film again and again. I’m elated that I was able to catch the special 1 week re-release on the big screen, but identifying a DVD copy will defintely be the next step in order to share with as many Girls as possible.

In the interim, please see the trailer of Girl Rising Here.

Still, beyond this film there is a cause. The movie is just the beginning. It is also a movement to ensure that Girls everywhere are provided with the opportunity to get an education thus leading to a changed and improved world. Learn more about the movement to Educate Girls Here.

Feeling A Little “Defiance”?

I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed the premiere of the Syfy series, Defiance last Monday evening.

They say that the first 10 minutes of a film is crucial and the first ten of the 2 hour series opener, of Defiance, sure did what it was supposed to do. Now it’s Monday again and I have high exceptations of the 2nd episode.

Hopefully for the show it won’t lull, and keeps up the momentum. I will be watching and be back with more thoughts. However, if you’re watching too, don’t hesitate to chime in! I would love to learn what you think about the television program!

Defiance airs each Monday on the Syfy network at 9pm ET. The cast is led by Grant Bowler (fondly remembered from the ABC series, Ugly Betty) and Stephanie Leonidas. Their characters direct us through the experience of a new world developed as a result of a war which arose when a collective group of aliens, called Votans, came to earth several years prior. “After decades of war, a ceasefire is declared when both sides realise they must focus on survival on this new almost alien planet.” Presently we meet Grant Bowler’s character – Jeb Nolan – serving as Cheif Lawkeeper of the town of Defiance and working to protect its community from deviant humans, aliens, military scvangers and whoever else poses a threat to Defiance.

Life does Suck…But There Is Hope

I was inspired to pen some short verses following the first installment of the series, Life Sucks at The Bridge DC on April 7th.

I then decided I would post it here for all to see, particularly in light of the recent unfortunate events in Boston.

Life does Suck sometimes, and it just does not seem Fair!

However, I am of the opinion that there is Hope…there is a Light where a connection can be made and the opportunity to thrive from the inside-out. The circumstances around us may not change but there is great comfort in being able to call on a Great Friend to walk us through it.

My sincere thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who lost their lives, and all of the injured from the Boston Marathon Bombing on Monday, April 15th, 2013.

Here is what came to mind:

A Salute To A Personal Hero

I was half way through another post when I learned about the death of Film Guru, Roger Ebert. I tossed and turned about posting my original story or listening to the rumbles in my mind to honor a personal hero.

I have admired Roger Ebert for many, many years. As a child, when the movie bug bit me, I would hang on his every word on the television program, “Siskel & Ebert”. Ebert’s diagnosis of film was gospel, in my book.As we both grew older and his life drastically changed, I admired his willingness to fight on and persevere. Despite being diagnosed with Thyroid cancer in 2002 and follow-up surgeries – through 2008 – which resulted in his inability to speak and to eat, Ebert didn’t miss a movie opening. His platform changed from television to article posts online, but his trusted voice was still heard and carried just as much weight as it always had.

Oprah Winfrey is quoted as describing the passing of Roger Ebert as the “end of an era”. I am in full agreement with that sentiment. I cannot envision anyone else who can fill his shoes at the moment. Maybe because it is too soon to tell, or simply since I am overcome with prejudicial bias.

Even President Barack Obama commented on Ebert’s passing. The president said; “Roger was the movies … [he could capture] the unique power of the movies to take us somewhere magical … The movies won’t be the same without Roger”.

Oh how right POTUS is! He has described Roger Ebert and his talent perfectly! As I read his final review, completed 2 days before his death, I was once again whisked away to “somewhere magical”.

I would like to go on a limb and declare that we would be hard-pressed to find someone like Roger Ebert again. But the wounds are still fresh and I am certain that there is similar talent in the world today, equip to fill Roger Ebert’s large and eloquent shoes. I can only hope to come close.

Cheers Roger!

Is Sunday Night the New “Must See TV” Night?

Ok, did I miss something? …When did Sunday Night become the new “Must See TV” night? Do you remember when that was Thursday night?

Yep!….The terminology was coined by NBC in the 1990s when their Thursday night line-up was doing gang-busters in the ratings. Actually they were scoring high since the 1980s. The line-up goes like this; The Cosby Show, Family Ties, Cheers, Night Court, A Different World, Seinfeld, Mad About You, Wings, Frasier, Friends, and Will & Grace, as well as such drama series as Hill Street Blues, L.A. Law, and, I mostly definitely remember, ER. These shows dominated prime time for the network.

Unfortunately for NBC, their track record at the moment is quite the contrary. Even when their Thursday night ratings began to wane a bit, in the mid-to-late 2000s, and the theme was replaced with Comedy Night Done Right, I am confident they didn’t anticipate the low numbers they’re experiencing these days.

The other networks clued in, and followed the patterned where they too scheduled their best performing programs on Thursday night, thus making the days of the week a marker for what is working in the television business and what is not.

From all observations it appears that Sunday night is now the night when many just must watch television. Whether its ABC’s Once Upon A Time then Revenge or CBS’ The Good Wife, Downton Abbey on PBS, and now NBC’s Celebrity Apprentice. The Cable Stations are in on it as well. When in season that’s the night fans are sure to catch Homeland on Showtime, Game of Thrones on HBO, Army Wives on Lifetime, The Real Housewives of Atlanta on Bravo (the network’s highest rated of the series), The Walking Dead on AMC…and the list goes on and on, and on – particularly depending on the season.

I am reminded of a story. On one such Sunday night I was enjoying some of my Sunday night Favs when my phone buzzed with a text message from a friend inquiring whether I was checking out another popular Sunday night show. To their dismay, I was unable to engage about their program but it got me to thinking how difficult it was for me to keep up with all that was airing that night. Anyway later on, I texted another friend to learn what they were taking in and to my surprise they were watching yet another program that I totally forgot was on. If it seems all too confusing, believe me it is. These days to keep track of all the shows I enjoy on Sundays, it requires a schedule and relying on recordings for future viewing.

Now some may argue that Thursday night is still a pretty good night for television – especially the plethora of Scandal fans who epitomize the definition of appointment TV watching. Still, Thursday does not compare to Sunday with the quantity of eligible programming available currently. Of course it’s not brain surgery, it’s only TV but it is comforting to know, in the words of a Discovery Communications professional; “TV has made a come-back”. …Now excuse me as I get my Sunday night line-up together.

The Wonder Of Touch

To begin with, I am terribly attracted to any storyline that has to do with Super Intelligence.

To add to that, Keifer Sutherland acts exquisitely as the caring and sensitive, yet intelligent single Father of an extremely autistic and mute 10-year-old whose capabilities make him a rare but valued entity, to a very powerful group of individuals. To sum up the story’s premise: “Touch is a preternatural drama in which science and spirituality intersect with the hopeful premise that we are all interconnected, tied in invisible ways to those whose lives we are destined to alter and impact.”

The program provides action and suspense, with a healthy balance of family drama. Keifer Sutherland, who is also an Executive Producer on the show, brings the same though somewhat softened intensity to the character of Martin Bohm, as he did to his previous character on the successful “24” – also on the same Fox Network. Sutherland is truly a joy to watch each Friday (or On Demand when it is missed). Like any other single Father – following the death of his wife who was a victim of the 9/11 tragedy – Sutherland’s character does everything within his power to not be separated from his son who is wanted by sketchy authorities for his Super Intelligent gifts. His demeanor and approach throughout each challenge is endearing.

Currently in season 2 the series’ storyline has not lacked energy, in my opinion. There is sufficient intrigue which often makes me wish that someone would simply develop and release Touch the movie already. It is unfortunate however, that the show has been moved to Friday nights. This is the day where most programs go to fizz-out when they don’t pull in strong TV ratings. Tsk, tsk, tsk….It is truly a shame that the larger television audience could not appreciate the sensitivity yet strength of the series when it aired earlier in the week.

I intend to remain faithful to Touch, to the very end. Both Keifer Sutherland and David Mazoz, the young lad who plays Sutherland’s son Jake, keep me coming back for more.

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