When I was heavily competing in Martial Arts tournaments I noticed a troubling thing...women's competition being shoved, pushed and man-handled out of the way for the men to compete. Most men judging these tournaments were Black Belts and were waiting themselves to compete. Black Belt men's competition is what everyone wanted to see. Notice I said "men's." True, women Black Belts did judge as well and had to leave their posts to compete. Then there was the problem of getting enough Black Belt men to judge us - our peers. They did so, begrudgingly. While watching us, their eyes were always sliding over to the other rings to watch their own students. By the time I was done competing, 15 years later, it was a little better. At least all women of all ranks weren't lumped together as they had been the past.
Then we come to the Olympics. I did expect more. The brutal facts appear to be that the viewing public doesn't want to see women's basketball, beach volleyball or swimming in prime time. That's PRIME time. If they do, they should say so. Sure, there were a few re-viewings of the women winning beach volleyball BUT the men's finals were actually being played in US prime time.
When did you find out the women won the gold in basketball? Did you know that? I saw it as a foot note in my sports section (the worst sports section I have ever seen). Did you know a woman won the gold in Judo? How about sailing? Fencing? These are all United States women! Yes, Yes, the women's gymnastics is on prime time. But isn't that a "girl's" sport? I hate to put it that way but men don't mind seeing girls in leotards...in prime time. Long live Title IX!
Do guys want to see a woman all sweaty and doing Judo? Maybe not. But I think it is something our girls and young women need to see - in prime time.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Get Over It!
Okay, this is for you: You, who still have election bumper stickers from 2004 on your car...IT'S OVER!
If your guy lost - get over it! If your guy won - stop gloating!
That goes for the rest of you with "save the whales," "world peace," "pro-life/choice," "free china," "girl power," "amnesty international," "support the troops," etc.
PLEASE stop clinging to your outdated idealistic sentimental ways! It's the 21st century!
How about, "support better pre-natal care," "vaccinate your children," "stay married," "stop being selfish and donate blood," or "start thinking." I'm not that clever but I tried.
And for God's sake, take those stupid fish off your car! If you really are a Christian - you would certainly drive that way.
If your guy lost - get over it! If your guy won - stop gloating!
That goes for the rest of you with "save the whales," "world peace," "pro-life/choice," "free china," "girl power," "amnesty international," "support the troops," etc.
PLEASE stop clinging to your outdated idealistic sentimental ways! It's the 21st century!
How about, "support better pre-natal care," "vaccinate your children," "stay married," "stop being selfish and donate blood," or "start thinking." I'm not that clever but I tried.
And for God's sake, take those stupid fish off your car! If you really are a Christian - you would certainly drive that way.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Mamma Mia!
GUEST REVIEWER! The Super Mommy is back!!!
If you loved Abba, then you’ll adore Mamma Mia! If you’re saying “Who’s Abba?” it’s time to discover the musically multi-layered, lyrically enlightened talents of one of the ‘70s most revered – or reviled – pop groups, and this movie is just the vehicle for your voyage of discovery!
The movie version of the hit Broadway musical boasts an all-star cast, including the too-talented-to-be-totally-human Meryl Streep, and a trio of yummilicious guys - Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth and Stellan Skarsgard. Streep portrays Donna Sheridan, an aging former flower child who runs a run-down hotel on a tiny Greek isle. Bubbly, buxom and seemingly carefree on the surface – Donna hides a sexy secret. Twenty years ago, after then-boyfriend Sam (Brosnan) broke her heart by returning to England to marry someone else, she slept with two other guys within days of his departure from their Greek hideaway. Donna doesn’t know who sired her daughter Sophie (Amanda Seyfreid) – Sam, Bill (Skarsgard) or Harry (Firth).
What’s more, she’s never told Sophie anything about her dad. On the eve of her wedding, Sophie dreams of walking down the aisle on her father’s arm. When she discovers Donna’s diary from 20 years ago, she takes matters into her own hands and secretly invites her three potential fathers to attend her wedding. When all three show up, hilarity, some heartbreak and, of course, outrageously great music ensue.
Usually, if I love a song I really only love it from the original artist. I’m not a “cover” gal. But writer Catherine Johnson and director Phyllida Lloyd brilliantly work Abba’s greatest hits into the story. The performers – including a true “Greek chorus” - infuse each number with a rich breadth of emotion based on the context of the story.
All your favorite Abba hits are here – from “Does Your Mother Know (That You’re Out)” and “Dancing Queen” to “I Have a Dream” and “Money, Money, Money.” Standout moments include a funny and tender rendering of “Chiquitita” by Christine Baranski and Julie Waters, Streep’s deeply poignant delivery of “Slipping Through My Fingers” as she helps Sophie get dressed for her wedding and a high-energy performance of “Does Your Mother Know” by Baranski and ensemble.
The runaway moment of the movie, however, has to be when Streep belts out “The Winner Takes it All” in response to Sam’s overtures of reconciliation. She literally sent chills down my spine. Rumor has it that Streep recorded the number in Stockholm and nailed it in a single take.
Mamma Mia! is a feel-good movie that delivers big-time on fun, over-the-top great performances and music that will make you want to dance down the theater aisle. I’ll be buying the soundtrack for sure – even though Brosnan (for whom I have harbored a deep and abiding lust for 20 years) can’t sing his way out of a paper bag.
Totally Abba junkie alert: Keep your eyes peeled for cameos by Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus – the writing half of the original Swedish quartet.
Highly recommended!
MMMM (out of 5 Ms)
If you loved Abba, then you’ll adore Mamma Mia! If you’re saying “Who’s Abba?” it’s time to discover the musically multi-layered, lyrically enlightened talents of one of the ‘70s most revered – or reviled – pop groups, and this movie is just the vehicle for your voyage of discovery!
The movie version of the hit Broadway musical boasts an all-star cast, including the too-talented-to-be-totally-human Meryl Streep, and a trio of yummilicious guys - Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth and Stellan Skarsgard. Streep portrays Donna Sheridan, an aging former flower child who runs a run-down hotel on a tiny Greek isle. Bubbly, buxom and seemingly carefree on the surface – Donna hides a sexy secret. Twenty years ago, after then-boyfriend Sam (Brosnan) broke her heart by returning to England to marry someone else, she slept with two other guys within days of his departure from their Greek hideaway. Donna doesn’t know who sired her daughter Sophie (Amanda Seyfreid) – Sam, Bill (Skarsgard) or Harry (Firth).
What’s more, she’s never told Sophie anything about her dad. On the eve of her wedding, Sophie dreams of walking down the aisle on her father’s arm. When she discovers Donna’s diary from 20 years ago, she takes matters into her own hands and secretly invites her three potential fathers to attend her wedding. When all three show up, hilarity, some heartbreak and, of course, outrageously great music ensue.
Usually, if I love a song I really only love it from the original artist. I’m not a “cover” gal. But writer Catherine Johnson and director Phyllida Lloyd brilliantly work Abba’s greatest hits into the story. The performers – including a true “Greek chorus” - infuse each number with a rich breadth of emotion based on the context of the story.
All your favorite Abba hits are here – from “Does Your Mother Know (That You’re Out)” and “Dancing Queen” to “I Have a Dream” and “Money, Money, Money.” Standout moments include a funny and tender rendering of “Chiquitita” by Christine Baranski and Julie Waters, Streep’s deeply poignant delivery of “Slipping Through My Fingers” as she helps Sophie get dressed for her wedding and a high-energy performance of “Does Your Mother Know” by Baranski and ensemble.
The runaway moment of the movie, however, has to be when Streep belts out “The Winner Takes it All” in response to Sam’s overtures of reconciliation. She literally sent chills down my spine. Rumor has it that Streep recorded the number in Stockholm and nailed it in a single take.
Mamma Mia! is a feel-good movie that delivers big-time on fun, over-the-top great performances and music that will make you want to dance down the theater aisle. I’ll be buying the soundtrack for sure – even though Brosnan (for whom I have harbored a deep and abiding lust for 20 years) can’t sing his way out of a paper bag.
Totally Abba junkie alert: Keep your eyes peeled for cameos by Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus – the writing half of the original Swedish quartet.
Highly recommended!
MMMM (out of 5 Ms)
The movie mommy thanks The Super Mommy
for helping keep up with movie reviews!
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
I Want My Mummy!
The Mummy: Tomb of The Dragon Emperor (The Mummy 3): Any fan of The Mummy series will enjoy this movie! I am such a fan! The first Mummy movie was not expected to be such a huge hit, even the actors thought it was a risky project. Instead it catapulted careers and spawned two more installments and a spin-off. My favorite of the series is still The Mummy from 1999. If you have not seen it yet, then see that before seeing this one.
The Mummy 3 is full of action and fun - just as you would expect from the series. Jet Li plays the title character and it shows a great deal of history of his character. It is so interesting that you really want to see a movie about his character! It showed him conquering China and building the Great Wall but he wanted to conquer death as well. Also, introduced in this segment is a sorceress played by Michele Yoeh, you also want to see more of her. The movie focuses on the discovery of the Emperor and his army appearing as statues buried deep underground (like the famous Chinese terracotta army that was found in 1974). Our heroes and their son get involved with the unfortunate reviving of the Emperor and the fact that his army will be invincible if it leaves the Great Wall of China. Brendan Frasier leads the O'Connell clan with his usual wit and charm. His wife, Evelyn, is not played in the this movie by the lovely and talented Rachel Weisz. Instead she is replaced by Maria Bello who doesn't appear to have had any significant movie roles. She lacks the chemistry with Frasier that he had with Weisz. We do find out in the beginning of the movie that that is the problem that Rick and Evelyn have. They are bored. This movie picks up in 1946, after the war, when they had apparently been spies for the British government. They miss the excitement they used to share and jump at an opportunity to go to China on a mission for their government. There they run into their son, Alex (who looks to old to be their son), who just so happened to be in China because he quit school to dig up this Emperor. Well, the Emperor has his 1946 henchmen who want to raise the Emperor from the dead and give glory back to China.
There are lots of intertwining plots and characters and you can tell a lot must have been left on the cutting room floor. And even though I loved this movie - I feel more could have been cut. More Jet Li, less Rick and Evy family drama. Jet Li and Michele Yoeh are great. Li doesn't speak any English in the movie (neither did Imoteph) but Yoeh does by the end (she turns out to get some satisfying screen time). There is also some classic Chinese butt whopin'. And as I said, I would have loved to have seen an entire movie about the Dragon Emperor...but maybe that will be another spin-off.
MMMM (out of 5 M's)
The Mummy 3 is full of action and fun - just as you would expect from the series. Jet Li plays the title character and it shows a great deal of history of his character. It is so interesting that you really want to see a movie about his character! It showed him conquering China and building the Great Wall but he wanted to conquer death as well. Also, introduced in this segment is a sorceress played by Michele Yoeh, you also want to see more of her. The movie focuses on the discovery of the Emperor and his army appearing as statues buried deep underground (like the famous Chinese terracotta army that was found in 1974). Our heroes and their son get involved with the unfortunate reviving of the Emperor and the fact that his army will be invincible if it leaves the Great Wall of China. Brendan Frasier leads the O'Connell clan with his usual wit and charm. His wife, Evelyn, is not played in the this movie by the lovely and talented Rachel Weisz. Instead she is replaced by Maria Bello who doesn't appear to have had any significant movie roles. She lacks the chemistry with Frasier that he had with Weisz. We do find out in the beginning of the movie that that is the problem that Rick and Evelyn have. They are bored. This movie picks up in 1946, after the war, when they had apparently been spies for the British government. They miss the excitement they used to share and jump at an opportunity to go to China on a mission for their government. There they run into their son, Alex (who looks to old to be their son), who just so happened to be in China because he quit school to dig up this Emperor. Well, the Emperor has his 1946 henchmen who want to raise the Emperor from the dead and give glory back to China.
There are lots of intertwining plots and characters and you can tell a lot must have been left on the cutting room floor. And even though I loved this movie - I feel more could have been cut. More Jet Li, less Rick and Evy family drama. Jet Li and Michele Yoeh are great. Li doesn't speak any English in the movie (neither did Imoteph) but Yoeh does by the end (she turns out to get some satisfying screen time). There is also some classic Chinese butt whopin'. And as I said, I would have loved to have seen an entire movie about the Dragon Emperor...but maybe that will be another spin-off.
MMMM (out of 5 M's)
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