I have a secret. It involves a spy. A debonair, slick, well dressed spy, who is often shaken, not stirred. Yes, I have had a relationship with James Bond since 1973. I was young then but old enough to know that I had to have more.
In 1973 my father took me to see Live and Let Die at the Margate Twin. I was 6 years old and I had never seen anything like it. I recall commenting that I had never been so frightened in my entire life. I think it had to do with voodoo, witch doctors and wild special effects - on the big screen. Maybe it was a little much for a small child - but it didn't end there.
Since then, I have seen every James Bond movie AT the movies. Yes, it's only the big screen for me and James. My Dad usually took me and when I moved out on my own I would go many times by myself. Nothing would keep us apart.
Yes, Roger Moore was my first. And they say that you never forget your first Bond - he is usually the favorite carried through life. Sorry Sean Connery fans. But he never did it for me. I even liked the short lived Bond of Timothy Dalton. I think he should have had more chances. But then again - Pierce Brosnan - schwing! Remington Steele fans waited, for what seemed like forever, for him to be Bond. The part seemed a sure fit. Alas, some relationships are not made to last forever.
Now, I have a new Bond in my life - Daniel Craig - SCHWING! Okay, okay, there are hormones involved (You know how to make a hormone right?). Yes, hunkiness has come to the character. I welcome the change. Don't get me wrong - I dig debonair and someone who looks good in a tux but there is nothing wrong with looking good in a tight swimsuit!
My love for Bond movies transcends good looks and schwingability. There is no other series like it. And I feel no other streak like it. Sure, maybe you saw all the Friday the 13th movies at the movies (begs the question of - why?) but to each his/her own. But I have NEVER met anyone with my streak.
It's a small thing. But I think about all that has happened to me in the past 35 years and well...I don't see anything else that consistent in it.
And yes, I will walk across a room, stop and turn - pretending to shoot. Like the beginning of a 007 movie.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Sunday, November 2, 2008
VOTE!
It's your right.
The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not
be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.
— Fifteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution (1870)
The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not
be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex.
— Nineteenth Amendment (1920)
The right of citizens of the United States to vote in any
primary or other election . . . shall not be denied or abridged . . . by reason of failure to pay any poll tax or other tax.
— Twenty-fourth Amendment (1964)
The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of age.
— Twenty-sixth Amendment (1971)
The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not
be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.
— Fifteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution (1870)
The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not
be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex.
— Nineteenth Amendment (1920)
The right of citizens of the United States to vote in any
primary or other election . . . shall not be denied or abridged . . . by reason of failure to pay any poll tax or other tax.
— Twenty-fourth Amendment (1964)
The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of age.
— Twenty-sixth Amendment (1971)
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Rays of Hope
There is nothing better than when your favorite sports team is in a championship! In the Tampa Bay area we had some droughts. Then we won the the Superbowl in 2002 and the Arena Football championship. Then we won the Stanley Cup in 2004. These teams were thought to be out of any running for any kind of championship and often looked like the were playing for the other team. We've put that to an end.
Now it is time for the Tampa Bay Rays (formerly the Devil Rays) to get some!
Baseball in the Tampa Bay area, up until 1998, was reserved for Spring training of other MLB teams. The St. Louis Cardinals were in St. Petersburg for years. The Yankees train in Tampa. The Phillies in Clearwater and so on. We knew baseball. Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio and others of fame stayed in the area. Baseball star watching was a popular sport in town.
In 1998 the Tampa Bay Devil Rays debuted to a sold out and enthusiastic home crowd!
(Just in case you don't know - the term "Tampa Bay" refers to the entire geographic area of 4 major cities and many small towns in and around the area.)
The Devil Rays started out in the basement and have been scratching and scraping their way up from the bottom ever since. Attendance dwindled. Heads hung low.
And now after 10 years in the league - they are in the World Series. Not only IN the World Series but BEAT the Yankees and the Red Sox to get there!
In the past there would be Yankees fans at Devil Rays games...they outnumbered the home team fans. There would be more cheering when a Yankee did something great then the Devil Rays (who never did anything great). Not for lack of trying. We had Jose Canseco a known DH but he was a dud. They got Joe Piniella to get the team rolling but no go.
This season the stands have been full. Baseball is back!
Apparently the Devil Rays just needed some faith. This season the Devil in the name was dropped and a new logo was developed. There might be something to that because when the Buccaneers changed their colors and logo they started having winning seasons. Coincidence?
Sport, if nothing else, is about superstition with luck and dash of fate.
The Rays are one of the youngest teams in the league (in regard to the age of the players) that seems to just enjoy playing the game. No, they aren't used to winning and maybe that makes the taste of it all the more sweeter.
I don't know what will happen when this series is over. If the Rays win there will be fireworks and horns blowing till 5am the next day. If they lose the fans will still meet them at the airport. That's the kind of sports town "Tampa Bay" is.
We know how to lose and keep playing.
And we know the taste of victory and how to relish it.
And sometimes it is...how you play the game.
Now it is time for the Tampa Bay Rays (formerly the Devil Rays) to get some!
Baseball in the Tampa Bay area, up until 1998, was reserved for Spring training of other MLB teams. The St. Louis Cardinals were in St. Petersburg for years. The Yankees train in Tampa. The Phillies in Clearwater and so on. We knew baseball. Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio and others of fame stayed in the area. Baseball star watching was a popular sport in town.
In 1998 the Tampa Bay Devil Rays debuted to a sold out and enthusiastic home crowd!
(Just in case you don't know - the term "Tampa Bay" refers to the entire geographic area of 4 major cities and many small towns in and around the area.)
The Devil Rays started out in the basement and have been scratching and scraping their way up from the bottom ever since. Attendance dwindled. Heads hung low.
And now after 10 years in the league - they are in the World Series. Not only IN the World Series but BEAT the Yankees and the Red Sox to get there!
In the past there would be Yankees fans at Devil Rays games...they outnumbered the home team fans. There would be more cheering when a Yankee did something great then the Devil Rays (who never did anything great). Not for lack of trying. We had Jose Canseco a known DH but he was a dud. They got Joe Piniella to get the team rolling but no go.
This season the stands have been full. Baseball is back!
Apparently the Devil Rays just needed some faith. This season the Devil in the name was dropped and a new logo was developed. There might be something to that because when the Buccaneers changed their colors and logo they started having winning seasons. Coincidence?
Sport, if nothing else, is about superstition with luck and dash of fate.
The Rays are one of the youngest teams in the league (in regard to the age of the players) that seems to just enjoy playing the game. No, they aren't used to winning and maybe that makes the taste of it all the more sweeter.
I don't know what will happen when this series is over. If the Rays win there will be fireworks and horns blowing till 5am the next day. If they lose the fans will still meet them at the airport. That's the kind of sports town "Tampa Bay" is.
We know how to lose and keep playing.
And we know the taste of victory and how to relish it.
And sometimes it is...how you play the game.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Now Back to Our Regularly Scheduled Programming
A new season is here! Finally! After the writer's strike and a long summer (bright spot being The Closer) it is time to kick back and enjoy this season's fare.
I am glad that my old favorites have returned - Criminal Minds, Pushing Daisies, Ugly Betty, Ghost Whisperer (guilty pleasure!) and NCIS (I still hope for improvement).
I have decided to try out a few new shows as well:
Bones : This isn't exactly a new show but it is new to me. Having been on USA network since 2005 it has a steady following of viewers and I can see why. Starring Emily Deschanel (who has a decent sized body of work but only in small parts) and David Boreanaz (known to many viewers as the hunky sensitive vampire, Angel) as an odd couple solving cases for the FBI. Bones is the nickname of Deschanel's character because she is a forensic anthropologist who studies bones and what they can tell her. Boreanaz's character is an FBI agent who sees how she can help him solve cases. This could be a typical formula series but USA network has shown us through Monk, House, Psych and Dead Zone that they are far from formula. Bones follows these two investigators as well as the rest of her team and the FBI gang. There are many characters that get woven into each story (much like CSI) that creates more of an ensemble feel. There is sexual chemistry but it is not forced - it seems natural and the viewer isn't left waiting for these two to "get together." We can wait. They are very good developing characters. If you are looking for something different in your viewing - give Bones a chance.
The Mentalist : I can only hope that actor Simon Baker (you may remember him as the cad in The Devil Wears Prada) can carry this show on his own as the title character because the rest of the cast is lacking. Baker plays a former TV psychic who now works as a private investigator helping the police solve cases. He admits he was never a psychic but uses his keen powers of observation to solve the crimes (ala Sherlock Holmes). Baker is charming, witty and a pleasure to watch as he effortlessly cruises through each case. That cannot be said for his co-star Robin Tunney, who in spite of a large resume of TV and movies, falls flat. She is supposed to be this tough cop who puts up with his tricks. She is either mis-cast, mis-directed, badly written, a weak actress or all of the above. What they need is a tougher woman! There are many great examples of strong women on TV and she is not one of them. There is also this terrible excuse for sexual tension. It's not there! The rest of the cast is okay but the show needs work. Keep Baker and re-work the rest of the show and it will be a winner. It is worth watching for Baker and that's it.
I eagerly await the premiere of Eleventh Hour this week! I hope it is worth the wait.
I am glad that my old favorites have returned - Criminal Minds, Pushing Daisies, Ugly Betty, Ghost Whisperer (guilty pleasure!) and NCIS (I still hope for improvement).
I have decided to try out a few new shows as well:
Bones : This isn't exactly a new show but it is new to me. Having been on USA network since 2005 it has a steady following of viewers and I can see why. Starring Emily Deschanel (who has a decent sized body of work but only in small parts) and David Boreanaz (known to many viewers as the hunky sensitive vampire, Angel) as an odd couple solving cases for the FBI. Bones is the nickname of Deschanel's character because she is a forensic anthropologist who studies bones and what they can tell her. Boreanaz's character is an FBI agent who sees how she can help him solve cases. This could be a typical formula series but USA network has shown us through Monk, House, Psych and Dead Zone that they are far from formula. Bones follows these two investigators as well as the rest of her team and the FBI gang. There are many characters that get woven into each story (much like CSI) that creates more of an ensemble feel. There is sexual chemistry but it is not forced - it seems natural and the viewer isn't left waiting for these two to "get together." We can wait. They are very good developing characters. If you are looking for something different in your viewing - give Bones a chance.
The Mentalist : I can only hope that actor Simon Baker (you may remember him as the cad in The Devil Wears Prada) can carry this show on his own as the title character because the rest of the cast is lacking. Baker plays a former TV psychic who now works as a private investigator helping the police solve cases. He admits he was never a psychic but uses his keen powers of observation to solve the crimes (ala Sherlock Holmes). Baker is charming, witty and a pleasure to watch as he effortlessly cruises through each case. That cannot be said for his co-star Robin Tunney, who in spite of a large resume of TV and movies, falls flat. She is supposed to be this tough cop who puts up with his tricks. She is either mis-cast, mis-directed, badly written, a weak actress or all of the above. What they need is a tougher woman! There are many great examples of strong women on TV and she is not one of them. There is also this terrible excuse for sexual tension. It's not there! The rest of the cast is okay but the show needs work. Keep Baker and re-work the rest of the show and it will be a winner. It is worth watching for Baker and that's it.
I eagerly await the premiere of Eleventh Hour this week! I hope it is worth the wait.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Enjoying Life's Moments
I could have titled this posting, "Enjoying Life's Small Moments," but since I have been blessed with my children - there are no small moments.
Yes, I am majoring in Theology but that is not why I chose "blessed" to described my children in my life. I chose that word because a blessing is a great gift from God, the Father, the Creator or whatever you want to call Him/Her. My children are the greatest gift and event that has ever happened to me. They are beautiful and full of wonder and questions about the world around them.
Occasionally it makes me sad to have to answer a future question like, "Why does Bill get to play football? I want to play to!" Do I really have to explain it is for boys? True some girls do play...but not in the NFL. Not that that is the hardest question I will ever get but she is starting to say she wants to play football.
They also have questions of joy for me like my son asking, "Mommy, where is God? I don't see him?" This came after I explained who God was and that he was often way up in the sky. He did later look out the window and exclaim that he did see God (don't doubt it).
Some moments I hope to remember for the rest of my life and I am sure will always bring a smile like the other night...
My daughter is potty training and the other night had a victory. As a reward we all had m&m's and danced to a boom box in the living room. My children each wrapped a blanket around their waist. Trinity said she was a princess and twirled around (like princesses do) and my son said he was the King and proceeded to dance regally. They danced with such joy! I had to dance as well! I was about to turn off the radio when "Young Americans" by David Bowie came on. A great tune. We just kept dancing by twirling, jumping and falling on the floor. The laughter was infectious. I thought, as I watched the delight of my children, that I never want to forget this moment.
Someday I might be blue and all I have to do is think of my "wild bunch," "angels," and "thing 1 and thing 2, "young Americans" and I will not be able to stop smiling.
Yes, I am majoring in Theology but that is not why I chose "blessed" to described my children in my life. I chose that word because a blessing is a great gift from God, the Father, the Creator or whatever you want to call Him/Her. My children are the greatest gift and event that has ever happened to me. They are beautiful and full of wonder and questions about the world around them.
Occasionally it makes me sad to have to answer a future question like, "Why does Bill get to play football? I want to play to!" Do I really have to explain it is for boys? True some girls do play...but not in the NFL. Not that that is the hardest question I will ever get but she is starting to say she wants to play football.
They also have questions of joy for me like my son asking, "Mommy, where is God? I don't see him?" This came after I explained who God was and that he was often way up in the sky. He did later look out the window and exclaim that he did see God (don't doubt it).
Some moments I hope to remember for the rest of my life and I am sure will always bring a smile like the other night...
My daughter is potty training and the other night had a victory. As a reward we all had m&m's and danced to a boom box in the living room. My children each wrapped a blanket around their waist. Trinity said she was a princess and twirled around (like princesses do) and my son said he was the King and proceeded to dance regally. They danced with such joy! I had to dance as well! I was about to turn off the radio when "Young Americans" by David Bowie came on. A great tune. We just kept dancing by twirling, jumping and falling on the floor. The laughter was infectious. I thought, as I watched the delight of my children, that I never want to forget this moment.
Someday I might be blue and all I have to do is think of my "wild bunch," "angels," and "thing 1 and thing 2, "young Americans" and I will not be able to stop smiling.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
New Review!!!
The following reviews are by the Super Mommy. A regular contributor to this blog!
Babylon AD
Since he first stole the show in Boiler Room, I’ve believed Vin Diesel was like pizza. Even “bad” Vin was “good” Vin. Until I saw Babylon AD, that is. Vin, baby, WHAT were you thinking?
OK, in all fairness, the sorry state of this movie probably isn’t Vin’s fault. Not totally, at least. I think blame more fully falls on whoever produced this mess and felt they could do it without the benefit of a screenwriter. That’s really the only explanation I can come up with for the near-total lack of discernable, trackable plot.
In theory, the film trails Diesel’s character, Toorop (no one ever explains the weird name, but then so much goes unexplained in this flick) a mercenary for hire who is inexplicably living in Russia in the near future. Russian mobster Gorsky (French film legend Gerard Depardieu) hires Toorop to smuggle a just-post-pubescent girl (Melanie Thierry) and her guardian (Michelle Yeoh) from their convent in the frozen north to New York City. No, it’s never explained what Gorsky’s interest is in all this. Are you seeing a pattern here? Along the way, there are a few explosions, a lot of dead bodies killed in singularly uncreative ways, a submarine, a female super preacher who looks a lot like George W. Bush in drag, artificial intelligence, and not one, but two (count ‘em – TWO) immaculate conceptions.
If that all seems confusing and aimless when you read it here … well, it looks that way on the screen too. The movie limps along for the first hour, and then it’s as if the writer and director realized they had just another 30 minutes to play with and they were frantic to wrap up the story, even if the ending made no sense at all. What little plot there is just falls apart and the last 30 minutes are confusing snippets of storyline that just don’t follow sensible from the 60 minutes that preceded them.
Babylon AD is 90 minutes of missed opportunities, huge plot holes and wasted performances by otherwise good actors. Going back to my original pizza analogy, this is a big, greasy slice of stupid and not even Vin can make it worth sitting through.
Rating: M (and only because Vin is in it)
Vin that’s Worth Watching – on DVD
Vin Diesel is probably one of his generation’s most under-rated, poorly type-cast actors. Here are a few gems that will remind you that Vin’s not just a great action star, he’s a great actor as well:
Pitch Black
Pitch Black is just pitch-perfect in every way, from the CGI aliens who are creepy as heck, to the creative story of a band of travelers stranded on a planet about to plunge into eternal night, to Diesel’s stellar performance as Riddick Bowe. Not only are there great supporting cast performances (Wings Hauser and Radha Mitchell are both awesome), and special effects, the movie actually has a message. Pitch Black is not just a story of survival hard-won by a badass criminal. It’s a story of personal redemption.
Rating: MMMMM
Boiler Room
Vin has a supporting role in this Giovanni Ribisi vehicle about fraudulent stock traders, but his personality just jumps off the screen in every scene he’s in. Guys, it’s worth watching for the hot cars. Ladies, it’s worth watching because Vin flashes that melt-your-panties smile of his throughout the movie.
MMM
Fast and Furious
No one plays the bad boy with the bulging biceps and a good heart as well as Vin Diesel. Again, he’s in a supporting role but when this film first came out it was pretty much universally agreed by critics and fans alike that Vin OWNED this movie. All you really need to know about the plot is that it involves fast cars, spectacular chase scenes and a great get-away by Diesel’s not-so-bad badass character.
MMM
The Iron Giant
What’s that? You didn’t know Diesel had a role in this sweet children’s film about a young boy who befriends an extra-terrestrial robot stranded on Earth? Yes, it’s an animated movie for kids, but it’s got an exciting story and a great message. AND it’s got Vin as the voice of the robot. This one makes my list because it proves Vin’s acting prowess. He carries the store and imbues his character with life using his voice alone –without the power of his sexy smile and great bod.
MMMM
And NO, I did not forget XXX. It doesn’t qualify for my list of great Vin vehicles because it’s missing an essential element of Diesel’s best roles – deep development of a flawed character who ultimately turns out to be more noble than he thought he could be.
Many thanks to the Super Mommy for the above reviews! Once again, she helps keep this blog afloat!
Babylon AD
Since he first stole the show in Boiler Room, I’ve believed Vin Diesel was like pizza. Even “bad” Vin was “good” Vin. Until I saw Babylon AD, that is. Vin, baby, WHAT were you thinking?
OK, in all fairness, the sorry state of this movie probably isn’t Vin’s fault. Not totally, at least. I think blame more fully falls on whoever produced this mess and felt they could do it without the benefit of a screenwriter. That’s really the only explanation I can come up with for the near-total lack of discernable, trackable plot.
In theory, the film trails Diesel’s character, Toorop (no one ever explains the weird name, but then so much goes unexplained in this flick) a mercenary for hire who is inexplicably living in Russia in the near future. Russian mobster Gorsky (French film legend Gerard Depardieu) hires Toorop to smuggle a just-post-pubescent girl (Melanie Thierry) and her guardian (Michelle Yeoh) from their convent in the frozen north to New York City. No, it’s never explained what Gorsky’s interest is in all this. Are you seeing a pattern here? Along the way, there are a few explosions, a lot of dead bodies killed in singularly uncreative ways, a submarine, a female super preacher who looks a lot like George W. Bush in drag, artificial intelligence, and not one, but two (count ‘em – TWO) immaculate conceptions.
If that all seems confusing and aimless when you read it here … well, it looks that way on the screen too. The movie limps along for the first hour, and then it’s as if the writer and director realized they had just another 30 minutes to play with and they were frantic to wrap up the story, even if the ending made no sense at all. What little plot there is just falls apart and the last 30 minutes are confusing snippets of storyline that just don’t follow sensible from the 60 minutes that preceded them.
Babylon AD is 90 minutes of missed opportunities, huge plot holes and wasted performances by otherwise good actors. Going back to my original pizza analogy, this is a big, greasy slice of stupid and not even Vin can make it worth sitting through.
Rating: M (and only because Vin is in it)
Vin that’s Worth Watching – on DVD
Vin Diesel is probably one of his generation’s most under-rated, poorly type-cast actors. Here are a few gems that will remind you that Vin’s not just a great action star, he’s a great actor as well:
Pitch Black
Pitch Black is just pitch-perfect in every way, from the CGI aliens who are creepy as heck, to the creative story of a band of travelers stranded on a planet about to plunge into eternal night, to Diesel’s stellar performance as Riddick Bowe. Not only are there great supporting cast performances (Wings Hauser and Radha Mitchell are both awesome), and special effects, the movie actually has a message. Pitch Black is not just a story of survival hard-won by a badass criminal. It’s a story of personal redemption.
Rating: MMMMM
Boiler Room
Vin has a supporting role in this Giovanni Ribisi vehicle about fraudulent stock traders, but his personality just jumps off the screen in every scene he’s in. Guys, it’s worth watching for the hot cars. Ladies, it’s worth watching because Vin flashes that melt-your-panties smile of his throughout the movie.
MMM
Fast and Furious
No one plays the bad boy with the bulging biceps and a good heart as well as Vin Diesel. Again, he’s in a supporting role but when this film first came out it was pretty much universally agreed by critics and fans alike that Vin OWNED this movie. All you really need to know about the plot is that it involves fast cars, spectacular chase scenes and a great get-away by Diesel’s not-so-bad badass character.
MMM
The Iron Giant
What’s that? You didn’t know Diesel had a role in this sweet children’s film about a young boy who befriends an extra-terrestrial robot stranded on Earth? Yes, it’s an animated movie for kids, but it’s got an exciting story and a great message. AND it’s got Vin as the voice of the robot. This one makes my list because it proves Vin’s acting prowess. He carries the store and imbues his character with life using his voice alone –without the power of his sexy smile and great bod.
MMMM
And NO, I did not forget XXX. It doesn’t qualify for my list of great Vin vehicles because it’s missing an essential element of Diesel’s best roles – deep development of a flawed character who ultimately turns out to be more noble than he thought he could be.
Many thanks to the Super Mommy for the above reviews! Once again, she helps keep this blog afloat!
Where is the movie mommy?
I know, I know, I have disappeared for a few weeks.
Well...I've been busy!
School, work, family, school, school, school...
I will be back...very soon! Hang in there and don't stop checking my posts!
Thanks!
Well...I've been busy!
School, work, family, school, school, school...
I will be back...very soon! Hang in there and don't stop checking my posts!
Thanks!
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