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Iron Man 2 is Good Mindless Fun

Have you seen it yet?  It is certainly generating some "buzz" and box-office traffic.

My recommendation: let go of your expectations and simply enjoy the spectacle.

Even Freud has to agree, sometimes a cigar is just a cigar ... and sometimes, a movie is just a movie.

Iron Man 2 was a fun and action-packed movie that I'm glad I watched on a big screen.

Does It Live-Up to Its Hype?

Before its release, there were a number of very negative reviews and predictions that it would be "unwatchable". Nonetheless, audiences are watching and, according to Rotten Tomatoes, enjoying the movie.

I had fun seeing it with my son this weekend. It was good enough in virtually every way.

The story held together well enough that I didn't think much about the plot (not that there was much of a plot to think about).

The graphics didn't "wow" me, the way that Avatar's did; but they were good enough that I didn't think about them (even though many of the special effects had to have been computer-generated). 

Here is a Trailer so you can see it for yourself.

Here are more videos.

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A Bohemian Rhapsody in Three Parts

Compare the original to the Muppets' version and a parody. Some things are classic. Some things are good enough to stand-up no matter who performs it.  You be the judge. 

A Little Background.

"Bohemian Rhapsody" is a song written by Freddie Mercury, originally recorded by the band Queen for their 1975 album A Night at the Opera.

The song is a parody of a rock opera and has a very unusual musical structure for a piece of popular music. Its three different sections have no chorus but both a cappella and heavy metal arrangements. Despite this, it was released as a single and became a huge commercial success, marking a decisive point in Queen's career.

The single was accompanied by a groundbreaking "promotional video", which helped establish the visual language of the modern music (and helped make the music video a must have accessory for any performer).

Muppets - Video of Bohemian Rhapsody:

The Muppets have created their own version of Queen's classic song and video.  This version has very quickly gone viral, as people around the world flock to see it.

The Muppets released their version of Bohemian Rhapsody as a funny and endearing tribute marking the 18th anniversary of Freddie Mercury's untimely death. 

While there will never be another Freddy Mercury, neither will there be another Gonzo, Fozzie Bear nor Miss Piggy.  Here is their attempt at rock opera:

Bohemian Bankruptcy - A Tragedy by Drag Queen.

This, completely different, take on the classic is a witty parody of our economic times.

The Original: I Saved the Best for Last.

Here is the original.  After all this time, it still speaks for itself.

Here is a link to that video with the lyrics superimposed.

This Video Made Me Smile

Watch a soldier being greeted by his dogs after returning home after 14 months in Iraq.  I suspect even cat people will be touched by this.

I learned something from the dogs, and the man.  Hope you enjoy it too.
 

"Stand By Me" Music Video from the Playing for Change: Peace Through Music Project

I saw this and thought it was worth sharing.  It is a video of different musicians, around the globe, combining their talents to create a worthwhile version of of the classic "Stand By Me". 

Here is the direct link to the video.

"Playing for Change: Peace Through Music" isn't really a documentary as much as a global concert film, recorded on the streets of New Orleans, Barcelona, South Africa, Tibet and elsewhere.  The filmmakers (Mark Johnson and Jonathan Walls) traveled across the globe, finding musicians to record versions of "Stand By Me" and Bob Marley's "One World" by themselves, and without any of the individual musicians ever having met each other. The finished project combines these performances to create an a "music video" of these artists playing together on these inspirational songs, as well as playing their own music.

The purpose of the project is to help impoverished people in the areas visited, and to show how music brings people together regardless of their cultural differences.  Find out more at Playing For Change.

Doing What Works - Insight Happens in an Instant

Colin Powell said that "There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure." 

On the other hand, I've found that insight often happens in an instant. 

In Kung Fu Panda, an overweight,  seemingly uncoordinated panda transforms into the unlikely hero of the story who battles evil and saves his village.  The turning point?  His teacher recognized that during a quest for a snack, nothing could keep our hero from his food.  By integrating that in the training routine, a star was born.

OK, that was a Disney movie.  Maybe you want a real-life example?

My youngest son, Zach, is learning to drive.  Currently, I am working on improving his mental map of where he is, where he is going, and how to get there.

My early assessment was that he did not have much of a sense of direction.  This was making our time in the car together either existentially funny - or stressful - depending on my mood.

"What comes next?" was often followed by a blank look or a head shake. The answer to "Which way do we turn?" was a seemingly random "north," "south," "east," "west," "right," or "left" -- or sometimes several of them.

Apparently, I was asking the wrong questions.  He has an encyclopedic knowledge of where restaurants are, and an uncanny ability to get there.  We just have to plot his course with the right milestones (fast-food, pizza and ice cream).

He explained to me, "hey, I just do what works."  And that makes a lot of sense; I'm just glad he found something that works.

A Brief Look at Ideas Worth Spreading

I enjoy the TED website, whose tag-line is "ideas worth spreading." They host one of the "cool" conferences for thinkers and doers. Recently, they opened their content vault and offer a wide range of free videos on technology, business, science, culture, and global issues.

This video is of a presentation by Jill Bolte Taylor. She shares a powerful story about how our brains define us and connect us to the world and to one another.

Jill is a neuro-scientist who had an opportunity few brain scientists would wish for: One morning, she realized she was having a massive stroke. As it happened -- as she felt her brain functions slip away one by one, speech, movement, understanding -- she studied and remembered every moment.

I found it interesting and inspiring, and hope you do too.