Capitalogix

Here's a Movie Worth Seeing

What do you do when your wife and kids are out of town, and you find yourself alone?

Besides catching-up on projects that I somehow avoided until now, I like to watch movies.

TiVo now links to Netflix, and provides an instant viewing option. Upon opening that folder on the DVR, I saw a bunch of things I normally wouldn't choose to watch on my own. One of them was a movie called Saint Ralph.  And I chose to watch it anyway.

My Dad had an "interesting" belief. He didn't watch scary or negative movies, because he felt that life was enough of a challenge on its own ... and it was better to find things that raised our spirits. Well, I inherited that from him.

Don't get me wrong, I still I love drama and thrillers. But in the absence of compelling circumstances, I tend to prefer positive stories.

So a plot about a down-on-his luck Catholic High School student whose father is dead and whose mother is in a coma, doesn't sound like my type of movie. 

But Saint Ralph was my type of movie.  It made me think and I enjoyed it.  The movie was lighter, funnier, and better than I expected.

On one level, it's a coming-of-age story about perseverance and faith through uncertain times. On another level, it's a well-written comedy about a quirky 14-year-old boy who gets it in his head that the only way to save his mother is through a miracle (and the miracle he thinks will save her ... is for him to win the Boston Marathon).

It is a movie that asks, if you're going to dream for something, why not dream for miracles?

Hope you enjoy it.

Here's a link to the trailer for Saint Ralph. 

Here's a link to find it at Netflix.

Pixar's "UP" an Eye-Opener

I highly recommend seeing the new Disney - Pixar movie, UP, in 3-D.  It was terrific ... much better than I hoped or expected.

Frankly, when my son asked me to see it with him, I agreed reluctantly.  As he later reminded me, Pixar movies usually are better than you'd guess.

The animation was as good as I expected.  Yet, the 3-D effects were the best I've seen, because it seemed real and natural, rather than a gimmick.

On the surface, this adventure comedy is about an old-man trying to fulfill his lifelong dream to see the wilds of South America.  Then soon after setting-out, he learns he isn't alone on his journey, since a wilderness explorer -- 70 years his junior -- has somehow become a stowaway on the trip.

The story and underlying message were good and uplifting. And not just because the old-man choice of transportation was to tie thousands of balloons to his home.

It is worth the few extra dollars to see this in 3-D.

Happy Dance Postcards From Around The World

I found this strangely compelling and fun to watch. 

Been there, want to go there, hadn't even heard of there ... I've flown over 4 million miles, and enjoyed realizing I haven't even scratched the surface, yet.

Why watch a video of a guy doing his happy dance in various places around the world?  See for yourself. 

Here is a link to several of his videos and a link to his website.

Tough Times Call For Hope And Inspiration

The Red Ribbon is a fun video worth watching.  It is a reminder that Hope, Inspiration and Passion are important catalysts to moving forward, regardless of what you do for a living.

I hope you like it.

Here is the direct link on YouTube.

Luck is Pretty Good Too

Luck is underrated. Here is a fun video montage where the hand of fate wasn't so fickle.

Here is a direct link to the YouTube video.

What you focus on determines your life.  It has been said many times, in many ways.

It is easy to focus on what is wrong, what is missing, or what you want to change.  On the other hand, it probably serves us better to feel confident, grateful and loved.  So as we begin 2009, think of how many things went right, how much opportunity is in front of you ... and how even "terrible things" serve to put you back on the right track or start on a better path.

Best wishes for a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.

Is It Bush, Or the Recession?

Today is July 4th.  And as my son and I were driving into our neighborhood, we noticed how few flags we saw waving.

A few years ago, at least two-thirds of the houses had flags.  Today I would get estimate that number being 15% to 20% of the houses.

In our neighborhood, there is a $75 per year service that provides flags for patriotic holidays (like Independence Day, Memorial Day, etc.).

So, did the economy make the $75 outlay feel too extravagant?  Or did the collective level of patriotism drop significantly? 

My guess ... a little of both; but it probably has more to do with the economy.  What do you think?

Movie Worth Watching - August Rush

I  highly recommend the movie August Rush (about an orphaned musical prodigy's search for his parents, and the unfolding of his talents).

Like many good movies, it is well made, has a nice message and great soundtrack. What set it apart, for me, was the way they showed the genius, the beauty, and the simplicity of his gift.

It was inspiring and uplifting.  A different way to say that is that it energized me to get back to my gifts.