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by Suzy Anand Suzy's Film Reviews PLEASE go to this website and watch the movie "Animal
School." Your children will be glad you did!
This lush, intelligent movie was overlooked in the theaters
but is a hugely popular rental. It was adapted from the non-fiction book The Honest
Courtesan, and takes place in 16th century Venice. The
heroine's options in life are restricted by her gender and place in society and
when she makes unorthodox choices, she is punished. I must say nothing
else because I would hate to ruin the ending for you. But I will
promise you the story is all about the power of an intelligent woman.
And I will share one of my favorite quotes from the heroine, Veronica
in the movie: "No biblical hell could ever be worse than this
state of perpetual inconsequence." I HIGHLY recommend this movie for a sexy night at home with
your lover or for a girl power evening with your mature teens and girlfriends!
December
07 Years ago, I gave up reading movie reviews before
going to see them because I too often felt that they spoiled the story for me.
So I promise never to do that. In this case, I feel compelled to
review this movie and rave about it because I was so offended by a review I
happened to read after seeing it. The reviewer skewered the movie for
having an implausible story line and being maudlin AND he never even
mentioned the music. Has any reviewer said that Disney's Enchanted is
mawkish or ridiculous? Of course not, because it is a half cartoon
fairy tale. Well, the first clue as to how we are intended to view August
Rush is the second line in the movie, when the young narrator says, "I
believe in music the way some people believe in fairy tales." This movie is a fairy tale and a Charles Dickens story all in
one. It includes Robin Williams as Fagen, which led my 13 year old daughter
to say, "I don't like him as a bad guy, he usually plays good
guys!" Which may be true, but he does the bad guy quite well.
In fact, the entire cast could not be more fabulous. But, I think
the significant oversight of the lousy reviewer is the obvious fact that the
main character of this movie is really the MUSIC. I cannot remember
ever in my life buying a soundtrack CD immediately upon leaving the theatre.
And my 15 year old musician daughter spent a week teaching herself all
the guitar pieces off the CD. A movie that inspires, what more could a
TantraMama wish for? BTW, I have nothing against Enchanted which was cute and well
acted and entertaining and had a decent message.
January
08 I haven't seen the movie yet, but everywhere I go
people are discussing their own "Bucket Lists." I have twice now been asked about mine. And I have to
answer, in all honesty, I don't have one!!! Incredulity follows. "Aw c'mon, there must be
SOMETHING you're dying to do before you die," followed by an awkward
laugh! (The subject of death always leads to this.) Nope! I've now been thinking about it for weeks, since the first
time it came up. I am sure. I have nothing to put on a Bucket
List. I've come up with four explanations for this fact. 1.
In the context of the movie, it is obvious that simply being
female explains a lot. I do not live for adrenalin rushes. I have
no desire to race cars or jump out of planes. I can certainly
understand that those people (of both genders) who do and contain that lust
in order to live responsibly, would, when faced with death, have a list of
thrilling things they would feel compelled to attempt. Not me, I don't
like that feeling! 2.
Secondly, there is the fact that I did have many opportunities
when I was younger to "sow my wild oats" as it were. I once
spent 2 years living out of a backpack and traveling the globe. I've been
invited to tour with the reggae band UB40 (England 1981) and avoided
anti-American sniper fire preceding the coup d'etat in the Philippines in the
fall of 1985. I have swung from zip lines in the rain forest and skied
in blizzards. It could be argued that I have no list because I have
already lived more than most. Which leads directly to my 3rd
explanation. 3.
I am simply getting older and I am weary. I prefer to
sleep in my own bed, I love my routines. I live where I want to live
and I don't crave changes of scenery. During my
on-the-road-with-a-backpack days, I had a list of places I wanted to go and
things to do and see. I had every intention of crossing them all off.
Now, I am able to look at that list with bemusement and gratitude.
I am so very grateful that my wanderlust up and left. Life is
good, more of the same is lovely. Which leads me directly to my fourth
reason for not needing a Bucket List. 4.
WOW, maybe I really am a Buddhist. The central tenet of
Buddhism is to free oneself from desires. Hip, hip, hooray. I've
done it. I've succeeded. I have no list of desires to fulfill
before I leave this mortal lifetime. The Buddha has nothing on me! Well, almost. You see, I wouldn't put
"him" on a Bucket List. (Just to do and then cross off.)
But, I do still have one last HUGE desire; I am still waiting for the
love of my life. After he shows up, I will truly get to see if it is
possible to live life without unfulfilled desires. Until then, I am
content to live my life as is! I hope you are content, too! Click
here if you would like to be notified when additions are posted to
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