Movie Review: Elizabeth: The Golden Age

Stop one minute I had no idea that the handsome Clive Owen who plays Sir Walter Raleigh, would be in this movie. I couldn't get pass his character in the recent Pink Panther movie, talk about a chessy role. The acting by Cate Blanchett who plays Queen Elizabeth, never grows old on me. She is just a sweet fragrance of grace when it comes to acting. She did great in this movie.

In a time when the changing of religious and political tides of the 16th Century Europe, the fragile yet strong Queen Elizabeth finds her rule challenged by the obessive Spanish King Philip II, who is played by Jordi Molla. Queen Elizabeth was queen of England and King Philip wanted to restore England to Catholicism, so he wages war against the Queen. Moreover, the Queen's desires for a man's love, that is Raleigh love (Clive Owens' character) was interwined quite immaturely in this movie, as well.

Elizabeth: The Golden Age is a thrill to watch. It about a story in an era of darkness, of one woman's God given faith to stand up against her land's enemies, to understand love and secure her position as a leader who cared.

I give this movie: 3 TIARAS

Dynamite Duet: Justin Timerlake and Beyonce

"Until the End of Time" what a beautiful duet between two of most powerful names in the music industry today. For all those who know me know that I am a Beyonce fan...stan but I have to say, the remix of Justin's single: "Until the End of Time" featuring Beyonce gives me more of a reason to boast how Beyonce is no joke vocally. Please enjoy this fan made video posted on youtube of the new remix of the song by clicking on the below link. Enjoy because its real soul. Go Justin.

Until the End of Time

Movie Review: The Simpsons Movie

The Simpsons Movie has done very well at the box office. Unfortunately, I am not suprised.
Here is what you are not going to miss, Homer Simpson the self-consumed, self-gratifying, self-absorbed husband and father is occupied with himself and his new pet pig, named: "Spider Pig" . He is too distracted by myself, to accept the city of Springfield new ordinant: no dumping in Lake Springfield. Homer, out of self concern he does not obey the the signs and warnings at the lake entries and dumps Spider pig's waste into the lake, polluting it. The city of Springfield, by government orders, is covered by a glass dome isolated from the rest of the world. Then there is Homer's son Bart, who pretty much dislikes him, his wife needs him, and then there are the daughters (in which Homer has no personal contact with), well his daughters and their relationship with him...well this film didn't quite capture one. It was like they didn't matter. O but Lisa, the oldest daughter, finds "love". Eventually Homer and his son Bart, saves the day, and the people of Springfield rejoices.

I recently heard a journalist dubbed the Simpsons as everyone's favorite family, and I wonder is it because we see their family and feel better about our own?

I give this movie: 2 TIARAS

Movie Review: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Harry Potter is one of those popular whirlwinds I usually avoid because everyone is into it. I am reminded of a scripture that states and I will paraphrase: wide is the road that leads to destruction and narrow is the road that leads to truth. When I usually see a majority of people gravitate towards an unison on one subject, concept or idea I grow more weary of that subject, concept, or idea (See: Matt 7). Now, I can understand that witchcraft has sub levels of good and evil but what I can't understand is how can we not see that witchcraft is a direct conflict soberness of the mind. God never intended for us to fight "our" spiritual battles without Him. And Harry Potter does this, and he tries to piggyback on his "natural" psychic gifts as well his craft in magic to war against darkness. I know this is fictional movie and a source of entertainment for the youth and such however, the youth should also know that not all entertainment is good for the psyche.

Now the brief excerpt on the movie of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Harry returns for his 5th year of study at Hogwarts and discovers that the truth of his recent encounter with the evil spirit of Lord Voldemort has been rejected by the wizard community. Much of the movie was catered to the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher named Professors Dolores Unbridge, who was placed there to watch over and limit the wizardry practices of the Hogwarts students. Harry, who is prompted by his friends Hermione and Ron, to take matters into his own hands. He secretly meets with a small group of students who name themselves "Dumbledore's Army," and teaches them how to defend themselves against the Dark Arts, preparing the courageous young wizards for the extraordinary battle that lies ahead. Now with that brief synopsis of the movie aside, it is so good to know, evil will not prevail.

I give this movie: 2 TIARAS

Movie Review: License to Wed

I wasn't for sure if I wanted to review this movie but I am glad I did. License to Wed, is a movie I hope reminds married couples and or couples in general the importance of a marriage union. Though I do feel hestiant to speak confidently on this matter due to my failure in this area, not by choice but by the choice of my ex (husband/pastor) lack of willingness to fight. He gave up on me to fall in love and live with another beautiful young lady. It was hard then and I forgive him, now. It takes two to make a marriage/relationship works and alot of family and friends support. Something, I never really had.

Now back to the movie, I disagree with the low marks this movie received for many reasons but for the sake of keeping this simple I will state these two: the high divorce rate and chornic dating without a purpose. The "pop"ular culture refuses to listen to the music of their own debacle souls laced in selfishness. Couples need to withstand and communicate on how they will withstand through the low blows of THE reality of them being broken individuals coming together in order to reflect one of the highest image of God's love - a marriage.

License to Wed is about a newly engaged couple: Ben Murphy (John Krasinski) and his fiancée, Sadie Jones (Mandy Moore). Sadie, has always dreamed of getting married in a traditional wedding at her family church named St. Augustine. The problem (or solution in my opinion) is St. Augustine's charismatic pastor, Reverend Frank (Robin Williams), won't bless Ben and Sadie's union until they pass his patented, foolproof marriage-prep course. Just think, if more churches adopted foolproof marriage-pre courses... and no I am not talking about the pre-martial course workbook most churches used today. Rev. Frank's outrageous classes, outlandish homework assignments and some pious manipulation, forces Ben and Sadie to communicate on if they really have what it takes to make it to the alter and to live out their commitment, not neccessary their love, but commitment for rest of their lives. So, to answer the question of the day, will this movie make your cry, I hope so, but if not, I can promise you, it will make you laugh.

I give this movie 4 TIARAS.

Movie Review: Transformers

Transformers is an action packed movie about big boys' toys. The evil toys vs the good toys. But when you get the government involved, there are no longer toys they are "specimens of this alien race". And of course in this movie the bad toys have to prove why they are the baddest of the baddest. Its just not a male flick if it's not about the action, cool graphic cinematography and a beautiful flawless young lady in the movie. Okay, so you have the Autobots (good) vs. Decepticons (evil), a teenager boy who wins over the love of a beautifully hott girl, war soldiers who are all stubs, government officials (all males) who are controlling yet clueless, the Sector Seven agents that studies the behavior of aliens, and a few black males who are disrepectful to their mothers. WOW, I hope I cover it all!
This movie was full of drama and action. You literally will not be able to keep up. Now ladies, if you love your man and he is this era's metro-sexual or a Barney's of New York type of man, take him to go see this movie. Now beware of the high testosterone levels you are exposing yourself to, so here is how you can protect yourself: take him to your next girl flick.

I give this movie: 3 TIARAS

Movie Review: SiCKo

I cried and cried. It was so sad to hear the stories. And to know that people are being obsessed(debt wise) in America just to keep the rich, rich. This has caused me to shake my head in disbelief. How can a conscience christian not be outraged by America's politics when it comes to free healthcare for all? Are Americans that selfish? Is it all about me me me, in this nation? Even CNN news stepped up to the table of facts see this article: http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/06/28/sicko.fact.check/index.html

Okay okay back to the movie review. SiCKO. Sicko deals with the real moral issues of the American for-profit health insurance and pharmaceutical industries (in which I have worked 10 years for and yes there are issues). Its main agenda is to show how the government-run health care is a better model than the current U.S. healthcare system. The U.S. system is designed to maximize profit by minimizing the care delivered to patients. Its a deadly, cost. Yet, sad.
Here is a tagline: "this might hurt a little". And this movie does. I know Michael Moore is partial but come on the FACTS are there. Other countries have free healthcare and they are doing just fine economically! My one advice to all Americans with or without health insurance: "don't get sick".

I give this movie: 4 TIARAS.

Movie Review: Evan Almighty (Noah's Ark)

Okay okay, yes I went to go see "Evan Almighty". But to state the obvious, the story was about a "random act of kindness" more than about one of the main reason for creating the Ark: SIN. I will not go into the details of the movie because its pretty much about mockery. But I do want to take a minute to counter offer why Noah"s Ark was not shaped or built the way the movie suggested. Here is why, the Bible. God instructed Noah on how to build the Ark and he outlined the following: 300 x 50 x 30 cubits, a window was made for the ark, and it was finished a cubit from above; a door was set of the ark on the side; a lower, second, and third decks were assigned as well. See Gen. 6:15-17. With that being said the shape of Noah's Ark was a rectangular shape not the cute bathtub shapes and smiling cartoonish animals illustrated the pervasive belief that Noah’s Ark was nothing more than a tool for character-building through fictionalized storytelling. A rectangular box is more bibical sound because it help emphasize its size. The Ark's stability against rolling could even be demonstrated by simple calculations. But lets be cautious, the Bible does not say the Ark was rectangular...it just implies that shape would have been more of a rectangular style by the dimensions given.

Visit www.worldwideflood.com/general/ark_history.htm to see more pictures of how Noah’s Ark has been represented throughout history.

I give this movie: 1 TIARA

Movie Review: Mr. Brooks

Mr. Brooks captured my attention because the name is o so familiar to me. So I checked the movie out. To my suprise, I was expecting a brillantly, thrilling, spellbounding movie only to get a comecial extravagant...now don't get me wrong the movie takes you into the a mind of a schizo, but the movie was so bad that it was good.
I kept thinking about this comedian's stereotype of a white christian man: he can kill you or rape you and still go to church on Sunday's mornings (in bibical terms: having the appearance of godliness but denying the power therein 2 Timothy 3:1-5). But that comedian misstepped the stereotype because WE are all subject to that debacle standard, not all are living it but we are all subject to it. BUT this movie didn't help the stereotype any...because Mr. Brooks kept praying and quoting scriptures yet he kept killing.
Mr. Brooks, who is played by Kevin Costner, is a story about a man with a murderous alter ego. The movie was dominated with him and his alter ego. Even though the movie tried to captured the life of a tough detective (played by Demi Moore) and a symbiotic relationship between her and Mr. Brooks, but the attempt failed, greatly.
There were a lot of twisted mind games and dialogue in this movie. It wheels you into a psychological thriller and once the movie is over you will be grateful you living among sane people, at least you hope.

I give this movie: 3 TIARAS

Guyliner...new logo my son taught me

Blame this one on makeup artists of Johnny Depp's character in the "Pirates of the Caribbean" and Spiderman. But men, its time for you to get your guyliner on!? Men are starting to wear eye makeup. And it has never looked so great, according to Johnny Depps' makeup artist. Heavily shadowed eyes and industrial-strength mascara, masculine sex-appeal has your swagger ever in tact.
When my son came from school the other day, he started to tell me about his day in school. He mentioned that his friend wore guyliner...and I said "you mean eyeliner," and he said "no, guyliner, mom." So of course I checked online and true enough guys are becoming ever to fashionable these days. Look out ladies, they might steal your thunder!
Here is a little instruction on how, if you are a man so incline to go "guyliner", would apply the eye makeup.

1. Purchase a black pencil liner from any cosmetic or drug store.
2. Take your sharpened pencil and apply it around your eye
3. Holding up a black eye pencil and staring defiantly into the camera like some strange, gender-bending Avon lady.
4. Putting on guyliner is to smear it, because if you're a guy you don't really want your makeup to look perfect.

Now men, if you really want to prove you masculinity, try an eyeliner, hmmmm, lets say, in the color green. Just kidding.

Recent ART headliner: Walt Disney named "art hero"

Yes, some young people has spoken. According to a new article from BBC News, a survey among 18 - 25 years olds chose Walt Disney as the top art hero. Walt Disney is particularly noted for being a film producer and a popular showman, as well as an innovator in animation and theme park design. He received twenty-two Ocars and forty-eight nominations during his lifetime, holding the record for the individual with the most awards. The young people voted him higher than Leonardo Da Vinci, who came in at #4, but hey at least they voted Leonardo higher than Bob Marley, who was voted the 5th "top art hero".

Well, I guess it is true that art is in the eye of the be-holder because an artists artwork
should normally be assessed in quality by the amount of stimulation it brings about...the impact it has on people, and Walt Disney has done a great job in this.

Soul music getting better: introducing Amy Winehouse

British is known for its brash invasion in the American culture...so giving us Amy Winehouse which is known for her soul, jazz, and fork-like sound, is nothing new to SOUL music to America. Her new most noticable soulful hit song is "Rehab"...terrible lyrics and concept for a song (the American music way, now) yet the music samples and styles are carbon copies of soulful music from the 50s and 60s. I am rooting for Amy Winehouse success in the R&B world. But with soulful music its more than samples/styles and sound...its about embracing the culture.

Movie Review: Knocked Up

Yes, I finally saw Knocked Up starring Seth Rogan and Katherine Heighl. Its so called plot in a short bit is about a unruly young man getting a beautiful young lady pregnant during "a one night" stand or lay if you will.

My overall take on the movie is pretty short because it lacks depth. Knocked Up is cute and "pop"ular because it lacks harmony in the true meaning of governing your body with some self-control and constraints. Its about over-indulgence! Over drinking, over brickering, over sexual scenes, over graphic sex conversations, over bodily gestures, etc...it was just over the top. Yet, most of the American population loved this movie.

Is "over" indulgence a relfect on how we can have respectful attitudes concerning parenting and choosing a mate?

I gave this movie: 1 TIARA