Possessions, Movie Reviews

During my triathlon travels over the past 3 months(14,000+ miles), that included Florida, Hawaii, Colorado, and Arizona I have noticed that these areas seem to have a larger population of homeless people than the colder states. Even though it does get very cold in Colorado Springs there seems to be a large group of homeless that live next to the downtown park and jogging area. Since it is that time of year that we become obsessed with our possessions or how we can even acquire more possessions through Christmas giving and receiving, I started to take inventory of how possessions are important to everyone, whether we are homeless or live in a 10,000 square foot home. The homeless will usually have a back pack or an old Army bag that they carry their life possessions in, or you will see the shopping cart that has become famous by the local bag lady that pushes it around with all of her possessions. While this might seem very trite to the person who has everything, I suggest that it is not to the homeless. The backpack is very important in that it is the closet, the chest of drawers, the garage, the pantry, for storing all of the possessions that the homeless person has and is taken for granted by those who have a nice home to live in. During this time of year as we head to the mall to fight the crowds to "buy" more possessions I wonder what do the homeless do during this time of year. While I watch the owner of the Dallas Cowboys build a $$billion dollar football stadium, then move out of a perfectly good stadium so his $$million dollar mediocre players can play a stupid game of football, I wonder how many homeless people could have been helped with this money. Another point I guess I really get out of all this is that everyone is where they are for a purpose of life. I do know of a billionaire that has taken on the homeless as his pet project and benefits them through a national organization out of Denver. I also noticed where the very successful author, Danielle Steel(her pin name) also benefits the homeless. My point of all this gibberish is that we should be thankful all year long for our possessions and remember that life goes on 24/7, 365 days a year and not just during the holiday's.

"The Day the Earth Stood Still" *, A very boring movie that is a reinvention of the 1951 classic concerning an alien whose arrival on Earth triggers a global upheaval. Keanu Reeves yawns his way through the part of chief alien Klaatu. He is the messenger that illustrates to the earthlings that they have ruined the planet and they are to become extinct. Sounds like it would be a good movie but really loses it somewhere in the translation. Jennifer Connelly plays the earthling scientist that saves the day. Go see if you can get in free or at a very discounted price(I paid senior fare). Rated PG-13 for some sci-fi disaster(they destroy the New York Giants football stadium) images and violence.

"Australia", ****, If you like long movies you will love this. Starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman filmed in Australia featuring the past racist treatment of the Aboriginine people and of course the romantic possibilities between Kidman and Jackman. However, never fear because the sparks do finally fly off that screen and we are all relieved. Go see, but be patient with the length of the movie, kind of like "Gone With the Wind." Rated PG-13 for thematic material(very tame).

"Punisher: War Zone" ***, Waging his one man war on the world of organized crime, ruthless vigilante-hero Frank Castle(played by Ray Stevenson) now sets his sights on overeager mob boss Billy Russoti(Dominic West). Castle's motivation stems from the fact that the mob murdered his wife and daughter, so he is out to get all of them. Lots of action and killing of the bad guys. Rated R for pervasive strong brutal violence, language and some drug use.

"Yes Man" ***, If you like Jim Carrey you will like this. Carrey stars as Carl, a man who is in a deep funk, signs up for a self-help program based on one simple principle: say yes to everything and anything. He soon discovers that opening up his life to endless possibilities can have its drawbacks. While not on the list to be nominated for anything it is enjoyable to watch. Rated PG-13 for crude sexual humor, language and brief nudity.

greerman