Reflections, Movie Reviews

Okay another birthday has come and gone by about six days and now I am reflecting on what I reflected about that day.  After all that should be what birthdays are all about.  But , I have found that as that special date comes up every year and starts looking like a century mark instead of a yearly mark the reflections take a different look and attitude.  For example everything seems to jump into a group of 10, 20 or 30 years rather than 2, 5 etc.  A good example is when I talk to people who have just watched their 18 year old son/daughter graduate from high school, whereas when I look at my son’s graduation it was 34 years ago.  When I look at my own graduation I am looking at 56 years.  Then as I watched one of my high school senior grandson’s play in a football playoff game it reminded me that I played on that same field 57 years ago.  The only difference is they play on that sissy grass instead of dirt, some grass and lots of hard knocks. We of course call that the “good ole days” when concussions came much easier, the finger nails stayed dirty longer, and the bruises went from flesh to bone and stayed there for at least a week. We also wore our jock straps way too many days in a row!! One of my major reflections was to look at my birth certificate to make sure the numbers were right, sure enough I was born three quarters of a century ago or in simple terms 75 years on December 16, 1938 at 6:30 a.m., and both my parents were 24 years old.  So, now as I reflect I find myself asking, “what the hell have I accomplished by this milestone age and what am I going to do for the next 25 years or so?”  Well, as I look around this office, or as some call them, my “man cave” I see lots of stuff on the walls, book cases, filing cabinets, desk, floor, windows, etc., etc., that indicates I have been around a long time and put a lot of hardware all over the place.  But, what I have accomplished that I really like and enjoy is my good health that sets me apart from many of my friends in this age group.  Now don’t think I am bragging or boasting on this blessing I have been given, and believe you me I do consider it that very much, and am very thankful for it.  When I see some of my old time friends suffering from health challenges I am thankful everyday that I have the good health that I have.  Now as I sometimes get irritated because I can’t lift as much, run as fast or remember everything I should, I know that I have healthy aging and must take it in stride.  I must always look out for that next information break on how we can maintain a healthy diet/exercise and take care of ourselves.  I must always remember that my good health is my responsibility not the health professions.  I only use them when I have NO other choice and then do everything I can to heal myself with natural sources and the right attitude.  That is my goal and plea to everyone who is reading this!!  See you on the 76th, I got stuff to do!!

Movie Reviews:

“The Book Thief”,  ****, While subjected to the horrors of World War II Germany, young Liesel(Sophie Nelisse) finds solace by stealing books and sharing them with others.(Remember the Germans were burning all the good books in the libraries, especially if they did not agree with the philosophies of the Furer’.) There are scenes where they are burning great books in large stacks on the city streets. The family that adopts her, also is hiding a young Jewish man(also illegal since the Germans exterminated millions of Jews during this time and would usually murder anyone caught hiding them).  This is a very good movie.  Rated PG-13 for some violence and intense depiction of thematic material.  

“Dallas Buyers Club”, ***, This is a true story that happened in Dallas around 1985.  Electrician and sometime rodeo bull rider Ron Woodroof(Matthew McConaughey) lives hard, which includes heavy smoking, drinking, drug use and casual sex.  These turn out to be combinations for acquiring HIV and the doctors tell him he has 30 days to live.  So, back in those days all the legal drugs for this infection were not approved by the FDA.  But, he found out he could get the drugs from Mexico and bring them back to the USA for his use.  Along the way he also found out he could buy in quantities and sell to the infected people in the states that could not get them legally.  He sets up the “Dallas Buyers Club” for a $400.00 membership fee and all the drugs they need to stay alive.  Well done movie but of course somewhat depressing and he does die after 7 years, but I guess that beats 30 days.  Rated R for pervasive language(understatement), some strong sexual content(understatement), nudity and drug use.

“Saving Mr. Banks”, *****, This is a great five star true story about the making of the movie “Mary Poppins” authored by P.L. Travers, and made into a movie by Walt Disney.  It stars Tom Hanks as Disney and Emma Thompson as P. L. Travers from England.  Great supporting actors are Colin Farrell, and Paul Giamatti.  While the core story is about convincing Ms. Travers to allow Mr. Disney to make the story into a movie the other story is about her ghosts from child hood.  So, there are two stories going on with flashbacks to her younger days.  Very well done!  Rated PG with no sex, no profanity, no excess blood, no murders, some alcohol and some smoking.  

“American Hustle”, ***, This movie is about the ultimate con artists during the 70’s.  It even says in the beginning credits, “some of this may be true!”  Christian Bale and Amy Adams make a great con artist team and do a great job playing off of each other.  Then you have Bradley Cooper playing the somewhat sleazy, crooked FBI Agent and his wife played by Jennifer Lawrence.  Just to give it some real gangster feel Robert DeNiro makes a short cameo appearance, just enough to make it feel real.  The main objective in the scam was to get money, of course, and to expose crooked politicians in Atlantic City, New Jersey.  Rated R for pervasive language, some strong sexual content, and violence.  

EA, SH..........:)!

greerman