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Category Archives: Movies

Podcasts: love ’em or hate ’em?

20 Jul

Everyone has a podcast these days. You can find them on just about every topic: some have a very niche target say, Stephen King book fans or Queen Sugar enthusiasts, and others have a broader audience of self help or a celebrity’s musings.

Yours truly in Delaware last fall for my girlfriend’s podcast Grown Women Shit.

I remember prior to the pandemic, I had never listened to any! Can you believe it? I can think of at least two people in my circle being horrified and wanted desperately to help me find my show(s).

Now, I’m about to dip my toe in… My significant other and I have been saying for at least the last year, when we moved to Costa Rica we would launch it. Well… we’re here! We’ve known each for 31 years (whew, that doesn’t sound right!) and we’ve had some great conversations. Some have been filled with laughter, others not so much. So we’ve decided to take our show on the road!

Talk to me! Tell me if you do podcasts or not. Let me know some interesting topics that you haven’t heard discussed and would like to. Please be respectful. 😉

 
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Posted by on July 20, 2022 in Arts, Career, Civil Rights, Education, Entreprenuership, Family, Fun, Health, History, Motherhood, Movies, Music, Poetry, Politics, Race, Real Talk, Reflection, Relationships, religion, Single Parenting, violence, women, Youth

 

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No Repeat Performances

20 May

12yearsFeature

I recently mustered the courage to watch 12 Years a Slave the other night. I never made it to the theater after repeated postponements and taped it on the DVR a few months ago. Excellent movie, but I will not watch it again. My daughter came downstairs as I was watching it. After catching a glimpse of a scene, she confirmed what movie it was and scurried back upstairs. She saw it at the movies; no repeat performance for her either. So I’ve added it to my list. Great movies, but I will never watch them again.

  1. Boys Don’t Cry
  2. Million Dollar Baby
  3. Rosewood
  4. Hotel Rwanda
  5. Boy in the Striped Pajamas
 
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Posted by on May 20, 2015 in Arts, Civil Rights, Family, History, Movies, Politics, Race

 

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Selma is NOW

02 Mar

One day, when the glory comes
It will be ours, it will be ours
Oh, one day, when the war is won
We will be sure, we will be sure
Oh, glory, glory
Oh, glory, glory

Hands to the Heavens, no man, no weapon
Formed against, yes glory is destined
Every day women and men become legends
Sins that go against our skin become blessings
The movement is a rhythm to us
Freedom is like religion to us
Justice is juxtapositionin’ us
Justice for all just ain’t specific enough
One son died, his spirit is revisitin’ us
Truant livin’ livin’ in us, resistance is us
That’s why Rosa sat on the bus
That’s why we walk through Ferguson with our hands up
When it go down we woman and man up
They say, “Stay down” and we stand up
Shots, we on the ground, the camera panned up
King pointed to the mountain top and we ran up

One day, when the glory comes
It will be ours, it will be ours
Oh, one day, when the war is won
We will be sure, we will be sure
Oh, glory, glory
Oh, glory, glory glory

Now the war is not over, victory isn’t won
But we’ll fight on to the finish, and when it’s all done
We’ll cry glory (glory), oh glory (glory), ohhh (glory, glory)
We’ll cry glory, oh glory, ohhh (glory, glory)

Selma is now for every man, woman and child
Even Jesus got his crown in front of a crowd
They marched with the torch, we gon’ run with it now
Never look back, we done gone hundreds of miles
From dark roads he rose, to become a hero
Facin’ the league of justice, his power was the people
Enemy is lethal, a king became regal
Saw the face of Jim Crow under a bald eagle
The biggest weapon is to stay peaceful
We sing, our music is the cuts that we bleed through
Somewhere in the dream we had an epiphany
Now we right the wrongs in history
No one can win the war individually
It takes the wisdom of the elders and young people’s energy
Welcome to the story we call victory
The comin’ of the Lord, my eyes have seen the glory

[Chorus]

– John Legend and Common

When the glory comes, meaning it’s not here yet. “It will be OURS…”

Selma is now! We all have a part to play in glory.

 
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Posted by on March 2, 2015 in Civil Rights, Family, History, Movies, Music, Politics, Race, violence, Youth

 

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Top 10 for 2014

01 Jan

2014

I haven’t done this in a while, but everyone loves a Top 10, so I thought I’d oblige. Personally, I’m looking forward to 2015 because 2014 has been awesome for me! For anyone who is going through a rough time, be encouraged! Know that it is only a season and it will pass.

These are the top posts, as far as you are concerned!

10. Top 10 Reasons Why 2011 Sucked – Okay…I was in a place when I penned this post…

9. Fruitvale Station – No surprise that this made it with the last five months we’ve had. I’m looking for the corner, so that we can all turn it.

8. 100 Days – Civil disobedience…I love it! Approaching his birthday, guess who else would have loved it…(hint: January 15th)

7. Spare the Rod – WHOA!!!!! I got in trouble for this one. A mother didn’t like my opinion and yelled at me… How dare I share my opinion on my blog…

6. Turkeys Are Done – This is dedicated to all my breast cancer survivors and to those who lost the battle. Together we WILL Save the Tatas!

5. Rant: Bring Back Our Girls – And they are still gone…WTF!!!

4. Family Tattoo – Y’all know how much I love POTUS and the first fam. How much more regular can you be not wanting your daughters to get tatted up!!!!

3. Orange – This one surprised me. There must be some fellow “artistics” in the house!

2. RIP Mike Brown – The jury is NOT still out on this…no indictment. Let’s see if the Feds can do any better. Either way, this makes me sad and bone tired…but, I am inspired that so many, especially the young, are showing their outrage. Let’s keep on it and make some demands.

Drum roll please!!!

And the top post of 2014….

1. New Rules for Women in Combat – I must have some service members and/or families following my blog! I am honored and thank you for your sacrifice. It makes me feel good that an older post still gets so many views. A virtual salute to you.

#BringBackOurGirls #MikeBrown #HandsUpDontShoot #policebrutality #veterans #SaveTheTatas

 
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Posted by on January 1, 2015 in Civil Rights, Family, Girls, Motherhood, Movies, Politics, Race, Rant, Reflection, violence, women, Youth

 

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I Disagree with President Obama (this time)

19 Dec

the-interview

Anyone who knows me knows that I HEART Barack Obama! On so many levels, he captivates and humbles me. And I am indebted to him for the inspiration that his face alone lends to coming generations who will strive to follow in his footsteps.

With that said, I disagree with him on Sony’s decision to pull the movie, “The Interview.” I absolutely believe that it is the right thing to do; it actually should never have been made.

Let’s rewind.

Last weekend, my boyfriend and I are watching NFL pre-game coverage when we see the movie’s trailer for the first time. After it goes off, we slowly turn to each other with blank expressions. “Is that a good idea?” I ask, my rhetorical question hung in the air.

Fast forward to Monday when the shit began hitting the fan. Fast forward again to Thursday when news broadcasts were reporting the outrage coming from Hollywood citing censorship and First Amendment rights. A colleague of mine and I stood and stared at the television, silent. She turns to me and I say, “Lyn, am I crazy- am I the only one who thinks this movie should be pulled? And before you answer, we ARE talking about a comedy with a plot to assassinate a country’s leader, correct?”

“Don’t you know that assassination is funny?!? No, you’re not alone…”

Let’s put aside how this country or any other feels about North Korea and/or Kim Jong-un. How is it okay to make a movie with a plot about killing a country’s leader who is volatile, to say the least? Are there no better film topics? Is this advancing social commentary? I know every film can not nor is meant to be Oscar-worthy but aren’t we crossing a line here?  No, I have not seen the movie obviously, but it never would have been on my list.

 
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Posted by on December 19, 2014 in Arts, Movies, Politics, violence

 

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Sad Irony

12 Aug

robinwms

One who created so much laughter could be in such pain.

Robin Williams
July 21, 1951 – August 11, 2014

 
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Posted by on August 12, 2014 in Fun, Health, Movies, Reflection

 

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Together Again

12 Jun

image

Ruby Dee
Actress and activist.

October 27, 1922 – June 11, 2014

 
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Posted by on June 12, 2014 in Arts, Civil Rights, Family, History, Movies, Politics, Race

 

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Supporting Actors Steal the Show

03 Mar

image

The highlights of the night for me were the acceptance speeches of Jared Leto and Lupita Nyong’o. Heartfelt and genuine, they both spoke to the heart of what filmmaking should be; it is an art form.

image

A few months ago, I had an intense conversation about movies being entertainment and too much emphasis being put on them to enlighten viewers. I suppose because I fancy myself a writer, I beg to differ. I think that films are an important art medium to do what art does: inspire, anger, awaken, enlighten, inform…

But back to last night. I enjoyed those remarks and the musical performances most. I was also tickled by Ellen ordering the pizza.

 
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Posted by on March 3, 2014 in Arts, Movies, Music, Politics, women

 

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Red Carpet Style: Oscars 2014

03 Mar

I’ve become very lax with my award season fashion reporting. I know you all are waiting with baited breath…

Anywho, my co-host abandoned me to her teenagery ways, so I didn’t have a Golden Globe post. I coaxed her into a partial viewing last night because gowns are top of mind right now (prom is in May and she’s all about the mermaid silhouette).

I/we have a short list this year.

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Amy Adams

Lupita Nyong’o
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Kate Hudson
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Charlize Theron

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Jennifer Lawrence (not many images that show the back and side view but I think it made the gown.)

Lady GaGa (I actually didn’t see her last night but just added her when reviewing images.)
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Stay tuned for another Oscar post.

 
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Posted by on March 3, 2014 in Arts, Fun, Movies, Music, women

 

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Top Ten Holiday Movies

18 Dec

grinch

We all have them- favorite holiday movies. Whether we own them or not, I look forward to these films to make me laugh, cry, sigh and remember. This is my top 10.

10. Best Man Holiday – Obviously new to the list.
9. Frosty the Snowman – It is technologically dated, but still a fav. It reminds me of Christmas as a kid.
8. A Charlie Brown Christmas – The Peanuts gang of course! I forgot Lucy was rough!
7. Four Christmases – HI-LA-RI-OUS!!!!!
6. The Santa Clause – This was an original take on the Christmas movie. A new twist for the holiday.
5. Prep and Landing – A great story and chance for kids to see the process and execution of global present delivery.
4. Olive the Other Reindeer – My daughter and I loved this one. How could you not know about Olive?
3. This Christmas – Rife with family drama, laughter, sex and healing, not to mention some awesome actors, I love this movie. Idris Alba. Only drawback is Chris Brown singing a Donny Hathaway classic…you just don’t… Did I say Idris?!?
2. A Christmas Story – Do I need to explain why?

Drum roll….

1. How the Grinch Stole Christmas

In case I have to say it, the original. The cartoon version is the only one as far as I’m concerned. The Jim Carey grinch is downright scary!!! The Ron Howard production does not register for me ( and I’m a Howard film fan).

 
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Posted by on December 18, 2013 in Family, Fun, Movies, Reflection, Youth

 

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