A Golden Age is coming
For me, for you – for us.
Gone are bad things and bad ways,
Bad habits are miles back.
Can’t you hear the ringing?
In your ears – Angels singing
Praise upon praise of effervescent Glory
Coming this way now.
The future’s bright sun rises up the road
Meeting our shining eyes and bright faces
Expectant we are – as all is found
All is Saved, Heaven! This way!
Oh don’t you dare think you’re dreaming child,
It is served up here and there,
All planes and all lanes, panes and facets
Providence rolling for the World.
Oh Dear Reader, I must admit that this is my first Woody Allen movie experience (at least that I am aware of). I had no expectations other than the fact that any pretzels consumed during the movie would most likely “Make Me Thirsty”. Now that I’m over myself, on to the review.
This movie was excellent. Taken in as all movies should be, with little or no knowledge of what lies ahead, and therefore no expectation of the movie in any way. All I knew was:
Casting was A+, character development was above adequate. Dialogue was superb. Acting was engaging and artful. Setting was hard to beat (Paris, France).
I’ll not be a spoiler for you. I’ll just say that if you are well-rounded, well-read and/or well-traveled (as in Paris, France) – then you will be able to more fully appreciate all that is offered here. Not a delight for the dullards.
If you like romance? This is a great choice. Grab a date. If you’re in love, or would like to be – then go see this one.
Movie Rating: 4.5 Stars (out of five)
Rating Justification: Excellent Movie. It wasn’t over-done. It wasn’t lacking. It was served up masterfully. Old Man Allen delivered a masterpiece. I’m not sure if I am compelled to see all of his other works, or scared that they won’t measure up? Somewhere in between, I’m thinking.
Romance In Paris
Theater Review: Cinemark “The Palace” at the Plaza
A Saturday Night Showing (10:00pm). Parking Garage was close enough. Good thing I didn’t get vertigo circling up to the 5th level. No matter. Experiencing Kansas City’s Country Club Plaza on a summer night is a beautiful thing (barring any twitter ‘flash mobs’).
Seats: “A” for Comfort
Popcorn: “B-” for standard fare.
Crowd: “A” well behaved, no one kicking the seat. No talkers. No milk duds hitting the screen.
Special Note: Warning: This movie may make you nostalgic, and also may make you want to visit or relocate to Paris, France.
This morning I set out to slay a tech dragon, in this case to ‘figure out’ how to sign up for Google Voice and set it up in an optimal way for my needs.
Hooray! It was quite simple.
Google Voice is free (and awesome).
You may choose a new phone number in the area code of your choice.
You can set up your ‘Google Voice’ telephone number to ‘auto’ forward to any (or all) of your phones.
Also, Google Voice can ring up to six total phone numbers (land lines or cell phones) simultaneously.
Login with your email address & password (click “Sign In”). NOTE: If you do not have a Google account yet, then get one! Select “create an account” enter the required info to open your free Google account.
Click on the “I want a new number” button to get setup with a Google Voice phone number.
Enter your area code you want and then click “Search Numbers”. NOTE: You can search for numbers by zip code as well.
Pick your new Google Voice telephone number from the list, then click “continue”.
Enter (and confirm) a four-digit PIN code (used to access your Google Voice account). Click the “I Agree” box for terms of service and click “Continue”.
Enter the phone number (your home? cell? work?) that you want your Google Voice number to be forwarded to. Click “Continue”.
Click on “call me now”. Google Voice will call you at your number. You’ll need to answer that phone and enter the two-digit security code that is displayed (This allows Google Voice to confirm that you owner the forwarded phone number). Click on “Done”.
Congrats! You’re in business! You have a new Google Voice number and have successfully completed setting up your new Google Voice account.
Fun, campy, expectant. For ten bucks you get to see Penelope Cruz running around in pirate outfits – which is a deal ALL BY ITSELF. Throw in the sets , the scenery, the costumes, the actors and *Wham-Kbam* . . . . you’ve got a bargain.
Depp’s Captain Jack Sparrow is exactly what you’ve come to expect, which is enough to make you not care that you’re perpetuating a franchise. Older kids can enjoy this, it is not too suggestive or violent (although today’s kids are growing up with a serious handicap of non-preparedness for a rough world).
Movie Rating: 3.5 Stars (out of five)
Rating Justification: They didn’t screw it up. It was exactly what you expected, which was great. If they would have been a bit more creative with the mermaids, I’d have easily given it four stars. Anyone who writes a bad review of this movie suffers from a bad case of divergence. Seriously, you know what it is going in. It is done well, the cast is great. If you’re griping then you’re lame. If you’re picking it apart, then you’re just sad.
Theater Review: AMC Studio 30
A Saturday Night Showing (7:40pm). Parking Lot was MAD PACKED. Evocative of Arrowhead in the Derrick Thomas – Neil Smith Heyday. Sadly no bar-b-que. I park on the north forty and jogged a quarter of a mile to get to the theatre.
Seats: “A” for Comfy
Popcorn: “C” for expensive, salty, butter-flavored cardboard.
Crowd: “A” well behaved, no one kicking the seat. No talkers. No milk duds hitting the screen.
Special Note: Stay after the credits and you get an extra scene of Penelope Cruz on the deserted island.
Dear Reader, From wherever my sister Laurel learned about the “Attitude of Gratitude”, I have to share some of the wisdom.
No matter that the economy is down, or things are tough, or you had a bad day. Our problems are largely not that we have it so bad – but that our perspective is skewed.
This never fails to help me smile and be more grateful for all that I have been blessed with. But seriously, start thinking of all of the great things that the Lord gave you. There are plenty. Write them down. List them. Start with your health.
Had a bad day? Need to put your mind at ease so that you can rest? Try a Gratitude Journal (thank you Laurel, again). Its easy. Just write down at least five things that you are grateful for at the end of the day as you are going to bed. It could be anything!
For instance:
I’m grateful that I made it home safe today.
I’m grateful that I had something to eat today.
I’m grateful that this day is OVER.
I’m grateful for the ability to help others.
I’m grateful to have a roof over my head as I lay down to sleep.
Chances are, if you are able to read this blog post, then you have at least five things that you can list in a Gratitude Journal.
Give it a try! It has helped me many times.
Peace out.
Joe
The world as I see it, from Austin, TX to Kansas City
