August 15th, 2011

Buck

This is a well done movie, documentary style, about Buck Brannaman. Growing up with a very abusive father he has taken that experience and not repeated it but learned from it and uses it to train horses. He has an inside view of how a horse feels about humans. He takes us inside the mind of a horse and reminds us that the gentle yet firm touch speaks the loudest and is the most effective. We follow Buck as he spends his life touring the country from clinic to clinic teaching the fine art of horse wrangling in a quiet and human way. In just a few minutes he can get a horse to do follow his every command. Even if you have never been around horses you will be amazed at how Buck can calm the most wild horses. (Also great insight and advise for those working with children and families.) As we travel around this beautiful country we meet all types of people who look forward to Buck’s clinics every year. Robert (Bob) Redford is also a great addition to the film and gives Buck credibility and super hero status.

July 29th, 2011

Transformers: Dark of the Moon

MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE – A little to much sex appeal in the beginning but I guess it helps to reach out to the target audience. I do like the way the movie starts out taking a few real events in history and filling in the blanks on “what really happened”. The story line is simple but don’t try to analyze it as it to have a lot of holes in it and will leave you scratching your head. This is a visual movie. The glimpse we get of the transformers former planet before it was destroyed is reminiscent of a Star Wars scene. Truly amazing to me. I could watch that about 20 more times. There are a lot of beautiful cars, both old and new and incredible car and foot chase scenes that keep you at the edge of your seat. There is also a lot of destruction and death although you don’t really see the people dying.

The end of the movie takes place in downtown Chicago. It is a beautiful city and I decided watching the movie that I need to go and see it. I recognized a lot of landmarks from other movies. How they got Chicago to vacate is not shown but it is a virtual ghost town. The war that takes place there goes on and on and on but it is awesome it that is what you love, with both men and machine fighting side by side, buildings colliding, utter destruction. There are lots of near misses and impossible escapes. Oh yes, and romance. Complete with true love and devotion. If your a movie and visual effects nut, you need to go see this movie at least once

June 30th, 2011

17 Miracles

A few days before leaving for Utah I heard about this movie. While there in Utah we looked it up and made a special effort to go see it in the theater. At present time it is only being shown in the Intermountain West. We were not disappointed. This is an outstanding movie that shows the courage and faith of a people who were ridiculed and ostracized for their beliefs. You get a real feel of the fear one must feel when being threatened by mobs in almost every town that they stop in. You also discover the reason that they are in such a hurry to push on to the Salt Lake Valley, the sealing power of the Temple that binds families together forever. This is the real story of the famous Willie and Martin Mormon handcart company.

Their is a lot of comic relief and romance. The pure and deep abiding love and sacrifice that one can feel for another is present here in this story. Levi Savage who whiteness’ the ugly effects of the Donner party when faced with starvation and death worries about the fate of the handcart pioneers who are leaving so late the season. All of the events have come from actual events recorded in the pioneers journals, including the amazing young men who unselfishly carried the weak members of the party across the ice cold waters of a river all day. And the recorded stories of people pulling the handcarts uphill, when they look back to see who is helping them, see no one there.

The directing is first class. The acting is amazing. You feel like you are in the story. The score is a perfect blend for the look and feel of the story. You leave with a lasting impression of these amazing pioneers. This is not just a story for Mormons but for all Americans.

June 13th, 2011

FORKS OVER KNIVES

GO SEE THIS MOVIE! This is a movie that everyone must see. Whether you agree or disagree, no matter your health or lifestyle, this movie will cause you to think. With the facts boldly placed before them, not everyone will change the way they eat even though they know that they should. Some will say it’s way off track, some will say they could never change, but for many people who see this movie, it will give them the knowledge to help them better their lives and possibly save them. Switching to a plant based diet I lost 30 pounds in six weeks and my blood pressure dropped significantly. A close relative of mine had an obvious change of health after starting a plant based diet. The problem is that who knew? I was blind. I thought that vegetarians were just weird. I really did not understand the correlation between diet and health was so significant. Forks over Knives spells it out simply and without question.

This movie is eye opening, entertaining, and makes you think. It gives us hope. It gives you the tools to take control of your own health just by changing the way you eat. There are several people we follow through out the film keeping track of their progress interspersed with surprising facts realized over the past century of the health of different countries including lots of documentation. It also follows several doctors, their background to current day. We even take a trip to an Austin Fire Station. Mainly cancer, diabetes, and heart disease are the focus. I am planning on buying several copies of this move when it comes out on DVD and make my kids and friends watch it. This is a movie that will change lives.

June 11th, 2011

Midnight in Paris

This is a great movie. There is are not any stunts or big explosions but the opening really draws you in. We start off in Paris as tourist to get a feel of the city and what it would be like to actually be there. There are great shots of the Eiffel tower, Paris in the morning, the River Seine with its beautiful arched stone bridges, the Louvre, Paris in the park, Paris at night, down a quiet street, in the rain, a side walk cafe. Gil (Owen Wilson) loves Paris and the romance of it. His fiancée, Inez (Rachel McAdams), is enjoying the experience, but would much rather be back in California in Malabo. They are a couple in love but are they right for each other? The audience is very aware of subtle and not so subtle clues that they may not be so perfect for each other.

After getting dumped for the evening by his fiancée, Gil discovers that something truly magical happens in Paris after midnight. He tries to share the experience with Inez the next evening but she is impatience and misses out on the opportunity. One thing that Gil discovers is that the past is always more glamorous and romantic, but the present holds it own treasures.

The setting is amazing and gives you a real feel of being a tourist there. The music is the perfect blend for the setting. Dress up costumes from the 20’s are dazzling and look amazing. Inez’s wardrobe was not very flattering and could have been a lot better. There are a lot of big names in this movie. I loved Kathy Bates character. The acting was great in a Woody Allen sort of way. ( Luckily, not too Woody Allen.) I’m not a Woody Allen fan but I did like this movie. Its gives you pause to wonder about your own life and how it will fit into the big picture.

June 8th, 2011

KUNG FU PANDA

I did not want to like this movie but I did. It is a great movie for kids and has more than enough content to engaged and entertain adults. The movie is fun and interesting as it is set in a foreign country with landscapes, architecture, history, and customs that are different from our own but helps us to realize that the Chinese also have the basic needs that we have, love and dedication of our family, friends, and country. Real life issues are explored of who we are, self worth, integrity, and what is our purpose. In this movie good and evil battle.

The movie explores the origin of Po as Po realizes that his father, a goose, is not his real father. He ponders what happened to his real father and mother and why they gave him away as bits and pieces from his past start to haunt him. This causes him, the Kung Fu Panda, to question who he is just as he is needed, as one of the Furious Five, to fight the biggest and most evil threat to the nation. Po’s faults and insecurities make him realistic and easy to identify with as we contemplate our own weaknesses. Revisiting his home helps him to remember his humble beginnings and helps him to remember that it is a big part of who he is and helps him to appreciate the great courage and love of his adoptive father in taking him in.

Po is only one of the Furious Five which helps us to realize the importance of the team and that everyone in essential and has a part. they have to work together in order to save the nation.

The scenery gives an amazing and realistic view and feel of the landscape and architecture of the country. The detail is amazing and gives you the feeling of really being there. There were lots of laughs from the children and full out belly laughs from adults in the audience.

June 2nd, 2011

Rio

Rio is a fun movie for kids. With a predictable plot and a happy ending it is a good formula for a family day at the movies. When little bird Blu is bird-napped from his lush tropical home in Brazil he is shipped to the frigid north where the crate he is packed in falls off the truck and he is lost. Little girl Linda finds and nurtures the traumatized Blu and years later we find the pair have become inseparable friends. Blu has adjusted and loves his home. Linda learns that Blu must return to his native land to mate in order to save his species. Of course things do not go according to plan and adventures begin.

The movie is colorful and action packed. I instantly fell in love with Linda and Blu who are both down to earth and easy to identify with. Some of the graphics were amazing, as I wanted to jump on a plane to visit the incredibly beautiful animated Rio De Janeiro and join in the “Carnival”. It also helped us to remember there is a seedy side to Rio and to make sure that you watch out for thieves and pick pockets and other nasty sorts. The bad guy in the flick looked just like the male version of Cruella De Vil trying to steal exotic birds for gain with his two bumbling sidekicks. Another thing we noticed which seems to be a trend in recent movies is the males are portrayed as incompetent and weak while the females are smart, sure, and sassy.

This is a good movie for kids but I would still recommend that you watch this or any movie before letting your young children watch it. Everyone one has his or her own idea of what is acceptable content and what is not.

June 2nd, 2011

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

This is a great family movie for the summer. There is lots of action and many chase scenes. Of course there is also the double crossing, the mind games, and the twists and turns in the plot. The opening scene is reminiscent of the first Pirates of the Caribbean movie and gets you into the spirit and mood of the film. I could have done with a little less sword fighting and a little more story, but then I not a male. There is a tiny bit of romance but not very believable. The costumes are amazing and the scenery and the sets, especially at the beginning of the movie are great. Most of the movie is dark and takes place at night or underground. It nowhere comes close to the first movie with the sword fight between the dead and the undead but is still very entertaining and well worth the price of the ticket.

February 7th, 2011

The World’s First Ultra Accessible Theme Park

One of the perks of being a school bus driver is that you get to go to some really fun places. Sometimes I will go in with the group and sometimes I stay on the bus and work on my computer as I am doing at the moment. One trip that I was excited about driving was to Morgan’s Wonderland. Morgan’s Wonderland is located in sunny San Antonio. I first heard about it a number of years ago when it was only a dream. Being in the construction business for a while I was familiar with the name Gordon Hartman Homes. Gordon Hartman is the builder and Morgan is his daughter who the park is named for. I was aware of it when the park was in the construction phase and I watched the special that was on the local TV channel announcing the grand opening and telling what the park was all about. I was fascinated at the concept and eager to learn more about it.

Morgan’s Wonderland is designed specifically for children and adults with special needs, their family members, caregivers, friends and the entire community. Some special features that I was impressed with begin with the price to get in. Admission is free to special needs persons. For the Person(s) accompanying special needs individuals the cost is $10.00. General admission is $15.00 and children under 2 are free. I was intrigued to learn how the park is funded. Adjacent to the park is the STAR Soccer Complex. The STAR Soccer Complex is a premier soccer facility located on a site that once was the Longhorn Quarry. The site was transformed from an abandoned quarry into 13 full-size, championship-quality, fully lit fields as well as one smaller practice field. Also included are amenities such as restrooms, playgrounds and concessions. The spacious size and outstanding quality of the STAR Soccer Complex enables San Antonio to host a variety of soccer leagues and to accommodate large local, statewide, national and international soccer tournaments. Proceeds from soccer leagues and competitions help support the operation and maintenance of Morgan’s Wonderland.
Reservations are recommended when planning your trip to Morgan’s Wonderland. Special entry and exit procedures ensure a safe and worry free experience at the park. You are greeted at the gate when you arrive with special wristbands, designed with special state of the art security for everyone in your party. By scanning the wristbands at one of several location station monitors located through out the park, you can find the location of any member of your party. This helps to provide comfort and security in the event that a child is lost and also helps to guard against the possibility of a child leaving with a stranger or leaving the park alone. If you have ever lost a child at a park
All attractions are easily wheel chair and special needs assessable including the train, the Amphitheater, an off-road adventure ride, sand box, butterfly playground, and a large, wheelchair-accessible playscape. A carousel has adaptive electronic animals created to serve guests who are incapable of sitting upright, and allow a friend or caregiver to sit next to them. Custom chariots designed for wheelchairs go up and down like the other creatures on the ride. A lake provides catch and release fishing, or you can shoot a water cannon at brightly colored spinning targets, or pilot remote-controlled boats. A Sensory Village provides a number of experiences including a simulated test drive through San Antonio and a TV station that allows guests to do a weather forecast and see themselves on TV. There is even a Village Market with fun and colorful groceries providing interactive sensory stimulation through the use of colors, sounds, lights, and textures. And of the very basic of childhood rides that a few never get to experience, the park has more than 30 traditional and adaptive swings including wheelchair swings. Now truly everyone can enjoy the simple pleasure of a swing.

One of my daughters said that she was getting goose bumps as I told her about the park. When I have asked people to tell me what is in the park and to describe it, all the say is that it’s amazing, and wonderful, indescribable, and the most fun, a great place to take any child too. I am planning to take my young grandchildren there next time they visit. I can’t wait.

You can visit Morgan’s Wonderland on-line at www.morganswonderland.com

September 25th, 2010

Haunted Houses Made With Graham Crackers

A really fun thing to do in early October is to make haunted houses out of graham crackers. You can use it as a centerpiece or place it on a bookshelf or in a window display. It is best if you do this at the beginning of October because as the month wears on the crackers soak in the moisture in the air and the crackers start to sag. Your house starts to look really scary.

You need to start with a sturdy foundation. A cutting board or plastic plate would work great. For each house you need a whole box of graham crackers. Use the cardboard box that the crackers came in as the base for your house. For smaller houses you can use a milk carton or any other small box. Glue the crackers to the box with frosting. Royal icing is the best as it dries rock hard, but you can also use butter cream or canned frosting. Just make sure if you make your icing yourself that you make it is stiff enough to hold on to the cracker. (When you lift a spoon up out of the icing, the icing stays up and does not fall back into itself.)

You can make porches and tombstones with the crackers. For the porch roof you can prop them up with pretzel sticks. Crumple up a paper towel and tape it to the top for extra support under the roof. For tombstones, cut into desired shape with a steak knife. Write your tombstone message on the cracker. Don’t forget to put R.I.P. for “Rest In Piece” on there. Squirt some of the frosting onto the yard, (your base) and stick the tombstone shaped cracker in it. If you like you can color the icing for the yard brown by putting a little cocoa powder in the icing. If you spread just the cocoa on the ground it will look like dirt. Just be careful not to put your display somewhere that if the cocoa gets on it, it will be ruined. The loose cocoa can be easily blown off. You can frost the yard and then put the cocoa on the frosting. The frosting helps to hold the cocoa in place. You can put the icing in a baggie. Freezer bags are better as they are thicker and will not break as easily. Cut a little hole in the bottom corner of the baggie so that the icing can squirt out. With the icing in a bag the kids can write their names on the tombstone or make spider webs. You can also put ghosts in the windows. It is also fun to decorate your house with candy. Use your imagination.

Your kids will love this activity and they will be very proud of their houses. Some, depending on age, will need some help, but try to let them do as much as they can by themselves. If you want to decorate a house you can do one also, but most kids would love to do one of their own. It will also be fun to do one together.

+++Parenting tip that works for me: so that we do not have crumbs and frosting all over the house, I tell the kids to work as long as they want, but if they leave the table they are done. Clean them up and do not let them come back. If you make this a rule every time they will evenly know that you mean it. This way they will not be running back and forth all over the house with sticky fingers and frosting getting stuck on everything.