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In Nancy Meyer’s new film, It’s Complicated,  Meryl Streep stars as Jane, a divorced woman and mother who owns her own bakery in Santa Barbara, California, who has to come to grips with the repercussions of her broken marriage. When her last child leaves for college Jane (Streep) experiences the empty nest syndrome. Even though her divorce occurred ten years earlier she still feels insecure as a woman because her husband Jake (played by Alec Baldwin) left her for a younger woman. To further complicate the situation Jake’s wife (Lake Bell) had a child a few years into the marriage by another man.

The story really begins one night while at Jane’s house her girlfriends are sharing stories about their husbands and lovers. They encourage Jane to go out and meet men after having spent the last ten years raising her children, building her business and dealing with the after effects of  her divorce. As a result hilarity ensues.

It was entertaining to see Meryl in a role where she played a down to earth mother rather than a character who dealt with life altering events such as her roles in Silkwood and Sophie’s Choice.  Meryl Streep has always been a favorite actress of mine. The first film I saw her in was Kramer vs Kramer. When most actresses find they are not offered more than cameo appearances once they hit fifty Meryl who has entertained audiences for years seems to have proven she is a true enduring talent in the film industry.

Streep presents a very accessible character with whom many women will undoubtedly be able to relate. Jane is in many respects the Every Woman. Like her women throw themselves into the responsibility of caring for others and lose themselves in the process.

As far as the overall plot goes it proved to be unusual which added an unfamiliar and refreshing element to the film. It also raises quite a few questions which serves as good food for thought. On one hand how would any other woman feel if their husband left them for a younger woman and how would they feel to find themselves still attracted to him?  Would any other woman have made the same choices as Jane?

On the other hand how does one negotiate relationships with this many issues? Jake seemed as if he found what he was looking for in his marriage to his younger bride but when it became apparent that Jane was starting to get out and date he had to confront his lingering feelings for Jane. Although they end up sharing a string of sexual encounters it still raises the question whether such encounters would be enough to maintain the bond that existed between them.

And finally how does such behavior ultimately affect other people? When the children now young adults found out about the affair they have to cope with residual effects of how their parents’ divorce affected them now that they were out on their own.

In short, I liked this film. I thought Alec Baldwin and Meryl Streep had great chemistry together. The script was well written. And is nice to see Hollywood recognizing the need for films with with mature characters rather than the many films featuring younger adults. There was not a moment when I lost interest. The dialogue was humorous although some scenes are not intended for younger audiences. Nancy Meyers is a talented writer. I look forward to seeing more of her work in the future. There was a time when romantic comedies were only considered chic flicks. But now given the broad appeal of such works as It’s Complicated, it should be no surprise that theaters are now being filled with both women and men alike. If you have the time and the money you could do far worse than going to see this film.

How do you create a blockbuster? Just ask James Cameron. His newest movie, Avatar, is unquestionably one of the biggest successes in movie history.  This film brings together a cast of familiar faces such as Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana, Giovanni Ribisi, Michelle Rodriguez and Stephen Lang, who do a great job with the material. However is the movie any good? Is it worth spending over two and a half hours (total run time is 162 minutes) watching a bunch of scantily clad blue people running around in the forest?

The answer is yes.

One of the main draws of this film is its visual feat for the eyes. The state of the art graphics coupled with the 3D effect makes the characters and situations literally pop off the screen. It is hard to not be entranced when watching all the different animals, floral, and events as they seem to hover a few feet in front of you. And given the amount of extensive research that Cameron has done to create a new language and new animal types just to add credibility to the story it is hard not to be swept up into this magical world of Pandora, where all these fantasy beings come to life.

As far as the story goes one will find that it is not terribly original. It feels like too much has been borrowed from Dances With Wolves (1990). But who really cares? The story may not be terribly original but it is unique enough to keep you guessing exactly how it will progress throughout the movie. And that is enough to keep this movie from boring the audience.

In the story we find a young marine, Jake Scully (played by Worthington) who is given an opportunity of a lifetime to join an off world research project on the lush moon of Pandora. Because of an incident that happens with his twin brother he finds himself driving a genetically designed creature modeled after the native habitants of the moon. He has his mission to help the humans but as the story progresses it turns out that there is a greater calling for him to side with the natives.

Sound familiar? Yes, it sounds like a lot of other movies that have come out over the years. But even so Cameron makes a compelling enough drama to keep the user interested in the storyline. We may have seen this story before but we have never seen it quite like this. And that makes all the difference.

Avatar is a feast for the eyes and the imagination. Watching it does not insult one’s intellect. It is over two and a half hours but to tell you the truth the time flies by surprisingly quickly. And by the end of the film you realize that you have witnessed something rather historic: a film that is balanced between spectacle and solid storytelling — a rarity within Hollywood.

It is still unclear what makes James Cameron’s films so successful. His 1997 blockbuster, Titanic, was meant to be “the most expensive chick flick ever” according to Cameron. Costing a whopping $200 million the film sailed on for an amazing three months and earned the studios $1.84 billion dollars in worldwide box office revenues. With such a staggering figure most people thought it was insane to even contemplate another such success for a movie. After all what would possibly compel audiences around the world to go see a movie over and over and over again?

Well it seems we are now witnessing history in the making. James Cameron has done it again with Avatar, his first narrative movie since Titanic. According to Box Office Mojo the last box office tally taken on January 18th, places it a mere $130 million behind Titanic. And that gap between the two movies is only getting smaller as the weeks roll on. Avatar is already the second highest grossing film of all time in international revenue, and it is the third highest grossing film in the domestic United States and Canada with a current worldwide total of $1.689 billion. And given the fact that it is still number one at the box office it seems almost a given that the film will surpass Titanic in a matter of days if not weeks.

So what does that mean? Is the movie really that good? What’s the secret sauce in Cameron’s recipes that make his films so popular? These are good questions but certainly none that will be readily answered. Please read the Avatar review for more information.

To wine or not to wine – that is the question. Many people today have cultivated a love of wine. However as that love grows for the finer things in life they have begun to take on new interests in collecting the wine, storing it and even displaying it somewhere in their homes. For some this love of wine has grown into a full blown obsession which has only increased with age. Some go so far as even investing their time and energy into creating their own home wine cellar. If you have enough money to do that the more power to you. However there are some inherent dangers once you have graduated to this level of obsession.

And what could those dangers be? Why it comes down to how you build your wine cellar — the kind of racks one chooses to build that sacred altar for all things alcoholic. The weak customer chooses the understandable rack. Instead of investing time and energy into searching for the kind of setup that could endure over the years (a requirement for storing and nurturing your cellar) many people end up leaping ahead and spending fortunes on wine racks that may look good but are ultimately not good for keeping the wine long term. Some wine racks are sold at a very low price. The wood is cheap and will not hold up under a frigid temperature for a long period of time. Racks made out of particle board is a good example. One must remember that wood in itself gives off its own aroma and that scent does have a tendency to affect the wine around it. Whenever possible it is best to first contact a winery and see what they have used to preserve and age their wine. It will be well worth the time do do this then to find out later that your fine collection has become surprisingly sour.

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Remember that old adage? You know the one that says “If you have nothing to nice to say do not say anything at all?” Unfortunately if we followed that saying there would be no blog entry for this latest incarnation of Sherlock Holmes. And what kind of blog would that be? It may suffice to say this version of Sherlock Holmes (which has been nominated for a Golden Globe Award) was a disappointment to me.  If you are one of those people who wanted to go see a film with an actual story then perhaps you may agree.

Robert Downey Jr. stars as the great detective. Jude Law plays Holme’s assistant Dr. John Watson. Rachel McAdams is Irene Adler, Watson’s fiancee. And Mark Strong plays the part of Lord Blackwood, the main villain in this piece.

The movie’s plot can be summed up in a few words.   Sorcerer and serial killer Lord Blackwood returns from the dead to continue his murdering spree. Detective Sherlock Holmes (played by Robert Downey, Jr) and his assistant Dr. John Watson (Jude Law) team up to catch the killer( Strong) who is threatening all of England. Rachel McAdams (Adler) best known for her role in The Notebook, plays Irene Adler, Watson’s fiancee.

The director’s intention may have been to tell a story about murder, deceit and black magic but in this film the special effects are the real stars and overshadow any attempt at telling an interesting story. Yes, that is right. This film has almost no plot. After the film I was left with a wish that the storyline had been more similar to the classic versions of the forties when the plot was the thing and not the over-use of special effects. What little bit of plot there was left little for character development. For example the director could have explored the relationship between Adler and Watson a bit more in the film and perhaps the story would have had more weight.

But no. That is perhaps asking too much.

Consequently the entire film suffers. It feels more like a vacuumed out period of two hours void of any real soul or depth than an exciting adventure. And given the weakness of the story is it any wonder that the performances also suffered? Unlike his more impressive roles as Stark in Iron Man and Charlie Chaplin, Downey’s portrayal of Holmes was not very convincing to me. Downey, one of the few actors in Hollywood with an impressive acting background (and actual talent). However one might still come away feeling that Downey could have done more with the role. Jude Law’s performance as Watson left much to be desired. There was nothing that he did or said that was really that memorable. The only bright light in the film was Rachel McAdams (Irene Adler). She was the damsel in distress that both Holmes and Watson rescued near the end of the film.

Overall if you like special effects and mindless entertainment then perhaps this film is for you. However if you are looking for something with a bit more weight you may do better to save your ten bucks and consider another film at an art house.

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Now here is a walk down memory lane… an oldie but a goodie as far as films go. If you have an hour and a half to kill at some point and the weather is kind of frightful then you can not go wrong by watching this film from the Hollywood Golden Age. Nominated for seven Academy Awards including Best Picture and winner of two, Separate Tables tells the story of several people who live at the Beauregard Hotel. They share one common trait: loneliness.

This movie based on a play by Terence Rattigan and John Gay. It was produced by Harold Hecht and directed by Delbert Mann. Vivien Leigh was to star as Ann Shankland, but bowed out when her husband, Laurence Olivier, decided not to direct the film adaptation.

Deborah Kerr plays Sibyl Railton, a shy neurotic unmarried woman who is unable to cope with daily life. She is finally able to overcome her timid behavior in order to confront her domineering mother. Sibyl (Kerr) strikes up a friendship with Major Pollack ( David Niven)  and is devastated when she learns of the Major’s dark past.

Major Pollack (Niven) is unsure how the people who live at the Beauregard Hotel will react when his secrets are  revealed.

John Malcolm (Burt Lancaster) a disillusioned writer who drowns his disappointment by drinking excessively must face his past when he has a confrontation with Ann Shankland (Rita Hayworth) a  new guest at the hotel. They were once married. Their relationship ended when she sought out the company of other men that lead up to their bitter separation. Malcolm(Lancaster) never forgave Shankland (Hayworth) for her deceitfulness.

There are several other characters living at the hotel. There are an aging spinster, an older gentleman and two women. One woman runs the hotel and the other seems content living among the others. There is a younger couple staying there as well. The young woman wants to remain single while the gentleman is set on getting her to the altar.  Each learns a lesson about forgiveness and acceptance as they get to know one another.

I prefer movies in black and white rather than the newer colorized versions that are available today. I found the characters interesting especially Lancaster and Hayworth. I would have liked the film to have gone deeper into the characters pasts.

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Its that time of year again when the champagne is flowing and the band can be heard playing in the background. We ring in the New Year with family and friends as we dance the night away. The atmosphere is filled with excitement as we await the clock to strike midnight.

Whenever we think of the new year we can’t help but think of making our New Year’s Resolutions.

Whether we want to drop those extra ten pounds we gained by joining the local gym or dreamed of free falling from the sky this is the time of year when we set goals and take chances in life.

Sometimes we share these resolutions with others or we keep them to ourselves.

I have always made a list of what I wanted to accomplish by the end of the year. In January I set out to accomplish these goals with great enthusiasm. By the middle of the year with all the demands of work and home life I found myself placing my personal goals aside to concentrate on my  immediate concerns.

As time progressed Iwould pick up where I left off and maybe added a few more resolutions to the list. Then with renewed enthusiasm I would  begin again and hopefully I would be able to accomplish several of my goals if not all of them.

Maybe we start out with the best of intentions when we list our resolutions but then again we get side tracked. The good thing is whatever we not are not able to complete this year we can always add them onto next year’s list.

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THE BLIND SIDE

Director: John Lee Hancock

Based on the book by Michael Lewis.

This heart-warming drama is based on a true story of Michael Oher, a homeless African American boy who overcame his troubled childhood to become an All American football player and First Round draft pick.  Nominated for a Golden Globe Award the story focuses on Michael’s journey as he grows in self-confidence and self-awareness and about the loving support he received from his adoptive white family which was so vital for him to grow into the man he was destined to become.

Sandra Bullock plays a central role in this film as Michael’s adoptive parent, Leigh Tuohy, a feisty mother of two who connects with the boy when she discovers he is homeless. Tim McGraw plays Sean Tuohy, the supportive husband who stands behind his wife’s convictions. Kathy Bates puts in a cameo appearance as a tutor who encourages Michael to reach his full potential as a student.

It is a turning point in all of their lives when Leigh Tuohy finds Michael and offers him a room within their home. Once Leigh takes the young boy under her wing her motherly instincts take over and she stops at nothing to protect the newest member of her family. She even searches out Michael’s mother to learn about his past in order to understand the boy she took under her wing.

Adjusting to the new household is a shock to the young Michael but fortunately he bonds with the younger son and feels more comfortable in his role as older brother to his teenage sister. Having spent his childhood years lost in the foster care system we find a young boy who believes he was different from his classmates because he knows so little of his parents.

Feeling like an outcast for most of his life he later comes to term with the prejudice of other people due to his upbringing within a white family. The Tuohy family later acts as legal guardians.  Eventually Michael grows into a promising young man and realizes that the old “friends” he once knew as a child have become caught up in a world of violence with which he can no longer identity as he chooses to fulfill his own dreams in life. Eventually Michael thrives as a football player and later becomes All American Offensive left tackle.

This is a touching film. There are no real surprises when you see it. Over all it is thoughtful, warm and engaging. All the actors do a fairly good job at portraying their characters and it is impressive when you stop and think about it that this story is actually real. Not exactly a G-Rated film it is nonetheless a good film which may inspire one to think about the importance that love and compassion play in shaping the lives of children.

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During my life my weight has fluctuated like a yo yo. In my twenties I was at my best weight for my height. In my thirties I started to pile on the pounds. I realized that if I exercised consistently I could maintain my weight even if I did not actually lose any weight. I also realized if I wanted to eat sweets or indulge in high calorie meals exercise was a necessity.

Walking was my exercise of choice but recently I joined a gym. Originally I had this preconceived notion that only skinny women worked out at gyms. Imagine my surprise when  I found real people of all shapes and sizes concentrating on their health rather than finding people who looked as if they did not need to work on their bodies. I found myself enjoying the treadmill and the exercise bicycle. Soon I was a regular. What I thought was a chore became a labor of love.

Now I look forward to my time at the gym. I put my headphones on and watched the evening news as I walked on the treadmill. I may not be a size one but I am getting more fit and healthy by the day. I have modified my diet incorporating more fruits and vegetables. I may not be on the cover of a Fitness magazine anytime soon but I might have added a few years to my life.

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Have you ever had one of those days when you wanted nothing more than to be alone. Yes, much like Greta Garbo. I vant to be ALONE!

Maybe you are a mom and have a full time job or you are a single person putting in long hours and your family and friends just will not leave you alone. There are so many ways for folks to put demands on your time via cell phone, e-mail, twitter, texting… My, where can a gal go to be alone?

There are times when all of us need ME time — time to replenish our souls and bodies. Most of us are overworked and underpaid. The demands of our business life stresses us out more than it should. Then with the added pressure our family and friends place on us sometimes we just need a break.

So I declare a day out of the month as ME day.  And this ME time is important. You may even say that ME time is sacred. Whether I check myself into a hotel, sink into a bubble bath with a favorite book or even rent a cozy cottage, I concentrate on whatever will fill up my soul. This also means whether it is to catch up on the sleep I may not get the rest of the month these are special times. When I can not get away from it all I can still relax at home by spending those quiet moments in prayer, meditation or listening to my favorite music. During those moments I choose not to answer e-mails or work related business until I feel recharged and ready to face the world again.

So in a nutshell we can nurture our personal privacy by taking some down time and indulging what will make us heal. This can be done through music, words, art or whatever lets you put the rest of the world at bay for a little while.