Thursday, December 3, 2009

The Last Mimzy

I love fantasy. Magical places and things cause my imagination to soar. I like knights, and dragons, and crystals, and magic. Elves, and little folk, fairies, and unicorns. Worlds inside and worlds without. I guess that’s why I am such a movie buff and have such wide tastes. It is all delving into worlds and situations that are not mine. Even the ones based on true stories, or documentaries take me to places that are outside my day to day routine. Take me under the sea and show me the creatures that live there. It is a world away from my own. I can learn, daydream, explore and fantasize.
The Last Mimzy did not disappoint me.


In a far far future, in what looks to be an idyllic world, the story  of their past  is shown to the children. (People have developed telepathic abilities.) In an  earlier age they had lost something that only could be found in their most remote past and a mimzy was sent, along with "instructions" on sending her back.  This had been done several times before without success. It was the last time they would be able to try before their world would die. They can now only wait and see if this time it comes back with their salvation.

Noah, a typical older brother, and tenderhearted little Emma find an odd shaped box on the beach. When they open it several different items appear. One of them is Mimzy, who looks to me like a stuffed rabbit. Emma, being of the age that stuffies are carried around, latches right on to her.  But Mimzy is magical and talks to Emma.

The other items in the box are "magical" too. Noah develops new abilities with a scientific bent, and Emma is able to manipulate things. She can spin the crystals and make her arm disappear.

Noah's new gifting in science is first viewed by all who know him as him coming into his own at last. His sister is already acknowledged as a genius, so it just stands to reason that he would have brains too.  He also starts to create Mandalas, symbols from ancient times, from out of the blue.

His parents and his teacher are mystified at the change in him. The teacher, knowing something of Hindu mysticism and mandalas helps search for answers. But as things progress, fear for the children's safety take hold. The government becomes involved, and when the kids escape all bets are off.

Go with them on their journey to discover how they can help the last Mimzy.



Sunday, November 22, 2009

Gracie's Choice


 I've just finished watching Gracie's Choice. My heartstrings were definitely touched in this true story of the adversities of one 16 year old and her struggle to overcome them.

Starring Anne Heche, Diane Ladd and Kristen Bell this Lifetime original movie is a powerful testament to the fact that the choices we make in our lives affect all those around us. And, even more, to the over comers of the world who rise to challenges that would daunt many.

With an unstable, drug addicted mother (Anne Heche), and a grandmother  (Diane Ladd)who enables her, Gracie (Kristen Bell) doesn't have life easy.

She has been the primary care-giver to her siblings ever since she can remember.  The eldest of five, each with a different father, she tries hard to balance their care, school, and work as she struggles to keep the family together. Mother flits in and out of their lives, always arriving with great flourish, and wanting to be made a complete fuss of, as if she were doing them an extreme honor by gracing them with her presence.

Grandmother cannot deny her daughter anything she has to give, much as she loves her grandchildren and continually allows herself to be manipulated by her.

Rising to a challenge no 16 year old should have to deal with, Gracie chooses not only to raise the children her mother gave birth to, but to finish school and work for her little family. Showing exceptional courage and determination she comes out shining in this true life tale.

This movie is Unrated  and I would suggest Parental Guidance. With a lesson to be learned older children could benefit from seeing it. Gracie's Choice is well worth the viewing.

GhostBusters

I was sitting and thinking about what kind of blog I would like to do when I need a break from doing  my other blog about diabetes and, having a movie collection of somewhere around 1000 plus, I thought that a blog about movies would be fun. I have been a movie buff for many years, preferring them to daily television. I don't even have cable and haven't for about 10 or 12 years. Back then I collected VHS movies. Many of them I have replaced now with DVD's. And, of course, I've added to the collection.

My tastes are varied and the collection consists of everything: animated, Disney, family, horror, drama, sci-fi, thriller, classic, christian. The order of the posts will depend on what I am in the mood to watch ;). Each of us has their own views on just about everything, and they are not always the same. The ones presented here are only mine.


For instance right now I am "watching" Ghost Busters. I have watched it many times and find it a lighthearted, enjoyable movie.

A spoof on the paranormal, Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, and Harold Ramos play the lead roles as three enterprising guys who go into business catching all types of apparitions. Business is booming, and getting slime on themselves has become a daily occurance. Having the odd succubi confront you is just part of the job. Any old haunts around? They're the guys to clear them out.

Sigourney Weaver, in the lead female role, finds the gate to hell behind her refrigerator door and, if you'll pardon the pun, all hell breaks loose. She is possess and becomes the "gate keeper" while her nerdy neighbor  (Rick Moranis) becomes the "keymaster". Getting them together will open the way for something absolutely terrifying, or so it would seem, and the Ghostbusters have their work cut out for them.

This is a fun film, but Parental Guidance is definitely recommended.

If your into a lighthearted comedy-action type film, give this one a try. Or, as I do often, view it again.