MY SISTER'S KEEPER

In a word, CAPTIVATING! The movie pulled at my heart strings the entire length of the film. Even as I walked out into the clear fresh air of this well spent Saturday afternoon; it's affects still lingered on. I realized from watching this concert of a family in crisis, that we're all tied together by the fraternal twins of fear and love.

A COLLAGE OF HUMAN EMOTIONS

Like a negative being developed in a Dark Room this film brought to the surface the unique wiring of the individual heart; revealing a collage of human emotions: denial and determination, sacrifice and indifference, the cliche' and the unsolicited, and finally through anquish and release the lead character freed us all. A brilliant reveal of the human heart and the power of love.

Main characters: Cameron Diaz, Heather Wahlquist, and Abigail Bresli "Masters of your craft" Screen Writer and Director: Nick Cassavetes, "Left nothing to be desired" This is a must see IN My Very Own Opinion.

One, Two, Three...come out, come out wherever you are...

I can identify I think with Michael Jackson just a little. All my childhood and most of my adulthood years I've felt somewhat uncomfortable letting emotions show. For instance, being "mushy" made me feel like something would grab me and have it's way with me and so I'd squirm out of that one every time. Now "bothered" that I could do pretty well, yet almost any other emotion caused me to retreat. Emotions like sorrow or joy, anger or extreme happiness, and even displays of deep concern caused me an uncomfortable exposure and vulnerability.

My safe zone? Writing. Isn't that curious, well not really; writing lets me say it from the heart and get away clean. Perhaps that accounts for Micheal's split personality. His offstage shy persona we all thought strange after seeing him...

Literally exploded with life,
every time he touched the stage

People who can identify with us are like birds in a "CUCKOO" Clock; they let you know what time it is, then they vanish back into their box before anyone can focus on them. What would our friends, family and even we ourselves look like if on the count of three we all came out of our hiding places? What a different world this would be, for better or for worse ~ In My Very Own Opinion.

Urine Test

The statement was made and question rose regarding distribution of "my taxes" to people who don't have to pass a urine test. It read,

"Shouldn't one have to pass a urine test to get welfare, because I have to pass one to earn it for them, wouldn't that save money?”

The statement ended by saying, “Something has to be done, so pass this on”

My response: The Spirit (yes the Spirit) impressed on me that the scriptures say, (and if you don't agree with this reference, that's for another discussion) "Don't judge until the appointed time." I realized adopting this attitude would relieve me of so many concerns that are not mine to bear. God said he will judge. As for the statement "we'd save money” perhaps this is true, for as the poser of the question so stereotypically profiled; recipients of welfare just might drink, use drugs, cuss, fuss and swear, and sit on their backsides drinking beer with the remote in their hands more often than us fortunate souls who are having this discussion. Nevertheless God has said we will be known by the love we have one for another, love never fails; and finally, we are to love the Lord thy God with all. So frankly speaking, because he loved us he provided for us and "my taxes" to quote this concerned citizen, would not be possible without the grace, mercy, and love of God. And so I ask the question, what do we have that we did not receive?

Even at the risk of allowing a few opportunists to prosper at our expense, we must never bend the hose of compassion, thereby stopping the flow of love. And that my friend, as always, is In My Very Own Opinion.

CRANK is a prank...

Some weeks ago I went to see a movie. The choices were slim and so by default I put my money on the movie called "Crank." I hesitated to post this review but I just couldn't rest with that thought, it reminded me of a so called friend seeing you in harms way, and not yelling "WATCH OUT FOR THAT TRUCK!"

So here goes...If you're the type of person who would not deliberately rub poison into your open eyes, or eat a plate of food with several fixed eyeballs peering back at you, especially if those eyeballs were accompanied by several pairs of translucent wings; then you just might be the type of person who is discriminating enough to PASS on this movie.

From the very first frame to the end, and I'm assuming, seeing how I left the theater long before it ended; the collaborative minds that created this film intended to commit murder. MURDER of my sensibilities. Each frame was like watching a "fun house of Pop-Up! HELL-CITIZENS! Coming at you with lightening shutter speed; their movements quick and distorted. The speed was such, that it never allowed you to focus before they hurled another depraved image at you, tattooing your psyche forever.

Please trust me, I'm not a prude, I've seen a few questionable movies before; teen slasher movies etc., many of which should have been left on the cutting room floor. But I draw the line at someone's obvious attempt to pollute my mind with their uncircumcised imaginations.

To sum up this review in a word "Septic Tank" oh, that's two words...how about "Filth!"

See it if you must, skip it if you can.

Choosing Anew

Good Morning Friends, "This is the day that the Lord has made I will rejoice and be glad in it" HOW ABOUT YOU?

As I see it you've got a choice; you can begin and end this once in a lifetime opportunity "today" haunted by the ghosts of your past: Regret, disillusionment, Anger and fear OR in the splendor of choosing anew; Choosing to rejoice, to be thankful, to forgive and to love.

Yes, this is the day that the Lord has made and you can rejoice and be glad in it, because he made it BRAND NEW, and he made it just for you.

Better Late Than Never...

Who puts the "Star" in Movie? Leo and Kate… now there we have “IT”

I saw Revolutionary Road the other night where DeCaprio and Winslet flawlessly channeled two emotionally torn souls; Frank and April Wheeler. The movie was set in the 50s, and not a single nuance was missed; proving they’ve got the factor “The It Factor.”

At the beginning of the movie neither character had yet been lead away by that pied-piper called the American Dream. Witnessing what happen next was like being the proverbial fly on the wall and I'm so glad I didn't miss a thing.

If you love thought provoking film making and a script that only the most seasoned of actors can carry, then this movie is a MUST see, in a word “Brilliant!” And that folks as always...is In My Very Own Opinion.

'Get Yours' by Amy DuBois Barnett

On 02/27/09 after having read only the excerpt of her book, I sent Amy Dubois Barnett a review which read;

Amy I've read Excerpt 1 - Be Happy from your Book 'Get Yours' and already I've been given bullet points of inspiration to getting mine.

A couple of points that came to me like a distant bell ringing as I read. First, how I've been using my life experiences as a shackle "black girl from the ghetto, correction, in the Ghetto, under educated, Father...less than wonderful, as my excuse for never getting started on my journey to becoming more. Second revelation, after hearing of someones success, especially when they've been afforded a great education, I'd usually say "Okay, no wonder" yet after reading your excerpt I said, "Okay, I'll use her good fortune and life experiences as leverage rather than an excuse for me not to try." If this is any indication of what I can expect after only reading the excerpt of your book, I can't wait to read the rest and recommend it to others.

Thank you Amy for sharing your story of "I can't... to I will" I appreciate you more than you'll ever know.

In My Very Own Opinion...traveling through life like a cyclist on a stationary bike is going no- where fast. And this book may very well be for you and me a single step to that place inside called "Happy."

Greetings

Greetings,

I've just created my blog today and you can look for me at

Gale Friend - In My Very Own Opinion

In the words of a very wrapped brother, who shall remain anonymous for now, "live as though you were born yesterday and will die tomorrow" in otherwords present and accounted for.

Until then,

Gale Friend