Here and now: April 23, 2015

/

My life, here and now...

here and now 

On my mind...

Calming thoughts and uplifting songs that will (I hope) keep me calm and far from freakout mode when I undergo another MRI on my brain this morning. I swear, the more MRIs I...

Read More

Saturday movie review: Black or White

/

Considering the racially charged tensions and horrific acts of violence that have recently occurred in our country between whites and blacks, I expected the movie BLACK OR WHITE to be far more powerful than it turned out to be. Instead, the film landed itself a firm spot on my list of Mostly Meh Movies.

black or white film 

BLACK OR WHITE starring Kevin Costner and Octavia Spencer is billed as...

Read More

Saturday movie PREview—and giveaway: The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

/

The last time my husband and I went to see a movie at the theater, we did as we always do: Jim headed off for the popcorn while I made my way to the theater to nab our seats. As I sought out the correct theater, a middle-aged couple walked just ahead of me. Suddenly the woman stopped in her tracks as her hubby kept walking. The woman was mesmerized by the movie poster in the hallway.

As I got closer, I realized what had caught her eye... and I joined her in front of the colorful, oversized promotion for THE SECOND BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL.

second best exotic marigold hotel

"I can't wait to see this! Did you see the first one?" she asked in dreamy tone.

"Oh, yeah," I said in an equally smooth voice as we...

Read More

Saturday movie request: This or this or this?

/

I've not been to the theater to see a movie in months, and I'm having withdrawal symptoms. I must go this weekend. I must. As there's only time for one film, though, I can't make up my mind what to see.

So I'm asking you. Instead of giving you a review of something on DVD, I'd like to as what you recommend for viewing in the theater. I've narrowed it down to these three:

UNBROKEN...

Read More

Saturday movie review: Oscar time replays

/

I've spent far more time playing with my grandsons (or preparing to) this week than I did in front of screens watching movies. Hence, no movies recently watched, so no movies to review for today.

In light of that and the fact it's Oscar season, below are three movies I reviewed in the past year that have been nominated for 2015 Academy Awards. Just in case you missed my original review — or would simply like to refresh your memory — I offer you links to these reviews:

boyhood movie

BOYHOOD — Nominated in several categories, including...

Read More

Saturday movie review: 'The Awakening'

/

Come the Halloween season, I crave a spooky movie. Not a scary-as-all-get-out movie, you know, the sort so evil one fears they've surely opened the gates of hell simply by watching it. And not the violent, gory, bloody yuck fests, either. And definitely not the poorly written, poorly acted scream fests featuring babbling blondes running from madmen in masks.

No, I like a good old-fashioned, suspense-filled ghost story. One with just the right amount of startles and chills yet one that allows me to afterward walk — not run! — up the two flights of stairs to my bedroom without having to turn on every light along the way or jump onto my bed in fear of what may be underneath it.

The Awakening

Such quality creepy films are hard to find. So each Halloween season for several years I've...

Read More

'This Is Where I Leave You' giveaway, plus GRAND Social No. 122 link party

/

'This Is Where I Leave You' giveaway

this is where i leave you

In anticipation of Friday's opening of THIS IS WHERE I LEAVE YOU starring Jason Bateman, Tina Fey and many others in an amazing ensemble cast, Warner Bros. Pictures is offering up a prize package for Grandma's Briefs readers. In addition...

Read More

6 topics on which I could speak with ease... even if drunk

/
6 topics on which I could speak with ease... even if drunk

 

I belong to several online writing groups. As a freelance writer, the gathering spots of like-minded wordsmiths are where I most often find support, advice, inspiration.

One tidbit I recently gleaned from such a group was instruction on how to determine the topics that one might determine — and promote to publishers — as his or her areas of expertise. The simple solution offered was to consider...

Read More