Something's Got a Hold on Me*

for your viewing pleasure.


here's a little clip from Christina Aguilera's upcoming movie called Burlesque that comes out this November. it stars Cher, Christina, Kristen Bell, & Stanley Tucci. i'm not sure how good the movie will be but i'll be getting the soundtrack for sure. Christina should stick to this kind of music and leave the pop bullcrap behind. this is "Something's Got a Hold On Me" originally done by Christina's idol Etta James.


oh if only i had pipes like her . . .

127 Hours

brilliance spewing everywhere.


it was truly a privilege to attend the world premiere of director Danny Boyle's (Slumdog Millionaire) 127 Hours starring Mr. James Franco at this year's Toronto International Film Festival. this is the film about the very real and very mind-blowing story of a man forced to either die by dehydration or amputate off his own arm. i can't even begin to explain the emotional ride you go on following James' character Aron Ralston, as he hikes through Blue John Canyon of Utah (alone) and inevitably becomes trapped when a boulder lands on his right arm lodging it firmly against the canyon wall. 


the real Aron Ralston was also at the premiere and it was the first time for him, his wife & sister to view the film that describes in detail his experience over 127 hours. i was lucky enough to help welcome Mr. Franco as he was dropped off but really all i could do was stare. i felt it cliche to continuously yell "JAMES!" until he looked my way so i decided against it. however, i do owe a small revelation to James Franco. to be honest, one of the reasons i decided to go into acting was because of him. but that's another story, for another day. 


the main cast and Danny Boyle along with fellow screenwriting partner, Simon Beaufoy all watched the film with us and did a q&a following. hearing the inspiration behind making the film, Aron's reaction to watching it and James' experience of living it, was all newfound inspiration for me to really jump into this head first. with such talented people in this world and incredible stories to be told, i want so badly to be apart of something. 


literally from start to finish, this film is in a league of it's own. like Slumdog, Mr. Boyle has left his unique and distinguishable mark on Aron's story and you will not be the least disappointed when you see it. it is done in excellent taste with touches of humor and the underlying message that it's human relationships that keep us alive. check out the trailer below . . .

Avatar: more than just a movie...

My thoughts on Avatar.


Beyond the marvelous effects, touching story, and regurgitation of James Cameron's brilliant imagination -- Avatar was an answer. For me at least. I'm one of those people who never stops trying to figure it out. They say "ignorance is bliss" and I can't seem to get there. I wasn't brought up with a specific religion -- I wasn't given any religious rules or guidelines... you could say I was brought up knowing that I was loved and capable of anything; it was as simple as that. I like to look at things from a very neutral perspective. I think we make life out to be more complicated than it is. Here are my simple understandings: 

-we are all human (the same)

-we are created by something much more intelligent than we (the way our bodies heal itself is a small piece of evidence)

-no one is more "special" than anyone else... we all have the exact same equal potential

-since we were created by something brilliant, we have that same brilliance inherent in us, however, it is up to us (free will) to decide to bring it forth

-regardless of race, ethnicity, language etc. we are all given the same tools (instincts) in order for our survival.

-we all need love

-what I mean by all of us are equal is this: since we are all human, and all are given the same instincts (to survive) and the same potential for what I like to call enlightenment, than any human to ever exist never possessed anything more than what I (or you) have the potential for (there's that word again)...this means, Jesus, the Buddha, any prophets, saints, etc.

-these people, in my opinion (regardless of what any man made book says) were enlightened enough to show us (the "ordinary person") what we are ALL capable of...if we so choose.

-the purpose of the human being is to use free will (we have the power to choose good or evil, to harm or not to harm, to be enlightened or ordinary...)

How this has anything to do with Avatar...

For me, the story of Avatar is a metaphor for what life is. Let's face it - (and this will be hard for some to admit) none of us know the truth. I am fine to admit that, however, I am trying to come from the most neutral standpoint possible. Until God (I use "God" for lack of a better word) itself comes down, looks me in the eyes, and tells me whats up -- everything else is hearsay. Do I believe that God inhibits the body of man?! Yes I do, in each and everyone of us. Do I believe that only one or few human beings are/were selected to inhibit God? No, I don't. We are all the same. God does not favor. 

For starters, I don't know why it was written in history that God is a man, The Father, He, His, a male etc. It was brought up beautifully in Avatar (and in The De Vinci Code) that women are the ones who give life. We are closer to God than any man. We bare human beings (and go through hell doing it) -- why wouldn't we naturally assume that God is female? A Mother? The Na'vi people (in Avatar) refer to Eywa as The Mother. The Creator. The Na'vi people are like the enlightened version of humanity. They "get it". What they "get" is the truth inherent in all life -- we are deeply interconnected to our environment, we depend on each other, and we are all in this together. "We are The People" (all of us! around the world!!!!) I wish everyone understood this... The ordinary humans in the movie (the "enemy") don't "get it" -- they are fueled by greed, selfishness, and hate which is the other end of the spectrum. But aha! - they could choose not to be. What I also liked about the story, is that mankind had to move to Pandora (another planet) because they had destroyed Earth. We are self-destructive. If this world ends, it will be because of our doing. We have to fight against that.

There is a pivotal moment in the entire movie that took my breath away. The answer I've been looking for. Without giving anything away -- there is a moment when Jake (the lead character) is asking Eywa (substitute for God) for help as the war between the Na'vi people and the ordinary people is about to begin. His Na'vi girlfriend Neytiri approaches him and reveals this -- "The Mother does not take sides. She protects the balance of life." Whether their talking about Mother Earth or our Creator is irrelevant, it struck something in me. There has to be a balance... in everything. Of good and bad, births and deaths, love and loss... This answered a question I've been pondering for a while. It's a beautiful message and I hope an eye opener for many. I sincerely hope we (the people) keep promoting peace, helping each other out whenever possible, and protecting our Earth. It's all up to us :) Keep rockin' everyone...