by: Iulia Pascanu
Sunny Las Vegas hosted hundreds of movies or movie-scenes. Some of them got the Oscar. Others got lost on the way. But Vegas surely remains a classic attraction for film-makers since the glory of the Rat Pack days.
To be completely fair, the early 60's weren't really the first screen action days in Las Vegas. Frank Sinatra's first movie, Las Vegas Nights was set back in 1941. However, the Rat Pack Days are always a good point to start.
The Rat Packs
Five gentlemen in Las Vegas: Sammy Davis Jr, Peter Lawford, Dean Martin, Joey Bishop and Frank Sinatra. Good friends. Loved to party. And of course, they had their own favourite place to hang out, that was Sands Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas (which was demolished in 1996, nowadays the site of the Venitian).
The Rat Pack Days begun in late 50's, somewhat as a reaction to the Cold War early days; the guys came up with the ideea of having their own "summit of cool" in Las Vegas; it lasted seven years. As the Sands performing scene wasn't enough for them, the mighty five moved further to movies and recordings.
The seven years brought out seven films: Some Came Running, Ocean's 11, Sergents 3, 4 For Texas, Robin and the 7 Hoods, Marriage on the Rocks, and Cannonball Run II. Ocean's 11 (1960) is the most famous one, and also benefited from a modern remake (2001), starring George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Julia Roberts. The action in new Ocean's 11 involves robbery scenes at Bellagio. The Rat Pack, released in 1998 for cable TV, includes scenes from The Sands.
The King
The good old days gave us the classic Viva Las Vegas (1964), featuring Elvis Presley, who sings his heart out for the beloved "sin city".
Later, in 1970, the King starred a documentary filmed at the International Hotel, nowadays Las Vegas Hilton (Elvis: That's the Way It Is).
The 1979 Elvis, a memorabilia to The King, stars Kurt Russell. The story goes on in 1988 with Elvis and Me, inspired by Priscilla Presley's autobiography. The 1995 BBC documentary The Burger and the King: The Life and Cuisine of Elvis Presley seems to have closed the Elvis & Las Vegas series, up to this moment.
Casino
This one, released in 1995, is the classic. It approaces "sin city" the way nobody dared before. The story is based on the almost fabulous life of Frank Rosendhale (impersonated by Robert de Niro), the best handicapper of all times, and his beautifull wife Gery (impersonated by Sharon Stone). Las Vegas made them rich and television made them famous.
"Casino" hit the box-offices, but Frank said director Martin Scorsese brought the spotlights on his own chopped vision of Las Vegas; blamed him that he was not really interested to either understand casinos or be faithful to the real story; thus, Frank Rosenthale would have told it differently.
The Winner
Las Vegas footage has proven a good luck charm for Francis Ford Coppola's famous nephew, Nicholas Cage. He started with Honeymoon in Vegas in 1992, grabbed an Oscar on the road with Leaving Las Vegas and made a come-back with Con Air in 1997; literally, Nick Cage forced his landing on the Hard Rock Hotel guitar...
Just another subjective list
1971 - Diamonds Are Forever, from the James Bond (Sean Connery) series
1974 - The Godfather Part II
The Rocky series (parts III and IV) included brief glimpses from Las Vegas
1987 - Heat, 100% Las Vegas made, starring Burt Reynolds
1988 - Rain Man, with Dustin Hoffman, action set mostly inside Caesars Palace
1991 - Bugsy, the story of Bugsy Siegel and the making of the Flamingo. Casts Warren Beatty and Annette Bening
1993 - Indecent Proposal. Some reviews advice to "save the money for slots"
1995 - Heat, this time starring Robert DeNiro and Al Pacino, the only movie the two "monsters" have met
1995 - Showgirls, mostly a movie about... girls, including many scenes at Stardust
About The Author
Iulia Pascanu writes for http://www.bestlasvegashotels.info where you can find more information about the best hotels in Las Vegas.
Please feel free to use this article in your Newsletter or on your website.
If you use this article, please include the resource box and send a brief message to let me know where it appeared: mailto:iuliap@gmail.com
Friday, June 15, 2007
2004 Poor for Movies
by: Ryan Parsons
Here is a case in point- 2004 was a strange, if not bad, year for movies. Now, I'm not talking about the quality of films, they were probably right on par. But, Hollywood has been growing scared. Scared to create films that fall away from standard conventions and afraid to try films that may tilt a couple heads or raise a few brows. If it wasn't for a few HUGE films in 2004, including some that distributors were afraid of, everybody may have felt that Hollywood was losing us. However, it seems that Hollywood is willing to turn a cheek and come stronger than it ever has this century [never mind Lord of the Rings] with the bringing in of 2005.
2004 Poor for Movies
I can understand how it may be hard to fathom that Hollywood did not have one of its best years during 2004. Sure, the film companies were still able to pull in film revenues with a little over nine billion, but ticket sales were actually DOWN by a startling two percent. Now, I know this doesn't sound like much, but it is! For the year of 2004, distributors were planning on conquering the box offices with films such as Troy, Alexander, The Whole Ten Yards, The Village and Van Helsing. However, all of these films flopped [Van Helsing is doing great with DVD though]. No matter how impressive the battles or sequences, audiences left the theatres feeling unsatisfied. So what was wrong with the films? And who saved 2004?
Four of the biggest hitters of 2004 came out of either CG animation or children's tales. Shrek 2 began with a bang and was able to gross somewhere just under $450 million in ticket sales. Then we had Pixar's The Incredibles, which proved that animated films with adult-style action and subject matter can still be successful [~$275 million gross]. Last of the animations was Spider-Man 2 [the fights were almost entirely animated]. I can call this an animation as the fight scenes were well animated and the film seemed to run like a perfect animated comic [~$370 million gross]. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, based of the 'childrens' book [I beg to differ], couldn't lose with a darker atmosphere set up by Alfonso Cuaron [pulled in $250 million]. Obviously, the four listed films were expected to do well in the theatres and all three performed gracefully. But what about the films that nobody wanted or were afraid to touch?
The two films that were handled like boiling water were Mel Gibson's Passion of the Christ and Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11. Even though these films caused a lot of tension amidst their distributors [Einstein was pissed!], the two films managed to pull just under a combined $500 million in ticket sales. So that would make five big blockbusters for the year; not nearly enough. While Passion and Fahrenheit were more than plesent surprises, what about the other films?
The best thing to come out of 2004 is the amount of surprise hits that were able to maintain some theatre presence longer than just opening weekend. The only thing that hurt most the surprise hits for 2004 was the invisible barrier that would not allow a lot of films to break the $100 million mark. Here are some of the films that were able to break that mark [with a brief thought on how they were]:
Shark Tale- I would hope this out of a high cast CGI animation
I, Robot- I still don't know if I liked this film or not. Seemed a little rushed.
National Treasure- One of the best surprise films all year.
The Village- Only got passed $100 million thanks to hype.
Luckily, Hollywood did not have to rely on only these films. Even though the industry hoped to have at least double the number of films to get passed the $100 million mark, there were some other sleeper films that helped maintain high 2004 numbers. Some of these films include Mean Girls [a teenie bopper that anybody could like], Man on Fire, and The Notebook, Friday Night Lights and Napoleon Dynamite.
What's Wrong with Movies in 2004?
Eternal Sunshine takes you on a journey through love and the mind. The best example to give for what happened to movies in 2004 is the upcoming Academy Awards. Take a close look at the nominated films, what we have are dramas and bio-pics. People are losing interest; our top rated films are the ones that few people saw. We don't have a Lord of the Rings this year, or any other film that people want to sit down and root for. Want further proof? Why do you think Chris Rock is stepping in as host in order to atract a younger crowd?
Also, where the hell is Eternal Sunshine for the Spotless Mind? I know it has a few nominations, but it deserves a few more. The film, starring Jim Carrey, only grossed $34 million in ticket sales [domestically] and was probably one of the most unique and plain out cool films of the year. Forget the biographies and the straight forward dramas, Spotless offers up an extremely unique outlook on love and the new ways to handle it. And, mind you, it falls entirely away from the simple conventions overly used in films during 2004.
In conclusion-- Hollywood needs to get people back in the theatres and buying tickets for films that deserve hyped attention. The best way to do this is by creating blockbusters that can actually remain in theatres longer than an opening weekend or two. Viewers are tired of films that just go through the motions and are now seeking something extremely polished or unique. Films of 2004 had lost the ability of 'word of mouth', but I expect that 2005 should regain all of this-- as Hollywood now seems ready to take some chances.
About The Author
Ryan Parsons is the owner of the Movie Entertainment Site CanMag.Com.
All articles can be reposted by permission with a link back to CanMag.Com.
Here is a case in point- 2004 was a strange, if not bad, year for movies. Now, I'm not talking about the quality of films, they were probably right on par. But, Hollywood has been growing scared. Scared to create films that fall away from standard conventions and afraid to try films that may tilt a couple heads or raise a few brows. If it wasn't for a few HUGE films in 2004, including some that distributors were afraid of, everybody may have felt that Hollywood was losing us. However, it seems that Hollywood is willing to turn a cheek and come stronger than it ever has this century [never mind Lord of the Rings] with the bringing in of 2005.
2004 Poor for Movies
I can understand how it may be hard to fathom that Hollywood did not have one of its best years during 2004. Sure, the film companies were still able to pull in film revenues with a little over nine billion, but ticket sales were actually DOWN by a startling two percent. Now, I know this doesn't sound like much, but it is! For the year of 2004, distributors were planning on conquering the box offices with films such as Troy, Alexander, The Whole Ten Yards, The Village and Van Helsing. However, all of these films flopped [Van Helsing is doing great with DVD though]. No matter how impressive the battles or sequences, audiences left the theatres feeling unsatisfied. So what was wrong with the films? And who saved 2004?
Four of the biggest hitters of 2004 came out of either CG animation or children's tales. Shrek 2 began with a bang and was able to gross somewhere just under $450 million in ticket sales. Then we had Pixar's The Incredibles, which proved that animated films with adult-style action and subject matter can still be successful [~$275 million gross]. Last of the animations was Spider-Man 2 [the fights were almost entirely animated]. I can call this an animation as the fight scenes were well animated and the film seemed to run like a perfect animated comic [~$370 million gross]. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, based of the 'childrens' book [I beg to differ], couldn't lose with a darker atmosphere set up by Alfonso Cuaron [pulled in $250 million]. Obviously, the four listed films were expected to do well in the theatres and all three performed gracefully. But what about the films that nobody wanted or were afraid to touch?
The two films that were handled like boiling water were Mel Gibson's Passion of the Christ and Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11. Even though these films caused a lot of tension amidst their distributors [Einstein was pissed!], the two films managed to pull just under a combined $500 million in ticket sales. So that would make five big blockbusters for the year; not nearly enough. While Passion and Fahrenheit were more than plesent surprises, what about the other films?
The best thing to come out of 2004 is the amount of surprise hits that were able to maintain some theatre presence longer than just opening weekend. The only thing that hurt most the surprise hits for 2004 was the invisible barrier that would not allow a lot of films to break the $100 million mark. Here are some of the films that were able to break that mark [with a brief thought on how they were]:
Shark Tale- I would hope this out of a high cast CGI animation
I, Robot- I still don't know if I liked this film or not. Seemed a little rushed.
National Treasure- One of the best surprise films all year.
The Village- Only got passed $100 million thanks to hype.
Luckily, Hollywood did not have to rely on only these films. Even though the industry hoped to have at least double the number of films to get passed the $100 million mark, there were some other sleeper films that helped maintain high 2004 numbers. Some of these films include Mean Girls [a teenie bopper that anybody could like], Man on Fire, and The Notebook, Friday Night Lights and Napoleon Dynamite.
What's Wrong with Movies in 2004?
Eternal Sunshine takes you on a journey through love and the mind. The best example to give for what happened to movies in 2004 is the upcoming Academy Awards. Take a close look at the nominated films, what we have are dramas and bio-pics. People are losing interest; our top rated films are the ones that few people saw. We don't have a Lord of the Rings this year, or any other film that people want to sit down and root for. Want further proof? Why do you think Chris Rock is stepping in as host in order to atract a younger crowd?
Also, where the hell is Eternal Sunshine for the Spotless Mind? I know it has a few nominations, but it deserves a few more. The film, starring Jim Carrey, only grossed $34 million in ticket sales [domestically] and was probably one of the most unique and plain out cool films of the year. Forget the biographies and the straight forward dramas, Spotless offers up an extremely unique outlook on love and the new ways to handle it. And, mind you, it falls entirely away from the simple conventions overly used in films during 2004.
In conclusion-- Hollywood needs to get people back in the theatres and buying tickets for films that deserve hyped attention. The best way to do this is by creating blockbusters that can actually remain in theatres longer than an opening weekend or two. Viewers are tired of films that just go through the motions and are now seeking something extremely polished or unique. Films of 2004 had lost the ability of 'word of mouth', but I expect that 2005 should regain all of this-- as Hollywood now seems ready to take some chances.
About The Author
Ryan Parsons is the owner of the Movie Entertainment Site CanMag.Com.
All articles can be reposted by permission with a link back to CanMag.Com.
So You Wanna be in Movies?
by: Ralph Peduto
So you wanna be in movies but didn't know where to start?
Working actor, Ralph Peduto, had the same question and armed with nothing more than desire found his way through the maze that prevents even the most talented from ever achieving their on-screen goals. Desire, Ralph found, was only a strong wish. He had to back that desire with action and in so doing achieved his on-screen goal. Ralph has made the circuitous journey from dream to screen and from his experiences (over 50 TV shows & movies and 75 commercials) has developed a method that will help others achieve their on-screen desires. He does this by training on-camera actors in his Santa Cruz California studios where his primary goal is to turn out working actors.
Ralph now owns and operates his own acting business, Acting On Camera, where he teaches the tricks of the trade. "The business of acting," says Ralph "is just that, a business. Too many actors focus entirely on the performance side of the business, whereas the actor who wants to work needs to also focus on the business. That's the bottom line and that's the teaching and coaching Ralph brings to all his classes."
With Ralph you will learn:
How to get into the Biz.
How to act for film & TV.
How to get & keep agents.
How to get into commercials.
It's your life write yourself a lead role. Take action!
About The Author
Actor, Ralph Peduto has worked with some of the biggest names in the business from Francis Ford Coppola to Robin Williams and has appeared in over 50 movies & TV shows including Mrs. Doubfire, Cheers, Monk, General Hospital & Patch Adams. He has appeared in over 50 commercials, but it was his five years as spokesman for Midas Muffler that firmly imbedded this actor into the American TV viewer's minds with the slogan, "Nobody beats Midas...Nobody."
ralph@actingoncamera.com
So you wanna be in movies but didn't know where to start?
Working actor, Ralph Peduto, had the same question and armed with nothing more than desire found his way through the maze that prevents even the most talented from ever achieving their on-screen goals. Desire, Ralph found, was only a strong wish. He had to back that desire with action and in so doing achieved his on-screen goal. Ralph has made the circuitous journey from dream to screen and from his experiences (over 50 TV shows & movies and 75 commercials) has developed a method that will help others achieve their on-screen desires. He does this by training on-camera actors in his Santa Cruz California studios where his primary goal is to turn out working actors.
Ralph now owns and operates his own acting business, Acting On Camera, where he teaches the tricks of the trade. "The business of acting," says Ralph "is just that, a business. Too many actors focus entirely on the performance side of the business, whereas the actor who wants to work needs to also focus on the business. That's the bottom line and that's the teaching and coaching Ralph brings to all his classes."
With Ralph you will learn:
How to get into the Biz.
How to act for film & TV.
How to get & keep agents.
How to get into commercials.
It's your life write yourself a lead role. Take action!
About The Author
Actor, Ralph Peduto has worked with some of the biggest names in the business from Francis Ford Coppola to Robin Williams and has appeared in over 50 movies & TV shows including Mrs. Doubfire, Cheers, Monk, General Hospital & Patch Adams. He has appeared in over 50 commercials, but it was his five years as spokesman for Midas Muffler that firmly imbedded this actor into the American TV viewer's minds with the slogan, "Nobody beats Midas...Nobody."
ralph@actingoncamera.com
Your Weight Loss Problem: How-To Cure It By Watching Movies Or Reading Books!
by: Beth Scott
I don’t know anything about you but if you’re anything like me then you struggle with a weight loss problem. Your weight loss problem consists of you struggling to keep your weight down or struggling to make your weight go down.
Most people who see me wouldn’t believe that I have a weight loss problem, but I do. I’ve battled bulimia and constant gains and losses in weight, of ten pounds each time. Thats what I call a big weight loss problem.
A lot of women and men with the same or a similar weight loss problem would sympathize with me I’m sure. I want to look good (who doesn’t?) so that always motivates me to go on a diet.
But after sticking to a diet for a week and dropping the unwanted weight my love for good tasting food overpowers my need to feel attractive and the weight piles back on pound by pound.
There is always exercise to help with a weight loss problem, I remind myself as I lie lazily on the couch chomping down on one of my non-diet treats. “Sure!” I groan “I don’t feel like wearing my butt out without seeing any results for weeks at a time.”
Whenever I start a workout regimen I only stick to it for a few weeks (usually less) and then I get bored and drop it. So my weight loss problem continues.
How many other women I wondered (or men, for that matter) get bored while exercising? I thought about that for awhile then I set about to find a solution to help all those poor people (and myself too, of course) with this weight loss problem.
First I asked myself: What did I like to do? What did I find Interesting?
“Hmmmm, well” I thought “I like dancing, but long periods of it are exhausting. I like to read, to listen to music, and I really dislike being on my feet for over long periods of time.
What could possibly combine all or most of these to make my exercising interesting and help solve my weight loss problem?
The solution to my weight loss problem was amazingly simple!
I own an old stationary bike, and I do mean OLD, but the important thing is that it operates. You can do this with any form of stationary bike, whether it’s a twenty year old model or an up to date model.
It doesn’t matter whether you own the stationary bike or use a gym’s or your local YMCA’s or YWCA’s facilities.
My weight loss problem solution is this:
Find something engrossing to read. It could be a novel or your favorite magazine. Or listen to music that you enjoy, you could even use audio books or any different CD’s or things you could listen to.
I suppose if your bike was somewhere around a television or computer with a DVD player, you could even watch your favorite movie.
The next step is to mount your stationary bide and start biking while reading or doing any of the above listed activities, and not to get off for at least 45 to 60 minutes, except for an occasional rest every quarter of an hour.
I usually just keep biking away the whole time and sometimes I bike longer because I’m so engrossed in what I’m reading, and I won’t allow myself to read it once I’m off the stationary bike.
After a week of this, without change in my eating habits, or any dieting, I’m maintaining a healthy weight. Best of all I’m not putting on any new pounds, and my legs look visibly slimmer.
So I've kissed my weight loss problem goodbye, and I'm saying hello to slim jeans and size 6 dresses, and you can too.
For the first time in a long while I actually look forward to putting on a bikini ;-)
About The Author
Beth Scott
If this method isn’t appealing to you or just doesn’t work, you should try visiting Brad Callen’s web site at: http://snipurl.com/98g1 He gives excellent weight loss advice for those seeking it.
beth15@apt-products.com
I don’t know anything about you but if you’re anything like me then you struggle with a weight loss problem. Your weight loss problem consists of you struggling to keep your weight down or struggling to make your weight go down.
Most people who see me wouldn’t believe that I have a weight loss problem, but I do. I’ve battled bulimia and constant gains and losses in weight, of ten pounds each time. Thats what I call a big weight loss problem.
A lot of women and men with the same or a similar weight loss problem would sympathize with me I’m sure. I want to look good (who doesn’t?) so that always motivates me to go on a diet.
But after sticking to a diet for a week and dropping the unwanted weight my love for good tasting food overpowers my need to feel attractive and the weight piles back on pound by pound.
There is always exercise to help with a weight loss problem, I remind myself as I lie lazily on the couch chomping down on one of my non-diet treats. “Sure!” I groan “I don’t feel like wearing my butt out without seeing any results for weeks at a time.”
Whenever I start a workout regimen I only stick to it for a few weeks (usually less) and then I get bored and drop it. So my weight loss problem continues.
How many other women I wondered (or men, for that matter) get bored while exercising? I thought about that for awhile then I set about to find a solution to help all those poor people (and myself too, of course) with this weight loss problem.
First I asked myself: What did I like to do? What did I find Interesting?
“Hmmmm, well” I thought “I like dancing, but long periods of it are exhausting. I like to read, to listen to music, and I really dislike being on my feet for over long periods of time.
What could possibly combine all or most of these to make my exercising interesting and help solve my weight loss problem?
The solution to my weight loss problem was amazingly simple!
I own an old stationary bike, and I do mean OLD, but the important thing is that it operates. You can do this with any form of stationary bike, whether it’s a twenty year old model or an up to date model.
It doesn’t matter whether you own the stationary bike or use a gym’s or your local YMCA’s or YWCA’s facilities.
My weight loss problem solution is this:
Find something engrossing to read. It could be a novel or your favorite magazine. Or listen to music that you enjoy, you could even use audio books or any different CD’s or things you could listen to.
I suppose if your bike was somewhere around a television or computer with a DVD player, you could even watch your favorite movie.
The next step is to mount your stationary bide and start biking while reading or doing any of the above listed activities, and not to get off for at least 45 to 60 minutes, except for an occasional rest every quarter of an hour.
I usually just keep biking away the whole time and sometimes I bike longer because I’m so engrossed in what I’m reading, and I won’t allow myself to read it once I’m off the stationary bike.
After a week of this, without change in my eating habits, or any dieting, I’m maintaining a healthy weight. Best of all I’m not putting on any new pounds, and my legs look visibly slimmer.
So I've kissed my weight loss problem goodbye, and I'm saying hello to slim jeans and size 6 dresses, and you can too.
For the first time in a long while I actually look forward to putting on a bikini ;-)
About The Author
Beth Scott
If this method isn’t appealing to you or just doesn’t work, you should try visiting Brad Callen’s web site at: http://snipurl.com/98g1 He gives excellent weight loss advice for those seeking it.
beth15@apt-products.com
What Movies Can Teach You About Meaningful Coincidences (And How To Use Them To Get What You Want)
by: Maria Grace, Ph.D.
When you have your dream clear in your mind and you go after it in the right way, the universe will send you miraculous help through meaningful coincidences. Sometimes you may have only one opportunity to receive such help. That’s why you must be ready.
Coincidences are unexpected, unforced, and happen all the time. For example, on a Monday morning, a co-worker wears the same sweater as you do. Or, you’re flying to the Bermudas next to a person who has the same last name as you. These are coincidences but they mean nothing. Here’s why:
In order for a coincidence to be meaningful, it must correspond to something you want. When this happens, you feel a jolt in body. You then know in your bones that the universe has sent you unexpected help.
There are five rules you must follow when you look for help form the universe to fulfill your dreams. Follow them and you’ll be able to use a meaningful coincidence every time it happens, knowing that you are on the right track.
1. Know what you want. Always keep your dream alive and know the desires you are seeking to fulfill.
3. Do your part and don’t cheat. Do your best to walk the path that gets you closer to your dream, as you complete your tasks one at a time. Don’t try to control or force the outcome. Don’t cheat and don’t do harmful things to fulfill your desire. The outcome will appear when the time is right. This is called timing.
3. Collaborate with the universe. Be open to help that comes when you least expect it. Don’t fight it. Accept help from the universe in whatever form it comes and move on.
4. Trust timing. Timing happens spontaneously. You have no control over it. You can control only your actions to achieve your goals, until they “mature” and catalyze results.
5. Trust your gut feeling. Respond to a meaningful coincidence only if it feels right. Don’t compromise your values and don’t put yourself in jeopardy. If something about a coincidence “feels funny”, pass it up.
Movies with Lessons on Meaningful Coincidences
Here’s a list of movies that show how coincidences can change our lives forever. Pick a movie from this list and watch it alone or with friends. As you watch it, think about the questions that follow below. For more information on how to change your life in 12 weeks using lessons from popular movies, visit www.reelfulfilment.com.
1. “Sidewalks of New York” is a story about a group of New Yorkers in search of romance. Coincidences keep happening that bring them closer to their dreams, only to show us that love is possible if we let the universe send it our way.
2. “Happenstance” is set in Paris as the story of Irene, a hopelessly romantic sales clerk who runs into a young man on the Metro. As soon as she sees him, it's love at first sight. But fate keeps them from meeting again, until the universe brings them together through a magical coincidence.
3. “Amores Perros” is a gritty, merciless story about the power of coincidences to mark our lives when we least expect it. Set in Mexico City, it’s a powerful portrait about the complexity of life and the power of the universe to affect the outcome of our actions regardless of our conscious intentions. Caution: Contains violent scenes and dog fights. Do not watch it if you are too sensitive seeing animals suffer.
4. “The Princess and The Warrior” is a very unusual story unfolding in Germany. A coincidence brings together a psychiatric nurse and her soul mate, who is a criminal on the run. That moment marks both their lives and sets off their journey to fulfilling each other’s deepest desires: to be understood, accepted and loved.
Questions to answer:
1. What do the characters want and what do they do to fulfill them?
2. How do meaningful coincidences shape the characters’ fates for better or worst?
2. How do the characters respond to the meaningful coincidences?
3. What scenes of the movie taught you something about your pursuits?
4. Did you learn something new about yourself from this story?
About The Author
Maria Grace, Ph.D., is an expert at teaching life improvement strategies using lessons from popular movies. She is a Fulbright scholar, psychotherapist and coach in private practice, and the author of Reel Fulfillment: A 12-Step Plan for Transforming Your Life through Movies. For more information, visit www.mariagrace.com and www.reelfulfillment.com
mariagrace@mymyth.com
When you have your dream clear in your mind and you go after it in the right way, the universe will send you miraculous help through meaningful coincidences. Sometimes you may have only one opportunity to receive such help. That’s why you must be ready.
Coincidences are unexpected, unforced, and happen all the time. For example, on a Monday morning, a co-worker wears the same sweater as you do. Or, you’re flying to the Bermudas next to a person who has the same last name as you. These are coincidences but they mean nothing. Here’s why:
In order for a coincidence to be meaningful, it must correspond to something you want. When this happens, you feel a jolt in body. You then know in your bones that the universe has sent you unexpected help.
There are five rules you must follow when you look for help form the universe to fulfill your dreams. Follow them and you’ll be able to use a meaningful coincidence every time it happens, knowing that you are on the right track.
1. Know what you want. Always keep your dream alive and know the desires you are seeking to fulfill.
3. Do your part and don’t cheat. Do your best to walk the path that gets you closer to your dream, as you complete your tasks one at a time. Don’t try to control or force the outcome. Don’t cheat and don’t do harmful things to fulfill your desire. The outcome will appear when the time is right. This is called timing.
3. Collaborate with the universe. Be open to help that comes when you least expect it. Don’t fight it. Accept help from the universe in whatever form it comes and move on.
4. Trust timing. Timing happens spontaneously. You have no control over it. You can control only your actions to achieve your goals, until they “mature” and catalyze results.
5. Trust your gut feeling. Respond to a meaningful coincidence only if it feels right. Don’t compromise your values and don’t put yourself in jeopardy. If something about a coincidence “feels funny”, pass it up.
Movies with Lessons on Meaningful Coincidences
Here’s a list of movies that show how coincidences can change our lives forever. Pick a movie from this list and watch it alone or with friends. As you watch it, think about the questions that follow below. For more information on how to change your life in 12 weeks using lessons from popular movies, visit www.reelfulfilment.com.
1. “Sidewalks of New York” is a story about a group of New Yorkers in search of romance. Coincidences keep happening that bring them closer to their dreams, only to show us that love is possible if we let the universe send it our way.
2. “Happenstance” is set in Paris as the story of Irene, a hopelessly romantic sales clerk who runs into a young man on the Metro. As soon as she sees him, it's love at first sight. But fate keeps them from meeting again, until the universe brings them together through a magical coincidence.
3. “Amores Perros” is a gritty, merciless story about the power of coincidences to mark our lives when we least expect it. Set in Mexico City, it’s a powerful portrait about the complexity of life and the power of the universe to affect the outcome of our actions regardless of our conscious intentions. Caution: Contains violent scenes and dog fights. Do not watch it if you are too sensitive seeing animals suffer.
4. “The Princess and The Warrior” is a very unusual story unfolding in Germany. A coincidence brings together a psychiatric nurse and her soul mate, who is a criminal on the run. That moment marks both their lives and sets off their journey to fulfilling each other’s deepest desires: to be understood, accepted and loved.
Questions to answer:
1. What do the characters want and what do they do to fulfill them?
2. How do meaningful coincidences shape the characters’ fates for better or worst?
2. How do the characters respond to the meaningful coincidences?
3. What scenes of the movie taught you something about your pursuits?
4. Did you learn something new about yourself from this story?
About The Author
Maria Grace, Ph.D., is an expert at teaching life improvement strategies using lessons from popular movies. She is a Fulbright scholar, psychotherapist and coach in private practice, and the author of Reel Fulfillment: A 12-Step Plan for Transforming Your Life through Movies. For more information, visit www.mariagrace.com and www.reelfulfillment.com
mariagrace@mymyth.com
Movies on the Internet
by: Maitre Defilz
You're watching TV 1 evening scanning through the reruns thinking it's pathetic how little there exists to watch anymore when a incredible movie trailer comes on. It's every single thing you love - the right actors, the wit, the action - and your heart beats a little faster in anticipation - if only you may watch it RIGHT Currently!
Well, the film industry has heard you. Along with the speed of the internet, consumers have at present come to a new stage of demand. It wore to be that we WANTED every single thing immediately - at present we EXPECT it.
This isn't the sort of thing that goes unnoticed by industries that cater to public reception. And at present it's been announced that we might not be far away from just walking above to our computer and downloading the newest releases.
When you took a meeting at the Cannes Film Festival, Culture Ministers from across Europe, film industry representatives and Internet Service Providers were among those who met to discuss the possible policies needed to distribute movies online.
BBC news reports European Union media commissioner Viviane Reding as stating: "In Europe, as in more continents, the opportunities for people to enjoy films online are set to increase tremendously above the next couple years".
Naturally there are however many issues to be resolved prior to movies are readily available to the public online. Piracy and broadband capabilities are however being questioned.
Piracy became the large issue when music files were being illegally shared across the internet. While the music industry fought against such services as Napster, it is however far away from recovering their market revenue and the film industry isn't anxious to join them.
What cannot be debated is that there exists a market, and no industry likes to bypass that because of possible problems.
Right currently European broadband could not be higher to the task of downloading such big files however has plans to proceed with distribution soon.
In Us there has already been movie distribution with the inevitable legal proceedings against individuals facilitating unauthorized downloads.
Even given that the fight against piracy is being taken incredibly seriously per industry, it's however parents who are at the forefront of setting the illustration and instructing kids on the ethics of downloading such material. Responsibility is learned.
In any event, the next time you see a neat movie advertised and you are convenient to the internet, perhaps you should stay in, avoid the lines and the traffic and check it out online!
About The Author
Maitre Defilz is the owner of FAQ Movie which is a premier resource for movie information. For more information, go to http://www.faqmovie.com
maitre@faqmovie.com
You're watching TV 1 evening scanning through the reruns thinking it's pathetic how little there exists to watch anymore when a incredible movie trailer comes on. It's every single thing you love - the right actors, the wit, the action - and your heart beats a little faster in anticipation - if only you may watch it RIGHT Currently!
Well, the film industry has heard you. Along with the speed of the internet, consumers have at present come to a new stage of demand. It wore to be that we WANTED every single thing immediately - at present we EXPECT it.
This isn't the sort of thing that goes unnoticed by industries that cater to public reception. And at present it's been announced that we might not be far away from just walking above to our computer and downloading the newest releases.
When you took a meeting at the Cannes Film Festival, Culture Ministers from across Europe, film industry representatives and Internet Service Providers were among those who met to discuss the possible policies needed to distribute movies online.
BBC news reports European Union media commissioner Viviane Reding as stating: "In Europe, as in more continents, the opportunities for people to enjoy films online are set to increase tremendously above the next couple years".
Naturally there are however many issues to be resolved prior to movies are readily available to the public online. Piracy and broadband capabilities are however being questioned.
Piracy became the large issue when music files were being illegally shared across the internet. While the music industry fought against such services as Napster, it is however far away from recovering their market revenue and the film industry isn't anxious to join them.
What cannot be debated is that there exists a market, and no industry likes to bypass that because of possible problems.
Right currently European broadband could not be higher to the task of downloading such big files however has plans to proceed with distribution soon.
In Us there has already been movie distribution with the inevitable legal proceedings against individuals facilitating unauthorized downloads.
Even given that the fight against piracy is being taken incredibly seriously per industry, it's however parents who are at the forefront of setting the illustration and instructing kids on the ethics of downloading such material. Responsibility is learned.
In any event, the next time you see a neat movie advertised and you are convenient to the internet, perhaps you should stay in, avoid the lines and the traffic and check it out online!
About The Author
Maitre Defilz is the owner of FAQ Movie which is a premier resource for movie information. For more information, go to http://www.faqmovie.com
maitre@faqmovie.com
Road Trip Survival--DVD Movies Have Become the New Scenery on Family Road Trips
by: Marguerite Pickett
With the kids in the backseat buckled up tight, you’re headed for grandma’s house, an all-day drive. The great American family vacation road trip--a time for bonding and sharing each other’s interests. A time for pulling your hair out one by one.
As long as Americans pile the kids in the car for a family vacation, they are doomed for the anxieties that come with the mind-numbing boredom of a very long road trip. After a short while into the trip, the fidgeting starts. The inevitable discussion about who hit whom first is under debate. Good feeling’s gone.
As it happens, once the kids have seen a couple grazing cows and a horse pasture, they pretty much don’t want to see it again. Rolling hills and scenic mountains served their purpose a great many miles back, but now, who really cares? And who really gives a hoot what they’re growing in those widespread fields anyway!
So here you are, only a couple hours into the trip, with the whole day ahead of you, and the whining starts. "Are we there yet?"
Never fear! Remember those awesome car trip games we used to play as kids? The age-old "I Spy" game where the other player tries to guess your object. Then, of course, the license plate game options: See if you can spell all 50 states, make a phrase out of the plate letters or see who can add up the numbers correctly.
Car trip games are really terrific entertainment for the kids, but when 20 Questions suddenly turns into 20 reasons why you’re bothering me, then it’s time to move on before the scuffling accelerates.
Unlike past generations, today there is a simple solution. Put in a DVD movie. Just slide that little disc boldly into the slot, and suddenly the family road trip takes on new scenery--Shrek, Nemo, Woody and Buzz. The whining stops. Restless little bodies settle down, and the car mercifully becomes surrounded by contentment. Suddenly, the trip becomes much easier.
Okay, so now you’re thinking enjoyment of the journey is lost. The family vacation is a bust. Relax, already! True, the countryside is becoming just a faint flicker in the background, but consider the fact that if you make the most of getting to your destination, you will bring home good memories of the entire trip. In reality, TV provides a welcome sanity for today’s long road trips. So, let modern technology take over. Enjoy it!
If you’re still having a hard time accepting defeat to the state-of-the art, consider days gone by when fidgety children were free to move around. Perhaps you can recall sitting in the back of the station wagon or hatchback playing board games or working on little paper projects. Can’t do that today. For safety, the little ones are strapped into their special seats and the older ones are buckled up tight. Not much freedom there. The great American road trip has forever changed.
So next time you hit the road, throw in those DVD movies. Your sanity may depend on it.
A word of warning I must add. As parents come to rely on DVDs as their survival against hours of back-seat whining and clashing, DVD players won’t solve all problems. There may be fewer "are we there yets," but eventually new squabbles of "it’s my turn to pick" or "I don’t want to watch that" will erupt. Isn’t modern technology great?
About The Author
Marguerite Pickett is the creator of Travel Web Base, your frolicsome guide to information, tips and suggestions for all your travel requirements. Come visit at travelwebbase.com.
With the kids in the backseat buckled up tight, you’re headed for grandma’s house, an all-day drive. The great American family vacation road trip--a time for bonding and sharing each other’s interests. A time for pulling your hair out one by one.
As long as Americans pile the kids in the car for a family vacation, they are doomed for the anxieties that come with the mind-numbing boredom of a very long road trip. After a short while into the trip, the fidgeting starts. The inevitable discussion about who hit whom first is under debate. Good feeling’s gone.
As it happens, once the kids have seen a couple grazing cows and a horse pasture, they pretty much don’t want to see it again. Rolling hills and scenic mountains served their purpose a great many miles back, but now, who really cares? And who really gives a hoot what they’re growing in those widespread fields anyway!
So here you are, only a couple hours into the trip, with the whole day ahead of you, and the whining starts. "Are we there yet?"
Never fear! Remember those awesome car trip games we used to play as kids? The age-old "I Spy" game where the other player tries to guess your object. Then, of course, the license plate game options: See if you can spell all 50 states, make a phrase out of the plate letters or see who can add up the numbers correctly.
Car trip games are really terrific entertainment for the kids, but when 20 Questions suddenly turns into 20 reasons why you’re bothering me, then it’s time to move on before the scuffling accelerates.
Unlike past generations, today there is a simple solution. Put in a DVD movie. Just slide that little disc boldly into the slot, and suddenly the family road trip takes on new scenery--Shrek, Nemo, Woody and Buzz. The whining stops. Restless little bodies settle down, and the car mercifully becomes surrounded by contentment. Suddenly, the trip becomes much easier.
Okay, so now you’re thinking enjoyment of the journey is lost. The family vacation is a bust. Relax, already! True, the countryside is becoming just a faint flicker in the background, but consider the fact that if you make the most of getting to your destination, you will bring home good memories of the entire trip. In reality, TV provides a welcome sanity for today’s long road trips. So, let modern technology take over. Enjoy it!
If you’re still having a hard time accepting defeat to the state-of-the art, consider days gone by when fidgety children were free to move around. Perhaps you can recall sitting in the back of the station wagon or hatchback playing board games or working on little paper projects. Can’t do that today. For safety, the little ones are strapped into their special seats and the older ones are buckled up tight. Not much freedom there. The great American road trip has forever changed.
So next time you hit the road, throw in those DVD movies. Your sanity may depend on it.
A word of warning I must add. As parents come to rely on DVDs as their survival against hours of back-seat whining and clashing, DVD players won’t solve all problems. There may be fewer "are we there yets," but eventually new squabbles of "it’s my turn to pick" or "I don’t want to watch that" will erupt. Isn’t modern technology great?
About The Author
Marguerite Pickett is the creator of Travel Web Base, your frolicsome guide to information, tips and suggestions for all your travel requirements. Come visit at travelwebbase.com.
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