Wednesday, August 26, 2009
very old pic
This is a pic of Amy Izak and me taken . . . a long time ago!!! At a Detroit Producers Association Halloween Party. Probably around 1992 I would have to guess.Amy, where are you now ??????????
Monday, June 1, 2009
Are you a Giver or a Taker . . .
The Policy of Joint Agreement.
http://www.marriagebuilders.com/graphic/mbi3500_policy.html
Solving conflict in a blended family is not a speciality of mine. I often find myself in the midst of conflict because of something I said or something directed at me or my kids. Usually it ends up in some hurt feelings or a hard nosed grudge match for the day, then we resolve to resolve it and we move on. Sounds like a viscious cycle? That's what I thought also. We have to change something in order for any changes to occure. Otherwise we will just keep on going around and around until ultimately someone gets really hurt or offended and says "enough is enough". I don't want it to get to that point. If you keep doing the same things you keep getting the same results, right? I know all of this stuff. So why can't we come up with a solution to all this conflict????? Dr. Harley might just be on to something with the policy of joint agreement. Check it out and let me know what you think . . .
More later . . .
http://www.marriagebuilders.com/graphic/mbi3500_policy.html
Solving conflict in a blended family is not a speciality of mine. I often find myself in the midst of conflict because of something I said or something directed at me or my kids. Usually it ends up in some hurt feelings or a hard nosed grudge match for the day, then we resolve to resolve it and we move on. Sounds like a viscious cycle? That's what I thought also. We have to change something in order for any changes to occure. Otherwise we will just keep on going around and around until ultimately someone gets really hurt or offended and says "enough is enough". I don't want it to get to that point. If you keep doing the same things you keep getting the same results, right? I know all of this stuff. So why can't we come up with a solution to all this conflict????? Dr. Harley might just be on to something with the policy of joint agreement. Check it out and let me know what you think . . .
More later . . .
Star Trek
I finnally saw Star Trek, the new motion picture from Paramount. This is the Pre-quel to the James T. Kirk stories. I was rivited to my seat for the entire show. The story takes you from the birth of Kirk up to the point of him becoming captain of the Enterprise. Well done!! Lots of Action. Not just a 180 minute version of the T.V. series. Although I would love to see a weekly series come from this story. I think this movie is going to do great things for the whole Trek structure. Kudos to Abrams. Ty Burr of the Boston Globe liked it also, for his review visit <"http://www.boston.com/ae/movies/articles/2009/05/05/a_fresh_frontier/">
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Movie Review; Star Trek
Hollywood.com Review
Star Trek
Story WHAT IT'S ABOUT?
After six different TV series and 10 feature films, director J.J. Abrams (MI:3, Lost, Alias) takes the Star Trek franchise back to the beginning to tell how James T. Kirk, a brash, hot-rod-loving kid from Iowa, and Spock, a thoughtful and logical half-human/half-Vulcan, meet and compete at the Starfleet Academy and are chosen by Captain Pike to join the maiden voyage of the Starship Enterprise. Unlike other Treks, Abrams' film develops credible backstories for the two characters as they join several other newcomers, including fresh-faced cadets Leonard "Bones" McCoy, Montgomery "Scotty" Scott, Uhura, Hikaru Sulu and Pavel Chekov. The story focuses on the clash between Kirk and Spock as the young crew faces a major first test in battling Nero, an unrelentingly evil Romulan who has designs on destroying Earth, Vulcan and the rest of the Federated planets.
WHO'S IN IT?
Smartly stitching together an attractive and talented young cast to take this series back to the future (and hoped-for sequels), Abrams wisely is not looking for actors doing impressions of a young William Shatner or Leonard Nimoy. In Chris Pine as Kirk and Zachary Quinto (Heroes) as Spock, he found two talented stars who uncannily suggest and interpret these iconic characters at the beginning of their life voyage together. With the trademark haircut and ears, Quinto nails the essence of what we might imagine Spock was like as a youth. Pine is rugged and cocky but not over-the-top as Kirk. As the reigning Captain Pike, Bruce Greenwood is solid and commanding. The rest of the crew is perfectly cast, with Karl Urban's Bones, Zoe Saldana's "take-no-prisoners" Uhura and John Cho's Sulu fitting their roles like a glove. Anton Yelchin's super-thick Russian accent as Chekov is grating at times, but it's a minor quibble. The best performance of all comes later in the picture, when British star Simon Pegg turns up as Scotty and steals every scene he's in with choice one-liners and a sassy attitude. A tattoo-faced Eric Bana is perfect as the main villain Nero, who operates out of the eerily dark and stunning vessel, dubbed the Narada. His cunning and reserve help make him far more complex than your father's Trek villains. And look for a substantial and inspiring visit from Leonard Nimoy (the original Spock), who has been ingeniously woven into the proceedings.
WHAT'S GOOD?
Let's face it: Star Trek was getting tired, with diminishing box-office returns and falling TV ratings. By going back to the beginning and introducing a whole new youthful vibe past Treks never had, Abrams has given a new lease on life to a legendary 40-year-old adventure that now can go on to live long(er) and (fortunately for Paramount) prosper all over again. The updated casting is joined by state-of-the-art visual effects and action set pieces that outdo any previous incarnations, and the whip-smart screenplay by Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman does creator Gene Roddenberry's original vision proud while introducing it to a new generation. Key to successfully accomplishing this mission was to create a new take that would bring in new devotees but not turn off the faithful Trekkies who've kept this thing going for so long. Done.
WHAT'S BAD?
Other than Yelchin's accent, only the overriding feeling that any potential sequels can never match the joy of seeing the genesis of Star Trek portrayed like it is here. But bring 'em on anyway.
FAVORITE SCENE:
There are many thrilling moments, including Kirk's terrifying encounter with a deadly beast on the bone-chilling ice planet Delta Vega and the battle between the Narada and Enterprise. But the early Starfleet Academy scenes involving Kirk and Spock, whose sharp exchanges showcase their youthful rivalry, really set the stage for a fascinating and complicated relationship, forming the heart and soul of not only this prequel but the entire basis of the Star Trek concept.
Star Trek
Story WHAT IT'S ABOUT?
After six different TV series and 10 feature films, director J.J. Abrams (MI:3, Lost, Alias) takes the Star Trek franchise back to the beginning to tell how James T. Kirk, a brash, hot-rod-loving kid from Iowa, and Spock, a thoughtful and logical half-human/half-Vulcan, meet and compete at the Starfleet Academy and are chosen by Captain Pike to join the maiden voyage of the Starship Enterprise. Unlike other Treks, Abrams' film develops credible backstories for the two characters as they join several other newcomers, including fresh-faced cadets Leonard "Bones" McCoy, Montgomery "Scotty" Scott, Uhura, Hikaru Sulu and Pavel Chekov. The story focuses on the clash between Kirk and Spock as the young crew faces a major first test in battling Nero, an unrelentingly evil Romulan who has designs on destroying Earth, Vulcan and the rest of the Federated planets.
WHO'S IN IT?
Smartly stitching together an attractive and talented young cast to take this series back to the future (and hoped-for sequels), Abrams wisely is not looking for actors doing impressions of a young William Shatner or Leonard Nimoy. In Chris Pine as Kirk and Zachary Quinto (Heroes) as Spock, he found two talented stars who uncannily suggest and interpret these iconic characters at the beginning of their life voyage together. With the trademark haircut and ears, Quinto nails the essence of what we might imagine Spock was like as a youth. Pine is rugged and cocky but not over-the-top as Kirk. As the reigning Captain Pike, Bruce Greenwood is solid and commanding. The rest of the crew is perfectly cast, with Karl Urban's Bones, Zoe Saldana's "take-no-prisoners" Uhura and John Cho's Sulu fitting their roles like a glove. Anton Yelchin's super-thick Russian accent as Chekov is grating at times, but it's a minor quibble. The best performance of all comes later in the picture, when British star Simon Pegg turns up as Scotty and steals every scene he's in with choice one-liners and a sassy attitude. A tattoo-faced Eric Bana is perfect as the main villain Nero, who operates out of the eerily dark and stunning vessel, dubbed the Narada. His cunning and reserve help make him far more complex than your father's Trek villains. And look for a substantial and inspiring visit from Leonard Nimoy (the original Spock), who has been ingeniously woven into the proceedings.
WHAT'S GOOD?
Let's face it: Star Trek was getting tired, with diminishing box-office returns and falling TV ratings. By going back to the beginning and introducing a whole new youthful vibe past Treks never had, Abrams has given a new lease on life to a legendary 40-year-old adventure that now can go on to live long(er) and (fortunately for Paramount) prosper all over again. The updated casting is joined by state-of-the-art visual effects and action set pieces that outdo any previous incarnations, and the whip-smart screenplay by Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman does creator Gene Roddenberry's original vision proud while introducing it to a new generation. Key to successfully accomplishing this mission was to create a new take that would bring in new devotees but not turn off the faithful Trekkies who've kept this thing going for so long. Done.
WHAT'S BAD?
Other than Yelchin's accent, only the overriding feeling that any potential sequels can never match the joy of seeing the genesis of Star Trek portrayed like it is here. But bring 'em on anyway.
FAVORITE SCENE:
There are many thrilling moments, including Kirk's terrifying encounter with a deadly beast on the bone-chilling ice planet Delta Vega and the battle between the Narada and Enterprise. But the early Starfleet Academy scenes involving Kirk and Spock, whose sharp exchanges showcase their youthful rivalry, really set the stage for a fascinating and complicated relationship, forming the heart and soul of not only this prequel but the entire basis of the Star Trek concept.
To Boldly Go . . .
The greatest adventure of all time begins with "Star Trek," the incredible story of a young crew's maiden voyage onboard the most advanced starship ever created: the U.S.S. Enterprise. On a journey filled with action, comedy and cosmic peril, the new recruits must find a way to stop an evil being whose mission of vengeance threatens all of mankind. The fate of the galaxy rests in the hands of bitter rivals. One, James T. Kirk, is a delinquent, thrill-seeking Iowa farm boy. The other, Spock, was raised in a logic-based society that rejects all emotion. As fiery instinct clashes with calm reason, their unlikely but powerful partnership is the only thing capable of leading their crew through unimaginable danger, boldly going where no one has gone before!
RELEASE DATE
05/07/2009 - Nationwide
RUN TIME:
2 hrs. 6 min.
MPAA RATING:
(PG-13 ), for sci-fi action and violence and brief sexual content
GENRE:
SciFi/Fantasy
STARRING:
John Cho, Ben Cross, Bruce Greenwood, Simon Pegg, Chris Pine
DIRECTOR(S):
J.J. Abrams
PRODUCER(S):
J.J. Abrams, Stratton Leopold, Damon Lindelof
WRITER(S):
Eric Jendresen, Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci, J.J. Abrams, Gene Roddenberry
STUDIO:
Paramount Pictures
RELEASE DATE
05/07/2009 - Nationwide
RUN TIME:
2 hrs. 6 min.
MPAA RATING:
(PG-13 ), for sci-fi action and violence and brief sexual content
GENRE:
SciFi/Fantasy
STARRING:
John Cho, Ben Cross, Bruce Greenwood, Simon Pegg, Chris Pine
DIRECTOR(S):
J.J. Abrams
PRODUCER(S):
J.J. Abrams, Stratton Leopold, Damon Lindelof
WRITER(S):
Eric Jendresen, Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci, J.J. Abrams, Gene Roddenberry
STUDIO:
Paramount Pictures
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