MOVIES, MOVIES, MOVIES……

Thursday, July 18, 2013

MOVIES, MOVIES, MOVIES……

……..See how the planet will end…..this turned out to actually be cute with a delightful ending.

Rating: Large popcorn, cheesy chips and lots of candy since ‘This is the End’.

I’d see this just to hear the William Tell Overture and Johnny Depp was so much better than all the criticism of his performance and get up. I didn’t mind the dead crow headgear at all.

Rating: Small popcorn.

Since Godzilla we have been threatened over and over and over again. This time, the contraptions defeating the monsters are fascinating. Just so you know….we’re still safe.

Rating: Medium popcorn just in case you get too scared.

This was a surprisingly sweet, very touching story. Sort of ‘Glee’ for old timers.

Rating: Small popcorn but be careful as you may tear up and choke.

O.K., Sofia Coppola is a genius….bad news, we’re doomed!

Rating: Large popcorn just because you’re so disgusted, it will occupy you and keep you from judging.

This is absolutely the best summer movie…..action packed with a great cast who go searching for a missing portable nuclear device. Of course! Helen Mirren is sensational and looks fabulous. Mary-Louise Parker is perfect as Bruce Willis’ love interest…..her dead pan humor is pitch perfect.

Rating: Large popcorn to keep in rhythm with the action.

If you want a steady stream of laughs don’t miss Despicable Me 2. It’s wonderful, the characters are so nuanced and just downright delightful……where are the minions???? We need minions!!!

Rating: Large popcorn just ‘cause it’s sooo much fun!

Sooooooo cute!

O.K., Here it is! THE movie of the year. BLUE JASMINE! Cate Blanchett’s tour de force. Channeling Blanche in a Streetcar Named Desire she portrays a woman falling apart at the seams flawlessly. Woody Allen really hit it.

Rating: I’m not sure. I shared a large (buttered) popcorn with Tomiko but you get so engrossed you almost forget to swallow.

We saw it at ArcLight in Hollywood.

To be continued……

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Introduction

There is no avoiding the pull of the internet, the blogs, the YouTube imaginings. It's as if we're all 'On the Road' with Jack Kerouac each in our own world of meanderings. When we tell someone to 'get a life' it might be a bit difficult when you're dragged into other people's 24/7.

I've come to realize two foundational principals, there are no accidents and everyone has a purpose. More and more I'm desiring everyone to come into a full realization of their purpose as we all find our way on this little jewel of a planet.

For me, as a professional 'Western style artist', I stumbled into Chinese Brush Painting after a trip in 1980 to Monet's home/garden. Seeing all of his collection of Japanese woodblock prints was an ahh haa moment for me and when I returned to the States I started painting in the Chinese manner and never looked back. The first year was extremely painful for me as I felt that I should be able to master the technique since I was a 'trained' artist. Not a chance ... that just gets in your way.

Now, after teaching close to 3,000 students and having my book 'The Ch'i of the Brush' published by Watson Guptill, I can say that every one of my students does better their first day than I did my first year! Why? Because I insist that they leave their critical parent outside and just enjoy the journey, respecting the work that they do. I never let anyone throw anything away because that just ingrains frustration and defeat.

We really only begin to learn when we stop and figure out how to 'save' a painting. It works every time.I am so proud of my students, their receptivity and eagerness to express themselves is a continuing blessing for me.So, back to finding your purpose. Perhaps it starts with realizing 'it's not about me'. It so easy to want our needs met and to filter everything thru this attitude. When we realize that we're here to be of benefit to every life that we touch the universe really provides the ways and means.

The best part is that it's really exciting to not have yourself on your mind all the time!I'm re-reading a wonderful book about authenticity and in my next meandering I'll tell you about it. In the meantime I'd love to hear about your journey and am here to answer any and all questions about Chinese Brush Painting.