From the category archives:
One of the guys I work with just walked into the office singing “Summertime” to himself–he didn’t know I was there. I said something to him, and that made me think of this performance, so I showed it to him. This is by far my favorite American Idol performance of all time. There are others that have been awesome, but this one takes it for me.
Fantasia Barrino singing “Summertime.”
If you have a favorite American Idol performance, I wanna know what it is. Leave a comment below.
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A song I’ve been listening to lately that I just love is “Gravity” by Sara Bareilles. I first heard this song on the TV show “So You Think You Can Dance”. It was used in a dance choreographed by Mia Michaels between Kayla and Kupono. It was all about addiction, and I thought it was one of the most beautiful and moving pieces of art I have ever seen. I have included the video below to the dance and to the song. I hope you enjoy them both.
Below is Sara Bareilles performing “Gravity” live. You can also see the music video at the following link: Sara Bareilles Gravity Official Music Video
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My intern is always telling me about funny YouTube videos. I thought I would share…
Did you pass the test?
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I went and saw All About Steve tonight. It was a much better movie-going experience than the one I had last night. Plus, surprise surprise, the movie takes place in Sacramento! 
Sandra Bullock played a quirky crossword puzzle maker, and Bradley Cooper played a news cameraman. He was the object Sandra Bullock’s character stalked throughout the movie.
I went thinking this would be a romantic comedy, but it was more just a comedy about believing in yourself and being okay with who you are. Sandra Bullock’s character was different, and everyone knew it. The best part is that she didn’t try to change who she was. She was okay with her quirkiness and accepted it. By the end of the movie, so was I. In fact, I thought she was wonderful–despite her quirkiness.
It’s interesting how movies make me think. I’ve often thought that we all need to learn to be okay with who we are. I used to have major issues with who I was, and even hated certain things about me. It was very unhealthy and self-destructive. I think I’m much happier now… In fact, I love who I am. I know there are things I need to work on, but that’s okay. I’m human, and as I learn and grow, I will be able to smooth out some of my imperfections.
Anyway, I would suggest this movie to anyone who’s in the mood to see a good comedy. I wouldn’t say it was great, but it was entertaining and worth my time and money. Here’s the trailer…
If you see this movie, I’d love to know what you think about it. What was your favorite part?
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Gamer The Movie
I was really excited to see the movie “Gamer”. The previews looked cool. I liked the premise. One thing I didn’t count on–that it would be the most vile thing I have ever seen.
Right off the bat I had a bad feeling. The violence was a little more vulgar than I was hoping. But it wasn’t the violence that shocked me. About ten minutes in (after the “game” was explained), you learned about another game. It was a game based on the idea of the “Sims.” The only difference is that the “Sims” in this game were real people, controlled by other real people. The sexual content and character displays were shocking, disgusting, vulgar, and very upsetting. I didn’t expect this movie to have any sexual content at all.
We lasted about 15 to 20 minutes. After about 10 I knew we wouldn’t stay, but I didn’t want to be the first one to leave since it had been my idea to see this movie. But then the people behind us got up and left. Then a member of my group got up and left. That’s when I turned to the others and said I was leaving. That’s when we all got up and left.
I still cannot believe how disgusting and vile this movie was (and I barely saw any of it). I felt so defiled after (and still do hours later). The R rating it was given does not give the movie justice. It should have been NC-17 or worse.
If you are considering going to this movie, I highly suggest that you change your mind. It is not worth the money, the time, or the innocence you will lose.
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While I was driving through Nevada I put in my soundtrack from Schindler’s List. The main theme from that movie is one of the most moving pieces of music I have ever heard. And the violin solo was played by Itzhak Pearlman, one of the most brilliant violinists of our day.
I’m not sure if it was the music itself, or the fact that Pearlman is Jewish, or that the music is from a movie on the Holocaust, or the fact that I was driving through the barren Nevada desert (which looked absolutely beautiful)…
Whatever it was, or the combination of all of those things together, almost brought me to tears. I’ve never heard a violin cry the way it does in that song–with longing, beauty, desperation, elegance, and graceful dignity. I wish I could find better words to describe it. I don’t know if I’ve ever heard a song with such raw emotion…
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Zac Efron in 17 Again
Last night I went and saw 17 Again starring Zac Efron… It was a great movie… Inspirational even
I loved the story and how it was told, even though it used an idea that has been used in other movies like Freaky Friday, Big, and 13 Going On 30. Knowing what was ultimately going to happen didn’t change the fact that the movie was well-written, well-acted, and very funny. Zac Efron showed that he could act in a more serious role, as he played the father of two teenagers and a husband of 18 years.
And having an amazing cast to support and fill out the rest of the movie made it overall a very entertaining movie. Particularly of note were the characters played by Thomas Lennon and Melora Hardin. Their romance was humorous and quarky to a pleasant extreme.
If you haven’t seen this movie, I highly suggest that you do. It will make you feel good.
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Christian Bale in Equilibrium Sunrise Scene
I just finished watching the movie Equilibrium starring Christian Bale, and it inspired me.
After getting home from the airport, I got onto my twitter account and wanted something to watch as I tweeted. I hadn’t seen Equilibrium in a while…
My favorite scene in the entire movie is when Christian Bale’s character wakes up and gets to feel what it’s like to see a sunrise for the first time… It is beautiful, and his acting and expressions in the scene are so real…
It reminds me that there are so many wondrous things in this world that I take for granted. I can feel that same wonder and amazement when I look around too… It’s a choice I get to make. :)
There is also a great quote that I like from the movie by William Butler Yeats:
Had I the heavens’ embroidered cloths,
Enwrought with golden and silver light,
The blue and the dim and the dark cloths
Of night and light and the half-light,
I would spread the cloths under your feet:
But I, being poor, have only my dreams;
I have spread my dreams under your feet;
Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.
If you haven’t seen this movie, I highly recommend it. Although, be ready for some great action and some violence as well.
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So I was on a plane from Chicago back to Sacramento today… While I was flying home, they played a movie. I was reading a book so I didn’t really watch, but I did catch that the movie was Seven Pounds starring Will Smith. (I also didn’t have any headphones so I couldn’t listen even if I wanted to).
I hadn’t seen it before, but I had heard about it. Throughout the movie there were times when I couldn’t take my eyes off the screen–and remember, I couldn’t hear anything. It was so rivetting, and Will Smith’s acting seemed to be amazing (and so did everyone else’s).
By the end of the movie, I was watching it with all of my attention. I had to hold back tears… and a couple escaped. I still don’t know exactly what happened, but I do know it was beautiful and I will see it again with sound.
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This is Susan Boyle on the T.V. show Britain’s Got Talent singing I Dreamed a Dream from Les Miserables…
If you haven’t seen this yet… you have to check it out. I would have embedded the video, but I couldn’t find a copy that allowed embedding.
Utterly breathtaking…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY
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