Movie Magic

"I didn't know what lay ahead for me but I knew I wouldn't have to face it alone."
-as heard while watching
KYLE-XY, Season II

I saw the movie, AVATAR, in 3-D on December 18, 2009 at the AMC Theater in Santa Monica. It was a brilliant feeling of visual special effects and storyline.

The film seemed to encompass the best of so many other films: STAR WARS, TRANSFORMERS, LAST OF THE MOHICANS, THE MATRIX, BRAINSTORM, LORD OF THE RINGS, I-ROBOT, ALIEN. It had many hidden messages about the effects of global warming, war, greed and it even intertwined a bit of romance.

The film has no 'big-name' stars except for Sigourney Weaver. She is fantastic in her dual character role.


This one gets 5 STARS from me. I highly recommend you see this FILM. It took my breath away. If you can see it in 3-D you will not believe it. It's amazing how the technology has improved film making. I know I saw a 3-D movie once before but it didn't thrill me in the least. This one was quite awe-inspiring to see in 3-D.

Twenty-five years ago today:

December 30, 1984

I woke up at 10AM and rode my bike over to South Shore Shopping Center. Mom's car was parked in front of JC Penney (as I knew she was getting her hair done nearby). I was going to surprise her but she never came out (or I just became impatient). So I just rode on until 11:45AM and went over to visit Dad who was babysitting Ashley Marie. What a good Grandpa!

Dad started on breakfast at 12:15PM while I kept an eye on Ashley. I was watching the Chicago Bears beat the Washington Redskins when mom walked in at about 1:30PM. We ate together and I told them I had planned on continuing with my bike ride for the day.

By 4:30PM I was parking my bike in the garage and felt a need for nap time. My telephone rang and I refused to answer it. Cedric had called last night and I had a feeling it was him. I did not feel like going out with him tonight.

Earlier, I had telephoned Paloma from mom's house, leaving a 'would very much like to see you' message. The telephone ring may have been her. I don't know.

Mom telephoned me during my nap to see if I would take care of Ashley while she went to the store with my Dad. I agreed happily. I watched a little TV and spoke to my Aunt Nellie Vigil (my Dad's half-sister) who happened to call while I was there.

Sherri dropped by only to see Ashley quietly sleeping.
"I'm just going to run to the store," Sherri said.
And so, I just hung out there.

A little later I got a call from Suzy Miller who was suggesting a movie outing. We both wanted to see 'The River' or 'Micki and Maude'. We ended up at the MAGIC VIDEO store, renting 'The Natural'. Sue and I watched it with my mom and dad. Sue and I had a hot dog, a burrito, an ice-cream cone, MARS candy bar and a slice of Banana Cream Pie (or at least that is all that I devoured).

I drove Sue back to her apartment. Just as I walked into my place I had just missed the last ring of the telephone. Now I have another mystery call to figure out. I'm tired now. I am ready to turn in. Yawn.

"Yes or no, Mister, ain't no in-between."
-Paul Newman to Orson Welles
in the 1958 film "The Long, Hot Summer"


PHOTO: Film clip from AVATAR,
the 2009 film that cost over $300 Million US dollars to make