“Brothers” is a tale of life mistaken. In creating this story, director Jim Sheridan has made his most accessible American picture yet simply from the highlighted use of his cast and a less Irish approach. Granted he made “Get Rich Or Die Tryin” but that was more specific to urban in a very precise way about the rise of 50 Cent. Here like some of his earlier films it is about the everyman. While the story might be basic in many ways, it is the casting and the directing that elevates this simple story. Both Jake Gyllenhaal and Natalie Portman elevate beyond their normal roles playing against type to where they can almost melt away. The only problem here is the persona vision of these stars even though they try to keep out of the tabloids unlike some other actors.

These roles are by far the most grown up roles of alot of these actors have played but even within that structure, you almost still see them as kids even though they are in their mid 30s. In retreating into almost suburbia, Portman takes on an almost Winslet quality. With the steady hand of director Sheridan guiding her, there is a lack of presumption which is visible in most of Portman’s work through no fault of her own. Her intelligence is exceptional but sometimes her emotion needs to purely come through without seeing the thinking, not just of her unawareness but in the simplicity of life. The caricatures created of the cheerleader, the football star and the outsider thereby are needed to create this sense of structure.

Jake is quite vindicated here in terms of his acting potential. He shows a depth missing from “Jarhead” and a vulnerableness that was present at times in “Donnie Darko” but perhaps, in many ways, not seen since then. His physical transformation no doubt due to “Prince Of Persia” informs his thoughts here. He is in much rougher form and yet that certain fragile element still comes through but without being forced. As a result, his pain is the most revealing and the most heartbreaking of all because despite his intent, he still can’t win.

Tobey Maguire is quite good but he has the thankless job of playing the man with the problems created in a very linear way yet with very little saved below the surface. His energy is focused but almost too extraneous. He has to viscerally show jealousy without overwhelming the scene which he sometimes fails at. The problem is that his acting has always been very wide eyed which plays against a subtle madness here making it not work as well. His intensity turns into a type of mugging for the character which would not be noticed as much if Jake’s performance wasn’t so rich.

Of course this element is nitpicking at times but ultimately what comes to bear is what different Oscar worthy performances Sheridan was able to get out of these actors. This movie also continues to show the efficiency of filmmaking which is quite interspersed in Lionsgate who shot most of the film in New Mexico making the most of the initiatives since the location can stand in for both Afghanistan as well as the US. In good order, the movie, as mentioned before, also forces Sheridan to remove himself from the structure he is so comfortable in at times which is urban sprawl or in his homeland. By doing this, one tends to see the gift this man truly has with his actors as Daniel Day Lewis has shown within his work many times before.

As a last note, the film is shot by Frederick Elmes who was the DP for David Lynch on many films including “Blue Velvet”. The richness of his images is not overwhelming yet one shot in the snow of Jake walking in silence at the end of the film is an undeniably iconic image that anchors the film and sets it apart than other war themed films we have seen of late.

“Brothers” is a story of human characters made by a group of actors that are at the top of their game. Adding to this perception is a stoic but viciously pinpoint turn of Sam Shepard as the father to these two boys who is now remarried to a different woman than their mother who died. Another standout also permeates in the form of Bailee Madison as one of the young daughters of Portman and Maguire. She matches most of the grown up actors toe to toe without being presumptious. Like Jake, in my mind, she deserves an Oscar nomination for their work because it is so purely emotional. The film is a surprise of riches wrapped in a small package, ready for delivery for those who are able to see its reflection. Out of 5, I give it a 3 1/2.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

BLACK FRIDAY HERE I COME!!!!

Gurren Lagann -

One of the most important and skillful parts of this brotherly relationship is, I think, that it does not come off as gay. Now don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against the gay community (although they can be over-exposed), but our media seems a bit confused on the whole issue. There is this fear of male characters appearing gay by being too close to another man. This fear becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy by causing male-to-male character relationships to be less than sincere, which often leads them to come off as closet-gay. This can stem from the director, from the writer or from the actors themselves.

It stems from an insecurity in masculinity which permeates our culture. People seem to have a hard time understanding how different the love a man feels for another man is from the love he feels for a woman, and this mix-up can lead to confusion on the orientation of characters.

Maybe it is because of the age different between Simon and Kamina, or maybe because they have clear female lovers, or because of the presence of a clearly gay man, but I don’t think so. I think it comes from a sense of security the men have in their own masculinity and an understanding on the part of the writers of what it means for men to become as brothers. They are what they are, and that is brothers. No fear of questions about whom they love comes up.

You can love someone without wanting to sleep with them, but this is something many men seem to have forgotten, and in being afraid of being gay they make themselves seem gay. Once this concept was understood, such as the way men of ancient times truly and utterly loved their king, but not in the same way they loved their wife.

Only by freeing men to feel free with their own emotions can we allow them to truly love one another as brothers, as well as creating more understanding for homosexual men by making men more comfortable with themselves.

Gurren Lagann shows how men can truly love one another in the fashion of brothers. Dedication, caring, helping one another to grow, all this combines with the eternal male thirst for competition to allow men to drive one another to greatness, as brothers.

Next time I will take a final look at the series as a whole and explore its overall image and sense of masculinity.

I highly recommend you go see The Blind Side.  Even if you are not a sports fan.  Teachers, parents, brothers, sisters, coaches, players, sports fans, humanitarians,  HUMANS.  There truly is something for everyone in this movie.  The Blind Side shows what it truly means to be a good person. 

Leigh Ann Touhy took in a homeless child, Michael Oher, made sure he made the best of his education and gave him the gift of being able to go to college on scholarship for football.  Being from the south (even though I currently do not live there) I pride myself on being a stong southern woman.  I was raised by a strong southern woman.  My Great-Grandmother Ora is perhaps the strongest sothern woman I have ever met.  She raised more than a dozen of her own children and several that like Leigh Ann Touhy were not her own, made sure they got an education; which in the 40s in Appalachia West Virginia was not common.  She pushed them to go on to college, police academies, and the military.  Unlike the Touhy’s though she didn’t have money.  She was “just” a small town farmer.  My Grandfather in turn married a strong sothern womon, a woman who went to college (in WV in the 50s!), who also pushed her children to get an education.  My aunts have college degrees which again was not that common in West Virginia in the 70s.  My Dad and uncle have college degrees (my Dad a masters) and both served over 20 years each in the military.  I have a college degree and this year my younger cousins will follow suit and earn theirs, and will be followed shortly by their siblings.  I think it’s safe to say that all of us were able to do this because of the strong women that are behind us.  It is because of strong southern woman that the men and women in my family are where they are today.  My Mom had a strong southern woman behind her and was the first woman in her family to not only go to college but to finish.  I was the second.  I hope to be the first to earn a Masters and maybe even a PhD.

Sandra Bullock did an amazing job in The Blind Side portraying what is truly means to be a strong southern woman.  She didn’t take no for an answer from anyone.  She did what she had to for not only her biological children but this random child, Michael Oher, she saw needed her.  I hope that some day I can be 1/2 the woman Leigh Ann Touhy is.  Or that my Great-Grandmother, Grandmothers, and Mom were and are.  

So today I am thankful the the Strong Southern Women behind not only me and the rest of my family, but for all of the Strong Sothern Women that are behind someone pushing them to be everything they can be and more.

Oh my goodness, could these two be any cuter?  These are two of the sweetest little boys I have ever had the privilege of photographing.  Not only were they very well-behaved, but they were so sweet with each other.  We had so much fun wandering all over the Grapevine Train Depot.  From trains to racing to tickling, we sure stayed busy!  Busy enough for them both to last a whole hour and a half without getting annoyed with me!   However, they both assured me at the end that I didn’t wear them out.  Thanks Mom and Dad for entrusting me with your precious kiddos!  Happy Thanksgiving! 

Please know you have profoundly helped me grow to who I am today (I hope that’s not a bad thing!). I apologize off the bat for the bad grammar. This is a very stream of consciousness letter. I am thankful for so many people this is going to sound like an acceptance speech. If only I had an award to go with it!For some reason, I feel more thankful than ever. Going through a transformation of sorts puts everything in perspective. When I lost my job this past June, I would have never guessed I would have felt more alive and have met some of the most amazing people. I never dreamed I would be on television/radio and also have a blog, which has had to date over 15,000 hits. I am grateful for EVERYONE who visits day after day!

Thank you for following the journey.

If I could tell you one thing –change the world. Go out and make a difference. Stand up for what you believe in. Change someone’s life. We all have amazing stories to tell. Share them.

My blog wouldn’t have gotten off the ground without a few people. My publicist, George, whose idea it was to really go forward and create the blog. He always has a way of staying positive. A special thanks to ALL the people I have interviewed thus far: the wonderful Marti C., single-licious Melissa B, exceptional Jerry Mitchell, incredible forced to be reckoned with Frenchie Davis, life changing activities Ryan Janek Wolowski and Randy Wicker, and uber talents Richard and Dana. Elisa, Will, Angelo and Renee thank you for one point or another for being my camera bitch! There are many more people, so I apologize if I have forgotten you.

Liz S, you are an amazing woman who constantly gives me the chance to do what I love! You always astound me by the types of events you have me cover. Thank you for taking a chance with me!
Julie H. you have such an amazing heart. I never thought in a million years I would be on the Pat Field website! You have really made my year. You see things in me that I have overlooked. I can’t thank you enough for the dream come true it has been and will keep continuing!
Meagan H. – WE WILL GET KATHY!! You are such a joy to know and you never make my crazy idea is well…crazy! You are a great visionary at what you do!

My family has always been my rock. A special shout out to my relatives in PA, who are not only amazing, but I am so blessed to have reconnected with them on Facebook. Though sometimes we seem miles apart, BENNINGTONS know we are NEVER that far. Thanks guys for all the kick ass support!

My other “family” -my friends who have seen my light and my dark, I feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to see each of you grow and become individuals who make me proud in the way you contribute and choices you make. Each of you has such a special gift. I truly love you all and you have been a place to look for advice, support and unconditional love. You have no clue how much I value all of you (though sometimes my sarcasm may make it seem otherwise)

My Old Tappan friends, it’s been a while but let me know when you’re around the NYC/NJ area. For me to see us all grown up seems a little freaky! It was only yesterday we were singing to Mr. Boscia’s music, seeing Mr. Rossi throw a desk, cutting class, going to the prom. Now some of you have your own families. Keep me in your heart, as I do with you.

Wagner College gave me amazing inspiration to find myself and meet professors and life-long friends who inspire me daily. There are many ways you can gain an education as I learned in my years at Wager!

Thanks to all the RENT friends I have made. Measure in love. We can always be grateful for Jonathan Larson’s lasting treasure. Thanks for all the RENT road trips!

Thank you, all the new friends I have made. I look forward to knowing you more and more (that DOES sound kind of creepy)

THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU OUT THERE WHO INSPIRE!

This year, remember those who are not as blessed and keep them in your thoughts and prayers. It’s important for us –as teachers, friends, parents, lovers, brothers, sisters,-you name it, to go out there and make a difference. Anything small can help. We can be the change.

Please have a safe, healthy and happy Thanksgiving this year.

The best is yet to come,

Neal B
www.nealbinnyc.wordpress.com

Went to my brothers place for lunch… and I was on a veggie kick. I had a Carrot, Broccoli, Cucumber Salad and then followed it up with two pieces of Cheese Pizza…. On vacation this eating plan is put on the back burner. Especially when there’s pizza in the same room with me. Pizza and French Fries are my downfall….

Stopped in to Whole Foods and picked up a side dish of Rice Pilaf and went to my step brothers house for dinner. It turns out, his wife ordered Pizza from Pizza Hut too!! At least I had the Rice Pilaf:)

Este blog solo es para intentar concientizar a las personas para que no pierdan el buen gusto musical, ya que estos “rockeritos” (jajaja) si estas tres fresitas, que dicen tocar Rock, estan destruyendo y pudriendo el buen gusto musical especialemente en las siempre volubles adolescentes que la mayoría (pre-pubertas) son fanaticas de este ridiculo grupete, OJO no es envidia (Por favor!) esperemos que estos afeminados dejen de lanzar sus canciones prefabricadas –  comerciales, donde quedaron los buenos gustos por la música como Metallica, etc.

Tink’s tootsies, November 25, 2009

Thanksgiving this year is going to be a bit different. For one, we aren’t having a dinner. I know, Thanksgiving with no family dinner? Well, considering that almost everyone is sick or has been sick within the past two weeks with this awful flu, my mom decided maybe it was best that we all just stay at home and keep the sicknesses from spreading even further. We definitely don’t need any more sick babies around here. I doubt anyone would feel up to cooking or eating as much food as we usually have on Thanksgiving anyway, so we’re waiting until we’re all healthy and hungry to do that. Plus we’re all collectively losing weight by not eating much! We’re gonna need good fattening food.

I never really appreciated family or family events when I was younger. As I have gotten older and became friends with my siblings and parents, it’s much easier to just hang out with them. We can sit around, have a beer, and laugh. I can really only speak for myself, but I think that the rest of them enjoy it and appreciate it more now too.

We are the type of family that has every personality type and too many stubborn heads. We have been known to argue, fight, scream, cry, and hold each other when it’s needed too. We are also the family that huddles together around whoever needs and protects that person from everything. We are the family that defends its own. We are strong and bonded, and we are that way because cracks that were there have been patched.

I hope this never changes. They are who I am thankful for.

Ready…

…set…

…hug!

*No brothers or wee-ones were hurt during this hug-fest.  Just a whole lot of hugging going on.

We had Braedan’s first official school conference yesterday and, among other glowing compliments, his teacher said he is one of the happiest children she has ever known. “Always happy and always positive,” were her words.

Through my years as a classroom teacher,  I have glimpsed the inner lives of many different types of children, each with their various strengths and weaknesses, each with their own individual comforts or struggles, and I always knew that I would most want to parent a child who was the happiest and the nicest over one who was the smartest.  And trust me when I say they are rarely the same child!  Many happy and kind children are also very bright and very conscientious students, as I know Braedan also is, but I don’t think I ever had a class where the very smartest kid was also the nicest, most well-adjusted or well-liked child.

So I am thrilled that my boy is so happy and that he both likes and is liked by his teachers and classmates.  And, man, I hope it stays that way.

We talked with him the other night about the possibility (probability) that Austin’s cancer has returned and what that might mean for us all. I told him, as we have many times before, about all the emotions he might feel — anger and jealousy and sadness and fear and maybe, just maybe, abandonment — and how okay they all are and how open we are to hearing about them. We talked a little bit about dialysis and when I mentioned that Austin wouldn’t pee for two years, Braedan, like any typical almost-six-year-old boy, dropped his jaw and said, “But will he still . . . poop?”

After explaining how a kidney works (in my best kindergarten language) I said that Austin wouldn’t be allowed to drink very much and my sweet Braedan said, “But won’t he be thirsty?”  Oh yes, Little B, oh yes. And later, I cautioned that we hadn’t yet told Austin any of this and he said, with great conviction, “Oh, I don’t think you should.”  I agreed, offering up what Braedan could already sense, that it was too vague and too scary for Austin to have to hear before we knew if it was really happening.

So we will move forward from today with these images of our two children, happy and kind and able and good, and will carry that as our goal.

Happy Thanksgiving.

There's my boy!

On this day before Thanksgiving, I’d especially like to express my gratitude to our local public library for employing the #1 son. He’s been working there for three weeks now, and he’s been gaining so much more than a paycheck.

Of course, what he likes best is the paycheck.

The books are the thing.

We hadn’t seen #1 in his new habitat yet, so the Mister, the #2 son, and I decided to visit him last night while he was working. #1 had specifically asked his younger brother to come see him.

No, not his mother, who went through 15 hours of excruciating labor pains to bear him. Just sayin’.

Hmmm . . . curious headgear

When we arrived in the children’s section where #1 works as a shelver, we could see him working at his cart putting books in order. As we got closer to him, I couldn’t help but notice something odd—what he was wearing on his head. The other day he had asked me if we had any ear warmers. Thinking he wanted one for a video, I gave him one I was able to find quickly.

Apparently, he did not want the ear warmer for a video! For there it was around his head. On closer inspection, I could see he was trying in vain to cover up a wire snaking from his ear through his shirt.

Me: “Are you listening to your iPod Touch?”

#1 son: “Why would I do that? It’s against the rules.”

Yes, it is against the rules! However, #1 is used to music filling his ears as often as possible. He doesn’t have to converse with anyone there, so he figured why not listen to tunes to make the time travel faster. Hope it doesn’t get him fired!

Two of my favorite children's books

Lovin’ the library

I’ve always loved the library. Back in the day, my two older sisters, my little brother, and my mom would walk what probably was three miles to the library, check out books, and walk back home. It’s one of my favorite memories! There was no money to buy books, so we were very grateful for the library, because we loved to read.

Curious George . . . on steroids, apparently

When I was a kid, I pretty much lived in the children’s section of the library. My mom would go off to the adult side with its books filled with tiny print and no pictures. Intriguing but not as much fun.

Everyone loves Franklin!

Walking around the young adult part of our local library showed how much it was still the same (there’s no changing that Dewey decimal system) yet so different (computers are a hot ticket for the kids to use, plus there are audio books and videos to check out as well as books).

#1 looks at a Nicolas Flamel book that he's about to shelve.

It’s still a fascinating place for the kids, as well as the perfect spot for my #1 son to learn and gain confidence as a worker. And for that I’m extremely grateful.

These two characters

I’m also giving thanks that my sons get along so well . . . most of the time. Like any siblings they fight, occasionally with wrestling. But for the most part they enjoy each other’s company and like hanging out together.

Brothers who genuinely like each other? It doesn’t get any better than this!

Hoje ás 19:00(Horário de Brasília) A coluna DE OLHO NO IBOPE Por Deybson Souza.

Trazendo comparações e muitas informações.

Não Perca!

Become new friends.

Yesterday while I was at work, I got an e-mail from someone who I haven’t talked to since 2006. Immediately I recognized the name and just went ”wow”. Cause it was kind of a shock because, we stopped talking because of my brother.  But that along story. Nothing really bad, he just still acts like a douche bag, for the last 3 years. But again, I’m not getting into that either, cause I don’t want to lol.

Anyway, it’s just nice to know that some people  can forget about the past and get over whatever grudge or whatever they hold. Because in the end, sometimes friends is all a person has, especially when they can’t depend on family. And the most common mistake people make, is calling an associate a friend, when we all know, that all they want it to use you and get what they can, then do all types of shit behind your back, instead of being real and coming to you.

Enough of the bickering though. All I’m saying is that I’m glad to have a real friend back, cause they are truly hard to find and only come around once in a while.

Afraid of retaliation after kneeing his older brother in the groin several times, Riley now has both his soccer shinguards stuck down the front of his jeans.  It’s not particularly comfortable to walk around this way, but it makes a great sound when you energetically play drums on your crotch.

“Hey Mom, wanna play drums on my nuts?”

“Um, no thanks.  I think I’m good, thanks.”

“Reeeally?  You don’t know what you’re missing…”

“It’s an incredible offer,  but maybe some other time, yo.”

 He shakes his head in disbelief.  “Crazy.” 

And away he wanders, happily drumming his nuts.

Awarded perhaps more than it was the case at this year’s Oscar gala, the films inspired by wars return. The last such film is Jim Sheridan’s drama, “Brothers”, whose premiere took place Monday night, at the SVA Theater in New York.

With a five star distribution, which include names such as Natalie Portman, Tobey Maguire and Jake Gyllenhaal, the film presents the moving story of a couple lost in Afghanistan and is considered by many critics to be part of the productions with real chance at this year Oscars.

If in the movie she only plays a secondary character, things stayed completely different for Natalie at the premiere of the film, Monday night. The talented actress has been in the spotlight throughout the event, also due to her short blue dress.

Even her colleague, Tobey Maguire, remarked it, as you can see it in the picture above.

The Cinema Society hosted a screening of “Me And Orson Welles” at Clearview Chelsea Cinemas yesterday in New York City. The cast, including Zac Efron, Claire Danes and Christian McKay were all in attendance.

Models Amber Rose and Lydia Hearst were also scout’d at the screening.

Natalie Portman and Tobey Maguire were snapped at the premiere for the new film “Brothers”, featuring both of them in lead roles. The film tells the story of two brothers, Captain Sam Cahill (played by Maguire) and  Tommy Cahill (played by Jake Gyllenhaal). Sam is about to embark on his fourth tour of duty. He’s married to his high school sweetheart, Grace (Portman), but when he goes missing, Tommy moves in to take care of Sam’s family (two daughters and Grace), and eventually falls in love with his brother’s wife….

Model Agyness Deyn and actor Terrence Howard were also in attendance.

The premiere of new musical “Fela!” on Broadway at Gotham Hall went down last night in NYC. Among those who turned up = Jay-Z, Spike Lee, Harry Belafonte and of course Bill T. Jones (who wrote the book alongside Jim Lewis).

Natalie Portman no será la típica celebridad que siempre está marcando tendencias, pero cuando se trata de una Alfombra Roja, sabe dar clases de cómo lucir radiante sin recurrir a muchas cosas.

Para el estreno en Nueva York de su nuevo filme Brothers , Portman lució un modelo de Jason Wu. La combinación fue perfecta: Clutch en tono moscatel y zapatos púrpura. Los accesorios: Sólo un par de dormilonas que atenuaban su cabello recogido.

Todo un estilo copioso si quieres lucir elegantemente sencilla digno de imitar.

So I was praying super Mario brothers today for the wii, it is abusive I played with my faysebook gf Erin and like the trolls we are, we ended up trying to team kill each other in teh game.

So heres how you TK in Mario other than the obvious:

1) Fire the shell at them while holding it

2) If you run close to em while they are on a ledge you can push em off

3) Use yoshi to eat them when they are slow and fire them at a mob

4) Jump on their heads when they are jumping across a gap

5) Send excessive taunts over while confusing each other (If your mario and weegee) on whos who ( i got confused) and i ended up dying.

6) Always deny the Power ups

7) Bum Smash them on their yoshis.

Just some of what we endured throughout the day. Its a good game i ended up with however 7 conitnues and Erin about 4 :\ so thats 35 + 20 so thats 55 lives wasted and we weren’t even mid way to World 2. But yeah, we are pro Team Killers now all we do is try and kill the other person as much as we can. LUL the mini games that require 2 people are lol, you screw around so badly for your team mates and just hope you pull the wrong card just for lols.

In any case it is a fun game if you can have people co-oping with each other, but trying to get em killed is twice more fun lols.

Till NExt time guyse.

John Signing Out Lol