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All Things Pondered Here

Pondering Many Things....

Movies

Venice and Florence – Scenes From Italy…

October 11, 2012 by Dave

 

Story Behind The Video

Many of these pictures were taken during our honeymoon in Florence and Venice.   Both are very interesting towns and I had never been to either before this time.

Both Venice and Florence were very interesting towns.  There is a picture of a bridge in this video.   That is one of the best shots I was able to take on my little camera.

One of the restaurants pictured in the video is on the island of Morano  –  that was the best food, in my opinion, out of any of the places we went.

It figures that it was in a non touristy part of Venice  – on one of the outer islands.

Morano is the place where the world famous Morano glass is made, in case you were wondering about that.    We got to see the glass makers at work.

Morano glass can become very expensive.

What do you think about this video?   Leave your comments below and share this page if you thought it was worth it!

 

Filed Under: All Posts, Movies, Publishing, Travel Tagged With: bridge, florence, italy, Seneca, travel, venice

What Is Your Favorite Movie Of All Time?

July 17, 2012 by Dave

What is your favorite movie - a list.  Do you have a favorite movie or movies?

I know you do!  There are very few people alive who do not.

List your favorite movies on this page below – where it says ‘comments’.

You can list ‘almost’ anything.

You can even use your affiliate links to list your favorite movie or movies.  For example, if you have an Amazon affiliate link to your favorite video on disk, feel free to use that!

Guidelines / Rules:  Just make a unique description. No copy and paste from other places / sites please!

Here is an example:

When I first saw The Matrix in 1999 I was totally blown away.  I can still remember that moment and the person I saw it with.   It was the first time that I have ever seen a movie that was so powerful in story, imagery and effects all woven into one really good and powerful movie.

*admins reserve the right to reject any listing for any reason or no reason at all.

 

Filed Under: All Posts, Movies Tagged With: affiliates, blockbusters, movies, theater

The Karate Kid – Jackie Chan Version – Review

July 2, 2010 by Dave

Warning: Potential Spoilers Ahead!

I recently saw The Karate Kid with Jackie Chan as the older but emotionally traumatized maintenance man with martial skills who helps our protagonist hero to learn the ways of Kung Fu so that he can meet both the kids who are terrorizing him and his own fear in a tournament.

One of the most interesting parts of the movie is when they went to a temple to see real Kung Fu being practiced. The martial artists there did strange things like being still to the point of controlling a menacing and poisonous snake. This kind of Kung Fu is a bit higher than the street fighter variety.

Jackie Chan did a good job of not overshadowing the hero of the story – a young early teen kid who had his own special love interest.

The agony of Chan’s character’s past is a reflection of how lost love can hurt and drive you (temporarily) insane.

The Kid has a special love interest where love is new and fresh – but fraught with peril when the young girl had to tell him goodbye for dishonoring her family. Chan teaches the kid how to properly apologize and put himself back in the good graces of the family. All this in time for her to be in the audience during the Kung Fu tournament.

Wow, good movie with lots of cool insights and just the right amount of action and not too much like many other movies!

At least the bad guys, in the end, showed some respect!

Worth seeing…

Filed Under: Movies Tagged With: jackie chan, karate kid, kung fu

Clash of The Titans – Quick and Short Movie Review…

April 10, 2010 by Dave

I just saw the movie, ‘Clash of the Titans’ starring Sam Worthington. It was an ok movie. It was interesting, it was action packed. But I think it was a bit short in a few ways.

I won’t put any spoilers in here because I do not want to ruin it for you. It is worth seeing. But the cost of movies at AMC has risen over time and now it is a bit expensive. I watched a guy in line in front of me buy tickets for his family and he spent over seventy dollars! Wow, that’s expensive.

Therefore, I suggest you simply wait for the video. Some movies, you want to see right away in the theater. But in this case and in my opinion it is ok to wait on this one.

Time wise, it felt like the movie did not last that long. I didn’t actually time it, but when it was over I had that feeling that it wasn’t very long.

The plot was interesting. But the background was a bit thin. The situation between Hades and Zeus was not fully explained. It seems that Hades created this monster to kill their parents but Zeus still ended up being the top guy and Hades was banished to the underworld. Why? There is no full explanation to this in the movie.

You get the feeling from the movie that Zeus is a bad guy in the beginning but the way he explains things in the end, makes him look like a good guy. You are left wondering what the truth is. The contradictions are never fully explained to my satisfaction.

The acting from all of the actors was great. I did not see anything that made me think things were not real. I liked all of the actors. Good job guys!

Filed Under: Movies

The Room Movie

April 1, 2009 by Dave

There seems to be a lot of attention currently revolving around this movie.

Apparently, Adult Swim is doing some sort of spoof on it.

The movie stars: Tommy Wiseau; Juliette Danielle; Greg Sestero; Philip Haldiman; Carolyn Minnott .

If you have watched or have something to say about this movie, good or bad, please comment below!

Filed Under: Movies Tagged With: Carolyn Minnott, Greg Sestero, Juliette Danielle, Philip Haldiman, Tommy Wiseau

Shake The World Video

December 20, 2006 by Dave

movieThere is a neat movie on youtube called Zhen Han.

If you are at all interested in things Chinese this will be an interesting show for you.

It is almost 50 minutes long. So be sure to make a cup of coffee or tea and give yourself time to relax.

Could be a nice break from a busy day if you are working at home or in the evening.

The audio is in Chinese but there are English subtitles.

Here is a link to the video:

“Shake the World” Chinese Version/English Subtitles

Or you can just watch it here:

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Below is the straight up English version (no Chinese) :

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This video is built around the powerful practice of Falun Gong that was made public in China and now around the world starting in 1992.

Unfortunately, the Chinese Communist Party takes an oppressive view against the peaceful Falun Gong practitioners. These peaceful beings want nothing better than to read some books and practice qigong exercises.

practitioners

 

They don’t hurt anyone.

The Communist Party has tortured and killed many people who quite likely were among the best citizens of China.

In this video you’ll begin to understand the current Chinese culture wherein no one dares to oppose the will of the Chinese Communist Party – or they face the consequences.

However, there are still courageous people who will not give up their beliefs because someone threatens or harms them.

Maybe being able to do so is true freedom.

statue of liberty

 

Perhaps the largest mafia organization in the world masquerading as a government, the Chinese Communist Party stops short of nothing to obtain their objectives.

Watch the video for a deeper understanding.

If you have been working on your Chinese language skills lately, here is a good way to learn and practice. (there are subtitles for those who don’t know Chinese) Or, you can watch the English only version above.

Enjoy.

Tags: Falun Gong, Falun Dafa, practitioners, Truthfulness, Compassion, Tolerance, Chinese Communist Party, CCP, inhumane

Filed Under: Human Rights, Humanity, injustice, Movies, People, Persecution, Spiritual

Sandstorm – The movie

August 22, 2006 by Dave

Sandstorm is a great movie that will be showing at the Glenwood Arts Theatre in Overland Park, Kansas on September 15th 2006.

It is about how the Chinese communists use police brutality and a system of labor camps to control and kill people who are free thinkers and have different opinions from the ruling communist party.

This is an excellent movie to help people understand what The Chinese Communist Party really is and how it has maintained control over China for the last 60 years or so.

I’ve watched this movie and I can tell you that it is very powerful. You should see it.

Here is a website if you want to learn more about the movie – Sandstorm

Sandstorm Rating: NR Running Time: 86 minutes
Showing on 9-15-2006 at 5:10 PM
Synopsis: Trapped twelve days in a sandstorm and running out of food and water, a Chinese policeman cares for his dying wife as they grieve over their missing daughter. Recollections of his part in the vicious persecution of Falun Gong practitioners torment him, waking him to deeper truths and hope.

If you would like to purchase individual tickets for a show, you will need to go to the Glenwood Arts Theatre or call them to purchase by phone.

If you happen to call at a show time, please be patient with their theatre staff. They will help everyone as quickly as possible.

GLENWOOD ARTS THEATRE – East side of Metcalf South Shopping Center
95TH & METCALF
913-642-4404
www.fineartsgroup.com

– Dave

Filed Under: All Posts, Movies

Ghost Dog : Way of the Samurai Review

July 28, 2006 by Dave

My new romantic interest, Leslie, turned me on to director Jim Jarmusch’s movies.

One of those movies is Ghost Dog – The Way of the Samurai

We watched it, just last night.

Ghost Dog is a Samurai / assasin who does ‘hits’ for the mafia.

But the mafia boss decides he needs to have Ghost Dog dead after ordering him to hit someone else in his organization.

Ghost Dog considers one of the lesser bosses to be his ‘master’ because that guy saved his life once. So Ghost dog goes on a Samurai rampage to eliminate his enemies, wiping out the mafia family, except his master whom he allows to kill him.

In the process, he also wipes out some bear poachers – just for good measure, because ‘bears were considered equal to men in some ancient cultures’.

Throughout the movie, Ghost Dog reads from the Samurai book he uses as his code to live by.

I think this was one of the most interesting aspects of the movie.

The discipline undoubtedly helped Ghost Dog become the near-perfect assassin. However, the ancient Samurai code was flawed by a couple of factors that become evident in Jarmusch’s movie.

One factor is unquestioning loyalty to the master. In spiritual practices, this can be a very useful quality. However, when choosing a mafia boss as your master, it is disastrous.

In other words, if your master is very benevolent being who only wants the best for you, then having unquestioning loyalty is an asset, as it helps you to grow.

However, if you choose someone who is primarily evil, such as a mafia boss or ancient Samurai warlord, then you’ll probably walk a dark path and meet with a lousy ending. Who would want that?

This tragic flaw makes for a good movie though.

The other tragic flaw in the Samurai code was the propensity for suicide. This part of Samurai tradition was no doubt useful to Samurai warlords and Emperors. However, it ultimately failed the Japanese because it directly opposes life, growth and the usefulness of accumulated knowledge.

In modern times, we understand the value of experienced human resources.

Even up to WWII the Japanese failed to grasp this concept and wasted their best and most experienced pilots by having them commit suicide attacks.

In the end they were left with the dilemma of having barely experienced pilots left to carry out missions.

And of course the inexperienced are generally crushed by the experienced.

You see the same dilemma in the Middle East today. The method of suicide bombing causes a loss of the bravest and most committed resources.

On the other side of things the IDF (Israeli Defense Force) becomes more and more experienced and capable.

Do you see the problem there and the folly of the wisdom of suicide attacks and the ensuing loss of valuable human resources?

– Dave

Technorati Tags: Suicide, samurai, movies, middle+east, suicide+attacks

Filed Under: Movies

Movie Promotion: Side Effects

July 14, 2006 by Dave

medicine.jpg

[Editor’s Note: I received this letter via the contact form on this site.

I have not seen this movie and know nothing about it further than what is written below.

However, Kristen’s contact information was provided and you can use it to contact her and find out more. (see below)

Here is a resource on medical malpractice.

Though I haven’t seen the movie that Kristen talks about, I do know that there are many side effects to the drugs used today.

One only has to look at the list of side effects that usually comes with a new prescription to see just how many there are. ]

——–>>>>>

Kristen Olshanski wrote: Hello,

I wanted to let you know about Side Effects, an independent feature film produced by our company, Hummingbird Pictures. We have gotten a very enthusiastic response from the holistic community about the film. So we put together a grassroots campaign to get the word out about it. I felt the film might be of interest to you and your group.. Starring Katherine Heigl of Grey’s Anatomy, Side Effects is a satirical, insider’s look at the questionable marketing practices of the pharmaceutical industry based on the writer/director’s ten years experience working as a pharmaceutical sales representative. View a trailer of the film and read reviews at our website: https://www.sideeffectsthemovie.com

A companion documentary, Money Talks: Profits Before Patient Safety, was created to give a more in-depth, academic perspective on the ethics of drug promotion, and features the commentary of key opinion leaders throughout the country. View a clip of the documentary on our website in the press section. https://www.sideeffectsthemovie.com/press/

Entertaining and educational, the films offer a reasoned approach to the subject matter and are a terrific way to stimulate discussion about the sales tactics of the pharmaceutical industry. Both Side Effects and Money Talks can be ordered directly from our website: https://www.sideeffectsthemovie.com/shop/or from Amazon at www.amazon.com There is also a screenplay available. We also offer an Affiliate Program for individuals and/or groups actively seeking to raise awareness about this issue. You choose a link (text or graphics, as prominent or as inconspicuous as you wish, for use on websites, e-mails, list servs, and blogs) from a selection on our site and receive 20% of any sale brought to our site through the link.(Wholesale rates are also available for those interested in stocking and reselling the film directly.)

Feel free to contact me with feedback or to ask for further information.

Thanks for your time–Kristen Olshanski Hummingbird Pictures 1-877-684-2374 (9am-5pm) CST 1-608-441-5304 (9am-5pm) CST 1-608-712-0211 evenings & weekends Kristen@sideeffectsthemovie.com

“Knowledge is empowering…my patients need this information”

-Dale Brockman DC Madison, WI

See what the press is saying:

“The action goes from amusing to savagely funny.” Jeanne Lenzer, British Medical Journal

“Biting” Soledad O’Brian, CNN

“The timing of Side Effects couldn’t be better”. Rita Rubin, USA Today

“Drop dead fascinating” Deborah Ray, Healthy Talk Radio

“Illuminates as it entertains” Holistic Networker

“Quirky and Engaging” Marilynn Larkin, The Lancet

“Four Stars” Eric Campos, Film Threat

“A chilling expose” Yogi Times

“Fun, funny, insightful, and profoundly disturbing.” -Shannon Brownlee, freelance journalist

“…Side Effects, is funny, satirical and at times dead-on revelatory” -Marc Eisen, Isthmus

“Anyone who has ever taken antibiotics, anti-anxieties, antidepressants, anticoagulants, anti-inflammatories, antihistamines, anti-flatulence, or anti-ANYTHING needs to see Side Effects.” -Kelly Bartley, Left from Hollywood

Source: https://allthingspondered.com

Technorati Tags: side+effects

Filed Under: Movies

Copote – Movie

February 14, 2006 by Dave

I just recently (Saturday night) saw the
movie Capote. It was intense. Because Truman
Capote was writing a book about two convicted
killers.

The problem was that he had to befriend the
two bad guys on death row. More precisely he
built a strong relationship with Perry Smith.

The problem with befriending Perry is that he
found himself in the terrible predicament of – well
I won’t spoil the movie, but if you really want to
find out, you can post a comment with your email
address and I can email you.

But if you are that curious, then you ought to
just see the movie. I was going to ruin it, but
then I felt that wouldn’t be fair, so I changed my
mind.

I know a lot of people don’t like to be psyched like that.
If it makes you mad, feel free to comment below.

– D

Dave writes for All Things Pondered : https://allthingspondered.com

Article Source: https://allthingspondered.com

you may reprint this article so long as the author information and article source remain with the article.

Filed Under: Movies

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