"Old Dogs" - Movie Review

Old Dogs is a great movie to see if you're looking for some casual entertainment. I'd recommend it for date night and/or for family night. It's the kind of movie that is best enjoyed if you can suspend disbelief and just go with it. It's better if you don't question things like the short-notice ability of two 50+ year old single businessmen to come up with scouting outfits for themselves and their young charges (who come to visit with only one small suitcase apiece).

John Travolta and Robin Williams seem to enjoy themselves in their roles - business partners who are suddenly responsible for a pair of 7 year old twins. These two belie the adage that you can't teach old dogs new tricks. Both experience significant personal growth during the month of their lives the movie covers.

For the most part the comedy is low brow, with the usual fare of farts and groin-racking incidents. There are plenty of pratfalls, which will make you wince if you're over 40. I believe Robin when he complains that he has bad knees.

John and Robin are repeatedly mistaken for the twin's grandparents and are also repeatedly mistaken as being a couple (such as when Robin introduces John as "his partner" - the natural assumption is personalpartners rather than professional). Fortunately, they're able to take all of this in stride with self-deprecating good humor.

I would have preferred the movie not waste time on offshoot tales, such as spray-tans gone wrong (Robin in a tanning booth getting over-done while John is hitting on the negligent attendant) or other irrelevant side stories (a tattoo that requires the shaving of Robin's chest hair) to allow for more character development. The romance between Robin and the twins' mother "Vicki" might have been more believable if we'd been allowed more opportunity to understand her motives and interests.

Some of the humor might have been a little over-the-top, but many scenes had the entire theater heartily laughing. It was nice to see Robin and John poke a little fun at themselves and each other; that certainly added to my enjoyment of the movie. I'm really glad they didn't try to ignore the very real age gap. Robin and John's chagrin at being mistaken as grandparents may have humored me even more because I'm a grandparent.

If you're looking for a movie that is lighthearted, relatively inoffensive and effectively mindless in its storyline and humor, I recommend Old Dogs. It's not meant to be an intellectual movie; it's simply a fun opportunity to share some laughs.

Where did the time go?

In October I started writing a book on parenting and our relationship with God. It's not a how-to book by any stretch of the imagination. It's just my musings on these topics. It reads a lot like posts I put on my other blog. It's nothing like the posts I put on this blog, which seem to be mostly about the things my cat drags in.

I was plodding along through my life, bemoaning all of the challenges and difficulties and wishing I could write full time. As much as my job motivates me to do something else, the regular pay outweighs quite a lot of the challenges and difficulties. I prayed about the situation regularly.

Then a couple of things happened at once. Guideposts agreed to publish my 2nd story (March issue). And NaNoWriMo crossed my radar. Who wouldn't want to write a novel? I joined over 150,000 other aspiring novelists in the ambitious goal of penning (keyboarding?) 50,000 words beginning November 1st and finishing (and posting the completed work) before midnight on November 30th.

Because I'm an overachiever ... and because I'm leaving for China on November 30th, I set a personal goal to finish by November 20th. Which happens to be my 45th birthday.

Even though I could feel guilty about abandoning my blogs and allowing them to fall to the wayside while I plunge into writing as a part-time job rather than the hobby it's been for the last year or so, I don't. I'm proud of myself for finally getting off my butt (or rather sitting my butt down!) and acting on a dream. God willing, this dream will become my life.

So if you happen by this blog and wonder whatever happened to the woman who used to live here, I ask that you give me a little time because this turn in my life is requiring both hands on the wheel and both eyes on the road.

"The One That Got Away"

Fortunately, by the time I found the feathers spread out across my bedroom floor, I already knew this one had a happy ending... relatively speaking anyway.

Occasionally when we're away the house is locked up but the sunroom door gets left open. This means that Al, the killer cat, can come and go with access to the outside world. Not such a good idea.

When I got home from a Saturday afternoon outing, I could hear Al upstairs meowing away. I followed the sound to my office where I found him hovering over a poor little baby bird. I quickly grabbed a washcloth from the nearest bathroom and used it to carefully envelop the bird and whisk the terrorized little guy to safety. I released it in our front yard in the hedges. Based on its hasty retreat, it didn't appear to be harmed.

Shortly after, I found the feathers all over my bedroom floor. Given my focus, I didn't have time to take a photo of the victim. I was able to snap this image at my leisure. I give you "The One That Got Away".

Then Sings My Soul: "Motions" by Matthew West

I continue to pull the wheel to the right. I'm not making a right angle turn but a big sweeping curve. No matter what I do in this life, I want to do it filled with God's passion. Blessed by the Spirit. Never let it be said I'm just going through the motions.

Movie Review: "Couples Retreat"

"Couples Retreat" is a romantic comedy written by (and starring) Jon Favreau and Vince Vaughn. Jason Bateman and Faizon Love complete the cast of husbands. We're introduced to four couples in various stages of relationship. Shane (Love) and his girlfriend Trudy (Kali Hawk) have dated for a few weeks as he is on the rebound from his recent divorce from Jennifer (Tasha Smith). Joey (Favreau)and his wife Lucy (Kristin Davis) seem to barely tolerate each other's company and are clearly heading for separation or divorce. Dave (Vaughn) and wife Ronnie (Malin Akerman) will resonate with most couples with young children - life is busy, hectic and often tense as all of life's "little decisions" must be made during every stolen moment. Jason (Bateman) and Cynthia (Kristen Bell) seem like a loving couple, but the tension of unsuccessfully conceiving a child have made them question their ability to be together. They are the catalyst for eventual journey to Eden, a gorgeous island resort for marriage counseling. Although initially billed as optional, it turns out the scheduled activities are anything but. And on the other side of the lagoon? A singles club swings with lights and action.

It was nice to enjoy a comedy that didn't include all of the funny clips in the trailer. This is a great date-night movie: crude enough for him, romantic enough for her.

Then Sings My Soul: Undo by Rush of Fools

This is a daily prayer for me! It's so easy to stray. So challenging to stay close to You, God, while trying to grow into what You want me to become. Thank you, Lord, for your patience and persistence in bringing me back to the place of forgiveness and grace.

Undo
by Rush of Fools

I've been here before
Now, here I am again
Standing at the door
Praying You'll let me back in

To label me
A prodigal would be
Only scratching the surface
Of who Ive been known to be

Turn me around, pick me up
Undo what I've become
Bring me back to the place
Of forgiveness and grace
I need You, I need Your help
I can't do this myself
You're the only one
Who can undo what I've become

I focused on the score
But I could never win
Trying to ignore
A life of hiding my sin

To label me
A hypocrite would be
Only scratching the surface
Of who I've been known to be

Turn me around, pick me up
Undo what I've become
Bring me back to the place
Of forgiveness and grace
I need You, I need Your help
I cant do this myself
You're the only one
Who can undo what Ive become

Make every step lead me back to
The sovereign way that You

Turn me around, pick me up
Undo what Ive become
Bring me back to the place
Of forgiveness and grace
I need You, I need Your help
I can't do this myself
You're the only one who can undo
You are the only one who can undo
You're the only one who can undo
What I've become

My first book review: Carter Beats the Devil

Carter beats the rap, the odds, the competition and wins the girl...twice

Although initially daunted by the length of "Carter Beats the Devil," the novel came highly recommended so I committed to include it in my summer reading material. At over 650 pages it was a little bulky for beach fare but perfect for my bedside table.

The characters are well-developed and engaging, which makes the tale easy to read in bursts. We follow Carter's story from childhood, when he is first introduced to magic, to his early days as a magician, through his career in a field that is secretive and competitive. Author Glen David Gold establishes the story in an era filled with historical references, including the presence of such characters as Houdini and President Warren G. Harding.

Woven throughout the tale of Carter's career are tales of courtship, romance, chivalry, danger and intrigue. Carter's first love blooms and grows despite his awkwardness. When disaster strikes, we mourn with Carter. When, later in life, Carter finds himself with the opportunity to love again we're compelled to cheer him on in his efforts at romance.

Carter is a man who consistently strives to do the right thing in every situation. Gold does him justice, developing Carter as a sympathetic character to be admired and supported, even when it appears he may have gone too far in pursuit of his next illusion. This is truly a tale well told.

Posted on Barnes & Noble's site, September 22, 2009, 10:42 AM EST