Movie Review: The Amazing Spider Man

 

When I first started seeing the movie trailers for the movie, The Amazing Spider Man, currently playing in theaters, I was a little dumbfounded.  I mean, it hasn’t been that long ago (2007) since we saw the last episode of the Spider Man trilogy that featured Tobey Maguire as our web slinging hero.  And while Spider Man 3 got somewhat mixed reviews, it certainly didn’t seem like a redo was in order, at least in my opinion. But I guess there’s a method to the madness after all.  Apparently, there was supposed to be a fourth and fifth installment in the film series but both got nixed due to disagreements between Sony and director, Sam Raimi which resulted in Sony’s announcement in January 2010 that plans for Spider-Man 4 had been cancelled.  And it didn’t take much longer after that for Sony to retract by stating the franchise was being “rebooted” with new director, Marc Webb, and a new cast comprised of Andrew Garfield as Peter Parker, Emma Stone as Gwen Stacy, and Rhys Ifans as Dr. Curt Connors.

 

Now as a movie goer, I’m not a snob. I really don’t care who is directing or how much money the movie cost to make.  I want to be entertained and I want the movie to be good, ESPECIALLY if it’s a remake, otherwise why even bother?  I really didn’t see the point of another Spider Man movie already and honestly, I wasn’t even planning on seeing it at the theater.  I figured I’d wait until it came out on DVD.  But, as luck would have it, I ended up seeing it at the IMAX in 3D while I was on vacation in San Antonio last week and was pleasantly surprised. 

 

The Amazing Spider Man is essentially the same Spider Man story but with a slightly different twist here and there. And while the story is not so different, the new cast and director create a fresh vibe that didn’t leave me feeling like I was having the same leftovers on a different day.  It was an awesome movie to see in 3D and I loved Emma Stone as Peter’s love interest, Gwen Stacy.  Also, no doubt that Spider Man Purists are probably glad to see Peter Parker honing in on his abilities at a younger age as well as developing his own web casters.

 

I thought it was fun and a great entertainment value.  I’ll even venture to say that the Amazing Spider Man may just be the best Spider Man movie yet…

 

Obsessively Yours,

 

Jane

Italian Wedding Cake

This is a really awesome recipe and makes a beautiful three layer cake.  It’s perfect for weddings, birthdays, holidays or just because…

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1/2 cup margarine
• 2 cups white sugar
• 5 egg yolks
• 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 5 egg whites
• 1/2 cup drained crushed pineapple
• 1/2 cup flaked coconut
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 3/4 cup butter, softened
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 4 cups confectioners’ sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup chopped pecans

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour three 8 inch pans. Combine the buttermilk, baking soda and salt. Set aside.

2. In a large bowl, cream together the shortening, margarine and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg yolks one at a time, then stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla and almond extract. Beat in the buttermilk mixture alternately with the flour, mixing just until incorporated. In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites until they form stiff peaks. Gently fold the egg whites into the batter. Stir in pineapple, coconut and 1 cup pecans.

3. Pour batter evenly into prepared pans. Bake in the preheated oven for 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow cake layers to cool 10 minutes in pans, then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely.

4. To make the frosting: Cream together the butter, cream cheese and confectioners’ sugar until blended. Stir in 2 teaspoons vanilla and 1 cup pecans. If frosting is too stiff to spread, stir in milk a teaspoon at a time until it reaches desired consistency.

Tips:

1. Make sure you don’t over bake the cake.
2. Line the bottom of the cake pans with parchment paper and spray the parchment paper and sides of pan with nonstick cooking spray.  Tracing and cutting out the parchment circles will only add a few minutes to prep time, but will ensure the cake doesn’t get stuck to the pan–which will happen even though you floured and greased the pans–trust me on this one.
3. You can substitute ½ cup of butter or margarine for the ½ cup of shortening.  Also, while I haven’t tried it, you could probably use ½ c of applesauce in place of shortening as well without compromising the flavor.  I’ve used applesauce in place of oil in other cake recipes and found it can really render a moist cake without producing an apple flavor.
4. Chopped almonds can be used in place of pecans. (Buying whole nuts and chopping them yourself is normally less expensive than buying nuts that have already been chopped.  You can use a food processor, coffee grinder or even place the nuts in a freezer bag and smash them with a hammer.)
5. If you like a lot of frosting you may want to make extra to ensure you have enough.  Leftovers can be used with other recipes or kept in the fridge or freezer for a later time.

Be Still

Be still.

It knows your fear.

Quickly it gains

with each passing year.

The younger ones,

faster they run

to close in on

the setting sun.

But day and night,

bleed in their haste

–emptiness lines

lives full of waste.

Be still.

It haunts them too.

–won’t forget them

nor will it you.

We–anyone–

can only run so long.

We can’t beat it

–it’s much too strong.

Numbly we ask

reasons for all.

Last, we succumb

to the final wall.

Be still.

It’s drawing near.

Scream but in vain:

No one can hear.

A Giant’s Garden

The earth, a giant’s garden:

his rain falls from a can,

mountains are but mole hills,

orchards are but jam,

oceans are merely puddles,

atop his garden’s ground,

and we’re but little ants,

from him we hear no sound.

Valleys, deep, are earthen cracks

he trods with mindful feet,

and trees are sweet florets

may he choose to eat.

And in the giant’s garden

as tiny creatures, we

live by his guiding hands

though him we  never see.

 

2 Cor 5:7 “Walk by faith, not by sight.”

Lost

Lost.

I seek to find.

What

I’ve left behind.

I can taste it upon

the tip of my tongue

but I can’t describe

the source that it’s from.

Moving

to the past

when

I lived too fast.

I can see myself spinning

’round and ’round.

Elated

I’m floating

above the ground.

When did it leave me?

I wish I could see

wind back the pictures

then let them run free.

But my mind is racing

too fitfully.

Now

I’m in a room.

White.

It’s like a tomb.

Hands are holding down

my feet so they stay.

They have me locked up

I can’t get away.

Lost.

Where am I now?

Leave?

I don’t know how.

Where is a voice

I’ve heard before?

A feeling deep down

says I’ll hear it no more.

Lost.

I think

I’m losing

my

mind…

Book Review: Same Kind Of Different As Me

I was talking to one of my coworkers recently about Nooks, Kindles and books in general and this sparked a conversation about my Dad and the novels he wrote, one of which—Son of Durango —is set primarily in Fort Worth.  This led my coworker to tell me I might be interested in Same Kind Of Different As Me, a story by Ron Hall and Denver Moore, that also references Fort Worth as its setting.  I’d never heard of Same Kind Of Different As Me, but after hearing the synopsis, I knew it was a story I definitely wanted to read and immediately bought a copy on Amazon.   

Same Kind Of Different As Me is a true story that’s told in the alternating first person views of Ron Hall, an art dealer and Denver Moore, a “modern day slave”, and begins with Ron and Denver sharing their autobiographies from the times of their youth through the point at which their lives collide.  From there, the story details their personal struggles as well as the development of their relationship which was bound by their individual ties to Ron’s wife, Deborah, who was terminally ill with cancer and passed away in 2000.  Their unlikely friendship is attributed to a dream Deborah had.  She told Ron that in her dream God told her, “there was a particular homeless man, a poor man who was wise and by his wisdom our cities and lives would be changed if we could find him.”  Ron and Deborah found Denver while volunteering at the Union Gospel Mission in Fort Worth where meals are served to the homeless. 

Same Kind Of Different As Me is a story of faith, hope and love, and friendship–in its purest form–that will bring you to tears by the end.  Told in such a frank, down to earth manner, you won’t be able to keep from feeling what Ron and Denver went through.  But don’t be mistaken in thinking that the story will leave you depressed because after reading it, you may just end up believing in miracles–if you don’t already.   

One thing that makes this story especially near and dear to my heart—and I didn’t know this until reading Same Kind Of Different As Me–is I actually attended the same church as Ron and Deborah.  I didn’t know them—it’s a really big church– but I think I remember seeing them.  And I wonder whether I actually remember seeing Ron bring Denver to church that first time or if the story is so moving and close to home that I can’t distinguish the difference between memory and reality?  In either case, I read the story, almost from start to finish in one sitting.  And since my sweet co-worker ended up buying me a copy of Same Kind Of Different As Me after our conversation, I’ve been able to share my extra book with several people who have all been just as touched by the story as I was. 

Same Kind Of Different As Me was written after Deborah’s death, published in 2006 and became a national bestseller.  Throughout the years, Ron and Denver attended hundreds of appearances together including a White House luncheon honoring the pair in 2008.  Their earthly journey ended in April of 2012 when Denver passed away at the age of 75 after which, in a Fort Worth Star Telegram interview, Ron said, “We were velcroed at the heart.  It leaves a huge hole and void in my life.  I spent the last 14 years thinking about him, worrying about him, wondering whether either I could find him or help him.  It’s hard to imagine that responsibility no longer being there.”

I can’t say that I feel sad about Denver’s passing.  I think he fulfilled his earthly purpose and I’m sure that now he’s finally found his way home:

“I found out everybody’s different—the same kind of different as me.  We’re all just regular folks walkin down the road God done set in front of us.  The truth about it is, whether we is rich or poor or something in between, this earth ain’t no final restin place.  So in a way, we is all homeless—just workin our way toward home.”  (Denver Moore. Co-Author, Same Kind of Different As Me)

The bottom line: Same Kind Of Different As Me is an inspiring read that will nourish your soul.

Obsessively Yours,

Jane

The Dream

From far away I distantly viewed a passing dream

First a dying star like sphere was lost in ocean’s gleam

Impact of the fallen Godess hissed upon the waves

Her radiance doused asunder; smokey billows; vapor stays

Emerging then were misty sheets, no witnesses but I

Earthen patchwork scenes were hidden from the air and sky

Then upon the soil, standing I, on hallowed ground

Heard the Lord’s great trumpets leading voices to resound

Movements clashed; debates afire; rallies in His name;

Defense of Heaven’s glory, upright soldiers, tireless came

Moved the session mightily, His great company

Reaching soon the destined fortress high above the sea

Ascending on the ancient ladder, hung on seamless main

High, until in clouds were lost, banished was the plane

Still the army, marching, rose; divinely pulled by force

Ceased by sudden cause, unknown, the union found divorce

All alone I found myself in mistiness unseen

Waiting for His hour to come, faithful but not serene

Anxiously on edge I waited; voices were not heard

Pining for His reassurance or solitary word

At last I begged Him in a prayer, in sense it seemed too real

I was captured bodily; the sights and sounds I feel

If hadn’t I awoken, I surely would have died

I feel this was a warning and He wants me to abide

At last, my body beckoned back my spirit to its shell

Before I’d known a little of Heaven and now I’d learned of Hell

Soaring, I, through dream land’s port, to rest in blanket’s fold

Now, within my heart a message lives to be retold

Movie Review: Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter

I was finally able to go see Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter last night and I want to say that I really enjoyed it.  It was one of those movies I knew I wanted to see, regardless of what anyone else had to say about it, and because of that I didn’t read any reviews beforehand.  Today, I can see that overall, critics aren’t really giving the flick the credit it deserves.  I’ll admit since the story line follows a history most people are familiar with, there’s not much of an element of surprise.  I mean, most people know that Lincoln was the 16^th President of the United States and led the country through the crisis of the American Civil War and is responsible for the abolishment of slavery; that Lincoln’s efforts to abolish slavery are immortalized in his Emancipation Proclamation which encouraged boarder states to outlaw slavery and was pushed through to Congress in the Thirteenth Amendment which ultimately ended slavery in December 1865; and that Lincoln delivered his Gettysburg Address–one of the most quoted speeches in American History-during one of the great turning points in the history of our nation. Sadly, most people also know that Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth six days after the Confederates surrendered. 

As it should not, the movie doesn’t attempt to change what’s written in the history books and from that perspective, it’s atypical in terms of historical fiction.  So, unless you were asleep during history class, the basic story line won’t come as a surprise.  Also, since the name of the movie is Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter, the fact the movie is about Lincoln being a vampire hunter should not come as a surprise either.  The real story comes from the movie taking some lesser known facts about Lincoln’s personal life and manipulating them to develop the vampire twist.  Throughout the movie, historical figures and references are woven into the vampire theme, engaging viewers between action scenes.  There’s blood, gore, vampires and action.  What’s not to love?  And while the movie is one hour and 45 minutes, I can honestly say it didn’t feel that long. 

Seriously, if you like vampire type action movies, you should like this movie.  I’m a Twilight fan and have read all of the books and have seen all of the movies because I enjoy the vampire genre, but overall I think the Twilight movies were a little weak at times.  This is probably because I had greater expectations from such a successful book series and movie franchise.  With Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter, I had no expectations and therefore was not disappointed.  But even if I had expectations, I don’t think I would have been disappointed because in terms of entertainment value, Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter really delivers.  The only aspect of the story that raised a question in my mind is how the vampires could control “turning” someone versus just making them sick.  But, since these vampires can live in sunlight and can make themselves invisible, as well as other things, I’m willing to accept this as story “fact” and move on.  The show ends exactly where it should in my opinion except I was expecting something slightly different.  (If you see the movie, think about how it could have ended that would have led to a sequel–that’s all I’m going to say.) 

To sum it up, if you’re a person who needs to be kept in suspense from start to finish in order to be engaged then this movie might not be for you.  However, if you like vampires, action, and want to be entertained by seeing Lincoln kick some serious vampire butt—by wielding an axe like a baton no less!– then you’ll definitely love, or at least enjoy Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter.

Obsessively Yours,

Jane

The Light In My Closet

My closet light is out.  Now what am I to do?

For night things now go “bump!” and run into my shoe.

I lay in bed afraid with covers on my head.

My eyes, by fingers propped; the dark is what I dread.

A shadow at my pane is peering in at me;

A noise in yonder room whose source I can not see.

I wish this night would end and produce a shining face

That would chase away my fears and cowardly disgrace.

–Suddenly there’s a light, cracking through the closet door,

Its radiance so blinding, I couldn’t ask for more.

Glowing in its presence, I’m suddenly aware

Shadows at my window have gone away from there.

Relieved, I think the sound I heard was just my dog, Millie.

And then I laugh, amused. “Oh me.  I’m so silly.”

Nestling down, I  slumber, for sleep I surely need.

Soon thereafter dreaming, safaris, dark, I lead.

And when the morning comes, I open up my eyes

Thankful for the sunlight that shines from ocean skies.

But something I find strange, when trying to trip the switch

When flip it off I can’t, for reasons of a witch?

For when I raise my eyes to where the bulb should stay

I find the socket bare.  To this I say “No way!”

But then another light starts glowing in my mind

And then I know the reason for light that I don’t find:

God was in my  closet; t’was He that did look in;

The shadow at my pane was actually just Him.

So now when in the dark, I’ll feel no more dismay

For God’s the brightest light and scares the dark away!

Barbie: The Interview

Barbie.

You’ve come a long way, girl.  Or have you?

You used to be so proud of your townhouse

–A far cry from all you own now.

Back then, you ran with a smaller crowd.

Now, you’re a woman of the world.

And back in the day, you were the original IT girl;

Ken was your leading man.

(Today the tabloids would call you Kenbie.)

You and bestie, Growing Up Skipper, were tighter

Than Farrah’s Gloria Vanderbilt’s.

I only knew two of you:

You Ballerina.  You Superstar.

What a simpler time that was!

–For you and for all.

Then, it wasn’t all about “show.”

Back then, you actually lived your life.

Not like today where you’re mostly on display like a trophy.

Sometimes you don’t even leave your box only to be sold later

Like a kept woman.

Back then you didn’t mind if your hair got wet,

Or if you had to wear the same outfit again (God forbid!)

Back then you didn’t have to work as hard to be revered or even loved.

What happened Barbie?

Yes.  There was less competition.

Now, everytime you turn around,

Another clone tries to steal your identity,

Your man,

Or your dreams.

Your life’s work is slipping away.

Even as we speak– a pink slip in your hand–

Your replacement is driving away

–Away in your corvette.

Don’t cry Barbie…