Search Results for: blog a beautiful mind 1991

A Beautiful Mind (1991)

“A Beautiful Mind” is one of the most stunning and memorable films I’ve ever seen. It stars Russell Crowe as John Nash, the Nobel-winning mathematician. We go with John to Princeton and see him excel in his classes, although he is a little backward socially. As time goes by, he becomes a professor, and becomes entranced with a beautiful student named Alicia (Jennifer Connelly). She doesn’t know that he’s been asked by the government to help find coded messages in magazine ads—he has to keep that part of his life a secret so she won’t be in danger. She also … Continue reading →

Free Enterprise

I can’t help it—I’m in a very freedom-loving mood today. As I contemplate the things I’m grateful for, I have to say, I’m grateful for free enterprise. When I was fifteen, I had the adventure of a lifetime. I was able to travel with several American teenagers over to Russia to meet up with Russian teenagers and take a cruise up the Volga River. While on the cruise ship, we attended classes on free enterprise, things that were pretty common to us, but completely mind-blowing for the Russian teens. Up until that point, they were used to paying whatever price … Continue reading →

He Said/She Said – Dennis Quaid and Meg Ryan

Ah, the waters rarely run smoothly when Hollywood exes start opening up about their past relationship. I guess everyone cannot be one big, happily united family like Demi and Bruce. The latest celebrity ex couple to sling mud is Meg Ryan and Dennis Quaid. (Photo source by PH2 Mark Cavanugh and as a work of an military member, is public domain.) You may or may not remember, but these two met on the set of Innerspace in 1987 and married on Valentine’s Day 1991. They had one child together, son Jack. You might remember the 2000 film Proof of Life, … Continue reading →

Marriage Profiles of the 2008 Presidential and Vice Presidential Nominees

While I was watching Sarah Palin’s speech during the Republican National Convention last night, I found it interesting to learn she married her high school sweetheart. It made me think that might make a fun blog: profiling the marriages of the 2008 Democratic and Republican presidential and vice presidential nominees. Barack and Michelle Obama They first met in 1989 when Barack interned at a law firm where Michelle worked. Apparently he was smitten with her right from the get go, but she didn’t want any part of an office romance. But Barack wouldn’t be deterred. He persisted in asking her … Continue reading →

Movies Week in Review: January 7th – January 12th

Looking for some great movies to watch? Whether you prefer the old classics or the new releases, this week you’ll find something that will appeal to you. First is “I’d Climb the Highest Mountain,” an unrated film starring Susan Hayward as a young bride going to live in the mission field of Georgia with her idealistic husband. Together they face trial and tragedy, and she feels like quitting and going home to her parents, but in the end they grow closer together and more committed to the ministry. I greatly enjoyed this film. Next comes “Swing Time,” a Fred Astaire/Ginger … Continue reading →

The Kitchen God’s Wife – Amy Tan

Amy Tan’s writing is rich with beautiful imagery, taking the reader and placing them right in the heart of China. With everything from the words she uses to the way she strings them together, she creates a tale so overflowing with atmosphere, you feel as though you’ve left America and traveled the world in your mind, immersing yourself in a culture rich with tradition and heritage, which may be different from your own but yet welcomes you as a visitor and guest. In “The Kitchen God’s Wife,” we meet mother and daughter, Winnie and Pearl. Pearl is in her forties … Continue reading →

Author Interview – Anne Bradshaw

Today’s interview features Anne Bradshaw, LDS British novelist and the author of several magazine articles. She is joining us for an exclusive discussion about herself, her work, and her future projects. Anne, thank you for taking the time to meet with us. You have such a lovely accent; where are you from, originally, and how did you come to live here in the United States? I was born in Caernarvon, Wales as my parents moved there from London during the war. Three years later, we moved to Cheshire in Northern England. I grew up, attended school, and married there. My … Continue reading →

Picture Books about Children of Color

Up until recently, it has been common to see picture books featuring Caucasian children as the primary characters, completely ignoring the fact that children come in all colors, shapes and sizes. I have been delighted to observe the emergence of more and more books written for children of every culture and nationality, recognizing at last the diversity we so enjoy and the need that every child has to be validated by seeing someone that looks like them staring back from the pages of a book. The first book I’d like to discuss is “Amazing Grace” by Mary Hoffman, a book … Continue reading →

Winners of the Caldecott Medal: 1988-1992

For more information about the origins of the Caldecott Medal, please see The Caldecott Medal and the Man for Whom it was Named. I am giving a brief synopsis of each book along with a comment about the artwork here and there. I am also including lists of the Honor winners for each year. I hope you enjoy my series. Comments are welcomed!! 1988 “Owl Moon” illustrated by John Schoenhert; text: Jane Yolen One night a little girl goes owling with her father. They crunch through the snow and her father calls out, “Whoo-whoo…” several times, but there is no … Continue reading →

Oscar Loves Disabilities

For those of you who are faced with mental challenges, developmental delays, disorders, or physical limitations, either because you parent a special child or face your own life struggles, Hollywood pays tribute to you. Regularly. In fact, it is interesting to note that if you look closely at Oscar-winning movies over nearly the past two decades, a great majority of “Best Picture” winners or nominees contain a theme or character with some kind of disability. 1988 : Rain Man – The Story of an Autistic Savant and his brother, who must learn to co-exist. 1989: My Left Foot was the … Continue reading →