Review: ‘Julie and Julia’ A Masterpiece

I don’t recall liking much of Nora Ephron’s work other than “When Harry Met Sally.” In fact, if I knew she made “Julie and Julia,” I probably would have avoided it, since “Sleepless in Seattle” and “You’ve Got Mail” just kind of mash together in my mind. But “Julie and Julia” is more than good: it’s brilliant cinema.

The first thing that grabbed me was the character work. The hero, Julia Powell (her real life blog is here) is a foodie blogger played by Amy Adams. I’m used to watching Amy Adams over my kid’s shoulder in “Enchanted,” which plays in our house on continual loop. I didn’t know Amy knew how to turn down the volume and play a “plain-Jane, yet interesting”… but she’s awesome. This isn’t her usual glowing, perky role where she turns it on like a fire-hose. And she doesn’t turn invisible like when she played a piece of cardboard in “Doubt.” (more…)

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Tags: "Sleepless in Seattle", "When Harry Met Sally", "You've Got Mail", Amy Adams, Appetite for Life
Posted Aug 11th 2009 at 8:24 am in Reviews | 20284247 Commentshttp://bighollywood.breitbart.com/dtennapel/2009/08/11/julie-and-julia-is-awesome/Review%3A+%27Julie+and+Julia%27+A+Masterpiece+2009-08-11+15%3A24%3A16Doug+TenNapel

The Wussification of America: Part Deux

“The truth does not require your belief in it to be so.” -Spike Spencer

So I received quite a bit of comment action from my last post, “The Wussification of America.” Most of it was positive and expressed similar views. Several on the conservative side actually missed a few of the points, but overall they got it. Of course, as expected, I received a few smuggalicious lefty responses decrying my opinion as barbaric and also as expected, questioning my manhood. As though bending over to the whims of actual barbarians is a manly way to live your life. Count me out, Sally.

Ya see, I live in a world where men take a stand. I come from a state that believes in the values of this great nation. I come from a state that believes that freedom is worth fighting for. I come from Texas, the sidearm of the nation. Undoubtedly the all knowing eyes of the left are rolling back in their head in their, “oh so better than thou” way at the knowledge that I, a redneck hick from a backwater Klan-infested swamphole could dare utter pride at such a thing. Well, to borrow a phrase from our brilliant enlightened leader, “Yes, yes I can.” (more…)

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Tags: masculinity, men, Sharia Law, Terrorism, women
Posted May 23rd 2009 at 2:44 pm in Politics | 138250One Commenthttp://bighollywood.breitbart.com/sspencer/2009/05/23/the-wussification-of-america-part-deux/The+Wussification+of+America%3A+Part+Deux2009-05-23+21%3A44%3A14Spike+Spencer

Burnt Offerings: Beyond the Call of Duty

Tonight was a shining night – a night brought to us by humble, sincere men, in honor of men and women whose humility, courage, and selfless acts light up the darkness that sometimes surrounds us.  Acts, that have defined each generation’s responsibility to the next.  Being amongst these men of Valor – men, whose character and love of God and Country are etched into their souls like the monument of Mount Rushmore – men, who have sacrificed with their blood – men, who have defended our freedoms when there were no cameras around to catch them in the act – men, who cherish DEMOCRACY and want to see it preserved – men, whom we should visit, look on, sit with, interview, and ask for advice…instead of South American dictators — men, whose faces should be worn by our youth, instead of the latest in chic CHE Guevara fashion -  – men, who my eight-year-old son instinctually knew he wanted to meet — men, who upon meeting my eight-year-old son told him it will be in his generation’s hands someday to protect our nation – men, whose humility and courage brought tears to the eyes of all in the room – men, who know the greatness of AMERICA – men, who ask nothing for themselves but give all for the country they love — being amongst these men of Valor — goes straight to the heart and points the way for us to take example from – for while we may not all have the privilege – honor or courage to serve in the military, they are a shining example of how we can better serve each other. Tonight – the Reagan Library was truly a shining city on the hill.

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Tags: Che Guevara, courage, democracy, God and Country, men
Posted Mar 8th 2009 at 10:31 pm in Celebrity News, Featured Story, Military | 7557846 Commentshttp://bighollywood.breitbart.com/rdavi/2009/03/08/burnt-offerings-beyond-the-call-of-duty/Burnt+Offerings%3A+Beyond+the+Call+of+Duty2009-03-09+06%3A31%3A35Robert+Davi