Because of Winn Dixie

Thursday night, I got to see a sneak preview of the movie Because of Winn Dixie thanks to Grace Hill Media.

My take? Good movie. It starts a little slow as the audience is introduced to the main character, 10 year-old India Opal, and her divorced father who have just moved to a small town where he is the new preacher (played by Jeff Daniels). Opal finds a stray dog she names Winn Dixie who is the catalyst for her meeting people in town. Opal goes through the movie trying to discover more about the mother who left her as a baby and trying to overcome her loneliness.

This is a family movie that is character driven. The characters in town are interesting people and the movie will keep your attention as the character’s backgrounds are revealed and the characters grow.

Singer Dave Matthews stars in a supporting role. His performance is believable and also showcases his musical talent. His guitar playing is some of the most riveting scenes in the movie. Cicely Tyson gives the best performance as a legally blind woman who teaches Opal the most important lessons on life and acceptance.

This movie is worth the time. The characters draw you in and are endearing. Take your family to see this movie. You will feel good when you leave the theater.

Don’t trust the ACLU

James Taranto of OpinionJournal.com points out the ACLU has rewritten the Bill of rights. On the ACLU’s website they say:

It is probably no accident that freedom of speech is the first freedom mentioned in the First Amendment: “Congress shall make no law…abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” The Constitution’s framers believed that freedom of inquiry and liberty of expression were the hallmarks of a democratic society.

The thing is, there is no elipsis in the First Amendment. The first freedom mentioned in the First Amendment is religion:

Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Isn’t it scary when the self-proclaimed protector of civil liberties disavows the freedom of religion?

Overturn the “Blog” election

Hugh Hewitt’s producer, Generalissimo, is holding votes for favorite “Blog” picture. My entry didn’t make the cut for the 10 finalists.

One thing I’ve learned from Hugh: If it’s not close, they can’t cheat. Turns out, this one is close. I also learned from Washington state Democrats that vote counting is an inexact science. If you don’t win, demand recounts until you do. While recounting, “find” uncounted votes to ensure victory.

So, I declare I have found in my basement 735 previously uncounted votes for my entry of the “Blogwood” sign. Clearly, this is indisputable. I feel vindicated and am thankful to everyone who voted for me.

In Good Company

Via Hugh Hewitt

Jonathan Bock of GraceHillMedia, one of Hollywood’s savviest movie marketers, had the brilliant idea to offer every blogger two free tickets to an advance screening of “In Good Company,” provided they agreed to blog about the movie after they had seen it.

Wait, it gets better:

any blogger who signs up for the free tickets and then posts this offer and a link to the IN GOOD COMPANY trailer on their site will be automatically entered in a contest to win their very own private screening of IN GOOD COMPANY in their town. The winner can either fill the screening with their friends and family, or see the film alone with that special someone – it’s entirely up to them. One lucky blogger here in the US will win. Sign up at info@gracehillmedia.com and send them your link. And of course, all the non-winners will still be eligible to attend an advance screening in their area.

Let the guerilla marketing begin! Good luck Mr. Bock. Hope your movie is a big hit.

Poor Ashlee

Ashlee Simpson is once again getting some back publicity for her screaching performance at last night’s Orange Bowl. The crowd of 72,000 responded with a chorus of boos. You can see it from this page.

Oh my goodness. There are not words to say how bad the “performance” was. You almost have to feel sorry for her. Getting booed by 72,000 people and having it nationally televised? Where do you go from there?

I thought she could bounce back from the SNL disaster. Poke a little fun at yourself and fans will forgive you if you make it clear your future performances are live. The problem only gets worse if your live performance is horrible. That had to be the most embarrassing event in half-time show history.

I’m not sure we’ll be hearing much more of Ashlee on the radio.

2005 predictions

OK, so I was way off for my predictions in 2004. In fact, I only got one right – President Bush was re-elected (possibly two right if you consider Brittany Spears marrying one of her dancers the equivalent of gaining 150 pounds).

Of course, being wrong doesn’t stop psychics from trying to predict events every new year. So here are my unlikely predictions for 2005.

1. MoveOn.org will realize their dream of defeating George W. Bush was hopeless and that any tries to impeach the President will fail. They will embrace capitalism and rebrand their site into a moving company – changing their name to MoveYourHouse.org. Look for their bright red moving vans in 2005.

2. Michael Moore will go on a diet.

3. PETA will rally their forces and provide animalarian aid to the hundreds of thousands of domesticated animals who were left homeless after the great tsunamnis in December 2004. Included will be hundreds of animal psychologists dispatched to the area to provide grief counseling for any depressed animals. PETA will also move to outlaw any further tsunamis that may harm animals.

4. Big & Rich (Honeybun’s new favorite group) will release a new album that will usher in an era of peace in the Middle East.

5. Something major will happen somewhere at some time in 2005. (That should be sufficiently vague to guarantee a correct prediction).

6. Anna Nicole Smith will give up her fight for her late husband’s wealth – the one who died at the age of 90 – to become a Buddist monk (or maybe that is boobist monk….bah dum dum).

7. A summit on the state of the world’s environment will degenerate into a riot as the “global warming” faction attacks the “global cooling” faction during a speech by keynote speaker, Sting, on the plight of the rainforest.

8. In 2005, Hollywood will produce a good movie…..one good movie.

9. John Kerry will revert back to his natural color. Then again, he may declare “My truth is that I’m a Pumpkin-American.” Liberal columnists across the nation will then commend him for his integrity.

10. Millions of people who bought the Livestrong plastic yellow bracelets will come to discover they are wearing plastic yellow bracelets (see previous link).

Have a great New Year!

Luminarias

I’ve told a few people about decorating our house with luminarias on Christmas eve. Most people who were not from the Southwest kind of scratched their heads and couldn’t figure out why someone would put a candle in a paper bag. “Won’t they catch on fire?” was the most common question.

No, they don’t catch on fire. Here is a shot of our house after they were all lit.


Luminarias on Christmas eve Posted by Hello

Pretty huh?

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone.

Today will be spent at work until noon (sigh). At least I experienced my own little Christmas miracle this morning. I was expecting to have to scrape the frost off the car before going to work. But even though the temp was in the 30’s overnight, no frost. Clear windows. Now wouldn’t that just make your day?

Our festivities will begin when I get home and open presents with Honeybun. My parents and brother will come over later in the afternoon for Christmas dinner – ham this year (mmmmmm – ham).

God bless everyone.