Caroline Friday's Blog, page 858

Movie Review - Spare Parts

George Lopez fans will be delighted with this wonderful little film costarring Marisa Tomei, one of my favorite actresses. Based on a truth, the story is a classic underdog tale set in the Hispanic community of Phoenix, Arizona, where the hard life of immigrant families provides a gloomy backdrop.Lopez portrays Dr. Fredi Cameron, an unemployed engineer with a broken past who lands a job as a temporary science teacher at Carl Hayden Community High School. Jamie Lee Curtis, the school’s principal (Karen Lowrey), is a hilarious, scene-stealing, no-nonsense administrator who rules with an iron fist, softened by a dry wit and spunky attitude. Even though Cameron isn’t technically qualified for the job, Lowrey gives him a chance to prove himself. Under her limited guidance and with the friendship of Gwen Kolinsky (Tomei), a fellow faculty member, Cameron settles into his new life as a lonely school teacher.Separate from Lopez’s story is the heart-breaking saga of four Hispanic boys trying to survive in a world where poverty, abuse, harassment from immigration authorities, and stifling generational convictions threaten to hold them down. First, there is, Oscar Vazquez (Carlos PenaVega), a gung-ho ROTC student who dreams of being in the US Army. When his illegal status renders it impossible for him to enlist, he changes course and determines to compete in a underwater robotics event which attract top colleges from all over the country—most notably, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). With Lowrey’s blessing, Cameron agrees to be the faculty mentor and advisor, and the two set out to add three more students to the team. Enter Lorenzo Santillan (Jose Julian), a mechanics whiz who, unfortunately, uses his expertise to break into cars and other nefarious crimes, Cristian Arcega (David Del Rio), an electronics nerd always on the run from school bullies, and Luis Aranda (Oscar Gutierrez), a gentle giant with a quiet intellect. With a bit of creative persuasion, Cameron convinces the boys to come together and prepare to make a serious effort at competing, despite their lack of family support and financial means. They agree, and the battle begins. Limited funds require resourcefulness which result in the boys coming up with unusual materials to build their machine, hence the title, Spare Parts. This obstacle in the story provides for several funny scenes that make the movie sweet and endearing. In addition, the chemistry between Lopez and Tomei adds a nice bit of levity to the drama.** SPOILER ALERT **The main plotlines weave through the lives of Vazquez and Santillan. Vazquez feels like a colossal failure, and therefore, lies to his mother regarding his military enlistment. When he isn’t on the run from rogue immigration officers, he nurtures a fledgling romance with the beautiful Karla (Alexa PenaVega), which provides some hope of happiness. However, without a dramatic turn in his circumstances (such as winning the robotics competition), the viewer is aware Vazquez’s future in the US is very bleak.Santillan’s story is more heartbreaking because of the blatant unfairness of his circumstances. His alcoholic father, Pablo (a great performance by Esai Morales), prefers his wayward son over Santillan, thinking the younger child’s legal status will guarantee success and thereby raise the family above its dismal situation. In an effort to preserve this plan, Santillan is charged with the duty of being his brother’s keeper, which proves to be an impossible task. His brother’s arrest causes turmoil between father and son, and Santillan is forced to quit the robotics team. Sadly, Pablo is blind to Santillan’s intellect and frequently reinforces his lack of faith in that regard. It is an all too familiar, sad story of a child not receiving the unconditional love of a parent.Cameron’s cold heart slowly melts as he learns the plight of these four young men and how the unfairness of life threatens to kill their dreams of success. Just as he begins to operate more as loving father than mentor, he gets spooked and considers quitting and taking an engineering job. The boys are devastated but are still determined to compete in the robotics competition. Little do they know, but Cameron is harboring his own tragic loss that has gone unspoken for a very long time. Eventually, Vazquez and Santillan work through their family woes, and the team becomes more focused than ever. Seeing their newfound commitment, Cameron turns down the engineering job and accompanies the boys to the competition. With the assistance of Lowrey and Kolinsky, the Carl Hayden robotics team makes a momentous entrance into the world of competitive robotics; despite the odds of success, their make-shift contraption built on spare parts and a shoe string budget outshines the state-of-the-art machines entered by top tier schools. Like other great underdog stories, perseverance and faith wins the day, and the team is victorious, defeating the figurative Goliath of the competition, MIT. And as an extra bonus, Santillan has the unexpected pleasure of having Pablo attend just in time to see the top award delivered. Definitely a hanky moment!Spare Parts is an enjoyable, entertaining flick that makes one laugh and touches the heart as well. A fresh side of the immigration issue is shown which sheds some light on the stress illegal status places on good, hard-working families. While the film doesn’t make a political argument per se, the topic was presented, leaving the viewer compassionate for the innocent victims. Memorable and touching, this gem of a movie is highly recommended for family audiences! Available now at Redbox. 

Becoming an Empty Nester

Becoming an empty nester is a truth all of us parents know we must face some day, way off in the future. While changing diapers, preparing meals and snacks, loading grocery carts to the gills, and running the carpool, one never really thinks about life with an empty, quiet home that awaits in 20 years time. But as the clock ticks down, the day finally comes. 

The busy season that preceded it, filled with graduation, orientation, shopping for dorm room decor, and updating the college wardrobe kept this Type A first-born mama's mind at a whir, so that when the quiet came, it seemed abrupt and cruel. Now what to do? The rooms are clean, no need to stock the fridge, the basement is straight, the yard taken care of. . . Time to realize one has entered into a new chapter of life.

There is sadness in leaving the old chapter behind, because I now realize motherhood was my 24/7 job that I loved and am really good at. I know I'll still be called upon from time to time when my kids need help or advice, etc., but it won't be the same. Once you've gone from one life chapter to another, there's no going back.

So I've decided to be excited, thrilled, elated. No more mandatory weekly grocery runs, no more cooking every night, no more incessant laundrey piles, messy rooms, basement furniture covered in snack crumbs, no more dealing with Cobb County schools (which I am grateful for all they did for our kids, btw), no more weekend scheduling around sports games and competitions. Bill and I can go whenever and wherever we want without announcing our departure. We can eat leftovers for days, and we can head off for the weekend at a moment's notice. And we will do it! 

We already have our list of places in the Atlanta area to explore, one being the Marietta Diner. Amazing place. But that's just a small beginning. There's lots more to come - the Lord will lead and guide us into new ventures and callings and wonderful family reunions with our children. I'm beginning to see that the best awaits us!!

Here are some pics of my birthday celebration, Braxton's Marching Chief attire, Rachel with her UK friends, and Anna at Dragon Con. And of course, the wonderful Marietta Diner!!

Yellow Out for HLH in honor of Cara Seckman

Last night Bill and I were back at Raider Valley watching Walton High beat Lassiter in the second home game of the season. We had just completed a 12 hour car ride where we brought Rachel and two of her UK friends from Lexington, KY to Marietta for the weekend. As a graduated cheerleader, Rachel had the privilege of being out on the field with the current Walton cheer squad to honor Cara.

Still a heartbreaking reality that Cara is gone from this world, but we know that she is with the Lord and that brings us great comfort. She may have tasted an earthly death, but her life did not end in death - it is hidden IN CHRIST!

Being an empty nester is much harder than I expected. Confession: occasional bouts of sadness will overwhelm me, probably because I know a chapter of my life has come to an abrupt close. Every parent realizes that this change is looming before them on the horizon of life, but when it actually happens . . . well, let's just say experience brings with it a fresh dose of revelation!

Last night's game was an emotional time of highs and lows. New chapters in life are always exciting but a little unnerving, especially for type A first-borns such as myself!

Here are some pics from the game last night. I know Cara had a big smile on her face. ☺☺

Movie Review - Undefeated

I am amazed at the number of excellent documentaries available today, particularly ones that are as entertaining as a stellar Hollywood film. Most recently, my husband and I discovered a jewel at Redbox, entitled Undefeated, which won the 2012 Oscar for best documentary feature. We were enthralled with the true story of Coach Bill Courtney from Memphis, Tennessee, whose mission is to coach a group of ragtag inner-city kids from Manassas High School to success.
The year is 2009 and Courtney, bearing a strong resemblance to Philip Seymour Hoffman, is a loud-mouthed, potbellied, freckled-faced Ole Miss graduate who loves football. He is white and affluent, but every one of his high school players is African American from an impoverished area where sports is a potential golden ticket to a better life. Courtney is married with four children, runs a successful business, but every free moment is spent volunteer coaching his team to a possible state playoff game, something that has alluded the school since its inception in 1899. He sacrifices the pleasures of life with his own family to serve his players, and he does it with drive, passion, and joy.
The odds are stacked against Courtney and the frustration level is high, but this only makes him work that much harder. More mentor than coach, he teaches these young boys what it means to be a man and “dig in,” work hard, and persevere when life’s obstacles seem insurmountable. It is clear his commitment comes from his own broken childhood of having a father leave him at the age of four. His heart is swollen with compassion for these kids who have grown up with similar disappointments and rejections. Most of them are fatherless, like Courtney, being raised by a single mom or grandmother, most have at least one relative who served time in prison, and most have no means of attending college upon graduation, short of receiving an athletic scholarship.
Courtney’s compassion in no way diminishes his aggressiveness in motivating his players. Time is spent checking up on grades, monitoring unruly behavior, breaking up fights, guarding against truancy, and maintaining order. And he does it loudly and forcefully, as one would expect a good coach to do, complete with glistening eyes that reveal a river of love flowing underneath the harshness. He is a Christian man, one of God’s heroes, even though a few curse words leak out every now and again (to which he laments that he will need to go home and pray for forgiveness). He is on a mission to serve, and his story is remarkable.
The three stars of the story are Chavis, a hot-headed delinquent with a penchant for violent rages, OC Brown, who is blessed with physical prowess and skill, and my favorite, Montrial aka “Money,” who is sweet and intelligent with a big heart. The viewer feels the greatest connection with Money, as does Courtney in my opinion, because his story is particularly heartbreaking. His father was killed at a young age, he is bright but has no means of paying for college, and a torn leg tendon midway through the season keeps him sidelined from playing. We watch Money go through the emotions of realizing his dream of a football scholarship is forever crushed, leaving a future that seems very bleak. I shed tears along with him at the unfairness of life.
*** SPOILER ALERT ***
But fortunately for Money, Courtney’s tirades emphasizing character, “manning up,” doing the right thing when the wrong thing seems easier, never quitting, and staying focused and vigilant pay off tremendous dividends. In a stroke of fortune, an anonymous benefactor learns of Money’s story and agrees to fund a four year scholarship to the college of his choice. To Money and Courtney, this gift is as wonderful as hitting the Powerball lottery;  when Courtney gives him the news, the emotional reaction sent my husband and me grabbing for the hankies! It is a powerful cinematic moment that many Hollywood filmmakers long to capture in their films.
As for Chavis and OC, they both find success, like Money. Chavis wins the team’s “Uncommon Man” award, which he dedicates to Money in a touching speech, and later becomes captain of the defense his senior year. OC is picked to play football for Southern Miss, expressing his desire to be a coach like Courtney—a tremendous honor for a simple man who is now a national hero. Courtney’s book, Against the Grain, is destined to be a bestseller, his business has grown into a multi-million dollar company, and a Hollywood rendition of this documentary is in the making.
The film builds to the playoffs, where Courtney achieves his goal of taking the team to its first game. They perform well but tragically lose by one point, ending Courtney’s six year run at Manassas. He makes the hard decision of spending more time with his own children, in particular coaching his little boy’s football team, lest he continue the cycle of  paternal rejection. The emotions displayed on the field after that final playoff game are gripping. It is a lesson to us all that miracles can happen in others’ lives if we are willing to give of our time and passions.
The filmmakers, Dan Lindsay and TJ Martin, have done an excellent job telling a compelling story about the power of love and commitment. I watched it a second time before writing this review and cried the same tears. If there were more men like Bill Courtney, our country would be in much better shape!
Undefeated is on Netflix streaming now. Watch it and enjoy!

University of Kentucky - Go Big Blue!

Rachel is all settled into her fabulous dorm in Lexington with her good friend, Stacy, from Marietta. We spent all day unloading, decorating, shopping, eating, organizing and fighting fatigue, but we got it all done. Bill and Anna and I have worked so hard to get two kids settled into college digs, and we are tired! Now to UGA Athens tomorrow and then Bill and I are done...for now. LOVE our kids! We are blessed!

Florida State University - Go Noles!

Braxton's new digs in Tallahassee. West 10 is a great complex with wonderful pool, workout facility, tanning beds (Florida!), gaming room, study center, etc. And a super Walmart just a mile down the road! Gonna be a great year! Notice...the flag collection from his past year's European travels.

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Fun in Myrtle Beach

The Fridays are having a blast on our first family vacation in years. We even got in a quick visit with the grandparents to celebrate Mom's birthday. Everyone is home for just a few days and then they're off to school - UGA, FSU, and UK. The life of the empty nester is waiting for Bill and me. Boo hoo! Or should I say, woo hoo?

Home from Europe!

Braxton had a great year with FSU'S first year abroad program, studying for 9 months in London and the summer months in Florence and Valencia, Spain. Truly a great experience. All of us are excited to have him home!

Movie Review - The Hunting Ground

The Hunting Ground is an important and timely documentary on the grim statistics of sexual assault on college campuses. Written and produced by the acclaimed Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering, the film tackles a tough and rarely-mentioned topic, much like the duo’s Oscar-nominated documentary, The Invisible War, which delves into the rampant sexual assault problem in the US military. After seeing the Invisible War, which is highly recommended on Netflix, I was shocked to learn that so many culprits walk away scot free without so much as a slap on the wrist; it seems our military leaders have little concern for the psychological and physical injuries to our beloved soldiers who sacrifice so much to keep our nation safe and free. Essentially, our military has become a hunting ground for sexual predators who believe they have a right to violate others.
Unfortunately, the same is true of our colleges and universities. As The Hunting Groundshows, a whopping 20% of women students will be sexually assaulted while attending university. That’s 1 in 5. For many of us parents who are spending hard-earned (and borrowed) money to educate our kids, one would think the universities and colleges would acknowledge these crimes, punish the assailants and work with local police in bringing them to justice, provide means of support for the victims, and at the very least, warn students and parents of the dangers lurking on college campuses. But sadly, the facts are very different. Most of these fine institutions remain tight-lipped, imposing middle school-type punishments for the perpetrators, all the while insinuating that the statistics are inflated or that the victims are either lying, emotionally disturbed, or deserving of the outcome. It’s enough to make one’s blood boil!
A comment regarding the film: it is wonderfully done with great cinematography, a compelling story with engaging characters, and sufficient drama that keeps the viewer waiting on the edge of the seat for justice to be served. Unfortunately, when it comes to changing age-old institutions run by educators determined to preserve their reputations, one must be very patient before significant changes occur.

Enter the two heroines of the documentary, Andrea Pino and Annie E. Clark, from my alma mater, UNC Chapel Hill. Both young women are attractive, smart as a whip, and wise beyond their years; they each bear their unique battle wounds from an endless fight against the behemoth university system to extract some sense of justice. Tragically, both were violently raped by fellow students and seamlessly pushed aside by university authorities after reporting the crime. As instructed, they tried to forget about the assault and move on with their lives, but when depression set in and the effects of PTSD took control, they realized professional help was needed.
Over time, the number of additional victims who came forward grew so large that it became obvious the university was sitting on a very big problem that was only getting worse. Just barely in their twenties, the two girls went public, banded together, and started a dialogue that led to a successful Title IX case against UNC. Media coverage followed, and with it, intimidation and death threats. But these two young crusaders stood firm and refused to back down. Victims from other universities across the US reached out and shared their similar stories, revealing that sexual assault on college campuses has become a growing epidemic.
Lest one assume this an issue unique to the South, the viewer is presented with additional testimonies that prove these crimes are prevalent all over the country. Harvard, Stanford, Florida State, and Notre Dame are some of the universities highlighted by the filmmakers, but the problem is rampant. Fraternities with their rumored rape dungeons and regaled athletes are the obvious danger zones, as are clubs, bars, and drunken parties. But statistics show that one-on-one friendships in supposed safe settings are risky as well.
One featured victim, who still suffers emotional pain, was lured to a supposed Halloween party by friends, only to find she had entered a well-laid trap. Alcohol seems to be common in most cases, along with spiked drinks, and heads smashed against hard surfaces in an eerily similar way that it made me wonder whether there are underground classes where these young men are taught how to immobilize their victims. Suicides follow and the victim’s parents are left heartbroken and confused as to why the university and/or local police never dealt with the matter. Why is it their traumatized child was forced to continue attending class with his or her rapist who in many cases received nothing more than a firm scolding? Ironically, the institutions seem to care more about plagiarism and other honor violations than sexual assault.
As the footage moved to late-night fraternity parties, I felt the hair on the back of my neck stand on end, as though I was watching a Hollywood psychodrama. Haunting images of attractive girls slinking behind frat house doors made me want to jump out of my seat—don’t they know what will happen to them in that devil’s den where rowdy “brothers” lurk in packs, complete with drugs, spiked alcohol, and cellphones set to record their evil deeds for all the Internet to see? These young men are presented as brute beasts enraged with mild-altering testosterone that has the ability to turn a bright, well-cultured gentleman into the most base of animals. I know I’m exaggerating, but am I really? Just watch and listen to the victims tell their sordid tales. As a mother of three young college students, I scratch my head, wondering how this can happen. It is certainly proof that man is totally depraved, as the Bible states.
The story finally escalates to the world of college sports, particularly the FSU football team, where a very high-profile quarterback is accused of a most heinous crime. The victim’s account is heart-breaking, and her attempt at fighting the all-powerful university athletic program for an ounce of retribution is like fists flailing at the air. DNA from a rape-kit connects him to the crime, but that is as far as it goes. Another victim comes forward, but the evidence is insufficient. He goes on to play in a national championship game and is the number one draft pick in the NFL, while she quits school and suffers the taunts of her fellow classmates. It is another needless tragedy that bolsters this most sobering statistic: less than 4% of college students are athletes, yet student athletes are responsible for 19% of sexual assaults on college campuses.
As one might conclude from the tone of this review, The Hunting Ground does a superb job of stirring the mama bear in all of us parents who are ready to fight to the death for our kids. I may be a die-hard UNC Tarheel, but university (or Panhellenic) loyalty will never usurp the fierce loyalty I have for my own flesh and blood.
The first step in implementing change is to talk about the problem, and this documentary is a great place to start. I urge every parent with college-aged children to watch this film and educate the entire family on the risks of sexual assault. And as for us Christians, we must pray for divine protection, healing for the victims, and a change that will last to the next generations.
For more information about viewing this powerful film, contact http://www.thehuntinggroundfilm.com.

UK Orientation - Go BIG BLUE!

I am officially a University of Kentucky wildcat fan after spending two jam-packed days on campus getting oriented for my youngest's upcoming freshman year.

Everyone was so friendly and accommodating - great food and lots of free stuff. There is so much construction going on around campus, but the sound of hammering and bulldozers only adds to the excitement in knowing that a gorgeous new student center is being created and, of course, more state of the art dorms that look more like 4 star hotels.

We are thrilled that Rachel is getting the opportunity to attend this school. There is much to look forward to, including great basketball, awesome cuisine (steak and beer cheese nachos), and the Kentucky Derby. It's a very different world from Atlanta, but one full of new adventures. Looking forward to the next four years!