Caroline Friday's Blog, page 863

Million Dollar Arm

Sports enthusiasts will love this inspirational film based on a true story about a down-and-out sports agent who goes on an unusual search for fresh major league baseball talent. 
Jon Hamm stars as JB Bernstein who has just lost “the big client” that would have launched his sports management firm into the stratosphere. With no other prospects and his Chinese investor itching to pull the plug, he and his business partner get a hair-brained idea to scour India for a cricket bowler who could possibly become a major league baseball pitcher.  The Chinese investor signs on to their idea and agrees to launch a reality show in India titled “Million Dollar Arm,” where young cricket players compete for two coveted spots to travel to America. There, they will endure intensive training in hopes to be drafted onto major league teams.
The fun starts when Hamm travels to India to set up the reality show. Like most Type A Americans, he hopes to get things rolling quickly and efficiently in just a matter of weeks. But obstacles await him at every turn as he tries in vain to get production off the ground. India moves at a slower pace, and bureaucracy and strange business dealings tend to create bottlenecks which create long delays. As a result, Hamm is forced to be patient and methodical when his natural instinct is to be rash and impulsive—a great lesson that plays out nicely in his character arc.
With the help of an adorable and over-eager assistant, Amit (Pitobash), the kinks get worked out and the competition begins. Expecting to discover true cricket players who actually know how to throw a ball, Hamm and his recruiting team are stunned to find very little talent among the enormous turn-out of contenders. His professional scout, Ray (played by Alan Arkin – one of my favorite actors), sets up a folding chair and dozes through the entire try-out, offering a few witty quips here and there. The talent truly is atrocious, almost like round one of American Idol, which offers some expected, hearty laughs. Eventually, after much deliberation, two players emerge as possibilities: Dinesh (Madhur Mittal) and Rinku (Suraj Sharma).  The two Indian boys kiss their families good-bye and accompany Hamm back to the US.
As one would expect, an aggressive, success-driven sports agent and two uncultured foreigners living in a pristine bachelor pad causes a host of problems. First, the boys know very little English, they wake at the early hours to pray and burn incense, they experiment with beer, over-indulge on pizza and junk food, and generally wreak havoc in Hamm’s life. Being a confirmed bachelor with a structured schedule, he doesn’t take too kindly to his life being interrupted and digs being destroyed, and it isn’t long before his anger toward them takes its toll. As it turns out, they aren’t developing in their pitching skills as well as was hoped, and so Hamm starts to look for other options.
The boys quickly catch on that they have fallen out of favor with Hamm and make plans to return home. But before final decisions are made, they receive encouragement from Brenda (Lake Bell), an attractive doctor who rents Hamm’s pool house. Brenda is friendly and kind and convinces the boys to stick with it and not give up too quickly. At the same time, she and Hamm form an attraction which blossoms from romance into a deeper friendship. She confronts him with his selfishness and helps him realize how unfair he has been to these two young Indians. Convicted, Hamm decides to turn over a new leaf and nurture them – not as clients – but as sons, and the results are palpable. He gets personally involved in their training, and the boys start to improve. History is made and the two became the first Indians to secure major league contracts.
There are some good performances by Bill Paxton, the boys’ trainer, and of course, Alan Arkin, as mentioned earlier, who always makes me laugh. Jon Hamm is wonderful and reminded me of a young Harrison Ford and Aaron Eckhart all rolled into one. Since I’m not a Mad Men fan, I wasn’t familiar with Hamm’s work, but this performance convinced me he is a solid, Hollywood leading man. We will definitely be seeing more of him on the big screen.
Go see this film and be inspired. Stories about big, impossible dreams becoming a reality and faith against the odds are tales that live with many of us for years to come. I also like seeing the selfish, materialistic capitalist go from being greedy and self-centered to being loving, nurturing and sacrificial. That is always a nice touch. And of course, being based on a true story always makes a movie that much better!

Senior Night

Last football game at Raider Valley celebrating Rachel 's senior year. It was a cold night but lots of fun even though the team lost. I've so enjoyed these many years of watching my baby cheer to enthusiastic fans. All started many years ago in elementary school. Can't believe how time flies!

Second Place at Kell Competition!

What a great victory last weekend for the Walton Raider competition cheerleading squad! A much deserved second place in their division - now on to regions and state!

Mrs. Doubtfire

In the wake of Robin Williams’ untimely death, I thought I would review one of his most popular family classics, Mrs. Doubtfire.
It’s hard to imagine someone with such an unusual command of the art of comedy ending his life so tragically. Like many fans, I am still bewildered that this could have happened, and at the ripe age of 63, but I guess my confusion reveals an ignorance of the power of depression. Sadly, addiction to alcohol and drugs, and the damage from a sad, lonely childhood, among other things, eventually won out, robbing the world of Williams’ extraordinary gift. However, I am so very thankful that his humor, wit, and one-of-a-kind hilarity are preserved for us and future generations in such wonderful films as Dead Poets Society, RV, Good Will Hunting, Aladdin, and of course, Mrs. Doubtfire. 
I was a bit teary-eyed when I pulled the DVD from my private movie library and popped it into the Blu-ray. Long ago, I fell in love with Euphegenia Doubtfire, as did Sally Field (sporting an adorable bob) and her three kids, Chris, Lydia and Natalie. The intimidation from those steely, blue eyes, mannish appearance, and strict, British decorum fades away at the sound of Mrs. Doubtfire’s gentle Scottish brogue peppered with “dear” after every other word. With a tongue as sharp as a whip, she has the ability to pinpoint the root of the problem, figuratively cut it out, all the while building up everyone’s self-esteem and getting plenty of laughs along the way. I’m reminded of Tyler Perry’s Madea character and Dustin Hoffman’s Dorothy Michaels in another favorite, Tootsie.
As most of you probably know, when I speak of Mrs. Doubtfire, I am speaking of Robin Williams in drag hamming it up in his usual spastic, almost schizophrenic style. But before the comedy takes off, the story starts tragically with the cloud of an impending divorce looming over the family. Once again, Williams has lost his job as a voice-over actor leaving the financial responsibilities to his high-powered interior designer wife (Field) who has just taken on a fabulous new client, played by Pierce Brosnan. After coming home to their posh San Francisco mansion and finding the house in a wreck, Field takes action and files for separation. Because of Williams’ erratic behavior, he loses custody of the children until the court determines he can hold down a job and attain a suitable place to live.
Since Williams is a man who adores his children and can’t imagine going a single day without seeing them, he takes drastic measures to ensure his rightful place as their father. Using his brother’s skills at theater makeup and prosthetics, he conjures up a disguise of a frumpy, middle-aged English woman with years of experience as a nanny. The disguise, complete with an affected Scottish/English accent, is so good that it fools the entire family, enabling him to land a position as their part-time housekeeper. Where Williams was sloppy and irresponsible as a selfish husband, Mrs. Doubtfire is neat and tidy, cleaning the house from top to bottom, getting the children to finish their homework, and making sure a healthy, gourmet meal is on the table by the time Field returns home from work. She even takes the time to sit at the kitchen table and have long, heart-felt, woman-to-woman talks with Field. Before long, the entire family falls for the eccentric English marm, harboring no suspicions that she is really their dad in drag. Not until an inopportune bathroom moment reveals the truth to Chris and Lydia. After getting over the initial shock, they agree to keep Williams’ ruse a secret from Field and Natalie.
There is so much I loved about this movie, one of them being Pierce Brosnan, who plays the straight man to Williams’ quirky comedian. Looking dapper and elegant, he is the antithesis of Williams and is a viable competitor for the family’s affections. As he makes the moves on Field, Mrs. Doubtfire ratchets up her sharp tongue, letting zingers fly that make everyone cringe. I have to admit, some of them border on an R rating, but since they come at a fast-paced staccato style from a humorous Williams, they whizz by before the viewer has time to ponder what was said. This is the genius of Williams’ comedy – he always seemed to be one step ahead of his audience, taking us down funny roads full of wonderful jokes and imitations that keep the senses moving at lightning speed!
** SPOILER ALERT **
As in most great Hollywood comedies, there are hilarious romps that keep the audience in stitches while Williams maneuvers keeping Mrs. Doubtfire’s identity a secret from the court liaison, his future employer, and most importantly, Field. But surprisingly, when the truth is revealed, it is done in a way that saves Brosnan, Williams’ nemesis. Even though it was performed in typical Robin Williams’ style, it was selfless act of love, putting the needs and desires of Field and his children above his own.
The ending is perfect, with the family coming to a place of restoration, though not what many of us Christians would like to see. Williams and Field remain divorced, but he resumes his place in the children’s lives as the loving, funny dad, complete with new job that enables Mrs. Doubtfire to live on and share her unusual love to the entire world.
A final message is delivered by Mrs. Doubtfire on her highly ranked television show, encouraging children of divorce to disbelieve the lie that they are somehow at fault. Divorce is a decision made by two adults that in no way reflects their love for their children. It touched my heart to think that perhaps one broken child might hear this message from a funny-looking comedian dressed like a woman and be delivered from the guilt that comes from a broken home. This scene alone should be enough to make Robin Williams proud.

Besides the impeccable humor, he has left all of us movie-lovers a wonderful legacy in Mrs. Euphegenia Doubtfire! Robin Williams, you and Mrs. Doubtfire will be sorely missed!

The Lost Princess - download free

Download my children's illustrated book for FREE this week on kindle! For every age! A Christian allegorical story that has touched the hearts of first graders as well as a room full of wounded, hurting women. Be blessed!
http://www.amazon.com/Lost-Princess-Caroline-Friday-ebook/dp/B00AAMTTDM/ref=la_B00A4461ZA_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1412276545&sr=1-4

Belle

Belle is a sweet British period flick that highlights an event in the late nineteenth century that was way off my radar. Inspired by the true story of Dido Elizabeth Belle (Gugu Mbatha-Raw), the film portrays the life of an illegitimate mixed-race woman who ultimately played a part in ending slavery in Great Britain.Fathered by Admiral Sir John Lindsay and a Colonial islander, Dido comes to live in the grand opulence of British aristocracy after her mother dies. While her father loves her and delights in bringing his little daughter to his ancestral home, his family is less than pleased. His uncle, Lord Mansfield (Tom Wilkinson), is a prominent judge on the Supreme Court who married into affluence and has no intentions of ruining his reputation by accepting an illegitimate “mulatto” into his fold. While his niece, Elizabeth Murray (Sarah Gadon), delights in having Dido as a companion and playmate, Lord Mansfield’s wife (Emily Watson) and spinster sister (Penelope Wilton) are equally convinced Dido’s dark complexion, curly hair, and unsavory roots will be the downfall of the family. But Sir Lindsay will not be swayed; he declares Dido his sole heir and then returns to his position as a naval officer. Dido is now frightened and alone, living in a beautiful yet hostile environment.A classic “fish-out-of-water” tale, the audience has immediate sympathy for the main character whose fate is a certain doom. One wonders how this lovely, dark-skinned girl living amongst a sea of white prejudice will ever survive and live the life her father desired. But to her credit, her deep intellect and curious mind does not go unnoticed by Lord Mansfield, who connects with her soul in a profound way. While he initially comes across as cool and aloof, he soon warms to Dido and grows to love her as his own child.At first, this movie looked like a typical Austenesque story where an undesirable, yet wealthy English girl has to overcome the obstacles of Victorian society to secure her true love. As expected, Dido grows into a lovely, young woman with all the refinement and accomplishments common to a lady of her position, but when she comes of age, things change. Suddenly, she is deemed "less-than-worthy" to be presented to English society. The family pulls away from her, relegating her to the kitchen when guests arrive for dinner and assigning her the vocation of “housekeeper” after her aunt becomes too infirm to fulfill the job. Dido is devastated that even Lord Mansfield looks at her with different eyes just because of the color of her skin. There is a great scene where she sits before her vanity mirror, the object of perfect innocence and beauty but rejected by all those whom she loves. She beats herself and claws at her skin, wishing to rip the color away. It was heart-breaking to see.As in most British period romances, fortune smiles on the protagonist, and in Dido’s case, she becomes an extremely wealthy heiress after her father’s death. Now the toast of London society, Dido catches the eye of several desirable suitors, one being the handsome Oliver Ashford (James Norton), son of a very ambitious Lady Ashford (Miranda Richardson). The Ashfords are willing to overlook Dido’s skin color in exchange for her fortune, so plans are swiftly hatched to secure a favorable marriage. But as it turns out, Oliver’s evil brother, James (Tom Felton), is disgusted with the notion of her becoming connected to his family. He eyes Dido with distain, waiting for the opportune moment to force himself on her in an act of humiliation—very unusual in an Victorian era piece. Dido defends herself marvelously, warning Elizabeth to guard her heart from such an unscrupulous man.The story picks up when the local vicar’s son, John Davinier (Sam Reid), arrives on the scene to apprentice under Lord Mansfield. Sparks fly when he meets Dido, and it is clear they are a good match for each other, both physically and intellectually. He is passionate and outspoken, particularly regarding a highly political case involving a disputed insurance claim for the murder of slaves on a slave-cargo ship. Because Lord Mansfield has the distinguished privilege of deciding the outcome of the case, Davinier uses his skill of argument and persuasion to convince his Lordship to deny the shipping company the insurance proceeds. To Davinier, the morality of insuring human lives and then callously tossing them overboard in exchange for insurance money is unconscionable. The growing number of abolitionists in England agrees, sparking anti-slavery protests throughout the city. Dido overhears some of their heated discussions and realizes she is in a unique position to influence the outcome of the case.Dido secretly accompanies Davinier to some of his abolitionists meetings and can’t help falling in love with his vigor and passion. They have a romantic, soul connection that is sweet and very believable but untenable, given their circumstances. Succumbing to family pressure, Dido agrees to marry Oliver Ashford and settle down into a typical aristocratic life. And yet, like Queen Esther, she is haunted by the cries of her people who are deemed nothing other than property, subject to disposal at the whim of a ship captain. The extraordinary nature of her favorable circumstances speaks volumes, prompting her to take action.** SPOILER ALERT **The remainder of the movie concludes as one would expect. Dido breaks things off with Oliver and pledges her heart to Davinier. The Ashfords are appalled at her decision, but Dido is beyond caring. She chooses happiness and love over position and reputation. Lord Mansfield forbids her union with the poor, rebellious Davinier, but Dido stands her ground. Ironically, her strength and fortitude convict Lord Mansfield’s heart and appeals to his better judgment so that he ultimately rules against the shipping company. While a major political victory for the abolitionists, the decision is also a personal victory for Dido. For the first time in her life, she realizes Lord Mansfield’s unconditional love for her.The final scene touches the heart in a profound way. Throughout the film, the viewer sees an artist painting a portrait of Dido and Elizabeth together, as commissioned by Lord Mansfield. When the picture it is finally revealed, we see Dido, looking like a glorious, radiant angel against Elizabeth’s white, pasty appearance. In real life, the contrast between the two isn’t as great, but the filmmakers were making a point. To Lord Mansfield, Dido was a delicate, precious rose who was more special and dear to his heart than his white offspring.If only the rest of the world could look past color and see into a person’s soul as he was able to do! The world would be a much better place!  

Lady Bull Dawg!

Anna's on the UGA girls' rugby team and having a blast! Sore ankles and a little bruised, but she's toughening back up to her black belt mentality. Proud of her!!

Fun Birthday!

Yesterday was one of the best birthdays I've ever had! My husband treated me like a queen, Anna came home, The Lord blessed me in so many ways, received great news on the business front ... Then went to a Walton High football game where the Raiders whomped on Lassiter!! But the biggest blessing were the texts and messages from Rachel's friends AND a birthday serenade from the entire Walton student body at the game! I must be doing something right if that many teenagers like me!!! Thank you Lord! You are a Good God! Despite what is going on in the world and life around me, HE STILL REIGNS! Hallelujah!!

London Scavenger Hunt

Looks like Braxton is having fun! Looks like a great group of young men and women. 

Anna's Finished Room!

Well, she redecorated, but I think this setup is perfect. First sign of true independence is when you come behind your decorating mama and switch stuff around - AND it looks better and is more functional!! Way to go, Anna!