Good Ol' Freda (2013)

Freda Kelly?  Does the name ring a bell?  This Beatles fan didn't recognize the name, but I imagine most hardcore fans would.  In Good Ol' Freda, Freda Kelly, the official secretary of The Beatles Fan Club breaks her silence to talk about 'the lads'. 

Through a series of recollections, Freda shares her stories about John, Paul, George, and Ringo and never sensationalizes.  Crawling into her attic, she manages to find a few collectables. Freda had one of the most enviable jobs in the world.  To which Freda says "Who wants to hear the secretary's story?"  For the Beatles fan, this documentary manages to add fresh content to an exhaustive canon.  Be warned.  The Liverpudlian accent is thick and often makes her stories difficult to follow.  Stick with it and you'll be rewarded with sweet anecdotes.

As I see it, Good Ol' Freda speaks of a day when loyalty was alive and well.  I found myself almost bored with the documentary because it lacks the sensationalism that our society has come to expect.  Kudos to Freda!!  Having a front row seat to music history, Freda never betrays a confidence or allows the pandemonium to overcome her responsibilities and love for her boys.  The film is a real gem for music fans.

Book One: Change or Die

For as ominous a book title as Change or Die is, this book from Alan Deutschman is rather hopeful.  By examining the mechanics of change, the author is almost blasphemous in his progressiveness.   Further exploration finds the author breaking down change into three critical keys: Relate, Report and Reframe.  These keys allow us to make positive change permanent in our lives.

Deutschman uses several case studies to concrete his thoughts.  Of particular interest is Dr. Dean Ornish and his approach to lifestyle change with his heart patients.  Critical to Ornish's success is his ability to address the underlying issues to his patients health problems.  Poor diet, smoking, stress... yes, these are all indicators of health problems.  Ornish; however, looks closer to see the emotional (or circumstantial) distress and encourages a supportive approach that truly provides hope to the patient who truly believes that change is obtainable.

Unlike many self-help books, Change or Die cuts through the bullsh!t of so many of the 'You're broken.  Here's Why' tomes that has made self-improvement a multimillion dollar industry.  After examining the case studies, he sets the reader up for apply the three keys to their own life, personally and professionally.  Truly a fascinating read whether you want to change or not.

The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (1947)

Independent widow Lucy Muir (Gene Tierney) decides to leave the confines of her life in London with her mother and sister in law to live in the British seaside.  After falling in love with the haunted Gull Cottage, Lucy sets up home despite the antics of the hateful old ghost of the cottage's former owner Captain Gregg (Rex Harrison).  The two become fast friends after Lucy doesn't bend to Captain Gregg's nonsense.  Lucy soon becomes the ghostwriting of Gregg's salty autobiography after they make a deal to put up with each other.  Friendship soon develops into something more but when a live suitor (George Sanders) shows up for Lucy, both must come to terms with their feelings.

How has this precious film escaped my radar all these years?  I queued The Ghost and Mrs. Muir after my fascination with Rex Harrison began.  This critic much prefers Harrison's gruff Captain Gregg to his Henry Higgins.  As the salty sea captain, Rex plays the specter as harsh and tragic.  Tierney plays cultured society beautifully against Harrison.  The chemistry between these two is incredible.  Tierney's language dips to the edge of propriety with too much exposure to Capt. Gregg and Harrison takes pleasure in listening to the results.

Joseph L Makiewicz (All About Eve, Cleopatra) directs.  Makiewicz uses brilliant comedic and horror elements to jump start the film.  Blending the line between fantasy (Capt Gregg) and reality, Makiewicz creates a  moody but believable canvas for this great cast of characters.  The screenplay touches to the coming change in gender roles rather smartly without being obnoxious.  A perfectly scored soundtrack, courtesy of Bernard Herrmann (Citizen Kane, Vertigo) further enhances a well rounded film.

As I see it, The Ghost and Mrs. Muir recalls a time with cinema was indeed a craft worth investing in.  Every element is top-notch which creates a memorable classic worth seeing.

Back in the Saddle. Again.

In my obsession for lists, charting self-improvement, pseudo-intellectual goals and with much chagrin, I'm using an Aerosmith song lyric to kick off a new year.  And that's enough of that.

The impetus for the resurrection is simple.  It's Lifehacker's fault.  Not only have I strangely decided to hoard, er, save money in an old fashioned manner (and backwards to boot!).  I found an answer on how to track the books I read in 2014.

"Hold on to your butts." ~ Ray Arnold (Samuel L. Jackson)

personal commentary: 2013 Airing of Grievances

The following grievances are mine and mine alone.  Due to the hypersensitive nature of social media and this litigious society in which we live, my friends, I feel a disclosure is required.  Read no further if you do not have the ability to think critically and appreciate sarcasm.

This annual airing of grievances is dedicated to Phil Jones.  A man who was my mentor, my friend, and fellow appreciator of pop-culture and all things Seinfeldian whose death continues to leave a void in my life.

Without further ado, I've got a lot of problems with you people and now you're going to hear about it!!

• Gender Neutrality:  Last time I checked, I'm still a gir.  in this gender phobic world in which I live, I'm still a girl.  A woman.  A broad.  A gal.  A b!tch.  A chick.  I am a female.  So, please don't call me dude.  Or man.  Or guy.
• Automobile Drivers who utilize their horns:  Does it make you feel better?!  Are you Cruella deVil?!  Sounds like you might be a mouth-breathing discourteous driver.  Quite frankly, if you hadn't pulled up to my bumper while I'm waiting at a red light, you could go around me if you're in such a hurry.  Yes, I'm waiting for the intersection to clear. Why?!  Obviously, it's your ilk that's running traffic signals and putting us all in danger.  You've been warned.  Next time, it's all Michael Douglas in Falling Down on you and your automobile. 
• "It is what it is.":  The hell it is!  It is what you make it.  Chin up and make 'it' better.  And if you can't engage your brain long enough to make 'it' better, then follow my lead.