White Nights (The Movie)

Mikhail Baryshnikov and Gregory Hines, two of the best Ballet and tap dancers America has seen. They are together in one movie and both of them shed light on the life of a Russian dancer. Nikolai 'Kolya' Rodchenko (Mikhail Baryshnikov), a ballet dancer, wants to dance for himself not because someone is telling him to dance, and if he doesn’t he goes to jail. Raymond Greenwood (Gregory Hines), a black tap dancer, wants to get out of the Apollo and to a place where his art is appreciated. Gregory thinks that places is Russia but little does he know, the freedom America offers is a no brainer compared to the hell Russia puts its citizens through. Nikolai is in a plane crash and it lands him in a Russian hospital, where he defected and remains a hated criminal. Getting out of the country is going to be next to impossible and through his journey he lives with Raymond who doesn’t agree with his view on America until the Russians take advantage of him. The two grow to love each other through scandals and escape routes.

Enough with the plot, I want to talk about Mikhail’s dance ability and flawlessness of it. He did 11 pirouettes in a row after a bet was made that he couldn’t do 10. Mikhail knows his body, he knows what he can do and he knows the impact he has on people. His center is perfect and his fluidity is unbelievable. For a ballerina like me, it inspires me to be the very best ballerina I can be. I want to be my best because he worked to get to his best. Only one thing will get me there; God. I have become a level 7 ballerina in 5 classes. I can only thank the person who created me, the one who helped me become who I am to this day. Watching Mikhail dance I only think about how impactful he is on the dancers who watch him. He wouldn’t dance because he was told; he danced when he wanted too, when he felt like it. He danced for himself. I will dance for God.

You're Really Asking Me to Pick One?

This is going to be one of the hardest blogs to write. Not because I don’t like music, not because I can’t think of anything, not because music is hard to write about. It’s simply because I don’t know how I am going to pick one, keep it around 300 words, and eventually stop talking about it. I don’t have a favorite genre; I honestly can’t say I have even a favorite artist because I like so many different artists from different genres. Hip hop, R&B, Christian, Gospel, Soul, Alternative, Ballet Piano, Jazz, Pop, Singer-Songwriter, and A cappella, are my favorite genres. I have a few artists that I like outside of these genres because of lyrical reliability and sound quality. My favorites from each genre are: Drake (hip hop), Kelly Price (R&B), Audrey Assad (Christian), Tonéx (Gospel), Jill Scott & Erykah Badu (Soul), Jean-Yves Thibaudet (Ballet), Afro-blue (Jazz), Greyson Chance (Pop), The Ready Set (Alternative), Sleeping At Last (Singer-Songwriter), and Pentatonix (A cappella).

Music is how I express myself and the lyrics of a song help me relax. Someone else is going through something similar to me? Why wouldn’t I listen to a story that comes from such a beautiful voice? I have always liked music but it wasn’t until this past year that I found out how much truly I love it and how much I was missing. There isn’t anything like making a classy dinner with Yo-Yo Ma playing in the back ground. I can’t take credit for my education on music. A family friend of mine has been on radio and in theater so his music education is way above mine but I am frequently learning more and more about what is available. I have heard notes that I never even knew were possible. Not just Mariah Carey style (though she is phenomenal) but higher. Erykah Badu sings in Stay (live) with her back up singer, she hits such a high note that it sounds like there is a third singer and a whole new note is formed. I will continue to listen and educate myself on the talent that the radio isn’t hearing.

Cinematic Adventures

Law Abiding Citizen (2009): 

Clyde Shelton: I don't think you have any idea who's helping me, or what I'm doing.

Nick Rice: It's a matter of time.

Clyde Shelton: You see the bodies, you see the smoke. But the larger picture still eludes you.

This movie takes a Thriller to the next level. Only a man like Gerald Butler could pull of a character like Clyde Shelton. When a man watches his family die and the law lets the killer go, he is going to do whatever he can to set the law straight. A tricky plan includes getting the killer, the district attorney and many other people involved in the case, to face death. This entails many murders and many warning signs. It all happens from a jail cell in federal prison.

Capote (2005):

Truman Capote: Ever since I was a child, folks have thought they had me pegged, because of the way I am, the way I talk. And they're always wrong.

A representation of Truman Capote’s journey to write a book called In Cold Blood, this movie is phenomenal. Philip Seymour Hoffman is one of the most talented actors I’ve ever seen. This film produces questions the integrity and morality of the intelligent. An unusual relationship, a dangerous situation, a brutal murder, only one man would want to write a book about the truth of the situation. “There is not a word or a sentence or a concept that you can illuminate for me.”

Truman Capote is very well represented in this film.

Away We Go (2009):

Verona De Tessant: I mean, we're 34...

Burt Farlander: I'm 33.

Verona De Tessant: ...and we don't even have this basic stuff figured out.

Burt Farlander: Basic, like how?

Verona De Tessant: Basic, like how to live.

Maya Rudolph…enough said. In this film a young, quirky, and very pregnant couple, travel around in search of a place to start their family. Very much in love, this couple is going to battle out every uncomfortable and strange situation together. Finding a home is not easy but it is possible. Infused with many laughs, a few tears, and a lot of experimenting, this movie is a beautiful look on life. A lovely pregnancy, the excitement of being a father for the first time, and the laughs of things not working out in their favor, all of these things sum up Away We Go.

Spoiler Alert!

Picking a favorite book is extremely difficult for me because I read so much. I am going to step out on a limb and face the truth on this one. My favorite book, so far, is Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyers. No, it’s not because the movie just came out or because I am some vampire freak. This is because I admire Stephanie Meyers and there is a lot of relatable dialog in Breaking Dawn. Edward and Bella are such a phenomenon because of the movies and the whole scene has been stretched to the limits but I believe strongly that my reason for loving this book is because of its emotional excellence. Bella gains power that she didn’t know she had until her world turns upside down. Her husband, Edward, wants to do what will protect her and she wants to do what will protect her baby which happens to be opposite of what will protect her. She puts her life on the line for her baby, for her belief in her baby. She accepted death for an unborn child that could potentially be dangerous to her and her entire family. She knew what she felt about her baby; she put her marriage and her love for Edward last. When Renesmee Carlie Cullen was born Bella did die. She lost her life but gained another; one that included the most beautiful and life changing baby I’ve ever read about; a baby that only Stephanie Meyers could create. Bella and Edward, together, raised a child of brilliance and beauty.

Meanwhile, Bella was finding out who she really is, who she never thought she could be, a shield of pure strength. She always depended on Edward for her safety. In reality, she was the one who could keep everyone safe, her daughter included.  Edward and Bella grew into a couple, a collaboration that only true love can form. In sickness and in health the couple grew into two of the most celebrated fictional characters this generation has seen.  

Old Country Buffet

Main Entry: Thanksgiving. Noun. Definition: Grace. Pronunciation: [thangks-giv-ing]

Thanksgiving falls on the fourth Thursday of every month. It usually includes a fried or baked turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, gravy, green bean casserole, apple cider, pumpkin pie, and of course family. A big table is set up in the middle of the dining room and decorated with a cornucopia and the best dish set the family has. The silverware is sparkling and smiles are spread across the faces of the adults. What about the kids? Well, currently the “kids table” is being set up in the far corner of the kitchen. This usually means smaller glasses, less food, and more droll. Meanwhile, at the “grown up table” there are loud discussions about politics or religion. There could possibly be a juicy story, reeking of gossip, coming from an aunt about one of your friend’s parents. A distant cousin is staring into their plate (they wouldn’t dare look you in the eye). Your brothers are minutes from a fight and your running out of patience. Dinner ends, the TV is playing the football game, and all you want to do is take a nap.

Are you bored with all that? I know I am.

This has my Thanksgiving since the day I was born. This year will be a little different. My family is stepping away from the normal and making thanksgiving more about giving thanks. The Old Country Buffet is open all day with the best turkey you’ll eat and not have to do the dishes afterwards. Spending time together and not having the stress of buying ingredients, cooking for 8 hours, sweating, entertaining and cleaning dishes after all of it is over. Why not just spend time together and make it simple? Regal Cinemas is right down the road to top off the day of family. The world is our oyster for that one day. Who knows what we’ll do. It’s time to make a new tradition.