Still Here - When Not at the Movies

Hello, all! It’s been a super busy couple of months here for various reasons, and ye olde blog has been on the back burner. Many thanks to all of you who continue to check in and haven’t given up on me. Hopefully things will settle down in the next few weeks and I'll be able to concentrate on recreational writing (and visiting) again.

For now … I know y’all love my movie reviews, so … my latest. I had photos too but as usual Blogger is being heinous with loading pictures - so maybe later.

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Movie Review: APOCALYPTO

I have a fanciful fascination with long gone cultures. And, as you all know, I’m also a travel junkie. About 7 years ago I was able to indulge both loves while on vacation in Mexico with the Hub. We took a side trip to Chichen Itza, an ancient Mayan center of worship, science, and socio-political gathering. We stood in the Pok ta Pok ball field, walked among the columns, visited the observatory, swam in the sacred sinkhole and climbed the great sun pyramid. Along the way, our guide told us all about life – and death – in the days of the Maya.

The Mayans practiced human sacrifice and bloodletting in attempts to appease the great god Kukulcan in elaborate ceremonies. I’ve known about their beliefs and practices – but hearing and reading about the stories is always somewhat in the abstract, being so long ago and involving a people and social structure now extinct.

Apocalypto brought it all into brutally close focus.

It is not my nature to give too much information away about a movie, lest I spoil it for those who want to see it. (I want to kick reviewers square in the butt who tell you the whole stinking plot and climax of a movie in their review, don’t you?) But I will tell you, Apocalypto will break your heart in points. You’ll be reminded that these souls overpowered by their own people weren’t just characters in legends, but real men and women and children with real lives. You will be moved, even shaken - I’d put money on it.

But the pain is worth it. Aside from the heavy plot, this movie is beyond words for praise. Exceptionally well done. Superb, expressive acting and enveloping cinematography. A powerful story on the looming dangers of unknown outside forces, no matter how in control you may think you are - and of drawing inner strength in the interest of one's family and own destiny. One of the best epic-level movies I’ve ever seen. Even if it was subtitled. Which I normally hate. But it's worth suffering through that part - which from me is saying a lot (LOL).

I have a new hero, and his name was Jaguar Paw.

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And now, Just for fun ... Filed simultaneously under the show-and-tell categories of “Look What I Got” and “My Girlfriends Rule”, check out what my homegirl Chesney sent me for Christmas.

Kewl, huh? A jigsaw puzzle to delight my obsessive-compulsive side, and great end-result subject matter for my pirate loving side.

Such an enabler. :) * Sigh *

LOVE YOU, CHES!

If I (or you, dear readers) don't make it back here before the big holiday festivities, I wanted to extend and official Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all my blog buds out there - Hope you have a wonderful time and enjoy peace and goodwill along with all the hectic hustle! Blessings to all of you!