Meryl Streep

Stunning… Disturbing… Masterful…

This is how I describe the film Doubt. I recently rented the DVD from Netflix. With a cast of powerhouse actors Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffmann, and Amy Adams, this movie with its amazing screenplay based on John Patrick Shanley’s stage play, Doubt is movie that leaves you recuperating mentally and emotionally for a while.

Amy Adams

It deals with extremes.  The story centers on suspicions that the parish priest ( Seymour) is a pedophile and is actively abusing some boys.  A novice nun ( Amy Adams) and Streep’s conservative militant superior nun character suspect and try to confirm it.

There is no real evidence only conjecture and gossip. Everything is based on appearance.  Convincing signs, but still no real evidence and the audience is pulled back and forth.  All these characters are flawed and played wonderfully by the principal actors.

Philip Seymour Hoffman and Amy Adams

The look of the film also adds to this feeling of uncertainty with its grey tones and camera angles. You are left still wondering about the primary question and be quite frankly, in doubt.

This film is not for faint hearted.  It is a masterpiece.  It is an actor’s film. It is a story that brings much to think about and leaves one feeling grateful for the art form known as film.

There is nothing like a homemade all American Fireworks show. Pete Wilson and his buddies do it perfectly this holiday weekend. Enjoy.

My dear friend of many years, Lina Flores, recently took a trip back to Guam, and was kind enough to share some of her photos with many of us on Facebook. For those of us who were born and who grew up there, it brought on a wave of homesickness. It was a beautiful place to grow up in and she was able to capture some really intimate and poignant shots of the island.

I received her permission to post her pictures on my blog. Thanks, Lina, for giving us glimpses of home.

Lina Flores

Quotes of Lina about her photos from Facebook:

“I was fortunate to spend some time going around the island during my visit this month to see again all the beautiful views of the ocean, beaches and natural splendor of the island. I dedicate this album especially to all my FB peeps who grew up on or call Guam their home; if it wasn’t for all of you, I would not have enjoyed this particular visit as much as I have!!! Thank you so much for making this trip so memorable and special for me!”

“Ai Adai! The wonderful trip back home to GUAM is winding down and my visit to island paradise is ending soon…..for all of you who are off-island and once lived on GUAM, I took the photos esp. for all of YOU– you know who you are! And for those I got to see again or meet for the first time; well look for your photo, as you are tagged as well!!!”

“To all my FB peeps: believe me when I tell you I thought about all of you while I was taking the photos, knowing they would be enjoyed and judging by your comments, much appreciated!! Thanks to all of YOU for inspiring me!!!”

“Just posted beautiful scenic photos I have been taking during the course of my trip on GUAM – the island is just BLAZING with all the flame trees in bloom; the sunsets are just gorgeous as ever; folks– there is no place like HOME!!!:-)”

BubbleShare: Share photos – Find great Clip Art Images.

It’s summer and the Peanut’s Gang give their take on Independence Day

Twilight the series of novels  written by the outstanding author Stephenie Meyer is now going to see a second movie released this November based on the novels called The Twilight Saga New Moon.

According to the early buzz on the movie it promises to be edgier, darker and better than the first movie.  Although the storyline is set against the backdrop of vampires and with this movie werewolves, the genius of the Meyer’s work is to get into the psyche of the adolescent girl with such intelligence and orchestration that her themes are universal and quite engaging.  She has captured the hearts of millions of young and old readers.

The movies that are being released based on these novels are also building on that fan base and the Twilight empire is a worldwide sensation.

For many November is still too long too wait for New Moon.  Until then, if you have not already, read the book.

From MTV.com

Jun 29 2009 6:51 AM EDT

‘Twilight’ Actor Michael Welch Talks ‘New Moon’ Mini-Movie Details

By Larry Carrol

SANTA MONICA, California — It’s a beloved moment in the “New Moon” novel, a rare moment of comic relief as Bella Swan attempts to get over her Edward Cullen-induced heartbreak by going on what becomes a three-way date with the love-struck Jacob Black and Mike Newton. Recently, actor Michael Welch made big news by assuring Twilighters that the scene would be in November’s “Twilight” sequel — and now, we’ve got the scoop on the key tweak masterminded by director Chris Weitz.

“I really should’ve checked with someone if this is information I can give away or not,” grinned Welch, the fan favorite who plays puppy dog-like Mike Newton in the blockbuster series. “But, whatever — here we are.”

Welch stopped by the MTV studios to discuss such far-ranging topics as his concern for Robert Pattinson’s safety and the “three-way date,” a scene that has Bella, Mike and Jacob at a movie theater, watching a horror film. But, in the grand tradition of such films as “The Player,” “Bowfinger” and “The Purple Rose of Cairo,” director Weitz is inserting his own mini “movie within a movie” into the mix.

“The film is called ‘Face Punch,’ ” revealed Welch, telling us about the tongue-in-cheek movie that Bella, Mike and Taylor will be seen watching on the big screen. “It’s an action film.”

When the cast of “New Moon” began planning out the pivotal date scene, they got a laugh out of some of the silly, fictional action-movie names that Weitz and his crew had assembled. But in the end, “Face Punch” was the winner.

“We started out with a few other comical names, but it turned out those were actual films so we couldn’t use those titles,” Welch laughed. “I forget the first few titles, but it was like ‘Crazy Explosion’ — and it turns out, there actually was a ‘Crazy Explosion.’ “

“Chris came up with the title,” he continued. “And apparently there is no ‘Face Punch’ that we know of.”

And although Welch and the other “New Moon” stars weren’t able to watch “Face Punch” while they shot their scenes inside the movie theater (they were repeatedly shown the trailer for “Defiance” while Weitz’s camera caught the flicker on their faces), he hopes that the filmmaker will shoot some silly action footage for his “Face Punch” mini-movie.

“That’d be interesting — maybe for the DVD, if there’s a ‘Face Punch’ trailer,” he grinned. “That’s actually not a bad idea.”

Click Here: Twilight Official Movie Site

Taylor Lautner New Moon

This is a difficult time for my family due to a death of a loved one.  This song touched me.

Reina Leddy

It has been a little over 24 hours that I found out that my sister-in-law, Reina Arce Leddy passed away suddenly in Guam. She is the wife and High School sweetheart of my brother, David.

It was a complete shock when I received the call from my brother, Phillip. Apparently she had been sick and was taken some medication. Then she had issues with her heart. She was rushed to the Navy Hospital. She went into what was apparently a cardiac arrest and passed away. It happened so suddenly. She was gone. She was only 45 years old.

Reina was the President of the Guam Chamber of Commerce. She was an excellent leader and was known for her intelligence and kindness. She was a sister in a very real way to us.

The loss has been devastating to David, to her family, and to Guam. I have not felt such sadness in a long time. I am preparing with two of my other brothers who are here in the states, to leave this week to be in Guam for her funeral.

Our family is coming together. We grieve for the loss of our loved one, our beloved Reina.

Pride in San Francisco 2009

From College Humor Video: He had to wait in the sweltering ceiling of his friend’s garage for eight days to pull this off. He said it was the best eight days of his life.or Video:

In an ambitious grassroots effort in preparation for the National Equality March on Washington ( October 11, 2009) , Straight and Gay supporters for equal rights are asked to come out on You Tube.

Here is the the official verbiage from the National Equality Website:

On October 10-11, 2009, we will gather in Washington DC from all across America to let our elected leaders know that now is the time for full equal rights for LGBT people. We will gather. We will march. And we will leave energized and empowered to do the work that needs to be done in every community across the nation.