Ma Vie En Rose movie review

President Bill Clinton once said that his job as a parent was even tougher than that of being the most powerful man on earth. That is a remarkable statement because it tells us how important a parent's job is. And that job becomes even more challenging when your child is not "normal."

That is exactly the challenge that Hanna (played by Michele Laroque) and Pierre (played by Jean-Philippe Ecoffey) face when they realize that their son Ludovic (played extremely well by Georges DuFresne) thinks he is a girl. The parents and his grandma are fairly supportive hoping that things will gradully change but Ludovic refuses to change despite pleas from classmates, teachers, and a therapist. To make things even worse, he even wants to marry a neighborhood boy (who happens to be his father's boss's son) when they grow up.

We have all had someone in our school or family who wanted to be a different sex than what they were born in and in most cases they simply outgrow their desire and lead normal lives, like Ludovic eventually does. Having said that, there are some real cases when people are convinced they are in the wrong body and they can get help from doctors (a 12-year old German boy recently had gender reassignment surgery to become Kim from Tim) and psychologists.

For some reasons the movie is rated R though my reaction was that it is a movie one should watch as a family (and we thought that Grave of the Fireflies should have been rated R and it wasn't). It has no violence or sexual content at all and having a family discussion would be appropriate after watching it.

It is one of the finest movies (the movie is in French and its English title is "My Life In Pink") we have seen and no surprise then that it was honored at the Cannes and won the best foreign film award at the Golden Globes.

29th Street movie review

A couple of years ago the Powerball lottery reached a gazillion dollars and all our friends were going nuts about it. Lorena and I drove across the border to Rhode Island and marched into a convenience store. We had never ordered a lottery ticket before and the guy looked at us as if we had come on a space ship. He did take pity on us, took our money, and handed us a bunch of tickets. Like millions of other people, we won nothing.

That does not happen to everyone, though. Someone does win big time once in a while. A guy called Frank Pesce (played by Anthony LaPaglia) did in 1970s New York. A "loser" son in a working-class Italian family (another similar movie that I like is West Side Story), he bought the ticket when he was forced to spend money at a convenience store to cash his check. The only problem is that he "gave" his winning ticket to the Italian mafia boss (while a "loser," Frank was also a lucky guy so much so that the mafia boss thought he was going to win the lottery), so that he won't harass his family for the debt they owed him. There are interesting twists and turns, and in the end, the family gets the money.

29th Street is a beautiful movie and shows the challenges of working class Americans in the seventies, though, things haven't changed much for low-income Americans. Some great acting by all, including Danny Aiello (who plays Frank's father), this true story (yes, the real Frank Pesce Jr. acts as the brother and is also the executive producer) comes to life in this excellent comedy.

How to be fit?

Like me. Well, I don't want to brag, but I am pretty fit. My BMI is 21.6 (desirable range is 18.5 to 24.9) is and waist to hip ratio is 0.86 (desired number is less than 0.9). My good cholesterol (HDL) is too high and my bad cholesterol is too low (LDL). I have not had to see a doctor for an illness for about 10 years (I am so tempted to cancel my health insurance). So I recently emailed my younger brother how to be fit; his cholesterol level was not acceptable. Here is what my daily diet and exercise program looks like:

Morning

• Drink a big glass of water on waking up
• Coffee
• Minimum 30 minutes of exercise (I love running fast, not walking, on the treadmill and some stretch exercises)
• Steel-cut, organic oatmeal, cooked in skim-milk and eaten with maple syrup/honey, prunes, and almonds (soaked overnight)
• Vitamins and supplements

Mid morning snack

• If I am hungry, I eat a fruit

Lunch

• Brown rice
• Vegetables (here is one recipe and then another one for soba noodles)
  
• Beans (I am trying to cut down my meat consumption but you can try chicken, fish, etc. but stay away from red meat)

Afternoon snack

• Fruits, sometimes with cottage cheese or with walnuts/pistachio
• Or smoothie (fruits, skim milk, and no sugar)

Dinner

• Whole grain bread
• Vegetables
• Dessert: Only rarely do I eat dessert but some of my favorites are fat-free versions of yoghurt or sorbet or plain milk. Occasionally, I might eat a piece of cake or ice-cream

Other tips

• Use only extra-virgin olive oil.
• Try not to eat out more than once a week and eat fast-food only if you will starve to death (when I travel, I always bring energy bars for those situations when you can't find good food)

Delivering Milo movie review

While I am an optimist and hope that life will be great in the future, it won't be easy to convince a kid why she or he should come into this world. Wars (Read Grave Of The Fireflies movie review), global warming, and all the challenges that one has to go through just to survive makes it an unexciting place.

That is exactly the challenge an angel Elmore Dahl (played by Albert Finney) faces when he has to convince an unborn soul Milo (played by Anton Yelchin) to be born. The kid simply refuses to get himself into trouble. The solution is to send Milo and Elmore to New York City and let Milo enjoy all the wonderful things that the city has to offer, including a trip to Ellis Island or a visit to a toy store or even worse, a trip to Atlantic City. Elmore is less interested in the outcome but more important in hooking up with his old flames.

Like "Defending your life," the movie is not meant to answer any profound questions about life and death, but is a comic look at our life on the planet from the perspective of an outsider. While I recommend the movie, it is a fairly light and funny film. Don't expect to be wowed.

Learning from Jennifer Hudson

I am sure you have had a chance to work with one of those idiots who know it all - the ones that write your performance reviews and say that you are good-for-nothing or not (whatever) material or that you can't be promoted, or even worse, let go. One of such obnoxious people that I know of is Simon Cowell, the host of American Idol. He told Jennifer Hudson (Photo: Golden Globe® Awards 2007 - © MMVII Hollywood Foreign Press Association® "© HFPA" and "64th Golden Globe® Awards") that she was just not good enough.

Guess what, she won the Golden Globe, and I wouldn't be surprised if she continued to do well as an actor and singer and win more awards too. Cowell did realize his mistake when Hudson put up a stellar performance on the Oprah show. He apologized, "I'd like to be the first to admit a massive dose of humble pie. That was extraordinary Jennifer and I feel very proud of you. I feel we had a very small part in what's happened in your life--please thank me when you get your Oscar."

Hudson, on a different occasion, said, "Who cares what Simon Cowell has to say?"

So the message here is that idiots have a hard time keeping their mouth shut but you must keep your ears closed when idiots talk. I am so proud of Jennifer Hudson and hope that she can be a role model for anyone out there who has been discouraged by a colleague or friend or family member.

Frequency album by Naked Rhythm band

Imagine combining a German (Alex Spurkel), a Jew (Avi Sills), and a Lebanese man (Tony Khalife) and the group them together with bellydancers? What you get is a cool group called Naked Rhythm. The band has already been embraced by Sting (who endorsed their album), Robert Downey Jr., and The Black Eyed Peas.

They just don't produce eclectic music inspired by many genres from all over the world, they also want to make the world a better place. We loved their music because it fuses notes from bellydancing (Lorena has taken some lessons and we both have taken ballroom dancing lessons) and other forms to create some interesting music. Reminded me of Hellogoodbye.

Their latest album is called "Frequency" and has been produced in collaboration with Djivan Gasparian, Abhiman Koushal, Brutha Los, Tony Khalife, Woroud Antabil, CC White, Cairo Orchestra, and Battista. Strongly recommended.

Nausicaa Of The Valley Of The Wind movie review

I have been dealing with the issue of global warming purely as a business strategy issue and after beating up ExxonMobil for its naivete in hoping that the earth would simply become colder if they closed their eyes, I am glad to learn that they have not only cut funding to those I-am-in-denial-about-global-warming-think-tanks but is joining the same group that BP belongs to: deal with it as a business problem.

That is what I was thinking all along when I was watching Nausicaä Of the Valley of the Wind, a masterpiece by Hayao Miyazaki. The movie documents the story of the planet a thousand years after a global war (Also read about Grave of the Fireflies and Asoka with similar themes) that wipes almost all civilization except for a few communities. The people in one of these, Valley Of The Wind, have to battle not just other communities but also deadly insects and poisonous forests. Prince Nausicaa, with her innocence and disarming charm, is able to win the trust of the insects and they all learn to coexist establishing the harmony between nature and people.

While it is a work of fiction with no political message, it is not inappropriate to imagine what would happen if we do nothing about the warming planet.

For fans of Miyazaki-san, this is yet another beautiful movie. The others that I have seen and recommend are "Princess Mononoke," "Kiki's Delivery Service," and "Spirited Away."

Review of Asoka movie

When I wrote about bringing Mohandas Gandhi back, I was told to also watch a Bollywood movie Asoka, that documents the story of Emperon Asoka (spelled in some places as Ashoka or Ashok or Ashoke) that ruled parts of the Indian sucontinent in the 3rd century BC. Like Gandhi, he too helped spread the message of non-violence after he embraced Buddhism. Prior to that, though, it would not be a stretch to compare him to Saddam Hussein or Hitler. He was so hungry for power and land that all his life he fought battles and never paid attention to the horrors of war (Read more about the horrors of war in my review of the movie Grave of the Fireflies).

The movie, as I understand happens in all Bollywood films, delves way too much time early on about the romantic relationship of Prince Asoka (played by Shah Rukh Khan) and Princes Kaurwaki (played by Kareena Kapoor) of neighboring kingdom Kalinga. Asoka was asked by his mother to leave the capital so that he would not be killed by his brothers who were all engaged in a tough fight for the throne of the Kingdom of Magadha. Kaurwaki also was in hiding due to similar drama at her court, where her parents were killed by the chief of staff. Like typical Bollywood musicals, there is singing and dancing behind trees and the couple marry in a simple tribal ceremony. To me this was a meaningless diversion and I would suggest that you simply skip this part.

The movie becomes more engaging when after a bloody battle in which Asoka kills his brothers and is crowned the emperor of Magadha. At that point, he becomes a monster and is commonly referred to as the "demon" for his merciless killing. In the meantime, he has been misinformed that his wife Kaurwaki is dead. He marries a Buddhist woman, who abandons him after watching the horrors of war perpetrated by her husband.

The mother of all battles happens with Kalinga and only towards the end he realizes that the Queen of Kalinga, who was leading the battle, was Kaurwaki.

We now know that at that point he not only stopped all wars but also was responsible for bringing the Buddhist message of love and non-violence to other countries in Asia.

The movie is well done with remarkably good sets depicting the grandeur of 3rd century India. If you can rush through the foolishness of the love story embedded in what is really a story of an emperor, it is a good introduction to the life of a king who learned from his mistakes and rectified them.

Me Myself I movie review

If you or anyone you care about is growing through what is sometimes called as the "mid life crisis" (though many experts believe that there is no such thing), you might want to watch "Me Myself I" just to get a different opinion.

Pamela Drury (played by Rachel Griffiths) is a homemaker but was an award-winning journalist. She has a good husband (but the spark in the marriage is gone) and three kids (who sure keep her busy). They also seem to have a good life. No surprise then that she feel there is something important missing in her life. She wants to be loved but her husband Robert (played by David Roberts) doesn't even notice her. The children demand so much from her but give rarely anything in return.

At that point she goes through a phase of introspection and reflection in which she contemplates what would have happened if she had not made the choice she made earlier in life. While the movie makes it somewhat dramatic, but in reality, she struggles with her own emotions. In the end she realizes that one can make the best of what you have and her life in beautiful any way.

Any woman who may feel stuck and ignored in a marriage, maybe having an extramarital affair is not the answer. Even a divorce is probably not the best alternative, even though it might seem like the easiest thing to do. Marriage is a long journey and one can complete it with a smile on one's face.

Strongly recommended. Watch it with your family if you can.

Review of Oga's Japanese Cuisine Restaurant

As I have written previously, it ain't easy to find authentic food at a reasonable price. That is why I like Sharaku in New York City for Japanese food. Unfortunately, it took me some time to find Oga's Japanese Restaurant (Natick, MA), despite the fact that we have driven by it for years - in the meatime we were happy with our very own soba recipe. In many ways, this is THE Japanese restaurant with the best value in the Boston area, particularly if you go for lunch.

I like the ambiance and the manner in which the food is served. The service is so good that I was reminded of Japan. I had a chicken teriyaki dish while Lorena had a selection of maki rolls. We were very pleased with our dishes. Strongly recommended for fans of Japanese cuisine.

Elizabeth Arden Peel and Reveal Revitalizing Treatment review

As I wrote in my review of the Aveda men shaving cream, my skincare routine was minimal prior to meeting Lorena. Over the years, though, through multiple treatments at home and in spas, I have started to enjoy indulging myself. However, it is not everything that I like. For instance, while I eat oatmeal for breakfast five days a week, when she applied an oatmeal mask, I hated it. Taking it off was a mess and I looked like a monster.

I think we may have found a solution for men who just do not entertain the idea of a mask. From what I understand while the company is not marketing (I admire the company for its launch of Britney Spears Curious perfume) it as such, but the Elizabeth Arden Peel and Reveal Revitalizing Treatment is the perfect solution if you are reluctant to go through the drama of applying a mask. All you do is to apply the ready-to-use solution on your face with a brush (included). There is zero mess. While relaxing is recommended, you can read or watch television or even chat. After the recommended time, just peel it off. It comes off like a thin layer of wax in a neat film. Your skin looks and feel great. Strongly recommended.

Aveda men shave cream review

I am like most men for whom shaving is a necessary evil. While I do like the feel of the skin after the shave, the process to get there daily is a painful one. That is why I like to get it over with as soon as I can. My simple routine for years has included a Gillette shave cream and razor though I do use an electric shaver occasionally (they come in handy when I am traveling and need to shave on a plane or in an airport lounge).

I did not think much about the role of a shave cream until Lorena gave me an Aveda Men Shave Cream as a gift this year. So what do I think? First of all, you will notice the difference right away since it uses mostly natural ingredients. You also won't get that thick lather you get from chemicals but the shaving will be smooth. And when you are done, you will feel the skin moisturized and soft.

Having said that, you will also use a lot more of the cream each time, and if you combine that with a 3X price of a Gillette gel, this is at least (roughly) 10 times more expensive, but definitely worth it.

Street art in Soho, New York

When you are in New York, you never know what you will see: particularly, art. A favorite neighborhood of ours is Soho. There are things to admire not just in the boutiques and galleries but also right on the streets. Opposite the Dolce & Gabbana boutique was parked this truck and on top of it was this massive metal structure. Take a look.

Skaters at Rockefeller Center in New York

When people visit the Rockefeller Center in winter, apart from admiring the Christmas tree and decorations across the street in Saks Fifth Avenue, many of them also choose to skate. And as always, there are more people watching, photographing, and filming them. Take a look at the photo that I took. People almost looks unreal.

Are you serious about chocolate?

Considering her Latin roots, Lorena and I use a lot of chocolate, not just for munching but also for fondue or in our mole sauce or for a late night drink with kahlua. Most of the time we consume very dark chocolate for our recipes.

Apparently a place called Max Brenner is popular among Hollywood celebrities so during this trip to New York, which included a meal at the nearby Union Square Rose Mexicano restaurant, we showed up at the famous chocolate restaurant for our afternoon snack. The place is a madhouse and there was no way we could find a place to sit anytime soon. Luckily, there is a small bar area, where if you are lucky, you can find room to stand or even sit down, as we eventually did.

What do we think?

Well, it is a great place to drink a quick cup of chocolate or indulge on some exotic chocolate foods, but if you are really serious about chocolate, try MarieBelle on Broome Street in Soho. Designed by a former fashion designer, Maribel Lieberman, and graphics designer husband Jacques, the recipes at this tiny restaurant are incredible.

Rosa Mexicano Union Square restaurant review

During our last meal at Lincoln Center Rosa Mexicano, we were so impressed that in our latest trip to New York, we decided to have one more meal there. This time, however, since we were in the area, we ended up at the Union Square location. While it was not something we planned that way, this turned out be a much better location: the place is bigger, better, and more tastefully decorated. With high ceilings and a more open layout, you do not feel that you are dining in Manhattan. I particularly like the art that they have on the wall (shown below).

Since we were there during the weekend, we had a slightly differenct choice of dishes. While Lorena and I both chose tacos, she selected chicken tacos (first picture below) while I opted for cactus and Oaxaca cheese (it is melted) tacos. Excellent dishes.

I want Mohandas Gandhi back

I still have a hard time believing that in 2007, people still fight over religion. Mankind's collective knowledge at this time has no evidence whatsoever for either existence or non-existence of God, and we know hardly anything if one religion is better than other in some way. Personally, I think that if there is a God, he most likely doesn't give a damn about religions and probably is amused by the whole drama that we play on earth.

These thoughts occured to me while noticing a statue of Mohandas K Gandhi in Union Square in New York City, the Indian leader who preached the message of non-violence and respect for all religions. Several years ago I read several books by Gandhi and also had a chance to watch Richard Attenborough's Oscar-winning movie starring Ben Kingsley. I strongly recommend Gandhi's writings for anyone interested in public policy, and even, religion, particularly if you are convinced that your religion is the only way.

If I were God, I would send Gandhi back to earth to repeat his message. Unfortunately, those decisions are made in The Judgment City and not in my basement.