But what is superfood? according to wikipedia:

Superfood is a term sometimes used to describe food with high phytonutrient content that may confer health benefits as a result. For example, blueberries are often considered a superfood (or superfruit) because they contain significant amounts of antioxidants, anthocyanins, vitamin C, manganese, and dietary fiber.

Some of the superfood that can be a good choice:

Avocados

Apples

blueberries

Here’s a great video info about superfood and why is good for you:

***

Presented as a mockumentary, The Last Exorcism, directed by Daniel Stamm is a decent horror film, although it didn’t quite impress me. The story follows Cotton Marcus (Patrick Fabian) a minister who specializes in doing exorcisms. Cotton is the subject of this “documentary” about exorcisms. He makes clear since the beginning that he is a professional but doesn’t really believe that possessions do exist. Latter on, Cotton is hired to perform an exorcism for a teenager called Neil Sweetzer (Ashley Bell) in a Louisiana farm. As he performs the exorcism, we realized how Cotton stages his little show with sound effects, cables and so on. Cotton gets paid and leaves. The turning point is after the exorcism, Nell is found at the hotel where Cotton and the crew stay during the night. A series of strange events force Cotton and the crew to stay and realize that something terribly wrong is happening at the Sweetzer farm.

Although the movie has its moments, the story is not scary enough for me, at some point it’s kind of predictable and some characters are kind of ambiguous, specially the Sweetzer boy, nothing to do with the acting but the script writing. The whole idea to see it in mockumentary style á la “Blair Witch Project” is already used so many times that is not intriguing anymore; somehow it works against the film story telling wise. It also reminded me of Rosemary’s baby.  There’s not enough tension in the story to make it either horror, intriguing but, if may work for a too young or naive audience gullible enough to believe that this is a real documentary or haven’t seen the films mentioned. Somehow watching the film as a video documentary it looks less scary than other classic horror films. It trivializes the whole concept, unlike “The Blair Witch Project” that really scared the audience.

So at the end of the film we could say it’s a mix in between Rosemary’s baby and “The Blair Witch Project” minus the great story telling and tension created on both films.

Opposite attracts sometimes work and sometimes don’t. This is one of the main themes in the funniest movie of the summer “The Other Guys” Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg star one the of the big hits of this summer.

The story follows Terry (Wahlberg) and Allen (Ferrell) 2 policemen who are so different that they can barely stay together. Terry is all about action and chasing the bad guys, he can hardly wait to get out the streets while Allen is all about paper work, sedentary life and creatures comforts. Opportunity knocks their door when the dynamic duo formed by P.K. Highsmith (Samuel L. Jackson) and Christopher Danson (Dwayne Johnson) die in a tragic accident and the position as policeman heroes are empty. Terry sees this as an opportunity that he can’t let it go, while Allen is reluctant to follow Terry aspirations. The next thing he knows is Terry is putting a gun on his chest and dragging him to the police crime scene to investigate the case. Although the efford ends up in a mishap, Allen is already looking for another kind of case that takes them to a twisting and career change turning point.
The movie is hilarious, some sequences are just brilliant and it was funnier than I expected to be. Also in “The Other Guys” appears: Michael Keaton as Captain Gene Mauch, Eva Mendes as Allen’s wife Dr. Sheilla Gamble, and special appearances of Brooke Shields, Anne Heche among others.

“Dinner for Schmucks” was a very nice surprise, cute and fun. It is also, a well-balanced movie dealing with comedy and romance. The onstage comedy couple made by Paul Rudd and Steve Carrell simply works. Not so slapstick comedy but also with a heart.
Tim (Rudd) is an executive looking for a promotion in the firm he works. He has it all to go up in the ladder: good attitude, focused, motivated and he’s good at work. In order to get his promotion Tim’s boss invited him to a very peculiar dinner where everyone has to bring an special guest with an “out of the ordinary” characteristic that will make him or her peculiar, the more ridiculous, the better (in other words an idiot). When Tim’s girlfriend, Julie (Stephanie Szostak) knows about this dinner she’s appalled. The same day, Tim meets literally by accident Barry (Steve Carrell) a man so strange that captures Tim’s attention and invites him to the infamous dinner. Little he knew, Barry is a walking disaster creating chaos and disaster on Tim’s personal life.
What I loved the most about Dinner for Schmucks was the whole visual concept surrounding Barry’s character: scale models made with mice recreating idyllic scenes or famous painting. This is actually the first sequence of the film where a couple of mice staged in several romantic moments of their life enjoy the moment together.
The story is very light and it has its moments and it’s the remake of the 1998 french movie “The Dinner Game” (Le dîner de cons)

INCEPTION

One of my top ten movies of 2010, so far.  Directed by Christopher Nolan better known for directing “The Dark Knight(2008)”, “Insomnia(2002)” and “Memento(2000)”. With all these movies under his belt, it would be extremely rare that “Inception” (opening this Friday) wouldn’t be an interesting movie to watch.

What I liked the most about Inception is how the film explores the possibilities of inserting ideas into people’s minds. This is one of those movies where all those CGI special effects actually help to tell a story to the point they’re all justified and even better, you don’t seem to mind because you’re completely absorbed in the story.

So, what’s the story about? In a world where technology allows it, Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) is some sort of thief who specializes on stealing ideas from other people’s minds while sleeping. This procedure requires a special machine where you’re plugged in and several people can share the same dream.  Cobb has other coworkers Arthur (Joseph Gordon Levitt) and Earnes (Tom Hardy). The story starts with a failed operation where the target is Saito (Ken Watanabe) who was aware about Cobbs intentions to steal information from his dreams.  Saito was in fact auditioning the team for a more sophisticated job, instead of stealing an idea, he wants to insert an idea into someone. Cobbs hasn’t done that yet, but gets very interested when offered the possibility of returning to the US after leaving the country under suspicions of a crime.  Saito’s target is Robert Fischer (Cillian Murphy) the son of his industrial competitor; to whom he wants to insert the idea of dismantling his father’s emporium. Cobbs agrees to take the job in exchange of erasing all his charges in the U.S. and gets and new member for his team: Ariadne (Ellen Page) a young Architect who discover some issues in Cobbs’ mind regarding his deceased wife.

Inception is a very sophisticated movie that will make you question about the concept of reality. There are a very few movies that will actually achieve this concept but none so detailed as Inception. Several points that kept my mind wondering were: the subjective mind, surrealism and dreams, the questioning of reality… what is reality? What if we live in a dream? Concept suggested many years Ago by Pedro Calderon de la Barca on his play “Life is a Dream” where the protagonist, Segismundo, a prince who lived in captivity and made believe part of what he lived was a dream questions reality  claiming:

“What is life? A frenzy.
What is life? A fiction,
A shadow, an illusion,
And the greatest profit is small;
For all of life is a dream,
And dreams, are nothing but dreams.

What puzzled me the most during INCEPTION is not only the concept of how ideas are created, stole or erased. Is the concept of how you can navigate under the subconscious of a person’s mind through dreams and dreams inside your dreams.  Just a few times in my life I’ve had dreams inside my dreams, but for sure it is possible As well as to be aware that you’re dreaming while in a dream. Also it is remarkable how Christopher Nolan plays with the power of manipulate and create buildings and objects at caprice in dreams to help you manipulate the subconscious mind but also to guide you inside your dream and be aware that you’re actually dreaming.

After so many jobs while dreaming you might think it is also possible to lose contact with reality and that’s when Nolan offers us another interesting solution: a totem, an object that helps you realize if you’re inside a dream or not.

There are so many interesting ideas on Inception, that probably you’ll have to watch it several times and each time you will come up with more ideas to think about.

It also made me think of other movies that brilliantly plays with the concept of manipulating dreams, memories and the human mind: The Matrix trilogy directed by the Wachoski brothers and Michael Gondri’s “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”.

Oliva Durham (Anna Torv) and Dr. Walter Bishop (John Noble), showring arms only)

Oliva Durham (Anna Torv) and Dr. Walter Bishop (John Noble)

Oliva Durham (Anna Torv) and Peter Bishop (Joshua Jackson)

Dr. Walter Bishop (John Noble) taken break on the set of FRINGE.

Loveable Lout!

By ROBERT WALDMAN

Losers come in all shapes and sizes. Universal Studios seems to have latched onto a winner with Despicable Me, the latest comedy causing chaos at Tinseltown (on Pender, free parking, Empire Studio 12, Colossus and Famous Players Silver City cites around B.C.

Yet another movie joins the 3-D bandwagon and once again we’re blessed with an animated treat. Smart writing and a winning way shines bright as we “track’ the weird and wonderful life of a guy named Gru. Hot comic Steve Carell (Get Smart) lets loose with a Russian accent and a devilish plan as a mad scientist of sorts with a criminal bent out to take over the world. Our Gru thinks he’s tough and has been responsible for one of the biggest crimes of the century. New targets are hard to come by and he faces constant challenges by pretenders to the throne. Little does Gru know that a trio of little ladies may put a dent in that outer nasty streak.

Shot for fun and full of outlandish characters Despicable Me is a wondrous affair that little kids in particular will fall in love with. So silly are the scenes, the contraptions and a group of pint-sized elves with squeaky voices that you’re easily pulled in. Audiences will get pulled in by the weirdness of the whole experience and there’s a telling moral added in just for good measure. Our big question is whether a tough guy can show a more human side and this is the true thrust of Despicable Me.

Played completely for laughs the 3-D effects here aren’t really that evident or necessary. Here it’s the charming writing and seeing Gru grow as a person and change over time that’s the real treasure. A series of big name comics including Russell Brand,Jason Segel and Julie Andrews lend their voice talent to these uproarious characters. 95 minutes sails by with no bumps in the road thanks to the free-styling level headed ways of joint directors Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud. Insertion of some pop tune classics further ramps up the levity of the whole experience. Vibrant colours, great comical scenes and an ability to make the ordinary seem extraordinary turns Despicable Me into a fun fest for all ages.

Despicable Me again shows the multifaceted talents of Steve Carell who proves he can fire up audiences in any language.

Read more reviews by Robert at www.moviereviewssite.com

By ROBERT WALDMAN

Mixed relationships provide lots of food for fodder in The Kids Are All Right, a fresh look at family turmoils now unraveling at the Fifth Avenue Cinemas. Smart dialogue abounds in this Alliance Films release that’s sure to garner lots of acclaim come Oscar time next year.

Modern families come in all shapes and sizes. Gay lifestyles today are in vogue in some areas while despised in others. Personal values and choices play a big part in the make-up of a California family headed by two women. Ten years has been a good decade for Jules and Nic. Julianne Moore (Hannibal) and Annette Bening (Bugsy) play the female lovers who are “blessed” with having two children Bright beyond their years are Joni and Laser now undergoing the usual tough transition as teens. Young stars Mia Wasikowska (Defiance) and Josh Hutcherson (Fragments) shine bright as the children to these strong women.

Lots of child rearing issues face the women of the house along with one other “minor” dilemma. When the kids decide its time to meet their father they learn that this mystery man is a sperm donor who gave them life. Many people in the same predicament try to find out about their past and often their quests go unfulfilled. Not so here. Soul searching yields results and the kids end up meeting Paul. Efforts to convey the emotions of a sperm donor can be hard at the best of times to pull off but under the masterful conveyance of Mark Ruffalo (In The Cut) you get to feel the connection.

Once the elder women meet up with Paul things go a bit off the rails. Cleavages develop in the household which leads to major drama. Build-ups of tension happen often in films but seldom have the impact as what transpires in The Kids Are All Right. Guidance to the pressures all family members face here are expertly acted on all counts. Doing justice to the gay lifestyle is hard at the best of times but both Annette Bening and Julianne Moore are outstanding as the battling bitches who wear their hearts on their sleeves.

Not everything in this 104 minute drama is a battle of the sexes or a battle between the sexes. Here the whole family dynamic is wonderfully developed through a very witty, timely and insightful script from director Lisa Cholodenko (Laurel Canyon). Told from a female perspective The Kids Are All Right deftly explores modern relationships that aren’t always conventional. Choices are everything in life and here we get to see two women struggle with all the pain and emotion something new can precipitate.

The Kids Are All Right will make some cry, others laugh and cause much time to pause and discuss the most innerpersonal of all issues. Smart, sophisticated and witty The Kids Are All Right turns out to be one of the most emotional films of the year and a roller coaster ride of turmoil inspired by change.

Read more reviews by Robert at www.moviereviewssite.com

Kill Zone!

By ROBERT WALDMAN

Prepare to be taken on the ultimate thrill ride in Predators.  A remake of sorts to the Arnold Schwarzenegger hit of the 80s the 2010 version of this cult classic comes out of the 20^th Century Fox canon.  Guilty pleasure seekers will be left sweating bullets while this 106 minute suspense ordeal unfolds at Tinseltown (on Pender, free parking), Empire Studio 12, Colossus and Famous Players Silver City cites across B.C.

No, it doesn’t matter if you saw the first Predators to understand what’s going on here. Put simply seven people at random wind up in a jungle in the middle of nowhere.  Hold onto your seats as it’s a fight for survival with some mysterious force out to get the “humans.”

Tension abounds in this movie that starts off with an unexpected bang.  Everything here happens in the thick fauna of a jungle.  Once we meet up with these strangers they have to bond to survive.  Director Nimrod Antal (Armoured) has chosen his cast wisely as it’s a good representation of various ethnicities that populate our world.  Too bad for them they’ve been let loose in a territory that’s anything but common on Earth.

Friction abounds in Predators.  Whether it’s the humans not trusting one another and getting itchy trigger fingers or some monster or monsters on the loose you can’t help but get caught up in the ordeal.  To survive it helps if you have a leader and tough guy Royce seems a good candidate for the job.  Going a bit against type Adrien Brody (Cadillac Records) proves he’s got the macho thing down pat as the gung ho warrior trying to make sense out of the predicament this group has found themselves in.  Along with Royce are a rag tag team of low lives who all have particular talents they bring to the party.  Each one of the men and women are tested to the limit as one by one they fall prey to this evil force.

Smart writing and excellent special effects makes these monsters real scary.  Good thrillers need no advance warnings of what’s going to come next and Predators achieves this high level of suspense.  Tension engulfs this gripping tale of desperate people trying to stay alive while fighting some unbelievable (and some would say unworldly) enemy.

Part of the rag tag team of humans in survive mode include Alice Braga (Crossing Over) as a woman on a mission, Topher Grace (Spider-Man 3) as a medical man and Laurence Fishburne (The Matrix) as a late arrival.  Atmosphere plays a big role in the believability of these type of movies and director Antal does a good job showing the elements arrayed against the humans.  Quick thinking and a bit of luck are needed by the good guys (and gal) to stay alive and their instincts prove invaluable to weather the inevitable storm of terror about to descend on them.

Grown up scares don’t happen too often in most modern movies.  Predators delivers the goods with chilling performances from Brody and co and some evil alien monsters sure to go down good with science fiction fans and thrill seekers ready for a little warfare on screen.

Read more reviews by Robert at www.moviereviewssite.com