Movie # 764 ........................."Free the Mind"

Movie #764 "Free the Mind" is a documentary that concerns a way to deal with mental illness that isn't drugs ---------so I'm very much in support of the suggestions here --- they mostly deal with mindfulness, a dali lama idea that he has been traveling to Madison about the past couple of years ------ohs theatre alum Deb Hoffman has been asked to join this study and she has been on Q & A panels that follow some showings of this film. We got to see it at Sundance (it isn't showing everywhere) and get the next best thing than attending one of the panel discussions --- we got to have dinner and discuss the film afterwards with Deb. That added to the quality of the film experience for us. As far as the film, it is well done in showing how successful yoga, meditation, proper breathing techniques, etc. have been with several patients. It introduces the idea of mindfulness, has some nice graphics, it makes you feel strongly for the 3 subjects it follows. I just wanted it to give even more information, and maybe cover a female -----but maybe that will be in the next film I assume they will make on the subject. I see this topic as taking off very soon, and that this is just the beginning --- a nice introduction of it to the public. At least I hope this is the case. Thanks, Deb, for suggesting to see this. Well done! Free the Mind 2012 NR I give it 3.8 stars out of 5. This documentary follows the efforts of neuroscientist Richard Davidson as he prescribes yoga and meditation in an attempt to ease the suffering of two war veterans with PTSD and a child with anxiety and ADHD. Cast:Richard Davidson, Travis Leanna Genre:Science and Nature Documentaries, Social & Cultural Documentaries, Meditation & Relaxation, Documentary

Movie #763 ........................."Now You See Me"

Movie #763 "Now You See Me" is going to be one of the best movies I've seen this year, regardless how the jaded critics compare watching magic on film to experiencing ventriloquists on the radio. I have always enjoyed magic, and heist films, so this would be a perfect fit for me --- very enjoyable. I don't want to spend a lot of time on the plot because anything I say about what happens in the plot would probably give it away. Sufficeth it to say that the film sets up a reason why 4 magicians, each skilled in a different area of magic, form the 4 Horsemen, to make the biggest score that anyone has ever tried. Morgan Freeman is a debunker, so he's there to help us understand what we've missed. And the script has twists and turns throughout ---- I tried to keep guessing, and with this kind of film there are lots of red herrings along the way to prevent you from guessing correctly, and I fell for many of them. Of course, the ending has to be worth the journey, and that's where the critics and I disagree. It was fine for me ---- it's a summer movie, and I know it has lots of excellent actors here, but it still doesn't have to have this grand theme it shoots for ---- it was entertaining,with a fine script, full of humor and now- you- see- it -now -you -don't- stuff, so I recommend it. The first two people I recommended it to, they loved it, so I don't think I'm wrong here. But I do think some critics are too tough on it, and they are jaded. The computer graphics bother them,& they write cutesy critiques twisting magic terms to slam the film, but I think they are wrong on this one. It's a fun summer movie you want to put on your list to see! 4.8 stars out of 5 Brainy magicians Atlas and Henley lead a troupe of illusionists who specialize in robbing from the rich, in the form of banks, and giving to the poor, their audiences, all while trying to outwit a team of FBI agents determined to bring them down. Cast:Morgan Freeman, Isla Fisher, Mark Ruffalo, Dave Franco, Woody Harrelson, Michael Caine, Jesse Eisenberg, Mélanie Laurent, Common, Elias Koteas, David Warshofsky, J. LaRose, Caitriona Balfe Genre:Crime Thrillers, Heist Films, Thrillers