Mirror, Mirror

There are two Snow White movies out this year. Fairytales are everywhere. And everyone seems excited about "Snow White and the Huntsman." It's adult nature is intriguing and with Charlize Theron as the Evil Queen what could go wrong. She won an Oscar for playing a serial killer and did bitch to perfection in Young Adult.

I say all this because after a lukewarm response to the trailer for Mirror, Mirror with Julia Roberts - they counted it out. Julia is America's Sweetheart. How could she play evil? And on March 30, they released it. That's today! Go see it!

No, really, go see Mirror, Mirror. The tone is off from time to time and Lilly Collins doesn't have the presence that it would otherwise need. But she does have the look and doesn't screw anything up. This is only her fourth film, maybe in time she grow into an actress to watch.

Tarsem, the director, is known for her visuals. And what the trailer doesn't show is that it is visually stunning. Imagine a trailer that doesn't reveal every detail! The costume design (but a designer who passed away earlier this year) is the best I've seen in a movie in years. Just give her/him an Oscar. The wedding dress worn by Julia Roberts was my favorite. If you're a fan of fashion, see this film!

Armie Hammer is actually really great (in a departure for him) as the Prince and Nathan Lane is so much fun as the right hand to the Evil Queen. The chemistry they both share with Roberts is terrific.

But how does Roberts fare... she's kind of a revelation. She came to play on this film and is fearless in her choices. What she does with her accent, her eyes, her body language. She is a bad ass Queen. Not the Evil Queen we read about. Because the film is an interesting commentary on getting older and has a few twists, that are all pretty fun. But she's funny. Roberts is a great comedic actress and doesn't just make her a bitch with a knife that wants to cut out Snow White's heart. She makes her a lunatic... that you root for. She has the kind of movie star presence that no one else has. And the film needed that.

I'm not that target audience (12 and under would be my guess). I would have loved it if I were a bit younger ... or a lot younger :), but I did like it. And as a Julia Roberts fan, it's one of her best performance. It's a performance not to be missed.

Happy Hunger Games !

The Hunger Games

Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Elizabeth Banks, Lenny Kravitz, Woody Harrelson, Donald Sutherland, Stanley Tucci

March 23, 2012; March 24, 2012; March 28, 2012

It's Lindsay here! I know I've been MIA but I'm back. I'll blog about my trip later when I have more time and have uploaded my pictures. I will give you this, it was a fantastic trip.

So here I am now with a movie review (I know, I haven't given you my reviews in quite some time).

The Hunger Games. These books have been top in my list of favorite books since the second Carrie Wasserman gifted the trilogy box set to me for christmas 2009 (?). I was wary of reading them as the only young adult books I like are the Harry Potter series...and NO if you mention that trash that is known as Twilight I will scream. So I started reading The Hunger Games to appease Carrie. Needless to say I was hooked within the first couple of pages. I read all three books (The Hunger Games, Catching Fire and Mockingjay) in record time, not being able to put them down, and at the end of Mockingjay I was left wanting more!

Suzanne Collins has an incredible ability to bring the reader into her story, her use of visual descriptions and the special way she has us feeling exactly what is going on with the characters she creates. That is the mark of an extremely talented writer. She created this world set in the future, a world where children are used as pawns by the Capitol to punish those who caused an uprising, to use them to make sure an uprising doesn't happen again. She made it so real and visceral that we are left rooting for the 'underdogs' so that the power hungry (pun intended) can for once lose.

Collins has created this character who exemplifies bravery in every way. She is thrown into this situation that is horrifying and shock inducing for even the strongest of people, and that she is only 16 years old makes her even more of a incredible character. Katniss Everdeen is one of my favorite characters, for her strength and courage.

Now, how does the movie translate? I believe in my opinion that the film was an extraordinary adaptation. I do realize the mixed reviews and the many fans who were disappointed, or those who have just read the book not liking the movie (Mark being one of them) but we all have our own thoughts and minds. And I was one hundred percent happy with the movie. It was one of the very few films that stayed very true to the book, and I believe that the fact Suzanne Collins was one of the screenwriters helped in that aspect. Yes, they changed how Katniss received the mockingjay pin and a few other things, but none that truly had a major effect on the story. Yes, I am a little disappointed about the mockingjay pin, but not enough to hinder my thoughts.

The action was intense, and even though they eased up on the violence to keep it at a PG13 rating it had the same effect. I felt for the characters...I cried like an infant at about four different scenes. It made me feel. A film that can bring emotion to me and make me so invested in the characters is one that I connect with and this is one of those films. I absolutely am enthralled with it.

Now the actors portraying these phenomenal characters are each incredible in their own way. And even though at first I was not happy about the casting of Lenny Kravitz as Cinna after seeing him play the role I was left loving him as the character.

Two stood out for me, Elizabeth Banks as Effie brought me to tears of laughter! The way she carried herself and the way she pursed her lips was perfect. And my favorite line of the entire movie was said by Effie -- "That...is...MAHOGANY!"

Jennifer Lawrence......her portrayal of Katniss was absolutely phenomenal. She brought this heroin, a character I admire, to life in every way possible. She gave her vulnerability that shimmered underneath her bravery. She was Katniss in every essence.

........................................................

Where Did She Go?

Where did Lindsay go, that's what our faithful readers must be asking.


She might be at the gun range. She is one bad bitch.

She might be mingling with celebrities.

She might be on vacation. Who takes more vacations then Lindsay?

Or she might be in the theater watching The Hunger Games.

"GET BACK IN YOUR CORNER"

I Saw Him

I saw him. Two years later. The one person I ever loved. That left me on the bathroom floor. I was getting off the 4 train and transferring to the 6 train. I saw a man walking towards me, as I stood in sweat pants and a winter hat. I don't even think I brushed my teeth. I was going to the gym. From the corner of my eye he looked familiar and I thought I'd look at him as he walked up the stairs to exit the subway. He didn't exit. He stood ten steps away from me, waiting to get on the train that I just got off of.

And then my train came. And I got inside. And I looked through the subway doors and I saw his face. It was him. Two years later. He looked the same, older, but don't we all look older? My stomach flipped a little bit, but not in a good way. And then he felt like a stranger. Like someone that looks familiar, but who you can't really place. You know you have memory of them, maybe even four years worth, but time has changed the memory. I was glad he didn't see me. I didn't look great and don't we all want to secretly look amazing in this situation? If we do see each other again, whether it be another two years, I won't be wondering what does he look like? The shock of seeing him is over. He is over. I picked myself off that floor and became a better person. He is a stranger. Who knew.

MANIC

My dad is manic. It sounds exciting, like something out of a movie. At the very least interesting. Who doesn't want to be interesting? Depression is still frowned at. I mean really, just be happy. That's the response I've gotten. I've suffered mild depression, but most people have. So, I believe that's where the response comes from.

And then you encounter someone who is bi-polar and you see the disease. And you are angry and sad and confused and exhausted. It's exhausting. Holding everything together, when you're just trying to get a grasp on yourself most days. And there are periods. Years. A decade even. Where the medication works and you have the person you love looking at back at you.

And then it doesn't work anymore. Or the side effects of what is working is so strong, the person suffering believes they can do it on their own. And then they can't. And then you're sitting with them at two in the morning. They are never tired and they don't speak in full sentences and you begin to think, that might be a better normal. Because when someone is going through a manic episode, it's like being high without the drug. You are Superman. Who doesn't want to be invincible?

And then they crash. And they sleep. Because it's hurts too much. The music has stopped. The dance is done. But is it done for good? You think at 63 the monster has been tamed. Can this really happen again at 70? There is no cure. It's the devil on your shoulder.

And what happens to the person who spends a lifetime watching this? Poor girl. Poor boy. How strong are you? How much love do you have?

My feet are tired. Too much dancing.

Bipolar disorder or bipolar affective disorder, historically known as manic–depressive disorder, is a psychiatric diagnosis that describes a category of mood disorders defined by the presence of one or more episodes of abnormally elevated energy levels, cognition, and mood with or without one or more depressive episodes. The elevated moods are clinically referred to as mania or, if milder, hypomania. Individuals who experience manic episodes also commonly experience depressive episodes, or symptoms, or a mixed state in which features of both mania and depression are present at the same time.^[1] These events are usually separated by periods of "normal" mood; but, in some individuals, depression and mania may rapidly alternate, which is known as rapid cycling. Severe manic episodes can sometimes lead to such psychotic symptoms as delusions and hallucinations. The disorder has been subdivided into bipolar I, bipolar II, cyclothymia, and other types, based on the nature and severity of mood episodes experienced; the range is often described as the bipolar spectrum.

Estimates of the lifetime prevalence of bipolar disorder vary, with studies typically giving values of the order of 1%, with higher figures given in studies with looser definitions of the condition.^[2] The onset of full symptoms generally occurs in late adolescence or young adulthood. Diagnosis is based on the person's self-reported experiences, as well as observed behavior. Episodes of abnormality are associated with distress and disruption and an elevated risk of suicide, especially during mixed and depressive episodes. In some cases, it can be a devastating long-lasting disorder. In others, it has also been associated with creativity, goal striving, and positive achievements. There is significant evidence to suggest that many people with creative talents have also suffered from some form of bipolar disorder.^[3] It is often suggested that creativity and bipolar disorder are linked.

Genetic factors contribute substantially to the likelihood of developing bipolar disorder, and environmental factors are also implicated. Bipolar disorder is often treated with mood stabilizing medications and, sometimes, other psychiatric drugs. Psychotherapy also has a role, often when there has been some recovery of the subject's stability. In serious cases, in which there is a risk of harm to oneself or others, involuntary commitment may be used. These cases generally involve severe manic episodes with dangerous behavior or depressive episodes with suicidal ideation. There are widespread problems with social stigma, stereotypes, and prejudice against individuals with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder.^[4] People with bipolar disorder exhibiting psychotic symptoms can sometimes be misdiagnosed as having schizophrenia, another, different, serious mental illness.^[5]

The current term bipolar disorder is of fairly recent origin and refers to the cycling between high and low episodes (poles). A relationship between mania and melancholia had long been observed, although the basis of the current conceptualisation can be traced back to French psychiatrists in the 1850s. The term "manic-depressive illness" or psychosis was coined by German psychiatrist Emil Kraepelin in the late nineteenth century, originally referring to all kinds of mood disorder. German psychiatrist Karl Leonhard split the classification again in 1957, employing the terms unipolar disorder (major depressive disorder) and bipolar disorder.

Spotlight: Levain Bakery

Levain Bakery
2167 Frederick Douglas Blvd


After you eat dinner at Lido, walk across the street and have dessert. They serve the best cookies in New York City. They are no joke. They also serve muffins, scones and bread. A must eat!

Spotlight: LIDO

LIDO
2168 Frederick Douglas Blvd

I had my birthday dinner here. It's an Italian/Mediterranean style restaurant in Harlem. We saw Victor Garber (Titanic, Alias). I ate the short ribs. The host was rude, but the decor and the food were excellent.

Lindsay and Mark bake a cake!

Lindsay mixed the dry and wet ingredients together. She was even barefoot!

I frosted the cake.

We want to thank Betty Crocker.