Now here is an extremely underrated movie. I being very obsessed with WW2 History, knew I was going to love this the minute I saw it... It came out in 2008, yet it wasn't until just recently that I saw it. After watching this incredible true story, it makes me wonder how it didn't receive more praise. Directed by Edward Zwick (Glory, Courage Under Fire, The Last Samurai, Blood Diamond) and starring Daniel Craig and Liev Schreiber it tells the true story of the Bielski Partisans. Set during 1941 at the start of Operation Barbarossa, Germany has just occupied the country of Belarus, and begins to transport all Jews to ghettos and labor camps. The four Bielski brothers manage to escape into a forest where they establish a camp, and bring shelter and protection for other Jewish escapees. Constantly being hunted in the forest, the group is led by the eldest Bielski brother Tuvia, who must overcome all sorts of adversity; hunger, a cold winter, and dissension amongst the group. The story has a very strong similarity to the Exodus, where Tuvia acts as Moses, freeing his people from the concentration camps. Although there are parts in the movie that seemed somewhat exaggerated or over-dramatic, it still makes for an incredibly suspenseful and beautiful film. I enjoyed this film so much, I watched it a second time shortly after. It definitely will be added to my collection...
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Defiance
Now here is an extremely underrated movie. I being very obsessed with WW2 History, knew I was going to love this the minute I saw it... It came out in 2008, yet it wasn't until just recently that I saw it. After watching this incredible true story, it makes me wonder how it didn't receive more praise. Directed by Edward Zwick (Glory, Courage Under Fire, The Last Samurai, Blood Diamond) and starring Daniel Craig and Liev Schreiber it tells the true story of the Bielski Partisans. Set during 1941 at the start of Operation Barbarossa, Germany has just occupied the country of Belarus, and begins to transport all Jews to ghettos and labor camps. The four Bielski brothers manage to escape into a forest where they establish a camp, and bring shelter and protection for other Jewish escapees. Constantly being hunted in the forest, the group is led by the eldest Bielski brother Tuvia, who must overcome all sorts of adversity; hunger, a cold winter, and dissension amongst the group. The story has a very strong similarity to the Exodus, where Tuvia acts as Moses, freeing his people from the concentration camps. Although there are parts in the movie that seemed somewhat exaggerated or over-dramatic, it still makes for an incredibly suspenseful and beautiful film. I enjoyed this film so much, I watched it a second time shortly after. It definitely will be added to my collection...
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Top 5 Places to See
I love to travel! Perhaps I got it from my adventurous family. We'd always go on some kind of big trip at least once or twice a year... Drives to Michigan, Denver, Canada, New York, etc... Or maybe it was my good friend Sergio, who I've shared the road with several memorable times; like our trip to Mexico or Miami Beach Florida... It also could have been working with Sportvision for several years, traveling to many of the major cities and college towns of the country... I just love that feeling, of being someplace new and out of the ordinary... Away from home, just for a while, to experience something completely different... To experience completely new cultures like I did with Venezuela and Costa Rica... It's exhilarating! I feel that I have been to many places, yet still have many many places to see...5. Brazil
I love everything about their culture. Perhaps my fascination began with their futbol glory, being hands down one of the greatest soccer countries in the world. I hear soccer is everywhere in this country, where they live by the beautiful game. Then there's the people and the gorgeous women, the music, the samba, the beaches, the Amazon, the food, and on and on... I can't wait to tune in to the 2012 Olympics, in Rio de Janeiro. and hope to someday visit this colorful place...
4. Israel
This would be more of a pilgrimage, yet a very necessary one... A sacred place that I have known about and read so much into, for most of my life. Biblical places such as Bethlehem, Jerusalem, the Sea of Galilee, Nazareth, and so forth... To see the birthplace of Christ, and where he was crucified. So much sacred history in this place, that is truly worth experiencing...
3. Paris, France
Although I have recently become very obsessed with French culture, this fascination with Paris dates back since I can remember. Through my cousins, studying it's history, following the 1998 World Cup, or watching the movies. I have always known Paris as the city of Love, Art, and Beauty. I like to think of French culture as one of sophistication, yet the only true way to understand it is to visit the place itself... I think it'd be a great trip to experience with a loved one...
2. Greece
This fascination comes from my love of Greek Mythology. The birthplace of fiction, democracy, philosophy, the Olympics, and the most beautiful of literature. I think of Ancient Greece as the birthplace of human enlightenment... Of course Athens would be the central place to go, yet I think I would like to visit many places throughout Greece. So many natural wonders to experience all while enjoying the incredible climate from the Mediterranean Sea.
1. Italy
Very similar to Greece, yet with a culture and beauty entirely of its own, Italy is hands down my number one place to visit. It has a very interesting ancient history with the Roman Empire, once the super-power of the world... So many wonders to see... It is also home to the capital of our faith, the Vatican City, full of such divine art... It is full of such wonderful culture; the food, the futbol, the history, and of course it's passionate people... To visit Italy would take some time, for there are so many cities and places I would want to see...
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Top 5 Favorite Places
Lauren, K-man, and, I were having a discussion at dinner tonight, and this topic came up... Your favorite places in the world, where the atmosphere brings true peace and happiness... I feel it's a topic definitely worth having in the blog... So as I ran through the many memorable destinations I have been to, these five locations shined above the rest...
5. San Diego
I spent only three days in San Diego in the summer of 08, and to this day it remains one of my favorite cities in the country. Philip was working an internship that summer, and we decided to fly out and visit him. I remember everything about the city inspired me. The tropical warm air, the sparkling blue bay, the cultural night-life, and the very beautiful people! In my three days there I experienced a great vibe of positive energy & tranquility.
4. Bloomington
Spent four years going to college in this beautiful campus town. In Southern Indiana, this hilly town of Bloomington, is very inspiring and relaxing. The campus is quite large, full of incredible landscaping, fountains, creeks, trees, and the works... On the outskirts of the campus, are numerous forests and lakes, such as Lake Monroe, and Lake Griffey, which I got to experience firsthand with my outdoorsy friend, Crumble... To add to the overall atmosphere, were the many memorable times I had with my friends, making it an even more happy place. It's a place that I will always continue to visit, whether to party at tailgates, Little Five, or just go on a cruise through the town....
3. Lake Michigan
There is no better place to swim than Lake Michigan. Sure the oceans are nice, yet they are also far away, very cold, and very salty... Lake Michigan has always been our shining jewel of the Midwest, home to many of my greatest memories. Such as camping at the Sand Dunes of Silver Lake Park, or the cabin at Muskegon with Aunt Lori and my cousins, or living in Chicago and swimming in Rogers Park. What amazing refreshing water, with the softest of sands, and even at times the waves can be mighty as the ocean. Hands down one of my favorite places to swim!
2. Chicago
My birth-town, and home-town for a year, it is to this day my favorite city in the country. I could probably say it was Bloomington where I began to discover myself, and then Chicago where I finally became myself! In the year that I lived here, I became drawn to the cities modern appeal, so full of culture, and adventure, bringing something new each day. People there are different; they are enlightened, diverse, and extremely open-minded. It's a very modern city, full of art, music, parks, and good spirit. Perhaps it's in the wind that makes this city such an inspiring place to be.
1. Kekionga Shores
I think it's no secret, that I 'm not a big fan of my home-town of Fort Wayne, yet my family's home at Keikionga Shores is without question my favorite place to be. Its in the outskirts of Fort Wayne, where my parents reside in this neighborhood, off Liberty Mills, where a small hidden lake lays in our backyard. I love everything about this place. The front-yard with that annoying crab-apple tree, the ridiculous painting my dad did last summer, the music room; home to some great jam sessions, the living room with a red couch that will suck you right in; the kitchen, where all the cooking madness takes place, the patio in the back, the firepit, the garden, the soccer-net in the backyard, the weeping-willow tree, the dock, the crappy pontoon, and of course the lake itself... I could go on for hours and hours, writing about my love of this place, yet I will keep it plain and simple, by saying that it is a place I hope to never lose....
5. San Diego
I spent only three days in San Diego in the summer of 08, and to this day it remains one of my favorite cities in the country. Philip was working an internship that summer, and we decided to fly out and visit him. I remember everything about the city inspired me. The tropical warm air, the sparkling blue bay, the cultural night-life, and the very beautiful people! In my three days there I experienced a great vibe of positive energy & tranquility.
4. Bloomington
Spent four years going to college in this beautiful campus town. In Southern Indiana, this hilly town of Bloomington, is very inspiring and relaxing. The campus is quite large, full of incredible landscaping, fountains, creeks, trees, and the works... On the outskirts of the campus, are numerous forests and lakes, such as Lake Monroe, and Lake Griffey, which I got to experience firsthand with my outdoorsy friend, Crumble... To add to the overall atmosphere, were the many memorable times I had with my friends, making it an even more happy place. It's a place that I will always continue to visit, whether to party at tailgates, Little Five, or just go on a cruise through the town....
3. Lake Michigan
There is no better place to swim than Lake Michigan. Sure the oceans are nice, yet they are also far away, very cold, and very salty... Lake Michigan has always been our shining jewel of the Midwest, home to many of my greatest memories. Such as camping at the Sand Dunes of Silver Lake Park, or the cabin at Muskegon with Aunt Lori and my cousins, or living in Chicago and swimming in Rogers Park. What amazing refreshing water, with the softest of sands, and even at times the waves can be mighty as the ocean. Hands down one of my favorite places to swim!
2. Chicago
My birth-town, and home-town for a year, it is to this day my favorite city in the country. I could probably say it was Bloomington where I began to discover myself, and then Chicago where I finally became myself! In the year that I lived here, I became drawn to the cities modern appeal, so full of culture, and adventure, bringing something new each day. People there are different; they are enlightened, diverse, and extremely open-minded. It's a very modern city, full of art, music, parks, and good spirit. Perhaps it's in the wind that makes this city such an inspiring place to be.
1. Kekionga Shores
I think it's no secret, that I 'm not a big fan of my home-town of Fort Wayne, yet my family's home at Keikionga Shores is without question my favorite place to be. Its in the outskirts of Fort Wayne, where my parents reside in this neighborhood, off Liberty Mills, where a small hidden lake lays in our backyard. I love everything about this place. The front-yard with that annoying crab-apple tree, the ridiculous painting my dad did last summer, the music room; home to some great jam sessions, the living room with a red couch that will suck you right in; the kitchen, where all the cooking madness takes place, the patio in the back, the firepit, the garden, the soccer-net in the backyard, the weeping-willow tree, the dock, the crappy pontoon, and of course the lake itself... I could go on for hours and hours, writing about my love of this place, yet I will keep it plain and simple, by saying that it is a place I hope to never lose....
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