Confessions of a Shopaholic - Obsessive Behavior

COMING TO TERMS WITH OBSESSIONS

We can identify with Becky, the shopaholic character in the movie, who is warm, loveable but deeply flawed. As we all are.

Director P.J. Hogan says, “A shopaholic is somebody who believes heavily in retail therapy. Feel bad? Go into a store, you’re cheered up instantly. Everybody can understand that. When we’re down, we’ve all used retail as a way to cheer ourselves up.”

It was Tammy Faye Bakker (remember her?), who famously said, “I always say shopping is cheaper than a psychiatrist.” Over spending can feel so good and so bad at the same time. Why is that? Ah, the human dilemma to which we all belong. Here is a film that allows us to hold a mirror up, not only to our culture, but to ourselves as well –and laugh. Ah the healing power of story. Go. Have a laugh. Be healed!

The International - Money Matters

THE INTERNATIONAL explores the heroism of individuals against overpowering forces and overwhelming odds. It is a film about the intensity, courage and determination of the human spirit. It is therefore a celebration of human resourcefulness and ambition. However, these noble qualities are far less than primary to the film. Additionally, the fact that it is based on a real historical event has little to do with the end production. Its goal is to merely be an entertaining thriller. And indeed it is. If there was a message, it could be: “The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.”

It was the great poet and writer Dorothy Parker who said' "If you want to know what God thinks of money, just look at the people he gave it to."

Push - Moving On

Although the film has been criticized for being incoherent, it does deliver a very important message: Despite difficulties, move forward with your life, even in the face of death. And that message is presented in a eye-popping cinematic style not often experienced. I like the style and I like the message. I only wish the delivery had been better.

Ulysses S. Grant said something that really fits PUSH –and your life:
“The art of war is simple enough. Find out where your enemy is. Get at him as soon as you can. Strike him as hard as you can, and keep moving on.”

APPLICATION
1. Identify the enemies of your soul.
2. Do what you know you must to overcome.
3. Commit to moving on.

PUSH ON
“When a thing is done, it's done. Don't look back. Look forward to your next objective.”
--George C. Marshall

The Pink Panther 2 - Hidden Messages?

HIDDEN MESSAGES? In this depressing world of economic depression we need some humor. And here is Steve Martin to the rescue. But more than the being a comedy, I get the feeling that the filmmakers have incorporated a few messages.

1. Rediscovering the Magna Carta (containing the writ of habeas corpus) in a post-Bush world.

2. The loss of the Pink Panther (i.e. world treasure/economy) brings the world together.

3. International partnership and cooperation is good.

4. Humor is not a cure-all, but it helps.

Am I right about this? Who knows? But as Mary Hirsch, a teacher of humorous writing, correctly observed, “Humor is a rubber sword--it allows you to make a point without drawing blood.”

Coraline - What Love Is and Is Not

REAL LOVE IS ACTIVE AND DETERMINED
“I also wanted to express that, sometimes the people who love you may not pay you all the attention you need; and, sometimes the people who do pay you attention may not love you in the healthiest way.” -- Neil Gaiman, author

What does it mean when your loved ones don’t seem to love you as much as you would like? The answer in Coraline is found by flipping that question around. It’s ultimately not about how others demonstrate their love to you, but rather, who you demonstrate your love for them. Coraline’s parents are drab when it comes to affections. But when they need help, Coraline goes to great extremes to save them. Real love is active and determined. Nothing can defeat it, not even the evil Other Mother. Here is an important message in a soon to be classic movie.

He's Just Not That Into You - Essential Human Quest

QUESTION YOUR MOTIVES.
This film brought to my mind a certain human dilemma: Why are we often attracted to want we can’t have, and take for granted what we do have? Perhaps there is an upside to this situation. Could it be a part of essential human quest for something more, something other than? There is nothing wrong in this quest per se, the question is: how are you directing that forward motion. Life is short. Question your motives. Evaluate your goals. Reject dead ends. Reject stupidly. Move on choosing life over death. Honestly, I think this is what the film is about.