127 HOURS

I have to admit I've had the book BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE for a few years and have yet to read it. When I discovered it was made into a movie, I knew I'd eventually see it.

Aron Ralston, played by James Franco, is an energetic young man who loves adventures in the great outdoors. With only his backpack and a few supplies, he traipses off alone without telling a soul where he's gone. Before long, he finds himself trapped in a crevasse at the Utah's Canyonlands National Park with his hand wedged between the wall and a boulder that had fallen when he had.

In the five days Aron is trapped, he documents what he believes to be his final days with a camera. After several attempts to escape, he makes the unthinkable decision to free himself the only way possible.

127 HOURS is definitely a movie to be seen. Although not filled with action or suspense, it was done well considering the situation. After all, how much can one do with the focus on someone being trapped like Aron was. If you have a weak stomach, you may want to look away when he decides to end his entrapment.

This inspiring movie is an eye-opener with a lesson to be learned along with a nice ending that gives a glimpse into Aron's current life.

THE SWITCH

THE SWITCH is a fun and surprisingly touching movie. The plot is one that could have gone in the direction of a wacky comedy or a dramatically serious love story. THE SWITCH pulled off a wonderful combination of the two.

Kassie Larson, played by Jennifer Aniston, decides he wants to be a mother. The only problem is she's not in a relationship. But that doesn't deter her. Who needs a man ...well a husband that is? So she decides to use a sperm donor.

Wally Mars, played by Jason Bateman, is not happy with his best friend's decision to mother a child from a man she doesn't know. In denial of his feeling for Kassie, he doesn't interfere with her plans to get pregnant ... well, not intentionally.

At Kaissie's "getting pregnant party," Wally has a little too much to drink, resulting in "the switch". It's not until seven years later that the discovery is made. Wally has a choice to make. Reveal his secret or let the woman he loves marry the wrong guy.

TEMPLE GRANDIN

A love for animals and a neighbor with an autistic daughter drew me to the movie TEMPLE GRANDIN. Claire Danes did an amazing job portraying Temple Grandin. A must see for anyone who knows an autistic person. Not only will you gain knowledge and an understanding of the challenges of an autistic person and the key people in their life, but you'll be inspired as well.

God is faithful in bringing good out of the trials and tribulations of our lives if we so chose to live life with open eyes and ears and a willing heart. And that's exactly what Temple Grandin did.

TEMPLE GRANDIN will keep you on the edge of your seat, anxiously waiting to see what will happen next. You' be saddened by the hurtful words and actions of others as well as rejoicing in her spirit and determination.

Temple was diagnosed at an early age with autism and recommended to be institutionalized but her mother Eustacia, played by Julia Ormond, wouldn't hear of it. Temple wasn't deterred for long by the negative words of others instead she grasped on to the positive ones from her mother, Aunt Ann, played by Catherine O'Hara, and one of her teachers, Dr. Carlock played by David Strathairn. Her life is a great example of how words can destroy or build up. Never underestimate the power of words.

Temple went on to not only graduate from high school but from college as well, earning a doctorate and becoming a bestselling author, as well as a pioneer in the humane treatment of livestock. I highly recommend this movie. It's one that's sure to have an impact in the way you view others with "disabilities" as well as inspire you to reach for your own dreams.

GIVE THE LADY A RIDE

Give the Lady a Ride by Linda Yezak certainly took me on a ride. Having only recently gone to my first ever bull riding event, the cover intrigued me. One of the signs of a great book is its ability to draw you in right from the start. With Give the Lady a Ride, the opening line accomplished this, and continued to hold me captive from the very first word to the very last.

When Patricia Talbert discovers she's inherited a ranch, she and her best friend Marie hightail it to Texas to put the property on the market. Talon Carlson, the foreman of Circle Bar Ranch, is every bit a Texas cowboy as Patricia is a high-class social coordinator from New Yorker.

When Patricia unexpectedly shows up, Talon fights his attraction for her like a bull fights to throw his rider. Patricia is determined to sell the ranch, but Talon and his crew have something else in mind. With a growing attraction to Talon, Patricia is filled with indecision and offers him a challenge he can't refuse--teach her how to ride a bull.

If I were to highlight all the good phrases in this story with my marker, the book would be considerably marked up. If I were to then add highlights to the parts that were well written, interesting, fun, and well-paced, there would be no words left unmarked.

I was swept into this story with its vivid characters, so much so that they played out in my mind like those in a great movie. What a treat to not get just one great romance in a story but a touch of another with Chance, Talon's best friend and "brother" and Marie. I've always loved the opposites attract scenario and Yezak did an amazing job. She and Give the Lady a Ride are now on my favorites list.

SUGARLAND - STUCK LIKE GLUE

STUCK LIKE GLUE

Mmmm better...mmm better...
Absolutely no one that knows me better
No one that can make me feel sooo goooood
How did we stay so long together?
When everybody, everybody said we never would
And just when I, I start to think they're right
That love has died...

[Chorus]
There you go making my heart beat again,
Heart beat again,
Heart beat again
There you go making me feel like a kid
Won't you do it and do it one time?
There you go pulling me right back in,
Right back in,
Right back in
And I know-oo I'm never letting this go-ooo

I'm stuck on you
Whutooo whutooo
Stuck like glue
You and me baby we're stuck like glue
Whutooo whutooo
Stuck like glue
You and me baby we're stuck like glue

Some days I don't feel like trying
Some days you know I wanna just give up
When it doesn't matter who's right, fight about it all night
Had enough
You give me that look
"I'm sorry baby let's make up"
You do that thing that makes me laugh
And just like that...

[Chorus]
There you go making my heart beat again,
Heart beat again,
Heart beat again
There you go making me feel like a kid
Won't you do it and do it one time
There you go pulling me right back in,
Right back in,
Right back in
And I know-oo I'm never letting this go-ooo

I'm stuck on you
Whutooo whutooo
Stuck like glue
You and me baby we're stuck like glue
Whutooo whutooo
Stuck like glue
You and me baby were stuck like glue


Whutooo Whutoo

You almost stay out, too stuck together from the ATL
Whutooo Whutoo

Feeling kinda sick?
Just a spoon full of sugar make it better real quick

I say
Whutooo Whutoo
Whatcha gonna do with that?
Whutooo Whutoo
Come on over here with that
Sugar sticky sweet stuff
Come on give me that stuff
Everybody wants some
Melodies that get stuck

Up in your head
Whutooo whutooo

Up in your head
Whutooo whutooo

Up in your head
Whutooo whutooo

Up in your head
Whutooo whutooo
Whuthoo whutooo
Stuck like glue
You and me together, say, it's all I wanna do
I said

[Chorus]
There you go making my heart beat again,
Heart beat again,
Heart beat again
There you go making me feel like a kid
Won't you do it and do it one time
There you go pulling me right back in,
Right back in,
Right back in
And I know-oo I'm never letting this go-ooo

There you go making my heart beat again,
Heart beat again,
Heart beat again
There you go making me feel like a kid
Won't you do it and do it one time
There you go pulling me right back in,
Right back in,
Right back in
And I know-oo I'm never letting this go-ooo
I'm stuck on you

Whutooo whutooo
Stuck like glue
You and me baby we're stuck like glue
Whutooo whutooo
Stuck like glue
You and me baby were stuck like glue
Whutooo whutooo
Stuck like glue
You and me baby we're stuck like glue

MORNING GLORY

MORNING GLORY is a cute, witty, and fun movie. Becky Fuller (Rachel McAdams) receives the big break she's been looking for when she lands a job as a producer of a TV show in New York City. The only problem is that she needs to find a way to increase the ratings or they'll all be out of a job, along with her reputation.

In an attempt to save the show, she hunts down the infamous Mike Pomeroy for the position of co-anchor (Harrison Ford). Colleen Peck (Diane Keaton) is not too keen on partnering with Mike, and sparks fly.

Each character is well thought out and acted. Though romance is on the milder side, it does bloom between Becky and Adam Bennett (Patrick Wilson) as she learns to trust him, and he teaches her that a life with all work and no play is no life at all.