MaghrebLeave a comment

Recommended Film: Budrus

wandawaterman@themindfulbard.com

The Israeli army is uprooting Palestinian olive trees in order to replace them with its Separation Barrier, allegedly being built to keep West Bank suicide bombers from killing any more civilian Israelis. When the villagers try to stop the bulldozer from uprooting a tree, the tree is wrenched from the earth anyway. But just as the bulldozer driver is ready to refill the hole with dirt, young Iltezam Morrar jumps down into the hole, and the bulldozer driver has no choice but to move off. When the machine is gone, the villagers put the tree back into its hole. (read … Continue reading Recommended Film: Budrus

Books, Music, and Film to Wake Up Your Muse and Help You Change the WorldLeave a comment

True Grit

wandawaterman@themindfulbard.com

The Mindful Bard: True Grit Books, Music, and Film to Wake Up Your Muse and Help You Change the World Wanda Waterman Film: True Grit (2010) When a social upheaval reaches an unnerving crescendo, those who must endure it often long for heroes who embody iron will and superlative physical and mental skills. Some of us dream of a Captain America, but I (and judging from the box office, many others) prefer to dream of a Mattie Ross. (read more) Writers/Directors: Ethan and Joel Coen Cast: Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, Josh Brolin, Barry Pepper, and Hailee Steinfeld “MATTIE ROSS: I just spent last night … Continue reading True Grit

Books, Music, and Film to Wake Up Your Muse and Help You Change the WorldLeave a comment

Mindful Bard Film Review: Mary and Max

wandawaterman@themindfulbard.com

Film: Mary and Max (IFC Films 2010) Writer/Director: Adam Elliot Cast: Toni Collette, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Barry Humphries, Eric Bana, Bethany Whitmore, Reneé Geyer “God gave us our relatives; thank God we can choose our friends.” Ethel Watts Mumford “Her mother had told her that she was an ‘accident.’ How could someone be an accident? Grandpoppy Ralph had told her that babies were deliberate, and found by dads at the bottom of their beer.” From Mary and Max Eight-year-old Mary Daisy Dinkle likes to shrink potato chip bags in the oven to make trinkets. She has a pet rooster named Ethel. Her father works in … Continue reading Mindful Bard Film Review: Mary and Max