Karma isn’t so Black and White, like ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ #thursday #atozchallenge #atoz

 

“What goes around comes around, what goes up must come down”

“Karma” by Alicia Keys is one of the more upbeat tunes on my playlist that I enjoy listening to often. In the song, she talks about an ex-boyfriend who ended their relationship and now wants her back. Although this tune focuses on matters of the heart, the subject of karma has a funny way of playing out in various aspects of our everyday existence.

I’ve come to realize that the whole "nice guys finish last" saying can apply to anyone, regardless of age or gender. Sometimes, I feel like those who engage in questionable behavior such as theft, lying, fraud, murder or even living recklessly still get over while those who are relatively upstanding citizens get the short end of the stick. Take social assistance programs for example, welfare, child care subsidies, health care -- many (not all) people manipulate these programs for their own greedy interests while others who could really use the help get nothing more than a cold shoulder from society -- such as military veterans, the disabled or the elderly.

Who knows if everyone will see how karma comes into play in their lifetime. Sometimes it doesn’t balance things out and other times, it arrives just in the nick of time. It reminds me of the movie "It's a Wonderful Life" because the main character George spent a lot of his life giving his time, money, compassion, support and energy to others, despite rarely getting anything in return.

Just when George is at the point of no return in his worst of moments due to the potential loss of his business and ever-mounting legal troubles, his friends provide enough resources and support that that inspires him to get a new lease on life.

You have the power to create some positive karma in the spirit of giving to others while also getting some reciprocity by conducting a Secret Santa themed DVD gift exchange that can include both new and used items, at your next holiday party.

The gift exchange doesn't even have to be exclusive to the holiday season. You can hold a "Christmas in July," “Summer Santa” or a "Kwanzaa in July," etc. exchange for birthday parties, graduation parties, dinner parties, anniversary parties or whatever you are celebrating. Add any other movie memorabilia or merchandise such assoundtracks, etc. if you want to mix things up. 

Add an extra dose of generosity by collecting $1 or so from each guest at your party, to donate a piece of movie merchandise to a charity that you choose or one that guests vote on. If I attended a party where a Secret gift exchange was being held, I would probably give away my “The Box” DVD since it’s in like-new condition. I’ve only watched it once, just like I probably played my Lord of the Rings stratego board game once or twice, so I could give that to someone else who would make better use of it. If I were hosting a secret gift exchange party, I would use the money collected from donations to purchase gifts for child hospital patients, through the Childs Play charity.

I’m no video game fiend but learned about Child’s Play charity last year and it’s among one of the coolest organizations that I’d be proud to support. This organization partners with retailers such as Amazon and provides entertainment for young children undergoing medical treatment.

Supporters purchase gifts from the wish lists of dozens of hospitals around the country where a DVD or movie related video game that is donated through Childs Play is then given to one or more children who are patients at a particular facility of your choosing. As of this writing, I see that the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh has an Xbox360 LEGO “Pirates of the Caribbean” game on their wish list. Since I’m in Pennsylvania, that particular hospital and item would likely be my donations picks.

Do YOU believe in Karma?

If The Madlab Post was sponsoring a donation of one DVD movie to any hospital around the country, which hospital would YOU want it to be sent to? Why that one?

If The Madlab Post was sponsoring a donation to any one charity around the country, which one would YOU want this blog to support?

Just the Way You Are with Gender Benders in Film #wednesday #atozchallenge #trivia

 

“Don’t go changing to try to please me, you never let me down before -- I would not leave you in times of trouble, we never could have come this far. I took the good times, I’ll take the bad times. I’ll take you just the way you are...”

I‘ve played “Just the Way You Are” by Billy Joel on repeat on a few occasions and it’s among the older songs that I rarely get enough of listening to. The song reminds me of how greater life can be when unconditional love is present, whether it comes from a parent, friend, romantic partner or even a stranger -- it is something that no one should ever take for granted. Families are often expected to have unconditional love for one another, so when anyone lacks even that much, it is very hard to find that elsewhere, out in the world. I find “Just the Way You Are” to be a wonderful tune, however, because it also illustrates the joy that comes from giving it, not just receiving it.

Expressing love or compassion toward another human being can be powerful with regards to changing one's perspective on what is considered normal and abnormal, as well as possibly even helping people see themselves in a new light.

It kinda has me thinking about that jail scene in “Boys Don’t Cry” starring Hilary Swank, where Lana tells Brandon “I don’t care if you’re half monkey or half ape, I’m getting you out of here!” -- all gender bending aside, that was a key moment in the movie because Lana could have easily ended their friendship or relationship but she chose not to because the person that Brandon was meant more to her than his real gender.

In fact, if X and Y chromosomes were switched for a brief moment, would you be able to tell the difference between who is who at your job, out in public or even while watching a movie? The next time you are entertaining guests at home, play a “Truth or False” or "Name that Movie" dinner party game where players have to answer questions about gender bending movies where actresses take on roles as men and actors portray female characters onscreen.

Here is a little Just the Way You Are: Gender Bender Movie Party Game that I put together to get you started.

Gender Bending Movie Casting Trivia Questions:

What male comedian played a woman named Jill in the movie "Jack and Jill?" _______
What Actress played a man named Jude Quinn in the movie, "I'm Not There?" _______
What male actor played a transgender female in the movie "The Crying Game?" _______

Gender Bending Movie True or False Questions:

Actor Patrick Swayze played a woman named Rachel Tensions in the movie "To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar." True or False? _______
Actor James Kirk played a teenage girl named Viola Hastings in the movie "She's the Man." True or False? _______
Actress Julie Andrews played a man named Count Victor Grazinski in the movie "Victor, Victoria!" True or False? _______

Gender Bending Movie Trivia Question:

In What movie did Gwyneth Paltrow play a man named Thomas Kent? _______

Play the game by answering one or all of these questions, in the comments section....

-and/or-

Answer this: What does the phrase “unconditional love” mean to YOU?

Extra credit - the movie poster for "Boys Don't Cry" reads "A True Story about Having the Courage to be Yourself." In YOUR opinion, how can people find the courage to be themselves no matter who they are?

*Want a Just the Way You Are: Gender Bender Movie Party Game sheet, complete with an Answer Key, to play at home with your family or friends, courtesy of The Madlab Post? Just let me know and I’ll send one your way.

The Hollywood Director's Connection to Michael Jackson, continued... #NaBloPoMo

Michael Jackson's connection to movie directors are far, long and global. While film directors dominated Michael Jackson’s music video collection, the iconic singer also worked with several regular music video directors who helped him bring his songs to life on the small screen. Here are some of those directors.

Michael Jackson's "Man in the Mirror" music video was directed and edited by Don Wilson (editing too? Wilson's got Talent!). Wilson also works in Television, directing reality shows including Hitched or Ditched (Premiered in the Summer of 2009) and The Swan as well as documentaries. He also works on movie trailers.

In an American Pop Culture interview, Wilson describes the decision to not use Michael Jackson in the music video by saying "the lyrics really dictated the content" and even mentioned a remake of "Man in the Mirror" that was close to developing until Jackson's sudden death recently.
http://www.americanpopularculture.com/music.htm

Bruce Gowers who directed "Rock with You" has done work in other music videos and television.

Paul Hunter lent his directing services to Michael Jackson for "You Rock my World" starring actor, Marlon Brando and comedian, Chris Tucker.

Wayne Isham directed the "You Are Not Alone" music video by Michael Jackson. Music videos seem to be Isham's specialty.

Michael Jackson's "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" was directed by Nick Saxton. Who knows what Saxton is doing now? He doesn't seem to have any new credit listings, as the information comes to a halt after the early 90s. Maybe he started producing music videos instead of directing, but whatever.

This post is part of the Michael Jackson music video series on the Madlab Post. Here are the previous posts in the series:

Movie Directors Dominate Michael Jackson's Video Collection

More Michael Jackson Videos with Big Screen Support

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