Soul Recovery (BOOK REVIEW)

Soul Recovery

12 Keys to Healing Addiction

by Ester Nicholson

Foreword by Michael Bernard Beckwith

Paperback, $15.95

192 pages

ISBN: 978-1401943110      

Book Review by Kam Williams

“This is a book about recovery—my recovery—from addiction to drugs, specifically cocaine. But… my addictions didn’t stop there. I was addicted to... drugs, love, men, food, you name it—if it gave me the temporary illusion of feeling whole and complete… My wants knew no end. Those wants nearly destroyed me and my child many, many times over…

The fear, unworthiness and shame I felt were so much a part of my identity as if they were in my very bone marrow… But I rose like a phoenix from those ashes.

I have written this book to take you from powerlessness to a place of shining in your full power… I am here to show you—with my story and my recovery—that finding your power again is possible. It will depend on your own ability to be humble in the face of the demons you are fighting right now.”

Excerpted from the Introduction (pgs. xiii-xiv)

            Ester Nicholson is a gifted gospel, jazz and R&B artist who has toured the world singing backup with everyone from Rod Stewart to Bette Midler. Perhaps more importantly, she recently celebrated the quarter-century of sobriety she’s enjoyed since resolving the host of childhood traumas that had led her down a self-destructive path marked by drugs, unemployment, near homelessness, and the loss of custody of the daughter she gave birth to in her mid-teens.   

            Today, she remains “eternally grateful” to the 12-Step program which put her on the road to recovery. Now, she plies her trade as a spiritual therapist and coach, delivering inspirational speeches and leading transformational workshops all across the country.

            She has something to offer beyond the traditional 12-Steps, which sees as limited in terms of helping a person harness their power. And since she went from “being a victim” to creating “a new life of balance, order and harmony,” Ester has codified what she calls the “12 Keys” in order to help others overcome addiction and recover their souls.

            The dozen tenets of the philosophy involve such New Age-sounding kernels of truth as “You Are the Power,” “Never Give Up,” “Complete Surrender” and “Honoring the Inner Child.” The earnest author’s conversational writing style is certainly very engaging, being based on oodles of anecdotal evidence culled from personal experience.

            Each Key involves starting with an intention, focusing on finding a healthy direction, keeping a journal throughout the process, verbalizing affirmations and taking the steps necessary to reach your goal. Does the system work? I wouldn’t be able to tell you, not being an addict in need of salvation.

            Hard to say whether starting a diary and chanting stuff like, “I am now ready to release all thought patterns and behaviors unlike my true nature,” would be enough to get a monkey off my back. Regardless, it did the trick for Ester, and the sister is very able to argue persuasively on behalf of her proven method.

            To put it simply, what we have here is a practical handbook with a prescription of hope for the hooked.

   

To order a copy of Soul Recovery, visit:  

 

To see a video of Ester Nicholson singing, visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYktiTSNEOY

Fast & Furious 6 (FILM REVIEW)

Fast & Furious 6

Film Review by Kam Williams

Farfetched Sequel Features Cartoon Physics and Comic Relief Courtesy of Tyrese 

            It’s important to note that this edition of Fast & Furious is every bit as funny as it is adrenaline-fueled. Most of the laughs come courtesy of comic relief provided by Tyrese, who is back in an expanded role as trash-talking Roman Pearce, a card-carrying member of the fugitive gang of auto thieves led by macho Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel).

            Like a latter-day Stepin Fetchit, Roman revives a slew of offensive African-American stereotypes, behaving in an alternately shallow, jive, flamboyant, lecherous, felonious and cowardly manner, doing everything but put on a dress to make a joke work. To Tyrese’s credit, the campy performance somehow works, either because the character is so ingratiating, or because of the presence of several respectable other blacks in the principal cast.

            Whether entertaining a bevy of scantily-clad beauties on his personal jet (with “It’s Roman, bitches!” emblazoned on the fuselage) or making money literally rain out of an ATM to the delight of a crowd of appreciative strangers picking the bills up off the ground, the scene-stealing cynosure is always the center of attention. Well, except during the action, chase and fight scenes when the muscle cars and muscle heads take charge.

            Other than Tyrese’s, the acting is uniformly wooden and unconvincing. Not to worry, this stunt driven-spectacular is all about the eye-popping special effects, and boy does it deliver in terms of the wow factor!

            The plot of F&F 6 is little more than a lame excuse to pit an army of bad guys against an army of worse guys, both as simplistically-drawn as tag teams of opposing professional wrestlers. Here’s the storyline in 25 words or more. Dominic coaxes his cohorts (Tyrese, Paul Walker, Ludacris, Sung Kang and Gal Gadot) out of retirement for one last adventure, after rumors surface that his late-ex, Letty (Michelle Rodriguez), might miraculously still be alive.

            They hatch a plan to rescue the damsel in distress who’s suffering from amnesia and currently in the clutches of Owen Shaw (Luke Evans), a worthy adversary specializing in vehicular warfare. His posse’s recent attack on a Russian military convoy explains why Diplomatic Security Service agent Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) is desperately seeking the assistance of Dominic’s crew.

            They agree on the condition that, should this mission succeed, they’ll be granted clemency for the host of crimes committed in F&F episodes 1-5. Hobbs okays the deal, and soon, a dogfight featuring fisticuffs, pyrotechnics and plenty of cartoon physics unfolds all over London, involving not only souped-up autos and state-of-the-art gadgetry, but a tank and a plane, to boot.

            The epitome of a summer blockbuster, complete with a post-credits set-up of F&F 7 (already slated to be released in July of 2014). Just remember to check your brain at the box office, and you won’t be disappointed.       

Excellent (4 stars)

PG-13 for sexuality, profanity, mayhem, violence and intense action

Running time: 130 minutes

Distributor: Universal Pictures 

To see a trailer for Fast & Furious 6, visit:   

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_puVuHoR6o 

The Loving Story (DVD REVIEW)

The Loving Story

DVD Review by Kam Williams

Headline: Documentary Chronicles Supreme Court Case Legalizing Interracial Marriage

            Soon after Mildred Jeter and Richard Loving tied the knot in Washington, DC on June 2, 1958, they decided to move back to their tiny hometown of Central Point, Virginia to settle down and start a family. The groom, a bricklayer by trade, even purchased a plot of land where he promised to build his bride a house.

            However, Virginia was one of 24 states where interracial marriage was still illegal because of racist laws designed to rob minorities of their dignity and to keep them in a lower social and economic status. Since Richard was white and Mildred was a mix of black and Native-American, it was just a matter of time before the local sheriff would catch wind of their illicit liaison and crack down on the felons like a ton of bricks.

            And in the middle of the night, he and a posse broke down the door, dragging the newlyweds off to jail while threatening to rape Mildred. Given that this was Virginia during the disgraceful days of Jim Crow, the Lovings were, of course, ultimately found guilty and each given a one-year sentence for the crime of marrying across the color line.

            As their appeal dragged on, Mildred wrote to then Attorney General Bobby Kennedy for help avoiding incarceration. He declined, but suggested she approach the American Civil Liberties Union, which did decide to take the case.

            “Just tell the Supreme Court I love my wife,” Richard directed the ACLU attorneys as they prepared to argue before Chief Justice Warren and his associates. In the historic Loving v. Virginia decision handed down on June 12, 1967, the Lovings’ convictions were overturned and their union finally garnered the blessing and government protection that had so eluded them for almost a decade.

            All of the above is recounted in heartbreaking fashion in The Loving Story, a combination biopic and courtroom drama directed by Nancy Buirski. What makes the film so touching are the reams of archival footage of the unfortunate couple at the center of the controversy. 

            For the lovebirds are so young and so innocent, it’s hard to fathom why anyone would even seek to separate let alone imprison them. A moving, must-see documentary about the Lovings’ belated vindication and the elimination of one of the last vestiges of segregation.

            Could it be more fitting that the litigants in the landmark case eradicating the crime of loving a person of a different color would be named Loving!

Excellent (4 stars)

Unrated

Running time: 74 minutes

Distributor: Docurama 

DVD Extras: Bonus footage of the ACLU lawyers.

To see a trailer for The Loving Story, visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h62ZBiHNJoM 

 

Silver Linings Playbook (DVD REVIEW)

Silver Linings Playbook

DVD Review by Kam Williams

Jennifer Lawrence Turns in Oscar-Winning Performance in Tenderhearted Tale of Love

            Pat Solitano (Bradley Cooper) completely lost it the day he came home early from work to find his wife (Brea Bee) naked in the shower with one of her colleagues (Ted Barba). In fact, he proceeded to beat up her lover so badly that the only way he avoided a prison sentence was by agreeing to enter a mental hospital.

            That was eight months ago and now that he’s being discharged he’s eager to reconcile and reunite with Nikki. But that’s not gonna happen, because she’s so afraid of his temper that she sold their house and got a restraining order issued against him.

            And she has good reason to be concerned, since her ex has been diagnosed as bipolar with depression and anger management issues. Consequently, with no wife, job or home to return to, the state releases Pat to the custody of his parents (Robert De Niro and Jacki Weaver), although he considers the move temporary.

            While suffering under the delusion that Nikki will come back to him soon, he is introduced to a recently-widowed neighbor (Jennifer Lawrence). As luck would have it, Tiffany happens to afflicted with a very compatible set of weird neuroses.

            She confides in him that she’s been very promiscuous as of late, and that she was fired for sleeping with just about everybody in her office. A Platonic friendship is gradually forged between the two, with chivalrous Pat protecting rather than further exploiting the vulnerable young woman. Meanwhile, Tiffany agrees to secretly deliver forbidden letters to his estranged wife so long as he promises to be her dance partner in an upcoming ballroom competition.

            Adapted from the Matthew Quick novel of the same name, Silver Linings Playbook is a tenderhearted tale about two terribly wounded souls who survive by grudgingly leaning on each other’s shoulder. Written and directed by David O. Russell (The Fighter), this charming little film landed a Best Actress Oscar for Jennifer Lawrence who exhibited an impressive acting range in service of an emotionally-demanding role.

            Her stellar supporting cast was at its best when providing comic relief, especially Anupam Kher as Pat’s eccentric shrink, Chris Tucker as his motor-mouthed pal, and Robert De Niro as his obsessive-compulsive father. Credit director Russell for keeping the audience captivated and in suspense for the duration with the help of a cleverly-concealed script as well as a motley crew of colorful characters.

            A slice-of-life romantic romp revolving around a couple of unstable misfits who take forever to wake up and realize they’ve found one another.  

Excellent (4 stars)

Rated R for profanity, sexuality and nudity

Running time: 122 minutes

Distributor: Starz / Anchor Bay

Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack Extras: Deleted scenes; Dance Rehearsal; Learn to Dance Like Pat & Tiffany; Going Steadicam with Bradley Cooper; Q&A Highlights; and Silver Linings Playbook: The Movie That Became a Movement.

To see a trailer for Silver Linings Playbook, visit:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lj5_FhLaaQQ   

 

Top Ten DVD Releases for 5-28-13

This Week’s DVD Releases

by Kam Williams

Top Ten DVD List for May 28, 2013                       

The Loving Story

My Dog Tulip

Mind of a Rampage Killer

Aroused

The Numbers Station

The Cold Eyes of Fear

 

Red Widow: The Complete First Season

Bubble Guppies: Sunny Days!

Suits: Season Two

Dark Skies

Honorable Mention

A Haunting at Silver Falls

The Sinful Nuns of St. Valentine

Battle Earth

Dead Mine

Marsh Mud Madness

http://rogerday.com/

Kam's Movie Kapsules for 5-31-13

OPENING THIS WEEK

Kam's Kapsules:      

Weekly Previews That Make Choosing a Film Fun         

by Kam Williams

For movies opening May 31, 2013

BIG BUDGET FILMS   

After Earth (PG-13 for action violence and disturbing images) M. Night Shyamalan directs this post-apocalyptic, sci-fi saga about a military general (Will Smith) with a teenage son (Jaden Smith) who are the only survivors of a crash landing of an expedition to Earth a millennium after the cataclysmic event that forced humans to abandon the planet. With Sophie Okonedo, Isabelle Fuhrman and Zoe Kravitz.  

The Kings of Summer (R for profanity and underage alcohol consumption) Coming-of-age comedy about three teenagers (Nick Robinson, Gabriel Basso and Moises Arias) who decide to demonstrate their independence by spending the summer living off the land while building a home in woods. With Nick Offerman, Alison Brie and Megan Mullally.

Now You See Me (PG-13 for profanity, sexuality and violence) Cat-and-mouse thriller about a French Interpol agent (Melanie Laurent) who teams with the FBI to catch a quartet of Robin Hood-style magicians (Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher, Jesse Eisenberg and Dave Franco) who steal from corrupt businessmen before showering their audiences with money during performances. A-list cast includes Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, Mark Ruffalo and Common. 

INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS

The East (PG-13 for violence, sexuality, partial nudity, mature themes and disturbing images) Espionage thriller about a private eye (Brit Marling) hired to infiltrate an anti-establishment organization suspected of sabotaging corporations who finds herself falling for the anarchist outfit’s very charismatic leader (Alexander Skarsgard). With Ellen Page, Patricia Clarkson, Toby Kebbell and Shiloh Fernandez. 

The History of Future Folk (Unrated) Sci-fi comedy about a couple of aliens (Nils D’Aulaire and Jay Klaitz) sent to earth from a faraway planet who ignore their orders to wipe out humanity and instead form a band after falling in love with bluegrass music.

Shadow Dancer (R for profanity and violence) Turncoat drama, set in Belfast in the Nineties, revolving around a member of the Irish Republican Army (Andrea Riseborough) who becomes a snitch for the British in order to remain free to raise her young son after being caught with a bomb in her possession. With Clive Owen, Gillian Anderson, Aidan Gillen and Brid Brennan.

Triumph of the Wall (Unrated) Buddy documentary that took eight years to complete about a couple of Canadian pals’ two-month road trip. 

Raising the Bar (BOOK REVIEW)

Raising the Bar

by Gabrielle Douglas

Zondervan Publishing

Hardcover, $19.99

140 pages, Illustrated

ISBN: 978-0-310-74070-4  

Book Review by Kam Williams

“Gabrielle Douglas is the first African-American and first woman of color from any nation to win an Olympic gold medal in the individual gymnastics all-around competition… That is a big accomplishment for a 4’11” 16 year-old from Virginia.

But she is still a normal American teen who is figuring out who she is and what’s next in her life. Dive into Gabrielle’s world from her perspective, and get to know this bubbly athlete who stole America’s heart and made an entire country cheer.” 

-- Excerpted from the Introduction (pg. 9)

            Gold medal gymnast Gabrielle Douglas skyrocketed to fame on the strength of her nonpareil performance at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. And ever since capturing the country’s imagination, she’s been on a whirlwind tour of the TV talk shows and had her face grace millions of boxes of Kellogg’s Corn Flakes.

            The talented 17 year-old role model published an autobiography last fall, and has just now released another aimed at impressionable young minds inclined to place her up on a pedestal. Entitled “Raising the Bar,” this coffee table book is more like a fancy, bound fanzine than her longer-winded, anecdote-driven memoir.

            Its pages arrive filled with over a hundred, full-color photos of Gabby, both in action on the gymnastics floor and unwinding with family and friends. Betwixt and between, we’re treated to many of her favorite inspirational sayings, especially verses from Biblical scriptures that have served her well in times of trouble.

            For instance, from Psalms, she quotes: “Let all that I am praise the Lord,” from Timothy, there’s “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind,” and from Matthew, “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in Heaven.” In fact, we find Gabby praying that “God will keep me humble and grounded” to “be a blessing and give back to the people who have supported me.”

            In terms of that support, she freely gives props not only to her mother (“Do you have any idea how many sacrifices she made to pay for my training?”) but to her sisters (“Arielle gave up ballroom dancing and Joyelle stopped ice-skating.”) and big brother (“John has always been so protective.”) She also thanks the Partons, the host family she lived with in Iowa, her coach, Liang Chow, and champions she’s looked up to like Tim Tebow, Dominique Dawes and Carly Patterson.

            Besides humbly spreading around credit for her success, Gabby shares some personal info, such as her favorite books (the Twilight series), fast food (McDonald’s), clothing brands (Nike and Miss Me Jeans) and TV show (The Vampire Diaries). A kid-friendly opus which makes it easy to understand why a poised and pretty shining star never let her Olympic glory go to her head.