Monday, July 16, 2012

THE HORSE BOY Movie Review



THE HORSE BOY is an inspirational documentary about one family’s journey to find a miracle in Mongolia.  If you love horses, are affected by autism, or crave an epic travel trip, this movie is for you. Unlike other documentaries with loads of information and too many experts, this film breaks the mold and takes you to a far-away land with a cast of lovable characters that are on a mission to heal.

In the film, we get to follow Rupert, his amazing wife Kristin, and their adorable son Rowan on a journey on horseback (and in a van!) across the beautiful landscapes of Mongolia. The trip was sparked by Rupert's realization that his son’s autism lessens when he is on top of a sweet mare named Betsy. Being a journalist who has studied the healing world of Shamanism, Rupert asks the question:  what if the combination of horses and shamanism could heal my son? His quest for an answer leads to a crazy adventure across the world to meet with a remote reindeer tribe of Shamans.

I was so excited to finally watch this movie as I was lucky enough to meet Rupert at a Horseboy training camp at Connemara Ranch where I trail ride. I was immediately pulled into his blunt, hilarious, and loving approach to working with horses and autistic children. I’ve always wanted to volunteer with horses and this was my first step into the world of service with my favorite creatures on Earth. Rupert is quite simply a brilliant trainer, rider and father. His story of how he has helped his son, Rowan, deal with autism is awe-inspiring.

It is quite miraculous to witness Rowan’s transformation in the film as he works with various shamans. It is also fascinating to watch his mom Kristin, who is somewhat skeptical, experience the magic in this healing. The audience will quickly fall for Rupert who just adores his son and will do anything for him. We feel compassion for him as he judges his choice to take him to Mongolia. We watch the terror and challenges the parents face as they deal with an incontinent and tormented child. The tantrums are tough to watch and yet make the miracle of Rowan’s transformation all that more meaningful.

I don’t want to ruin any of this film for you as it is truly worth watching. But I have to admit that I too was somewhat skeptical of shamanism (and I’m open to many healing modalities). This film made me a believer. It was so inspiring to see so much love and transformation in this film. I couldn’t help but think that Rupert and Kristin were the perfect parents to conceive an autistic child because it made them so strong and deeply loving and patient. It also led Rupert to his dharma to start the Horse Boy Foundation which helps many autistic children and their families. He is living a life of purpose and his son was just the start of his service to humanity.

What I witnessed with Rowan and his animal friends in the movie, and with an autistic child at Connemara Ranch, was shocking. It is as though autistic children and animals, especially horses, speak the same language. Horses become gentle as though they know they need to nurture and treat these children with special love and understanding. It makes me appreciate them even more and helps me to believe in magic and miracles as well.


THE HORSE BOY helps us to see that not everything can be explained. That the spiritual side of life is mysterious and profound. And that sometimes all we need for healing it to believe it's possible. Rupert and Kristin show us that hope and an open mind can completely change our lives. And most importantly, the film highlights the importance of the human virtues of love, patience and perseverance. I highly recommend this dose of inspiration and enlightenment. That is what we are about here at Synergy TV: opening your mind and heart while leaving you feeling better about humanity. The film also left me pondering these questions: How far would you go for your child? How can we respect animals more and tap into their magical healing powers?  What would you be willing to do for a miracle?

Friday, July 6, 2012

BRAVE Movie Review



The latest Disney & Pixar spectacular was definitely touching and beautiful, but not as amazing as I was hoping for on the big screen. I saw BRAVE opening night because I was waiting for this film for months as the marketing grabbed me from first glance. However, I was really hoping for it to be deeper. I was ready to see a heroine that really inspired me but the story was still a little surface-level. The film does a great job of being a fit for both adults and children, but it is not as clever as the SHREK series, as deep as UP or as transformative as THE LION KING.

That said, the animation in BRAVE is stunning and it is amazing to me how far our technology and graphics have evolved over time. Pixar proved they are still the best animators in town! The film is set in Scotland and the culture and landscape are brilliantly showcased. Having been to Scotland and having lineage to that country, it felt like a bit of homecoming for me.

The themes of BRAVE are worth mentioning and make it a film that could be classifed as mindful. One of the best lines is: “your destiny is inside, you just have to be brave enough to see it” which was the core of the film and the question: “if you had the chance to change your fate, would you?” is the dilemma that shapes the main character, Princess Merida’s journey.  The theme that we can choose our path and create our own lives once we step into courage was prevalent and a wonderful message, especially for young women.

The true beauty in the film surrounds the lessons that unfold from the mother-daughter relationship. Merida challenges her mother’s (Queen Elinor) position and the kingdom’s custom on marriage.  Merida believes in marrying for love rather than tradition and takes her fate into her own hands when she visits a witch and causes a lot of mischief. The consequences of a spell take both characters on a life-changing journey. An old prince’s tale is woven together with Merida’s and the audience sees another clear lesson that self-centeredness will only turn you or your loved ones into something dark and unBEARable.

It was refreshing to see a strong, independent female lead that loves her archery set and horse as much as her family. Princess Merida is spirited, curious, loving and stubborn and throughout the film she learns that trying to change someone else has ramifications.

Another theme worth noting is the one of feminity portrayed in the movie. Queen Elinor is often telling the Princess how to be a "lady" but through their shared journey we see she learns a lot about what being a true Queen really means. When Merida or Elinor enters a room the men stop fighting to watch and listen to these women. There is a great scene where the Princess speaks to all of the warriors with compassion and understanding and they join together, clearly seeing a new way. This scene is a signpost of how things can be for women when they stand in their truth and demand respect with gentleness, bringing unity to their community. I really enjoyed seeing the impact the Queen and the Princess had when they stood in bravery and feminine power. 

So even though I had huge expectations of this film and it was a bit over-hyped for me, I still think it is beautiful, touching, and has important and positive messages, especially for girls and women.  The lessons about family, peace, courage, feminine power and unity are keys for all of us who wish to live more peacefully with each other. We need to be brave and also realize our destiny is tied to each other.

Entertain, Enlighten, Inspire,
Kate Neligan
Founder & CEO of Synergy TV & Mindful Media Entertainment LLC
www.synergytvnetwork.com


Sunday, July 1, 2012

JEFF WHO LIVES AT HOME Movie Review





The first time I saw the synopsis of JEFF WHO LIVES AT HOME I knew I had to see the film so I decided to rent it from Redbox (recently out on DVD/VOD). The movie really delivers on all levels and is very realistic, fun, and spiritual.  It’s not only hilarious but also touching and deep. The filmmakers accomplished so much in a short time and kept the story fresh and original. Some of my favorite actors, Susan Sarandon who plays Sharon, Ed Helms (from “The Office”) who plays Pat and Jason Segal who plays Jeff, star in this film and they all did a fantastic job with their characters.


Interconnected storylines often make for great films and this one was no exception. In the vein of CRASH, or Fox’s new TV series “Touch”, JEFF WHO LIVES AT HOME explores how life is like a webbed tapestry of impact. Right from the beginning we see that Jeff wants to know his destiny and fate. He spends a while thinking about this and is always looking for signs. He believes everything happens for a reason and there are no wrong numbers or coincidences. One could easily pass off his beliefs as naïve or the mind of a stoner, yet as the story unveils we get a glimpse into his heart as well as a deeper explanation of our world.

Jeff Who Lives At HomeOne of the reasons this is such a great film is that it’s very real and believable.  We see Jeff as a hopeful character full of acceptance and introspection. The only thing he seems to have in common with his brother is the loss of their dad since Pat is full of anger and focused on materialism. There is a realistic fight scene between them that reminded me of the fights I used to get into with my brother. The relationship between Pat and his wife was also very realistic: a typical strained marriage where neither really listens and no one knows how to communicate or understand one another.

In fact, the desire to be understood is another theme in the film. Jeff feels like his family misunderstands him, Pat’s wife doesn’t feel heard and Sharon just wants someone that gets her. I feel as though we can all relate to this theme, as often our families don’t get us. I know my brother and dad rarely understand my empathic nature and, similar to how Pat feels about Jeff, I know they wish they could see the world the way I see it as well: with a lot of compassion and a big open heart.

Jeff is also judged for living at home and not doing anything major with his life, yet his relationships with others is beautiful to watch.  He is patient, grounded, loving, and has a great sense of curiosity.  He pays attention to everything and is present. It’s this presence that is actually his contribution to the world and not what he does for a living.  While his destiny is related to what he does, it’s primarily about who he is.

This movie had me thinking - what if I woke up one day and let everything be a sign and followed my “gut” or intuition? What would that journey look like? What would happen? How would my life change and how would I change others? These are deep and important questions to ask because we so often think we know best or that we SHOULD do certain things each day. Most of the time we live on auto-pilot but what if the all-intelligent “source” knows more than us and we could know the plan if we listened?

What if true happiness actually came from being guided by a much more powerful voice than our egos? What if we asked the question: “Love, how can I serve you today, what would you have me do and where would you have me go?” I’ve found magic when I’ve paid attention to the subtle clues/messages/signs and connections the Universe is always sending.  Noticing signs is just like being tuned into a specific radio station or television channel. In this film we get to see Jeff do this for one day and his journey is transformational.


Synchronicities and serendipity is a big part of this film as well as my daily life.  I’ll often receive direct messages from license plates, songs on the radio, actual billboards, or from people and animals. Or I’ll ask a question and then wait to see the answer show up sometimes in mere minutes. It’s truly wonderful to live life this way – as Einstein says, “as though everything is a miracle.” I used think this was “stupid,” the way Pat does in the movie, and everything should be scientifically proven. But how can you prove magic and miracles? We just need to believe. We don’t manifest what we want, we manifest what we believe.

In this movie Jeff believed, listened and followed something greater than his rational mind. He surrendered and an amazing thing happened; his destiny to help others appeared in both big and small ways. In fact, all destinies are tied to each other and to serving others; it’s just a matter of recognizing this and then watching the opportunities appear.

I believe that the Universe puts us in the right place at the right time, especially for all of our life-changing events, such as when we meet our soul mates, when we receive our dream job, or when we get the chance to impact someone else. It is true that we may never know what we are here to do, yet if we listen and follow the signs we will gather glimpses into a much greater knowledge.

JEFF WHO LIVES AT HOME is truly the perfect “synergy film” or “mindful movie” as it makes you laugh and cry and also imparts wisdom and truth through quirky characters and a real story. I loved that the movie started with a quote from Jeff that says, “Everyone and everything is interconnected in this universe. Stay pure of heart and you will see the signs. Follow the signs, and you will uncover your destiny.” I would have to agree with this wise 30 year old man that lives in his mom’s basement!

The messages in this film are clear: surrender to the signs and watch your destiny unfold. True understanding is really listening and loving. Whether it’s listening to our brother, spouse, co-worker, or the Universe, as human be-ings we get to choose the loving way.

I hope this film delights you as much as it did me.  I highly recommend it and it will most definitely go on my Top 10 Mindful Movies of the year list!

Entertain, Enlighten, Inspire,
Kate Neligan
Founder & CEO of Synergy TV & Mindful Media Entertainment LLC


 P.S. Best line from the film: “Yoda would be killer in a business meeting.” I’ll be remembering that in my next one and allowing my inner-Yoda to shine!