JULIE & JULIA Movie Review

JULIE & JULIA offers such a positive, feel-good and heart-warming experience.  It feels like a “chick flick” and yet it is really for anyone that needs to believe that pursuing a passion can pay off. Meryl Streep is amazing as Julia Child and Amy Adams is endearing as Julie Powell. Based on the true story of a Queens girl who started a blog to give herself something to look forward to outside of her job. Her life parallels the famous cook, Julia Child’s, as they both transform through their love of food.

I can see why so many people adore this film because it sends an inspirational message that anyone can be successful. My favorite moment in the film is when Julie starts to listen to her 65 voice mails after she is written about in the NY Times. She quickly receives offers for an agent, a book, and a movie. In many ways, this is any entrepreneur’s dream (and certainly my own!) to hit it big overnight. Yet the truth is that Julie showed up consistently every day for a year to cook and write about her experience. It made me realize that a great idea, paired with consistent committed action really does yield significant results. Julia Child also had many attempts before her famous cookbook was published.

What I loved the most about this film is the relationship that both Julie and Julia are in with their respective husbands. The strength and support these men offered to their wives was amazing to me. It gave me hope that there are great guys out there that will show up for strong women who are working on their dreams. In the past, I used to feel like I would have to choose between an amazing relationship or my dream career. I always thought both would take so much time but this film portrays a different reality where both are not only possible but work together in complete harmony. I was comforted by the generosity these men offered to their leading ladies and how they worked as a team with the common phrase of “we’ll figure it out.” I have so much hope that these relationships exist now.

I also particularly liked how Julia raised the bar for Julie to be a better person. Sometimes we really do need a mentor or idol to follow and to positively project the new, higher-self qualities we are stepping into. This film also portrays Julia as a master at visioning. She stated clear affirmations that her book would change the world and it did. Her enthusiasm, yes-attitude, and love for food were infectious and impactful. She is proof that anything that we jump out of bed for at 6:30am is worth pursuing and doing every day of our lives.

So that is my blog post about a movie about a blogger! I am proud of Julie for staying the course of her commitment and for reaching success. As her husband said, she was already a writer; she just needed to own this in herself regardless of the outer circumstances. I am going to own being a writer as well, even if only a handful of people read this blog (for now). I love films with purpose, meaning and heart that make us feel good and to me the movie JULIE & JULIA is like beef bourguignon to Julia Child.

Entertain - Enlighten - Inspire,
Kate Neligan
Founder/CEO of Synergy TV and Mindful Media Entertainment LLC.

FINDING JOE Movie Review & Interview by guest blogger: Matt Welsh

Synergy TV guest blogger and Founder of Spiritual Media Blog, Matt Welsh, interviews Patrick Solomon producer of FINDING JOE.

“Finding Joe” is a documentary that interviews visionaries from a wide variety of fields on how Joseph Campbell’s teachings on ‘following your bliss’ and ‘The Hero’s Journey’ can be applied to our everyday life, including our challenges and personal dragons. The movie has become so popular that even President Barack Obama requested a screener of the film.

Finding Joe – Trailer V.7 from pat solomon on Vimeo.

While most inspirational documentaries focus on how good life can be if you get everything you want; “Finding Joe” stands out because it interviews real life people ranging from Deepak Chopra, Tony Hawk, to Rashida Jones about how their struggles, failures, and personal dragons were necessary to help them develop the capabilities to truly follow their bliss.

According to the film, everybody receives some sort of mysterious call to adventure or to awaken to a life previously unknown. Not everybody answers this call. However, those that do and then choose to act on this call embark on what Campbell and the film describe as ‘The Hero’s Journey.’

As the documentary portrays in vivid detail from popular movies, enactments of classic tales by a group of sweet and motley group of kids, and first hand accounts from real people ‘The Hero’s Journey’ is filled with a series of tests, trials, or ordeals a person must go through to begin and complete a transformation. Often a person will fail one or more of these tests. But, if the hero remains steadfast and open to unexpected help along the way, he or she will emerge victorious. For example, Campbell summarizes this process in “The Hero with a Thousand Faces” when he writes

“A hero ventures forth from the world of common day into a region of supernatural wonder: fabulous forces are there encountered and a decisive victory is won: the hero comes back from this mysterious adventure with the power to bestow boons on his fellow man.”

I had the chance to interview the filmmaker for “Finding Joe”, Patrick Solomon, and asked him what sort of dragons he faced in his personal journey. His answer was very insightful and eye-opening:

“On my own personal journey, there are a lot of challenges in making a movie. I went down this road when I first started this movie. And I shot a bunch of things. I went to Bali. I went to Jerusalem. I shot just a ton of film and interviewed a bunch of people and when I started to put that together it wasn’t working.

So, at some point, I had to admit that this wasn’t going to work and we got to take another path. But, that to me was a dragon. That was months and months of work and thousands and thousands of dollars that I kind of had to let go of and come to grips with the truth that that wasn’t going to work. And, that was a wrestling match and that took months to come to the point of saying ‘okay man this isn’t going to work, you gotta let that go.’ And, I’m glad I did because the movie would be quite different had I hung onto that.”

The rest of our conversation focuses on why he made “Finding Joe” in addition to some straightforward advice for other filmmakers who are trying to make an inspirational or transformational film. You can listen to our entire 9 minute conversation by clicking the play button below.

Or, you can download an MP3 of our interview by right clicking on text below.
RIGHT CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD MP3 of interview
Finding Joe is truly a transformational film that will help anyone who is wrestling with a personal dragon right now, but knows in their heart that they are on path. Or as Joseph Campbell said,

“Follow your bliss and the Universe will open doors where there were only walls.”

SAMSARA Movie Review

Before I saw SAMSARA I knew very little about it, I just knew I wanted to see it. I was expecting a documentary of beautiful footage with commentary and what I got was an almost two hour meditative experience. The first 15 minutes of the film I was annoyed, contemplated leaving, and was thinking of all that I had to do. I felt like I was just watching a nice slide show of someone’s amazing photography. Then I realized I had an opportunity to slow down, relax, and let go. I was in for a journey – in fact the longest one we can ever make: the trip from head to heart.

By the end of SAMSARA I was captivated and actually having a deep experience. I could see that the film was a piece of art. It felt like I should have been at a museum rather than a movie theatre. It showcased how subjective art really is because at the end all of us who saw it shared a different experience.

People might think SAMSARA is telling a story and that there is a message in it, and I would have to disagree. I believe the moving images on screen are just scenes and we make them whatever we want. Just like we do in our lives with whatever happens. The story we saw in SAMSARA is the projection of our mind onto the images. The on-going inner voice I heard was to not judge. I kept hearing one of my spiritual teachers saying “it is what it is” and “all there is, is what is”. I realized I could remain neutral when there were some creepy images, as well as when there was something beautiful. 

If we really are a neutral observer to our thoughts while watching this film, we are in for quite a treat. I saw so many of the people in the film as unhappy. It felt like no one was smiling and everyone was taking life so seriously. It made me think, how is this my inner experience?  Is my own heart smiling right now? Could all of humanity use more joy and upliftment?

I felt sick during the scenes of animal husbandry and mass consumption of products. I had to close my eyes and I realized this is an area of my life where I want and choose to remain ignorant. I had also had a realization that I could use less paper, order out less, and recycle even more when I watched all of the shots of the trash in our world. I also realized how lucky and blessed I am to not only live in America but to have the job I do.

SAMSARA is a silent film. There is beautiful music that is well scored and perfectly synched to the images but the only real soundtrack is what is going on in our minds as we watch. This is where the reality is – everything else is just photographs of our world on a screen. Life truly is what we make it.

While this film is certainly enlightening in nature because of the process your mind goes through, it was hard for me to see it as entertaining. It is beautiful, bizarre, fascinating, colorful, and eye-opening. If we pay attention, especially to certain images, we can see the truth of “as above, so below” and the inter-connectedness of all things.

My favorite part is the creation of the sand mandala towards the beginning and the teaching of non-attachment that it circles back to at the end. This is one of the main messages I took from the film: to be non-attached to our thoughts as they come and go.

If you have any desire to really travel the world, this is the film for you. Just expect an amazing instillation at a modern art museum and not an educational National Geographic program. Be mindful of your thoughts and I promise you that you’ll learn something new about how you relate to the world. Certainly that is worth the price of a movie ticket, is it not?!

Entertain-Enlighten-Inspire,

Kate Neligan  - Founder/CEO of Synergy TV

P.S.  Big THANK YOU to the University of Santa Monica for inviting me to see this film and to Mark Magidson and Ron Fricke for making a stunning masterpiece.

 

One of the best short films ever made... "Change for a Dollar"

This is a MUST see short, drop everything you are doing and watch it now - it is amazing! I was crying within two minutes and couldn't stop sopping until the end. However, it's not sad at all - it's inspiring and uplifting and will make you feel better about humanity.

"Change for a Dollar" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DXL9vIUbWg

I had to post about this right away because I am so moved and deeply touched by the journey this film takes us on in just ten minutes and with only six words of dialogue. I wanted to share it so hopefully you are as well.

I've always believed that the homeless are actually highly evolved souls that come here as teachers for all of us. The first time I heard this was in "Embraced by the Light" which is a beautiful book that really looks at our homeless in a very different way.

What came forward for me while watching this is that homeless men and women truly are angels. Especially the one in this film. Why, you might ask? Because if we are ever triggered by them or get emotionl - they are being of service to our own personal growth and healing.

There is nothing less human about them because they don't work or because they might be a little dirty from the streets. They are still divine beings having a human experience just like the rest of us and it is a simple choice to shower them with compassion rather than judgment.

Every single time I see a homeless person I say the following blessing: "peace be with you" and this has been a silent prayer for years for me and I know some day one of them will look at me and say "and also with you" because I KNOW they are connected and tapped in to Source. We are no different and in fact, we are all connected.

I am so grateful for this video, the different and refreshing perspective, and for the acts of kindness so gracefully demonstrated. The only thing that is wrong with our homeless population is our own greed and any collective consciousness regarding lack.

It is time America to live more simply, do with less and help our brothers and sisters with what they need. There is ENOUGH, we are enough.....let's start acting like it.

My heartfelt prayer is that more of these films are made and seen, so we can look into the mirror to a better humanity. My promise is that I will do everything I can to see this happen.

- Kate Neligan
Founder/CEO of Synergy TV
Enterain - Enlighten - Inspire

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?

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

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.

One 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!