‘Guardians’ is a good holiday movie for the family

Posted Nov. 27, 2012

Rise of the Guardians is a new DreamWorks movie that hit the theaters just in time to get people in the mood for Christmas. It is a story about legends — North (Santa), Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy, Sandman, and Jack Frost — who have to join together to fight against the darkness and fear spread by the bogeyman Pitch.

It’s a relatively predictable story, but it has enough fresh touches and humor to make it enjoyable and entertaining. What I found particularly amusing is that North merely tolerates the help of the Elves, but the real work in the North Pole is done by Yetis. Also the Easter Bunny, with his Australian accent and ability to open tunnels anywhere, is pretty amusing.

Much of the story focuses on Jack Frost and his search for belonging. It’s also about the faith of children, and the ability to keep a sense of wonder. It is an entertaining movie, one that both parents and children can enjoy.

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Posted Nov. 14, 2012

It is interesting the different ways one can be led to a book. I watched an online video of a speech by Susan Cain, the author of Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking, and then a friend enthusiastically recommended the book to me.

Cain talks a lot about the difference between introverts and extroverts, emphasizing that one type is not better than the other, but rather that both are needed. However, as she points out, our schools, workplaces, and culture tend to glorify the extrovert to the exclusion of the introvert.

Cain spent time studying how introverts and extroverts react in specific situations and with other people, and with each other. There were some chapters of her book that I found dwelt a little too much with statistics and studies, but they were made up for by other chapters that dealt with issues like how an introverted wife should relate to an extroverted husband. Some of the examples were humorous, fascinating, and always helpful.

I am an introvert, so I found “Quiet” fascinating and helpful. I am not a painfully shy introvert, although I was for years when I was younger. I love people and interactions and shared moments, but I also enjoy peace and quiet and space to think.

Cain has written a good book, one that can be affirming for introverts, help them to gain more confidence and be better leaders and interact better with others. If you’re an introvert or just interested in how they think, you should check out “Quiet.”

If you’re still not sure, you can watch Susan Cain’s speech at this address: http://youtu.be/c0KYU2j0TM4

Woiwode, of Jamestown, shares reviews of movies, TV and books at reelquickie.areavoices.com

Tags: diversions, movies