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 The Hurt Locker…One Woman’s Perspective of War
If you are looking for the mind-numbing special effects movie-goers have come to expect at your neighborhood multiplex, don’t order this magnificently real perspective on war in general. The Hurt Locker won the 2010 Best Picture Oscar…against strong competition from a technologically overwrought marvel like Avatar. Leave it to a woman, Best Director winner Kathryn Bigelow (did we mention she was the first woman to ever win this award?), to know that the breathtaking suspense and horrors of war occur in the sweaty detail and tactical strategies of the confrontation of man versus bomb…not the pixilated fireballs and visual enhancements we have come to expect from Hollywood.
This is not a movie about the politics of war; this is a movie about war being the job that the characters do. And, speaking of characters…Jeremy Renner is magnificent as the resourceful staff sergeant who is addicted to the adrenaline rush of life-on-the-edge. The “hurt locker” is the box under his bunk of all the bomb parts and “things that could have killed me.” This collection of deadly memorabilia doesn’t seem to be a consolation to him but rather motivation to do his soldier job the next day.
 Inglourious Basterds…One Man’s Revisionary Perspective of War
Brad Pitt takes no prisoners in Quentin Tarantino’s high-octane WWII revenge fantasy Inglourious Basterds, a nominee for Best Picture Oscar. As war raged in Europe, a Nazi-scalping squad of American soldiers, known to their enemy as “The Basterds,” was on a daring mission to take down the leaders of the Third Reich. Bursting with “action, hair-trigger suspense and a machine-gun spray of killer dialogue” Basterds is another Tarantino masterpiece with a crowd-pleasing revision to history.
We found ourselves laughing aloud at the over-the-top antics of the Basterds…and then, being shocked upon absorbing the fact that those antics were savage and brutal as only Tarantino can do savagery and brutality. And, speaking of funny, savage and brutal…all in one sentence…the performance of Christoph Waltz, as the diabolically sinister and evil Nazi, was the only choice for Best Supporting Actor honors at the Oscars.
Turn off the phone, pop the popcorn, chill the beverage, get in the comfy sweats…you need to watch these two perspectives on war without interruption. Enjoy!
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 If your dog could talk, he would say “get off the couch and play with me so I can get a treat!" As dog lovers, we are always looking for fun things to do with our dogs that can train them inside or out. No matter how big the dog or how small the space. The Amazing Treat Machine Interactive Dog Toy is an exciting and innovative dog toy. Picture this—your eager canine drops a tennis ball inside the ATM (Amazing Treat Machine) and a treat pops out. It’s simple, clean, safe, and it’s a blast for you and your dog. The ATM is compact and it is a “green machine” made of approximately 30% post-consumer recycled material.
The Amazing Treat Machine Interactive Dog Toy is a great training tool that will make tails wag. . .whether they are canine or human. You provide the tennis ball and the treats—the ATM provides the fun. Our dogs here at ItsGoodStuff have gotten so smart that they will soon be ready to do Sudoku! ? |
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 We would rather spend our time talking about cheerful subjects, but there is a reality of life that cannot be avoided. What middle age man or woman hasn’t experienced the horrible thought of their parent lying helplessly on the floor after falling with no way to call for help? That is why we were so jazzed to learn about a new product that provides instant access to help for grandma or grandpa, and, in fact, for other members of the family who might need it. This amazing device is called Freedom Alert, and in short, it will give you and your loved ones peace of mind.
Here is what it does: Push the button on this battery-powered communication device and it connects you to one of four contacts you have programmed in. They are not just alerted, but you are able to talk with them to explain your needs. And what we found particularly helpful is that Freedom Alert can also default to a 911 operator if none of your other contacts are available. Can you just imagine the sense of safety and security this great product will bring to so many life situations? It’s the world’s first programmable two-way voice emergency communicator, and it is so easy to operate. Billed as the ultimate personal emergency response system, it is recommended by doctors and other health care providers across the country. We know there are many choices for systems like the Freedom Alert, but what sets Freedom Alert apart from the rest is the absence of monthly subscription fees and annual contracts. With the Freedom Alert, you simply pay the $279.95 purchase price, and that's it! Yep, you heard it right - no annual contracts, no set-up charges and no monthly fees. It is also small - the miniature pendant can be pocketed, worn on a lanyard, wrist strap or belt clip - it is affordable, and it is like carrying around your own personal 911 operator! ? What a small price to pay for peace of mind! |
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