First let me say that I'm a Helen Mirren fan. She does not disappoint in this 2-part HBO production of England's Queen Elizabeth I. Having an English history-phile at my side while watching this movie, didn't hurt my appreciation for the accuracy of the production, either.

Although significant evidence exists that Elizabeth I had daliances with more than one admirer, she did remain unmarried her entire life, choosing a more independent life. She defied the conventional social and political wisdom of the day. She was very much a woman, but very much a tyrant when she needed to be. The men who got close to her were almost like moths attracted to flame. If they got too close, they got burned, and the smart ones learned to at least feign attraction without seeking to dominate and control. What made the movie so intriguing was the personality and motivations of the lead character. She wanted to be loved and adored, but cross her, and one could (and did) lose their head, not to mention their entrails. Speaking of which, there are scenes not for the faint-hearted, but so much a part of the story and the nature of the times of that period that they were not gratuitous.

Jeremy Irons, as Lord of Leceister, one of the Queen's paramours, did his usual superb job in basically an all-English cast. There are other familiar faces and talent that add to the story, but Mirren carries the day. Her performance is alone worth it.

We just saw the move, the ultimate gift, and loved it. From the novel of the same name by Jim Stovall, the production, the cast, the writing, and last, but not least, the story are excellent. Some of the faces like Abigail Breslin, James Garner, Brian Dennehy, and Lee Meriweather, are recognizable, and certainly added a lot of class to the production.

Directed by Michael O. Sajbel, the story has some similarity to Brewster's Millions, starring Richard Pryor, John Candy, and Hume Cronyn. There's the rich, old codger (played by Garner), who delivers part of his last will and testament on video, forcing his wayward, spoiled grandson (played by Drew Fuller) to go through several life's lessons to get any inheritance. In the case of the ultimate gift, this is not so much a comedy, although Abigail Breslin has some great lines, as it is a coming-of-age, inspirational story with overtones of a faith-based message. For once, Jesus Christ was mentioned in a Hollywood in a reverential context.

We were both exhausted from a hard week, and half expected to fall asleep during the movie, but neither of us had trouble staying awake, we were that engrossed in the story. I don't mean to damn the movie by faint praise, but to send another kudo to this movie. I recommend for the whole family. We need more productions like this one.

I just finished reading the book, Infidel, by Ayaan Hirsi Ali, the fugitive and ex-Moslem Somalian turned Dutch turned islamic terrorist target. Ali, a striking and intelligent woman writes a tell-all book on life as a woman under Islam. It's not pretty, hopeful, or desirable, and she describes the abuse and inhumanity heaped on and even accepted by submissive, devout women in this culture of death with vivid, non-sparing detail. From female circumcision to arranged marriages, to spousal abuse, she bombards any westerner's sensibilities with what she and countless others have suffered and continue to endure.

What is even more amazing to me about Ali is that she doesn't write from the perspective of a westerner or a Christian. In fact, she writes about her decision to embrace atheism, which, of course, was rather disappointing. Regardless, she maintains a clarity of judgment about Islam in terms of what it teaches, versus how it is practiced. She spends a lot of time about the teaching and traditions of what constitutes modesty for women. She brings into question the morality of the Moslem man, who cannot control his own lusts and passions, so he imposes an austere behavioral cultural tradition on women.

For her expose', Ali is a marked woman for death, and must live in seclusion. Her collaboration with Theodor van Gogh, the murdered Dutch film maker, precipitated the fatwa against her, but she continues to move forward quite remarkably. This is a must for the Westerner.