Having just watched the second in a line of the National Treasure franchise, I thought a review would be timely. To put it simply: it was fun. It was worth the time and the ticket. Nicholas Cage, Jon Voight, Harvey Keitel, et al, reprise their roles with twists that reveals another aspect of each character. Being a self-confessed Helen Mirren-phile, I think she was a wonderful addition to the cast in this sequel, playing Ben Gates' (Cage) mother. Her strained relationship with Patrick Gates (Voight) just adds another line to the overall story. There was plenty of action with the sharp, witty dialogue we saw in the first movie. And, as in the first, one must suspend belief in measure, but this is Hollywood entertainment, not a History Channel documentary. I, for one, look forward to seeing it again--after I buy the DVD.

The problem with sound bite history is that it is usually one dimensional, and in the case of grievous error, has a high likelihood of being repeated. Take the case of the British appeasement of Hitler and his Nazi cronies prior to the open hostilities of WWII. Most amateur historians can recite of the then Prime Minister of England Neville Chamberlain's spineless and lackluster leadership that led to that line "we have peace in our time." They can even discuss the disgraced Chamberlain's resignation, opening the way for Winston Churchill to rise to the Prime Minister of England.

These two historical figures do deserve our study, remembrance, and even understanding of the roles they played, whether for good or bad, but there is more to the story than what is found in most history books. Neville Chamberlain did not take his appeasement position in a vacuum. He had counselors and advisors. He had political friends and supporters who had concluded that the Nationalist Socialist party that was ruling Germany was doing a good job. Today, we call that sort of position Nazi sympathizing. There were also loud voices warning against getting involved in continental Europe's problems. Among these last voices were Americans, and they were dubbed "isolationists". Roosevelt had his own political battles to fight, and the looming hostilities had Americans nervous, as well. They also raised their voices. In 1937, Roosevelt appointed Joseph P. Kennedy as the United States Ambassador to Great Britain, a highly coveted diplomatic post.

Not only was Kennedy an isolationist, he was among those who admired what Hitler had accomplished in Germany. He was also quite aware of the military build-up within the young Third Reich, and didn't want to offend, so as to incite them to attack England. As America's leading diplomat, the father of John, Robert, and Teddy Kennedy could have an audience any time he wanted with the Prime Minister, and he used his position of influence to exhort Chamberlain to embark on what history now knows as a foolish and cowardly act that resulted in the deaths of millions, not including those of the Holocaust itself.

This story of Joseph P. Kennedy, a most dispicable man, can be found as a part of the book, The Man Called Intrepid, written about William Stephenson, by William Stevenson. Written in 1972, I can't believe it has taken me this long to get around to reading it. It is well-written, highly fascinating, and completely relevant to today's political and military discussions/debates that are raging around the world today about the advancement of Islam. This book is a must read. Now when liberals, led by Ted Kennedy, use the same tired-out, proven to be false, 70 year-old slogans, I have the confidence that their solutions have already been tried, have already failed, and have already been proven by history to be catastrophically wrong.

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.

My family has just gotten bigger with the addition of Jennifer Claire. My son, Christopher, is a blessed man, and his mom, sister, and me share in his joy.