Brook Hill School is slated to host the grand opening and dedication of its new outdoor “Huey Helicopter” exhibit Saturday, Nov. 8 at 10 a.m. The American Freedom Museum is putting on the event to be held on Brook Hill’s campus.
The purpose of the event is to honor heroes and the men and women in uniform who have sacrificed their lives to help protect the lives of others.

Those in attendance will hear American patriotic music by Cadet Singers. Brigadier General James L. Anderson from Vietnam will give the dedication and address of the helicopter. Anderson served in the United States Army for 41 years. He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1956 at West Point. He became an Army Ranger and went on to become an instructor at Ranger school.

His service included two tours in Vietnam where he earned many medals including two Bronze Stars for Valor, a Silver Star, 12 Air Medals, the Vietnam Corss of Gallantry and two Purple Hearts.

The museum’s library will temporarily host Anderson’s uniform from Vietnam and several of his medals for display.
The museum will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and admission for adults is $6 while student admission is $5 and there is no charge for veterans.

When I saw that they were coming out with a Take 3, I thought it was a joke. Sure it’s fun to see great special effects and Liam Neeson kicking butt and taking names but come on, a third movie is way more than unnecessary.

The first one was entertaining but nothing we hadn’t seen before. My biggest critique of the first two is Maggie Grace, the actress who places Neeson’s daughter, is clearly not a teenager.

I mean that in no disrespect whatsoever. Grace is an extremely talented actress and an attractive woman, a 31-year old woman, not a 17 year old high school girl. She by no means looks old and I’d say she could easily pass for 23, maybe 22, but not 17.

Also, as entertaining as the first one was, it was extremely predictable and this trailer looks to be similar in that regard.

Aside from that, the plot is the same and we get the point already. In the first movie, his daughter gets kidnapped. In the second movie, his ex-wife and daughter get kidnapped. Really?

Just because a movie was good doesn’t mean there should be a sequel. In fact, it’s quite the contrary. Movie makers should have the “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it mentality.” Who knows, maybe a third movie is the attempt to fix what they broke after trying to fix it after the second movie.

Let’s hope it really does end here, finally.

Because it’s Halloween, I figured it’d be a good idea to make ya’ll aware of Halloween events taking place in East Texas. Most people already know about the Hell House at Tyler Metro Church. It’s located at 14196 HWY 110 S. in Whitehouse and is open until midnight. Tickets are $9. For reservations, call 903-561-0253.

Another thing most people are probably aware of is the Boo at the Zoo. Caldwell Zoo in Tyler is set to host an afternoon of trick-or-treating for kids from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $7 for children 12 and under and $10.50 for 13 and older. For reservations or more information call 903-593-0121.

There are several other events being held throughout East Texas.

In Longview for example, you can find the Haunted Library. The Longview public library located at 222 W. Cotton St. will host a haunted library from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday (10-31) and Saturday (11-1). The library will be closed Friday in order to prepare the events to take place. There is no charge for the event and it is open to the public. For more information, call 903-237-1350.

Anyone looking for some good clean fun that won’t be scary for your kids, contact local churches as several churches in East Texas are hosting different events.

This month marked the 20 anniversary of Pulp Fiction and Shawshank Redemption among others. I looked briefly at a list of other movies released in 1994 and it included films like Forest Gump, Dumb and Dumber and others that many might consider classics.

While talking about those movies with friends, it led to another discussion: “What’s the best movie of all time?”

In my opinion, Shawshank was good, not great. It’s a lot longer than I remembered and there are so many story lines and it’s a little slower than I would like. Although Dumb and Dumber has some funny lines here and there, they tried too hard with the slap stick humor and I have no plans to see the new movie.

I came across a list from last year that rated the best movies in the last 20 years. Shawshank and Pulp Fiction were ranked No.1 and No.2. I don’t agree with that about Shawshank for reasons I already listed and to be completely honest, I’m not sure I’ve seen Pulp Fiction in its entirety. I’ve seen bits and pieces here and there but never all at once straight through so I can’t say for that. The list has the Green Mile at No. 3 (Another prison movie by Stephen King) and Forest Gump at No. 4.

I can agree with Forest Gump at No.4 but that’s probably all I’d agree with when it comes to the list I found. In my mind, whoever wrote that list lost all credibility in my mind when I noticed Titanic and Pearl Harbor both made the list above The Patriot and Braveheart didn’t even make the list?

Instead of doing a Top list, I’ll go with my top 5 and they are as follows: 1. Braveheart, 2. The Patriot, 3. Gladiator, 4. Forest Gump, and 5. Oh Brother Where Are Thou?

What’s are your Top 5 movies from the last 20 years?

Well the 2014 elections are now just a few days away, and if what we’re told is true, it seems we can look for a fairly massive wave this year. All political oracles are calling for a Republican takeover of the Senate, and a widening of the GOP’s lead in the house. Of course it’s all speculation and the electorate could do something very different from what polls indicate but in the event that the trends are correct, I am offering some completely unsolicited advice for the soon to be majority party.

First off now that you’re the majority party, for god’s sake do something! At this point in our history it may be too little too late anyway, but try to mount some kind opposition! For instance, the president is going to extend amnesty to nine million illegal immigrants when the election is over. ‘Whispering,’ Here’s the secret: he can’t really do that; it’s against the law. Now that you have actual political power, you can stop the president from doing illegal things. But power means nothing if it goes either un- or mis- used. This means you Mr. Speaker. Don’t tell the opposition what we’re not going to do, even if you really aren’t! Oh sure they probably freak out and run to the nearest camera and call you a racist, sexist, bigot or homophobe… It’s only because that’s all they’ve got. At the end of the day all your committee memberships and your big important appointments are absolutely empty if you don’t move to the sound of the guns at some point.

Republicans, I’m not voting for you so can go and “work with the opposition.” I’m not voting for you so you can “reach across isle,” and share power with the minority party, or come to some kind of consensus or any other of your precious platitudes, cause here’s the thing: I’m pissed. I’m sick of pandering to a party and a president that doesn’t have me or my community’s best interest in mind. I’m sick of watching the needs of every other country and culture on earth (except those who are allied with us), put ahead of put ahead of my own. I’m sick of political correctness being a higher priority than the safety of my family. I’m sick of executive orders that YOU are too weak kneed to even try to block, despite the clear lack of constitutionality.

So here’s the upshot GOP. Go to Washington and do your job sirs! (and madams). We’re close enough to one party rule already. If you don’t distinguish yourselves this time, it may not matter the next time around.