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Find or Refer a Contractor in Tyler

Dr. Ben Carson Comes to Tyler

June 9th, 2014

330px-Ben_Carson,_MDLittle over a year ago Dr. Ben Carson made national news when he criticized the President and his signature national health insurance legislation at the national prayer breakfast. His quiet boldness and commonsense approach to the health issue made him an instant celebrity. Ever since, he’s been a much coveted guest on conservative talk shows and the twenty four hour news networks. Many conservative groups are now calling for the retired neurosurgeon to seek the republican presidential nomination in 2016.

In my mind it may be a bit early for a conversation about the presidency since few of us really know a lot about the good doctor’s larger political philosophy, including issues like foreign policy. As a part of making his fellow citizens more aware of his more expanded political ideas Dr. Carson’s new book has just been released. It is entitled “One Nation: What We Can All Do to Save America’s Future.” Which brings me to the purpose of this write up; Dr. Carson made a visit to Tyler on Friday for a book signing at Sam’s Club. Obviously he didn’t take the opportunity of his visit to declare openly that he would be a candidate for the presidency, but he did discuss perspective issues that would be high on his list should he jump into the race. He swore off lobbyists and the lobby system, strongly expressed his support for faith-based organizations, and causes, and again took issue with the president’s “Affordable Care Act.”

Dr. Carson is undoubtedly an extremely intelligent man and would perhaps make an excellent president. But his outsider status can potentially hurt and help at the same time. The helpful side would obviously be the infusion of much needed new blood into the national political system. However, not having held a major state office could make building a base of support or starting point, a bit more difficult. Particularly given that his (presumably) home state of Maryland (which is where he spent much of his professional life) is considerably more liberal than Dr. Carson himself.

Regardless of what Dr. Carson ultimately decides, he is an interesting public figure and his visit is certainly good for our area.

Summer Movies Coming to Tyler in June

June 8th, 2014

edgeEvery summer the movie studios introduce a full slate of big budget films, most of which will gone on to disappoint their audiences. In the melee of would be blockbusters, a couple usually emerge that are either better than expected or that manage to come pretty close to meeting expectations. As I peruse the current and forthcoming listings this summer I’m just not seeing those usual bright spots. In fact I’m hard pressed to see a title that interests me. With that in mind here are a few mostly uninspiring titles:

The Edge of Tomorrow is Tom Cruise’s latest opportunity to spread his own theology and further explore the premise of someone else’s good movie. (ok, I’m kidding about the first part… kinda). When every review I read mentions a different and more beloved movie I can’t help but be suspicious. EGOT is basically a militarized version of Groundhog Day. Cruise’s character (who wears robotic exoskeleton armor), is living the same day over and over again until he gets it right and wins the battle. I frankly am surprised cameo appearances aren’t given to Bill Murray and Halo’s Master chief.

The Fault in Our Stars: more books for adolescent girls turned into movies. At least this one doesn’t involve a gladiatorial game show, or societal dysfunction. Of course if it did it might find an audience. Next!

Obvious Child: The depths of my disinterest are so strong I can’t even conjure the energy to comment so I’ll let the tag line speak for itself. “A twenty-something comedienne’s unplanned pregnancy forces her to confront the realities of independent womanhood for the first time.” See what I mean?

22 Jump Street is the next step numerically and sequentially, in the 21 Jump Street movie and television line. It’s more of the same as the characters graduate from undercover high school cops to undercover college cops. Riveting.

Think Like a Man Too: is essentially a sequel to every weekend in Vegas type movie ever made. But, I thought what happened in Vegas, was supposed to stay in Vegas?! Apparently, and unfortunately this was untrue. Moving right along.

Jersey Boys is the last film on my list. It’s the story of the formation of the music group the Four Seasons. The main thing this film has going for it is director Clint Eastwood. This is probably the least objectionable title in my list, and even that being said, I can’t see not being bored.

I realize readers could object that I’ve left a few films off my list of June movies, including another X-Men movie. I actually enjoyed the earlier installments of that series but the recent additions are starting to wear thin. Mostly, the selections I left out, were released a good bit prior to this article. One exception would be the June 27th release of the latest Michael Bay mayhem in the form of yet another Transformers movie. My reason for its exclusion is a.) see any of the other Transformer movies, and b.) If it really ends up warranting further comment I can do so at the time of its release. I don’t expect a full review to be forthcoming. So that’s about it for June. Sorry folks but there’s always July. This might be a great time to pick up that novel you’ve been eyeing.

The Amazing Spider Man 2

April 30th, 2014

It seems like there are a lot of super hero movies out right about now. One of which is the Amazing Spider Man 2. In this film, Peter Parker struggles with how prioritize and juggle his everyday issues along with the un-ordinary issues that come along with being Spider Man.

Life is good for him in and out of the costume until he learns there’s a price on his head.

The movie is filled with an all-star cast as Spider Man is played by Andrew Garfield. Gwen Stacy is played by Emma Stone. Jamie Foxx plays the villian Electro, whom Parker must confront. Sallie Field plays Aunt May.

One review of the film states, “The relationship between the two main characters are brilliant, and you can really understand what’s going on between them as both actors portray their characters very well.”

Another review says, “It’s a Marvel spectacle that manages to deftly balance razzle-dazzle, feel-it-in-your-gut slingshot moments of flight and believable human relationships. There’s psychological weight to go with all of the gravity-defying, webslinging weightlessness.”

Not everyone sees it the same way however as one reviewer writes, “There are too many explosions, too many blaring sonic effects, too many break-ups-and-make-ups, too many villains. And not enough heart.”

I guess we’ll just have to draw our own conclusions. I hits theaters Friday May 2.

God’s Not Dead

April 30th, 2014


Have you seen the movie God’s Not Dead? What are your thoughts about it?

I’m a Christian but I’m always skeptical of Christian movies and haven’t seen this movie. If enough people whose tastes in movies are similar to mine, I might but I’m not in a huge rush.

Christian movies usually have a positive message and I can see how movies can be a good outlet for helping to spread the Gospel but let’s face it, the majority of Christian movies are embarrassing. The acting is neither professional nor the least bit convincing and that’s more than I can say of the writing.

I’d like to know what kind of effect these types of movies honestly have. Are they really reaching the unreached or is the audience made up of people who already agree with the message? I can’t help but wonder if it’s being used more as a devotional in the form of entertainment.

I get the general plot line; a college freshman tries to disprove his professor by proving the existence of God and I’m sure it has good morals. I’m just not sure how many people who don’t claim to be Christians are actually watching. My guess would be this movie, like other Christian movies are simply preaching to the choir. I could be wrong, and I hope I am.

Wayne Brady coming to Tyler

April 30th, 2014

Wayne Brady’s “It’s My Line” comedy tour is coming to Tyler at the UT Tyler Cowan Center in a couple days.

The CBS start from “Let’s Make a Deal” and “How I Met Your Mother” will perform stand up Friday night May 2 at 7:30 p.m. He’s also known for producing “Whose Line is it Anyway.”
He’s coming to Tyler with many bits, some of which involve him singing, dancing and acting.

His career got a jump start with Whose Line is it Anyway, and he won an Emmy for it. He also won an Emmy for Outstanding Talk Show Host. Anyone interested can see Brady on CBS on the daytime TV show called “Let’s Make a Deal. He has been nominated three times for an Emmy for his work on that program.

He has also done several voice overs and played roles in TV series such as Sofia the First, Being Mary Jane, Trip Tank, Real Husbands of Hollywood and several others.
Brady was born and raised in Florida. When he was 16, he decided he wanted to join the military, but that was before he starred in a high school play which ultimately paved the way for his comedy and acting career.