Warning: pseudo-Spoilers Ahead

It’s been a long time since the world of cinema has seen the likes of a true cold-hearted villain. Aside from The Little Mermaid’s Ursula, and Aladdin’s Jafar, I can’t say that many cinematic villains have even come close to fitting that classic archetype.

Then came Charlie Prince.

I will preface this by saying that I, for one, am not a fan of westerns. I hated the movie fad in the nineties when every other movie coming out was brown and dusty, contained horses, and 10-gallon hats. Tombstone, Young Guns, Maverick, Unforgiven…thumbs down to them all. I very reluctantly went to see this one the day after it was released, hoping that this remake of the 1957 classic would be different.

And it certainly was.

The premise of the film is actually quite simple: Down-and-out ranchman Dan Evans (current Batman Christian Bale) joins the posse to catch a notorious desperado, Ben Wade (Cinderella Man Russell Crowe), and put him on the 3:10 train bound for a jailhouse in Yuma, Arizona to gain back the respect of the town. The posse is picked off one by one by Wade’s crew until only Evans is left to finish the job.

Wade’s main henchman is Charlie Prince, played by Ben Foster. You may remember him from his smallish part as Angel in the third X-Men. Charlie Prince is ruthless. He is a sniveling, conniving, crafty killer. He is faithful to no one except Wade himself, and knows no emotion save blind loyalty.

In the end, Wade and Evans form an unspoken fraternal bond, and when Charlie Prince killed Wade’s only friend, he in turn put an end to Charlie’s life.
Here’s to you, Charlie Prince. You stole the show.

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I love Maxwell. He’s sexy, he has a ridiculous falsetto that will make any woman swoon and did I mention, he’s sexy!? Silently, Symptom Unknown, and For Lovers Only are just a few of my favorites…but I’ll take Maxwell anyway I can get him. (As long as he doesn’t puff up and get arrested like D’ Angelo…sheesh…I could have married him after the Untitled: How Does It Feel video. Boy, am I glad I turned him down! J)

Anyhoo…it has been a long and lonely six years since the consistently sexy Maxwell blessed my life with Now, the CD that gave birth to both popular hits Lifetime and This Woman’s Work, so the snippet of his new single on Myspace.com was almost torture. The minute and a half sample of Pretty Wings is the tale of surrendering love to fate, from the unreleased Black Summers’ Night. Apparently, he will be releasing three CD’s in a series starting this year. But until then, he has decided to dangle this snippet over our heads…and, we listen. Repeatedly.

I was captured as soon as I heard his voice over the simple beat. I listened to it at least ten times, and then, I became frustrated. I need to know how this song ends. It’s like being so close to a kiss that you can taste it…and then, the opportunity recedes. Way to tease us, Maxwell…I am officially salivating at the mention of your name.
And while we’re salivating, let’s talk about this new Jill Scott Album released September 25th, The Real Thing: Words and Sounds, Vol. 3. If you have adored her style from the very beginning…then Vol. 3 is no disappointment. In fact, if the last album just didn’t do it for you (or me, for that matter)…like her earlier work, then look to this installment to remind you of why you fell for her wordplay.

Pieces like Epiphany remind you that Jilly from Philly, is a poet first. Highly adult and overtly sexual without being vulgar, this album is for the mature music seeker with songs like Crown Royal on Ice that make you wonder where her mind is traveling since her recent divorce to Lyzel—the man responsible for the all time classic He Loves Me. This CD is more about love, sex and trials and less about empowerment, although Jill does provide her regular fans with pieces like Let it Be and How It Make You Feel. So…be it her poetry, her powerful voice (see Hate on Me) or her willingness to be vulnerable to her fans (see Wanna Be Loved or My Love), Miss Scott serves up the real thing, in stereo…with all of its melodious highs and soulful lows.

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I hate the dry, stale smell of medicine and tongue depressors.
I hate the 45-minute hold-up in the waiting room that only has a few chairs, a small coffee table and two Highlight magazines from 1992 and one People from 2005.
And most of all, I hate the idea of being forced to get on the scale only to realize, “No, my clothes have not shrunk. I really have gained five pounds. Darn!”
However, there is always a purpose in going to the doctor’s office; and rarely is it pleasant. The fact is, I’m sick and if I try to medicate myself, I could easily ignore the real illness and cause a new one.

This revelation came to me the other night when one of my closest friends filled me in on the intimate details of her latest melodrama. Not long into the story, I realized she was completely ignoring the actual problem and quickly creating a whole new tragedy. The worst part was that she could not see this at all. What was so obvious to me and everyone else was nowhere in her line of sight.

I’m learning that when a problem arises, most of the time it’s not what it seems on the surface; but more often, it’s a matter of the heart. Unfortunately, this particular ailment requires the attention of a professional; otherwise it may fester in something simple, like an argument with a friend. But honestly, how often do we battle internally with selfishness and greed? How many times do we choose to hate, instead of love?

Upon this God-given epiphany, I realized how self-centered I’ve been, and I recognized my unrelenting desires to continue to be this way. I’m seeing that my “condition” is going to take a lifelong commitment to change and that I must be vigilant of my actions and thoughts. I must admit, though, I’m feeling better already.
From one patient to another, I suggest a visit to the doctor and a thorough analysis of the heart. You’d be surprised at what you may find.

“Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that’s where life starts.” Proverbs 4:23

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Topanga Lawrence. Denise Huxtable. Patti Mayonnaise. Laura Winslow.

Some people argue that life imitates television and vice versa. I guess either could be true; but somehow after years of Disney, SNICK, TGIF and Nick-at-Nite, I have come to embody a little of all of these characters. I am the quintessential girl next door.

I don’t swear. I bake just because. And I wear overpriced polos.

My friends refer to me as a walking conscious and the most balanced bourgeois person they’ve ever met. I guess it’s because I’m comfortable asking the hard questions, but even more comfortable with splurging on a great pair of shoes.

I wish fairy tales were real. I believe in Christ and I want to make a positive social change in the world. Scratch that. I WILL.

I’m probably most of what you think and half of what you’d never expect.

Welcome to the neighborhood, I’m Brittany, the girl next door. �

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