BELLA: THE MOVIE

I recently watched a movie entitled "Bella" which won the audience award at the 2006 Toronto Film Festival and numerous other awards at prestigious film festivals. The BELLA Filmmakers were honored by the Smithsonian, the White House and the Mexican Embassy.

Bella is a love story that goes much deeper than romance.
A story about a man who gave up his life to save the girl
he loved, Bella is a heartwarming story that celebrates life,
love, family and relationships. Starring Mexican superstar
Eduardo Verastegui (Chasing Papi) who is known as the
“Brad Pitt of Latin America” and Emmy award winning
actress Tammy Blanchard (The Good Shepherd), Bella
is inspired by a true story that shows how one day in
New York City changed three people’s lives forever.

I am beyond thrilled that Hispanic filmmakers are finally getting the recognition they deserve in mainstream Hollywood. In particular Mexican filmmakers, producers and directors for their is a negative stereotype attached to Mexican people in films and television programs. This just goes to prove that Mexico is full of talented, creative, highly educated and prolific writers, producers, actors, directors and not just the images you see on the news about them as "illegal immigrants".



I am usually weary when critics review a movie and it is highly recommend but turns out to be just another mainstream disappointment. This case is different, the movie has a true message, it lacks the mainstream violence and sex we have come to so nonchalantly adopt as "normal".

It is my hope that this movie succeeds as it opened yesterday, October 26. I strongly believe that the "Hollywood System" has failed and that independent filmmakers are the one's who are truly grasping the shift in consciousness that is happening. There is a growing spiritual shift in the world and as we "open" our eyes to what is really out there, Hollywood continues to blind us with their cookie cutter films void of heart and soul and full of violence and negativity.

As you head to the movie theater this weekend, take a chance to watch a movie that challenges you, a movie that makes you think and question, I highly recommend BELLA.



Just remember how hard you had to work to earn that money you are spending on a ticket, so treat yourself and your soul to something worthwhile. You will leave the theater appreciating the world at lot more and being grateful for what you have.


Happy Film Watching!!

Easiest Cupcakes on the PlanetPumpkin and Yellow Cake Cupcakes

Halloween is getting near (okay, maybe not that near) and since my blog is related to cupcakes as well, I decided to post this vegan cupcake recipe. I found this one on VegWeb.com. The ingredients are as follow:

Ingredients:

1 small can of pumpkin

1 box of vegan yellow cake mix

Directions:Mix and divide into greased muffin tins (or use liners) and bake per the directions on the cake mix box.If you prefer, you can just make this as a cake instead.

I will be baking these for Halloween!

Happy Baking!!!

Bren Bataclan- SMlLE BOSTON PROJECT

Have you ever walked down the street on a cold rainy or snowy day and stopped long enough to notice how people do not smile? We just go about our days in a hurried frenzy, not noticing other people, solely focused on our own thoughts and our daily to do list. It is a fresh of breath air to see that artists and creative people want to make a difference in this world and Bren Bataclan is one of those talented people.

He is an American artist based in Cambridge,Massachusetts and he began his Smile Boston Project in 2003. The project involves him leaving acrylic paintings of his characters in public places (park benches, hospitals, sidewalks, etc.) for people to have for free (no strings attached) ONLY if "you promise to smile at random people more often".

In his artist statement Bataclan also notes that this is a way to bring art to the masses, give artwork to people who otherwise might not be able to afford it and "see smiles around the globe." I think his project is a testament to the true spirit and nature of human beings, which is to be in a constant state of happiness.

He also sells his paintings but does alot of charity work as well. His artwork is quirky, fun, colorful, vibrant and cheerful and it adds that bit of childlike innocence in a world that only focuses on the negative. His projects have expanede globally, so if you're walking around wherever you may live, start looking high and low, you never know, there may be a Bataclan painting waiting for you around the corner and plenty of smiles to give to the world.

Visit Bren Bataclan's Website at http://bataclan.com/index.html.

Don't Forget: Have you SMILED at a Stranger today???

Happiness comes when your work and words are of benefit to yourself and others.~ Buddha

Stop and Look At The Paintings at the National Gallery London

MONET'S WATER LILY-POND PAINTING

Vincent Van Gogh's "Van Gogh's Chair" 1888.




Yesterday I decided to take a trip to the National Gallery and visit some of my famous painter friends and their works. I was short on time so I decided to visit four of the galleries: Manet, Monet and the Impressionists, Seurat and Pissarro, Cezanne, Gauguin and Van Gogh and Degas and art around 1900.

Each of these galleries contain some of my favorite works but the main love of my life has always been Claude Monet. I was introduced to Monet in an Art History I class in university and have been a fervent admirer of his Irises, Japanese bridges, Houses of Parliament, Waterlilies and Haystacks. The colors used in his paintings set the tone and mood in such an extrordinary way. I am quite a fan of the paintings of his garden in Giverny, those are by far my favorites. It is such a talent and gift that Monet possessed to capture the essence of a living garden on canvas. The garden invites the viewer with its sumptuous shades of purples, greens and reds. You feel like you are walking in the garden and have come across the beautiful area surrounded by flowers. The National Gallery does not own the Garden at Giverny painting, but they do own The Water-Lily Pond painting which is calming and serene to the eye. There are countless books on this great painter, but I recommend Monet in the 20th Century by Paul Tucker Hayes and for children, I simply adore Linnea in Monet's Garden by Cristina Bjork. My little cousins love these books.

Georges Seurat's Bathers at Asnières is an impressive example of pointillism. The most striking figure of all is the boy halloing. My eye catches the use of little dots of blue and orange with which Seurat has modelled his cap. The orange brings a vibrancy to the painting with its hues of blues, greens, whites and blacks.

Degas is my favorite painter when it comes to dancers in particular ballerinas. In my curiosity to learn more about Edgar Degas, I purchased the book Degas: Beyond Impressionism (National Gallery London Publications) by Richard Kendall. It is a fascinating read.

Van Gogh has always held a special place in my heart, I am extremely taken by his work which is both haunting and fascinating. His Sunflowers and Starry Night are my favorites, but I have recently been captivated by Vincent's Chair with Pipe. This yellow, lonely chair sits alone on the canvas and it evokes such sadness and introspection. The pipe is on the chair as if his owner has left it there as a reminder of the person who once lived there. I have always been drawn to the artistic types who have had a "sad" life for some unknown reason and Vincent is certainly one of those. For more information on Van Gogh you can visit http://www.vangoghgallery.com/. If you are in London, head down to the National Gallery and see his paintings for yourself, they are extraordinary.

Vist the National Gallery online at http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/

Bach Goldberg Variations at St. Martin In The Fields

Ronald Hawkins, American Pianist




It seems that I am on a J.S. Bach rampage this week and yesterday I went to St. Martin in the Fields to partake in their free lunchtime concert program. The church is going renovation and recently opened again last week, they have a fantastic line up of musical programs to delight any music afficionado.

We were treated to the exciting and skillful rendition of the Goldberg Variations by J.S. Bach played by American pianist Ronald Hawkins. He gave an outstanding 45 minute performance, every note was like a soothing vibration for the soul. The variations are one of my favorite pieces by Bach and I think each piece is a practice in piano technique and a challenge for the pianist. Hawkins was nothing short of masterful and I highly recommend his work to any piano enthusiast. If you want more information on Ronald Hawkins, you can visit http://www.ronaldhawkins.com/.


If you are in London or planning to visit this amazing city, I highly recommend attending one of the many concerts at St. Martin In the Fields, you can visit them at http://www.stmartin-in-the-fields.org/jserv/concerts/index.jsp

Glenn Gould -Brilliant Pianist

Hello there lovely people!

So the weekend was a rainy one!! I was going to head over to Barbican Centre as they were showing Conversations with Glenn Gould and Glenn Gould: The Russian Journey. But the weather was too bleak!!

I became aware of this amazing pianist on my trip to Toronto in 2001 and have never looked back. He was brilliant, masterful, skillfull, with oddities and all. As a student of piano, I like to listen to a varied repertoire of songs and artists.

I highly recommend his works, my favorite piece is the Aria from the Goldberg Variations, BWV 988 by J.S. Bach. It was featured on the Hannibal movie soundtrack and is listed as (Aria da Capo). If you really want a treat, just acquire the Glenn Gould Goldberg Variations CD, it is phenomenal. If you want to know more about this amazing pianist, I recommend Glenn Gould: The Ecstasy and Tragedy of Genius by Peter F. Ostwald. For more information on the net, you can go to http://www.glenngould.com/.

Happy Listening !!!

Why culture cupcake?

Hello there!
I know you are wondering why I decided to name this blog culture cupcake? Well, they are two of my favorite things: culture and cupcakes. So today I will be talking about cupcakes!
If you are looking for the best cupcakes in NYC, I must recommend Babycakes located at 248 Broome Street, go to their website http://www.babycakesnyc.com/, they are the best vegan, wheat free, gluten free, guilty free pieces of heaven.

There is a bakery in London I hear that serve a variety of lactose free and gluten free cupcakes, it is called Bake-a-Boo and it is located in West Hampstead (nearest tube Kilburn). Visit http://www.bake-a-boo.com/ for more information and I will hope to visit it soon!

If you rather bake your cupcakes at home, I recommend buying the :Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World: 75 Dairy-Free Recipes for Cupcakes that Rule by Isa C. Moskowitz. The recipes are wonderful.

HAPPY BAKING!!!