I was recently talking to someone close to me who is participating in a weight loss challenge at work.  The company hired a personal trainer to give each participant a plan to follow.  Apparently, there were some participants who didn’t like the calorie count of their food plan.  They were certain they needed only 1200 […]

One of the most annoying movie cliches is that of the Wise Elder. Like Chuck Norris, they exist in a constant state of alertness, waiting for the perfect moment to impart the wisdom of their years to some callow whippersnapper in need of a good old-fashioned life lesson. The Wise Elder has no inner life, […]

Being physically fit may impact your brain’s health and functionality.  A  recent study in Japan found that fitter, older men perform better mentally than less fit, older men.  The study revealed that the brains of fitter men solved problems the way younger brains do.  The prefontal cortex (PFC) is the part of the brain that […]

All you really need to know about 10 Cloverfield Lane is that it’s an efficient and intelligent thriller. It works best if you just go into the theater cold. In fact, you should stop reading my review immediately, trust me, and go see it. Still here? If you’re hoping for a spoiler-riffic review, sorry, Sparky, it ain’t […]

Our genes are arranged along twisted, double-stranded molecules of DNA called chromosomes. At the ends of the chromosomes are stretches of DNA called telomeres, which protect our genetic data, make it possible for cells to divide, and hold some keys to how we age and get cancer. Telomeres keep chromosome ends from fraying and sticking […]

Movies get made for two reasons, to make money and as a passion project. But here’s the thing, a movie made to turn a profit can be made with wit, intelligence and pride. Just look at Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Casino Royale, or The Lego Movie. On the flip side of that coin, films like The Passion […]

So, you  eat a bowl of cereal during the Late Show.  No harm in that, right?  The answer may depend on how much of a habit late night eating is for you. Research says that eating snacks and meals late in the evening can lead to acid reflux, weight gain and even impaired memory and […]

Heat changed a lot of things. Released in 1995, it was a sprawling crime saga pitting obsessive cop Al Pacino against clever thief Robert De Niro. Watching it, you’ll have a lot to enjoy. A ridiculously talented cast. Highly precise action scenes. Existential musings found within a labyrinthine plot. It’s probably the best thing writer/director Michael […]

The latest estimates suggest that nearly half the world’s population suffers from vitamin D deficiency. This is bad news since vitamin D  deficiency has been associated with a host of serious conditions: cancer, heart disease, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, tuberculosis and depression, as well as  brittle bones and the common cold. Currently, vitamin D is being […]

Horror is probably the most subjective genre in film, with comedy running a very close second. We all have our own individual cracks in our psyches, and certain fears strike us in different ways. What scares me may not necessarily scare you. It’s a shame, too, that horror is sneered at, looked down upon. It’s […]