I read the children’s book titled “The Sparkle Box” this past weekend and found it to be a perfect Christmas gift for children and young families. The story is about Sam finding a special box on the fireplace mantle and asking questions about it. His mom points out that the whole family will open it together on Christmas Day, but it first needs to be filled with a few special things.

Sam’s exploration of what items were to be added to the box was refreshing and childlike. The incredible illustrations supplemented this wonder and encouraged the reader to follow Sam through his particular actions that brought about hope, faith and peace.  The story was heartwarming and gave me the desire to put a sparkle box in my living room this Christmas season.

Author Jill Hardie wrote from the heart and her own family’s sparkle box experiences with the goal of refocusing her family away from commercialism, to the real meaning of Christmas. Christine Kernacki did a great job illustrating the book with her love for painting and desire to bring stories to life.

I was amazed at how many moments in the story I could relate to based on my childhood and family experiences. I found it to be the perfect story to help families develop a new tradition that includes adding a sparkle box to their Christmas decorations.

To help someone develop a new tradition that encourages his or her kids to see Christmas in a true light, I’m giving away a free copy of the book with a free sparkle box. To qualify, Just write a short essay (150 words or less) on why you’d like a free copy of “The Sparkle Box” and email it to cjpowers7@gmail.com with the Subject reading – “The Sparkle Box”

Entries must include YOUR NAME, STREET ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER, and YOUR ESSAY. I will select one winner on November 1, 2012. The selection criteria are simple: I will select the one essay that touches my heart. If I’m touched by more than one, then I will draw a random winner from a hat.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in hopes that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Total Recall has a great action cast headed up with Colin Farrell (The Recruit, S.W.A.T., Miami Vice), Kate Beckinsale (Underworld, Pearl Harbor), and Jessica Biel (Blade, Stealth, The A-Team). The film is a remake of the successful Arnold Schwarzenegger sci-fi story about a man who goes for virtual vacation memories of the planet Mars and unexpectedly finds himself in a harrowing series of events that force him to go to the planet for real, or does he?

This reboot has some aspects of the same story salted throughout the film, but it is a more contemporary version and redesigned as a thriller with lots of robot police chasing after our hero. The world is made up of great CGI constructs including “elevators” that go up, down, and sideways, which made for a great action chase sequence.

Director Len Wiseman did a great job capturing the essence of this mind-bender and created some great sci-fi chase sequences, making the film a unique stand-alone piece. Wiseman is known for his creativity in writing the six Underworld films, which gave Beckinsale a great sci-fi franchise to helm and fueled his own directing of this futuristic thriller with great heart pounding action.

Biel found the perfect balance between a demonstrable romantic interest and explosive action with her character. She was believable even in the most unbelievable situations. Her athletic drive in running away from police robots ordered to kill them was just as realistic as her gentle moment shedding a single tear.

Farrell dominated the screen with his local boy charm turning into a dynamic hero and overcoming his near death to save the colony from destruction. Even his subtle facial gestures gave rise to great subtext that drove the emotions of the film during the short quiet moments.

In my mind, Total Recall is a successful film in its own right. While it might disappoint some hardcore film purists with only a few nods to its original, the story will captivate the average goer. Being released in the shadow of Batman is its only drawback for those desiring a roller coaster ride of thrilling adventure. And, with its high-speed action sequences, waiting for it to come out on video will be a disappoint for most, as it was truly designed for the big screen.

This closing installment of the Christopher Nolan trilogy has been hailed as the best of the Batman movies. The story is cinematic with a substantial amount of the film shot on the 70-millimeter IMAX format. This redemptive epic has Batman imprisoned and finding himself inspiring several key people including Catwoman, to turn to the good and help him stop the evil Bane who has taken control of Gotham.

This is one of the few movies that clearly states the differences between right and wrong, while giving the audience and explosive, entertaining and most riveting time. However, this comic book character becomes larger than life in this adventurous drama and the intense action violence might be too strong for children.

Filmmakers, fans and even the less interested will find this cinematic wonder transforming villains, bringing people to hope and faith, and lifting up good to be victorious. The story also puts communist tyranny and revolution into a proper perspective, or bad light, by contrasting it with self-sacrificing and loyal people.

Nolan’s crowning achievement in this trilogy deserves every dollar it makes at the box office, but might be greatly hindered by those fearful of attending due to the shooting in Aurora, Colorado at the opening last night. The count, as of this writing, was 14 dead and 50 wounded after tear gas was released into a packed theater during the midnight show when 50 – 60 shots were fired.

The hospitals have reported treating victims with an age range of 6 – 31. It was reported that one woman and her boyfriend “crawled and then ran for an exit.” A witness talked with her after the experience and then reported to KUSA, “When she turned around, all she saw was the guy slowly making his way up the stairs, just firing. … Just picking random people.”

Salina Jordan, 19, told the Denver Post she saw one girl struck in the cheek and others in the stomach, including a girl who looked to be around 9 years old.

It is my hope that theaters provide extra security in the coming weeks. Or better yet, that Warner Brothers pulls the film from distribution out of respect for the dead and re-release it later this fall. And when released, I hope that everyone attends this movie that makes a clear statement between good and evil. After all, those who hold to some level of faith and values will find the film to be an epic hit.

My condolences to the family’s of those who lost their lives and to the wounded, whose lives are forever changed. May you be comforted during the weeks ahead and may concerned people rise up for the good of our communities and make it clear that we will no longer stand for the destructive ways of others.

Copyright © 2012 By CJ Powers

Photos © Warner Bros. Pictures