Best Suspense Movies and Films with Surprise Endings and Plot Twists

I love surprise endings.There's nothing like a good plot twist to tickle my puzzle lover's brain. Unfortunately, I find that many movies that promise a twist end up being predictable and trite. Here is my quintessential list of didn't-see-that-coming, all-around best suspense and plot twist movies ever made. Since writing this, I would also add "The Jacket." It's not my top favorite, but it's got a nice surprise. For  my faves, read on Best Suspense Movies and Films with Surprise Endings and Plot Twists 

Free Printable Ancient Rome 'Revenge of the Titans' Lesson Plans, Activities

Just in time for the release of "Revenge of the Titans" and to go with "Clash of the Titans" here are free printable lessons plans on ancient Rome. The study of Ancient Rome is an integral part of any curriculum, be it homeschool, parochial school or public school. Our heritage in the western world owes much to the ancient Romans. Ancient Rome gave us our roots in politics, philosophy, many sports as well as technology. Roman roads were forerunners to the modern highway. Ancient Roman aqueducts gave us the protocol for modern plumbing and irrigation. Roman military, warfare and weapons were precursors to modern warfare. All the romance languages stem from the ancient Roman language of Latin. The Roman empire stretched as far north and west as the British Isles. Read more at Free Printable Ancient Rome Lesson Plans, Activities 

'Bully' Documentary Hits a Raw Spot

The movie "Bully" has been given an R-rating because it contains strong language--language kids are subjected to from their peers. The entire purpose of the film is to demonstrate how hurtful those words are and why we're seeing so many bullying-related problems. Sadly, the R-rating means it will be difficult for teachers to show this film to kids who really need to see it. This movie hits a raw spot for me. Someone I love was horrendously bullied. When he "fought back" like adults so often tell kids to do, it had disastrous results. Here's that story  'Bully' Documentary Hits a Raw Spot 

Best Movie for Lent and Easter: Jesus of Nazareth

Lent is the penitential season is which we prepare our hearts for the resurrection of Jesus at Easter. As Christ journeyed through the desert and was tempted by Satan, we journey in a spiritual way. We practice the spiritual exercises of prayer, fasting and alms-giving. There are dozens of helpful books to guide us on our Lenten journey. The Bible is of course our source of wisdom. In this digital age, however, many people look to the television as the primary source of information. Here's a review of the a great Easter teaching tool. Best Movie for Lent and Easter: Jesus of Nazareth 

TLC Caves to FFA Pressure, Pulls 'All-American Muslim'

TLC (The Learning Channel) has caved to pressure from Florida Family Association and pulled the controversial show "All-American Muslim." Ratings were low, says LA Times, and thanks to FFA's haranguing, many sponsors dropped the show.
I'm a Christian; I'm also an American who believes in freedom, of religion and of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. As an American, I don't think one faction, like FFA, should dictate the nation's viewing choices. Read more at TLC Caves to FFA Pressure, Pulls 'All-American Muslim'

Invisible Children's 'Kony 2012' Film Eye-Opening, but Limited

This is an article I wrote about Invisible Children and the film "Kony 2012." This is getting a lot of celebrity attention and with all due respect, some of it is bandwagon.  I don't mean to be combative nor to discount the work of IC. Clearly, the problem of children being conscripted into an army is a huge concern, no matter what the army. I don't know all there is to know about the situation in Uganda, but  I am concerned that the warlords will punish those children if intervention isn't done carefully.  So here is my analysis. 

"Invisible Children" refers to kids in northern Uganda who live in hiding to avoid being abducted by warlord Joseph Kony, leader of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA). Jason Russelland a group of college friends traveled to Uganda and met some of the "invisible children," saysForbes.
From their experiences grew a film called "Kony 2012" that is sweeping the nation. Its message is to "stop at nothing" to get Kony out of power and to free the children who live in bondage to a ruthless killing machine. The film is eye-opening, compelling and heart-rending.  It along with the work of IC, don't seem well-grounded though.

 Read more at Invisible Children's 'Kony 2012' Film Eye-Opening, but Limited

Wild Girls of the Food, Bitchin' Kitchen Great Food Shows

The "wild girls of the food world" -- Alex Guarnaschelli, Debi Mazar, Gabrielle Hamilton and Nadia G -- aren't apologizing for their bombastic, in-your-face cooking shows, the Associated Press reports. I've been following Nadia G on "Bitchin' Kitchen" for several years and she owes no one an apology. In fact, we owe her a thank you for making food fun. Read more at Wild Girls of the Food World Owe No Apologies

Literature Based Movies for Jazz Age, Black History Month

One of the objections raised by people within and outside the black community, is that Black History Month further segregates (Morgan Freeman made this comment among others). It's important that we recognize contributions of this vital community, but we need to be mindful that American history is Black history is U.S. history. They are blended like strands of a braid. Perhaps nowhere in history is this so keenly felt as in  the American "Jazz Age" of the 1920s. The two are wedded.

The progressive movement was mirrored in music (Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Marian Anderson), literature (Langston Hughes, Paul Lawrence Dunbar), labor, religion, film (Paul Robeson), education (W.E.B. Dubois), morality, politics, art. Large cities: New York, New Orleans, Chicago, Detroit, San Francisco, St. Louis felt the breath of change more deeply, but there was virtually no place in the U.S. where ripples of it were not felt. Bearing this in mind, here are movies for classroom use that focus on the post-WWI Jazz Age; I recommend using them to explore African American history, too. Read more at Literature Based Movies for 20th Century Economics and History Classes: The Jazz Age: Post WWI

Best Movies For Chinese New Year, Asian Culture

Best Movies and Films to Watch for Chinese New Year One of the best ways to learn about a culture and people is to read books and watch movies based in that country. Chinese New Year begins early in February. Here are best movies and films based in China to explore Chinese New Year. I didn't include "Memoirs of a Geisha" and "Snow Falling on Cedars." Both of these films make great cultural analysis pieces, but they are both a bit to mature for most students. They are also set in Japan. Read on...

Best Educational Movies for Thanksgiving Lessons

Best Educational Movies for Thanksgiving Lessons Thanksgiving, as a holiday has some urban legends clinging to it. Historical inaccuracies distort our perceptions of Thanksgiving, the pilgrims (more accurately Puritans), native Americans and 17th century life in New England. I'm not going to make an attempt to lay these inaccuracies to rest, because I'll be the first to admit, I wasn't there and I don't know (even though I may look old enough to have sailed on the Mayflower and some days I feel old enough). Here are movies that explore the history and culture of the original colonial settlements. These films give a more rounded sociological picture of Thanksgiving, native relations and the early American lifestyle. Read more...