I don’t have kids myself, and when I was asked to write a blog for Single Parents’ Appreciation Day, I was like ‘what the hell do they need appreciation for? One person seems enough to raise a kid. Why does this miniature creature really need two people taking care of it? You don’t want to spoil your child too early, and having two people prance around and cater to its every need seems to me like bad education.’ In spite of my little rant, my boss insisted, so here we are…

After doing a little research on the web, I found out that perhaps raising kids was not as simple as I initially thought (but probably not as hard as it’s being hyped.) As it turns out, Babies require a great deal of attention. You have to feed them every couple of hours, and change their diapers every couple of… (days?) But the most annoying and mind boggling thing I have learned about babies is that when they are tired, they don’t just fall asleep like regular people, they cry. What’s the deal. Dude?? You’re already lying down, all comfy in your cradle, just close your eyes and go to sleep. But do they listen? Of course not. So after I was shocked at how high maintenance babies really are, I conceded single parents may in fact need a day of appreciation, or even two. And here’s an even better idea: single parents should get this day off from parenting. My small contribution to all you single slaves is a list of some fine films and TV shows that portray these one-parent families. You probably wont have time to see them, but I don’t have a better idea for you (so just get a babysitter):

1. Mermaids (1990)

An eccentric and unpredictable single mom (Cher) relocates with her two daughters (Winona Rider and Christina Ricci) for the umpteenth time to a small New England town. The girls just want to settle down in one place for a change, but not everything happens as planned. This is a charming comedy, and a great chance to see the pre-stardom Rider and Ricci.

2. Tous le soleils (2011)

Stefano Accorsi is a different kind of single father. Since he lost his wife, he’s been uninterested in finding a new love, consecrating all of his time towards parenting and over-protecting his teenage daughter. So the daughter comes up with a solution that will both get her father of her back, and make him happy at the same time. She and his anarchist brother try and play matchmaker… and hilarity ensues. It’s a fun film that is sure to capture your heart.

3. Ladybird, Ladybird (1994)

This is not a fun film! If you want to see how hard single parents have it sometimes, go watch Ken Loach’s emotional drama. This is a true story that depicts the struggles of a woman deemed by the authorities as unfit for parenthood, trying to keep her family intact. It’s not an easy watch, and will probably make you cry, but it’s very sincere, letting the story and actors do the work, and without the sentimental manipulations one usually finds in stories of this kind.

4. 35 Shots of Rum  (2008)

A working class single dad trying to deal with his age and with his daughter’s new romantic relationship with a family friend is at the heart of this excellent and understated French drama by Claire Denis. In my book, the best films are not those that offer solutions, but those who accurately depict the problems, and this film does that with a lot of humanity.

5. Broken Wings (2002)

This drama from Israel doesn’t deal with the Arab-Israeli conflict for a change; instead, it focuses on a dysfunctional family’s trials and tribulations. The mother, a  widow (third widow in this post if you’re counting), works night shifts at a hospital. Her children’s reaction to their father’s death, coupled with the lack of parental supervision, threatens to dismantle the fragile family unit. The acting is great and the script is very poignant.

6. Better Off Ted (2009)

A single dad (Jay Harrington) working for a powerful corporation is the premise of this (sadly) short-lived sitcom. He is charming, his boss (Portia De Rossi) is heartless, and there’s the necessary workplace unfulfilled love interest (Andrea Anders). The show is very satirical of the corporate world, and that’s probably why it was shut down. Check it out, hopefully you’ll demand its return.

7. Cyrus (2010)

Offbeat filmmakers Jay and Mark Duplass tell the story of a relationship between lonely John (John C. Reilly) and single mom Molly (Marisa Tomei). Their relationship seems to be going well until her odd son (Jonah Hill) becomes jealous and develops a rivalry with his mom’s new boyfriend. It’s creepy and touching at the same time, with Hill providing the creepiness and Reilly the heart. Oh, and it’s funny as well.

8. Spy (2011)

I have not seen a parent suffering such abuse from his child until I saw this British comedy. Darren Boyd stars as a regular-to-goofy electronics equipment shop salesman who is a constant disappointment to his uptight-to-evil son (Jude Wright), until he gets a dream job as an MI5 agent. The only problem is, he can’t tell his son, and he has to continue being his punching bag. The abuse is hilarious and Boyd is pretty endearing. It’s a fun and wacky show.

9. Mother (2009)

When her not-so-sharp son is accused of murder, a determined middle-aged single mom goes on an investigation to find the killer. Joon-ho-Bong’s crime mystery is both a feast for the eyes and for the mind. With his unique style, great flair for suspense and backdoor kind of humor, the Korean director who made Memories of Murder and The Host has become one of my favorites. Here’s looking forward to The Host 2!

10. The Turin Horse (2011)

Being that this film is one of my favorite films in the past few years, I will find any excuse to write about it. A father and daughter live in an isolated farm in late 19th century Europe. What happens to them is a sort of allegory for the fate of humanity. This is a seriously philosophical and experimental film. It’s as slow as molasses and has very little dialogue; but if you let yourself become immersed in the amazing black and white visuals, and try to contemplate what it all means (there’s plenty of time for that), you will be rewarded. Before watching this make sure you have patience and time – two things single parents probably don’t have…

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Technorati Tags: Single Parents Appreciation Day, single mom, single mother, single father, single dad, Mermaids, Cher, Winona Rider, Christina Ricci, New England, Tous le soleils, Stefano Accorsi, Ladybird Ladybird, Ken Loach, 35 Shots of Rum, Claire Denis, Broken Wings, Better Off Ted, Jay Harrington, Portia De Rossi, Andrea Anders, Cyrus, Jay and Mark Duplass, John C. Reilly, Marisa Tomei, Jonah Hill, Spy, Darren Boyd, Jude Wright, Mother, Joon-ho-Bong, The Turin Horse

Popularity: 2% [?]

It’s easy to be cynical about Valentine’s Day: it’s a highly commercialized day, which often makes us feel as though red hearts and stuffed bears are more important than actual feelings. But putting all of this aside, it’s still a lot of fun to celebrate love and romantic feelings, and in our opinion one of the best ways to do so is to watch a romantic film or TV show together.
So here are 10 recommendations for romantic, unique or otherwise interesting titles from the recent or upcoming year to watch with your loved ones.

Writer’s life & loves - Ruby Sparks (2012)
Calvin is a young writer who had one huge success and then sank into a long writer’s block. All of this changes when he starts to write about a young woman named Ruby Sparks and discovers to his sheer amazement that his written words have actually created a real live person. Clever, bittersweet and somewhat offbeat, it is perfect for those who prefer the more original story lines and not the worn out tales of boy meets girl…

Unlikely couple - Beauty and the Beast (2012 ongoing)
For those of you who are young (either by age or at heart) – this remake of the 1987 fantastic drama isn’t really popular with the critics, but teens all over just love it. Catherine, a tough homicide detective falls in love with Vincent, a former soldier, officially declared dead, but now living in the shadows, hiding from the secret government agency responsible for conducting a military experiment that went terribly wrong and left him with modern-day super powers of sorts (uncontrollable strength and inhuman abilities) that manifest whenever he is enraged.

Gloomy love - Seeking a Friend for the End of the World (2012)
The world ending is not a good enough reason to give up on love. In this bittersweet comedy drama, two neighbors who never noticed each other finally get together due to the grieving news about the world’s pending end. And I say, if the world has to end then at least it’s better to be with your loved ones when it happens.

Love in the royal family - The White Queen (upcoming 2013)
This upcoming mini series portrays the historical events of King Edward the 4th, England and the Wars of the Roses from a different point of view – the queen’s. It all begins when the king meets Elizabeth Woodville, a commoner, and marries her despite all of the objections made by his political advisors. The story is set in a fascinating time in history and is portrayed through the eyes of a lover, a wife and a mother.

Elderly Love – Amour (2012)
It’s easy to love someone when they are young, beautiful and healthy. It is much more difficult when the physical appearance is not what it used to be, when the health is crumbling and when you have a long, tense relationship of decades behind you. But this kind of love can also be profoundly deep, and that’s the kind of love offered in Amour. Warning: as a Valentine’s Day movie, it is recommended only if you have been together for a long time. This is definitely not first date material.

Young Love - Moonrise Kingdom (2012)
The complete opposite from Amour, Moonrise Kingdom deals with the naïve love of two kids on the verge of adolescence. This sweet, offbeat comedy drama is one of the most sincere portrayals of love seen during this recent year. A great date night option for fans of stylized indie cinema.

Love Triangle - Parade’s End (2012)
Rising British star Benedict Cumberbatch is great as a conservative aristocrat who is torn apart between his socialite wife, who is the “proper” match for him in terms of class and wealth, and a young liberal suffragette. Highly recommended for fans of top quality British dramas.

Impossible love – Upside Down (2012)
Adam and Eden’s love is truly impossible – and not as a metaphor. The reason is they live in a fantastic world that contains two “levels” – one on earth like the one we know, and the other one one hangs upside down from the sky. People cannot move from one level to the other. Will the frustrated lovers find a way to fulfill their love…?

Introspection about love - Before Midnight (2013)
As a teenager, one of the most romantic films I saw was Before Sunrise, where Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke portrayed two young people who fall in love during the course of a train ride. Almost 10 years later came the sequel and now the third part of this trilogy(?) is released. Once again, there is a lot of talk about the nature of love, of long terms relationships, of beauty that fades and children that grow up…

Falling in love - The Giant Mechanical Man (2012)
This charming, offbeat comedy tells the story of two seemingly social misfits falling in love. Recommended especially for those who still believe in love at first sight and to anyone who sometimes feels left out of the social life.

Popularity: 1% [?]

This weekend, Australians all over the southern continent are celebrating Australia Day – the official national day of Australia. Cinema-wise there is no doubt that Australia has given us some significant contributions – from actors like Nicole Kidman, Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett to directors like Peter Weir and Baz Luhrmann.

To note this festive day, we’re taking a look at 10 great achievements of the Australian film and TV industry, showcasing the many different styles and genres they excel in.

Bleak and rough crime drama - Animal Kingdom (2010)
The underworld of Melbourne never seemed more tense. In this excellent crime drama, a young criminal tries to survive in a complex crime family. An impressive ensemble cast includes Jacki Weaver, who was nominated for an Oscar for this role and is also nominated this year for The Silver Linings Playbook.

Clever mystery drama - Lantana (2001)
One night a psychiatrist mysteriously disappears. A detective whose wife was a patient of the psychiatrist is called out to investigate. The characters are much more complex and layered than in your usual police investigation films, and the entire atmosphere is reminiscent of Twin Peaks.

Stylized crime series - The Straits (2012 ongoing)
The series follows the Montebello family, whose business involves smuggling drugs into Australia as well as getting guns and exotic wildlife out, making use of ties of blood and loyalty in the Torres Strait Islands. Some called this show “the Australian Sopranos”, and it’s acclaim led to it being purchased for an American premiere by Hulu.

Gender dramedy - The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994)
One on the most known achievements of Australian cinema, this heartwarming tale tells the story of three drag queens traveling across Australia in a bus, each dealing with his own internal and external demons. The success of the film also spanned a stage musical with several productions on Broadway and worldwide.

Gloomy romantic drama – Candy (2006)
Two bohemians – a poet and an art student – fall in love. sounds cute so far, doesn’t it? The only problem is, they are both Heroin addicts. What starts out as a sweet love story soon turns into a doomed junkie love affair, full of self destruction and despair. The two leads are portrayed by the late Heath Ledger and Abbie Cornish, two more fine examples of great Australian actors.

Captivating rough series – Underbelly (2008 ongoing)
Based on real events, this action-packed TV series depicts Australia’s most infamous criminals and stories. Each season deals with a different period and different events (while all of them remain based on true stories), including drug trade, the gang era of the 20s and 30s, life of murderers and kidnappers etc.

Fish out of water comedy - Crocodile Dundee (1986)
A humorous escapades film dealing with culture clash, Crocodile Dundee tells the story of An American reporter who travels to the Australian outback to meet an eccentric crocodile poacher and invites him to New York City. It’s one of those films you can see over and over again, without getting tired of it.

Emotional music drama – Shine (1996)
Geoffrey Rush, who is my personal favorite Australian actor, does an amazing job here (which earned him a most justified Oscar) as David Helfgott, an incredibly talented yet mentally unstable pianist. The portrayal of David through his childhood with an abusive father, his mental breakdown and the unlikely events that led him back to the concert hall is both bittersweet, sincere and uplifting.

Tense society drama - The Slap (2011)
A single event of an adult slapping a child (not his child, mind you) opens a Pandora box of ill social relations between couples, family members, friends and neighbors. This talked-about series was already purchased for broadcast in many countries worldwide, including Brazil, Norway and Israel.

Slow period drama - The Piano (1993)
It’s amazing how a film can be so slow and heavy and yet so captivating and gripping. Harvey Keitel and Holly Hunter are both wonderful: Hunter as a mute woman who falls in love with a local worker (Keitel). The beautiful cinematography and scenery also contribute to this acclaimed film.

What are YOUR favorite Australian films and TV shows? And do you have any favorite Australian actors or directors? Let us know! You’re welcome to Like us on Facebook and share your thoughts on our page >> www.facebook.com/Jinnidotcom

Technorati Tags: Australia Day, Nicole Kidman, Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett, Peter Weir, Baz Luhrmann, Animal Kingdom, Melbourne, Jacki Weaver, Oscar nominee, The Silver Linings Playbook, Lantana, The Straits, Montebello, Torres Strait Islands, The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, drag queens, Candy, Heath Ledger, Abbie Cornish, Underbelly, drug trade, Crocodile Dundee, Shine, Geoffrey Rush, mental breakdown, The Slap, The Piano, Harvey Keitel, Holly Hunter

Popularity: 1% [?]

Today is Martin Luther King Jr. day, the day that commemorates the philosophy of one of the greatest (African-) American leaders of the 20th century. Today is also the inauguration to the second term of Barack Obama, the first African American president in US history. I don’t know about you, but to me, Barack Obama’s reelection victory was more impressive than his first one. In 2008, with two unwinnable wars and right in the midst of a recession, any guy promising change (he cleverly added Hope) would have easily won. He also rode the underdog ticket, which Americans love so much. Consider me not impressed. 2012 was a different story. Somewhere in the middle of 2012 Obama was a shoe-in for reelection: Bin Laden got got and the Republican primaries were full of smearing, fails and some preposterous ideas. Suddenly Obama was the favorite, he knew that nobody cheers for the favorite and that if democrats get too comfortable they could forget to vote. So, he took a dive on the first debate, and let Romney gain momentum. That reminded the democrats to go vote, they did, and he won. Consider me re-impressed. Well, in order to add some excitement to a less-than-exhilarating second term inauguration, on MLK day, here is a list of some of the best titles depicting the triumph of the African-American:

1. Glory (1989) - The true story of the first formal all-black army company during the American Civil War. Even though the Union battled the Confederates to abolish slavery, racism was present in the north, south, east and west, and those black soldiers experienced it from both sides of the aisle. It’s a great story, and has great performances all around (Denzel Washington becoming only the second African-American Oscar winning actor).

2. The Color Purple (1985) – Based on a book by Alice Walker, Steven Spielberg’s period drama tells the story of an impoverished and uneducated girl in the South. While suffering from the usual Spielberg sentimentality, the simple story of overcoming abuse and such a horrible destiny will uplift even the most cynical people.

3. Something the Lord Made (2004) – The true story of heart surgeon pioneers Dr. Alfred Blalock (Alan Rickman) and his technician Vivien Thomas (Mos Def). Needless to say, their quest does not go smoothly in 1940’s America. This is a very well made TV movie that transcends your run-of-the-mill tearjerker.

5. Sanford and Son (1972 – 1977) – This sitcom tells the misadventures of a father and son who operate a junkyard business. It’s a groundbreaking TV show, one of the first predominantly African-American shows, predating The Jeffersons and The Cosby Show. It also succeeded in not stereotyping or glorifying African-Americans and it’s still funny, after all these years.

6. When We Were Kings (1996) – One of the most important African-Americans (or persons) of the 20th century is masterfully depicted in this Oscar winning documentary. The story of Muhammad Ali’s 1974 boxing match against George Foreman in Zaire, coined “The Rumble in the Jungle”. Ali’s personality alone can carry a film, but this is one of the best sports documentaries ever made.

7. He Got Game (1998) – The troublesome father-son relationship according to Spike Lee. A high school basketball prodigy, Jesus Shuttlesworth (Ray Allen) has to deal with his choice of college. Enter his father (Denzel Washington), a convict serving 15 years in jail for his role in the death of Jesus’ mom, who is offered a commuted sentence if he can convince his estranged son to enroll to a specific college. The Spike Lee touch makes this is a different kind of sports film, with much more depth and style.

8. Something From Nothing: The Art of Rap (2012) – Hip Hop legend Ice-T gathers his colleagues to talk about the rise of hip hop to global domination. Everyone who is or was everyone (except Jay-Z, surprisingly) comes to talk about the genre that didn’t invent anything, but reinvented everything. It’s very entertaining.

9. Talk to Me (2007) – Don Cheadle plays eccentric radio DJ Ralph Waldo “Petey” Greene Jr., an ex con ‘who told it like it is’, and rose to stardom in the roaring sixties. Cheadle is great, and he successfully captures the outrageous humor of this unique character. It’s a great true story, and very well made.

10. The Interrupters (2011) – What do you do in the face of gang violence? Many of us would choose flight over fight but apparently there’s a third option – interrupt. This is an amazing story of three people who try to interrupt and disrupt the violence in inner-city Chicago. It’s a great example of people thinking outside the box for solving the violence problem of America from the inside. A must-watch!

Popularity: 1% [?]

With the cheerful holiday season around us, it’s time to list some of our favorite festive titles. Since Christmas and Hanukkah sometimes collide (as well as Passover and Easter) we’ve decided to mix these two December holidays together… the more the merrier, right? So bring on the Latkes and Eggnog!

Life of Brian

This controversial - yet extremely hilarious - film follows a quasi-Christ as he reluctantly finds himself leading a popular movement against the Roman Empire. Of course, in best Monty Python tradition, the film is laced with biting political and social observations, some of which are still relevant today.

Bad Santa

Billy Bob Thornton is a criminal anti hero in this cynical skewing of the Christmas spirit. Working as a mall Santa, alongside Santa’s little helper, a constantly cursing midget, they use the holiday as an opportunity to pull off a heist. That is, until “Santa” creates an unlikely friendship with a young and bizarre kid, despite his antisocial behavior. But don’t you worry, this won’t make him a much nicer, or less funny, person.

Ushpizin

Set during the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, this uplifting tale gives the audience a rare glimpse at the everyday lives and struggles of ultra-Orthodox Jews. A married couple is visited by a pair of old friends linked to the husband’s shady past. This visit makes him contemplate his life’s purpose and meaning.

The Nightmare Before Christmas

A Gothic stop motion animated musical for a family outing? This is not such an odd concept, apparently. This story of a Halloween skeleton who schemes to take over Christmas not only ends happily, but also won multiple awards and critical acclaim.

The Hebrew Hammer

A tough private detective is on a mission to save both Hanukkah and Kwanzaa from the clutches of Santa Claus’s evil son in this offbeat blaxploitation homage. It’s heavy on silly humor and light on political correctness. Beware - the creators of this silly tale are out there on a crowed-funding quest, targeting all of us as potential investors for a sequel!!

Lemale et Ha’halal

A tragic event during Purim (a Jewish holiday similar to Halloween, costumes-wise) sets a chain of events into motion, leading a young woman to face a moral dilemma. She must choose between her heart’s wish and her family duty in this Venice Festival winning, touching melodrama about Hassidic society.

Eight Crazy Nights

Adam Sandler brings his signature brand of gross out humor to animated form in this Jewish rendition of holiday redemption stories. As you can guess, being animated doesn’t hold Sandler back from being offensive. If anything, it only encourages him to push it to the limits.

Die Hard 2

John McClane, in a time when he was still surprised by the fact that “the same sh*t happens to the same guy twice”, fights terrorists and saves the day on Christmas Eve in the second, and arguably the best, installment in this ever expanding series of boys’ night blockbusters.

Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale

In this dark humored comic fantasy from Finland, based on a short film, some legends and myths about Santa Claus gets a fresh new twist. Instead of delivering gifts to kids, the old man is mostly responsible for putting children in danger.

It’s a Wonderful Life OR Christmas Vacation?

Not to be completely iconoclastic, we’ll sign off by giving you the opportunity to choose between the ultimate Christmas classic and a Christmas cult classic. Frank Capra’s paean for Americana and small town life, or Chevy Chase’s irreverent efforts to have his family enjoy a holiday vacation. Both make us feel good (as can be evident by those tweeting with #SMTA, at least regarding the later).

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Technorati Tags: Life of Brian, Monty Python, Bad Santa, Billy Bob Thorton, Ushpizin, Sukkot, Christmas, Chanukah, Hanukkah, Holidays, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Jack Skellington, The Hebrew Hammer, Santa Claus, Kwanzaa, Purim, Lemale et Ha’halal, Venice Festival, Eight Crazy Nights, Adam Sandler, Die Hard 2, John McClane, Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale, Its a Wonderful Life, Christmas Vacation, Frank Capra, Chevy Chase

Popularity: 1% [?]