Goodnight Mommy—Movie review

by Peter J. O'Connell

Goodnight Mommy. Released (USA): Sept. 2015. Runtime: 99 mins. Rated: R for disturbing violent content and some nudity. In German with English subtitles.

Recent weeks have seen a German film—Phoenix--featuring plastic surgery as a key plot component. Now there's another German-language film (from Austria) doing the same thing, Goodnight Mommy. Recent weeks have also seen the American film The Visit, dealing with siblings having difficult relations with their elders in a rural setting. And Goodnight Mommy also has siblings with such difficulties.

Goodnight Mommy, written and directed by Severin Fiala and Veronika Franz, begins with twin boys, Elias and Lukas (Elias and Lukas Schwarz) playing in the fields and forests that surround an isolated, modernistic house. The boys are angelic in appearance and somewhat somber in manner, but their playing is typical “boy stuff”--hide and seek in a cornfield, wandering in marshes, exploring a cave, jumping up and down on a trampoline, roughhousing, collecting bugs, wearing masks.

Then Mommy (Susanne Wuest)--the boys' father is out of the picture—returns from plastic surgery with her face bandaged. It is not clear whether her surgery was because of an accident or for job reasons—she appears to work in media. Mommy is crabby and restricts the twins' activities. The boys begin to doubt whether she is actually their real mother. After all, in Mommy's room there is a photo of Mommy and a woman who looks very much like her.

Up to this point we may feel that Goodnight Mommy is the kind of European film sometimes characterized as “navel gazing”: philosophical issues such as the nature of identity raised—but not resolved—in murky metaphors. However, when Mommy's activities are “restricted” by her offspring, we realize that all along the pair of filmmakers have cleverly caught us up in a gradually unfolding, but relentlessly proceeding, process that is as stark as the design of the house and as dark as the cave that the twins explore. In fact, some of the film's later scenes are as shudder-inducing as the bugs that the boys collect.

Everything about Goodnight Mommy works together to create the memorable combination of both chilling and searing impact that the movie provides. Everything: the intriguing setting, the striking performances, the absence of score (except for some creepy lullabies). It's a “small picture” that should have a big effect on its audiences and lead to some spirited discussions.

“Footnote” to the film: Goodnight Mommy may be the first film to give a credit to “Stunt Roaches”!

Heartwarming moment of father and step-father walking bride down the aisle together goes viral

WKYC-TV

Brittany Peck's father Todd Bachman (l.) grabbed step-father Todd Cendrosky (r.) and they led their daughter down the aisle together.

A father who insisted his daughter’s stepdad help walk her down the aisle has gone viral after the heartwarming moment was shared online.

Todd Bachman, from Ohio, was leading daughter Brittany Peck to the altar last Saturday when he decided to make an important addition to the procession.

In an emotional moment, he stopped the procession to grab Todd Cendrosky, Brittany's stepfather, to join in the special moment.

Pictures captured by wedding photographer Delia Blackburn in Elyria have now been shared around the world.

Blackburn took to Facebook, saying “He walked up to his daughter's stepfather, reached out his hand and grabbed him and pulled him down the aisle to walk their daughter down the aisle together. Everybody was shocked, silent and crying. There wasn’t a dry eye in the place. Even I was crying.”

Beforehand, Peck, 21, admitted she had been undecided about who to ask to give her away — but Bachman put her mind at ease.

“I told her I already had something planned. She was so torn, and the last thing I wanted was for her to be torn,” he said.

WKYC-TV

Bride Brittany Peck was moved when the two men walked her down the aisle together.

Bachman, 43, insisted it was only right to include Brittany's stepfather as he had raised her too. “He has been as much a part of her life as I have,” he said. Click here to view the pictures

Tips for Safe Driving

Make Adjustments

Staying safe on the road as you get older may mean making adjustments for age-related physical changes and health conditions and taking steps to improve your driving. 

Here are some tips to help you drive safely if you experience changes in vision, hearing, attention and reaction time, or strength, flexibility and coordination. There are also tips on how to keep medications from interfering with your driving.

Make Sure You See Well Enough

Click for more information

There are several steps to take to make sure you see well enough to drive safely. 

• Have your vision checked every 1 to 2 years. An eye doctor can treat many vision problems. For example, surgery can remove cataracts.
• If you wear glasses or contact lenses, ask your eye doctor or optometrist if you need a new prescription. Antireflective lenses and polarized sunglasses can help reduce glare. Always wear corrective lenses while driving.
• Limit driving to daytime hours if you have trouble seeing in the dark.
• Keep your windshield, mirrors, and headlights clean. Turn the brightness up on the instrument panel.
• Adjust your seat height so you can see the road for at least 10 feet ahead of your car. 

Many states require people who renew their driver’s licenses to have their vision tested. Such requirements have been shown to reduce deaths among older drivers. People who do not pass the test are told to get an eye exam. 

To learn about an eye exam that adults 60+ should have at least once a year, see Comprehensive Dilated Eye Exam.

Check Your Hearing 

You can also take several steps to make sure you hear well enough to drive safely. 

• Have your hearing checked every 3 years.
• If necessary, get a hearing aid – and use it when you drive.
• Keep the inside of the car as quiet as possible while driving. If the radio or conversations with other people are distracting, limit those, too.
• Watch for the flashing lights of emergency vehicles. You may not hear a siren from a distance.Click here to continue reading.

18 Quick and Easy Meals for Seniors

Many caregivers worry whether their parents are eating enough and getting a balanced diet. These are valid concerns, given that appetite decreases for older adults as they become less physically active. The diminishment of taste and smell also dampens the desire to eat. Food just doesn't taste as good.

When Is it Time to Worry?
The daily recommendations for seniors, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, are: 1-1/2 to 2 servings of fresh fruit; 2 to 2-1/2 cups of fresh vegetables (e.g. anti-oxidant rich dark leafy greens, such as kale and spinach, as well as oranges and yellows, such as carrots and squash); 1,200 mg. calcium (e.g., low-fat milk, yogurt, or cheese. Non-dairy sources include tofu, broccoli and almonds); 6 to 7 ounces of grains (choose whole grains over processed white flour for more nutrients and a higher fiber count); and approximately 65 grams of protein.

If you're concerned you or the senior in your life isn't getting enough nutrition, there may be a number of reasons, including the simple facts that grocery shopping might not be as easy to do, cooking may be more difficult, or meals just aren't as fun to eat alone.

We consulted with Tammera Karr, a board certified holistic nutritionist in Roseburg, OR, and Kristi Von Ruden, a registered and licensed dietitian who plans meals for nursing home residents and geriatric outpatients at Northfield Hospital & Clinics in Northfield, MN. They have come up with 20 meal ideas for seniors. But before you get cooking, Mary Stehle, LICSW and senior care advisor for Care.com warns that you should keep your senior's doctor in the loop, and be sure to check with the medical team about food restrictions before planning menus.
 

Breakfast

• Warm oatmeal and berries. Place frozen or fresh berries in a crockpot at a low heat setting. Add a pat of butter and one serving of old-fashioned oats and water. Cover and cook on low, for several hours (or overnight). This will give it the consistency of bread pudding. (The easier option is adding berries to warm oatmeal.)
• A hard-boiled egg. Accompany with a side of fresh fruit and a slice of whole-wheat toast.
• Whole grain pancakes or waffles. For extra fiber, choose a brand that contains flax. Then top with fresh berries. For protein, also eat a handful of walnuts or almonds.
• Yogurt parfait. Mix together yogurt, nuts and fruit. It's a good combo of healthy fat, Vitamin C and carbohydrates.
• Power toast. For healthy fat and some protein, spread peanut butter or almond butter on whole-wheat toast; enjoy fresh fruit on the side.
• Poached egg. Place egg on top of whole-wheat toast and steamed asparagus. Top with a small amount of butter.

Lunch

• Quinoa salad. Saut? pre-chopped stir-fry vegetables (onion, red pepper, mushrooms). Combine with pine nuts or pecans and cooked quinoa. Toss with Italian salad dressing. Eat fresh, warm or cold; keeps well refrigerated. The USDA recommends steaming or saut?ing vegetables in olive oil instead of boiling, which drains the nutrients.
• Eggs and red potatoes. Melt a pat of butter in a skillet; chop up potatoes and add to skillet, over a medium heat. Cover skillet for 2 min. Then, pour scrambled eggs over potatoes, add pepper and toss until eggs are hot. Rather than season with salt, which can lead to water retention and high blood pressure, use fresh herbs and spices.
• Cottage fries. Slice parboiled red potatoes. Heat extra virgin olive oil in a skillet and cook the potatoes at a medium heat. Top with leftover vegetables and grated sharp cheddar cheese. Cover, let steam and serve.
• Southwest omelet. Beat 2 eggs. Put 1 Tbs. olive oil in a skillet. Pour in the egg mixture; add pepper jack cheese chunks and natural salsa or chili sauce. When eggs are firm, fold and serve with sliced avocado. Tip: Chili and spices help boost diminished taste buds.
• Salmon wrap. Place canned Alaskan boneless skinless salmon on a whole grain wrap. Add chopped avocado, tomatoes, greens and plain yogurt. Wrap tightly, cut in half and serve.

Dinner

• Baked or grilled Alaskan salmon. Top each steak with tomatoes, sweet onion, dried or fresh basil, chopped garlic and 1 Tbs. extra virgin olive oil. Wrap each piece of fish tightly in aluminum foil and place in the oven on a low heat (300 degrees). If the fish is thawed, cook for about 15 minutes. Dinner is ready when the fish is flaky, but still moist.
• Lamb and potatoes. (If you can keep some parboiled red potatoes on hand, you can prepare fast and easy meals.) Form ground lamb into small meatballs. Tear fresh basil into slivers, or use a pinch of dried basil. Slice pre-cooked red potatoes into small pieces. Slice a clove of garlic. Warm extra virgin olive oil in a skillet. Saut? garlic and basil on a medium heat for 5 minutes. Add lamb; brown. Add potatoes; cover for 10 min. Toss ingredients; add a dash of ground pepper. Cook for an additional 5 min.
• Shrimp and pasta. Heat a pat of butter and 1 Tbs. olive oil in a saucepan. Add chopped fresh herbs, garlic and a handful of shrimp. Toss and cook until shrimp is done. Place on a bed of pasta and top with chopped fresh tomatoes.
• Liver and fennel. Place liver slices in a skillet with extra virgin olive oil. Top with chopped fennel, ted onion and cabbage. Cover and steam until liver is tender. Serve.
• Beans and rice. Heat up a can of black, pinto or white beans. Serve with brown rice, oats or barley. You can warm the meal in a crockpot and serve later.
• Shrimp and fresh greens. Saut? fresh vegetables in a saucepan (again, you can buy pre-cut veggies), with olive oil. Add cocktail shrimp, which can be bought peeled, cooked and chilled. Serve with a berry vinaigrette salad dressing and lime slices.
• Southwest chicken salad. Cook boneless, skinless chicken breast on a medium heat in a skillet with extra virgin olive oil. Add salsa. Shred chicken and reserve in refrigerator to use for wraps, salad or soup.  Click her to continue reading.
    

The Gross Mistake You Make Storing Your Toothbrush

The container you think is cleanest is actually more harmful than helpful.

A new bathroom cleanliness study from the American Society for Microbiology has our skin crawling — and double-checking our toothbrush storage tactics.

Researchers found that when college students use communal bathrooms, their toothbrushes often share the group's collective fecal bacteria. This feels pretty obvious (force a swath of not-so-clean college kids together, and bacteria is bound to make the rounds), but we can't help but think that conditions could be similar in a highly trafficked family bathroom.

Your knee-jerk reaction to protect your toothbrush from germs might be to store it inside a medicine cabinet or travel container, away from other surfaces and, of course, your toilet. But this tactic is actually a really bad move.

"Using a toothbrush cover doesn't protect a toothbrush from bacterial growth, but actually creates an environment where bacteria are better suited to grow by keeping the bristles moist and not allowing the head of the toothbrush to dry out between uses," says Laura Aber, the study's graduate student researcher. Click here to continue reading.

33 Creative Alternative Names for 'Grandma' and 'Grandpa'

They're Mom and Dad to you, but as soon as you become a new parent, Grandma and Grandpaare born! But with that comes one big decision: what should your child call their grandparents?

The traditional route is well and good, and Grandma and Grandpa are tried and true names, but there are plenty of other options. Give a nod to family history by choosing words from your ethnic heritage, let your mom choose what she'd like to be called, or just wait and see what completely sweet and hilarious name your child comes up with on her own. There are so many ways to go!

We hunted around and also asked moms about their family's choice of names for the grandparents and came up with this great list of alternative names for "Grandma" and "Grandpa.

Variations on Grandma and Grandpa:

• Nana and Papa: Two identical syllables that make it easy to pronounce for a growing toddler.
• MomMom and PopPop: Same as above, but extra extra emphasis on the second syllable.
• MawMaw and PawPaw: Similar idea, but this one is more popular in Southern states.
• Grammy and Grampy: A casual version of "Grandma" and "Grandpa" that makes it easier for kids to say.
• Gigi and Pops: Pronounced "gee-gee," the two are another fun and easy peasy way to address the grandparents.

From other languages:

• Savta (grandma) and Saba (grandpa): An affectionate name for grandparents in Hebrew.
• Mémère and Pépère: French and can also be shortened to mémé and pépé for a more informal title.
• Abuela and Abuelo: The Spanish version, but can also be Abuelita and Abuelito (for extra special cuteness), or just Ita and Ito for short! Or go with Ela and Elo for another variation. Plenty of options with this one!
• Vovó and Vovô: Pronounced (vo-vaw) and (vo-voh) and perfectly fitting for Portuguese grandparents. 
• Nonna and Nonno: Italian for Grandma and Grandpa. They're both just bellissimo!
• Oma and Opa: The Dutch versions. Simple and easy to pronounce and write!
• Busia and Dziadzia: The endearing Polish titles are pronounced "boo-shah" and "jaw-jaw".
• Amma and Afi: For all Icelandic grandparents (and even not), these are easy two-syllable names that are a little different but have plenty of spunk.
• Yiayia and Pappou: The Greek titles for grandparents are perfect for whether you're a "big, fat, Greek family" or not!

From a grandchild's mispronunciation:

• "Originally, [my mother's mother] wanted me to call her 'Nana.' When I was a toddler, I kept getting into things at her house and she’d tell me 'no' so often that I started saying 'Na ... No!' and shaking my finger to imitate her. Somehow that morphed into 'Nano' with the 'Na-naw' pronunciation." -- Cafe Steph Click here to continue reading

Our Top Pet Health Tips for Autumn

Ahhh, Fall! This time of year means football, crisp air, colorful foliage and even, depending on where you live, a little bit of snow. It’s a great time to get outside with your pet; for a dog, there’s nothing like a romp in the leaves, while for cats, midday sunbeams have never felt better as the days get shorter and the nights get colder. When it comes to keeping your pet healthy and helping him enjoy fall to the fullest, there are some things to keep in mind. Read on for our top fall pet tips.

#1. Watch out for ticks in fall
Just because fall is here doesn’t mean that ticks aren’t still lurking. In fact, according to the University of Rhode Island, many species of ticks are active even into the winter and can survive the first frost. Here are some tips to keep your pet tick-free this fall:

• Don’t let ticks cozy up. Eliminate their favorite environments, such as leaf and garden litter, where ticks can sometimes survive even into winter.
• Check for ticks frequently.
• Continue using tick control and repellent products, especially if you spend a lot of time outdoors with your pet enjoying activities like hiking, camping, or hunting. Click here to continue reading.

Black Mass—Movie Review

by Peter J. O'Connell

Black Mass. Released: Sept. 2015. Runtime: 

by Peter J. O'Connell

Black Mass. Released: Sept. 2015. Runtime: 122 mins. Rating: R for brutal violence, language throughout, some sexual references and brief drug use.

It used to be said of the wall-to-wall blue-collar, Irish Catholic neighborhood of South Boston that if a family there had two sons, one would become a priest or politician or professor or policeman, and one would become a criminal. The Bulger family of South Boston had three sons: one (William “Billy” Bulger) became a powerful politician; one (John “Jackie” Bulger) became an obscure magistrate; one (James “Whitey” Bulger) became an infamous criminal.

Now the film Black Mass, directed by Scott Cooper, tells the Whitey Bulger story—or at least part of it, the most notorious part, the part from the 1970s to the 1990s when Whitey (played by Johnny Depp) and the FBI worked together. This unholy alliance was forged by another South Boston product, FBI agent John Connolly (Joel Edgerton).

Connolly and Whitey had known each other in their younger days. Beginning in the 1970s, Connolly arranged for the FBI to look the other way regarding Whitey's crimes (which probably included at least 19 murders) in return for information that Whitey would provide on the local Mafia, based in the Italo-American North End neighborhood of Boston. The Mafia and Whitey's Winter Hill Gang were traditional enemies. Whitey's alliance with the FBI helped bring about a decline in the Mafia but a flourishing of the Winter Hill thugs.

Johnny Depp is riveting as Whitey—pale, black-clad, whispery-voiced, reptilian—as he leads his brutal lifestyle based on the deaths of others. But Depp is also moving in the few moments of humanity that the movie allows him, as when his young son dies. Joel Edgerton is excellent as Agent Connolly, always wearing a three-piece suit but emanating a thuggish aura himself. Most of the rest of the cast, including Dakota Johnson as Whitey's girlfriend and Julianne Nicholson as Connolly's wife, also deliver the goods, though Benedict Cumberbatch as Billy Bulger seems somewhat miscast, a touch    too elegant.

Black Mass, of course, shows the influence of Martin Scorsese's gangster films—how could it not? But Scott Cooper films in a more tightly compressed, almost claustrophobic, way than the more fluid Scorsese. Cooper's style is quite effective, though not as “epic” as the master's.

Then there is the question often asked about the spate of films in recent years set in Boston: “Is the accent handled well?” Here it's handled passably. Overall, as a denizen of Southie might say: “Drive to a theatah, pahk yoah kah, and see Black Mass. It's wicked good!” 

“Footnote” to the film: Today South Boston is rapidly gentrifying as young professionals of diverse backgrounds replace the traditional Irish Catholic working-class families.