By Adrienne Papp

We all love entertainment. The movies, with their fascinating world of fiction, dreams and beliefs, fun or action, or true stories appearing on the big screen, feeding the soul with their glamorous fantasies, or truth, captivate audiences of all ages around the world. It is something that our culture treasures and welcomes more than politics or even the news.

I personally support that idea, because the news seems to have become biased and opinionated to the degree that it influences who we elect as our President. The news is really not news anymore, but rather the tainted opinion expressed covertly by some journalists who are actually hired by stations that now belong to entertainment companies. Hence comes sensation and sometimes fiction. One station even has a segment that discusses which “news” was “so true” and which was “so false.” Therefore, I mostly prefer to enjoy a good action movie, a fiction, or a comedy expressing some dark or bright side of the human psyche, not only making me think through story telling, but at the very least it lets me think for myself. The news on the other hand, especially on some specific channels, simply tells me what to think!

While the news is becoming what it’s becoming, the world of entertainment and its creative minds have been shaping our spiritual and intellectual journey since its inception. And they did it very steadfastly and reliably. Mainly because they do not impose on the viewer: by their very nature they are entertainment. Yet, creative film has not only adapted to the new age of spiritual and metaphysical evolution, following the age of electronics, but it actually shaped and encouraged our spiritual evolutionary path through its creative expression of the nature of man, which requires as much study as trying to understand quantum physics. Some of the latest movies touching on these ideas are the Matrix Trilogies, or The Day The Earth Stood Still, both of which has its hero played by Keanu Reeves suggesting to the audience that there is more to life than meets the open eye.

But, somehow in our actual lives spirituality seems to have taken the back seat for its very “un-scientific” nature, preferring the obvious materialism we live in. Not to mention that lots of shamanic, and occult ideas that had nothing to do with science, discounted the meaning of the word “spiritualism.”
It almost as if we need a new vocabulary to properly describe our new found universal discoveries collectively referred to as “spiritualism.”

Science has recently come to better understand the importance and working of energy in our universe. But, since energy cannot be touched, tasted, or seen in our every day lives, we tent to disbelief and ignore its existence. Would ignoring it mean that “ energy does not really exist?” Or, if it does, does it only work in chemical chambers or experimental labs? Not quite so.
In a universe where invisible laws apply, and where these laws make the working of energy, – whether or not we fully understand it, – as precise as the law of gravitation, or any other physical law we fully understand, is a concept that’s hard to grasp at first. What we see and comprehend around us every second of the day is what we individually CHOOSE to see or create, and not what actually “there is,” which is infinite possibilities to everything in existence or not at any which given moment. A science called Quantum Physics proves this, along with a variety of other pretty mind blowing discoveries. We may FEEL these “things” as we go through life, but we have not been able to sufficiently prove or explain them so far. That inability maybe coming to an end soon now.

In our new age of discoveries of the immeasurable importance of energy and its role in our evolution, it is easy to see that those who can grasp these “futuristic axioms” will have a higher understanding, and will move onto a better place in their lives, and those who cannot, due to their chosen ignorance, will be simply left behind. What we’re talking about is the essence of what Jesus Christ, Einstein, and other great minds have taught us in bits and pieces in different languages with different symbolism throughout the ages as part of the evolution of man.
This keeps on arising a question in my mind: Did we grossly misunderstand and/or misinterpreted some of the teachings of the Bible for instance? Very possible. So, let’s let the reader decide what the words of the Bible really mean by the quotes “fishers of men,” or “do unto others as you would want them do unto you.” Do you see the law of attraction as a message in this statement, or do you think this is just an obvious moral issue that a good Samaritan should adhere to as part of religious practices and beliefs?

If we followed the latest findings in Quantum Physics, which again, are scientifically grounded and not a mere hypothesis, we would understand that our choices are really what govern our lives and not the outside world. Understanding that, we become attentive to our evolutionary path task, which really is all we need to keep us alive elevating us to higher grounds for survival in our challenging times. This understanding is where we hit the point of no return, the qualitative change born out of quantitative learning, the evolutionary mutation to a more evolved human spirit. Collectively speaking: the fulfillment of the ultimate goal, the obtainment of the ultimate currency: happiness through the return to love.

It is time we leave the ignorance and stupidity behind in a world that is spinning into chaos with unstoppable speed. Our habits have created bad economy, global warming, animosity, hatred, cruelty, revenge, a World that is uncomfortable to live in, lives that are hard to carry, and a long list of other woes, all of which only breed more of what we really do not want.

Of course, all these alarming signs are grossly ignored by those who are driving the economy to the ground through power games for ego gratification, or by the self-indulgent trust fund baby on drugs, and, others in between with various agendas, – all equally lost souls with no higher purpose or limits.
But, a healthy limitation actually is one of the ingredients to creation. God limited himself into Worlds, says the book of Creation. Generally speaking, if someone will not limit himself, life will do it for him. Physical limits are necessary in our very physical world, but that is not true for our mental realm and our way of thinking. It is now time to THINK differently! The old belief-system is out and dead. The shift in conscientiousness and a new paradigm is the only resolution to our rapidly disintegrating systems and way of thinking. “Take what you want said God and pay for it,” says my favorite Spanish proverb. Life was not designed to be easy, but it certainly is fun when you know how to live it.

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By Adrienne Papp

Fulfilling the potential of his Matrix character title, Keanu Reeves proved that he is also The One when it comes to auto racing. He took the checkered flag in the competitive celebrity field at the 2009 Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race as part of the 35th Annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, California.

The star of blockbuster films like The Matrix, The Day The Earth Stood Still, and Speed, Reeves finished first among celebrities in a mixed field that included racing pros Al Unser Jr. who won the Pro division with just five seconds ahead of Keanu. Other participating celebrities included Oscar winner Adrien Brody, Jeopardy host Alex Trebek, comedian Carlos Mencia, 24 star Mary Lynn Rajskub and From G’s To Gents host Fonzworth Bentley.

The event is a popular tradition during the festivities of the Grand Prix weekend, and had the crowd cheering on their favorite celebs throughout the entire race. Both celebrities and professional racers were very success driven as they attempted to win some funds for charities, driving Scion tCs that had been performance modified for the event especially. Not that it made car racing any safer.

With proper training and practice, competing celebrities learned the driving skills needed to navigate the 1.97-mile racetrack through the streets of downtown Long Beach. And although their competitive natures came out during practice, the drivers also enjoyed the camaraderie of experience, which is what the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race is really all about.

World champion pro skateboarder Danny Way led the celeb race for the most part, but got tangled up with Fonzworth Bentley on the ninth lap and ended up hitting the track wall in a head on collision. Reeves then gained the speed necessary and seized the opportunity to cross the finish line first, just seconds in front of E! Entertainment Television’s Executive News Editor, Ken Baker, and comedian Carlos Mencia. Carlos was a funnyman off track and on.

Keanu seemed almost surprised by his triumph even though his chance to win was obvious to me from the beginning. He was not only intensely focused, which is key factor according to Jeff Bodnar who trained Keanu, but also showed continuous commitment.  “It is such a great feeling,” Reeves said after the event. “Bentley and I had been going at it for most of the race, but when I got to the last lap and came around the fountain turn I almost couldn’t believe it. I figured, ‘I’m just gonna go get it.’”

Now the popular multitalented actor (also bassist for rock band Dogstar, and a fan of the heart warming documentary, Anvil! The Story of Anvil!) can add car racing to his resume. It’s probably too early to tell if he has the same bug that got into the blood of actors like Paul Newman, Steve McQueen and James Dean, but Reeves looked like a natural in his red and white Toyota racing suit, and took the checkered flag with great enthusiasm for a great cause. He is an active supporter of many charities, including Angelwear, City of Hope, Coach Art, PETA, Stand Up To Cancer and Wildlife Way Station.

Reeves’ acceptance of the trophy was followed by contributions to various charities, which made everyone’s participation all that more worthy. Toyota donated $5,000 to “Racing for Kids” in the name of each celebrity racer, and another $5,000 to the winning racer’s charity of choice. Racing for Kids is a national non-profit program benefiting children’s hospitals in Long Beach and Orange County, California.

Another $15,000 donation was made in conjunction with the annual “PEOPLE Pole Award.” Sponsored by PEOPLE magazine, the award was given to Danny Way who was the pole-position winner of the qualifying session. Way selected the Action Sports Environmental Coalition (ASEC) as his charity.  Keanu Reeves’ big win will also benefit the charities of his choice, and adds to the list of his contributions on so many levels, not just to film, but also many other causes.

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By Adrienne Papp

Based on the performance of his new movie The Day the Earth Stood Still, Keanu Reeves is still The One when it comes to delivering big budget special effect extravaganzas. Audiences around the world filled theaters and sat still for Reeves’ in the remake of the sci-fi classic, making it the top movie of the weekend with a $31 million debut, according to box office estimates. The new 20th Century Fox release also added $39 million in 90 overseas markets for a worldwide total of $70 million.

The movie is a big budget remake of the 1951 tale of an alien named Klaatu and his giant robot enforcer who come to Earth with a warning about the consequences of humanity’s destructive nature. In the new version, Reeves delivers a slightly different message. Starring opposite Jennifer Connelly, who plays Helen Benson, a world renowned scientific expert, Reeves brings serious warning of an impending global crisis – things must change for the Earth to be saved, and it may already be too late. The ‘big issue’ that the film deals with has been changed from the nuclear arms race of the original to the current crisis of global warming. We see not only a spectacular film, but also one that carries a message that everyone can relate to, and should be concerned about. But, it also addresses a question about human nature in its purest form: are we biologically programmed to only act when we are up against the wall and even threatened with extinction, or, is it just a bad habit, arrogance and laziness, which less than noble characteristics we can change if so willed? Which is it? Are we really powerless, or just, well, ‘stupid?’

‘The Day the Earth Stood Still is a visually stunning movie with timely issues,’ said Fox distribution executive Chris Aronson. ‘Basically, how we treat each other and how we treat this planet that we call home.’

And it’s altogether appropriate that Reeves is the one to convey the message. A proven big screen presence in the megahit Matrix series, Speed and other starring roles, Reeves has not only the ability to deliver the Big Message to Earth, but also has some pretty strong beliefs about extraterrestrial life as well. According to recent interviews, Reeves role in the movie found him wondering about life in other parts of the Universe. He came to the conclusion that there has to be life on other planets and thinks it ‘crazy’ to think that the Earth contains the only life in the Universe.

Looking at this issue from a closer perspective, like what quantum physics has to offer, it seems to me there maybe chances for mankind that we do not have the ability to understand today. It is however time that we found out.

‘I’ve met people who have seen UFOs, but I don’t know anyone who has been abducted,’ says Reeves. ‘How could there not be life on other planets? The universe is so vast. I guess a lot of people won’t believe in extraterrestrial life until they see evidence, until an alien lands in Central Park like my character does in the film, but the idea that life doesn’t exist anywhere but here is crazy.’

‘In God We Trust’ says the treasury on every American dollar bill. I have not met anyone who saw God or collected admissible evidence of God’s existence. Yet, in our very material world we declare the truth of the ‘unseen’ even printed on money. How can we then question the countless scientific evidence of forces beyond our understanding only because we cannot touch, taste and smell them with ordinary measures? Worse yet, we do not care! The universe is ‘invisible’ and if we do not feel its laws we deserve everything we get. Humans somehow discount their truest emotions: their innermost feelings. This denial may be the root of all evil.

Reeves, as Klaatu, issues the ultimatum that sets up the action when he says ‘If the Earth dies, you die. If you die, the Earth lives.’ It’s a message that’s also echoed in Disney’s big animated hit Wall-E, where consumption and waste have caused humans to leave the planet for life on a space station.

How much more chaos and catastrophes do we need in order to see what there is, and not the more comfortable version: what we want to think there is?

An actor who continues to prove himself as box office gold, while at the same time keeping a low profile, Reeves avoids the celebrity spotlight but has a devoted fan base that will now only increase in size with The Day the Earth Stood Still. Probably Hollywood’s most soulful and intelligent artist, he chooses roles that bestow important messages. He is not a frivolous or career driven guy, but one who takes a keen interest in his fellow humans. He sincerely cares about people, the human suffering and our frightening planetary and social conditions. To him it is important to be kind to mankind. Keanu’s love of his craft is obvious, but his roles also seem to be his communication to the world, an expression of who he really is. His soul and heart is in every character he plays. Miles and miles of heart is what Reeves adds to the screen. An innocence and genuine interest in the human condition is what Keanu transmits to those who share in his intelligence. His spectacular sense of humor, simple elegance, an old fashioned gentleman’s mannerism (hard to find anymore), coupled with a stable and loving upbringing by his extraordinary and bright Mother made him an irreplaceable citizen of the world.

Balancing his very serious approach to life with his fun loving, sweet and friendly side, he lacks the dignitary illusion of a Hollywood star. He enjoys hockey, surfing, playing bass, sipping wine with friends and uses a vocabulary most would need to carry the Webster Dictionary to decode. His nightmare that his headstone would contain the epitaph ‘He Played Ted,’ a reference to his character in the silly time travel comedy smash Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure, is now the safest bet on the very wrong horse in a vey good race. That old broken record some journalists put into nearly every article written on him for the past few decades was simply their own ignorance and had very little to do with what this extraordinary man has to offer. Keanu, whose sharp and witty mind outdoes his unbeatably handsome looks, is still The One, whether it be Neo in The Matrix, or Klaatu in The Day the Earth Stood Still. And, my feeling is, he is here to stay.

Image courtesy of Adrienne Papp

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