Normally, whenever I hear the terms "feel-good" or "coming-of-age" in relation to a movie, I run for the hills.

Speaking of which:

This feel-good coming-of-age movie is about a wannabe (another red flag) long distance runner (oy). And yes, there are the requisite slo-mo shots and the dramatic sound track that every running movie has. While we're on the subject of movie clichés, how about adding in a rigid old priest (is there any other kind?), an enlightened young priest (is there any other kind?), a dying mom (way more poignant than a dying dad) and a sassy nurse (is there any other kind?).

All of this conspires "BEGS" to tug at your heartstrings, suck you right in and leave you tottering on the edge of your seat, mopping away the tears with various parts of your shirt.

Or, maybe that was just me? I ... Read More

The first time I ever took LSD, I didn’t know I had taken it. A "well-intentioned" friend thought it would be hilarious to dose some beers my boyfriend and I were drinking.

We were all on a beach in Miami, the day after our first year Law exams. What could possibly take the edge off all those horrible weeks spent cramming and sleepless and stressed-out than a lovely day, sipping beers, sunning and swimming?

Suddenly, the sky darkened, the winds intensified and the waves rose up and began furiously crashing on the shore. Overhead, seagulls were frantically whipping about and shrieking. En mass, everyone lying on the beach also began shrieking, as they grabbed at their belongings and stampeded away from the shore.

My boyfriend and I just stood there, frozen by a shared terror. "This is IT?" I asked him rhetorically. "This ... Read More