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Tag: Ralph Fiennes

Gilbert K. Chesterton, The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, In Bruges, Island Hopper TV, and an Irish Proverb

Gilbert K. Chesterton, The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, In Bruges, Island Hopper TV, and an Irish Proverb

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on July 21, 2024

Sunday Supplement #167 (July 21st, 2024)

Below is another Sunday Supplement with a quote worth sharing, a book worth reading, a movie worth watching, brainfood worth consuming, and a spiritual passage worth pondering.

Please take something away from these recommendations that enriches your week ahead!

Quote of the Week:

“The traveler sees what he sees; the tourist sees what he has come to see.”

– Gilbert K. Chesterton

Book of the Week:

The Spy Who Came in from the Cold – John Le Carré

David John Moore Cornwell, better known by his pen name John Le Carré, worked for the United Kingdom’s MI5 and MI6 in the 1950s and 19060s.

Le Carré’s novel career began in the 1960s, and he reached international acclaim with his third novel, The Spy Who Came in from the Cold.

The novel covers shadowy dealings of international espionage through the story of a British agent who wants to retire but undertakes one final assignment, playing the part of a dishonored spy to lure the East German Intelligence to an ultimate defeat.

I’ve featured another spy novel, Ian Fleming’s Moonraker, in Sunday Supplement #60. While I enjoy the Bond novels, Le Carré’s writing has a more realistic take on the spy genre.

However, I’d recommend both novels for those interested in testing the waters of two classic novelists. The Spy Who Came in from the Cold is one of my favorites of Le Carré.

Movie of the Week:

In Bruges

Playwright and filmmaker Martin McDonagh has received six Academy Award nominations for three feature films and won an Oscar for his short film Six Shooter in 2006.

McDonagh’s first feature film, In Bruges (2009), is about a hitman and his partner hiding out in Bruges, Belgium, after a botched job.

Colin Farrell and Brendon Gleeson star in the offbeat dark comedy. Ralph Fiennes, Jordan Prentice, and Clémence Poésy have great supporting roles.

The film is engaging and quirky, but it also has an interesting depth when the two main characters explore the medieval city and engage in odd philosophical discussions.

In Bruges might not be for everyone, but I’ve found it a movie I’ve enjoyed over the years and recommend at least checking it out.

Brainfood of the Week:

Best Budget Travel Destinations in the World 2024 | Island Hopper TV

Island Hopper TV is a travel channel dedicated to providing relevant travel information and adventures worldwide. Their mission is to bring you closer to the people, cultures, and nature that make each destination unique.

This video from their channel discusses 17 different countries you can travel to, with breakdowns of the US dollar to local currency and expected conversions for food/accommodations.

I think some of the biggest barriers to travel are fearing you won’t have the means, you will run into trouble, or you won’t be able to navigate a foreign country.

This channel does a great job of providing information that helps on all fronts. And a lesson I learned from my brother is to set travel plans as far in advance as possible to ensure cheaper travel/accommodations. 

Take a look at Island Hopper TV and see if you find a video that inspires you to travel!

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“Your feet will bring you to where your heart is.”

– Irish Proverb

I haven’t featured an Irish Proverb before in a Sunday Supplement, but this one stuck out to me, and I thought it was worth sharing.

The sentiment of the proverb can be positive or negative, depending on how you view it. I think it is a reminder to understand your heart and be aware of your emotions.

If you lose control of yourself, you may find your path dictated by outside influences. Awareness, reflection, and understanding will help you navigate your adventure.

Travel with an observing and full heart, and have a blessed week ahead!

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Michael J. Fox, Transitions, The Prince of Egypt, Simon Sinek, and Surah Ash-Sharh 94:5

Michael J. Fox, Transitions, The Prince of Egypt, Simon Sinek, and Surah Ash-Sharh 94:5

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on August 21, 2022

Sunday Supplement #67 (August 21st, 2022)

Below is another Sunday Supplement with a quote worth sharing, a book worth reading, a movie worth watching, brainfood worth consuming, and a spiritual passage worth pondering.

I hope you take something away from these recommendations that enriches your week ahead!

Quote of the Week:

“Acceptance doesn’t mean resignation; it means understanding that something is what it is and that there’s got to be a way through it.”

– Michael J. Fox

Book of the Week:

Transitions – William Bridges

William Bridges was a distinguished authority on change and transition. He spoke and advised on how people should approach transition and sold over a million copies of his books.

Transitions is Bridges’ bestselling book that lays out a guide for understanding and successfully adapting to change.

His process talks about three stages of change: the ending, the neutral zone, and the new beginning. In the book, Bridges shows how each can be embraced to have productive movement forward.

The edition I read had two parts: The Need for Transition and The Transition Process. The first part discussed various topics like relationships, careers, and general life changes.

The second part broke down Bridge’s roadmap for navigating change. I found the first section a little confusing until reading the second part. The second part was brilliant.

Transitions’ subheading is Making Sense of Life’s Changes. I found the book extremely helpful on that front and highly recommend it to those interested in tips on dealing with change.

Movie of the Week:

The Prince of Egypt

The Book of Exodus received a brilliant adaptation from DreamWorks Pictures in the animated movie The Prince of Egypt.

The film starts with the birth of Moses and follows his journey, becoming a prince and ultimately leading the Jewish people out of Egypt.

Val Kilmer and Ralph Fiennes voice Moses and Ramses. They star in the film and provide a brilliant focal point in the narrative.

The rest of the cast, including Michelle Pfeiffer, Sandra Bullock, Danny Glover, Jeff Goldblum, Patrick Stewart, Helen Mirren, and Steve Martin, help shape the world brilliantly.

The movie only won one Oscar for Best Music – Original Song, but the film would have easily won Best Animated Film of the Year if the category had been around.

Some animated movies truly capture the brilliance of what a film can convey, and The Prince of Egypt is one of them.

Brainfood of the Week:

Navigate and Embrace Change | Simon Sinek

In this video, Simon Sinek gets asked, “Should people continuously change?”

Sinek responds to the first question by stating that he thinks the answer is always yes— to view ourselves or our organizations as works in progress.

He talks about the infinite mindset of constant improvement. Sometimes it’s small changes, and sometimes it’s bigger. There’s always the opportunity to improve something.

There are more questions throughout the video that Sinek addresses.

Sinek discusses the fear behind sudden changes as opposed to incremental changes. He goes on to explain how this affects individuals and companies.

While the latter half of the video veers toward business, there is much to take away from Sinek’s answers on how to approach change and how to recognize how others approach it.

I’ve featured Simon Sinek in three previous Sunday Supplements. If you like this video, check out the others.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“Indeed, with hardship [will be] ease.”

– Surah Ash-Sharh 94:5

This passage from the Quran reminds me of moments of tranquility that can occur from dealing with a hardship.

One of the other English translations of the passage substitutes ease with relief.

I think of the moments when waiting for a response or an outcome after I’ve put in the work and have to accept what comes next.

If there is a challenge or a hardship as a result, after processing my feelings, there comes a moment where I realize I have control over what I do next.

Sometimes I wallowed in a pit of negative emotions for a long time, but, thankfully, I eventually remembered that I could choose how to move forward.

I think there is great power in acceptance and realizing we have control over our actions. 

I believe one of the most powerful feelings can be when you’ve done your best in a difficult situation and can accept whatever happens.

Embrace the changes in your life, and have a blessed week ahead!

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