...Like the Plague

There are certain things in life that should be consistently avoided. Things like poison ivy, shark infested waters, angry hornets, and flat coke. Even limited exposure to these things can cause mild to extreme discomfort and even death.
Tonight I was suckered into watching a movie that should be avoided by certain people--people with allergies to bad movies.
But if you like Hallmark movies and after-school specials, read no further. This warning does not apply to you. In fact you might actually want to go out of your way to see this film: It's called "The Ultimate Gift" and it's probably the warm-fuzziest feel-goodiest movie of the century.
It's about the jaded grandson of a recently deceased oil tycoon. Grandpa left Jason a few billion dollars that he is eager to get his angsty little paws on, but there's a catch: In order to get the money, Jason has to complete a series of tasks that will in the end, not only build his character but teach him about what's REALLY important in life. Jason is sent to begrudgingly work on a ranch in Texas with an old cowboy named Gus who teaches him the true meaning of work. Next Jason has to give up everything he owns for a month so he can see who his REAL friends are. His girlfriend bursts into tears and runs out on him when he can't pay the bill at Cafe D'Swank. (This scene was amazing, some of the BEST acting and most honest dialoge EVER!) But that's okay, because then Jason meets a cute single mom with a little girl who's dying of cancer that just couldn't be more adorable. And of course he falls in love--but then he has to go volunteer in a remote ecuadorian village in the middle of the jungle where he gets kidnapped by druglords.
Seriously?
And in the end, Jason really does learn what the "Ultimate Gift" is. I'll bet you can't guess! It's Love! Can you believe it? And then they kiss and a butterfly flys in front of the camera and floats on into the sky.
Seriously.
So if you're in the mood for a shot of Schmaltze on the rocks, cuddled not stirred, check out "The Ultimate Gift". You'll love it.