Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln (2012)

Daniel Day-Lewis as Abraham Lincoln is a stunning performance that will be deeply etched on every mind that experiences it. The pre-release screening I attended of Lincoln (2012) made sharply clear the reason everyone connected with the film called Day-Lewis “Mr. President” during the months of filming.

The man and the makeup aged throughout the film. Everyone fought with the President at every turn and the fight drained him unto death. Had he not been assassinated, he would have died of exhaustion, so gaunt and stumbling in his mission to reunite the North and South.

At the same time, Lincoln never lost his sense of humor or gift for storytelling. Add that to the barroom brawl-like scenes in the US House of Representatives and you have quite a laugh. Thanks have not changed so much in the run up to Election 2012 — the House in 1865 just didn’t have TV for campaign ads, so they just shouted! Tommy Lee Jones and James Spader nearly run off with the film with their antics as well.

The scenes of Civil War soldiers are just as extraordinary as the laughter and exhaustion in this film. An African American regiment is prominent and a Native American Union officer walks alongside General U.S. Grant. Battle scenes are realistic, but without much blood. Mary Todd Lincoln is not too crazy after all – Sally field plays her at just the right pitch for a stressed out wartime First Lady with a temper as well as tears.

See the movie and read the book at its foundation – research that formed Team Of Rivals. You won’t be sorry.

See more at: Review: Team Of Rivals, and The House Of Representatives During the Abraham Lincoln Years

Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter

ABRAHAM LINCOLN, VAMPIRE HUNTER opens tonight, June 21-22 at midnight in many theaters. Wide Release will be Friday June 22, 2012.

Preview audiences have given this film a high rating. If you are into Civil War reenactments or enjoy learning about American History, then this film is for you, because it is accurate. The vampires are extra and make for a fascinating fictional addition to an already exciting story.

If you have not already read it, read O’Reilly’s book on Abraham Lincoln as well – it is some more information that you never received in any classroom!

See the full review of ALVH at

Accuracy and Civil War Reenactors In “Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter”

When the Animals Talk

The Ohio Village, a 19th Century working museum town next to the Ohio Historical Society in Columbus, Ohio celebrates Christmas in the Victorian manner.  During the Christmas Season, the village transforms to a farming town of the late 1800s, decorated for the winter holidays. 

On a farming Christmas Eve in the 1800s, the adults told children teh story that if a child was very quiet and hid in the barn, he or she would hear the farm animals speak at midnight on Christmas Morning. It is the only day of the year that the animals speak and it is to proclaim the birth of the Christ Child.

When you see an old-time Christmas tree on display, decorated with carved farm animals, this is a commemoration of that tradition.

Vintage Handcrafted Christmas Decorations