Mottley Law Firm October 2019

TOP HORROR MOVI ES WHA T T O WA T CH T H I S F A L L

THE FREE RADICAL 411 HOW TO MINIMI ZE AGE - INDUC ING ATOMS If you’ve ever picked up a health magazine while waiting at the doctor’s office, then you’re probably familiar with the term “free radicals” — at least enough to know that they get a bad rap from doctors and beauticians alike. But what are they, exactly? According to Live Science, free radicals are atoms with unpaired electrons that have split off from oxygen molecules in the body and started to “scavenge” for other electrons to pair with. That wouldn’t be problematic, except that these atoms tend to damage cells, lipids, proteins, and even DNA along the way, and that destruction has serious consequences. As Live Science puts it, “Free radicals are associated with human disease, including cancer, atherosclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and many others. They also may have a link to aging, which has been defined as a gradual accumulation of free-radical damage.” Unfortunately, it’s impossible to entirely avoid free radicals and the havoc they wreak. The process that forms free radicals, called oxidative stress, can be kick-started by a variety of different substances found in food, water, medicine, and even the air we breathe, according to the Huntington’s Outreach Project for Education at Stanford University. Unsurprisingly, these substances are things already considered unhealthy, like alcohol, exposure to X-rays, ozone, fried food, chemical pesticides, air pollutants, and tobacco smoke. That said, there is one molecule that is stable enough to stand up to and reduce free radicals: the antioxidant. According to a study published by Pharmacognosy Reviews, antioxidants can “donate an electron to a rampaging free radical and neutralize it, thus reducing its ability to damage.” Synthetic antioxidants exist but can sometimes have harmful side effects, so scientists advise protecting yourself by avoiding free radical triggers like alcohol, processed foods, and red meat, and ingesting natural antioxidants in the form of berries, stone fruits, olives, onions, garlic, and green and black teas. Herbs and spices like cinnamon, basil, turmeric, and fenugreek can ratchet up your antioxidant levels too. While it can’t guarantee immortality, the right diet can certainly help you stave off aging and disease, so why not start today?

Lately, my daughter, Catherine, and I have started to bond over our love of horror, and she’s even given me great recommendations! After a long work week, we often relax and watch the latest slasher flick that has come out. Over time, we’ve accumulated quite the list of favorites. So here are a few that are perfect for the scary-movie enthusiast in your family. ‘A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET’ This classic Halloween slasher pits a collection of innocent teenagers against an infamous local killer who attacks them in their dreams when they’re most vulnerable. The entire movie balances the slasher craze of the ‘80s and its own morbid humor surprisingly well with lines like, “Why are you screaming? I haven’t even caught you yet.” While the film’s writing is classic, its cast fixed the movie as a staple of pop culture, debuting the acting career of Johnny Depp and cementing Robert Englund as a horror icon.

‘THE NUN’ If you like “The Conjuring” franchise, this is a must-see, as it’s a direct spinoff of “The Conjuring 2.” Based on a story co-written by James Wan, the director of “The Conjuring” series, this is the highest-grossing film in the franchise. The story takes a priest and a nun to Saint Cartha’s monastery in Romania to investigate the mysterious deaths of two nuns. The duo fends off a demon and the ghosts of their pasts to uncover the mystery behind everything. ‘OUIJA: ORIGIN OF EVIL’ Set in 1967, the tale is a prequel to the 2014 film, “Ouija.” The film sees a tragic widow, Alice Zander, a spiritual medium, trying to make ends meet with her two daughters. Upon the oldest daughter’s suggestion, Alice incorporates a Ouija board into her readings. When trying it out, she unknowingly releases a tortured spirit who died there during WWII. The spirit, known as Marcus, then possesses the youngest daughter and attempts to get revenge on the family for how he was tortured in the house so many years ago. ‘HALLOWEEN’ I’m going old-school here. This classic is well-known for being one of the most profitable independent films and the catalyst of the slasher movie craze of the ‘80s. John Carpenter took his vision to production with little resistance as he was the screenwriter and director, and he produced the score for this fantastic film. After spending 15 years in a psychiatric ward for killing his sister, Michael Myers returns to his hometown to wreak havoc. While being chased by the police and his handgun wielding psychiatrist, Michael preys upon unsuspecting teenagers on the spookiest night of all, just when they are old enough to think they are safe on Halloween. ‘INSIDIOUS’ This is another modern classic directed by James Wan that, with a budget of $1.5 million, grossed over $97 million, making it a smash hit. The 2011 film focuses on a family of five who has to deal with paranormal disturbances following their son’s mysterious coma. After several ghostly encounters, the family moves to another house where they still suffer from the paranormal. The family then seeks external resources to help combat the forces attacking them. While I love all these movies, “The Nun” and “Insidious” are part of two horrifying franchises I’m sure the slasher fan in your family will love. If you’re a lover of scary movies, let me know which one is your favorite next time you visit the office this fall!

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