Jennifer Ortman: Favorite Movies Starring Real Estate

As an avid movie buff who's also a real estate professional, Jennifer Ortman enjoys watching movies about real estate. Buying, selling and owning one's own home is the quintessential American dream. This is reflected in numerous films. The following list reflects Jennifer Ortman's favorite movies in which the real estate profession plays a starring role.

1. American Beauty: In this 1999 film drama, Annette Bening plays Carolyn Burnham, an extremely materialistic real estate broker. Carolyn is not a sympathetic character, nor is she a particularly accurate depiction of the average real estate broker. Most real estate brokers go into the profession because they are attracted by its flexible hours. If money is the object, there are many professions that promise higher rewards.

2. Mr. Blanding Builds His Dream House (1948): This screen comedy casts suave Cary Grant in an uncharacteristic role as a guy in over his head. The movie tells the tale of Jim Blandings who is tired of living with his family in a cramped New York apartment. Blandings contacts an unscrupulous real estate agent who unloads a dilapidated fixer-upper on him. The film recounts the troubles and setbacks the Blandings family experience as they prepare to move into their new home. It's an adventure in home owning that anyone who has ever bought or remodeled a home can relate to.

3. The Money Pit (1986): The Money Pit is not a remake of Mr. Blanding, but it's based on the same novel that inspired the earlier movie. Although it was a box office smash, the critics gave it mixed reviews. Everything that can possibly go wrong with the house Tom Hanks and Shelley Long purchase does go wrong. In the end, the sellers are revealed to be a pair of unscrupulous crooks.

4. Poltergeist (1982): Poltergeist is the quintessential haunted house movie. Though it's not about real estate sales per se, the Freeling family home definitely plays a starring role. The film was so popular that it inspired a prequel and a sequel. Many of the actors who starred in the Poltergeist Trilogy died untimely deaths. This gave rise to the legend of the Poltergeist Curse.

5. Life as a House (2001): The protagonist of Life as a House works in the real estate industry as a designer of architectural models. When he refused to switch to CAD computer programs to design these houses, he is summarily fired from his job. The motif of house as metaphor for a constrained life resonates powerfully throughout this moving film.

6. Duplex (2003): Duplex is a very black comedy about a young couple who rent a Brooklyn duplex. Unbeknownst to them when they move in, a disruptive neighbor lives upstairs. It was neither a box office nor a critical hit. Nevertheless, anyone who has ever been saddled with an impossible upstairs neighbor will find the Kendricks' misadventures amusing.

7. Open House (1987): Open House is a slasher movie about a serial killer who uses real estate open houses to find potential victims. While it's not a great movie, it has some inventive moments.

8. Pacific Heights (1990): This film is about a rental property owner's worst nightmare: a tenant who won't pay rent and refuses to vacate. The sinister tenant, played by Michael Keaton, takes these misdeeds one step farther, however. He tries to destroy the young property owners' lives. The film did not do well at the box office and only received mixed reviews from critics.

Of course, these movies don't paint an accurate picture of the real estate industry and home ownership. Jennifer Ortman understands that creative liberties are a part of all entertainment, and enjoys them anyway.

How To Truly Enjoy Classical Music

Getting the most enjoyment possible out of classical music is challenging. In some cases, the music is boring and lengthy, making it hard to enjoy. In other cases, you are not listening to the music in the right type of setting. In order to get the most enjoyment out of classical music, you have to experience it correctly. Here are some tips on how you can truly get the most enjoyment out of classical music.

Start With The Popular Classics

Beginning with the popular classics may give you a whole new appreciation for classical music. There is a reason why the most popular classical music is popular. The popular pieces are the pieces that are appealing to the widest range of people. This music was made with all the right choices in tempo, melody, harmony, and length. Once you have seen how great classical music is, you can begin exploring other classical musicians.

Focus In On The Music

The best way to listen to classical music is to focus in on the music. Some people like listening to classical music alone in a quiet room. Others like to attend concerts were everyone is focused on the all-encompassing music. Before you begin, you should clear your mind and prepare to really listen. Clearing your mind allows you to see where the music takes you.

Attend A Live Performance

If you really want to get the true effect of classical music, you should attend a live performance. In many cities, there are a wide variety of options available for listening to classical music live. Some musicians play concerts in the local parks and recreational areas. Others hold small indoor shows in event spaces and charge a fairly inexpensive ticket price. There are possibilities available regardless of the amount of your entertainment budget.

Look For Classical Music In Your Life

Once you have experienced classical music correctly, you can begin looking for classical music in your everyday life. Classical music is all around you every day. It is often used at weddings because of the beauty of the music. The music is also used in television shows and as background music in many retail locations. If you hear a song that you like, seek out more songs from that musician.

Over time, you will find that you like certain styles of classical music more than others. Exploring musicians that play the type of music you like will make it even more enjoyable for you. Allow yourself to feel the music and imagine the story it is telling you. There are thousands of classical music pieces to experience. Although you may not love it all, you will find some that you truly enjoy.

Classic Movies Starring Audrey Hepburn

Real estate professional Jennifer Ortman cheerfully confesses to being a classic movie buff. Her favorite films are ones produced in the 1950s and 1960s. Jennifer's favorite actress is the legendary screen beauty Audrey Hepburn. Jennifer has been known to stay up late to catch "Sabrina" or "Breakfast at Tiffany's" on her favorite TV network.

Audrey Hepburn

Growing up in Nazi-occupied Holland, young Audrey Kathleen Ruston couldn't guess she would become a film star one day. Audrey's parents were both titled aristocrats. Her father was of Belgian and British descent, and her mother was a Dutch Baroness.

Audrey spent the first years of her life living in Belgium and Britain. Her mother decided to relocate to the Netherlands at the beginning of World War II. She believed the Netherlands would remain neutral.

During the War, Audrey suffered from severe malnutrition and associated health problems such as anemia. At one point, Audrey and family were forced to grind tulip bulbs for flour. These wartime experiences are responsible for Audrey's dedication as an adult to the international relief foundation UNICEF.

Audrey's uncle was executed because he was a member of the Resistance. One of her brothers was deported to a German labor camp. Later in her life, Audrey recollected vividly the sight of Jews being taken away to concentration camps. Audrey studied ballet during this time, becoming a very talented dancer. She performed in secret recitals that raised funds for the Dutch resistance.

After the War, Audrey and her mother traveled to London so she could continue her ballet studies. Her ballet instructor told her though she was a talented dancer, she was too tall to become a prima ballerina. Audrey decided to pursue acting studies instead.

Audrey found some work in stage reviews and was cast in a few small roles in films. One day, the famous French novelist Colette visited the Monte Carlo set where Audrey was filming. Colette's most famous novel, "Gigi," was being turned into a Broadway play. Producers were having a hard time casting the title role. Colette took one look at Audrey and pronounced, "Voila! There's your Gigi."

Audrey Hepburn's role in the Broadway version of "Gigi" instantly made her a huge star. After the play closed, she embarked a film career, becoming one of the most beloved film actresses of all time.

The Films of Audrey Hepburn

During the course of her career, Audrey Hepburn appeared in 27 movies between 1953 and 1987. Twenty of those appearances were in starring roles. Many of the films in which Audrey Hepburn starred have become classics.

• Roman Holiday: Roman Holiday was Audrey Hepburn's first lead role in a film. Her performance as Princess Ann earned her an Academy Award as Best Actress. The role was originally written for Elizabeth Taylor. Originally, Audrey was not slated for star billing. Her costar Gregory Peck was so impressed by her performance, however, that he demanded her name be put above the title.

• Sabrina: During the filming of Sabrina, Audrey Hepburn fell in love with her costar William Holden. Audrey had major problems with Humphrey Bogart, however, who was her other costar in the film. The designer Hubert de Givenchy designed her costumes for the film. This was the beginning of a lifelong professional association in which Audrey frequently showcased Givenchy creations.

• Breakfast at Tiffany's: Audrey Hepburn's performance as Holly Golightly is probably her most iconic role. Audrey herself characterized it as her most challenging role. Holly Golightly was the prototypical extrovert, and Audrey Hepburn was introverted by nature. The film's signature song, "Moon River" was composed especially to disguise Audrey Hepburn's limited vocal range.