Many startups come from humble beginnings. In the early stages, location seems less important than the business itself and as a result, many startups are born in basements, small office spaces, and other less than ideal commercial or residential spaces. Startup businesses often measure success in several ways from an answered phone call, a returned email, and a repeat client. Soon after numerous successes, small businesses may need more room for product and employees; outgrowing your office space is a good problem. The next big step when considering a bigger space is where you are going to go and how you are going to do  it.

What’s the Best Move for  Expansion?

Once you’ve made the decision to expand your business space you may feel pressed for time, particularly if you have employees doubled up in tight spaces. However, don’t rush to choose any available space. Rather than looking for a completely different space in another part of the city, look around your neighborhood. Perhaps, if you’re lucky, the office space next door to your current space is available. If this is the case, you won’t have to worry about completely uprooting and moving your business across town.

The Benefits and Risks of Expanding Next  Door

Expanding your business into the adjacent space is a feasible move for many blossoming entrepreneurs. Despite the need for some level of construction, staying in the same space can greatly benefit your business. Some benefits  include:

• Ability to Keep Working: By staying in the same building, with construction next door, it’s likely that your business can continue limited operation if not the same working hours.

• Less Time Required to Move: In addition to little interruption in work schedules, when the time comes to move office equipment or other supplies, less work time will be lost due to the convenience of the expansion (moving next door rather than miles across town).

• Boost in Morale: A business expansion can boost the mood of everyone in the workplace. Not only does expansion indicate job security and job creation, but it might be fun to watch the progress. Plus, everyone likes a bigger breakroom or a brand new meeting room.

Some Possible Risks During an  Expansion

With every new project comes the possibility of a few risks. While a small business expansion marks success and benefits to everyone within the company, some minor issues may occur, including anything from employees being injured in a construction zone or loss of productivity during construction. Before you make plans to tear out a wall, it’s important to consider the amount of construction that may be required. If construction is not planned out well or done too quickly, your expansion may come to an unexpected halt. Even with a plan and a team of professionals, your work environment may become an unsafe work  zone.

“Construction sites are always bustling with multiple contractors, subcontractors, builders, architects, engineers, and developers. While this conglomeration of trades can be useful to the overall project, it can provide a hazardous atmosphere for all those involved,” says Tate Law Offices,  PC.

Additionally, if power or water needs to be shut off to work on the expansion, the business may need to close down for the day, putting work on hold. Depending on the urgency of your business, this may affect your relationships with customers. Additionally, the noise pollution of a construction project may be distracting and not productive to the work  environment.

When you weigh the benefits and risks, you may find that the best place to expand your growing business is just a door  away.

Nik Donovic resides in the state of Arizona where he spends much of his time outdoors or traveling. When he’s not enjoying nature, he’s working on his car, reading a good book, or keeping up to date with new  technology.

Bladder cancer is one of the most common cancers in the US. It is also deadly, killing about 15,000 Americans every year (men are much more likely than women to develop–and die–from the disease). Early detection is crucial; a delay in treatment can have dire consequences. July is bladder cancer awareness month. Let’s spread the word to stop the disease. Here’s what you need to know about this frightening  condition.

Men need to be especially vigilant.

Men develop bladder cancer up to 4 times more frequently than women do. Every year brings about over 56,000 new cases of the disease, compared with 17,000 in women. Men are often reminded to check for more high-profile conditions such as testicular cancer. Regarding bladder cancer, though, many men miss the  memo.

Many risk factors are easy to spot.

In addition to maleness, bladder cancer has many risk factors which are easy for most men to identify. Most cases develop after the age of 55, and the average age of diagnosis is 73. Smoking, as is so often the case, greatly increases risk. Your workplace, too, may have exposed you to bladder cancer-causing agents. Previous and existing bladder problems (infections, birth defects, other cancers, etc.), also increase the   likelihood.

Delayed diagnosis makes it more dangerous.

Simply put, delaying a bladder cancer diagnosis makes the disease more likely to kill you. Bladder cancer has 4 stages. Even at stage I, 12% of patients die. By stage IV, it’s a whopping 85%. One study by the American Cancer Society suggested that because a few of the early warning signs can also suggests other, less serious conditions, doctors may miss early opportunities to begin treatment; this lowers your chance of survival. There are several methods of diagnosing the disease. As a patient, you may want to look into them and see what’s best for   you.

Treatments, especially late ones, can devastate your life.

By stage III, the cancer has broken beyond the bladder. You may need to have part or the entire bladder removed. This can lead to, in some cases, total incontinence. Incontinence can lead not only to humiliation and hygiene issues, but also to losing your independence. Although the home health aide industry is beginning to boom, older adults are still often moved to nursing home care when their families decide they now have the ability to take care of themselves. Other treatments include chemotherapy and radiation therapy, neither of which you want to deal with as you   age.

Some preventive measures are easy

While age, race, and family history are not something you can control, many preventive measures are within your reach. Drink enough water; getting enough water cleans your bladder out and prevents chemical buildup, decreasing your cancer risk. Stop smoking; smoking causes several cancers, including bladder cancer. Most importantly, communicate with your doctor; if you have bloody urine, urinary tract pain, increased urinary frequency, or any other signs of cancer, you need to speak with your doctor. Any embarrassment you feel will be more than offset by the improvements you will be making to your   life.

Nik Donovic resides in the state of Arizona where he spends much of his time outdoors or traveling. When he’s not enjoying nature, he’s either working on his car, reading a good book, or keeping up to date with new   technology.

There are now more Americans than ever becoming entrepreneurs. Thanks to pioneers like Bill Gates and Larry Ellison, the idea of dropping out of college or foregoing higher education altogether is no longer an alien concept in the business world. However, it’s important to remember that for every millionaire dropout, there’s another thousand failed entrepreneurs whose ideas didn’t make the  cut.

Getting  Started

When any start- up is in its development stage, the first thing it needs is a mission statement. This is a short description that defines your company’s purpose, future goals, and overall philosophy. For instance, Google’s mission statement is to “organize the world’s data,” while Apple recently updated its own modus operandi to “leaving the world better than we found it.” Being able to relate back to this piece will enable you to make better decisions when it comes to deciding which paths make the most sense for your  business.

You next need to formulate your business strategy. Not only do you need to take into account what kind of products or services you’re going to provide, but you also need to know if there’s a sustainable market for your company. Whether you’re a local business or an online-based company, take a look at the results of similar enterprises to find out if this new venture could realistically support your expected  lifestyle.

Trialing a  Location

Choosing a location to base your business in is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in the formative years of your company. The average household income, employment rate, and demand for your products or services should all be taken into account. Rather than commit to a long-term property lease, trialling the area with a temporary solution is an ideal way to limit the effects of a potentially ill-informed decision. Because buildings are constructed using a variety of modular and flexible designs, it’s possible to create a wide-range of structure types suitable for offices, retail stores, or even  supermarkets.

You will need to invest in the proper amenities to ensure that, during this temporary stay, your company is able to handle business as expected. Renting a card machine from lenders like Card Cutters means you’ll be able to take payments from debit and credit cards as well as cash. Recent statistics show that card payments have now overtaken cash as the most popular form of payment, so it’s crucial that your business can appease the majority of potential  customers.

Running your own business isn’t easy. More than half of new companies cease to operate within the first few years of operation. By cutting out the common mistakes small businesses typically run into, though, you can drastically increase your company’s chance of  survival.

Neil Buckland is a BA Marketing with Content graduate and has worked within the digital marketing industry for 3 years. In his spare time he enjoys playing badminton, football, going for runs and reading with a strong interest in a variety of business  topics. 

By Nik  Donovic, Special for   USDR

Can The Car Be Restored?

You must come to terms with the fact that every classic car-regardless of how beautiful, or how much nostalgia it brings back-cannot be restored or should be restored in some cases. At other times, the restoration work is best left to the professionals. Take the following points into  consideration.

• The Condition: If the car looks as old as it actually is, you should avoid restoring the car yourself. You will also want to look over the history of the car to see if it has been in any car accidents. If the condition is good overall, you will find it easier to restore it  yourself.
• The Era: Depending on the era of the classic car, you may find it easy or difficult to restore it at home. Usually cars from the 1940s or 1950s are easier to restore at home even for novices. Take into account the difficulty of finding specific parts for that particular make and  model.
• The Skills: Restoration of cars, especially classic ones, is not at all easy. For classic cars, improper restoration can actually end up reducing its overall value. You must possess at least the basic mechanical, electrical and repair skills for cars before you attempt any restoration  project.

Restoring the  Car

After determining that the classic car is fit for restoration, that you have the skills to do it, and have a general idea of how to find the auto parts that you may need, you are ready to start the project.  Use the following steps to guide you towards the completion of the  project.

Locating the Right  Parts

 It will be impossible to restore the car unless you get original parts to replace the ones that are damaged or missing. If you are unable to get the exact parts, you can opt for similar parts from a different model or make. The Internet can be a good place to start searching. However, you need to ensure that you are not getting ripped off. Make friends with other car enthusiasts, visit car shows, join online car restoration communities, visit owners of salvage yards, etc. Be sure to take advantage of all available  resources.

Setting Up the Work  Space

The place you will be working in should be big enough so that all the parts can be kept easily. A dismantled car can take up approximately 2 garages in space. One will hold all the parts, and the other space should be large enough to work in. It should also be organized to make it easier to access the necessary parts and tools. Expect to work many hours on this project, so be sure to be properly sheltered from the elements-for your sake and the  car’s.

Utilize the Correct  Resources

Do not forget to check the owner’s manual regularly. You can ask your friends in the automotive industry for help or search the internet for reliable information on classic car restoration. Find magazines from that time period to get ideas on original paint colors and more. Do not be reluctant to seek out advice and guidance from professionals when you need  it.

Nik Donovic resides in the state of Arizona where he spends much of his time outdoors or traveling. When he’s not enjoying nature, he’s either working on his car, reading a good book, or keeping up to date with new  technology.

By Nik Donovic, Special for  USDR.

College should be one of your life’s greatest periods. You’ll learn about the world, meet new people, and develop your personality. These experiences will create the future you. College life can get tricky, however. Students today face obstacles which may seem overwhelming. But don’t panic—things will be fine as long as you think ahead and act responsibly. Follow these tips to stay on track, both socially and  academically.

Be open to  people

College brings people from all over the world into one community. Take chances and meet some of them. Dorm buildings are like mini-metropolises, teeming with students from Alaska to Zimbabwe. Be friendly, be curious, and be open. You might never get another chance in life to make friends with someone from Belarus, so take the opportunity while you’ve got it. You’ll hear new jokes, eat new food, and get new perspectives on the  world.

Structure time for  studying

Studying the night before exams until six in the morning, fueled by pizza and coffee, may be a staple of the Hollywood college experience, but it won’t work in real life. College classes are a challenge, and your brain needs to absorb information at a reasonable pace. Start small: just 45 minutes a night of reading can help you develop your thoughts, master your subjects, and—of course—please your  professors.

Take care of  yourself

You may feel invincible, but don’t forget to look after your health and safety. Eat well. Get some exercise. Drive safely. Follow the law. The feelings of freedom new students have when the get out of their parents’ watch can seem complete and overwhelming. Remember that responsibility goes hand-in-hand with that freedom. You’re an adult  now.

Think  ahead

When planning your course load, think long-term. Where will this knowledge take you in life? Do you have a career in mind? If so, speak with your academic advisor about which classes will get you there. If not, no problem, you still have time to plan. Work part-time to get a feel for your strengths. Look through job descriptions, and find a career that works for you. Keep in mind not to overload yourself with too many classes. Don’t let that part-time job get in the way of your studies!  Remember that college will serve you long-term. Don’t short-change your education just to get some quick spending  money.

Get  active

Your university will have clubs. Lots of them! Access your school’s website. There, you will find groups of people who would love to have you as a member. Find people with similar interests, or experiment with a new hobby; either way, you will participate in a positive community of people in situations similar to yours. The support of friends during the sometimes scary events of your college experience can be  crucial.

Take advantage of your school’s  resources

Your school wants you to succeed. Let it help you do so—get familiar with the library, the financial services office, your academic advisor, and your residential coordinator if you have one. Get to know these offices and their staff early, and understand how to use their services before there’s an  emergency.

Nik Donovic resides in the state of Arizona where he spends much of his time outdoors or traveling. When he’s not enjoying nature, he’s either working on his car, reading a good book, or keeping up to date with new technology.

Although the American prison system is a necessary component of today’s society, it does have some major flaws. Sadly, a lot of the problems facing the prison system are simply overlooked. Here are a few ideas to decrease the number of inefficiencies within the United States prison system, and how they’ve come about in recent years.

Release of Inmates Who Have Committed a Victim-less Crime
The United States has some of the most crowded prisons in the entire world. Not only does this contribute to the spread of disease and sickness, but it also elevates the rate of violence among inmates. Most open-minded people agree that inmates should not be treated like caged chickens. Inmates who have committed a victim-less crime such as illegal drug use, are now being sent to different rehabilitation centers to offset the numbers. Hopefully with more of these rehab facilities, the prisons can be better utilized for more high risk prisoners.

Tax Money
Each year, millions of tax dollars are spent on housing inmates. Some of the typical expenses include healthcare, legal fees, food, electricity, clothing, and maintenance. Furthermore, the cost to build a modern correctional facility can exceed $300 million. Often times, the prison system’s budget surpasses the amount of money given to the public school system. This equates to lower teacher salaries and fewer supplies for the students. When we look at spending we can see where there is money being wasted. Officials are now doing more to try to use the money more efficiently.

Fair Court Proceedings
Contrary to popular belief, not every inmate deserves to be in prison. Regretfully, dozens of innocent people are incarcerated each year. Putting experienced lawyers in the courtroom is a good way to preserve the rights of every defendant. Trial advocacy programs and programs like the California innocence project allow future lawyers to enhance their litigation skills prior to actually starting their career. After participating in mock trials, the law student will be able to gain the necessary experience and help get innocent people shortened sentences or even a new trial.

Educational Opportunities for Inmates
Over the last decade, many prisons have decreased the number of educational opportunities that are offered to their inmates. In order for an inmate to successfully contribute to society, they need to learn new skills. Education could be the stepping stone for prisoners who wish to change their lives for the better. Instead of coming out with no future prospects, research has shown that inmates who worked on their education and skills have a lower chance of returning later.

Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation should remain one of the primary goals of incarceration. According to statistics, nearly 50 percent of the inmates will eventually return to the prison system after being released. This means that the prison system is not doing a good job of rehabbing the inmates. New programs are being developed to make inmates less likely to return.

While the inefficiencies of the U.S. prison system may seem difficult to overcome, they can be fixed by developing a solid research plan. A well-designed prison system will have a beneficial impact on the entire society as a whole.

“Exciting, well-written  and a page-turning mystery that will leave you breathless.” Candace Salima

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Book: Red Shirt Kids

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Authors: Bryce Clark and Kim Clark

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It's not often you end up reviewing a “first novel” written by a television writer and the president of a university, but here I am reviewing Red Shirt Kids by two such men. I'll state right off the bat, I'm not certain tweens and younger should be reading this book. In fact, I'm going to recommend no one under thirteen read Red Shirt Kids without their parents having read it first. That being said, this is an extremely well-written, exciting book.

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We open with the kidnapping of a brother and sister from a small town by an extremely creepy, apparently magical, guy. Fast forward to a new family moving into a home that suddenly, mysteriously, went on the market, and another brother and sister finding themselves in possession of some pretty amazing red shirts.

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That's all I'm going to say about the story, I don't want to give anything important away. Just let me say, once you pick the book up you won't put it down.

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The backliner reads:

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Mike and Amy Smith are nervous about moving from their nice house in Boston to a dilapidated old mansion in Falton, New Hampshire. They know they'll have to start junior high school not knowing anyone, and their new house is just plain creepy.

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While searching their dusty attic, Mike and Amy uncover an old wooden chest with a mysterious lock, inside they find magical red shirts that give them special powers. Together, with a new friend, Sam; Mike and Amy must figure out how to harness their newfound gifts while keeping them a secret from their parents. As their powers grow, they begin a search for two missing kids–pitting them against a powerful adversary with mystical powers of his own. Will Mike and Amy be able to unlock the ancient mystery of the shirts? And will they be able to find the missing children before it's too late?

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The writing is crisp without being overbearing. The dialogue is sharp, and the characterization is well-done. The overall arc of the story trips right along without being bogged down in any section. It was a very easy read, which is always good.

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The authors, Bryce and Kim Clark, are a son/father combination, with Bryce taking the stories his father told him growing up and turning them into a book and television series. Kim is the president of Brigham Young University Idaho, my alma mater (when it was still called Ricks Junior College); and the Red Shirt Kids stories were created originally as bedtime stories for Bryce and his siblings by Kim. I can see this book being the first of many that could emerge into a fabulous series. Without question, this could make an amazing television series on either the Disney Channel or Nickelodeon. I'll be making room on library shelves for a series of books by the Clarks.

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This is a book that will intrigue and delight all, from teenagers to those of us who are much older. In fact, the book was so good I'll be reading it again! Red Shirt Kids receives a 4 out of 5 stars.

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• Age Range: 8 – 12 years
• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Sourced Media Books (August 1, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1937458571
• ISBN-13: 978-1937458577
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #447,596 in Books

Candace E. Salima is an author, columnist, public speaker and political activist. A frequent radio guest on shows around the nation, she is valued for her viewpoint on a variety of subjects, particularly politics. Follow Candace on Facebook, Twitter or Google+. Learn more about her at www.candacesalima.com.

The last few weeks have been surreal in the United States of America. Our president, otherwise known as Barack Obama, is bound and determined to go to war with Syria. He didn’t need Congress, he said; but it turns out he wanted the approval of the world and the United Nations, and was quite stunned when he didn’t get it. Then he went hat-in-hand to Congress to get their approval and ran into buzz saws there. The American people overwhelmingly are against attacking Syria, but Obama is relentless and is determined to convince us Tuesday night that we must support his desire to go to war with Syria.

So let’s look at the way this all shakes down:

One: The time has come and gone for us to interfere in Syria’s civil war. Al Qaeda has thoroughly infiltrated the Free Syrian Army (FSA) and those who WERE the rebels have been thoroughly decimated. Beheadings are once again happening all over the wartorn nation, Christians are being hunted, and the terrorists have taken to the eating of their enemies hearts. And yet, that’s the side Barack Obama wants America to fight on.

Read the President’s case to the American people on his Sept. 10th speech. 

Two: Russia and China have sent warships to the region to counter America’s warships sent by Barack Obama. Both have threatened to fight on Bashar al-Assad’s side. Iran and North Korea, in the meantime, are also sending threats to America if we dare to dip a toe in Syria’s civil war. Iran has ordered the American Embassy in Iraq to be attacked if Obama sends fighter jets into Syria. They also said they will bomb Israel. Li’l Kim, North Korea’s dismal leader, is siding with Iran, China, and Russia. But that’s not slowing Barack Obama down, not even a little bit.

Three: America’s broke. Let’s face it, Barack Obama closed the White House because of Sequestration…or, more likely, he didn’t like the peasants traipsing through “his” house. The military is struggling with making payroll, and our soldiers are making do with two meals instead of three, have a shortage of ammunition, and are still fighting Obama’s war in Afghanistan…oh yeah, he owns it now. The U.S. Military has been at war for ten year’s now, and unlike the Middle East, perpetual war is not appealing to Americans. We have a nearly $17 trillion national debt, half the nation on Medicare/Medicaid, 53 Million on welfare, unemployment through the roof…to be frank, we can’t afford another war, nor do we want to.

There is no constitutional authority to attack Syria. They present no national threat to us, they are too busy killing each other off. They do have chemical weapons which were used, but there is no way to know who used them. On the one side we have Al Qaeda, and on the other a penny ante dictator who feels no compunction in bombing his own people. Both would have issued the order without blinking an eye. Which bring us to the ultimate quandary, there is no “right” side in this war.

Our soldiers have been clear, they have no desire to trust their backs to the people they’ve been fighting for ten years. They don’t want to fight for either side, and they especially have no desire to go into a war without a clearly stated objective.

It is best for all concerned that America stay out of this fight, the question is–does Barack Obama even care what is best for America?

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Candace Salima is an author, political activist, public speaker, columnist and reviewer. You may learn more about her on her website, or follow her on Facebook or Twitter.

Unwilling to cede America to the liberals, Stand4UT is a new grassroots group working to develop training and tools that will take the conservative movement to a whole new level.

The nonprofit is the first of its kind and unique in the consulting and tools they offer, with the ultimate goal of having a STAND4 in every state and a STAND4AMERICA already being formed.

Stand4UT is centered around uniting, educating and empowering the grassroots and conservative candidates around the nation.

How often we have heard, “My voice doesn’t count; my vote doesn’t matter?” Far too often for the peace of mind of any red-blooded American. But the training and tools Stand4UT provides give that voice back and makes that vote count.

Organizers are using a unique twist on the technology used by the Obama campaign that soundly defeated Mitt Romney. Imagine receiving a text from your elected official asking for your opinion on pending legislation. Within seconds hundreds of thousands could respond, giving that legislator the ability to testify with the power of multiple thousands of constituents standing behind him, or her, figuratively speaking.

New candidates often tell us they don’t know what to do to make a difference. Fortunately Stand4UT has the answer with a complete set of trainings for candidates, staff and volunteers. The brainpower behind Stand4UT is strong: Debbie Besselievre, Amelia Powers, Candace Salima, Joe Fitisemanu and Mike Brown round out the Stand4UT board that governs the nonprofit. With a number of political campaigns behind them, they joined their skills, experiences and talents together, along with their committees, to create an unbeatable team.

“We are reaching out to conservative grassroots all across America,” Besselievre, the chairwoman of Stand4UT, said. “We invite them to join us, not to be melded into our organization, but to become empowered by it. We teach them to find, vet and train candidates. We teach them how to speak to their legislators, follow bills and to even write a bill. We teach them to communicate effectively, and we get them the tools and means to raise money to truly put some legs under their organization. In addition we teach them how to hold a legislative summit and make it effective. It’s about uniting over what we agree on rather than dividing over what we don’t.”

Stand4UT works with a number of legislators through the connections the board has developed over the years. It is their goal to restore the balance of the governmental branches — legislative, executive and judicial — through empowering the American people. In addition, they want to strengthen the state legislatures and teach them to govern with strong, conservative principles that will restore prosperity to America.

We’ll hold a series of trainings, summits, conventions and town halls to help people understand how our nation is governed as opposed to how it should be governed. The very foundation of America was built upon “We the People,” and they were given the strongest voice by the founding generation. Stand4UT intends to restore that voice through the many services we offer.

Stand4UT’s website details all the aspects our group has to offer. Indeed, we do more than consult or sell a texting tool. The team is dedicated to the restoration of America and is choosing to do so by educating and empowering her citizens.

We are also looking for sister organizations in every state and will help those organizations form into their own STAND4 and to unite their own grassroots. Interestingly, each organization remains autonomous but with access to the brain trust that is Stand4UT and all the tools, training and support they offer. We teach them how to raise money so they can become a motivating and powerful voice in their own states.

Stand4UT’s purpose is to give that voice back to the American people. We have 18 months to see if they will be successful.

For information, visit Stand4UT.com or text Stand4UT to 33733 to become a part of the movement.

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Candace Salima is an author, columnist, and public speaker. She makes her home in the Rocky Mountains. Learn more about her at www.CandaceSalima.com. Follow her on Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn or Facebook. This article was originally published in the Daily Herald of Provo, UT.

Movie: Red 2
Director: Dean Parisot
Starring: Bruce Willis, John Malkovich, Helen Mirren, Mary Louise Parker, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Anthony Hopkins, and Byung-hun Lee
Rating/Runtime: PG-13/116 Minutes

After the last couple of movies, I approached Red 2 which slightly less enthusiasm. Although I thought Red 1 was fabulous, I was feeling a little gunshy…no pun intended. After Pacific Rim and Lone Ranger, I was almost hesitant to give this sequel a try. However, I am very glad I did.

Retired C.I.A. agent Frank Moses, played by Bruce Willis, is dragged back into the game by John Malkevich’s slightly insane Marvin. Frank’s love interest, still the plucky Sarah, played by Mary Louise Parker, is feeling the mundaneness of their life together and jumps at the chance for a little excitement. And the ever elegant Helen Mirren’s Victoria is as lethal as ever.

Anthony Hopkins is brilliant as the long imprisoned Dr. Bailey. He delivers the slightly batty doctor with ease, and with each new twist of his character, Hopkins carries it along with his usual perfection.

The good doctor developed a previously unheard of weapon of mass destruction thirty two years prior to this story unfolding. It is hidden somewhere in Russia and everyone wants it before it goes off. Zeta-Jones is the Russian agent. Byung-hun Lee (of G.I. Joe) is the Korean agent. Neal McDonough is the insane C.I.A. agent. And everyone of them want a piece of Frank Moses, just before he dies.

Frank, of course, has a different plan.

Filled with action, backstory, and loaded with humor, Red 2 delivered a movie that kept me laughing, and cheering on our team of  “slightly” aged heroes.

Dean Parisot, the director, chose some interesting techniques to tell the story and move it along. It yanked me out of the story at times, which I didn’t appreciate. Nonetheless, it gave the movie a comic book feel, which may have been the point.

All in all, Red 2 is a movie worth seeing. I give it a solid 4 out of 5 stars, worthy of adding to your home video library.

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Candace Salima is an author, columnist, and public speaker. She makes her home in the Rocky Mountains. Learn more about her at www.CandaceSalima.com. Follow her on Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn or Facebook.