I don’t know that it truly deserves such a high score, but timing and locale have a lot to do with it. Most of the movie fare I have seen recently has been super-hero movies or documentaries, so it was a pleasure to see an entertaining, intelligent and creative movie for a change. Plus of course I cannot resist the scenes of Paris. Ah Paris, the city of lights. I have fond memories of visiting this beautiful city. I loved just walking the streets and seeing the different neighborhoods, and walking along the Seine such as the protagonist in this movie does (as well as easily getting lost in the winding streets). The movie also imagined what it might be like to meet our artistic and literary heroes. It brought to bear the question of finding our own artistic integrity, and the juxtaposition of materialism/vanity versus artistic vision. But ultimately it is about having the courage to live fully in the present moment, and not living in the past. No super heroes necessary.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Midnight in Paris – an 8 out of 10 on the Jay Wolin Scale
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Black Hawk - Book Review
Black Hawk.
An “Autobiography” from Penguin books, that indicates it is the closest of the various versions of this autobiography. One of my new friends from Iowa sent me a copy of the book, as Blackhawk was from that area. I had originally heard of Blackhawk from wondering where the name Black Hawk came from after watching the movie Black Hawk Down. I was never taught about him in history class in school. The lack of information about Native Americans in our education is another issue to write about it at another time. I put autobiography in quotes as of course his words were translated by Whites. There is no question in my mind that there were certain edits in the translation. So it is hard to tell what words and which stories are really his versus the translators. He is often overly complimentary about the American Military leaders, to the point of being deferential. And I also have to wonder how much of this was spoken by him as a way to burnish his image after his defeat. Although there is much that the he is honest about in his errors of tactics and judgment.
Most of what I have researched about Black Hawk portrayed him as a fierce warrior of the Sauk people. And in fact the Black Hawk War was the only war named after an individual. He and his group of people fought against the Americans in the War of 1812 as well. He chronicles both his victories and defeat. Yet in the book he is portrayed as often bewildered by the clash of cultures, merely trying to preserve his people’s way of life. I found it interesting that in his decision to continue the war (as opposed to the remainder of the tribe which capitulated early) he still had women and children with him. Certainly a different cultural phenomenon than what we are used to. As well I imagine as stated, his hope was to reclaim the land they had planted and lived on, and their ancestors were buried upon. But clearly, he did not anticipate the pragmatic challenge of fighting a war with the Americans. It also shows the lack of unity among the Native Americans and how the White Europeans took advantage of that.
I found it interesting how the Easterners were fascinated by him, and overtly friendly to him. He pointed to the fact that the people who lived in the mountains (along the train ride throughout the east) seemed to follow the Christian Golden Rule and the Settlers who had conquered his land did not. There have been many other books written about how Americans have idealized Native Americans (or their vision of what Native Americans are).
It was interesting to read his surprise as certain customs and tactics of the Whites. A reminder for ourselves when we engage other cultures, how strange we may appear to them and in turn to be respectful of differences in other cultures.
Ultimately though it is about the story of a defeated, conquered people overwhelmed by a superior force in numbers and technology and one man’s desperate attempt to maintain some dignity in the face of this, and his ultimate defeat, yet survival to tell his story.
So I look back and see I have written “it was interesting” numerous times. Although the pace of the book was stilted, clearly if you like history it is a good read to at least gain a partial perspective of how our settlement of this country looked from the perspective of one Native American.
And then of course I wondered, what in my life today, do I not see the full picture of. Are there forces in our culture that I just do not understand that will overwhelm and defeat me. Should we adapt to and combat the inevitable force, or accept defeat and be assimilated by it. Do we go off and live in our quiet little place and just shut out the rest of the world or do we rage against the world that has defeated us. The question is how do we adapt the superior force to change and to integrate a minority position. Do we create polarities and wait until enough people have been negatively impacted by the majority so that the minority becomes the majority or do we try to find a middle ground where both polarities are integrated, where we can hopefully find a better middle way for all. How can we unite our various fractured constituencies to unify to move forward towards a different vision of what America can be.
An “Autobiography” from Penguin books, that indicates it is the closest of the various versions of this autobiography. One of my new friends from Iowa sent me a copy of the book, as Blackhawk was from that area. I had originally heard of Blackhawk from wondering where the name Black Hawk came from after watching the movie Black Hawk Down. I was never taught about him in history class in school. The lack of information about Native Americans in our education is another issue to write about it at another time. I put autobiography in quotes as of course his words were translated by Whites. There is no question in my mind that there were certain edits in the translation. So it is hard to tell what words and which stories are really his versus the translators. He is often overly complimentary about the American Military leaders, to the point of being deferential. And I also have to wonder how much of this was spoken by him as a way to burnish his image after his defeat. Although there is much that the he is honest about in his errors of tactics and judgment.
Most of what I have researched about Black Hawk portrayed him as a fierce warrior of the Sauk people. And in fact the Black Hawk War was the only war named after an individual. He and his group of people fought against the Americans in the War of 1812 as well. He chronicles both his victories and defeat. Yet in the book he is portrayed as often bewildered by the clash of cultures, merely trying to preserve his people’s way of life. I found it interesting that in his decision to continue the war (as opposed to the remainder of the tribe which capitulated early) he still had women and children with him. Certainly a different cultural phenomenon than what we are used to. As well I imagine as stated, his hope was to reclaim the land they had planted and lived on, and their ancestors were buried upon. But clearly, he did not anticipate the pragmatic challenge of fighting a war with the Americans. It also shows the lack of unity among the Native Americans and how the White Europeans took advantage of that.
I found it interesting how the Easterners were fascinated by him, and overtly friendly to him. He pointed to the fact that the people who lived in the mountains (along the train ride throughout the east) seemed to follow the Christian Golden Rule and the Settlers who had conquered his land did not. There have been many other books written about how Americans have idealized Native Americans (or their vision of what Native Americans are).
It was interesting to read his surprise as certain customs and tactics of the Whites. A reminder for ourselves when we engage other cultures, how strange we may appear to them and in turn to be respectful of differences in other cultures.
Ultimately though it is about the story of a defeated, conquered people overwhelmed by a superior force in numbers and technology and one man’s desperate attempt to maintain some dignity in the face of this, and his ultimate defeat, yet survival to tell his story.
So I look back and see I have written “it was interesting” numerous times. Although the pace of the book was stilted, clearly if you like history it is a good read to at least gain a partial perspective of how our settlement of this country looked from the perspective of one Native American.
And then of course I wondered, what in my life today, do I not see the full picture of. Are there forces in our culture that I just do not understand that will overwhelm and defeat me. Should we adapt to and combat the inevitable force, or accept defeat and be assimilated by it. Do we go off and live in our quiet little place and just shut out the rest of the world or do we rage against the world that has defeated us. The question is how do we adapt the superior force to change and to integrate a minority position. Do we create polarities and wait until enough people have been negatively impacted by the majority so that the minority becomes the majority or do we try to find a middle ground where both polarities are integrated, where we can hopefully find a better middle way for all. How can we unite our various fractured constituencies to unify to move forward towards a different vision of what America can be.
Monday, March 28, 2011
The Adjustment Bureau – an 7.5 out of 10 on the Jay Wolin movie rating scale
This movie (based on a short story by Philip Dick) with Matt Damon and Emily Blunt asks the basic questions about free will vs. predestination, and reason vs. intuition. For me the issue of free will is basic. Yet, I can say without question that my life has been full of coincidences and chance meetings with people (often strangers) who have helped me in a particular time of need, or have given me information that was helpful. Originally I considered these coincidences, but over time these events have led me to a more appreciative nature of the interconnectedness of all of existence.
Although the movie posited that humanity on its own would allow our passions to lead us to ruin, it also points out that we create our own destiny, and that intuition can help lead us in the right direction. And the movie’s ultimate point is that we must risk everything for what we believe, even if it does not appear to be the reasonable thing to do. I can only say that for myself, when I have risked everything for what I believed to be true in my heart, is when I have felt whole in my life.
I thought it funny that it depicted angels as upwardly mobile bureaucrats who are afraid to think independently. But it also gave a nod to an old Transcendental Unitarian belief about the afterlife which was that we continue to evolve and grow after death. I thought it was an interesting movie and the trip through the doors was a nice visual trip throughout New York City which is always nice. Definitely a movie worth seeing if you like this sort of movie.
Although the movie posited that humanity on its own would allow our passions to lead us to ruin, it also points out that we create our own destiny, and that intuition can help lead us in the right direction. And the movie’s ultimate point is that we must risk everything for what we believe, even if it does not appear to be the reasonable thing to do. I can only say that for myself, when I have risked everything for what I believed to be true in my heart, is when I have felt whole in my life.
I thought it funny that it depicted angels as upwardly mobile bureaucrats who are afraid to think independently. But it also gave a nod to an old Transcendental Unitarian belief about the afterlife which was that we continue to evolve and grow after death. I thought it was an interesting movie and the trip through the doors was a nice visual trip throughout New York City which is always nice. Definitely a movie worth seeing if you like this sort of movie.
Saturday, January 08, 2011
1st graders response to aphorisms
A 1st grade school teacher had twenty-five students in her class. She presented each child in her classroom the 1st half of a well-known aphorism and asked them to come up with the remainder of the proverb.
I dont know if this is true or not, but it cracked me up nevertheless.
1. Don't change horses .....until they stop running.
2. Strike while the.... bug is close.
3. It's always darkest before... Daylight Saving Time.
4. Never underestimate the power of.....termites.
5. You can lead a horse to water but.... How?
6. Don't bite the hand that... looks dirty.
7. No news is...impossible
8.A miss is as good as...a Mr.
9.You can't teach an old dog new...Math
10. If you lie down with dogs, you'll...stink in the morning.
11. Love all, trust... Me.
12.The pen is mightier than the...pigs.
13.An idle mind is...the best way to relax.
14.Where there's smoke there's... pollution.
15.Happy the bride who..gets all the presents.
16.A penny saved...is not much.
17. Two's company,three's...the Musketeers.
18. Don't put off till tomorrow what... you put on to go to bed.
19. Laugh and the whole world laughs with you, cry and You... have to blow your nose.
20. There are none so blind as... Stevie Wonder.
21. Children should be seen and not...spanked or grounded.
22.If at first you don't succeed.. get new batteries.
23. You get out of something only what... you see in the picture on the box
24. When the blind lead the blind..get out of the way.
25.A bird in the hand...is going to poop on you.
I dont know if this is true or not, but it cracked me up nevertheless.
1. Don't change horses .....until they stop running.
2. Strike while the.... bug is close.
3. It's always darkest before... Daylight Saving Time.
4. Never underestimate the power of.....termites.
5. You can lead a horse to water but.... How?
6. Don't bite the hand that... looks dirty.
7. No news is...impossible
8.A miss is as good as...a Mr.
9.You can't teach an old dog new...Math
10. If you lie down with dogs, you'll...stink in the morning.
11. Love all, trust... Me.
12.The pen is mightier than the...pigs.
13.An idle mind is...the best way to relax.
14.Where there's smoke there's... pollution.
15.Happy the bride who..gets all the presents.
16.A penny saved...is not much.
17. Two's company,three's...the Musketeers.
18. Don't put off till tomorrow what... you put on to go to bed.
19. Laugh and the whole world laughs with you, cry and You... have to blow your nose.
20. There are none so blind as... Stevie Wonder.
21. Children should be seen and not...spanked or grounded.
22.If at first you don't succeed.. get new batteries.
23. You get out of something only what... you see in the picture on the box
24. When the blind lead the blind..get out of the way.
25.A bird in the hand...is going to poop on you.
Friday, December 31, 2010
True Grit - an 8 out of 10 on the Jay Wolin Movie Rating Scale
The Coen Brothers are one of the few directors that I will go to see their movies merely because they directed it. Although often over the top, they just make their point and often touch on the moral ambiguities and challenges of living (Barton Fink, A Serious Man, No Country for Old Men, Fargo and the Big Lebowski as a few examples) True Grit is no exception. Although I could point to a few failings in the movie (so why didn’t Matt Damon’s character take one of the dead guys horses at the end for one thing?) as a whole, it delivered. If anything it was a little less over the top than most of their movies but included a few of their usual gratuitous violent acts.
The story is about a girl who wants justice (vengeance?) for her father’s death. She recruits and partners up with two others in her quest. I am glad they made her a strong self directed driven character (as opposed to the girl in Shane or Pale Rider wimpering for the return of the male hero). The movie shows how Grit can come from many backgrounds, but only with risk and sacrifice and loss. And if you have grit it requires bucking the odds and conventional wisdom
I love movies with anti-heroes. Jeff Bridges was great as Rooster Cogburn who shaky past, and questionable moral compass are on display from the very beginning, but who once he commits himself is driven to achieve his goal. He accepts that the world doesn’t always go as planned and just rolls with it. His driven nature is on such visual display at the end that Cogburn rides his horse to death trying to save the young woman Mattie, and then takes over for the horse’s chore of carrying her until he falls as he gets to his goal. Are we no different from the horse, just beasts following the path we have chosen (or has been laid before us) until we fall (die). Not sure I agree with that, but this movie made that point well.
In truth the end was the most poignant for me and raised the question in me, what do we do after the significant, meaningful and traumatic events in life are done. How does it impact us going forward. In the movie, one stays stuck in their hardened shell, one went on to live a life of good times, and one disappears into oblivion. And all the characters had lost track of the people who helped shape their significant experience together. For me the message is that we should try to remain connected with the people who intersect in the important aspects of our lives. At least now compared with the old west, we have Facebook to help with that.
The story is about a girl who wants justice (vengeance?) for her father’s death. She recruits and partners up with two others in her quest. I am glad they made her a strong self directed driven character (as opposed to the girl in Shane or Pale Rider wimpering for the return of the male hero). The movie shows how Grit can come from many backgrounds, but only with risk and sacrifice and loss. And if you have grit it requires bucking the odds and conventional wisdom
I love movies with anti-heroes. Jeff Bridges was great as Rooster Cogburn who shaky past, and questionable moral compass are on display from the very beginning, but who once he commits himself is driven to achieve his goal. He accepts that the world doesn’t always go as planned and just rolls with it. His driven nature is on such visual display at the end that Cogburn rides his horse to death trying to save the young woman Mattie, and then takes over for the horse’s chore of carrying her until he falls as he gets to his goal. Are we no different from the horse, just beasts following the path we have chosen (or has been laid before us) until we fall (die). Not sure I agree with that, but this movie made that point well.
In truth the end was the most poignant for me and raised the question in me, what do we do after the significant, meaningful and traumatic events in life are done. How does it impact us going forward. In the movie, one stays stuck in their hardened shell, one went on to live a life of good times, and one disappears into oblivion. And all the characters had lost track of the people who helped shape their significant experience together. For me the message is that we should try to remain connected with the people who intersect in the important aspects of our lives. At least now compared with the old west, we have Facebook to help with that.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Walking Meditation November 16th 2010
My morning spiritual reading included some passages on driving and walking meditation. One of the questions asked was do we really need to drive somewhere? Well early this morning I had set aside a time to write, and sometimes, I go to Starbucks get a tea put my ear plugs in and write. But after the reading today I decided to make my own cup of tea and walk to the clubhouse in my apartment complex. I remembered that there were some rocking chairs up there and thought I would walk there and write there for a change of pace (Kyle and Helen are sleeping at the apartment, so it also gives them some quiet without me bumbling around) Well as I walked out, I felt a nice cool breeze blow across my face, and at the same time felt the sun heat up my skin. I instinctively looked up to soak in the sun and let it warmth spread throughout my body. And as I walked mindfully, I took notice of all that was around me….the weeping willow tree, the leaves on other trees (unknown type) starting to turn brown, the palm trees, always palm trees….some beautiful blue and pink flowers, an alligator in a pond soaking in the sun as well. Walking over a wood bridge over a creek, a small waterfall and a frog perched on a piece of wood. I come towards my destination and there are two paths….one of which I know leads to my destination and the other an unknown destination. I of course choose the path with the unknown destination. In this case it took me somewhere I had never been before. For that I am grateful, but eventually it came to a dead end. This happens sometimes in life. So I turned around and went back to the other path that led me to clubhouse and the rocking chairs where I sit now writing this. I am surrounded by trees and a pond and plants and I hear the hum of the street in the distance which comes to sound like a meditative chant. There is much richness in life to become aware of that I pass by day in and day out that I miss out on when I just drive on by and don’t take the time to be mindful and observe.
J
J
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Movie Review - "The Town" A 7 out of 10 on the JWO scale
The Town directed and starring Ben Affleck. A 7 out of 10 on the JWO scale of movie reviews. In many ways this was a typical bank robbery film. Good action, good chase scenes, and a real funny scene when they are dressed up as nuns.. But this movie strove for more. I of course am very susceptible to liking movies with messages about a person transcending their environment and that is the main message of the story. The barriers that are thrown up that prevent it. The known risks and comforts, and limitations of staying, the unknown risks of transcending. Of course like any film of this genre, formulaically there is always ONE LAST JOB that of course never works as planned. I think there was also an interesting juxtaposition of one person wanting to change but looking for another to tell them how, vs. having to find it within oneself.
The final words in the movie listed below were true though. There is always a price to pay for changing, even if that is pain for the people you leave behind. “for the first time in my life I'm leaving this city. Maybe if I go I could stop looking. No matter how much you change you still have to pay the price for the things you've done. So I got a long road. But I know I'll see you again, this side or the other.” I wont get into the metaphysical question of whether there is an afterlife. I think though this speaks to unresolved issues during our lifetime and our realization that we cannot control all things coupled with our desire for resolution. Well lets keep working at our unresolved issued, so we can resolve them on this side. For all those who didn’t get out…..I’ll see you on the other side. (or on Facebook possibly).
The final words in the movie listed below were true though. There is always a price to pay for changing, even if that is pain for the people you leave behind. “for the first time in my life I'm leaving this city. Maybe if I go I could stop looking. No matter how much you change you still have to pay the price for the things you've done. So I got a long road. But I know I'll see you again, this side or the other.” I wont get into the metaphysical question of whether there is an afterlife. I think though this speaks to unresolved issues during our lifetime and our realization that we cannot control all things coupled with our desire for resolution. Well lets keep working at our unresolved issued, so we can resolve them on this side. For all those who didn’t get out…..I’ll see you on the other side. (or on Facebook possibly).
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Movie Review - "As It Is In Heaven"
Movie review “As it is in Heaven”. A rarified 9 out of 10 on the Jay Wolin Scale.
I saw this last night. I was moved by it. Surprised that I had never even heard of it before. It is a Sweedish film with American subtitles. Its focus is about sharing your thoughts and feelings and how that can lead to better relationships, or at least more authentic relationships and to community building. It deals with the fears that people have of loving others, and of losing others. Of our yearnings to have our potential fulfilled and the peace we can feel when we open up to our feelings and emotions. There was of course a story of a famous music conductor going back to his childhood home that is interwoven throughout but these are the impressions it left me with. There was some good theological stuff as well about death, sin and coffee. A must see. Some really deep and moving music as well added to the experiance.
I saw this last night. I was moved by it. Surprised that I had never even heard of it before. It is a Sweedish film with American subtitles. Its focus is about sharing your thoughts and feelings and how that can lead to better relationships, or at least more authentic relationships and to community building. It deals with the fears that people have of loving others, and of losing others. Of our yearnings to have our potential fulfilled and the peace we can feel when we open up to our feelings and emotions. There was of course a story of a famous music conductor going back to his childhood home that is interwoven throughout but these are the impressions it left me with. There was some good theological stuff as well about death, sin and coffee. A must see. Some really deep and moving music as well added to the experiance.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Trust Yourself
Trust yourself
The alcohol does not let me forget anymore
My dreams have become reality
My reality makes me face myself
And I have forgotten who I am
This can be good
If one did not like oneself
How far back
Do we have to go
To see who we truly are
How far forward
Do we have to go
To be who we want to be
We are who we are
We are what we do
We are who we choose to be
And now as the days dwindle
And the horizon is closer
I hear the ticking down of the clock
Running out of time
Time to change
Time to be me
Or time to die
Or I’ll have another drink
And hope to forget
What could have been
Or still could be
If I only trusted myself
The alcohol does not let me forget anymore
My dreams have become reality
My reality makes me face myself
And I have forgotten who I am
This can be good
If one did not like oneself
How far back
Do we have to go
To see who we truly are
How far forward
Do we have to go
To be who we want to be
We are who we are
We are what we do
We are who we choose to be
And now as the days dwindle
And the horizon is closer
I hear the ticking down of the clock
Running out of time
Time to change
Time to be me
Or time to die
Or I’ll have another drink
And hope to forget
What could have been
Or still could be
If I only trusted myself
Friday, September 10, 2010
Quote - Days of Awe
"This is what the Days of Awe Ask Us: What is the core of our life, Are we living by it? Are we moving toward it? …If we seek the answers now, we can act in the coming year to bring ourselves closer to our core. This is the only life we have, and we all will lose it. No one gets out alive, but to lose nobly is a beautiful thing. To know the core of our being is to move beyond winning and losing". From: This is Real and You Are Completely Unprepared by Alan Lew
Friday, September 03, 2010
My Zen Garden
My Zen Garden
I received a small zen garden as a gift. It has a rake, sand, and some stones. As I set it up, first the one of the wooden spikes of the rake fell off. Was this merely poor craftspersonship or was this a sign, that sometimes we have to adapt and make do with less than the perfect tools we would like in life. Then as I poured out the sand into the garden and started to smoothly spread it, some overflowed out of the boxed garden. Was I merely careless or was it a sign that we should realize when we have enough abundance that we should let some things go. Then when I put the rocks in, it made it more difficult to rake the sand. And again, I found as I raked around the rocks more sand overflowed out of the garden. The only way to have enough room to rake was to move the rocks to the center of the garden. Thus the message is to center oneself to prevent losing the inner fabric of our life. Then I decided that I had delayed writing my sermon long enough and needed to get back to it.
I received a small zen garden as a gift. It has a rake, sand, and some stones. As I set it up, first the one of the wooden spikes of the rake fell off. Was this merely poor craftspersonship or was this a sign, that sometimes we have to adapt and make do with less than the perfect tools we would like in life. Then as I poured out the sand into the garden and started to smoothly spread it, some overflowed out of the boxed garden. Was I merely careless or was it a sign that we should realize when we have enough abundance that we should let some things go. Then when I put the rocks in, it made it more difficult to rake the sand. And again, I found as I raked around the rocks more sand overflowed out of the garden. The only way to have enough room to rake was to move the rocks to the center of the garden. Thus the message is to center oneself to prevent losing the inner fabric of our life. Then I decided that I had delayed writing my sermon long enough and needed to get back to it.
Movie Review - "Greenberg" a 7 out of 10 on the jwo scale
Movie Review – Greenberg – a 7 out of 10
My expectations of this movie after seeing the previews was that this was a quirky independent film. This movie fulfilled that expectation. The mikeing of the dialogue could have been better (a common trait among indies – it may be more realistic, but if I don’t understand the dialogue, really what good is it) Ben Stiller is perfect for this role as an anxiety riddled former musician whose life didn’t turn out as he planned. He just makes you completely uncomfortable watching his awkwardness in his relationships. Ultimately that is what the movie is about. How difficult relationships are, or how difficult we make them and the lack of real authenticity in relationships. People are lost and look for anything to hold onto. I really liked the line in the movie when he says “Hurt people, Hurt people". And although the end is a little sudden and somewhat without closure, I really think it is perfect for this movie as it sums up the movie’s point. Anyway if you like quirky independent films, this one is worth.
My expectations of this movie after seeing the previews was that this was a quirky independent film. This movie fulfilled that expectation. The mikeing of the dialogue could have been better (a common trait among indies – it may be more realistic, but if I don’t understand the dialogue, really what good is it) Ben Stiller is perfect for this role as an anxiety riddled former musician whose life didn’t turn out as he planned. He just makes you completely uncomfortable watching his awkwardness in his relationships. Ultimately that is what the movie is about. How difficult relationships are, or how difficult we make them and the lack of real authenticity in relationships. People are lost and look for anything to hold onto. I really liked the line in the movie when he says “Hurt people, Hurt people". And although the end is a little sudden and somewhat without closure, I really think it is perfect for this movie as it sums up the movie’s point. Anyway if you like quirky independent films, this one is worth.
Saturday, July 03, 2010
Invictus – a 7 out of 10 on the Jay Wolin Movie Rating Scale
So how can one not like a movie about Nelson Mandela. I mean really he is a personal hero of mine. How someone could come out of imprisonment and forgive his enemies is an amazing act of grace and courage. The movie points to his forgiveness as a path to reconciliation. It also shows how he used the national rugby team to unite all people in his country. I hink it is sad but true that sports are and can be a unifying event, although I would also point out that they can also become a nationalistic event, for better and worse. I wish there could be other ways to unify people, but it is true, sports is something that can do this. Kind of weird…
I thought it poignant when asked why he was trying to placate the whites, Mandela was quoted in the movie, “the whites still control the police, the army, the economy” Mandela was far seeing with a vision of humanity that realized that real inclusive change happens slowly over time. His vision though was one where humanity could control their destiny. Each person by what they do and how they do it, creates the world as we know it. I am glad the world has a Nelson Mandela to point to as a beacon to virtue, as a beacon to what could be.
One other poignant moment for me was when the players went to give a rugby clinic in the poor section of town, and one says, “I thank God I don’t live here”….as if he had never even seen the people living in such poor conditions. It speaks to how we blind ourselves to things we don’t want to see so we don’t have to deal with them….
As far as the movie, at times it was hard at times to understand the accents, of course that could also be because I was playing with my granddaughter at the same time. Also there was a little too much rugby action at the end. They also could have spent more time explaining the rules of the game. To Americans, it really is a foreign game, so I would have liked to have understood the context of it. I really don’t see how Damon received an academy award nomination for this. He was very low key for such transformative life changing events, but maybe that’s the way it happens. It just usually is more dramatic in the movies. If I haven’t said it, Morgan Freeman was Great!! –
Here is the poem Invictus by William Henley - We cant always control events, but we can control ourselves and how we deal with events
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
I thought it poignant when asked why he was trying to placate the whites, Mandela was quoted in the movie, “the whites still control the police, the army, the economy” Mandela was far seeing with a vision of humanity that realized that real inclusive change happens slowly over time. His vision though was one where humanity could control their destiny. Each person by what they do and how they do it, creates the world as we know it. I am glad the world has a Nelson Mandela to point to as a beacon to virtue, as a beacon to what could be.
One other poignant moment for me was when the players went to give a rugby clinic in the poor section of town, and one says, “I thank God I don’t live here”….as if he had never even seen the people living in such poor conditions. It speaks to how we blind ourselves to things we don’t want to see so we don’t have to deal with them….
As far as the movie, at times it was hard at times to understand the accents, of course that could also be because I was playing with my granddaughter at the same time. Also there was a little too much rugby action at the end. They also could have spent more time explaining the rules of the game. To Americans, it really is a foreign game, so I would have liked to have understood the context of it. I really don’t see how Damon received an academy award nomination for this. He was very low key for such transformative life changing events, but maybe that’s the way it happens. It just usually is more dramatic in the movies. If I haven’t said it, Morgan Freeman was Great!! –
Here is the poem Invictus by William Henley - We cant always control events, but we can control ourselves and how we deal with events
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
A Serious Man – The Coen Brothers….an 8 out of 10 on the Jay Wolin Scale
I have delayed righting anything on this…..I have been thinking about the movie for a week now….which for me is the sign of great movie…..I have to wonder though if someone who did not grow up in the Jewish faith would appreciate it as much as those who did…..the zen like or sometimes incoherent story from the rabbi, the fear of anti-Semitism, the lack of empathy for non Jews, the preparing for the bar mitvah….If one hasn’t experienced that culture, does the story have as much impact….makes one recognize how we might not fully understand the impact of others cultural upbringings...There is nothing subtle about the Coen brothers….and everything is subtle……questions of whether the morality of our actions, impact our life. Is there a cause and effect. Is there divine judgement that follows us and our descendents….For me the point of the movie is something inside of us dies when we do unethical things…..and we are enriched even if not in a material way, for doing a mitzvah (good deed)….and we are being eternally tested…and then we die….the opening quote as the movie starts with says it all “Receive with simplicity everything that happens to you – Rashi – this says it all…for both good and bad….
Friday, March 19, 2010
The Time Travellers Wife – a 5 out of 10 on the Jay Wolin Movie Rating Scale
It was an interesting movie, but I cant say I really liked it. A man who travels in time, but uncontrolled, so he appears and disappears unexpectedly. He travels to similar locations at different times. So of course he runs into the same people. Now I found it a little creepy that as an adult, he kept going back to meet this young girl who would eventually be his wife. Maybe this is some fantasy, but it certainly felt like manipulation of a young mind for his personal needs. Even the girl grown up says “I really didn’t have a choice” Was it inevitable fate that drew them together across time? I guess that is the message of the movie which I didn’t like. We are fated to our destiny with no way to change it. The corresponding positive message is if we know our fate, to accept it, and to therefore appreciate every moment that we do have with the people we love. Of course the movie has some time travel anomalies, like why could he go and meet himself in the past and change how his younger self dealt with the death of his mother, but he could not go to the past and change other events and people. But mostly I objected to the concept of the movie, that we can not change our future, that our life, our destiny is mapped out for us waiting to unfold. That is not my theology, that is not my belief. I will just have to wait and let my life continue to unfold until I find out if I am right :)
Sunday, March 14, 2010
quote from movie Contact
I... had an experience... I can't prove it, I can't even explain it, but everything that I know as a human being, everything that I am tells me that it was real! I was given something wonderful, something that changed me forever... A vision... of the universe, that tells us, undeniably, how tiny, and insignificant and how... rare, and precious we all are! A vision that tells us that we belong to something that is greater then ourselves, that we are *not*, that none of us are alone! I wish... I... could share that... I wish, that everyone, if only for one... moment, could feel... that awe, and humility, and hope - Ellie Arroway (Jodie Foster) - Movie Contact
Sunday, February 28, 2010
The Book of Eli
The Book of Eli – a 7 out of 10 on the Jay Wolin Scale of Movie Reviews.
When I saw the previews for this movie, I thought, okay, just another apocalyptical movie, with violence from some relics of the old New York City Punk Rock scene. (ok who remembers Max’s Kansas City in Union Square). Then, I thought ok, they have added a biblical twist to the apocalyptical story. But of course the movie had Denzel Washington (still by far the greatest actor of this era or possibly any era), and of course the religious angle caught my curiosity. I have to admit, I really liked the movie. Although the end had a bit of an interesting but improbable twist (I shouldn’t get picky in an apocalyptical movie), the message of the movie was a good one. Faith helps us on the journey of life to get through difficult times. Everything else was commentary that led to that message. But the wait was worth it. It showed the Bible has the ability to be used for good and evil, and how people’s hearts and minds can be twisted in a desperate struggle to survive. It also touched on how we are consumed with our mission that we forget to live our mission. I love that stuff. And Denzel delivered as usual.
When I saw the previews for this movie, I thought, okay, just another apocalyptical movie, with violence from some relics of the old New York City Punk Rock scene. (ok who remembers Max’s Kansas City in Union Square). Then, I thought ok, they have added a biblical twist to the apocalyptical story. But of course the movie had Denzel Washington (still by far the greatest actor of this era or possibly any era), and of course the religious angle caught my curiosity. I have to admit, I really liked the movie. Although the end had a bit of an interesting but improbable twist (I shouldn’t get picky in an apocalyptical movie), the message of the movie was a good one. Faith helps us on the journey of life to get through difficult times. Everything else was commentary that led to that message. But the wait was worth it. It showed the Bible has the ability to be used for good and evil, and how people’s hearts and minds can be twisted in a desperate struggle to survive. It also touched on how we are consumed with our mission that we forget to live our mission. I love that stuff. And Denzel delivered as usual.
Rodin's Thinker
It was a little daunting to realize that Rodin's thinker was also part of Rodin's depiction of Dante's Inferno.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
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