Black Panther

Last Saturday, I found myself in desperate need of a little diversion from reality and the stresses of daily life. So I decided to take in a movie that I would normally have passed on without a second though — Black Panther. I rarely go for the super hero films because I find the action to be too fast for my eyes to keep up with. Since I was going to the movies with a friend, I decided it was worth a chance — and I’m certainly glad I did.

Black Panther is the latest installment in the Marvel universe and was certainly not what I expected from the studio. The cinematography was absolutely beautiful! I remarked for several days how I enjoyed the green vistas and the worlds that were created by the film makers’ imaginations. They were truly a feast for the eyes. 

The story line was driven much more by character development than I anticipated too. Without spoiling things for those who haven’t seen the film, the story centers around a newly crowned king’s desperate attempts to lead his country in a manner that would honor his father while protecting their precious resources from those who wish to bring destruction to the world. Themes of greed, honor, and family run throughout the film; the superpowers possessed by the king (also known as the “Black Panther”) are simply an aspect of his character and do not define him entirely. Since the film is clearly character driven, a strong cast was essential — and Black Panther certainly delivers! I spent much of the movie realizing that I did recognize the actors portraying these fantastic characters.

If I had a complaint about the film, it would have to be the musical score. There were a few nice moments, but for the most part, the music seemed trite and poorly conceived. The attempt to provide tribal sounds was taken too far for my taste and its overuse almost began to detract from the sense of community presented in the film. I understand what the composer was after, but I think there might have been other ways to achieve it more successfully.

So there you have it. The clips that were included during the film’s final credits (something this Marvel newbie had no idea about) generally lacked meaning for me since I’m not very well versed in the world of Marvel comics, but I must admit that I was intrigued to learn more about the appearance of the new character emerging from his hut. All in all, I think I will return to the world of Marvel superheroes in the future…and may even try to catch up on some of the previous films over the summer break. Happy movie watching, everyone!

Return to L.A.

I love Los Angeles! It’s really not a secret to anyone who has known me for any length of time.  I love the weather, the culture, the vibe, and the food. So it should really not be surprising to anyone that I grabbed a bag and escaped to the west coast over the long weekend. I’m constantly asked what I actually DO when I’m in L.A., so I thought I would give you a little insight into my adventures on this trip.

THE FOOD!

Even though I am a notoriously picky eater, I like to experience lots of different restaurants while I’m traveling. On Friday afternoon, my friend and I visited Maggiano’s Little Italy at The Grove. The lasagna was exceptional. The bread was heavenly. The portions were enormous. What more could I ask for?

Perhaps the greatest discovery of the weekend was The Golden State on Fairfax. This little gem of a cafe had the BEST burger I have ever eaten! I really want to go back again to try several of the other items on the menu — including the house churned ice cream! I cannot express enough how good this hamburger really was….or maybe I can.  IF YOU ARE IN LOS ANGELES, CHECK OUT THE GOLDEN STATE!!!! (You can thank me later.)  If you’re not in the mood for ice cream after your burger, cross the street and check out the pastry counter at Canter’s Deli. There were so many things to choose from that I simply couldn’t make a decision — so I settled for the classic vanilla cupcake. YUM!

We all know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and I made sure that I didn’t neglect the eggs, pancakes, bacon, and toast while visiting. S & W Country Diner has become a staple for the Three Amigos when I’m in town. The eggs were fluffy and the bacon was crisp. The French toast was AH – MAH – ZING!

On our last morning together, these three fraternity brothers felt the siren call of breakfast on Malibu Beach and returned to Paradise Cove Beach Cafe (formerly known as Sand Castle). It’s in Malibu on the beach overlooking the ocean. Honestly, it’s rather expensive and the food is not incredible. The scenery and the memories are why we return here.  I mean, come on….take a look at this view! (The photo was taken of Paradise Cove from the pier.)

THE FUN!

Typically, my trips to Los Angeles are filled with catching up with fraternity brothers from days gone by and mentoring young men who are just beginning their academic journey. When I get to travel in January, things are much more relaxed and the focus shifts to my relaxation as well as enjoying time with a small circle of friends. This also means that there is more time for entertainment — so we decided to be tourists in the city we love.

The Heritage Square Museum is a collection of Victorian-era houses from throughout Los Angeles that have been moved to the outskirts of Pasadena. The homes are being restored to their original condition and visitors can be transported to another time as they enter the buildings under the watchful eye of their tour guide.

I was mesmerized by the pianos and the music that was perched on the rack. It took everything in me to keep from opening this score and snapping a picture of what was inside. If only the blasted guide would have turned her back for just a moment!

I can’t imagine playing on keyboards with a rounded edge! I would miss the black notes at the end every single time (and probably mash my fingers as well).

To bring this first day of fun to a close, we decided to catch The Greatest Showman in Century City. I absolutely loved this movie! The music was really well done and the production value was extremely high. I am still amazed by the scene between Zac Efron and Zendaya on the hoop in the circus ring. Really wonderfully filmed with a stellar cast.

Sunday meant another trip into the Hollywood Hills to check out Frank Lloyd Wright’s Hollyhock House. The hollyhock motif (a local flower that Wright greatly loved) was carried throughout both the interior and exterior of the home. Sadly, photography was not permitted inside. The grounds around the house have been turned into a lovely park in the heart of the city with an amazing view. Wright’s love of moving water and open space is evident throughout the home. Although we were not able to tour as much of the home as we had hoped (due to ADA stipulations imposed by Los Angeles County), what we did see was impressive and caused me to become much more interested in the life and work of this American master.

 

 

Movie Review: Woman in Gold

Earlier this week, I treated myself to an afternoon at the movies and saw Woman in Gold starring Helen Mirren and Ryan Reynolds. I was expecting an entertaining film about the injustice experienced at the hands of the Nazis. What I experienced was a moving portrait of forgiveness and coming to grips with the past.

The film is based on the true story of a Jewish woman, Maria Altmann, living in Los Angeles in the 1990s who hires a neophyte attorney, Randy Schoenberg (portrayed by Reynolds), to help her acquire a painting that had been in her childhood home. The painting, familiarly called Woman in Gold, is housed in an Austrian museum and is considered one of the nation’s artistic treasures. The beautiful portrait was stolen by the Nazis; when it was discovered after the war, a questionable will was found that left the art work to the Austrian museum.

In order to pursue what is rightfully hers, Maria and Randy must travel to Vienna. Maria has no desire to return to the city from which she escaped and finds herself facing ghosts and demons she long thought were dead. Randy’s journey to Austria has an unexpected effect on him. The young lawyer’s grandfather was Arnold Schoenberg, the Jewish composer who also had to leave Vienna because of the Nazi regime and the oppressive antisemitism that pervaded the city.

Two of the most powerful scenes of the movie come when both Maria and Randy realize that attitudes are changing. Randy attends a concert of his grandfather’s music in one of Vienna’s most important halls — where Schoenberg’s sounds had been rejected for decades. While attempting to reacquire Woman in Gold through the Austrian legal system, Maria encounters Austrians who maintain the antisemitism of the 1940s as well as young Austrians who are attempting to bring about change while making amends for the crimes of their fathers.

As a performing artist, I loved this film. The discussions about painting and music struck a chord with me. However, I was pleased to see that the movie’s message about the power of the arts was not lost on the lay people in the audience. More importantly, I was struck by the power of the story of human suffering, persevering, and forgiveness. While watching Woman in Gold, I found myself reaching for a napkin to dry the tears that formed in my eyes. The movie truly was touching and a film worth checking out for yourself. You will leave with a new understanding about life, family, and love.

Let me make it simple for you. If you are breathing, you NEED to see Woman in Gold before it leaves the theaters.

Movie Reviews: The Butler and Now You See Me

Last weekend, I enjoyed some down time and caught up on a couple of movies I had wanted to see for quite a while. I enjoyed both films for very different reasons.

The Butler told the story of one man who escaped the racism of the South to ultimately become a member of the White House staff. The film was a powerful history lesson through the eyes of those who silently watched behind the scenes. I especially enjoyed the depiction of the Civil Rights era and the butler’s relationship with President Kennedy. As the story progressed into the 21st century, I felt as though the film became a decidedly political piece. I wasn’t offended by the inclusion of Obama’s presidency, but I did find it beyond the scope of the movie’s basic plot. Honestly, I think The Butler would have been a much more powerful film if it had ended with the lead character’s retirement from the White House.

On a completely different plane was Now You See Me. The film tells the story of four magicians who join forces to rob banks during their shows. The cast was spectacular, the effects were amazing, and the film was really fun to watch. I thought I was in for a puff piece when I rented the DVD; I found that the story had been carefully crafted, producing a very enjoyable afternoon. Make sure that you don’t miss out on this little gem!

Disney’s Frozen

I finally got around to checking out Disney’s Frozen in theaters last weekend. I suppose I had avoided seeing the film because I revere the animated features that were released during my undergraduate days:  Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and The Lion King. While I have been entertained by many of the recently released films, the newer pieces rarely seem to measure up with the greatness of these animated classics.

Thankfully, Frozen easily held its ground and showed that Disney Studios can still produce the best in animated features. The story, based on a tale by Hans Christian Anderson, reminded me of the basic plot of the musical Wicked. Perhaps this connection was strengthened by the appearance of Idina Menzel as Queen Elsa.  While the story was powerful and the animation was beautiful, what grabbed my attention was the stupendous musical score that accompanied the film.

While the highlight of the film was easily Menzel’s rendition of “Let It Go,” I was also pleased with the opening musical sequence that had lots in common with Belle’s opening in Beauty and the Beast. I was also pleased to hear that Kristin Bell as the voice of Anna was able to hold her own against the power of Menzel’s voice. The two blended beautifully in “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?” and “For the First Time in Forever.” The only disappointing voice for me in the film was that of Santino Fontana as Hans. I found the sound to be unbelievable and far from “princely.”

I don’t want to spoil the plot for anyone who has yet to see the film, but I will say this…..if you are looking for an animated feature that is filled with great music and amazing animation with a strong message about the power of love (and a hint of Disney magic!), Frozen is well worth your time! (You’ll want to see it on the big screen, for sure.)  So head to the theater TODAY and check out the magic and fun that is Frozen.

Academy Awards Project: American Hustle and Captain Phillips

What began as my Golden Globes project morphed into an Academy Awards project since I was not feeling well enough to go to the movies throughout much of late December and early January.  Medication seems to be improving my life, so I’m trying to finish the project I’ve started.

While in southern California recently, I went to see American Hustle with a couple of friends. The film features an amazing cast, including Christian Bale, Amy Adams, and Bradley Cooper, and has gotten a lot of sensational reviews. I went into the film expecting great things and really excited to see it.

The film was entertaining and enjoyable. I will recommend that others see it. I didn’t walk away with the impression that it was one of the best films of the year. When you peel away the star power of its cast and the period costumes (sad that we already think of 70s disco wear as “period pieces”), you’re left with a fairly predictable film. I was especially disappointed with the original music included in the movie. I left the theater with a smile on my face and a question on my mind:  it was fun, but what was it really about?

For me, I’m still looking for a film to prove itself worthy of the company of 12 Years a Slave and Philomena.

On Sunday afternoon, I found a film that deserved to be in the company of these films:  Captain Phillips starring Tom Hanks. The story centers around an American ship that is boarded by Somalian pirates. Normally, this is not the type of film that I really enjoy; however, the strength of the ensemble cast drew me into the story and made for an entertaining afternoon of story, adventure, thrills, and triumph.

I was especially intrigued by the relationship between the characters of Captain Phillips and the pirate who refers to himself as “Captain.” What we expect to be a typical good vs. evil battle quickly reveals itself to have much deeper undercurrents. I must admit, the more I see Tom Hanks’ work, the more impressed I am. From Captain Phillips, Walt Disney, Forrest Gump, and Robert Langdon in The Da Vinci Code to Woody in Toy Story and Josh in Big, Tom Hanks is truly one of the best actors of this generation.

It should be interesting to see how this film does during the rest of the awards season; Captain Phillips is definitely note-worthy and a fine representation of American cinema.

Golden Globes Project – The Wolf of Wall Street

The Wolf of Wall Street stars Leonardo DiCaprio with direction by Martin Scorsese. The film tells the story of Jordan Belfort’s rise and fall within the world of the stock broker. In my opinion, the movie has garnered all of its accolades based on the names and reputations of its actors and director. The film had little that was award worthy in my estimation.

First things first, this movie is LONG! By the time we entered the second hour of the story, I was just ready for Belfort to be arrested. Enough already! I was turned off from the outset by the excessive use of vulgarity. A scene early in the film between DiCaprio and Matthew McConaughey’s characters was filled with language that would make a sailor blush. While the scene itself was effective, the constant barrage of unseemly language reduced the emotional power of the words.

So no one thinks I’m just a language prude, I was further offended by the unnecessary nudity and worship of drug use in the film. While I understand that women and recreational drugs were part of Belfort’s life (and demise), I think that the constant use of cocaine and other drugs were treated as a comedic trick and something to be lauded.

The Globes have also confused me in their categorization of the film. Why is this movie considered a comedy? The Wolf of Wall Street certainly fits the bill for a tragedy; calling it a comedy simply points out the depravity of our society and the foreign press’ willingness to toss nominations at film makers based solely on their past successes.

Golden Globes Project: 12 Years a Slave and Philomena reviews

I enjoy projects. I like the thrill of trying to complete things and checking them off of a list. The Christmas break provides the perfect opportunity to take on a new, fun project.  Last week, the Golden Globe nominees were announced. My project is to see the ten films nominated for best picture (5 dramas, 5 comedies) before the award broadcast on Sunday, January 12.

In case you haven’t heard, the 2014 Golden Globe nominees for best picture are…..

Best Motion Picture, Drama

• 12 Years a Slave
• Captain Phillips
• Gravity
• Philomena
• Rush

Best Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy

• American Hustle
• Her
• Inside Llewyn Davis
• Nebraska
• The Wolf of Wall Street

12 Years a Slave – In Review

The first of the films I saw was 12 Years a Slave, rated R.  This beautifully told story is based in fact and tells of an African-American man who is kidnapped from his New York life as a free man and sold into the horrors of slavery in the deep South. The film is incredibly moving in its portrayal of the relationships between the slaves and the diversity of situations they might have to endure. 

I expected the film to be difficult to watch since I struggle with blood and gore on the screen. I was surprised to find that the filmmakers treated the horror with ample respect while not resorting to long passages of blood and filth. During the most violent passages, the focus was on the characters’ faces; we noticed the blood that was present, but it wasn’t the focus of the scene. 

In my opinion, every American should see 12 Years a Slave. The R rating is primarily associated with the frequent use of the racial expletive (n*****) as well as the adult themes and violence. There are a few scenes that are sexual in nature — an encounter between two slaves and the rape of a slave by her master — but neither scene was portrayed in an offensive manner (i.e. I don’t recall seeing skin in either scene).  There is full-frontal nudity (male and female) in the film, however. The captured free men are shown bathing in preparation for their transfer to the slave block. In a later scene, black men and women stand nude before the whites who are planning to purchase new “property.” 

I was thoroughly impressed by the quality of the film and the beauty of the character development. 12 Years a Slave was one of the best movies I have seen in quite some time. The other nominees in the drama category will be compared to this outstanding film.

Philomena – In Review

Philomena is another tale of loss and injustice. This time, the victim is a young Irish girl who was left in a convent by her father after the death of her mother. While there, Philomena encounters a young man who sweeps her off of her feet, and introduces her to the joy of sex. As a result of their encounter, Philomena finds herself pregnant and must face the ire of the nuns. As part of her punishment, Philomena — as well as the other unwed mothers in the convent — are given the most difficult jobs by the nuns and permitted to see their children for only one hour each day. The young mother’s hopes are crushed when she learns that her son has been taken away and that she must give up all rights to ever locate him.

Shortly after the child’s 50th birthday, Philomena is introduced to a former investigate reporter, Martin, who will join the mother in her search to find her son. What they find is a story of pain, deception, greed, and betrayal. I suppose what makes the story even more tragic is the realization that the film was inspired by actual events.

While the film didn’t move me as much as 12 Years a Slave, I was thoroughly entertained by the cast. Judi Dench is a phenomenon. Her performance as the elderly Irish mother seeking her child is a brilliant combination of comedy, wit, and fortitude. The location shots throughout Ireland and the eastern United States are beautiful and add to the film’s overall tone. The relationship between Philomena and Martin is fascinating and serves as the mode of conveying thoughts about faith, religion, and forgiveness.

Philomena‘s PG-13 rating was surprising to me. The film is filled with adult themes and adult language. Some may argue that the words are not vulgar to an American audience since the British synonyms are employed throughout. Despite the use of their British counterparts for the more “mundane” words, the use of the “F-bomb” at least 2 times was a bit much in my opinion. I understand the power of the word and that there are times when it might be considered necessary for dramatic purposes; what I disapprove of is assuming that a student of 13 should encounter this type of language without parental supervision in the theater. (FYI…..I shouldn’t be surprised to see that Harvey Weinstein was the spearhead of the campaign to get the MPAA’s initial R rating lowered to its current PG-13. For more information, see the Los Angeles times article dated November 14, 2013 here.)

I expected a charming story with wonderful acting from the leading lady. I was not disappointed. What I didn’t expect to walk away with was a deep sense of loss for the many Irish mothers who were forcibly separated from their children in the name of penance and justice.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

Yesterday, I finally took the time to see The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader and must admit that I was thoroughly impressed.  The acting was quite good, the effects were amazing (as usual in this series), and the plot was very true to C.S. Lewis’ beloved book.  As you might expect, my mind immediately went to the implications for any parents and children who might see the film.  Here are a few of my thoughts and suggestions for taking the learning further.

Voyage of the Dawn Treader follows Lucy and Edmund as they return to Narnia again to meet up with Prince Caspian.  Sailing in pursuit of seven missing lords, the children face temptations of greed, rebellion to authority, and jealousy.  When reading Lewis’ book, it was difficult to clearly see the connection between these temptations and children;  in the movie, the reality of these temptations in the lives of children is crystal clear.  A young child will understand and relate to Edmund’s desire to be in charge and Lucy’s wish to be as pretty as her big sister.

A few of the underlying themes are not quite as clear, but open some valuable doors for parents to enter into dialogue with their children.  First (and possibly most importantly) is the concept of spiritual warfare.  In the film, a green mist reeks havoc on the people of Narnia and appears each time an evil force is at work.  As our heroes delve deeper into realms of darkness, the mist carries with it their greatest fears and reminders of past failures.  The children attempt to combat the mist within their own logic and positive thoughts;  unfortunately they are powerless against the mist.  It is only when Edmund uses the Sword of Aslan that the children are released from the power of the mist and the darkness is driven away.  As I left the theater, I was impressed by the powerful visual image presented of the truth contained in Ephesians 6:12  — “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”  Our children need to be aware of the presence of evil forces that come against them and that their only defense is with the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.  (Ephesians 6:16-17)

A second important story line surrounds Eustace, the cousin of Lucy and Edmund.  Eustace stumbles upon a treasure and places a golden band upon his arm.  Without knowing it, Eustace has found a dragon’s treasure;  the consequence of taking the riches is turning into a dragon.  While in the form of a dragon, Eustace is helpful but continually desires to return to his former state.  It is not until Eustace realizes his own frailty and has a personal encounter with Aslan that he is released from the form of a dragon.  This subplot can be used with younger children to introduce the idea of salvation changing us from the inside out.  Eustace’s attitude and heart change on the inside long before he is changed on the outside.  For older children, consider discussing the concepts of spiritual bondage and deliverance, regeneration, or the importance of solitude (devotion). 

I am interested to see where the Narnia series goes next.  At the end of the film, Reepicheep passes into the Land of Aslan (Heaven) and both Lucy and Edmund are told that they will not be able to return to Narnia.  It will be interesting to see if the films maintain their commercial success without the presence of the four Pevensie children.  It is my hope that Caspian and Eustace will be able to entice audiences to return to the land of Narnia for future installments.  The teaching opportunities and the quality entertainment are something I hope to see continue through the entire seven books of the series.

Waiting for Superman

In the craziness of late October, I found a few hours to take in the film Waiting for Superman.  The movie was thought-provoking, insightful, and frightening.  Painting a picture of education in America, Waiting for Superman unapologetically addresses several important issues with a no-holds barred approach.

The most frightening statistic to me was the lack of regulation of teachers.  In most situations, once a teacher is licensed (immediately after graduation), they are rarely given a thorough review again.  After two years of service, many districts award tenure to teachers — regardless of skills or performance, making it more difficult to relieve under-performing teachers of their duties.   Consider the implications in other professions.  Lawyers and doctors who are found to be doing their jobs poorly are stripped of their authority to continue to practice.  Is the education of America’s youth a less important pursuit?  Teacher evaluation must be standardized across the board.

When we become aware of the state of American education, it is easy to feel helpless and overwhelmed.  What can we possible do to change the situation?  Most powerfully, we can be informed and involved.  We as members of the voting public are the only voice of our nation’s children.  In nearly every election cycle, new legislation is brought before us that will impact education.  To insure that students receive the best we have to offer, we must educate ourselves about the options, research the implications, and make our voices heard.

Our involvement must go beyond the voting booth.  Studies suggest that the best performing schools have a high level of community involvement.  Teachers and administrators cannot solve the problems we face in our education system;  if it was that simple, it would have been taken care of long ago.  However, when educators partner with interested individuals in their community, great change can take place.  What can you do?  Most adults (regardless of their educational background) can provide valuable assistance in some aspect of our education system.  The mere fact that an adult believes in a child’s ability is often all that is needed to move a student from “high-risk” to “highly successful.”

So what’s your choice?  Will you continue to point out the problems with American education while refusing to get your hands dirty?  Or will you become actively involved in the process in some small way, becoming part of the solution to the students in your community?  Together we CAN make a difference!