A Very Murray Christmas

Do you love Bill Murray? Do you miss the Bill Murray of early SNL and Stripes? Netflix has a holiday treat for you. A very Murray Christmas is the best television special regarding Christmas that has come along in many years.

My only complaint is the beginning. Tolerate it for about 15-20 minutes. After the introduction, Bill Murray and his ensemble cast bring an amazing blend of powerful moments and comedic performances that will surprise many. In fact, the special leaves you wanting more than the one hour it gives us. It reminds the viewer, yes, television can be this good again!

I won't give away any spoilers. once this special gets going, every minute is a joy to watch. For all of my Cerebral Cinema readers all I can say is, "Have a very Murray Christmas."

The Bell's Of St. Marys - More Than A Holiday Film

The Bell's of St. Mary's is a great holiday film. However, it is much more than a holiday film. I used the film for my Master's Teaching thesis 20 years ago. The significance of the film that was my thesis was subtle, however worth a second look.

The primary plot is the relationship between the Parish Priest sent to close a tired old school and his battles with the headmaster nun. (The priest is Bing Crosby and the Headmaster is played by Ingrid Bergman) They are polar opposites when it comes to their viewpoints on education. The focus is saving the school and only a miracle can save the school.

The arguments of the role of testing students versus understanding a student's intelligence is the core of the educational debate. You literally hear in the 1940s what is commonplace today. Crosby challenges the policy of testing students. The headmaster is convinced the integrity of the school is based on testing.

The focus is a student who travelled a different road to the school. Father O'Malley knows her family's history. The girl is troubled and needs some consistency within her life in order to achieve academic success. Sound familiar? Testing does not take into consideration emotional intelligence. The film cleverly examines the emotional intelligence of the child as a factor regarding her learning success.

Give the Bell's of St. Mary's a second look. What's old is new again when it comes to education.
(Historical note: Have your kids listen to the Pledge of Allegiance. There is a little piece of history caught on this film that most kids do not know about the Pledge.)

It's A Wonderful Life - A Historical Perspective - Did You Miss It?

Buffalo girls won't you come out tonight....come out tonight. We all know the movie. However, did you ever know the historical significance behind Frank Capra's classic that impacts our daily life? While the plot involves the life of George Bailey, there is a subtle theme that Frank Capra revisits from his earlier film American Madness, and that is the banking crisis of the 1930s.

Capra understands that banks have a controlling interest in every aspect of our lives. Economically, they set the rules that impact our standard of living. The tussles with Mr. Potter are examples of the harsh realities when banks have a controlling interest in our lives. The arguments of investing in people versus shares of stock have a compelling argument that is as true today as it was back then. Today, it is the credit unions that suffer from unfair legislation that impacts banking. Non-profit credit unions are the George Baileys of our time. There is another scene in the movie that is quite poignant. Revisit the dialog regarding "Pottervilles." The movie asserts that the key to a wonderful life for families is access to housing back in 1947. And the same is true today.

The American banking system is not that different than the banking system back then. The only difference today is that the people in Bedford Falls would also be held in indentured servitude to Mr. Potter because he is holding them hostage through their student loans. Today,the Mr. Potters of the banking continue their dominance over many communities via student loans. These loans allow the banks to cause bankruptcy while holding on to the student loan debt. Once bankrupt, citizens will rely on high interest loans. Banks then begin to charge what some may see as insurmountable fees for overdrafts when people without credit have shortfalls in their income.

The Mr. Potters of the world are billionaires and the wealth gap has greatly increased since It's A Wonderful Life demonstrating once again, that art of making movies is larger than life, especially when we miss the historical pieces that shape our lives.

March Of The Wooden Soliders (1934) - Historical Perspective Is Abound

A very rare crossover from my Cerebral Cinema Blog for kids. For adults, this movie has keen insight into the impact Socialism was having on our society during the 1930s. The Great Depression was deeply impacting the United States. Even children's tales reflected the harsh realities of not having a Safety Net. Whether intentional or not, March Of The Wooden Soldiers reflects the evil of income disparity that was challenged by the working poor. Watch the portrayal of Silas Barnaby as a symbol of the greed that caused the crash of 1929. Very subtle hints for children to be generous thinkers and to challenge those who take advantage of others for financial gain. Here is the review of the movie from an entertainment perspective:

March of the wooden soldiers is truly a holiday tradition in our home. It was made in 1934 and starred Laurel and Hardy. (For those who do not know Laurel and Hardy, they were a comedy duo that successfully made a transition from silent films to talkies which was rare back in the day. They made short comedies and films that entertained a generation.)

March of the Wooden Soldiers has a comedic take on the Babes In Toyland story. How could you not with Laurel and Hardy. The story focuses on the Silus Barnaby and his devious quest to marry little boo peep. He evicts her mom from the show as leverage to marry her. It is up to Laurel and Hardy (also tenants) to save the day.

The highlight of the fairy tale is Laurel and Hardy  as the bumbling toy makers. You will see a mix of fairy tale stories along with Santa and his workshop.

For a film made in 1934, it stands the test of time. Part fairy tale, part holiday classic, and a bit of Mother Goose, this film is a great film for kids. They will laugh and partake in the antics without realize the film is almost 90 years old. It also is a soft spoken film with a kind story kids will surely rally around.

Some interesting facts about the movie:

Walt Disney loaned out a live Mickey Mouse for this film as a live version character. This would be the only time Walt Disney would ever allow this to happen.

The film has historical references to themes of the Great Depression and social justice. Rarely seen today in children's films.

The film was never a success until the 1960s. A local television station in New York City, WPIX resurrected the film for syndication as a holiday tradition each year. It would have surely stayed in the vault and obscurity if not for the television station's efforts.

The film was originally in black and white. If you can find a copy, it is a great introduction for kids to enjoy black and white films.

You can livestream the movie on Hulu Plus in HD or watch it on Youtube. The link will be provided:

Healing Neen

Have you heard of the mental health model of care known as Trauma Informed Therapy? (AKA Trauma Informed Care) Trauma Informed Therapies are becoming more common place in mental health service models. It is an effective model of care because it helps people overcome the adverse effects of trauma in one's life.

Many children with behavior problems have experienced trauma. They had adverse experiences at an early age. Because the events are so traumatic, children develop PTSD. The PTSD is misdiagnosed as behavior problems. Understanding how trauma impacts behavior helps kids overcome the adverse effects of trauma.

Adults can also have adverse events that impact cognitive thought processes. Veterans of war for example have similar experiences from the trauma of war. Domestic violence also alters a person's persona and ability to function with daily living skills. Trauma Informed care can give individuals hope.

Ignoring trauma has adverse effects on our society. Failing to treat trauma leads to crime, substance abuse and violence.Individuals with trauma will continue to make similar mistakes until a proper treatment plan is in place to help them deal with their experiences of traumatic events. The question is, how do you help an individual realize that trauma is impacting their daily life.

Healing Neen is a short movie (found on Youtube) that helps individuals begin to come to terms with the impact their trauma is having on  their daily living. Healing Neen also provides hope that dealing with Trauma can lead to positive outcomes for people. The stories are difficult to hear. Neen provides examples how talking about what happened to her began the process of healing. Neen's life is one of extreme hardship. Her story will inspire others to take the first step for their own recovery.

Goodfellas - New Audiences Await You

Goodfellas in my opinion, is the peak of Scorsese's film career. All of his films have epic moments and are worthy of equal praise. An argument can be made for many of his offerings. However, for me, this movie goes beyond the gold standard. It is a historical piece that stands the test of time. It captures a time in American History, in which Italian-American ancestry is eloquently captured, at the peak of influence in our culture. From the 1930s to the 1980s, Italian Americans were such a dominant part of our culture and we are slowly losing the importance of their impact in our nation's history.

Many Italian Americans hate the gangster stereotype. They should. Italian Americans provided the labor for some of our greatest accomplishments during the first half of the 20th century. They werw also the largest representation of combat soldiers during World War II. Their love for this county and contributions can not be dismissed.

Despite what people might think, the contributions of Italian Americans were also complicated by power structures within diverse communities during this time. The mafia had a stranglehold on larger cities. Within these settings, a skewed set of values reflected traumatic family experiences. A history of violence and corruption was also a part of this time period.  Scorsese explores how they work together. Including a dramatic look at domestic violence, confusing value systems, and matriarchal patronage from the most violent of individuals.

It is important for a new generation to become reacquainted with this movie.  Watching the movie with a critical lens of history is such a great experience. This is not so much a movie about gangsters, it is an anthropological study of a family system that existed throughout the United States during this time period. One of my all time favorites. I highly recommend if you have not seen Goodfellas, you should put it on your movie bucket list.

Glen Campbell I'll Be Me

Glen Campbell I'll Be Me is a documentary that you can find on Netflix and one worth watching. The documentary is about his battle with Alzheimer's Disease. When Glen was diagnosed, he decided to do one last tour for his fans, and also document the progression of the disease to bring awareness to many in our Congress to help increase funding for a cure.

The movie reacquaints the viewer to his music. I forgot what an accomplished musician Glen was over his long career. The music is what makes this documentary so unique. When the brain declines during the progress of the disease, Glen's musical part of his brain is the last to be effected. He can forget his daughter's name, repeat a conversation 30 or 40 times that he just had, but some how, deep in his brain he can play guitar and sing his songs with the help of a teleprompter.

The movie is an uncomfortable journey. As the tour progresses, so does the disease. By the time the tour is wrapped up, you will notice a very different Glen Campbell. Families with Alzheimer's will surely to connect to the movie. Famous country music stars and celebrities share how they lost their parents to Alzheimer's and some discuss their fear of growing old as the disease is genetic and could possibly impact them one day.

My only critique of the film is I wish there was more concert footage. One may surely want to order the Glen Campbell catalog of music after watching the movie, because you are left wanting to hear more of Glen's music. A great music for anyone experiencing Alzheimer's or wanting to learn more about the disease. 

The Dark Side of Chocolate

One of the realities of our educational system is the control of information our system requires to help encourage consumerism. Our kids lack any empathy for where or how the products come into their lives. In a sense, they are insulated from reality by being taught a common chore....I mean core of knowledge regarding capitalism.
Kids today have minimal knowledge that slavery exists largely in part to provide the products they crave. Our education system is corporatized to ensure that such a low knowledge base allows for the practice to continue.


I previously reviewed the movie Jobs and pointed out that our dependence on technology has led to horrific slave camps in China and other remote locations.  Similarly, I discovered that the Chocolate trade is alive and well in West Africa. I watched a few examples of movies that date back 10 -15 years ago. Those documentaries largely found a small audience. Amazingly, I discovered a new documentary that spells out the problem. Ignorance of a problem allows for companies to continue to profit from slavery.

There is no better example than the chocolate trade. It is well knows that mainstream companies import chocolate to make the daily treats we enjoy. From a Mars bar to a Cadbury chocolate bunny, the cocoa trade is a part of our everyday life. What people do not realize is that Children are bought and sold into slavery They work 12 hour days. They are not allowed to see their parents. This practice is driven by our purchases.

The Dark Side Of Chocolate awakens our senses of injustice. It helps bring life to a discussion that has for years, been non-existent. Sit down with your children, and discuss the impact of capitalism on our world. The movie will surely increase your child's (along with yourself) awareness of the importance of fair trade policies. Teachers should also feel free to show the video to their students. Challenge the blandness of common core with the reality of the world we live in today. Our kids need to experience documentataries such as this one exposes.

The Bank Job - A Lesson In British History

The Bank Job was a movie made in 2008 that I overlooked. I thought it was another Jason Statham movie that was the likes of Crank and never gave it much thought. Well this weekend, I decided to give it a shot, and wow was I wrong.

The movie is based on the little known (at least in the US) Baker Street Bank Robbery back in 1971 in London England. The robbery was controversial, because it has been suggested that the robbery was a setup to steal disparaging items of high ranking British or Royal members that were stored in safety deposit boxes.

I researched the robbery after watching the movie. What the movie tries to do (quite well I might add) is provide a semi-autobiographical account of what happened. The British government has sealed documents until 2054 so that this generation will never quite know what truly happened. However, the director had a private consultant close to the robbery that helped explain why the robbery was so controversial. The movie will absolutely blow you away with details that explain how the British Secret Service, MI5 and local law enforcement had no other choice, but to allow the robbers to keep the goods from the robbery in exchange for secrecy.

I do not want to give away too many spoilers. However, I want to encourage people to watch the movie. For anyone that might question government secrets, or conspiracy theories, this is a must see.

Freeway: Crack In The System

Freeway Crack In The System is a complicated documentary. This is the story of the rise of Freeway Rick Ross. The movie is a bit disjointed at times, however compelling. The main theme is the involvement of  our government in the drug trade during the 1980s to help fund the Contras in Nicaragua. While the Iran-Contra connection is just a faded memory for some, the movie will surely encourage viewers to relook this page of the Reagan legacy. 

The reason this is so powerful is the strong connection to a lack of empathy or feeling for the devastation of South Central Los Angeles. Economically, the area was devastated. The economic  collapse lead to a vulnerability for the drug trade. The connection was that the CIA was going to utilize this vulnerability to help fund the contras due to funding being cut off by Congress.

The movie explains the rise of "Freeway" Rick Ross's empire. Rick Ross, as you will see in the movie is a victim of not only economic poverty, but also social injustice. Ineffective schools and a lack of a safety net destroyed the entire community.

What is compelling is the exhaustive details. How one person, can rise from so little to be a gangster is just part of a very compelling plot. It is the exploitation of this vulnerability that captures the attention of the viewer. My only criticism is the focus on a rapper stealing the identity of Rick Ross. While interesting in it's own rite, I found myself intrigued by the connections to injustice and poverty. Some may find this part of the story interesting.

For cerebral thinkers, this documentary is excellent. It shines a light on the social injustices that lead African Americans to mistrust our government. I highly recommend this film.

The documentary would  be a great combination to watch with the movie, Kill The Messenger.

 

They Live

Rowdy Roddy Piper will be known mostly as a wrestler from the 1980s. He tried to transcend Hollywood as never had much success. However, he had a movie in the 80s that became a cult classic. He teamed up with John Carpenter (Halloween, The Thing and many other great movies) to tell a tale reflective of the Illuminati theorists. If you follow the Illuminati, or just enjoy their posts on Facebook and are inquisitive
, you have to check out this movie.

The story focuses on Piper's character. A drifter named Nada. He stumbles into the City of Los Angeles and discovers all is not as it seems. He becomes curious about a church has some odd activity. He realizes they are beaming out a message warning people they are being controlled and "All is not real."

Spoiler Alert - There is about 15 minutes of plot development and something happens. Nada is given a pair of glasses that exposes the world is not what it seems. Their is an Alien race living among us. They use the media and consumerism to keep us under control. This scene is so well done by Carpenter. Considering it was made in the 80s, it is actually more relevant today. It is uncanny how much this movie reflects recent events in the United States.

There are some corn ball antics and phrases that might annoy some people watching this movie. However, amazingly enough, it does not distract from the film. Carpenter actually weaves them in intentionally in the movie. Some of the context is actually helped by Piper's words and actions. Some may find my conclusion absurd, however Illuminati theorists may agree with me that the action scenes and puns are intentional to add emphasis to key points of the movie.

This movie is a must see for anyone who is skeptical about systems and structures as they exist. It truly has an ability to transcend from what at times seems like a 1950s B movie to a John Carpenter masterpiece questioning our reality. I highly recommend the movie in light of recent events in the past 4 years. The movie absolutely predicts the struggles we have in our society today.

(Rowdy Rider Piper died the day before I wrote this review. RIP)

Whiplash

Whiplash is an interesting movie on many levels. Primarily, it explores the relationships of a teacher and student at a post-secondary level. The setting is a music school band room. Within the four walls of the band room, students are exposed to tirades from an emotionally damaging teacher. You quicly get the impression the teacher has been given a pass for years because he has won numerous competitions by being abusive to his students. The movie is an exploration of the relationship of "power over" within an educational setting that goes unchecked.

Underlying the theme is the complex relationships that make a person vulnerable to such a teacher. Students come to a class like this with diverse life experiences. Prior traumas will resurface when students are in an abusive setting. The movie strikes a chord right from the beginning. For example, the teacher seems like he cares and asks the young student about his life, only to use it against him during a music lesson. Spoiler Alert - The end of the movie travels down a very dark road. It is poetic and surreal.

A few facts about the film that are interesting. The film was based on a real-life teacher that conducted the Princeton School High Jazz Band. The movie was filmed in just 19 days. It was given a 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Real music students were used as extras and the terror in their faces was a reflection of the skillful acting of J.K.Simmons.

Chef

Chef is a movie in 2014 that I failed to see or even hear about. I recently watched it on Netflix. To my surprise, it was a great movie. Chef  was written, produced, directed by and stars Jon Favreau. An impressive supporting cast includes: Sofía Vergara, John Leguizamo, Scarlett Johansson, Oliver Platt, Bobby Cannavale, Dustin Hoffman, and Robert Downey, Jr.  Jon Favreau plays the chef who is in charge of the kitchen at a popular Los Angeles restaurant. He is divorced and has a rocky relationship with his son. He is amicable with his ex-wife, and she is growing tired of his lack of effort with their son.

The main character's problem is he can not recognize how unhappy he is regarding his work. His passion for cooking has been suppressed by an owner who only wants a menu that is familiar to all of his customers. The chef is challenged by a local food critic that his food is safe and lacks imagination. A eventual conflict accidently occurs on Twitter (very humorous) and the Chef quits his job out of frustration that he can not defend himself through his cooking.

His ex-wife and her former husband offer him assistance to get back on his feet. They offer the Chef a food truck in Miami. The food truck is a disaster and will require the father and son to restore the truck together. This is where they reconnect. A transition happens in their relationship that is positive by their working together.

Soon the sous chef from the LA restaurant comes to help them restore the truck. After they learn Cuban food, the father begins to teach his son the trade of cooking. They begin to offer food on the truck and the response is overwhelmingly positive. Next, the three drive the food truck across the country back to Los Angeles. Along the way, the adventure is chronicled via social media. The conclusion of the story will not surprise anyone, however it is still special.

An excellent movie. Well written and diverse. While some themes are mature for younger children, I think it is an excellent movie for older family members to watch together.

Selma - Did You Notice?

Selma changes everything regarding civil rights history.  I wonder how many people caught the subtle changes. In the interest of spoilers, I will warn readers ahead of time that I am going to provide an overview with the details how the movie is significant.

This movie demonstrates an important concept to historical accountings in our country. We wait until an entire generation has passed before we offer an accurate accounting of history. And, Hollywood plays a role in shaping our perceptions.

To understand what I mean, go back in time to the 1980s. Watch Ghosts of Mississippi or Mississippi Burning prior to watching Selma. Great movies on their own, however they portray the Southern culture as evil and the Federal Government as the saviors sent in to right the wrongs of a racist society. You leave the theater thinking, "Thank goodness the FBI and our Federal Judicial system stepping in to save the day!"

While there are partial truths to the stories, many key parts of our history are left untold. To suggest that Federal Government played a role in suppressing the Civil Rights leaders through harassment and even possible assassination was never a part of the story. Most likely, it would seem too conspiratorial to suggest serious allegations that our government was part of a more complex plot regarding civil rights history.

Selma immediately tries to correct history. The story is complex. Interwoven are themes of harassment and possible assassinations at the highest levels including LBJ. The movie suggests that all of the assassinations of the 1960s were not a coincidence. In fact, they were by design. Martin Luther King starts off the movie understanding that the risks were very real that he would die. His family also knew those risks.

While this may not be news to the African-American communities that promoted social justice, much of the United States was cleansed from any consideration that our government was possibly behind any of the civil discourse created by assassinations during these turbulent times. If you watch the movie and pay attention, it is not impossible to leave feeling that your historical education was biased and fraudulent. This is why Selma matters. It is so rare to have a movie challenge such popular misconceptions.

Ironcially, Selma was released against American Sniper which is a totally different movie. Americans embraced a movie that while complex, will not encourage anyone to question our government's intentions. It speaks volumes that we embrace what is safe and familiar versus a movie that asks us to question the historical realities we were taught in school.

Cerebral Cinema Hit #1 on Amazon Today

Proud to say that Cerebral Cinema hit #1 today on Amazon. Thanks to everyone that supports my writing. I am very proud of this accomplishment.

Here is the category

Publisher: Decency Publishing (January 4, 2015)

Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.

Language: English

ASIN: B00RSNCDRK

Text-to-Speech: Enabled

X-Ray:

Not Enabled

Word Wise: Not Enabled

Lending: Enabled

Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #11,881 Free in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Free in Kindle Store)

• #1 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Nonfiction > Professional & Technical

Breastmilk

Breastmilk is a documentary regarding the complex dynamics of breastfeeding. The film focuses on the  social mores and stigmas associated with breastfeeding. The movie provides examples how systemically, we fail mothers and infants with our biases and misconceptions.  The documentary is great for newly expectant parents, early childhood specialists, and breastfeeding supporters from many diverse backgrounds.

Breastmilk is about social inequities surrounding breast feeding. For example, the breast pump. While it is a supportive for moms, access for people in poverty is an issue. Hospitals push the 300.00 pump at time of birth.  A family in poverty can not afford to spend 300.00 on a pump. Another problem is the timing of the pump. Labor and delivery specialists suggest that without a pump, a mom may lose their ability to feed their baby. The science of milk production is that breastmilk is very low at birth. It takes a mom 48 hours to replenish her supply. Doctors and consultants are pushing the pump to early on the mom. When you think about it, in developing countries, milk production does not require a pump. This is a creation of a myth by our healthcare system. This is one example of many that myths sometimes guide practices regarding breast feeding.

The value of fathers is so positive in this movie. It can help a newly expectant dad understand their role as being supportive regarding breastfeeding. I was impressed how many positive examples of supportive fathers there were in the movie. I have seen many books and documentaries on breastfeeding. This movie by far normalizes the impact of fathers. It also helps them understand the boundaries between sexuality and breastfeeding.

The movie also helps mom understands that it's okay to experience arousal from their partner during this time of attachment and bonding. Intimacy is okay. Some moms experience resentment from their spouse. The movie delicately discusses that it is okay for a mom to experience pleasure. It is actually normal to feel stimulation and want to share that feeling with your partner.

Marriage equality and the roles of the same sex couple is a part of the documentary. For those less tolerant, it normalizes the roles of same sex couples. A loving relationship between an infant and partners are not a barrier based on gender or sexual identity.

The movie discusses relationships and bias regarding the sharing of breastmilk. Racial barriers exist with moms from diverse backgrounds. Similar to same sex marriages, we are not as inclusive and accepting as we would like to believe. Love and intimacy is diverse and breastfeeding should not be limited to social pressures or Protestant ethics.

The movie spends a lot of time on struggles. It normalizes that milk production is complex. The goal of "liquid gold" has given the impression that it is a perfect science. However, culturally this is inaccurate. The pressures of abundance has created confusion for moms.

The biggest criticism of this movie is that it is too slow. The biggest criticism I read was from breast feeding advocates. They looked at the film globally. I can see their point. It is slow. However, they watched the movie in one sitting. You, the viewer has the option to watch the movie in intervals. I can not understand how breast feeding advocates could not see the movie and many parts to a whole regarding the educational benefits for parents.

The only criticism I have regarding the movie is the lack of information for he benefits of attachment and bonding. Breastfeeding provides many benefits that can help infants learn about healthy relationships through attachment and bonding. Newly expectant families would have benefitted from a discussion of the bonds between moms, dads and baby that happen during breastfeeding.

I strongly recommend the movie. I liked the slow pace. It is available on Netflix. Watch the movie in intervals or all at once. For some of you reading this article, you have many months prenatally to watch the movie. Take your time and enjoy the attachment and bonding that lasts a lifetime.

Why We Fight

Why We Fight was a documentary released 10 years ago that attempts to explore the complexity of wars past, present and future. From the beginning, the film delves into the complexity of our Foreign Policy decisions. Much of the movie serves as a warning. War has no political party. Presidents that run on a policy of peace can not stop the militarism. We fight because of our nation's hunger to be a super power, the only super power.

The chilling opening of President Eisenhower warning us that the military industrial complex is becoming too large would be the backdrop for the entire movie. Generations of Americans would believe the lies and manipulation in the form of media that misleads them into every global conflict. Patriotism is a ruse used to channel aggression. When asked "why we fight", citizens believe it is for freedom and democracy.

When the film is made, the backdrop is 9-11. A father who lost his son makes reoccurring appearances about the grief and loss of his son. He wants revenge. He wants our government to right a wrong in honor of his son's memory. Another expectation is to prevent another 9-11.

After 2001, it seemed that the United States was going to do just that, seek out justice for 9-11 Then, something began to shift. Iraq was the center of our Foreign Policy. Yet Iraq had nothing to do with 9-11. The explanation for this policy shift is deeply disturbing. It suggests that our President and his administration wanted to follow a doctrine of strike first. And for people like those that lost loved ones in 9-11, we lost our will to seek our justice.

There are many dynamics to this film that are explored. From our origins to militarism to today, the United States gets involved in wars for many reasons. However, we are led to believe that every conflict is due to freedom and democracy. The rallying cry seems to work for every conflict until the casualties begin to mount.

The other aspect of the film is that I feel is great is the exploration of decisions in our past. What we are led to believe is not always true. Historians for example claim that the nuclear bombs in WWII were necessary to avoid extreme casualties for our soldiers. Yet the movie uncovers that Truman wanted to show the Russians that we were coming out of WWII as a superpower. The Japanese deaths came at an expense of a show of force. Eisenhower argued against the use of the bombs stating the Japanese were ready for surrender.

Deep, complex and thought provoking. Why We Fight is timeless as long as we are engaged in conflicts around the world. Events that lead us to fight should be questioned with greater filters than we currently use. Until then, Foreign Policy decisions are in the hands a few, while the casualties of war impact the masses.

Waco - The Rules Of Engagement

My first cinematic independent film experience was one I will never forget. Back in the early 90s, I would walk down to an independent movie theater and watched, "Waco - The Rules of Engagement." This movie would be a game changer. For the first time in my life, I began to question everything I believed  to be true regarding history as possibly being more influenced by the government and media.

Waco may not seem significant today. It was at the time a very polarizing story. There were many fringe groups that were anti-government intrusion. There was a danger that Waco could ignite domestic terrorism if the truth was shared by the mainstream media.

Basically, Waco was a religious group that lived on their own. Their leader David Koresh, was demonized for claiming he was a prophet. It was told to us he stockpiled guns and was dangerous. The media's use of vocabulary quickly helped us form an opinion he was extremely dangerous. Terms like "cult leader" and "false prophet" quickly shaped our opinions. Even the word Branch Davidians was used creatively by the media. For Branch Davidians were simply reformists of the 7th Day Adventists. No mention of this by the media at all during the siege.

The film exposes how the government had an agency that was inept. The ATF was quick to react to firearms in a manner that challenged individual rights. Prior to Waco, the ATF was embarrassed at Ruby Ridge. At the time, popular opinion was that the agency was poorly managed. The author of the film suggests that the siege at Waco possibly was a publicity campaign to bring the ATF back into a positive light.

During the siege, the cameras were not allowed within 2 miles of the compound. The media could only report what it was told by the ATF. The version we witnessed at the end of the siege was disturbing. The compound burned to the ground. We were told that David Koresh was a cult leader who burned the compound down. He was a false prophet. A disturbed individual with blood on his hands.

Well, a funny thing happened during the final days at Waco. It seems a private firm nearby was experimenting with FLIR technology and flew overhead the compound on numerous occasions. The recordings were disturbing and questioned whether the government story was true. The debate that never happened was a direct violation of our Bill of Rights. Essentially, there was enough evidence to suggest at the Congressional Hearings that our own government started the fire, not David Koresh.

The documentary leaves you questioning our access to the truth. After watching this documentary, I would realize that television and print can distort events without any realization by the general public. This film was highly censored and restricted at the time. 60 minutes was not allowed to show any parts of the documentary. The parent company of CBS was owned by Westinghouse. Westinghouse had many government contracts at the time, and those contracts could have possibly been at risk if their subsidiary CBS showed the film.

I went home and ordered the film on VHS for my class to view. Weeks after I ordered it, the FBI came to my door, questioning my purchase. It was an early example of how our government monitored a very young information age and who was using the internet for domestic terrorist threats.

Waco was an incident that is slowly disappearing from the history books. Today's generation may not even know about this event. Allowing this movie to disappear is a tragedy. It is a great example of abuse of power at all levels. Even if you come away believe that David Koresh is guilty. Can you argue that the confrontation was unnecessary? Could he have been picked up at a local Wal Mart as the documentary suggests, or was this to prove a point?

Authors Note: When I left the cinema that night, I was lucky that I walked to the movie. I noticed many people in front of the theater in suits writing down license plates. They were from the FBI. They were profiling and collecting data who went to the movie.

Jobs - What's Missing?

The movie Jobs is a very disappointing movie. It is the modern day interpretation of an American Icon that lacks any historical context of his legacy.

Some watching the movie will debate the focus was on Steve Job as an innovator, which I agree he had an impact on our country's technological innovations. His flaws as a person were transparent in the movie. He was at times arrogant and disconnected with some of his personal relationships. The performance by Ashton Kutcher was a great impression of how Steve Jobs may have been at the early days of Apple.

The movie did however hint that Steve Jobs cared about the innovators more than the process of capitalizing on innovations. He cared less about profits, more about a vision. The movie does a great job of creating an image of a driven personality that will go to great lengths to think outside of the box. He loathes the profitable nature that places restraints on his creativity.

I loved this part of the movie. It would explain his actions later on in life that I struggle with. For Steve Jobs was a complicated person. A funny thing happened regarding the latter part of Steve Job's story. Typical in Hollywood movies, the savior would come to Apple and save the day. He would bring the company back to their roots of innovation. They ended the story with "Welcome back Steve." This is how they ended the movie. Kind of like the closing episode of the Sopranos, the screen goes black at a time when I was just getting interested. I wanted to know why this guy made some pretty controversial decisions when he came back to Apple. Unfortunately, the story stops when his life could have been critically viewed as complicated on a much larger level.

Here is what the movie gives a pass on regarding the history of Apple. Steve Jobs would take Apple down a path that is Anti-Apple after the screen went black. The film ends with hints of the Ipod shuffle and  and cell phones being the next stage of development. This is why Apple made a comeback.  Instead the film never delves into the most creative part of Steve Job's career. Why is that?

This part of the Steve Job timeline is complicated. He would seek out Globalization and take his innovations overseas. A fascinating part of Steve Job's career was left out. The innovations that would follow happened due to his obsession of getting an innovative product out quickly, which the film does touch upon. The problem is that this could only happen with slave labor. Apple went deep in the bowels of China, and opened some of the most brutal work camps. Unimaginable to our standards of living.

We as consumers that give the legacy of Jobs a pass, especially when a movie like this glosses over the negative part of Apples ability to be innovative. They use and exploitation of labor in remote regions of the world to meet the appetite of our consumer driven economy were conveniently left out. While Microsoft and Google has similar business practices, they also are not the focus of this film.

The problem with a film like Jobs is that it is void of historical analysis. The purpose of this film was to create a modern day Henry Ford. The film is void of criticism that would hurt his legacy. The film's primary purpose was to create an illusion in our minds of the legacy of Steve Jobs be positive when we left the movie theater. I truly believe the complete history of Apple would have not hurt Steve Job's legacy. It would have just struck a balance in our minds that how we achieve success is as important as innovation. For this reason, the movie was a huge disappointment.

Reel Injun

As a kid, I loved watching movies about Injuns. John Wayne films were a huge part of my life. When I wasn't watching westerns, I would crack up over cartoon portrayals of Indians such as Bugs Bunny. Essentially, what I saw was what I believed to be accurate accounts of Native American history. I use to sing one little two little three little Indians, never realizing it was a head count for killing them in battle. Essentially, I was manipulated to find humor and enjoyment of genocide without realizing it.

The Hollywood Interpretations of Native American culture were made for a reason. To validate we are the Americans, not them. This documentary is a great example how easily our thoughts and ideas of culture are not authentic. This documentary gives insight into our history. Basically, the spoils of winning a war is reshaping history. I saw the Searchers many times. Never did I watch this movie with the filter that John Wayne just shot the eyes out of a Native American. Nor was I surprised this was allowed to be filmed during a highly censored time in Hollywood. The allowance was give by the censors so I could think, "they were savages, this is normal."

As I watched this documentary, I could not help but ponder, "what would be the film interpretations of failed attempts at genocide if they succeeded. Would Germany have used films to portrays Jews as savages post WWII? Would there be funny cartoons with stereotypes of Jewish culture? (even worse than what is out there today) What would be the interpretations on film of other global conflicts? It is very disturbing how film and media can shape our beliefs of other cultures. Our lack of exposure to diversity allows Hollywood to shape the identities of cultural groups we do not know or understand.

Another sad aspect of the film was learning the  accuracy of one of my favorite icons of Native American caricatures: Iron Eyes Cody. Who was Iron Eyes Cody? He was the Native American that was portrayed in the anti-pollution commercials during the 1970's. This part of the documentary demonstrates the complexity of "what is real" and "what is not."

During the film, a change of events that helped us reevaluate Hollywood's portrayal of Native Americans was Marlon Brando's refusal to accept an Oscar back in the 1970s. The explanation behind this event is very telling of Marlon Brando's persona that I never understood until watching this film. There are many historical references throughout this film that will challenge most non-natives in our country to rethink what we were taught in school, and at home about Native American history. Without a doubt, a great documentary.

* Note: Reel Injun is on Netflix and you can find clips on Youtube to use in a classroom.
** If you think the singer Neil Diamond directed the film, Houston we have a problem.