Before The Flood

Before the flood is a National Geographic documentary on climate change. Leonardo DiCaprio is the main figure throughout the movie. His presence was actually a stronger part of the movie than I would have expected.

Many years ago, Al Gore had a similar movie known as an Inconvenient Truth. While and excellent movie, it had a feeling of a PowerPoint presentation by the former Vice President. What Leonardo DiCaprio brings to this documentary is the heart lacking from an Inconvenient Truth.

Leo starts the movie with his childhood vision conjured up by a renaissance art painting, "The Garden of Earthly Delights." He discusses how climate change frightened him, and he makes an astonishing connection to this brilliant piece of art. The revelation that humans are at a point in which their is no turning back on the damage fossil fuels have done to our environment.

Another aspect to the documentary is the science behind climate change. If we were to show this film to every classroom, we would surely see a change in our culture. However, films like this are optional, which is part of the problem .We allow the Koch brothers and big business to prevent a mass education to our children about climate change. The science is clear, yet there is so much doubt in the United States that climate change is real.

Solutions abound in this movie. Some simple, some complex. Even our diet plays a role in climate change. The most significant solution is people demanding change. However the barriers to change is media manipulation. This is why the movie is so important. We need to get the word out.

Before the flood is available on most platforms. If you never like Leonardo DiCaprio, this documentary may change your mind. He is an ambassador of peace, and I was truly proud of his commitment to future generations.

Luke Cage - Marvel's Social Commentary

Luke Cage on Netflix is a throw back to the 70s Marvel Comics. Marvel Comics at that time reflected a complicated period in American History. Not many people realize that Marvel Comics has a a history of Social Commentary during this time period. It was refection of the changes brought about by the Civil Rights Movement. People were tiring of the same old product of superhero. Marvel decided to take a chance on Luke Cage.  So did Netflix, and the series extended the story line to today's current events.

Luke Cage is set in Harlem. It combines many of the themes we are use to seeing. Corruption, betrayal and fighting crime go well together. However, the first African American superhero also deals with the elephant in the room. The color of his skin.

The writing is very subtle. They talk about the other guys uptown as if they were in another class system. The other guys being the Avengers. The series tackles black on black crime. Luke Cage also is the anti-hero at times. Is he getting a bad wrap because he is black?

One of the best themes whether on purpose or not is the use of the hoodie. Mistaken identity was cleverly placed in the series in my opinion to pay tribute to Trayvon Martin. After all, Luke himself was falsely accused of a crime. That is how he becomes Luke Cage.

This was a terrific series. A bit lighter than Jessica Jones and Daredevil. Humble at times, and more representative of the human side of the Marvel Universe. Minus the first episode, you could watch it with your teenagers, who are also beginning to identify with their world as Luke Cage had to after getting out of jail. Definitely

worth the binging.

Sicario - Hollywood's Mixed Message About The Border

Hollywood likes it both ways it seems when it comes to the Mexican border. They want us to believe that the border is secure enough to trust our current policies. Any attempt to control the borders is racist. Over the past year, actors and actresses are making videos about Trump being a racist for his remarks about the border. In fact, they are also producing videos that are strongly opposed to Trump's message. Why is it then,

Like him or not, the movie Sicario validates Trump's view of the border. Violent, and loaded with coyote runners (rapists). The kind of world that spills over to the U.S. as Trump described. A border on the bring of destruction. Finally, the kind of world that we have to address, as it is a creation of the U.S. government's making.

This is a great movie. Poignant to say the least. There are many great points and topics in the movie. One of my favorite lines is "Unless you can get 20% of the U.S. to stop smoking and ingesting drugs, what the hell are we going to do?" The border is clearly a complicated place created by supply and demand for drugs. Our appetite for our own internal destructive behaviors only complicates things.

When you watch the movie, you can't help but contemplate about the two worlds that we have been told exist on the border by the Democrats and Republicans. The Democrats tell us, all is better. The border is less violent that it was before.The Republicans however want us to have stronger borders because the border is out of control. What should we believe? According to Sicario, the Republicans are spot on, which with an open mind, intrigues the viewer.  As Hollywood accuses a candidate of being intolerant, they sure do paint a picture of a border that is far from tolerant. Okay Hollywood, which one is it?

Stranger Things

This would be a suggestion for Tweens and older. I do like this series on Netflix. It reminds me of some of the classic 80s movies that Spielberg created including Goonies and Poltergeist. The creators of the series master the rising climax effect that Spielberg meticulously mastered back in the day.

Another aspect I like about this series is the importance of adventure for tweens and teenagers. Science fiction allows us to imagine a world as adults that tweens imagine every day. The exploration of life beyond our limited world. A world of comic books, and sci fi thrillers allows for imagination to develop. A world that play can lead to dramatic outcomes.

The series is for older kids and adults. I still recommend viewing it with your kids. So many references to a time that has past, that might inspire a trip to the grave yard or moonlight walk. The idea of mystery is a great aspect to the world we live in. Too often, technology replaces the realm of imagination, and the places it can take us.

The Fundamentals Of Caregiving

Found within the library of Netflix originals is the movie The Revised Fundamentals of Caregiving. The movie is about a man that decides to take a caregiving job. His reasons are intrinsic and we learn how powerful the roots of compassion are when it comes to caregiving.

The movie has many themes that are important. To pay a caregiver 9.00hr is a nightmare in this country. The misgivings of such a wage challenge a family to question whether a caregiver is properly fit for such a task. The young adult in the movie has serious complications due to ALS. For any parent to leave such a medical risk with an improperly paid caregiver can be quite challenging.

Another amazing theme in this movie is that people with disabilities or life threatening illnesses can have a refreshingly strong outlook on life, if given the chance. They struggle every day, when the perceptions of parents and the community are a barrier to free will. Too often, decisions are made by authorities, not people.

The caregiver challenges this perception. He believes a young man with a disability deserves a road trip full of adventures. A voyage of discovery would be good for the young man. What is fused together on a "road of discovery" is that two parties can benefit from such an idea. It would seem that the caregiver benefits just as much as the person in need of care. This is the magic of the movie. It challenges us to expand the boundaries of caregiving. Too often, we restrict people due to disability. This movie allows us to see the benefits of enabling people to be who they are, themselves.

There is a reoccurring theme in this movie that I absolutely love. People with disabilities can have a humorous take on their own situation. I can not provide the examples without giving away the movie. (AKA the spoiler alert) I can tell you that it is these genuine moments that bring reality to light. We all have the ability to find light in dark situations.

Lastly, I cannot say enough about Paul Rudd. This movie showcases his acting talent. Too often the Hollywood machine can limit an actor. This movie gives Rudd freedom to bring emotional and raw feeling to his character. Craig Roberts also does an amazing job with his character as the young man with ALS. Both individuals work well together and their on screen chemistry make this a truly special movie. If you are a caregiver, or someone who advocates for people with disabilities, this movie is well worth watching.

Where To Invade Next

Michael Moore's latest movie challenges us to consider the benefits espoused by the European Union and a few countries around the world that have socialist democracies. The movie is quite important for citizens of the United States to watch. We will eventually have a similar form of government. Socialist governments work for the people, not corporations. When they misbehave, jail time and equitable justice will be a consequence of failure to serve the citizens. Socialist democracies are functioning quite well in Europe and some countries outside of the EU.

The movie does have some flaws and it is important to acknowledge them before viewing the movie. The basic problem for non-believes regarding Michael Moore's film is he picks and chooses what the United States should adopt from very unique countries. Many of the countries have homogeneous populations which is quite different than the United States. They often times do not have the challenges of our nation. However, their concepts of services and education have merit, and it is important for us to reexamine our principles. Those who dislike Moore will likely be unchanged after the movie. Unfortunately, that is the crowd that needs changing the most.

There are great things to consider within the context of this movie. The first thing I liked about Moore's movie is that most ideas are "American" ideas. For example, the criminal justice system in some countries is far better than ours. The concept of cruel and unusual punishment is examined closely in many countries to ensure that prisons are not corporations and judicial systems are less political and more about the civil rights of all individuals. Too many people have their rights violated in our nation. From the police to the courts, we are a nation of shame when it comes to criminal justice.

Another thing Moore does that I like is he compares and contrasts the actions of some countries to the actions of our own government. It allows the viewer to consider alternate realities. This is important as many Americans like to believe where "#1" when in all actuality, we fail our citizens due to greed and mismanagement. Healthcare is the strongest example in the movie of how positive it is to live in a society free of worry when you get sick. Another example is worker's rights. It is powerful to witness how worker's rights can transform a nation. Finally, for me, the examples of voter rights was truly powerful, and it was a theme repeated throughout the movie. Red states and Blue states are a creation of the political process in our nation. The control of the voting process is how you suppress a nation from changing the structures that exist. We have to tackle voting rights first in order to fix the rest of the problems.

Moore did not give the Democrats a pass, which was refreshing. However, I felt he gave the Clintons a pass. This is another criticism of Moore that I have to agree with. The Clintons can arguably be discussed within many topics of the movie. From email to voter fraud, he gave them a pass.

Overall, the greatest strength of this movie is the concept of socialist democracy. We need to educate ourselves that we live in a nation that government receives it's power from the people, not corporations. The quicker we transcend our nation to a government of the people, the better it will be for all Americans.

The Path - No Room For Doubt

Hulu has come up with some very good programming. The most recent addition is The Path. An outstanding series about a religious cult. This series is an organic look at human behavior. It explores how humans are attracted to faith structures. There are so many dynamics to this series that expose our own insecurities, and why we seek out the unknown.

The story has many layers. There is a spiritual leader that has inspired the cult. Yet he is sick in Peru, and many believe that he will be saved by a miracle. In the United States exists a charismatic leader that believes that a miracle most likely will not happen. In fact, he thinks that lack of a miracle could lead to people becoming non-believers and the religious order disbanding. Thus lies the many story lines that are too numerous to discuss.

What makes this series incredibly special is the sub plots. Many of the characters become victim to the religious order. There are subtle explanations to religious cults, but also the dangers of organized religion. The trust we think we have within a religion is cleverly disguised as power and control. Too often, the flock can not recognize the manipulative nature that exists to ensure people stay within the box.

Another theme that is a dark exploration of faith is trauma informed decisions. The Meyerists (Cult) attract people who have trauma as a background. Trauma provides opportunity for new members. Often times, the victims of trauma blame their family and find comfort in the religious order. This is a great example of art imitating life. This theme is common in modern religion. Often times, religious outreach involves trauma involved care. For example, the trip to Guatemala to help a remote village can be masked as a recruitment trip. The goal of the trip is to trade care for Christendom. Not all faiths use this practice, however it is very common place in our modern religious outreach.

Another story line to pay particular attention to is the role of the community. People are led to believe that non-believers should not be a part of the family structure. So true in Protestant communities that are evangelical, I found these scenes to be quite powerful. Finally, a series explores how public education is the enemy to religion. It is the role of the children to recruit the non-believers in such an institution.

If you come from a family that is agnostic or mainstream, you will especially enjoy this series. It is you, that is under constant attack by organized religion. If you have had a conservative sect take over your city or town, the connections to this series can be down right haunting.

Sexual dysfunction is another story line that is dealt with in this series. Sex is an interesting sub plot. Those with trauma fall victim to a charismatic leader due to sexual dysfunction and abuse. The leader of the cult can prey on such dysfunction. This is the darkest example of power and control that the series has to offer viewers.

Religious orders often work with teenagers. They will reach out to their vulnerabilities to make them feel a part of the faith community. In the minds of the religious leaders, the parents are the enemies of faith. It is their "godless" living that led to teenage problems. It is up to the cult to fix things and make things right. If you have ever experienced such problems within your family, you will identify with this part of the series. In fact, it might hit very close to home.

Often times, Eddie Lane repeats to his family that their is no room for doubt. This is the basis for his struggles to see the light. A powerful metaphor that has several key moments in this series.

Some story lines hurt the series. The conversions happen to fast in some situations. The FBI is too inconsistent when it comes to the intent and impact I feel the storyline could have had on the show. However, these storylines are in my mind diversions, and not necessarily too harmful to the series.

The Path is a great series that opens our minds and our hearts to challenge what we believe is truth. For Cerebral Cinema viewers, it does not get much better that this series.