Viva Amiga

I recently found a documentary that validated one of the strangest obsessions of my childhood. That obsession was the Commodore family of computers. First, let me take a step back and explain computers during the 1980s.

You basically had a few choices. Commodore, Apple and IBM. IBM was a business machine and was primarily a green background that crunches numbers. Apple was a black and white machine that was limited. And then, there was the Commodore Amiga. The immortal machine that could do so much more than the rest.

Commodore had been inventive with their last computer the Commodore 64. Their follow up the 128 was a bust, so they bought the rights to the Amiga. This machine was so advanced. It was released in 1989, and truly had revolutionary concepts that today's computers owe a debt of gratitude.

Try telling that to your kids. Amiga has long since been gone. Most of my friends that debated the worthiness of the line are also gone. I shelved the whole experience. Then came the documentary, Viva Amiga. Oh my, it was like being a kid again. I watched it with my own children, and quite honestly, they loved the story. The documentary captured the history of this little known machine. Fresh and compelling, it really made the Amiga into a great story.

Anyone who computed back then will go down memory lane. Especially former Amiga users. We knew at the time that this machine was way ahead of it's time. We all were loyal fans. I am sure that most owners will remember the stories. Even if you never owned an Amiga, the movie is truly fun to watch.

Eye In The Sky

If you ever wondered about the morality of Predator Drones, and the dangers, I highly recommend Eye In The Sky. The complications of predator drones go well beyond what we can imagine. The movie is as real as it gets.

The plot(spoiler alert) is about a drone attack in a remote portion of Africa that is needed to thwart a future terrorist attack. The detail to the planning of such acts is simple mind boggling. The actual drone operations are in Nevada. The main character (Aaron Paul) notices that a little girl is within the home that is going to be imploded. A series of moral dilemmas ensues with the planning. The governments of the UK and the US are indifferent to the little girl. They see her as collateral damage. A means to an end for ending attacks on us. The back and forth between the soldier responsible for destroying the compound and his counterparts at a much higher level are as good as it gets.

The ending of the story truly was a non-Hollywood ending. Just as dark as you can get in a cinematic experience. And the director bravely kept it real, instead of the hero saves the day kind of ending. This is what I admire most about the film. The movie makes us feel uncomfortable, and we should feel that way. The morality of video game wars are complicated. I would have thought we could be desensitized to killing another human being. The film does a great job of challenging the morality of such technology.

There are many more intriguing parts to this movie that challenge our conventional thinking. I highly recommend this movie for anyone considering the armed services. It also serves as a reminder what could happen if this technology were to get into the wrong hands. We could be just as vulnerable. Bottom line, great movie. Watch it with as many friends and family as you can. It is sure to provoke interesting conversations after the movie.

The Matrix

The Matrix was a movie made in 1999 that is more relevant today than people realize. Somehow, it serves as a metaphor for our world we live in.  The movie depicts a dystopian society whereas people live in an alternate reality, dominated by energy sources not within their control. Today's climate is very similar. People allow their smart phones and social media apps to help them see the world they live in. Many are lost in a world of applications, and critical thinking is playing less of a roll in our world. The sentinel machines are after all, technology.

The premise of the original is that Neo, played by Keanu Reeves learns that he has been living in an alternate reality. Morpheus, his guide offers home a choice. He can take 1 pill that allows him to stay in his current reality, or take another pill to free his mind to learn of the "real" world that his lives in. Once Neo frees his mind, he is able to see what is "real."

We live in an age that we Facebook is like a modern day civil war. Meme's shape reality. People use twitter to post in 140 characters or less their feelings and emotions regarding civil rights. The struggle is guided by minimal thought. Technology replaces pen and paper thought processes. Humans rely on emotional responses not through human interaction, but through computer interaction. In a sense, the Matrix is very real.

Realistic fiction and science fiction predicted today's world that we live in. We were warned early on by shows like the Twilight Zone and Outer limits that realities are sometimes created for us, and technology will strongly influence our perceptions of what is "real" The Matrix is a great example of this reality. So here is the question, when you woke up this morning, what pill did you choose? When a person questions reality, transformational changes can occur. We all have the potential to be Neo.

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.

Hush

The United States has a fascination with serial killers. We believe in many myths presented to us by the media. Serial Killers are a small portion of our society. Any given year, there are only 25-50 active serial killers and they account for less than 1 percent of the 15000 homicides a year. Generally, they are not the psychopaths we see in the movies. The live within our community and often blend in with their peers. This makes them hard the catch and elusive to the police.

There is a movie that explores a serial killer that is very good. Hush is a movie that has a unique concept. What if the serial killer stumbles upon a victim by accident that could provide for them a unique experience compared to previous kills? In this case, the victim has lost her hearing and survives in an environment for the hearing impaired. Thus lies the conundrum. Can a serial killer adapt to a world new and unfamiliar to them? Will this new thrill be sufficient enough to satisfy their appetite for power and control?

This movie is a great thriller that examines the unique world all to familiar to our culture. And it was directed with such authenticity. The acting is superb. Because we enter the world of silence, this movie has very little dialog. Unbeknownst to the viewer, you enter that world without realizing you have transformed universes. And at times, the world on the non-hearing can provide a haunting environment for the hearing. You feel the vulnerabilities as the plot develops. You also can experience a transformation of weakness to strength, which I feel is the most compelling part of the story.

The movie's mood is dark. It provides for that edge of your seat feeling that thriller/horror movies rarely capture any more. Pop outs are more the norm compared to being on edge from suspense. You forget how important foreshadowing is until you watch this movie. A great concept for a thriller and I highly recommend it for cerebral cinema viewers.

Author's note: Hush is available on Netflix

Concussion

Concussion is a powerful movie on many fronts. I would recommend it for cerebral cinema for a couple of reasons. The movie is a great example of profits versus people. It also serves as a reminder that professional sports is putting demands on the human body that are extremely dangerous and hidden from the fans. And finally, watch Will Smith's performance and learn why African Americans protested the Oscars. His performance was truly worthy of a nomination.

From an educational point of view, the movie recreates the carnage caused by concussions in football. The story leaves little doubt about the medical problems that exist in the NFL. The powerful part of this story is the impact exposing a story can have on a person's life. Whistleblowers generally are attacked and misaligned by powerful forces. Honesty and transparency can be difficult when money is involved. During the time of the concussion connection to football, the NFL clearly wanted the information suppressed. The NFL is a billion dollar industry and concussions are a threat to the bottom line.

Concussion offers an honest glimpse into power structures and how they work in the United States. The systems of justice, clearly can be impacted by money. Corporate lawyers know how to deal with liabilities that impact the bottom line of the corporations they work for. Clearly, it is an uphill battle to fight for the truth and transparency.  Justice can have a blind eye, and Concussion is a great example how professional sports can be unjust.

Only The Dead See The End Of War

The Iraq War was a disaster. A poor foreign policy decision. The United States destabilized a region that had a ripple effect that we should never forget the consequences of our actions.

There are many very good documentaries on the war. In fact, I have reviewed one many years ago about the corporatizing of the war. Recently, I found a documentary that will serve for years as an archive how the war fell apart. The documentary, Only The Dead See The End Of War is a carnal, raw view of the war's progression into chaos.

An Iraqi Time's Magazine correspondent documented the unravelling of systems that led to chaos. I literally watched in aw as a nation of hope quickly transferred into a sectarian mess. We lacked the resources and competency to keep the nation from falling into chaos. Mission Accomplished was an embarrassment as President Bush declared the war a success.

I also could not help but judge our current President for his actions. We had a responsibility to restore order, and we abandoned the country again in 2009. While this was not a part of the movie, you can make a correlation that our leaving did leave a vacuum for ISIS. We had to have known this was a possibility, considering the well documented actions of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. He literally provided a blue print for ISIS to exists and prosper if the nation were to be plunged into chaos again.

This documentary is not for the faint of heart. Even with some digital protections, the movie provides a rare insight into what our veterans of the war went through from 2003-2007. While the media did cover the problems, we were protected from the raw videos you see in this documentary. If we saw these images, instead of the sanitized 30 sec clips given to us every night, I actually think we would have stayed to help keep Iraq stable. I think our government felt like we would have done the opposite.

Generations will look back at the historical archives such as this documentary, and not look very kindly on our decision to invade Iraq. We see the consequences all around us today. Every action, has a reaction, and we made a serious foreign policy mistake by invading Iraq. One last thing about this movie, the courage displayed by this journalist makes this documentary special. I am pretty confident most journalists would not have travelled the roads this journalist did to bring us the most authentic accounting of the unravelling of Iraq.

11.22.63

Netflix opened the door for independent movie and series a few years ago. Since inception, similar services such as HULU have produced series and movies. One that just finished up on HULU that was exceptional was 11.22.63. Based on the Stephen King novel, the series stars James Franco. This is probably one of Franco's best efforts since Planet of the Apes.

The series is based on parallel time travel. As in previous reviews, I have stated that a parallel universe has infinite possibilities for story telling. This series is a great example of the possibilities. If fact, this is the first series to reach to the level of the Twilight Zone. King cleverly tackles so many nuances, that you almost have to watch the series more than once.

Many things make 11.22.63 a great series. The authenticity of time travel is brilliant. I have studied the Kennedy Assassination, and see many original clips and pictures. JJ Adams and Stephen King create a portal in time. I literally felt like I was in Dallas in 1963.

Without spoiling the series for you, I will share that the Kennedy assassination is brilliantly woven into the story line. The last episode is an emotional cliffhanger. You are never quite sure how the series is going to end throughout the first 7 episodes. Franco, and the entire cast are part of the success of the series keeping us uncertain. They manage to give you the impression they do not know how their actions will impact history.

Plot twists abound in this series. Well written and directed, with a few adjustments from the book. From start to finish, the acting and writing is outstanding. The ending in itself,
 is truly thought provoking. I highly recommend 11.22.63.

Room

When movies are inspired by books, the results can be mixed. The toughest critics at times are the people that read the book. Higher expectations from readers are difficult to meet, because movie directors and screen writers are charged with the responsibility to make the transition smooth from paper to cinema.

One movie accomplishes in my mind the transition with striking detail. Room, which is based on the book is a very good movie. I strongly believe (I have read the book) that people watching the book will find themselves doing what I did throughout the movie, and that is thanking the producers and directors for staying true to the story.

I also found the casting was outstanding. The movie was spot on regarding each character from the book. It was as if I closed my eyes and opened them to what I would imagine the character to be like on screen.. One of the worthiest transitions I have ever witnessed. This is the kind of story that casting could be a make or break a movie. The characters are rich, and the depth of the story has a critical point of change that requires strong acting.

If you failed to read the book, spoiler alert. Room brings you into a world we can hardly imagine. The darkest depths of humanity is represented in this movie. What I loved about the book is that it touches my soul, as I hear of stories similar to room in the news. How does one transition to what we perceive as "normal." The answer may just be hope. Rent or buy room, and you decide for yourself.

From Rocky To Creed - The Legacy Continues

Rocky on a cerebral cinema blog? Of course! However this s a documentary about the evolution of Rocky. And, quite a good one. You will learn how art imitates life. Sylvester Stallone's life is quite similar to the original Rocky.

This documentary gives us insight in the evolution of Rocky as a franchise. Not all that glitters is gold in this documentary. It is about the fall from grace as much as it is about the success of the franchise.

Surprisingly, it also comes full circle with the movie Creed. The coming of age of Creed is hauntingly similar to the original Rocky. Stallone had closed the door to such an idea. Similar to the movie executives in the early 70s, the concept of Creed had to overcome some big obstacles. It took Stallone over a year to consider the concept.

For fans of Rocky, you learn a lot about Stallone. The development of the character is just part of the story. With a small budget, new innovations in production were used to save money. In a sense, less was more back then.

Stallone opens up to discuss his personal life when the first Rocky was in development. I enjoyed learning that his personal life was paved by hard work and resilience. A great lesson for kids to also learn. Check out Creed. Well worth the look. (Available on Epix and Hulu)

The Battered Bastards Of Baseball

The Battered Bastards Of Baseball is simply, a fun documentary. If you are a baseball fan, you will love this movie. It takes us to a time when sports was simpler. No huge contracts, just the willingness to play ball for the love of the game.

The movie itself is sort of a time travel to Portland Oregon back in the 1the Portland Mavericks. Typical of Portland, the city takes a chance on an independent team. What happens after the decision to host a "not so typical" franchise is what makes the movie so fascinating.

Because the movie is so unique, I do not want to give too much away. However there is a strange twist in the ownership that would surprise many watching the movie. The owner's son is a future Hollywood celebrity. The movie provides insight why this celebrity comes across so genuine. It is fascinating to have such insight into a person's life.

The Mavericks were literally the Bad News Bears of adult professional baseball. Rich in humor and diversity, you feel like you missed a part of baseball history. I found myself wanting to be a part of the time period.  Intriguing to watch, as we may never see a future franchise with such colorful characters, I highly recommend you watch this documentary.

Making a Murderer - Social Inequalties On Trial

Making a Murderer is a documentary on Netflix. An intriguing examination into a complicated murder case in Wisconsin. The documentary focused on the false imprisonment of Stephen Avery that sent an innocent man to jail for 18 years. Once he won his freedom, he was accused of a murder charge shortly before an 18 million dollar verdict was going to trial. The evidence suggest that the County Sheriff was quick to draw to conclusions without due process procedures being followed.

While the false imprisonment is the central theme, there is another underlying theme to this documentary that I feel carries more weight. This documentary demonstrates that our judicial system, like most systems in our society benefits the rich. The poor have a much higher likelihood of social injustice.

Spoiler Alert - (If you have not watched the documentary, you may want to skip this paragraph)
A key part of the documentary is the settlement. Due to the second arrest,  Mr. Avery settles for 400.000 dollars so that he can afford a defense team. He would have a multi-million dollar settlement, however his arrest forced his hand to settle for less.

Without the settlement, Mr. Avery would have been given little attention from the media. His connection to the innocence project helped to bolster attention to both projects. While watching things unfold, one has to wonder, how many people do not get the benefit of the doubt that money gave Mr. Avery. Most of our citizenry has to rely on a public defender, which the documentary shows is practically worthless.

The documentary provides an interesting examination of Public Defenders. The problem for public defenders is quite simple. Public defenders do not have the resources that the prosecution team will be able to access. This leaves the client of a public defender vulnerable. In fact, some public defenders may have conversations with the DA without their client knowing that a plea bargain is in the works. A very dangerous precedent for people in poverty. You get the feeling this happens more often than people realize.

Money makes all the difference. When you do have money, you can analyze the evidence and mount an argument for your defense. The documentary clearly demonstrates this by allowing you insight into multiple trials. The trial of the 16 year old was very telling. The lawyers that were public defenders were outplayed by the judicial system. The young man never had a chance, because the public defender had very little to rely on to proved the innocence of their client.

Making a Murderer provides an interesting look into the inequities of our judicial system. A system that needs reforming and a return to Constitutional principles that a man/woman is presumed innocent and it is up to the prosecutor to prove without a shadow of a doubt that someone is guilty. There is a blurred line between prosecuting the right person versus who the state thinks did the crime.

Slingshot

Have you ever heard of inventor Dean Kamen? If you have not, I highly recommend the movie Slingshot. Slingshot is a movie about Kamen's work to solve the world's water crisis. Kamen has previous inventions. His most noted is the Segway. A technological flop that was going to revolutionize walking.  What you soon learn about Kamen is that he is much more than the Segway. His inventions help people in need and his goal is to lessen suffering. He wants to live in a world that our passion for inventing surpasses the culture of learning that exists in our nation. He wants our children to live in a world that celebrates learning as much as it celebrates sports.

Kamen inspired making learning fun by bringing a sports like environment to Science and Technology. If your child has been a part of a local Legos competition, you will soon learn who inspired the FLL league.

Ultimately,  Slingshot is a study and a look at Kamen's vapor compression distiller from its earliest development through recent trials in rural Ghana and beyond. As I watched the movie, I wondered what is holding back his technological advance for clean water. It would save hundreds of thousands of lives. The technology would also have a dramatic impact on health and wellness around the world.

Children should strongly be encouraged to watch this movie. The movie espouses many characteristics of learning that benefit the world they live in. It opens up the mind to possibilities that children need to ponder, including empathy for the world they live in today. Slingshot is a great movie for families to watch together and can inspire the young inventor that lives inside all of us.

Spotlight - It Takes A Village To Abuse A Child

Spotlight is a movie about the Catholic Church abuse scandal that was covered up in Boston for many years from the 1960s to 2001. The movie is powerful, and immerses the viewer into the cover ups discovered by the investigation by the newspaper, the Boston Globe. The team of investigators from the newspaper uncover a trail of shame and fear that existed in Boston for generations.

The most important part of the movie can be summed up in one line, "It Takes A Village To Abuse A Child." This movie shows how children are vulnerable to abuse when there are systemic problems. It not only calls out the Catholic Church, it also calls into question the system that is supposed to protect children from abusive priests.

When you think about it, how did so many priests violate over a thousand children without anyone be prosecuted? Why did child protective services, family courts, and the media fail to bring attention to he repeated abuse by priests?  Every safety net played a role in neglect. In fact, the movie acknowledges that the same paper that exposed the scandal was guilty of covering up the stories in the past.

There is much to learn from Spotlight. You can apply this to any system of care that has abuse. Up to 10 percent of our population can experience sexual abuse during a lifetime. The scandal with the Catholic Church is not a singular issue. Hopefully Spotlight will inspire many to ask questions of all our services within a community to ask tough questions, and protect our children from future abuse.

I was haunted by a part of the movie that portrayed the local church leadership as indifferent to the scandal. Hinting that in some cases, it was not the priests faults. Fast forward 15 years and similar testimony was uncovered by the bishop in our diocese. Here is the link below:
Syracuse Bishop Blames Victim's For Abuse

The Man In The High Castle

A story that transports people to an alternate reality usually challenges us to examine our own behaviors. Alternate universes are also important for us to understand our reality. Sometimes, we live in a box whether we want to admit it or not. We allow ourselves to believe we live in a reality that was shaped by our own choices, without realizing that realities can be shaped by events and environmental influences.  Rod Serling proved how effective the could be almost 60 years ago. He created a 5th dimension that transported people to a world that could talk about prejudice without impunity. And his show helped Americans realize we are not as tolerant as we would like to think we are. In fact, much was wrong with America and it's claim to being a democratic nation.

Amazon has decided to test that reality by releasing a series known as "The Man In The High Castle." The series is based very loosely on the book of the same title. (Fans of the book will most likely be disappointed) The series is based on an alternate universe whereas a series of events led to the United States losing WWII. The setting is early 1960s, and the United States is divided into 3 sections. The west is the Pacific Coast States under control of Japan. The east is controlled by Germany and the Rocky Mountain states are a neutral zone.

The two superpowers are Japan and Germany, not the US and USSR. As with our reality, the Japanese and Germans want to control the rest of the world. The intrigue develops with this very tense relationship among the superpowers. What makes the series so unique is that it breaks down the alternate universe intimately by an intriguing analysis of the main characters. There are plenty of twists and turns how we got to 1960. And the parallel universe of the real United States lurks in the background. The main weapon are missing film clips, that both sides want to hide from the general population.

There are so many levels to this series that are worth talking about. It challenges us to examine our policies of our past and present in the current United States of America. The revisionist nature of series allows for clever plot twists based on our own knowledge of history. While the story strays from the book, I actually like the writing as it provides a contemporary look at history from a lens of a totally different world. It gives the viewer a sense of good, bad, and indifference to how we see the world. This is the best part of the series. It surely encourages many to examine their own perception of history.

Why The Pope Needs To See St. Vincent

St. Vincent is a story of hope and humor that many will enjoy. However, I was intrigued how the movie used the Catholic church as a backdrop to the story. In fact, I hope the Pope watches this movie to understand why it is important for the church to move forward in the 21st century. There is a disassociation with the church due to the moral crisis that has been neglected for decades by the church leadership. This void has allowed many to forget was is great about the Catholic church.

To understand the moral consequences of the Catholic church failing the flock, we have to travel back to the 20th Century. For many, this century was guided by many Catholic communities in our country, especially in the northeast. People were guided by churches and Catholic schools that had young vibrant priests. Contrary to popular belief, many children grew up with a positive experience from growing up Catholic. Unfortunately, the church crisis of the last 20 years has caused a vacuum in our country. The current and past Popes failed their parishes  and refused to acknowledge the crisis that existed with priests. The Pope lost the confidence of many parishes by sacrificing trust for the protection of deviant priests who committed heinous crimes against humanity. By doing this, the Catholic Church has virtually wiped away the positive aspects of healthy parishes and scared away a generation of Catholic families to their Protestant counterparts. All that is left for many are churches led by men in their 70s, 80s, and 90s.

St. Vincent provides the current Pope a reminder how a healthy parish and school can be a connection to positive Catholic values and teachings. St. Vincent is a modern day Bells of St. Mary's. It connects us to children, learning that the world is not perfect allows them to have empathy. The priest/teacher is a backdrop to help children to the disconnects of our world.

The background of the movie is what makes a Saint. The idea of a "saint" being moral while alive is not absolute. Many saints in fact came from humble roots and rose to the calling of compassion and empathy by examples through a series of tests that life provided them. A calling to God has many roads for saints to travel. In an odd way, the movie explains the very "human" road to saint hood. And, that we have many saints that exist without getting recognition from the church.

The lessons from St. Vincent will be lost by our next generation of children growing up today if the Pope does not reform the church. Hopefully, Pope Francis will realize that St. Vincent is a core value of the church that the Vatican should strive to work towards at the local level. To regain that trust again, many changes will need to happen in the current priesthood that requires hard choices by this Pope. Hopefully, he will realize the value of everyday saints are far more important than the protection of priests that had no business being clergy.