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Reviews
Flashpoint (2008)
Best Cop show.
I've just discovered this series on ION Television, and am glued to the television, from 10pm to 4am, 3 nights a week. My favorites are: Sgt. Parker (Enrico Colantoni), Ed Lane (Hugh Dillon), Mike Scarlatti (Sergio Di Zio), and Jules Callaghan (Amy Jo Johnson).
The screenwriters have developed a lot of intense action where both men and women perform high risk rescue missions, handling of state-of-the-art weapons, profiling of suspects, and interventions. Then they delve into each character's deepest emotions and into their personal lives. It depicts them as real human beings.
Kudos to ION Television for presenting this series and in sequence, so you can follow the context of the character's lives.
Two thumbs up.
Trouble the Water (2008)
Best of the current documentaries
I just saw this film tonight, at it's opening in Hollywood, and encourage this to go nationwide. It breaks my heart at how our corrupt government completely ignored the cries of the people. It's almost as if the government was looking for a reason to destroy the population of the 9th Ward in New Orleans (i.e.: a form of genocide). This is a very powerful study of the devastation from the "ground" floor -- thanks to Kimberly Rivers Roberts (and her husband Scott) home videos.
During the closing credits, the filmmakers showed what the current status of all the characters -- including the Captain of the Naval Base and his Presidential Commendation for protecting the (disbanned) base from possible terrorist activity.
I'm a high school Social Studies teacher in Los Angeles and can't wait for the DVD so I can share this with my students.
Tucker: The Man and His Dream (1988)
Why was Lloyd Bridges not credited for his part as Senator Homer Ferguson?
Why was Lloyd Bridges not credited for his part as "Senator Homer Ferguson"? He's Jeff Bridges' father and played a very crucial role to the plot of this film and the driving force behind Tucker's failure. The cinematography of this film was appropriately done in widescreen, in order to depict the immensity of Tucker's dream. Lloyd Bridges' portrayal of Senator Ferguson, was so well done that I really resented his position of power to be able to destroy this innovative automobile.
I actually remember this car when my father brought home a brochure. I used to watch "Sea Hunt" every week and I feel Lloyd Bridges deserves to be credited in every movie that he has appeared in.
Teddy
Ben-Hur (1959)
The Effect of a Disease During the Time of Christ
I was particularly interested in the way the director, William Wyler, graphically depicted leprosy during the time of Christ and the affect it had on the people. Judah Ben Hur's mother, Miriam, and his sister, Tirzah, were imprisoned and found four years later having advanced cases of leprosy. They were let go and outcast to a leper colony, which was a deserted rock quarry with many caves. The unaffected citizenry feared the disease and avoided anyone who had it. The residents of the colony were fed by lowering food from the rim of the quarry.
Leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease, is an infectious disease caused by the Mycobacterium lepta bacterium that can lead to desecration of the body or skin. The modern term for the disease is named after the discoverer of the bacterium, Gerhard Armauer Hansen.
Today, there are cures for this disease and it's effects have been reduced. For most people, a six month course of tablets for the milder form of leprosy and two years for the more severe form will cure them of the disease. However, for those who suffer a disabling reaction caused by the build-up of dead bacilli in the body, additional steroid treatment is given. According to recent figures from the World Health Organization (WHO), there has been a decreasing occurrence of new cases by 21% from 2003 to 2004, or approximately 107,000 cases. (RE: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leprosy)
Goodnight, Joseph Parker (2004)
This movie NEEDS to be seen.
Steven Tyler has real ability as an actor. Because his character is so much like him, Steven didn't much of a stretch to make "Sammy" come alive. His portrayal as a shameless bad boy looking for a good time and fast woman is too much like he is in his real life.
Paul Sorvino outdoes himself. Probably one of his best performances as "Charlie".
Nick Chinlund has done very well in his television performances, but playing the part of "Joseph Parker" places Nick on the threshold of big screen greatness.
This movie needs to be seen by the public at large.
Black. White. (2006)
Great series, providing depth of discussion amongst high school students.
I began discussions about prejudice with my high school students, before starting to show this series. My classrooms consist of equal representation of Asian, Black, Hispanic, and White races. Many of them were not aware of racism in their personal experience. Each week I've been showing the new episode of "Black, White". Each week they've been asked to write their views and comments on several questions concerning that episode. Then the next day the students are asked to share their comments, which manifests a lot of good discussion and interaction amongst the students.
Most of the students do not receive the FX Channel at home so they really look forward to each week's showing and the ensuing discussion. This lesson plan will definitely become part of my annual repertoire. I hope that this series is released on DVD, for easier setup in the future.
As a comment for further seasons, the producers could develop the racial differences between other cultural combinations (i.e.: Black and Hispanic, Gays and Straights, Jews and Gentiles, Male and Female, etc.)