I'm crying; okay, I was crying

If I had been asked a week ago what movie last made me cry, I would have said Schindler's List. On second thought it was The Hours which was so depressing it could make anyone cry. But I'm talking about one whose purpose is not to make me cry but to make me think. Usually, this is a movie based on truth.

This past Wednesday, the 15th, that movie was Lee Daniel's The Butler. (So named because someone owns the rights to The Butler, a short released in 1916! Could NOT name it just The Butler. Hollywood and copyright laws!)

Anyway, the story touched me at my core. I do not like anyone being disrespected, especially when it is for no good reason. White America's past treatment of Black Americans is a shame. There is a scene at a lunch counter where respectful but determined young black people are horribly abused just because they want to be served in the 'white' section of the counter. The courage of these people, like the others who did the same thing, is inspiring. Why should any group of people HAVE to fight for their right to be respected? Because nothing will change until someone says, "This is wrong. We won't stand for this treatment anymore."

I cried for the injustice of the past, for the pains of the people involved, for the hurt so many contributed to.

While this movie was overlooked in the Oscar race, I believe this is one movie I can recommend to everyone as a moving piece of history. Fine performances all around. Go see it.

Expelled, Iron Man

Today was a twofer. I saw two movies.

If you would rather not think, then skip EXPELLED. This is for the thinking public which in America equals about 4% of the population. The argument: should academia explore the idea of intelligent design? Apparently, if one even mentions ID in some colleges, one is let go- not renewed. This is a flipflop on the creation theory verses Darwin's evolution theory. Once upon a time a person in favor of evolution was suspect. Now one who questions evolution or Darwinism is suspect.
If the education system prohibits the exploration of alternate theories, then from where will new ideas come? Eductation, especially higher education, should look at new ideas. To keep to the old is the advent of another Dark Ages.
Does the mere thought of God, any god, frighten or annoy academia that much? It was my understanding from the film that ID does not adhere to any religion; it just questions the idea of chaos as opposed to planning. It does not say who or what created life. The answer is unknown. Further study is needed. And that study is stalled by science.

IRON MAN is a delight. Robert Downey Jr is a delight. Action and science fiction fused in a comic book makes for one hell of an adventure! As George Lucas proved over thirty years ago, science fiction movies can be quality films, with quality actors. Since many will see this movie I have decided not to elaborate on it here. Suffice to say, I have never read the comic book but I thoroughly enjoyed this movie! Join the crowd!