The Man Behind The Curtain: February

We are now in the third month of 2024 and time is flying much faster than is normally does for me. I think with how busy I have been in the last several months I thought that February would give me some sort of a break. Seeing that it's March 1st and I only just now got caught up on the movies that I wanted to watch for the month, I think time is already slipping away from me. I am thankful that this coming weekend I have no plans. I am very hopeful that I can get some stuff that I have been avoiding done, and also maybe get a head start on some stuff. 

So, I have found kind of a flaw in my Authentic themed project this year. Usually, I am very to the point on what I want to talk about and what I want to match with. I feel like both of my plans are somewhat half baked. The reason that neither one of them is super extensive this year is because I knew going in I was going to be overwhelmed. The problem with this one, in particular, is a huge part of it is a surprise for my friends at the end of the year. So I am kind of at a loss for what I want to go in depth with what make certain parts of me authentic. Why I love certain things. So, I think it's going to be a lot of last minute question here you guys. However, I have been thinking about one thing this month in particular. 

However, we need to talk about Jack Black and The School of Rock first. 

 

Dewey Finn and an aspiring Rock and Roller whose biggest dream is to win the Battle of the Bands. Winning the competition gives you a huge chance to be able to have any and all of you rock star dreams coming true. Dewey's ego, and inability to be able to work well with other gets him kicked out is his band before he has a chance to go after that dream. This, and the fact that he is falling way behind in rent, puts Dewey in a bind to have to get some sort of job. In a moment of desperation, and pure luck, he is home when a school principal calls looking for his roommate to sub a class long term. Dewey gets the idea that he can sub, without much work, and get a paycheck that will give him a chance to get a new band together and get back on track. 

Everything is going to plan until the kids that he wanted nothing to do with, show that they have some musical talent that he knows he can exploit to get back into the competition. With some more lying, and a bit of acting on the part of the kids, his plan works and they start working together to become the best band that they can be. However, Dewey realizes that not only does he love being with the kids and teaching them about music, that he loves being a with the other teachers as well. He starts to make friends with kids and teachers alike, while also helping these private school kids find that they are more than just a grade. Music really let them come out of their shells and is helping them to explore different kids of music, and other things that they are interested in. 

This is a movie that I have seen just a few times in my life, and never all the way through at once. It's way different than what I thought it was for some reason. However, this film is just the best way to show Jack Black just being Jack Black in a movie. I mean I really hope he is not that much of jerk in real life like he is at the beginning of the movie, but the rest of it seems like what you see of them on the red carpets. 

What I really loved about this film is that Jack Black really loves music in real life, and it very much shows in this movie. He loves playing, dancing, and teaching about it. He uses all different kinds of music to help the kids to connect with what their strengths are and how so many different type of people are in the music business. Also, all the ways you can be apart without having to sing or play an instrument. Jack Black talking about music like it's connected to his soul, and that a part of him would cease to exists if music was no longer a part of his life. 

That is how I feel about movies. That should not be a surprise if you are here reading this. I think just about every single blog I have written has mentioned a movie of some type on there. If you remember my post from last year that I went to see a movie in the theatre where my parents met, you know that movies seem to be part of my DNA. My first movie was Aladdin. I went to see that when I wasn't even on yet and my dad had to put the film together. Mom took me to the theater and I got to watch it before anyone else did walking around in my walker in the theater. 

My mom has even told me that I learned how to "read" when I was very small from the VHS tapes of Disney movie I had. I knew what tape when in what box. Really I think I just matched the patterns of the writing of the title to the same writing on the box. I have always had some sort of movie memorabilia up on my walls. However, it wasn't until I saw The Wizard of Oz when I was 16 that my loves of movies got to the level that is has. Half my lifetime ago I fell in love with movies in a significant way. 

Why? 

I think it's because movie are a way to speak to people without having to over complicate the world. I have been to many movies in my life and I don't always go when I am happy. I have been when I was in love, scared, heartbroken, mourning, angry, confused. The movies are designed to tell you a story and in doing so they have to be allowed to control you emotions to a degree. They are made to get you to think about more than yourself, and to consider and question you. They are a way to interact with the world and discuss things that don't normally happen to you. 

They tell real stories, fake stories, love stories, and even the most vile and heart wrenching things you can possibly imagine. They have to do this in a matter of hours and cover so much ground. Stores that you would have never heart of before are unfolded in front of your eyes. The past, present, and future all exist in 28 seconds per frame. I constant movie snapshot of life being played out before your life. Just like telling a story with your friends you can have the same story told but in a different way and perspective and have it be a totally different feeling story while still getting all of the fact right. 

I love movies because I love good stories. While there are a lot of the technical aspects of movies that I love too, I love that you can tell all different kids of stories to all different kids of people all over the world. No matter how real, or outrageous, that story can be. 

No Place Like Movies From Home: Babes In Arms

  We made it! We are finally back in to the groove of musicals and I am so excited! I was so excited that I almost watched the next movie on my list but that would have made me behind for this blog. So, I thought better of it and decided to wait. However, we are about to talk one of my favorite actors Mickey Rooney. 

Micky and Patsy are teenagers who were born into Vaudeville families. They are trying their best to make names for themselves selling songs and performing. However, their families are struggling because movies have taken over the entertainment world and Vaudeville is becoming a thing of the past, so they are getting now work. When their parents decide that they are going to try and go back on the road again, the kids get excited right before they find our that they aren't going. When the road is not giving them the money they hope for the kids decide that they are going to put on a show in their hometown to raise some money. The problem is there is a woman in town who wants these kids to go to work factories since their parents can't take care of them. It's a race against time for the kids to put on a show and save their families, and might become famous in the process. 

Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney has worked in a total of 11 movies together. They starred in eight of them together, guest started for each other in two, and the last one was a flashback moment. Of the eight that they starred in three were Andy Hardy films and the other five were stand along musicals. Babes in Arms is one of the stand alone films. 

This movie really holds a special place in my heart because of the fact that it was a still from this movie that introduced me to Mickey Rooney. When I was in high school I had to write a research paper, and I chose to do it on Judy Garland. In a book I got from the library, there was a picture of the both of them on a stage and the face Mickey Rooney made was so funny I had to know more. That is how I found our about how many movies they have done together. I quickly learned that Mr. Rooney is one of the best, and most popular, actors of his time. He has worked with the best actors and actresses in Hollywood, he has started in 100s of films, and has done voice work for some very well know characters. Discovering Mickey Rooney further my love of classic films more than I thought it ever would. 

His work with Judy Garland will always be my favorite. I have seen dozens of his films, but the ones he works with Judy you can tall that he loves being with her and you can tell that they are both having fun. The dancing, singing, and joy the emanate from the screen is contagious. Yet, when they get serious and dramatic it makes you heart ache as only they can. 

While Babes In Arms is not my favorite of their films it's still one of the best of them on screen. The love story they have a very sweet, and the way Ms. Garland looks when she thinks Mickey like another girl more makes you want to tear your heart out. Then you have all of the fabulous songs that make you want to dance in your seat. The story seems a little on probable, like most musicals really, it's still fun to believe that if you dream big enough you can make your dreams come true. While I believe that you can do that, really it takes much longer than three weeks to happen. 

Would I recommend this film? Yes! If you love a good music and a sappy sweet story line I would. If you love teenagers chasing dreams, yes. It's not the biggest and most popular of all of the movies that exist, but it's such a sweet and fun movie that it's not too hard to enjoy.  

Come Forward: January

 I think that most of agree the January is a very hard month. I as mentioned not long ago, it's the time after the holidays that we should recoup from our adventures in gift giving and merriment. There are these things called "resolutions" that seem to stop up from getting fully rested. This is the time of year where everyone is highly motivated to get healthier, happier, and betty in what area of their life that they deem needs fixing. The problem with the "high stakes high reward" mentality when it comes some of these resolutions is that they are not practical. Since they are not practical it's hard to keep up with them. I know that in my fair share of setting goals and trying to change I bit off more than I can chew most of the time. That is why setting a goal and taking tiny steps to get it is much better than just jumping in full force.

Now, I will say sometimes the first step is jumping in. At least that is what Mrs. G in Freedom Writers did when she showed up for her first day as a teacher. 

Mrs. G came to Woodrow Wilson High School with the hope that she would be able to not only teach her kids, but to instill a love of learning. However, when she got to the school things did not go how she expected them to go. She knew that tensions would be high because of the violence and tension the surrounded LA for the last few years and because the school has gone "down hill" due to the introduction of a more diverse groups of people. She thought that she would have gotten a small ounce of teaching done. However, the students wanted nothing to do from her. That all changed when she found a way to get the kids to see that they share similar lives and stories not matter what they think about how they look on the outside. 

Mrs. G offered up the use of journals in order to help them to develop and go through what is going on in their personal lives. Then when they felt like they could trust her they slowly start to let her teach them. threw these babies steps, they started enjoying her classroom and soon became very motivated to set goals and make things happed for them they never dreamed possible. They soon learned that they are more capable than what the people and culture around them tell them.

 I don't think I have ever seen this movie all the way through before. I saw enough of it to know how everything kind of goes down and how it ends. However, when you don't sit through whole thing it's hard to really get the full depth of the movie. It was so good to see how one person can do something to effect other peoples lives. What I love to is she met them where they were at. She expected more from them but she didn't expect it to happen all at once. She met them where they were at emotionally, and where they were at in their studies. 

I know for me and my schedule, there is a lot of pushing through in order to get things done. I know that if I am idle that it can cause chaos in my personal, emotional and spiritual life. That I know that Sometimes you just have to make yourself do something and push on to the next. Not every step you take, in whatever it is we are al working on, is going to be fun. Sometimes we have to just make ourselves get to the next step. The next step could be amazing, or it could be the very thing you need to get to to make more progress

I am hoping that as the year goes on that I will be able to see where I need to push through and where I might be able to get to try a different tactic. I know from experience that just pushing through, and doing only that, will cause you to burn out. 

No Place Like Movies At Home: Key Largo

 FINALLY! Key Largo was the last Bogie and Bacall movie and now I know that good movies that I have always been my "go to" that I am very excited to watch again. It's been a very long time for some of these movies. 

Frank McCloud is making a special trip down to Florida, specifically Key Largo. He is there to speak to the wife and father of a soldier that he got to know during if time in the war. That soldier lost is life and spoke highly of those he loved and was going to miss. When Frank meets Nora Temple, and her father in law James, he comes to learn about them and how great of honorable people that they are. They run a hotel on the island and are always prepared to do whatever needs to be done to keep the hotel going, and the guests happy. the problem is most of the hotel is closed down due to the guest that are currently staying. Johnny Rocco and his gang have rented out the hotel in. They say they are there for a simple fishing trip, but really they are there to get a whole load of cash and get to back to Cuba. However, everything to sideways when a hurricane stops Rocco's contacts to get to the meeting point on time. The delay in plan gives way to Frank finding out what is really happening and tries to stop it. This leads to Frank, Nora and James being trapped at gunpoint in the house as the hurricane rages over them. 

I have to say that out of all four of the Bogie and Bacall movies, this was the best one. It actually held most of my attention and really had some great story telling. I cared about the characters and really was hoping for everyone to make it out unscathed. As is life, that didn't happen the way I wanted to. 

I would actually recommend this movie. Just because I am very tired of dramas at the moment doesn't mean that I won't watch it again. I think once I get some movies that I love into the mix again things will be better!

The List: #110

 I am so excited that I already get to cross something off my list this year in the year! 

On the 18th of January the Tennessee Theatre brought Wicked to the good people of Knoxville! I am happy that I am one of the people that were able to grab tickets to the show! 

I have been wanting to see this show since I have known of it's existence. I have heard great things from everyone who has seen it. When I found out it was coming I went into planning mode to get tickets! I would soon find out that was the easy part. 

See, there was a massive snow storm where I live. The show was here and played but the snow almost made it impossible to go to the show. However, I did not let that stop me, or or fairygod daughter, from seeing the show.

 

It was by far the best show I have ever gotten to see, and it was so worth the wait! 

The Man Behind The Curtain: January

For most people, January is a month the drags on and seems to never end. You have the new year and then it's just a checklist of taking down decorations from Christmas, and getting back onto schedule. There is a high urgency to get everything just right and starting off the new year right. After the first week things slow back into the pace that you were at before the holiday started. 

That is not the case for me. 

 Every year my church starts off the year with a 21 day fast. It's not just not eating for three weeks, it's going to the church and listening to preachers and teachers almost every single night for three weeks. My January rolls into being one of the busiest times of the year for me. There is no hanging out with friends, or doing stuff after work, it's just none stop going. So, I figured that would be the first topic of what I believe, and why it applies to me being more authentic. 

 We do need to talk about Daniel in The Karate Kid first. 

Daniel and his mom move across the country even though Daniel has not interest in living in California. The apartment they have is lack luster, he doesn't know anyone, and he starts getting picked on right from the get go. However, Daniel develops a unusual friendship with the maintenance man, Mr. Miyagi. When Daniel meets Mr. Miyagi he was just there to get his help to fix something in their new place. However, Daniel takes an interest in what Mr. Miyagi has in his shop and just starts to ask general questions about the mysterious maintenance man. Miyagi finds out about the bullies at school, and how they are roughing him up at school, and steps in to help. Miyagi tires to be a mediator between the bullies teachers, who is teaching his students karate in a nonrepeatable use of the art, and then ends up training Daniel to take of his students in a competition that is coming up. 

Miyagi trains Daniel for the competition in what seems to be questionable tactics. Cleaning car, painting fences, and balancing the in ocean does not seem like a great us of Daniel's time. Until these lessons show him that he was actually learning some fundamentals of karate, and patience. From there, Miyagi shows him how to use these tools and add them to some more complicated moves, but really shows him how great the sport is. That it's mental and physical, and you have to be respectful of the sport and culture that it comes from. Knowing the moves is one thing, but know when it's appropriate to use them is another. 

This is the first time that I have seen The Karate Kid. I have said it before, movies that are from the 80s is a period of movie history that I really need to get a better education in. This movie was wonderful. There is a lot of depth to these characters that I didn't really think was going to be there. I need to stop judging a movie based off of the pop culture references that I know it from. The reason I think that this movie is such a classic is because Daniel seems to always be himself. There is some doubts that he has with the girl he is dating, because she comes from a wealthier family that he does. However, in most of his character he doesn't hide his friendship with Mr. Miyagi, or his love for karate. He learns pretty quickly to adapt and enjoy where life has taken him. 

So, the movie has nothing to do with fast but it has a lot to do with discipline and self control. If you asked me 5 year ago if I would have ever been able to do a full food fast for three weeks I would have said no. I did do a full fast the last two years. This year I could not because I had to have a small procedure done and take medication after, and you need food for that. 

Self control is one of the hardest things to master in the life. That can look like trying to eat better and at times that can look like trying to stay away from people that are note good for you to be around. It's something that you have to be alert to all the time when you are a follow of Christ. If you don't pay attention you can stumble and fall. You can end up somewhere where you never thought you would be. 

The other reason to fast is to take the time you would have done worrying about food, and actually eating, to refocus the time to be with God more. In prayer, meditation, or reading that word. 

I know that a lot of people have thought it crazy or impossible to not eat for that long but it's really helped me. It's helped to refocus on goals, and to hear God better. It's also helped me to having new dreams that I never thought would be something that I want to do. 

This is something that it might be hard to explain but it's worth it for me to do. It's part of who I am, and I know that I need to incorporate it more in my life than just at the start of the year. 

 

There's No Place Like Movies at Home: Dark Passage

 Hey, if I just get this one done this year that is far better than I have done in the last few years. However, I am so close to being done with the dramas. I have one more film after this one that is a drama and then I will hit a nice string of musical. I cannot wait! 

A criminal escapes from prison. The man hunt starts for a one Mr. Vincent Perry as he is rolling in a barrel on the side of the road. One hitchhike gone wrong later, he meet Irene. A young woman who knows everything about him and his case. Who will do anything she can to get him to safety. That includes hiding him, giving him some cash to get around, and also playing nurse after he gets a surgery done to change his face to the police won't be able to find him. 

I'm not going to lie, when I first put this movie on I was very confused. It was about a third of the way through the movie before we aver saw Mr. Bogart's face. It's one of the first, and very few, films that was ever filmed from a character full point of view. What Mr. Bogart is looking at is what we see. If he reaches out his hand for somethin we see the hand come out like we would see out own hand moving. It was very odd! It felt like you do when playing an RPG. However odd it was it was really fascinating to see a movie from 1947 take on a challenge like that. It was a risk, even if it was only for a short bit of the film. It' all wasn't that way during that part. Anytime they showed Mr. Bogart's body they showed him from behind or they put his face in shadow. The reason is because we aren't supposed to know that he looked like before he went under the knife. Then after he was done you saw his whole face as we have come to know it. 

As much as these types of Noir films are hard to watch, it's hard to ignore just how much Bogie and Becall love each other. Even with the age gap, and the difficulties that they faced to be together, you can tell it was something wonderful and true. 

It did take me two days to watch this movie because it felt like it was so long. I am hoping that the last film will be the best one and be more entertaining that these other one. I won't say I would not watch these movies again but I would really have to be in the mood. I am hoping to knock the next one out soon and then get back on track with some really good movie!