Freedom Riders

   Now as much as i enjoy escaping everyday life by diving into a good film, sometimes learning about our past or stories of long ago can be just as enjoyable.  I have PBS to thank for that. Not only do they broadcast the most amazing (and high quality) films and documentaries, but they rerun them during the night and online so people like me can view then for free. Thank you PBS! Anyways, I'd like to talk about such a program that I have seen recently.
   This is a subject that I've always been (especially considering my family and upbringing) rather sensitive to. It was an episode of American Experience called Freedom Riders.  In 1961 the American South was still very segregated. African Americans basically had little to no rights. Even civil rights and equality laws passed by Congress were completely ignored by local and state governments. Something so simple as eating lunch at a diner or talking back to a white man could cost you your life. This was most evident in Alabama and Mississippi. So when two groups of young people consisting of blacks and whites, men and women, decided to ride a greyhound bus from D.C. to New Orleans, everthing changed. They fought segregation head on. They were a non-violent army that stood against that which was wrong. Watch this trailer.
      
   Neither bus made it past Mississippi. The first bus didn't even make it to Birmingham without being surrounded by local klansmen and set on fire. The second bus made it to Birmingham only to face severe beatings. The whites involved were beaten first because the only thing they hated more than blacks were "nigger lovers".  The fear and violence endured and the bravery and non-violent reaction by these modern day hero's and those that picked up their cause when they fell are to be saluted and applauded as much as any soldier who fought in any war. Please watch this episode if you haven't already.

   This is a great stain in our country's history.  While it is important to remember where we've come from, it is equally important to step back and reflect on who we now are and where we are headed.  Watching this has made me do so, and I hope it does the same for you who watch it. I look forward to hearing your comments on the matter.

Straw Dogs

I recently discovered that this is being remade.  No i will not see the remake.  Not ever. Why? Well i'd rather just watch the original again.  If you have no idea what I'm talking about, Straw Dogs (1971) is an amazing film. It is, however, not for everyone. This film is very shocking in it's violence and sexuality. One of Dustin Hoffmans greatest performances, and my favorite film by Sam Peckinpah (Wild Bunch, The Getaway).

A New Way

I've decided to reformat this whole fiasco.  No full-on blogs.  I suppose you could consider this to now be a film diary of sorts.  I have had some of you say to me that I'm considered to be your personal film critic, and to that I'm honored and hope to serve you well.  So here's the deal: every film I watch from now on will be posted along with a brief review. I have no rating system as of yet, but I am open to ideas. If there is a particular film you'd like me to review or want my opinion on, please leave a comment or email me at op70no1@gmail.com. Thank you and enjoy.