It illustrates just how quickly things can fade into the fog of history if not vigilantly and accurately kept alive in the telling.
That is why the racial history of this country is not a thing to be toyed with by Hollywood. There are too many bodies at the bottom of that swamp to skim across it with such indifference. Attention must be shown. Respect must be paid.
So as “Captain America” ended and the credits began to roll, I managed a bit of a smile, the kind that turns up on the corners with a tinge of sadness. I smiled not for what I’d seen, but for what had not been shown, knowing that I would commit it to a column so that my grandfather and the many men like him would not be lost to the sanitized vision of America’s darker years.
Why don't you just let these evil past wounds you're keeping bleeding-fresh heal? Or do you need to keep these hatreds burning, in order to earn a paycheck?
I haven't seen it yet, but apparently Captain A is part of a multicultural unit with a black guy, an asian, and a strong liberated woman. Yes, it's a bit unrealistic, but hey, we have to protect the sensibilities of our delicate teenagers.
ReplyDeleteNo biggie.
Speaking of WWII movies, Empire of the Sun is fucking fantastic. I found this out just now.
Some things just needs be put to bed. People like Blow, always picking at the scabs, aren't helpful.
ReplyDeleteIf you think that's bad, you should check out this article that a well-meaning friend fobbed off on me.
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It's a snarky feminist writer moaning about why Hermione should have been the hero of the Harry Potter series, instead of dumb jock Harry. It made me throw up in my mouth a little.
Alright, damnit, not having read any of the Harry Pothead novels made me quickly g00gle. Enough to learn of this sub-plot Hermiode, or whoever.
ReplyDeleteThat linky, and the fate of Hermindaz, reminds me of Dune just a wee little, wherein the Princes Irulan gets to write the very first beginning lines, and the history, but it's not until much later that one learns the cruel fate Frank Herbert has in store for her.
A very small part of the actual story, indeed.
Something like that. She's one of Harry's best friends, a logical and studious bookworm who does a lot of the heavy lifting. She's a wonderful supporting character, but the idea that she should be the hero is pretty stupid.
ReplyDeleteI would say that you should check out the movies, but the first two are really too kiddyish and silly. They get really good around part III, though. And the last three are super fucking good.
Ah, Dune. I love Dune.
You mean...there's been more than 3 Harry Potshard movies? Huh. I'll have to RedBox.
ReplyDeleteI want to see the next Underworld. Screw these 'Twilight' vampire movies that are 'love stories'; if it's not a bloody mess like Salem's Lot or From Dusk to Dawn, it's not a 'real' vampire movie.
I dislike nearly all vampire movies. i do like Kate Beckinsale in black latex, though.
ReplyDeleteIf you have any doubts as to the quality of the later Potter movies, behold this!
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...the most disturbing dry hump in cinema history?