overhaul of events
Today has been an eventful day… in a less-than-positive way, it seems.
The nation has lost a great American civil rights icon today, by the death of Coretta Scott King. She led an amazing life, and supported an amazing man. Even to her last days, she continued in MLK’s voice, calling cities and the country to action by stating the nation is still segregated to this day… both by race, and by class. The only steps that we have taken since the 1960s is by legislation. Legislation can’t fix the economic complications placed by the same structure that oppressed others by legislative issues. You will be missed Ms. King… thanks for your incredible contribution to society by the life you lived, and the passion by which you lived.
Samuel Alito was confirmed and sworn in today. This could be the end of civil liberties as we know it. Just watch… you’ll see. Please, oh please, let the 2006 elections show favor to the blue.
Bush gave his ‘State of the Union’ address this evening. Apparently, he thinks we’re strong. I’m not sure how he can believe that when unemployment is so high, prices (especially in gas) are rising higher, salaries aren’t growing to match it, and health care is flying out the roof. There is no way to say that we are strong. Maybe your people are strong, but come on down to Alabama, and I’ll show you people that are hurting because of your administration.
So now, some thoughts on the ‘State of the Union’ address…
On Himself: Obviously, President Bush sees himself as one of the ‘great presidents’ of the time, by labeling that we are part of ‘one of the most consequential times in history.’ Seriously? How can you compare our entrance to a war that was never needed on the same scale as D-Day, the Civil War, or the American Revolution? They don’t compare… at all.
Dictatorships: I’m sorry, Mr. President… Did you say that dictatorships harbor and train terrorists? What about oligarchies? Isn’t it true that 15 of the 19 terrorists of 9/11 were from Saudi Arabia? Why not break off that relationship? Would it hurt your business investments? Or America’s investments? Sure, it would… But, aren’t we living a double standard by not putting Saudi Arabia in their place for financing terrorism? You know, that could be why people hate us… we’re only willing to help those who help us. And, don’t you know it, the nations of Iraq, North Korea, and Iran just don’t cooperate like we want them to.
Middle East Invasion: It’s seems W has announced preliminary plans for taking out Iran, as well as Syria, Zimbabwe, and North Korea. Apparently, he believes that the United States has a duty to create mini-Americas. There are several paradoxes to this argument. We call ourselves a democracy, and one that W claims we don’t believe in if we don’t support agressive anti-terror action outside of our nation. I’d say that the United States doesn’t believe fully in democracy based on voting alone. No one in the United States parades around exclaiming the right of voting. Even statistics show that barely 40% of registered voters even cast a ballot. Democracy? I’d say that Americans have really lost sight of it, especially since the 1970s-1980s when the Conservative Coalition began dominating politics. It’s hard to believe in a constitutional democracy that poignantly debunks its own founding document: the country should not have an establishment of religion. Period. I’d argue that people have given up on democracy, because that same right-wing group has made them feel they can’t speak… or think… or be, for that matter.
On W’s backdrop: Boy, Dennis Hastert sure looks like a grumpy Newt Gingrich. And Cheney looks like he could care less about liberty; give him wiretapping and refusal of privacy – he wants a world of robots, like himself.
Nu-cu-lar: Here again, W sure sounds a lot like pre-Iraq days… he kept going on about how we respect Iraqis, but WMDs weren’t sanctioned, and would not be allowed. Then, whaddya know, we take out Iraq. Well, he just did it again: hello Iran, we’d like to be your friend… like we’re Iraq’s friend.
If I were an Iranian, I’d be terrified… not on the chance that the U.S. will bomb my country, but for the consequences that are experienced by insurgents displaying their opposition to our intervention.
Patriot Act: No, President Bush, we should not sit back and wait to get hit again. That’s why we have a president, who should be doing his job, and paying attention. You, sir, did not do that. You ignored the warnings. And now, we are paying the price through your incessant plea that you have the right to wiretap without a warrant, or your renewal of the patriot act that strips us of our civil liberties to check out whatever books we so well please.
Tax Cuts: Now, you speak of making tax cuts permanent. Why not? You’re headed out of office soon. You need to protect all that money that you’ve ‘earned’ over the years. Good gosh, why you’re in there, let’s make sure to get rid of that forsaken ‘death tax’ so that you’ll have tons of money forever, and leave the poor out to dry. That, sir, is what makes you a ‘great’ president. Right???
Line-item veto: Historically speaking, it used to be in play. Remember? Clinton used to use it. It used to be legislation. But, wait a minute… it was ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. Oh wait, we just confirmed and swore in Alito today… you’ve got a free reign on whatever you want to do.
Dear Lord, help us all…
Social Security: By the way, I’d just like to point out the face that Hilary had when W pointed out that Clinton would be 60 soon. She looked so unamused… I’d say she wasn’t happy to support the BS he’s laid out. And, thank God that the Dems were ecstatic to note that Congress refused his proposal for Social Security. Maybe Bush should realize the opposition to the Social Security reform… it’s not used, and Congress’s action suggests just that.
Immigration: Here’s a thought on immigration: If you really don’t want people here, then please, close off the damn borders. I’m so tired of hearing about this issue. Why not tell Americans to get off their high horse and quit acting like they are too good to do lawnwork or flip burgers. It’s not the fault of immigrants; it’s our fault.
Health Issues: Why do you think health savings accounts will work? They won’t. It means that only the healthy really benefit. Those who are chronically ill, or are facing life-threatening illnesses are left behind and in debt. And, who does that hurt? Lower-middle class & the poor. They can’t afford to maintain their health… that alone will break their health savings account. By the way, Mr. President… take a wild guess at how popular that proposal will be by the response you got: not very. Why not get real gutsy, you know, being a uniter and not a divider, and propose national health care? That idea just might get support from people, and start breaking down the extreme partisan lines that are so evident in the legislature and the nation.
Education: No Child Left Behind??? What about Alabama? Boy, we’re still left behind. W didn’t bother to check that some of the most basic fundamental documents in states could completely refuse to comply with NCLB. For example, Alabama. We don’t have the funds to comply… our constitution refuses it. In fact, as long as our state mandate stands, we won’t ever be able to comply. So, don’t say that your plan is working… In order for it to work, it has to work EVERYWHERE!!
Abortion: Just one question… If abortion is down, then why do you want to ruffle feathers and try to overturn Roe v. Wade? If you make it illegal, you’ll only increase the number that will become a part of it. Rebellion is human nature.
Supreme Court: Bush believes that justices should not ‘legislate from the bench.’ If that’s the case, wouldn’t an overturn of Roe v. Wade basically be the same thing? It legislates that it is illegal, therefore it is legislating. Even Bushie should remember that.
Political Ethics: W wants to clean up Washington… by being moral and upright, holding the trust of the nation. How about we start by an admission that the administration was wrong about WMDs in Iraq… or that Hussien actually wasn’t funding terrorists… or that we can’t actually find Bin Laden… or that your administration failed to fully aid victims in Mississippi or Louisiana…
On Freedom: I’m glad to know that we are trying to advance freedom… I wonder what it’s actually like? How do you advance freedom when you don’t even fully give it to your own people? Just a thought…
I did love how you can tell where the Dems are. It made my heart smile to see them sit. Way to go… I’m glad that you don’t just go and accept every word that Bush says as political gospel. Why? Because it’s not… not even close. Give me the poli gospel of FDR, Wilson, or Jefferson, and I’ll follow away. 
Thank you Tim Kaine for pointing out that this administration has exacerbated the budget, and completely forgotten the economic sensibility that Clinton showed, especially by balancing the budget. And, also, thanks for pointing out that the education system that Bush proposes is incompetent and insufficient. Overall, thanks Tim Kaine that you are apparently showing that you know the people.
the good book
Very quickly, I became an avid fan of “The Book of Daniel” on NBC. And, I have reasons o’plenty for enjoying the show. I work at a church… that stuff about pastors, clergy families, etc., it’s there. While the show’s creator Jack Kenny surely exaggerated things beyond what I know, he brings up an important thought to consider: people in the church, especially those who work in them, face the same kind of life – it’s hard for all of us. But, now, it has been cancelled.
The show gave me so much more faith in humanity… just with the idea that there are people in the secular world who understand Jesus for who he is, and not what the Conservative Coalition has painted him out to be. God is not a dictator, not even a totalitarian being at choice – yes, he could strike down the world at any moment, I’m sure, but that’s not the point. I applauded Kenny’s work, and loved how it showed real life in faith. To me, it made Christianity more relevant to others. Just because you claim to have faith, your life doesn’t automatically become worry/stress/disaster/terror/fear/anger/confrontation-free. It’s a sick, disgusting lie that I’m tired of hearing… I’m also furious that people passed (and many are guilty of continually passing) judgment on something they have no idea about. One of my friends from college told me that she called her NBC affiliate and showed support for cancelling it, because it portrays Christians in a bad light, and it was an attack on Christian morals. However, when I asked her if she had ever seen it, she replied, “No, and I never plan to.”
Message to the Conservative Christian Coalition:
• Stop being pharisees! You’re the exact kind of people that are destroying the Christian faith – not only are you pushing away those who have none, but also those who had great faith.
• Quit making your hateful banner one that spans the entire Christian world. There is no heirarchy of Christians.
• And for the love, God is not a Republican… or a Democrat. So, get off your high horse and realize that faith is not politics.
Don’t get me wrong… I’m glad they have faith. I’m glad that they are excited about the church. But, when you start condemning people for their acts of ‘immorality’ that you claim, I only ask that you tell me why you have the authority to do so. As Jesus so humorously hints to us, get the two-by-four out of your eye before you tell me I’ve got a sawdust speck in mine.
Case in point: I’m tired of feeling embarrassment for being a Christian because of these out-of-hand zealots that are trying to bring on Sodom & Gomorrah for themselves, instead of letting God be God. I realized this more than anything when I was messing around on the boards at website for “The Book of Daniel”. I was appalled at how so-called Christians were touting some and condemning all for watching the show. They carried on the same persona that they did during the 2004 elections. This time, instead of saying that you couldn’t be Christian and vote for Kerry, they’re saying you can’t be Christian and watch this show. I’m sure they’d be completely shocked to know that many of my clergy friends loved it.
According to the right-wing, I guess we should begin preparations for eternal damnation…
similarities
In keeping with the themes of comparing Bush to former president Nixon, I’d like to offer these two thoughts for you to consider…
ONE:
Both presidents have spoken on controversial subjects in at Kansas State University:
President Nixon
President Bush
TWO:
Both of them have been involved in wiretapping events:
President Nixon
President Bush
THREE:
Both men have been incredibly willing to subvert civil liberties in order to protect national security:
President Nixon
President Bush
FOUR:
And, let’s not forget that both men have had the United States involved in quagmire wars that never necessitated our involvement.
President Nixon
President Bush
Seriously… am I the only one who sees the signs?
populism & a constitution
In studying the background of the Alabama Constitution, one can see many, many things wrong with this state. It’s amazing, really. You might not even believe the way our 1901 Constitution came about.
Following Reconstruction in Alabama (or as southerners still refer to it, ‘the northern occupation’), many dramatic changes were happening. To understand Reconstruction, you can’t just go by what books might say. It is what they aren’t saying… The beginning of Reconstruction was initiated by ‘accidental’ President Andrew Johnson. Southern-bred and supportive, Johnson basically sought the same terms that the late President Abraham Lincoln would have required. He wanted a quick resolution, which brought the ex-Confederate states back into the Union as if nothing ever happened. Johnson did so, too. All of the states were brought back into the Union, swore the Iron Clad Oath, and made adjustments, such as a repeal of the secession instruments and suffrage according to the new Fifteenth Amendment, to their statutory Constitution. Alabama did that, and passed the 1865 Constitution, which gave voting rights to every man in the state.
Now, had it been left at that, the state of Alabama could most likely have become any ordinary state. But, Congress refused to let what Johnson did stand official. As they met, they null and voided Alabama’s Constitution, as well as several other states, and ushered in what is known as Congressional Reconstruction, which resulted in the fiascos of the era of populism. The end result for Alabama was a new Constitution (1868), which disfranchised all former ranking Confederate soldiers, and any state government official that partook in the secession ordinances. Here is where every textbook begins the Reconstruction story for the South: the story of carpetbaggers, etc., etc. The state began to take direction that satisfied no southerner, not even some of the unionist troops of Winston County.
Citizens of the state came into a realization that this format had to be changed; enter Constitution of 1875. The new Constitution brought in many of the effects that southerners wanted; it ended much of the overtaking of the union agression, and brought many of the former leaders back into leadership. But, they had to be careful not to completely disfranchise many, as northern eyes were still upon them.
The late 1880s to 1890s proved to be a tumultuous time for the South, in particular, Alabama. The depression made it hard for agrarians, and a new form of politics entered the scene: Populism, the People’s party. The Populists had plenty of great ideas; one of which was a sub-treasury to deposit grains, take out a check against them for a loan at the bank, and sell at the prime market and actually compete in the market. Agrarians flocked to organizations like the Farmers’ Alliance, which promised more representation on behalf of the agrarian market. This group of politicians struck fear into the solid democrat South, although its popularity really only caught on in the hill country (northern Alabama) and the wiregrass (southeast Alabama).
This conflict between the Populists (who would eventually fuse with the Republicans because of loss of political interest in the party) and the Democrats (often called Bourbons) became the focus of the 1901 Constitution. While the banner of white supremacy touted by Convention president John B. Knox, an Anniston lawyer, was to completely disfranchise the black vote, there was also a large amount at stake if those blacks were disfranchised. The majority of Bourbon power rested in the fields of the Black Belt, known for its large population of blacks, many times outnumbering whites. If the Black Belt lost a black vote, they also lost representation. So, without disfranchising a great number of people, the Black Belt would lose power, and the North would have been quick on Alabama’s tail to change the law back to suit the Fifteenth Amendment.
Nevertheless, the path came to pass, the near-entirety of the black population, and a great deal of the poorer whites (mostly in northern Alabama) lost the right to vote. So, while some say it was a race question to rewrite the Constitution, there were many other factors such as politics, sectionalism, and economics that swayed the favor to the Bourbon Dems.
More details on the 1901 document to come, as well as factors in detail…
history in the making
It’s finally arrived: my opportunity for publishing… well, sort of.
No! It IS! It may be a small production, but it is a bonefide published historical review, and that couldn’t thrill me more! I’m submitting my research paper, on the influence of the Birmingham Methodist churches in the Civil Rights Movement, to the Vulcan Historical Review. My staff advisor suggested it, and said that he enjoyed reading it.
Another former professor of mine is suggesting that I use it as a foundation for my thesis. Of course, who knows where I’ll finish that thesis. Great places to apply, of course, but it takes getting it in super duper early, all of which I have failed to do.
When I get the guts, I’ll post it somewhere here to read. But, it only takes the strong and willing… it’s 25 pages full of Methodism, racism, and everything in between. And many times, it’s not so pretty…
mlk: a reason to celebrate
‘And we are not wrong; we are not wrong in what we are doing. If we are wrong, the Supreme Court of this nation is wrong. If we are wrong, the Constitution of the United States is wrong. If we are wrong, God Almighty is wrong. If we are wrong, Jesus of Nazareth was merely a utopian dreamer that never came down to earth. If we are wrong, justice is a lie, love has no meaning. And we are determined here in Montgomery to work and fight until justice runs down like water, and righteousness like a mighty stream… There is never a time in our American democracy that we must ever think we are wrong when we protest… We, the disinherited of this land, we who have been oppressed so long, are tired of going through this long night of captivity. And now we are reaching out for the daybreak of freedom and justice and equality.’
-Martin Luther King, Address to the first Montgomery Improvement Association mass meeting at Holt Street Baptist Church, Dec. 5, 1955.
Following is an excerpt from an article/paper that I presented for a Post-War America class. I figured it was appropriate today, as we celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
In the arena of American history, it is unlikely that a mediocre congressman or statesman will ever receive the recognition that he truly deserves from his dedication to the position. On the contrary, American history spotlights those leaders who were truly effective in many forms of leadership, or those who were starkly contrasted to those same leaders. Many American leaders have been praised for their leadership, including Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy and civil rights activist Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. began his role as civil rights activist in the city of Montgomery, Alabama, where he pastored a congregation at Dexter Avenue Baptist Church. In the winter of 1955, King was invited to lead the Montgomery Improvement Association. The MIA’s mission was to improve the quality of life among black citizens in Montgomery, and their first focal point became the bussing system of the city. Once the city bus system arrested Rosa Parks for violating the segregated bus seating, King began a city-wide bus boycott that would last for more than a year, and force the city into submission and desegregate the busses.
King’s tactics for change were founded in the Ghandian philosophy of non-violence. In each role that King pursued, he consistently refused to retaliate violence with violence. Instead, he believed that the cause had greater justice and harmony if the injustices of the system were exposed by the violence presented to blacks in the area. His practical theories were developed and cultivated within the black community and used in several demonstrations, not only in the South, but across the nation. Its greatest publicity was received in the 1963 attacks in Birmingham, in which blacks proved to be resilient in their methods, going to jail for their efforts, and allowing the Birmingham Police create violence amongst them, only to be exposed across the nation through television coverage. King’s tactics of non-violence were displayed before President Kennedy, and efforts to end the racial attacks in the South began. His policy proved to be one of the strongest movements in American history – a movement that demanded response.
What proved to be an even greater characteristic of King in the civil rights movement was his resolve in each particular city. King persevered through and beyond the cities of Albany, Birmingham, Selma and Cicero, proving the movement for civil rights would not be broken by one man or one city. His determination inspired others to continue in the struggle, regardless of what men might say or do, because the cause of civil rights was of worth. His efforts did not stop with the Civil Rights Act of 1964 or the Voting Rights Act of 1965; his persistence for the essential equality of blacks moved his war on the courthouse to a war on poverty, demanding that equal rights were not just political rights, but economic rights as well.
While every man has flaws, King had his own. King had the ability to rise above his faults and use them to his advantage. His message held strong to the biblical principles of social justice and equality in the eyes of God. He preached non-violence from the beginning of the movement to his final days. He crusaded from churches to street corners, lobbying locals, organizations and governments. Not once did his ideal of the civil rights movement sway from its original path, as other civil rights organizations did. His calling to equality was so strong, it consumed his every sentence and step. His boldness, even into death, would affirm his consistency of equality for all mankind. His continual plea only reaffirmed his integrity as a pastor.
King had an unrefutable ability to draw the masses; all who listened were immediately drawn into his verbal poetry. King’s rhetoric not only persuaded blacks of their call to civil disobedience, but whites and others as well. The ability to gather others, and to inspire them, was not seen in a racial context, as King relied on the teachings of Scripture to support his doctrine. The charisma that he had was based on a foundational truth that he believed to be true, and that others believed as well. He had suffered alongside, and had received the same threats. He could inspire, because the battle of civil rights was also his battle, a battle that would claim his own life long before it was due.
ignorance
Education is a progressive discovery of our own ignorance.
-Will Durant
So, then… it is true that ignorance is bliss.
abramoff & independence
Well, the results are in, and our good buddy Jack Abramoff looks pretty guilty according to his plea. It’s a great day… it’s good to know that there is still justice in the world without the buddy system. Now, let’s just see if they can get Tom DeLay under, and we’ll see the likes of a real government at work, and not a bunch of cronies.
Hmm, cronies. That reminds me of the old days of Alabama history, when all they did was pull their buddies into office… especially the likes of George Wallace & Jim Folsom. It’s not everyday I’d put them in the same boat, but they definitely worked the system that way. Oddly enough, it worked for a while… or at least with Folsom. He got some pretty grand things accomplished for Alabama… like paved roads. All Wallace did was get the state into trouble. Thanks a bunch there, buddy.
Speaking of Alabama, big props to the Alabama Citizens for Constitutional Reform, as they are helping to lead the state to a new constitution. On January 4, a bill will be presented to the state legislature to call for a new constitution. Alabama is one of the only remaining states with its post-reconstruction constitution in the South. Most of the other southern states have promptly corrected and updated theirs. Not so for the state of Alabama… we still have segregated language and a tax structure to spend the money of the poor. Thank goodness for the willingness of so many in the state who see the need. Here’s hoping it will keep rolling. This is one of many tries, but it’s gotten further than most.
I think the more I hear the news, the more frustrated I get. News is rampant about Bush & his spying. Can we please remember that Nixon did the same thing? And ended up resigning because of it? Of course, he resigned because he would have been found guilty of obstruction of justice to the case, but nonetheless… freedom of speech is freedom of speech. There’s nothing around that. I feel like I’ve been comparing Bush to Nixon forever, but no one listens. I’m sorry to say it, but if the Bush administration wants to run government in that way, we should just close the borders and declare a totalitarian state. I mean, seriously, that’s what it already feels like.
The founding fathers meant the Constitution the way they said it. They didn’t want big government controlling everything, like it does today. They were sick of not being able to speak their mind… and they were sick of being told what the church would do. Sadly enough, we’ve reverted back to the same thing, just on the other side of the argument. Want a good read about it? Check out Jimmy Carter’s “Our Endangered Values.”
Today is a mournful day, as tribute must be paid to the ever so delightful and exquisitely cheap Independence Airlines as they bid farewell. I’ll miss those cheap flights to DC. Of course, they were to Dulles, on the other side of the world, but still… cheap.
And last, but not least, check out the DCist Interview with Matthew Yglesias… one of my favorite DC bloggers. It would help so much more, I’m sure if I actually lived in DC, but no matter. It’s good reading.
Roll Tide! 13-10 over Texas Tech… and Champs of the 2006 Cotton Bowl.
2005 movies in review
Yes, yes, I know that it is behind. But, no matter. It was the holiday season, and I chose to be really, really lazy, since I don’t ever get to be that way. So, without further adieu, I present…
My Top 10 Movies of 2005:
10. The Family Stone: great movie… loved Sarah Jessica Parker in it. It was a great commentary on the current social issues at hand, and I thought it was great to present all of them in one movie, no matter how chaotic it seemed. The ending was a little unrealistic, but the movie was fabulous.
9. Charlie & the Chocolate Factory: While I’ll always love the classic, this one was a great spin on an old story. Tim Burton did a great job with it. I liked the take of Willy Wonka that Johnny Depp gave, even if it was a little creepy at times. The only thing that I missed was the fizzy pop scene… but if they’re staying true to the original book…
8. Rent: I loved the rock opera when I first saw it; the movie added touches that a stage cannot. With the cast made of mostly original characters, I got to see what was originally meant for each person, not what interpretation the travelling companies offered. I especially loved the way they portrayed ‘Will I?’ in the movie. It added so much depth to the film.
7. The Chronicles of Narnia: the Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe: a fabulous depiction of the book. I only read bits and pieces of the original C.S. Lewis work, but the movie kept me entertained enough to fill in the gaps. It’s been a long time since I read them, but I thoroughly enjoyed the movie, and the extent to depict the characters in truest form.
6. Munich: Fabulous, fabulous, fabulous. It felt a little different for a Spielberg film, but I was immersed in the storyline. I did feel that the movie was stripped of some authenticity by having everyone speak English; original languages and captions would have grabbed more of the true feel of the situation. Spielberg was able to capture to true sense of urgency and nationalism in a very real and very disturbing way. Did you happen to catch the photo of the Israeli prime minister & Nixon in the background?
*The next five were entirely too difficult to rank. I did, but I feel they could change at any moment.
5. Memoirs of a Geisha: Wow. First of all, I was able to understand fully what a geisha was, but also the extent to which they were attained. It was a heart-wrenching story, with an ending to do the story justice… it wasn’t a Hollywood ending, per se, but realistic. It gave me a clearer understanding of the Japanese culture during the 1930s-40s. Great movie.
4. Walk the Line: Any movie about a legend as that of Johnny Cash, a movie done well anyways, will make the top of the list. I thought the movie was a keenly accurate depiction on the hellish years of Cash’s music business beginnings. Joaquin Phoenix & Reese Witherspoon were phenomenal, and their work on the soundtrack was magnificent. This is definitely a southerner’s must-see kind of movie.
3. Syriana: Never have I questioned the intentions of our government as much before I saw this movie. George Clooney was amazing in this role, and I appreciated his departure from pop culture to invest into this shocking uncovering of the world of economic relations between the United States and other countries, especially those with oil. Clooney’s interview on Fresh Air was fabulous too. Kudos to Clooney & Matt Damon for partaking in a film that has the potential to unmask personal and greedy intentions.
2. Good Night, & Good Luck.: First of all, as a history major/grad & ‘aspiring’ historian, this movie was fabulous… every historian’s dream. The interlinking of movies to actual news footage, in addition to the film in black & white, made it hard to realize it wasn’t an actual newsreel the entire time. The soundtrack was sang in person and on set, and gave shots throughout the movie. It was a fabulous touch. Clooney (on the list again) did a fabulous job with the movie. I’ll be in stores on the release date to buy it.
and…
1. The Constant Gardner: I have a huge crush on Ralph Fiennes. He’s one of the greatest underacknowledged actors of our time. I love that he chooses his roles carefully, and with The Constant Gardner, he didn’t fail to aspire to his abilities. This movie will also leave you wondering if the government is actually capable of the plot, or if it is going on without your knowledge. The harsh moves between shots and the storyline finally coalesced into an intricate story that leaves you breathless and heartbroken at the same time.
There they are… my favorite movies of 2005. There are many that couldn’t make the list, but I had to narrow it down. There are far too many that I saw to detail all of them. I am by no means an official reviewer, but at least I’ve given my take on them. Not that my take is all that important…
Happy New Year! 2006 is here & roaring to go!
