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Monthly Archives: October 2013

Every…thing…was all right !

31 Thursday Oct 2013

Posted by Richard in Go Sox

≈ 1 Comment

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2013 World Series Champions, Boston Red Sox

Boston Globe photo

Boston Globe photo

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“12 Years a Slave”

24 Thursday Oct 2013

Posted by Richard in Escapes and Pleasures

≈ 2 Comments

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"12 Years a Slave", Chiwetel Ejiofor, John Ridley, Lupita Nyong'o, Michael Fassbender, Solomon Northup, Steve McQueen

MV5BMjExMTEzODkyN15BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwNTU4NTc4OQ@@._V1_SX214_

12 Years a Slave ****1/2

For some reason, this film has only had a limited release so far. Whether that’s a marketing technique or a statement about the concern that there will not be a large audience for a film about slavery, I’m not sure.

But in the event that 12 Years a Slave, despite the almost universal praise by both critics and audiences who have seen it, doesn’t stay around very long, put it on your ‘to see’ list now and find it.

Film critics: “The most powerful film I never want to see again” (Jeffrey Lyles), “12 Years a Slave is more than just one of the best movies of the year, it stands alongside Roots as a significant cinematic contribution to this country’s never ending discussion about slavery” (Travis Hobson), “If the best films hold you in a captive vise, entertain you, keep you spellbound and teach something at the same time, then 12 Years a Slave is outstanding-brave, courageous and unforgettable” (Rex Reed), “The best picture of the year” (Roger Moore), “Easily the greatest feature film ever made about American slavery” (David Denby), and “12 Years a Slave is anything but easy to watch, but it is powerfully moving” (Bob Mondello).

I’m certainly not qualified to say this film is the best portrayal of slavery ever made. Nor am I unreservedly ‘over the moon’ about this film. But for me, it’s one of the better films I’ve seen this year.

Briefly, it is the recounting of a true story, taken from an 1853 autobiography, of a free black man from the north who is tricked and sold into slavery in the south and who recounts the 12 years of horror as he transitions from being free to being without that freedom, to being physically and emotionally enslaved.

Directed by Steve McQueen (not that Steve McQueen but the British film maker) and co-written by McQueen and John Ridley, the film has outstanding performances by a number of actors and actress. Chiwetel Ejiofor as the enslaved Solomon Northup/renamed Platt is superb. Michael Fassbender is also ‘wonderful’ as the slave owner who controls Northup for nine years. Lupita Nyong’o, in her first major film, is a someone you will not forget. Other terrific performances include those of Paul Giamatti (briefly), Sarah Paulson, and Paul Dano.

Unlike some other films which are said to be ‘based on a true story,” 12 Years a Slave adheres, according to what I’ve been able to read, to the account written by Solomon Northup of his story. As such, the film gives us a point of view of someone who was free and then enslaved. I suspect McQueen has taken some liberties with Solomon’s account, but I am hoping those are not significant.

In fact, I now have Northup’s (or Northrup, depending upon whom you believe) book, which, along with Harriet Beecher Stowe’s novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin, was one of the more widely read books on the topic of slavery prior to the Civil War. Over the next few weeks I intend to read the autobiography and perhaps will write more about it and the film.

But whether or not you read the book, consider the film.

PS – If there are a half dozen of you who are willing to see the film and read the book, let’s get together for another one of the Miller’s ‘Pop Up’ book evenings sometime in the new year. Let me know if you’re interested,

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More Baseball Contest Results

23 Wednesday Oct 2013

Posted by Richard in Go Sox

≈ 13 Comments

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2013 MillersTime Baseball Contests

As this wonderful baseball season draws to a close with the two teams with the best records (97-85) in each league playing for the World Series title, we have some winners and some ‘semi-finalists in the three remaining 2013 MillersTime Baseball Contests.

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Dear Eli

20 Sunday Oct 2013

Posted by Richard in Family and Friends, Go Sox

≈ 5 Comments

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ALCS, Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers, Playoffs, St. Louis Cards, World Series

game6-26

(Shane Victorino hits a grand slam home run to put the Sox ahead, 5-2 in the the sixth and deciding game of the 2013 ALCS playoffs.)

Dear Eli,

The last time you spent the night at our house, you said, “Tell me how well the Red Sox are doing?”

Well, while you were asleep last night and I was worrying about the game, a Red Sox batter hit a grand slam home run, scoring all three runners who were on base, plus himself. That put the Sox ahead of the Tigers, 5-2, and shortly thereafter, the game ended.

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“Worst. Dad. Ever” ?

14 Monday Oct 2013

Posted by Richard in Family and Friends, Go Sox

≈ 3 Comments

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ALCS, baseball, Boston Red Sox, David Ortiz, Detroit Tigers, Parenting

No doubt if you’re reading this post, you know of the Sox 8th inning comeback last night from a 5-1 shellacking with an Ortiz grand slam to tie the game and then the win in the bottom the 9th.

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The Best Laid Plans…

09 Wednesday Oct 2013

Posted by Richard in Go Sox

≈ 6 Comments

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2004 World Series, 2007 World Series, Boston Red Sox, Tampa Bay Rays, Tropicana Field

 

Hats

For those of you who follow such foolishness, you know the Red Sox defeated the Rays last night in Tampa to move on to the American League Championship Series and a possible chance to play in the 2013 World Series.

While last night’s event, and the earlier ones against the Rays, is not important to 99.99+% of America, it was important to a few of us, and to those who have to live with us.

But this post is not about the victory itself but about another example where I once again learned I don’t know myself so well and despite my advancing age, I haven’t learned how to handle certain things so well.

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The Senate’s Best

08 Tuesday Oct 2013

Posted by Richard in Articles & Books of Interest, The Outer Loop

≈ 9 Comments

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Boogeyman Government, Hostage Taking, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, The Anarchy Gang

I love this woman.

She’s the clearest voice in the Senate, perhaps in all of Congress.

Although she’s not the most dynamic speaker, what she says, how she says it, and the directness of her questions are a breath of fresh air.

Fortunately, the Republicans made a mistake when they opposed her nomination to head the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Now she is not only free to question witnesses, one of the responsibilities of our Congress, but we have her free to speak at will on a variety of issues.

Check out these two short excerpts (about five minutes each) from her recent speeches on the Senate floor. In both, once she gets into the heart of what she has to say, she nails what’s happening in our country.

(The YouTube videos may take a few moments to load, or you can just click on the link, but your patience will be rewarded.)

Hostage Taking in a Democracy:

The Anarchy Gang – Boogeyman Government:

 

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The US Government Shutdown: Two Links

04 Friday Oct 2013

Posted by Richard in Articles & Books of Interest, The Outer Loop

≈ 1 Comment

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Ryan Lizza, Speaker Boehner, Suicide Caucus, US government shutdown

If you’ve been following the recent events, and commentaries, on the US government shutdown, you no doubt have formed your opinion on the cause(s) of our current stalemate.

One analysis you might not have seen is Ryan Lizza’s The New Yorker post, which explains, in more detail than I’ve seen anywhere, the reasons behind the strength/power of those who are pushing Speaker of the House John Boehner:

The Suicide Caucus

And to see graphically at least one cost of the shutdown, double click on the graphic below. Of course there are other costs, both financially and otherwise, but this one is quite clear.

(Be sure to double click on this graphic.)

Cost of US Government Shutdown

Explore more infographics like this one on the web’s largest information design community – Visually.

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