Filed under: Films, Opinions | Tags: 1994 Genocide, Hotel Rwanda, Hutu, Jr., Martin Luther King, Rwanda, Rwanda 1994, Rwanda Genocide, Sometimes in April, Tutsi, UN, UN Failure, UN Tribunal, United Nations, United States, US
800,000 Rwandans murdered in only 100 days. If only Rwanda was filled with diamonds and oil. Either one of those resources would have caught the attention of the US.
Murambi Genocide Memorial Site
This project is centered on the main building in Murambi, a school that has been left vacated since the genocide in 1994. The school classrooms where over eight hundred corpses have been preserved have been left untouched. After the genocide, as mass graves were being discovered around the city, it was decided that a single monument/ burial place should be created, where the victims could be laid to rest with dignity.
"In a barn-like building at the far end of the complex, coarse blue rope has been strung across a cavernous space. Bloodstained clothes have been draped over the rope."
On the ground floor on the main building new walls were constructed to create a space that allowed for the design of the exhibition and burial place. The open hall on the ground floor of the main building now has a pathway, which leads visitors first to an exhibition describing the context of the genocide, then into the burial rooms. The burial rooms allow some of the preserved human remains to be viewed, while at the same time they are also buried with some dignity. Some of the survivors of the genocide have been trained as guides at the centre.
Before beginning my educational endeavor into Rwandan history I had great love and respect for the US. After learning about the US and UN’s atrocious behavior I am ashamed and disgusted to have ever respected such a petty, inhumane nation (don’t even get me started on the French). I have never been a fan of Human Rights, nor the UN. Why is the United Nations still around? What good have they actually done? I see the mass genocide in Rwanda as a direct failure of UN intervention. What is the UN there for if not to intervene when people are being murdered because of their so-called “race”? A Beligium-created racial difference that resulted in over a million deaths. I do not understand. It takes money, wealth and resources (OIL) to get the worlds attention. I am taking down the Declaration of Human Rights and the United Nations. The West – you have failed again.
On the other hand…
Special shout-out to Lieutenant-General Romeo Dallaire – Force Commander of the UN units in Rwanda in 1994. He might just be the Greatest Canadian EVER. Making him more awesome: the Honourable Romeo Dallaire is now a Liberal Senator from Quebec. Two things I personally love: Quebec for its poutine and the Liberal’s for the sharing. Seriously, this man is a hero and the small group of UN Peacekeepers that were allowed to stay in Rwanda are just as kick-ass.
If you thought Hotel Rwanda was sad then check out Sometimes in April. Hotel Rwanda is baby food in comparison. 
The drama is set in two periods, which unfold concurrently: In April 1994, after the Hutu Army begins a systematic slaughter of Tutsis and more moderate Hutus, Augustin and a fellow Army officer named Xavier, defying their leadership, attempt to get their wives and children to safety. Separated from his wife Jeanne and their two sons (whom he entrusts to the care of his reluctant brother), Augustin gets caught in a desperate struggle to survive. Barely escaping the purge, he’s haunted by questions about what happened to his wife, sons and daughter (who was a student at a local boarding school). In 2004, looking for closure and hoping to start a new life with his girlfriend Martine (who taught at his daughter’s school), Augustin visits the United Nations Tribunal in Arusha, where Honoré awaits trial for the incendiary role he and other journalists played in the genocide. In the end, through an emotional meeting with Honoré, Augustin learns the details of his family’s fate, giving him closure and, perhaps, hope for happiness in the future.
“In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.” — Martin Luther King, Jr.
The UN is no “friend” to any nation anymore.
Filed under: Films | Tags: 2005 movies, Jeff Daniels, Laura Linney, Squid and the Whale
Who dares to face the giant squid?
The sperm whale seems to have no fear of the giant squid as squid remains are often found in its stomach. The whales don’t always come away unscathed as many boast nasty looking sucker scars. We can only imagine the underwater battles between these two amazing creatures. (http://www.nhm.ac.uk/kids-only/life/life-sea/giant-squid/)
A film by Noah Baumbach, 2005
Dark, depressing and eye-opening.
Based on the true childhood experiences of Noah Baumbach and his brother, The Squid and the Whale tells the touching story of two young boys dealing with their parents divorce in Brooklyn in the 1980’s
I disagree that “touching” is the correct word here. The 81 minute film was intriguing and I recomend watching it asap but the story was not “touching” in any way. For a movie to be touching there needs to be resolution, an understanding, an ending. Unfortunately The Squid and the Whale did not have any of that which is really too bad seeing how there was plenty of room to fit it in.
This is the first movie I’ve seen that depicts divorce realistically. The children and parents are mean. Mean to each other like a “real” family.
Bernard Berkman: Your mum and I, we’re going to separate. I’ve got you tuesday, wednesday and every other thursday.
Walt Berkman: And what about the cat?
Joan Berkman: The cat!
Bernard Berkman: We didn’t discuss the cat.
I really liked this part when the parents let them in on the news. The youngest son “Pickle” has a classic face – all crinkled up ready to burst into tears. He’s probably nine or ten so a bit old for sobbing. Meanwhile the older son is so concerned with the cat that the entire issue of divorce is quickly swept under the rug.
The Squid and the Whale was depressing for me because I really don’t believe in divorce. If you normally read this blog you should know I am not Catholic so the divorce thing is entirely personal. Other people can get divorced, that’s fine by me, and I think divorce is a really good option but I don’t handle failure well and to me a divorce is a failure. You failed at marriage. I refuse to fail. It’s heartbreaking to see a couple with children hate each other so much after seventeen years of marriage. It scared me.
Everyone’s behaviour was pretty shocking. Walt started to emulate his Dad, ie. became an asshole, and became interested in girls. He told his girlfriend that she had too many freckles…awkward. He plagerized Pink Floyd at a talent show and duh people found out. Idiot. Frank/Pickle masturbated all over his school and wiped semen on books and lockers. He also took up drinking. Puberty was years away for this kid so yah shocking. Frank told his mother (Joan played by Laura Linney) she was ugly and he actually loved his mom! Everyone was blunt, mean and stupid. Arrogant! Hurtful. It’s an uncomfortable movie with some pretty strange events but it’s entertaining and different from anything else.
Filed under: Films, Life | Tags: BBC, Catholic, Catholic Films, Confession, Priest, Seal of Confession
Slept until 1 pm – now that’s more like it!! It would be so much easier if I did this everyday because then everyday would go by much faster. I fell asleep last night holding my book and woke up (who knows when) fully dressed with the lights on. I find that creepy because the last thing I remember is thinking about turning off the light. I guess I never went through with it.
Volunteering now and then home to bed. Another shitty, event-less day.
Old movie must see: Priest. 
It was one of those random pick-ups from the library that caught my attention by the title and subject. I thought sex scandal! Not exactly….. It was made in ‘94 by BBC so how scandalous could it be, right? During opening credits I see a really shitty street and a wide expanse of water with another city across. Yup – Liverpool! So after five seconds I was sold. “You’ll Never Walk Alone” played twice in the film so double bonus. So everything was quite normal until the new, young priest (Father Greg) decides to sneak out one evening. First of all, why sneak out? His in his late twenty’s, an ordained priest and he lives with the deacon but the deacon himself is the least bit orthodox. I was suspicious. He rides his bike to a club and I was like “Aha! Drinker!” But that didn’t make real sense because the deacon (Father Matthew) drank himself so there was no need to go out a hide it. When Father Greg steps into the bar it took me .999 seconds to realize the situation – gay bar! Gay!! He was gay! Shocker. Seriously, I was waiting for a boy raping scandal of sorts. Father Greg was super snotty and orthodox and to find out he was gay was unbelievable. Following this scene was a sex scene that rivals Brokeback Mountain. It was definitely longer…..more…ahem…positions. I love Brokeback and I own it and I think it’s brilliant but now that I know it is actually not groundbreaking I’m rather disappointed. Father Greg’s lover = Robert Carlyle!!!! Yeah so not a nobody either. I thought that this might be his big decision “between faith and the truth.” Oh no. It gets better. What do I love more than rape? Incest!! Yeah this movie was full of surprises. Absolutely no reference to little boys being raped by clergy. It was probably too early for that to be popular anyway. Tom Wilkinson played Father Matthew. He’s pretty big (Valkyrie, Michael Clayton, Full Monty and hundreds more) and he’s really amazing in this film. He had the opinion that homosexuality was not to be treated as such taboo in the Catholic Church. His sermons were chilling and I’m sure the Vatican (the real one) was pretty stressed out about this film. There is so much more that happens in this film but you must watch it so I don’t have to ruin it!!
It got me thinking about confessional and the oath between the priest and confessor. Is it morally acceptable for a priest to remain silent if he knows of a crime taking place? Not only that he knows but that he could end it by breaking his silence. It’s the whole client/patient confidentiality like doctors and patients, lawyers and clients. I think there a loopholes for those two professions though. I went in search of an answer from the main source: the Vatican.
1467 Given the delicacy and greatness of this ministry and the respect due to persons, the Church declares that every priest who hears confessions is bound under very severe penalties to keep absolute secrecy regarding the sins that his penitents have confessed to him. He can make no use of knowledge that confession gives him about penitents’ lives.72 This secret, which admits of no exceptions, is called the “sacramental seal,” because what the penitent has made known to the priest remains “sealed” by the sacrament. (From Vatican.va, Catholic Catechisms)
That’s what the Vatican says and if broken it is punishable by excommunication (Code of Canon Law). As well, most countries have a “Priest-penitent privilege” meaning priests cannot be forced to report what they heard in confession. They cannot be subpoenaed and even if the confessee gives permission, by church law the priest still cannot divulge the information.
I think it’s time to consider Catholicism instead of psychiatric therapy….
Filed under: Films | Tags: Brad Pitt, France, Inglourious Basterds, Jew, Nazi, Quentin Tarantino, WW II
1. Brad Pitt isn’t a complete idiot in this film.
2. I have not felt this much pride since Munich.
3. The Hitler character was all wrong – the actor didn’t look enough like him. He needed some more dignity.
4. Same soundtrack and sectioning (chapters) as Kill Bill.
5. Ultimately original perspective on WWII.
I can honestly say that Inglourious Basterds is my new favourite Quentin creation. It is a great war movie, filled with the usual gore and violence, but leaves you with more satisfaction and butt-kicking pride. Suspenseful, beautiful and humourous. Certainly similar to Pulp Fiction in regards to random comedic and inappropriate moments. Such brilliance.
“We’re in the Nazi killin’ business and cousin, business is a-boomin’.”
“Can you Americans speak any other language than English?”
Now this line is priceless. Americans are such easy targets for war movies. Brad Pitt’s character’s Tennessee accent while attempting “Italian” is a must-see/hear.
My favourite character: Col. Hans Landa played by Christopher Waltz
“I love my unofficial title, precisely because I have earned it.”
I love the evil, pompous SS officer. I would have their same attitude. I love the conversations Landa has with people where is his completely patronizing them while at the same time being a magnificant gentleman. Perfect manners, giddy humor whilts knowing in the back of his head that he’s about to go “biblical” on their ass. It’s the confidence – Germany was kicking ass and he was riding the wave of success. Quite a delightful character.
Lt. Aldo Raine: So you’re “The Jew Hunter.”
Col. Hans Landa: [giddy] That’s a bingo!
[Lt. Aldo and PFC. Utivich stare at him in confusion]
Col. Hans Landa: Is that the way you say it: “That’s a bingo?”
Lt. Aldo Raine: You just say “Bingo.”
It’s always nice to see a Jew kick some Nazi ass.
Filed under: Films | Tags: Arrested Development, Buster, George Michael, Gob, Jason Bateman, Michael Cera, Mitchell Hurwitz, Portia de Rossi, Will Arnett
Director: Mitchell Hurwitz
Writers: Mitchell Hurwitz (characters) and Mitchell Hurwitz (screenplay)
Release Date: 2010 (USA)
Genre: Comedy
Tagline: Get Arrested
Production Notes from IMDbPro
Status: Announced | See complete list of 12,000 in-production titles
Comments:Cast is reportedly all on board.
Status Updated: 22 April 2009
More Info: See more production information about Arrested Development (2010) only on IMDbPro.
Note: Because this project is categorized as being in production, the data is subject to change; some data could be removed completely.
Cast
 |
Michael Cera | … | George-Michael Bluth |
 |
Jason Bateman | … | Michael Bluth |
 |
Portia de Rossi | … | Lindsay Bluth Fünke |
 |
Will Arnett | … | George ‘Gob’ Bluth II |
 |
Alia Shawkat | … | Maeby Fünke |
 |
Jeffrey Tambor | … | George Bluth Sr. |
 |
David Cross | … | Tobias Fünke |
 |
Tony Hale | … | Byron ‘Buster’ Bluth |
 |
Liza Minnelli | … | Lucille Austero |
 |
Jessica Walter | … | Lucille Bluth |
 |
Mitchell Hurwitz | ||
|
Justin Lee | … | Annyong Bluth |
Filed under: Films, Hope | Tags: Church, First Metropolitan United Church, Homosexuality, James Franco, Milk, Movies, Political, Sean Penn, Victoria
Church-movie lineup anything but preachy
Photograph by: Darren Stone, Times Colonist,
Times Colonist
Allan Saunders is a big movie buff. He’s also lead minister at First Metropolitan United Church in downtown Victoria, but that doesn’t mean his film tastes are stuffy. He likes films that tell human stories and get people asking questions about their own lives. Movies bring people together, he says, and if that means sitting through a little bit of violence, sex, or even a string of harsh expletives, so be it.
Which brings me to movie night. Every Monday evening in the summer, an assortment of about 50 people turns up in the church’s rec room, many of them strangers.
On a recent Monday, there were grey-haired seniors in cardigans and walking shoes; two teenagers, one with pink hair and the other in fluorescent wayfarers; and a man in a crisp black jacket and fedora. Many of them don’t actually attend the church, but are welcome for movie night all the same.
A film projector sat in the middle of the room, and at 7 p.m. sharp, the lights went out. Allan’s pick for the night, Milk, began to play on the screen in front of us.
Initially, I’d thought the film — based on the story of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man elected to public office in California — seemed like an odd one for a church to be showing. But by the time a naked Sean Penn began kissing James Franco in bed for the first time, most of us had forgotten where we were.
“Not all churches still have whalebone corsets,” Allan explained to me earlier. “We believe in taking the Bible seriously, but not literally.”
Plus, he said, the more risqué the movie, the better the discussion afterwards.
“Movies are a great equalizer,” Allan said. “People come to movie night from very different backgrounds and walks of life, but after the movie, they all have a shared experience.”
And it’s true. Allan asked one simple question afterwards: “What did you think about the movie?” and people began to open up, talk to one another, and share their experiences and interpretations of the film.
Kathleen Sumilas, a woman in glasses and a white T-shirt piped up, saying the film reminded her of her own experience with activism. “I lost my father while I was campaigning,” she said to the group. “The film reminded me of that.”
Rose Henry, a baby-faced homelessness activist, joined the discussion, saying that Milk’s struggles reminded her of the problems homeless people face.
Meanwhile, Bob Thomson and Gordon Thompson, strangers, but, coincidentally, both retired professors, began a conversation about the role of religion in the film.
I asked Allan what his own favourite movie is, and he thought for a few moments before answering The Wizard of Oz.
“The film brings together all sorts of characters, and gets you asking yourself, which character are you? Are you the cowardly lion? Are you the tin man without a heart? Are you Dorothy, trying to find your way home?”
I walked out of the church with three new friends from the movie, and waited for a cab home.
When the car pulled up, I turned to wave goodbye to one of them, a middle-aged man with a duffel bag and a dark brown fedora.
As we pulled away, the cab driver looked at the group that had formed on the sidewalk behind us, and remarked, “This isn’t a very good place to be waiting around at night.”
I paused, looking back at the sidewalk, and remembered what Allan had said about movies being the great equalizer.
“Movie night,” I explained.
Immediately, the driver’s expression changed.
“Oh yeah? You’re a movie buff? I’ve written a few screenplays,” he said.
We talked the rest of the way home.
Filed under: Films, Hope, Music | Tags: Britain's Got Talent, I Dreamed a Dream, Les Miserable, Susan, Susan Boyle
There was a time, when men were kind
When their voices were soft
And their words were inviting
There was a time, when love was blind
And the world was a song
And the song was exciting
There was a time, then it all went wrong
I dreamed a dream in time gone by
When hope was high and life worth living
I dreamed that love would never die
I dreamed that God would be forgiving
Then I was young and unafraid
And dreams were made and used and wasted
There was no ransom to be paid
No song unsung, no wine untasted
But the tigers come at night
With their voices soft as thunder
As they tear your hope apart
As they turn your dream to shame
He slept a summer by my side
He filled my days with endless wonder
He took my childhood in his stride
But he was gone when autumn came
And still I dream he’ll come to me
That we will live the years together
But there are dreams that cannot be
And there are storms we cannot weather
I had a dream my life would be
So different from this hell I’m living
So different now from what it seemed
Now life has killed the dream I dreamed
I Dreamed a Dream from Les Miserables (Best wishes, Susan. Your courage was beautiful.)
Leon Leyson, the youngest survivor from Schindler’s Factory, speaks today. I think it will be a hard evening but a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Filed under: Films
Yvaine(ClaireDanes): You know when I said I knew little about love? That wasn’t true. I know a lot about love. I’ve seen it. I’ve seen centuries and centuries of it, and it was the only thing that made watching your world bearable. All those wars. Pain and lies. Hate… It made me want to turn away and never look down again. But to see the way that mankind loves… You could search to the furthest reaches of the universe and never find anything more beautiful. So yes, I know that love is unconditional. But I also know it can be unpredictable, unexpected, uncontrollable, unbearable and strangely easy to mistake for loathing, and… What I’m trying to say, Tristan, is… I think I love you. My heart… It feels like my chest can barely contain it. Like it doesn’t belong to me any more. It belongs to you. And if you wanted it, I’d wish for nothing in exchange. No gifts. No goods. No demonstrations of devotion. Nothing but knowing you loved me too. Just your heart, in exchange for mine.
Filed under: Films
Glen Hansard – Falling Slowly Lyrics
I don’t know you
But I want you
All the more for that
Words fall through me
And always fool me
And I can’t react
And games that never amount
To more than they’re meant
Will play themselves out
Take this sinking boat and point it home
We’ve still got time
Raise your hopeful voice you have a choice
You’ll make it now
Falling slowly, eyes that know me
And I can’t go back
Moods that take me and erase me
And I’m painted black
You have suffered enough
And warred with yourself
It’s time that you won
Take this sinking boat and point it home
We’ve still got time
Raise your hopeful voice you had a choice
You’ve made it now
Falling slowly sing your melody
I’ll sing along
From a girl who hates boys with guitars, watch Once. It left me with the same feelings I felt after watching Ratatouille, Millions and Amelie. If you are a hater of the whole boys and guitars movement please set that aside and give this film a chance. I did and it was worth it. Brilliant.
