Pan's Labyrinth is a bit dark, but also rich.
It's About the Spanish Civil War AND about a young girl fighting to discover what's really real for her. As the fascists battle the commies in the hills, there is a slam against the commies that is really a reverse slam against religion. Communist rebels are apprehended with some "there's no god" brochures, and are chided for having "red' propaganda. But, the commies are clearly the good guys/underdogs.
Meanwhile, this little girl who is miserable (her father died, her step dad is hateful - a fascist captain yet) loves fairy tales and just happens to have an encounter with fairies and a faun and a monster or two. It doesn't end well for our friend, but she ends up in a magical afterlife kingdom (the "Underworld"), leaving us with the question (foreshadowed by the "red" propaganda), "Is she really in an after life, fairy wonderland, or is she hallucinating with her last moments of consciousness?" And, of course, once we allow ourselves to ask that question, the natural next step is to question the after life myths that comfort us during our fearful and difficult moments in life. Is it real, or is delusion?
So - anything that makes the Lefties look good and that uses artful mythology and makes you think - I have to give a thumbs up.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Rev. Durrell Watkins Debates Homosexuality & the Bible on Jamaican Radio
The Reverend Canon Durrell Watkins, M.A., M.Div., was interviewed January 24th on “Hot 102 FM” radio in Kingston, Jamaica. The interview took place on a program called “Today” and included a debate with an Anglican priest in Kingston. Both Durrell and his debate opponent spoke by phone to the radio hosts.
The Anglican priest’s view was that homosexuality was disordered and that the Church’s response should be to compassionately call gay and lesbian person to “repentance.” Reverend Watkins, by contrast, supported a liberative interpretation of scripture and an unequivocal affirmation of same-gender love and attraction.
The Kingston priest insisted that homosexual practice could not be supported scripturally and that the bible should be read literally and taken to be authoritative. Durrell’s position was that every person is in fact selective about what she or he considers authoritative in the bible and for him any statement that was oppressive or unjust could not be authoritative. To give an example, Reverend Watkins said, “I disagree with the bible when it says, ‘Slaves obey your masters.’ I also disagree with the few passages that seem to promote homophobia.”
When asked if his was a God of love, Reverend Watkins said, “Absolutely! Love and inclusion.” And his was the last word when he said, “For me, a biblical passage that is authoritative is Jesus’ Golden Rule. He said to treat people the way you would want to be treated is in fact the summation of the ‘Law and the prophets,’ the bible as he knew it. Treat others the way you would like to be treated. No one wants to be treated as a debate issue rather than as a person.”
Sunshine Cathedral remains committed to being a voice of hope, healing, and liberation in support of same-gender loving and gender transgressing communities of faith in Jamaica.
The Anglican priest’s view was that homosexuality was disordered and that the Church’s response should be to compassionately call gay and lesbian person to “repentance.” Reverend Watkins, by contrast, supported a liberative interpretation of scripture and an unequivocal affirmation of same-gender love and attraction.
The Kingston priest insisted that homosexual practice could not be supported scripturally and that the bible should be read literally and taken to be authoritative. Durrell’s position was that every person is in fact selective about what she or he considers authoritative in the bible and for him any statement that was oppressive or unjust could not be authoritative. To give an example, Reverend Watkins said, “I disagree with the bible when it says, ‘Slaves obey your masters.’ I also disagree with the few passages that seem to promote homophobia.”
When asked if his was a God of love, Reverend Watkins said, “Absolutely! Love and inclusion.” And his was the last word when he said, “For me, a biblical passage that is authoritative is Jesus’ Golden Rule. He said to treat people the way you would want to be treated is in fact the summation of the ‘Law and the prophets,’ the bible as he knew it. Treat others the way you would like to be treated. No one wants to be treated as a debate issue rather than as a person.”
Sunshine Cathedral remains committed to being a voice of hope, healing, and liberation in support of same-gender loving and gender transgressing communities of faith in Jamaica.
Friday, January 26, 2007
Must See Her Majesty
The Queen!
I'll be the first to admit, I was skeptical about seeing it. A movie about Queen Elizabeth and her response to Princess Diana's death? Excuse me, didn't we all watch it on the news? It isn't fiction, and it isn't ancient history or historical myth...so, how could it be very interesting? Well, one should never prejudge as I was reminded by finally seeing this marvelous film!
Yes, Diana was the "People's Princess," and we all loved her for her beauty, her moxy, her willingness to stand up to the establishment (of course, as the daughter of an hereditary Earl, she wasn't exactly from the "wrong side of the tracks" herself). We admired her for her work with people with AIDS and for her campaign against the use of landmines. We even admired her for seemingly being a very good mother. She wasn't just an aristocrat in the UK, she was the princess of our hearts, all over the world.
So, of course I was prepared to see the queen's character in "The Queen" as rather vilianous, cold, soulless, etc. But instead, I was reminded that most issues in life are complex and there is never just one side to any story.
"The Queen" shows Queen Elizabeth II as very human. A daughter who relies on her mother's counsel, a wife whose marriage has settled into a routine, oddly comfortable, but hardly passionate partnership, a mother whose stoicism may have prevented her from being as demonstrative with her children as she could have been, and a grandmother who is fiercely determined to protect her grandchildren.
"The Queen" also shows Elizabeth saying of Diana, "we liked her once," and it shows why she may have not liked her as much toward the end.
Queen Elizabeth is shown to be a survivor of World War 2 who lived in London as it was bombed and who served as a mechanic in the war effort, who became a young queen who would reign for more than half a century and who never forgot the scandal and heartache of her uncle's abdication or how deadly the royal occupation was for her father who never expected or prepared to be king. With a sense of duty, responsibility, and a vocation that requires strength and high resolve, once can imagine an aging sovereign who feels deeply but finds expressing those feelings inappropriate, even dangerous. And when all she worked to protect seemed threatened by her former daughter-in-law, one might understand her resentments.
Beyond the shaping of the Queen's personality by forces not of her making and the duty which was thrust upon her by accident of birth, we also see a thoughtful, caring person trying to protect a royal stag from her husband's hunting party, and quietly grieving when the stag is killed. We see a monarch who learns that her people's attitudes have changed, and who then summons the courage to offer them what they need, no matter how counter-intuitive those needs seem to her. A leader who listens, and who even when it is painful dares to make a change in direction is an effective leader indeed.
We still admire and miss Princess Diana, but there is another strong woman in the story that may deserve admiration as well: HM Queen Elizabeth II. Blending fact with conjecture, the film "The Queen" brilliantly shows a real person beneath the crown that has been passed in unbroken succession for more than 30 generations. After seeing the film, one is bound to realize that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth is also Elizabeth Windsor, Mrs. Phillip Mountbatten-Windsor, Daughter, Sister, Mum, Granny, Patriot, Matriarch, and more.
"The Queen" is not only a brilliant film, it is also an important one for helping us look into the soul of one of the most significant leaders of the 20th century, and now, the 21st.
I'll be the first to admit, I was skeptical about seeing it. A movie about Queen Elizabeth and her response to Princess Diana's death? Excuse me, didn't we all watch it on the news? It isn't fiction, and it isn't ancient history or historical myth...so, how could it be very interesting? Well, one should never prejudge as I was reminded by finally seeing this marvelous film!
Yes, Diana was the "People's Princess," and we all loved her for her beauty, her moxy, her willingness to stand up to the establishment (of course, as the daughter of an hereditary Earl, she wasn't exactly from the "wrong side of the tracks" herself). We admired her for her work with people with AIDS and for her campaign against the use of landmines. We even admired her for seemingly being a very good mother. She wasn't just an aristocrat in the UK, she was the princess of our hearts, all over the world.
So, of course I was prepared to see the queen's character in "The Queen" as rather vilianous, cold, soulless, etc. But instead, I was reminded that most issues in life are complex and there is never just one side to any story.
"The Queen" shows Queen Elizabeth II as very human. A daughter who relies on her mother's counsel, a wife whose marriage has settled into a routine, oddly comfortable, but hardly passionate partnership, a mother whose stoicism may have prevented her from being as demonstrative with her children as she could have been, and a grandmother who is fiercely determined to protect her grandchildren.
"The Queen" also shows Elizabeth saying of Diana, "we liked her once," and it shows why she may have not liked her as much toward the end.
Queen Elizabeth is shown to be a survivor of World War 2 who lived in London as it was bombed and who served as a mechanic in the war effort, who became a young queen who would reign for more than half a century and who never forgot the scandal and heartache of her uncle's abdication or how deadly the royal occupation was for her father who never expected or prepared to be king. With a sense of duty, responsibility, and a vocation that requires strength and high resolve, once can imagine an aging sovereign who feels deeply but finds expressing those feelings inappropriate, even dangerous. And when all she worked to protect seemed threatened by her former daughter-in-law, one might understand her resentments.
Beyond the shaping of the Queen's personality by forces not of her making and the duty which was thrust upon her by accident of birth, we also see a thoughtful, caring person trying to protect a royal stag from her husband's hunting party, and quietly grieving when the stag is killed. We see a monarch who learns that her people's attitudes have changed, and who then summons the courage to offer them what they need, no matter how counter-intuitive those needs seem to her. A leader who listens, and who even when it is painful dares to make a change in direction is an effective leader indeed.
We still admire and miss Princess Diana, but there is another strong woman in the story that may deserve admiration as well: HM Queen Elizabeth II. Blending fact with conjecture, the film "The Queen" brilliantly shows a real person beneath the crown that has been passed in unbroken succession for more than 30 generations. After seeing the film, one is bound to realize that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth is also Elizabeth Windsor, Mrs. Phillip Mountbatten-Windsor, Daughter, Sister, Mum, Granny, Patriot, Matriarch, and more.
"The Queen" is not only a brilliant film, it is also an important one for helping us look into the soul of one of the most significant leaders of the 20th century, and now, the 21st.
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
News Flash: Gay People Exist, Always Have, Always Will. Can We Move On Now?
The UN Millennium Goals don't mention same-gender love or attraction. Why should they? Who I send a Valentine's Day card doesn't really have much impact on issues that matter to people's lives (other than mine and my sweetie's). So, why is it that so many people, politicians, and pugnacious preachers spend so much time worrying about what makes me (or anyone) breathe heavy??? The perverse obsession with what consenting adults do is getting a little boring.
Hunger. Now that's an issue. It's also something we could actually wipe out. But not if we waste our time and energy on silliness, like trying to prevent Alice from marrying Sandra. Hello??!!
Education for ALL children. This is actually a radical concept in some parts of the world. This is also something we can accomplish, if and when that becomes our priority.
Improved health for mothers and children, effective treatments for HIV and malaria, environmental protection...these are biggies. We need to address these issues, and we can and we can make a huge difference. But instead, we argue over procreative freedom, same-gender love and attraction, and how to fund war without raising taxes. It's all very frustrating.
So, Anglicans, Catholics, right wing politicos, fundamentalists of every stripe, try to wrap your brains around this: Gay people exist. We always have. We always will. You can hate us, preach against us, write discrimination against us into constitutions, and none of that will make your marriages stronger nor will it make us disappear. More importantly, none of that will feed a single hungry person, improve the health of one child, educate one struggling person, or prolong the life of one person living with HIV. None of that will reverse global warming or bring peaceful, diplomatic, bloodless resolutions to international conflicts.
So, can we finally drop it? Gays exist and that is as constant as gravity. You don't have to like it, but you need to accept it. You don't have to like me, but please don't let your discomfort with my love life (I'm flattered that you care though) distract you from spending time, energy and resources on things that need to be settled for the good of our whole world. Hunger. Health. Education. Environment. Peace. Let's work on those things. You'll never wipe out homosexuality. But we can wipe out hunger, disease, illiteracy, and war. So, let's accept what's here to stay and get to work on what can be and needs to be eradicated. Fair enough?
Hunger. Now that's an issue. It's also something we could actually wipe out. But not if we waste our time and energy on silliness, like trying to prevent Alice from marrying Sandra. Hello??!!
Education for ALL children. This is actually a radical concept in some parts of the world. This is also something we can accomplish, if and when that becomes our priority.
Improved health for mothers and children, effective treatments for HIV and malaria, environmental protection...these are biggies. We need to address these issues, and we can and we can make a huge difference. But instead, we argue over procreative freedom, same-gender love and attraction, and how to fund war without raising taxes. It's all very frustrating.
So, Anglicans, Catholics, right wing politicos, fundamentalists of every stripe, try to wrap your brains around this: Gay people exist. We always have. We always will. You can hate us, preach against us, write discrimination against us into constitutions, and none of that will make your marriages stronger nor will it make us disappear. More importantly, none of that will feed a single hungry person, improve the health of one child, educate one struggling person, or prolong the life of one person living with HIV. None of that will reverse global warming or bring peaceful, diplomatic, bloodless resolutions to international conflicts.
So, can we finally drop it? Gays exist and that is as constant as gravity. You don't have to like it, but you need to accept it. You don't have to like me, but please don't let your discomfort with my love life (I'm flattered that you care though) distract you from spending time, energy and resources on things that need to be settled for the good of our whole world. Hunger. Health. Education. Environment. Peace. Let's work on those things. You'll never wipe out homosexuality. But we can wipe out hunger, disease, illiteracy, and war. So, let's accept what's here to stay and get to work on what can be and needs to be eradicated. Fair enough?
Monday, January 22, 2007
Cate & Judi
I've always loved her - Elizabeth, The Talented Mr Ripley, The Aviator...Cate Blanchett is a goddess.
But I've seen her in three of the last four movies i've watched. And she's as amazing as ever!
Babel, The Good German, Notes on a Scandal...my gods, the woman's a genius!!!
Tragic in Babel, irredeemable and without a single noble quality in The Good German; vulnerable, alternately weak and strong, fallen, and finally after paying the wages of sin (as it were), somewhat redeemed in Notes on a Scandal. All three characters brilliantly flawed, damaged, wounded...but never dull, never unbelievable, never gratuitous. I love her. I love her. I love her.
PS -
Dame Judi Dench (I worship her; when I say grace she is the one who listens!!!), loveable in A Fine Romance and As Time Goes By, charming in Tea With Mussolini, gracious in Shakespeare in Love, regal in Mrs. Brown, adorably grand in Mrs Henderson Presents, strong in the Bond flicks, glamorous in The Importance of Being Ernest, enchanting in Last of the Blond Bombshells, sweetly pathetic in Ladies in Lavender, warmly prickly in Chocolat - this actor who is so easy to love in every single role manages in her 70s to convincingly portray a demented, evil, woman stalking shrew in Notes on a Scandal. Who knew that one could ever be afraid of Judi? But she is very intense and disturbing as the lonely, battle axe, needy, hardened, matronly public school teacher in Notes. Her range apparently knows no limits. And she is brilliantly paired with Blanchett in this film. A must see!!!
But I've seen her in three of the last four movies i've watched. And she's as amazing as ever!
Babel, The Good German, Notes on a Scandal...my gods, the woman's a genius!!!
Tragic in Babel, irredeemable and without a single noble quality in The Good German; vulnerable, alternately weak and strong, fallen, and finally after paying the wages of sin (as it were), somewhat redeemed in Notes on a Scandal. All three characters brilliantly flawed, damaged, wounded...but never dull, never unbelievable, never gratuitous. I love her. I love her. I love her.
PS -
Dame Judi Dench (I worship her; when I say grace she is the one who listens!!!), loveable in A Fine Romance and As Time Goes By, charming in Tea With Mussolini, gracious in Shakespeare in Love, regal in Mrs. Brown, adorably grand in Mrs Henderson Presents, strong in the Bond flicks, glamorous in The Importance of Being Ernest, enchanting in Last of the Blond Bombshells, sweetly pathetic in Ladies in Lavender, warmly prickly in Chocolat - this actor who is so easy to love in every single role manages in her 70s to convincingly portray a demented, evil, woman stalking shrew in Notes on a Scandal. Who knew that one could ever be afraid of Judi? But she is very intense and disturbing as the lonely, battle axe, needy, hardened, matronly public school teacher in Notes. Her range apparently knows no limits. And she is brilliantly paired with Blanchett in this film. A must see!!!
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Theistic Fatigue
Odd, isn't it, that in the 21st century people still argue about "God"? Some people choose to disbelieve in things for which there is overwhelming evidence (e.g., the age of the earth, global warming, the existence of dinosaurs in prehistoric times, the biological process of evolution, etc.) but seem to have little trouble believing in a Supreme Being who is personally interested in the thoughts and behavioral choices of every single human on earth.
Now, don't judge me as some out-moded humanist, a post-modernist cynic, or a religion hating secularist. I am a religious person, humbled by the contemplation of the mysteries of life, devoted to the study and practice of spirituality. In fact, I am a seminary educated, baptized, confirmed, and ordained member of the Christian tradition. But I am concerned about all the violence, anti-intellectualism, strife, and bigotry perpetuated by competing theologies in our world.
We are each entitled to our opinions, and there are plenty of realities in our universe that we simply can't pin down with current technologies. Belief is important and we won't all believe the same things. But if beliefs can vary so widely, and if proof is not necessary to support a belief, then how can mere belief be reason enough to deny equal rights to same-gender loving people?
You see, it's easy enough to exclude or vilify the "Other" claiming that such rejection or oppression is actually the will of "God." But eventually, such irrational prejudice disguised as values must be seen for the damage causing error that it is. As one Johnny Depp character says, "Villainy wears many masks, but none so dangerous as the mask of virtue."
Martin Buber said that to hallow life was to encounter the divine. Durant Drake said that human idealism is what we are calling "God." Sidney Mead said that our search for God is actually our search for reality. "Every picture of God is a self-portrait," said J. Frank Schulman. And Theodore Parker said to love people is how we actually love God. So many thinkers, so many views, but all demonstrating that a belief in God need not lead to a demonization of others.
God isn't the reason people hate or fear one another. Whatever is ultimately Real, whatever can be called divine, is the universal life force flowing through all beings. The real "God" is expressed as same-gender love, opposite gender love, non-sexual love, human potential, hope, kindness, compassion, wisdom, beauty...all that promotes life and welfare and harmony (as opposed to that which promotes fear, confusion, animosity, and injustice). Is belief in God reasonable? It can be. I even think it should be. But a reasonable god is not the cause of homophobia, cruelty, or oppression of any kind. I believe in God - but apparently not the same kind of god that seems to be at the root of the world's most bitter conflicts. God, have mercy.
Now, don't judge me as some out-moded humanist, a post-modernist cynic, or a religion hating secularist. I am a religious person, humbled by the contemplation of the mysteries of life, devoted to the study and practice of spirituality. In fact, I am a seminary educated, baptized, confirmed, and ordained member of the Christian tradition. But I am concerned about all the violence, anti-intellectualism, strife, and bigotry perpetuated by competing theologies in our world.
We are each entitled to our opinions, and there are plenty of realities in our universe that we simply can't pin down with current technologies. Belief is important and we won't all believe the same things. But if beliefs can vary so widely, and if proof is not necessary to support a belief, then how can mere belief be reason enough to deny equal rights to same-gender loving people?
You see, it's easy enough to exclude or vilify the "Other" claiming that such rejection or oppression is actually the will of "God." But eventually, such irrational prejudice disguised as values must be seen for the damage causing error that it is. As one Johnny Depp character says, "Villainy wears many masks, but none so dangerous as the mask of virtue."
Martin Buber said that to hallow life was to encounter the divine. Durant Drake said that human idealism is what we are calling "God." Sidney Mead said that our search for God is actually our search for reality. "Every picture of God is a self-portrait," said J. Frank Schulman. And Theodore Parker said to love people is how we actually love God. So many thinkers, so many views, but all demonstrating that a belief in God need not lead to a demonization of others.
God isn't the reason people hate or fear one another. Whatever is ultimately Real, whatever can be called divine, is the universal life force flowing through all beings. The real "God" is expressed as same-gender love, opposite gender love, non-sexual love, human potential, hope, kindness, compassion, wisdom, beauty...all that promotes life and welfare and harmony (as opposed to that which promotes fear, confusion, animosity, and injustice). Is belief in God reasonable? It can be. I even think it should be. But a reasonable god is not the cause of homophobia, cruelty, or oppression of any kind. I believe in God - but apparently not the same kind of god that seems to be at the root of the world's most bitter conflicts. God, have mercy.
Monday, January 15, 2007
She's Not Still Here
I was so sad to learn of Yvonne DeCarlo's death. She was 84 and had enjoyed a long career, so I shouldn't have been surprised or considered it a tragedy, but it was one more significant figure passing on.
Many may know DeCarlo for her voluminous "B" movies or for her appearance in the epic "Ten Commandments." Most people, especially my age, probably remember her as Lilly Munster from the campy, silly, gothic sitcom, "The Munsters." Some may even remember how long she held on to her considerable beauty or how corpulent she became in later life. But whenever I hear Yvonne DeCarlo's name, I think of Carlotta from the Sondheim musical, "Follies."
Y.D. originated the role of Carlotta and her famous song (probably more famous than the musical that gave birth to it), "I'm Still Here." The song of a showbiz survivor who had seen political, economic, social, professional, and personal ups and downs includes a line about being first a "doe eyed vamp" only later to be reduced to "camp." It seemed like a personal testimony for the beautiful DeCarlo who went from film star to TV monster mom. Sadly, though "Follies" is one of the all time great musicals, it has always had difficulty acquiring the critical praise and financial success that I believe it deserves. It's dark and smart and grand, and maybe that's just too much to pull off in our culture. But it has tried several times, and the first time included Yvonne DeCarlo.
In later life, Y.D. made cameo appearances on episodic television, made for TV movies, even a STV flick or two, until her stroke a few years ago. Since then, she resided in a convolescent community for film actors. I hope those final years were happy for her.
Yvonne DeCarlo may no longer be with us, but then again, everytime I hear "I'm Still Here," perhaps she will be. She will at least be with me.
Many may know DeCarlo for her voluminous "B" movies or for her appearance in the epic "Ten Commandments." Most people, especially my age, probably remember her as Lilly Munster from the campy, silly, gothic sitcom, "The Munsters." Some may even remember how long she held on to her considerable beauty or how corpulent she became in later life. But whenever I hear Yvonne DeCarlo's name, I think of Carlotta from the Sondheim musical, "Follies."
Y.D. originated the role of Carlotta and her famous song (probably more famous than the musical that gave birth to it), "I'm Still Here." The song of a showbiz survivor who had seen political, economic, social, professional, and personal ups and downs includes a line about being first a "doe eyed vamp" only later to be reduced to "camp." It seemed like a personal testimony for the beautiful DeCarlo who went from film star to TV monster mom. Sadly, though "Follies" is one of the all time great musicals, it has always had difficulty acquiring the critical praise and financial success that I believe it deserves. It's dark and smart and grand, and maybe that's just too much to pull off in our culture. But it has tried several times, and the first time included Yvonne DeCarlo.
In later life, Y.D. made cameo appearances on episodic television, made for TV movies, even a STV flick or two, until her stroke a few years ago. Since then, she resided in a convolescent community for film actors. I hope those final years were happy for her.
Yvonne DeCarlo may no longer be with us, but then again, everytime I hear "I'm Still Here," perhaps she will be. She will at least be with me.
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