November 2014: Choice Film Choices

Astral Facts, November 2014

Astral: (Theosophy) Consisting of, belonging to, or designating, a kind of supersensible substance alleged to be next above the tangible world in refinement; as, astral spirits; astral bodies of persons; astral current.

                      Choice Film Choices

This time in November is an interesting season with the emphasis on giving thanks.  On November 11^th, we remember to thank those who have served their country in the military, and on the fourth Thursday we give thanks as families for many aspects of our lives.  Of course, right after that comes Black Friday, which I think actually started online a few weeks ago.  Frankly, it seems to be creeping up earlier and earlier, and not exactly in a positive way, even though we don’t do much about that: somehow reminiscent of those wedgies from back in junior high days that would have been even more uncomfortable if brought to the attention of others around you.

Another aspect of the holiday season that also seems to be creeping in earlier and earlier is the slate of blockbuster movies opening up.  Combined with the shoppers’ traffic and the high cost of movies these days (we teachers haven’t had a raise or even a COLA salary adjustment for over seven years now), my inclination is to wait until the DVD comes out.  Knowing this, my 15-year-old son has been negotiating for several months now to be able to attend the Thursday midnight premiere of the final episode of the Hobbit trilogy in December, even though he is supposed to be in school early that following Friday morning.   He does have a point about the reduced traffic congestion aspect.  (Why can’t they put the same effort into their English persuasion essays for school?)

While those of us in the Humanities Science fields do find enormous benefit in reading the printed words and letting our imaginations work, it is also quite illuminating to observe how others can and do employ their imaginations in interpreting what they have read or experienced.  This is especially true in dealing with real life experiences and the moral and ethical issues that arise.  Thus, it might be worth venturing out into the traffic to view these new releases, but with the local Redbox just around the corner and Netflix just a few buttons away on the remote control, those excursions can be supplemented with some that have evolved into DVD form. My family has had the opportunity to experience some notable examples that can provide some insight into past events.  Here are three we found thought provoking, in chronological order of setting.  

For Greater Glory (2012)

Set in the 1920s in Mexico, this tells the story of the Cristeros War (1926-1929) when the Mexican President, Plutarco Calles, applied Leninist views and declared religion to be the “opiate of the people.”  He expelled all foreign-born clergy and severely restricted religious services and activities, executing those who did attend church services.  At that time, a retired general (played by Andy Garcia) was asked to help in the struggle.  Although he was an agnostic himself, he recognized certain principles were being challenged.  While we viewers may not be confronted by such moral or ethical challenges of a national level, how might we respond to such a challenge if faced at home, in the workplace, or within the community?

  Here’s the trailer for the film:  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1566501/

Argo (2012)

Set in Iran in 1979, this tells the story of the “occupation” of the American Embassy in Tehran.  During the chaos of the event, six embassy staff members were able to use a side exit before the embassy was overtaken.  Although refused asylum at two other embassies, they were able to “hide out” in the home of the Canadian ambassador.  This film chronicles the efforts of a CIA operative (played by Ben Affleck), who felt a moral obligation to try to extract them through the ruse of planning for a blockbuster science fiction movie  (Argo, thus the title of this film) to be filmed on location in Iran.  Again, the central character is faced with the moral and ethical issue of making a commitment and following through with it, even when the authorities choose to withdraw support.  A thinking audience might see these same principles at work at many different levels in the home, the workplace, the community, etc.

Here’s the trailer for this one:  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1024648/

Lone Survivor (2013)

Once again, this chronicles a true story. A four-man US Navy SEALs reconnaissance team in Afghanistan has orders to observe and not initiate engagement with Taliban forces.  Three Afghan villagers herding goats in the mountains stumble upon the reconnaissance team.  The soldiers know that if they let the villagers go, they will immediately inform the Taliban of their presence, even if they promise not to.  Thus, the obvious course of action is to execute the villagers in order to complete their mission, which would protect a larger number of local citizens as well as the soldiers themselves.  However, their orders are not to initiate action, with the added factor of "innocent" citizens being involved.  The decision the soldiers make will impact their lives and the lives of others forever.  Should they choose “the greatest good for the greatest number”?   What moral and ethical decision would be best?

Here’s the trailer for this one:  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1091191/

So we found those three quite interesting.  If you have other recommendations, add them in the comments box below.

Certainly, life was a lot easier back in the days when movies just provided simple escape and entertainment while people could relax their minds eating popcorn with fake butter.  However, even though the butter was fake back then, the issues weren’t, which is still true today.  While we can recognize the butter still may not be real, certainly the issues raised on the screen are more real than ever.

So perhaps before and after (perhaps even during) the barrage of contemporary holiday goings on, I would prescribe a few runnings of It’s a Wonderful Life with George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart) wooing Mary Hatch (Donna Reed) while battling Old Man Potter (Lionel Barrymore) with the angel Clarence (Henry Travers) working on getting his wings.  It’s chock full of principles of ethical and moral choices as well, without all the explosions.  If black and white cinema isn’t your bag, perhaps The Wizard of Oz can remind you and the rest of us that there’s no place like home.

Walter Lowe
Astral Facts is a somewhat regular presentation of Humanities Science, produced in the bowels of the Humanities Science offices during the academic year.