Let’s talk movies and icons as we enter this Memorial Day weekend. In terms of movies there is only one to discuss, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End. I saw the movie, and it was great. There is a lot going on, everywhere in this movie. There are few scenes that slow down in any respect. That’s a bit of a shame as the scenery is phenomenal. I’m not a big fan of CGI, but it’s used so well and believably in this film that you forget its computer made.
Then again, you also forget that you are watching actors. It feels like these are living personalities we are glimpsing, as they spin in a vortex of chaos. Often you will ask the same question as several characters, ‘Does Jack have a plan, or is he winging it?’ There is no way to be sure, but he’s obviously influenced the thinking of every major character in the film. I don’t know if it’s in the Pirates Codex, and I won’t ask Captain Tigue, but everyone is out to do what’s right for them. The chaos and double-dealing this causes is remarkable.
Don’t worry about following it all, there is too much to catch it all. But then again you’ll have too much fun watching the action to really care. And there are enough questions left at the end to easily justify another movie. My guess, and this may seem like a bit of a spoiler, is that Hector [his first name is mentioned only once] will be going after Jack as Jack goes after a treasure to fulfill his new goal.
See the movie, its well worth the money to see it on the big screen.
As I mention the big screen, I want to mention someone that has filled it for decades and is still revered decades after his death. I mean no other than Mr. John Wayne. Yesterday was the anniversary of what would have been his 100th birthday.
There are few movie icons that reach the stature that this one man holds. I am a fan, and unlike Public Enemy, I do feel he is an American hero. Mr. Wayne embodied an image of direct honesty and determination, a purity of action that few ever match. Without flash or ego, Mr. Wayne became a symbol of America that endures today as much as 50 years ago.
He was the spirit of the American soldier, refusing to give up the fight and more than capable of winning. He stood as tall as the American flag, and was unwavering in the pursuit of justice. In many ways he was the best image of what America could be. And he highlighted our flaws without shoving them down our throats.
Some may not like Mr. Wayne. Some could disagree with the image he portrayed. Yes, there were many African Americans in the old west [where do you think the term cowboy comes from?] and very few in his films. Yet there were some, which is more than most movies of this type. And real Indians played their roles, as often as not friends of his character and highly respected for their beliefs. Few movies of the old west portrayed American Indians as anything more than a caricature, and several of the ones that did starred Mr. Wayne.
But it’s Memorial Day weekend. We seek to salute our servicemen and women. We remember that they have given their lives and limbs to provide us the life we have today. As flawed as America may be, or has been, it still is the greatest nation in the world. There is no other nation in the world with the degree of freedom and privileges we enjoy here. And we can only have that because of those that fought, bled and died before us and today.
Regardless if you agree with our current wars, our Commander-and-Chief, or our reason to start fighting [this though questionable is moot as we are fighting now. The focus on how we got here is just a political stump point that does not advance our position today] the fact is that without those brave and dedicated individuals standing in the face of evil and anti-America forces, we could not have anything we take for granted today. That includes this blog, movies like Pirates of the Caribbean, the SUV or Hummer you might want or drive, the home you live in, and the quality of everything else that is here.
So take a moment this weekend, see a John Wayne film [especially those when he is shown as a serviceman] and remember the indomitable spirit that is America and our servicemen and women. Then go see the fruit of those sacrifices in the image of Mr. Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow.
To my fellow Marines, Semper Fidelis. To all veterans, thank you. To those volunteers in the military today, bless you and be well.
This is what I think, what do you think?
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