The Boys from Brazil

I realized this week that every movie that I watch that has violence, provides me with some sort of implicit social commentary on the nature of violence. If this were intentional, it seems like peace would be easier to achieve. If the Hunger Games trilogy is so popular, shouldn't we be seeing a peaceful revolution developing right in front of us? Some part of me thinks it is on the horizon, that somehow generations are being formed that will shift global consciousness towards peace and reconciliation. Or maybe I'm too hopeful for my own good.

Yesterday, I watched Red Dawn (1984), directed by John Milius, and starring a young Patrick Swayze and Charlie Sheen, and at the end of it felt like I'd watched a commentary on present-day Afghanistan. Young people are driven out into the wilderness during an attack on the US, and they become like cave-dwellers in the mountains, paranoid and hungry, willing to kill anyone who crosses them, even their closest friends. Isolation mixed with fear can produce some pretty nasty consequences.

Today I watched The Boys from Brazil (1978), directed by Franklin J. Schaffner. World War II themes combined with 1970s era South America? It sounds like a recipe for my perfect movie. Also, Steve Gutenberg was pretty hot as a young twenty-something ;) It answers the strange and wonderful question, "Should you kill baby Hitler, if you knew he was Hitler?" Fascinating movie about social engineering and evil intent.

I guess the more violence I see, the more senseless it becomes. Perhaps that's just my special brain working. I don't know any better; it's the only one I've ever had :)

Be your own advocate.

John Singer Sargent: Mrs. Edward L. Davis & son Livingston (1890)

I'm a big fan of personal growth and development. I think it's important to create a welcoming environment inside yourself to self-awareness, and to work on continually becoming the person you want to be. I'm always amazed at how wonderful personal therapy can be.

Sometimes I talk to people who have seen a therapist for various reasons and found it so incredibly helpful, and then sometimes I talk to people who say that it wasn't so great. I have the same philosophy of therapy that I do about medical doctors: it is what you make it. There are lots of terrible doctors in the world, people who don't really care. But there are loads of wonderful doctors too, people who really want to help, who have expertise, and will do whatever they are able to help. My physical health changed almost overnight when I started speaking up for myself, when I started saying, "Hey this is who I am, and I need help."

Be your own advocate. Dig down into the depths of yourself, be brave, and say what you need. If that doesn't work, let me know, and we can commiserate :)

Please take a moment to read the most recent news about Syria, and consider making a donation to MCC, currently providing direct aid to Syrian refugees.