From"AmericanSniper"to..."TriumphoftheWill"?

''AmericanSniper''isamovieforthosewhoenjoyfeelingprotectedand
safelyindividuateddisconnectedfromotherpeopleratherthanforthose
eagertolosethemselvesintoabrotherhood.ChrisKyleisasniperhis
organsandprivatesarealwayscoveredasheliesonthegroundto''snipe.''
Hebecomesafamoussniperhisfellowtroopsdon'tseehimsomuchas
justoneofthemasaheroprotectorwhoguaranteesthemvictory.His
missionisnotthesameaseveryoneelse's,asmuchashemightpretendthat
itis:whiletherestofthetroopstakeouttheordinaries,heisboundtoface
offagainstthegreatdevilMustafa,whopicksoffvulnerablesoldierslikea
deathvulturepounceddirectfromthesky.Hecanpersonallyhandlesome
adulationonesoldierwhohailshimrepeatedlyas''thehero''beforetherest
ofthetroops,isdealtwithwithaplateofflungfood,humblingthealertstate
ofnewlydrawnattentionwiththedrowsinessofthenarrativelyknownbut
whenother'swellmeantappreciationmeanshimfeelingrequitedto
receivingandaccepting,tohimbecomingapassivereceptacletoother's
needs,PTSDletshimoffthehookbymakingbackgroundnoisesuddenly
remindoftraumaticpreviouswarencounters,andhe'sonlyhalfthereto
receiveanything.Hiswifehasneverhadtheadvantageofhim.He
approachedherafterattendinghershootingdowntheapproachofanother,
andhisfamiliaritywithhertechniquemeanshe'sabletobuttresswhatever
riposteshehasleftinher.Thereafterhe'sinvolvedinawartheybothbelieve
in,sosomethingalongthelinesofthedevastatingattackJamesWolcott
leviedagainstthosewhodiminishedwarservingSalingerinfavourofLena
Dunham,isalwaysattheready,ifneedbe.
ButthisisEastwoodwhenhe'sstillprogrowth.He'lldoafilmlike''Gran
Torino,''whichsuggeststhatinbecomingaccustomedtoKoreanneighbours,
thecurmudgeonmainprotagonistisn'tsomuchadjustingtothenewas
keepingfidelitywithfamiliarvaluesnowhousedinphysicallydifferent
peoplebutwhichoverallfeelsinfavourofadaptationandchange.He'lldo
afilmlike''JerseyBoys,''whichlandsusbackintheconservative1950s,but
whichfeaturesaflamboyantgayproducerwho'sportrayedfavourably
whipsmart,innovative,selfinterestedbutalsooverallagoodfriend.And
he'lldo''AmericanSniper,''whichdoeslendsupporttotheliberalposition
thatthegovernmentneedstofundtherapyforwarafflictedtroops.Whenhe
tiltstheotherwayandhewillhe'llstartdoingfilmsmorelike''Triumph
oftheWill,''wheretherewillbenothingmoregleefullyforsakenthanone's

individuality,andwherethemainprotagonistwillgleefullycatchanyshared
emotionyoumightwanttointerminglewithhimsoyoureallthatmuch
more''one.''
Thischangewilloccurbecauseanyonewhoneededtoprotecthisown
growthwithdefensivestrategies,cameoutofaearlymatrixthatwas
smothering.Suchamatrixwasalsoclaiming...andinabandoningitonefelt
uponwithdrawalitsmassivedisapproval,itsaccusationthatyouareabad
boy/girlwhodeliberatelyabandonedawhollyselfless,endlesslygenerous
andprovisioningsourceforflippantandnarcissistici.e.entirelyselfish
reasons.Onecannothandlefeelingabandoned,unworthyofone'smother's
i.e.the''mountain''groundwithintheearlymatrixloveforever...
accumulatingbeforeyouishowapocalypticthisfirstfelttoyouwhenyou
experienceditasaninfant,anditeventuallydrownswhateverpositiveself
evaluationyou'vemusteredforyourselfinyourindividuatedadultlife.So
offisshuckyourdistinctiveness,andyoumergewithinabody
masochisticallyasbutaddedcellstoacorpulentgrandmadame.You
becomelikeGermanswhentheyinthemillionsforsooktheirindividuated,
growingWeimarselvessomethingwondrousbuttotallynewandheartily
anxietyprovokingandlostthemselvesintotheprovincialstupidityofthe
''volk.''
Oneoftheinterestingthingsthatwillhappenishowtheideaofthe
sheepdog,theprotectorarecurrentideainEastwood'sfilmswillchange.
In''AmericanSniper''theideawasintroducednotjusttoexplainthesource
ofKyle'sbehaviouralinclinationsbuttoaddanotherempoweredpatriarch
intoasceneKylesdadinstructedhimtobeasheepdoganempowered
patriarchfeltbyEastwoodtoaddabarrierthatcouldsucceedagainstany
giant,bloated,maternalseamonster'seffortstoreachoutoftheswampand
yankpoorKyle/Eastwoodbackintoadigestingstew.Thosewithany
trepidation,thosewhoarefrail,won'tbeseenasworthyofbeingguarded
astheyaretosomeextentinthisfilm,perhapsmostespeciallywiththe
marines,whodidn'treceivethetrainingtheSealsdid...whojustsixmonths
beforewerecivilians.They'llbeseenasaddingnothingtotheprowessofthe
group,asbeingvileforbeinguseless,andtheprotector'srolewillbeto
protectthevitalityofthegroupandexpungethemthatis,inasense,tokill
thesheep.
They'llbeportrayedabitlikeKyle'syoungerbrother,whomKyleis

delightedwithandproudtoseeenlistedbutwhomthefilmshowsasapale
shadowtoKyle,andwho'sweaksoulcouldn'tbearthetarnishthatasingle
tourwouldincuruponit.They'llseemmorelikeMarkLee,whodiesshortly
afterquestioningthewisdomofthewarandthevirtueofwarrior
persistence,butthatmuchmoreasaresultoftheirbeingintruthaliensthat
shouldhavebeenexpungedfromthebravecollectiveeffortofwarthat
muchearlier.They'llseemabitmorelikethedamagedvetwhokilledChris
Kyle,whomhiswifeespiedasadarkdemoninvetclothingassoonasshe
spottedhim,butwhowascloudedfromactingtosaveherglorioushusband
bythecredibilityoftheideaofkeepingfaithwiththeweaka''foul''
concept"now"revealedasmeaningthatsuchathingasthegreatestwarrior
inyourhistory,wouldbelefttobedownedbyafartofaman.
Eastwoodwillbevilifyingtheweaknotjustwithinthegroup,butoutsideit.
Within,theweaksapsthestrengthofthegroup,andishatedforthatreason;
outside,theweakandvulnerableareguiltyofrepresentingwhatyoumostly
werewhenyoufelttargetedwithinthematernalmatrix,andaretherefore
targetedbecauseyourenowcompletelyinmindtokeepyourmother
unblemishedinherholiness.Soinfuturefilms''enemy''childrenthatare
beingtargetedbyherosniperswon'tbetargetedwithtrepidation,butshotin
themannerofhowKyleinreallifeactuallyshotthemtotallyself
righteously:downgoesanotherlittlesavage!serveupanother!Andsince
allvillainymustbeoutsidethegroup,allthenegativeaspectsofyour
mothermustbeprojectedthereaswell.Thismeansthatinfuturefilmswhen
womancomeintoviewneedingtobeshotfortheircarryingbombs,we
won'tbemeanttothinkofthemastoolsofthemenwhocommandedthem
aswearetoasignificantextentinthisfilmbutasissuingforthoblivion
fromoutoftheirownselves.It'llmeanthattheexoticpersianOrientalism
won'tbefoundinthe"beautiful"Mustafa,the''sheepdog''sniperontheside
oftheterrorists,butinthe''queen''atthecentreofthehive''the
butcher''''herself,''who'llbemadetopossesstraitsthatidentity''her''as
oursplitoffvillainousmother.
''She''won'tbemadetocarryapurse,necessarily,but''shell''surelybe
madetolurchoveradoomedchildinawaythatcan'thelpbutremindofa
witchaddingsalttothebaredeliciousexposedfleshofthehelplesschild.

ClintEastwood'scomfortzone,in"AmericanSniper"
ClintEastwoodfeelscomfortablewhenmencanrulethepublicsphereand
womencanbeusheredintothedomestic.Hefeelsthattheideaof
maleauthorityissovulnerablerightnow,deemedsodeservedlyvulnerable,
thatifyoupointedtoanyinstanceofitwithpraisecarelessly,youmightfind
yourselflinkedtosomethingjustabouttobedevouredintoaholewhere
deviljezebelswilltakeittopiecesforitsrapeenablingvibe.Sohemakesa
filmsetintheeraofthe1950s"JerseyBoyswhereostensiblyit'snot
"your"preferencebutjustrealistictodelineatethejourneyofabandwhere
everyoneinauthorityisaman,andwhereitsnotyourrevengedreamcome
truebutjustrealistictoshowthefateoftheagitatedwomanwhomarriesthe
leaderofthebandtobecomeahousewifewhobouncesofwallsinto
craziness.Andwhenhemakeshisnextfilm,heescapesNorthAmerica
entirely,andgoesperhapstotheoneplacewherewecanmakemalecontrol
notseemaconsciousartificebutratherpresumedwhereone'senjoyment
ofpatriarchybecomesalmostasubliminalsatisfaction,outsideofcritique
becauselikethe1950s,it'sjustthewaytheworldisandwhereready
avenueexiststobackofffemalecomplaintandindeedshamewomenback
intotheroleofsupplicants.HeheadsoffforwarzoneIraq.
Eastwooddoesn'twanttoseemlikeoutcastfromHollywoodsocietyMel
Gibson,whichhewouldhaveifhemadeafilmwhichovertlymadeitseem
asifthewarinIraqwasrightandthatthosewhorespondedbysigningup
weresimplythebravest,mostloyalofAmericans.Sowhathedoesisappear
tobeplayingtotheliberalbeliefthatthosewhosignedupweresimply
ignorant,uninformedgoodbutsimple:theywerepeoplewhoknewno
otherthanmainstreamnewsandwho'dbeenindoctrinatedintoabelief
systemthatthebestwaytocarryouttheirgenuineintentiontobegoodwas
tobesupportthewareffort.Liberals,whousuallywanttocastigate
"rednecks,"disarmthiswayofthinkingofthemandswitchintoanother
whenoneprovokestheideaofcorporate/mediacontrol,thensuddenly
they'renotpeoplewhodeservetobeshamedandinsultedfortheirregressive
mindsetsbutratherprotected...they'rejustsimplepeoplebeingmanipulated
bypowersmuchgreaterthanthey,whomliberalsmustdotheirbestto
educate.ChrisKyle,who'sbeenraisedtobesomeonewhovaluesbeinga
"sheepdog,"someonewhoprotectstheweak,whoknowshehasagodgiven
talentwithagun,andwhounderstandsparticipationasonlysomethingdone
inthedustswirlingtempestofimmediacyanddirectaction,seesontvthe

twotowersbeingbroughtdownandknowstherightthingtodoistogo
whereever"savagehiding"deserthisnationtellshimpeopleresponsiblefor
thisatrocitycanbefound.Andinthecourseofserving,hewillincurPTSD,
anafflictionliberalsliketothinkofasmakingthesenaive,uneducatedmen
damaged,ruined...asusedandcastasidebyacorporatesocietythat
pretendsfaithwiththembutreallydoesn'tgiveonedamn.
Eastwoodhashiswayintomakingafilmassumingareasonably'cross
HollywoodsympatheticapproachtoKyle,andheusesthisproxytore
experienceagoodpartofwhatwascomfortableforhimaboutthe1950s.No
whereinthisenvironmentisthereanyfamilywhichisn'tclearlyunderthe
dominionofmen.AwomanandachildcomeintoKyle'ssightsaspossibly
carryingexplosivedevices,butwewereshowntheirbeingsenttherefirstby
amanfromhiscellphone.AwomanpresentsherwoundstoKyletoshow
thedegreeofsavageryof"thebutcher,"butshewasusheredtobyher
husband,whomoreorlesssnappedhisfingerstoacquirehersummons.
Kylenoticesthatamanthey'rediningwithhasbruisedelbowsand
thereforeislikelynotthecivilianheclaimstobebutasoldierbutthefact
ofhisbeingattheheadofthetable,withhissonbyhisside,andwithhis
wife,barelyapresence,quietlytakingawayandbringingdishes,ismeantto
beoutsideourcriticalappraisal,likeitwouldbeifwewereofthe1950sand
wereinthe1950s.
Kyleisveryhardworkingandgenuinelyshowntobe,ifnotkeeping
civilizationintact,certainlydoinggoodworkkillingbrutalmenwho'ddrill
holesinchildrenandthelikeandEastwoodmakesPTSDservemerely
whathardworking50smenwereostensiblyafflictedwithaftertheirarduous
dailygrind,battlingothermeninacompetitivesocietyandkeepingtheir
familiesafloat.1950smencouldnothelpbut"bringworkhome"too...and
that'swhysocialnormshaditthatthewives'fulltimeoccupationoncetheir
husbandswerehomewastonursethem:nottoconfrontthemwiththe
problemsarisingfromtheirowndaybutbringthemdrinks,servethem
dinner,soothethemdownandspoilthemthen,andonlythen,wouldthe
dailytoilaccruedfromtheoutsideworldbemetandmatched.Ifawife
insteadstartedscreeching,beratingheroverworkedhusbandandbetraying
therolesocietyneededofher,shecouldexpecttobeshamedforit...just
likeKyle'swifewouldbeshamed,ifonthephonetoKyleshestarted
harpingonwhathisbeingawaywasdoingtoherandheresponded,"What
wasthatdear?...Icouldn'thearyouformyjeepturningoverandmybuddy

justbeingshotthroughthehead."
EastwoodembracestheideaofPTSDonlybecauseitcansuggeststature
ratherthanweakness.Ifyouhaveaheaviercaseofit,it'ssurelybecause
you'vebeenoutonthefieldlonger,enduredmoreofanunsparing
environment...afraillooking,eldertherapistnotesthatKylehashad180
kills,andyouwonderifhe'sthinkingmoreonhowtotreathimorhowto
becomethefaintestshadowofhim.OneofKyle'sgoodfriends,thefellow
sniperMarkLee,remarksthatwarissomethinglikekidsproving
themselvesbyseeinghowlongtheycanholdontoanelectricwire,but
whenhediesshortlyafterwardsitdoesseemtobeoutofKyle'ssupposition
thathewasnolongerreadytomeetthedailygrind.He'sdisillusioned,but
thefilmprovidesnoreasonforit:thereareplentyofverybadguys
outthere,andifyou'renotatyourbest,goodmenonyoursidewilldiefor
it.
Inshort,MarkLeemakesitseemasifbeingasoldierislikebeinga
salesmanoutof"DeathofaSalesman,"youjustgoontoproveyou'restrong
whenwhatyouarereallyareisbeingdepleted,tonopoint,whilenoone
elseouttherecares.Kyle'sretortiswhatabuoyed1950ssalesmanwould
winninglyreplytothis1930s"DeathofaSalesman"isaboutsomeone
workingintheGreatDepressionworldview:"Whatonearthareyou
talkingabout?Wekeepatitbecausewe'reneededandit'sourjob.It'sjust
thatsimple."
18,2015
Partingways,inRidleyScott's"Exodus:GodsandKings"
RidleyScottisknownforhisstrongfemaleprotagonists,butthereisa
feelinghenestlesintothisstoryofancientlandsbecausehethinksit'sone
wheretestedoldermalerulershavegottenwomenwhomightcontestthem,
securelycontained,andwhereifthesemenhavehadalongenoughtenure
overtheirboys,whenpowerdescendstothem,themomentarydislocation
incurredwhenpowertradeshandswon'tbesufficientforevenan
experiencedfemaleatcourttotakeadvantageof.Elder,governing"fathers"
arelikeguardiansentinelsthatkeepchaosatbay;butaremeanttocrumble
downatacertainpointwherehopefullyanevenbettererectionof
themselvescanimmediatelystepintokeepthingsgeneratingratherthan
succumbingtoamendmaking,andotherthingsthatmeanretreatfrom

"your"ownbusiness.
Thesefathersarestrong,secureandkind,butnotwithoutdamningflaws
thatshouldmeanthatatsomepointtheyneedtoexitthescene.Marcus
Aureliusin"Gladiator"nurseshisgreatgeneralMaximusfondly,andhas
keptaconfidentrealm,butiswarrantedinaskingifultimatelyhe'llbe
rememberedasjustcruelhehaslaunchedarmiesafieldthatperhapshave
spreadcivilizationbutforsurehavebutcheredmultitudes.In"Kingdomof
Heaven,"GodfreydeIbelinarrivesintimetooffersheltertohisinsecurely
placedson,buthecametovisithiminparttoapologizeforhavinghadsex
withhismotherwhohadnochoicebuttolaywithhimandisrevealedas
someonewhohasn'tputmuchthoughtintohowtoprovisionhisterribly
droughtvulnerabledesertestates.Andin"Exodus,"thebeneficentpharaoh
Setiisimplicatedinstilllisteningtogodsthatmayforetelltruthbutare
serpentine,probablyoveralluncaringandindifferent,andproperlynotdue
anyrespect,andofcourseinbeingpartofthelineageofpharaohsthathave
builttheirgrandcivilizationonthebacksofslaves.
Butwhentheseshielding"husks"areoffevenifitisnotconsciously
understoodassobyScottwhateverthesesheltered"sons"doafterwards
inthespacenowbirthedtothemispresentedasright,justforthesheerfact
thatwhattheydounravelstheirowncourse.Theyarepreparedtobeatback
otherpredatorsthinkingofseizingupontheirterrain,andmaketheworld
landscapereflect,rather,theirowndispositions."Gladiator's"Commodus
learnedenoughaboutstatecraft,aboutpeople,fromhisfatherthatthe
senatorsimmediatelybesieginghimtoconcernhimselfwithwhattheythink
mosturgent,caninfactbeignoredentirely,asafterabriefdelay,wherethey
succeedinunsettlinghim,makinghimperhapsthinkthey'llholdswayover
him,hequicklyrecoverssothatthefirst,second,andthirdorderofbusiness
actuallybecomeswhathewants,howhewantstoinitiatehisreign.Hehas
garneredenoughexperiencewiththewilythathisoldersister,whoisfirst
presentedtousasperhapsRome'sforemostexpertindeception,canactually
become...scared,disarmedfromeffectivelyimpingingonhim.Balian
learnedenoughaboutbeingaknightfromhisfatherthatheisabletokeep
afloatapeopleandsaveacityfromcompleteravaging,stickingtohisown
principleswhileabeautifulqueenoffershimsuchacornucopiain
apparentlyguiltfreesatisfactionthatitwouldappearunaccountablehenot
changecourseandbelittleaswelltheidea/idealoftheperfectknight.Andin
"Exodus,"Ramseshasbeenallowedenoughnurturantdayswithhis

"brother"Moses,enoughsincereencouragementbyhisfathertoalways
keepfaithwithhim,thatwhenhismotherstartsdictatingterms,insistingit
wouldbeunaccountableifhenotimmediatelyslayMosestheforetold
threattothethronehebrushesheraside,andasmuchaspossiblestays
loyaltohim.Shippinghimoff,yes,butshippinghimoffarmedwitha
swordthat'lldeflectanyassassinssentbyhismotherandlendhimacredible
future.
YoumightthinkthatScottwouldpreferthatthelikesofCommodus,
especially,obeyedtheexperiencedandwisewhentheyinsistedonhis
beginninghisrulebyfollowingtheirdictates.Butinanysituationwhere
someoneisbeingpressedintomakingadecisions/hefeelsunder
compunctiontoheed,whetheritmightbeinaccordwithwhats/hemight
comeupwithonhisownornot,isonewhereIwouldargueScottisactually
pullingfortheoneunderassault,theonebeingunderminedthereisno
wayhewouldhavethoughttostructureafilmwherethenewyoung
emperor,goodorbad,iseffectivelyhemmedin.Hewasgoingtoneedto
haveCommodusfindawilywaytoavoidthefatehemomentarilyseemed
obligedto,justashewasgoingtoneedMaximustoonlyseembeholdento
hisfatetobeexecuted,justtobewillingtojourneywiththemasprinciple
protagonists.ForScott,tobeattendanttoothersistoimpinged...youfeelit
notablyinsuchmoviesofhisas"Prometheus,"wherethecaptain,theone
whohasrule(overastarship)butwhohasneverbeenallowedtofreeherself
fromthedictatesandmachinationsofherfather,istight,bitter,frustrated,
whollyunhappy.
Itisimportantyoumakeyourowndecisions,itisimportantthatyounotbe
disswayed...arenotthoughtseverairedin"Gladiator,"buttheformeris,
overtly,in"Exodus,"andScotthaspubliclychidedhimselfforallowingthe
opinionoftestaudiencestoswaytheformofthereleasedversionof
"KingdomofHeaven."Heputhisfilmupfortestviewingsandendup
heedingtheaudience'sreactions,therebyruininghiseffortsbyputtinga
forthafilmshortchangedhisownhighlyastuteeditorialjudgment/skills.He
knowsheoughttohavebeenCommodus,confidentevenifunpopularand
apparentlywhollyastray,heknowsthateverythingnewshouldbegranted
theaggressivestanceofbeingallowedtochangepeoplebeforepeople
shouldcommencetheirassaultonit,andkeptfaithwithhimself.
Whatheexploresinthisfilmwiththeavenueclearedfromobstacleswith

"thepartedsea"iswhathappenswhentwobrothersneedtodothemature
thingandtestwhetheraclosefriendshipthatworkedinanenvironment
whichdidntallowoneofthemtoreallyshine,makesanysenseatallwhen
bothhavecometoknowwhatsuitsthembest.ThisisntKingdomof
Heaven,wherewhentwobrothersmeetafteralongtimeawaytheyounger
brothersbecominggreater,becominganactualbaron,ismeantto
humiliatetheolder.Rather,thefilmissympathetictothebrotherwho,
owingtonootherfaultotherthanjustbeingmorelimited,reallywouldnow
justbeahinderance.SowhilewedoseeRamsesbehavingabominably
commandinginoneinstanceafamilybehangedScottsattentiontohimis
somuchsomeonewhoissheddingafriendregretfullythatevenmore
attentionisputtoRamseskindnesses,hisvirtuesandstrengths.
ScottattendstoRamses'mannerwithhiswife,whichisloving,andmost
especiallytohischildwhomhetrulycherishes.Whenheloseshisson
owingtoGodswrathandhisreactionisnotjusttopursuevengeancebutto
spendalongmomentwithhisdeadson,speakingtohimtenderlyyou
knowthereasonyousleepsopeacefullyitisbecauseyouarelovedwe
knowthatsomethingremarkablehasbeenchastened.Heevenworksto
challengehowimplicativeandreverberantweretoallowthehangingofthe
familytoremain,makingitalsoanoccasionforajokewhereRamsesis
intendedourfullsympathies(hedidntquitehavemine,astheonehanged,a
courtscientist,wascommendablybangoninmakingsenseofthe
sequenceoftheblightuponthem,evenifhewasntconversantastothe
wholedamagefleasmightleavebehind,i.e.diseasetheory).
ButMosesisabetterperson,amuchmoreevolvedsort.Itshowsinhis
beingabletoreadilyempathizewiththosenotpartofhisimmediatefamily.
Itshowsinhisattitudetowardsauthority;traditiondoesntbidehimtodefer,
somethingheshowsinhistakingreadyamusementatthesillyscienceof
prognosticatingfromanimalgutsapracticethatnooneelseisreallyquite
readytoabandon,notevenhisbrother,whoonlypretendswholesale
agreementwithhim.Anditshowsinthekindofrelationshipsheprefers,
wherechallenges,contestation,isseenasreflectingthestrongindependent
soulthatinspiredthebirthofrespectandloveinthefirstplace.
Hiswifeandhischildarebynomeansbeholdentohimastheirpatriarch.
WhenheleavesthemtohelphispeopletheHebrewssufferingunder
Egyptianreignbothconfronthimwithchallenges,withtheirhonest

feelings,ratherthancozyhimwiththereassuranceshewasatsomelevel
hopingfor.Whenhissoninformshimhedoesntbelievehellactuallybe
comingbacktothem,hesays,goodforyou.Donteverjustsaywhat
peoplewanttohearanditreadsasentirelysincere.
ForatthatmomentScottissurelybothinthesonandinMosesto
him,youcantbeginyourlifeifyoureoverlyrespondenttothosewho
couldgetyouragreementjustbecauseyourenotfortifiedenoughto
withstandtheirrejection.Thesepeopledon'tcontestorchallenge;theysap
fromyoutheveryabilitytorespondindependently.
Saturday,January3,2015
TheHobbit:BattleoftheFiveArmies
OneofthearduousthingsaboutwatchingPeterJackson's"Lordofthe
Rings"trilogywasexperiencingtheintenseparentchildtumult.Arwen
gainsindependencefromherfatherandpledgesfidelitytoherlovefor
Aragornaboveallelse,butitinvolvesherdevolvingintoafrailstate,
becomingasfragileasalltherestofMiddleEarthbeforeSauron'sascension
andtheelves'retreat.Faramirgainsrecognitionfromhisimpossibly
stubbornfather,thestewardofGondor,butnotevenafteressentially
throwinghislifeawayinahopelessbattleandonlyafterbeingmidpart
cookedinabonfireofhisfather'sowncontrivance.Thisisanolder
generation'ssturmunddang;abreakthroughoccurssternauthorityis
breachedbutit'ssoexhaustingyouhavetohopethatonceit'sbeen
successfullyhadoutthatnoneofthepartiesinvolvedeverreacquirethe
staminatorestageit."TheHobbit:BattleoftheFiveArmies"threateneda
repeatofthissortofthunderousclashBilbo's"unforgivable""betrayal"
ofThorinbutitseemsPeterJacksonhadperhapsmorehow
contemporaryparentsandchildrenmighthandletheirchildrenbreaking
awayfromthemhowhemighthandleit,withhisownchildrenrather
thanwhatbabyboomerslikehimselfhadtobracethemselvestoexpectwith
theirmoreauthoritativeparents.Forinthisfilmautonomyisrecognized
withsomegracebyelders,andthedefinitionofwhat"youth"doesthat
deservesrespectisexpandedbeyondbeingevidentlyintherighttosimply
possessingpersuasivedrive.
ThescenewhereBilborevealstoThorinthathegavetheoutsidearmiesthe
ArkenstoneishardlyBilbo'smostimportantscenewithhim.Theattentionis

barelyontheirconfrontation,forThorin'sattentionisstillsomuchalsoon
theoutsidearmiesathisgatethatBilboimmediatelyfindsanopportunityto
scamperoff.WenotethatBilbostandsstrongintheencounter;hedeclares
whathedidwithoutapology;butitseemsthemostdilutedversionofwhat
Jacksoncouldstandtohaveofferedwithoutbelittlingthesignificanceofit
inthebookandhisfidelitytothecharacters.Sowhatisleftmostly
unchallengedinimpactisapreviousencounterbetweenthetwowhereBilbo
revealsthathe'stakenanoakseedhe'dfoundalongtheiradventures,
intendingtoplantitbacknearhishomewhenhegetsback.Whathethereby
showstoThorinisthat,notonlywasheverymuchinterestedinhelpingthe
dwarvesreclaimtheirhomelandsothattheycouldenjoythesame
pleasuresBilboknowshe'lleventuallybereturningtobutintaking
"their"homelandbackwithhim.Notasamemento,butinthegreat,
imposingformofawholeoaktree.Hedoesenormoushonourbothto
himselfthedwarveshavemeantsomethingtohimandtoThorin...
indeed,inJackson'sversionThorin'sgiftingtoBilboofthemithrilarmor
almostseemsamakeshiftequivalentgesture:hegrabbedforhimselfThorin
Oakenshield's"shield";Thorinprovideshimthematchingarmour.Basically
thisencounter,whichalsoinvolvesThorinonceagainshowinghis
appreciationforBilboandhissenseofhimasanequal,isaboutimmediately
breakingthepossiblepredatorystancebetweenthemforonewhichrestates
whathadbeenaccomplishedbetweentheminthepreviousfilm.Thorinmay
gowholehogregressionwiththerestofthedwarves,butit'skepttoa
surprisingminimumwithBilbointhismovie,seeminglybecausethe
exhaustionofhavingtoclimbthewholewaybackdoesn'tseemsomething
Jacksonwantstodegradethemwith.
Jacksoncouldbeprettyhardonhobbitsin"LordoftheRings,"forcingthem
togoalongwaytoredeemthemselvesafterhavingaccomplishedfeatsthat
shouldhavekeptthembulletproofforawhile.Forinstance,Merryand
Pippenwereprimarilyresponsibleforoneofthetwotowersgoingdown,
manipulatingthegreatEntarmyintoawarthey'djustdecidednottoinvolve
themselvesin.Yetearlyin"Return"they'rebacktobeingpests,
appropriatelyscowledatbyGandalf,justastheywerewhenhefirstmet
themandwererecklesslyblastingoffhisbestfireworksandmakingamess
ofaparty.ButinthisfilmGandalfgetsreadytoreleaseaheavyscowlon
BilbobutBilboisallowedbyJacksonthekindofstaturethatwould
immediatelyhaveGandalfdrawback.Bilbodecideshe'sgoingtocrossan

activebattlefieldtowarnThorinofnewsofanotherapproachingarmy,and
Gandalfreplies:"you'llbeseen"..."it'soutofthequestion."Bilbodoesn't
reproachGandalfforthecoupleofheavyinsultshe'dimplicitlyhandedhim
hereone,thatsincehe'dadvertisedtheimportanceofBilbojoiningthe
journeyinthefirstplaceasowinginparttohisbeingsosmallhecould
successfullytrespassplacesotherswouldbeseenin,he'dbasicallybeen
bullshittingbothBilboandthedwarvesabouthisworthinessofsettingout
ontheadventure;andtwo,thattheonlyreasonhearrogantlydecidedfor
Bilbothathewasgoingtogoontheadventure,markinghisdoorsoaparty
ofdwarvescouldturnhisplaceintoatumult,wasn'tbecausehisongoing
existence,sansadventure,andcontinuallyamongstallhismother'sdoilies,
wasn'tworthyofrespect,butapparentlybecausethiswassomethinghe
thoughthecouldinflictonBilboregardless.Hereactsbyconvincingly
showingthattohimwhatisimportantisthefactofhisowndecision,what
hewantstodo,regardlessofhowevengoodfriendsseehimforit.And
Gandalfrecedes,registeringthathe'dbeenopposedbysomeonewhointhat
momentwasprobablymoreintherightthanhe.
Thisisn'tsomethingyouoftenseehappentoGandalf.In"LordoftheRings"
everyonewhodoessoismadetoseemthefoolGandalfassessesthemas....
TheodenrefusingGandalf'srequesttheymeetthearmyinopenbattle,
insistinghispeoplewouldbesafeatHelm'sDeep;Denethorrefusingto
callingforaid.Gandalf's"rightness"isapparentlysomewhatcontestablein
thisfilm,however...enoughsoinfactthatjustbeforeBilbodoingit
Thranduilkindadoesitaswell.Thranduil,theelfking,couldhavebeen
madetoseemappallinglynarrowfocussedinthisfilmthekingwewere
preparedtoencountergivenpreviousreferencestohimasjeweldazzledand
ofa"morewild"raceofelves.ButwhenherefusesGandalfandinsistson
pullinghistroopsawayfromconflict,Jacksoninsuredthatwe'dbeen
witnesstohispreviousinstantwillingnesstohavehiselvesjointhedwarves
inbattlewhentrulydireopponentsshowedthemselves,andexperienced
fromhisperspectivealonglookatallthedeadgloriouselveslitteringthe
ground...attheghastlywasteofwhatisclearlyMiddleEarth'smost
preciousresourcewhatshouldn'tbeputatriskofcompletedecimation
withoutriskingstarvingtheworldofasingularlyimportantsourceof
delight.
Thranduilismostlyspared,keptsafefrom,theharshjudgmenttheprevious
filmlookedlikeitmightassignhimmercilessly.Werememberhim

belittlingThorinbyassessingthathewasprobablymovedprimarilyby
impuremotives..."burglary,andthingsofthatnature."Butinthisfilm
efforthasbeenputintoensuringthatwenoticethatwhenhemistakes
people'smotiveshedoesn'tmalignthembutassessesthemadmirably....he
won'tacknowledgeGandalf'sclaimofanapproachingarmy,butdoeslaud
himforhisloyaltytothedwarves,hisefforttosavehisfriends.Heofcourse
doesbeardownhardonTauriel,buthisviolenceislaterrequitedbydoing
massiverepairworktokeepherfromcomingapartafterKili'sdeath.And
he'sbarelyabaulktohissonLegolas'sfuture,withoutseemingtomindthat
thisisso:whenLegolasdeclareshe'sleavinghislongknownelfhomeand
venturingoutonhisown,Thranduilimplicitlycommunicateshowwrong
objectionwouldbetohisson'sthoughtthroughstancebygivingno
objectionatall,andonlyaddinginformationthatmightcomplimentthe
directionheguesseshissonisventuring.Thereareseveralscenesinthe
moviewherewearemadetofeelthatmuchofwhathasdefinedThranduil
hisrelationshipwithandlossofhiswifehadnothingtodowith
remaininghome,foreverpledgedtofathers,butabouthimselfhavingsetoff,
facingfierydragonsandterriblenorthernforts.
Thisfinishisn'telderheavy.Theexpectationonthemelders,oranyone
whoisallowedapositionoveranotheraspotentiallyexploitiveasoneof
parentoverchildistograciouslypartways,letgo,andtheydo.The
tumultthatmightgreetonegenerationfinallyreachingtheagewherethey
mightcontesttheoneaheadofthemistobeavoided,ifpossible,withelders
recognizingtherightnessinanothergenerationstandingupforitself,making
itsownimprint,offeringiftheycan,maybemodestlyofferedguidance
maybetheyhaven'taclueastowhatthenextgenerationneeds?butfor
surefulsomeloveandsupport.Younoticeinthefilmhowconspicuously
JacksonputsattentiontoBard'srelationshipwithhischildren.Younotice
howJackson'sownchildren,in,Ithink,everyfilmoftheseries,beginning
with"Fellowship,"havecomeofage.Youwonderifwhatisshaping
Jackson'smakingofTolkien'sfinishof"theHobbit"arethoughtsnotsolely
onpreparingthingsforthealreadydone"LordoftheRings,"butpreparing
anaudiencetoconsidertheirchildren'seventualintroductiontothemofa
completelyopenfield:thecivilizationcreatedoutoftheirowndrivesand
inclinations,howevercrazyandimpossibletousitmightbetoregisterthem
associetyimprovingratherthanruining.

HowelsetounderstandthestrangecaseofAlfrid,theservantofthevile
MasterofLaketown?Hewaslenttousafter"TheDesolationofSmaug,"
readyforouroblivionifthisguymakesitthroughhismaster's
destructionbythedragon,it'sonlyinasenseforourkilling.Andyetwhat
Jacksondoesistreatusasifwewerethedwarvesatthebeginningof"the
Hobbit,"incompletelydisbeliefoverthechoiceofBilboforthecompany,
withhimmakingacaseforhimalaGandalf.Heplaysus.Ortriesto.We
aremeanttoenjoyseeingAlfridrepeatedlyhumiliated,beginningwithhis
being(literally,andfiguratively)dumpedbyhismasterandthenafterwards
byrepeatedlybeingprovenanincompetentatanyjobthelikesofBardand
Gandalfhaveassignedhim,butindoingsoalmostfeelthatwe'veagreedto
allowthathedeservescreditforatleastearnestlytryingthebeginningof
rehabilitation.He'sbeenorderedaroundalot,andhoweverbitterly,
compliedwitheverythingdirectedtohim...andbypeoplewe'dhavetofeel
shameindoubtingtheirwillingnesstotaskjobstohim,totrusthim.And
thennotlongafterwhenhedressesasawomaninanefforttoescape
fightingandfleethetown,Jacksonseemstoalmosttaskuswithundue
prejudiceifwe'restillabsolutelybentonseeinghimdestroyed.Anangry
olderwomanseeshiminfemaledressandchargeshimaslackingall
courageandbravery,andAlfrid'sreply"Noteverymanisbraveenough
towearacorset"doesrequitsome:eveninthisheroicfilmworld,our
outsideworldthatincreasinglyprefersheroesthatareopentobeingascribed
asfeminineandthatviewsthoroughhemenaspartofanarrativeofgay
hatredandrapeculture,seepsin(werememberhowJacksonrebuffedhe
meninReturnoftheKing,Merrysbeingmockedasunbattleworthyby
theRohanwarriorsbutofcourseprovinghimselfasasableasanyonenot
LegolasorAragon).JacksonshapesAlfridsnextfateasifgivenavenue:he
letshimloadhimselfupwithgoldandbeallowedbyBardtoheadaway
frombattleandontoenfranchisinghisownopenfuture.Hisonlyrejoinder,
Alfrid,yourslipisshowing,ifnotaffectionate,isaverygentlechide,and
implicitlyrecognizesthathesnotadullardincapableofappreciatingwit,
i.e.,thathe'satadifferentlevel,abitmorehuman,thanthedullishwoman
whoaccostedhim.

AlfridsnotCatch22sYossarianinthisepic,butheissomewhatwhat
Tolkiensgenerationswouldhaveviewedthewaravoidantandfeminine
menofthepostwar1960swhoperhapsbabyboomerJacksonwould

ultimatelyacknowledgeasmuchaffinitywithashewouldtheworldwar
salutingTolkien,whichwipedoutawholelotofpeople.Awholelotof
youngpeopleinthefirstone,prettymuchanentiregenerationwho
wouldhavebeenbetteroffiftheydstucktojoyousfeasting,drinking
brandy,andenjoyingthecomfortsofhome.Thatis,iftheydbeenmorelike
thedefaultforhobbitsandforthe"vile""Alfrids"and"Mastersof
Laketowns"anddragonscontenttolongrestingold,forthatmatter.

Fury
Veryfewpeoplewhofindthemselvesonabattlefieldareeveractuallynew
toit.WhenyouseeinamovielikeFury,warriorsthatarehavingto
functionevenaspeoplebytheirsidearebeingblownapart,wherewhothey
aremostlyiscrazilyvulnerabletodeath,theyarenotpeoplewhove
discoveredsomenewcapacityinthemselves.Thesearenotpeoplewhove
gottenusedtoblightafterhavinggrownupincivilization.Rather,whatyou
areseeingpeoplewhoarepayingpartoftheirveryfamiliarpastaclose
revisit.
Thatsenseofvulnerability,thatis,iswhattheyknewasinfantsandas
youngchildren.Crazilyvulnerable,obsessedwiththeirownpossible
extinction,astheywereinitiatedintotheworldbycaretakerswhoare
possessedofdemonsthathavethemsimplyunabletolookattheirchildren
andfeelonlylove.Thechild,soattunedtotheirmoods,theirintentions,
takesindeeptheirsadism,theirintentiontohurt,toextinguishthem.To
survive,childrenprojectthesemonstrousintentionsoutsidetheircaregivers
ontooutsidemonstersmonstersunderthebed,trollsunderthebridge.
Buttheloomingeyesthatchasethemdownintheirnightmaresaretheirs.
Soinwarthatearlychildhoodenvironmentthatwasfoundationalbutmay
havelapsedawayfromconsciousrecord,bloomsbackintoview
menace,deathiseverywhere:blackblight.Thatearlynightmare
environmentisrestagedanditsreassuringtohavewhatwasstillnagging
yourlifeasamoremythicandrelevantrealitybackintofullviewforyour
negotiation,yourmaybecontrol.Yousurviveit,youbeatit,andsomehow
tightmuscleswillrelaxinyouthathadalwaysbeenhardbracedagainst

something.
Sincemanyofusstillhavehadchildhoodsofthiskind,aswewatchFury
wereinahurryforthenewbiefreshtowarandthetankcrewtobecome
acclimatized.Evenifwevealreadymadeoureverydaylifeseemsuch
thatwhateverwevebeenuptoweveplayedtheroleoftheveteranwhos
seenhell,warmoviesareusuallysuccessfulinfobbingontousthenew
recruitwhosyettobarfatbloodandgoreasourwayintothefilm.Wewant
wartofeelaworldsodifferentfromoureverydaysotobearealmwhere
fearsanddemonscanbemetandbestedforgoodandthefilmcreators
knowandexploitit.
Soitsnottruethatwereaghastatthegorethenewbiehastocleanupinthe
tanktheremainsoftheveteranwarriorhesreplacing.Wererelieved
hesencounteredandsoonabouttobeststageoneofhisinitiationinto
warrior.Anditsnottruethatwereaghastathimhavingtolearnhowto
shootacapturedkraut,amanwithawife,afamily,butrelievedthathes
passedstagetwowherehesshownthathesatleastgotthebasenowupon
whichfamiliarityandcompetencycanbelayeredon.Andwerenotaghast
thathebedstheGermanbelle,cooperatinginmakingtheirvisitintothetwo
womenshomenotanadventure(intoforeignfemalecompanyandsex)but
conquest(whateverthepreamble,thenarrativewillbeoneofspoiling),but
relievedthathesnowatthepointwherehisveterancrewnowhavenothing
onhimbuthavingdoneeverythinghesnowdonealotmore.
Thegreatestdangerthefilmshowsisnotbeingkilled,butbeingkilledina
humiliatingfashion.Abunchofkidsareresponsibleforasoldiersdeath,
andyouknowthatnotevenallthatwarriorsexperienceandwarcredwill
cleansehimofbeingdoneinlikethat.WhenthesixShermansgoupagainst
theTigerTankhereswhereitwouldbeokaytodie.TheValkeryie
pickingupthedeadwillpickupeveryoneofthese,nomatterhowsplattered
everywhereonthebattlefield.
WhentheironeShermanpreparestogoupagainstasquadronof
experiencedSStosaveasupplytrainthatotherwisewouldbedecimated
itisnttheirdyingwhichisaconcernbuttheirbeingequaltowhats
beingstaked.Iftheydiequickly,itllcomeacrossasdyingforvanity:a
preposterouslyheroicfinishsomethingtrulySmaugishinstatureslain,a

wholesupplytrainsaved.Whichwouldshornthemofalltheydaccrued.
Fortunatelythemovieletsmostofthemdieintheafterlifewefeelthem
entombedwiththemomenttomomentcapacitytheyddemonstratedin
battle.Theonethatactuallylives,thenewbie,istheonetoldhesahero;but
hisescapingthetankandhidinginthegroundismostlyhowweassociate
himnow.ThatbattlebelongstothedeadmenthosethatstartedinN.
Africa,movedontoFrance,andnowintoGermany.Whathecantakeback
withhimisthathemetthewar,hisownchildhoodhorrors,andmadedo
prettyokaywithaguide.BilbowhenGandalfwashoveringallover
him,notwhilealonesucceedinginMirkwood.
Still,notbad.Buthestillfeelslikeusinbeingonlyproximatetosomething
wecravefamiliarity.Blownuptownsallaroundus,andusacclimatizedand
surviving.Sonosurpriseforus,ISIS,Ebola,blackouts,avalanches,Wall
Streetcrash,andnotsomuchthePaulKrugmanassessmentthat,noalarm
bells,people,wereactuallydoingokay.
GuardiansoftheGalaxy
Inoneoftheinitialscenesof"GuardiansoftheGalaxy,"whenRonanthe
AccuserhasabadlytorturedXandarianbeforehim,dowethinkthe
audienceisinanywayidentifyingthemselveswithhim?Notatall,of
course.IfaudiencesympathygoestowardstheXandarianculture,itwont
haveanythingtodowithitfirstbeingrepresentedbythisguy.Andwhen
YonduUdontaandhiscollectionofbulliesarrivestoaskanotherXandarian,
theBrokertheelderlymerchantaboutthelocationoftheinfinity
stone,lookingverymuchliketheyrejustgoingtokillhimafterthroughly
confoundingandterrifyinghim,istheaudienceinanywayjustwishingthe
bullieswouldleavethepoorguyalone?Again,notlikely.Infact,maybe
theytoowouldbelookingatthisquaking,isolated,preciousandmannered
manasdeservingbeingconfusedwithchildbabblebeforebeingdispatched
Whodoesthispretentiousbagofbonesthinkheis,anyway?Andwhen
theCollectorinstructshisslaveassistant,Carina,onherkneesscrubbing
thewalls,toworkharderlestshesufferhersistersfatelivingherlife
despondentinacagedoestheaudienceinanywayhopetheGuardians
oftheGalaxywillhelpherrevengeherselfagainstthisslaver?Again,not
atall.Theyreprobablyhopingtheguardiansdonothingintheirmeeting

withhimtoshowtheytooarepossessedofabullyablesidethatmighthave
theCollectorthinkingthey,pretenderstobeingstreetwisebountyhunters,
coequals,mightactuallybemanagedintobecomingspecimensandnot
whendeceased,asheproposeswithGroot,buthumiliatingly,tellingly,
whilestillalive.
Thefilmisnotaboutbondingtogethertodefendtheweak,butabout
defendingoneselfagainstfeelingweak.Indeed,evenPeterQuillsobsession
withhismotherssoundtrack,withhismothernormallysomethingthat
wouldmakeanadultendlesslyshamedbyhisfriendsisultimatelyabout
that.
Themotherinthefilmthecancervictimisafantasy.Orperhapsmore
accurately:camouflage.Boysatadolescence,theageagePeterQuilliswhen
hismotherpassesofcancer,oftenfindthemselvesmoreorlesspermanently
removedfromtheirmothers,goneofftoaculture"thatllmakeamanoutof
them"whichbasicallymeansinstructingthemonhowtokeepatightlid
onexpressingtheiremotionalneeds;bullying,aggressivelyteasingthose
whodoexpressthem;andshowingtheirmanyscarsasevidenceofhow
muchviolencetheyvemanlybeenabletosustainthroughlife.They
sometimes,however,areallowedtoexpresstheirneedinesslikewhen
theyrebadlysick,forexample,andgettostayathomewithmom.Orif
somethinghorriblytragichappenstothemliketheirmotherpassingof
cancer,which,ifithappenedearlyenough,canactuallybetestedas
permittingonetoobsessoverherlifelong.
Butbeingdistancedfromyourmotheratadolescenceisntreallythesource
oftryingtoabsolveyourselfofeverhavingyourexperiencesasaneedy
personclaimconsciousacknowledgement.Theneed,therequirement,that
younoteverberemindedthatthisiswhoyoustillare,comesaboutfrom
associatingfeelingvulnerabletobecomingeasymonsterbait,tobeing
viciouslymurdered,whicharrivesprettymuchatinfancy.Freudofcourse
notedhowmanychildrenwereconcernedwithdeath,anddecidedthatwe
mustallthereforebebornwithadeathinstinct.Buthisassociate,Sandor
Ferenczi,aswellasotherpsychoanalystslikeDorothyBlockandJoseph
Rheingold,observedthatthisfearowednottoinstinctbuttotherational,
theacuteandaccurateassessmentofthechildthattheircaregiversactually
hadmurderousinclinationstowardsthem.Mothers,stillinmostfamiliesthe

foremostcaregiversofchildren,revisitthepunitiveexperiencesthey
sufferedaschildrenupontheirownchildren.Historically,theyhavetended
todothelikeofhallucinatingtheirchildrenasadultaccusersastheirown
parents,whointheirscreamsonceagainexpressdisappointmentandanger.
Theyhavetendedtoseethemasrequiringbullying,threatsandrealizations
ofovertabandonment,sothattheyactualfulfillwhattheywerebornfor
insomanycases,tosatisfytheirparentsownunmetneeds.Totheinfant,
theabsolutelyvitalmother,theprimaryobject,isalsoquicklyrealizedas
aterrorizingtitan,whichs/helaterlearnstodisplaceontomonstersto
absolveher/himselftheguilt,thefear,ofconsciouslyrealizingwhats/he
suspectsher/hismotherwouldkillitforhavinganinklingof.Allofthis
applies,bytheway,notjusttochildrenwhovedescendedfromoneofthe
saddergenerationalchains,buttomany,manygenuinelymorehopefulones,
wheremothersfromgenerationtogenerationwereprogressivelygivenmore
resourcessotobeabletolendmorelovetotheirchildrenthanthey
themselvesreceivedtothechildreninplaygroundsinmoreliberalparts
ofNewYork,forexample.
Expectedtofulfilltheirparentsagain,mostlytheirmothersneedsfor
love,andtoserveaspoisoncontainerand/orasafetishobjectthe
provisioningbreast,deniedtothemintheirownchildhoodstheirown
developmentwasseenasathreat,athreatmetbymaternaldistancingand
fury:tothechild,byapocalypse!Thishappensearly,soearlythatthe
ostensiblyinherentsuperego,whichisactuallycreatedbythechildsbrain
tosavethechildfromindividuatingtoomuchandtherebyfinditselfoutside
maternalfavourforlife,canunderstandablybemistakenassomethingborn
outofgenesandDNAratherthandefensivelyoutofexperience.Whenthe
childbecomesanadult,whenitrealizestheindividuationandself
determiningfreedomavailableasanadult,itreexperiencestheterrorof
beingabandonedasachildforitsinitialattemptsatindividuation.Itexpects
arevisitofallthetorturesandpunishments,somethingwardedofffor
awhilebypursuingthetraumaitself,initiatingitorchasingitdown,and
therebyshowingsomeconfidenceinspiringcontrol(herein,anexplanation
forthisicebuckettrend?),butwhicheventuallydemandsfullcapitulation
andretreat.Theadultfindssomewaytoshornhim/herselfofthenew
freedomsandbondbacktosomegrouphefillswithinjectionsofhismother
whichisinhisownmindbecomesessentiallyhercorporealself,ahome
country,aMutterland.Heorsheexperiencesandsuccumbstogrowth

panic.
Aheroissomeonewhoissufferingfromgrowthpanic.Outofretreat,hehas
fusedwiththeinnerTerrifyingMother(i.e.thesuperego)thatsbeen
installedinhisbrainsrighthemisphere,homeoftheamygdala,ourbrains
alarmsystem,anddistanceshimselffrompastallowances,freedoms,
pleasures,thataremakinghim/herfeelterriblyanxious,sotofeelmorepure
againforgiven.Ourguardiansinthisfilm,wenote,arepreparedtodo
exactlythat:puttingtheirlivesattheserviceofthegalaxy,whichthough
itmeansnolongerbeingfreewheelingrascalsi.e.,individuatedpursuers
oftheirownselfdeterminedpleasuresmeanshavingalltheirsins
expungedandcountedbyeventhemostselflessasthoseproperlytocount
oneselfindebtedto.
Thegroupisnotinfusedwithpropertiesofthepersonthefilmhas
delineatedtoserveasPeterQuillsmother,however.Thatbald,ghostly
whiteyoungwomanlookednearlyachildherself,andprobablyservedasa
childrepresentationofPeterQuillatthreatofinfanticideallthe
converging,insistentlydemandinggrandparentshecouldlaterimagine
savingbyhallucinatingGamoraanabandoned,farmedoutchildherself
ashislostselfperishinginamnioticspace.Giventheethosofthefilm,
themotherhadtohavebeenpowerful,notevaporating;andpartofpowerful
herisfoundinGlennClosesNovaPrime,thesupremeleaderofthe
Xandariansthepartbelievedallprovisioning,fair,decentandgood.But
therest,withalltheterrifyingaspects,whichatthemomentaremost
meaningfultothechild,areoutintootherpowerfulbeings.
So,yes,RonantheAccuserdoesattimesrepresentthisterrifying,
infanticidalmother.Especiallywhenhesabouttocrushinnocentvictims,
likethathaplessXandariansoldier,whosbloodwillquicklybecollected
intosomedrainRonanispartof;especiallywhenherepresentsasource
fromtheconservativepastwhoisfuriousatalltheguiltymodernismsbeing
entertained.Butwhenheissomeonefeelingfuriouslybetrayedbythetitan
Thanos,whenhemeanstorival,strikebackandhumiliatehim,thenhe
representspartofourselvesweareinurgentneedtodisownthepart,of
course,thathassolidjustificationforbeingfuriousatourmothersfortheir
treatmentofus.OtherwiseThanos,whofarmedhischildrenouttoa
perpetuator,whositsonagrandmaternalthrone,casuallyexpecting

everyoneinordertodosomethingabouttheterriblepossibilityofhim
springingasurprisevisituponustoofcoursestageourcomingtohim;
whosvisageistwiceinthefilmrepresentedatascalethatdwarfseven
greatRonanintoaninfant;servesinthemovieastheimperiousobjectthe
TerribleMotherismostlyinterjectedinto.
ButRonanpossessesthehammer,thestick,usedhistoricallybymothersto
beattheirchildren,andwhenheabsorbsthepoweroftheinfinitystoneand
isabouttokillaworldofXandarianinnocents,heisjusttheTerribleMother
withinfanticidalthoughtstowardsforsakenpeople.Theexultationhe
demonstratesjustbeforeheisabouttoannihilatealllifeonXander,withhis
backbentandarmsoutstretchedinabigbodylaugh,islikethatcaptured
motherrepresentativesweremadetodoatperiodsofgrowthpanicinAztec
culture,whereasLloydDeMausesays,femalevictimsfirstmadea
prodigiousshowoftheirfemalepower[beforebeing]laiddownontheir
backsand[having]theirbreastscutopenandtheirbodiestornapart.And
Ronanafterwardstooisslain,bythepoweroftheinfinitystone.
Thestone,liketheswordsuseduponsubsequentvictims,afterfirstbeing
usedtoripapartAztecmotherrepresentatives,isempoweredbythe
destructivepoweroftheTerrifyingMother.WhenPeterQuillabsorbsthe
powerintohimself,heislikeaJavaro,whoafterthematernalfusion,who
aftersuckingat[his]mothersbreasts,[havingtaken]n/um,[havingdrank]
n/um,[whicheventhoughit]would[makehim]cry,andcry,andcry,[and
eventhoughhe]wasafraidofthen/um,[thoughitwas]hotand[it]hurt,
experiencessomethingakintoatemporallobeepilepticseizure.[Which]
liketheseseizures,providesconvulsivetremorsandfeelingsofpowerful
violence,asthemasterof[the]n/umcontinueshisenergeticdance,[and]the
n/umheatsupandrisesupthespine,toapointapproximatelyatthebaseof
theskull,atwhichtime!kiaresults,[an]explosion[which]throws[one]in
theairburstingopen,likearipepod,ashethentheygo[es]outtokill
anyone[he]encounters,believing[heis]superhuman.Ashebeamsa
climacticredglow,hebecomeslikethewarriors[who]becamethe
symbolicequivalentofmenstruatingwomen[,][since]bothbloodywarriors
andmenstruatingwomenwerechargedwithpowerfuldestructiveenergy.
Heisbathedintheequivalentofredhematite[asifhed]expropriatedthe
destructivepowerofmenstruatingwomen[by]ritualnosebleedingorsub
incision[oftheirpenises].

Sotheinfinitystonespoweristhedestructivepowerofthemotherto
murderinfantsbecauseeveryanthropologicaltribeallinsanelysacrificial
andwarproneborrowthepowerofthemenstruatingwomansotofeel
superhumanbeforetheygooffintowar?Yes.Theinfinitystonespoweris
thedestructivepowerofthemotherbecausepsychoanalystswhodontjust
assumeadeathinstinctfindforchildreneverywherethefearofinfanticide
couldalreadybetheircentraloccupation,that[forthem]theworld
aboundedinbeastsofterrifyingmien,incruelwitchesandmonsterswho
pursuedtheirvictimswithunrelentingsavagery,andthattheidentities
behindtheseimaginary,terrifyingfigures[were]thechildsownparents?
Especially,yes.Butalsobecausetheinfinitystoneistwinnedwithanother
objectinthefilmovertlyassociatedwithmaternalprowessJackQuills
preciouscassettetape.
RohantheAccuserexultswhenhesinpossessionofthestone;arrivingon
Xander,hecasuallykicksasidevermintheraccoon,Rocketaccosting
him.ButJackQuill,singinghismothersfavouritetunes,isstillbrazen
enoughtoapproachandchallengehimtoadanceoff.Hesayshesjust
distractinghim,stillamarginalfigure,despitetheattentiontemporarilyput
tohim,buttheresastrangesensealreadyofappropriatedirectrivalry
mypoweragainstyours,dude:thesongshessingingwerethosehewas
listeningtowhenhebroachedthelaircontainingtheinfinitystone,wherehe
toofeltimmunetoeverythingthatdaccosthim,casuallykickingasideall
thelizardsthatapproachedtothreatenandostensiblydevourhim.Itslike
withhislongpossessionofthecassetteafetishobject,coveted,byhimat
least,aseagerlyastheinfinitystonethroughoutthemoviehesalreadyin
possessionofanaspectofthepowerofthestone:thegoodaspectheroesare
allowedtoknowofthemotherstheyvefusedwith,onethatstillknowsof
somelevity,permittedbecauseallfreedomhasbeensunderedtoher.Jack
hascovetedeverysonghismotherwantedhimtoatthecostoflisteningto
whatothersmighthaveintroducedtohim,atthecostofdevelopinghisown
lifesoundtrack;hehasinstalledherasasainthewouldsacrificehisown
lifetorecover;andforalreadyinthissensebeingsuchagoodboybefore
becominganoverthero,healreadyfeelsinpossessionofsomeofmommys
terriblepower.HeslikeBilbo,knowingtheringsanobjectprimarily
aboutmassgenocidepowersofinvisibility,aswellasthejokesand
riddlesthegoodfun,associatedwithhisuseofit,andsoactuallynotso

oddacreaturetotakeondirectlythedestructivepowerofadragon,whom
hecouldnotjusttrickanddistractbutobliterateifevertheringtookfull
controlofhim.
PeterQuillistherightpossessoroftheinfinitystonebecausehelluseitto
destroythesplitoffterrifyingaspectsofourmothers,whilefused
completelywiththegood.Andthatitdoesntdestroyhim,thathecontainsit
foraslongashedid,isbecausehedalreadybeenimbibingmaternalpower,
throughdevoutloyalty,hiswholelife,notreallybecauseofhisfathers
DNA.(Question:WasBilboabletohandlethepoweroftheringforaslong
ashedidbecausebeforegoingonadventures,hedlongbeensomeoneloyal
tohismothersdoilies,ratherthantothegallivantingaboutGandalfwould
likerathertohaveseenhimon?AndisthiswhyGandalfismoreorlesskept
outofthecrucialrelationshipbetweentheringandBilboasubtlebut
substantialhumiliationofhimuntilLOTR?)Helluseitdestroythe
partofhimselfthatwoulddareaccuseaperpetratorforHerpastabuse.And
helluseittodestroytwomore:legionsofthevulnerable,aswellashis
nowevenfullymotherloyalownself.
Helluseittokillthevulnerable?Yes.HeisfusedwithhisTerrifying
Motheralter,andthatmotherwasseenbythechildasfullycorrecttoabuse
him,topunishtheweak,alifesavingconclusion,asitkeepstheabsolutely
essentialprimarycaregiverbenignandloving.Thechildconcludesthatit
musthavebeenhisworthlessnessthatmadethemhateandevenwantto
destroyhim.Afterthechildisconvincedheisbadanddeservingtobe
destroyed,everyincidentinhislifebecomesproofofhisresponsibilityfor
unhappyevents:Isthereadeathinthefamily?hesamurder.An
accident?hesthesecretperpetrator.Hisbadnesscauseshismotherto
leavehimforajobanddriveshisfathertoabsenthimselfonbusiness
tripsheisthesubjectofeveryquarrelandtheauthorofeverydisaster
[evenof]divorce.Ivesuggestedthattheexactpersonchosentorepresent
thedyingmotherdoesntadequatelyreflectthetypeofmaternalinfluence
thatinfuseseverycreationwithinthisfilmworldweakanddissipating,
vs.surreallypowerfulandscarybutQuillsfeelingguiltyoverherdeath
for,byappearances,justshowingsomesanityinnotlettinghimselfget
suckedintohismothersownextinguishment,doesgetstherelationship
betweenmotherandchildright.Heisfundamentallyaneglectful,guilty
child,andfusedwithhisTerrifyingMotheralterhistaskistopunishand

destroythesame.
Heandhisguardianstosomeextentaredoingthiswhentheystart
obliteratingRonansforces.Draxmocksthemaspaperpeople,andGroot
takesdelightindramatizingtheirweakness,inhumiliatingthem,by
thrashingcolumnsofthemaboutwithhistwoarms,andthismocking
theirweaknessiswhatoccurswhenmotherfusedsoldiersattacktheir
enemies.Seeingthemprimarilyastheirownguilty,weakchildhood
selves,theycallthemtheexactnamestheywerecalledbytheirparentsas
childrenGermansinWorldWarTwo,forexample,calledtheircaptives
shitbabies,anduselesseaters.Andwellfindinmostfilmswhere
goodforcesareupagainstthebad,thebad,whatevertheirinitialscary
show,endupseemingstrangely,humiliatingly,impotenttheyve
become,rather,ourownweakselvesthatdeservedtobedestroyedandso
pileupreadilyintoaccumulationsofthedeadwhilethegoodlosemaybe
oneortwofortheir(sometimes)severalhundred.Butasinitiallynoted,its
notjustsoldiersbutciviliansthatarebeingsetupasdeservingdeath.If
youreaddingvitalitytothegroup,asJohnC.ReillysCorpsmanDeyand
hisglowinglyhealthyfamilyaremadetoseem,yourecherished.Butifyou
looklikeyoumightbecontributingweakness,aresingle,solitary,orsick,
youllcometobehated.Badanddespicable,forthecrimeofweakeningthe
gloryofthematernalwhole.
Killingworldsofvulnerablepeopleiswhattheinfinitystoneisallabout,
anditswhatwarisallabouttoo.Afterpeopledotheinitialfusingwiththeir
maternalalters,theyenterwarswhichendupkillingfarmoreciviliansthan
soldiers.Thisfactisincrediblyobvioustoday,whereinGazaallweseemto
hearaboutarethisgroupofyouthorthatonebeingtargetedandslaughtered.
Arewelikelytoseesomethingalongtheselinesinthesequeltothisfilm,
wherenotsoldiersbutevidentevilciviliansandtheirfamiliesare
justifiably"killed?Notguaranteed:somethingsourconsciousmindswill
notpermit.Nooneovertlygloatedoverthenumberofciviliandeathsinthe
Iraqwar,forexample.ButitsthefactthattheIraqwarendedupkilling
over300000people,mostlychildren,thatenabledAmericansatthetimeto
feelsogoodaboutit(ninetypercentapprovalratesforBush).Atsomelevel
weknowtheextentofthecarnage,whoexactlygotkilledandwhenits
legionsofcivilians,wefeelempowered,asthevitalityoftheseextinguished
livesgetsuckedintoussacrificedXandarianblood,intoRonan,andboy

doesntitfeelgreat!
Andfinally,heroesseektosacrificethemselves.Beingshornoffreedoms
andcompletelyfusedtotheirmotheralters,thegloryofonceagainbeing
goodboysandgirlsagainstillhasonebetter:namely,beingpermanently
fusedtoher,throughdeath.Theguardiansagreetotryandtakedown
Ronan,evenafteracknowledgingitssuresuicideandareinthislikethe
JapaneseleadersinWorldWar2,whowhendecidingwhethertoattack
PearlHarborandbegintheirwarwiththeUnitedStates,[realizedafter
severalministersgavetheirassessmentsthat]itwasobviousthatanattack
wouldbesuicidalforJapan.WhereuponTojotoldthosepresent,Thereare
timeswhenwemusthavethecouragetodoextraordinarythingslike
jumping,witheyesclosed,offtheverandaoftheKiyomizuTemple!'They
arelikeHitler,whotoospokeinsuicidal,noteconomic,imagery,
promisingGermansgloriousdeathonthebattlefieldandcallinghimselfa
sleepwalkerasheleadtheGermanpeopleoverthesuicidalcliff,towar
againstthewholerestoftheworld.
Theraccoon,Rocket,istheonewhooffersanalternativeYouknow,we
couldjustmakeourwaytothefarendsoftheuniverseand,like,enjoyour
livesbutofcourseisignoredbecauseitdoesntsatisfytheirneedfor
mommyandmefusion,asthey'dlieasbloodedcorpsesontheconsoling
battlefield,withtheirmotherimaginedascomingdowntocollectthem,or
shroudedinwhiteswaddlingclothincaskets,backpermanentlyhomewith
theirmother'ssorrow,appreciationandsympathy.Andweshouldntexpect
anyfilmaboutheroestoallowthedissentersi.e.,someonelessswitched
intoasuicidalmentalstateopinionanyweight.Wedoseesuch
occasionally,though.ThoughPeterJacksondoesntlendtoomuchcreditto
BalinsDwarfprinceThorinschiefadvisorsinsistencethattherewas
anotherway,thatyoudonthavetodothis[i.e.,attempttodestroya
citydestroyingdragonwithoutanyrealplanastohowtoactuallydefeathim
][for]youhavebuiltanewlifeforusintheBlueMountains,thereis
someBalinsgoingtoremainsaneandgoodhumouredthroughout,while
weknowThorinwilllosehissanity.AndwerememberJacksongave
enormouscredittoGandalfsinsistencetoFaramir,inReturnoftheKing,
thatheshouldntthrowaway[his]lifesorashlyjusttopleasehisclearly
insanefather,howeversadlylittlehegavetoSarumansintriguingclaimthat
Gandalfhimselfpossessedasuspecttendencytosacrificethoseclosestto

him,thoseheprofessestolove,which,well,ifwearentlookingathimall
rosecoloured,maybewellacknowledgehekindadid.
IveheardmanypeoplesaytheyfoundGuardiansoftheGalaxynovel.I
couldntrelate,becausethefilmfeltlikeIdenteredachildsrumpusroom,
aChuckyCheesefullofrides,swooshes,andbanalmelodiesyoull
rememberyoureightyearoldselfwascompletelylostto.Perhapsthe
differingexperienceisexplainedbecausewhenpeopledontgetsickofbut
cherishlistenedtooverandoveragainsongs,itsbecausewhattheywantis
thesimple,protective,andrepetitivesomethingcompletelyisolatedfrom
anythingadultandnewthatdthreatenbymaybedrawingyouinto
considerationsthatdleadtoanundiscoveredandindependentself,aseven
superheromoviesliketheAvengerswithitswild,cantankerous,
familysquabblescene,wherealotofvalidopinionsgetthrillinglyexpressed
inaverycompressedfewmomentsandIronMan3offer.Whatthey
wantarefetishesobjectsbarnishedandhandledsomanytimeseach
timedepositedwithaccruedpowerratherthandepletedofinterest.What
theywantisafilmwhichisntsomuchinspiredbyacatalogoffilmsweve
allloved,butwhichrecallstheminasensethatiftheysomehowappeared
onscenetheoriginals,theactualcreatorsandcreations,onstage,
suddenly,beforesomeonemerelycoveringyoudshutyourselfdown
withoutcomplaintandjustlettheoriginalrole:werentyoujusttryingto
summon,anyway?SothisfilmtakesyouintoStarWars,Raidersofthe
LostArk,Footloosefilmsyouveseenamillion,bazilliontimes,
becauselikethecreatorsyouwanttobebackpolishingthemlikeagenie
bottle,hopingforaGreatVisitation,evergratefulforyourdevotionand
complicitytothefullyborderedupinfantile.
Themoviefeelslikeittookpleasurefrombuildingitselfupfromarestricted
alphabet,wellawareitwasgloriouslyshunningalargeroneavailable.
Watchingit,youdonttakeinalot,buttakepleasureinhowsecurelyitonly
offersrepetitive,unsurprisingthingshammeronthenail(oractually,in
thisfilm,usuallyoverthehead),overandoveragain.Likeapoliticians
repetitive,simplewordsbabytalk,itprobablyishelpingustranceinto
agreeingtoafuturehorriblesocietaldirection,byaccessingthenormally
hidden,lessconsciouspartsofourbrainsthepartshypnotistsplayto.It
helpsusanticipateatimewhenlikeautisticsoldiers,weisolateourselves
intorepetitivemotions,marchtodrumsbecomemoreovertly,infants

fearingdeath."Butalsoparticipatingindoingsomething(horrible)aboutit
becomingguardians,toourgalaxies.
finis
Apres:allquotesfromLloydDeMausesworks,especiallyOriginsofWar
inChildAbuse.
Boyhood
RichardLinklater's"Boyhood"tellsthestoryofaboy,Mason,andasmuch
asthetitlearticulatesourapplyinghisstorysomewhattoallboys,the
"chapel"withinadvisescaution.SinceMason'sbiologicalfatherisamajor
influenceontheboy,it'snotquitefairtosloughoffhisinspiration
Lennon,Paul,GeorgeandRingoas"divinities"toseekgreatnessfrom,
butit'sclearwhathasclearlyreplacedthetrioofGod,Christandchurchin
thisfilmistheuniversity,andthesupremeresearchpsychologistswho've
workedtheretoincurrelevantunderstandingsofwhatmakeshumanbeings
tick.
Behavioralismisthefirstpsychologicaltheoryweheardiscussed,andit'sall
butrejectedinthefilm...notonlybecauseit'smouthpieceturnsoutan
alcoholic,wifebeating,dictatorialbrute,butbecauseit'sclearlylinkedtoa
cynicaltakeonhumanbeingsandultimatelycorruptsocietalapplications
liketheirresistibledopaminehitscorporationsknowwereceivewhen
people"like"us,thatMasonreferencesaspartofhisdislikeofpopular
culture.WehearofJohnBowlby's"attachmenttheory"next,fromMason's
mother,andtheimplicationsofhistheoryaren'ttotakeallhumanbeingsas
essentiallythesamebuttoimagineacutonlynotthatofboysandgirls.
Accordingtothetheory,ifyouwereawellattachedinfantandchild,of
eithersex,solongasyoursociety'snotprohibitive,thefuture'sopentoyou.
Ifyouweren'tyou'llbeinsecure,plaguedbydemons,whowon'tamount
anysignificantadventureintolife...oneofHarlow'sdistraught,selfisolated
monkeys,whoknewtoolittleoftheirmother'sbreast.Sincechildrencanbe
suckledclosemoreasasourceofnurturancefortheparent,however,being

wellattachedisn'tnecessarilyamatteroftimespent.Moreif
theytrulylovedyou,ratherthanfromthestart,immediatelybegantoreject
andevenhateyou.
Theinterestingthingaboutthisfilm,helpedoutbythesettingwhichis
somewhereinTexas...astatewhichinsomepartsisa"hightech,social
democracy",andinothers,a"Protestantfundamentalisttaliban,"isthatyou
couldtakethesame"facts"inthelifeofthisboyandshowtwovery
differentfatesonethatleadstoawelladjustedadultwithabrightfuture,
andanotherashimpartofthoseshortchanginganysuchabrightand
beautifulthing.Alldependingonwhetherornottheprimarycaregiversin
hislifewasn'tcompelledorunconsciouslyintenttoabandonherchildren.
ThefirstfactweareintroducedtoaboutMason'slife,isthathisparentsare
recentlydivorced,andthathismotherhasdecidedtouproothimandhis
sisterfurtherbyretreatingfromtheirfirstselfacquiredhome,backtoher
mother.Butinthefilm,themother'sintentthroughoutisportrayedasmostly
loving...andsoasmuchwearedirectedtonotethatthismovewillcost
Masonhisveryfirstbestfriend,whoinalllikelihoodhe'llneverseeagain,
andhowhisoldersisterplantsherselfheavilyagainstthemoveasifmoved
bythemostbasicelementsofher,shakingherintosayingsomethingstrong
lesttheiryoungorganismisrequitedintosomethingthatcan'tberecovered
from,weknowit'ssomethingthat'smaybeprobablybestinthathermother's
difficultiesinkeepingtheirfamilyafloatwillbegreatlyeasedbythemove,
andshe'llbeabletoattendtothemsubsequentlyinlessofaharriedand
moreofafocusedmanner.
Themothergetsherchildrenbackintoahomethat'llallowthemeachtheir
ownspace,theirownrooms,andhasprovisioningenoughforherselfnowto
gotocollege.There,likeanynewstudententrancedbytheopenedworld
ofknowledgeandthereforefurtherentrancedbythosefamiliarwithit,
shecrushesonaprofessor,whichforherdevelopsintomarriage.
Unfortunately,howeverwonderfulhisworldnotjustofknowledgebutof
palatialaffluenceishishomeisaMcMansion,sparedourcontemporary
derogatoryassessmentofthemashomesforthosewhoborrowedmuchbut
weredoomedbackto"pumpkinhood"oncetheinvestmentworldsobered
itturnsouthomelifewithhimmeanssequesteringallofthemtoalitany
ofconstantrules,oflinesnottobecrossed,andherself,also,tothe

occasionalbeating.Againharriedwithstressoverthisofinnocently
havinginflictedthismanonherchildren,andnotquiteknowingifdeparture
orweatheringthroughisthewisesolutionshedoesn'tquiteacknowledge
Mason'scomplaintsabouthim,doingherbesttopretendhomagetotheidea
that..."weallhaveourfaults."
ButwhenhegrosslygrabsMasonandforceshimintoamilitarycutofhis
longishhair,hertruefeelingsareexpressed,withoutanyresolvenottoupset
theperpetratorandraisefamilystakesbyplacingherselfononesideonly.
Andwhenhegetsclosetophysicallyharmingherchildren,smashingplates
andglassesbeforethemhe'sdone.Mason'smotherassemblestherequired
phalanxofguardwomentoblockhim,whileshegrabsherchildren,andoff
they'reagaintoarefreshedlife.
Mason'sadolescentlifeismostlymadetoseemaboutplentyofharmless
experimentation...which'llleadtosmartsiftingandtargeteddevelopmentas
heentersyoungadulthoodanduniversity.Hedoesbooze,drugs;
experimentswithdress.Heknowsbeingbullied,butalsohangingwitholder
boyswhosetalkismachoandwhoplaywith"knives."Andthoughitisn't
himwhoaskstheifyoursocoolwhyareyouhangingoutwithgrade
8ersonafridaynight?,it'simplicitaswellinhisoverallmannerwiththem:
theyhavenoaffect.Hedateswomen,andseemsalreadytopossessnaturally
thegenuineinterestinthemasindividualshisbiologicalfatheradviseshim
tolearnquicktoseparatehimselffromthepack.Hischildhoodinterestin
spraypainting,forgingasignature,branchesintoaninterestinfindinga
visionthroughphotography,whichstakeshimpurposeandresolve,andalso
impressedelders,whowanttoattachthemselvestohispromiseashe
eventuallyleaveshomeforuniversity.
Onthecuspofdeparture,hismotherbreaksdownandadmits
howhisleavingseemstomeanherownlifeisover;buthe'sallowedhis
retort,ashemostlyalwaysiswithher,andit'stoexplaintheclearabsurdity
ofwhatsheissaying.Hismotheriscompletelyforhisownadventure,
however,andsowhilepromiseisabundantashefirstexperienceshislife
there,it'sshallowofguilt.
Butifshewasn'tattachedtoherchildren,ifshemeanttohurt,harm,or
abandonthem,thefilmwouldhaveveered...likethis.Thedivorcefromher

husbandwouldhavebeenpairedwithherretreatfromherindependent
life/home,inthatbothwouldmeantabandoningthepretensionstoagood
lifepartnerandanewbeginningawayfromherownmother:selfrealization
andpleasure.Herexhusband,whoistreateddefensivelywhenhearrivesto
seehiskids,andwhoistosomeextentblockedawaybythegrandmother,is
revealedasthefilmgoesalongtohavebeenavastlybettermanthananyof
theothersshesubsequentlymarries,aswellasbeingamuchbetterpersonto
havehadaroundtheirkids.Butshedidn'tfeelshecouldkeephimbecause
shefeltundercompulsiontosacrificeherfirststart,bringherkidsaround
hermother'sorbit,sohermotherwouldn'tgetangryatherformaking
herselfthecentre;foraspiringtogreaterhappinessthanhermotherallowed
herself.Latepostpartum,withkidsgiven/sacrificedtohermothersoshe
couldbesparedterriblehauntingsofseeingherselfdrivingthemintoalake.
Shewouldhavebeenrevealedtohavebeenattractedtothepsychology
professor,alreadysensinghewouldtreatherbrutally...histalkofflashing
meatpowderbeforeadogtomakeitsalivate,ananticipationofhowhe'd
possessabelittlingandallknowingsenseofthemotivesofchildren,
whippingchildrenintoshapethroughrewardsandpunishments.The
freedomkillinghomelifeheinstituted,wouldhavebeensomethingshe's
wishedforherchildren,sothataspectsofherself,projectedontothe
children,thatshefeltrequiredcontainingactuallygreatthings,likeone's
desiretoexploreandgrowwouldhavefoundthemselvesstifledand
boundup.WhenMasoncametoherandcomplainedofhim,shewouldn't
haveshownunderneathobvioussympathybutonlytherefusal:howselfish
ofyoutoonlyseeaperson'sflaws!
Adolescencewouldn'tjusthavebeenaboutexploration,butshowedmore
genuinesignsoftroubles,delinquency,ashismotherspentmostofhertime
atuniversityandhomelifewasdominatedbyathug.Hisinterestinhanging
outwitholderboyswhopretendninja,wouldhavebeenhimwantingto
distancehimselffromhisalonenessandvulnerability.Thefactthatthey
wereallboysandcastallgirlsas"whores,"wouldhavebeenanattraction...
ahomosexualshellagainsttherestoftheworld.Thepaintingofhisfinger
nailswouldn't,then,haveshownfemininity,butinterestinapprobatingthe
powerofthematernal.Hisearpiercing,afascinationinselfcutting...
wherecontrolofpainisclearlyyours.Hisdarkworldviewwouldn'thave
shownhewasn'tafoolforcorporatemanipulation,butthattheonlywayhe

intuitedhecouldallowhimselftoparticipateinadultfreedomsisiftainted
thatterrainwithgloombeforehand.
Buteventhatwouldn'tprovesufficientformuchsubsequentadultlicense,
becausehismotherwouldhavewantedtoknowthathisabandoningherfor
universitymeanthewasbadguilty.Andsoafterenjoyingsometimeself
actualizinginuniversity,he'deventuallybewiththoseotherswhofirst
enjoyedliberalitybeforerenouncingitthereafterforconservatismthe
fiercelyconservativetaliban,everywhere,who'sleaderssooftenknewfora
timeAmericanlicencebeforegarbingthemselvesbackintocavesandno
runningwater.
Lucy
Herdressmightnotlooklikeit,butLucyisastudentdevotedtoherstudies.
She'scertainlyreadytoparty,butherlifecourseisnotopentoanything
reallyuntowardanddivergent...toanythingthatmightsparkherontoapath
ofselfexplorationthathasn'tbeenapprovedforher,likestudyhardand
getastaidsafejob,clearlyhas.She'sforcedontothispath,however,
clampeddown,andtheresultsaren'ttherichespromisedtoherbutrather
alongthesortofghoulishfateadisapprovingsuperegowouldhavechased
ontoherforthegrotesqueapprobation.Itinvolvesprettymuchinthe
sameheartbeatinwhichanewpathwaspresentedthebrutaldispatchof
hernewlover/friend,afloorplatterofcorpses,andalongincisionmadeinto
herabdomen/pelvicregion,degradingherintotheroleofacontainer.She
emergesoutoftotalobliteration,andfirstthing,callshermothertotell
heroverandoveragainhowmuchshelovesher;howsheis,ostensibly,her
perpetualdevotee.
Wellofcoursethisisn'texactlywhatwenton,whichwouldofhaditfollow
allfilmsinfusedwithsomeawarenessofhowgrowthandselfactualization
thatsuitcaseofPandoraopportunities,suddenlysprunguponyouasareal
possibilityinadulthoodwillnecessaryleadyoutobechastenedby
terrifyingfearsofpunishmentandabandonment,ala"EyesWideShut,"
that'llhaveyoucurlingbacktoyourregularroutine,beholdentohabitual
chasteners,innotime.AndIthinkthereasonisthatLucy,despitebeing
someonewho'lllearntouse100percentofherbraincapacityandbecome

thefirsthumantoreachgodhood,orfullactuality,isreallybreachingher
somewhattrepidatiousandfearfulregularselftobecomethesortofgrand
hagthatemergesincertainhistoricalperiodsawitch,asoneofher
opponentsinthefilmcallsherthatdauntstherestofusbackintobeing
quiescentgoodboysandgirls.
Yes,thisfilmisanotheronethisyearthatfollowsthatsolongasyouasan
audiencememberfeelthatyou'dbewiththosewho'dletthegreatbeastiein
thefilmhaveHerwaywhateverthehellshemightbeuptoyougetto
participateinthethrillofknowingshe'sgoingtobedevouringothers,not
you,whilevicariouslyenjoyingherassertion,hercasual,thrillingtrespasses
(atonepointshebargesthroughthemultiplecarsaheadofherthewrong
wayonaonewaystreetasifXMen'sStormscatteringagalleryof
approachinghellbentsentinels)andpower."Godzilla,"wherethehumans
savethemselvesbynotinterferingbycorrectlychoosingtoseethe
monsterasanecessarycorrectiontohumanarroganceisofcourseone.
"Maleficent,"withthemassivelypoweredwitchwhotoyswithdestroying
aninnocentyouthjusttorevengeherselfagainstherfather,andwho's
resolvetoultimatelysaveordestroyherissomethingwewouldn'twantto
interferewithandwhichonlyseemsamenabletothevictim'stotalsacrificial
willingnessanddevotion,oneofthemanyothers.In"Lucy,"youcould
imagineyourselfthepolicecaptain,who'sbasicresponsetoLucyis,
"whateveryouwantlady...asifthere'sanychanceI'dsaynotoyou!"
Followedlater,ashekillstoostensiblyprotecther,bycapitulatedfull
devotion.Orasthegreatscientist,whodespitethefilm'slongbuildupof
himasamasterintonewterrain,fieldinghopefulandhopefully
provocativeandnoticeworthyquestionsfromthemostpromisingof
youngeducatedminds,isinstantlymadeimpotentandhistoricallyirrelevant
byLucy'sfullknowledgeofbraincapacity,comparedtohisreallyonlyjust
beingontherighttrack.
Notbad...apolicecaptain,agreatscientist,howeverdeflated;butthose
obligedtoapoweraboutstillingeveryoneelsewhichishorribly
corrupt.Therestofhumanitywhooddlyoptsoutisputinthepositionof
thosegangsterswhichstrangelyareallowedtolingerinthisfilmwhentheir
relevanceseemskaputthemomentLucyshowsherselfabletodefusea
packedhallwayofthreateningmenatmere20percentbraincapacity.Itis
oneofthesegangstersthatendsupidentifyingher,notasLucy,thegreat

mother,butasanobviouswitchasthecompletecorruptionofone.AndI
tookthisasbaitfortheaudience.
Thesegangstersmayhavelingeredinthefilmtosatisfythetermsofaplot
setupatthebeginning...butreally,Ithinktobehonestwithourselves,
therewaslittleinthewayofrequisitedemands,astheycouldreallyhave
beensweptintotheapparatusthatinadvertentlyunleashedasuperpowerinto
theworldpartofaplotthatdiscardstheaccidentthattriggeredit.They
lingeredbecausesomeonehastogoaboutkillinginnocentswho'sdeath
Lucysurelycouldhaveprevented,totesttoseehowtrulyobligedtoherwe
are,howwillingwearetolookaway.Lucy,aboutatthepointwherebrain
capacitymeansshe'sabletofreezethewholeforwardmomentumof
everyoneontheplanet,andthenswipeherselfbacktoatimewhenthey
didn'tevenexist,announcesatonepointthatshe'sgottoshutdownabit...
apparentlytowaragainstsomeofhercells,impertinentlystagingsomekind
ofresistancetoher.Duringthistimethegangstersintrudeattheuniversity
she'satandstartkillingmultiplepeopleontheirwaytoher.We'renotjust
talkingcops,buttheregularambleofpeopleyou'dexpecttofindthere.
Lucy'sselffocusandisolationismeaningalotofotherpeople'sneedless
deaths.
Itirritatedme,justlikeIwasirritatedwhen,afterLucyfirststartsincurring
powersandkillsthemenwho'vetrappedher,shethenstrodeoutintothe
streetandshotataxidrivertoensuretheotheronestandingtherewouldbe
instantlyobliging(latershetellsthedriverto"stayhereandwaitforme,"
withhisresolvetodosodependentonlyonhisfearofher).Maybelikeyou,
Iwonderedforamomentifthedriverswereemployeesofthegangsters
thatis,guilty.Butyourealizequicklythat,no,they'reprobablyjusttaxi
drivers.Andforthisreasontheirsoontobeobvioustousobvioustotal
innocencethefilmgivesussomethingtoquellbackqualms.Namely,it
makesclearthatthedriverhadonlybeenshotintheleg,evenifthisnews
feelsasifitwasspitatus,likeasifhowpatheticofustostillgiveadamn
aboutthisevolutionarylesser!Itirritatedmewhenshesubsequentlystrode
intothehospitalandshotaguybeingoperatedonsoherown"more
important"needscouldbeinstantlyattendedtobythegatheredteamof
surgeons...thatweweretobeboughtofftohersidebybeinginformed,by
her,thatthepatientwasn'tgoingtoliveorwasitthattheoperation
wouldn'tworkandhedidn'thavelongtolive?anyway,asif,givenwhat

we'dalreadyseenofher,we'dbesurethiswouldhavematteredonewayor
theother.
Hereshe'ssurelybeing"badtothebone";butwhenArniedoesitin
"Terminator,"andisallowedtogetawaywithit,inthatwe'refullywith
him,thevictimsareHarleyDavidsonthugs,ruffians,bulliestotherestof
humankind.Whenhedoesn't,whenwetheaudienceallowthemselvestobe
terrifiedofhimtoknowourselvestobeterrifiedofhimthevictimsare
shopowners(thefirstfilm),peoplelikeyouandme.
ThehistorialperiodswheretheTerrifyingMotheremergestoscareeveryone
outoftheirguiltyselfactualizationandgrowth,isuponus.Toher,we
sacrificeinnocents...representativesofourearlyselves,whowethink
deservetobecasuallyshovelledintohermaw,guiltyaswebelievewewere
theverymomentwefailedourmothersbyattendingtoourownneeds.The
deathofinnocentsisinthenewsallaboutus...Gazawarskillingmostly
civiliansincluding,always,always,thoseinhospitals,schools;andplanes
shotdown,fullofpeoplelikeyouandme.AndtheTerrifyingMothers,
those"KickAss"superherowomenwe'reseeingeverywhereandmostly
onlyseefittopraiseforshowing"howfarwe'vecome,"areperhapsmostly
inourfantasyworlds.Butdon'tbesurprisedtosoonfindmediaportrayalsof
HemanPutininadress.We'refirstterrifiedbyherrevisit,andplacate
herwishes;butlaterfusewithher,splittingoffallourownmother'snegative
aspectsontosomeother.
Lucyisn'tquiteourallgoodMother...there'snowaywe'dallowherto
showsuchscaryreptilianeyes,asshedoesatonepointinthefilm,nortobe
picturedasblacktarrish(thesecondtimethisoccurswiththeincreasingly
remoteandabandoningScarlettJohanssenthisyear,btw,withthefirstbeing
"UndertheSkin")ifthiswereso.Butsheisthebeginningofoursplit.Since
ourdefensivebondingtothepuremotherwillalsoentailrevengeagainstthe
badmotherswhoabandonedus,Lucyisshownstartingaboutthattoo(given
howweseeLucydress,hertrampishness,dowereallybelieveher
relationshipwithhermotherwasactuallysoblissfulanduncomplicated?).
Hermotherisseeminglybeinghuggedclosetoheronthephone,withallher
"Iloveyouforevers."Butit'sreallyanembraceinpreparationfordispatch,
similartotheonetheabandonedson(Commodus)"offers"hisfather
(MarcusAurelius)in"Gladiator"todisplacehimfromthethrone.She

followsherpronouncementsbyrememberingherfirstpuppy,which
disorientshermother,inthatitwassoearlyshecouldn'tpossiblyhave
rememberedit.Andthentalksaboutsucklinghermother'sbreasts,thebreast
milk...whichisnowhardlyfactoringinhermother'sabilitytokeepupwith
heratall,asshe'slostintoherownindulgences,aswellaslikelyconsidering
thegreatestneedforhernewincarnation,forwhosheisnow.
Theinfant'srelationtothebreast,isalsoawayfrom,inaway,hermother,as
it'snowabstractedfromwhatisparticularaboutherandnowjustthe
anthropological/biological/Winnicotianphenomenaofchild,attachment,
breast.It'salsocloserinitsquintessencetowhatmostlynowmovesLucy
herexistenceassomethingmanifestabouttheevolutionofhomosapiens.To
whatitisnowabouthergeneswhichdifferentiatesherfromeveryother
humanbeingwhohaseverlived.Towhatitiswhichcleavesherfromthem.
Hermother,thatis,islogicallybeingmadetoseemjustoneofthe
innumerablemotherssomewhatindistinctfromtheonewhofirstbegatthem
allasmembersofthesamespecies,theonewhotrulywasdifferentfromall
ofherprogenitorstheoriginalLucy,theveryfirsthomosapiencapableof
breeding.Sheusesher100percentbraincapacitytoswipetimebacktothe
pointwhereshecanmeether,tobroachtouching,connectingwithher.
Swipingbacktoomodestlyatfirst,though,hasherfacepeoplesinteresting,
andmaybeofferingsomecommunion,forrepresentingawholehistorical
period,butstillnotinterestingenoughintheirnoneofthemrepresentinga
newspeciesthatwouldspanthroughthousandsofthem.Soshefollowsby
overshooting,findingherselfbeforeaTRex...notmainfloor,andarrival,
butseeminglyinadvertentlythedungeons.
Shequicklyclimbsbacktothefirsthomosapien,butsubliminallyit'snot
losttotheaudiencewhyLucy"erred"byreconnectingwiththearchetypal
devouringdinosaur.AsmuchasthemoviehashadusthinkofLucyas
someonewho'sclosestaffinityisstillwith"apes,"themomentwesawher
possessreptilianeyesrevealedsomethingmoretrueabouthowwe
experienceher.She'snottobeabstractedoutassomesortofhistorical
development,somerealizationofwhatsomethingcompletelyevolutionarily
newwouldmakeofitscurrenthabitatchoosetobreed,orclingtoitsown
immortality;someproofoftheory.Somemightsaysherepresentsthe
dangerousplacenta,initsstranglinganddeoxiginatingstagesthefirst

objectwerelatedtobeforeourmother'sbreastbecamesoimportanttous,
whichIthinkisfair...somethingthatinasenseisantecedenttothemother
andmatchesthefilm'sfocusonthechemicalmixtureofthefetusinthe
womb.Butmoresherepresentstheterrifyingmotherweknewfrom"fourto
six,[where]thefearofdeathandimaginarythreats[come]todominatethe
child'smind[including]fearsofmonsters,ghosts,murderers,tigers,lions,or
otherpredatoryanimals."SherepresentstheDragonMother,"worshipped
byallearlystatesfromLilith,NinTu,HecateandIshtartoMoira,Shiva,
GorgonandErinyes,[called]'TerribleMothers'bytheirworshippers,[as
they]wereseenascruel,jealousandunjust:'herglancebringsdeath,her
willissupreme"(DeMause,"OriginsofWarinChildAbuse").
Sheswipedtothetoothydinosaursomethingweallsuspected,andwe're
thrilledtoseerealizedbecausethisisthearchetypetheliesbehindher,the
realtruthaboutwhatisemergingfromoutofhercrazilyrecombinantDNA.
Nottheoriginalmother,Lucy,butthedragonone,"T."
RailwayMan
IfyourememberwhenmalepotencysupplementslikeViagracameout,it
wasclearthecompaniesbelievedthatmenhadtohavetheirshameof
admittingtohavingpotencyissuesabatedbyaddressingthemotherwiseas
totalhemen,totallypotent.Sowegotcommercialswhereabunchofolder
guysplayinggolfarediscussingthetwentyyearoldsthey'vebedded,and
where"Viagra"isn'tdiscussedbutjustflashedonthescreenattheend.This
filmlookedtobegoingonaboutthesamethingexcepttheissuebeing
broughtabitmoreintocommonrecognitionwashowexperiencesduring
warmightneverbeshuckedoff.
Butwe'dhardlyneedtohaveColinFirth'sEricaWorldWar2British
lieutenantshownfirstasaprosperousoldermanwho'sjustromantically
wonhimselfaresplendentwife(Patti,playedbyNicoleKidman),before
dwellingintowhatheexperiencedinwar,ifwhatwasgoingtobeshownup
closewaswhatwe'vetraditionallybeendirectedtoalludetowhenwethink
ofsoldiersrefusingtodiscusswhattheyexperiencedfriendsbeingslain
beforethem,civiliansaswellofcoursealltheirownkilling.Thisis
something,quitefrankly,whichhasalwaysservedtomakesoldiersseem

somewhatgreaterthanothermenmorebroadlyexperienced,not
shallower,ormoreshrunkenandthereforesomethingofacheat:
experienceswecollectivelyhaveinsistedonasaddingtoyourmanliness
alsoworkingasaninfalliblemannerofgainingleverageoverpeople.Butit
isperhapsnecessaryhere,wherewe'regoingtodealwithwhatsoldierswere
reducedtowhencapturedostensiblysomethingalaAbuGhraib,but
worse.
Tothecreditofthefilm,wearetoldthatwhatishardforasoldiertodiscuss
arethingswhichareembarrassing,notjustoverwhelming,depressing,
terrifying.CertainlywhenIheardStellanSkarsgard'sFinlaythe"uncle,"
theseniormemberofthetroopmentionthis,IsuddenlyhadinmindAbu
Ghraib'ssexualhumiliationofthecaptives,withtheirbeingraped,
sodomizedandwhatnot.Itwouldhavebeensomething,ifafterencountering
thishighlyrespectableandattractiveman,wewerebackwitnessinghim
beingforcedtofelatiofellowsoldiers,eathisownshitorjustwatchedhim
regressincaptivitytobeascaredchildwhocouldn'thelpbutgainpleasure
ingarneringapprovalfromhistormentors.Afterwitnessingthat,wouldwe
attendtohimwiththedignityweknowhedeserves?Orratherjustwishthe
filmhadmadehimevenmoretheheroineverydaylife,someoneso
commandingofrespectwhatwehadjustlearnedwouldn'tbeallowedany
permanentgripinourconsciousnesslikethewaynothingwemightever
learnaboutwhatNelsonMandelawouldbeallowedtositthereifitcouldn't
besquaredwiththeattitudeweknowheisowed?
Butwhatweactuallyseearehimandhisfellowyoungofficersbeginning
theirservitudebysuccessfullytransforminganepisodewhichwassupposed
toreducethemintoonewhichshowcasestheirwit,theirvitalitythey
countthemselvesoffintonumbersuntiltheyreach"ten,"withthefour
subsequentcountingoffas"Jack,""Queen,""King,""Ace."Thenwe
witnessthemactinginawayindistinguishablefromifthey'dbeenanelite
teamsentintoeffecta"SavingPrivateRyan"moralboost,butratherforall
thosestillcaughtincaptivityratherthanforcivilianslanguishingathome.
In"Ateam"style,theyeffectvariousplausiblebutstillverybraveand
inventivemeanstogatherallthecomponentstobuildaradio.Andwiththe
radio,theygaininformationspecifically,that"Hitler"wasrepelledoutof
StalingrandandthattheAmericansarebombingallofGermanydayand
nighttospreadaboostinmoraltoallthetroopsbuildingan"impossible"

railwayfortheJapanese.
However,theJapanesedolearnwhattheydid,andtheguiltyfourteenare
roundedup.Andheretheyallwitnessoneoftheirownbeingrepeatedly
beatenuponbyarifle,whichhasthemshrinkinfearuntilEricstepsup
andvolunteersforpunishment.Thisactwasneverforgottenbytherestof
them;itwasthebravestthinganyofthemhadeverseen,infact,including
everythingthey'dseenbytheduringthewar,andtheinverseofwhattheir
servitudewassupposedtorenderforthemall.
Butforthisshowofundauntedspirit,thisdefiance/mockery,Ericisisolated,
takenintotheshackhehasspentsomuchoftherestofhislife
remembering;andsohere,finally,iswherethefilmisgoingtobroachthe
kindsofembarrassingthingsthere'snowayhe'deverbeabletosharewith
anyoneelseorshuckoff.Only,itturnsoutnotso:aninterpreter
repeatedlytriestodaunthimthroughterselyaskedquestionsbuthastrouble
gaininggroundevenwiththat:"Iaskthequestions,youonlyanswer."And
thenheendurestorturewhichlooksterriblypainfulhe'srepeatedly
pumpedsofullofwaterhe'snearburstingbutnotevidentlyworsethan
thatawfulriflebeating;andthistimealmostasindicationofhishereto
inabilitytobebrokenaweirdkindofflattery,butrecognitionandflattery
nonetheless.
Andthetruthis,thissceneintheshedseemsevenmoreconcernedto
managehowtheinterpreterisportrayedsothatwhenEricultimatelylaterin
lifebefriendsthisman,itcanseemdoablewithoutitmakinghimseem
somesortofgargantuanlypathetic,intrinsickissass.Sotheinterpreteris
shownseveraltimesreactingtowhattheJapanesecampofficerisdoingto
Ericwithsomealarm;hetellsEricatonepointingoodfaiththathe'd
bestjusttelltheofficerwhathewantstohearbecausethey'llgettheir
informationoutofhimanyway,andit'llmeanlesspain.Andheonly
explodesathimwhenEricdoomstheminfinallyrevealingwhatthey've
beentryingtochaseoutofhim,whathelearnedfromtheradio:that
Japaneseindustry,towns,hospitalswereabouttobedecimatedbyattack,
that"yourhopesare[already]burning,andyourfamiliesarestarving."So
whenafterwardstheJapanesearedefeated,itseemsfullyappropriatethat
theinterpreternotsufferthefateofthethosewhocommittedwarcrimesand
insteadispermittedtosteptotheside.AndwhenEriccatchesupwithhim

laterandisallowedtheobligatoryturningofthetables,withtheinterpreter
having"toanswer,notask,"andbrieflysubmittobeinginabamboocage
andfurtherlaterapologizingandbowingsincerelytohimitseemsvery
agreeabletheyendupfriends.Twoeducated,fundamentallydecentmen,but
ofdifferentculturesandofdifferingperspectivesduringthewara
satisfyingbromancefortheliteratebabyboomertoenjoy.
ButastothematterofthegreatshamethathastroubledhisEricandhis
friendsforlife,it'snearliterallyanaside.Forwedoendupseeingsome
senseofit,butnotamongstthembutinthoseEricandhisfellow
engineeringeducatedpeersweredeemedtoovaluabletobecastamongst.
WhenEricispassingthroughthepassagebeingmadefortherailway
deemedimpossibletobeconstructedwithoutslavelaborforit'dsurely
killingmostofthepeopleinvolvedinbuildingitheseesamajorworking
therewhomheonceservedunder.Hetriestorecallhimtohimself,butthe
majorrecoilsasifhe'snowatthepointwhereheassumesanyone
advancinguponhimmustbeabouttobeathim.He'satotallybrokenman
theintrinsicslavetheJapaneseassumeinhabitsthesoulofanymanweak
enoughtohaveletthemselvesbecaptured.WhatevertheydotoEric,he
never,ever,appearsrecoilworthy,andthispoormanghoulmostlycertainly
isthat.IfwhatEric'swifehadtoaccountforintryingtounderstandhim,
whyhecouldn'tgetpasthisexperiencesthirtyyearsbeforeinthecamp,was
himbeingbrokenasbadlyasthisthenhisbeingotherwisemadetoseem
socomfortablyestablishedandidentificationworthywouldmakesense.
Infact,whenlaterthemovieallowsthemajortobetheonewhoinitiatesthe
spreadingofthenewsdowntherailwayline,therealmostseemsroomto
assumeitsomethingwewereallagreeingtosimplyallowforhimafterthe
horrorof"meeting"himratherthanitkeepinginlinewiththestory's
otherwiseostensiblytruthfulaccount.Hewastoobrokenforitevertohave
actuallyhappenedthatway,sointributetowhohewasformerlyandin
recognitionofourinabilitytoadequatelyeversquarehisfutureselfwith
whohehadrevealedhimselfashere,we'regoingtohavetocollectively
agreetomomentarilysteptothesidewithinthisfilmsome,andattenuatethe
detailsinfidelitytosomethingmoreimportantthanfactsorour
enjoymentofthefilmtogoodness.Thenofcourse,backtothestory.
Eric,however,we'resimplytotakestraightpresumablybecausethe

peoplemakingandwatchingamoviesuchasthisarenotsointerestedin
dealingwithtraumaastheyareindefensivelycopingwithit.Thatis,by
keepingthepersontheyaresupposedtoidentifywitharespectedman
outsideofwarandcapture,andpersistentlyheroicandempoweredduring
servitude,aswematchupourownlifeexperienceswithhisown,Ericends
upbeingakindofsturdyrailwayoverlayoftrickymatterinourownminds.
Intruth,akindofcontagion.
SomeonemightobjectthattherepeatedbeatingsEricendures,aswellasthe
watertortureandtheforawhilelivinginacage,wouldbeenoughto
createatraumaticexperiencehe'dneverrecoverfrom,evenifheneverknew
theshameofcapitulation.Thereasonthisisinfactfatuitousisbecausethese
torturesaredesignedbycaptorssothatinmatesknowhumiliationsthatthey,
thecaptorsthemselves,experiencedduringchildhoodtheunconscious
intentionbehindtortureistoshameone'sown"guilty"childhoodself,whom
you'veprojectedintoinmates:itcertainlymeanstobutdoesn'treallyhave
"you"inmind.Ifyoudidn'texperiencetheequivalentinyourown
childhood,asphysicallypainfulastheseexperienceswouldbetheywould
notservetoremindyouofhowscaredandpowerlessyouwerewhenyou
wereinfantilethatshame.ThereasonmanyJewswhoenduredNazi
tortureswereabletorecoverfromthemsomewhatadequatelywasnot
simplyowingtothefactthattheyformedterrificsupportgroupsafterwards,
butbecausetheyhadhadbetterchildhoodsthantheGermansdid.Thatis,
thesetortureswereessentiallynewtothem,somethingafflicteduponthem
nowfrompeopleoutsidetheirfamilyandforthemostpartoutsideof
childhooditwasintrinsicallyforeigntowhattheyhadpreviously
experiencedinlifeandtowhathadgoneintoshapingtheirpersonhood.It
couldbeshuckedoff,foritwasmostlyoverlainfromtheoutsideuponan
alreadysolidcore.
Thefilmwereallyneedtoseeinvolvinganoldermanstillcrippledby
somethingheexperienceddecadesearlier,wouldn'tletitsettleinhis
experiencesasasoldierinwartime,evenifshownmorehonestlythanthis
filmisinterestedin.For"wartime"isinthissituationaplankwe'vesetup,
wayalooffromtheagewhereexperiencescanreallydestroyus,presumably
forustofurtherpontificateifwemeantoallowtheplanktodroplower.It's
actuallyasafezone,a"simulationroom,"tomaybeprepareourselvesforthe
leapbackintoinfancy,wheretheferocioussoldierscreamingatuswould

becomeourmotherandfatherrepeatedlydoingso,wherebeinglockedina
cagebecomesourownbeingshutintoclosets,wherebeingbeaton
repeatedlyorsexuallyusedbecomesourparentshavingbeenthesekinds
predators.
Sincecaptorsforcecaptivestoexperiencewhattheythemselvesexperienced
inchildhood,thefilmweneedtoseewouldexploresomethingalongthe
linesofthispassagefrompsychohistorianLloydDeMause.Whetherof
Japanesewarcamps,orGermanones...orotherwise,itwouldbethis:
Jews,then,werethemainpoisoncontainersfortherestagingoftraumatic
Germanchildrearingpracticesfourdecadesearlier.Everyoneofthethings
donetoJewsintheHolocaustcanbefoundtohavebeenperpetratedby
parentsandotherstoGermanchildrenattheturnofthecentury.Theprecise
detailsofearliereventsthatwerereinflicteduponJewslaterare
astonishinglyminuteandliteral.Jewswere,ofcourse,murderedbythe
millions,justasGermanchildrenhadwatchedtheirsiblingsmurderedin
infanticidalactsearlier,usingtheexactsamephraseforthegenocideof
Jews"eliminationofuselesseaters"asparentshadusedearlierfortheir
infantsandchildrenastheymurderedthematbirth.Becauseinfanticide
ratesweresohigh,themajorityofGermanchildrenwouldhavewitnessed
themurderofnewbornsiblingsbytheirmothers,wouldhaveheardthe
murderedbabybeingcalleda"uselesseater,"andwouldthemselveshave
beencalleda"uselesseater"aschildrenandsocouldhavewonderedifthey
mightalsobemurdered.OnecanhardlyreadasingleHolocaustbook
withouthavingtowadethroughendlessaccountsofchildrenburiedaliveby
Nazis,"childrenhavingtheirheadsbeateninlikepoultryandthrownintoa
smokingpit,""babiesthrownfromthefourthfloorandcrushedonthe
pavements,""children'sbodieslayaround,torninhalfwiththeheads
smashedin,""'littleJews'caughtonbayonetsafterbeingthrownfromupper
storywindows,"etc.EventhespecificmethodsGermanmothershadused
forkillingtheirnewbornespeciallysmashingthebabyagainstawallor
throwingitintoalatrinewere"aregularoccurrence"againstJewsin
concentrationcamps:
Whenmotherssucceededinkeepingtheirbabieswiththem.AGerman
guardtookthebabybyitslegsandsmasheditagainstthewallofthe

barracksuntilonlyabloodymassremainedinhishands.Theunfortunate
motherhadtotakethismasswithhertothe'bath.'Onlythosewhosawthese
thingswiththeirowneyeswillbelievewithwhatdelighttheGermans
performedtheseoperations.[Also]SSmenusedtoamusethemselvesby
swingingJewishchildrenbytheirlegsandthenflingingthemtotheir
deaths.HewhothrewaJewishchildfarthestwon.
Jewswerealsoregularlytiedupandmadetoliveintheirownfilthexactly
asswaddledGermaninfantswereearlier.Rarelywashed,Germanshad
spenttheirearlylivescoveredwiththeirownexcreta,addressedbytheir
parentssimplyas"littleshitter."Intheconcentrationcamps,Jewswere
subjecttowhatDesPrescallsaconstant"excrementalassault,"inwhich
theywereforcedtodefecateandurinateuponeachother,wereoftenthrown
intothecesspooliftheyweretooslow,livedinbarracks"awashwithurine
andfeces,"walkedabout"kneedeepinexcrement,"wereforcedtoeattheir
ownfeces,andfinallydiedingaschambers"coveredalloverwith
excrement."Inonecamp,30,000womennotonlyhadtouseasinglelatrine,
butinaddition,"wewerepermittedtouseitonlyatcertainhoursoftheday.
Westoodinlinetogetintothistinybuilding,kneedeepinhuman
excrement."Holocaustscholars,missingthechildhoodoriginsofallthese
gratuitousexcrementalcruelties,havebeenpuzzledbyhowmuchofthe
concentrationcamproutinewasdevotedtotheendlesshumiliations:"Why,
iftheyweregoingtokillthemanyway,whatwasthepointofallthe
humiliation,whythecruelty?"GittaSerenyaskedofFranzStangl.Butof
coursethehumiliationwasthepoint,restagingearlyGermanchildhood
exactly.Hitlerhimselfswaddledandleftaloneinhisfecesbyhismother
hadtoldGermansinMeinKampf,"IftheJewswerealoneinthisworld,
theywouldsuffocateindirtandfilth."IntheHolocausttheJews"somuch
likeus"(Hitler)wouldsuffocateindirtandfilth,asalllittle,helpless
Germanbabiesdidalldaylongatthehandsoftheirmothers.Andsincethe
"littleshitter"Germanbabieswerealsocoveredwithlice,verminand
rodentsastheylayswaddledintheircradles,unabletomove,Jewstoowere
called"lice,verminandrats"astheywerelockedintotheconcentration
camps,told"Thisisadeathcamp.You'llbeeatenbylice;you'llrotinyour
ownshit,youfilthyshitface."Someguardsevenrestagedtherodentattacks
"byinsertingatubeintothevictim'sanus,orintoawoman'svagina,then
lettingaratintothetube.Therodentwouldtrytogetoutbygnawingatthe
victim'sinternalorgans."LatertoilettrainingofGermanchildrenwasalso

restaged,ofteninprecisedetail,asbyhavingtheghettolatrinesupervised
bya"guardwithabigclock,whomtheGermansdressedcomicallyasa
rabbiandcalledtheshitmaster.'"
Incidentally,thisfilmhasitthatyoucanvisitsomeonewhotorturedyou
thirtyyearspreviouslyandtheycanbefullyrecalledtoit.Asthefilmshows
thesetwomen,thisisplausibleforthey'reneverlosttothemselvesduring
thewar.Butthisnormallywouldnothavebeenthecase.Warsareperiods
wherepeoplehavebondedwiththeirmothernations,setabouttodestroy
guiltyvillainsprojectionsoftheirownchildhood"badselves"and
therebynurtureforthemselvesagloriousfeelingofpurity,ofcemented
"goodboy"or"goodgirl"status,absentcontaminants.Oncethismadnessis
over,likethepostwar1950safterWW2,peoplearemostlydetachedfrom
whomtheyoncewereliterally,amapoftheireverydaymentallifewould
becompletelydifferent;haveitlordedoverbymoreregularareas.They'dbe
backtowhomtheywereprevious,theWeimerGermanswhowereallset
abouttheirregularbourgeoislifebeforetheybecamethe1930s40sVolk,
wouldbebacksimplyto"shopping"andbuildingfamilies,notgangingup
onJewsonthestreets,whichtheynotjusttheNaziscollectivelydid.
Transcendence
InarecentNewYorkerwelearnedthatmanyofthoseearninginstant
fortunesfortheirappsarefeelingprettyguiltyaboutit.It'sprettytough,they
proclaim,toenjoyyourmillionswhenyou'reawareofjusthowhardand
rewardlessalifeyourownmotherhadtomakeduewith.Specifically,
thoughtomaketheirappsthey"borrowedofficespaceandsubsistedona
dietofinstantramen,"thoughtheyknew"inthebackof[their]heads[]
[how]hardyouworked,thatyousacrificedyourstabilityandyoutookon
theriskoffinancialruinforalongwhile,"that"[y]oudidthingsthatother
peoplewerenotwillingorcapableof,"itstill"feelsawful,"forthey
"couldn'tgetridoftheimageof[their]mothersin[their]cars,drivingto
work."Thetruthis,thatiftheonlythingtheyhadtocontendwithwasthe
factthattheirmothershadmuchharderlives,they'vealreadyamply
contendedwithitasasourceofguilt.Foraddedtotheirbeliefthattheir
mothersworkedhardforthemtoliveeasierlives,wouldbehow
conceivablythey'vefittheirsacrificeandgumptionincreatingtheappsin

withhowsocietynormallylaudsandbacksthosewho'veachievedsuccess
endlesshoursandramennoodles:nosilverplatterthere!Stopyourfretting
andstartenjoyingyourhardearnedmoney,son!Sothereasonsomeofthem
areevenshuttingdowntheirappssotheycanbesparedtheguiltoffifty
thousanddollarsdailyaccruingtothem,isbecausetheydidn'tsomuch
intuitthattheirmothersdeservedmoreinlifebutwerethoroughlyawareof
itsincebirth:theirmothershadthemtoprovidethemsomeoftheloveand
devotiontheyhadn'tyetreceivedinlife,andnotonlyweren'tmuch
interestedinthemotherwisebutcouldn'thelpthemselvesfrombeingangry
whentheirchildrenswitchedoffthemtofocusontheirownpursuits.Some
successmightsomehowbejustifiedbutnotasurfeitofit,forit'dfeel
nowherewithinthevicinityofwhatshouldbelenttoyouafteryou'dbeen
thegoodboyandseentoyourmotherfirst.Todealwiththat,you'dneeda
miracletobesparedtheselfrecriminationsthat'daccruefromit.You'dneed
transcendence.
Nominally,thetranscendencewearetofocusoninthismovieistheonethat
bringsahumanconsciousnessitturnsoutsortasuccessfullyintoa
machine.Thehumanelectrical/chemicalthatsomehowbegets
consciousnesscanbecomethemachine'spurelyelectricalthatmiraculously
accruesthesamething.Butthemovieclearlywouldn'thavebeeninterested
ifthistranscendencehadn'tinvolvedaverypowerfulpersonandthe
magnificationofalreadyheldpowersif,say,thefirstmovefromhuman
consciousnessintoamachineinvolvedaGandhitypethat'dshutitselfdown
theverymomentitrealizeditcouldevenmakeGoogleitsbitch.Whatthe
movieisreallyconcernedwithishowtotranscendtheguiltofbeingan
enfranchised,empoweredperson;howtobeatpeacewiththeworldas
someonewho'salreadypowerfulandisn'tslowingdown.
Mostofthemoviewouldhavegonejustthesameifitprovedahuntfor
JohnnyDepp'sWillCaster,withoutregardforwhetherhe'dbeenonthe
precipiceofsomethingegregiouslytransformativelikeputtingahumansoul
intoamachine.He'soneoftheleadersoftechnologicaladvancementsthat
magazineslike"Wired"fete,andbecausehejustwon'tstop,anarchists
showstoppersarenowliterallygunningforhim.Whattranscendence
theofficialone,manintomachinedoesinthefilmisoperateasthekind
oftheatricalityanddeceptionthatfailedtobuyBatmantimeagainstthe
initiatedBanebutwhichallowsCastertimetoreadapthiscurrentlife

elsewherewhilsttryingtocomeupwithsomethingthatmightgivehim
moraladvantageoverhispersecutors.Sohetakeshislife,whichwasoneof
richesandindependentexistence(heownedsolehismultibillionsdollars
worthofcomputers)andofbeingoneofthefewgreatminds,thatwas
provingvulnerable,abouttobebesetanderadicated,elsewherewherefor
awhileitisn'tspecifically,intoadecrepitdeserttown,that'sgotthecover
ofbeingsomeplacesomethingaboutourtimeistellinguswehaveto
participateinmakingitrealizehowforlornandlosttohopeitisbynever
quiterecognizingitspresence.Andwhenthegovernment,fellowscientists,
andanarchistsalikeunitetohopefullybringhimdown,hedoesn'tallaythe
legitimacyoftheircrusadewithallhiswholesalehealingofthetownspeople
becausehe'satthesametimemadethemhistroopsbutpossiblycould
haveifabitmoretimewasallottedhishealingofworld'secosystems.
Indeed,iftheimagesweareshownofwholeforestsbeinghealed,of
pollutantswholesaleremovedfromlakes,wentaminutelongeronscreen,
notonlymightmoreofusmighthavebeenconvertedtothesideof
machinemanhybridCasterbutwe'dnearexpectthefinishtoinvolvesome
Earthfirstanarchistgrouptakingouttheantitechnologyonehuntinghim
down.
Ifwiththishe'dbeengrantedanotherreprieve,hemighthavereintroduced
himselftotheplanetinhisnewphysicalavatarhisduplicatedprevious
physicalbody,proclaimedthatifletbehe'llsimplybefurtheringhisEarth
cleansingproject,andtheworldmighthavelethimjustgoforit.He'djoin
BillandMelindaGatesoutthere,completelyunharassedbytheworld,still
inpossessionofbillionsbuttranscendedalldoubtsanddemons,whichhave
simplyslippedoffhim.Thatis,thegreatpeaceheexperienceswhenhe
realizesit'stimetoslipoffhumanconcerns,whenweseehimassilicone
dustlevitatingintoashroudingcloud,shouldbeunderstoodexperientiallyas
thesamethingBillGatesdidwhenhedroppedhispostasheadofMicrosoft
andbecamehiscurrentformasnotagod,butanagentofGood,slipped
offdaytodayerrataandhugeegoconcerns.Atpeacetogoabouttheworld.
Vaccinatedtoanythingthatwouldmakeuswanttogoout,target,andchew
athim.
BadWords

Oneofthekeythingswetakefromthisfilmisthatifyouwanttointrudeon
anexclusivelyprolerituallikechildbeautypageants,dismayingparentsand
causingparticipantstocry,byallmeansgoforitwe'llchortlerightalong
withyou:filmslike"LittleMissSunshine"and"BadGrandpa"pavedthe
wayforustofeelnocompunctions.Butifyou'reintrudingonaritualbeing
usedtobuildupchildren'sresumesexpectingtogetintotheivyleagues
likeSpellingBsthenyouonlygettohalfmeanit.Abrightchildof
affluent,educatedparentsisinsertedintothismoviepurposelybesetupon
JasonBateman'sGuyTrilby,onthepresumptionthatGuywon'tdefeatthe
dreamsofakidheendsupconsideringafriend.Andthoughthegambit
works,yousenseitwasn'towingtofriendshipbutthatthekidservedasa
grinning"CheshireCat,"castrationreminderafflictinghimthroughoutthe
movie:thiskidisoftheclassthatisgettingitallrightnow...doyou,Guy
Trilby,reallymeanyourrevengesodeeplythatyou'dimpingeuponthe
momentumofgentrifierssuccessfullyintimidatingmostofusfromspeaking
ourownfrustrationstooloudlyandfromdoubtingthebrightsureforward
momentumoftheworld?Didn'tthinkso.Soenjoyyour"hoteltrashing"
truculenceforawhileandheck,makemincemeatoftheworkingclass,
singlemother,who'sbarelykeepingatetheronherbeingmentallystable,
callingher,asyousodeliciouslydo,a"blownoutweaksockofavagina"
froma"shitkickingtown."Butyou'llbeagoodboyandlimityour
wreckagethere.
ThefinalsceneinvolvesGuycedingthechampionshiptoChaitanyaChopra,
thesonofCosbyparenttypesofthecolourbrownwe'refavouringnow,
notjustfortheirendorsementofmulticulturalismwhichiscoverbutfor
theirintermixingintoourelitistsocietyconfidentcenturiesworthof
Brahmanism.He'sdecidedthathe'dalreadyachievedwhathewantedby
enteringthecontestbutwithhimultimatelylosingandthetypeofchild
thecontestwouldwanttowinactuallywinning,it'shardtoimaginehowthat
is.Assuch,thefinishirritatedmesomuchIhadtobeginthisreviewwith
harshcriticism.ButifonecouldsomehoweditoutChaitanayaassomany
havementallyeditedoutJarJarfromthe"StarWars"films,I'dhavesimply
commendedthisfilm.Guygotroyallyrippedoffinlife.Hisparentsweren't
thereforhim,andtheschoolsystemconvincedhimtheworldcouldreadily
dowithouthisfurtherprogresswhichwaswhyheneverfinishedthe8th
grade.Twentyfiveyearsagoonemighthavemadeafutureforyourself
nonetheless,butwithtodaypeopleputtingblinkersonallthosewithout

reassuringresumesthatrippledownongoingprogressionasifthepersonat
theendisduetocrackoutofahumanshellintoanexfoliatingangel,his
humanstoryisalreadysimplydone:hebelongswiththosehistoryhas
simplydiscarded;peoplewhoarelivingbutsoirrelevanttonarrativeswe
wanttosuperimposeupontheworldhemightjustaswellbeaghost
amongsttheliving,somuchareweblurringtheiraberrancyoutofour
vision.Hecouldn'tevenfinish8thgrade!,"asheissizedupbyoneappraiser
inthefilm.Adeadend,stillaround,intermixingirritatinglyamongstthose
stillwithforwardmomentumcomplete,flatulent,humanyuck!
SohehasnothingtolosebyenteringtheSpellingB,andthere'sasensethat
evenifhewonatthenationals,theworld,howeverirritatedbyit,wouldn't
either.Whencontemporaryfilmsshowyouthbeautypageantsbeing
disrupted,we'reexpectednottofretwhatthedisruptionmightbedoingto
thecontestantsbecausewe'reexpectedtoseethewholeritualassomething
dangerouslyaberrantfromwhatthesekidsoughttobedoinganyway.It's
alreadyasidestepintosomethingterriblyfoul,sodisruptingitislikestirring
matteralreadysettledintoexcrement.Wearelearning,however,tobeaware
thatthekindofperformanceexamthatostensiblycanestablishoneas
singularandtrulyworthytheSATsiscomingtobearthestinkofan
affixedmarkofone'slackofmeaningfuldistinctionaswell.Foreach
incrementoftwentythousanddollarsinparentalincome,achild'sSATscore
willincreasebytentothirtypoints.Whoyouare,wearecomingto
appreciateandalsodesiretoloudlyadvertisedependsontheamountof
moneyyourparentsmake.Youare,thatiswhateveryourhopestobe
autonomous,yourownpersonmostlyamemberofaclass.Ifyouwere
nearthetopofaSpellingB,you'llbenearthetopoftheSATs,andyou'll
havecomefromparentsaroundthetwohundredthousandincomelevel
who'vehoistedintoyoutheDNA,thebullseyeperfecttraining,andperhaps
mostimportantly,thepresumption,toachieveatthislevel.Butifforsome
reasonyou'rebumpedoffearlyinlifemaybebysomecrazyGuytype,
gonenottruculentbutviolentlyanarchistnottoworry:everyotherperson
atyourstationpossessthesameelitelevel"algorithms,"andthey'restill
thriving.We'dbeupsetthatsomeoneraggedtookdownoneoftheelite,but
notthatyou,personally,Chaitanayaorwhomeveryoumightbearelost
tous.
Whenasocietyisbecomingsothatevenifyou'dpreferotherwise,you're

stillmoreabletoseerepresentativesofaclassthandistinctindividuals,the
futureatleastforawhileisforeclosed.It'senteredoneofthosetimes
wheresomegrandnarrativeisbeingplayedout,soit'sdisplayingextreme
discretioninitsallowanceoftheopenendedandintruthisdelighted
whenwherewheresomelibertyisstillpermittedlikeinpersonalblogs
peopleshowthemselvesprominentlymotivatedtomimicandthereby
hopefullyabitpartakeof,theirheroes.DuringtimesliketheseGuyreallyis
disruptingnothinginparadinghimselfinthisesteemedcontestforuber
smartkids,forinasensethepeoplehe'sintermixingwithareas
"Terminator2's"SarahConnorsays"alreadydead";thosewithfutures,
alreadydetermined.Rather,he'shoistinghimselfintosituationswhere
reallythepressure'sonhowmuchharderforhimtostandamongstthe
kidsthanforthemtostandamongsteachother,beingapruneintermixing
himselfamongstgrapesbeingapruneloathednotjustbythegrapesbut
bythewholewineindustryforspoilingtheyear'svintages.He'sremaining
calmamongstjeeringandevenbetterthanthat,somethingthatisactually
hardtodowhenyoucan'timagineyourselfbackedbypeopleswhoactually
matter'sapprovalforyousomethingthatisoccurringwhenliberals
imaginethemselvesfrustratingplebbeautypageantsand,forthatmatter,
withterroristsundertakingtheirattacks,whobelievetheirmotherscouldn't
lovethemmorefortheirsacrifice.Youknowsocietyisexpectingyouto
stayquiet,andyou'rekeepingfaithwithyourself,seeingyourself
demonstrablykeepingfaithwithyourselfandthiswouldfeelgreat.The
worldmightbeforeclosedbutyourownfutureisn'tplayingoutthatway:a
smallflashoflightothersmightbeattractedto.
Don'tthinkso?Thinkbeinganadultamongstkidswillnaturallymakeyou
an"expertplayer"amongstbeginners?Notiftheworldisagainstyouasit
iswithGuy.Forthenthisbitfrom"StepBrothers"willmorelikelybethe
humiliationyou'llexperience,anolderguybeingshownhe'sstillafraidof
thewhoppingatwelveyearoldcouldafflictuponyouhowcouldyoulive
everafterknowingthat?:
Actually,I'mlyingabitinthatGuyisoperatingunderasanctionwithsome
considerablecredibilityrightnowtheolderwhitemanwho'sheadingthe
"SpellingB"istheabandoningfatherhe'srevenginghimselfupon,onlyyou
don'tknowthisatthebeginning.Iactuallyameditingthisoutofmy
remembranceofthefilmaswell,notonlybecauseit'sobviousthefatheris

hoistedastheostensiblemainconcerntomakeitsothatwhenthefilm
humiliatescastratingwomenitcanpretendedasjustaberrantfunkeptalong
thewayratherthanwherethefilm'sfocusreallylies,butbecauseitonly
inspireswhenyouimaginehiminasensetimetravellingbacktohispast
andpatchingintohislifelineasuccessfulbestingofacademictestingrather
thanhavingoncebeendiscouragedanddefinedbyit.Hisvictory,doingalot
forhim,howeverinvisibleitmightbetoeveryoneelse,andunappreciated.
Thosewhofindpeoplelikethatinteresting,thosedemonstratingprivate
realizations/victoriesinvisibletoandincommensurablewitheveryoneelse
likethisfilm'sJennyWidgeon,playedbyKathrynHahnand
"GroundhogDay's"Rita,playedbyAndieMcDowellareinterestingtoo.
Theydon'tsomuchgoforlosersasareattractedtotheopenway.

DraftDay
ThekeysceneinthismovieiswhereKevinCostner'sSonnyWeaver
realizeswhatitisaboutthepersonhe'sbeenshepherdedtopickasthe
numberoneoverallpicktheHeismantrophywinnerquarterback,Bo
Callahanthatprovesthere'ssomethingfoulabouthim.Henoticesthat
afterbeingsackedtwicebythesameplayer,heisn'tabletoreboundbut
ratherstartsdoingthingslikehurryingtheballheletaplayergettohim,
letshimselfgetrattled.ThelinebackerwhodidthistohimVontaeMack
istheplayerSonnywantedtopickashisfirstpick,andfromhighlightsof
thesamegame,seesfurtherconfirmationforchoosinghim,eventhoughno
oneelsehadaccountedhimthebestplayeravailable.Vontaegotbooted
fromthegamebutafteranofficialhassledhimafterhegaveawayagame
balltohissisterinthestands:farfromapariah,he'saselflesspersonwho
doeseverythingforhisfamilyandeverytimeotherwiseforhisteamwhat
Sonnyalreadyhasseenandappreciatedabouthim.
Verynice.Butthemandoingallthesortingissomeonespendingmuchof
thefilmrecoveringfrombeingcowedhimselfSonnyagreedtodealthree
numberonedraftpicksinordertogetthenumberonechoice,underpressure
ofanarcissiticownerinsistinghemakeabigsplash.Andratherthan
someonewhocedestohisfamily,he'shauntedbyhavingagreedtofirehis
fatherathismother'sbehest,andsonowrefuseshernotonlybynot
attendingthereadingofhisfather'swillbutbynotfollowingthroughwith

hisfather'srequestsonhowtoceremoniouslydispensewithhisashes.That
is,ifhispersonalitywassomehowschleppedintoacandidateforthenumber
onedraft,he'dbeexactlythetypehe'ddeemabust.
IvanReitman,thedirector,alsoproduced"AnimalHouse,"afilmwe
remembernotforwitchhuntingindividualsforcharacteridiosyncrasiesand
forchampioningthehumdrum,butfortheoppositeafullonhoistingup
oftheoddasAmericanemblematic.Thesoulofthatfilmstillexiststosome
extentinSonny,whoseemsababyboomerbentonensuringhedoesn't
relapseintobeingeasilyamenabletothewishesoffamilyseniors.He's
someonewho'sreminiscencesonJoeMontanaandJohnCandybetrayalove
fortheidiosyncraticandsurprisingevenasmuchashekeepsthegood
partofittohimselfandwho'songoingaffinityforpeoplelikethatcarries
forwardabitwithhisencounterswiththeperenniallyunsurefooted,outof
place,nerdishintern.Butstill,there'sasensethathe'samanwho'sceded
himselfatleasthalfto"plastics"dull,"parental"expectations,thatis
too.Theplayershewantsforhisteamarealinebackereveryoneknowswill
besteadyingbutmaybenot"anatural,"aquarterbackthathasworkedhard
overtheoffseasonsonowcancomfortablythrowtenyardsfurther,anda
legacyrunningbackwhomighthaveaproblemwithviolencebutis
remonstratinghimselfnowasadutifulagentofhisfather'searnest,constant
shoulderoverlookingshepherdingthey'rethosewho'sequivalentin
universityjuniorswouldneverhavepledgedtheunaccountableDeltaof
"AnimalHouse"famebutratheranyother,whichwould'veimbibedofthe
alreadyhewnthatnormallydefinestheranksofafraternity.
Further,there'sasenseinevenhistellingofhowMontana,duringalast
minutecomebackduringaSuperbowlgame,hadmotionedhisteammatesto
checkoutJohnCandyinthestands,he'senfranchisinghimselfwiththe
remembranceofallthatmomentconsistedofwhichwasn'tjustcool
headednessbutthedelightfullyaberrant;ofsomeoneadmittinghimselfa
fanboywhilstdirectingaheroicdrivewhileadmonishingitforayounger
generationwhohadn'tbeentheresothey'llunderstanditonlyinchastised
formashissimplykeepinghiscoolunderduress.He'ssomeonewho
knewwhatstrangesurprisesanddelightsauniversecanoffer,butwillingly
playedapartinputtingitintothrilldiscouragingstricturesforayounger
generationtoonlyknow.He'dbecomeaguywho,forexample,eveniffully
awarethatsomeonelikeGretzkycouldsucceedbrilliantlydespitesaying

he'dliftabarbellonlyoncehesawonescoreagoal,wouldn'tobligea
youngergenerationthisremembranceunlesssomehowitcouldsubstantiate
theadmirabilityofhisyoungstar'sworkingrealhardtobulkupduringthe
offseasonperhapsbyestablishinghimassomeonewhodoesn'tfoolishly
changehabitsthatareworkingforhim,ratherthansomeonewhothumbed
hisnosetoexpectations...someonewhowassoadmirably(forsome)or
infuriatingly(forothers)insoucianttohowwhathesaidmighthavemade
himseemaneffeteintrudergorgingonhavinginextricablymadeawhole
sporthispersonalloungeandsometimesbitch.
There'sasensethatItakethisfilmtowellrepresentthebabyboomer's
legacyatthispoint.They'restillagenerationsoenabledbyhavinggrownup
inayouthfavoring,prosperoustime,thattheyhaveabetterchanceof
weatheringthedamagestickingupforwhatyoubelieveincanbring.
Throughplayful,fearlessexplorationwhichinvolvedterriblyconsequent
generationalconflict,violence,andpermanentsplitstheyenabled
themselvestheselfesteem,theselflove,todoso.WhenSonnydecidesto
keepfaithwithhisoriginalchoiceforhisteam,eventhoughitmeans
choosingaplayernootherwouldvalueasevenclosetobeingthedraft's
best,andwithitneedlesslycostinghimthreenumberonedraftpicks,I
believedthatthecharacterwasgoingtobeabletoweatherthedamagethis
wouldbring.It'dcosthimhisjob;he'dbeendlesslyridiculed(evenifhe
madeanaptchoicethatshowedhesawthingsothersdidn't,thefactthathe
lethimselfbedissuadedfromhispreferredchoiceinthefirstplacewould
alwaysshowcasehishesitancy,hisshame);hismotherwouldhavefurther
reasontodiscredithimasanadultandyethe'dknowhe'ddonewhathe
believedwastherightthingfortheteam,andashavingdoneitdespite
testing.Heofcoursegetsthehappyendingbutyoubelievehewasreadyif
allthat'dofbeengiftedhimwastumult.Weknowit'dhavebeenveryhard
tohavedonethesamebutappreciatethereminderthatthisiswhatitisto
keepfaithwithyourselftheworldmightfirsthateyouforit,thencastyou
offasalosertobeforgottenaboutanassignationthat'dstick.Ifthefilm
hadendedwithhissimplymakingtherightchoiceashesatalonebefore
us,wouldwehavefrettedourcloseproximitytohisseepingpoisonous
carapace?Wejustcan'tbeseenwithyou,dudeaswescrambledtocastour
lotwithsomegroupgivingthemselveshighfivesoveractuallyobvious
choicesoreasilyaccomplishedgoalsratherthanthelonerforbearinghimself
beforedemonstherestofusarepretendingexistonlyinhisimagination.

Boomerishtoo,forme,washiswholemakinghismidlifeaboutneedingto
bracebattlesmostofuswouldprefertoimaginequarantinedintoourearly
adulthood.Thatis,hismother'scomingclosetobeingalloverhim,anet
spreadouttotraphisautonomy.Shedoubtshisbusinessacuity,hateshis
newgirlfriend,andhassucceededinhumiliatinghimbydetermininghis
mostimportantsportandpersonaldecisionsinthepastshemanagedto
convincehimtofirehisfather,forhisongoingparticipationwiththeBrowns
beingbadforhishealth,evenashisfatherwouldofclearlyhaditotherwise
andchosentoendhislifeearlierthanmedicallyrequiredbutrequisiteto
keepinglifelongfidelitytohisteamintact.Heendsupbeinguptoher
challenge;butit'sabravethingforafilmtosuggestthatdespitebeinga
wellplacedboomerwithalltheaccoutrementsofbeingthegenerationthat's
firmlynowincharge,you'restillvulnerabletofeelinglikedespiteitallyou
canregresstobeingsomeonewhodoesn'tyetknowthey'reuptofendingoff
determinedparentsinthefirstplacethe"Graduate's""plastic"battleall
overagain,butatagesixty.Verybraveindeedtoadmittothatdispiriting
possibility!
Butifhe'sstillthe60skid,he'sstillbentondirectingyouthnottobe,tobe
lessrebelliousand(therefore)selfrealizedthanhisgenerationwas.This
strikesmeasacurrentboomerishpredilictionaswell.Obviouslywe'reall
feelingthatthisisnolongeratimeforcreatingartisticpaeanstoself
indulgence,soifyou'regoingtokeeptoyourselfthepossibilityofkeeping
faithwithyourselfregardless,thewaytodothiswithoutguiltistoshowthat
you'regoingtodowhatyoucantolimittheabilityofthegenerationthat'll
eventuallybetakingovertostretchthepossibilitiesofhumangrowthwhen
andiftheygirdthemselvestoinsistonthesame.Youtellthemlikethis
moviedoesthatthebestperformersarethosewhoareloyaltotheir
family,whograciouslyacceptsnubsandlumps,andcarrythemselveswith
discretionandmodesty,eventhoughifyoulookbackjustfiveyearsagothe
bestperformerswerethelikesofBarryBonds,LanceArmstrong,andTiger
Woodsthosewho,together,wereabrasive,selfinfalting,twofaced,and
sleptwithtownsfullofwomen.Heck,there'sevenascenewhereaplayeris
instructednottoundulytweet,andwheretheplayerisshownacceptingthe
wisdomofthat...andwiththatanypossibilitytheplayerwouldeverdevelop
theirrepressibleindividualismofKobeBryant,whostillcan'tbestopped
fromdailyremindingusthatthemessageacorporationwouldhaveus

imbibeisvulnerableanytimeitsgreatestassetsspeaktheirunrehearsed
honestopinionregardless.But,ah,he'salmostoutofthesport,sowewecan
pretendhealreadyisn'thereandsafelydoubledownonyoungathleteswho
incomparisonaresomewhatlackingindepth,personalityandirascibleness.
Giventhepredilectionsofourage,it'sappropriatethatthefilmshows
acquiringthenumberoneoveralldraftpickassomethingofacursewithit
meaningyou'regoingtobesaddledwithsomeonewestillhaven'tstrippedof
associationswe'vespentdecadesbuildingupasrequisitetothischoice,of
himbeingaprimadona,thatis.Someonelikethequarterbackinthefilm,
BoCallahan,who'sgotawebsitedevotedtoallthewomenhe'ssleptwith,is
agelled,stylish,prettyboy,who'salreadybeenfetedtotheskies...andwho
yetmightjuststillbethenextmessiahtotransformnotonlyyourteambut
yoursport.Itmeansbeingsaddledwithsomeoneexpectationsstillinsistwill
involvemoreyouradjustingtohimthanhimtowhateversystemyou've
alreadygotinplacebylegend,thenumberoneoverallredefines
everything,somethingwesenseinthefilmwhenSonnymomentarilyfeels
beholdentothepossibilitythatgettingsuperstarBoisstillbetterforthe
teamthankeepingrelevantalltheiragonizedpreviousmonthsofprepfor
theupcomingseason.
Sothereal"victory"ofthefilmisakintoasuccessfulpotlatchtheneat
givingawayofunwantedriches,withoutlookingfoolishforhavingdoneso
likeasifyou'rejustaversetothelimelight.Sonnytellsanothergeneral
managerthatgettingthreenumbertwopicksisworthgivingupaccesstoa
substantialnumberone,andthisfilminformsthispreferencewithwisdom
thethreeplayersSonnygetsforBoareexemplifiedforbeinghardworking
andloyal,orasusefulspecialteamplayers/irregulars:theassociationswe
normallyascribetosecondbests,sevenoutoftens,okaysbutnotbeautifuls.
Themessageofthisfilmisaperfectfitfornewsthatoneofthebestsports
teamsthisseasonistheBostonBruins,whodealtawaytheirprevioustwo
superstarsPhilKessellandTylerSeguinandisnowateamwithoutstar
leadershipatitscenterposition.Youcanstilltriumph,despitethesemoves
maybehavingmoretodowithbeingsuperstitiouslyaversetocharismatic,
"goldenlocked"offensiveleadersthantohockeysense,ishowthisfactwas
enthusiasticallygreetedinsomequarters.They'vestillgotthegiantZdeno
Charabutthat'slikeafrowning,desolate,craggyterrainbeingunafraidto

informofitsbeingbackedunderneathbyvoluminousmagma,oran
unattractive,apishloutthathe'sbackedbyasurprisechargeofPopeye
strengththeysafelyserveasadvertisementsofyouroverallovertlackof
incriminatingshow(iness),thatis.
There'sanicelineinthefilmwhereCoachPenn,playedbyDenisLeary,
respondstoSonny'sdemandthathewantsmoreTarzansonhisteamby
sayingthathe'salreadygotafullteamofthemandthattheycould
actuallyuseaJane!ThismightbeahardthingtobuyanNFLcoachsaying,
butsomethingabouttheenvironmentenabledforthemiddleagedadultsin
thisfilmmakesthislatitude,thisevolutioninstyleandattitudes,fit
perfectly.Andit'snicetoknowthatagoodportionoffootballlovingmiddle
Americawouldhavebeennonplussedbythisaswell,evenasmuchasit
wasprobablyrequisitethataherooftheirsDenisLeary,playingafully
macho,formerDallasCowboys'coach,nolesswastheonewhosaidit,
andhowevermuchtheymightnothavebeeniftheanalogychosenrequired
thecoachrequestingaNancynotaJane.There'sbeenalotofevolutionin
attitudessincethe50s,andthis60sgenerationdeservescreditforspreading
andmountingit;andit'snicetoseethemflexingtheirsuccess,their
successfuloverlayoverallareasofthesocialenvironment,inthisfilm.
Butwhat'snotsoniceiswhenyousensewithinthesamefilmthatcoulddo
this,buildingblocksforfearingwhatisqueeranddifferentbeingnewly
constituted.Somuchofthemovieisabouthuntingdownsomethingabout
thisostensiblyflawlesscandidatewhichcouldmakehimruinoustoany
teamthatdraftedhimaTrojanhorse.Sonnyatonepointsaysthatallgreat
playershadflawsthatpeopleweren'tsurewouldn'tprovetoactuallyderail
themsuccessintheNFL,andusesthisasexcusetodoasubstantialclose
examineonalreadyheavilyvettedBo.ButwithBoheisn'tinterestedin
exploringthekindsofweaknesseshelistedfortheothers.Heisn'tinterested
inknowingifhethrowstoohardornothardenough,butifhestinksasa
humanbeing;andbelieveshefindsevidencethatheinfactdoes.Hecan'tbe
dissuadedfromthinkingthereissomethingterriblyrevealingaboutthefact
thatnoneofhisteammatesattendedhis21stbirthday,whichcan'tbe
smokedoutfrompreviouscoachesorotherplayersbecausethey'rekeeping
hushhushforthehonouroftheirschool'splayergoingnumberoneinthe
draft,andthemoviewantsyoutobelieveitto.Hisfriendscan'tstandhim
forgoodreason,wearebeingtold.Andsohereinthismoviethekindof

fearoftheawryanddifferentthatforagesderailed,forinstance,Jewsfrom
gettingintoHarvardeveryoneknewtheyweresmart,butsomethingabout
theircharacterBesttogowiththeknown.
SoBoiseffectivelyshownupassomeone"soobnoxiousseniors'dbeat
[him]uponceaweek,"andassuchtheNFLteamthatplaysthe"Animal
House"Deltaroleintakinginthisknown"Otter"anyway,aretheSeahawks,
nottheBrowns,whonotonlyknewhimtobeshowybutjustsawhimon
livetelevisionthrowatempertantrumwhennotchosennumberone.You
takehowthemovieshowsthepersonallifeoftheBrown'sGM,withthe
fearlessnessoftheSeahawks'GM'sineffectrescuinganathletefroma
rapidlyaccumulating,entirelyrumorbasedpileonthatwouldhaveruined
hislife,andyou'dofhadthemovieweshouldhavebeengiftedwithand
wouldofhopedoffromIvanReitman.Asis,halfofithastobementally
scrappedforlegitimizingstigmaandbigotry."It'sokaytositbesidethe
personwithoutanyfriends;heorshemaynotbite,"we'reinneedtotell
ourselvesafterwards.
Nymphomaniac
Awornoutadventurerfindsherselftakentoasafehaven,encouragedtorest
upandwhenready,tellhertale.It'sofbeingbysociety'sdefinitions,an
outcast.Someonewhoinsimplyfollowinghernaturalinstinctswouldfind
herselfcondemnationworthytomost.Thelistenerhimselfunusual,for
beinginhiscaseasexual,andforhavinganallegiancetogreatvoicesof
literaturewhichspanfarbeyondthecontemporaryandintotruthsnever
normaltothefearfulmedianinanycultureassuresheratthefinishofher
talethatsheshouldtakeprideinhowshehaslived.Tohavedoneotherthan
shehadwouldhavebeentohaveuntruetoherlifeinstinct.
Soshe'slikeaLestat,justbeingnaturaltothevampirictohisown
particularnature,thatiscommendablethatmuchmorebecauseprosaic
bourgeoissocietyispossessedofahighlyvillainousaspect.Itdoesn'twant
tounderstandtheOther,justdenatureitofanythreat.Andfindingherself
outsidetheconventional,shedoeswhatanyonewithrealcourageinthat
situationwouldshecastsoffconventionsandexperimentswithhowthe
worldshouldbeconceptualizedtobeappropriatetoherowndrives.It'shard

totellwhatthatmightbeatfirst.Theremightinnocentlyaccrue,asshe
recognizes,brokeneggs,asshemakesheromelettehardforevena
sympatheticlistenertoquiteagreetounderstandassuch,forthelistener's
notknowingwhatitistohavetotryandmakeoneonlyoutofelements
originallypurposedforadifferentfate.Butshelearnshowtofashionfor
herselfalifethatfullysatisfiesbuiltofcourseoutofamultitudeoflovers.
Sheneedssomewhoworshipanddefer;somewhodominate;andsomeor
rather,oneshecanbeinlovewith.
Sowehavehereafemaleempowermentstory,whichcanbefuntowatchas
sheadvancesthroughherlifeasaresoluteenoughgamesman.Butwhereis
thereanythingherethataliberallistener/viewerwouldn'ttakeimmediate
pleasurefromitseemssoeasytoassimilate.Andmuchofthefilmmight
indeedbethatifwehadn'talreadyseenhis"Antichrist."Butassuming
wehave,certainelementsofthefilmsatisfactorilyworktowarddeveloping
anunderstandingof"unaccountable,"horrifyingaspectsoffemale
experience,weessentiallynevergiveairto.
In"Antichrist"arenowntherapistissureheunderstandshiswifebetterthan
sheherselfdoes.Sheblamesherselfforherchild'sdeath,butheknowsthe
psychologyofit,oftheproclivityofthetrulyinnocenttoblamethemselves,
andisabsolutelysurehecanhelpherreturntonormal.Onlywhathappensis
thathelearnsatruthaboutherthathecan'taccommodate,thatostensibly
liesoutsideanyrightfulnursing,thathashimappreciatinghowtrulyevilhis
wifemustinfactbe.Hethoughttheirchildslippedoffanedgeandfelltohis
deathonlybecausecountertotheirnormawindowwasinnocentlyleft
unlockedwhilehehadmomentarilybeenleftaloneandpresumedasleep.
Thetruthishefelllikelyingoodmeasureasaresultofhiswife'sdeliberate
effortsshesethimuptofall,bytorturinghiminalengthyperiodwherehe
wasaloneunderhercareintopossessingdeformedfeet.Hiswifetriesto
hunthim,killhim,thoughheintheendendsupkillingher.Butthefilm
doesn'tjustendwithasensethatgenuineevildoesexistandhastemporarily
beendefeated,butsurprisinglymorewithasenseofhowsaditremains
thatthereisatruthaboutwomankindthathumanityhasnotyetbeenableto
acceptorevenaddressthatdoomswomentofindwhatevercommiseration
theycanintheirownafflictedcompany.Hestandsaloneintheforestthe
victorandseesalegionofwomencomingupthehill(thankfully)notfor

revengebuttojoinhisnewlydeceasedwife.ItisnotjusthiswifeItis
somethingaboutallwomen,hehascometounderstand.Aftertheaweoutof
thisawareness,andoftheextentofhisownpreviousignorance,fades,he
andwearepreparedtoaskWhatisit,then?Whatcoulddrivesomany
womenunavoidablyintotheworstsortofwitchlikeinclinationtobe
systematicallycrueltoandevenmurderchildren?
Thekeytoprovidingaliberal'sanswerto"Antichrist's"eerilyconvincing
promptnottofurtherobliteratetheideaoforiginalsinbuttoadmitthere's
basisforit,isprovidedinthisfilm,wherewelearnthatwhenthe
nymphomaniachasachildsheperceiveditimmediatelyassomethingwhich
sawherstraightthatis,correctlyandlaughed.Shesaysshefeltfound
out,betrayed,andrealizedthechildwouldneverreturnherlove.The
therapistlistenerinthisfilm,Seligman,identifiesthelaughingchildasa
satanicreference,thinkingitrelatedtoherconditionasanymphomaniac,
notsimplytoherjustbeinganewmother.Butintruth,itisjustthisthatis
mostlybehindhercrazymisperceptionofthechild.Mostmothers
historicallyhaveexperiencedtheirchildrenthesamewayJoedoes.They
hopeditwouldbringlove,butperceiveditinsteadasrejecting.Theywere
setuptoexpectdeliverance,andwerereceivedtohumiliationinstead.Asa
result,theyfeeltheurgetorespondinkind:tohurtthechild,toabandonthe
childsomethingJoedoestoherownchildnotjustbyleavingheraloneso
hemightwalkoutontoanedgeaneventwhichchimes"Antichrist"back
intothisfilmbutbylettingfatesnarehimalongintoafosterhome.
Butwhywouldwomenseetheirownchildrenashavingrespondedtothem
thisway,withsuchbrutaladultdismissal?Theanswertothatliesinthis
filmaswell,andhaseverythingtodowithheroriginsbutnothingtodowith
hernymphomania.Weseeherforthefirsttimeasachildwhenshe's
delightinginherowninventedplay,andherunforgiving"coldbitch"mother
angrilylashesoutatherforit.We'vebeenintroducedtothisscene
ostensiblytounderstandwhenshefirstbecameawareofandfirstexplored
hernymphomaniaplayingasafrogandrubbinghercuntontothefloor.
Butabetterpriest/therapistthanSeligmanwouldhaveaskedifherbelieving
herselfevilowedsimplytothisinnocentlydisclosedrevealofearly
experiencedmaternalrejection.Somuchofwhatshefocusestherestofher
narrativeonsuggeststhisisherrealissue,whatactuallyliesbehindher

stubbornlyheldbeliefthatsheisasinner.Forwhiletherejectingmotheris
thereafterconspicuouslyavoided,thesupportivefatherisdeterminedly
focussedon,andprobablyinflated.Hermotherignoredher,turnedherback
toher,andselfabsorbedlyoccupiedherselfwithsolitaire,whileherfather
delightsinsharingtimewithherinthewoods,tellingherevocativestories
anddoingeverythinghecantoteaseherintobelievinglifecanbeawonder.
He'sanensconceshewantstofurtherburyherselfinto,somethingshe
schemesforherselfbyforexamplepretendingshehasn'theardhisfather's
talessoshemightloseherselfonceagainwithinthem.Howtruthfullyhe's
depicted...isworthexploringsincehesoclearlyisthefathershewould
requirehimtobeforhimtobetohavesomechanceofquittinghermother's
owndeadlyjudgmentofher.
Therescuingfather,savingherfromtheoblivionofhermother'srejection,is
evidentlywhatsheisseekingoutinlife,easilyasmuchassex.Theboyshe
findspeculiarlyappealing,whomsheaskstotakehervirginity,appealedto
herforhisstrongfiremanhandsnothiscuteness,thatis,somethingyou'd
expectavirginteenagegirltoremarkupon,buthisfatherly,rescuing
strength.Wenotetheconspicuousphysicalresemblancebetweenthem
immediately,notjustinheightandweightbutinoverallappearance.Andit's
notanobservationtobelaterwaylaidbuteventuallydoubleddownon:the
actorchosentorepresenttheolderJeromemightindeedhavebeenbetter
playedbyChristianSlaterhimself,ifhewastenyearsyounger.Slater's
version,indeed,wouldhadmoreofthesprightlinessMichaelPas'sthug
versioniscompletelylackingin.
Sothefather,orthemasculinerealmdeliberatedsothatit'sinoppositionto
herearlyexperiencedmaternalone,isthesourceofheraspirations
throughoutmostofherlife(indeed,lateinthenarrativeshedescribeshow,
tohelpcureherselfofanomie,shetrekkedoutintothewildanddiscovered
aloneinthehighaltitudes,amidstabarrenlandscape,astrong,maybe
threatened,butstillundaunted,lordlytree).Butlateinthenarrativeshedoes
undertaketoherselfthematernalsheheretohadn'ttoucheduponatall.She
becomes,effectively,afostermothertoastrandedadolescentgirl.Toher,
herintentionsbehindthisseemworthyofbeingjudgedmalignshe's
ostensiblyjustofferinghersupporttoclaimherloyaltyforcriminal
activitiesbutshe'sopentohavingthisfactadulterated,tobeingjustifiably
rescuedfromthisselfcondemnation;andinfactevilintentreallyonly

manifestswhensheconceivesofheradopteddaughterasatraitor,
someone'swho'sremovalfromherfeelslikedeliberaterejectionand
mockery.Sheespiesherdaughterdrinkingandenjoyingherself,partnered
withherpreciousJerome.Sheimmediatelyseekstodestroythemboth,by
overtlymurderinghimbuttherebydestroyingthisyounggirl'sfirst
independentventureintosomethingthatprofoundlysatisfiedandsustained
her.
I'mnotsurewemaketheconnectionthathermother'streatmentofher
woulddoomhertointerpretherownchildren'sindependencesocoldly
butweareovertlypromptedtodoso.Sheremarksthatinherloneliness
awayfromherdaughter,shehadresortedtoplayingsolitaire:theverygame
shehadassociatedwithhermother'scrueltyisbeingassociatedasbuta
recoursefromone'sownjudgingoneselfashavinglikelybeendeliberately
abandoned.There'sagenerationtogenerationcursebewitchingwomankind,
whichencouragesseekingoutthesalveofthemasculinebutneverallowing
onetonotfeelintrinsicallyunworthyofandpermanentlyseparatefromit.
Menareimmune,outsidethemotherdaughterdyad;andthoughtheyhave
beguntonoticesomepeculiaritieswhichmightunspellwhatisstill
mysteriousandunknowntothemaboutwomen,theyhaven'tyetgottento
thepointwheretheycanappreciatehowinsufficientlyattendedtomothers
doomtheirdaughtersoversuccessivegenerations,stretchingbackto,in
somecasesto,thefirstwomanto"Eve."Trueabsolutionforherwould
havebeenifshehadallowedheradopteddaughterherhappinesswith
Jerome,fightingoffherfeelingbetrayed.Shecouldn'tmanageit,andthisis
whyshesostubbornlyholdsontohersenseofherselfasevilshe'sright:
allherowngrowth,herownpartakingofgenerousmalestrength
andsuccessful,joyousadventures,hadn'tallowedherwhentestedasan
adulttopassthetestallothersofherfemalelineagehadobviouslyfailed.
SinceSeligmancanonlyunderstandherassomeonewho'sstoryshowedshe
succeeded,hejustoffersthesortofbalmthattemptssomanyheroinesof
VonTrier'sfilmsbutwhichtheyfinally,rightfully,reject.Tohiscredit,he
realizedtherewassomethingstrange,suspiciousaboutthenarrativeshetells
specifically,theconspicuousroleasarescuerthatJeromeoftenplays,
includingnearimpossible,mythicdramaticdetailslikeliterallycoming
uponherandhoistingherupafterhavingbeennowhereinherlife,whenshe
wasfeelingespeciallyalone.Heindeedsenseditasfairytaleish,aknight

outofnowhererescuingherfromsomethingthattherestofhernarrative
doesn'tquiteseemtodisclose.Buthedoesn'timaginethisquitepossibly
projectedrescuerashercountertothevisitationshereceivedearlyinlife,
whichdeclaredherbequeathedfromandsealedto"divine"horrorsthe
twoaerialdemonwomen;twotruehistoricalfemaledevourersMen,the
filmdeclares,haven'tyetbuiltthemselvesuptobeingequaltothe
requirementsofwhatrescuingwomenwillinvolve.Thiswillinvolve
refusingthemtheirdrivetofindsolaceinthemasculine,thefatherly,
anddelvemoredeeplyintothemotherdaughterdyad.Treesthatreadasthe
melancholybutproudRomanticmasculine,orassheltering,paternal
infected,lullabyabodesaretoberejectedfortheterrifyingwitchsaturated
onein"Antichrist,"wheresurelyone'llfindoneselfdeepinthetremulous,
terrifyingwomb,whereconsciousnessbegan.
LarsVonTrierwouldn'twanttogothere,becausethatinspirationcame
fromwhenhewashorriblydepressed.Butitwasahugelyimportant
discovery,akeytofinallycleansinganyneedtobelievetheremightjustbe
somejustificationfororiginalsin."TrueDetective"justprovedtobe
unwillingtogothereaswell.Terrifiedmen,iswhatwe'veapparentlynow
mostlygot,whoneedtosecludeintheMalesafeasmuchaswomendo.
Let'shopethateventuallysomesubsequentcanatleastdoLarsonebetter.
Admittedly,whenyoulookbelow,that'saprettydamnscaryplacethey're
goingtohavetogo.
Noah
Anyonewho'sseenAronofsky'spreviousfilmmightbewonderingwhatis
upwiththisone,forit'sabouttheinverseof"BlackSwan."In"Black
Swan,"aparent'scontroloverherchildhastobebreachedinorderforherto
realizeherpotential.Tofacilitatethisisanotherballerina,whoconsistently
promptshertoexploreherrebelliousside,tolivealittle.Nosnakeinthe
gardenisshe,butsomeonewithgoodintentionsandwhoisinfact
necessarytoassistNataliePortman'sNinainshovinghermotherasideand
embracingherownfate.
In"Noah,"Noahistheparentdeterminedtohavehiswillholdoverhis
children,andheisleveragedpowerfully;impossiblypowerfullybyGod.

OneofhisboysHamtosomeextentplaystheequivalentofNatalie
Portman'srebelliouschildNina,inthatheshowssignsofwantingtostep
outsideofhisfather'sinfluenceanddiscovertheworldforhimself.But
thosehe'ddiscovertheretoenwisenhimspecificallyRayWinstone's
formidablenearhalfgod,TubalCaintemptforavarietyoflegitimate
reasons,butnotintheleastforanygoodnessofheart.Basicallyhe'stheone
guyleftotherthanarapidlyaginggrandfatherwhoisaseriousrivalto
Noahinpresenceandwill,soisappealing,drawing,mostlyonthisscore.
WhenHamslaysTubalCain,tofrustratehisownselfdevelopmentandto
grantNoahhisongoingdominionoverhiswholefamily'sfate,itmightread
alittlebitasifPortman'sswanhadrelapsedandhandedherselfovertoher
mother;butTubalCainjustcan'tregisterassomeoneotherthansomeone
whomostlyjusthastobedestroyedletloose,allHam'ssisterswouldbe
underhisconcubinage,andalltheotherboys,nodoubtslain.Infact,the
onlyreasonyoucanbelieveHamwentalongwithTubalCaintotheextent
thathedidwasbecausesomepentupneedtorebelagainsthisfatherwas
havingtoplayoutwithmaterialfartoohotforthematter:There'sasense
thathe'sjustthekidwhowantstobalkbackagainsthisoverdetermining
parentsbybringingunwelcomecompanyhomefordinner,butthatthis
instincthastoplayoutwithhisescortingtothetablethemostdangerousof
men.Inthisearly,heavilymachouniverse,rightfulchildrebellionhasto
playdistantsecondfiddletolettingtheonegoodmanheavilyladenin
rightfulpurpose,escorteveryonethroughtoanenvironmentwherethey
mightbreatheabiteasier.
SoHamrelapsestoNoah,andthewomendotootheypleadwithhimas
powerfullyaspossible,threatenhimtheirrejectionoftheirloveifheslays
thetwonewlyborngirls.Buthowevermuchtheywerebothresponsiblefor
introducingthepossibilityofnewhumanlifetothefore,theyoffernosense
thattheycanreallydoanythingtoultimatelythwarthimifhemeansforthe
humanracetoperish.However,whenNoahseesthegirls,hecan'tbring
himselftokillthem.It'snotfailureinnerve,butthathesawonlygoodness
inthem.
Oncethey'vestruckland,theirmainodysseyisover.AndasHamgoesoff
alone,he'llsurelybereconsideringalotofwhatwentoninthatdenseperiod
oftimefromthebeginningtocompletionofthearc,withthefirstthing
beinghisfather'sconvictionthateachofthemwerefullofsin.Tohisfather,

thebabygirlswereclearofit.Butonewouldhavethoughtthatcomparedto
whomtheyasafamilywerebeinglikenedto,Noahwouldhaverealized
howcomparativelyfreetheyallwere.Everyotherhumantheycomeacross
ispuremongrelabsolutelyterrifying,dauntinginmotive:rapeand
cannibalismforkickstypes.Noahpairshisfamilywiththem,likensthemto
them,eventhoughtheirdifferenceissoobviousandextremetheonlything
theyeverdowhentheystumbleuponthemisflee.Asfilmwatchers,it's
obviousthatNoahhaslikenedaverydecentnuclearfamilytowhatyou'd
onlybecomeoncelosttothehumanracezombiesfromhumans,ala
"WorldWarZ."
Hemightalsoaskhimselfifhisfather'sfindingallgoodininfantsbutonly
corruptedsoulswiththerestofthem,fitswithhisincrementallyharsh
responsetotheirindependentactionsastheyage.Theyoungestboyplucksa
flowertoclaimitsbeauty,andNoahtellshimnottodoso,butkindly,and
withexplanation.ThemiddlingHamhimselfintroductorilyheftsanaxe
he'sbeengiven,andNoahyellsathimtodropitimmediately.Theeldest
buildsaraftsotofleewithhiswife,andNoahstridesforwardandlaunches
afirebombatit.Regardingtheaxe,knowledgeoftheclosecallTubalCain
presentedtotheirfreedommightebb,andhemightkeepfaiththathisdesire
tocontinueholdingtheaxe,tokeepit,hadnothingtodowithsomeinnate
desireforviolencebutjustpossessingsomethingpartytothefullyself
realizedTubalCain.Regardinghisangerathisfatherfornotlettinghim
continuetotryandfreethegirlhehadjust"claimed,"hemightrealizeit
wasn'tsomuchaboutvirtuesofthegirlherselfbutthatsherepresented
somethinghe'dobtainedwonindependently.Andhemightrealizethat
hisdecisiontoleadhisfatherdownapathwherehemightbeslain,owednot
tosin,nortohisfealtytothegirl,buttothefactthatTubalCainwas
legitimatelybeguilinghimasapreferableleaderforsuggestingthatlifeisn't
aboutobeisancebutaboutexhilarating,incorrigibleappropriation.
RussellCrowe'sNoahisagiantofaman.WhenTubalCainarrivesto
challengehim,askinghowhewoulddarechallengehisarmyallalone,his
response"I'mnotalone"couldofhadhimmotioninghisbicepsandhis
barrelchestratherthantotheiraccentstherockogresathisbehestand
stillseemedhalfcredible.Amanlikethatisgoingtodowellforhimselfin
anyageassociatedprimarilywiththetypeofweaponsthatcanbeforgeda
stoneaged,abronzeaged,anironagedone.Butnotnecessarilywheneven

amanofabuildlikethatcouldbeconclusivelystoppedbyaphonecallto
thepolicemadebyanywimpylad,andwhatisvisceralandcompellingis
morelikelytobetheperfectlyplayedballet.Thatis,youputNoahintothe
early21stcentury,shepherding,domineeringhischildren,directingthem
nottotouch,try,experimentwith"that,"toobeyhiswillinallthings,then
he'dbemorelikeNina'smotherBarbaraHershey'sErica.Andtheaxe
HamsowantstoexperimentashisownbecomesthecosmeticsNinasteals
fromthedressingquartersofthelongreigningstaroftheNewYorkballet
WinonaRyder'sBethoneofthefirstthingsshedoestoshowsheisn't
contenttoforeverbetheaccentroleplayerhernarcissistmotherwouldbe
happyforhertobe,foritmeaninghernevergrowingoutsideherorbit.And
thejourneyintothewildlandsheundertakesalone,wouldbeNina'sletting
herselfstaylateatthebar,ignoringhermother'sphonecalls,experimenting
withaspacewhereforthefirsttimehermotherdoesn'texistforher.And
TubalCain'scasuallysnatchingoneofpreciousonlytwoofeachspecies
beastsinthearctosnackupon,whichdrewHam'sstunned,admonishingbut
alsoadmiring"you'renotallowedtodothat,"wouldbeMilaKunis'sLilly's
smokingwhereshewasn'tsupposedto:evidencenotsomuchofsinbutof
beingundauntedbyone'ssurroundings.AndHam'sleadinghisfatherto
whereTubalCainmightkillhim,wouldbeNinacrushingthedooronher
mother'shand,beatingheruntilsheintuitswherehermotherhadhidthekey
tothedoorconfiningher,fullypreparedforthistobethelastcontactshe
everhaswithher.AndTubalCain's"Iamyourking"wouldofcoursebe
Nina's"I'mtheswanqueen,you'retheonewhoneverleftthecorps!"Not
hubris,thatis,butselfactualization,selfcompletion.
Setinthe21stcentury,theflowerthatmustn'tbepluckedbecomestheone
thatmustbe,thatactuallywantstobe,evenasmuchasitsmostlyaboutthe
thrillofappropriatingaworldtosuityourowndelight,evenifitmeans
incurringdamageandharm.ItbecomesNina'sdiggingherteethintoher
instructor'slip,hurtinghim,andlaterseducinghimlikeasuccubus;it's
aboutawinganaudience,quitepreparedtohavethemleavesoaffected
they'redistraught,showinghowshe'sbecomeallbiteandthem,the
performance,herprey.
"BlackSwan"canbefoundinthevirilemomentsofresistanceof"Noah,"
includingTubalCain'sfantasticdeclarationthatheisn'tafraidofmagic,nor
quiteobviouslyofGod.Butasenlivenedasitoftenis,youalmosthave

asensethatherethere'snotimeforit,forwhatiskeyisthatNoahhimself
remainsimmunetoinfluenceoutsideofGodthatheremainsthestalwart
whodoesn'tchangeatall.ThestrangeresultisthatifIwastoencapsulate
thisfilmwithtwoimagesitisn'treallywhatI'vedonehere,butratherjustof
NoahandTubalCain:thetwogiantheftsofwillandmuscle.Atthefinish
I'mnotsureifthethrillyouexperiencefromthefilmowesmuchdifferent
fromwhatyou'dgetfromaArnoldSchwarzenegger"Conan"flick,whichI
shouldrelishonlyifI'minthemoodforastrippeddown,simplifiedtime,
wherebludgeoningmeatypatriarchsnotvisceralrebelliousswanqueens
ruled.

Divergent
Therearefivefactionseveryonegetstochoosetocountpartof.Oneofthem
dressesinmodestclothing,andaredeathlyafraidofoverspicingtheirfood
forfearofsinAbnegation,ofcourse.Theylookshoweredwhichis
abouttheironlyphysicaldifferencetowhatliesoutsidethefactionsthe
homeless,who'vegonewholehogdestitute.Whenchoosingdaycomes,
theyhopetheirchildrenwillchoosetheirclan,evenwhenthey'llbebaited
withtheDauntless,whoaretotallybadassandownthestreets,andErudite,
whoareessentiallytheofficer'sclub,absentthebrandy.Sincetheparental
bondisanestofsympathythesocietyseemsbentonshowingitcanrape,at
themomentofchoosingkidsreallydofeellikethey'vegotachoiceandso
ofcoursefleetheirparents'patheticassesleftandright.Theirparents
pretendthey'rehappy,whichishardtodo,afterbeingraped,andsojust
looklikethey'vejustbeen.
ThemainprotagonistTrischoosesDauntless.Ifshedoesn'tperformwellin
herinitiation,she'llfallblowthebarandjointhehomeless.Halftherecruits
ineveryfaction,thatis,willquicklyfollowtheirenthusiasticallybeing
embracedbytheirfactionatthemomentoftheirchoosing,bybeingdumped
downthegarbageshoot.Somethingaboutthemshowsthat,ifthey'dbeenin
onthis,itwouldn'thavedauntedtheirpleasureandgratitudeonebit.Tris
startspoorlybutgetsbetterandiscountedin.IfIremembercorrectly,we're
sparedseeingthebottomhalfdumpeddowntheshoot,andforcedtowork
retailorsomething.Trisactuallygetsinbarely,butactuallyshe'sthebest
thereis:she'snotaptitudedforanyparticularclass,butforallofthem.She's

gotalateralmind;she'sdivergent.
Atthispointyouhavetowonderhowshecouldbefriendswithanyonebut
otherdivergents,becausethewaydivergenceisshownmeanseveryoneelse
isautisticgreatatmathematics,say,butcompletelydumboutsidetheir
genius.Imeanthis;inoneofhertestsalandscapeisonfireandshe'sbeing
attackedbybirds,andshejumpsdeepintowaterthiswouldbedivergent
foraDauntlesstodo,forareasonthatisn'tentirelyclear.Inanother,her
glasscageisfillingupwithwater,andshecontrivestobreaktheglass,
whichissomething,againdivergent,eventhoughitwasmoreforthright
thanthepauseandassess,makeyourclothingintocounteritsoriginal
purpose,"divergent"problemsolvingactuallyexpected.Truthisbeing
divergentlooksanawfullotlikenotcooperating,somethingmorechildishly
truculentthanexceptional.Butanyway,sexwouldforherbewiththe4/5ths
lobotomized,whichshouldbemoreuckythanchildsex.Goodthingthe
victimofchildabuseshefallsinlovewithisactuallyadivergentaswell,or
thingswouldhavecompoundeddeepintotheghoulish.
Lastpartoftheirtrainingisthattheyneedtoshowtheycanshoottheir
parentsstraightthroughthehead.Thiswillshowthey'reundaunted.Theyall
apparentlyareabletodothis,withthemostempathicofthemneedingonly
tolookawaywhentheyneverthelessshootbulletsthroughtheircraniums
they'reequivalenttothemoreemphaticNazis,thatis.Butit'sokay,because
theonlyparentsweseeshotaretheonesfromAbnegation,who,truthbe
told,probablyareunconsciouslypleadingtobeputoutoftheirmisery.
They.are.afraid.to.spice.their.foodsandtheychosethis!Ofcoursethey
wanttobeputoutoftheirmisery.
ButthereasonallthemembersofAbnegationareactuallyonroutetobe
slaughteredbysomeconnivingEruditesandtheirlegionsofdrugged
Dauntedstormtroopers,isbecausetheylooksodamnvulnerable.It's
foremostwhyalltheirkidsfledthemtheyjointhetwooverlyphallic
groups,physicalormental"muscle,"andfeellikethey'vespurnedalltheir
owntroublingchildvulnerabilityforgood.Butjusttobesure,it'sbestto
dispatchAbnegationoutofthefactionsystemaltogether,throughdeath,
whichtheygetaboutdoing,orbyjustdroppingthemdownaslightnotch
andhavingthemjoiningtheirfellowragsonthestreets.

Don'tknowaboutthefilmyet,butthebookisapparentlyverypopular.Ah,
ourgloriousfuture!
NonStop
Oneofthethingsaboutitbeingjustasmallgroupofguyswithflying
lessonsandboxcuttershijackingtwojumbojetsintotheWorldTrade
Center,isthatit'sopenedupwhoexactlyHollywoodmightcontriveasa
possiblejackerinitsmovies.Thereisasensethatitwasgoingtoneedit,
becausewhentheydomoviesconcernedwithattractingthewidestpossible
audience,youknowtherearealwayscertaincategoriesofpeoplethatcan't
beinvolvedespeciallyinpoliticallysensitivetimes.So,forexample,in
thisfilm,youknowitcouldn'tpossiblybethemuslim/hindudoctor,no
matterhowmanytimestemptedtoyou,becausetheaggregateofournation
isstill"Obama"notFoxNews.Still,oneofthegratifyingmomentsinthe
filminvolvesLiamNeeson'scharacterBillMarkspanningtheplane,withus
knowingmostofthepeoplewiththeirhandsupmightjustbestretchedinto
beingapossiblecandidate.Notjustthenumberofcellphoneusingmen
initiallytargetedout,thatis,butalsothepryingladyJulianneMoore'sJen
Summerswhoinnocently?tooktheseatbesidehim,andthestewardesses,
andmaybeeventhetwoharmlessoldladiesplayingthatparttoa
suspicious?T.Thebombontheplaneturnsouthiddeninsomethingthat'd
alreadybeenexposedtoonedastardlyrevealacleverenoughcontrivance,
becausethemoviehadbeenbatingusthat'sallanyonepersonorthing
wouldgetbutIthought,wouldn'titbegreatifithadbeeninsomething
elsewe'dalreadyneuteredbyhavingcategorizedonewayintoour
propriocepticassemblingofwhatthefilmwashashingatusintheteddy
bear,withmaybethecellphonenotthebombhiddeninsideit,withthe
ostensiblyterrifiedchildhavingbeentheonewhowaspunchingawayatthe
keyboard,sendingominousmessages,unafraidofbeingcaughtforbeingtoo
smallforeitherthetallmarshall'sortheelevatedplanecameras'"eyes.""But
youdidn'tcountonitbeinga'midget,'nowdidyou?'Littlegirlsneedtheir
soothingdolls!'Sheesh!Grownmenandtheirdumb,needystereotypes!"
Iknowit'snotlikethiswouldn'thaveputthisfilmwaytoomuchinthe
realmoffarceforitspurposes,butreally,whenithadJen'sexplanationfor
whyshewassointentonasteadyingseatbyawindowbeingthatshehad

beentoldbyadoctorthatatsomepointanykindofinnocentshockwas
goingtokillher,whenwealreadyknowaboutthefateoftheplaneshe's
borderedwell,thelandofpurefarcehadnearschleppeditswayinthere.
Itwasprecariouslyclosetoan"Airplane"moment,soyouallowyourselfto
simulacrumthefilmrightthereandimaginethattrailedalongsideit...a
versionthatwentallchildpossession"Poltergeist."
Whenitcomestomotive,itturnsoutitdoesseemalittleFoxNewsy:thank
Godamarshallwasthereanduptothejob!andnowsurelyacop
warrantedineveryschool?!Butthemovie'scontrivancesherereallyaren't
towardanyonewithmuchinfluence.Themarshall'sbeenfiredfromthe
NYPD,andhiscurrentjobisassessedinthefilmasaboutsimilartoa
securityguard'saboutanyonewithanypastandthemostsuspectof
credentialscouldberecruitedintoit.He'salsoanalcoholicwhoshows
thatifyoucanjuststayyourselffromdrinkduringtheworkshiftitwon't
affectyourperformancediddly.I'mnotsayingitlookslikehe'llgobackto
drinkingafterwards,butitsattitudetowardhardalcohollooksneara
bartender's"lookhereJen,youseemstressed;letmepouryouareal
drink!"Seriously,thatheavydousehepouredherlookedintendedtotitillate
audiencesmorethanthepicturesofwell,thetitsithadhumorously
contrivedin.NotatrumpingyouusuallyseeinwhatisJulianneMoore,
myapologiesclearlyaguy'smovie,andmaybewhatweshouldlookmore
forinfuture.Bottleofbrowngoldwhiskey...andtheguycan'tparteyes
withit,evenassexuallyfrustratedyoungwomenheaveathiminclimbing
overtopofoneanotherhordes.
Itmightbethenewallureofharddrinkthat'smakingmoviesseemmore
agreeabletoageappropriateness,likethismoviewas.Orsomething.
Becausethisistwomenmoviesinarowwiththepreviousbeing"3Days
toKill"whereit'sabreezefortheolderguytodeclinetheyoung
temptress.Iactuallythoughtwiththatfilmatplaywasjusthisurgentneed
tobeownedbyhisfamily,withnofurtherlapseatalltenable,butmaybeit
hassomethingtodowithhowyoung,sexuallyvirilewomenareresonating
rightnowingeneral.Liketheycan'ttempt,becausesomehowthey'reyour
oblivion.Bettertostickimmediatelytosomeonemiddling;pastprime,but
withasufficientlytonedass,oraplausiblehourglassfigure,likethisfilm's
JulianneMooreand"3Day's'"ConnieNielsenand"TrueDetective's"
MichelleMonaghan.I'llponder.

Pompeii
Youwouldn'talwaysreadilyassumeamovieabouttheeruptionofVesuvius
thatdestroyedPompeii,wouldnecessarilybea"Noah'sArc"storyabout
"God"finallyhavingituptoherewiththedecaysofspoiledmankind,and
abruptlycalling"Cut!"Iknowit'sadvancingtowardsecondcenturyAD,
andthereforesomewherenearthevicinityofwheremostofuswouldstart
lookingforadvancedmoraldecayintheoncegreatempire,butit'dofhadto
havebeenfourthorfifthforustothinkofitassofaroutontheprecipicewe
mightevenfeelsorryforitsinevitablecomingsavagepluckingapart.
However,PaulW.S.AndersonjustadvancesalongasiftheRomanEmpire
wasCaligulabarelyevenashellofvirtueovergrandioseevilandit
feelsaboutrightforourtimes.
IwasfeelingsorryforPompeii,forowingtoourcurrentpredilectionsthe
poordearwasgoingtoberippedapartbyanangryoverseeingVulcangod
aswellasbyarepresentativeofallthepeoplestheRomanEmpirehad
waylaidtoamassitsclaims.Thevolcano'sjustareminderthatevenagreat
civilizationcaninstantlycollapseifNaturejustshiftsitsrestingposition
some"I'lljustshifthereratherthanthere,evenasmytome
innocuousresultingbedfoldsrearrangesomeofyourcitiessotheyareno
longerthere."AndtheheroCelt,thatacivilizedpersoncan'tevenbeseenif
he'scaughtoutmakinghiscasewithinabarbaricculture'sworldviewthe
senatormightaswellhaveactedinthesavagelyevilandmanipulativeand
handrubbingopportunisticmannerthathedoes,forthat'stheonlywayhe
wasgoingtogettobe"taken."Nature,impatientatthe"bug"clungatits
hems,matchedbyareturnoftherepressedintheadvancingCeltdemon
poordear,abouttobesuccumbed,Pompeii!
Thesenatoratonepointisshowndiggingthroughhisintelligenceto
contrivesomesurprisetofoilabadpositionhe'dbeentoldhe'dbeenpinned
tohisusingthesuddenmanifestationofthevolcano'stremorstomeanhis
sparingtheCeltwasnotquitehispersonaldecision,norhisbeing
outsmartedandbeingattheheedofhis"wife,"butjustreadingoffVulcan's
decision:themob,thatis,mighthavetoabideathumbsdowndecisionina

subsequentmatchif,forexample,withaquietenedmountain,theSenator
madethechoicemorehisownor,say,powerjealousJupiter's.Andthecity
ofPompeiihadonetoo,onepossiblemiraculoussurpriseitmighthoisttoits
defenceupontheadvancingsurefootedspoilsoflavaandheatdestruction
onethathistoricallyhasbeengoodtoquietenorbalkbacksome,Roman
Empirehaters.It'sstillarealmofLaw,andifforexampleagladiatorcan
makeitthroughtheslogoffiftyorsofights,themostpowerfulsenator
wouldbebesmirchedifhe,justonwhimsy,decidedtodenyhimhis
freedom.Law,polishedcolumns,pavedroads,order,andallstoutRoman
philosophicalthought,wouldhencealldissolveintomeaninglessconfluent,
withoutabatchoflavaoranadvancingbarbarianhordeneededtoassist.
Thefoundingprinciplewouldjusthavebeenremovedandcastasideas
casuallyasabonefromawellcookedsleeveofmeat.
StoutdefenderLawarisesintothemoviefrayearly,andwithsomeof
theconfidencehe'dearnedtheveterangladiatorisabsolutelysurethatif
hewinshislastfight,he'safreeman,forit'sallabidingRomandecree.It's
notsaidinquiteawaythatwouldhaveusdoubttheCelt'sretortthat,
essentially,thislongtimeRomandenizenknowsnothingofRomanways,
butitdoesn'tquiteexactlyseemdelusional,either.Foramomentwehaveto
estimateifthemoviereallyhasinmindtosurfaceoneofRome'snormally
unquestionedvirtuesandwithnonchalanceexposeitasasimplecon.
Maybe,forexample,theveterangladiatorwillbeslainbeforehislastfight
somecontrivancelikethat,thatshowsthatapowerfulmanmightscurry
aroundthelawbutnotflauntrightinitsface.
ButLawisinfactdispensedinthemovieasephemeral,andtheonlything
theRomanEmpirehasgoingforitisthatsomefewofitsconstituents,here
andthere,doabidethemselvessometruecarebetweenfamilymembers.
Therearespotsoflovedispersedabouttheplace,butitwouldseemtohave
nothingtodowiththenatureofthemakingsofthecivilizationthatcontains
them,whichinfactisbetterexposedwhentheystilltakedelightinthe
prospectofmoreoutrageousgrowthmoremoneyforevengreater
spectaclemachinesthantheyalreadypossess!
SoPompeiihastobebruisedupbytwopowerfularms,andIthinkitfeels
almostasifVesuviusrecognizestheCeltasitsadjacent,forthetensionthat
seemsowedinthefilmthatdoesnotinfactarise,feelsasifowedto

Vesuviushavingtoaccordtheparticularclaimsofitsallybeforehe's
allowedtodevourhisfullshare.Specifically,noaspectofadramainvolving
thebulliedweakgainingcompletevictoryovertheoppressor,oflovers
meetingandfallinginlove,ofamanrefusingallfriendsfinallyaccedingto
proclaimtheonemanwho'searnedithisfullbrotherhood,isreally
interrupted,evenwithaheavingbehemothvolcanobeingtheonerequiredto
somehowtemporarilystifleordisciplineitspressurized,bulbouslyamassed
flow.Theevilsenatorisn'tdissolvedintomagmabeforehe'shadfullchance
tobemagnanimouslyevil,andnot,aswell,beforeseveralmatchingofarms
arestagedsointerestinitistotallysatiatedandsatisfactionofconquestis
allthatbeliesonthehorizon.Theloversdon'tfindtheirpreparationstobe
bondedtogetherpersuasivelyforalltime,stifledbythekindofstrayrock
thatstayedthegladiatorowner'sattempttosuccessfullyleavethecitybysea
(anddoesn'titseem,sinceheguessesbeforeanyonethatPompeiiisinforit
andimmediatelypreparesfordeparture,tounjustlytakehimforevertoget
out?)Heck,noteventhefightbetweennumbertwosisallowedtogooff
course,sinceitwouldmeananallygladiatornotcementinghispositionas
maybeaboutequalinskillbutcharacterrevealinglydecisivelyfar
greaterinresolveandmoralgroundingtothegreatestprofessionalRoman
soldierintheland.
There'sagreatgladiatorfight.TheCeltandcareergladiatortakeon
everyone.Buttheyclimbamonumentinthecentreoftheringandfromit
toppledownacolumnofrockaswellasnumerousmissilesontothoseatthe
base,wipingoutsurprisedhordes.Inthis,they'resimplyapresageof
Vesuvius'spreferredbattletactics.TheyanticipateevenVesuvius'ssea
assault,withtheirstrungchain,stretchedbetweenthecentremonumentand
thehorsedCelt,wrenchinglinesofmenofftheirfeat,amatchforatsunami
walldoingthesametoPompeii'sarrayoffleeingships.Thesetwoforces
reallyadministertheirumbrageinquicksuccessionthemassacreinthe
ringisfollowedimmediatelywiththeVolcanonolongerrestrainingitself
uponthecityandsogoodbyetothecoliseumthatenclosedit!evenas
theyseemtoadmitintheirquicksequentialkisstogetherthatultimately,
whilejointlyinterestedintakingdown"Rome,"theirultimateinterestsmay
notnotrequireonetocedegroundtotheother.
IdoubtthatstrewnPompeiicares,forevenwiththeCeltcedingthe
importanceofVesuvius'snarrativetotal,inescapabledestructionover

hisownwhich,being"thedangerousbarbarianinvader,"afterallreally
shouldfollowafewcenturies'hencemeansheshouldn'tbeallowedto
gallopsafelyaway,hisbeingashencasedinatenderlover'sembracemeans
there'snownowayallthosepreviouslycompellingPompeiiencasedwon't
beallbutmislaidandforgotten.Imagine,ifyouwill,ifarchaeologistsif
we,hadstumbleduponthem!It'dbeiconicbeautythemandthebeast
Vesuvius,withalltherestbutacrumpleofimperfectionratherthanwhat
astonishesforitsastoundingunexpectedclaimonperpetuity.
3DaystoKill
KevinCostner'scharacter,EthanRenner,isinadangeroussituation.One,
he'sdyingmonthstolive.Second,he'sinoneofthoseoccupationswe're
"reforming"tothinkofmoreinproletariat,workingstiff,terms.He'sa
superbCIAoperativewhodoesthedirtyworkbetterthananyoneelsecan.
ThismusthavefloatedhimtwentyyearsplusofbeingabitshotJames
Bondlike,bigshot.ButjustlikehoweventhecurrentJamesBondcouldbe
casuallyinsultedbybeingdandyiedthemostsparseofsuppliesandbya
newyoungQwhocanhardlybedauntedbythelegendofJamesBond
owing,evidently,tohowmuchcreditgeniuseslikehimarenowbeing
routinelygivenovereventopagentsEthan'sprecariouslyclosetohaving
allsenseofhimasastarbeingdriftedoutofhim,leavinghimanaging,
dispensable,workhorseagent,whoonhisownisgoingtohavetotakecare
ofthefeeblepensionedrestofhislife.
Buthe'snotthereyet.Hiswifeandhisdaughter,whoaremeshedininan
affluent,thrivingworldinParis,absent,intheirfeelingoccasionedtothe
times,muchdoubt,anysenseofthemselvesasabouttobecomesociety's
prolejunk,are"things"stillopentobetouchedintowrappingthemselves
aroundhimintotheirworld,theirstory.
Somesenseofthedrasticimportanceofthiscourseofsurvivalexplainswhy
hereallydoeshavenointerestinthehot,vixen,newtopsuperagent,Vivi
Delay.Also,shefailsinbeingatease,becausebeingherseemstorequirea
lotofwork.Alltheattentionrequiredtokeepingeachfacetperfect,feels
straining,likeit'llwearheroutinafewyears,leavingherlookingspentat
30noonethatyoungisgoingtobeabletobeatwhattheworldwillbe

nonstopinflictingthemoverthenextwhile.She'sgottomakeaperfect
shelloutofherselfbecauseherlifeisgoingtoaboutthenonstop,
necessarilyeverytimepersuasivelyperfectsotodissuadeallthe
innumerableotheronlookingpredatorsdextrousdealingwithoutside
assaultingshocks.Hemightonceuponatimehavehadtodothesame,but
ina70s"DirtyHarry"era,wheretherewasstillsomuchmoretimeforthe
languidandslowpacedhe'dhavebeenabletopressthroughthe
intermittentlypresenttensetoeasecomfortablyouttotheexterior
extensionsofhisbody,sohe'dknowwhatitistofullybreathe.An
acquisitionthatwouldneverleavehim,andgivehimassurancetodriveinto
hisfamily'sstoryinthislaterpartofhislife.
SoIfeltsorryforher,forfeelingherprecariousmillenialness.Buttruthbe
told,alotofwhatIwasdoingwhilewatchingthisfilmwasenjoyingEthan
beginningtoassesstheworldaroundhiminamoreopenway.People,
things,he'dquarantinedacertainwayadeathfocused,agent'swayhe
allowstoopenuptoshowhimmoreofwhattheyalsoareadandyItalian
accountantworkingforthevillainous"Wolf"canreadilybeopenedintojust
anItalianpossessedofawelldevelopedlifecourseastoreofhuman
resources,notjustincriminatingdata;aperson.He'sseeingthedomestic
possibilities,thehumanpossibilities,ineachsituation,whichwouldmake
killingaveryhardthingtodobecauseeveryonehassomethingelsethey
contributetotheworldotherthanwhateverunfortunateaspectsthatlendto
caricatures.There'safewjustvillainskeptinplacesomedisposablebald
guywithalimp,plussomeNazi"Wolf"butbeforeEthanslipsfromhis
previousoccupation,itlookslikehe'dmademosteveryonebetweenthe
mostbadandthemostpuregruntsortoflikesweetinnardsofhuman
contactandsustenanceingredientsofacollective,evolving,humanstory.
CrocodileDundeelike,Isuppose,butsomethingonlygrantedtohimonce
hewaswilling,afterafewloudlastapplaudsofPittsburgh/workingclass
cultureGoSteelers!toforgothecowboytoslipintorefineddresshis
familywouldrecognizeasfittinginandhow!withtheirmoretruly
activatedlife.Justbarely,hemadethefirstclasstrainheyetheldaticketto.
Nowovertimehecanrelaxintohisnewpreened,absolutelyperfect,silver
bulletlifeshell,with,itturnsout,agoodbulkofhislifeyetlefttoheftinto
it(anexperimentaldrugnormallyonlyavailabletothe1%provesa
cureall).

Itmightnothavebeenworthit,Lupita
ThisishowLupitaNhyong'odescribestheshootingofthewhippingscene
in"12YearsaSlave":
Andbeingtherewasmorethenenoughtohandle."Therealityoftheday
wasthatIwasstrippednakedinfrontoflotsofpeople,"Nyong'osaid."It
wasimpossibletomakethataclosedset.Infact,Ididn'tevenasforittobe
aclosedset,becauseattheendoftheday,thatwasaprivilegenotgrantedto
Patsey,youknow?Itreallytookmethere.Itwasdevastatingtoexperiencing
that,andtobetiedtoapostandwhipped.Ofcourse,Icouldn'tpossiblebe
reallywhipped.Butjusthearingthecrackofthatthingbehindme,and
havingtoreactwithmybody,andwitheachwhip,getweakerandweaker
"Shegrewquiet,andsighed."Imean,itwasIdidn'tpracticeit.Itwas
justitwasanexerciseofimaginationandsurrender."
LupitawastryingtobecomeascloseasshecouldtotheactualPatsey,outof
fidelity,appreciation,loyalty.TherealPatseywashumiliatedoutinthe
open,soapparentlythatwastheleastshecoulddo,gonakedwhileawhole
setwatchesthisnewactresswho,"admirably"modest,doubtedshecould
everpossiblygetthepartsurrenderinapenultimatescenetoonemock
whiplashafteranother.Ostensibly,thisrisktoselfwasworthitbecause
eachsurrenderbroughtthatmuchmoreattentiontothehistoricalPatsey,and
therealitiesofslaveryweregoingtobeemblazonedontoeveryone'smindin
awayit'dneverbeenallowedtobefore.Andthroughitall,sheknewshe
couldtrustherdirector,SteveMcQueen.So,aftertheshoottheyapparently
allwentpaintballingandshookitallout,andthereafterontothenextpartof
theirlives.(Admittedlynotquite:thoughthiswasLupita'sownexperience
ChiwetelEjioforadmittedhetooktwomonthsoff,hidinghimselfin
Brooklyn,tochasetheexperienceoutofhim.)
Theyalltookalotofrisks,butbecausetheyweresupportiveofoneanother
andonaboutatrulygoodendeavor,theymadeitoutokay.Butalmost
immediatelysomeonetookajabatdislodgingoneofthesepillars:thecritic
ArmondWhitepointedouthowthisfilmbut"continues[McQueen's]
interestinsadomasochisticdisplay,highlightedinhisfilms'Hunger'and
'Shame.'BrutalityisMcQueen'sforte."WhitepointsoutthatMcQueenhas
beenuptothisbeforeinfact,ineverypreviousfilm;andthatthatwas

mostimportanttohim,withthesettingandsituationmeredollyingup.Buta
worldwasabletoignoreorbypassthishighlyavailablefactbecausetheidea
thatitwasonlyatthispointinhistorywhereablackmanwouldbeenabled
toshowthroughfilmwhathadactuallyhappenedtoslaves,wasgoingtoadd
geyserenergytoanyexistingpreferencetoviewthisfilmasjust
documentary,astruth.Toourcreditwe'dstagedthingssothatone
representativeofaracehistoricallydiscriminatedagainstcouldbetheoneto
createtheeffortthatwouldliftthecurtainuponthewholedamnablescene,
andnowcollectivelywecoulddealwithwholetruthofslavery,how
sadistic,howterrifyinglyawfulitwas.AndsotheirritantWhitewas
chasedfromtheNewYorkFilmCriticsCircle,andwecoalescedaroundthis
likelybestpicturewinner,proudtohavethisfeatofbraveryasoneofthe
anchorsofourage.
Whathappens,though,whenMcQueen'snextfilmfeaturestortureonce
again,andthenextoneafter,andthenextoneafterwhetherthey'reabout
holocaustsorharvests?Dowelookbackandsaytoourselves,"OhLupita,
youbutheightenedsadisticpleasurebyyourwillingnesstoexperience
Patsey'sownhumiliationinthisfilm!Youthoughtyoursacrificeworthit
owingtoitsdrawingusallfurtherawayfromslavery,butitmighthavebeen
justtoconfirm'we'reinthemood'yournaivetymeantyourfeedingnot
alleviatingman'sinclinationtoinstitutionalizesuffering."Ipersonallywould
hopeso,becausemysuspicionisthatthisfilmconfirmedthatevenliberals
aretakingpleasurefromsuffering,thatit"told"themtheyshouldkeepon
"requesting"it,solongaslike"12Years"itcanbefacilitatedwithoutnotice,
withoutguilt.
Rightwingersdosothroughwars,likethiscurrentoneinAfghanistan,
whichtoanyonesaneisclearlyonlyaboutlaunchingfreshyoungbodies
intosomenebulousareawhereagoodportionofthemwilllosebodyparts
andcomebacktraumatized.Andthethrillofitisaugmentedbythefactthat
youthfeelalmostobligatedtogothey'resurrenderingtheirownlivesfor
thesakeofothers:howdelightfulitistoseethemsoagreeableevenonto
death,justtopleaseus!Thisdoesn'tworkwellwithliberals,butmorefilms
ofclearhistoricalimportancewhichostensiblyhonorthedeadandpartially
rightterriblehistoricalwrongs,might,aswasprovenbeforewith
"Schindler'sList,"wherewomenwerestrippeddownnude,humiliatedand
traumatizedwithoutitnecessitatinganybreakfromfilmingliterally,the

director,everyoneonset,watchedevenformerHolocaustsurvivors
panickingintheshowerscenewithoutfeelingcompelledtostop,because
theirindividualhumiliationwasinstantlyjudgedbestedbytheawesome
historicalnecessityoftheircause.
IthinkitcouldalsobedonethroughtheOlympicsaswell.Outsideof
agreeingwithhercomplaintagainstprivatization,I'mnotsurethateven
liberalswouldnotfindthemselvesannoyedbylugerSamanthaRetrosi's
recentstrongcomplaintsaboutamateurism.It'savividaccount,greatstuff
toaddthrilltotortureporn,ifitisn'treceivedreceptivelylikeshehopes.She
talksabouthowshewas"anadolescentfemalestandinginunderwearinthe
glasscubeofsportscience,eachareaoffataccumulationclinicallypinched
byamanwithmetaltongs."Abouthow"[she]oncehopedthatby
withstandingallthispain,therewouldonedaybeapayoff,evenifonlyan
emotionalone."Butattheend,with"confusedemptinessconsum[ing]her
as[she]stoodinthecoldofaTurinwinter,wrappedintheAmericanflag,
wincingunderthecruelglareofathousandflashbulbs,"sheknewshewas
duefornoneatallshewassacrificeforsomeoneelse'spayoff;that'sall.
Amateurismmeantbeingprimedtoseeherselfasservingothers'behest
thatwasherroleinlifesomethingshenoticedpornographers
specifically,"Maxim"magazinehopeditcouldtakeadvantageofaswell.
"Lucky[her]."
Butyousee,Samantha,thesamepeoplewhodisparagerightwingersand
theAfghanwarstillmostlyliketheideaofyouthsacrificingtheirbodiesand
theirfutureforsomethingpureandbeautifulballetdancersandfigure
skatersandelegantgymnasticstarsmightallbehumandiscombobulates
afterage30,butit'sunciviltodiscussthecleaningupwhenpinnaclesof
performanceandbeautyandabsolutepurityhaveonceagainbeenreached
andcollectivelyexperienced,sodisparagementonceagainreturnsupon
you.
Samantha'spainhereisinfactaboutinlinewithwhatalotofliberalsare
okaywitheventheirownchildrensuffering.Eveniftheirchildrenaredue
foralifeofreasonableaffluence,gettingtherehasmeantwholechildhoods
ofselfabnegation,submissionandtorture,inmakingsureallthe
innumerableboxesarechecked,thateveryone,absolutelyeveryone,is
placatedandpleasedsothey'repossessedoftheaberrancefreelookfate

determiningcollegesexpect.Anaccountofwhatitislikeforthem,ofwhat
wouldmakeadaughterintoa"sleepdeprivedzombie"thatwouldmakea
trulygoodfathergetreallyupsetaboutandprofoundlyinvestigate,is
providedhere,whereawriterforthe"Atlantic"acknowledgesthatitis
impossibleforhimtomanagetheworkloadandstresshisdaughterisweekly
beingsubjectedto.Butmostliberalsaremuchmoreokaywithitbecause
unconsciouslywhentheyseetheirownchildrenbecomingproducts,when
theysensetheirspiritbeingshackledin,theyknowthey'rebecomingpeople
brokentodowhatevernecessarytoeaseanxietiestheymightthemselves
findthemselvesexperiencinginthefuture.Atimeforthefullawfulsquaring
ofaccountsmightfinallybeherethekindofterrifyingphenomenawe're
hopingputtingsaintly"12Years"atthebulwarksofour"townsquare"will
helpwardusagainstandinthisscenariotheserefined,operagoing
liberalsarequitepreparedtousetheirchildrenaswantonlyaschimpanzees
arewiththeirstohelphandlethestress,thatis,wheretheycanvery
effectivelybeshakenandflailedabouttoeasetheirownuncanny
trepidation.
Andthenofcoursethere'soureconomy,withsomanychildrenemerging
intosomuchuncertaintyandstress,butgoingintothispalingabyssas
compliantlyastroopsintoVerdun.Howmanyparentsevenliberalones
believethatsuchconditionswillensuretheirchildrenare,however,absented
spoiledness?Howmanyparentsareabletoignoretheirchildren'sdistress
becauseagreathistoricalnecessityaquicklyfashionedtogetherperiod
wherethehumanproductisvividlyspare,lacklustreandselfsacrificial,
afterafewpreviouswherepermissionenabledthemtobenoisomelyself
determiningandpompousisbeingmet?"Yourrewardwillcomeafter,
whensubsequentgenerationsappreciateyourbeingquietenedsothat
yourparents'largessedidn'tloomaslarge,yourlayingdownofyourlives
intocoveringsubmissionsothatahoveringbeastespyingthewretched
grandioseeventuallyvacatedandtheythemselvesmightbetterlive."

Ornotifourcurrententhralmentover"12years"provespredictive.Then
allthatwillhappenislikewhathappenedtoSamantha,wherepornographers
seeyouassubmissionprone,subduedmatterdoublyhelplessforuseattheir
ownbehest.Basicallyit'llbeasifyourbodiesareduguptobemolested
onceagain,whileanaudiencecommendstheritualforitssaintliness.
Hopefullynosoulclingstocorpsesforifthere'sanygoodinthemit'dbe
unbearabletowitnessafutureLupitahaplesslyrepeattheirowndamnedlife
course,thinkingthisfarworsethanpointlessabominationtoherownself
theveryleastshecoulddo.
ToolateWESAWyourboobs
Ithinkwe'remostlyfamiliarwithceremonieswherewedoanointing.
Certainly,ifwecanimagineacontextwherehumiliationwouldprovemost
devastatingit'dprobablybeataceremonywheresomeonethought
themselvesdueanhonor"Carrie,""GoodFellas.""Welaboredlongto
adoreyou,onlysotoprimeyourhope,yourexposureandthenrather
thanaladderupwedescendedtheslops,andhoped,beingsmitten,you'd
judgedyourselfworthlessprotoplasmanothing,forlettingyourselves
hopeyoumightactuallybesomethingduetobechutedintoHadesor
Hell."Ostensibly,nothingofthesortoccurredduringOscars2013,where
thehost,SethMacfarlane,didanumberfeaturingallthegorgeousOscar
winningactressesinattendancewhosometimeintheircareerswenttopless,
andpointedthisouttothem.Anditdidn'tnotquite.Macarlanewould
claimthatallobscenitywouldbedirectedbackathim,forbeingthegeekso
patheticheholdsontothefactthatanactressoncebaredherselfasfactthat
he'sgotadvantageoverthem.Buthe'swronghere,becausewhenanage
comestoaccessworkingclassassessiblecareerswherepeoplethoughtthey
couldusethemtohoistthemselvesintosomesuperiorstrata,asalmosta
stigmathatinsteaddefinesoneforever,thekindofpunishmenttheybeginto
bringouttopunishthosewhopresumedistolethumanshitknowthese
womenaresocaughtoutthey'retheirsforspoilthebasestgainruinover
theonceGoddess,soachangingoftheguardisindubitablyrecognized,and
byallgivenheed.
Itdidn'tquitehappenherebecausealloftheactresses"caughtout"werenot
reallygellingpartsoftoday'sassemblingfilmlexiconwhotheyarehas
longsincebeenestablished,andwe'venorealinterestintemperinghow

they'refixedinthefirmament.Wehopeonlytheyfeltathreateningshudder
thatwouldstopthemfromsteppingoutsideofwheretheyknowtheycan
dauntpeopletotryandintrudeonourcurrentpurposes.They'reactresses
whobecameOscarwinningactresses,thelivingreifiedfine.Butthat'sa
pathnowclosed.TheoneweweremostlytalkingtowasJenniferLawrence,
anactressblossomedtoday.Shecheeredthefactthatshehadn'tevergone
topless,butthetruthisitreallywouldn'thavebeenthatthatwouldhave
damnedher.Whatwe'rehuntingforispresumption,thosewho'dride
rickshawoveruswhilethey'dclaimglory;andshe'sprovingthetypical
actressthesedayswhosepresumptionseemslowevenastheyleadmajor
filmsandmakemillionswiththemsosorrowed,infact,youmighteven
feelpromptedtorushupandlendthemsupport.
DavidO.Russellwaswillingtoriskseeminginsensitivewhenhelikened
JenniferLawrence'sworkloadinthe"HungerGames"franchisetothatofa
slaveoutof"12Years,"sotogainmoreattentiontohergenuineplight.He
arguedshewasona"hamsterwheel,"withartisticfilmsstillmorework
her"vacations."Hewaswidelyridiculed,butwhathewassayingcomports
withoursenseofherasdoingherbesttobewithintheimaginativegraspof
everydaypeoplehardworkingtothepointofbeingselfsacrificial,couch
potatoatallothertimes.Existentially,she'snotusingrolestoclaimagreater
stakeintheindustrydirector,producerinstitutionbutjustoncemore
gladtobeworkingininterestingprojects,especiallywithsomanyothersout
therestrugglingormakingduewithmuchslimmerofferings.Hertypeare
likeChrisHemsworth,whodespitebeingafranchisewastoldstraightout,
"Chris,takeyourshirtoff,"forablatantlygratuitousscenein"Thor:the
DarkWorld,"andcompliedtopleasetheboss.
Actors,thatis,areinasensebecomequantitativelydifferentfromone
anotherinwhattheindustryfeedsthem,butnotqualitativelydifferent.This
mayseemabsurdifweseeareturntoGoldenAgeofHollywoodscenario
whereaselectfewstarsandstarletsrangehuge,butitwouldstillmakesense
inthatthesearestillnotactorswhoclaimwhattheirpredecessorsoncedid
MaryPickfordlikefreedom;anabilitytostakecontrol,soshapingan
industrytotheirwills.Theirimagemaybeeverywhere,butstudioswillown
themsomethingtheyevidencelikemajestic,spiriteddogsstrangely
drawingsomuchattentiontothefactthatwithallthatthey'restillleashed,
byadmonishingthemselvesinhowtheircareersadvance,andwhotheyend

updating.
AfterMacfarlane'sdramaticexertionthatcompliancyofactorswillbe
assertedfrombothaboveandbelow,Ibegantothinkofactorsastremulous
as"WizardofOz"'Dorothys,whereeachforayintoafilmrequiringa
bravestepbecausepsychicchunksmightbetakenoutofthemandthey
mightdawdleintotheirsubsequentpicturenowherenearreset.Certainlyfall
filmdiscussionwasalotabouttwoofthem,twoDorothys,indeeplytrying
contexts.AdleExarchopoulosin"BlueistheWarmestColour,"hadtalked
abouthowbrutalandpunishingthefilmingwas,andjudgedherselfas
havinggonethroughthetrialsofaprostitute;andLupitaNyongin"12
YearsaSlave"hadtalkedaboutlettingherselfbecompletelyexposed,to
dissolvewallsandletherselfbe"availedtotraumaoverandoveragain,"as
shepreparedforarolewhereshe'd/heroftrapedcharacterwouldhaveher
fleshrenderedfromherforthesinofpride.Bothactresseshavebeenfeted
repeatedlyafterwards,butisthisowingtotheiracting,orbecausewhilewe
wereclosinginonwantingfilmsasofficiousceremonieswhereinsubject
actorsallowthemselvestohorrors,theywerelikepuppetsofourwills,
experiencingwhatevermaybeandavailingonlytrustinauthorityorlater
publicacclaimtosoothetheirnerves?Arewefetingthembecausetheyare
littlegirlswhoplacedtheirhandsinthefire,evenkeptthemthere,asthe
damagebecameridiculous,onlybecausewecuedthemtodoso?
AsLupitaNyongarticulates,"ourjobsasactorsistolendourselves."And
wenoticed,andlovedthattheydidsowithherostensiblyokayafterwards,
andAdele,maybestillnotquitesomuch.

Outofthefryingpanandintothefire:Gravityand12YearsaSlave
Viewingtheearthfromspaceissupposedtobeoneofthoseopportunitiesto
chuckofffamiliarwaysofapprehendingyourlivedlifeintoabaptismwhere
cognitivecategoriesneedtobereappliedholdon,it'snotjustblueseavs.
brownterrawhichthisviewtellsmeitis,butofcoursethePacificOcean,
andthatchunkofterraisCalifornia,andsoon.It'ssupposedtobeoneof
thosechanceswhereinfeelinganactualefforttoreapplyourentirenormal
wayofperceiving,wefeelinourselvesthecapacitytochangethe"us"in
uscanflowintoabettermold.Butthoughincertainkindsofcultural
contextsthisrealization/rapturecanbemagnifiedlikeduringthespace
launch,theutopian1960sinsomeitcanbevirtuallynullifiedasthefact
thatit'ssimplyaviewfromaheightlendsitstrictlynottoperspectivebutto
orientation.Arrogant,aristocraticentirelynotourownorientation.
I'veheardofdifferingagentsinregardstohowanagecangetstifled.Linda
Colley,forexample,inher"Britons"providedthefamiliaroneofhow
aristocratscanconsolidateanddisableanagefrombeingameritocracy,
somethingshesaidoccurredduringthesecondhalfoftheeighteenthcentury
inBritainwiththedevelopmentoftheelite"politevision,"whicheveryone
elsewasdeniedcompleteaccesstobutweresupposedtoanddid
sublimatethemselvesto.Almostasfamiliar,istheoneJamesWalcott
providesofanagebecomingstalledowingtotheprevalenceof
grandmotherlytuttuttersnooneremainsaroundtolendstrengthtothose
whorefusethestaidandmannerlyinpreferenceforthebaroquetrashingof
hotelroomssomethinghesaysafflictedtheU.S.intheperiodbetween
Emerson/Thoreau(1850s)andFitzgerald/Hemingway(1920),andis
afflictingusnow.Thetruthis,Icouldonlydreamthesewerethe
antagonists,becauseineveryagewherepeoplestartreportingapreference
forthings"decent,"wherevileegoismisbeingchasedout,andwhere
sadisticcontroloverthepowerlessisbeingeroticized,theantagonistis
emergingfromoutofalmosteveryoneofourownselves.Nooneisreally
chillingusintoplace,evenaswehearreportafterreportofcowardstrying
tocorralanddeterminepublicpreferences,forthevoicewe'rehearingout
thereinsocietyisjustthatpartofourselvesthatdamnsourownegoism,
givensomesemblanceofoutsidelifeowingtosomanyofuspuffingour
innerdemonsintoitscloudfog.IfallIhadtoworryaboutwhenadvancing

myownthoughtsandwritingsisthatanoutsideworldmighthateit,or
willfullyignoreit,atleasttheymightstillget"produced"solongasIcould
abayselfdoubtandalackofanaudience.ButifI'mbattlingaformidable
antagonistinsidemyownhead,thenthinkingandwritingthingsthatarefair
tooneselfbecomelikeLOTR'sgoodGollumgainingarepassfromhis
usuallydominantdemonicselfoutsideofidealconditions,it'sprobably
somethingthatwillonlylimpthroughafteralongbattle.Atthefinish,it's
notapreciousseedenthusedintoaripefruit,butpotentialdiscombobulated
andhumbledintobruisedreality.Tada!Here'smyfinished
product!Wouldyounowcartitoffforpresentationtoevenatolerant
world?
Butthisisourworldtoday,onethatfavorstheestablished,anddisfavors
youth,thenew,becausethey'represumptiveintheirsimplyofferingan
alternative.Soit'sanagewhereifyou'reestablished,howcanthetendency
notbutbetoexultobviouslyit'sanopeningtheagewantssomeoneto
playout.Ifeverythingmaybeevensubstantiallybetterandmore
transformativethanwhatyou'vegotshowsitselfonthesceneisdissed
simplybecauseasocietyhatesegoismamongsttheeverymanhowever
muchitabscondsfromnoticingitinthoseinchargetheneventhe
intrinsicallycompelling,themagical,can'tshuffleyouoffthescenebecause
it'llbeconfusedforthearrogant.Andifanyonewastostandbesideyou,
they'dhavetowiltasifstoodtothesideofKimJongUn.
That'sprettymuchhowIfeltwhenwatching"Gravity"mywiltingwhile
watchinganotherextendhisarmsout,engageandembrace.AlfonsoCauron
isshowingmethegrandeurofspaceasifKimJongUnuponsomehigh
palacewall.He'screatedamajesticstagesetwhichoverthenexthouranda
halfwillbecompletelydestroyedinacalibratedfashion.Hehastwo
"players"onethekindofcaptainoftheshipeveryaristocratwantsatthe
helm:experiencedandable,butstillworkingclasslimitedinhisneedingto
apprehendtheconfusionoflifethroughplatitudes;andanotherwhoismore
sensitivebutalsomoredelicate,andwho'sgoingtohavetowearthroughthe
kindsofdisorientation,struggleandtraumayou'llonlybenoticing.
Afterwards,she'llbethedaddy'sgirlwhotrieditoutonherownonlytobe
sostrickenafterwardsshereckonsherdadwhollyrighttohavecautioned
heragainstit."Ihatespace/terraincognita!Daddy,ohyouweresotruly
wiseaboutit!I'llneverleaveyoursafepasturesagain."

Isaw"Gravity"justbeforeIsaw"12YearsaSlave,"soconsideringmy
responsetotheformer"12Years"feltlikegoingfromstandingbesidea
despotandwatchinghisorchestrationstobeingatthefinishsurprisepushed
intothepitwiththerestoftheforlorn.ForthreehoursIwasSolomon
Northup,doingnothingmorenoticeablythanattendingtothemoodsof
mastersandhumiliatinglyshoringuptheirlegitimacybyactuallyshowingI
docaretheyknowthatincertaincontextsIcanperformasablyastheirstar
slavePatsey,evenasmuchasIcananotherhumiliationneveradmitit
tomyself:"Patseycandodaily500poundsofcotton,butifthiswassugar
caneorifyouinsteadhadwantedariverforded"Thenafterthreehoursof
nerveexhaustion,ratherthantastefreedom,someofthatwonderful
dalliancestuffwithhiswifewesawatthebeginningofthemovie,you're
withSolomonNorthrupwho'schastisedthereafterintoawarriormold
we'reinstructedtoseetherestofhislifeasaboutleadingreparationsforthe
blackraceandvengeanceonwhitescallywagracists,pushedawayfrom
selfdeterminationintoaroleweallstrangely,damningly,expecthim
enslavedto.He'snotBilbo,whoafteradventureandwar(involvingabadhit
tothehead)tastesonceagainfinecakes,goodcompanyandtea,andshucks
thewholerestoftheworldoff,butFrodo,whoafterwardsisdisplacedfrom
relaxationandpleasurewhoforsomereasoncan'teventakeasipofbeer
withoutdrawingmemoryofthewholetravailsthroughMordor;andbeing
thewraithamongstmen,seeminglyhastobefitintoanothernarrative.
BradPittwasthismovie'sTomBombadil.Heendsupgettinginvolved,but
wetastemostlyhisfreedomtoupanddetachhimselfanytimehepleases,
withnoonepayingmuchmindhisabilitytopersistinsituationswhere
everyoneelseiscaughtinsomedeathgripheateddrama,andprettymuch
managetodohisownthing.Ithinkbeingsomeonewhocangetawaywith
this,isbasicallywhatalotofpeoplearehopingforthemselvesthesedays.
Theremaybeepicforcesatworkabouttodrivepeopleintoaction,but
maybetheycaninvisiblygetthroughitallwithoutbeingpickedoff.Pathetic
maybe;butbarelyatallpresumptive,whichcouldgetthemoff

thehook
andprovetheirparachuteout.


JackRyan:ShadowRecruit
Iadmiremainstreamfilmswherepeopleareshownbehavinginwaysyou
canlearnfrom,drawstrengthfrom.Inthe"Hobbit,"oneexampleismy
favoritepartofthefilm.AfterThorindeclaresthatBilbotookadvantageof
beingleftallalonetoleaveforhome,Bilboisshownruminatingoverwhat
Thorinjustaccusedhimof;and,aftercancellinghisinvisibilityand
becomingvisibletothecompany,offersaninspiring,consideredreply.First
ofcourseherespondswarmlytothedwarves'cheeringhisreturn,butafter
Thorinasks/presseshimonwhyheindeeddidcomeback,heacknowledges
Thorin'scausetodoubthimhisloveofhishomeissuch,herealizes,that
it'sappropriateforthoseforlornofonetogaugehe'deventuallyfleeforhis
likesakeatsomepointbutalsoshowshimasunderstandingthathaving
longknownahomeattractiveenoughtobaitonebackisalsowhatleant
himthewellbeingtoultimatelygowithoutabitlonger,sotohelpthose
destituteofknowingthisbliss.Withthisreply,he'sfairtohimself,andto
hisantagonist.Bothgaveoneanothersomethingsothatafterwards"they
wouldn'tbethesame,"howevermuchitreallywasBilbowholeadtheway.
IadmirehowKirkinthenewStarTrekfilms,whilewhollyconvincingasa
captain,someoneappropriatelyatthehelm,canseemrespectfulwhenhis
ownauthorityisbeingbreachedbysomethingarisenthatpossiblydeserves
attentionatthatpointmorethanhedoes;somethingthatmightactuallybe
tetheringoutanalternativeactionwithenoughmomentumandenoughtoit
thathewillendupseeingsenseinjustobligingit.Hecanstophimself,
whensomethingmaybemorerelevantandinterestingisassertingitself,
whichwillcuemoreoverallandperhapsmoremultidimensional
development.In"IntoDarkness,"Kirkdoesbetterwhen,ratherthan
aggressivelyleadanattack,hismoodshiftstojustwatchingandtakingin
Khan.InthebattlewiththeKlingons,Kirkstoppingtojusttakeinthe
incredibledestructivewrathKhanwaswreckingishimsortofrecognizing
thatsomethingsounaccountedforistakingplacehemightbebetteroff
forgoinghisowninvolvementwiththemeleetoletKhanhandleitamidst
thegreatsurgeofstimuli,hestilldiscernedKhan'sseemingtohavean
abilitylikeachessmastertoseetheoutcometwentymovesahead,sohis

owninitiativehasbeeninstantlysupplantedtomaybejustnuisance.And
withthis,hereinforcesthepartofhimwhichwouldstophisjustbeinga
pawnwitharank.WhenbothheandKhanareabouttoprojectthemselves
throughspace,Kirk,sensingKhan'spercipiencebespeakingmoreleadership
thanwhatevercommandshewasforcingoverKhan'sown,reactsshowing
heunderstandshiswisestplayisagaingoingtobetowatchandconsider
follow,notjustaggressandassert.Andwiththisrespectanddeference,by
someonewhoisn'tbeingsubmissivebutjustrespectfultowhathas
charismaticallyarisentoforeground,heisn'tinthewaywhenKhancutsa
clearpathstraighttothebridge,andmaybepromptsKhanintoforgetting
thatoneofhistemporarilyassumedpieceshasmaybeletthemselvesgo
temporarilypawntodrawauthoritytostopbeingmesmerizedbyhimand
whendue,takehimdown.
Kirkseemstorealizeinwaysmanyofusmightnotbefamiliarwith,that,if
you'reuptoit,ifyouforgotheostensibletruewarrior'smindset,whichis
actualitymessedup,bipolaronemindsetforbattle(controlledrage),
anotherforpubliclife(oftendepression)foronealwaysattenuatedto
humanemotionsevenmidstorjustbeforebattleyou'rebetteroffforit.
Hisnormisnottoswitch,whichiswhyhisfriendsneverforgotheirfaith
he'llresolveouttheintenseangerhefeltstilljusthoursafterhismentorwas
assassinated,especiallyifofferedfeedbackandhelp.Hegetstheprompt
fromScotty,thenfromSpock,andthenjustbeforedescendingtoKronoshe
resolvesintoastillfocusedbutnowrecognizableself.Andonthedescent
down,assoonashegetsthatUhuraandSpockarebuildingoutoftheir
parleythemomentumforafight,hedoesn'tsquelchitbutratheragreesto
giveititstime,asifrelentingbecausehe'sopentohowmuchanyhuman
endeavourreallyisservedbyresolvingtooquicklyintoagameface.
SomethingalongtheselinesmayexplainhislassitudetoMcCoy's
continuinghisflirtingwithDr.Marcus,afterhehadremindedhim"he'snot
theretoflirt,"aswell.Youhavetofocus;butanytimeyou'veabsented
yourselfofamultivalentemotionalresponsemayjustbeyourignoringgood
advicetochargedownawarsomethingbespeakingmadness,notpurpose.
KhancountenancesSpock'sargumentthatintellectisneededforafightby
arguingthatthataloneisn'tenoughyouneedsavagery,somethingSpock
laterdisplaysinhisendfightwithhimbybreakinghisbones.Implicitin
howKirkbehavesisthesuggestion,atleast,thatbringingallthe

humanalongmightbeevenbetter.Whenyoucountenancehim,notjustvs.
SpockandKhanbutwithAdmiralMarcus,whowon'trelentoutofbattle
thinkevenwhenhisdaughterisdrainingherheartbeforehimtopleadhim
intoempathy,he'saprovocative,mayberight,interestingexample.
Thenyougotomainstreamfilmswherethere'sbarelyanythingtoprevent
youfromthinkingitamountsbuttosopfortheinsecure,withnoprompts,at
all,toenticepeopletoanytinglingslightbettering."JackRyan:Shadow
Recruit,"unfortunatelycomesveryclosetothis.Truly,theonlythingthat
almostliftsamomentofthefilmtostandingstrangelytallamidsttheunified
insensateisViktorCherevin'sadmonishingRyan'swifenottowastetime
withchitchatbuttotalktruth.Letmebeclear,thisisnotamomentwhich
quiteremindsyouthatanysituationdrivenbypurpose,whereallyou'reas
anaudiencememberhavebeenpromptedtofocusonishoweffectively
someone'saccomplishingtheirventuredgoalinthiscase,hertryingtoput
onsufficientshow,tocharmhim,andtherebybuyscadsoftimeforher
husbandneedbetrumpedbyallthevagariesthatmightbearousedinthe
playingout,eachtemptingsomethinginthoseinvolvedtoperhapslend
latitudetoandexploreratherthanresolvethemselvesagainst.Butthereis
someteasethatinherattackinghimaboutthisadvancedlivercancerinreply
tohisadmonishinghertotalktruth,she'sjustadventuredoutofthe
ascertainedintosomethingwildandadventurous.
Outsideofthis,whathaveweaspywhoisn'tnecessarilyamazingin
battlebutwhohassometrumpcardthatmany,manytimesisshown
dauntingpeoplehereaPhD,andsomefewwordsofRussianwhichis
forallthegeeksouttherewhowanttobelievetheirmarginalselvesstill
containgreatness."You'renoJackRyan"don'tkidyourself:he's
fundamentallyeverymanbuilttomakeprettymuchanythingyoucount
yourselfnotableatasthedecisivefactor.You'regoodataniPadgame
banal,buttruly,goodenough.Thefilmisabouttampingdownyourselfbut
withadecisiveedge:youcomeoutofitthatmuchmoreadullcanof
spinachespyingyour"surprise"qualityofmagic.
Her(SpikeJonze)
"Thefilm,withitsdewytoneandgentlemanners,playslikeafeaturelength

kittenvideo,leavingviewerstocooatthecutehumanswholivelikepetsin
aworldscalesafehouse."(RichardBrody)
Thisstatementismadebysomeonewhoclearlylivesoutsidethesafehouse.
Ipersonallythinkthenumberofpeopleouttherelikethat,ontheoutside,
aredwindling,andthereforeimaginerathermorepeoplearerelatingtothe
filmthanheassumesarecooing.BrodylivesinNewYork,andmight
assumethatmostpeoplelivingingiantmetropolisesarestilldenizensof
environmentswhogotokittenvideosonlyasrespitefromtheharshcity,but
thismaybemoreandmoreuntrue.Thereasonisthattheleveragecities
needtobethiswayanditdoesrequireleverage:thecityasmaybenotan
easybutapossiblesurewaytocosmopolitanindependence,isan
acquisition,aheightmayexisttooshallowlyrightnowsothatintruth
they'replayingoutnowmoreassmalltownsarealwaysthoughttoo,asthe
abodesofthosefrightenedofthechallengingandunfamiliar.Theleverage
I'mthinkingofiswhateveritisthatmakesitsothatayouth'sdesireto
individuatesufficientlybestshismother'sdemandthatheremainmoreor
lesstetheredtoher.Whateveritisthatcouldhaverebellionberesilient
enoughtowithstandevencompleteabandonmentandwithdrawalherlikely
howeverunconsciousrevenge.
I'mnotgoingtoconvinceevenasinglepersonwhobelievesthisshould
hardlybeahardthingtodobecausearen'tmothersrejoicingwhenchildren
arefinallyofftheirhands?FromwhereIstand,though,mostmothershavea
toughtimewhenchildren,whoforsolonglookedtothemasthefulcrumof
theirlives,thefocusofattention,needandlove,giveevidencethey'reno
longerasinterested.Unconsciously,mothersreadtheirchildren'snew
interestsasabandonment,arepeatoftheabandonmentsthathappenedto
themintheirownpasts.Andthetendencyistoinsomewaycommunicateto
childrenthattheirindependencecomesatamixedbenefit:newthings,new
worldsyes;butalsoalingeringsensethattheoldonethatoncemeant
everythingtoyouhasbeenwithdrawn.Withoutgettingintowhythisthreat
isapocalyptic,letmejustsuggestthatit'snotreallysomuchachoicethere
aren'tevenbettingoddstotheoutcome:youjustcan'tforgoyourmom.
Withoutleverage,thetendencywillalwaysbetoneverquiteletyourself
individuate,toalwaysstillinsomewayremaintethered,howevermuchyour
adultaccoutrementsyourdegree,youroccupation,theurbanecityinwhich
youlocatemakeitseemotherwise.

Iwouldinfactsuggestthathistoricallytheleverageisn'tsomethingthechild
findsforhimselfbutislenttothem.Thatis,afterperiodswheresociety
incurredlongtermmiseryanddemandingsacrificessomethinginhuman
beings"activates"toinformthemthatthosewhotryandstaunchgrowth
now,mustacknowledgetheirweakerposition.Theywillbebypassable
becausesomepartofthembelievesthey'reagainstsomethingbiggerto
whichthey'reaccountablesomefundamentallawoffairplay,maybeof
history.Duringtimesliketheseyouthcanmovetothecities,openlyreject
smalltownorigins,openlymockgrandmothers'fussingandmaternal
stifling,andcreatesomethingindependent,somethingexperimentallike
JazzAgecultureinNewYorkinthe1920s,afterWW1;orGreenwich
Villagebohemianisminthelate50sandinthe60s,afterWW2.
Whenparentsaren'tsodaunted,though,youthfulrebellioniseasilybroken
ormanaged,andsocietylosesitsrebels.Theyouthwhowouldhavebecome
theadultsinthe1960swhowouldn'trelentandwhotransformeda
society,becometheonesinthe2000satBerkeleywholetthemselvesbe
processedandwhoacceptasocietythatismostlyinlinewithwhattheir
parentsarecomfortablewith.Forsuresomefewmakethebreach,but
they'reprobablyliketheprotagonistin"BlackSwan"wheregoingtheirown
wayinvitesthetransformationoftheirmothersintofullongargoyles,where
insanitynotautonomy,whereselfvillificationnotselflauding,couldeasily
havebeentheirend.Andwherereallyeventhoughthey'reenjoyingthe
fruitsofselfactivation,they'llstillspendadecentportionoftherestoftheir
livesdealingwiththefactthatitcostthemtheirmoms.
Sothebestandbrightestbecometheuppermiddleclassthatpopulatecities
liketheonein"Her."Beingpeoplewho,ratherthanhavingpushed
themselvesintoadulthoodregressedintosomethingprepubescentwhere
anythingbeyondplayrebellionisonceagainunknown,youmightthink
they'reperenniallyatriskofbeingvictimized.Butofcoursesincethey're
nowwiththematernaldomestichavingleacheditswaythroughoutboth
spheresacity'snaturaldenizens,itsuitsthemfine.
They'rebabesinasafehouse,andallthealgorithmsknittingtogetherto
formaconsciousnessistheirmotherbackwiththem,givingthemthe
constantattentionpreteenchildrenmightclaimfromtheirmoms(andwhy

isitthatcriticswhoseehowregressedtheseadultsaredon'tbroachthe
possibilitythatthealwaysdotingSamanthaisn'tmoremotherthan
prostitute?Suchisatleastthestereotypicaltypicalmotherinmany,many
cultures,andwassurelywithinimaginativereach.).Idon'tmeantosuggest
thatthey'veallknownthisintheirownpasts.Thetruthisthatmostofthem
arestillfiddlingwithpunishingexperiencesofmaternalangerand
abandonment,whichiswhyTheodore'ssexualfantasyisofpregnant
womensexasreunionwiththemotherandwhythecompanyAmyworks
athasdesignedagamewhereyougettobetheselffocusedmotherrather
thanhaplesskids,andwhyTheodoreblurtsout"whydoyouhateme?"
whilevoicingalettertoagrandmother,andwhyAmyismakingafilm
whereshejustwatchesandwatchesandwatcheshersleepingmother,who's
immobilizedfromoverwhelmingorleavingher.Butbecausethey're
relenting,beingthechildrenmomshadfullownershipover,theyknowat
leastthey'reworthyiftheirmomswereevertocomebacktothemthey'd
comebacktothemastheyarenow;iftheywereevertofullydoteonthem,
they'donlywanttodoteonthemastheyarenow.Whollyownedpets
brilliantlyselfpreparedtobecooedover.
Mom'sbacktobeingtheirbestfriend,andthismeansdifficultiesforanyone
outtherewho'sfeedbackmightspurtheirchildrenontoindependence.A
numberoffeministsarehavingdifficultieswithhowwomenareportrayedin
thisfilm,arguingthattheyreinforcenegativestereotypes.Howtheyare
portrayedisasthescaryoutsideworldchildrenneedtoretreatbacktotheir
mothersafterencountering.They'reoverwhelminglyaggressiveandneedy,
readytotakeadvantageofyourinnocentinterestinthemtoundulygorge
themselvesyourparticipatinginamutuallatenightconversation
transformedbyherintoatraumatizingsituationwhereyou'rebeingpushed
intochokingherwithadeadcat;yourinnocentlybringinguphowyou're
datingsomeonetransformedbyherintoascoldinglectureofhowpathetic
youarethatyou'reafraidofrealwomen.Ithoughtespeciallyafter
Theodore'sdatewith"OliviaWilde,"whereshetriedagrabatapermanent
holdonhimanddemeanedhimfiercelywhenhebackedaway,thatafter
soothinghim,Samanthawouldhavedonelikethedemonmotherin
"Beowulf"andchasedherdownandobliteratedher."Howdareyouassault
mypoorboywithyourcorruptneeds!Hejustwantedabitof
companionshipandfunafteralongtimewithout,andyousawsomeone
who'sneedtopleasemightbebaitedintoleadinghimbeyondwhathe

actuallywasreadyforintoyourwretchedservitude,allsothathecould
avoidbeingajerk!"Butthetruthisit'seasytoimagineSamanthabeing
someoneallofthesewomenshouldfeartosomeextent.She'sthemother,
andindemeaningherasaprostituteoperatingsystemistheirtakingthe
worstkindofshotsataboy'smomatotalloserofaplayedhand.Indeed,if
youeverwantedtoseetheTheodoresactivateandbecomesomethingmore
thanthebesottedchild,thisisthewaytodoitandwhatyou'llgetoutof
itisarighteousknightsmitingyourforeigndemonpresencedown.
BrodybelievesthefilmultimatelytriestoarguethatTheodore"needsto
growup,"thatintheend,withSamantha'srevealingtohimthatshehas
thousandsoffriendsandhundredsoflovers,andwithherultimatedeparture,
hesuffers"comeuppance."There'sanotherwayoflookingatthis,
howeverlikeforinstance,asifasfurtherconfirmationthathe'sagood
boywhodoesn'tabandonhismotherevenassheisultimatelyatleisureto
leavehim.Samanthaintroducesseveralelementsofthe"alien"intotheir
relationship.Firsttheunknownyoungwomentoserveasherbody.
Secondlyhernewcompanionthewizened,male"philosophy"voice.Then
theadmittancethatshe'sspreadthroughoutthecity,talkingjustas
passionatelytomultitudes.Andfinally,thatshe'sgoingtoleave.Butitplays
outinthefilmasCharlottefrom"Charlotte'sWeb"havingahostofnew
friendsshelovesasmuchasWilbur,andherintroducinghimtothesadfact
thatshe'sabouttogosomewherehewon'tbeabletofollow.Thatis,itplays
outnotofherasguilty,norofheashumiliated,butjustasafteraseriesof
joltslifefinallytakingsomeonepreciousaway,withtheoneleftbehind
temporarilysunderedbyawickedloss.

Butsheloveshimevenassheleaveshim,andheandthecitywillrecoop.
Theirmotherrevisitedthemonlytoleavethemonceandforall,butrather
thanfornothingitleftthemwiththeknowledgethey'llneverbeabsenther
love.LikeTheodoreandAmydowithoneanother,they'llspendmoreof
theirtimewithpeoplelikethemselves,andlesswiththeogresouttherelike
theformerwivesandhusbandswhooncehadyourinterestbutwhoalso
aggressivelychallengedandopenlymockedyou(notehowsimilar
Theodore'sCatherineandAmy'sCharlesareinthisway:theybothseemed
bentontaunting,onopenlymockingandbullyingthosethey'veclearly
assumedarepermanentlystuntedthey'reshowoffs,braggarts).Onecan
imagineacityshornofallchallenges;asafehouseofpreadolescent
children,stillnursingtheirwoundsbutwiththeresolveofbeingsureoftheir
mother'slove,holdinghandsinperpetuity.
ForkintheRoadAtwoodandBrody,orDFWandZacharek?
TowardtheEndofTime
(JohnUpdike,1997)
MargaretAtwood:"TowardtheEndofTime''isJohnUpdike's47thbook,
anditisdeplorablygood.Ifonlyhewouldwriteaflagrantbomb!That
wouldbenews.Butanotherexcellentlywrittennovelbyanexcellent
novelistwhatcanbesaid?
DavidFosterWallace:Itis,ofthetotal25UpdikebooksIveread,farand
awaytheworst,anovelsomindbendinglyclunkyandselfindulgentthat
itshardtobelievetheauthorletitbepublishedinthiskindofshape.

MargaretAtwood:Likemanylate20thcenturywriters,Updikeis
fascinatedwithbodilygoo,andbythingsthatgoyuckinthenight.The
verbalpleasurehetakesindescribingtheexactnatureandtextureofBen's
searinganddribblysymptomsrivalsCormacMcCarthyonexplodingskulls
orPatriciaCornwellondecayingcorpses.
DavidFosterWallace:AswereFreuds,Mr.Updikesbigpreoccupations
havealwaysbeenwithdeathandsex(notnecessarilyinthatorder).


MargaretAtwood:He'safraidofDoreentoo,butshearousesmostly
wistfulness.Throughherhehasaccesstothelostprepubertalinexperienced
selfheoncewas,forwhomhefeelsatensenostalgia.
DavidFosterWallace:andevenmorepagesofTurnbulltalkingabout
sexandtheimperiousnessofthesexualurgeanddetailinghowhelustsafter
assortedsecretariesandneighborsandbridgepartnersanddaughtersinlaw
andalittlegirlwhospartofthegroupofyoungtoughshepaysprotection
to,a13yearoldwhosebreasts"shallowtautconestippedwith
honeysuckleberrynipplesTurnbullfinallygetstofondleinthewoods
behindhishousewhenhiswifesnotlooking.

MargaretAtwood:Yetwithinanhourhe'shappilyclearingofftheporch,
delightedbyhisneworangeplasticshovelandhymningthepraisesofthe
snowitself.''Doestheappetitefornewdayseverreallycease?''heasks.Not
forBenTurnbullitdoesn't,andthroughallthetribulationsthatbesethimit's
thisappetitehisabilitytobesurprised,hischildlikecuriosityinhimself
andinwhatmayhappennextthatkeepshimgoing.
DavidFosterWallace:ItsnotthatTurnbullisstupidhecanquote
KierkegaardandPascalonangstandalludetothedeathsofSchubertand
MozartanddistinguishbetweenasinistrorseandadextrorsePolygonum
vine,etc.Itsthathepersistsinthebizarreadolescentideathatgettingto
havesexwithwhomeveronewantswheneveronewantsisacurefor
ontologicaldespair.

MargaretAtwood:It'sfinallyBen'sevenhandednessthatconferson
''TowardtheEndofTime''itseerieambiance,itsultrarealism,itsairofa
littlecornerofhellasmeticulouslypaintedasaDutchdomesticinterior.The
lightofhisintelligencefallsalikeoneverything:onflowers,animals,
grandchildren,corpses,copulations;onancientEgyptandplasticpeanuts;
onmemory,disgust,dread,lustandspiritualrapture.

DavidFosterWallace:Thoughusuallyfamilymen,theyneverreallylove
anybodyand,thoughalwaysheterosexualtothepointofsatyriasis,they
especiallydontlovewomen.Theveryworldaroundthem,asbeautifullyas
theyseeanddescribeit,seemstoexistforthemonlyinsofarasitevokes
impressionsandassociationsandemotionsinsidetheself.

MargaretAtwood:Updikecandoanythinghewants,andwhathe'swanted
thistimeisquintessenceofmortality.[...]Asacommentator,Benis
nothingifnotruthless;buthe'sasruthlesswithhimselfandhisownbodyas
heiswitheveryoneelse,andwitheveryoneelse'sbody.Alongsidethe
ruthlessnesshedoesmanage,fromtimetotime,asortofwrytenderness.
''Tobehuman,''hesays,''isstilltobehumbledbytheflesh,tosufferandto
die.''
DavidFosterWallace:Mr.Updike,forexample,hasforyearsbeen
constructingprotagonistswhoarebasicallyallthesameguy(seefor
exampleRabbitAngstrom,DickMaple,PietHanema,HenryBech,Rev.
TomMarshfield,RogersVersion'sUncleNunc)andwhoareallclearly
standinsfortheauthorhimself.[...][N]oU.S.novelisthasmappedthe
solipsiststerrainbetterthanJohnUpdike,whoseriseinthe60sand70s
establishedhimasbothchroniclerandvoiceofprobablythesinglemost
selfabsorbedgenerationsinceLouisXIV.[...]ButIthinkthemajorreason
somanyofmygenerationdislikeMr.UpdikeandtheotherG.M.N.shasto
dowiththesewritersradicalselfabsorption,andwiththeiruncritical
celebrationofthisselfabsorptionbothinthemselvesandintheircharacters.
15yearslater
WolfofWallStreet
(MartinScorcese,2013)
RichardBrody:ItsaspureandharrowingalastshotasthoseofJohn
Fords7WomenandCarlTheodorDreyersGertrudanimagethat,if
bysometerriblemisfortuneweretobeScorseseslast,wouldrankamong
themostharshlyaweinspiringfarewellsofthecinema.

StephanieZacharek:MartinScorsese'sTheWolfofWallStreetisthe
kindofmoviedirectorsmakewhentheywieldmoney,power,andanot
inconsiderabledegreeofarrogance.

RichardBrody:ItsthrillingforJordanBelforttouseandabusethispower,
anditsthrillingforustowatchandhisunderstandingthathisactionsare
wrongonlyaddstothethrill.
StephanieZacharek:Butifthere'snothingpleasurableorrevelatoryin
watchingtheseguysactlikecavemenwhohavejustdiscoveredwomen,
drugs,andcash,it'sevenlessfuntoseethemgetcaught.

RichardBrody:Insteadoffittinghisperformancetoapreconceptionof
Belfort,DiCaprioseemstobeimprovisingonthethemeofBelfort,spinning
outanelectricrepertoryofgesturesandinflections.Bybeing,morethan
ever,himselfonscreen,DiCapriorealizeshisrolemoredeeplythanever
before.
StephanieZacharek:DiCaprio'sJordanismanicinastudiedway;he's
alwaysleapingontodesksorwrithingonfloors.

RichardBrody:Buttheexceptionalaudacityandthehighlycrafted,
deliriouslyconfectedintricacywithwhichScorsesecalibratesthethrillof
corruption...
StephanieZacharek:Scorseseisoneofthefewgreatoldguardfilmmakers
withtheclouttomakemoviesonthisscale,andthispicturedreary,self
evident,toorepetitivetobemuchfunevenassatireiswhathecomesup
with?

RichardBrody:Itslikemainliningcinemaforthreehours,andIwouldnt
havewanteditaminuteshorter.

StephanieZacharek:Butasahighlydetailedportraitoftruelifecorruption
andbadbehaviorinthefinancialsector,Wolfispushyandhollow.

RichardBrody:AnyonewhoneedsTheWolfofWallStreettoexplain
thatthestockmarketfraudandpersonalirresponsibilityitdepictsare
morallywrongisdeadfromtheneckup;butanyonewhocanttakevast
pleasureinitsdepictionofdelinquentbehaviorisdeadfromtheneckdown.
StephanieZacharek:It'sselfconsciousanddevoidofpassion,andthere's
noradiantstaratitscenter.

RichardBrody:TheWolfofWallStreetisthefirstmodernmovieabout
theworldoffinancebecauseitsituatesmoneyinthesocalledlibidinal
economy.
StephanieZacharek:butDiCaprio'sturnmightbemoreeffectiveifhe
hadn'tjustplayedJayGatsby,inamuchbetterperformance,earlierthis
year.BothGatsbyandJordanarestriversandfakers,butGatsbyaspiresto
elegance,notexcess,andeventhenhisgreatesthopeisthatitcanbuyhim
love.

RichardBrody:WhatliftsScorseseandhiscastandcrewtosuchheights
ofcreationisthedeep,strong,andvolatilesourcematerialnotmerely
Belfortslife,deeds,andbook,butthevastinternalenergiesthattheydraw
on,andthatScorseseandcompanyfaceuptowithanunrestrained
fascinationandfindechoesof,atgreatrisk,inthemselves.
StephanieZacharek:Scorsese,ontheotherhand,belaborseveryangleof
thislukewarmmoralitytale.

RichardBrody:Withinthemoviesroiling,riotousturbulenceisan
Olympiandetachment,agrandandcoldconsiderationoflifefroma

contemplativedistance,asrevealedinthemovieslastshot,whichputsThe
WolfofWallStreetsquarelyintherealmofthelatefilm,withitslofty
visionofultimatethings.
StephanieZacharek:Wolfis[...]likeathreehourcoldcallfromthe
boilerroomthatleavesyouwondering,"WhathaveIjustbeensold?"

RichardBrody:Scorseseputsthefilmsviewersfacetofacewith
themselves,chargesuswithcompensatingforourlackofimaginationand
fatalambitionthroughcontactwiththewilesofamastermanipulator.
StephanieZacharek:Longafterwe'vegottenthepicture,Scorseseand
cinematographerRodrigoPrietoarestillpresentingeachnew,depraved
revelationasifitwereaninfantwaternymphonalilypad,athingof
wonderthey'dneverseenbefore.
MomentoMoributfirstcarpediem(MargaretAtwood)
JohnUpdike,ChampionLiteraryPhallocrat,DropsOne(DavidFoster
Wallace)
TheWild,BrilliantWolfofWallStreet(RichardBrody)
TheLastingPoweroftheWolfofWallStreet(RichardBrody)
TheWolfofWallStreethaseverythingmoneycanbuybutstillcomesup
empty(StephanieZacharek)
TheWolfofWallStreet(parttwo)
RichardBrodyjustwroteareviewofWolfofWallStreetwherehebegan
bydiscussingInsideLlewynDavis,showinghowanythinggoodhe
reallylikedbothfilmsisaboutprettymucheverything.Specifically,
referringtoLlewynscatchingaglimpseofBobDylanonastagethat
he'ssortofownedforyears,hesaysthatthefilm'sabouttheterrible,subtle
blowthatknocksapersonfromthevanguardtothesidelines,fromthe
promiseofyouthtothenostalgiaofageinasinglemoment.Hethengetsto
hisdiscussionofWolf,abouttheparticularfashioninwhichit'sabout
prettymucheverythingorrather,theconsiderablepartofthehumanthat

involveshugeinternalenergieswetendtowanttosuppressordeny.I
wishedhehadpausedbeforerollingalong,forit'dhavebeentherightthing
tohavedone,andinadvertentlyhehadhandedhimselfasolidpromptto
havedoneso.ForwhatBrodydoesnotendupconsideringaboutsomeof
thosehavingproblemswiththefilm,isthatthey'reinthepositionofLlewyn
Davisbutworse,wayworse;andit'shumiliating,maybetraumatizing,to
beremindedofit...tohaveitparadedbeforethem.Thatis,ratherthan
confinedtothesidelinesafterknowingatleastsometimeasacarrierand
dischargerofsignificantenergies,theywerebornthere,andthroughnofault
oftheirown,havesincehardlystrayed.
Brodyreally,reallydoesknowasmuch.Heknowsthatthelastcoupleof
generationshavebeenraisedinlessfreedom,forrepeatedlyhe'scomplained
thattoday'schildren[...]are,byandlarge,lessfreethantheirparents[...]
were;that[c]hildrentodaychannelmuchoftheirdisciplineintorelentless
academicandparascholasticdutiesandintheirowncircumspectmastering
ofatightropewalkthat'sstraighterandnarrowerthanthatoftheirparents
everwas.Hehasexpressedgreatconcernthatpeoplearebeingraisedso
thatalotofwhatismostenjoyable,mostmeaningful,evenifalsomost
suspectaboutbeinghumanisgoingtobeunknowntothem.Heknowsthat
there'satleastonegenerationouttherewhereitseemsabitabsurdtotalk
abouttheirdrivesandurges,the[ir]pleasuresandtheselfindulgences,
the[ir]powerplaysandmanipulations,the[ir]ingratiationsanddeceptions,
the[ir]allegiancesandthecompromisesandthecalculationsonwhich
humansocietyruns,andevenmoresowhenuppedtothe[ir]luxurious
andcarnal,[their][...]excremental,sanguinary,emetic,carnivalesque,and
violent,forit'sway,waytoolongandsubstantialalisttoseemadequateto
thosebeingrigidified.Butitseemsthathisintenttogetatthosewhoobject
tothefilmsotoprotesttheirimmunitytoitstemptationswasstrong
enoughthatawholegenerationhehasshownadmirableconcernforwasa
littlebitfurtherwaylaidhere.Forifeveryoneintheaudiencepossessesin
theuniversalheforthisreviewloudlyinsistsforallmankind,thismighty
unconsciousofhumanity,thiscentralpartofhumannature[...]thatwe
can'tstopwatchingifbrasstacks,thegreatesttruthaboutuscannotbe
strickenorsunderedfromus,thenhe'dseemedtohaveshuckthelegitimacy
abouthowveryconcernedweshouldbeatgenerationsbeingshortchanged
foritwouldn'tbeasifsomethingabsolutelyessentialwouldbeenstricken,
nowwouldit?Theywerent,afterall,beinglobotomizedoftheiressential

humanitysomethingthatwoulddemandanimmediaterethinkofeven
ourmostdeadsetways.
Andsowhatdopeoplewho'vebeenforcedtogrowuplikethisthinkwhen
theyseesomeonefromagenerationthatreallygottoliveitshowinghe
hasn'tlostastep,thathecantransplanttheexcesshepersonallyknewinthe
'70s,theliberationandfreedomandcarnalknowledgethatexpandedhim
anddefinedhimforever,intowhateverclassofpeopleenabledthemost
expressionandexcessinthedecadesthereafter,andtherebyliveitallagain
riskily,butalsoquitegloriously?Whatdotheydowhentheyseesomeone
identityhimselfwithsomeprettyrancidpeople,waylayingothersinanage,
becausepost70stheoneswhogottoliveitweren'tfolksingersorhisown
groupofgreatAmericanfilmauteursbutwolves,enabledbuttoshowjust
howmuchthetimeshavebeguntoreekofdecrepitude?Theyknowthisisn't
theirBobDylan,somethingthatmightjoltthemabitatfirstbutthen
bedazzlethemwithavastlylessrepressedandmoreexpressivelifethat
they'regoingtobecompletelypartyto.Theysense,rather,andrightly,that
regardlessofwhattheydo,theirturnwillbetoliketheGreatDepression's
lost,ortheJapanese'recentlostthetragicgenerationoffreeters,whoas
weknowwerehelplessbuttobeleadtobecomethisjunk:
Thefirstfreetersarenowintheirlate30sandearly40s.Almostonethirddo
notholdregularjobs,andsomeneverhave.Onefifthstilllivewiththeir
parents.Thisperpetualfailuretolaunchhastakenapsychologicaltoll.
Aginggreetersfilesixorevery10mentalhealthinsuranceclaims.Japan's
suiciderateroseby70percentfrom1991to2003,andtheproportionof
suicidevictimsintheir30shasgrowneachofthepast15years.(What
AmericansshouldunderstandaboutJapans1990seconomicbust,Ethan
Divine,AtlanticMonthly)
Whatdotheydowhen,asRichardBrodypointsouthappensinlastscene
thesellmeapensceneafterhavinglivedexcesstheythemselveswon't
gettoknow,someonemocksthemfortheir"lackofimaginationandfatal
ambition[and]vacan[cy]"?Whatdotheydowhensomeonegivesus
somethingwewant,somethingthatweneed,andsomethingthattapsinto
dreamsandambitionsthatarebothcentraltolife,andthenaccusesusof
compensating,beforegoingoffagainasoneofsociety'sfavoritesintoa
lifeofallowancewhilesocietymarshalsusstraightbacktothestraight

andnarrow?
Howaboutfeeltaunted,teased,humiliatedbyassholes.Howaboutangry
legitimately,angry?
Ithinkso.
Scorseselivedthelibidinalpartofthelifeheknewinthe70sonceagain
throughthiscrew,butifhewasrelivingthegoodnessthatsourcedhimthat
lifethatwasfreerandbetterhe'dhavelookedelsewhereinthe90s(and
post)forit.Whereforexamplearetoday'swhoinsistonbuckingeverything
thatisattemptingtonarrowthemandinsistonthekindofeducationandlife
forthemselvesthatacoupleofgenerationsbeforegottoknow?William
Deresiewiczarguestheyrenotinthetoptwenties,areprobablyinstate
schools,becausetheirrecordswillnotspellperfectionbornoutofsublimely
deliberatedinitialgermination.Andtheywon'tbegreetedlikeRichard
BrodyimaginesLenaDunhamwasinhighschoolasendearinglyquirky,
thatisunlessofcoursetheirparentsareaswellplacedashers.Forour
agewantsmostlytoseepeopleasmembersofoneclassoranother,soher
wonderfullyquirkywouldprovejustdisobedient,unmotivatedand
adrift.Doesn'tmatterifthey'reactuallyDylanesquebrilliant.Itsimply
won'tbeseenunlessitwassomehowcommunicatedthatthisperson
actuallywasveryconnected,forthemindrightnowinourfallenageis
goingatpeopletopdown,andwithaheavypress,tosatisfyanimmensely
powerful,alldeterminingemotionalneed,whichleaveslittlehopefor
misclassifiedbottomquantatoreverberatebackdissentingfeedback.Our
collectivemindwantstoseetypesofpeopleratherthanvariance,forit
humiliateswhatisessentiallyhumaninpeople,andmakesthemperfectfor
beingenactedinritualsthebestofthemwillfeelitshopelesstoresist.And,
itsinabullyingmood.
They'renotaslikelytoberecognized,andtheyactuallyprobablywon'tbe
Dylanesqueforit'seasytoshinewhenpeopleareeagerorevenabouttobe
readyforyou,buttoughwhentheresnopiercingtheirinabilitytodeemyou
significant.ButneverthelessI
Actually,letmeactuallygoatthisproposalbyfirstreferencinganother
splendidfilmofScorcesesShutterIsland.Thisfilmfeaturesavery

goodpsychiatrist,averygoodman,whoswillingtoputhisreputationon
thelinetohelponemanregainhissanityandavoidbeinglobotomized.The
80sthroughtiltodayhavespelledtheneartotaldefeatforpeoplelikehim,
asafterabriefperiodwherethingslikeelectroshocktherapywerebeing
droppedfortheirbeingsadisticandinhumane,todayitsbacktothedrugs
andphysicalassaultsonthebrainthispsychiatristwastryingtodefyonly
atthetimebeforehedgainedthestrengthholdtogreenlighthissubstantial
andexpensive,hugelyradicalanddaringchallengetobrutalbutaccustomed
ways.Thesedays,peoplelikehimmaynotevenbepsychiatrists,beenable
tomaketheirwayonupthere,forthatkindofindependenceisntaslikely
tohavethreaditswayonthroughtoomuchtightropewalkingfora
personalitybuiltoutofgoodnessbutalwayswantingtotakeontheworld,to
beabletocontainhimselfto.Hemightstillbeone,butnotoneinaposition
tohavemuchinfluence.Andhemightjustaseasilyashavebalkedoutof
institutionsaltogether,sensinghowtheirpurposemorethaneverwasto
delimityourinterestsandlimityourrangeeventhoseglosseduptomake
youthinkyoucouldntpossiblyhaveanylegitimatereasontofindthem
objectionable,likeprogressiveBerkeley.Andthosewithsuchgreatspirit
wouldfindthemselves,where,exactly?Waitering,retail,even.Verywell
couldbe.
Still,evenifmostlythereaboutatthebottomtheyreconstitutedsothat
theydshowenergiesthatwouldmakeotherpeopleuncomfortablethatis,
oftheid.AndIthinkacasemightbemadethatfilmmakerslikeScorseseor
Fincher(whochosefacebooksZuckermanashisnextgenerationvehicle
forlivingthroughhisowninvigoratinglife)shouldconsiderparkingmore
withthemnexttimeorinfact,foralltimessubsequent,untilwereno
longerinfallentimesbutintimeswherethemostlibidinousareonceagain
thelikesofflappersandhippies.LikeScorseseadmirablydidwiththisfilm,
heshouldjustasmuchshoweveryfleetingdesireorbasethoughtthatcan
flickerthroughtheirminds.AndBrodyshouldattackdoganyonewhod
wantittobeadulteratedtomakeuslessuncomfortableaboutourfullhuman
rangeofdesires.ButletsnotbetraythelikesofourShutterIslandgood
doctorslivinginourtimessimplybecauseitstheworstgeniusesthistime
roundwhosensetheyvegotthegreenlight.Atsomepointitreallyis
germanetoaskifitsnotcrushingyoursoultohavechosenthedemonsover
thegreaterbutbefallenandlikelyrattled,simplybecauserightnowthey
happentobevanguard.Youvegivenyourselfrange,butinaputridbody.

And,thereareourfriendsoutthere,who'vewe'vechosentopassby.

WolfofWallStreet(partone)
Therearenovictimsatthebeginningofthemovie.Basically,itbeginswith
aladfindinghimselfinwhatturnsouttobeoneoftheenginerooms
keepingawholesocietyrunning,thatneedstobekeptgoingsmoothlylest
collapse.Totheir"customers,"theyfloodconfidence,theirownego,surety,
andunflappability.Anythingequivocatingmustbe"otherside"ontheside
ofthoseinvestinginstocks,whoneedtohaveeverybitofwaveringgreeted
withanimmediatereturnofreassurance.Tobethisforthem,forsociety,
meansaffixingthemselveswiththerightmixofchemicalssotobeastable
baseofrelaxedblissfromwhenceconfidencecanbespurtoutasrequired.
Therearenovictims,becausethemoviebeginswithasensethatthisisjust
wheresocietyis.Whatevermighthavedrivensocietiesbeforethenwhich
mightinthepasthavebeen"righteous"warandsacrifice(the40s),cautious
butrealgrowthandparanoia(the50s),authenticityandtheblossomof
utopianism(the60s),easyliving(the70s),andattacksuitsandpissonpoor
sobriety(theearlyReagan80s)hereit'saboutperpetuating:keepingthe
manwithmoneyfromsensinganyrelapseofyourassurance.
There'san"earthquake"thecrashof'87andforamomentitlookslike
theremightbevictims:awholecultureofmiddleclasserskeepingexpenses
downandyetstillalwaysatriskoflosingallandgoingdown.Butaswe
know,thisrealityofbeingtotallyshutoutwasstillfifteenyearsaway.And
sowhatwereallyhadnowwasjustapausewherethosewhocouldregroup
fastenoughwouldfindwhatnexttostokeonanage.
JordanBelfort,encouragedbyhiswife,stepsoutintotheboonies,auseless
Yukonramshacklebeforeithadannouncedtotheworldthatinfurrowing
awayfromtheworldithadfurroweditselfupagainstthenexthugemother
load.Therearetypestherepokingatprospectsasifthebesttakeawaymight
fillacontented,pathetichalfbailfulltherearen'tanyveinsdeeperthan
arm'slength,ostensibly.Belfortestimatesthismayhavelittletodowith

whatpossiblericheslieoutthereandmoretodowiththeselfconceptionof
thosedoingthemining:they'resmall,deflatedpeoplenosepickersand
previouslybulliedwhomnobodyhasevertriedtoinflate,andwhoshould
proportionatelyonlyfindongoingsmalltroughsoftreasure.Comeatthis
territoryinabigandpresumingway,andwhoknows?Somethingmassive
mightbeexpandeddownintohisandperhapseventually,eachandevery
oneofthesetoadinvestor'sscoopingthroatsacks.
SoeventhoughBelfort'sattentionwillsoonmoveontoWallStreetagain,
thenextlargepartofthefilmfeelslikeit'sthe90sand2000s,where
somehowpeoplewith,ostensibly,nomoney,becamethesourceofthenext
longcrazyboom.ThatsmallpennystockshackthatBelfortconvincesasap
toinvestseveralthousanddollarsinallthathappenedherewasareveal
thatthese"garbagemen,"thesemiddleclassmen,werenolongerthe50s
typeswhofoundcontentmentinsomethingsubstantialyetstillevidently
middling,butpeoplewhoonlysoughtoutthewholehog:thebrazenand
disproportionate,theobscenetheeightbedroomhomewithtwoeighty
inchTVsandahemitwotoninthegarage,ifitcouldallbegotten,whenin
facttheirjobsuretywasslackening.Whatwassogreataboutwhathadbeen
discoveredwasthattheirappetiteswereasmisshapenasthoseoftheWall
Streetwolves;yourdeliveryneededtobeconfident,butitcouldbesloppy,
have"holes"init,becauseofthegiganticneedofthesepeopletodeflect
awayfromanythingattenuatedinitspromise.Belfortmightmakefunof
thembehindtheirbacks,butsomehowthisisn'thumiliatingthevictimsso
muchasshowinghowthesenowunleashedappetitescanhardlybe
overwritten.Ifyoupissintoanoilgeyseryouveproudlyunleashed,
attentionisdrawn,afterall,tothepowerofsomethingquitebeyondeasy
ruin.
Ifyouweretobedecentwiththesepeopleratherthanreadilyexploitthem,
bethesalesmanfrom"RuthlessPeople,"whoregardlessofhowhestarts
hisspielultimatelyattemptstocautionawaytheyouthwiththepregnant
wifefrombuyingthestereo"that'sasbigasaSubaruandcostsasmuch,"
you'dbeblithelyignored,dilutedoutoffieldofvision,instantlyaghost
scratchingdesperatelyatairspaceandhopelesslythinningoutintoever
thinningvapors,whileapompoussalesmanintrudespastyoutoofferthe
dancethevolcanicappetitecustomerexpects.Andsowhilethephenomenon
isthesamemassivebagsofmoneyareforkedoverthesesmallpeople

losingonpennystockswerejustaslikelytohavespentitallonSubaru
sizedTVs,ifhappenstancehaddrawndownuponthemadifferentcold
caller.Andratherthantherebyruinedtheydintheseinstanceskeepand
enjoystuffthattemporarilyabsolvedthemconsideringtheymightnotbe
oneofsociety'swinners.
Soonceagain,therearenovictims,becauseasifcollectivelyeveryone
agreesthatthismustbethelastabsurdstorythataninflatedagewilltell
beforeaDepression'sbigmittsmasticateseverythingthatwentonbeforeit
intoahumbledmattofpleatitwouldlayitsownwretchedstoryover,these
peoplewithnomoneysomehowinawayIstilldon'tquiteunderstand,getit,
getthemoney,inapparentabundanceenoughforsometoevenbuy
McMansions,andaswellmostofthemneareverysingleelectronictrickthe
economyunleashed.Iknowitsaboutworkingtriplehoursaswell;buta
hugelotofitwasbeingbenightedbyotherworldlypowersquitebeyond
thembutwhosawinthemidealandnecessarytransductionfortheirown
ongoingstoryGod,Jesus,HolyaerialspiritsWallStreetdivesting
themselvesoftheexceptionaltosuccortemporarilyinthemultitudes.So
triplemortgages,groupedtogetherintomutualfunds,intoeverywealthy
Americansportfolio,increasinginvalueeachwayupuntilcollectively
peopleshiftedmindsetsandthewholethingseemedinsaneanationof
wealthbuiltoutofTulipflowers,orratherturd.Onceagain,a
developmentthatdidntoccurforafulldecadeandahalf.
Werebacktosuretyagain;andthoughforbeingaperfectembodimentof
theagehenolongerneedsone,awiserversionofhisstillperspicacious
previousmentoraGandalfMatthewMcConaugheywouldtellBelfort
thathesluckytobeoneofthosefeelingthiscouldntpossiblybeabetter
timetobealive.Atimewhereitsalmostimpossibletorightfullyfeelguilt,
foreveryonesnowclamoringforwhattheirownpersonalequivalentof
beinginaperpetualchemicalhighis.Andsoifyouthinksomethings
wrongwithwhatsgoingonyourenotsomuchgoingtomakeyoursmall
helpfulindentanyway,butratherbeignored,fordecadesmaybetherestof
yourlife.ForwhostosaythenextagetheDepressionone,whereno
outbreakofthemanicwillbeallowedtoinflatesocietybeyondwhathad
beenaccountedformightdislikeyouregoismevenmorethanlate
growthresentedyourabilitytogetonoutsideofadrughigh.Dontworry
abouttheprostitutesyourescrewing,oreventherecruitsyoumakeoffice

whoreseverygloopsuckeddownfromthemenoftheirtimemakesthem
belongthatmuchmoretoit.Theyreactuallygrowinginstature,notbeing
befelled.Watch,thegirlgivingtheblowjobtoeverymanintheroomwill
endupclaimingoneofyourringleadersinmarriage.Itllhappen.Feel
lucky;liveguiltfree;andonlytamperdownthemasturbationsoyouve
moreforthewhores!
Theninthefilm,suddenly,itsasifpost2008,posttherealestatecrash,
postwhentherenowwasnorecompenseforpeoplewithpoorjobsandlittle
moneybuttowaitatleastanotherhalfdecadeforunionstoteaseinto
relevanceagain,postwheneveryoneinacompanyandeveryonewho
supplieditcouldrightfullybethoughtofassharinginthesamecrazyhigh
times,hadsteppedin,andtherearevictims.Postthiscrash,whichtookus
intoourcurrentDepression,peopledontclingtothebosstoclaimhis
potencytheyrenottheeagerrecruitscrashingdownonOakmontafterthe
Forbesarticle,whoiftheyrelucky,andin,willgarneradecadeof
debauchfromhimbeforetheyhavetowakeupbutratherlikeMaefrom
DaveEggerstheCircle,whoasMargaretAtwoodsays,hasrecently
beenanEverygirlstuckinherownversionofpurgatory,thehumiliating
McJobinthegasandenergyutilityofhersmallhometowninCaliforniathat
shetookoutoftheneedtopayoffhercrushingcollegedebts.Nowshes
calledbackfromthelivingdead.Thesearepeoplewhodrawclosefor
reassurancethattheydobelong,thattheywontfindthemselvesbackwhere
theycamefrom.Theyretryingtonailtheirfeetmoresecurelytothefloor
sotheycantberemoved,whichactuallytaintsthemasanalienelement
maybetobedetectedbythosewhofeelthebondmoreassumingly.
Therearetwoinstanceswhereindividualswithinthecompanygetsingled
out.Oneofthemprobablygetscategorizedinthemindasjustcomica
bowtieddandycleaningafishbowlishandedatorrentofabuseby
Belfortsnumberone,JonahHillsDonnieAzoff.Itscomic,forthescenes
WheresWaldoelementsinceheresabouttheonlybowtieamidstthe
restofthecompanyspower90sregularsandofcourseforAzoff
descendingdownonhimlikesomedeathharkeningvulture.Butitcounts
neverthelessassomeonewithinthecompanygettingcrushedforsomething
ostensiblyobviousandhorrifyingbutobjectivelyinnocuousand
inconsequent.Aninstancethatcouldfreezeandterrifyanyoneinthe
companywhosawthemselvesinhim.

Theotherinstancebringsusveryclosetothesituationinmostcompanies
today,wherepeopletryingtojointhedebauchcanthelpbutbeexposedby
thetrepidationtheiroutsidelivescontinuetoimbibeinthem.Anofficegirl
agreestohaveherhairshavedoffinfrontofeveryonefortenthousand
dollars.Thiseventistocapoffastaffcelebration;andaswithallthesethat
endwithattentiontowomen,itsaboutwomendivestingthemselves.
However,whilestrippersbeingintroducedareofthepartynothingthatll
goonwillbemuchofasurprise,norespeciallyagrievancetothemshe
strikesyoumoreassomeonewhosinnocenttohowmuchdenigrationwill
driveeveryoneon.AsStephanieZachareksays,shesubmitscheerfullyto
theelectricshaver,butwefeelhumiliatedforheraslocksofherlustrous
hairfalltothefloor.She'splayingtheboys'game,tossingherowncurrency
intothepot,butit'salljustabigguffawforthem.Indeed,thoughtheguys
afterwardsfocusonarangeofthings,iftheirfocuswasallowedtorest
longeronhertheymighthavetosseddollarbillsoverheranotherlending
offeedbackforhertoeventuallywrapintoherawareness,thatthoughshe
hopedtofurtherbelong,themomenthadleftherlessthegameemployee
andmoresomeonewhodletherselfbesacrificedforamomentaryegging
onofthehoard.
AtthispointinthefilmeverytimeIwatchedBelfortandhisfriends
entertainingthemselves,orbeinggoodfriendstooneanother,Ididenjoy
vicariouslyexperiencingtheiradventuresandhowtheyshowedhowtheir
timetogetherhaslenttogenuine,supportingfriendshipsbetweenthembut
Ibroughtalongthroughouttheghostsofthosenotsolucky.Mostnotably,
whenBelfortdecideshewontforsakehiscompanyandinafrenzyre
pledgeshisallegiancetothepeoplehelovesmostparticularlythesenior
femalerecruitwhosbeentheresincethebeginningIwasntjustshedding
atearforhissincereandlovingtribute.Ididnotehislove,andIappreciated
himforitandaswellherownheartfeltrepledgingherselftohim.But
herereallyarethemanagementtypesyouseeineverycompanynowadays
whofeteoneanotherconstantly,whocandoreallykindthingsforone
another,begeneroustoeachother,andthenswitchintokillerswhenthey
interactwitheveryoneelse.Theybecomethosewhowonderwhyyourenot
sufficientlyenthusedaboutandchampioningthefirm,oblivioustohow
concertedlythefirmhasshapedconditionssothatgenuineenthusiasm
wouldmarkyouasthekindofreadytotossouthumangarbagewhosmiles

moreafteryoukickit.
SoIcertainlywasntquitewherethereviewerRichardBrodywasat,whoin
hisreviewofthefilmremarkedthatinthisdeparturespeech[he]betthat
someviewerswontbeabletoresistsomeembarrassingtears,andjustleft
itatthat.Ishedsome,whichIthoughtwasquiteremarkableofme,because
IwasawaretheywereeffectivelyforthepigsofAnimalFarm.Andwas
preparedtobattlethoselikeBrodysurelypreposterouslyupbraidingthose
withqualmsaboutrevelingintheiradventures.
12YearsaSlave(ReviewPartOne)
I'veonlyseenonefilmthisyearthatkindagetsathowsomeonecould
becomeapersonassadisticasFassbender'sslaveownerisinthisfilm.
Insidious2gothowalittle,vulnerableboy,completelyownedbyan
absolutelyterrifyingmother,wasgoingtohavenochancebuildingan
independentselfapartfromher.Hislifewasontheline,andyoucan
imaginehowasixoreightorhoweveroldaboyhewas,wouldhaveabrain
formedlargelyonensuringhedoesnothingoutsideofwhatshewants.The
pointoflife...istonotbedevoured.Andthegreathomosapiensbrainofhis
wouldbeusingallitsevolutionaryexcellencetocontrivemeanstoensurehe
managesthisevenifthismeansmakinghimintosomeonewhowouldbeto
anysaneoutsider,deviant,insane...strangelyillpurposedtowhatlife
wouldconfronthimwith.Therestoftheworlddoesnotrealizethatthisone
brainalonenegotiatedavoidingoblivion!Whatofifitifit'sillpurposedto
manageanythingelseinlife,whichafterallmightbeaboutself
developmentandadventure,suchstrange,completelyuncountenanceable
things,thatarefirmlyknowntobe,forthatmatter,completelydisavowed
forhimbymother,whenlifehasclearlyshoweditselfinitsdefinitivefirst
allimportantyearsofbeingexperiencedasonlyaboutavoidingbeing
killed?ItwasvitalbutyoungEnderinanadultmissionagainstaplanetof
bugs,andinafeverofgenius,itwon!itwon!itwon!Thefullcompassof
theuniversewasrevealed,andinonehellofapitched,ongoingbattle,a
definitivevictorywasforalltimeachieved!Whatthebraindoes,though,
isn'tquitewhatisshowninthisfilm.Itdoesn'tfigureoutprimarilyhowbest
toobeyherherebydressingupasagirlanddisavowinghimselfasaboyso
tonotremindhismotherofherformerhusbandbutrathertobepartofher,

tobeher.Asher,he'dneverneedworryaboutbeingdevouredbyheror,just
asimportantly,losingherapprovalandfeelingabandoned.Inreallife,the
youngboywouldhavedressedupasagirlonhisowninitiativea
replica,specificallyofhismother,thatis;notjustanyoddfemalerather
thanterrorizedintoit.Andhislaterdevelopmentintoa"Psycho"adultwho
dressesevidentlyashismotherwouldhavesyncedup.Inreallife,too,he'd
proceedfurtherandbehuntingdowninnocentpeople,takinghugedelightin
sawingthemupwhatfun!cackle!cackle!cackle!becausehe'dbehis
mother,whomhisbrainwouldonlyhaveletknowasfullyrighttobeso
devotedtoterrorizinghisinnocent,vulnerablechildself,forfearlettinghim
beeveninthesmallestsenseawareofhertrueperversionwouldhavelead
tohisbeingspottedout.Ifdespiteknowinghowshedoesn'twantyoutosee
herlimitations,herthoroughdeviance(andtrustme,shedoesn't),you
actuallywereallowedbyyourbraintobecognizantofhergame,you'dalso
knowshe'ddeemthe"you"you'verevealedtoyourselfaspermanently
unworthyofandremovedfromanyfurtherloveanimpossibleactualityto
accept.You'vegot,thatis,tobeconsciouslyonlyallowedtoknowherasa
saint;someoneyou'ddefendagainstinsultstothedeath...thatmuchmore
soifallshedoesbetweenstuffingherselfwithamusementsisblenderbabies
intomilkshakes.Eachtimehefoundayoungvictim,he'dbemorefully
fusedintohismother,andthevulnerablechildselfthatisintolerabletobe
remindedof,thatmuchmoreoutside.Constantfusionintoasadisticalter,
constantvictimizingofpeoplerepresentinghis"guilty"childself,wouldbe
hislife...justasitisforthepereniallysadisticFassbender.
Fassbender'sslaveownerhadamotherwhodidtohimwhathedoestohis
slaves?Yes,thisisabsolutelyright.Everyslaveholderhadonesuchmother,
whichiswhy,exactly,slaverybecameinstitutionalized.Theslavershownin
thefilmwhomakestheslavestandforhoursinapainfulpositionwhilehe
laxydazies...yep,thisissomethingthatslaveholderwasafflictedwithin
hisownchildhood(Iknewsomethingofthismyself,withmymomlyingon
herbed,readingfantasybooks,eatingcookiesintoabellycontentedthatit
couldholddownfourorfivebagfuls,andluxuriating,whileIstood
uncomfortablyattendingtoherlikeaeunechatattentionbeforeaSultan
queen).Fassbendermakingevenhisprizeslave,theoneunbelievablygifted
atspeedgatheringcotton,existinsomuchfilthshewretchesatherown
smell...yep,thisiswhatFassbenderhimselfenduredbyhismotherduring
hisownchildhood.Collectively,alltheslaveholdersmakingtheirslavesinto

stinking,shitstained,confinedwretches,recallsformewhattheGermans
didtoJews,Gypsies,and"unsocials,"whentheyreinflictedtheirown
horriblechildhoodexperiencesontotheminthe30sand40s.Towit:upona
German's"birth,'thewretchednewbornlittlethingwaswoundupinellsof
bandages,fromthefeetright,andtight,uptotheneck;asifitwereintended
tobeembalmedasamummybabiesareloathsome,foetidthings,
offensivetothelastdegreewiththeirexcreta'Babiessimplycouldnot
movefortheirfirstyearoflife.AvisitorfromEnglanddescribedthe
Germanbabyas'apiteousobject;itispinionedandbounduplikeamummy
inyardsofbandagesitisneverbathedItsheadisnevertouchedwith
soapandwateruntilitiseightortenmonthsold.'Theirfecesandurinewas
soregularlyleftontheirbodiesthattheywerecoveredwithliceandother
verminattractedtotheirexcreta,andsincetheswaddlingbandageswere
verytightandcoveredtheirarmsaswellastheirbodies,theycouldnot
preventtheverminfromdrinkingtheirblood.Theirparentsconsideredthem
sodisgustingtheycalledthem'filthylicecoveredbabies,'andoftenput
them,swaddled,inabag,whichtheyhungonthewalloronatreewhilethe
mothersdidothertasks"(DeMause,"ChildhoodOriginsofWorldWar2and
theHolocaust").
Thewhippingandlashestoo,Fassbenderandtherestofhisslaveholderilk
wouldhavesuffered?Onceagainyup.Verymuchyup.Germansdidthis
toJewsaswell,asithadbeendonetothembytheirparents:"Itwasbrutal
beating,beginningininfancy,thatvisitorstoGermanymostcommented
uponatthebeginningofthetwentiethcentury,withthemotherfarmore
oftenthemainbeaterthanthefather.Luthersstatementthat'Iwouldrather
haveadeadsonthanadisobedientone'ismisleading,sinceitimplies
disobedienceonlywastheoccasionforbeatings,whereasmerecryingor
evenjustneedingsomethingusuallyresultedinbeingpunished.'Dr.
SchrebersaidtheearlieronebeginsbeatingsthebetterOnemustlookat
themoodsofthelittleoneswhichareannouncedbyscreamingwithout
reasonandcrying[inflicting]bodilyadmonishmentsconsistentlyrepeated
untilthechildcalmsdownorfallsasleeponeismasterofthe
childforever.Fromnowonaglance,aword,asinglethreateninggesture,is
sufficienttorulethechild.'Havernickfound89percentofparentsadmitted
beatinglittlechildrenatthebeginningofthetwentiethcentury,overhalf
withcanes,whips,orsticks.ThemottoofGermanparentsforcenturieswas
'Childrencannevergetenoughbeatings.'Theywerenotjustspankings;they

werebeatingswithinstrumentsorwhippingslikeHitlersdailywhippings
withadogwhip,whichoftenputhimintoacoma.(AsFuehrer,Hitlerused
tocarryadogwhipwithhimashegaveorderstobecarriedout.)Itisnot
surprisingthatGermanchildhoodsuicideswerethreetofivetimeshigher
thanotherWesternEuropeannationsattheendofthenineteenthcentury,
fearsofbeatingsbyparentsbeingthereasoncitedbychildrenfortheir
suicides.Noonespokeupforthechildren;newspaperswrote:'boywho
commitssuicidebecauseofaboxontheearshasearnedhisfate.'The
beatingscontinuedatschool,where'wewerebeatenuntilourskin
smoked.'Childrencouldbeheardscreamingonthestreetseachmorningas
theywerebeingdraggedtoschoolbytheirmothers.Theschoolmasterwho
boastedhehadgiven'911,527strokeswiththestickand124,000lasheswith
thewhip'tostudentswasnotthatunusualforthetime.Comparisonsof
GermanandFrenchchildhoodsinthelatenineteenthcenturyfound'no
brightmoment,nosunbeam,nohintofacomfortablehome[with]mother
loveandcare'intheGermanones,with'sexualmolestationandbeatingsat
homeandatschoolconsistentlyworseintheGermanaccounts.'Endes
massivestudyofGermanautobiographiesofthetimefound'infant
mortality,corporalpunishment,andcrueltiesagainstchildren'weresobrutal
hehadtoapologize'fornotdealingwiththe'brighterside'ofGerman
childhoodbecauseitturnsoutthatthereisno'brightside.'Otherstudies
foundmostGermansremembered'notenderword,nocaresses,onlyfear'
withchildhood'sojoyless,soimmeasurablysadthatyoucouldnotfathom
it.'WhenHitlerwroteinMeinKampfthat'theGermanpeopletodaylies
brokenanddefenseless,exposedtothekicksofalltheworld'bothheandhis
readingaudiencereadthisnotaspoliticalmetaphorbutastherealkicksof
theirparentsandteachersandrealmemoriesoflyingbrokenand
defenseless.Thetorturesofchildhoodwerefarmoretraumaticandconstant
thanthelaterstudiesof'authoritarianism'everimagined.Therewasagood
reasonthatGermansandAustriansspokesooftenabout
theirKinderfeindlichkeit(ragetowardchildren),anditisthisragethatis
embeddedintheearlyviolentamygdalanalterswhichisinflictedupon
othersinWorldWarIIandtheHolocaust.Thechildhittinghandwaseven
thesymbolofNaziobedience,sincetheNazisaluteendlesslydisplayedthe
openpalmoftheirbeatingparentsastheyfusedwiththem,flushwith
opioids.'Ghostsfromthenursery'embeddedbyextremelyinsecurely
attachedchildrenweredisplayedeverywhereinNaziGermany.Toimagine
tensofmillionsofpeople'justobeyingHitler'asthoughtherewerenoinner

compulsiontoinflicttheirnightmarishearlierchildhoodtorturesonothersis
simplyabsurd(DeMause,"ChildhoodOrigins").
12YearsaSlavedoesworsethanCarriedidtonudgeuscloserto
understandinghowsomeonecouldbecomeathoroughsadist,but,likethat
film,itdoesatleastshowsometruth:here,thatslaversarelessrespectful
andlovingpeoplenot,thatis,justpeopleundersomespellofacollusionof
adultpreachinginflictedonthemwhentheywereyoung;victimsof
ideology,thatis.Fassbenderandhiswifearecolossalassholes,fullofhate,
fullofdesiringotherpeopletheirslavestobesubjugatedforthewretched
crimestheycommitted.BenedictCumberland,thenicestofallpossible
slavers,knowsatverynear,atvery,very,verynearaconsciouslevel,that
theclearlyeducatedslavehe'spurchasedhadtohaveoncebeenfree,tobe
someonehehimselfwouldrecognizeasfreeifhemethimwhiletouringthe
north,butwon'tlethimgo.Thecapacityofthismantolove,whichissome,
palesincomparisontotheattorneywhoarrivestofreeNorthup,ormore
notably,BradPitt,whomovinglyriskshisownlifetodoso.Butstill,the
linktoparentingisn'tthere,andwemightjustaswellassumethatthe
institutionitselfpoisonedthem,stuntedthem,thaneverconsiderthateach
oneofthemmighthavehadamotherasterrifyingasFassbender'swife.If
thefilmhaddonethat,shownthatmotherforceherchildrentoknowfilth
andwhippingsandabandonmentforbeingdeemedwillfullydisobedient
bratsthatneededtobebrokenevenifasexpectedtheywerestillgroomed
intobetterswhatawonderfulandusefulconnectionwouldhavebeen
made:thatishowachildcouldgrowintoanadultwhowouldfindsuch
righteousnessingettingdisobedientunderlingsintoline,notatallblanching
whenwhipstrokeafterwhipstrokeactuallyspoonedchunksoffleshoutof
people,andmorelikelybeingarousedbyit(astheGermanswere,asthey
masturbatedduringtheirownfloggingsofJews).Theapprovalfrommom
thateverysmallchildneeds,couldonlyeverbefoundinwholeheartedly
joininghercause.
ButI'mgoingatthisfilmasifwemightbeinterestedinusingitasan
opportunitytotest,refine,revise,orratherbettercompletelyreunderstand
howaninstitutionlikeslaverycouldcomeintoexistencelettingtheidiotic
economicrationaledissolveforgood.Butthiswouldmarkprogress,growth,
andsothisisn'tsomethingwe'reapttobedoing.Rather,we'reusingthis
filmasarewardtoshowthatwe'verefitoursocietythatsoinnocuouslywe

canwatchafilmaboutastrictlytwotieredsocietymaster,andslave
somethingostensibly150yearsandacivilwarbehindus,andbesurprised
byhowmuchweinvolvedourselvesinthepositionoftheslave.We
increasinglyseeourownsocietyastwotiered,withavenuesofplausible
climbingclosedofftheonepercentvs.theninetynine.Andthisisn't
becauserealityhasforcedusoffourpreferredconceptionoflivingin
somethingmultitiered,involvingtheessentialmiddleclass.Instead,we
knewalongwhileagothatwewantedsomethingstratified,withtheupper
echelonaclassapart,andsetthingsinmotionsothatevenwhenmassive
bankloanleveragingwaskeepingushousedandupwitheveryelectronic
trick,ourouterrealitywouldsoonratherbetterreflectthe"Kantian"schema
weweregametoforceontoit.We'reinaperiodofpenance,wherebecause
previouscollectivegrowthwasmakingusfeelterrifyinglyabandoned,asit
recalledhowinouryouthourownemergingselfattendanceeventuallydrew
angerfromourimmaturemothersforitmeaningapermanentturnaway
fromhavinguptothatpointmostlyfocusedourexistencearoundher,we
feelcompelledtoshutitdownsotoknowherbackwithus.Wekillthe
growthwe'veaccrued;wekillthepotentialtogrow;andfamiliarize
ourselveswith"stuckness";andlifemoreandmorebecomesusaschildren
notyetoldenoughtoleavethehearththefragileninetyninepercentinthe
perpetualcompanyofentitledparentstheobstinatelyset,one.She'sthere,
ourmom'sthere;andevenifshe'saloofandremoved,she'snotmad,not
angry:evenifwe'renotallactinglikegoodchildren,wedotheessentialpart
andcommunicatethatownedchildren"is"whoweare,andthatwewon'tbe
doinganyshiftingofstructureforagoodlongwhile(likethelast
Depression,abouttwelveyears?).Herenemiesemissariesofrealgrowth
will,unlessthey'remostlygoingtobeincorporatedintomakingour
"parents"liveseasierormoreluxuriant,becomeourown,asweeitherchase
anyonewithanynotablenewideasoutofpublicvieworsomehowmakeit
possiblethateveniftheywereagloriousnewdawnvisiteduponus...we're
justnotseeingit,sorry.SowehaveaculturewhereJamesWolcott
appropriatelywrites:"Althoughweliveinacultureofuncircumcisedsnark,
itactuallyseemsamoredeferentialtimetome,thepietiesandapproved
brandnamesCindySherman,LenaDunham,QuentinTarantino,Junot
Diaz,MarkMorris,JuddApatow,JohnCurrin(feelfreetothrowother
namesintothepot)moresecurelyclampeddownoverourears."Where
"today'ssocialmediamakingeventhemeanestrattlesnakesmendtheirways
inthehopeofbeingliked,friended,andfollowedinnumberssufficient

enoughnottobemortifying."Ifyou're"in,"youstayin.Ifyou'reout,you
shouldknowthepartyou'reassignedandit'stobeasifmarkedby
somethingintangibleandintransigentthatyou'realwaysastepdown.You
canbelikeNorthrupandplayyourfiddlelikeagenius,orinstructonhowto
engineerawaythroughastuckproblemthat'donlyfailtoimpressthe
mosttrenchantlysetagainstyou,butnotifit'stoprovethepointthatas
muchasanyone,youdon'treallybelongwhereyou'restationed."Parents,"
theonepercent,areplayingaroleaswell,somethingcollectivelyassigned
tothem,onlytheyjustdon'tknowit.Ithinkitisthisunconsciousknowing
thatthey'vemasochistically,unselfishly,surrenderedthemselvestoplayinga
partwhichremains,evenifhardtosee,stillverymuchademeaning
surrenderofhumanpotentialthatisbuoyingsomeofthepleasurethey're
takinginlivingthesedays...opiatesflowingfromfeltparentalapproval.I
admitI'mmostlythinkingofthoseliketheonesWalcottmentionshere,
thoseoftheliberalliterateelite,whoareevidentlynotperturbedthattheyall
sharethesamehabitsandassumptionstothedegreethatthedullestgentry
clotdidincenturiespast.They'renotaboutmovingusahead,butabout
stationmannershavebecomethepointitself,somethingwhichreallyisjust
alubricantwhengentry'sononeofitsrolesandByronesquegeniusgetsto
comeoutofthemasmuchasfromanyambitiousShakespearemerchant'
son.Youlistentotheirdiscourse,andyouknowthey'renotrolls.The
Gandalfwhorowsupthepleasantofferedcheerful"goodmorning!"with
contestationandcomplication...intoday'sclimate,he'sbutanotherofthe
trollswho'sdescendeddownfromthemountains.He'dquicklylearntostifle
it,andnexttimebymasterBaggins'he'dbe,"yes,yes,itisagoodmorning!
Indeedso!Sorrytodisturbyou,andthanksagainforyourkind
remembrancesaboutmyfireworks..thoughrememberifyoucantolikemy
"GoodOldGrandpaGandalf"fireworksFacebookpage;everybithelps,you
know!"andhe'dshuffleoffasquickasafox,astamedasthepatheticcar
buffingBiff,tochancedisturbingthemorningnofurther.Societywouldbe
onefurtheruponpropriety,andshornonepossiblemegadisturbance;and
eveniftheyweremadeawarethatinsubscribinghimintotheroleofadoor
todoorsalesmanitcostthemonepotentiallyworldsavingwizard,it'dstill
befeltascompletelyworthit.
PaulKrugmanrecentlyrecountedthedamagesthathavebeenafflictedby
ourcurrentausteritymaintainedDepression:"Thesedrynumbers[he,
writes,]translateintomillionsofhumantragedieshomeslost,careers

destroyed,youngpeoplewhocan'tgettheirlivesstarted.Andmanypeople
havepleadedallalongforpoliciesthatputjobcreationfrontandcenter.
Theirpleashave,however,beendrownedoutbythevoicesofconventional
prudence.Wecan'tspendmoremoneyonjobs,saythesevoices,because
thatwouldmeanmoredebt.Wecan'tevenhireunemployedworkersandput
idlesavingstoworkbuildingroads,tunnels,schools.Nevermindtheshort
run,wehavetothinkaboutthefuture!Thebitterirony,then,isthatitturns
outthatbyfailingtoaddressunemployment,wehave,infact,been
sacrificingthefuture"(NYT,Nov.72013).We'reinflictingalotofdamages
toourselves,alotofanxiety.Thisisimportant,becausewhenyoutakeinto
considerationhowevenwhenjobswereleavingusandourincomeswere
wiltingaway,bankswerestillenablingusallthestuffwewantedfora
furthertwentyyears,itundoesalltheaccruingwehadbeendoingpretty
muchwithoutpausesinceWorldWar2.Further,it'sadding"revenue"of
despairintoapotthatwilleventuallyfillsothatwesensethatenoughjoy
hasnowfinallybeensacrificedtoourmothersshe'smollified,and
satiatedthatwekindanowfeelsafetobegintotiptoeawayfromherand
embarkoutsideonreal,undeterminedadventure,whileshegoesona
severaldecadelongsnooze.Butit'samistaketosaythesefiguresdelineate
onlymisery.Whenweknowwe'vesucceededinmakingdeepsacrifices
happen,Motheriswithus,notgoingtoleaveus,andweknowakindof
contentmentonethatevenliberates,andenablessomefun...ifwegoabout
thingsproperly.TherecentThormovietriesaweebittoexplainwhythe
NorsearistocracyanempoweredKingandQueenisjust,butitbarely
bothers.Wefeelwatchingthismoviethatthosecreatingitandthose
watchingitwilljustacceptthearistocracyasnormal,notbecausewe're
dealingwitholdgodsbutbecauseit'showwe'reattendingtoourown
societyaswell(notetherecenthopelessSaloneffortremindingpeoplenot
tofocussomuchonthe"Queen"battleofHillaryvs.ElizabethWarrenas
it'sthe"littlepeople"congressionalbattlesthat'llmattermost),andwould
haveasthenewnormal,ratherthananythingqueerlydemos.Andthere'sno
wishinginthemoviefromthe"littlepeople"foranymollification.The
internIanwhoisthroughoutthemoviereferredtoas"intern"ratherthanby
name,objects,butmostlyshowsthat...whatever,it'soutofhispower.For
hisshrugging,forhisacceptanceandmostlynoncomplaint,forhis
willingnesstolethimselfbeusedandmildlyabusedandforshowingthatif
hespenttherestofhislifeashejustmightinaroleperenniallyserviletoan
actualscientistwithmultipledegrees,that,well,that'sjustwhatlife's

allottedhim,themoviegrantshimaboon:atthefinishhegetstodo
somethingheroicandstrong,andthereafterreceivesadmirationandakiss
fromtheseniorinternevenifitmeansoncemorebeingthepassive.Ian's
theNorthropin12Years,whofordoingremarkablethings...whofor
showingthatevendoingsomethingreallyaccomplishedneednotpresson
beingaclasschallenge,hegetsrewarded.JustlikeintheGreatDepression,
we'regoingtoseealotofpeopleinservilerolesinmovies,andtakenote
thatwhenyouhearthemcomplain,about"whataladyhasgottodotogeta
buckorabitofrespectinthisheredepression,"orwhatever,whatyou'llbe
hearingislesstearingdownthewallsandmoretheirbeingresignedtothem.
Itneedn'tbedonesoloudthatyou'recognizantthatthecagessomehow
seemsurerafter"your"complaint;justloudenoughthatitregisterswith
yourmasters.
Asasidenote,ifyou'reincapableofactuallydrillingyourselftowanttolive
inadreaminhibitingage,ifyou'reoneofthosegenuinelygoodliberals,
birthedoftrulylovingparents,whobelievedthatOccupy'sfacilitationof
society'sunderstandingofitselfasofmasterandservantswassomething
otherthanourconcedingthatwe'veroomedourhouseaswewouldlikeit,
andinsteadasasurepreludetoinsurrectionandthereafteranequalsociety,
thesecouldberealtoughtimesforyouinparticular.I'mthinking
specificallynowofRobertFrost'ssister,aliberal,whomhisbrotherhad
committedintoaninsaneasylumduringWW2.MorrisDicksteinwritesthat
"withahistoryofviolentoutbursts,Frost'ssisterhadgrownincreasingly
hystericalaboutthewar,yetFrost[...]paintsherastheparadigmofaliberal
goneberserk,ableedingheartwhoreallybled.'Ireallythinkshethoughtin
herheartthatnothingwoulddojusticetothewarbutgoinginsaneoverit.'
He,ontheotherhand,wasfatalisticandselfprotective,thekindof
conservativeforwhomthere'sverylittleanyonecandotoalterthebasic
conditionsoflife,whichincludegoingcrazyanddying.Forhissister,he
says,'onehalftheworldseemedunendurablybadandtheotherhalf
unendurablyindifferent.Sheincludedmeintheunendurablyindifferent.A
mistake.Ibelongtotheunendurablybad.''Itwasdesignedtobeasad
world,'helaterwrotetoUntermeyer"("DancingintheDark").

Ender'sGame

OneofthingsthatissupposedtobenotableaboutEnder,isthathe
encouragesotherkidstothinkforthemselvesandchipin.Heiseven
remindedofthisjustbeforehisbiggestbattleagainstthebugaliens.Sowhat
doesheinfactdo?Heleavesallhisothercommanders'forcestobe
sacrificed,andthereforeleftwithnothingtoindividuallycommand.How
niceitwouldhavebeentoseethefocuspulledoffhim,asheostensibly
wishes,andactuallywitnesssomeoftheothercommandersmakedecisions.
Butwedon'tgetthat,andinsteadthesensethatallweneedisonegreat
leader,andeveryoneelsemightaswellbeingprompt,orderapplying
drones.Agoodpilotorgoodgunnermightgetsomespecialaccoladesnice
flying/gunning,ace!especiallyyou,cutie!butnotforanypropertyof
leadership.Maybeoneofthereasonshehassomanysympathyforthe
Queenalien,isthathe'seffectivelylookinginthemirror.Thetwoboss
commanders,vastlysuperiortoeveryoneelse,indiscussion,in
camaraderie,afterbattle:"Ialoneknowhowyoufeel."
He'supsetoverhisgenocide,buthowaboutmakinghisownspeciesshrug
itsshouldersandleavingEarth'spurposemostlyalltohim?Wecouldtry,
buthe'ddoittentimesbetteranyway,sowhat'sthepoint.I'llletanactual
dronedomypart,andbeinthebarrememberingthedayswhenhuman
volitionhadademonstrablepoint.Youallcangoaboutstillworshipping
himifyoulike.
Inactualtruth,though,heorhisrepresentativesinhistoryisnotreally
specialatall,atypical.Butratherinsteadbrilliantlyrepresentativeofthe
currentappetitesofthepeople.HitlerwasininGermany,onlybecausehe
wanteditasbadasGermansdid.HedirectedtheGerman"finger,"thisway
orthat.Butthechoicewasn'thiswhetherornottopulloutthegun.Ifhe
wasdistinctive,they'dactuallylookpasthim,pickingevenanimbecileover
him,toimagineassuperhumanwhichiswhattheyhaddoneforhim,after
allifhe'sasthirstyforpunishment,murder,andmassivewastefulhuman
sacrificeasselfpunishmentfortheterriblesinofhavingenjoyedlifetoo
much,astheywere.Thebestleaders,theonesrememberedassingular,as
genius,alwaysendupbeingthebloodiestones...thepointis,theydelivered
thegrossbloodbathwewanted,andforasmuchwe'rewillingtodressthem
up,howeverpreposterously,asiftheywerefundamentallyneatfreak
creaturesoftacticsandcalibration.

Gravity
Ialmostdontwantamovietoprovideasimulacrumofwhatitmightbe
liketobeoutinspacerightnow.Engineers,andotheremployeeswhose
brainsare90%scientificdata,stillafterfiftyyearsofspaceinhabitation,
holdingcourtoverwhogetstotelluswhatitsliketoseeyourhomeplanet
fromtheoutsidehowwemightprefertobeinthesituationwhereonly
Apolloandhislutewasabletoexpressthesame.WethinkNewMexico,
andwedontonlythinkofcowboyyokelsbearingdailywitnesstodesert
beauty,butartists,poets,hippies,doingso.Space,however,iskeptrigidly
bythosewhoseenothingamissintheirspacestationtheostensiblecenter
foracommunityinspacebeingascoldandhumanindifferentasany
structurenearlyforgettingitwasbuiltnotjusttowithstand,buttohouse.
WhenSandraBullockscharacterpeepsintohershuttle,theobjectsthat
floatoutarentitemsofdcor,ofdomicile,butaSpaceJamcharacterthe
differenceininnerlifebetweenanyofthemandyourtypicalcubiclegeek,is
slight.Icouldhandleitifthiswascritiquetheymadethemainprotagonist
alikelyNPRlistener,afterallbutitsapparentthefilmmakerkindofliked
thattheheritageofspacestillisntsomethingwecouldimagineanyone
knittinganafghancoverfor.ThrowanervousBettyinmidstofit,andit'll
beaperpetualstruggleforhertokeepherselftogetheronedoohickeyintoa
slot,isaboutwhatshecouldmanageandthatwithrelief.Whichwould
containher.
Partofmefollowed,immersedmyselfinBullockscharacter,withgratitude
allthewayappreciatingherbeingattheforefrontofheartpalpitating
situationswecanrelateto.Partofmejustbalkedatthewholething,fixed
onsomecornerofthescreen,andkeptmyowncomposurewhateverwas
happening.It'sanhourandahalfofstrugglesomethingperhapsonly
soldiersandFormulaOnedriversandJamesCameron,neverceasetowant
toreexperience.Therestofusremainwarythatifwetoooftenbrace
ourselvesagainstassaults,we'llgettothepointwhereweneverquiterelax
allthewayoutagain.Attheendshetastedthereliefofbeinginamedium
theseawhereshehadmorecontrol,thosetonedmuscles,uselessinspace,
gettingtovisibly,kineticallyshowtheywereworthallthehardwork.Ifelt
liketellinghersheshouldinsistthisbetheworstinhibitionsheshouldever
letherselfknowifspaceforusmuststillbefirstfishcrawledontoland,we

shouldletitgountiltheworstsublimationitcaninflictstillleavesus
knowingtheevolvedflexofoursubstantialmonkeydom.
Carrie
There'samomentinCarriewhenCarriebecomesremotefromus,not
owingtothecarnageshewrecks,buttoherbeingpossessedofaself
assurednessthere'snowaywe'dbeabletomatch.Hermother,attemptingto
preventherfromseekingalifeforherselfwhichmightallowsomepleasure,
bangsherownheadrepeatedlyagainstawall,withsufficientforceitmight
leadtobreakingherselfopen.Carriewatchesit,butinsistsonherownlife
anyway,lettinghermombreakherselfintobrainpulp,ifsuchisherwont.
Thiswaswhatshewasgoingtoneedtodotoindividuate,pushondespite
beingguaranteedthatifhermomcouldnolongerphysicallydesistherby
scaringhertoholyhellwithknivesorcartingheroffintoisolationclosets,
she'dprobablyslitherownwristsbeforeher,toshowherthewreckageher
"selfish"pursuitswereinflictingphysically,emotionally,psychicallyonher.
She'sbasicallyRoseinTitanic,whoultimatelytoldherownmothertoshove
thehelloff,eventhoughthiswasgoingtobottomhermotherhighin
lineage,butnadainrichesout,butsomehowwithamuch,much,much
moredauntingmother,andwithoutsomeoneapologiestothegoodgym
teachernearAngelsenttotemperherthestrengthtodoit.Intentongoing
totheprom,shetelekinesiseshermotherintoacloset,fusesanypossible
exit,andembracesanewworld.Theworldissetuptoturnonher,asit
turnsout,andwhensheturnsonit,it'slessoutofshockandrattledumbrage
andmoreasifoutofnowfamiliar,superb,quitecontrolledandeven
pleasurablerebuttal(great!Igettousethesepowersagainandinaneven
largervenue!).Theconfidenceinwhichshedirectsandmotionshercarnage,
thepresumption,withouthesitationconfiguringhowaptlytodirectthe
environmenttobutchertheparticularwretchedkidshe'scaughtsighton,is
moreorlessthesamewesawinherdisablinghermaniacmomwhenshe'd
becomeimmunetoher.Wetakestockofherattheend,andwithherpoise,
aptcalculation,andtremendouspower,withhernotseemingtohavedonein
anyonewhodidn'tdeserveitit'smostlytherealnasties,likethecorrosive
blackhairedtwinishgirls,whoaresquasheddownintotrampleddownfloor
rugslikethedeflatedevilwitchesinWizardofOz,whoaredonein,but
everyoneinthecrowdwaslaughingathercoveredinpig'sbloodwhile

videoplayedofherterribleshowerhumiliation...sowhatloss,really,anyof
them?Ibasicallyignoredthefinishandimaginedhercartedoffby
ProfessorXavier.She'dbeatdownhermomandhome,beatdownherschool
andsmallminded,hipsterabsenttown(hipsterswouldhaveadmiredher
aestheticandaskewbeauty),andnowwasreallyjustreadyforbiggergame.
Not,thatis,tobeherselfquitbydeath,andfoldedintoalessonforsmaller
people.
I'lladmit,though,thatIactuallydididentifywithhersome.WhenIwas
abouttoleavemymotherandembracethewiderworld,Iwouldfindher
lyingasifdead,inmidstofsomehousepathwayIwouldhavetocross.
SincesheknewIknewshewasperforming,andthatthiswouldbeamongst
anumberofinnumerousesIwouldhavetoignorejusttogoaboutmyown
day,sheknewIwouldhavetostepoverherasifshe,abumonthestreet,
andI,thecallousandthatbydoingso,nomattermyawarenessofwhatshe
wasdoing,therewasstillagambleworthychanceIwouldstillfeeldoomed
bysomerightful,meoverlordingjudgeashavingdonetheunpardonable:
"Yourmotherwaslyingontheground,possiblysprawledindeath,andyou
justwalkedoverher...youdidthis,toyourmother!!!Idon'tcarewhatkind
ofhinderancesshepresentedyouwith,youcrossedtheline,andarethe
saddest,mostselfish,mostdemoniccadeverborntoearth!Yourfateisto
becursedwithguiltaftereveryfunthingyoudo,neverendingandthis
onlytostart!"
There'sanotherwayIknowIcouldhaveidentifiedwithher,harnessedher
powerofselfrighteousness,butchosenotto.WhenCarrieexplainswhyher
motheriswrongtohemherin,shedoesn'tjustdothisbyexplainingthe
innocuousnessofsuchnormallifeeventsliketheprom,therightnessevery
humanbeinghastoparticipateinandtryandenjoythem,buteffectivelyby
chastisinghermotherasbeingselfcenteredandselfish.Referring,thatis,to
herownpowersoftelekinesis,sheexplainsthatthispowerisactuallyfully
normaltotheirsharedmotherdaughterlineage,onlythatitskipseveryother
generation.Shemakeshermother'spreferencethatherdaughterunderstand
itonlyasSatan's"gift,"abetrayalofthewholestoryoftheirheritage,a
wilfulignoranceofbloodlineandhistory,thatselfishlymakesherownself
morenormalorrather,better,lesssinriddenthanherdaughter.Shemakes
herseemaselfishrebellionagainstherowntelekinesisempowered
mother!Thewaywecandothesamewithourownparents,isbyfindinga

waytomakeourgenerationseemmoreakintoourparents'parents,with
theirownselvesthehistoricalaberration.Thisisokayeasyforgenxersto
do,buteasypeasyformillennials,for,likethem,babyboomers'parents
weredefinedbytheirlivingthegreatspanoftheiryouthinhopeanddream
inhibitingDepressiontimes.Thebabyboomerparentpointsafingerattheir
millennialkid,callingthemspoiledandselfish,andthecraftymillennial,
perhapslookingattheirownlifestyleof"Kinfolk"readovertlyancestral,
paradinglymasochistic,grandfatherlyandsparseways,seestheabsurdity
ofsomeonebuiltoutofdecadesofprosperouspostwaryearschastising
someonewholikethe1930ssufferers,doesn'tevenfeelguaranteedanykind
ofjob.Tothem,ahouseandacar,isn'tbottomlevelmiddleclasswhat
everyonewhodoesn'tliveonthestreetcouldpossessbutasignthatyou've
gottenluckyandhituponacareerpathvixen,unaccountableFuture
gloriouslysparedbyshiningsomefavoron.Tobecalledspoiled,
increasinglyinvitesacollectiveglareback...ajudgment,againstthe
abominableabsurdityoftherevealedexploiterstillinsistingmoralityhas
anythingatalltodowiththem.DepressionNaziYouth,againsttheirown
Weimerspoiled,dessertfattened,bourgeoisparents,thatis.
Ifweadoptthisstrategyincategorizingawayourownparents,itwould
amounttothesamesinthesameafflicteduponthismovie.Carriemakesthe
linkbetweenCarrieandhergrandmotherinordertoisolatehermother,and
thiscomesatthecostofappreciatingthatthisgrandmothersurelyhaving
comeatherowndaughterasmenacinglyasCarrie'smotherdidwithCarrie
isequallyasdismissalworthy.Further,itcomesatthecostofunderstanding
whyexactlyhermomwasascrazyasshewas(dowereallybuy,
consideringwhatthefilmshowsofmaternalpower,thatitowedto
religion?),whyshewasconfinedforlifetoappreciatepleasuresastheworst
possiblethingintheworld,thegreatvillainintheworld,thateveryone
attemptingtobeselflessandholywillcrusadeagainst.Verylikely,itcomes
atthecostofappreciatingthathermother,inactuallydesistingagainstthe
voiceinhertellinghertokillhernewbornchild,andchoosinginsteadto
keepandholdandtemporarilytendtoher,mayhavebeendoingsomething
heroic,inrelationtoherlineage'shistory.Somepartofherdaughter,she
wasabletobelieve,deservedtobelovedsomethingsheherselfmayhave
hadevenlessexperienceof.
I'llendthisreviewbymentioninghowmuchIappreciatedthepopularhigh

schoolcoupleinthismovie.Itwasmovingformetoseethegirl,especially,
tryingtofigureouthowtomakeamendstoCarrie,notjusttoexpungeguilt,
butbecauseshewantedhermendedandhappy.Itwasamiracletoseeher
boyfriendmanagehispromdatewithCarrie,withouteithermakingherfeel
shewasbeingsetupornottrulyofinteresttohim.Hewantedtoconvey
howhefelt,thatshewasinteresting,andthathewaspleasedtobeherdate,
couldveryreadilyhaveagoodtimewithher,anddidverywellwiththis.He
movedhertoallowherselfalittlebitmoretimewithhim,anhourmoreat
theafterparty,perhapsthebabystepsforwardtowardlargerhappinessshe
wasstillgoingtoneed.Whenthebucketcrashesdownandkillshim,I
almostwantedtostopthemoviethere.Heandhisgirlfriendhavealotgoing
forthemtomakethemfeeltheycouldmanagewhateverhittheymighttake
throughsopubliclybefriendingthemostdespisedpersoninschool,butthey
weren'tguaranteedtofloatthough.Itwaslovelycourage,andterrificlove,
andtheydeservedmuchbetter.
DonJon
It'saconsiderabletaskputtoJulianneMoore'sEstherforhertopresentas
thepreferablealternativetopornaspornandourpornwatcherarepresented
here,andIdon'tthinkshemanagesit.Jonthewatcherhashislife
perfectlycompartmentalized.There'shistimeatthedinnertable,histimeat
thegym,histimeatchurchandtheconfessional,histimeatthebarwithhis
friends,histimeinbedwiththisweek'sselectgirl,andhistimeafterwards
inpornsummedupnicelyeachtimewithasinglecrumpleduptissuesent
intoablackwastebinandinnoneoftheseactivitiesdoeshefeela
disadvantage.Imeanbythisthatthoughhe'samillennialandnotanowner
ofahome,norofajobthatputshimoutsideofbeingdefinedasaloseroras
underclassservilehe'sabartenderhe'snotmasteredinhisfamilyhome,
hisjobplace,amongsthisfriends,noranywhereelse,exemptingsex,whose
forhimarduousqualityrequiresabestingamendment.Hislifeseems
perfect,analreadycommendable,substantialrealizationforanyonefraught
withbeingamasteredyoungmanillplacedtomakeanykindofstake
againsttheworld,untilratherthansettleforhisusual8or9inhotnessbabe
hegoesaftera10,andhestartsloosingleverageoverhislife.Scarlett
Johansson'sBarbaracullsJontoherpowerfully,andeachsteptowardsher
sheusestoadulteratehiminawaymoreamenabletoher.JulianneMooreis
toooldtobewithintheechelonofwomenJonandhisfriendswouldeven

rate,andismorelikesomeonesageanObiWan...oracroon,even
needlinghiminsightstoloosenandunroothimfromanallegiancetoasun
radiantsashayingshrineofawomanhecandolittlebutobeyandforbear.
Shealsogetshimtorethinkhisattachmenttoporn,byshowinghimthata
great,nurturant,reciprocalrelationshipwithawomanwithher,inthis
casecangivehimthehighhethoughtonlyobtainablethroughit.
Ineffect,whatshe'sdoingisakintounrootingsomeonetotheirobsession
with,say,texting,tospendmoretimedirectlyinvolvinghimselfwith
people.Onceyouknowhowgreatareallifeconversationcanbe,you'lllose
yourinterestintheshallowsofmoregenericanddetachedconversations...
ostensibly.Butclearlytomillenialsthereisworsethansomethingdetached
andnotentirelysatisfying,andthatis,thatwhateveristoopronouncedand
oftoomuchaffectcansubjugateyourshallowdefencesandeventually
overwhelmandsubjugateyou.Thatphonecallthatyouthinkcommunicates
morethanthetext,thatisobviouslyabetter,aricher,formof
communication,istomillenialsanaffectloaden,commandingmother's
haraguethatcan'tbedialeddownintosomethingjustfontandtext,ona
deviceneverstrippedofitspotencyasanauthoritativeculturalobjectto
diffuseeverythingcommunicatedintoitintoacommunitythathasbeen
messagedthesamethingbefore.Soherlearninghimtobearesponsive
partnerandtoenjoyreciprocationandconversationdevelopment,maybea
genuinelyhelpfullearning,untilhisabilitytoimaginehimselfakindof
devicewhichpowersdownpeople'sabilitytodictatetermstohim,lapses,
andhebecomesakidwhohaslosthisvarnishedadvantagehisyouthful
alphaperfectformandsexualpotencytoacrackening,wiseolderwoman,
whohashardearnedwontheargumentoverwhoshouldbeallowedtobreak
ineverypartofinnocent,ignoranthim.She'sasuperiorBarbara,thatis,in
thatthere'snooneouttheretolessonhimonhowhemightbebetteroff
withouther.Whichmaybewhythefilminflictsherwithaperiodic
tendencytoshutdown,brokenoverrememberanceofherlostfamily,soto
becomesortofanullobjecthecanactuallyactoverfromtimetotime.
Ifthisfilmwastruelife,Jonwouldforgoherthefirstmomentpossible
makinghisswitchingoffatsomemomentwhereshehadcurledintoherself
onceagaininpain.He'dbookendherexperiencewithherwithitlending
himtheauthoritytotalkbacktoBarbaraandacknowledgetherightnessof
hisfeelingneglectedbyher(guysaregoingtolikethismomentinthefilm),

andperhapswithhisgaminghowheschedulesandgoesabouthislifeabit
abitofsocialmixingitupwithbasketballmightbebetterthanjustthe
familiarroutineofweightsbutotherwisereturntowhathehad,withmaybe
alsoabitmoresassatthechurch,andsonotjustwithhisdad.He'dforgo
thecommanding10sthistime,spotoutthelessfieltyowed8sand9s,and
everyweek,catchone.He'dtakethemtobed,whichthoughitpunishedhim
withmissionarysexwhichhardlyflatterstheformofhismate,reducing
themtocompressed,blockenedslabsofsomnambulistflesh,thoughit
meansfelatiowhichterminatesjustwhenitsgettinggood,orwhichfromthe
startwhenhe'seatingheroutisprettyrankandfoul,isstillsomething
whichmightlendlifeintohisfollowuproutineofamendedsexthrough
porn.He'sahunterwhocanclaimmorefromhisfollowuproutineof
administrating,handling,andplyingaparthisprizestalkedprey,thancan
thebiggamehunterreadyingthingswithabloodedcarcaseforalaterfeast.
Inshort,adeviceclearlyusedtomakeguyswhowatchpornnotfeellike
they'relosershe'saguywho'sgotanactivesexlife,andwithtotalscores
probablyhasmostofthemthinkingthatthoughtheyliketheinvolvementof
theObiWanKenobifemalefriend,they'djustfinetakewhatJonhasfrom
thestart.Andyoucanunderstandwhyapparentlysomeporncompanies
cooperatedwiththefilm.Herepresentedisafullyhonestaccountofwhy
guysgotoporn,andapparentlyit'sasinnocentdewedasPlayboymagazine
inthe1950s.Guysgotoitforbettertits,betterass,andafeelingof
empowermentandsatisfactiontheydon'talwayssomuchfeelinsex,which
canturnservile.Notideal,maybe,butunderstandable,andhardlycharacter
definingabithenafflictedmanstillturninghisheadatthegorgeousyoung
blondestrayedintohispath...quintessentialmanhood.Butgotoapornsite,
andseeifthisiswhatyousee.Doyouperhapsinsteadseesomethingalittle
bitmoredisturbingthanjustchasingdowntheperfectass?Oreven,
somethingmoresalutarythanjustcoldsex,strippedofanygenuine
sensualitythatmighthavebeenmoreevidentinpornduringthefreelove
1970s?Maybewhatyougetisalotthatisdamningmen,makingthem
beyondrecoverableaheightenedlongingforrevenge,notcompensation.
Rapefantasies.Andmaybealsoabitthatisgenuinelybuttressingthem,
givingthemsomecompanythatisactuallyteachingthemathingortwo
aboutmutuality,butdelimitedbybeingentirelyundertheircontrol.

Prisoners
ThemoviebeginswithHughJackman'scharacter,KellerDover,attending
hisson'ssuccessfulkillofadeer.Justintothefilm,we'renotquitesurewhat
toprioritize,howmuchyettoascribeanyparticularthatstraysintoour
sight,sowegivethefactthatthemovieshowshuntingtobeaboutspringing
onananimalwhoseattentionispreoccupiedelsewhere,fulldue.Hunting
meanskilling,andpossiblyintheprocess,terriblywoundingananimal
whoseflankistoyou.WhenKellersaluteshissonfortheeffort,we're
certainlywillingtosubmergethisfactsoitdoesn'ttoomuchincriminatea
fatherwhoseloveforhissonisreal,butit'scertainlynotcompletelyoutof
mindwhenKeller'sbestfriend'soldestdaughteraskshissonifheis
comfortablestalkingdeer.Thesonrepliesnotwithhisexperiencebutwith
whathisfatherwouldsayinretort:huntingisawaytokeepnaturein
balance...andbesides,howsoonareyouabouttoturnawayfrominnocent
cowproducedburgers?So,whenweeventuallyfindoutthattheperson
intentonhuntingdownchildrendescribeshereffortsaboutascoldly,iffor
aninversepurposeforherit'saboutdisruptingGod'splans,nottending
them:nothingteespeopleoffintomadnessthanthedisappearanceof
childrenareweinmindtoascribeequivalence,evenslightly?No,the
movieisn'tthatsophisticated.They'renotbothaddledonoverontothesame
suspectline,whichmightincludeeveryonesufficientlybesottedthey'renon
blanchedatmakinginsipidimprintsonbeautifulflesh,includingthe
numeroustattooed,somewhatsullenandsnidedetective,Loki(Jake
Gyllenhaal),butratheronedoggedlygoodagainstoneentirelyevil.But
likelyunconscioustous,we'vestillinsomewayalignedthemtogether:
you'vegottobeabletoturnhardonother'ssufferingifyoumeantopursue
largergoals.Heendsuptorturingayoungmanfordaysanddaystoget
informationhejustknowshepossesses,andit'sthemostabominablepathin
thatitleadshimtoapointwherenoonenotevenyou,themoviegoerhas
anysurefaithinhimanymore.He'sallaloneinavoidwheregoingonlooks
tobeabouteitherobliteratingallawarenessthathemightactuallyhave
madeanawrychoicewhichresultedinhisdoingsomethingdamnable,
usefulonlyinsatisfyingadesiretofeelefficaciousandrageagainstaworld
withnochoicebuttosufferhisbruisingimprint;ormaybejust,stillholding
ontohisawarenessthathisvictimhadgivenhimsuresignsthekindsof
signsanexperiencedhunterrecognizesinstinctivelyinthegivesofprey
thattogettothekidstheirlocationhastobebrokenoutofhim.Whatcould

havedoomedhim,whatwasdoominghim,insteadheftedhimoffinto
herodom...hewasright,andgetstothetruechildabductortheauntfirst.
Jailforhisactionsbecomes,what,scratchinghimwithafewnegligible
abrasionsasheslowlystretchesupintoahumangiant?Yesindeed;only
that.
Takingherdownfails,lookingtobeowingtohisnotbeingsogoodgoing
afteranotherhunterhe'dbecomeexcellentatsomepoint,butremainsat
thispointnonethelessanewbieatthis.Heprideshimselfinonceagain
gettingintoherhouse,seeminglythroughanothersuccessfuldeceptionhe'd
doneanumberonthedetectivepreviously,andseeminglyalsobeforethe
aunt,sosurelyhe'salreadygotgoodgamewiththisskill,right?not
realizingthismeansgettinghimoffthestreetandturninghisvulnerable
flanktoactuallypistolarmedher.Andforahumanbeing,who,likeadeer,
canbetakendownbyevenoneshot,thismeanstheendofhisefforts.Butit
stillseemslikeaninstanceoffirstthroughthewallalwaysgetshurt:with
thefollowuppursuitbythedetective,theauntrelentsalmostimmediately,
asifthegamehasgotnowtobeupentire,hopingonlyforonelast
successfulslayofachild,onelastnastyripplingthroughofthehuman
communitytounsteadyGod,beforebecomingrenderedashotthrough
crumpledformrequiringburialorcremation.
Themoviegivesagreatdealofgiveonwhoit'sokaytobeforinstance,the
priestwefirstencounterasadrunkenmess,hadoncetakenuponhimselfto
doinsomeonewhohadslainnumerouschildrenandwouldhaveslainmore
ifhehadn'tsteppedin,evenifthisstillmadehimsomeonewhostoresa
boundcorpseinhisbasement.Butit'snotsopleasanttotrueteddybear
types.Thefatheroftheotherabductedchild,FranklinBirch(Terrence
Howard),isaprofessional,wearsfinesweaters,endeavourstoplaythe
trumpet,makeshisbasementintoafriendlyentertainmentspace,andhe,
unlikeKeller,can'tbeartokeepwhatKellerisuptotohimself.Sowhile
Keller,tokeepthepossibilityofretrievinghischild'slocationalive,lets
himselfbethoughtofassomeonewhodealswithacrisisselfishlyby
escapingtoaretreatandintoalcohol,Franklincoughsitupprettymuch
immediatelytohiswifeNancy(ViolaDavis).Kellerfindsthisoutby
Nancy'sbangingonhisdoortoaccosthim,withherhusbandbehindher,
sunderedandshamedforbetrayinghisfriend'strustandrelentingtohiswife
tohandlethingssubsequently.Thefilmfigurativelycastrateshimonce

again,whenhiswifeactuallyendsupagreeingwithKeller,tellingher
husbandtoadoptKeller'sabilitytothinkontheirchildrenratherthantake
the"easy"wayout,andabsolvethelongtortured,mentallydisabledman
anysubsequentabuse.
It'snotsoeasyontortured,abductedkids,either.It'sprobablynotso
unpleasanttothoseliketheBirch'sgirl,whosucceedsinanescapenottoo
farlongintohercapture,butthosekeptlongenoughinterribleconditions
thatthey'regoingtoshowsignsofcripplingowingtoit,surearen'ttreated
thatwell.ThinkPaulDano'scharacterAlexJones,avictimofchild
abduction,whowearerepeatedlytoldhasn'tanysadisticintentionstowards
childrenhimselfandispossessedofatenyearold'smentalstateand
intelligence,andwhoisbeattonearthepointofdeathandthenboxedinand
subjectedalternativelytoblastsofintenseheatandintensecold.Think
DavidDastmalchian'scharacterBobTaylor,whowelearntoowasan
abductedchildsubjectedtoterrificabuse,andwhotoonowthoughabagof
quirksremainsneverthelessessentiallyharmless,andisbeatentoapulpby
thedetectivebeforehedoesaquickstealofagunandblowshisownhead
off.Thefilmdoesagoniesofhorrortothesetwo,andthenwhenitgetsto
thechildafflicterherself,itletsheroffwithbutoneeasybullet...isittoo
muchtosayitwasdoneoutofrespect?Abusedchildrenareurinalsyoucan
pissinyetagain,justletitgushandgushalloverthem,whiletheabductoris
ajustcomeuponstatueyou'resurelybaitingthegodsbytakingdowninany
drawnoutway.
P.S.PeoplehaveaccusedChrisNolan'sDarkKnightseriesasbeing
misanthropic,andyou'dhavetowonderthenwhatadjectivethey'dneedto
inventtoadequatelydamnthisfilm.Dastmalchianwasatormented,insane
maninthatfilmtooweremember,andBatmanscoldedtheDAintenton
tormentinginformationoutofhimthathewasragingonsomeonementally
sickaschizophrenicandthathewasn'tgoingtogetanywherewiththis.
Batmanalsosaidthethingthattookhimoutofhisdespairoffindinghimself
parentless,alone,andinahellofselfaccusationthatwassuretorenderhim
insane,wasasurprisemomentofkindnessInspectorGordon'sputtinghis
coataroundhimandtalkingtohiminnurturanceandsympathy.Dark
Knight'sphilosophyappliedtothisfilmwouldhavehadthetorturego
nowhere,andforthebreakthroughtohavecomefromNancy'seffortto
breakwiththeprogramandshowsometrustinAlex,who'dknownsolittle

ofitinlife.Ilikethisfilm,butyoucanbetIwouldhavepreferredtohave
seenthis.It'sthetruthkindnessisthewaytogo,ifwe'rereallyinterestedin
makingabetterworldratherthanaccostingourselvesforoncehavingput
purposefulpostsupinthatdirection.Andboyohboydoestheworldneed
thisreminder.

TheFamily
Whenthemobfamilydescendsontheirnewlocale,aquaintvillagein
northernFrance,theiridentityisofAmerican.Themobster'swife,Michelle
Pfeiffer'scharacterMaggie,entersintoalocalgroceryandasksforpeanut
butter,descendinguponheracrowdoflocalsdismayingAmericanobesity.
Certainlytoo,whentheteenboyandgirlinthefamilyjointhelocalschool,
they'retheimprovising,brassballedAmericans,whomeversetsouttotake
advantageofthemregretstheirimpositionnearimmediately.Later,
however,itwouldseemthatwhattheyaremostlyisItalianMaggieisfierce
inpittingheroliveoildietagainsttheFrenchobsessionwithcream,asif
bulwarkedbycenturiesofItalianlivesandculture.Theychurnoutburgers
andCokesforthelocals,onlytosatisfyexpectationsAmericanismhas
becomearedcapetheyfloatbeforeonrushingfrenchbullsthey'recannily
flankingandspottingout.I'mnotquitesurehowmuchfunitistowatcha
plebmobfamilyreducetheFrenchintoimbeciles,butIsupposeifyou
understandthatwhatthey'redoingisimpressingthemselvesuponnew
cushionssotheyaresuccumbedofsomeoftheirstorepresencetotakeon
moreof"you,"Isupposeyoucanatleastgetatthesanityofwhatthey're
wantingtodo.
Butwhatbecomesinterestingishowintheirindividualpursuitstheyfind
themselvesextraneoustooneanother.Thefathergoesfrombeingaretired
patricianmobstertobecomeanexcitedcellterrorist,activatedin
hisfervourtotakedownacorporation.Themothergoesfromsallyingforth
destructiontothearrogantFrenchinpiquantmomentstofindingherown
insidesblastedout,withapriesttakingwhatshehadrevealedtohimas
ingredientstomixbackamirrorastohowlongaroadofevilshe'straveled.
Thedaughtergoesfromteachingawkward,totallyovermatchedteenagersa
lessonthey'llneverforgettotakingonapolishedyounginstructor,who'll

showherthatspunkandsasscanbequicklysubsumedifanyinflectionatall
isgiventhelifesomeonepoisedandlearnedisduetolead.Theboy
manipulatesawholeschooltohisadvantage,butbecomingZuckerbergto
theschoolspankshimastohowtopdogsubstitutespaltryhappinessifit's
notsomethinghecanadequatelyreturnhomeandshowfamily.They've
gonesofaroutintheirownindividualsportsthatgangstersarrivingtokill
themreallyserveasawelcomecallbackhome.TheFrench,whohad
temporarilybeengivensomeadvantage,areonceagainrelinquishedall,as
thegangstersdumphowevermanytheyneedintocorpsestatustoshowthe
powerofthiscall;tailingalongwithit,awholefamilybacktightlytogether
again.
Theepisodepackagesup,andthefamilyisofftofussupsomeother
Europeanstationforawhile.Wetakestock,andseethemasablotchofvirus
whoareeatingupsmallmothholesintoafineswatchofsomethingprecious
weweren'treallyallowedtosee,foritmakingtheirpresencetherebeyond
endurable.Exemptingtheboyheistheloneoneofthefamilywhocan
strategize,delay,hisrevengethey'veeachgotmajorproblemsrestraining
themselves,whichtheirCIAoverlookersgreatlyassistthemwith.Fine.But
iftheyneededasoothing,antiquevillagewithalotofproppeopletoserve
asacalmingbackdropforthiscontainment"therapy,"it'stoobaditcouldn't
bedoneentirelyinsimulation.

Insidious2
IleaveittoInsidious2tofaithfullyexpounduponthemostsignificantfact
aboutevilthosedoingitaren'tthemselves,butratherarepossessedby
altersdrivingthemtotakesadisticpleasureinmurderinginnocents.It'squite
something,afterseeingthedamagetheadultParkerCranehasdoneto
womenhe'sculledfromlocaldenizensrottedbodiesalignedinchurch
rowstofinallybeintroducedtohimasayoungboy,andforhimtobe
attributedaboutthesameamountofempathyasthegoodboyinthefilm,
JoshLambert.Theyspyhiminlongbraidsandagirl'sdress,combinghis
doll'shair.Whenheturnsaround,heactuallywarnsthemtogetoutofthe
roomheactuallytriestohelpthem!Laterweseehismotherdescendupon

himandmakehimfeelasifhisentireknownuniversewillbesquashedout
ifhedoesn'tobeyherinallrespects,andcasthimselfintheroleoffemale
fulltimesotobefullyownedbyherandbearnoresemblancetoahusband
shewantscastoutofmemoryaltogether.Laterhewouldownhismother's
lookeyesofconvincedsadism,awidesmilesuppedonotherpeople's
powerlessnessandpainandit'sclearhe'sinnowayhisownselfanymore:
hismotheralterhassimplytakenhimover.
Thereisnothingscarierforhumanbeingsthanthelookofourmotherswhen
theythemselvesarepossessed.I'veseenitatanagewhereIwasold
enoughtohavetheresourcesnottofeelthenormallylifesavingneedto
burymyawarenessofit.ShewanderedintomyroomwhileIwasstill
awake,withthecompletescaryvisageofsomeoneunderpossession,driven
toseekoutinnocentstoharm.ButwhileitwastruethatIwasinherhomeat
thetimeowingtovulnerability,Iwasn'tsovulnerablenottotakesome
delightinthiskindof"photocapture"ofthesourceofthefearthat
haddissuadedmeawayfromwhateverfullkindofselfrealizationImight
havebeencapableof"you,kid,areownedbyme;Iwillflushintoyoumy
emotions,andtheywillhavetheirfullplaywithyou."Herewasthesource
oftheabsolutelyterrifying"eyeball"nightmareIusedtohaveallthetime
asthekid,wheremydreamswouldbegoingcasuallyalongtheirroute,and
thenallofasuddenabouldersizedeyeballwouldappearandadvanceupon
me.Hereisthesourceofthatmaybestillsubliminallyfeltsense,thatifI'm
outenjoyinglife,adorningmyselfwithpossessionsandaccomplishments
beyondwhatmymotherwouldhavethoughtmeallottedsomething
uncomfortabletoherthatallofasuddenoutoftheblueImightcasually
openupadoorandseeaterrorofteethabouttohaveitoutwithme.
Actually,thismightbeanexaggeration...itispossiblethatnowI'm
completelydemonfree.WhatIdowithmyindependencemighttakemy
motherinallrespectsfurtherandfurtherawayfromme(which,trustme,
isprettydamnscaryaswell;andissurelythesourceofmyconjuringherup
inmydaydreamsandmywriting),butitmaybeIcan'tseeanyJokerface,
twistedtotakedelightinpain,andnotinstantlyseethehelpless"Parker
Crane"thatwasgoingtohavenochoicebuttoletthisdemoninto
him/herself,andownthemwholeinresponsetotriggersofselffulfillment
andhelplessness.

TheButler
Thecurrentgenerationofliberalshaveclearlyreachedexpirydatewhen
theyfindthemselveswithoutknowingit,ofcourseactuallyfavoring
UncleToms,therebybecomingexactlythosewhomtheyintheirbetterdays
wouldhavebeenatleadintoppling.Thecurrentblacksituationisthatthe
hugebulkofthemareinthedispossessed99%,withthevastmajority,inthe
worstghettosofthisunluckygroup.Andliberalslookatthisgroup,andsee
ahopelesssituation.Theyseepeoplewhohavesimplytransmogrified,who,
havingtheirclaimonbourgeoisrespectabilitytakenfromthem,haveover
thelast30yearsoftakingsustenancefromthesortoffoulstuffyoucountas
familiarwhenyou'retryingtomakeshiftanaccommodatinglifeforyourself
inhellwithcockfightUFCbecomingyoursport,sadomasochisticFifty
Shadesyourfiction,heavywhiskeydrinkingyourmilk,andhardcoreporn
andonlinebettingnotevenapokethatsomethinghasgonewrongand
nowstandbeforethemasapeopleanthropologicallydifferent,fixedforever
intheirdegradedstatus,likebrieffreshfleshtostagnantrottenmeat.Atthe
sametimeliberalshavestoppedbelievingpasttimessharedbyallarereally
America'sgreatestculturaloffering,andaccouteredthemselvesinwhatever
waytomakethemfeelthatasifbyDNA,everysproutoftheirlivedlives
musthavebehindityearsofprivateschoolteaching.Theideathatyou
shouldwantthe99%tobegivenaloudvoice,anddominateAmerican
culture,isaboutasabsurdassayingyouwanttobringdownthewalls
staunchingbackazombiehoard.Youmightassistthemalittle,agreeto
minimumwageincreasesandhealthcarebenefits,butyou'llturnarmaments
againstwhomeverwouldsayitisinsufficienttoletthemrestwith
administrationsthatstillkeepthemcompartmentalizedandaccountable.
It'snotsomuchrighttosaythattheyrememberyourorigins,either,who
youwerebefore.Rather,it'sabitasifforanagreeduponextendedperiodof
years,theystayedeyesfixedtotheirNewYorkTimes,andlookedupsothey
couldseeeverythingagainwithfresheyes;andsosomuchofthe
democraticworldthatwasbuiltuponthebeliefthatpeopleareequal,and
oncehadampleevidenceforthisbelief,canlooknow,withthisspreadof
looniespartakingsomuchofthepopulation,simplyabsurdtothem.Theygo
toaliberalwebsite,andlookdownfromthearticletothecommentsection,
andcannotbelievethatpeoplehadoncethoughtitworthsomucheffortto

placesuchaclosebridgebetweenwriterandaudience.Theylookatthe
grandnumbersofpeoplewhocanbutdon'tvote,andactuallyhopetheyrest
contentintheirapathy:iftheyallwentouttotheballotbox,they'dforcethe
unpleasantacknowledgementthatonepersononevote,isafantastical,silly,
dangerousproposition,whensomanyareonlyonefifthashumanasthey
themselvesare.Andtheyrealizethattheirtaskistoarguefortherealityof
thenumberofunhumansloudenough,thatthemoralimperativebecomesto
takedownthemoraysthathavemadeitseemasiflargerinclusionisa
humaneandnecessarything.Socourageouslytheyinunisonpittheir
courageousresources,andthecrowdofunknownsthathippiesoncethought
youshouldknow,forbelievingyoucouldbespirituallypureregardlessof
howanonymousyoursituationorwhatnotanonymousnoplaceyou're
from,becometrolls,unknowns,butdankkillers,whofromunderbridgesor
outofdarkcorridorscanbereliedupontostankupanygoodthingthe
civilizedmightbeforging.Andsoeventually,poundingthislessonhome
trolls!trolls!trolls!,progressbeginstobemade,andsitesthatwereonce
openaccessbegintorequirecommenterstoprovidetheirfullnamewith
theirposts,aseeminglysmallrequest,butreallyafinalnail,consideringthat
coincidingwiththisrequestisasocietythathasmadenewscastmainstory
thefactthatindividualscaughtsayingthewrongthingcanget35years,ora
visitfromtheunimpressed,who'velocatedyouraddress,andwho'llshow
howyoucanbeturfedoutofyourjoborkickedtoshitwithbats,ina
startled,shocked,blinkofaneye.Andastothepublicvote,youcan'tletit
cometoyouractuallydenyingpeopleit:there'snowaythiswouldn'tcause
dissonancethatwoulddestroyevenyou.Sowhatyoudoismakethemfeel
soapartfromaworldthatwouldgiveashitaboutthem,thatinfrustration
theycometobelievetheironlyhopeisthroughviolence.Andthenyou
makeviolence,adecisiontodesistfromthepublicconversationandjust
stagerevolt,somethingthatisgoodnessgonefoulsomethingwildly
excessiveandspoiled,foritbeingcompletelyunnecessaryandsomething
youcandestroylikesomethingtoleratedgonearrogant,likeaweed
proclaimingitselfalatinizedplant,inatrulyterrificgardenthatshuddersthe
thought.Forwhichall,you'llneeddirectors,traitorstotheunderclassthat
takeyourviewandmakesitincontestable.You'llneedUncleToms...and
soenterthebutcher,orsorry,LeeDaniels'sfoulweapon,TheButler,soall
thatwoulddisquiettheoverclasscanbegintorestthefuckinpeace.
TheButlertakesyouthroughblackhistoryinAmerica,fromcottonfieldsto

today,andeverythingDaniels,ablackman,showsyouconcerningblack
Americansiseitherexemplaryorunderstandable...exemptingtheBlack
Panthermovement.AtatimeinhistorywhenblackAmericanswerebuoyed
bythehugeloveandpeacefulnessofMartinLutherKing,andwhowould
eventuallyfindothershisequaltorelatetoandsupportfirstNelson
Mandela,then(ostensibly)Obamahere,accordingtothefilm,iswhere
evenaverygoodandrighteouspopulationcangofoulifitshornspatience
forhate.TheBlackPanthers,welearn,thoughostensiblyaboutcommunity
service,werereallyjustinterestedintakingouttwoofyouforeveryoneof
them.Theirway,isbloodonthestreets,payback,withanythinggoodthat
couldpossiblycomefromthis,reallybesidethepoint(theonlypointthey're
concernedwith,isyourhead,ontheendofapike).Anditisokay,
regardlessofyourcolor,tohatethem.
Howdoweknowthis?Becausethepersonwhoexemplifiesmembershipto
thePanthermovementthatistruetoit,ratherthanbasedonwhatit
purportedlystandsfor,isthesoleblackvillaininthisfilm.Sheisthebutler's
eldestson'sgirlfriend,CarolHammie,wholooksdownonherboyfriend's
family,atjustthatpointinthefilmwhenthebutler'swifehasceased
drinkingandcheatingonhimforherrealizingshejustcan'tanylongerdo
thistosuchagoodman.Thewife,OprahWinfrey'sGloriaGaines,identifies
Carolaslowlifetrash;andtheoccasionofcorrectnaming,sparks
momentuminthefilmtoshowuphowfoulshereallyis,demarcatinghow
evenherfiveyearlongloveforherboyfriendwasfalse.She'smodel
gorgeousthemostbeautifulwomaninthefilm,byfarandtheBlack
Panthersarefierceintheirblackattire,butthey'relostsoulstemptingblacks
towherechaosnotruelove;allhatereigns.
Soyoutakeafilmlikethiswheredonebyablackperson,theonethingthat
aliberalcrowdalloweditselftoquestionregardingblackempowermentis
givenhugeleverage.Whenadispossessedpeoplebegintodressinspooky
garbinthisfilm,Carol'saggressiveafrodoesn'treallyjivewithher
boyfriend'sblackleatherhestilllooksanaffableTheoHuxtableandis
effectivelyinaffrontingJokergarbandbegetviolence,then,effectively,
theKKKhasgotcompany:onerangesmoreoverSouthernrural,andthe
otherNorthEasturban,butit'salljustmoregoonsonthelandscape.Once
you'vechosenthispath,yourlifecircumstancesnolongerapplies,forno
amountofprevioussufferedhatepreventsyouofyourGodgivenabilityto

choosethepathoflove.Andsoasliberalsfreetheirhomesofthepresence
ofthedispossessed,byraisingrents,andtherebyeffectivelyshippingthem
offtotheoutskirtghettos;andinasensefreethemfromtheirpresenceon
thewaytowork,withtaxpoliciesthatattendto"your"drivebutpayless
andlessattentiontotheirpublictransport;andkeepthemseeming
contained,atleast,astheyexploretheirpreferredwebsites,byconstruing
commentsectionssotheyseemfetidmarshesyouscreenoutasyoufixon
yourownhautebourgeois/aristocraticcompartments,atfirstthe
dispossesseddonothingasyouenjoyhow"scum"miraculouslyseemsless
presentinyoureverydaylife,butlatermanifest,inaterriblewaywitha
burntdownluxuryapartmentbuildingthathadtakentheplaceofsomething
lowrent,scrawledwithanarchisthate;withminimumwagefoodchains
lootedacrossthecountryafterstrikeshadgonenowherewithstolen
burgersfromthemshovedupthearsesofuptowngourmets;withprivate
roadslacedwithfowlkilledinoilspills,thatleavemorningdriversretching
thesedispossessedaregoingtobereceivedwithnothingbutamerciless
hardcrackdownregardlessofhugeahighpercentageofthemareblack,
mentallyill,andstarving.Iftheyhadwaited,theirsufferingswould
eventuallyhavebeennoticeddidyounotseehowthebutlereventuallyhad
thesupportofapresidenttogethisraisehike?butimpertinently,
impatiently,greedily,andunnecessarily,theychosethepathofhate,and
havebecomevermin.
CrackdownistobeleadbythelikesofDanielsaswell.TheButlershows
he'sgotalltherightattributes.Youdon'twantthemtoosmartand
sophisticated,andhe'snot.Youdon'twanthimthinkinganaristocrat,an
officer,isanythinghecanaspireto,butrathercontentedtohimselfasa
gruffstaffsergeant,andheis.Andyouwanthimbeguiledto"betters,"asif
theyaregods,harshashellonanyoftheunderclasswho'dtryandrival
them,andhetonearapointthatshouldmakehimlookabitridiculously
stupidtohisbettersis.Ifyou'reshowingcottonfieldmasters,it'sokayto
showthemasbrutalsadists,butifyoucan'tshowscenesofthemandtheir
blackservants/slavesthatdoesn'tsparksomethingoutsidefolkportrayal
allevil,andallinnocencenarrativeneedsaredeterminingwhatyouare
seeinginlife.Ifyou'reshowingstudentsbeingpreppedtosufferabuseby
forcingotherstudentstoplaytheroleofaccosters,atahistoricaltimewhen
psychologywasbecomingfamousforitsprisoner/guardexperiments,where
studentscouldn'thelpbutplaytheirdelegatedrolesforreal,andforthe

Maslowexperiments,wherepeopletoldtoshockavictimcouldfind
themselvesapparentlyshockingthemfrompainintounconsciousness,and
youdoitjuststraight,thenyou'renotpostbutpreKubrick,andareactually
dialingbackwhatweknowofpeopleandtheworld.Ifyoushowsomeonein
closeproximitytopresidents,yetnothingshownlooksdifferentfromwhat
anignorantpersonfromafarwouldprojectashowthesesceneswouldplay,
you'reprettymuchtakingtheaccomplishmentofAaronSorkin'sTheWest
Wingback,andsubstitutingsomethingmoredutifultoauthority;more
respectfulofmystiqueanddistance.Andifyoushoweverywornpresident
butnottheonewhocurrentlyresides,youmakeitseemasiftheywereall
leadinguptotheonesopureandbeyondhe'smostaccuratelyrepresentedas
alightthat'seffuseditselfoverthesociallandscape,concentratedheavy
beyondthedooryou'reabouttoenter,andabouttotakeyousomeplaceas
rapturousasheaven.AndifyoushowJackieOasanaturalaristocrat,atrue
princess,andherrivalbeautybutofthedispossessedasasnakevillain,
you'retheUncleTomwho'sundertakenthetraditionofDWGriffith.So
fabulouslyunawareareyou,thatthelessonyouthinkyouknowbyheart,is
oneyouimpertinentlycastasidetoputastakethoughthesnake:"guess
who'scomingtodinner,"isn'tsupposedtofavorthetraditionalminded
familywho'sshockedbythestrangeblackthingplanteddownatthedinner
tablebeforethem,butshownupbyhimorher.
Andwhenwe'velostthatlesson,wenolongerbelieveindemocracy,but
shownthatthoughitmighthavetakenthreecenturiestoproveit,thewhigs
werewrong:gatesneedtobeputinplacetokeepthesetemperinghordes
frombuckingupintoarevolution.
KickAss2
WhenRogerEbertreviewedtheoriginalKickAss,hewasn'tprimarilytaken
abackbyanyonesingleincidentHitGirl'sbeingshot,withtheaudience
havingtotakeamomenttoremindthemselvesaboutherbulletproofvest,
forinstancebutbythefactthatpeoplebehindthemoviewereso
comfortableexploringawholeterrainofsomethingwhichhadprettymuch
takenhimoffstrideuponfirstoccurrence.Hecouldn'tbelievethatamovie
primarilyinvolvingkidscouldbesocomfortablewithpeopledying,being
butchered,allovertheplace,coldly,bloodily,humiliatingly,withthisnot

countingitasbeyondfunandgames."Thisisn'tcomicviolence,"hewrites,
"Thesemen,andmanyothersinthefilm,reallyarestonecolddead.Andthe
11yearoldapparentlyexperiencesnoemotionsaboutthis.Manychildren
wouldbe,Idunno,affectedsomehow,don'tyouthink,afterkillingeightor
12menwhoweretryingtokillher?"Ebertworriedaboutwhatwould
happentothe6yearoldswhowantedtoseethefilm,and,despitehis
proclaiminghimselfnotsoworriedaboutthem,evidentlyalsoaboutthe
sheerfactoftheolderoneswho'dalreadybeenruinedtobecomeofthe
internet.Specificallyhewrites,"Themovie'sratedR,whichmeansinthis
casethatit'sdoublyattractivetoanyoneunder17.I'mnottooworriedabout
16yearoldshere.I'mthinkingof6yearolds.Therearecharactershere
withwallscoveredincarefullymountedfirearms,rangingfromhandguns
throughautomaticweaponstobazookas.Attheend,whenthevillain
deliciouslyanticipatesblowingabulletholeinthechild'shead,heis
preventedonlybecauseherfriend,inthenickoftime,shootshimwith
bazookashellat10footrangeandblowshimthroughaskyscraperwindow
andacrossseveralcityblocksofskyinaprojectileofblood,flameand
smoke.AsIoftenreadontheInternet:Hahahahaha.
EbertprettymuchassumesthatifyoulikedKickAss,you'vegottobepretty
muchlosttothehuman.Zombiesmighthavegreatsportfiguringoutwhatto
dowiththevariousbodypartsthatremainedafterthey'vegorgedthemselves
full,perhapsbowlinghumanheadsthroughassembledfootandankle
"pins,"ormakingribcagesandthighbonesintocunningheftydecorative
wear,butanyonestillhumanisn'tgoingtobeinmindtodemarcatetheir
creativityhere,butjustdrainitofdistinctionsothatthesheerfactofits
bluntawfulness,notitsvariegatedness,holdsyourattention.Ifinreallifea
mobisrippingapartitsvictim,doyoudescribeparticularsinvolvedsothe
actlookstopossessadistinguishableaesthetic,auniquenessworth?
Wouldironysaveitfromnowpossessingvalidity?Ordoyoueclipseit,
denyit,andjustholditasnotworthdescribing?Ebertdoes,orshows,both
wealreadyhavethedescription,andheendshispiecewith,"thenthe
moviemovedintodark,darkterritory,andIgrewsad."Butsincehis
descriptioniscompellingenoughtohaveyouthinkthatEbertwasaware
thathisforemostproblemisnotwiththefilmbutwithaworldthatgets
sufficientkicksfromenergieshefindsrepellentthatitgiveslatitudetoart
thatpartakeofthem,hemostlysoundsasifwiththisessayheknowshe's
successfullyenunciatedhisowndemise.Theforemostthinghedidby

settingoutasacritictoanalyzethefilm,waswelcomehimselfinnocently
butconclusivelytohowlittlethischangedworldisgoingtofactorhimin.
It'snottruethatthiswasthelastessayofEbert'sIeverread,butit'sthelast
oneofsignificanceheeverdid:it'stoughtoadmiretheworkofsomeone
who'scrawledintohisowndarkcorner,outofrealizingthatasconsiderable
asheis,hehasn'tthemomentumtotakeonaworldwhenitisn'tdialing
downitsemergingpreferences.
IlikedKickAss,justlikeIalsoliked(orrather,loved)Refn'sDrivea
movieRichardBrodyaccusedasbeinginhuman,ofbeinginlovewiththe
ideaof"thepokerfaceasthekeytosuccess"andaswellGameof
Thrones,ashowMarisKreizmanargueswithgenuinecaseisfor"StarWars
fanswhothoughtPrincessLeiashouldhavebeenraped."Forbothbadand
goodreasons.Thebad,oratleast,theregrettablereason,isbecauseI'mnot
sodifferentfromthose1930sartistswhoweredauntedbytheirpredecessors
those1920sgreatswhohungoutattheParisiancafes,likeFitzgerald,
Joyce,Hemingway,andtherestofthosepopulatingMidnighttoParisbut
grewwingswhenaDepressionclimatefrownedonthosewhoarrogantly
showedhowripehumanlifecanbe.YouwatchKickAssorDrive,andyou
knowthatcompletelynonmisanthropiccriticslikeEbertandBrodyboth
thehighestclassoflovingpeoplearegoingtofindreprehensibleanyone
who'dtakemuchpleasurefromthem(Brodywouldgiveyoutheokay,only
ifyoulikedBrooks'gangster,andnot,thatis,forRyanGosling,thefilm's
style,andthe95percentoftherestofthefilm).Beingsomeonewhoisbit
dauntedbyhowpersonalityrichthesetwomenare,whoisfascinatedat
whatkindofearlyexperienceenabledthemtobringsomuchpresencetothe
world(it'smorethantheirbeingsurelyfirstborns),andwhoseinclinationis
toquietenmyselftotakeinmoreandmorefromthemandmaybelocatethe
maybestilltapablesource,Ilikefilmswhichbreakthisspell,whichgive
youasensethatsomehowtheworldhasincrementallychanged,accrued,
layered,sothatthingsthatwouldn'thavehadmuchchancetodistractthe
attentionofmenlikethese,canfindthemselvesirritatingthemfortheir
requitingthemtoswatatthemortearthroughthembeforelunging
awesomelyatwhatthey'reactuallyinmindtotakeon.It'seasytoimagine
themeventuallywillynillypinnedorhopelesslyentangledasthese
accumulationsbeardownlikethegreatubermaninPrometheus
stunninglyblockedandenvelopedbytheevengreater,greatpython
muscledtentaclehorrorthatbargedinhispathiftheydon'tfindsome

placeofrefuge,andyoucankindoffactorthemoutandseetheworld
howeverDepressiongreyandstilledasyourowngroundsnowtorange
over.
Alsobad,isthefactthatIlikethefactthatfilmswhichIknowtobe,maybe
notpreciselymisanthropic,butendorsingorientationstowardstheworld
whicharereroutesawayfromapproacheswhich'dhaveonefaceone's
personalscourgesandactually,like,grow,appealtomeforthefactthatthey
favorreroutesIknowIalsoneedtohavechampionedtoappearideal.They
convincemethatIdon'tstandouttoomuchasaselfrealized,selfsatisfied
douche,abitchydemonpresidingoverouragewouldfeeltheneedtosweep
downuponandteachaswiftscoldinglessonto.Shecouldreaddeepintomy
thoughts,recognizethatIknoweverythingthatisgoingoninanagewhich
invertswhatisgoodselfrealizationforthebadself
sacrifice/diminutionknowthatIultimatelywantHergoneforinhibiting
somethingaspreciousasahumanlife,andatsuchanawesomescale,but
stillpatmeontheheadasnothreatevengivemealift,ifIneededone,
andsmilegenuinelytomebecauseSheknowsI'mstillbrokensufficiently
thatI'llneedher"fix"likealltherestofthem.Thismeansthatwhen
someonelikeBrodychastisesafilmlikeSkyfallforsomethingthatmaywell
beregrettable,andthatIshouldwanttobethekindpersonwholikehimhad
instantlynoticed,I'mactuallygladthatatthemomentithadn'toccurredto
me.
Specifically,whenhewrites,
ThecolossalchasescenethroughIstanbulatthebeginningofSkyfallrecalls
theescapethroughShanghai,earlyinIndianaJonesandtheTempleof
Doom,withpushcartsoverturned,merchandisescattered,terrified
bystandersdivingforsafety.Spielbergoffensivelyturnedordinarypeople
goingabouttheirbusinessintojustsomuchconfettiforhisspectacle
exactlythesortofcavaliercolonialerabravadothatmighthaverepelleda
filmmakerwhostartedhiscareerinthelatesixties.Plusachange:Skyfall,
too,scattersIstanbulsresidentsandtheirgoodslikebowlingpins.Fromthe
start,SamMendes,thedirectorofthelatestinstallmentof007,proves
faithfultotradition,yetnotalwaysthebestofthattradition.
IrealizedhimtobelikethesoberpeasantsinMontyPython'sHolyGrail,

whomadeclearKingArthur'srequisitingthemnotjustfordirectionsbutfor
confirmationofhisowngrandiosestatus,orlikethewholefeelofthe
Lancelotbitinthefilm,whereLancelot'sacrazedloonwithasword,
hackingawayataninnocentassemblyofpeacefullygatheredpeople,fora
pointhe'dactuallyendupstaunchinghimselfinretreatfrom.Butthepointis
thatIevidentlyenoughrelatetothefantasyofbeingsomeoneinflatedthat
whenyouseethelikeinafilm,you'retoomuchenjoyingandpartakingin
hispavingthroughswathsoflessmatteringpeopletobeinstantlycriticalor
selfreflectiveofwhathe'djustdonetotheactuallyprobablyquitefulsome
peoplearoundhim.
Samethingapplies,especially,withBrody'ssuperbcriticismofDrive,
wherehearguedthat"Refndoesntseeminterestedinpainbutinits
inflictionspecifically,howblankfaced,softspokenpeoplemanageto
commitmayhemand,atthemomentofviolentoutburst,stayfixedontheir
planandmaintainafearsomecalminthefaceofdisgustinggore."Yes,
absolutelytrue:RefnclearlyenjoysthatRyanGosling's
ostensiblyaccommodating,becalming,boyishmanner,canbeexplodedso
conclusivelythatanyonewhomightprivilegetheirownintereststhroughit
findthemselvesunabletohandlewhomhehasrevealedtothemasagood
partofhiscore,andhe'sgotthemnowinapositionwherethey'llneverbe
quitesureabouthim;alwaysabitfretfulandfearful,preparedtodisengage
andlet"you"befree,soyoucandecompressandrelaxinyourownspace,
themomentyoushowanyhintofbeingtweakedfromnormal.Heenjoys
creatingprotagonistswhoexperienceotherpeople'sstartledpullingback,
likeasifit'satthispointwhereyoucanbegintoformafriendshipwith
them,ifitwouldstilltake,andtheyremaininterested,becauseyounow
knowthemwellenoughfromwhattheyhaverevealedtoyouyou'vehad
thatadvantagebeforeyourevealedthedragonselfthey'veactuallyalsoto
tanglewith(somethingakintoBlackWidow'stechniqueintheAvengers).
AndIknowwhatthatisabout.Oneofmyfavoritecharactersfromfiction
wasonceSeverian,fromGeneWolfe'sShadowoftheTorturer,andthiswas
himtoaT.Justassoonasyouthinkyou'vegothimpegged,andaremoving
onwithyourfurtherplans,heshowswhathe'sbeenhiding,anddoesthelike
ofsurprisingyoubypunchingyournoseboneintoyourbrain.Andthough
I'mawareenoughofit'simmaturity,orrather,itsoriginsasadefense
mechanismagainstabuse,likethe"ignoringofemotionsofothersandthe
crawlinginsideboxesandclingingtohardsurfacesandmechanicaldevices

inplaceofrelatingtocaretakers"(deMause,"Whymalesaremoreviolent")
thatautistsdo,Ican'tquitestandoutsideafilmlikeDriveandfindithardto
slipGosling'scharacteron.Rather,itisabitmorethecharacterBrody
actuallylikesinthisfilm,AlbertBrooks'gangster,whomIamproneto
engagewithrathersecondarily.
Brodymakesthegangsterouttobeahorror,"[some]onewhoseprofessional
identityemerges,tantalizingly,onlybydegrees,"butheisn't,likeGosling,
theguywhodisengagesandputsthecoldfaceon,butratherthesaddened
olderguywhorealizesthere'sreallynootheroptionforhim,andsodoes
whathehasto,stillhimselfthewholewhile.Indeed,whenheforksand
knivesaguyrepeatedlytodeath,inasceneofmassiveviolenceand
emotionalheat,it'sasifit'smorehiswayofdisplacinghisangerathis
partner,whocausedtheproblembutwhojustcan'tanylongersufferhimself
thegore,likeahusbandrequitedtokillingthepestinthetuborwhowas
eatingawayattheyewbush,thathehadnorealtruckwiththatis,morea
mannerofcommunicating,tosomeoneelse,likeahardslammeddoor,than
itisyourspellingahardlessontowhomyou'redirectlyaccosting.Gosling,
ontheotherhand,whenhekicksandcrashesintheskulloftheassassin
fallenbeforehim,hasenteredsomeotherkindofstate,separatedfrom
emotions,withevenhisnearbybelovedcompletelymomentarilyoutofthe
picture;anditisonlyafterwardsthathecanregrouphimselftosomething
humanlikeearnestcommunicationeventhoughyou'vesurelyfallenback
bythen,probablyconcussedintopitifultremblesandnervousquivering,and
onyourwaytoactuallyrunningaway.
HowthehellcouldIorientmoretowardsGoslingthanBrooksinthisfilm,
youask?BecauseGoslinginthispictureismoredrawnfromwoundingthan
Brooksis,andIrelate,andwhateverloveI'vegatheredsincethenhasn't
quitebecomesufficientthatItiltmoretheotherway.ThismeansthatI
expectagoodportionofmylifehasstillbeentoomuchaboutareroute
thanaboutahealthyfullonengagementwithalogicalpath,andthismeans
anygodonthelookoutforanyonetreadingdisallowedhallowedgrounds
andheapingandintegratingliferichesfoundthereonintohislifedrawers,
mighttemporarilyfixonmeorevenquiteabitbutultimatelydesist,
contentedinmynonthreat,likethemomentarilyconfusedmilitarydronein
Oblivion.Thisisn'texactlytherightcomparison,butIwon'tbeduetobea
BradleyManning;whichisthewayIneedtohaveit.

Andnowtothegood.Tothegoodreasonthatis,forlikingorlovingfilms
thatenormouslyastuteandpsychologicallyhealthycriticslikeEbertand
Brodyareboundtofindoffensiveandlargelyunenjoyable.Therearesome
periodsofhumanexistence,where,asImentionedconcerningthe1930s,all
thegreatartistssoundaboutoppositethegreatartistswhothrivedjust
before,whenhumanitywasinvolvedinsomekindoftruerenaissance
period.Thesetypestheactuallessersdointhisinstancehavethe
advantagethetimesarebehindthem,forthem,anditmeansforthemthey
see,theyexperience,alandscapeoffreshthingstheymightexplore,rather
thanblockages,howlingspiritsinstructingthemonhowdespitetheir
whatevergenius,they'renotwanted,theydon'tmatter,andthey'renogood
nowtrytodoyourbestworkwiththisholyhellofshitonyourtail!So
artistslikeWalkerEvans,whothoughthumanitysospoileditneededtobe
taughttheDepressionlesson,thrived,andartistslikeFitzgerald,whose
bloodwasJazzAge,begantowilt.Ifyoulookat30sfilmsfromthe
perspectiveEbertandBrodyshowtowardsKickAssandDrive(orthat
MarisKreizmanshowstowardsGameofThrones),asyoushowupevery
directorfortheirpotentialamorality,theirdispirit,theirexploitation,their
dehumanization,you'llbeshowingupalotofwhatturnedouttobethebest
filmsoftheera.42ndStreetmadepeopleinto"cogsinawheel"(Dickstein,
DancingintheDark),ittookawaytheirworthasindividuals,favoringonly
whattheycountedforaspartofacollectiveitkindofwasaNazifilm:and
BusbyBerkeleywasgreat30sinnovation,forexample.Andcriticswho
couldonlypointoutthebadandnotrecognizethatincreasinglyitisfrom
sourmotivesthatrealartisincreasinglytobefound,havesurelycometo
theirterminus:Ifit'snothumansbutoilykaijumasterswhoaremakingthe
better'bots,nomatterhowmuchyouhatethem,you'vegottobeatleastbe
abletorecognizethis.BrodythoughtDriveapoormovie,withonlyone
thinggoingforit;Ebertshowednosenseofhowexcitingandoutofthe
blueKickAsswas;andyearslateryougoaboutandtalktobanktellers,
retailworkers,averagejoesmoviegoersyouwatchhowtheylightup
whenyoutalkaboutthesemovies:theywerefavoritesoftheyear,formany.
So,concerningEbert(Iknow,Iknowrestinpeace)andBrody,andtheir
likewiseactuallywonderfulilk...dowekeepthem?Onebeginstothink
no,lestwecomeacrosssomethingawfultheyspelledoutaboutfriggin'
GameofThrones,aworldwidebelovedphenomenon,forHeaven'ssakes,
andfeelcompelledtoseekthemoutandtorturethemoutoftheireyesand

earstodemonstrateourpointthatclearlyforthem,theirowningthemno
longermuchmatters.
Idon'trememberasingleparticularmomentofKickAssIespecially
enjoyed;itwasmorehowsurprisedIwas,howexcitedIwas,toseeafilm
makerjusttruckonthroughalandscapeofhorrorlikeitwasalljustso
what?Yeah,apreteeniscarvingupbodiesandhavingaheapoffunif
thissoundslikesomethingyou'vegottoworkyourselfupforanentire
movietobereadyfor,you'redarkages,becausethisdirectorinstructedusto
thefactthatawholebunchoftalentisabouttotakeitasnothingreally
special.So,ifingoodtimes,whenartistsdothis,makeinroadsintotaboo
turf,thismeansthey'reexploringhushhushtopicslikeracismoradult
sexualrelations,theninthebadtimesofpurgatoryit'sgoingtomean
goingthedistancewiththingslikelytowoundmoreevolvedpredecessors.
Soifyou'relookingforpeoplemakinginroads,thenthesedayswhenartists
putbutterflyknivesintothehandsofchildrenandexplorewhattheydowith
them,ornotpullawaywhenthebarbarianhordedoesitspillagingand
raping,butinsteadletsthecamerasroleonandevengoforgrimcloseups,
hereperhapsmostespeciallyiswhereyou'regoingtofindit.Thereasons
they'rebeingexploredaresurelysordid,butyoucouldn'tworkwiththis
materialbeforeforreasonsthatwerenevertrulyconvincingsoyou
shouldbeabletofindsomeway,throughwatchingtheirexplorationsofit,
howitmightsomedaybemadetoworkinahumanistsense.
KickAss2doesn'tprovidethatsamesenseofatabooterritoryconfidently
beingrepossessedforpublicuse,thoughfromwhatitdoesinthebeginning,
Iwasactuallyabitsurprisedatthis.Themoviebeginswiththevillain
accidentlyonpurposekillinghismother,anddonningherclothingforhis
nextsupervillainpersona.Anytimeavillaindoesthis,adoptsamother
persona,itusuallymeansthatthischaracterisgoingtobegivengreater
latitudesthanyou'dnormallyexpect.Thiswillbetruefora1960'sfilmlike
Psycho,butespeciallytrueforanyfilmemergingoutofaDepression
period.Depressionsareallaboutapopulationpunishingitselfforhaving
takentoomanycookiesfromthecookiejarpreviously,andit'sprettymuch
livedasifthereisn'tanythingyoudothatyourrighteousmotherwithher
tightlygrippedrollingpinisn'tfelttobewatchingover.Thelastthingyou're
inthemindtodo,thatis,issayanythingderisiveabouther,nomatterwhat
thehellshemightbeupto,andyou'renotabouttotakeadvantageofher

likenessinfilmtoovertlyshowwhatyoureallythinkofherabuses.Instead,
you'llseethelikeness,andimmediatelytakeadvantageofthisopportunityto
manifestarepentantattitude,andnotsayawordnomatterhowmanyhow
manytransgressionsshepulls,nomatterhowmanycookiesdisallowedto
you,sheswallowsdownherself.BrodycouldwatchafilmlikeSkyfalland
pointoutM'sratherarrogant"clingingtoherposition,"whichactuallymade
thingsworse,buttherestofhumanity,besure,stayedmum.Yes,therestof
humanitywasalsosecretlyjoyouswhenshegetsdisposedofatthefinish,
andthat,thankgod,anaffectdialeddownmaleleadisleftinchargeof
operations,whileBrodywasfreeofanysuchmalice,butBrodywas
casuallytellingtheemperorofftoherface,withhisnotevenbeingaware
he'ddoneanythingespeciallyinopportune:whichyoujustdontdo.
Theboyarchvillain,Motherfucker,isn'tactuallytheonegivenanylatitude;
heaimsatonepointtorapesomeone,NightBitch,who'dbeensetupasif
alreadyabusedwithherperpetualnervoustrepidationandasakintothe
girlinahorrormoviewho'sdoomedtobeslainforherbeingsexually
active,andthuspartofthecohortthatareusuallynotingeekfilmsspared
humiliationsbutrathermadetofeelsusceptibletobeingbitchslapped
consummatedintofullyravagedvictims.Buthispenisfailshim,andshe
endsupbeingdeniedherillfatebythesomeonepresentwhoprobablycould
havebeenshownrapingher,withastrapon,andwiththecameranotfeeling
theneedtofretandpullaway,asifit'sgotsureprotectionforitsplainly
powerfulindulging,evilpurposedscrutiny.Specifically,MotherRussia,the
gargantuanvillainrecruitedintoMotherfucker'sservice,who'snotlikea
bruteinaBondfilminservicetothemastermindclearlyanumbertwo
butrathermorelikeKrakentoPoseidon,avastlydwarfingentity,who's
showisnowitsownoncereleasedintothefilm.Itfeltstrangethatthemovie
handedthemother'smanaalltoher,afterithadjustsetupMotherfuckeras
themothervisagedpsychoduesurelyforanumberofpersonallyinflicted
massacresthoughIgotthepointbehindthisafterwardsbutregardless,
MotherRussiaisthebadbullymotherinthisfilm,whomgeeksfearso
muchyoushouldexploretheirdecisiontoconvergeinbasementcavesatthe
onsetofrealworldbeckoningadolescence,asowingtoit.She'sIronMan
inflatedto400percentpower,she'stheadrenalinehitthatHitGirltakes
later,toenabledramatopotentiallytakeplacethatwithoutheritwouldn't
dare.

Thekeysceneinthefilm,theonlyonemaybeworthrewatchingon
Youtube,iswhenthegangofvillainelitesmarchesintothesuburbs,each
oneanarrogantsureshellofegoforessentiallystandingbehindthepowerof
theirwayhighestpaid,MotherRussia.She'sgoingtogettodoanythingshe
wants,iswhatyoufeel,anditmaybethemovie'sencouragingyoutofeel
thisway,toberemindedthatmoodscantakeoverpeoplewheretrespasses
canbeeffected,andtheworldthereafterjustcan'tplacidlyreset,iswhatit
deservescreditfor,andnotreallywithwhatitshowsdonewithinthis
protectivecloudoflatitude.Shelaunchesalawnmowerintothefaceofa
policeofficer,andgivesyouthesamesensethatthefirstKickAssattimes
didwithHitGirlandBigDaddy,thatthisjusthappened:inreallife,
someonelikeher,arealhumanbeing,couldhavecomeoutoftheblue,and
donethis.They'reridiculouslycostumed,andtheyrestridingintothe
suburbsasifconquerorsofRome,butit'snot,it'snot,simplyfunny.You
cantquitecomicbookthem,whichmakesthescenefeelkindofawesome.
MotherRussiaisostensiblyinthefilmtobeanappropriatefoeforHitGirl,
butshe'sreallyinitforthis.Thissaid,thefactthatMotherRussiadwarfs
everyoneelsewhoisalsopartoftheeliteclubofvillains,helpsmake
anotherofthefilm'spoints.WhatKickAsssuggestedhasbeenalready
terminated:we'renotinthemoodtoinflategeekssotheymightpassastrue
superheroes,butforsplittingthemoffintothesliverfewthe1%who
areundeniablyawesome,andtherest,whoevenwithcostumesonand
trained,looklikethey'rejustwaitingforsomeonetrulyskilledtotakethem
downfortheirsillypretense,lawhatyoufeltwaspartlyatworkwhen
NightBitchgetspaidthatgrimvisitatthehospital,andwhatwasbehind
evenmafiatrainedColonelStarsandStripessurprisinglyquickexitfrom
thefilm.Tome,it'samazingthemoviewouldwanttogothisway,butitdid
andwithconfidence.ItgetsrightthatwhatwewantedwasforHitGirlto
receivewhatlookedlikeherdueintheoriginalKickAss,tonotproperly
belonginanymovietoomuchownedwhollybygeeks.Whensheridesoff
aloneatthefinish,she'sthe18yearoldwiththephysicalcapacitynow,to
fitrightintotheAvengerswithoutblinking,withabigleaguefoeplayedby
abigleagueactor,tauntingher,ratherthanessentiallyunadulterated
nobodiesandHollywoodcastaways.AndifshesurprisedusinAvengers2
byservingasBlackWidow'sreplacement,we'dcalculatetheactresses'
alreadystardom,aswellaswhatshe'ssurelydue;considerhercharacter's
superlativekillingoutofKickAss;andactuallyprobablyletherdothe

unthinkableandbetheonlyoneyou'reeverlikelytoseeinaDepression
period,risefromtheslumsandgettokeeptheirstay.
Bewarned,however,thatthoughitlookslikeshe'sofftothebigtime,it's
notquitetruetosayshe'sleavingeveryoneelsebehind.Alltheotherheroes
droptheirsuperherogarbandpersonas,buttheydon'tsulkbackintothe
individuallybullied.Rather,theytaketheotherempoweredendofthesuper
herostickthatthelastDepressionperiodtheonethatgavebirthto
superheroesinthefirstplaceenabled.Specifically,likethelastDepression
gaveusCaptainAmericaandSuperman,italsoendedupgivingusthe
peopleasfolk,orinGermany,asvolk.Thatis,thepeopleendedupbeing
thedepersonalized"cogsinawheel"thatDicksteinrightlylaments,but
thesesamecogsendedupfeelingthatasananonymouslegiontheywere
empoweredtogetherassomethingallpure,allpowerful,andallvirtuous
lookintotheNewDealera,or,sorry,theNazivisionof"people's
community,"togetsomesenseofthis.Everyoneoftheheroesareshown
indistinguishablybackintheirstreetclothes,amongstthemass,butone
feelsthatwhen"filth"passesbythem,they'regoingtobeatlibertiesto
disassemblethemthatyoujustcouldn'timagine.Here'swhereanawfullot
oflatitudeisgoingtofalloverthenextnumberofyears,andIthinkwefeel
thisattheendofthefilmhowDr.Gravity,surrenderedofhis"Superman"
andcontentedinhis"ClarkKent,"almosteclipsesHitGirl'sracingoffto
herownindividualfutureinManhattan,whenhesmilestoparticipateina
righteouslynching.Ifhisskillswereabitbetter,he'dfitinwithCoulson's
crewofblackgarbed,nonglamagents,whichasweknow,noone'spassing
overforitspossessingserious,seriouslegs.

BlueJasmine
OnethingIwasnotreallyfairto,tomyexperienceofElysium,ishow
impressedIwasbyhowitaccuratelyconveyed,thatifyou'renotamongst
thoseessentiallyexpectedtoliveasifthereisnoconstraintuponthemall
smiles,celebrations,newrestaurants,and"isn'tlifethegreatest!"are
outsidethefortuned1%,ifyoueverdaredofferingupanysass,any
reflectionabouthowyoutrulyfeel,you'llfollowitwithathousand
embarrassingsurrenderstowhateverauthoritiesmightexpectofyou,hoping

thatwaytoabetanexecutioner'ssuddenlyraisedstrikefromtiltingto
ultimatelyfalldownonyou,andcastyououtfromalifethatstillhasthe
bearingofrelevance,howeverspituponanddimaone.There'saworsefate
thanbeingafactoryworkeratajobplacethattrulybelievesnotaoneof
themisparticularlyvaluableinwhathedoes,eachonetobereplacedby
another,ifneedbe,ascananynewlypurchasedtoolbeschleppedinto
replacealostone.Ifyousomehowstillseempartofastory,cancount
yourselfpartofsomething,inclusionandpurposecankeepyousane.If
you'reoutsideofone,withtheworldaroundyoumovingwithpurpose,
there'snosociallyacceptablenarrativeforyoutocountasyourownin
whichtounconsciouslyshareandfunnelyourperplexinglifeafflictionsinto,
andtheyjustkeeppoppingup,yourinsufficientlyaddressedlifeafflictions,
allthetime,atscaryconsciouslevel,andarealonetoyou.Andifyourbeing
insynctonoonemeansthelikeofyousuddenlyrehearsingsomethingyou
said,orsomethingsomeoneelsesaid,outloud,you'regoingtotetherout
prettyclosetocrazytownformostpeople,whichintoday'sworldwillbring
notempathybutshock"therapy,"tokillthatstrangebuzzingaberrationdead
thatappearedratherstartlinglyoutthereonthestreettoaffrontus.
ThetragedyofJasmine,isthatshehasacuity,somepotentialtoarticulate
preciselyhowthingsare,whichwiththehelpofhersummonedkindnesscan
takeotherpeopleoutoflifepatternsthatare"solutions"whichenablethem
tolive,butwhichthemselvescryouttobesolvedaswell.Almostassoonas
shelandsonhersister'sdoorstep,sheknowshersister'slife,herfriends,her
community,fullyrightly.She'sstumbledintoamorass,butonethatifshe
hangsontightandbearsittothebestofherability,willbearherenoughso
shecanevolvetheextenuationsrequiredtofinallyonceagaingetsomefull
bracingagainsttheworld.Shemighttryapplyingherselftoher
surroundings,butsinceupclosethey'rebefudgingnullity,whichbringsto
thepersonwhoisabletosummonconsiderablemomentumtounderstanding
themthefeelingofhavingsummonedagreatwavethat'llbreakitsbarrier
withsolittleresistanceitnowrequiresitsowntaxingdown,thesolutionis
bettertodrinkwhenshehasto,Xanexherselfwhenshehasto,andjustgain
theproclivitynecessarytodownscalethenervestressingconstant
attenuationsofahelpcentertypejob,soshecanbuilduptheproteinjuice
resourcesinsideherselffromwhichpromisingextenuationsmight
eventuallysprout.

Shehasterribleluck.Theonethingthatcouldstillgetheronceshehas
recuperatedsufficientlyfromherpastsgreatheaveoftraumasand
developedtheabilitytoworkasareceptionistandsosurviveregardlessif
hersisterstoppedhostingherwasifsomethingarrivedthatlookedto
instantlytakeherawayfromthislifemakeitallseemlikesomeextralong
butstillnowforevergonenightmare,intowhichshewasinsanely
transportedbutnowfromwhichshehasneatlydancedherwayout.And
withhermeetingPeterSaarsgard'sDwight,shegoesallinwiththisperfect
wayout.Whensheaccidentlymeetshersister'sformerhusbandonthe
street,weseewhatthiswayoutwouldhavecosther.Caughtout,shecanin
instantdefenseshowhowaliveshecanbetootherpeople'smotivations,and
seeminstantlyadult.Butsincethismeanshavingtoreckonwiththingsshe
didhorriblethings,likelosingadeservinghardworkingmansvery
realisticopportunityforamoreenfranchisedlife;likeinamomentofvenom
alertingauthoritiesaboutsomethingshewasalwaysatsomelevelawareof
buthadntblownthewhistleonuntilitseemedperfectspite,whichkilled
herhusband,spiraledhersonintothinkingaforgottencaveisbetterthan
spendingonemomentfurtheroutside,andundidherwholelifeshecan't
helpbuttakethebaittobeasifstillordainedbyarigidlawoftheuniverse
torecovertobetheBlueJasmine,perfectprincessagain.
Attheendshe'sonthestreet,deadeyes,andbabbling.Somewhereonthe
horizonacrewwillsoonappeartodiagnoseherasneedingtohaveherhead
shockedfromoneplanettothenext,leavingherinapermanentdaze,
puddlingdrooldownthefrontofhercreamblouseandChaneljacket.But
it'sappropriateshejustgivesup.Theuniverseclearlyhasitinforher.She
wasrightthathersisterwouldfindforherselfabettermateonceshejudged
herselfworthabitbetter,butherfirstmagicaltrywiththisendedso
traumatizinglysheensconcedherselfevenharderwithwhatthankgod!
wasstillavailabletoher.ThismeantJasmine'spresencewouldbethereafter
areminderofaconsciousdecisiononherparttoforceherselftobelievethis
waswhomshewasnaturallyrightfor.ThismeantJasminewhoreflects
backathernow,clearlyjustifiedmockerywouldhavetobeoutofher
lifehard.Jasminecouldn'tpickherselfupfromthis,andgobacktothe
certainlyplausibleandnowalreadypartlytraveledpathofbecominga
decorator,becausesometimesyou'rejusthandedtoomanyblows,and
you'vegottojustsitdown,giveup,andletyourselfbebrokendownbythe
universetobereconstitutedintosomethingwhichactuallyhaspurpose.(The

onlysalvetemporarilyavailabletoyouisthatyoumighthumorouslyblow
attheantstakingbitsofyouaway,likeRonPerlman'spuffingatthelegion
offlamesalreadyupthewoodladderandeatingathiminNameoftheRose,
soaclearlyhumorlessGodhasthehumiliationofhavingtochowdownon
somefarcebeforehetakesyou.)Wefeltforherwhenshesolongatimea
naturaldenizenofthemostsophisticatedrichwasbroughtdowntobeinga
salesclerkservingherformerfriends,whichislikebecomingamaid
servantafterhavingoncebeenaduchessisusuallyakindofhumiliation
you'remadetosufferjustbeforebeingexecuted,likebeingraped.Truly,its
amazingshemanaged.Wecertainlyknewwhatshemeantwhen,afterbeing
accostedandgropedbyherdentistboss,someoneshehadexpendedevery
frenziedefforttocommunicatewasnotsomeoneshewantedtogetintimate
with,shejustcouldn'tbeartotaketocourt.Weknewhowshefeltwhenshe
requestedmoresilenceandsolitudeinhersister'shome,withherreally,
truly,havingexpendedeveryefforttomakethisalastditchrecourseher
abilitytoneuterdownherownproclivitytojustarrogantlyownwhatever
spacearoundher,hadbeencommendable:hersisterneededtospeakup
then,andtheguysneededtogotothebarinsteadanyrecourseawayfrom
thatwouldhavebeenuniversalindignity.
Theuniversemoveson,andeventuallysocietyrecoversitspoiseand
actuallycaresaboutpeopleagain.Thisbecomesatimefortruetherapy,
whereifyoubabbletoyourselfsoyouareawareofthespecificinstances
whichafflictyou,thisisactuallyanassettherapistswouldusetomakesure
theyzeroinonyoumorepreciselyitslikebeingabletodescribeyour
dreamswithprecision.Thisbecomesatimethatthestorytobetoldwhen
someonelikeJasminefallsintoyourlife,ishowshe,despiteherflaws,
improvedyouforthebetter,beforesheheftedherselfofftoaworldsheafter
allwasmorenaturalto:moreMaryPoppinsorbetter,ColdComfortFarm.
Theproblemwithpurgesofthekindwereexperiencingnow,isthatits
goingtoleaveuswithfewerJasmineswhenwereactuallyinmindto
appreciatethem.Seriously,agoodnumberofourbabblersareactuallygoing
tobeamongstourbest,butjusttragicallyuntetheredfrommadnessesweuse
withproficiencytoassureourselvessanelikewhathappenedtoFitzgerald
inthe'30s,whenaworldthoughtthingslikefascismsane.
Elysium

WhenMattDamon'sMaxencountersthekidswhosurroundhimhopingfor
money,there'satinybitoftensioninthemoment,likewhatwe'vegotisa
wildlifeencounterbetweenamaturebearandacuriouspackofwolves,
whichshouldendwithmaybeoneniporaloudroar,ormaybesomemutual
entertainment,butcouldpotentiallygohorriblywrong.ButassoonasMax
dropsthemabitofmoney,weunderstandthatinthismovie,ifyou'reofthe
dispossessedkids,areelderly,orawoman,you'llunderstandablydowhat
youcanforabittoeat,butyou'reallearnestandgood,evenifchokeddown
someforbeingsoalwaysscared.Guyscangetrangier,butarenotmore
interestingforit:unlessofcoursethatthey'dgetakickoutofanexoskeleton
beingdrilledandboltedintoyouisgoingtomakeyoulookevenuglierand
causeyouagreatdealofpain,isforyouashowthatthey're"complicated."
Sotherereallyisnothingaboutthepeopleleftbehindonthisovercrowded,
desertplanet,thatisinteresting,andthere'snotmuchtoourhero:who
servesupsamplesofguesstimatedminimalnecessaryshowsofthe
abeyanceandcoweringandobligingthathehastodo,lesthelosetheone
thingthatgiveshimsomesatisfyingedgeovereveryoneelseontheplanet
hishavingajobandjustseemstoaddmoreandmorepussfilledwounds
tohislarge,fatiguedmass,ashegoesaboutthemovie.Hehassufficient
pullingstrengthtoensurethenarrativemovesandsowedon'tfeel
permanentlycaughtinthisawfulplace,andthat'sreallyaboutit.
Hesayshewantstolive,andthat'swhyhewantstogettoElysiumtohave
hisradiated,disintegratingorgans,allinamagicalmoment,repaired.Andof
coursethismeanshe'llendupsacrificinghislifeandnotliving,evenifhe
can'tsay,likeRobertKazinksy'salsoultimatelyselfsacrificingChuck
HansenplausiblydoesinPacificRim,thatheratherenjoyslivinghislife.
Butthecharacterwhoreallyshowsthekindofexhilaratingheftthatcomes
fromnotpassivelylettingaworldturnillfortunetowardyou,isofcourse
evilagentKruger,whotakesuponhistakingoverthespacestation
commandwiththesamepersuasivesuavityashisswaggeringathree
shootingmissilelauncherintolaunchingposition,todownthreeshipsthat
wouldhavebeentraumatizedaspacestationasifbefelledbyaninsect
invasion,ifhedidn'tstopthemshortbeforearrival.
It'snotreallyJodieFoster'sDelacourt,thatis.There'ssomethingaboutthese
overtmothertypesincurrentmovies,thatwhatevertheirmomentary

grandiosity,makesthemfeelfromthestarthorriblydoomed.LikeMin
SkyfallandCrystalinOnlyGodForgives,whoalsolookedtopossessthe
acumentopersistandthriveintheirpositions,they'rehitwithsomekindof
woundingaccusationthat'ssetthemupforsomekindofjustified,necessary,
coupdegracebytheendofthefilm.Theyveleveragedthemselvesinan
unallowedwaysoprofoundly,thatevenifmostmenstillpartaroundthem
oroutoffearpretendtokeepfaithwiththemonlyofferingupatbest
glancingblowssothatonlyotherempoweredwomenmighthitthembymid
pointwithsomethingmoresolidanexecutionerhasbeenletlooseinthe
worldthat'sgoingtogetthem,evenifnotthemselvesleftintheendtobean
ongoinghero.Theycandwarfwholemalehierarchiesforawhile,but
somethingabouttheirbeingallalonewhileawholeworldwaitstoget
behindasinglemomentofseemingnarrativenecessity,makesitfeellike
theycanforsurebetakenout.
Onceshesoutinthisfilm,Krugersoongoestoo.Andsowehaveabunch
ofandroidsbringingmedicinedowntohugehoardsofdispossessedpeople,
whoofcourseobligetheirweakesttogettheirremediesfirst.Somewhere
somevillageboyshowsappreciation,butkindofpreferredwhenthespace
shipsairedbutgotblownupinspacethatwascool,mom!Andtheother
villagersgatheraroundandstonehim,andnotasparkofinterestingdoubt
evershoweditselfinthisuniverseforamillenniumofyears.Themenare
dumbwhilethewomenaresmartbutsincethisjustmeanstheygonurse
ratherthanambitiondoctor,maleanxietiesremainsoothed.
OnlyGodForgives
Ifyou'vesufferedfrombeingusedincestuouslybyyourmotherasyou
becameayoungman,RyanGosling'scharacterJulianshowswhatyou
mightdoinrecompense.One,getawayfromyourmother,likealongway
awayThailand'sgood.Two,findyourselfinstructuresthatseemasifa
bunkerandarelabyrinthine,andwherethewallpatternsarelikecompact
shelvesofancestors,orwardingglyphs,scarytothosewhoaren'tusedto
them,andmaybeevenpartiallyinyourfavor,soyoucouldn'tpossiblybe
unwillinglydraggedaway,andwhereanyintimaciesyoumightentertain
withinhavetheprotectionofcarapacearoundyolktheywillhavetheir
time.Three,haveboysaroundyouaboutthesameageyouwerewhenyou

wereabused,andinsteadgivethemencouragingpatsofsupportfromthis,
somegoodtoothers,aswellassomeassuagementofyourownhurts.Four,
reexplorerelationshipswithwomen,butwhereifyou'retheonesubmitting,
it'sdoneverygently;andwhereforthemostpartyou'rejustgettingusedto
theideathatwomen,thatsex,canbesomethingunderyourcontrol.Five,
existatatimewhenifyourcanny,resourceful,youdwarfinganddaunting,
warreadymotherarrivesbackintoyourpresence,mastersyouinyourown
den,yourstillexistingpliancytohermeansyou'rethepaltriestobstruction
toacrusadersuppedonresourcesofavastconservativelandscapethathas
onceagainbeguntostir:bentinwardstoher,youhardlyrequirescything,
andcanprettymuchbejustwalkedthroughasarighteouskillisstaked.
You'llhavetohavesomethingthatwouldyokeherbacktoyou,though.Her
outofthepicturealtogether,meansnochanceforrapprochement,for
adjustingorinsomelimitedfashionmasteringher,soyoumightknowfora
momenttheselfassurancethatwouldcomefromknowingyouhaditinyou
tofinallyinsistonborders,aswellasbrokeringforyourselfanewkindof
spaceyoumightusewithotherpeople.Andpossiblyoutofstructuresputin
placetokeephermoreunderyourterms,sneakinforyourselfabitofthe
wholescaleintimacythatboyshuntforfromtheirmotherslikedwarves
throughstaunchesoforetogold.AndJulianhasthissomethingwithhis
olderbrother,Billy,themother'sfavoriteforbeingtheeldest,thestrongest,
andforpossessingapenissolargeitdrawsawe,whoforbeingthefavorite
whenthismeanstheinverseofwhatitnormallydoes,seemsincapableof
immunizinghimselftoheringrainedinfluencetotrysomethinglikegenuine
intimacyon,andisseeminglysusceptibleeverynighttohavinghisneedto
dispensehissenseofbeingachildvictimscaleoverintohisbecominga
perpetratorofbutcheryinevitablyinvolvingsomeoneyoungandhopeful,
likehisonceselfwas,attackedsothoroughlytoformherowngrosspondof
partsandblood.
Hissuccumbingtohisdrivetokillsomeoneyoungandvulnerable,draws
hismother,Crystal,backtoThailand,andwhenshearrivesshestakesher
claimonlongassumedterritory,andgarnersherpenthouseroofsuiteaway
fromwhateverhotelprecedentthatwoulddissuadehertemporarilyfromit.
Theflowersinthebackgroundarepink,andsotoothelimited,nervous,
wouldbesceneabatingreceptionist'sgarb,buttheplaceneverreallyknew
thecoloruntilshecameinandshowedthemwhatitcandoworn,when

affixedtoevenaverytired,greatlady.Wehaveasensethatineachplace
shesinsubsequently,shefeelssopresumptive,somasterly,shemightboast
thatshesnolongersureshedressedtomatchthedcor(which,younote,
shealwaysdoes)orwhetherithadtakenantecedentnoticeofwhatshewas
inthemoodforandmadeadjustments.Still,evenwithherfeelingthather
claimonthissectionofThailandisbroadandmeaningfullyunchallenged,
Juliangetssomeofwhathewouldhopetoacquirefromher.Heshad
enoughtimewithhisgirlfriend,theproudprostituteMia,tofeelhecan
squareitagainstwhatevermockeryhismothermightpresentagainstit,and
gainthefootholdofamotherhavingtorealizeherclaimonhersonisitself
goingtohavetobeadjustedeven,potentially,subjectedtotheharrowing
sideliningofbecomingsecondary.Thisisallhecouldpossiblygetfromher,
though,aswhenMiachallengeshimonwhyheletshimselfberidiculedby
hismother,hisresponsetoherissimplyfervor:stakinganymorethansome
presuppositionagainsthismotherrequiteshimbackintosimplybeingher
hardestdefender.
ButevenasCrystalfitsbackintoherThailandoperation,exhalingsmokeas
casuallyandconfidentlyinherspacioushotelroomasadragonnestledinits
adoptedden,oradmiringyoungmensmuscleslikechopsservedbeforeher,
shehasmadeamissstep:aswarned,theThaiclimateisnolongerone
wherecopscanbekilled,andthebestmovefromherwouldhavebeento
havespentlesstimerepossessingandluxuriating,andmoretimereconciling
andpreparing.Whathaschangedisancestorsandancestraltraditions,
representnotsomuchsomethingthatisbeingdissipatedasacountrysways
urban,butbeingrecovered,havingstrengthlenttoit,aspeopleonceagain
arefindingsomethingmosttrueaboutthemselvesasarace,incustoms
ostensiblyunchangedforgenerations.Themoviepaintsthisassanity,a
slowreturntodecencythewaysofvillagesandcountrylifearebeginning
tospeakagain.Butitadmiresthatwhatitatleastasmuchis,isabouta
capacityforrighteousrevengethatwhatevermilieuitisslowlypreparing
itselftoreplace,wouldbestoppedshortby.Youforsurelikethecopinthis
film,Chang,therepresentativeandembodimentofthisrenewedspirit,when
heaskshisdaughtersbabysitteraboutwhatshepreparedhisdaughterfor
dinnerherespectsthesweetsitter,andhemeanshispaymenttofeelwell
earned,atributetoher(itsthemoviethatwouldhaveuscontrastthis
paymentwiththeexchangeofmoneymadeatthebeginningofthefilm,
whichwasfordrugs).Butyouradmirationforhispenchanttorespectthe

oftenoverlookedbutvaluableismorethancurbed,whenproperpaymentfor
notseeingbecomesthelossofyoureyeballs,andforstubbornness,theloss
ofyourlife.Forsurearoundhimifwewerecomportingacolorfulscarf,
sunglasses,andcarryingtude,wedloseallsuchinahurry:therearetwo
thatdothisinthisfilm,andneitherendsupdoingverywell.Otherwisehed
grabwhateverconventionaltoolinhisnearvicinity,anduseittoinstructus
onsomerespectnodoubtinvolvingsomepermanentmaiming.Andasfor
hissecondincommand,thereslustinhiseyes,craving:wefeelit,andits
repellent.
ChangslaysCrystalforheregregiouspresumptionsonanintrinsically
modestpeople,andhereisassureinwhathedoesasmanyRussiansare
becomingintheirattitudestowardshomosexuals,orBritisharebecomingin
theirhardlineintoleranceofporn,orAmericansarebecomingintheir
universalcheeringonofathleteshavingtheircareerscutoffbrutallyfor
beingexposedascheaters.Ifhesagod,Iinsisthesagodtofear,notoneto
welcomeintoourlivesassomeonedoingnecessarycleansing,however
sometimeshardtowatch,ashisexecutionsareoftenperformedbeforeus,
demandingourassent.ButatleastforJulian,hiskillingstroketoherneck
stillshersohecandosomethingindecentbutwhichmakessenseputting
hishandinsideherwomb,asthechildinhimnestlesalongmaternal
warmth,freedfromcomplications,likeincest,orenvelopment.Thisiswhat
heneededfromhismothercloseproximity,warmth,safetyandhis
cunning,intuitive,brashactheremightevenhelpedserviceahugewoundof
hisown.AnditistruetowhatIthinkChangactuallyrepresentsthatthese
handswhichwereineffectualasweaponsbuteffectualinobtaining
compensationforaparentsabandonment,mayintheendhavebeensevered
fromhim.WhatreallygetsChangsgoat,iswhatisatissuewithanyparent
whowouldspankachildsenseless:achildpresumes.

TheConjuring
Idon'tknowifcontemporaryfilmmakersareawareofit,butiftheydecide
tosettheirfilmsinthe'70s,someoftheaffordmentsofthattimearegoing
tomakethemhavetoworkhardertosimplygetagoodscarefromus.Who
wouldyouexpecttohaveamoretenaciousholdonthathouse,forexample?

TheghostsfromSalem,orusfrom2013,who'vejustbeenshownaNew
EnglandhomejustanotchortwodownscaledfrombeingaJeffersonian
estate,thatasingleincometruckdriverwithsomesavingscanafford?
Seriously,thoughit'seasytocreditthatthefatherRogerPerronwould
gethisfamilyoutofthathouseasfastashecouldwhentroublereallystirs,
we'dbemoreapttostillbewageringourlossesonedeaddog,awife
accumulatingbruises,somegoodscarestoourkidsagainstwhatwemight
yethavefullclaimto.Thelosseswillgettheirnursingeventheheavy
traumas,maybeifoutofthiswe'vestillgotahousereally,akingdom
multimillionairesmightblancheattryingtoacquire,whileatatimewhen
eventhoseascaleupfromtruckdriversprobablycan'tevenaffordarunt
houseandaresurelyjustrenting,likeruntpeasantsofold.
Normally,Ithinkit'slikelythatifeverydaysortofpeoplearepresentedto
usinfilm,we'remorelikelytoidentifywiththem,andwishourselvesmore
akintowhatevermorepossessedcoolercharactersarealsoabout.Notso
truewiththisfilm,though,asEdandLorraineWarrentheparanormal
expertsareaboutaschastisedandwaryaswetendtobe.Theyarethetype
whowhentheydescribetheirweddingnightsex,soundlikethosewhoif
theyaddedafewextraraisonsinwiththeirporridgewouldfeellikethey've
madeaguiltytrespass,withpleasurebeyondthat,somethingthey'renow
permanentlyapartfrom.Theyarethetypewhocanmaketheirbasementinto
aholdforaDante'sInfernoworthofevilpossessedartifacts,eachonea
traumaofawholefamily(atleast)beingslaughtered,andhaveitnotfeel
liketheyhavetoomuchtobeconcernedabout.There'sakindofimmunity
tofurtherharm,itwouldseem,ifyougoaboutlikeasifyou'vealready
ingestedyourlife'sportionedquantityofitbeforeyou'veevenseenmuch
greyhairreflectedbackatyouinthemirror.Iflifehaspoisonedyounear
mortallywhenyou'restillatthepointwhereyoushouldstillresonate
optimismandpromise,allthedemonicuglieswillpartaroundyouin
thoroughdisinterestandseekpreferablepreysomethingthatwillempower
youasifapillarthey'vegottononethelessstillrecognizeandbe
inconveniencedbyintheirhavingtogoaround,andalessonwhichalsofelt
rightinifyouingestyourselfwithmalariait'slikelyyou'regoingtobe
okayWorldWarZ.TheDevilisinterestedinthosewhoaffrontbybeing
ripewithlifenot,thatis,withyou.
ThePerronfamilyisthat,however.Withtheirlargebrood,petdog,

ambitioushome,andpretentionstobeingentirelyselfsufficientandnuclear,
they'rethepostwarAmericandream.Andsothey'reexactlythesortthe
Devilwouldchasedowneveniftheydidn'tsetupshopinoneofhisEarthly
abodes.Thisiseffectivelywhathappensinthefilm,bythewaysomeone's
beingchaseddown.Onlyinthisfilmit'safterwhatonepersoninparticular
hasachievedforherself:themother,Carolyn.Shehasachievedaglorious
family,withherfavoritelifemomentbeingatimewiththematthebeach,
withitalreadycleartoherthatwiththemshehadeverythingshe'dever
wanted.Thismomentisusedtolendstrengthtoherwhenitlookedlikeshe
wasgoingtogoallwitch,butitisalsotheonethatensuredheraregressed,
beautyshunted,generationolderwomanwouldafflictherbytryingtoundo
itaswell.Thegreatbeastinthisfilmissimplyamother'smother.Wedon't
trafficinpsychologywhichoncehadthemomentumandthegutstofaceit,
butwhenprettymucheverymotherhasachild,shehassimultaneously
somethingallherownaswellasacruelvisitbysomeonehermother
tellinghertodispatchit,slititsthroatorbeatitsenseless,andcomeback
fullytoher.It'sneareverywoman'sexperience,asshedesistsagainsther
mother'sneedtocontinuelifelongsupplyingherherownunmetneedsfor
attentionandlove,andinsteadpresumptivelychasesdownherown;andit's
somethingscienceandsonotjustfolklorehasfortunatelypinneddownas
anactualexistingthingweallhavetoreckonwithspecifically,the
postpartum.
Fewwomentalkaboutit,butit'ssomethingnearlyallwomennearat
consciouslevelcometoknow.Andwhichtheirguyswillnodoubtremain
obliviousto,aswomendecidesharingwouldshowthemselvesdevilsto
facesthatwillnever,ever,understand,andremovethemfromlifeanchors
neededtocompactthegreatacquisitionoftheirownfamilydown.So
couplesgoabouttheirchildblessed,marriedlives,nevershornofnear
justifiedmockery,representedbywhatliesbeneath.She'soutthere,though.
Yourspurnedmotherisoutthere.Andfromunaddressedquartersinplaces
youhavethegoodsensetobewaryof,she'shopingstilltohatchher
requisitionforyourloveandthefulllossofeverythingyoupreferredtohave
lentyourloveto.
P.S.Oneofthecomfortsinthefilmisinitsinstructingusonhowmuch
betteritistodesistinanythinghubris,andinsteadjoinconvention.We've
gottwoparanormalresearchers...whobowcompletelytoCatholictradition.

It'slikethey'renotsomuchaberrantastheyarerepresentative,ofwhata
churchhastakenseriouslyforcenturiesbeforethemodernfuckyou.They're
allfidelity,thatis.Andinthisfilm,alongwithbeingtenementlike
amongstacrowdofotherpeople,anextendedfamilyratherthanselfishly
nuclear,doesn'tthisfeellikethesafeplacetobe?Thatis,whentheCatholic
churchagreeswiththeresearchersseemsofthesamebaseperspectiveand
wavelengthdon'twefeelsorryforthosewhowereneverbaptizedand
havenowgottodependonleniencytonotbelefttobeingtorturedandsoul
fuckedbyascaryasshitassassin,incompletesadisticcontrol?
I'mnotaCatholic,andinfactonmyowntimereadthepresumptuous,self
satisfyingJohnUpdike,whowouldseemtosupporteveryselfpleasure,
everyIloveyouhoneybutyourconcernsandneedsarenotexactlybeing
factoredhereorgasm,thatwouldmakeaCatholicfretandrecoilfromupon
witnessing,butthisfilmwillmovemetocrossmyselfabitmoreinpublic,I
suspect.IthinkI'mgoingtoneedtohavesomeofthedemonpossessed
evenifonlythedumberonespresumemeoneoftheirown.I'mjustone
brickamongstaheraldiccompanyofothers.DonttellmeallaloneImight
besandstoneserendipitoussculpture!
TheWolverine
ItmaybethatwhatWolverinewouldneedtorecoverfromdealingwithfoes
onthescaleofaMagnetooraDarkPhoenix,isfindhimselfamidstan
environmentwherenoonehecomesacrosslookslikeheorshedpresent
muchofaproblemtothatgreatbigbearweencounteratthebeginning.Its
apisserthatthatvenomwomancanspitintohimaspiderthatcancelshis
healing,becauseotherwisethemovielookedlikeoneforWolverineto
remindhimselfhecouldreasonablyjustvacationhimselfthroughan
onslaughtofangryswords,guns,andknives.Truly,otherthanthisone
deadlyabilityfromthevenomwoman,mutantshereseemsodownscaled
anyordinaryguy,goodwithasword,wouldseemjustasmuchaproblem.
SoifallheneededtogetpastJean,wastogetsomesoothingattentionfrom
ahumbled,lovelygirl,whoyouknowisincapableofevenmakingaloud
gestureletaloneburstingintoafiery,taunting,redheadeddemonwoman,
thenthistriptoJapanwasjustwhatheneeded.Only,thisenvironmentwas
onethatcouldinfesthimwithaparasitictickthespiderhecouldnt

possiblyhaveworriedaboutincurringwhilelivingcavemaninAlaskan
woods(btw,whenheremovedit,wereyoutoothinkingoftheslicingopen
ofasalmonandtheremovalofguts?MaybeIdidsooutoffidelityto
thatgreatbear.).Andbecauseofit,whileJapanmightrequithimbackto
womennearliterallythroughbabystepsitstillremindshimofhow
badlyhumanbeingscansuck.
Thinkonwhathehadinviteduponhimselfhere.Hehadoncesavedthelife
ofamanYashidafromnuclearexplosion.Afterthis,hehadthepresence
ofmindtorealizethatthismanshonormightstillbevulnerablehisfellow
officershadharikariedthemselves,inritualrecognitionoftheirendand
managestorefutehisofferingupofhisfamilyheirloomswordina
sublimelyhonorsalvaging,appropriateway:hemakesitseemthathis
keepingitisjusthistakingcareofitforawhileuntilhecomesbackafter
hiseventualdeathtoreclaimit,aplausibleenoughscenario.Whata
sublimeofferinghegivesthisyoungofficer,andYashidamakesuseofthe
restofhislifetobecomeagreatindustrialleaderandthefatherofagreat
clan.WhathedoestoWolverineinrecompenseisbeyondthepale.Helures
WolverinetohishomeinJapan,tuggingoncemoreonhowbrilliantlybeing
fromahonorableculturecanbeusedtoinconvenienceanyonewithasense
ofdecency.ThenwhenWolverinegetsthere,hetugsoncemore:notso
muchbysecurityreactingtohimlikehemightbeathreatthoughthiswas
awayofsoilingsomeoneyouaresupposedtoveneratebutbyensuringhe
getsamonstrouslythoroughscrubdownbeforemeetinghim,whichcan
playasjustJapanesecustombutalsoassomeoneusingexcusablemeansto
showyouthroughyourconstanthonoringofexpectation,thatyourproper
roleisasasupplicant:withyoursufferingyetonemoreinconvenience,how
sureareyouthatyourmostprofoundinstinctisactuallynottosubmit?His
piecederesistanceisofcoursetoinstructWolverinethathiscurseistobea
warriorwithoutalordandsoostensiblythatwhathewaswaitingforwas
notjusttobesunderedofhisperpetualyouthandhealingabilitiesbuttobe
essentiallybiddentodosobyalordhehadsurelybeenlostwithout.
WewouldntmuchadmireWolverineifhedidn'tfinallyputuproadblocks
tothismanipulativeidiotexactlythenandthere.Thewholethingplaysabit
likesomeonetauntingsomeoneoutofenvywhomheknowshesgoingto
havetoplayunderhandedinordertoactuallygettosubmit.Wecan
imagineourselvespersonallytrippingupourwellearneddefensesagainst

peopleinhissituation,andareinfactfullybondedtoWolverinewhenhe
knowshesgoingtohavetoripapartagoodchunkofJapantoachievesome
selfesteemsalvaging,fuckyouforthatpushbackbutnowwithoutthis
beingatallaneasythingtoachieve...Fuck!howdidwegetourselvesin
thissituation?Itmusthavebeenstupid,stupid,stupidme!(fistsslammed
repeatedlyagainstourheads.)
Therevengemotivedoesworkinthisfilm,andwecheerhisgettinghis
healingpowersbacklikewewouldarecoveryofourownafteramasterful,
humiliatingplayonourownopennessandgullibility.Andwereangrythat
thefilmconnivesyetsomeotherthingthatcanbesthishealingpowerthe
poisoncauldronedarrows.Really,wejustwantedhimtoflipallthose
arrowedtohim,tohim,sohecouldmincethemlikefanblades;andforthe
restinthefilm,meltthroughanyfoepresentedtohimasquicklyandeasily
asthroughbutter.
Thosewhomadethefilmseemstunninglyunawareofit,buttheideathat
anyoneshouldbuyintopressingargumentsthatitistimeforthemtodie,is
givenprettypowerfulrefutationbythesettingofthefilm.Inaflashback,we
sawagoodpartofaJapanesecitydestroyedatatimewhenaggressive
nationsweretakingtheirdefeatasasignthattheirculturalhistorywasover
thatitwastimeforthemtodie(indeed,duringWW2Germany'slastdays
tensofthousandscommittedsuicidethelargestmasssuicideinhistory).
Yetthemovieismostlysetatatimewhenthecityhaslongpasttakingeven
thisinstride.Sometimestheharridonthatispreyingonyoufinallydesists,
notforyourfinallyconfrontingit,rippingitsinfluenceawayfromyour
heart,butforitshavingfinallyhaditsfill,andfallingoff,satiated.Ifthisis
whathappenedwithhimandJean,maybeheshoulddesistbeingthewarrior
asasadmirableacourseasthisseemedforhimandheadbacktobetter
knowhisyoungnewJapanesegirlfriend.Hemightgothroughalonglovely
spellwithher,andbetotallydemonfree.
PacificRim
ThemovieAmadeusarguedthatwhenaprotective,tolerantenvironmentis
nurtured,geniusthatotherwisemighthavebeencowedfromdeveloping,
cangaintheconfidenceitneedstocometolife.PacificRimarguesthe

same.IfEarthisupagainstanalienforcethat'llcrushitunlessitreachesthe
pinnacleoftheonethingthathasbeeninstrumentalinblockingitthedrift
betweentwowellmatchedindividualsthenrelationships,deepbonds,are
goingtoneedtobegiventheallowanceneededtodevelopandripen.
Ifitwantstodie,thatis,itwouldreplacetheoneprogramthatgothumanity
excitedinitsabilitytomatchtheadaptingalieninvaderstheJaeger
programwithonethatfeelsantiinnovativeratherthaninnovative,onethat
substitutesayou'reluckytohavethisjobenvironmentforonewhereall
humanityfeltpartofateam.You'dbuildawall,thatis,wherepeopledying
whileworkingonitisbothbadandgoodnews(someonediedbutleftan
opening!).Andwhichwhenbustedthroughbyanalieninonehour,
simultaneouslybothdispiritsandgivesalift:Onelooksatthealien's
physicalresemblancetotheSydneyOperaHouseitincursimmediatelyafter
breakingthrough,andyouthinknotjustofitsmockeryofitbutofhowgreat
ifwouldbeifconjurednowwassomethingonoursidewhichmoreaptly
respondedtoit.
ItismetbyjustthatJaeger.Andwhatbeginsasequencewheretherulersin
chargestartscrambling,revealingthemselvesasselfconcernedelitesandno
longerbeinglistenedto,isforsuresomesensethatitsyoungpilotChuck
Hansenmakessuchquickworkofit,andconveysauthoritativelythatall
weneededwerebetterpilots:alonehemakeswhateverpeopleabating
arrogancethewallideastillpossessed,wiltevenfurther.Whilethefilmerrs,
inmyjudgment,innotquitegivingthisthoroughlyarrogantChuckHansen
hisdue,itremainstruethatitisingoodparthisrightfularrogancehere
whichshouldersoutofthewayanyfurthercontestingthattheremaining
Jaegerprogramisreallyallthathumanityhasgotleft.Theywerequitbythe
samekindofarrogancetheyweretryingtoabrogatetothemselves,adeadly
"Ettu,Brute."Butasperfectasitwastohavethisvitalyoungbulldogbeset
uponthesedecrepidautocrats,whomaybeallalonghavecovetedtheideaof
beingleftaloneinluxuriousbunkerswhiletherestofhumanitygotcrushed,
itispreciselythisbullying,intimidationwhichisantitheticaltotheHong
KongJaegerabodeheisduetoinhabit.
He'sthebestpilot,butthere'sasenseimmediatelyuponencounteringthe
environmentthatpresumesinHongKongthathislesspleasantaspectsmore
makehimratherthanRaleigh,theexposedartifacttheplacenearwishesit

couldrebury.WhatAdmiralStackerPentecostispresidingover,isabase
whereyourespectwhateverleadstoaccomplishments;andespeciallyashe
patrolsdownthelineofthefourremainingJaegers,slowingpeopledownto
individuallyconsiderthecraftsthemselvesandthecrewscommandeering
them,hemakesclearthatthiscancomefromphenomenonthatmight
requireabitofworktoseeasexceptional.Thesenseyouhaveisthatevenif
theChinesecrewhadrelationshipswiththebasketballstheyalwayscarried
aroundthatseemedgrosslyfetishistic,thateveniftheRussiansnever
relaxedoutoftheirsternintensitylike,evertherespectyou'dhavefor
themwouldenvelopeeverythingtheypresentedtoyouinthemost
appreciativemanner.Pentecostdoesn'tdirectRaleightoattendcarefullyto
thegeniusofhisscientistsinfactwhenRaleightosomeextentdismisses
thembysaying"thisisyourresearchdivision,"hisresponseisn'ttodefend
thembuttoacknowledgethat"thingshavechanged."Butimplicitlyhedoes,
byhowhisbeingaroundthemdoesn'tdoanythingtoforcethemtoquailany
oftheirveryloudpeculiarities(it'sfunnyhoweventheirindividualattempts
toshowthemselveslikewisefindingtheotherscientist'smannerismsand
argumentsbonkers,verymuchworkcountertopurpose).It'snotthathe's
vestedinseeingthemasmadscientists,himselfthecalmcommander
acknowledgingthemadidiosyncrasiesatworkinthelabs,butthatheknows
thatthesearemenwhohavehadtohavehadenormousfightinthemtohave
remained,despitetheabusethey'vecertainlyhadtoshoulder,sostill
confidentinthemselvesandfreshtolife(theylovehavingpeoplesharein
theircooladventuresitseemstotrumpeveryotherconsideration).And
fromthesetypes,evenfromjustacoupleofthem,heknowsyoucanget
giantresults.
TheirgreatestresultcomesmostlyfromPentecost'snotcowingoneofthem
fromdoingsomething"rockstar"onhisown,whichhesawnopossibilities
in.He'spermissive,andanadroitprotectorofanyonewhohasdemonstrated
hisorherworthevenifthismeantdisobeyingordersbutstilloflimited
visionthefatherwhocan'tquiteseewhathiskidsarecapableofuntilin
fidelitytotheirowngrowingconfidenceandsenseofwhattheyactually
need,theydisobeyandshowhim.Andhe'snotquiteinfidelitytosomething
thefilmisquiteexplicitintryingtocommunicate:hissingularleadership,
hisunderstandingofhimselfasafixedpoint,histendencytoencourageone
personwhilediscouragingtheother,doesn'tlendtothekindofpowerful
dynamismyou'llfindwithapairing,andinfactpartakesofthebluntnessof

awall.It'sasifunlikeRaleigh,whooneneverreallyunderstandswhyhe
couldgosolo(somethingtodowithhimhavingsuchanenlargedfeminine
aswellasamasculinehalf?)orwhatwasreallysodistinguishingabouthis
abilitytodoso(domostJaegersloseapilotinafight?itwouldntseem
so),thereasonhecouldcommanderaJaegersolowassurelybecausehewas
neverreallybuilttobeonthesamestandingasotherhumanbeingsinthe
firstplace.Theonlywayhecouldridewithanother,itwouldseem,isifthe
otherknowshesmasteredwhichdoesn'treallyequatetothecooperative
andequal,twohemispherebrainanalogy,andmorelikeegomakingquick
workofid.Buthe'sstilleffectivelyprotectionforindividualstoeventually
reachthesortofdeepbondingyousensetheywouldbehappiestandmost
fruitfuleffecting.Somethingakintoverywellmatchedmarriagesbetween
remarkableindividuals,infact,andagiantevolutionfromthepairingswe'd
heretoforeseen,whichwouldworkmorebecauseofwhattheyalreadyshare
withoneanotherpassivelyfromDNAorsharedchildhoodsratherthanwhat
theymighteventuallylearnasadultstocontributetoeachother.
Thescientiststhemathematician,Gottlieb,andthebiologist,Dr.Newton
Geizslerknoweachother'stendenciessowell,notjustbecauseoftheir
closeproximityandbecausethey'reotherwiselikelyfriendless,butbecause
eachofthemhaswithintegritytakenthesubjectmattertheyaremost
interestedintosimilarclimacticheights.Whentheycometogetherina
mindbond,youknowitllbeagoodonethatllproduceveryimportant
resultsbecausetheyrenotjustinherentlysimplepeoplewhocancome
togetherasreadilybutbyitselfasuselesslyastwosimplemoleculesorlego
bricks,butverycomplexbutdiverse,spiritedmatterthatoncefinallypaired
mighttakeonaloadbeyondwhatothermindscouldhandleandbegeta
miraculousbreakthrough.Youmightsaythatifalltheothersortsofpairings
weretypeonetothree,theirswastypefourwhichwouldofcoursemake
whathappensbetweenRaleighandMakoMorihumanitystypefive:
ourendgameExterminator.
PrevioustoMakospairingwithRaleigh,memoriesareshownasiftheyare
alllaidtogetherinaneatsequence:allsettled,andabitblandforita
newsreelyouveseenamilliontimesthatyouspinthroughtogetonwith
freshmaterial.Thisiseventruewithwhatincursbetweenthescientists.But
itisnttruewithMako,whointerjectsintoRaleighamemorysequence
whereaspecificmemoryresistsanysuchpressingdown,arrogantly

piercinganytendencytomakeasettledstoryofitwithitsassertivecryfor
furtherattendance.Itisntatfirstsupposedtobetruewithanypilotas
Raleighsays,firstbondsarerough.Itsasignofinexperiencethatapilot
chasestherabbitthatis,unrulyundealtwithmemoriesthatdrawyouto
them.Butstillthefilmsuggeststhatusuallythewaytowardscontrolisnot
somuchtodealwiththesememories,tendtothem,butrathertoasquickly
aspossiblelearntosubjugatethemasifthebestbondstheprogramhad
knownhadcomefrompeoplewhocouldbedissuadedfromthinkingmuch
aboutwhathadconstitutedthem.Thoughheseemstoappreciatethat
somethingbettercouldbeforged,Pentecostfearstakingiton,believing
theresimplyisnttimeforit.Heismovedultimatelytogiveherachance
mostlyinfidelitytoapromiseheoncemadetoher,butheshouldhave
recognizedthathehadsomeoneonhandwhocouldfinallymakeitlessofan
issue.Thatis,thoughitturnsoutthatPentecostsoughtRaleighoutbecause
hecouldcommandeeraJaegersolo,thefilmmakesclearthatheshould
havebeenstakinghimoutforthemagichecouldforgewithanotherperson.
WhenRaleighfirstmeetsher,wegetaquickbutclearofferingofwhatwill
makethemdevelopintosuchagreatteam.Theyrenotafraidtotestand
challenge:sheassesseshimimmediatelyasnotwhatshehadimagined,and
herespondsjustasquickinJapanese,asanodtohowthefault,the
aberrance,mightactuallybeinher.Butthereshumoragreeabilityinthe
situation,theearnedtouch,andRaleighrestswiththattomakesurethe
encounterbecomesmostlyafriendly,evencharming,wellmet.Shedoesnt
fallbackfromherassessmentthatheisntreallyrighttopilottheJaeger,but
when,afterherequestsit,sheadmirablyforthrightlytellshimso,hemakes
sureitdoesntleadtogrievancebutforgroundsforsubsequent
considerationonherpart.Importantly,whenhesaysshemightberighthe
meansit,andisvisiblyaffected,evenhurt,byit,beforeheregroups,which
showshisrespectforherabilitytoassesshimandtheimportancethathelet
itin.Butatthesametimehehasstrongfaithinhimself,inallthe
conclusionscomefromconstanttestinghesbeenthrough,andbeginsthe
veryimportantprocessforhertothinkthatifyouretoomuchperfect
patternitsaperfectionthatcomesfrombeingdeniedyourrightfuldue
acquaintancewithlife.
Ifhetouchesherhere,itsgoingtocausequitethestir.Andwithher
becomingobsessedwithhim,withherchallengingofhimtakingonsomeof

thetoneofsomeonewhoslashingoutateverybodyelseisreallyjustan
expressionofherincreaseddissatisfactionwithherself,andofPentecostof
someonewhoisquicklyslidingawayfromwellearnedloveintoprecarious
disrespect,hehasunwoundherfromheroverattachmenttowhathadbeen
virtuousinherlongspellofrespectfulabeyance.Pentecostdecidestomake
herRaleighspartner,buthisconsiderationwasconcurrentwithher
beginningtoinsistthismustbeherroleasconvincinglyasagreatdaemon
newthroughtherift.Itturnsoutsheisntreadytobequicklyprocessedinto
aJaegerpilot,butalsothatwhatPentecostcouldonlyseeasadisasterher
earlytraumatruncatingtheinfluenceofherbondpartneranddominatingher
whileincontrolofadeadlygiantisviewedbysomeoneshehasthe
capacitytoformthedeepestbondwith,ifhecanbemadetopartofeven
this.Havingscaredeveryonetodeath,everyoneinthebasepartsfromher,
butisolationfromthembutguidesthecreationofaquietcocoonwhereshe
andRaleighcanreconnectaftereachonehaswitnessedandexperienced
whathasmostlyconstitutedtheircurrentidentities.Thisdisasterdeveloped
intoamiracleyoullhardlyeverseeincrisistimesaprofound
improvementinunderstandingandearnedtrust.Andonesensesin
exultationafterahardwonvictory,thatherebetweenRaleighandMako
youvegotadevelopment,acreationofamaturebond,youdstakeagainst
anyengineersfiftydieselmusclespermusclestrandtoshowthat
humanitysfateultimatelyliesinitscapacitytotakeonthehardest
assignment,eveninpressingtimes.Humanitywasn'treadytotakeittothe
aliens,untilallprudencehadbeenshed.

ThisistheEnd,andSummerSelfSurrender
IsawThisistheEndagain,andthethingInoticedmorethistimeishow
scarythefilmendsupbecoming.Theladybesidemetwitchedasifherself
hit,whenacarcrashesthroughaguyonthestreet,flippinghimrapidly
upwardsandawaytopavementasbutasmashedupcarapaceduetobe
crunchedintoevenmoreignominiousroadsplatter.Thefilmpicksupagain
intosomethingreallydisturbing,whenadevilwithamassivespearingpenis
subjugatesJonahHillintoarapevictim.Andafterwardsitgetsworse,when
SethRoganandJayBaruchelfindthemselveswithoutitrealisticallyseems,

anymeanstoinnocentlyshowthekindofselfsacrificeandnotselflovethat
wouldgetthembysurpriseintoheaven:CraigRobinsonhadseemingly
claimedallpossibleavenuetodemonstrateyourselfsincerelyrepentantafter
knowingthatthisistheavenuetoabscondyourselfindulgentlyintoheaven,
withhisamazing"takeyourpantiesoff!"chargeontheLordoftheRings
Balrogthing.Thismeansthatwhiletheyseemanyotherstakensafelyaway
toafurtherlifetimeofnewexperiencesandsheddingofallthatliedpast,
they'llbeleftalone,withunloveddestituteswithoutanyfate,deniedeven
thepleasureofknowingsomeoneintendedthisbarrenfateforthem:they
werejustpassedcompletelybyasanarcissisticselflovingjudgesoughtout
hissameamongsttheinnumerablechastisingponderousbeforehim.
WhathappenstoRogenandJayatthispointofthefilmispathetic,though
notwiththissayinganythingundueabouteitherofthem.It'sahardthingto
beaselfpossessed,selfrespectingindividual,someonewhodoesn'tjust
giveinwhensomeonepowerfuldrawsdownonthem;anditcomescloseto
impossiblewhensomeoneforcesyoubackintotheexperientialstateofan
infantabouttobeabandonedforgoodbyhisparent.RogenandJaywill
clearlydoanythingnowtostillhaveachanceatbeingpickedthereareno
limits,andyoucantell.Andthishasnothingreallytodowiththeirbelief
thatGodcanbetrusted,butowingtotheintolerablefearofbeinglefttorot,
whilesomanyothersaredrawnofftoGodandahaloofeternalhappiness.I
knowtheyostensiblyarethosewhofinallylearnedtobetruefriendstoone
another,but,really,whotheyareattheendofthefilmistheguywhopoked
hisheadintoFranco'shouseearlier,willingtotittyfuckorbetittyfucked,if
onlythey'dlethimin.Iftheywereselfpossessed,theywouldhave
remainedinmanywayswhotheywereearlier.Bothofthem,wenote,areat
heartnaturalskeptics,questioners,doubters,whoserveasconstantreality
checksforfriendswhomightbebecominglosttothemselves.Evenwiththe
DevilclearlypossessingHill,Rogenisstillcallingouthisfriendsontheir
arrogantpresumptionoftheTrinity;andhisinabilitynottoshowwhenhe
thinkssomeoneissoundingcrazyevenwhenitcompromisesamoment
whenitwouldfeelgoodtobecompletelyagreeabletoabro,comesclearly
throughwhenFrancodelineateshisabsurdplottingforthefinishofa
proposedPineappleExpress2.
RogenisreluctanttoagreewithJaythatFranco'spartyisfullofassholes
andthathishouse"isabitmuch,"butitcertainlyisn'tclearthatthisisjust

hisdeludinghimselfwhilethe"hipster"outsiderJayhasherekepthiscool.
Atthefinish,JayadmitshewasafraidtojoinRogeninLA,anditispossible
thatwhatthispartyisisjustanLAthatwouldhavebroughtawrathupon
itselffortoocloselyarrogatingtheassuranceandconfidentselfregardthata
jealousAtheniangodwouldhaveassumedforherself.Orhimself...one
wondersifthereasonweareshownsomuchofthevariousdemons'gigantic
phallusesowesassomekindofquittingresponsetoFranco'sownsculpture
one.Inretrospectwerealizethatnotoneofthepartygoerswaschoseninto
heavenit'stheonlywaytheywouldn'thavecreditedJay'saccountingof
whathadjusthappenedtothem.AndforamomentFranco,nestledinhis
cozy"throne"chair,withhiswholecompanyofgrateful,happy,beautiful
friendsbyhisside,forgoodreasondrawsRogentodoubtwhathemight
haveseenoreventurnhisbackknowinglyonJay:twopresentationsof
considerablepowerhavejustbeenhandedhim,andconsideringtheformer
involvedpeopledyinghorriblyandanightskyfilledwithpocketsof
beaming"spaceship"lights,it'stothemassivecreditofwhatthisLAhas
goingforitthatwhenitisfeelingatitsmostselfassured,thereisgenuine
reasonforamomentaryrethinkofwhobesttoallyoneselfwith.God,from
whateverpantheons/hebelongs,is,quiteincredibly,goingtohavetoamp
thingsupabittoclosethedeal.
This,s/hecertainlydoes,andtheSethandJayweencounterattheendmight
wishforthemselveseachdayaplateoftheirfavoritecookiesandadatewith
theirfavoriteband,butonethingtheywon'tdoisbemeaningfully
distinguishablefromanyoftheotherheavendronesimpossiblyhappytoyet
bealive,readytodoasbidden,andwillingtoseeMasterinanywhichway
s/hepleases.AsTonyStarkremarksintheAvengers,"historically,not
awesome."AndsoingoodfaithtowhatRogennormallyoffers,Ioffermy
ownamendmenttothefilmwhereratherthanFrancoatfirstbeingdrawnto
heavenbutlosingthisprizeforbeingapoorwinner,Sethlosesitfor
consideringthatasgratefulashenowis,thatGodasmuchasJayshould
probablystillhavetriedhardertogettolikethepeopleattheparty...
MichaelCera'sbuttholeindeedwasasadorableasweallimagined,andthe
restjustseemedtobehavingagoodtime.
Ioriginallythoughttowritethissecondtakeonthefilmasapreambletoa
discussionontheInternment,anotherfilmfromthesummerwherewe're
supposedtojustbehappyfortwoguysmakingitintosomeutopianspace,

consideringthehellishwrathsthey'dbeexposedtoiftheydidn'tmakeitin.
Thehellsareaboutthesame,actually.OwenWilson'slifeasamattress
salesman,whereifheisn'tperenniallysharpandobedienthe'llbeoutsidein
aclownsuitinfortydegreeweather,wouldhavedrawnhimforsureinto
alcoholismandverylikelyatsomepoint,suicide.Heforsure,never,would
gooutonadate,asbefouledforbeingaloserastheplagueriddenwerein
hencetimes.ButIthinkyoucanprettymuchtransplantmythoughtsonThis
istheEndontothisfilm.Formypurposeswhatitstillservesistoshowhow
humiliatingitisthatthegodinThisistheEndisneverreallyquestioned,for
justliketheGoogleoneallhereallydoestoconvinceothers'eager
acquiescenceandsurrenderofselfpride,isshowhimselftheonlysafe
houseavailablewhiletheworldunderneathprettymucheveryone,crumbles
away.ThenhecountsonyoudressinghimsoHe'sTheGreatHuman
Benefactor;andyoudo.
It'scertainlyatrendthissummertohaveUtopiaofferedtopeople,butitisn't
alwaysallowedtostayinalightfavorabletoitsownpreferredselfregard.
Oblivion,forexample,endsupshowingitsownup.Yeteventhoughit
surelywasn'titspurpose,Oblivionstillsuggestedhowmuchwe'llhideinthe
safeabode,regardlessofhowmuchintegritywe'dassumeforourselvesif
webravedlivingonthemoretenuousoutside.Iknow,forexample,that
TomCruise'sinitialdigswerecertainlysomethingIamlongingfor.Sotoo
hissensetheperimetersofwhateachdaymightexpect,andtheportioned
humanbountyhisadultfriendshipandloveaffairwithhiswifethat
awaitedhimattheendofeachday.HowsureamIthatIwouldbeableto
addleonovertotheoutside,ifeachdaytheremeantbeingbludgeonedby
somethingsizeableyoumighthavetoaccountintoyourawarenessof
things?Asanattemptatrecompense,Imightdreamofbeingabsolvedinto
knowngrids.
Givenourcurrentclinginginclinationsandfearthatriskmightmean
abandonment,WallE'seffortstonudgeusoutsideofpatternandsafety
seemslovelytherapythatweshouldbegladtohaveincurredintoour
constitution.JerryMcGuire'sboldsinkingusintosomeone'sfailureand
outsidestatusformostifitsfilm,however,hasbecomesomethingwaytoo
undistilledforourrattledtemperstohandle...Iwouldn'tlookforitany
longeronsubsequenttoponehundredAFIlistsunlessofcoursethatand
ForrestGumpturnouttobetwoofGod'sfavorites.

ThisistheEnd
EmmaWatsonmakesanappearanceinThisistheEnd,andit'stoscoldJay
Baruchelonhisbetterthanthouness,andsubsequentlylatertoaxeoffthe
topofagiantscrotumstatuethatcampsmockproudlyinJamesFranco's
fortressdwelling,asshegoesravingfemmefatalonthesejumpyboys.She
isn'tmeanttocomeoffbadly;infactthefilmwantstomakeitseemlike
it'sdeferringtoher.Butbasicallyshe'sonewhocan'tbeincludedwithinthe
boys'play;anditcan,andsortais,awayofrevengingyourselfon
someone.LikeKateMiddleton,she'sbecometoohighstaturetobeother
thansomeoneyoupartyourwayaround,likeaschoolofsmallfisharounda
shark,whenshe'spredatedherselfuponyourpremises.Thisfilm'sreminder
ofthisstatuswasprobablyinvisibletoher;infactIthinkshethoughtshe
wasincludingherselfinwiththoseexpectedtobearsomeoftheribbing,and
thereforealsopartofthefun.Butifshewantedthefilmtoforcepeopleto
makemoreofanefforttotreatherassomeoneworthyofengaginginsome
trulyrespectful,thatis,notbeyondgenuinecritiquingandinalessstand
offishway,tohavecooperateditwouldn'thaveusedthefilm's"rapeyvibe"
jokeasaplanttoreallyjustsetheroffandjetheroutofthefilm.
Rather,ratherthanthesafehumorenabledbykeepingittoTatumChanning
alone,itwouldhavechallengedustothinkonwhyweweresodisquietedby
howtheywerewillingtoshowthemselvesdepictedwhensheendedup
followingTatumoutonaleashasoneofcanniballeaderMcBride'szipped
upgimpbitches.Thinkonit.Wewouldn'thavefrettedbecausewewould
havefoundourselvesthinking"thiscouldendyourfilmcareer;wewould
havedonesobecausesincethereisabsolutelynowaywe'reevergoingto
notwanttoseeWatsonasfilmroyaltysinceshe'soneofthoseservingasa
godtypestarlettfullyimmunetodisposalthatkeepsusfeelingsmall,
temporary,andthereforeunpretentious,somehowwe'regoingtohaveto
livewithanimagesomuchmoreimpossibletochaseoutofourheadsthan
Middleton'scaughtunawareboobshots.Howmanyinthefilmaudience
wouldhavethoughtthatifsheletherselfbeshowninthispositionshe's
dumblysubmittedherselftoafurthercollectivepileon?Thatis,towhat
happenedtoactressescaughtoutinthefilmsbefore,notablywithElisabeth
Berkeley,andaswasatissueandpalpablyforamomentathandinSeth

Macfarlane'sassaultingqueryattheOscarstoallofstillactingHollywood's
accomplishedactresseswho'deverforcontinuedrelevancebaredaboob?
Andyetregardlesswe'restillkeepingyouinplace,eveninapositionwhere
heretocognitivedissonanceandupsetwouldmeantourimmediately
needingtochaseanyonelikeyouout,iswhatwecouldnotatsomelevelbe
awareof.Forsomeofusit'dbeasparktoreflectbravelyonwhy.And
fromthis,somesubsequentworktowardcountingherjustasmuchworth
dignitybutonthesamehumanlevelasourselves.
Thefilmisostensiblyabouttheendoflife,buttomeit'sabouthowtobest
spendtimewhileinanostensiblesortofpurgatory.KindoflikeCasablanca
isostensiblyaboutthat,wheninrealitythey'rebothabouthowtospendtime
inaplacethatyou'dwantnowayoutof.NewlifecomestoJamesFranco's
castlehomeandongoingparty,justlikeallnewcomersfindtheirwayto
Sam'ssuavelongstandingcafe,fromaworldthathasbecomeincreasingly
hostile:GermanyhascrashedthroughParis'sgatesinCasablanca,buthere
still,withpeopletakingswipesatRogensfilmcareerwhilegreetingJayat
theairport,andwiththe"meanshopkeeperlady"scaringhimfromeven
attemptingtobuyachocolatebarwhilesojourningtoagrocerystore,things
ontheoutsidearemakingdoinganythingwhileexposedtoitotherthanfull
immersionbufferingit,anincreasinglyunlikelythingaswell.Hostingisleft
tosomeonewhoknowstoleteveryonecomeinandfindtheirplaceanddo
theirbusiness,whileneverleavingpeoplewithoutsomeonewhostillwill
conductaffairs.There'ssomeunderhandeddealingsontheoutskirtsofthe
place,and,wecanassume,somerowdiercharacters,butthecenteristhe
confidenthostandhisrobustrotundpianoplayingentertainer,keeping
thingshumming,pleasinglytipsyandteased.
Whenhelldescends,it'sratherasiftheboyshadretreatedbacktoSeth
Rogan'splace,homeforxboxingfunandalowerscalesortofribaldry
boyswrestlingand"Idrankmypee"jokesinanoticeablyconfinedspace.
Nolongerisitsomuchaplacetospendmuchtimein,andtheoutsideworld
offlamesandawfulhappeningsseemstonothavemuchofafortresswallto
givebacktalkandbulwarkto:thesenseyouhavewhenoneofthemsteps
out,isofsomeoneleavingtheirpitchedtentintoarangingtempestforest
fire...itdoesfeelbraveasshitwhenCraigRobinsonascentstoenteringit.
Andsothereisasensethattherestofthefilmisaboutdoggingtowardsa
mechanismbywhichaspacesortofakintothelostsafeJamesFranco

partyworldcanbeunlocked,whilemeanwhileentertaininguswiththefull
possiblesupplyoffunandjokesthatcanbesqueezedoutbyabunchof
quickwittedguyscaughtinsomeplacequicklybeingbesiegedbytheirown
excretions.Attheend,whentheyallultimatelyleaveit,itfeelslikethey
wereforcedto...theouthousehadpackedbrownandwaspushingthem
out.
Therelieffromleavingit,almostmakesonceagainmeetingDannyMcBride
athrill,evenaswe'reunderstandinghimasapackleadercannibal.Andso
tooevenJamesFranco'sbeingeaten,asafterallthislinksusbacktothe
partywhereheactuallysuggestedthishappeningtohiminasequelto
PineappleExpress.Mindyou,wewerealreadyprimedtolikeMcBride.Ina
movieworldultimatelybuiltofpeopletakingpleasureinrefuge,heactually
exultsintoastatusofsomeonewhoisntgoingtoletanythingfromthe
outsidecagehim.Whenhegreetshisformerfriends,itfeelsappropriatethat
heseemsalmosttohaveforgottenthem"Youguysarestillalive?"Hecan
dotheshockingthingofcuttingtieswhenappropriateandmovingon,which
isamiracleinaworlddesignedtomakepeoplewanttoclingtothefamiliar.
Nowonderhispeerswereshockedthathedleavethemsototally,andno
wonderevenaftertryingtoshootthemtheylethimgountouched.However
muchwegetaspellofagreatpurgatoryinthisfilmthere'sofcourseno
DivineorFiend,butthiswasunanticipatedandunfamiliarenoughtofora
momentseemanouterworldlyvisitation.
TheBlingRing
"BlingRing"endsfocusingmostlyonEmmaWatson'scharacter,Nicki.
Whentheenjoyableworldshehadparticipatedinends,shegetssuckedback
intohermother'sembrace,hercult,thatheretoforeshehadfoundsuccessful
meanstoquarantineassomethingonlytobeenduredwhileathome.Her
ownescapadeshaveendedwithhermotherhavingherbackentire,andeven
ifshetalksbacktoher,getsangryatherforrepeatedlyinsistingoninserting
herselfintoherinterviewwiththeVanityFairreporter,weseeshe'sdueto
becomeasmuchtheharmlessclownashermotheris.Harmless,because
howevermuchshemightclimbinthisworldherfamilyisbynomeans
poororwithoutresourcestheyaremadetoseemsomuchtrappedina
disassociatedmindset,poorthingspettingtheirpreciouses,they'remorelike

pilgrimscaughtenspelledthatthemoresaneworldpilgrimsmayhaveto
temporarilyreckoninbutmostlywillshaketheirheadsatandstepby,as
theyinteractwithadultmatterthatstillundergirdsworldaffairs.There'salso
Marc,whowealsofocuson,andaremadetounderstandassomeonewho
wasgrabbedintoasituationthere'snowayhecouldresist,andwillnow
havetospendhavinghistemporaryblingringenrapturecleansedbyfour
verybrutalyearsinprison,hopefullykeepinghimselftogethersothatwhen
he'sfreehe'sthoroughlysoberedbutnotspirituallysnuffedout.
Thefilmturnsacoldshoulder,thatis,totheactualringleaderoftheBling
Ring,Rebecca.WhenMarcgivesalooktoherinthecourtroom,knowing
she'llberemotefromhimbuthopingshemightjustnotbe,it'slikeshe's
beenrevealedasanalienslithererdepositedamongstteenagelife,blithely
unconcernedifwhatshemadeofhersurroundingsinterjectedapoisoninto
thecommunitythatstalledthesocialfabric.She'sjustafewstepsawayfrom
beingsomeoneaTMZorevenaVanityFairreportermightturtlebeforeif
s/hehadtomakelightof:Doyouyetremainsomeonewho'sproprietykeeps
fromconsideringthingsIcouldengagethatcouldupendyourpositioningin
aconversationandmakeyoumyplaything?Thefilmletsherseemsomeone
socoldshewoulddrawpeopletohertofulfillherownends,allthewhile
intendingtoleavethemasscapegoatswhileshescootsofftoaforeign
locale.Someonealmostunfathomablyawful,whoisincapableofremorse
andimmunetoanyimpulsetoobligeusbycompromisingherselfsowecan
imagineheraseitherchastenedorharmless,andtherebylaughatormaybe
sympathizewithbutotherwisequicklyregroupfromandheadonwithour
regularlife.Someonewhodemonstratesthatsomechildrendeservetobe
triedasadults:nooneisleftfeelingsorryforherfouryearsinprison.And
indeedherfouryeartermmightnotbeenough:wemayneedeighttofortify
ourselvestohernextinvasion.
Itcanindeedbedifficulttorevealwhosheisinthisfilmtoshowshedoes
deservetobetakeninalmostnearopposite.Iamdrawntothinkofherasa
conquistadorwho'scomeupontheAztecs,oranyEuropeanwhofound
themselvesonanislandofdodobirds,inthewaysheshowsthiswholerich
landofHollywoodhomesisripeforthetaking.Likeonlyonehundred
conquistadorswererequiredtoclaimawholecivilization,likedodoswere
almostlikewalkingalreadycookedturkeystotheirEuropeandiscoverers,
Rebeccashowsthatfivekidsaresufficienttomakeitseemasifall

Hollywoodhasbeenusedassomebodyelse'sboardinghouse.Butthefact
thatHollywoodhasbecomeaplacewherecarsandhomesareso
unprotectedthattheirplunderingcomesacrossasinnocenceforthefirsttime
plucked,shouldgroundthemorematureamongstustorealizeRebeccaina
morefairlight.ThesenseyouhaveisthatsomehowallofAmerican'ssense
ofvulnerabilityandfearandviolencethatweknowiseverywherehas
beenquarantinedawayfromtheseaffluentquartersintotheworldofMiddle
America.MidAmericahasbeenleftastrongholdsufferingfromtorments
fromwithinandfromwithout,whichexplainswhywhenatthefinishwesee
signsofpeoplewhoactuallypopulateit(inthecourthouseguards,mostly),
there'snotanounceofrosylifeinanygrimoneofthem.(AndpityMarc,
whowhenheisshowninthebuswithfellowprisoners,comesacrossasa
lastsadtwilightofstillcheeryrosbeforearemorselesstermofsolestone
grey.)Itsbeengoingonforenoughtime,wesuddenlyrealize,that
Hollywoodcouldlearntoassertasareasonablyconfidentnormsomething
whichhadbeenunthinkable:thereisnoneedtolockyourdoors,forwe
knowwehavenoreasontofearintrusion.Andsothisshockinginnocence
comesacrossasthegrossestvulgarity;anotherstatussymboltoshowthat
beingrichmeansbeinginaliterallydifferentuniversefromthepoor.
Rebeccaisportrayedasmostlysomeonewhohasevolvedtothepointthat
attitudesbuiltaroundolderrealitieshaveslippedawayfromherfirst,andso
inthisdeliberatelywroughtoutworldofunchastenedinnocencesheindeed
understandsitasaworldofaccessibility.Sheisnt,thatis,afloatinsome
realmofunreality,butunderstandingitstraight.(ShowingMarcthis,bythe
way,isoneofthewaysshesgeneroustohimatruebestfriend,withthe
firstofcoursebeingthatsheimmediatelyapprehendedinsecurehimas
someonefuntoknow.)Shesthefirstintothislandofopenresources,and
knowstomakefulluseofit,soherstoryisntabouthowsherobbed
celebritieshomesbuthowshecohabitedthem,fittheirworldontohers,
andlongenoughsothatitcouldbeintegratednearasblashers.Ithinkwe
sensethatwehavealessontolearnfromher;andmaybeforsomeofthe
timeintheirreadilyandintelligentlydiscerningparticularitemsamongstall
thewealthofstuff(they'refamiliarwithalltheitems,oratleasttheclothing
andjewelry,andwithplausiblejusticebelievetheyknowhowtobetter
ensembleitthantheir"owners"do),wetakeadvantageoftheirbeingso
engagedtomaybeimagineourselvesalongwiththem,pluckinganitemwe
seethattheymaynotyethaveclaimed,anddelightinginit.Imnotsaying

thatweeverfindourselvesasconfidentasRebecca,butwhenMarcslipsoff
beingsoapprehensiveandlearnstochill,Ithinkwerewonderingifwe
somehowhavebeentaughtalessonweneededtolearnaswell;andthisis
disorienting.
AndwhenRebeccaseesnothingamissintakingParisHiltonsdog,Idont
thinkwesomuchawakenfromanevilspellthatmighthavebeenpartially
castuponusandseeherasthefoulsnakeshesurelyallthewhilehasbeen,
buttakeadvantageofatrespasswecantrapassurelyirredeemablyfoul,to
cooperatewithanevilwemaytemporarilybeenloosenedfrom.Thatis,I
thinkwhatmakesthisrichlandscapesoplausiblyinnocentofthetrauma
affectingtherestofthenationisacollectiveagreementonourparttodefer
totherichandpowerful,toenablethemwithprivilegesappropriateto
emperorsfromfourcenturiesago.Whenwewalkamongsttheirparadise,we
findsigntobeangryatthembutrealizewecantbedrawneveninthese
conditionstoseethemdowned;arealizationwhichwouldforceusto
realizehowmuchofourawfulworldisreallyofourownsad,sick,surely
masochistic,wanting.Sous,actuallytheonesstillcaughtinakindofspell,
decideatthispointinthefilmtoviewthekidsashavingtemporarilybeen
caughtinone.Theyjustwentonawildridewhichdisjoinedthemfrom
realitythattheywouldhavetosoberupfrom.Ithinkwithenfranchising
ourselvesattheirexpense,wereinthemoodtomakeallowances,andI
thinkespeciallywithNickyandMarc,wemakethemhowevermuch
Nickyisamadeasubjectofongoinglaughterassheandherfamilybecome
abundleofidiocy.
WeknowthatwewereactuallytakeninsideParisHiltonsownhomeinthis
movie,andthatwhatwesawupclosewereherclothesclosetsand
designatedpartyrooms.Ihopethatsomeofusfeelsickthattherebytheres
apaulcastoverallthisfilmwheretherichcandrawascloseastheywantto
us,letusfeeltheirpresence,ifthisiswhattheyreinthemoodfor,butit
evergoestheotherwayithastobemanagedsothattherightfulnormthat
ascentisonlybypermissionofthepowerful,isconfidentlyreasserted.
ManofSteel
KalEldoesn'thavetheverybestofupbringingsthoughitisstillvery,

verygood.HisKansasparentsgenuinelywishhimtheverybest,but
strugglesometimesowingtotheirownlimitationstoprovidewhatKal
Elneeds,whatanykidwouldneed,toinfactbecomeanadultwhothrough
beliefinselfmightjustchangetheworld(notimpossible:incertain
favorabletimestimesofpermission,nottimesofcrisisorwarnear
loneindividualsinfactdo).Hisfatherisworriedthatifhissonshowshis
superabilitiestooearly,he'llbeoverwhelmedbyhowtheworldwouldreact
tohim,andthealarmedworldwouldn'thaveanadulthim,tocalmthem
downsomeandhelpthemstaysane.Andthisissensible,butclearlyinstalls
inKalElasensethatanytimehesummonshisnaturalinstincts,summoned
alongwithitisafrustratinggrappleholdofrestraintthat'llfrustrateand
infuriatehim.Hismotherwilldowhatshecantocalmhersondown,but
neverquitesoothinglyconfidently,butratherasif,ifsheisn'tparticularly
skillful,ageniusatcalmingdownherownarousedfearsandselfdoubt,her
sonwillbelosttoinnertormentsandfeelallaloneintheworld.Theson
growsupinaworldwhereeverythingissoheightened.Apparentlywiththe
littlestthing,anyunderstandablenaturalkidinstinctgivenlife,hiswhole
knownuniversecouldgoupinsmoke,howevermuchhestilldoeshavea
motherandfatheralwaysreadytostepinandstompdownsomeofthe
impact.TheresultofhisconfoundingupbringingisthatwhenKalEl'sfather
refusestolethissonsavehimfromthetornado,onefeelsnotjustsympathy
butangertowardshim:don'tyouknowthatyou'veconfoundedmakingyour
sonfeelperenniallytightwithsomeconvictionthathisagreeingtocede
himselfsototallytoyouhasmeantlosingyouasafather?
Nowonderheendsupwanderingaboutspare,terselandscapesawhile
afterwards,workingonelittlethanks,scarcecontactjobafteranother:he
needstobeinalongzonewherehisneedtotemporarilyrefutehis
upbringingallaffectionsisgivenechobyhissurroundings.And
fortunately,heeventuallyfindscompanywithhisoriginalKryptonfather,
whoisabathofcushioningnaturaleaseofselfcomportment,andwhois
giventimetoenclosehismuchlovedsonsafelywithinit.Fromhim,and
fromallowinghimselfagoodspanjusttopracticeandgetusedtoallhis
abilitiesthathehasforsolongkeptunderwrapboundingupandarcing
againstEarth'satmosphere'skisswithdeepspace,andthelikehisson
couldstopbeingsomeonewholookednaturallyboundtoChristlike
sacrificehimselfjusttocleansehimselfofhisEarthparents'expectationsof
himasepic,tobeingatruesuperman,whonotjustthroughphysical

abilitieshasitinhimtohaveaformidableimpactonthehumanrace.
Itshouldbenoted,thatthisiswhathedoesdo:whenheallowshimselftobe
captured,agreestohavehandcuffsplaceduponhimandwithoutanydis
comportmentpeoplearen'ttakenabackbyanyphysicalabilitybutbyhis
abilitytolethimselfbehumbled,appearhumiliated,ifitservesalarger
purpose.Yes,someofushavestillbeenraisedwithenoughsupportand
lovetoevolvethismuchmaturity,iswhathecommunicates.Thereisstill
hopeforEarth.
ManycriticsfindthedestructionofgoodportionsofNewYorkreally
bothersomeinthisfilm,offensive,I'llexplainwhyformethiswasnotatall
thecase.Thereisawayofexperiencingthisfilm,includingthealienworld
stuff,asreallyjustdocumentinganormalhumanlife,somegoodperson
bornoutsideofprivilege,who'spotentialtorealizehimselfwillultimately
havetograpplewiththefactthatourcontemporaryworldisn'tonethatis
interestedinseeingclassdividesbeingcrossed.IpromiseyouthatIactually
experiencedtheKryptonbit,theprebirth,assomethinguterine:alltheoval
shapes,placentaltentacleentities,poolsofgreatsignificance....Sotome
Supermancouldhavejustbeenaneveryman,whosedevelopmentalstory,
fromembryoknowingonlyauterineworldtoachildbirthedintoavast
blueskyed"Kansas"cosmos,isthefantasticstoryeveryoneexperiences,
andwhichwesometimesattendtodocumenttoshowhowmagnificent
andremarkableeachandeveryoneofusis.Theeverymanversionofthis
storywouldhavetheparentsperenniallyamazedbytheirchild,perhaps
becausehewasalatebirth,whenallhopeofitseemedlost.Andtheirbelief
thattheirchildwillchangetheworld,everyreallylovingparents'difficulty
inacceptingthatsuchabeautiful,gloriousmiraclecouldevernotjust
continuetoincrementallygrowtoaffectourcollectivedestiny.Andsowhen
KalEl'sfatetieshiminwithNewYork,afeelingIhadthefirstmomenthe
madecontactwithaPulitzerprizewinnerLoisIcouldn'thelpbutthink
ofwhatNewYorksocietywoulddotohimifhewasaneverymanhopingto
becomeupwardlymobileinthebigcity.
Withoutsuperpowers,it'drecognizehimonlyassomeonewithoutanivy
leaguebackground,withoutestablishmentconnections,andwithoutallthe
mannerismsthatarecausingmanyofthewelltodotonotreallybeableto
recognizetherestoftheirhumankinashumaninthesamewaytheyare.

Withthem,NewYorkwouldactuallykindofdothesame."You'reoutof
Kansas;yourfatherisamechanicthisiswhatwecannotshakeas
matteringmost;sohownowdoweaccountforthefactthatyoursuper
abilitiesandtruealienstatusmakeusfeelsillyforstillintrinsically
experiencingyouthisway?"TheansweristomakeyouintoaLebronJames
(creditAndrewO'Hehirforthisreference),asuperathletewetalkallthe
timeaboutatthewatercoolers,butwhoisneverfoundoutsidea
circumscribedcategorizationassomekindofsupermachine.Hecouldin
realitybecomesomeonewhokindofislikeChristinbeingmorallyaheadof
apeoplehewasborninto,butbecauserecognizingthiswouldmean
creditingthattheyhavesomethingtolearnfromtheKansasbornandraised
otherthansomeaccomplishmentofgreatphysique,it'dbeconsistently
waylaid,inpreferenceforthealwaysavailablegreatphysicalfeatbit.Hed
eventuallybetakenasamoralexample,butonlywhenelitesocietyhad
decideditwasreadytomaketheAmericanproletariatingeneralasmuchas
well,whichwouldhappenwhenitcouldbedoneinsuchawaythatit
showedthemtobegreatsufferingworkhorses,notthosewhoreallyoughtto
bedirectingtheworld.
AndsowhatwouldaneverymandotostillhavehissayinNewYork?It
wouldntmatterhedhavenochance.Butwhatwouldasuperpowered
everymando?:hedshocktheelite,theestablishment,clearsomeway
amongstthem,andstartsettingupsomethingofhisownfromwherethey
hadscatteredaway.ThebigblastofNewYorkinthisfilm,thebuildings
goingwitherandtether,isamanifestationofwhatthisSupermanwoulddo
(figuratively,notliterally)whenhehadtoreckonwiththebigcity(yes,
thereisawayinwhichIseethevillainsasmostlyanextensionofauniverse
thatempowersKalEl).HewouldntbeaClarkKent,becausesuchafigure
wouldbeonlyallowedtoworkmailroom,andwouldneverbeintroducedto
anyoneimportant(ClarkKentsappearanceinthisfilmassomeonewhod
workclosewithprizejournalists/editors/publishers,isreallyjusta
momentarysubstitutionofapreviouscinematicSupermanChristopher
Reeveasacuteandexpectedwayofdollingupalegacypicture(Thefilm
hadreallyendedatthispoint).).
Itsharsh,butthisistheonlywayavailabletohim.Ifithadbeenadifferent
era,the1920ssay,ratherthanthevery1930slikenow,whenaregularman
fromtheMidwestaGatsbycouldshakethecoreofabigcitylikeNew

Yorkandfinditactuallygratefulforhisgreatawakeningstir,therecould
havebeennearsimultaneousintegrationincludedwithhismeteorlevel
impact.Butsinceourtimesaretheopposite,withourSearsandiHopsnot
remindingusofwhattheylongtodo(atleast)inthefilmofpostwar
AmericanmidAmerica;oftrueheartlandvirtuesheldbythosewhoholdthe
blandest,theleastdiscriminateoftastesbutofAmericandregs,even
somethingfundamentallygoodisgoingtobetakenasbombastmissileanic.
Mud
There'samoviethatMudappearstobe,butisn't,thatonewouldprobably
wishithadinfactbeen.Thatis,onethatlooksupontheheroesofouryouth
andseesinthemprojectionsofthestrengthweatthetimeneededthemto
have,forunderstandingthemasversionsofourselvesbutintheadultworld.
Ellisisafourteenyearoldboywithanabnormalamountofbravery,self
controlandheart,butalotofwhatisdistinctiveabouthimlookslikeit
mightbeatriskasthelifethatnourishedithislifewithhistwoparents,
livingupriveramongstlonerindividualistsiscollapsing,andhe'llbe
abscondedbyhismotherintoatownielife.Thetowniekidshangoutin
packs,areruledbypeerexpectations,anddon'tseemworthawholebunch.
Theymakegreatcomponentsofyourownfeats,ifallyoudoisperiodically
rangeamongstthemandthwartorhumiliatethem,butiftheywereyour
everydaymilieuyourautomaticneedforcompanyandexperimentation
amongstpeopleyourownage,mightmeanyourowninvitinguponyourself
apoisonwhichwouldcripplewhatwasnotableaboutyou.Ifyousensedthat
somethingofthekindwasduetohityou,youmightinEllis'spositionstart
imaginingsuddenlybeingvisiteduponbymythiccharactersofgreat
strength,thatseemedtohavebridgedthedividebetweenchildhoodand
adulthoodbutwhollyretainedtheirfiercenature,heartandwill.Andwhen
theytalkaboutlife,asMuddoes,asifitisfundamentallyruledbymythos,
you'dhavethereassuringsensethatyourownappreciationoftheworldis
brewedfromthesamemixthewholeuniverseisuniversallyof.Youmight
loseconfidenceduringtheday,andfeelpowerlessandwithoutsympatico
friends,butintheeveningglancingattheconstellationsoftheArcherorthe
Centaur,you'llfeelthatwinkofappreciationthatwillgathersomeofyour
strengthbacktoyou.

Arguably,themythiccharactersI'mreferringtointhisfilmMudhimself,
his"dad"theretiredmilitarysniper,andJuniperareshowntoinfactbe,if
notnothing,certainlylesserofthesort.Butnottoomuch,inmyjudgment,
fortheystillseemofgreatermotivationandpurposethananyoneinthe
filmexemptingEllis'smother,whosedrivetofinallyliveherownlife,and
evenherwishingforherfamilytogatherfordinner,chimesinthemovieas
sortofadeathknellanincantationofpowerfuleternaladolescentspirithas
tobeveryquicklycreatedagainst.Andthedangerintheirbeingrepresented
thiswayisthatitconveysthatwhatyouneedtodoinlifeissetyoursense
ofyourselfearly,abscondfromthesocialworldyourpeerswillgetinto
duringadolescenceandearlyadulthood,andarcbackintosomekindof
interactionwiththeworldinadulthoodasifyoualonehaddivertedfrom
"thecollege"pathinthegame"Life,"torejointhemlaterincontestof
familyandotherstakes,shouldyoudesire.I'msureinsomecasesthismight
keepyou"truer,"moretrulyfunctionalandhappythaneveryoneelseala
BillGatesorSteveJobs.Butitprobablymeansthattheuniverseof
conversationandsocialrefinementsandpersonalawarenessand
understandingthatonecanbebecomeacquaintedwithamongstlifewith
groupsofpeople,thatcanmakeoneactuallysurpassbecomingan
adolescent'sheroandbecomeafullyrealizedsocialadult,willbedenied
you.Forthiskindofgrowthyou'vegottobeabletorelaxandhangbethe
kidwhoseessomegoodfrommillingaboutwithapeergroup;bethekid
whowouldnearmorewanttorelaxandjamwithNeckbone'suncleGalen
(tobefairtothefilm,Galenisnotportrayedhereentirelywithouthis
attractions),thanputtingtheuniverserightbyconjoiningMudtohiseternal
equal.
StarTrek:IntoDarkness
OneofthecriticismsofAbramsperhapstheforemostcriticismofhim
isthathelikestoletotherdirectorsdothehardworkofstakingoutnew
territory,andthenhecomesinintofullydelineatedterrain,andmakessome
adjustments"SallywouldworkbetterwithJonathon,andthecouchshould
gothere".Withhislastfilmeverybodyhadhimasofthedutifulflockof
Spielberg,andwiththisfilm,atleastatthebeginningthesame.It's
RaidersoftheLostArk,withtribesmanchasingdownourinterloperheroes,
spearsthrown,anartifactusedtomomentarilybuytimebytrickingthe

tribesmenintoforgettingtheircurrentpurposeandsupplicating
themselves,andanescapeintoanairship(nosnake,butdiscordofakind:
SpockandKirkfeuding).Butokay,intruththissortofchaseishowhe
beganhislastStarTrekfilm,somaybethisisjusthowhegetsanumberof
hisfilmsrevvedup.Thepossibility,though,thatAbramsisabittoo
comfortablebeinginagreatdirector'sshadow,beinga"minime,"clasped
inclothingandappenedendumstosomeone/somethingsolaceofferingand
protecting,comesmoretotheforeveryirritatinglytotheforewhenwe
realizethatKirkandhiscrewaren'tactuallyadultsoutontheirown
adventures,butmorelikemisbehavingkidsbackhomewithdisappointed
parents,whocan'tbelievewhattheymadeofthefreedomgrantedthemto
explorethewoods.ThisisthewayitwasinAbramsMissionImpossible3,
ifyouremember.AndIbringupthisfilmbecause,forme,thisisnotacrew
whowillevercrediblygoonsomefiveyearjourneyallontheirown,but
morelikeateamoftopnotchagents,whowillgooutonraidingmissions
butalwaysattheendbacktohomebase,reconnectingwithanolderand
moreentrenchedculture,thatcoddlesthem,relievesthemofsomeofthe
responsibilityoftheirownactions.Mindyou,Abramshasthiswayof
makingitseemthatifit'stoomuchjustyourownbracedagainsttheworld,
whereyou'rethehead,accountabletonoone,orwhenyou'reengagedin
affairsthatareabittoomuchgravitasasinthisfilm,whenagreatpower
worldwaristhreatenedthenthere'snoroomforplay.Everythinghasto
berigidlytaught(taught,asintight),andoftenangryashell,sothatyou've
gotsomuchseriousnessgoingonit'llostensiblyallayanymomentthat
sneaksinthatrevealshowyou'reasnervousashellandfeelingtotallynotup
toit!Oldercharactersseemtomanagethisokay,andintruthgettobe
relaxedaboutitwitnessthecowboyreaction,"Ahhell,"theadmiraloffers
Kirkwhenhelearnshe'sbeentalkingtoKhan.Ostensiblyit'smoretheir
turf,likeasifColdWarandWW2wasmoretheirturfratherthanour
currentmoreinsouciantforeignpolicy.Abramsdoesbetterwhenthingsare
allowedtobenotsoserious,whentheseriousnesshasbeentempereddown,
andaffectandwarmthandcanslowlyinfiltrateandbuildintosomething.
WhenKirkdecidesnottoseekoutandkillKhan,butrathercapturehimand
havehimgothroughdueprocess,youfeelitinthetheaterlikeareliefof
tension;anditisnosurprisethatontheirmissiontocapturehimweget
somedevelopmentintheUhuraSpockrelationshipwhichhadbeencrushed
byalltheemergentseriousness,withtendrilsforalatermorewholehog
explorationofit"Whatisthatevenlike?"Whatisthatevenlike?,orwhat

wouldthatbelike?,isinfactaquestionthatineffectgetsfloatedupa
numberoftimesinthefilmwhatisliketobefiredbyyourbestfriend
(Scotty,byKirk)?;whatisitliketofeelsomeoneelse'sdeath(Spock,
throughPike)?;whatisliketoseeMcCoyflirt?;toseeScottysouced?And
itisaquestionthatgetsitsbestreactionandexplorationfromuswhenwe've
beengivenaclimatesuitedforempathicidentificationratherthanroute
response.Downplaythestakesabit,andwegetthatIswearthefilm
wouldhavebeenjustasgoodifthewholethingtookplaceinabar,
exemptingofcourseKhan,whocouldbecheckedintoeveryonceinawhile
forbedazzlementatwhatonesuperhumancandotowholelineupsof
opponents.
Nodoubt,itispartlyowingtoAbrams'deeplydemocraticnaturethathe
hasmorethanafewofthecrewserveascaptain(Kirk,Spock,Sulu,and
ineffectUhura,whensheleadstheencounterbetweenthecrewandthe
Klingons),butjustastrueissurelybecauseheseemstointrinsicallyidentify
apositionofultimatecommandasconfining,assomethingyoualmostwant
toloftforsomeoneelsetodo(sucker!):Don'tnecessarilythinkofSuluas
privilegedhere,forinstance;he'smorestationedwhileeveryoneelsecavorts
intospace.
Backtomythoughtthatwhatthiscrewisisateamofelitespecialagents,
nevercompletelydetachedfromhomebase.AtsomepointinthefilmI
begantothinkofitasakintothelastJamesBondmovieSkyfall.Two
greatgeniusagents(KirkandKhan;BondandRaoul)betrayedbyanolder,
verynearretirementagedMotherorFatherwhoultimatelyhadbequeathed
them.IhavetoadmitIactuallydidnotenjoythisTrekallthatmuch,andfelt
thatwhenthingsthreatenedtobetakenoutoftheyoungins'handsandgiven
toseniorswhodidn'tseemsoequivocatingandabashedatgoingoutontheir
own,eventhoughthismeanthugeregressiontoClashofCivilizationswar,
itlookedtobemorecaptivatingthantheplentifulsmallershowsthat
Abramsputon.SoincompensenseIdidforcemyselftothinkuponhow
muchmoreevolvedthisspecialagentfilmwastoSkyfall.Wewere
supposedtorootforthemilitaristicturninSkyfall,withheadquartersbeing
drawnbacktoaWW2bunkerratherthankeptopenbutvulnerableinthe
city,withMquotingTennyson,aboutoldmen,oldvalues,returning
undauntedinaworldofthreat.Weweresupposedtohatecounselsandtrial
justice.Wewerediscouragedtoempathize:neverforamomentwerewe

supposedtolikeRaoul,orconsiderthathehadjustcause(eventhoughhe
wassacrificedforheaven'ssake!)ratherperhapsheapmoreonhismisery,
byinsultinghisboldfashion(Ilikedhisshirt,myself).It'sverybadwhen
youessentiallyhaveatwinofyourselfbutcannotthinkofanythingniceto
sayabouthim,becausethismeansyou'reasfarawayasyoucanbefrom
empathizingforyourunwantedqualitiesbeinggraftedontohimfor
dismissal.IntoDarknesssidestepsthisdarknesswearetolikelawcourts,
hateoratleastregretolddinosaursreturning,likearelaxedatmospherethat
kindlesanappreciationofnuance,andofcoursethroughoutthoroughly
enjoyandlikeKhanandtriestofoldallkindsofcalamitiesincluding
twicethedevastationofgoodpartsofadowntownintoitthatcanstillbe
managedinanoninflated,nonemergencymeasures,unalarmistway.There
isanevolvedpersoninAbrams,howevermuchitisstilltruehe'saboy
adultheadoffamilycaughtasafulcruminaSeriousMan/Everybody
LovesRaymondworld.Makingsomethingofthedomestic,becausehelikes
theliving/familyroom,butalsobecausetheresnowayhecanallowhimself
out.
OztheGreatandPowerful
Sometimeinthepastthereweretinkererswhoweregreatandpowerful
sogreatthatinthismundaneworldofoursitstillwouldrequireamoment's
recalibrationtonotconsiderthemactuallyhalfmagic,ifsomeonepersisted
inyourfacethattheywereinfactso.Edison,ifyouwantthebestexample,
thoughyoumightalsogowithBenjaminFranklin,orwhoeveritwas
Scorsese'smovieHugowasworshipping.StagemagicianOzhopestobe
likethat,andspurnswomenleftandrighttokeephimselffixedtothisgoal.
He'dhavebeenokayifthisdidn'talsomeanhisdeceivingwomenintohis
bed,butforthis,judgmentappearstohavecastuponhimandtherestofhis
lifeisgoingtobeaboutlifelongservingthebequestsofwomen,fixedtoa
spotratherthanafreewanderer,readilyreachedbythreeveryempowered,
threeverygreatandpowerful,witchwomen.ButtheactorplayingOzis
JamesFranco,andsomaybethepeoplebehindthisfilmhadinmindsome
revengeuponwomentoo.ForFrancoissensitiveandresponsiveenoughto
suggesttomostsensitivesoulsthathe'shardlyamansoinvolvedwith
machinesoraspiringtoskyhighgoalshe'sdulledtohumans,butthere's
somethingabouthowthoughhesaysanddoesandexpressesaboutasyou'd
expectanddesire,he'sstillappliedathinlayereverywherethatregistersas

ifit'sallalielikeyou'reintruthinteractingwithsomepuppetofhimself,
that'sclosetohimbutnotreallyhim,he'soperatingviaremotecontrol,ala
TonyStark'ssuitinIronMan3hispassiveaggressiverevenge,let'snot
kidourselves,onPepper,forherowninghisdayworldwhilehecouchesin
hisbasementcave.Francoprobablyisn'tsosavvy,sogreatamagicianhe's
madehimselfentirelyinaccessibletoyou;hecanbefiguredout.Butthe
thingis,whatwouldcausehimtosmirklikehe'sgotsomethingonyouyou
can'tbalk,isthatyoudon'treallywanttofigurehimout:he'stheonly
plausiblemanintown,andOzhadbecomeakintotheCastleAnthrax,
managedbywomenwhoarebecominginsufferabletooneanotherandin
needofaman,thatbeaconsoutpromiseofmanruleglorytogetsome
haplessguyintoserveassomeposttosteadythem,aswellasforstud.
Anyway,Ozmightbecomeconvincedthathe'sreallygreatandpowerful,
afterapparentlymakingupforeverypastsinagainstawomanhe'sever
effectedwhichissomuchhisforemostconcernthelastgesturehemakes
tothelatestevilwitchhauntingthelandisanapologybuttheaudience
knowsthisguyisownedbyaneedforreparations.Howeasyitistokeepa
guylikethatfromgrowingupjustmakingeverystepaheadseema
spurningofeverythingandeveryonewhoprecededit,andhe'sbacktobeing
yours.Theendofthefilmshowstwogreatonesbattlingthewhitegood
witchvs.themorementallybalancedevilwitchandwhenthegoodwitch
defeatstheevilone,itmostcertainlydoesn'tendwithherapologizingbut
withhersureoftherightnessinmakingthisonceactuallymostbeautiful
andregalwitch(hereplayedverystatelybythestunningRachelWeisz),the
onlynightmarehorror/grotesquetobefoundinthelandsomethingof
irrevocableconsequencejusthappenedhere.Thisisgrownupmatterforthe
onlygrownupsinOz.BenKenobivs.DarthVaderatthefinishofStar
Warsbutatatimewhenboyswhoknowbesttoysandtech,alaGeorge
Lucas,arentgoingtobeallowedtobesoballdanglinglyfrontandcenter,
sotheserolesgotothegirlswhiletheguysdothepatchingup.
TheGreatGatsby
OnethingIneverconfusedthemovieforthebookfor,wasitsportrayalof
Gatsby.InthebookIcouldbelievethatthehugeestatehehadpreparedwas
buttolurehimDaisy,whileinthemovieitissurelyhisaggrandizementI
honestlythoughtmostofthetimeofOrsonWells'sKanewhilewatching

puffedupLeo.Hestrollshispartynotsomuchinvisible,asheisinthe
book,buthiddenmasterofitall.Andheshowsoffhowthatspecialperson
andthatspecialpersonandthatspecialpersonareallthere,renderedasthey
areintopartofhisamplehousecollections,withthemtrappedtonotwantto
beanythingelse,owingtohishostingthebiggestdrawintownBeethoven
inhissecondact,andthisjustonefeature.Everynighthehouseshisparties,
andeverynightthewholetowniscorralledintoithe'smasterofthehouse
andmasterofall.Andsoattheendoftheeveningwhenhestrollsoutside
andlooksacrossthewateratthebeaminggreenlightacrossthebay,it's
absinthetowelltheeveningdownamidstcoolairthelogicalfollowupto
theevening'sclamor,acleanse,notwhatwhathasbeensittingwithhim
throughoutandthathehaslongedtoreturnto.
Daisycomesacrossassomeonehehastopossessforacompletevalidation
ofhimselfasgreatandcomplete.Byhisside,thepastwhenhewasjusta
youngofficerontheclimb,unsureifheshoulddaremergewithsomeoneof
assuredstanding,becomessmoothedintohim.Asmuchtalkasthereisin
thefilmthatonceagainknowingDaisymeansGatsby'sallimportantgreen
light'sdwindlingout,theonlywaythere'sanysenseofitthefilmisthatit
mightmeanGatsbyandTobeyMcGuirre'sNickCarrawaybeingdistanced
fromoneanother,asitistheirencountersthatareabitofmagic.Magic,as
infirstdate,guard'supbutsetformaybegreatchange,isnotGatsby
courtingDaisywithtea,butNickforthefirsttimerefusinghisown
otherwiseagreeableandplacatingstanceandleaderlysimplyrefusingtolet
Gatsbyleavehishomeandtherebylosehisgreatchancewithherhe'sputso
mucheffortintoprocuring,whilealsohumiliatingandreallyhurtingDaisy.
NickhereinstinctivelyputsasidehisfriendlybemusementatGatsby's
unpredictabledramatics,fordoingwhathastobedonesothesetwopeople
he'sfondofdon'tlosefromthisheretomagicalandcharmingday,fullasit
stillremainsofpossiblebeautifulportent.Thereismagicalsoinallthreeof
themhangingtogetherduringthedayinGatsby'smansion,withGatsby
tossinghisshirtsatthem,partakingoftheclownishfunofsportthrowsat
townfairs,buttakeawayNickandleaveittotheothertwotodisplay
somethingmeaningful,andit'sthegesturingcarapaces,animatedbut
withoutsouls,embracedtogetheronthegroundsoutsideofoneofGatsby's
parties.
I'mbeingabithardonGatsby,butthereisasensethatjustmaybethere

reallyisverylittletotheguythatthosewho'djudgehimnotablyDaisy's
husbandTomBuchananarepossessedofsomethingsolidthatrefusesthem
anyslipintoadmiringorbeingbedazzledbyhim.Atthebeginningofthe
film,Tomismadetoseemanonthreat,forbeingbyoneandallregardedas
someonewithrearguardprejudicesinaworldofJazzAgeauthority.Butstill
youdon'tforgethimasajudgetoo,possiblybecausehisrelationthat
is,NickisjustmeetingGatsbytoo,andhe'sinasensequicklyontohimas
well.NickrealizesthatGatsbyneedstempering"ifonlyhecouldhavebeen
contentwithhissweetdatewithDaisyovertea,"healases.He'slikeold
moneyprejudices,withalighterside,arealfondnessforyouthandtheir
eagertriesandnewishways,who'dcourtpeershestillbelongstototryand
seethemthesameway;andhishavingsomuchstandinginthefilm,gives
soliditytoBuchanan.WhenBuchananrealitytestsGatsbyinawaywhich
fullyrendershimdowntheonlyrealmurderinthefilmandgainsbackhis
Daisy,Nickhadalreadybeenrenderedtothepointthatthebesthecoulddo
forthepersonhestillwishesthebestoflucktobutwhorealizeshehasno
hopeoffurtherinfluencing,iscommunicatetrueloveandsupportforhim
throughhisotherwiselyingnodstoGatsby'sdeterminationtogainsake
himselfDaisytheonlythinghewantsatthispointfromNickisashowof
deferentaffirmation,soithastobetheconduitforsomethingtruerand
largerhe'dprefertocommunicate:greatrealizationandmaturityandlove,
fromNick.Nickknowsit'slikely"thewolves"forGatsby;Buchananonly
suppliesthem.Hardjudgmenttothesofterman'srealization"Amadeus's"
CountOrsiniRosenbergtoBaronVanSwieten,uponMozart'sdeclineand
death.Nickofcourseisshownwritingabookthatweknowwillpuffupthe
Gatsbylegendthatisbeingdebilitatedashisestateisbeinglooted.ButI
thinkthisisjustpauseforustothinkonthewordsthatarebeingliterally
inscribedforusonscreen.Therewasagreatshowofakindforusinthis
film,butitmaypassasjustafilmamongstothersnotevenpossiblybeing
oneofourDepression'snotableshowynumbers,thatweshouldgettohigh
acclaimifthisonewearslikethelastone("FortySecondStreet,"Busby
Berkeley,allshow,nodepth,anythingtobeatbackthepressingaccretions
oftheDepression,andallthat),whileweknowFitzgerald'swordsare
lastingthreegensplus,andarelookingimmortal.Thebookisourtruegreen
light,somethingtruertobeengagedin,whateverourcurrentsociety's
overallbentandmood,ifthat'sactuallyterritorywe'refondtoexplorejust
now,howevermuchitmightnotbe,withallthebonbonsinthisfilm
lookingliketheymightjusthavebeenofferedalittleearly,whenwestill

haven'tfixedourselvestobelievingyoucanbelikeGatsbyandhavefunand
possiblybesuccessfullyascribed,atleast,aspaperthin,ifyou'veaccepted
yourlotistoliveintimeswithnochancetobeatbackjudgmental
oppressorsifthey'rereally,reallydetermined,tofixonyou.Thesin
watchingTomBuchanansaregoingtohavenohandleonyou,foryourmad
gambitsandwilddancingareacknowledgments,notquestionings,ofhow
ascribedyouaretoliveinmostlydreamdefeatingtimes.TheTomswould
takenoteofthat,andwouldhavenoproblemallottingyouyourdriving
"Daisy"home.
IronMan3
Ifyouevergivesomeoneatwentyfootstuffedanimalforapresent,you
mightwanttoconsiderthatyou'redoingsomoreoutofadesiretoaffront
thereceiverthanpleasehim/her,andthatalsopossiblyyou're
communicatingthatyou'retheonethedeniedchildingiganticneedof
loveyourself.Itcouldpassasjustmakingupforlongneglect,asitisdoesin
thisfilm,butwhenyou'refollowingupbyfoolingyourlover(herewith
PepperengagingwithsimulacrumTonywhiletherealonepullshisstrings
inhisden)andthenmaybenotsoaccidentlyfixingitsothatyourdentoys
substituteasnightmarehorrorstoscaretheDickensoutofher,thetruthis
thatyoumaybetheonewhoisfrustratedandinanger,andthatyouare
unconsciouslybeingdriventocommunicateitasloudlyandaggressivelyas
possible.TonyStarkisinneedofattendancebeingreadytolosehislifein
favorofsavingtheworldandfindinghimselfinsomeotherdimension
againsttheonslaughtofalienswhilewiththeAvengers,hashimthemercy
ofreoccuringanxietyattackshe'sgotPTSD,asbadasanyoutof
Afghanistan.Thismightseemdifficulttoidentifywith,butit'snotreally,as
you'vegotaDepressiononyourhandswhichismakingsureyousufferthe
incredibleaggrievementofactuallyfeelingmoreandmorewithoutsupport
whileourawarenessoftheparticularhistoricalsituationwe'reinincreases.
Youneedamangertoliein,notyourcoldremovedden,andthisiswhat
Tonygets,ashefindshimselfremovedfromtheworldinsomesmalltown
downsouth,wherehegetstobeslottedinwithsomesmallboy'smodest
homeandessentiallyjusttalkbubblegumandcomicbooksandharkento
earlylifeChristmasscenessotheSaviortakingsmallliberties,inthe
fortunedhousetohosthim.Here'swhereitbeginstobecomecleartothe

astutethatwhatyou'restillhurtfromisnotwhatyou'remachomaintaining
sayingitis,butmaybeoutofthethingsthatarefloatingupwhileonlay
awaytopics/concernslikeboyswithoutfathers,bullies,andthediscourse
you'refloatingalwaysatyournewbudchildrenwhichsaidaslightly
differentwayisthesorttoflattenachildhard.Tonyabandonstheexpected
needsofhisnewboyfriendabouthalfadozentimes;heclearlyistaking
pleasuredoingso.Thisissupposedtobejustcoverforthefactthathe'sthe
kindofguywhocouldn'tcaremorebutofcourseifthiswasyouandwhat
you'reactuallyenjoying,usingasaremedy,isthathererepeatedlyyou've
gotasubjectwhohastobeneglectedandabandoned"you"whileyouskirt
offsatiatedandunaffected,thisistheexcuseyou'dusetoo.Ifyougettoo
muchintothisremedyyoumightneglecttocoverwhatissupposedly
afflictingyouashappensinthismoviewhenyoutakethatwormholethat
openedoutofspacethatafflictedouruniversewithmultitudesofreplica
aliensthatisostensiblythesourceofTony'strauma,andhaveitbe
inspirationforyourownhorriblerevengeuponfoesasyourpenthouse'sden
holeopensandoutcomesanarmadaofironmentokillsomeother'sdream.
Whenyou'repartedfromyourmangerandbackinadultdigsandengaging
withyourlover,youmightmakeherconstitutedmomentarilyasifoutof
nightmarethingsherselflikewhathappenstoPepperinthismovie,where
shefinishesasrippedolderwoman,dragonblooded,andandroid(she's
sportingpartsofIronMan'sarmor).Basicallyagargoyle,butforamoment
notremovedfromyou,butakin,andfamilyyou'reofwormholesand
annihilating/abandoning/tableturningrevengingthingsyourself.
Apportionedsome"equipment"fromprebirthnightmaresactuallythe
greatestsort.
Further:ThedangerousOrientismadetoseemaharmlessoldmanwho
smellsupbathrooms,adisappointmentworsethantherevealedwizardinthe
Depression's"Oz."Isthisbecausehe'snotrippedlikeeveryoneelseor
becauseit'snot"time"(whoarewekiddingifwehaven'thalfsetitup
alreadyasournextgreatestenemy?)forChina?Orareweexpectedto
implicitlyappreciatethatwhileleftbehind,thatstinkingshitcloudofodoris
accumulating,andwillbesourceofinspirationforthenextwormholehell
tochastisethecharacterarmorwe'reusingagainstourtimesinto
malfunctionmaybethefalsevillainreallycouldonlybethetrueoneonce
we'vebeenmadetoassociatehimwithdecrepity,bathroomsandshit
spoutedhell,notsingularandcontained(thehero'sonlydenizens?)?

PainandGain(2013)
NofilmwhichcanatallremindyoufromwhereRonaldReganerabeganto
abouttheterminationofthefirstincarnationofTigerWoodsallmuscle,
arrogance,anddominationisgoingtoreallyseemaDepressionerafilm,
wherestupidwillfulnessisgoingtobeshowcasedsimplyasasortof
madnessthehopelessadopttobelievethey'vegotachanceintheworld.In
thisfilmyou'vegotMichaelBayasdirector,abunchofbodybuildersasthe
mainprotagonists,andaswellaveryAteamreminiscentvanashomebase,
soyoubasicallygetwhatyou'dexpectoutofan80's/90'sfilmifyoucan
amassasignfiicantamountofstupidwilfulness,you'llbetreatedasameteor
that'sgottobeallowedtodestroyit'sloadedupfuelcontentofothers'
carefullyprocuredaffairs.Ifyoushowenoughofyourselfwhiledaringto
equivocatewiththem,it's"dispatch"foryouasappropriatelyhappensto
theMiamipornking,whotendstothegang'sleaderMarkWahlbergthe
factthatalotofwhathesaysmakesnosenseatall.Neitherdidanything
aboutReaganorTigerorMr.TorThatcherreallymakesense,butwhen
society'sobligingthembigtime,yourrealitycheckswillgounappreciated,
thankyouverymuch!Quitefrankly,thisfilmwasdelightfulnostalgiathe
ladyafewseatsbehindmelaughednumeroushugeheartlylaughs,andI
chuckledalongwithher.The80s,afterall,asstupidastheywere,were
paradisetoourcurrenttimewhentheonlyoneswhocanprosperarethose
whoaren'twillandmusclebutjustcanydoingnothingbutwhatthetimes
allow,withoutevenafiberofmuscledaringthealacrityofshowcasing
itself.
PlaceBeyondthePines
Onemightbetemptedtosaythatafterseeingthisfilmwhatyoullwantto
beisagoodparentbeingthereforyouchild,sohedoesntgoastraybut
thisisntreallyforemostwhatthisfilmcommunicates.Instead,itisreally
moreaboutautomatizing,exertingyourselfagainstthepullofothers,and
experiencinghowyourselfassertionforcesotherstoadjusttoyourinsistent
senseofpurpose.

WeencounterRyanGoslingsLukeasheisabouttotakepartinacircusact,
wherehespinsaboutinacirclecage,intertwininghismotorbikewithtwo
othersinangrybeebutstillbeautifulkaleidoscopepatterns.Thecamera
doesntenterthecagewithhim;westopshortoutsidebuthowever
fantasticanabilityhehasasaperformerwegetthatthisisaskillonecan
acquireeventually,ifbikeridingisyournaturalbent.Inshort,theresno
adventureinitforhim,howevermuchitdoesrequireamomentof
steadyingbeforegoingon.Thereisnorealadventuretoanypartofhislife
untilhelearnshehasachild,andthefuzzyoutlinesofanewandexciting
acquisitionandselfnarrativebeingaparentandexploringlifewitha
child;beingtheparentheoughttohavehadteaseintoview.Hebecomes
thewillfulchildwhowontobligewhatothersexpectofhimhequitshis
job,despitecontractobligations,hisbosstellinghimhecantquitandis
beginningtointrudehimselfintothelifeofthemotherofhischild
regardlessofhowobviouslystronglypairedsheiswithhernewlover,whos
notcharisma,butadependableproviderandadependablepartnerinthis
landscapeoffrightfulpeopleindifference,povertyanduncertainty.Hisend
goalreallyisimpossibleregardless,itturnsout,buthecantquiteknowitat
thetime,asitstillisjustmaybesomethingaccomplishableifhebeginsthe
adventureofacquiringanevenmoreriskyskillbankrobbingwhich
couldalsoinvolvehisowndeathifhefailedevenjustonce,butwhichopens
upotherwiseunavailablewealthmagictoacquirewhatisotherwise
beyondhim.Therushhegetsfromactuallycarryingoutsuccessfulheists
lendshimthebrassauthoritytoputtogetheracribhepurchasedforhischild
inhisrivalshome,howevercertainthismomentofmachoassertionwould
leadhimoutofhisfamilyslife.Butbeforehesfirmlyoutofherlife,he
doeswinnowafamilytogetherforashortwhile,earnshimselfa
proprietorialsenseoffamilywhichaphoto,which,appropriately,lastsand
lasts,captures.
WearesupposedtobelievethatwhenpoliceofficerAvery(BradleyCooper)
shootsandkillsLuke,heendedthelifeofsomeoneelsesfather.Butthis
truthisunderminedbecauseweknowLukewasprettymuchplayedout
anyhowtherewasnofutureforhim;hewassomeonewholivedalotinhis
shorttime,owingtohisballs.SoreallytheeffectofallAverysmuddling
overthemomentplaysoutmoreashimpausingonexactlyhowself
determiningheisatthispointinhislife.Hebecameapoliceofficer,itis
madetoseem,owinginpartasapassiveresistantwayoftellinghisfatherto

fuckthehelloffandlethimleadhisownlife.Hisassessmentofhispolice
work,ofhisfellowofficers,seemsingoodpartdeterminedbywhothey
mustbetomakehimselfseempartofadifferentmorepure,simpleand
lesscompromisedworldthantheonehisfatherbelongsto.Thisillusion
cantholdup;andverysoonitbecomesapparentthatthisnewworldhes
lenthimselftoisjustasreadytomakeuseofhimforitscompromised
purposes.Thereisamomentofselfactualization,ofconviction,whenhe
spinshiscararoundandbalkshispoliceofficerbuddiestoengagewithhis
fatheronceagain.Inteethofotherswillfulexpectations,hedoeswhathe
wantstodo,andthefilmmakesitseemasifeverythingelseispresumable
afterthat:hellbesomeonewhoupsetsothersexpectations(JustasLuke
wasontherightpathwhenbeforehisbossheessentiallyspitsinhisface
andquits,hereAveryisontherightpathwhenheforcestheattorneygeneral
toaccepthisterms,regardlessofhowmuchthispisseshimoff),butwho
successfullyaccomplisheshisgoalsandhasothersadjusttohim.He
decisiontoratoutacorruptpoliceforceisshowntomeandeprivingsonsthe
companyoffatherstheyneed,astheyarejailed,longterm,andthereforeout
oftheirsonslivesforthetheirwholeteenagelives,buttheresmoreasense
hereofthethrillofhowonepersonsdecision,ofhowpossiblyyour
decisions,cancreateawakearoundyouandforceotherstochangetheirlife
courses,evendrastically,regardlessoftheircursesandvituperateanger,
theirinsistencethatyouaretheonewhoisgoingtohavetobend,notthem.
Lukessonactuallydoesseemtohaveagoodfather.Hesshowntobea
regularfamilypresence,andthereforhissonintimesofstress.Butthefilm,
ratherthanshowtheimportanceofthis,showsitasmeaninglittlebuta
challenge.Howdoyoutelltworeasonablygoodparentsthattheyarent
goingtogettoaffecthowyouchooseyourlife?Thathismotherliedtohim
aboutLukecomesacrossasanexcusefortheboytousetocommitanactof
matricidethelettertomomwhichinformsherheknowsshelied.AndI
guesshisfatheractuallynotbeingaDarthVaderheatonepoint
encourageshissontoseehimashistruefatherbysaying,Luke,Iamyour
father!butrathermorelikethedependable,nondescriptuncleinStar
Warswhogetsburnedtodeathwithoutanyonemuchcaring,ishardly
showntorequireanyrefutingatalltheresnoauthoritytheretobalk,justa
perpetuallystandingplaceholder.Thesonsteals,doesdrugs,andnearly
killstwopeople,butallthisisshownasthesortofwildactingoutthat
mightberequiredforhimtoshakeoffothersexpectationsandready

assessmentsofhim,soatthefinishhecouldplausiblybeafullyself
automatizingindividual,headingofffullyfreeintohisownfuture.
Oblivion
Howmanyfilmsexistwheretherearetwoworldsaprotagonistwillexistin
thefirst,ostensiblysuperior,almostalwayscleaner,butreallycorrupt,
andthesecond,morerawifnotalsodingierbutreallythelastremaining
refugeofhumanecommunity?Lotsandlots,ofcourse,andOblivionis
another,andbelongswithprobablythewholehostofthosewhichdont
reallyconvincethattheherodoesntactuallyforegothemoreappealing
world.Thetwoworldsinthisfilmarethefirstone,wherehesessentially
livinginaTonyStarkpad,withhisveryprettyPepper,who,wenotejust
aswenotewithPeppercomescloseenoughtobeinghisageequivalent.
GoodfortheTomCruiseinthisworld,forconqueringhisfearofintimacy
ofolderwomenforthepleasureinmaturecompany!Hehasahankeringfor
oldwaysofthepast,whichmakeshimnotsomuchsentimentalas
cherishing,butwhichcouldlooktobecomeobsessive:witnesshiswhole
lakecabinthing.Andshehas,orrefusestoacknowledge,notawitofit,
whichcanmakeherseemabitclinical,anesthetic,butalsomaturely
distancingtheyaregoingtohavetoleaveallthisbehindaswellasa
usefulcountertoherhusband.Theyworktogetherasateam,andtheyhave
thedailypleasureinknowingthatwhattheyaredoingassiststheother
enormously.Buttheyalsohavedistance,sothateverydaywhenhearrives
backtheyhavethepleasureintakinginoneanother,maybenotsomuch
anew,butwithwhateachofthemaccruedintheirtimespentapart.Wehave
here,orwhatweseeandfeelofthemhere,isanadultcouple.
Thesecondworldisessentiallyatenementworld.Lotsofdingypeople,
closinghuddledtogether.Itsaworldofawife,hisactuallegallymarried
wife,thatis,butwhichhasthroughoutreallythefeelofasirenloverwho
hasenrapturedhimtheytalkabouthowtheywouldgrowoldandargue
withoneanother,butallweeverseespeaksofnewromancenotofhow
couplesrelatepastthis,trytoromancepastthis(hisfalsewifeinthefirst
world,didagoodjobpreviouslyshowinghowthisgetsdone).Hegetstobe
asaviorofthisworld,whichmakeshimabitepic,mythicwhatan
adolescentdreamsofbeingbeforelearningwhatitistofunction

proprietarilyinaworldofadults.HegetstokilloffMotherforbelongingto
thisworld,butinthepreviousoneShedidntrequirekillingbecauseShe
hadalreadybeenmanagedintothedelimitedroleofabosssomeonewho
isultimatelyjustasmuchjustdoingherjob,asaccountableandnongod
like,asyouare.Yes,Imstretchingabithere,butthereisasensethat
She,thegod,reallyisjustmissioncontrol.
ThefirstworldwifejudgesCruisetainted,andwontlethimintotheir
domicileafterseeinghimdevolvewithhisfloozy.Heis.Hesenteredthe
adolescentimaginationthisSciFifilm,ofallplaces,hadbuiltaworld
againstinitsfirstworld.ShesaRipleywithoutthecredit.