South Dakota banned abortions. This is a deliberate move to challenge Roe v. Wade, as well as the "health and life of the mother" test. One wonders if South Dakota is taking its cues from Kansas. However, there is a difference: Kansas restricts its stupidity to state law, not federal law.
Anyway, it would be a disaster to overturn Roe v. Wade for various reasons. Currently, women are better off than before Roe. v. Wade. First and foremost, women's safety is increased because of legalized abortions. Women have more control over their own bodies and do not perform back-alley abortions as frequently. Secondly, women who have been sexually abused are able to deal with that without having to deal with a physical product of that abuse. Third, health concerns of women as well as life concerns are protected. Reproductive rights also give women more control of their own lives.
26 February 2006
25 February 2006
Ineffective Mode of Protest
I was going to write about this incident, but instead I will link you to a post in one of my friends blogs.
http://lightattaches.blogspot.com/2006/02/u-of-c-madness.html
I don't know if I could have said it better.
http://lightattaches.blogspot.com/2006/02/u-of-c-madness.html
I don't know if I could have said it better.
The Perfect Song
This song, one of my current and probably all time favorites, lives in that great ambiguity of being either about love God or about love on earth. Some parts remind me so much of my beloved they bring me to tears. The best example of this is the third stanza:
And we'll dance on a bed of roses,
And we'll swim in a spring of living waters
And at night we'll whisper "sweet dreams"
We'll embrace until the passing of the thunderstorm
And I'll know in my heart and I'll know in my soul
That life is complete because you are the one
Lyrics as follows (Copyright Noam Katz):
Noam's website
And we'll dance on a bed of roses,
And we'll swim in a spring of living waters
And at night we'll whisper "sweet dreams"
We'll embrace until the passing of the thunderstorm
And I'll know in my heart and I'll know in my soul
That life is complete because you are the one
Lyrics as follows (Copyright Noam Katz):
את האחת שיש לה את כל התשובות
לפני שאני פותח ספתי
את האחת שיש לה אור לבנה
בעיניה ושחר במבט שלה
כשנראה לי שדרך סגורה
כשנראה לי ששרשרת שבורה
את נושמת בי נשמה
והעולם עוד פעם הוא נולד
ונרקוד במטת שושנים
ונסחה במעין של מים חיים
ובלילה נלחש חלומות מטוקים
נחבק עד עוברת סופת הרעמים
ואדע בלבי ואדע בנפשי שחיים הם שלימים
כי את האחת
את האחת שיש לה כל המלאכים
הם מקיפים במכול ובשירה
את האחת שתמיד מזכירה לי
שמצתי את שאהבה נפשי
אלמלי לא פגשנו בעבר
לא אכפת לי היה שום דבר
ביום ההוא או ביום שמחר
יהיה לי הכוח לומר
שאת האחת
לפני שאני פותח ספתי
את האחת שיש לה אור לבנה
בעיניה ושחר במבט שלה
כשנראה לי שדרך סגורה
כשנראה לי ששרשרת שבורה
את נושמת בי נשמה
והעולם עוד פעם הוא נולד
ונרקוד במטת שושנים
ונסחה במעין של מים חיים
ובלילה נלחש חלומות מטוקים
נחבק עד עוברת סופת הרעמים
ואדע בלבי ואדע בנפשי שחיים הם שלימים
כי את האחת
את האחת שיש לה כל המלאכים
הם מקיפים במכול ובשירה
את האחת שתמיד מזכירה לי
שמצתי את שאהבה נפשי
אלמלי לא פגשנו בעבר
לא אכפת לי היה שום דבר
ביום ההוא או ביום שמחר
יהיה לי הכוח לומר
שאת האחת
Noam's website
23 February 2006
#10 - All Quiet on the Western Front
All Quiet on the Western Front, by Erich Maria Remarque, is the story of a German soldier and his company in World War I. The writing can be quite plain at times, and the style of the book is not my favorite. However, this is a classic and a worthwhile read, with priceless lines interspersed therein.
22 February 2006
#9 - The Phantom Tollbooth
The link is because I can. HA HA HA HA! (Of course, it is the Oregon variety, but still, I have mad skills.)
Anyway, The Phantom Tollbooth, by Norton Juster is a wonderful romp through a young boy's imagination. The story is vaguely reminiscent of Le Petit Prince, but at the same time, it is entirely different. It is a quick read, and would be so even for an avid child reader. The book is about a boy who learns that learning is fun and productive, which makes it sound boring. However, it is quite the opposite.
A quick, fun read, especially recommended for young readers or readers with children who are young.
Anyway, The Phantom Tollbooth, by Norton Juster is a wonderful romp through a young boy's imagination. The story is vaguely reminiscent of Le Petit Prince, but at the same time, it is entirely different. It is a quick read, and would be so even for an avid child reader. The book is about a boy who learns that learning is fun and productive, which makes it sound boring. However, it is quite the opposite.
A quick, fun read, especially recommended for young readers or readers with children who are young.
20 February 2006
The New Rabbi
Our new rabbi seems amazing. He is intelligent, warm, and friendly. I am excited for him to begin his tenure in South Bend.
#8 - Moral Choices
This collection of sermons by Rabbi Joseph Asher is quite excellent. What amazed me most is how timeless his sermons are. The writing is excellent, and there are such gems as "Plato is a better product than Attila the Hun." However, the book is very rare. As far as I know, only one is available on the internet. If you know me and you want to borrow it, you are most welcome.
#7 - Anne of Windy Poplars
Project Gutenberg in Australia deserves kudos this time.
We rejoin Anne Shirley in her adventures. This time, she is the principle of the Summerside school. She is passing three years waiting for Gilbert to finish medical school so they might be married. L. M. Montgomery used a different format in this book, using letters as much as narrative to tell a story. The book is well written as are the others, but for the first time I was bored by the series. The book should be great for young lovers of the adventures of Anne Shirley, but for older lovers of the series, this is the point to stop reading.
We rejoin Anne Shirley in her adventures. This time, she is the principle of the Summerside school. She is passing three years waiting for Gilbert to finish medical school so they might be married. L. M. Montgomery used a different format in this book, using letters as much as narrative to tell a story. The book is well written as are the others, but for the first time I was bored by the series. The book should be great for young lovers of the adventures of Anne Shirley, but for older lovers of the series, this is the point to stop reading.
19 February 2006
Match Point
I saw Match Point yesterday. The film is excellent. The acting is good (and the actors are hot, which did not go unnoticed by me). The cinematography is wonderful, the plot is exciting, and the themes are timeless. I highly recommend it; it is probably the best movie I've seen this year.
15 February 2006
New Rabbi
My congregation selected a new rabbi. I will meet him on Sunday. Everyone seems enthusiastic, so I hope he lives up to that. We cannot take another situation like the last one.
14 February 2006
Putting Glasses Back On
Majority Leader of the Senate Bill Frist has said he will introduce a Constitutional Amendment banning same-sex marriage in June. This is a purely political move to try to boost Republican votes at the poles this November. It is a prime example of what Republicans are best at - screwing people over.
Since the country was founded we have been making positive steps toward equality. To write discrimination into our Constitution puts us back 150 years. Beyond that, it changes the overall direction of the country.
I'm starting to lose my Kantian ideals that as time progresses, we remove more and more of our eyeglasses.
Since the country was founded we have been making positive steps toward equality. To write discrimination into our Constitution puts us back 150 years. Beyond that, it changes the overall direction of the country.
I'm starting to lose my Kantian ideals that as time progresses, we remove more and more of our eyeglasses.
13 February 2006
A Little Reminder
Hunting is a very dangerous pasttime and should be outlawed. Hopefully, something that will come out of the discussion about Cheney shooting his hunting buddy will prompt legislatures to outlaw recreational hunting.
Consultation on Conscience
Yesterday, I attended the URJ-Greater Chicago Consultation on Conscience, which was also sponsored by the Jewish Council on Urban Affairs (JCUA) and the Social Justice Religious Resource Network (SoJuRN). They tried to pack too much into one day, but, hell, don't we all?
I met Rabbi Marla Feldman, who heads the Social Action Commission for the URJ, and Rabbi Dan Rabeshaw, who is the director of the Great Lakes Region of the URJ. I also might have an internship at the JCUA. That would be awesome, but it will take more coordination and possibly early train rides (6:35 AM).
The workshops were interesting, although I knew most of the stuff already. Danny Siegel's speech was the best. Ziv Tzedakah is great, and he's a humorist, so it works.
We stopped at Kaufman's on the way. They have the best bagels ever. However, they don't make bialys any more. What's up with that?
I met Rabbi Marla Feldman, who heads the Social Action Commission for the URJ, and Rabbi Dan Rabeshaw, who is the director of the Great Lakes Region of the URJ. I also might have an internship at the JCUA. That would be awesome, but it will take more coordination and possibly early train rides (6:35 AM).
The workshops were interesting, although I knew most of the stuff already. Danny Siegel's speech was the best. Ziv Tzedakah is great, and he's a humorist, so it works.
We stopped at Kaufman's on the way. They have the best bagels ever. However, they don't make bialys any more. What's up with that?
12 February 2006
#6 - Anne of the Island
Another round of applause for Project Gutenberg.
Anyway, in this book (also by L. M. Montgomery), we follow Anne through her college years. The writing is as good as ever, but the plot is rather mundane. The author resorts to romance as the motivating factor, and leaves Anne's scrapes behind.
Anyway, in this book (also by L. M. Montgomery), we follow Anne through her college years. The writing is as good as ever, but the plot is rather mundane. The author resorts to romance as the motivating factor, and leaves Anne's scrapes behind.
11 February 2006
Acceptance
I applaud my beloved's parents for being so understanding. Telling them about her gender was hard, but worth it, aside from the copious tears. I am amazed by and in awe of the way they took it. I'm not sure it gave them (or me) any closure on the situation, but it brought my true beloved to the table.
Gay Republicans
Yesterday, I saw Gay Republicans at ND. The cinematography is crap - a sort of 'I could do this with my cellphone' type of filming. On the other hand, some of the film editing and scenes were priceless in the context of the movie.
I admit the movie did not improve my understanding of gay republicans whatsoever, but it gave me a sense of how different (even in politics) they are from one another.
I admit the movie did not improve my understanding of gay republicans whatsoever, but it gave me a sense of how different (even in politics) they are from one another.
Insomnia and Grief
In South Bend, Indiana, the clock reads 5:20 AM. I have been awake since 4. I cannot sleep.
Either this is my normal insomnia brought on by a manic episode, or, more likely, it is due to grief for my beloved. She would have turned twenty-one today. I would have visited her, either way, since yesterday was (interestingly enough) Suicide Prevention Day at the UofC, and we would have had a gay old time (pun originally not intended).
I still wonder some times if I could have done anything, or why I didn't. Intellectually I know I am not at fault, but emotionally I feel I am.
I plan to tell her parents the whole story today when I call to speak with them. It will be one of the hardest conversations of my life.
Either this is my normal insomnia brought on by a manic episode, or, more likely, it is due to grief for my beloved. She would have turned twenty-one today. I would have visited her, either way, since yesterday was (interestingly enough) Suicide Prevention Day at the UofC, and we would have had a gay old time (pun originally not intended).
I still wonder some times if I could have done anything, or why I didn't. Intellectually I know I am not at fault, but emotionally I feel I am.
I plan to tell her parents the whole story today when I call to speak with them. It will be one of the hardest conversations of my life.
10 February 2006
Quiet
Notre Dame is much quieter than the University of Chicago. The hallways are rather empty, and there aren't graduate students or undergrads chattering away as they walk. In fact, people tend to walk alone. Maybe this is normal behavior on college campuses, but it is a culture shock for me, because I am coming from the University of Chicago.
The Non-queer Non-Festival
On my quarter off from school (it also happens to be Suicide Prevention Day at the University of Chicago) I am taking advantage of some of the wonderful programs Notre Dame offers. Today is the second day of the conference "Gay and Lesbian Film: Filmmakers, Narrators, and Spectatorships" at ND. This event, formerly called the Queer Film Festival, includes screenings of various queer-themed films. Far from the type of movie shown at the Reeling Film Festival in Chicago, this conference showcases films such as Brokeback Mountain and Gay Republicans.
The title of the post comes from University of Notre Dame President John Jenkins, C.S.C., who tried to squash (and is still trying) the festival and, incidentally, performances of the Vagina Monologues, citing conflicts between the events and teachings of the Catholic Church. He claims that the name "Queer Film Festival" promotes homosexuality, which is against Catholic values. However, ND does not directly sponsor the event; it is sponsored by the film department, a student organization, and the Gay and Lesbian Alumni group, which ND does not officially recognize. (How sweet!) Thanks to adacemic freedom and professors who support it, the festival and the performance of the Vagina Monologues were able to continue (this year, at least) albeit under different formats. The Vagina Monologues will be performed in a classroom instead of on stage, and the performance will no longer be a fundraiser for the local YWCA. The president looks like an asshole in this respect because, first off, he claims that the Monologues are demeaning to women, and, secondly, he is against the charitable aspect of the program. The Queer Film Festival's name was changed because Festival sounds enthusiastic about the program, which he is not, and Queer sounds like it promotes homosexuality. I partly understand the argument for changing the name for Festival, but would only support it if the university itself sponsored the event. However, I do not understand the argument about changing 'queer' to 'gay and lesbian' for several reasons.
This change simply does not make sense. To begin with, 'queer' is more inclusive than 'gay and lesbian' which excludes bisexuals, the transgendered, the transexual, the intersex, and the genderqueer, or others who do not identify as heterosexual or homosexual women and men. Also, to name the festival 'queer' in an area where the word 'queer' is often used as a pejorative term took incredible guts by the organizers. The organizers risked danger of verbal and physical abuse for doing so.
Anyway, I am spending the day at my mother's office in order to be able to watch Gay Republicans this afternoon, which is somehow good but somewhat boring.
The title of the post comes from University of Notre Dame President John Jenkins, C.S.C., who tried to squash (and is still trying) the festival and, incidentally, performances of the Vagina Monologues, citing conflicts between the events and teachings of the Catholic Church. He claims that the name "Queer Film Festival" promotes homosexuality, which is against Catholic values. However, ND does not directly sponsor the event; it is sponsored by the film department, a student organization, and the Gay and Lesbian Alumni group, which ND does not officially recognize. (How sweet!) Thanks to adacemic freedom and professors who support it, the festival and the performance of the Vagina Monologues were able to continue (this year, at least) albeit under different formats. The Vagina Monologues will be performed in a classroom instead of on stage, and the performance will no longer be a fundraiser for the local YWCA. The president looks like an asshole in this respect because, first off, he claims that the Monologues are demeaning to women, and, secondly, he is against the charitable aspect of the program. The Queer Film Festival's name was changed because Festival sounds enthusiastic about the program, which he is not, and Queer sounds like it promotes homosexuality. I partly understand the argument for changing the name for Festival, but would only support it if the university itself sponsored the event. However, I do not understand the argument about changing 'queer' to 'gay and lesbian' for several reasons.
This change simply does not make sense. To begin with, 'queer' is more inclusive than 'gay and lesbian' which excludes bisexuals, the transgendered, the transexual, the intersex, and the genderqueer, or others who do not identify as heterosexual or homosexual women and men. Also, to name the festival 'queer' in an area where the word 'queer' is often used as a pejorative term took incredible guts by the organizers. The organizers risked danger of verbal and physical abuse for doing so.
Anyway, I am spending the day at my mother's office in order to be able to watch Gay Republicans this afternoon, which is somehow good but somewhat boring.
Addendum to the last post
The right to swing my fist ends where the other man's nose begins. -Oliver Wendel Holmes
09 February 2006
Further Fanning of the Flames will not Force out the Fire
Ok, so I had a little fun with that title. However, this entry is quite serious. I am very disappointed in my friends and acquaintances who have chosen to republish the cartoon of the Prophet Mohammad with a bomb in his turban. This sort of action very disrespectful of Muslim culture, which, like the idea of building a fence around the Torah, forbids any visual depiction of the Prophet Mohammad for fear that vision will become worshipped and revered instead of the Prophet himself. This cartoon not only depicts Mohammad but does so in a most disrespectful way. This cartoon is in many ways much like anti-Semitic and Holocaust-denying cartoons which certainly anger most Jews. Choosing to republish it only adds to the angry atmosphere surrounding the cartoon.
Do not misunderstand me. I do not condone the violence which has spread across the Muslim world. Rather, I deplore it. However, I do not support anyone who intentionally or unitentionally incites violence or disrespects an entire culture.
Do not misunderstand me. I do not condone the violence which has spread across the Muslim world. Rather, I deplore it. However, I do not support anyone who intentionally or unitentionally incites violence or disrespects an entire culture.
07 February 2006
#5B - Anne of Avonlea
Another thanks to project Gutenberg.
Anne of Avonlea, by L. M. Montgomery, takes up where Anne of Green Gables left off. Anne, now a teacher at the Avonlea school, has progressed significantly since arriving at Green Gables. Marilla takes in twins who an helps raise. Davy reminds the reader very much of Anne, while Dora is very proper.
The writing and character development continue to be excellent. The story is almost as good as the first book, which is rare in a sequel. Same recommendation as #5A.
Anne of Avonlea, by L. M. Montgomery, takes up where Anne of Green Gables left off. Anne, now a teacher at the Avonlea school, has progressed significantly since arriving at Green Gables. Marilla takes in twins who an helps raise. Davy reminds the reader very much of Anne, while Dora is very proper.
The writing and character development continue to be excellent. The story is almost as good as the first book, which is rare in a sequel. Same recommendation as #5A.
#5A - Anne of Green Gables
Yay, project Gutenberg. Anyway, Anne of Green Gables, by L.M. Montgomery is book 5A because this is not the first time I have read it. However, as I was going to read the second book of the series I decided to refresh myself on the first.
Anne of Green Gables is the story of Anne Shirley, an orphan who is taken in by two siblings who live in a house called Green Gables. They wanted a boy but Anne arrived by mistake. Nevertheless, they decide to keep her. The book follows our protagonist, indeed, our heroine, through the process of her growth. Although she gets into countless scrapes, her skills (practical and academic) improve, and her character as a good person develops. We also see her form loving relationships with others. The character development is unusually high for a children's novel, the plot is interesting, and the writing is superb. Recommended for kids and adults with them.
Anne of Green Gables is the story of Anne Shirley, an orphan who is taken in by two siblings who live in a house called Green Gables. They wanted a boy but Anne arrived by mistake. Nevertheless, they decide to keep her. The book follows our protagonist, indeed, our heroine, through the process of her growth. Although she gets into countless scrapes, her skills (practical and academic) improve, and her character as a good person develops. We also see her form loving relationships with others. The character development is unusually high for a children's novel, the plot is interesting, and the writing is superb. Recommended for kids and adults with them.
Mixed Feelings
Betty Friedan was an important figure in American culture, if not in the world.
She was a feminist, and, I suppose, a radical in her heyday. She pushed equality foreward, and for that, I am grateful. As a woman, and as an American, and even as a Jew, I owe much to her. However, her feminism was very much concentrated on equalizing gender within a binary system. If the price of the equality of men and women is the further marginalization of those who do not fit that binary, then I'm not sure I want that type of equality. It is unjust and has drastic consequences.
She was a feminist, and, I suppose, a radical in her heyday. She pushed equality foreward, and for that, I am grateful. As a woman, and as an American, and even as a Jew, I owe much to her. However, her feminism was very much concentrated on equalizing gender within a binary system. If the price of the equality of men and women is the further marginalization of those who do not fit that binary, then I'm not sure I want that type of equality. It is unjust and has drastic consequences.
05 February 2006
My reactions to (or a review of) Brokeback Mountain
Warning: Spoilers
Before I discuss the movie itself, I would like to address the press the movie received. Brokeback Mountain has probably received more press than any other movie this year. Furthermore, it has acquired an epithet: the gay cowboy movie. This view of the movie is simplistic, at best. The movie deals with the hardships of life, forbidden romance, and family. The press the movie has gotten as a movie has been extremely positive, and while I enjoyed it thoroughly, I neither believe it is the best film ever or the best film of the nomination year. Brokeback Mountain has been called groundbreaking. However, movies such as Yossi v'Jagger and Fire predate it and have similar effects.
Beginning of Spoilers
If you're still reading this, and you don't want to find out what happens you should stop. Seriously.
Ennis Del Mar (Heath Ledger) and Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal) meet each other trying to earn some money in the summer of 1963. Over the summer they cultivate a relationship, emotionally, intellectually, and sexually. Ennis is quiet and reserved, while Jack is talkative and outgoing. Ennis is the epitome of masculinity while Jack wavers to the feminine side (and of course that places Ennis as a top and Jack as a bottom -how stereotypical.) Anyway, the character types remind me very much of the ones in Yossi v'Jagger. (Annie Proulx's short story predates Yossi v'Jagger, so it should be the other way around, but because I saw Yossi v'Jagger first, the parallel works the other way in my head.) Even some scenes seem to be the same in both movies. A scene with the men tumbling down a hill together comes to mind particularly.
Ennis and Jack's boss discovers the sexual nature of their relationship and ends the drive over Brokeback Mountain early. Then he denies Jack the opportunity to work for him the following summer. In November 1963, Ennis marries Alma (Michelle Williams) They have two children. Jack eventually marries someone as well. In 1967, Jack contacts Ennis to arrange a rendezvous. When they are reunited, they kiss, and Alma sees them. Jack and Ennis continue their "fishing expeditions," with Jack insisting that they ditch their wives and build a ranch together.
Ennis's marriage goes down the tubes as his wife's knowledge of his relationship with Jack increases. It ends in divorce. After the divorce Alma and Ennis still have their problems, and Ennis explodes at her over Thanksgiving dinner.
Warning: Ending Spoiler upcoming
Jack and Ennis continue their trysts until they both get frustrated with the situation and decide to break it off. Ennis writes to Jack and his postcard is returned stamped "DECEASED." Ennis calls Jack's wife to find out what happened, and she says there was an accident when Jack was changing a flat tire. Ennis, of course, know the truth (or suspects a reality), that is, that Jack was beaten to death on the road for being gay. Whether Ennis's suspicions are actually true is left a mystery in the movie, but his mental image of Jack being beaten is not. Although the bulk of the movie could or could not be about homosexuality, this part unmistakably was. That scene was especially hard for me to digest for two reasons. First, I have been physically accosted for being queer. Secondly, my beloved ended her life in a violent matter because of gender/sexuality issues. Anyway, although the scene was short, I almost vomited. During the phone call, Jack's wife said he wanted his ashes scattered over Brokeback Mountain, so she sent (half of) them to his parents. Ennis goes to see Jack's parents. Jack's mother is very accepting of Ennis and tells him to go up to Jack's room where he finds one of Jacks shirts and one of his hanging together, spattered with blood from the first summer they spent together. She lets him take the shirts, in fact, she wants him to take them. Jack's father thinks the whole thing sick, but still insists that Jack will be buried in the family plot. Jack's mother invites Ennis to come back to see them.
I would have ended the movie here. However, it continues. We see the girl Ennis briefly had something with enamoured with someone else. This scene is followed by one in which Ennis's older daughter comes to see him to tell him she is getting married and she wants him at the wedding. Although these scenes may show that life goes on despite hard circumstances, I think they are gratuitous.
End of Spoilers
Overall, the movie is excellent. The score and cinematography are amazing, the direction nears perfect, and the acting is very good. Heath Ledger's acting is quite good, although I think Jake Gyllenhaal's might be better even than his. However, Michelle Williams's performance as Alma was the best acting in the movie. One flashback was entirely unnecessary and stylistically inconsistent with the movie. Nevertheless, I would recommend this movie highly. (It is rated R, just for your information.)
Before I discuss the movie itself, I would like to address the press the movie received. Brokeback Mountain has probably received more press than any other movie this year. Furthermore, it has acquired an epithet: the gay cowboy movie. This view of the movie is simplistic, at best. The movie deals with the hardships of life, forbidden romance, and family. The press the movie has gotten as a movie has been extremely positive, and while I enjoyed it thoroughly, I neither believe it is the best film ever or the best film of the nomination year. Brokeback Mountain has been called groundbreaking. However, movies such as Yossi v'Jagger and Fire predate it and have similar effects.
Beginning of Spoilers
If you're still reading this, and you don't want to find out what happens you should stop. Seriously.
Ennis Del Mar (Heath Ledger) and Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal) meet each other trying to earn some money in the summer of 1963. Over the summer they cultivate a relationship, emotionally, intellectually, and sexually. Ennis is quiet and reserved, while Jack is talkative and outgoing. Ennis is the epitome of masculinity while Jack wavers to the feminine side (and of course that places Ennis as a top and Jack as a bottom -how stereotypical.) Anyway, the character types remind me very much of the ones in Yossi v'Jagger. (Annie Proulx's short story predates Yossi v'Jagger, so it should be the other way around, but because I saw Yossi v'Jagger first, the parallel works the other way in my head.) Even some scenes seem to be the same in both movies. A scene with the men tumbling down a hill together comes to mind particularly.
Ennis and Jack's boss discovers the sexual nature of their relationship and ends the drive over Brokeback Mountain early. Then he denies Jack the opportunity to work for him the following summer. In November 1963, Ennis marries Alma (Michelle Williams) They have two children. Jack eventually marries someone as well. In 1967, Jack contacts Ennis to arrange a rendezvous. When they are reunited, they kiss, and Alma sees them. Jack and Ennis continue their "fishing expeditions," with Jack insisting that they ditch their wives and build a ranch together.
Ennis's marriage goes down the tubes as his wife's knowledge of his relationship with Jack increases. It ends in divorce. After the divorce Alma and Ennis still have their problems, and Ennis explodes at her over Thanksgiving dinner.
Warning: Ending Spoiler upcoming
Jack and Ennis continue their trysts until they both get frustrated with the situation and decide to break it off. Ennis writes to Jack and his postcard is returned stamped "DECEASED." Ennis calls Jack's wife to find out what happened, and she says there was an accident when Jack was changing a flat tire. Ennis, of course, know the truth (or suspects a reality), that is, that Jack was beaten to death on the road for being gay. Whether Ennis's suspicions are actually true is left a mystery in the movie, but his mental image of Jack being beaten is not. Although the bulk of the movie could or could not be about homosexuality, this part unmistakably was. That scene was especially hard for me to digest for two reasons. First, I have been physically accosted for being queer. Secondly, my beloved ended her life in a violent matter because of gender/sexuality issues. Anyway, although the scene was short, I almost vomited. During the phone call, Jack's wife said he wanted his ashes scattered over Brokeback Mountain, so she sent (half of) them to his parents. Ennis goes to see Jack's parents. Jack's mother is very accepting of Ennis and tells him to go up to Jack's room where he finds one of Jacks shirts and one of his hanging together, spattered with blood from the first summer they spent together. She lets him take the shirts, in fact, she wants him to take them. Jack's father thinks the whole thing sick, but still insists that Jack will be buried in the family plot. Jack's mother invites Ennis to come back to see them.
I would have ended the movie here. However, it continues. We see the girl Ennis briefly had something with enamoured with someone else. This scene is followed by one in which Ennis's older daughter comes to see him to tell him she is getting married and she wants him at the wedding. Although these scenes may show that life goes on despite hard circumstances, I think they are gratuitous.
End of Spoilers
Overall, the movie is excellent. The score and cinematography are amazing, the direction nears perfect, and the acting is very good. Heath Ledger's acting is quite good, although I think Jake Gyllenhaal's might be better even than his. However, Michelle Williams's performance as Alma was the best acting in the movie. One flashback was entirely unnecessary and stylistically inconsistent with the movie. Nevertheless, I would recommend this movie highly. (It is rated R, just for your information.)
03 February 2006
Publicity and the Post Office
I don't understand why workplace shootings a Post Offices get more attention than do other workplace shootings. At least as far as I know, workplace shootings in non-governmental facilities do not receive the same nation-wide coverage. One of my neighbors was killed in a workplace shooting in 2002, and I do not know of any national news organizations which picked up on the story. Either this is because news in LA gets more attention than news in Indiana, shootings of government workers or on government grounds get more coverage than shootings (of and by management) at a factory, or it is simply ridiculous.
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