Have you rented The Times of Harvey Milk yet? It's beyond. I've told you before. Bone up on the history before the feature version of Harvey's life story, Milk, comes out. I'm so sad today that Focus Features did not release this movie before that despicable Proposition 8 met with California voters in the booth. I'm not the only one. It really needed to be part of the conversation. Maybe the movie wasn't ready yet but I blame studio obsession with holiday Oscar strategizing because that's an easy thing to blame it on. I'm frustrated so... pass the scapegoat!
Harvey Milk was an American icon and hero and it's heartening to see him being ressurrected in popular culture by way of the film. I'm crossing my fingers that the new film is a worthy companion piece to the documentary.
Yesterday Americans elected another inspiring leader who broke barriers and made the kind of "I can't believe this is happening" history that puts tears in the eyes of open hearted people of all stripes. I am very hopeful that his moment will last much longer than Milk's and won't end as tragically. I don't think it will. For today, all across the country --even in the "red" states -- people are feeling good that we've embraced a political figure worth following in a passionate way. ["Red" Tangent: Aren't we glad to have a man going to Washington who followed Howard Dean's lead (he never gets enough credit) for rejecting the whole notion of "red" & "blue" and realizing you have to win hearts and preside over citizens in all 50 states, United States as it were.]
The forward-projecting mass jubilation over Barack Obama suggests to us two things.- Obama set the bar very high for himself --people will be expecting miracles. And...
- They might actually get them if they, as voters and citizens, continue to choose hope over fear and show a willingness to part with old ways that don't work. But as California voters sadly reminded us yesterday, even in a moment when many voters were feeling hope, generosity and inclusiveness while letting go of past divisions -- they couldn't quite let go of other fears and prejudices. That's truly depressing but let's all HOPE anyway. It's audacious!
And now we really are returning to the movies! Promise -->Next: Velvet Goldmine's 10th anniversary for our 'Musical of the Month' club (delayed until nov. 11th), a conversation with Sally Hawkins from Happy-Go-Lucky, some thoughts on Slumdog Millionaire, a Rachel Getting Married interview (it goes wide this Friday). Plus: Gone With the Wind vs. The English Patient as 'Best Pictures from the Outside In' resumes.
