Retire Mechanical engineer. Student at California State university Channel Island studiyingAbout Me
January 23, 2017
Review of the movie, "Fences"
Where do you find a slice of life? The perfect upbringing of President Trump’s children? Life at an IHOP restaurant at 2.00 am in the morning? Or, maybe both?
“Fences” is a slice of life, real life in America, although we were once taught to believe that only white folks were entitled to a house and a job.
Originally a play on Broadway written by August Wilson, Mr. Willson can claim his rightful place alongside other masters such as Eugene O’Neill, Edward Albee and Tennessee Williams.
“Fences” is now a movie, directed and starring Danzel Washington. His powerful presence and performances rate him as one of America’s most imposing character actors alongside other masters such as James Earl Jones and Sidney Poitier. I have not seen the play, but have just finished watching the movie, and it is impossible to emotionally detach one’s self from the power and the depth of it.
As both director and star, Denzel has created one of the most powerful dramas I have ever feasted my eyes on. Of course the director and the actor are only as good as the writer who created this masterful play. It all works and comes together blissfully.
The movie portrays the everyday life of an African-American family in 1950’s Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. Danzel’s character, Troy, is a garbage collector whose life has seen hard times since his teenage years. He wants to instill life-visions opposite his own to his children, although the times has changed.
Other characters include Troy’s wife, Rose, played by Viola Davis, and Troy’s friend, Bono, played by Stephen McKinley Henderson. Troy reminisces with his friend Bono about wrestling with death itself while sharing a bottle of gin.
Troy’s seventeen-year-old son, Cory, played by Javon Adepo, wants to play football, but Troy won’t have it. Raynell, played by Saniyya Sidney, is Troy’s oldest son. He is a musician and tries to borrow money from his father. Troy talks about the meaning of money when Raynell returns the ten dollars he had borrowed. Troy suggests that he put the money in the bank instead of borrowing from him, then he would have the money the next time he needed it.
Troy’s brother, Lyons, played by Russel Hornsby, is a disabled WWII veteran with a metal plate in his head, which creates delusions and strange behavior. He roams the streets carrying his horn. Troy was able to purchase the home he and his wife and son live in with his brother’s disability money. The relationship between Troy and Lyons is a very challenging part of the movie.
All of the cast members played their parts flawlessly, beautifully, harmoniously. Throughout the movie, all the characters are in the right places, particularly evidenced in the scenes between Bono and Troy which takes place in front of the house. Through Troy’s perfectly executed monologues, we learn of his troubled younger life.
During one of the close-ups on Bono, the background scene is taken in by rubble and junk. It is here in one of the many powerful scenes, that Bono warns Troy to make things right. He is referring to Troy having an affair and his wife, Rose, may not stay married to him if she finds out.
Troy’s relationship with his son Cory is rocky and similar to many fathers who try and live the life they missed through their children. Cory has a chance for a football scholarship, but Troy is against it because of his own misfortune. He was a great baseball player in the minor Negro Leagues, but was never able to realize his dreams of becoming major league player. Troy thinks that his son won’t have a chance at the scholarship because they go to white folks. Not realizing times have changed, Troy’s arrogance drives a wedge between him and Cory.
Washington tries to smother his dark side with charm, but it emerges with vengeance when he and Cory confront one another in a fight scene. Washington has a role tailored for all his Denzel’-ism. “Fences” is tailored for Denzel. The time frame of the dialogue is perfect where Troy levels with his son Cory, “N*ger, as long as you live in my house, you put a ‘Sir’ on the end of it when you talk to me.” He speaks like a white boss.
Troy’s wife Rose brings to her scenes very powerful acting as evidenced in her emotional crying scene, which is both painful and heartbreaking. She plays a wife who always smooths her husband’s rough edges and tells him when he is wrong.
As parents we either endure and try to improve our children’s lives, or we deny them the opportunities that they might have, but some parents are more givers than others. In the case of Troy, he denies his son the chance at a football scholarship, while Rose is more giving. We can relate well to our own parents.
The most heartbreaking scene takes place when Troy’s family is getting ready to go to his funeral. Cory does not want to attend and Rose tells her son, “You are just like your father.” Finally, we see Cory accepting the truth, trying to hold back his emotions, but finally giving in to his tears.
January 9, 2017
Movie Review: "Manchester by the Sea"
Manchester by the Sea:
An apartment maintenance man by the name of Lee Chandler, played by Casey Affleck, carries the scenes flawlessly, humanly, movingly; as if the part was specifically written for him. It is as if he himself experienced in real life a permanent scar that he carries with him, hidden from us, but performed superbly.
January 5, 2017
Navarre Beach
I took two weeks off over the Christmas holidays and we spent time at our cottage in Navarre Beach, Florida which is known as "The best kept secret in Florida."
Everyday I was on the beach as if I would never come here again.
You might wonder what is so special about Navarre Beach? It is special, with sugar white, smooth beaches and friendly people. I have walked the beaches in California, but there is no comparison. In CA, the gummy petroleum sticks to my feet and I cannot get it off for days.
Finally, I have made my mind up. We are moving to our cottage in Florida permanently. Perhaps I will maintain here in Southern California a small residence, because most of my activities are here.
But, Navarre is where I want to live.
For years I have been away from the Atlanta film market, and it is an easy reach from Pensacola to Atlanta and I have an address there, too. So as soon as I graduate in May from California State University Channel Islands, we are heading for our new home in Navarre Beach.
January 1, 2017
US-Turkish Relations After the Failed Coup” By Behcet Kaya
By
Behcet Kaya
The following is an empirical study delving into the relationship of two NATO countries, the US and Turkey, which have been allies for over six decades. This research paper will evaluate the impact of the July 15, 2016 failed Turkish coup on each nation, what led to the coup, where each nation stands now, why the partnership should be maintained and obstacles to the goal of maintaining the partnership.
Turkey and the US have remained indispensable allies since 1952, although, through the years there have always been conflicts and disagreements between the parties. Two major recent events include that in 2003 Turkey would not allow the passage of 80,000 US troops through its land for the invasion of Iraq. In addition, the CIA fabricated false evidence against the Turkish military by planning to overthrow the democratically elected government.
December 19, 2016
Condolences to the Karlov family
My heartfelt condolences to Ambassador Andrey Karlov’s family and to the Russian people.
Karlov was the first ambassador ever assassinated in Turkey. Turkey failed to protect the life of a diplomat who was under its responsibility. That is a shame for Turkey. It is the responsibility of the government to remove this burden from the shoulders of Turkey and the Turkish people. But how? Most of the AKP and its personal are under-educated. Who do you blame when the president doesn’t even have a university diploma?
This assassination took place in what is supposed to be a maximum security area where most of the embassies are located, as well as the Banking Regulations and Supervision Agency (BDDK), the Chief Prosecutor’s Office of the Court Appeals and the Russian Trade Office.
This is a major embarrassment to Turkish security. If the Turks can’t get to the bottom of this crime, there will be major consequences to the strength of the Turkish security system.
In addition, this heinous murder of a Russian diplomat took place at the time when Turkey and Russia have good relations going, What it looks like to anyone who has sense, is that this murder was done to put tension between the two countries. Who really benefits from this? Ask yourselves that question.
Out of seventeen wars between the two countries, ten of those wars were initiated by western imperialism. The western powers never wanted Turkey and Russia to have good relations. President Putin and Russian people understand why this murder took place
It's also obvious that this attack purposely took place before the meeting of the Turkish foreign minister, who is scheduled to hold talks in Moscow to further the Turkish/Russian partnership.
In contrast, the hard fact is that relations between America and Turkey have come to their lowest point, and I will go so far as to personally say the bilateral relationship with US and Turkey has, in effect, ended.
We all know who benefits from this tension between Turkey and Russia. Who do we blame? Of curse the powers who do not want this alliance are to blame, but it is, in reality, Turkey’s inability to prevent events such as this from taking place. Turkey must do its best to protect all diplomats.
I hope that both the Russians and the Turks come to their senses, cooperate and share intelligence information to prevent further killings, and to find the root of the killer’s connections. This attack is both on Turkey and Russia.