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Reviews
Bill Cosby on Prejudice (1971)
Smart Commentary on Prejudice
This short video is difficult to find, but well worth tracking down and viewing. I saw this in my American Ethnic Writer's class and it sparked a plethora of conversation and thought in all of us. Our class is diverse, with just-out-of-high- school kids to several people from the over-40 crowd. Cosby uses music, lighting, make-up (he wears "white-face" in the presentation), a cigar, and a single chair to add impact to his words. He reviews the situation of various ethnic groups, including his own, old people, kids, women, and regional American groups. His character denigrates every possible group, often with harsh and what would be called un-PC insensitivity. But that is the character. Cosby's message is that bigotry exists and it is based on a short- sighted lack of understanding about "other people." This video was part of Cosby's doctoral dissertation for U of Mass, and the thought and wit he put into it is apparent. He stirs the pot and disses everyone, showing only how shallow and sad his character is in his bigotry. This is a masterpiece and should be required viewing in high schools, colleges, universities across the nation and anywhere else people come together to learn or discuss issues.
The Matrix Revolutions (2003)
It depends on how you choose to look at it
I have read many reviews of The Matrix Revolutions and I see two distinct sets of views regarding this movie. The people who feel this movie (and the other two, for that matter) were about science fiction or action are, for the most part, let down by the way the story unfolds. People who see beyond the action genre label and watch these movies for the story, philosophy, and the thought put into them see an amazing metaphorical epic for our time. The wonderful thing about metaphorical stories is that they can be viewed and enjoyed (or not) by both groups of people. I think that anyone who ONLY sees this trilogy as a series of action flicks will be disappointed. I know that people who see this as a philosophical adventure really enjoyed it. It all depends on how you choose to look at it.
With that said, this movie does a fabulous job of tying up the loose ends from the previous two movies. The arc of the story remains true and the motivation for the characters is revealed/explained. The thing about trilogies is that each movie relies on the others. Some people want to judge each individual movie on its own and I just do not agree with that criteria. I go in with the idea that most stories have a beginning, a middle, and an end. I view trilogies in the same way. This movie is a fabulous ending to an enjoyable and extremely thought provoking story.
I Shout Love (2001)
Bitter Sweet Angst
So real and surreal, all in one. I remember feeling like Tessa. Heck, I remember being Tessa. This was a beautiful vignette of a relationship ending. I especially liked the protesters tangent. It is nice to see symbolism in a movie without being smacked over the head with it. If you get the chance to see this, take it. It is well worth the 30 minutes.