Category: Stories

True Stories of Life

Pornography is Mainstream

How the movie “Poor Things” spells out the end of the current civilization.

Recently I read someone write the claim that the movie Poor Things does not fall into the category of pornography. I was shocked, and I had to look up the definition:

pornography

noun

por·​nog·​ra·​phy pȯr-ˈnä-grə-fē 

1: the depiction of erotic behavior (as in pictures or writing) intended to cause sexual excitement.

2: material (such as books or a photograph) that depicts erotic behavior and is intended to cause sexual excitement.

3: the depiction of acts in a sensational manner so as to arouse a quick intense emotional reaction.

My wife and I went to see this movie when it first came out believing it was a science fiction movie. At first, it followed a bizarre dystopian story much like Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Unfortunately for us, it would not be too long into the film that it became nothing more than an excuse to legitimatize pornography.

As a human being growing up in the USA and having unfortunately been subject to many oversexualized movie scenes throughout my lifetime, I never expected to be insulted at this level. But even worse than the fact, basis Merriam-Webster’s definition, that this movie is just a high budget Pornography. Are its sick and twisted themes.

It’s interesting to note that much of the movie was filmed in black and white. This is for theatrical effect I am sure, but it gets at what it is about. It is simply a movie lacking light. It is one of the darkest, most evil sinister movies I have ever seen.

A woman, who kills herself is revived and given a baby’s brain. She is a child in an adult body and then becomes obsessed with pleasuring herself and then later with intercourse. She sees her body as a pleasure center and then as a utility for making money after she disposes all her and her lover’s assets on the poor. The only higher human function she has the whole movie. She is supposed to be the protagonist.

Incidentally, the actress who played the woman Emma Stone, did do a fantastic job of it, but she also sold her soul and respectability. I, for one, will never go to see another film in which she may appear because of her lack of judgement in accepting this role. I cannot imagine the shame her parents must have knowing that their daughter is now known for a role in the first mainstream pornography movie studio film. The first of many, is at least this is what the dark forces within Hollywood I am sure are hoping for.

Then the rest of the characters are all shallow with no depth and all the lowest comprehensible level of human life that can exist. Her initial lover, if you want to call it that, is obsessed with the woman for her beauty, her future boyfriend an assistant of her creator, care’s her for the same reason but in a servile position to her, almost in a form of worship. Then comes the husband of the woman who killed herself, he claims her and is obviously a horrible evil person. The cause of the original woman’s suicide.

She needs to get her freedom, so she kills the man and transfer his brain to that of a fowl. This is supposed to be justice in this dark film. But in truth, it is Par for the course. It is the perversion and the twisting of the natural order of human life to all evil. There is no birth, no joy in nature, only darkness. There are absolutely no redeeming qualities to the story of this movie.

In this film not one male character has any depth or moral compass, including that of the woman’s creator. Neither do any of the women though they are portrayed as heroines in a brutally male world.

The cinematography was excellent, and the production was of the highest quality. The dystopian world where this story is created is strange and interesting. I wish that the money spent was used to create a film of beauty that would uplift this world and not the highest quality pornography ever produced in Hollywood.

This film’s acceptance is a very sad commentary on our society. I fear the end of the western civilization which has seen the greatest prosperity and peace ever, particularly in the United States of America is nearing its end. As selfishness and perversity pervade a society it only spells out impending destruction from the same hands.

I saw this movie in December 2023 and was hoping I would not have to spend any time thinking about this offensive film again. After it won several Academy Awards, I felt I had to get the truth out, at least to my small audience.

The Lady in the Van or The Snake in the Garden

I watched recently on Amazon Prime the 2015 movie The Lady in the Van. This film was obviously produced to the highest standards. The actors were of the highest caliber. The scenes were exquisite and the production quality, the best in its class. Artistic talent was not left for want in this film. 

Maggie Smith, A Master of her Art

The movie is centered around an unhappy vagabond old woman and her benefactor. Loosely based on the true story of Margaret Fairchild, there is no doubt that much artistic license was used in the creation of this fanciful story line. 

The main character who is truly the writer of the story is meant to be a protagonist, but in truth of which this film has no connection to, is that he is an antagonist. In the true story, Alan Bennet had allowed this cantankerous woman to live in his driveway with her van for fifteen years. In this movie, there is no doubt of the twists and turns taken to fit modern narratives and themes to get the support needed to make such a cruel film. 

Basing what I write here from what I saw in the film and some research, I would like to bring to you my take-aways as we often call what we learn at educational business meetings from the film. 

The first is that the film is a veiled malicious attack on the Catholic Church and the faith. Its careful nuance is to project the Church as being puritanical and uncaring. First by intimating that Ms. Fairchild’s mental illness was caused by her being told not to play piano while undergoing discernment for vocation to focus on prayer. It imputes this to be some sort of punishment when it was most likely meant as a discipline which enables one to be less selfish and more attentive to the needs of others. This is a very necessary trait to be able to live in a small, closed community with other people which is called a convent. The fact that she was difficult would indicate that she may already had begun to suffer from some mental illness, and it was beginning to manifest itself. The scene in the film where a nun viciously shuts the piano, though theatrically effective, is questionable at the least. 

The second, the implication that in confession she would have heard that her desire to play piano may be a window for the devil is something puritanical. The Puritans were a sect of the Church of England which began after its separation from the Roman Catholic Church in the sixteenth century. As any student of music would know, the Roman Catholic Church has always supported and promoted the use of beautiful music to elevate the soul to the worship of God. Hence, her musical talent would not be ascribed to the devil, but her selfishness and lack of discipline may have been. This again to cast a dark view of the one true faith. 

Then continuing in its same path of lies, the writer and producer paint the nuns to be uncaring and vicious because of Ms. Fairchild’s past insubordinate behavior after she becomes ill. This is ignoring the fact that local nuns did assist in her care though she was not in their community. Also, ignoring the truth that the Catholic Church on a whole does more for the sick, elderly and dying than any institution on the earth. Most importantly, it does it with love and sacrifice. The works of St. Teresa of Calcutta are but one small example of the many works of this blessed institution. 

The movie ends with the death of Ms. Fairchild. The author uses this event to mock, almighty God, the assumption of Mary and the existence of Heaven with a scene where the deceased asks of him to write a glorious ending to her life. The interesting point is what it really points to is the unhappy life that the writer lives, knowing full well his internal twisted unhappy existence, which he cannot accept when faced with truth. So, to reject truth, he needs to destroy God. This is oldest of stories, since beginning of creation and the fall of mankind from grace in the Garden of Eden. 

How did evil and death come into this world? It was with the rejection of truth which is given to us by God mostly embedded in our hearts but also through scripture and tradition. All those who reject His words of good will live-in a constant state of misery while those who work at perfecting virtue find true peace and love in their lives. In this film, the author is in no way a character any human looking for joy would want to emulate. And I thank the makers of this film for raising my thoughts to see through the smoke of Satan for the lies that they are. 

Value and Time- A Restroom Sage

All through-out out this country we have Hand-dryers in rest rooms. A great way to save on paper waste but is it really helping the environment?
hAND DRYERLet’s think about the more common ones. In most places you have your hand under the dryer for close to a minute. The reason being, you have to run it twice. Still when you walk away from the apparatus in most cases your hands are not as dry as you would like them. In addition to that in some places they also have paper so you take a piece of paper towel to finish the job.
Does this make sense? Of course not, the best decision is to have either a hand dryer that can do the job in 30 seconds or a paper towel that you only need one sheet. Believe it or not, both of these items do exist.
I was in Knoxville airport a few weeks back and after having washed my hand reached for the paper towel. The paper was so absorbent it only took one piece. Last week I was at a restaurant in NYC that hand a hand dryer that only took me one time and I actually think it may have been less than 30 seconds.
In the end it is all about the cost. Some buy the cheap paper or less expensive dryers thinking they are saving money. However in the end the amount of paper used is three times more and the energy used with the poorer quality dryers is also about three times.
In the end analysis the old axiom applies. You get what you pay for. For those of us using the rest rooms in public places we just wish the people behind these decisions were not so short sighted. The less time in these bathrooms the better.

Writing a book – Day One

Dazed an confusedI have had this idea in my head for many months. I want to write a book about my battle with my weight. The reason is because so many books about dieting are not about the actual experience of doing it but “How To” books. Mine will be more of a “How Not To” book. The goal is not to write some great large tome but a short narrative about my experiences which will help others avoid the pitfalls and the marketing schemes that lead people like me to failure.

I have written a few pages already and I like the flow. I think it will be such a short and easy read that it should be popular when I bring it to print. I unlike my father, I am writing for the masses. The plan is to make it an eBook. I believe this will reach a greater audience. If it is successful then I will write larger volumes. But I have learned over the years it is better to test the waters than to jump in head first without knowing what lies ahead.

Wish Me luck!

Miguel

Goya Crackers

This morning I was sitting outside enjoying the beautiful Saturday morning and watching the birds. I had prepared myself a cup of black coffee and crackers with cream cheese. The crackers I was eating today back in 1973 were unique to this small town in New Jersey.

The memory of me being 12 years old and showing up to play baseball with a bag of them flooded my senses. Not more than half a mile from the house I live at now stands the same dugout where a nervous and not very good child baseball player showed up one spring day with this surprise.

Little League Team

I showed up with a bag of Goya Crackers. This Latino company selling predominantly to the refugees of Cuba and immigrants from other Latin American nations was basically unheard of in Mountainside, New Jersey. In fact back then the closest place you could buy them was at stores in the town of Elizabeth which had at that time one of the greater Latino populations, which really wasn’t too big either.  Now you can buy these crackers at almost all the major grocery stores in NJ.

Goya CrackersThat day over 40 year ago, the crackers were a hit. The team asked if could bring them regularly. I am sure I did bring them a few more times but the only memory that sticks with me is that first day. I remember the kids clambering over me asking for more and eating them like there would be no tomorrow. I probably struck out every at bat, but I sure felt like the team hero that day.

Some times I wish that I could relive a moment like that. There is never really a way to do it but to linger on the memory and share it with everyone this morning just puts a smile on my face. I hope it brought one to yours as well.

Fourth of July 2007- Heckel’s Attack

gang 1 - Copy
Part of the Heckel Gang at Debbie’s 50th

Thursday, July 05, 2007 8:58 AM

The Fourth of July festivities was in essence a battle scene reenactment of sorts. The day started gray and gloomy, rain threatening from the onset but the set up moved on undaunted as tables and chairs were cleaned and set up. Meanwhile the inside the house the rear guard was preparing all the food. It was 3 o’clock when the first foray began, groups of guests arriving in 3 to 5 at a time. A volley was sent, deviled eggs, artichoke dip, meat platters and vegetable platters held them off. Then within the next hour the battle was set most of the guests had arrived. The second volley was sent spare ribs, shrimp and steamed clams galore. While at the right flank drinks of all kind were being mixed as beer and wine were flowing freely. There was a lull as some rain fell and slowed things down but 5:30 the full attack was made. Two grills were going; Kabobs and Italian sausages were going on one, as the other loaded Burgers and Hot dogs. The table was set, all amenities were unleashed, German potato salad, three been salad, eggplant parmigiana, sauteed peppers and onions it was an endless cornucopia of food. The final assault was devastating; the guests had no idea what was in store. There was a long table with desserts that make children jump up and down with excitement. All the glory was evident as the goal was accomplished, Smiles streaked across every face as theirs eyes set upon the crescendo of the feast. German chocolate cake, Meringue pie, Dirt cake, Fruit Trifle, Cherry cheese cake, Fresh fruit of all kinds, brownies with and without nuts were delivered with coffee and tea. The joyful groaning of the conquered was heard, as the men told their tall tales, the women gossiped, the children ran around joyfully and laughter was heard everywhere. Unfortunately the town cancelled the fireworks last night because of rain but one of the relatives had an assortment of fireworks to please the crowd. The last of the guest left gleefully at about 9 pm.