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Friday, September 18, 2020

Remembering RBG...

Remembering Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg who died today at age 87: https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/18/politics/ruth-bader-ginsburg-dead/index.html

"So often in life, things that you regard as an impediment turn out to be great, good fortune."

"Don't be distracted by emotions like anger, envy, resentment.  These just zap energy and waste time."

"Real change, enduring change, happens one step at a time."

"Women will have achieved true equality when men share with them the responsibility of bringing up the next generation."

"We should not be held back from pursuing our full talents, from contributing what we could contribute to the society, because we fit into a certain mold ― because we belong to a group that historically has been the object of discrimination."

"Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you."

***

"On the Basis of Sex"

“The word ‘woman’ does not appear even once in the U.S. Constitution,” a judge tells Ruth Bader Ginsburg.  “Nor does the word ‘freedom,’ Your Honor,” she replies.

Director Mimi Leder opens the film with a classic contrast of a scene, a lone woman marches and steps into the esteemed institution among a sea of men in suits.  In 1959, bright-eyed Ruth (Felicity Jones, “The Theory of Everything”) is one of the nine women admitted to Harvard Law School.  Her husband, cordial Marty (Armie Hammer, “The Man for U.N.C.L.E.”), is a second-year student.  When he is stricken with cancer, Ruth steps up by attending his classes in addition to hers, and caring for him and their toddler, Jane.

The film depicts the incomprehensible discrimination that women endured at that time.  From the moment of the dean's dinner where female students are asked why they think they're worthy in place of a worthier man, ignored in class or not taken seriously by their peers or superiors, rejected by law firms for sexist reasons even after graduating the top of the class from Harvard and Columbia, taking a backseat to men in career and social circles. Women are expected to stay home and men to go to work.  If women choose to work, they can only be secretaries, teachers or nurses.  It's just a natural order of things.

Ruth ends up teaching about sex discrimination at a university whereas Marty is on a fast track to become the youngest partner of a major firm specializing in tax laws.  The relationship between Ruth and Marty is illustrated wonderfully.  Marty is admirably supportive and progressive. Their marriage is a truly egalitarian in all aspects of life – education, career, household chores, childcare and parenting – serving as role models for their growing kids, Jane and James (Callum Shoniker).  It's no surprise that, Jane (Cailee Spaeny), now in her teens, grows up to be fearless and foward-looking.

Ruth and Marty jointly take a pro-bono case about a man, Charles Moritz (Chris Mulkey), who is denied by the tax courts caregiver deductions.  He is an unmarried man paying for a nurse to care for her ailing mother at home. Caregiver deductions are handily given to women, widowers or men whose wives are incapacitated because women are presumed to be caretakers.  In an era where discrimination on the basis of sex is legal, this case has a transformational potential to topple the systemically discriminatory legal system and open the doors to gender equality.

Ruth makes an alliance with the head of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Mel Wulf  (Justin Theroux), convincing him to add ACLU's name to the legal brief, essentially backing it.  While being undermined at every turn by various parties, Ruth is undaunted.  Constant challenges and setbacks do not deter her from moving forward with conviction, even as she's not without doubt.  Armed with a brilliant legal mind and passion for doing what's right, she is an epitome of resilience, persistence and determination.  Jones turns in a formidable performance.

When the government responds with a brief that lists all the federal laws that discriminate against women, the plan is to focus on winning this one case, and then tackle these laws one by one.  Far easier than done when the law is not on your side.  Asking judges to enforce or uphold the law is not the same as making or changing it.  This case could set a legal precedent and result in a far-reaching impact that would touch generations to come.

The courtroom showdown is one of the best aspects of the film.  Dramatic oral arguments against ticking timers.  Plan to deflect probing questions and redirect into the tax deduction aspect for one man derails, Ruth doesn't yield.  When backed into a silent corner, she stands up and turns it into an impassioned speech about radical social change that resonates.  Times are changing.  In order for the country's culture and lives to change for the better, the laws have to change first.  With her utterly compelling closing argument, soft-spoken Ruth sets the future on a different course and leaves a lasting legacy towards equal rights.

Glass-shaterring figure Associate Supreme Court of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg didn't get nicknamed 'Notorious RBG' overnight.  “On the Basis of Sex” is one poignant, remarkable story on how it all began.  Full of fascinating insights, it is trailblazingly engaging and inspiring.

https://www.sdentertainer.com/movies/movie-review-on-the-basis-of-sex/

Book: https://amzn.to/2JreHg2

Video: https://amzn.to/35Xi9GP

DVD: https://amzn.to/3kMKHJm

Blu-Ray: https://amzn.to/387tkQ1

Monday, September 7, 2020

"Mulan"

Like the dreamy "Cinderella," enchanting "Beauty and the Beast" and fantastical “Aladdin,” everyone knows "Mulan" from the Disney animation.  The difference between this Disney “princess,” however, is that this a story of a true warrior.  It was one of the most anticipated cinematic events of the year, unpredictably sidelined by the pandemic, and ended up on the Disney Plus streaming after postponing and rescheduling multiple times.  

As a child, Hua Mulan (Liu Yifei) is precocious.  She’s a tomboy, easily chasing chicken across rooftop, nearly falling down but landing on the ground without a sweat.  She worries her parents, as a girl is destined to be a woman whose primary duty is to bring honor to the family through marriage.  When Mulan is at suitable age for marriage, she causes a hilarious mess during a matchmaker ceremony.  

Mulan’s relationship with her father (Tzi Ma) is more complicated.  Bound by traditional societal norms and family values, even her father, a war veteran, knows that his daughter is special and he’s torn with holding her back or supporting her to the fullest.  The only thing that keeps her from living up to her potential is her gender.  In this period of ancient China, everyone is born with a ‘chi’ or life force, but only the strongest could connect with and channel it outward.  Like Mulan.  Mulan grows up to be a spirited force.  

When the palace is facing a major threat from an invading Northern army, every family is called upon to spare a son to be trained as a soldier to help defend the country.  Realizing that her father, who is disabled from the wounds of the war, would walk into a certain death, a determined Mulan takes up her father’s sword and armor and leaves everyone behind to join the Imperial Army.  She knew that she would put herself in mortal danger, dishonor herself and her family, but she would do anything to carry the family’s duty and save her father.  

With a noble heart and indomitable will, Mulan masquerades as a man, reaches the camp and introduces herself as Hua Jun.  Her talent and spirit quickly catch the eyes of Commander Tung (Donnie Yen) and a fellow royal guard, Honghui (Yoson An).  Her relationship with Hongshui, an eventual love interest, is handled subtly and respectfully.  Mulan integrates quickly into the all-male squad, going through a soldier bootcamp, such as spear-fighting, arrow-shooting, heavy-lifting and balance endurance training.  While her transformation into a leading warrior is too swift, it looks impressively seamless. 

The enemies are fast approaching, led by Bori Khan (Jason Scott Lee) and accompanied by a witch, Xianniang (Gong Li).  Xianniang can shape-shift and also turn into a bird, which is proven to useful in penetrating the palace’s protection.  The irony about Xianniang is that she and Mulan are cut from the same outcast cloth; they’re too powerful as women and she, who exercises her power, lives in exile because of it.  When she comes to face-to-face with Mulan, she takes her fate into her own hands and it’s not what you think it is.  

Battles wage across an open landscape.  Armored soldiers riding in horses charging into war, armed with arrows, swords and shields.  Casualties are on both sides.  When her comrades are cornered, Mulan, a quick thinker and light on her feet, strategizes on the spot, camouflaging and utilizing the opponents’ weapon to turn on them.  

Mulan could no longer hide who she really is.  The frightful grip of her true identity being found out is suppressing her strength.  In order for her to uphold the values of the sword – loyal, brave and true – she must be true to herself to unleash the powers within, save her fellow soldiers and the emperor (Jet Li), even at the risk of dishonor, exile or execution.  Inside the palace walls, Mulan leads the royal guards in and fights her way through.  She has a dynasty to protect.  

Chocked-full of martial arts and large-scale battles on panoramic setting, this is a movie that is meant to be seen at the theaters.  There’s nothing quite like a collective experience of seeing a sprawling epic on the big screen with a grand surround system, feeling immersed in the make-believe world.  

If Disney decides to release "Mulan" into theaters at some point, I would absolutely go see it again.  But even when seen on the small screen at home, where the experience was a lot more muted, there’s a sense of grandeur.  The Wuxia-style martial arts, swordplay, rooftop-and-wall gliding are graceful to behold.  The sceneries are vibrant and colorful, majestic in nature and lavish when manmade.  The songs by Christina Aguilera, "Loyal, Brave and True" and "Reflection," are strong and soulfully appropriate.

“Mulan” is a grown-up adaptation of the animation.  Amid the sumptuous sets and willowy display of martial arts, it deals with the traditional core values of family, duty, honor and country, and that freedom isn’t free.  At the same time, it is ahead of its period and progressively empowering.  It speaks to the full potential of an individual when being true to oneself, even in the face of fear, and for a society to take a hard look of its norms and make necessary changes for the greater good.

There is “no courage without fear.”  Indeed.

https://www.sdentertainer.com/movies/movie-review-mulan/

Novel: https://amzn.to/31Z8MVO

DVD/Video: https://amzn.to/3kO2VtH

Saturday, September 5, 2020

DC FanDome Part II: Are You Ready?

Are you ready for more???  As if the massive DC FanDome Part I wasn't enough, DC is returning for the final part of the virtual convention next Saturday, September 12, 2020.

100 hours, 300 panels of Multiverses... FREE for 24 hours.  

https://www.dcfandome.com/thankyou

https://schedule.dcfandome.com

WatchVerse - Superman & Lois, Batwoman, Legends of Tomorrow, Star Girl, and more.

InsiderVerse - behind the scenes with super artisans who bring DC to life, from comic books to games, TV, movies, theme parks, consumer products and more.

FunVerse -  share your DC fandom love. Read hundreds of free digital comics, strike a pose at the selfie station, explore the Joker Escape Room, and more.

YouVerse - it's all about fans! Check out more than 17,000 fan art, cosplay, and content submissions from around the world.

https://deadline.com/2020/09/dc-fandome-explore-the-multiverse-comic-book-superhero-1234570513/