I love art, be it painting, literature, music, film, sports, or traditions that help us to commemorate the better parts of life. When you find something in any of those arenas that really hits home, its an amazing feeling, like an eternal truth has been revealed and summed up in digestible form... I love those moments, where you realize that in whatever you happen to be feeling you can't be alone because someone else has produced a piece of art as an ode to that exact feeling. Yeah, so I have no idea where I'm going with this little monologue. It made sense when I started. I'll just give up. But I am bringing you tonight, as a 4th of July themed thing, a short list of some of the films of the revolution. Oh, I'm supposed to be all subservient and patriotic on the 4th, and leave off the whole advocating revolution bit for the evening? People, this country was founded in and of a spirit of revolution. Thats what the 4th is all about, it commemorates the spirit of independent thought and action, not a particular government. To use it as a method of advancing the aims of a certain government, through blind patriotism, is no better than political opportunism. My only beef with the founders is that they used violence, but then again, without the advantage of systematized satyagraha and civil disobedience, they probably had to. I seriously doubt that any of the founders meant for their actions to be a sort of end all guide to the way things should be done: to act in such a manner is to disrespect the spirit in which their actions were commited. Jefferson said that a little revolution every 20 years or so keeps a nation healthy and keeps ideas from becoming too entrenched. We're overdue.

These films aren't necessarily about past revolutions. They are about the things that impell me to desire a revolution. More generally, they are just thought provoking quality pieces of work. Enjoy, and I'll work on responding to questions on the bulletin board (post people, post), getting up part of my ind. study paper, and bringing you an opinion on the actions of the 9th Circuit Federal Appeals court's recent decision. With much love...

The Graduate (10 out of 10)- This is what I'm talking about when I talk about the need for a revolution. Its not a lack of priviledge in the terms of the comforts and amenities of life that I protest: it is in fact precisely the opposite. It is the mind numbing, spirit crushing effect caused by a society consumed by consumerism. Its about not stopping to think about the values that we accept. Perfect from a filmmaking point of view, this film doesn't need dialog to accomplish its aim. It effectively communicates an impossible to define kind of angst and the need to discard it, and to me it is the story of one man's rebellion. Beautiful, and one of the greatest and most significant endings ever. If you don't understand this movie, I doubt you'll understand all my babblings as it wordlessly communicates what I work so hard to express linguistically. 1967

Inherit the Wind (10 out of 10)- Eloquent and poignant defense of the necessity of independent thought, and the manner in which contrived systems of "justice" can be too blind. Kind of like To Kill a Mockingbird but with more food for thought. Make sure you get the old version, the new one just doesn't have the same effect. This one is so good and so challenging, as it reminds me to keep an open mind even about those who are ignorant and close minded and do much damage in the world. Wow. 1960

American Beauty (9.5 out of 10)- Another story of one man's journey to salvation through a personal rebellion and questioning of assumptions. I really don't understand how people can like this movie as much as they do and yet live the way they do. Sigh.1999

The Battleship Potempkin (9.5 out of 10)- This one changed the way films were made, and raised the bar for making movies with a point. Incredible and moving, especially the steps scene. Watch it and you'll know what I'm talking about. All built around the message that revolution is the only justifiable war, and while they mean war in more literal terms than I would find ideal this is still a great film that makes one reconsider many things. I was fascinated by the fact that despite all the inhumane sufferings and devaluing institutions patiently endured by Russians through the ages, it was maggots that prompted this revolt... Thus a study in human ideas of value as well as revolution. And since its a silent film, you get the extra perk of feeling all intellectual while watching it. 1925

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (9.5 out of 10)- Capra is renowned for his patriotic feel-good films, but what fascinates me is the manner he molds cynicism into patriotism. The champion of lost causes message is one for the ages, and he reminds us all about the Real ideals of the dream that was America, rather than the squalor that is America. 1939

Network (9.5 out of 10)- An Orwellian indictment of capitalism as an insane system driving us to self destruction. Boo-fucking-yah. Great, great movie from both technical film and artistic points of view, everyone should be required to see this one. "I'm angry as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore." 1976

Schindler's List (9.5 out of 10)- Lest we ever forget that one individual can make a true difference in the world, and that one does not have to be a saint to be such an individual. "He who saves one life saves the world entire." 1993

Fight Club (9 out of 10)- The appeals of this movie are clear, and the first half of the movie is a brilliant and witty R rated version of the same dissatisfaction epitomized by Ben Braddock in the Graduate. And the end makes it all worthwhile. Too bad it advocated violence as part of its restructuring of society. 1999

The Last Temptation of Christ (9 out of 10)- Definately a flawed film, but what a mind trip. Watch and decide for yourself. I saw it for the first time about 4 months ago and still am not even close to being over it. Reinterpreting the Jesus story from this perspective, IMO, not only makes a great film, but makes the Biblical original more compelling. 1988

Mean Streets (9 out of 10)- A study of a quest for personal salvation, much like the Last Tempation. Beautiful persistant theme of penance for the ills that we each commit, and that are there merely because we are a part of humanity, being made up for in daily life rather than through religion. And Scorsese is among, if not The, best. 1973

Witness (9 out of 10)- Great story of the relative efficacy of violence and nonviolence when two opposite world collide. Harrison Ford has rarely been better, and one could argue that this was the best drama to come out of the mid 1980s. 1985

Trainspotting (8.5 out of 10)- The "choose life" speech speaks for itself. June 23 Bulletin.

Dog Day Afternoon (8 out of 10)- Pacino is my all time favorite actor so I had to put one of his films on the list. The attempts of an individual to get a society to listen to him, and his continual frustrations in the attempt to communicate are portrayed as well here as anywhere. "Attica!" Honestly, any of Sidney Lumet's films could be on this list though. Check em out. 1975.

Run Lola Run (8 out of 10)- I watched it a couple weeks ago and its been on my mind ever since. Very cool. 1999

Well, I"m running out of energy for tonight, t here are many other films worthy of mention. If you can think of any that strike you as particularly noteworthy, mention them on the bulletin board with a quick explanation. Peace out,