Gabe Lewis

The Prince of Egypt

I love a good “Fuck you” in a film, and for children—this one delivers.

This story of Moses was my first musical and had a soundtrack I was obsessed with and portrayed the important teachings of the story without the harshness and lack of forgiveness I expect from the Catholic Church. Along with the soundtrack, I remember the story to be about freedom, peace and the complications of doing the right thing

Living a couple blocks away from a church is the closest I am to religious, and I haven’t been in a religious building in years, but I remember the story to be about freedom, peace and the complications of doing the right thing and how opinions of what is right, can differ. Two brothers, one who didn’t know he was adopted, would still be expected have the same understanding in life but as seen more common in today’s world—family doesn’t always think or believe the same thing. Separating the aspect of power and God, a majority of the conflict is still an ability of Moses and Rameses to speak to each other and creating an understanding with each other. 

For me the “Fuck you” of the film, as with many stories of racism and elitist beginnings, is how Moses comes to his success out of opposition to the actions of those in power both with how his birth mother sent him down the river and he became part of the King’s family, and in why he flees and returns to Egypt—trying to live a righteous life and have all people be equal.

This story is also a great portrayal of a mother’s love both with the mother who has to give their child up and with the mother who adopts another’s child as their own, both sacrificed so much for their son. Along with the soundtrack, also a shout out to the art department, I too remember the beauty of this whale shot.

Bartemius Crouch Senior

I love Barty Crouch Senior, I just do. Maybe it’s because when we meet him I just see this bright man who got shafted by his family, the public and was alone; I feel for him. Now, he’s not perfect. We know that he could be cruel, as we see with him and Winky and hear from others in regards to the trails of other Death Eaters not connected to his son. But while he was ambitious and made mistakes as department head, they were misguided mistakes and not with the background of the mistakes or self-promotion ones made by Fudge or Scrimgeour. And while we hear about how he was an absentee father working late at the ministry, we know Barty Crouch Jr. had his mother to over-indulge him similar to how I believe James Potter was overindulged, and we know that Barty Crouch Sr. adored his wife so I feel there were limits or levels to his cruelty, especially as at any moment he could have handled his son differently after his wife passed, but he didn’t.  

How Barty Crouch Dr. became who he was, we’ll never know, but once brought to the light I feel that Barty Crouch Sr. wasn’t as shocked as he would otherwise be, he just wasn’t in denial anymore. Maybe Barty Crouch Jr.’s nature turned his father away from him and not the other way around because regardless of the speculation that Barty Crouch Jr. might have just been in the wrong place at the wrong time, we know that’s not true. Barty Crouch Jr. was a proud Death Eater. When it comes to Barty Crouch Sr.’s errors, I put them more in line with Dumbledore’s. While not as understanding of his own faults, Barty Crouch Sr. was not malicious, but strict. Why he could not get the sympathy following the death of his wife and child as Dumbledore had with his sister I don’t understand. Barty Crouch Sr.’s main fault seemed to be in his appearance of being cruel (also alluded to in why Ludo Bagman got more praise than him) because the public first hated that he sentenced his son so ‘unfairly’ by treating him like any other Death Eater, then blaming him when he died in Azkaban, then hating him when they found out he had taken him from Azkaban but had him imprisoned in his home….I think they just wanted to hate him.

Bartemius Crouch Senior was not perfect or innocent, but for the most part, he tried to do what he believed was best for the world even if his methods to get there are more than questionable, and, he honoured his wife more than anything, which counts for something. His story reminds us that life isn’t fair but it is complicated.

New Instant Classics

Diversity has *sprung* into mainstream films--no, not saying there still aren’t issues there because there definitely are, but there are different people making films, starting in films, writing in films, directing films--everything that makes more diverse stories be told. Considering the large number of crap sequels and prequels that have flooded cinemas, there stories being told by film, books, thru art...even Youtube, are welcome. Two films that recently I would define as instant classics, I put here because they are films that tell a classic story and would have been long time classics had they been allowed to tell generations ago, both stories also I didn’t realize until I began to type, star male leads who are portraying their real life, personal stories: Kumail Nanjiani and Menashe Lustig.

The Big Sick is great for a lot of reasons, a modern twist on Romeo and Juliet it deals with cultural differences and inner conflict in both a light-hearted and serious way. It’s hard to go not on a twenty page rant about this film, as everyone can agree with both Kumail and Emily about their romantic relationship, but I believe what spoke to many who saw it—and what makes it an instant classic—is that we see the strength of a relationship at it’s worse, and how some people are just intertwined in who you are. I will not speak on behalf of the character of Emily or the real-life woman, but I do believe even with her annoyance that had the situation been reversed, she still would have been there for him.

Long story short, Menashe tells the story of due to cultural conditions must get remarried after his wife’s passing in order to get his son back. While I struggle to understand the BS argument that’s never made, we also watch Menashe and Menashe’s son struggle with being and not being together, both being adored (Mesashe by his son) and outsiders due to circumstance that may not be worth changing. Along with an insight to a very close-knit community, most importantly the film brings back to all the father and son bond when good, when complicated, when desperate and the inner struggle of what is most important** 

Luna Lovegood

There are many, many, many reasons to love Luna Lovegood as well as lessons about how we should be:

she’s honest

she’s conscientious, and not the center of the universe

she’s confident in herself

she’s brave for herself and others

she’s supportive and understanding of her friends and others

she's not prejudiced and address’ it in others

this list can go on for pages and pages of a tumblr article. 

Along with all Luna (and Evanna Lynch) taught us, and was a role model for those who didn’t feel like they belonged or were considered less than, she taught us a lot with the unexpected relationships she had with two characters: Hermione and Harry

Hermione, seen as a brilliant, kind and caring Witch, was cruel to Luna at first as she was opposite, but not opposite, of Hermione. Luna showed us with her relationship with Hermione a few flaws of Hermione along with growth and with Luna, what it meant to be truly open and accepting. Both intelligent, heroic and compassionate, their core similarities ended there. While important, Hermione let the values of acceptance and appearance overshadow curiosity and open-mindedness; which are both very important and defining characteristics of any person. It is so, so, so important to not only be open-minded and interested in the world around you, people’s beliefs, but also people in general. Even the villains in Harry Potter weren’t all evil or heroes all good.

Harry, this is one of my biggest umphs, Luna was the best character we knew for Harry romantically, because of how natural they were together. Sure, like all relationships Luna had there was a bit of a warming up period, but once they met and interacted, she just got him. When he wanted to hide after the battle, she could recognize him even when disguised with Polyjoice Potion, how it felt to not know one’s parent(s), she just got him. It’s rare, and doesn’t have to be romantic, but is such a beautiful relationship and connection that some people have. That without words or  

20th Year of Harry Potter

Nineteen years ago in the US (September 1st, 1998) Harry Potter was released. Hearing of it’s success in the UK, my mother ran out and got it for us to read together. While It would not become more common in my community for another few years, it quickly became very important to me. My mother read it to me at night the first time around, miss-pronouncing Hermione until my dad who grew up for a time in England corrected her, and then I read it many times over to where the book started to fall apart. 

The Harry Potter series is a big deal for many reasons, and has shaped our world and helped us connect with more than just the theme parks, midnight book releases, Emma Watson, movies and expansions such as Quidditch Throughout the Ages. The story of Harry Potter has shown the ridiculousness of racism, the promotion of helping those less fortunate, of doing what is morally right and reminding us that what we see is not always accurate as with depression or social differences. The Harry Potter world created by J.K. Rowling (who I also first assumed was a male) was the first apocalyptic universe where everyone was fighting to survive, but also win the world for good; and make the world better. Hermione Granger might not have been the main protagonist as with following series that all became about the sole female heroine, but she was the first to be brave regardless of her fears, rely on her smarts, and always be there for her friends. In studies the Harry Potter series have been noted as a large influence on combating race and social-class status as the absurdity of separation on these qualities were shown in the books with werewolves, elves and with half-bloods and muggles. While not the sole supporter or eye-opener, it is a reason why younger generations believe it is their responsibility to make sure everyone is treated with equality and respect. 

September 1st is widely known in the Harry Potter Universe as the day that those who were fortunate enough to receive their Hogwarts letters would get on the Hogwarts Express and get to begin their official journey into the wizarding world, and while intended enough, it is when those in the US were able to join as well with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. In this story, we were Harry, we were learning everything as he did--something that would continue for the rest of the series (very eloquently referenced with each new book I might add) that entranced us. But more than with the wizarding world, we were like Harry in learning about the problems arising and feeling that we had to stop it, how it was our duty to stop it, part of what has spread outside the pages to common activism and empathy in our day to day lives. Again we were Harry Potter, we were young, new to this world and with our humbled experience prior, we wonder if this world we were growing into was as magical and perfect as we were led to believe. This is what this Harry Potter journey taught us and continues to remind us, that not everything perfect or fair but that we can all, individually make a difference 

Toby Flenderson

Toby’s Best Moment: Season Seven, Episode Eleven: Classy Christmas Part 1

When he rubs his neck, indicating to the office that the case he’s on is the Scranton Strangler.

Toby’s Worst Moment: Season Two, Episode Twenty-One: Conflict Resolution

The truth about the “Special Filing Cabinet” in New York. Dwight, and the Dwight v Jim feud may be annoying to deal with, but he wasn’t actually dealing with it and it was terrible as the HR rep and disrespectful to Dwight to not report the issues Dwight was having. Even though it wasn’t legal harassment, Toby still could and should have gotten in trouble for not taking the issue seriously.

Toby’s Best Line: Season Two, Episode Twenty-Two: Casino Night

“Actually I didn’t think it was appropriate to invite children since it’s, uh, you know, there’s gambling and alcohol and it’s in our dangerous warehouse, and, it’s a school night, and you know, hooters is catering, …..is that, is that enough, should I keep going?”

 Toby’s Most Memorable Moment: Season Four, Episode Fourteen: Goodbye Toby

Pam gifts Toby a picture of everyone in the office as his going away gift, but because she took the picture. As we know Toby is interested in Pam and while she agrees to take a picture with him neither of them have a camera so he screams “Does anyone have a camera”…..and then later in the episode gets a camera to get pictures taken with Pam

Leabharlann and dhachaigh, Dhachaigh and Leabharlann

Extending what you can and cannot experience

What you can and cannot find

You take what you can get

As sometimes your connection, the community and history is only met if you don’t hold yourself to the expectations and goals and resources of others

Kevin Malone

Kevin’s Best Moment: Season Nine, Episode Fourteen: Vandalism When he stands up for Angela and Oscar to Senator Lipton. First, nicely thanking him for the food, then telling the Senator that he sucked, before complimenting him again on the food.

“You’re, like, a terrible person. These guys care about you, and you’re just using them.”

Kevin’s “Worst” Moment: Season Seven, Episode Nineteen: Garage Sale When he lets Darryl and Andy "play" him with his incomplete Dallas board game where they frustrate him by playing by whatever rules they want and he storms off. Only for us to see later that was all part of his plot to get the full $30 gamble.

Kevin’s Best Line: Season Six, Episode Five: Niagara Part 2. "The peeing is fast, Oscar. It's getting my tie back on."

Kevin’s Most Memorable Moment: Season Nine, Episode One: New Guys

Kevin runs over a turtle.

"Saves him" by gluing his shell back together with parts of his shell, part of a key chain, a spoon, bottle cap, yogurt lid, mini coffee creamer container.

Crushes him again by leaning on him with this knee.

Patches up the turtle again, mostly with a helmet.

Only to realize the turtle was probably dead the whole time.

Best Advice

1. Season Nine, Episode Thirteen: Junior Salesman (Jim)

“No, it does matter who ends up sitting next to Pam when I’m gone. The people around you are basically who you end up spending your life with. I mean, because of where my desk was I spent all those years looking at Pam, and I fell in love. So, that stuff matters, definitely does.

 Choose wisely                        

 2. Season Seven, Episode Thirteen: Ultimatum (Pam)

“One of the hardest parts about making resolutions is keeping them—but that’s okay. Because it’s not about being perfect, it’s about trying.”

3. Season Three, Episode Twenty-One: Women’s Appreciation (Phyllis)

 “I bet you know, don’t think just answer”

 4.  Season Three, Episode Fourteen: Ben Franklin (Elizabeth, the stripper)

 “Secrets, secrets are no fun. Secrets, secrets hurt someone”

5.  Season Five, Episode Twenty-Two: Dream Team (Pam)

 “We need to come up with one realistic thing that we could do today”

 6.  Season Nine, Episode Twenty-One: Livin’ the Dream (Angela)

“You don’t have to leave because you said you would. Don’t let pride ruin your whole life. Okay? It’s not worth it.”

 7. Season Six, Episode Ten: Murder (Jim)

 “I think today was a good day to have two managers, cause, if you’re a family stuck on a lifeboat in the middle of the ocean--one parent might want to just keep rowing. But, if the other parent wants to play a game, it’s not because they’re crazy, it’s because they’re doing it for the kids. And I get that now.”

 8. Season Six, Episode five: Niagara Part 2 (Pam)

 “This is supposed to be our wedding day, why did we invite all these people?”

  9. Season Seven, Episode Two: Counseling (Pam)

“The first lesson of watching World Poker Tour at 2:00AM. You play the opponent, not the cards”.

 10.   Season Nine, Episode Twenty-Three: Finale (Pam)

“But, when the documentary started airing, people on the street told me that I had this fairytale romance. But There were a lot of times last year when it did not feel like a fairytale”

Newsies

Ahh, Newsies. A major throwback, I’ll start by saying I loved how the broadway show and the music played was able to bring me back to remembering how much I loved this movie—so much that I ruined the VHS. There is a lot of things you can draw to be important for viewers to see: issues of children pre-foster care, the resourcefulness of children, how not to judge a book by it’s cover (from all angles: Newsie and schoolboy), and the historical significance. But the biggest feeling was the overall comradery of the film within the gangs and between the different gangs'

It was very “boys will be boys” but in the genuine way that expression should be—that boys are more likely to roughhouse, make inappropriate jokes and get dirty, not be overly aggressive or hostile towards each other. While they would mess around with each other and insult, there was no doubt in the minds of any of them that in a true need they would be there for each other, and had become their own family. That’s what truly resonated with this film, and while I cannot say why people didn’t see it in theatre, is probably what made it the cult film it became.