Milk

What is one to do when their people are oppressed?

In Harvey Milk’s case, he ran for office. Multiple times.

Milk, in an attempt to bring gay rights issues to the forefront during the 1970s, eventually won election to a seat on San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors in 1977. Milk, the first openly-gay elected official in the United States, represented the city’s Castro district and its largely homosexual population.

Gus Van Sant’s new film, Milk, portrays the last eight years in the life of Milk, who was slain by another San Francisco politician.

Not unlike Susan B. Anthony and Martin Luther King Jr., Harvey Milk proved to be the face of a movement. With his slogan “I’m Harvey Milk, and I’m here to recruit you!” He inspired thousands across the country and eventually brought to mainstream conversation the rights or lack-thereof for homosexuals everywhere.

Sean Penn does a masterful job portraying Milk. He proves his versatility as an actor and shows his tremendous skill at becoming the the people he plays. Penn does this without acting out the homosexual stereotypes that have become canonized in pop culture. He even jokes with union men that he was sorry to disappoint but he left his heels at home.

It was Milk’s intention to make homosexuality less scary to his straight counterparts. He asked his followers to call everyone they knew and let them know they were gay. It was his understanding that if everyone knew someone who was gay society would be much more accepting. Penn’s presence on the screen forces you to like or at least consider the person he represents and the issues and culture he belongs to and is passionate about.

Penn is supported by an exceptional ensemble, notably James Franco, Emile Hirsch, and Josh Brolin.

Franco plays a lover who can’t handle the political limelight and harsh scrutiny his relationship with Milk is put under, Hirsch plays an eager, young, gay rights activist, ready to change the world.

Brolin’s character, a family man and a one of Milk’s peers on the board, is perhaps the most interesting/ His conservative district is very much against gay rights but he seemingly makes an awkward connection with Milk.

By the end of the movie you feel an emotional connection to all of the characters in the film.

Remainder of the Top Ten Horror/Halloween Films

Again sorry for not getting these up sooner.

 

1. Halloween (1978)- Michael Meyers escapes from an insane asylum and seeks revenge on the family that put him there. This film is arguably the best horror film of all time and possibly the scariest.
2. Night of the Living Dead (1968)- As the dead come back to life, a few survivors seek refuge in the Pennsylvania countryside. This film put George A. Romero on the map and with good reason. This film was not only scary but the political commentary it provides makes it more than worth a viewing.
3. Psycho (1960)- A masterpiece in suspense and horror. Norman Bates likes pretty women, the problem is his mother doesn’t and what mommy wants, mommy gets. When you check into the Bates motel you rarely check out.
4. The Shining (1980)- A writer takes a job as a caretaker in a hotel over the winter in order to write. Supernatural presences are detected and the writer starts to go mad from a weird form of cabin fever.
5. The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)- The definition of cult classic. A really, really strange story that involves a broken down car, a creepy castle, a transvestite, creatures, and musical numbers, I think enough said.
6. The Evil Dead (1981)- What did Sam Raimi do before Spider Man? He wrote about a group of friends who go to a cabin in the woods. They find a book, “bound in flesh and written in blood”; this book unleashes the evil dead. This is a dark comedy that will for sure make you jump.

Sorry For The Hiatus

I apologize for no new posts in a while. I got wrapped up in my other love of politics. I don’t want to go into details because this is neither the time or the place for politics, however I will say that I was very proud of the fact that in the first Presidential Election I could vote in I had the choice between an African American and a woman in the two top tickets. It proves that we are making great strides toward equality as a country.

 

With that said don’t worry the reviews will be back very soon. I have a review of Quantum of Solace ready to post shortly with others coming. December is going to be a great month for movies! I’m looking forward to Milk, The Wrestler, Doubt, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, among many others.

 

Ryan