This should have been posted a long time ago. I'll be doing more!
Saturday, January 7, 2017
Tuesday, December 27, 2016
Looking back on Fences
A quick heads up to anyone that has not seen the movie "Fences." This post does have some minor spoilers in so you do not have to read if you have not seen the movie yet. This is just a post to vent my feelings on the film and the characters within it. It's going to be a little informal as well.
So I just finished watching Fences with my family, staring Denzel Washington as Troy Maxon, the main character of the story and the main character to be explored. The narrative takes place within 1950's America, with Troy going through his day to day life as Sanitation Officer (garbage guy).
In summary, the whole movie revolves around Troy's decisions in his family life, as he tries to make good the cards that life has dealt him. These "cards" being his less than ideal childhood with his single father, surviving alone as a petty thief on the streets, and not having the opportunity to play major league baseball when the league was first beginning to accept black players into their newly integrated teams.
Now the only reason I ever decided to write something down about this movie because it did strike a chord in me while I was watching. And not because of Denzel. Don't get me wrong, Denzel was a master in his role. It's because he was so good that a certain aspect of this movie struck me so deeply as it did.
Troy had a lot of hang-ups, towards white people, his father, his first, and second son. Speaking on his second son, Cory, had the most unfulfilled aspirations in this story.
In the beginning, I felt that Cory really wanted to understand and emulate his father, at least where he believed it count, sports. I figured Cory to be a star at his game, football, and he tried to approach his father on many occasions through the sport Troy had once loved, baseball. All attempts failed. These attempts only managed to drive a wedge further down between two until it seemed it seemed that there was no reconciliation between them.
Now, Cory is a character that I can relate a lot too, especially in the sense of damn near harmful conflict between him and his father. So it hurt me to see him go through so much in a time span of two hours and nineteen minutes. And a lot of the crap that he did go, the majority of the audience, including the older members of family, found it laughable when his father would vocally tear into his son for almost no justifiable reason. It seemed like no one really empathized the unfairness of Troy on Cory besides the surface showing of a father "disciplining him" or forcing onto him some lesson that the "white man won't let a negro by in sports" so there's no point in trying.
To cut a long story short, Troy kicks Cory out of his house after a tense conflict between the two. This was where my sympathy ended for Troy, as there was no way that the narrative could reconcile Troy in my eyes.
The film skips a couple of years into the present where Cory has now joined the Marines and finally seems as if he's growing into a man. However, he still has his father's shadow looming over his conscious. As Cory was talking with Rose, his mother, he says that he wasn't planning on attending his father's funeral, which albeit not moral on Cory's part in the way of family, but makes sense after all of the things that his father had done to him have been considered. However, his mother chastises him, saying that disrespecting his father would never make him a man. She instead advises him on finding peace with good things that his father was able to give him, not the bad.
Cory sits down on the steps with his younger sister, Raynell, Troy's illegitimate daughter, and begin singing the song that there father would, giving some hope that Cory would come to that peace.
So I just finished watching Fences with my family, staring Denzel Washington as Troy Maxon, the main character of the story and the main character to be explored. The narrative takes place within 1950's America, with Troy going through his day to day life as Sanitation Officer (garbage guy).
In summary, the whole movie revolves around Troy's decisions in his family life, as he tries to make good the cards that life has dealt him. These "cards" being his less than ideal childhood with his single father, surviving alone as a petty thief on the streets, and not having the opportunity to play major league baseball when the league was first beginning to accept black players into their newly integrated teams.
Now the only reason I ever decided to write something down about this movie because it did strike a chord in me while I was watching. And not because of Denzel. Don't get me wrong, Denzel was a master in his role. It's because he was so good that a certain aspect of this movie struck me so deeply as it did.
Troy had a lot of hang-ups, towards white people, his father, his first, and second son. Speaking on his second son, Cory, had the most unfulfilled aspirations in this story.
In the beginning, I felt that Cory really wanted to understand and emulate his father, at least where he believed it count, sports. I figured Cory to be a star at his game, football, and he tried to approach his father on many occasions through the sport Troy had once loved, baseball. All attempts failed. These attempts only managed to drive a wedge further down between two until it seemed it seemed that there was no reconciliation between them.
Now, Cory is a character that I can relate a lot too, especially in the sense of damn near harmful conflict between him and his father. So it hurt me to see him go through so much in a time span of two hours and nineteen minutes. And a lot of the crap that he did go, the majority of the audience, including the older members of family, found it laughable when his father would vocally tear into his son for almost no justifiable reason. It seemed like no one really empathized the unfairness of Troy on Cory besides the surface showing of a father "disciplining him" or forcing onto him some lesson that the "white man won't let a negro by in sports" so there's no point in trying.
To cut a long story short, Troy kicks Cory out of his house after a tense conflict between the two. This was where my sympathy ended for Troy, as there was no way that the narrative could reconcile Troy in my eyes.
The film skips a couple of years into the present where Cory has now joined the Marines and finally seems as if he's growing into a man. However, he still has his father's shadow looming over his conscious. As Cory was talking with Rose, his mother, he says that he wasn't planning on attending his father's funeral, which albeit not moral on Cory's part in the way of family, but makes sense after all of the things that his father had done to him have been considered. However, his mother chastises him, saying that disrespecting his father would never make him a man. She instead advises him on finding peace with good things that his father was able to give him, not the bad.
Cory sits down on the steps with his younger sister, Raynell, Troy's illegitimate daughter, and begin singing the song that there father would, giving some hope that Cory would come to that peace.
 |
| Not actual scene from movie. On-Stage play image from google. |
The way that Cory's story arc played out was nothing less than amazing. I've never read or seen the play to compare how close the movie was to the source material, but I can already tell that the source would be an awesome experience.
However, I can not deny the amount of "makes me feel some type of way" (M.M.F.S.T.W) vibes I got from this. Mostly on the fact that this narrative wants me to believe that Cory takes on being slighted and kicked out of his home by his father only to come back to have his mother rebuke his built up anger towards his father, with little to no closure on Cory. Only to just "take the best of what Troy offered him."
So, I as the viewer, have to just accept that that is way that matters like this should be?
 |
| Are you serious? |
No, I simply refuse to believe that every act that Troy committed to his family, especially Cory, was just magically made tolerable when he passed on. Troy still cheated on Rose and Troy still fractured his son's future and relationship with Troy in ways that a father never should. Maybe some people can take this as a "you'll understand when you get older" type of thing, but I'm calling complete B.S.
If you have a differing opinion please let me know in a comment. I would appreciate.
Thank you for reading this far!
Thursday, December 22, 2016
Downtime
I suppose I've been pretty inconsistent with these posts. They come every 5 to 6 days which isn't so bad. I just made it back to home town and have been chillin here ever since. In my down time, I can try to provide some meaningful posts and conversations for you all. If any one would want to comment or interact, that would be most appreciated.
Hope everyone is having a good winter break!
Hope everyone is having a good winter break!
Saturday, December 17, 2016
Radio Discussion
So I was listening to the radio this morning and heard a kinda uncommon conversation happen. I wouldn't usually find this unless I look it up or see it on the internet. I can't really explain in detail what I heard because at this point I can't really remember but I can talk about the gist of the discussion.
The morning talk was of women's rights and treatments, primarily focused on interactions between black men and how they treat black women. Being a black man myself, I wanted to listen in on the topics myself.
The women on the morning talk show discussed in length of how much they needed black men to support them in their cause. The idea was that black women were always behind their men one hundred percent of the time while they felt that black men didn't give the same type of support. Another side discussion, and albeit kinda funny, was that black men treated white women better than they did black women.
Like I said before, I can not directly quote the radio talk, since I can't remember exactly what was said (which is a little irresponsible on my end).
However, the topics just sparked a bit of interest me. An interest to see what someone else's perspective was when it came to the sort of thing.
So I have two questions: 1) Do you feel as though black men do not withhold a equal amount of care and respect for black women than they do for any other ethnicity?
2) Do black men offer the same type of support that black women are said to offer as stated in the radio conversation?
This isn't to incite any type of heated response, just to get opinions and perspectives. Post your opinions in the comments and I'll be sure to see them.
Hope everyone is having a good day!
The morning talk was of women's rights and treatments, primarily focused on interactions between black men and how they treat black women. Being a black man myself, I wanted to listen in on the topics myself.
The women on the morning talk show discussed in length of how much they needed black men to support them in their cause. The idea was that black women were always behind their men one hundred percent of the time while they felt that black men didn't give the same type of support. Another side discussion, and albeit kinda funny, was that black men treated white women better than they did black women.
Like I said before, I can not directly quote the radio talk, since I can't remember exactly what was said (which is a little irresponsible on my end).
However, the topics just sparked a bit of interest me. An interest to see what someone else's perspective was when it came to the sort of thing.
So I have two questions: 1) Do you feel as though black men do not withhold a equal amount of care and respect for black women than they do for any other ethnicity?
2) Do black men offer the same type of support that black women are said to offer as stated in the radio conversation?
This isn't to incite any type of heated response, just to get opinions and perspectives. Post your opinions in the comments and I'll be sure to see them.
Hope everyone is having a good day!
Monday, December 12, 2016
Nothing Much To Say
I haven't had much to talk about lately. I understand that I have a lot more time on my hands now but I haven't done much with it. Of course I can change that but, people can be kinda lazy, unfortunately. Maybe I'll try to draw up some faces for my deviant art. I post those if I ever get the chance. I've also been really contemplating playing this piano I have at work right now. Might as well try it.
That's about all I have to say for now. Look out for the next post!
I've also been playing Final Fantasy 15 and its pretty good actually. A bit of a slow start but its fine.
This guy kinda kicked my ass the first time I saw him. Final Fantasy will throw some ridiculous stuff your way if your not prepared.
Also here's another link to one of my sound cloud playlists. It's a just a collection of beats that I found a liked.
That's about all I have to say for now. Look out for the next post!
I've also been playing Final Fantasy 15 and its pretty good actually. A bit of a slow start but its fine.
This guy kinda kicked my ass the first time I saw him. Final Fantasy will throw some ridiculous stuff your way if your not prepared.
Also here's another link to one of my sound cloud playlists. It's a just a collection of beats that I found a liked.
Wednesday, December 7, 2016
Almost There
I know I have posted in a long time for very good reasons (I suppose). I've been trying to handle my exams and I only have one more left to go, thank Jesus Christ. It's only a matter of time before I post regularly and maybe get a schedule going. But I kinda like posting on my own time really. I don't have to be a in rush.
But anyway, a little news to plug, some friends of mine are trying to start a multi network social media type thing (idk). With a YouTube and other stuff plugged in. I can't say what exactly it's going to because we haven't really decided on anything yet but it's sounds like it's going to be fun. Look forward to that!
That's about all I have to say so look forward to the next post!
Social media plugs:
SnapChat: royal_mz
Wednesday, November 30, 2016
Tiring Week
I apologize for not posting in a while. I just haven't had the will to do it. This week so far has been sapping it right out of me due to exams, relationships, studying, etc. But hopefully everything will turn out fine in the end. You just gotta remember that there is another day to pick things back up you know what, I mean? And it's not like these exams are gonna drag me through the mud either.
It's all about how you pick yourself up people!
Here's another link to another one of my sound cloud playlists, enjoy:
Rap
PSA: I added one of my friends songs to this list. Check him out and hype him up, he's hella good. His name is called Label Me Shad.
Check me out on DeviantArt and snap chat, royal_mz.
It's all about how you pick yourself up people!
Here's another link to another one of my sound cloud playlists, enjoy:
Rap
PSA: I added one of my friends songs to this list. Check him out and hype him up, he's hella good. His name is called Label Me Shad.
Check me out on DeviantArt and snap chat, royal_mz.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)