Matt Micros's Blog: Rantings, Ravings & Remembrances - Posts Tagged "nobodysfool"

Sanctuary! Sanctuary! No, I wasn't just watching Charles Laughton in The Hunchback of Notre Dame as he pulls Maureen O'Hara from the platform, but I might as well have been with District Judge William Orrick playing the Laughton role. Illegal immigration is a difficult topic and one where I can see both sides. On one hand, I certainly don't want to see families split apart. On the other, I have seen families struggle to gain their green card legally. For the record, I think the Judge was likely correct in his interpretation that federal funding can come with strings attached, but you can't attach them after the fact. Having said that, those strings likely will be attached in October with the new Congressional fiscal year. But this article isn't to argue the policies of the new administration, or even the ruling from the Judge. It is to voice a concern over how any judge can be impartial after having raised $200,000 for President Obama, and donated $30,000 personally to him. Sometimes the appearance of impropriety is enough to wither the faith of the American people. And I'm talking about partisan politics on both sides of the aisle when I say that, even though both sides are equally in denial. An even a greater concern to me is when states try to take federal law into their own hands. What is the point of having a federal government when states are going to ultimately do what they like? Might as well eliminate the government, let people live in the areas that most closely represent their beliefs socially and fiscally, and cut out the government waste.

Speaking of things that make no sense....PMI. Private Mortgage Insurance. For those that don't know, PMI is required for anyone who puts less than 20% down when buying a home. It serves to help the lender, but is paid for by the BUYER until they reach 20% equity in the home. If a house is foreclosed on, and the bank is forced to sell at a loss, PMI pays the bank the difference. But here's the kicker that most people don't know...The private mortgage company then can come after YOU to recoup their losses. You pay for the bank's insurance and then the insurance company comes after you. Whaaaaaattt??? What's the point of having the insurance to begin with? If they aren't going to cover anything, what's the point in paying for it? Here's another thought. Wouldn't the number of foreclosures likely decrease if people weren't required to pay an extra $200-$600 a month in PMI? And isn't that the objective? Fewer foreclosures help the banks, help the mortgage insurance companies, and helps the owners. Now why would we want to do anything that does that?

AS THE SPORTS WORLD TURNS...

With the NFL Draft rapidly approaching, the question of character is a frequent topic. In particular where domestic violence or violent backgrounds of potential draftees are concerned. Joe Mixon, a star running back from Oklahoma once punched a woman in the face so hard, she required 8 hours of reconstructive surgery. Caleb Brantley, a 300 pound defensive lineman from the University of Florida also punched a woman, knocking her unconscious. Yes, she pushed him first and words were spoken, but c'mon man. Seriously? I have three thoughts on the subject. 1) I am sickened when any person gets violent with another. There are alternatives to solving problems. Don't get me wrong. I'm not a pacifist. But violence should be a last resort. Let the air out of their tires. Pour some sugar in their gas tank. Give them a hot foot. When did we lose our creativity in payback and solving disagreements? 2). The violence won't stop until these people lose something of value. If they go undrafted, and are forced to work long hours for low money just like the rest of us, maybe the next person will think twice before acting. 3). Any team that drafts one of these clowns will be a team I actively root against. Stand for something other than the almighty dollar, NFL owners.

MOVIE OF THE WEEK
Like a good story? Sharp, witty dialogue? Enjoy a heart tug or two? Tired of critics who claim a movie is good simply because it is different with its horribly depressing ending? Have I got a movie for you. Nobody's Fool (1994) stars Paul Newman, Jessica Tandy, Bruce Willis and Melanie Griffith. Donald "Sully" Sullivan (Paul Newman) is an expert at avoiding adult responsibilities. At 60, he divides all his time between a local bar and the occasional construction job. When his estranged son, Peter (Dylan Walsh), arrives in town, bringing with him a son of his own and a sob story about his failed marriage, Sully finds himself assuming the roles of both father and grandfather. After a life of unchecked self-indulgence, he wonders if he is up to the task.

Let me tell you that this movie is one of my all time favorites. The dialogue is understated but hilarious. Jessica Tandy's character is a school teacher who had taught Sully, and has always had a soft spot for him. When she asks him why he always bets on the trifecta horse race every day, Sully responds with, "Because it's due to come in one of these days." Her response, "That's exactly how I feel about you, Donald."

A movie about family, loyalty, and friendship. The acting is superb. Do yourself a favor and watch this movie. You won't regret the time spent.

Until next week....

In a time where Hollywood has garnered more attention for its collective misdeeds off camera and its unimaginative storylines in front of it, it is not completely devoid of merit if you know where to look. Someone once said that there are only 100 different movie themes and every single movie is a variation of one of them. Feel free to begin by looking past the plethora of Superhero movies and mind numbing sequels. That eliminates the majority of recent movies and it leaves you with only six themes. Why six? Because in my opinion, these six are the ones most worthy of living your life by. Is there more than one movie that represents a particular theme? Of course. But that is up to you to decide. For me, the movies that follow each represent a value I hold dear. If you agree with them, then do not pass go, but head straight for your remote and search through On Demand, for these movies will change your life forever.

6) P.S. I LOVE YOU (2007). When Gerry (Gerard Butler), the husband of Holly (Hilary Swank), dies from an illness, she loses the love of her life. Knowing how hard Holly will take his death, Gerry plans ahead. Beginning on her 30th birthday, she receives the first in a series of letters written by him, designed to ease her grief and encourage her to move forward to a new life. If the movie sounds depressing, it actually isn’t because it starts with the death and works backward to happier times, with the focus on their romance. It has humor, love and requires a healthy dose of “Viribus”—the Latin word for strength.

5) SERENDIPITY (2001). On a magical night when they are in their 20s, Jonathan (John Cusack) meets Sara (Kate Beckinsale). He finds it love at first sight, but Sara believes in destiny. Ten years later, the two -- with 3,000 miles between them -- must decide if fate wants them to be together again. When love feels like magic, it is called destiny; when your destiny is the result of happy occurrences with a little intervention, it is called serendipity. Sure there were parts of the movie that made you shake your head and say “That would never happen,” and other parts that were infuriatingly frustrating because you wanted to slap the characters across the face to wake up. Jeremy Piven’s character, an obituary writer for the New York Times, steals the movie with his heartfelt portrayal as Jonathan’s best friend and his quoting of Epictetus, “If you want to improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid,” and the obituary he writes for his still very much alive friend makes being a “jackass” sound so good. After all, who hasn’t wondered how much of your destiny is what you make of it, and how much is “Fatum”.

4) TIN CUP (1996). Roy McAvoy (Kevin Costner) was a golf pro with a bright future, but his rebellious nature and bad attitude cost him everything. Now working as a golf instructor, he falls for his newest pupil, Dr. Molly Griswold (Rene Russo), a psychiatrist who happens to be the girlfriend of PGA Tour star and Roy's rival, David Simms (Don Johnson). After he is humiliated by Simms at a celebrity golf tournament, McAvoy decides to make a run for the PGA Tour, as well as Molly's heart. Not going to lie. The first time I saw this movie, I was infuriated with the ending and without giving too much of it away, let’s just say it wasn’t the way I wanted it to go. It was a happy ending, but not as happy as I wanted. But after I saw it a 2nd, 3rd and 25th time, I realized it was exactly as it should be. Perfection is recognizing that some flaws are difficult to overcome no matter what the stakes, but it is, after all, what makes us human—and perfect in our imperfection. Yes, Tin Cup is a romantic comedy, but a look under the hood, shows us a movie about reaching our “Potentia”.

3) THE FAMILY MAN (2000). Jack (Nicolas Cage), a high powered corporate raider with a lavish, fast-paced lifestyle stumbles into a grocery store holdup one Christmas Eve and disarms the gunman. In the ensuing conversation Jack tells the man “he has everything he needs.” The next morning he wakes up in bed lying next to Kate (Tea Leoni), his college sweetheart he left in order to pursue his career, and to the horrifying discovery that his former life no longer exists. As he stumbles through this alternate suburban universe, Jack finds himself coming to the realization that just maybe, his life is lacking in the most important area—family. In another scene stealing role, Jeremy Piven also appears, exhibiting everything you could ever ask for in a best friend.

2) THE WAY, WAY BACK (2013). Duncan (Liam James) is an awkward teen who must spend the summer at a beach house with his mother (Toni Collette), her boyfriend, Trent (Steve Carell), and Trent's obnoxious daughter. Trent can't resist badgering Duncan, so the youth steals away to a water park and gets a job that will help him stay off Trent's radar. As Duncan tends to the slides and pools of the aging park, he finds a father figure in wisecracking park manager Owen (Sam Rockwell) at a time when he desperately needs one. Steve Carell goes against type in this role as the insensitive scoundrel, complete with a new haircut and it works. Gone is the Carell of The 40 Year Old Virgin, Crazy, Stupid Love and Dan in Real Life. I never thought I could dislike him in a movie, and the fact that he is completely unlikeable tells you he has a greater range that I thought. But without question, Sam Rockwell steals the movie. He is as funny as he is unmotivated, as perceptive and self aware as he is underachieving. But what he couldn’t do for himself, he is able to do for Duncan by providing guidance and sympathy without making it look like he is. When he tells Duncan “Don’t ask me how I know. I just know,” you know he can relate and when he steps in between the bullying Carell and Duncan, you can’t help but tear up at the loyalty and kindness to a boy in need of some, in a society that needs more people like Rockwell’s character. This is a tiny movie in terms of budget and concept, but it is large in every way that matters, most especially loyalty and kindness.

1) NOBODY’S FOOL (1994). Adapted from the novel by Richard Russo, Nobody’s Fool tells the story of Donald “Sully” Sullivan, a 60 something man who on the surface has walked away from everything in his life. He walked out on his marriage. Is an absentee father. And works only hard enough to get by in the lifestyle he is used to—mainly drinking at the local watering hole. But to leave the assessment of Sully at that would be to miss the very subtle point of the film, which is that while Sully might have failed his family, he is not without redeeming qualities. In fact, he might just be the most important person in the sleepy little fictional Upstate town of North Bath, NY. He is best friends with an otherwise friendless local man. Loyal to his one legged and incompetent lawyer. Sympathetic to the “prettiest woman in Bath” (Melanie Griffith) whose husband (Bruce Willis) constantly cheats on her. And he rents a room from his 8th grade teacher, Miss Beryl (Jessica Tandy), in no small part because he recognizes she needs someone around. The dialogue in the movie (and novel) is understated but hilarious. When Beryl asks him why he always bets on the trifecta horse race every day, Sully responds with, "Because it's due to come in one of these days." Her response, "That's exactly how I feel about you, Donald." When she asks him if he ever regrets not doing more with the life god gave him, Sully answers, “Not often,” and then after reflecting for a moment, “now and again.” That moment, probably more than any other is what the movie is about. Redemption. When he gets the opportunity to be both a father to his son and grandfather to his grandson, he makes the most of it. Life doesn’t always offer a second chance, but when it does, you need to grab hold of it with both hands.

Viribus. Fatum. Potencia. Familia. Fidelis. Precium.

Strength. Destiny. Potential. Family. Loyalty. Redemption.

I’d say those are six pretty good themes on which to base a life.