Review of Higher Learning (1995) by Steve M — 11 Jul 2004

[font=Times New Roman][size=3]Everything was going so well....my ankle was healing, I was flirting with having a social life again. But then the weekend hit and my ankle started feeling terrible and taking my knee with it. I had to miss work today so I could go back on the Percocet and ease my pain. I may have to miss it tomorrow. I cant really afford to be doing this. Its nice to have a break, but rent doesnt get paid that way. Student loans dont go away either....[/size][/font].

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[font=Times New Roman][size=3]So the local chain of Fred Meyer stores (alaska's answer to wal-mart) were having their annual summer DVD sale. The one time of year that Freddy's is the better place for movies than Best Buy. Once again I used the sale to pick up some flicks I wouldnt normally pay regular price for. Like Seven I got for $7.50, Bowling for Columbine for $7.50. But I also used the prices to go out on a limb and try a couple of interesting-looking titles. I got Romeo is Bleeding with Gary Oldman (1994) for $7 and it tuened out to be pretty worthwhile because Gary Oldman is brilliant. I also picked up City Slickers. I had never seen the first one, I saw the second one back in the day and disliked it even at age 13 so I didnt bother seeing the first one. But I thought for $7, how can I go wrong? I was more than pleasantly surprised to find it was not only good, but great. A hilarious comedy but one with a great plot with a great ending that ties the whole feel-good package together. Billy Crystal at his least annoying, Jack Palance at his most menacing....I had a wonderful time and that wasnt the narcotics talking! It almost makes me want to revisit the second one and see if maybe I would like it better understanding the first one. But its not high on my list of must-sees.[/size][/font].

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[font=Times New Roman][size=3]Recently I also picked up Higher Learning. Released in January 1995, its directed by John Singleton back when his movies had something to say (Rosewood, Boyz N The Hood, Poetic Justice) other than "I'm making madd money y'all" (2 Fast 2 Furious, Shaft). Its about racal tensions exploding at a university named for one of the most racist men in history, Christopher Columbus. It is both a serious commentary and a knowing satire of our times. I especially liked the moment that we find out that a prominent black activist character's last name is "White." With a cast like Jennifer Connelly, Omar Epps, Ice Cube, Laurence Fishburne, Kristy Swanson, Michael Rapaport, Busta Rhymes, Cole Hauser, Adam Goldberg, Tyra Banks and more....it wont be business as usual. Its a very intense movie whose motives are not always clear, but the message is one of tolerance and a head-shaking one about how far we have come, and how far we have yet to advance. If I were a political science professor, I would show this movie in class and assign at least 2 papers based on it. [/size][/font].

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[font=Times New Roman][size=3]So I saw Fahrenheit. Bottom line: very interesting and informative. I am not a huge Michael Moore fan and this was not as good as Bowling for Columbine, but it was good and I got a lot out of it. Its been discussed enough so I wont go into it.[/size][/font].

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[font=Times New Roman][size=3]Saw Kill Bill 1 and 2 back to back at the Bear Tooth. So much pizza, not so much beer for me because Kurtis drank most of our pitcher. But I would say that with all that I spent on the evening, I got a lot out of it. The big long fight scene near the end of 1 played better than it ever has in theaters or on DVD.[/size][/font].

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[font=Times New Roman][size=3]Not so much on the personal life front. Still waiting for news on that job prospect, and also found out that I do NOT have to interview with the lady that doesnt like me. But then again, without an interview, she cant see through her prejudices and understand I am not as evil as she makes me out to be to herself and others.....[/size][/font].

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[font=Times New Roman][size=3]Time for bed.....guess what!!! I just looked out the window and its DARK at 1AM!!!! The days are getting longer and the damn light is going away sooner. Actually feels like time to go to bed. Gotta love the AK.[/size][/font].