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The Rifleman: The Vision (1960)
Mark Begins to Grow Up
In this episode; Season 2, Episode 26, the show opens with Mark feeling dissatisfied and unhappy. He tries to explain to his Pa why he is feeling this way but isn't successful, concluding his lines with: "I knew you wouldn't understand." So far I have watched all of Season 1 and Season 2 up until this episode. It is the first time we see Mark beginning to struggle with his feelings about losing his mom at such a young age. A son being raised by a single dad and being portrayed on Prime Time television in 1960 was really ground breaking for the time. The relationship between Mark (Johnny Crawford) and his Pa (Chuck Connors) is one of the pillars of the story. Its' portrayal is what gave The Rifleman its unique character and kept the series from being just another Western when the field was very crowded.
In this episode Mark comes down with Typhoid Fever after drinking from a contaminated barrel of water, something his Pa specifically told him not to do. But, during a sleepless night, and as an act of defiance Mark takes a drink anyway and gets sick. It is very easy, especially in 1960's television, to over play sickness. I was impressed by how Johnny Cochran, then almost 14 years old, acted sick without tipping over into sappy melodrama. His sick body serving as a physical representation of his emotional confusion at missing his mom. During his fever dreams he has a vision of his mother. Mark must choose between staying in the "spirit world" with his mother, or going back to the work of everyday life with his dad.
I am a bit embarrassed to admit it, but this episode brought tears to my eyes. As a viewer I realized that the relationship between Mark and his Pa wasn't just a plot device, but essential in the lives of both Mark and his dad, a driving force in the personalities of both characters. As always, Hattie, (played by Hope Summers) the Dry Goods Merchant in North Fork, does an outstanding job of portraying the woman in Lucas's life and the mother in Marks'. It was very appropriate at the time, the assumption that merely being a woman meant that Hattie was the best qualified to be a nurse to Mark. The Rifleman would not be the same show without the strong supporting cast of characters that lend a feeling of reality and fullness to the lives of Lucas McCain and Mark McCain. Now, in 2019, the presumption that a woman is the best nurse simply because she is a woman seems outdated, and it is.
I was beginning to wonder when the series would show Mark start to grow up and think for himself. I saw that happen in this episode.
Eastern Boys (2013)
A Film About the Evolution of an Unusual Love
I have watched this movie several times now. Being an American I must confess that I am rather dense when it comes to understanding the nuances of many European films. In the beginning I was very confused, there is almost no dialogue for the first ten minutes of the film, and then, what little dialogue there was I did not understand the language. I thought that my closed captioning was turned off. But no, it was not.
These limitations, however, are strictly my own. As I watched repeatedly, with breaks in between viewings, I began to realize. In Daniel's world, his attractions to the younger "Eastern European Boys" must be conducted in secret. In darkened corners and away from prying eyes. This is because his attraction to teenage boys (presumably underage) is illegal, and treated as shameful, sick, deranged, even, perhaps deserving of pity. Marek's world is much the same, he plys his trade in the open, but retreats to the same shameful corners and dark spaces to arrange the sale of his services to those that would buy them.
What this story is really about then is; how do these two men. One older, one younger learn to see each other as something other than the simple fulfillment of sexual desire and a source of income. That is what this movie depicts. At first we see them only as caricatures, stereotypes of what (American) society would expect of Daniel, as a man who desires sex with much younger men. We see Marek as the person who is paid to provide that service, and that's it.
As the movie slowly (yes, slowly) unfolds so does their relationship. So, also, do their characters. We begin to see that something more than desire and object is happening here. Marek returns after his friends completely strip Daniel's home of literally everything they can carry. My first reaction when I saw him return and ring Daniels doorbell was to shout; "No! No! Don't open the door to him again!" I realized on the third viewing, that this seemingly stupid action on Daniel's part has great significance. It is representing the opening of his heart.
For, perhaps the first time in his life, Marek experiences a love from Daniel that asks for nothing in return. He pleases Marek at each encounter, until Marek lets go of his layers of cynicism and protection. He open's his heart to Daniel. Over time they struggle, fight, make-up, discuss and negotiate and work their way toward a father and son relationship. Which, by the end of the movie is exactly what it has become. Or, perhaps the status of their relationship is left for the viewer to decide. I can see it going both ways.
Yes, this film will challenge the way you look at attraction between disparate ages. Yes, this film my make you uncomfortable at times. However, if you watch with an open heart and an open mind you may see that love, compassion and respect can grow in the oddest of places. It took me a lot of time and many viewings to give this movie room to breathe in my heart. Once I did I was glad. It has become my favorite LGBT movie. Thank you for reading my review. I hope it helped.
Lost in Space (2018)
Lost In Space is Starting to Lift Off
I have watched the series through episode 8 so far. I find myself going back and forth as to whether I like it or don't really want to spend time watching it. First the good points.
The actors are talented and do a remarkable job in bringing their characters to life. This includes both the characters strong points and the parts of themselves they are challenged by. Like many others I am impressed by the production values and Computer Generated Images. The scenery of "the planet" is beautiful to look at and makes an excellent backdrop for the show. According to the "Lost In Space" page on IMDB, the filming was done in Canada. That explains the varied terrain and beautiful views.
There is an over-arching plot line, albeit a simple one, that the Robinsons and other survivors must race against time if they hope to survive. Of course, there is the question of the Robot Attack on the "Resolute" and why it happened. Will Robinson's encounter with, and growing attachment to the "Robot" leaves room for lots of questions and future plot lines. The question here is; will they make it?
It is a bit easier for me if I consider each episode separately. What I mean by that is, each episode is one more hurdle for the Robinson's and other potential colonists to overcome in trying to reach their ultimate goal of getting off planet. I have found myself finally beginning to care about the characters, but it took me longer then usual to do so in the case of this series.
Now, to the not so good points. These are things I am hoping the writers will fix given time. The first regards the characters, the second a few of the more gaping holes in the plotlines and third, the un-answered questions of the over-arching story line.
The actors are doing an outstanding job creating their characters. Maureen Robinson (played by Molly Parker) is clearly portrayed as being highly intelligent, detached from her emotions, and a definite take charge kind of person. The character feels one dimensional and flat. It isn't until episode seven that we begin to see a warmer side of her. Something I was very glad to see, as I was not liking her portrayed as completely devoid of emotion.
Clearly, John Robinson (played by Toby Stephens) is there to be the long suffering brunt of Maureen's anger, even though she portrays herself as completely lacking in all emotion. I had a difficult time wrapping my head around Toby Stephens in this role. Especially after watching him in "Black Sails." Seeing him act this submissive and guilty for the first five episodes was painful, and again, I was not connecting to his character.
Newcomers, at least to me, Mina Sundwall as Penny, Taylor Russell as Judy and Maxwell Jenkins as Will make up the rest of the Robinson family. These young actors are doing a great job with characters whose personalities lack complexity and personal development. Again, despite trying hard, the actors are confined to a narrow band of expression. I kept asking myself, what was the point of having them in the series other then that they are present in the original series and the 1998 remake of the same name? Also, as with Maureen and John, not connecting or caring about their characters.
The plot lines of each individual episode do leave me feeling confused and wondering how this will drive the story line forward. I solve this issue partly, by conceiving of each episode as a somewhat stand alone story, That cannot make up however, for some of the completely irrational decisions and actions that the characters make. The clumsy devices used to place characters in different places made me grit my teeth. For example; when Will first meets the Robot, he is in a cavern with his dad looking for a particular mineral to help get Judy out of the ice she is trapped in. Then suddenly, he slides down a rock fissure in the mountain and ends up in a completely different environment where he meets the Robot. Meanwhile John is still up in the cavern digging out the mineral? What about the peril Judy is in? That is just left hanging and we transition to what feels like a whole different episode.
It might just be me, but I would like a bit of background on why the Robinson's left earth. How did the "Resolute" get built? Can anyone possibly believe our society will achieve this level of technical advancement in just 30 years? How did we get there? Some people may find that background story tedious. It would have given the writers some time to flesh out the characters and let us see some of their complexities and emotions though.
As far as the over-arching plot line goes. It leaves me with many un-answered questions. Which is part of its' function of course. But, if they do not make it to the Resolute by the end of episode eight, what happens to all of those questions that the plot line brings up? Will there be answers? Or, does all of that just disappear down a plot hole?
I gave the show an eight. I really wanted to give it 85% but the rating system doesn't allow half stars. This is a solid property with an excellent background. There is lots of room for possible directions for the plot to go. The actors really are top notch and working hard with two dimensional characters. As the series has progressed I have seen the characters develop and I hope to see that continue. I believe the writers will fill many of the plot holes and answer many of the questions in Season 2. Which I am happy to say there will be.
Watch for break-outs from the actors playing the Robinson's children. This series will definitely bring them other roles. I do hope that Lost In Space has at least a four season life span, which seems to be the maximum for most Netflix produced series. Keep up the good work, Lost In Space is truly getting ready to launch.