Douglas Howe: October 2009 Archives

Michael Moore, the film-maker, for "Catholic of the Year?"

That is exactly the nomination currently being put forward by Anthony Stevens-Arroyo in Newsweek's "On Faith." Before you form your opinion, some points he makes are worth considering.

"'Capitalism: A Love Story'" provokes such passion on either side that--on that count alone--it becomes a tribute to his skill as filmmaker," he writes of Moore's current film. "Admittedly, Moore's style borders on buffoonery, but his message is nonetheless important. I admire the Catholic currents of social justice in this film."

"Moore places a favorable light on his lived Catholic experience and the trust he places in Catholic priests," says Stevens-Arroyo lists three main reasons why Moore--and specifically his latest movie--warrant not only serious consideration but are also indicative of a depth to Moore as a person that his physical appearance and documentary style of filmmaking may mask."At a time when Catholicism's foes pounce on reports of pedophilia from the clergy or criticize single issue politics as reasons to denigrate the Church, Moore gives us good news. He lets his own pastor and priest friends come across as down-to-earth."

I had the chance to see "This is It" in Los Angeles this week. And I'm still trying to figure out how I feel about it.

It seems like just a little while ago that I was watching news stories of Michael Jackson's passing and watching videos that he'd made long ago. His death had been sudden and shocking, followed by a remembrance process that was celebrative and winsome. But seeing a new film, with new images, about a man who's passed away, is very, very confusing on the emotions.

I can't tell whether this was "Instant Nostalgia" or "Delayed Mourning." "Blessed are those who mourn," says the scripture. It also says, "There's a time to mourn." Watching "This Is It," I found myself trying to get emotionally connected to whether that time had come and gone, or was still with us, or was starting anew.

That said, "This Is It" is a celebration of a man in the prime of his desire, though not of his career--someone committed to repainting himself publically according to his gifts, talents and passions rather than the controversy and confusion that had so marked his more recent decade.

As movie stories go, "This Is It" really doesn't have one. It is documentary-ish, which actually makes it all the more powerful, as the sheer force of Michael Jackson's presence--and our knowledge of his impending death--provides the dramatic tension, the plot, the conflict, the constant knowledge of the fatal flaw and the denouement.

The World Series starts this week.

"Yeah!" say the Yankee fans.

"Yeah!" say the Phillie fans.

"Dang," say the Southern California fans, whose Dodgers and Angels both lost in the semi-finals.

And, unfortunately, "Yawn" goes the rest of the country.

In New York, land of Beliefnet HQ, and, oh yes, the land of Jeter and A-Rod and the new recruits, CC and Mark, this is a Big Week. Indeed.

But for the rest of the country, I'm asking: what happened to the Great American Pastime? What happened to Major League Baseball's hallmark series. This should be big stuff! The Yankees are doing what they've always done throughout history: going to the World Series when they're in a new (or reconstructed) ballpark. The Phillies are attempting to repeat as World Champions.

In fact, this is the Current Champs against the All-Time Champs, as the Yankees have won more World Series' than any other franchise. And the Phillies and Yankees haven't played each other since 1950!

So what's the problem? Why hasn't America been captured by this pending event?

As if having one of the more creative titles wasn't enough to fuel a ton of marketing, Dave Matthews and his "Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King" tunes have been showing up everywhere around me. And I'm lovin' it.

Dave headlined the "Austin City Limits" Music Festival earlier this month. He and his band were on display for the second time this month on "The Tonight Show With Conan O'Brien." And on my last Delta flight, the whole "GrooGrux" CD was featured.

Sometimes a new CD by an established star is so well-marketed that the actual music and inspiration gets lost. Not so with this CD, as "GrooGrux" is a great ride.

"Why I Am" is a rockin' song in which he honors departed band member LeRoi Moore, the saxophonist and band co-founder who died just over a year ago from injuries sustained in an ATV accident.

"I grew from monkey into man," Matthews sings in tribute, graduating to "I grew drunk on water turned into wine." He then confesses "I was slave and master at the same ...time."

A new vigilante movie made a bigger splash than expected this weekend, and I think the reasons for it are, well, timeless. "Law Abiding Citizen" hearkens back to the great vigilante renaissance of the 70's, but really goes back to one of the biblical themes of the Old Testament. There is something about us that wants to see "an eye for an eye." It's gratifying. It's fulfilling. It's inspiring.

Or is it?

What is it in the heart of all of us that wants justice? Where does it come from, that we want what's fair when someone or some thing really seems to have taken unfair advantage of someone else. Those who loved "Walking Tall," "Billy Jack," "Taxi Driver" and even "Batman" can testify to the visceral and gritty satisfaction that comes in watching "justice" being delivered on screen.

I don't think "Law Abiding Citizen" rises to the artful level of "Dirty Harry" nor the raw brazenness of "Death Wish," but it certainly ranks as a contender of the this decade's Strongest Vigilante Films list.

Dennis Lim explored the topic of vigilantes in film recently in his L.A. Times blog. So did Joseph Tirella when Jodie Foster's "The Brave One" came out awhile back. I like Steven Wyble's list which he started last year. And Amazon.com is one of the many sites that dedicates a categorical listing to the vigilante DVDs currently available.

It was one of the most challenging requests God ever made of His people when He said that the work of avenging a wrong would be His work, not theirs. Conversely, He often instructed his Old Testament leaders to be the instruments of His vengeance. Where does that leave us?

"And I'd like to thank God Almighty," reads the headline in a current USA Today.com feature. "In big-time sports, God often gets a prominent place on the field of play," it goes on to say. "A shout-out here, a...