For the love of diversity, PLEASE see Queen of Katwe

If you love diversity(or say you do), especially in entertainment, then go see Queen of Katwe this week (ALREADY in selected theaters, and many more next week, starting this Friday, September 30).

There are people who have probably written much more persuasive (and longer) pieces, but i'd like to throw out my feelings and thoughts, and hope you can agree at least on one small action.

Now, this weekend, The Magnificent 7 remake is out as well. That too is an excellent example of diversity (the 7 are a diverse bunch), as well as Antwone Fuqua as director. The thing is, this is a Hollywood blockbuster, and since it's opening in late September, it will likely be #1 at the box office for the next 2-3 weeks. So while it could also use the support (it was already #1 on its opening weekend),  it won't need it as much as a lower budget (approximately $15 million) film  could use the help.

None of the stars of this movie are white  (and in fact are 1st or 2nd Generation African), which may turn off many potential moviegoers. Let's buck that trend, and not give Hollywood an excuse to stop making films featuring non-whites, as well as excuses for focusing just on sex and violence.

So if you can only see one movie this weekend, see Queen of Katwe. If you can see two, then go for Magnificent 7. But sacrifice a little to make a big impact.

Thanks for taking the time (and just a bit of money)  to help support diversity, and quality entertainment.

Christians need to see Queen of Katwe

I really want to encourage my Christian friends to take some time this weekend and see the movie Queen of Katwe. This is a movie about a young Ugandan girl who becomes a chess champion.

The reason why I want to see this movie this weekend as opposed to waiting to DVD or another weekend is because the opening weekend of a movie is how to make a huge impact. This will send a signal to the studio executives that these kinds of family-oriented movies are important and really need to be out there.  (It opened in limited release last week, but the full opening is this weekend).

Now, this Christian movie is not as blatantly Christian is The Passion of the Christ or this year's movie Risen. However, this is one of those rare movies that shows Christians in a positive light. It shows us doing Simple everyday Ministry, which shows how we can have a great impact around the world.

My oldest daughter is excited to see it, and I can wait to see it with her, and talk all about it after it's over.

Let's get all out there as well. This is our opportunity to make a difference. And it won't cost us very much money and just a couple hours of our time.

May 2016 art contest submission for TrekBBS

Trekbbs has a monthly art contest. For May 2016, the theme is flags...especially ones that were NOT seen in Star Trek at all.

My entry is for May 2016 is Mudd's Planet.... (the episode where interstellar con man Harry Mudd had a planet of androids)

I wanted it animated, because without 20th century budget and technological restraints, flags should be able to change color

And with Harry Mudd, his stuff would  be gawdy...and of course about him !

Marvel *and* DC : Civil War

So this year, comic fans are looking at their heroes going to war with themselves. From Captain America: Civil War (Marvel heroes fighting in May) to Batman V. Superman (DC heroes fighting right now) to Supergirl racing the Flash on Monday... what if we put them altogether in one graphic?

And on the serious side...

I hope to get back to writing soon, on thoughts ranging from the "fun" (like how I think DC should have rolled out Justice League on film) to the political, such as the "test" I wold challenge any Supreme Court nominee, as well presidential candidate questions that we have never heard in a debate, but be far more useful in determining a choice of world leader.


In the meantime, let me give you some links to one of my other blogs, Do-Gooder Consulting.  Our motto is helping you help others, and hopefully, some of this information will help.

• Why you high school student needs to fill out the FAFSA right NOW! 
• 
  
• Suggestions on using social media more effectively
• 
  
• MAJOR changes to the FAFSA for next year (really only 7 months from now!)
• 
  
• Some of our other best work

Hope these can help!

Paul Blart 2 - movie review

If you saw the commercials, and were like my wife, you probably rolled your eyes, and said to yourself (or out loud to anyone who seemed remotely interested in “Paul Blart Mall Cop 2”), I am never going to watch this movie

But if you like the 3 Stooges-type of humor, you’ll love this movie. I am actually a big fan of Kevin James’ family films, like “Here Comes the Boom” and the original “Paul Blart”.  This one does not disappoint.

Now, is this a movie that will change your destiny or alter your philosophical outlook on life? Probably not.

But is it worth a Redbox rental? Most certainly! Worth buying? Definitely at least maybe. If you’ve got children, this is a great movie to reinforce helpful thoughts in their head.

What I like about this movie is that they provide some great life lessons. Without (hopefully) spoiling it, I let me share some great messages.

The first is to take pride in what you do, even if others mock it. Mall security is often looked down on as “cop wanna-be’s” or a job that one does until they find something better. But Paul inspires his fellow mall security to think that “Security is a mission, not an intermission.”  And with that perspective everyone can benefit.

Another is to listen to your parents, no matter what crazy things they ask of you. (And yes, I am well aware of abuse  - but this lesson is assuming your parents are people who truly love and care about you) Those things may seem insane and/or embarrassing at the time, but you l eventually see the fruit of their requests.

The “objectionable” or “questionable” things (other than the quality of humor) are few, but let me list a few for those concerned. 1) Paul Blart gets his moment to shine due to the extreme drunkenness of a very minor character. Definitely doesn’t glorify alcohol, but it’s there.  2) Lots of slapstick violence (including a death that moves the plot) 3) Pauls self delusion of hi attractiveness to women . But with actual parental guidance, like the PG rating suggests, will ensure your children will come away form the movie with minimal psychological damage .

SIDENOTE/Tangent: Fans of “Here Comes the Boom” will enjoy cameos/supporting roles of several actors from that movie.  Also, check the official website at http://www.paulblart-movie.com/

 
I am looking forward to the next Kevin James family film.

In addition to writing serious (and not-so-serious thoughts on More2Ignore.com, he is als the President of Do-Gooder Consulting (www.do-gooder.us) . He also writes a blog for Do-Gooder as well (at blog.do-gooder.us) , providing insight on issues such as college financial aid, and marketing your organization on the web)

May 2015 TrekBBS Contest Entry

This is my submission to TrekBBS's monthly art contest. The theme for May 2015 is elections. Please feel free to add in the comments if you think the red circle/line is good, or should be kept off.
Chicago voters will appreciate the first picture.

There's still time for YOU to submit an entry!

(The first 2 are sized to be published on the message board (which has a lot of text)...the second are the original sizes).

REAL Superhero at Pocket Con?

This entry is more an excuse to post a cute photo of my girls at Pocket Con, a local Chicago comic convention geared toward kids.

I will post more details at another time.

 

Multicultural = I like Marvel *and* DC!

Some ideas for a T-shirt i want to wear at a local comic convention. Which one do you like best?

This may be the first of an ongoing series. I also have one for Star Wars and Star Trek.

#1

#2

#3

Star Trek Enterprise inspires Redskins name solution = Pinkskins

The Washington Redskins professional American football team has recently had a strong protest over the use of its name, which has been used as racist & derogatory term for decades. 
Redskins owner Dan Synder, among others, "say they believe that it refers positively to Native Americans, invoking qualities of strength and courage," according to Wikipedia. 
Many other people do not.  Here's an ad which will appear during the NBA playoffs in several cities, led by the Yocha Dehe tribe. ChangeTheMascot.org is a website that is also spearheading these efforts.

This controversy just happens to coincide with the monthly art contest that TrekBBS (a Star Trek fan message board) was holding: New and/or improved.

So I took that opportunity to "improve" the Washington Redskins with a new name. It's one that was used frequently in Star Trek: Enterprise's episodes with the Andorians (blue skinned aliens with antennae, who have been around since the first show aired on TV nearly 50 years ago). It's Commander Shran's nickname for humans: Pinkskins. It's an "affectionate" name, that is surely as respectful as  claims "Redskins" is.

When the contest officially begins voting, I 'll add the link here.

Star Trek has been at the forefront of inspiring us to make changes so we can have a better future. Here's one more thing we ought to add to that list. 

Go #Pinkskins!

These are REALLY the Voyages - how the Enterprise finale SHOULD have ended

We had a discussion on TrekBBS about Manny Coto, who came in the 4th Season of Enterprise and almost saved the franchise. The discussion of course included talking about the final episode of the series.

As you may know, the final episode of Enterprise (the fifth Star Trek TV series) was called "These Are The Voyages" and was supposed to be a "valentine" to the fans , according to Brannon Braga and Rick Berman, creators of Enterprise. It was an awful episode for most Star Trek fans.  They shoehorned a Next Generation episode as a framing device (and a bad fit), and also killed off a popular Enterprise character.  The episode was meant to close out not just the Enterprise series, but an era of new episodes of Star Trek.

So here’s my outline for a “better valentine” to Trek fans, that closes the door on the “silver age” of Trek. The story for the Enterprise crew is not really specified. I don’t think it’s as important as finding a credible way to tie the different series together. Feel free to suggest your own.

I used the Mindmapper program to help me sort out which series characters would be most likely available and interested in participating. (So I left off McCoy & Scotty for obvious reasons, and Kirk & Spock & Picard (and a couple others) because their actors are “too big” and/or too busy to be available. I mmatched up a TV series character with an Enterprise character I thought they could relate to.  Other series actors could also be part of the discussion as well; i just wanted to make sure someone from a previous series had a connection to the Enterprise crew member. Each Enterprise character would have one last chance to shine in each of the acts, but could of course be in the background for other scenes.

“The Better Valentine” or “These REALLY Are the Voyages…”

Teaser

n  TOS Crew talking to Cadets/young officers (or just lucky Trek fans dressed in as Starfleet officers/cadets, hearing a story)

n  Switch to TNG talking to a similar group, in their era (in a 10 Forward lounge?)

n  Switch to DS9 and VOY crew at Quark's talking to cadets

Act 1

n  Bashir, O'Brien, B'Elanna and Harry relay to cadets some of their heroes

Explain how each made an impact

n  Phlox Trip and T'Pol do something to help injured people

n  What causes the injury (Romulans?) sets stage for the ENT story

Act 2

n  TOS sets up this scene

n  saying how Supporting crew made a vital contribution to that era

n  Sato Mayweather & Shran do something to help the Enterprise crew deal with this threat

n  Mayweather and Sato are AT LEAST a Lt. by this point, if not Lt. Commander

Act 3

n  Riker and Worf set up stage for Archer uniting the UFP founders

n  Archer's actions, along with Reed's expertise, help solve an issue

Closer

n  TNG, TNG, VOY and  DS9 crews talking about Archer helping found the Federation (the camera rotates around "the table" and each incarnation has a say)

n  ENT Last scene w/ Archer (like we saw in Enterprise..except Mayweather gets promoted)

n  Narrative “These are the voyages…”said by all Captains, one line at a time

February 2014 TrekBBS Art contest submisison

The Star Trek message board TrekBBS.com has a monthly art contest. This month's theme was basically getting a second chance at previous entries.   You can find it here--> February 2014 Challenge: 2nd Chance 

If you have signed up, please consider for me. My kids weren't cute enough last time!

Voting should start about March 2 or so, and last until about March 4 or 5.