The General - 1926: Movie Review

According to some movie critics, Buster Keaton was a better actor than Chaplin. After watching The General this evening, I can't argue. This 1926 silent film classic is filled with action, adventure, family-friendly romance, comedy, and a story that twists and turns in unpredictable but satisfying directions. Keaton wrote, directed, and starred in this hour-long film about a train engineer who is turned down for combat duty in the Civil War. As a result of his rejection, Annabelle Lee, his true love, rejects him, too. Through a comedy of errors, Keaton's character ends up in the middle of a crucial situation and uses his expertise to become an accidental hero.

By comparison, Charlie Chaplin's physical humor is quaint and overly corny at times. Keaton's athletic ability brings a better balance between tension and humor. The General is great family film because it appeals to Mom, Dad, and all the kids...and all the single women who like light romance with courageous moments from the heroine. Check it out for Thanksgiving or Christmas Day.

Sowell on Excessive Introspection

There is no point dwelling on all the foolish mistakes we have made in our lives. For one thing, it can be very time-consuming.

~~Thomas Sowell

Thanks to Our Veterans

HT to Carri on Facebook for this wonderful quote:

Only 2 defining forces have ever offered to die for you....Jesus Christ and the American Soldier. One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.
-- Lt. Col. Grant L. Rosensteel, Jr.

I was in a gathering earlier today where a guest speaker took a moment to honor people in the room. He asked all vets to stand, and I was shocked because there were folks in the room that I have known for six years who have not mentioned this part of their lives. What a wonderful revelation to learn of ones who have served and possibly fought for freedom. To them and so many others who have given of themselves, thank you, thank you, thank you.

Happy Birthday, Sesame Street

Image via Wikipedia

TV network pubs have boasted about long-lasting dramas -- Gunsmoke for 19 years and Law and Order, which will probably make it to a 20th season in 2012. They overlooked shows that have endured longer, like Sesame Street. I thank the Lord for the genius of the late Jim Henson, creator of a kids' show that has lasted 40 years. And it has attracted more than kids. From the start, the Muppets charmed the hearts of folks from ages 1 to 100.

Latinos have loved Sesame Street since its debut in 1969 because it was one of the first shows to feature actors of all ages and races getting along and co-existing on the city streets. The scripts were often bi-lingual, a treat for many immigrants who still had not learned English. I liked the show because of Cookie Monster and The Count.



When my mother's employer, Aspira of Philadelphia, asked staff, family, and friends to participate in a weekend promotion of the show during the summer of 1970, Mom signed us up. Scores of us Puerto Rican Americans paraded in the streets of West Philly alongside a truck decorated with images from the show. The bi-lingual, pre-recorded message boomed through the loudspeaker, inviting kids to watch Sesame Street at whatever time it aired. That was the most fun I had during the nine months of living in the ghetto, and it felt great to do something that might help kids with their reading and language skills

New Every Morning

There's nothing like dawn. The start of a new day has signified hope since teen years. At age 15, I was a camp counselor for seven weeks in the summer. I woke up at 5:30 every morning without an alarm and enjoyed a short stroll through the woods before breakfast. The skies were like this most of the time.

During adult years, I have had trouble sleeping, which meant I could not rise early enough for this treat. However, for the last several months, that issue has been reversing and, for the first time in decades, I've been catching sunrises for days in a row. This has brought cause for celebration because enjoying the Lord first thing is still a deep need. Life is better with plenty of time to read the Word, meditate on truth, pray, and behold His glory.

As the hymn says, His mercies are new every morning. The proof is in the unfolding of each new day. Great is His faithfulness.