Calm Down Dear…It’s Just A Referendum

Calm Down Dear…It’s Just A Referendum.

So its voting day today. Are we in or out of the EU.

There are so many arguments and passionate debates going on in households across not only the UK and Europe, but also the whole world seem to want to have their say as to whether we should stay or leave the EU.

This blog is not about the arguments. Honestly at this late hour there’s no point, most of us have decided or we’re just not going to vote.

But I do want to just discuss one point – regardless the way people vote today, even if its an out vote, we may not necessarily be coming out of the EU.

What, how, why I hear you shouting. Well because it is just a referendum, meaning its not a law or Act but merely a glorified poll, so while many of us are starting world war three in our homes regarding staying or leaving, there may be no need to panic, it may not even happen.

Now honestly I’m voting to stay in, but just imagine, if around only 30% of people chose to vote today, like in a normal election, the result can be vetoed because of the limited turnout.

Cameron could quite literally take a no vote and refuse to move forward on the grounds that there wasn’t enough of a turnout to legitimately withdraw our membership in the EU.

However, he could also use it as a bargaining chip. He could turn round to the EU and say look, our people are unhappy and want to leave if the EU doesn’t change.

It’s a great ploy if you ask me. Cameron appears to not want to leave by fighting the stay campaign, but really he plans to use the referendum to maybe get what he wants.

Then a vote to stay will also give him the power to say that actually we do all want to stay, but there is discourse and upset among our citizens, enough that many want to leave, so we need to renegotiate the membership. A win/win situation for Cameron I guess.

Even Gove didn’t seem certain that Cameron would go ahead in the special Question Time debate, yet trying to reassure us that he would leave if thats the way we voted.

So I guess this short blog post is a warning to you all – regardless of your stand, get out and vote. If this is a bargaining chip, do give Cameron the power, make your voice heard. Even if its a 50/50 split at least we may have what we need to force the EU to make changes.

We may not like the idea that a vote to leave may not mean a vote to leave, but it could be the catalyst needed to force Brussels to change its ways. To limit those open boarders, to take a second look at TTIP. To limit how much we’re expected to pay in, even possibly to limit the amount of new countries allowed visa free travel, early benefits, housing rights etc. All of the things that are upsetting so many people.

So from one British citizen to another, don’t waste your vote by doing nothing. At lease stand with those whom share your vision for the future, even if its not the same as my view, all of out voices need to be hear, referendum or not.

I’m Offended…Get Over it

I’m Offended, Get Over It.

In recent years the world has been going mad over offence, from top universities halting an Around the World in 80 Days themed party in case someone was racially offended, people being offended that there were no black nominations for the Academy Awards, and even people being offended when Cold Play and Beyonce used an Asian theme for their music video. What the hell is wrong with the everyone.

Don’t get me wrong there is definitely enough reasons in this world for many people to genuinely be offended – real acts of racism, sexism and discrimination but from what I can tell it just take one person to say “I’m offended” to cause a stir. In some cases it just takes someone to think a person may be offended for something to stop advertising campaigns and events, but is that fair or have we created a pc nanny state of bloody wimps.

So how can we tell if its something to truly be offended by?
Usually its intent, does the person intend to hurt or offend you – its the difference between someone calling you a fatty (which I am by the way) and an advert that says ‘The aliens are coming and they are going to take the fat ones first”.

Yes it uses the word fat, and like me you might be, but there are loads of us and we are fat, in fact we are the fattest nation in Europe so fat people are here to stay unless we do something about it ourselves.

Secondly, its a joke – tongue in cheek to try and help people feel a little light hearted about it – come on, the drab ads that show some skinny person could be seen as just as offensive if we want to pick at it, we need to learn to laugh at ourselves more, comedy is a great icebreaker.

Be angry at the right people or at least for the right reasons.

I’m thinking of Jada Pinkett Smith and the Oscars debacle when I address this one. Now the thing with racial offence is it is a very real problem but by being offended by everything to do with race trivialises the real issues like police brutality, employment issues, early deaths and a high representation of black men in prisons today.

There is a genuine issue with the underemployment of black actors and not enough positive stereotyped roles for them. There’s not enough black directors or writer, but ask yourself is that the Academy’s fault. I would argue it is not.

Firstly, films need to be nominated for an award in the first place and yes of the Academy’s 6000 members 92% are white, but ask yourself how many black actors or directors have actually applied for membership.

Actors like Will Smith who have had an Academy nomination or won an award are actually automatically considered without sponsorship if they apply for membership but I did not read or hear him discuss whether or not he was a member, and if you can’t be bothered to join the Academy to help make those changes you cannot be
offended that there are no black nominations.
Don’t be angry at history, its a great reminder.

Then we’ve got top class universities having to stop events or asked to take down statues because some students feel offended.

Oxford university have been asked to take down a prominent statue of Cecil Rhodes a famous imperialist who’s estate has also made large contributions toward non-British students studying at Oxford through his scholarship, which is one of the most prestigious scholarships globally.

Now arguably Rhodes was a business man of his time when slavery and imperialism was prevalent, wrongly or rightly. We know slavery and imperialism is wrong, we know its part of our history, we should not be offended by this or the statue of a man who is dead.

His legacy stays as a reminder that we have suffered and our ancestors had to fight hard against men like that for the right to an education and equality. On top of that, the estate is now focused on the education of non-British students including black and minority students, one might argue making reparations for the actions of a man who was wrong.

If you look at the list of Rhodes scholars you will see a majority of black, asian and other coloured minorities standing proud having benefitted from the Cecil Rhodes estate. So what are these students offended by?

We cannot afford to get rid of these reminders lest we forget the past and make the same mistakes in future.

Then at the other end of the scale you’ve got Cambridge University students cancelling a lighthearted event – Around the World in 80 Days – in case someone came in an offensive costume. Ok fair enough there are some silly people but surely a little warning of no inappropriate costumes is in order there.

Cultural appropriation, what the hell, its a video get over it.

Recently there has been an onslaught of criticism toward western artist that have been accused of cultural appropriation for using images, jewellery, clothes and religious imagery from Indian culture.

Those that have voiced concern feel as though their culture has been used for profit and gain, which in someways is true, but is it cultural appropriation or appreciation and inspiration?

To me real cultural appropriation is the theft of something – taking artefacts, stealing jewels, and sacred religious antiquities. It is in imperialism and colonisation – the taking of lands for the profit of an outsider.

But and this is where I accept its just my opinion, the use of India as a backdrop for a video, the use of clothes and jewellery, or even the use of normal representations that are familiar to the viewer, whether religious or festivals and traditions is not what one may consider real appropriation of culture, its inspiration, its imitation and even appreciation for a country that has a lot to offer a global society.

I’m quiet sure that everyone involved in the making of the videos were more than appropriately compensated for their work, – whether making the clothes, jewellery or their appearances, and like any business, one business will buy the services of another business, take their product and resell its finished version in the hope of making a profit, that is life.

What we should really be looking at and embracing is the sharing of culture and cultural traditions in the hope to eliminate division and racism – two wrongs don’t make a right. It’s certainly nothing to be offended by and as a black/mixed woman I think I have some authority here.

If we use the logic of this debate and apply it globally then there are many cases for appropriation, especially in fashion, music, design influence, language influence and even religious traditions which have been appropriated over and over again.

Or we could look at it as though its our way of evolving, growing, accepting and breaking down barriers and the separatist, small-mindedness that it brings to this whole thing.

Come to me when Daesh come knocking and steal sacred artefacts to sell on the black market, but a couple of musicians should not be the target of your rage.

So I guess I end my thought with this, being offended is a right we all have, but are you being offended by the right things. We cannot continue this trend that is currently happening where it feels like everyone is offended about something. We need to lighten up and really pick your battles.

Being so thin skinned in life will see you always finding a way to be a victim, by always being offended.

The truth is, the many of those taking offence, aren’t even the ones offended, it is them being offended on behalf of someone else, even if that person took no offence themselves personally. Or because they think someone might take offence. Stop second guessing what might happen.

A state of constant offence is truly undermining the things we should be offended by, and stopping the evolution of our cultures with separatist arguments.

So while I accept you will be offended at some point in your life I implore you to just stop and really ask yourself, why the hell am I offended and is it something I can just get over?

Film Review: The Last Gamble

 

Film Review: The Last Gamble

The Last Gamble is a semi autobiographical film about Joe E. Goodavage, the man who also wrote, produced and directed the film, and is a heartfelt look into the life of addiction.

A three in one storyline – the gambler, the psychiatrist and the cop. Each having made choices that they were paying for in some way.

The gambler Joe, played by Steven Bauer, is deep in the throws of his addiction. Having been an addict since the age of 8, Joe is a man living in New York with his mother Stella, played by Sally Kirkland. Thousands of dollars in debt with bookies and loan sharks, Joe just can’t seem to manage to get out of his living hell.

Missing his GA meetings and still trying to beg, borrow and steal to gamble his way out of debt, it seems that there is no way to get his head above water, but is his therapist the light at the end of the tunnel, and can she be his saviour or will he lose everything and everyone he loves?

There is a brief cameo in the beginning of the film where the real Joe E. Goodavage walks away from a poker game, touches the character Joe on the shoulder and says “Get away from this” then goes into the the bathroom and commits suicide. A poignant moment which is only realised when Joe has a flashback at the end of the film.

Joe’s psychiatrist, Elizabeth played by Tanya Clarke, also has her own problems. With her husband being quite distant and always working late, cracks begin to appear in their marriage.

Elizabeth’s husband takes her on one of his work trips, for her to find that their marital problems follow them there, and in a moment of foolish temptation she makes a choice that will follow her back to NYC and ruin not only her life, but the lives of those around her.

The cop who is tasked with helping Elizabeth after her problem comes knocking, Detective Maritzsa played by Katherine Narducci,is a gritty cop who has turned to drugs to numb the death and horrors that she has had to deal with everyday. Although there cannot be a good end for a cop with an addiction, the question is what help can she be on the job, and if the police cannot help, who will help Elizabeth?

So it’s time to cut the crap. This film was a low budget film, which has, with a great script, managed to pull in a stellar cast. The downside is, it is still a straight to TV film.

With seasoned actors like Steven Bauer better known for Scarface, Ray Donovan and Primal Fear. The still beautiful and talented award winning actress Sally Kirkland from JFK, Bruce Almighty and cinema classic Vally of The Dolls. Tanya Clarke from A Beautiful Mind and Repo Men, John Savage from The Godfather and A Thin Red Line this film is not short of talent. From the main characters to the supporting cast, I don’t know many low budget films that have such an impressive cast, which I would say is due to the script and the importance of the story itself.

It is well written, which should be expected considering how close to the heart the story is to the writer, but it has its moments and some scenes that distract from the continuity of viewing.

However there is an upside. This film is deep. This little thing of beauty is relevant to all of us. It is an emotional rollercoaster that genuinely will have you weeping when you see the vulnerabilities and hardships faced by the characters.

It shows how when we allow our addictions to take over, no matter what they are – drugs, gambling, shopping, work, food or sex – we open ourselves up to three things, being taken advantage of, a hopelessness and loss of control that will drag you down and suffocate you where you stand and the risk that you will push away and hurt those that love you, leaving one isolated and alone.

I would love to say that there is a happy ending, but its a truthful ending.

So would I tell you to go and watch this film? Well if you only like big blockbusters with the might of Hollywood behind them, then no, its not for you.

But if like me you’re a true film geek then you will love this film. It has everything that makes a film great – not money, but heart. It is an honest look at addiction which I believe should be shown to addicts across the world, in every AA, GA, DA, SA meeting and even in schools as a deterrent.

As honest as I can be for ratings, this film gets a 4/5. There are some slow going moments, but the story, the acting and directing deserves recognition.

I know this film has received 4 awards including Best Actor twice for Steven Bauer, Best Feature Joe E. Goodavage, and Best Original Score for composer Ralph Rieckermann, which were wholeheartedly deserved. I look forward to the next film from Joe E. Goodavage. It has been too long coming.

Film Review: Unborn Justice

Short Film Review: Unborn Justice

As short films go Unborn Justice has a great storytelling quality about it. Most short films have limitations, they’re not Hollywood blockbusters, nor do they have a features budget, but you know its a great film when the writer manages to fit a challenging storyline into a short period of time without it feeling rushed or losing some of the story.

Written by new comer Jel Djelal, who also plays the lead, Allen, this film is a dark, moody gangster flick about a couple being in the wrong place at the wrong time, and the tragic consequences it holds in store for them.

Allen and his wife Lisa, played by Sarina Taylor, are celebrating their anniversary in our favourite city, London.

They decide to go out for a nice meal, where Lisa plans to tell Allen about a happy little secret but unfortunately before she is able to share that secret, she overhears a conversation that will change her life, and not for the better.

Aspects of the film were based in some truth exploring the concept of loss in a relationship, which comes through when you see how delicately Jel has approached the subject of miscarriage. While this film explores violence being the cause, it is easy to empathise with the couple and what they are experiencing.

I have to say, Sarina Taylor is a pleasure to watch, and for a first attempt at a lead role, Jel Djelal did well. Djelal’s writing skills are impeccable and I look forward to seeing more from him, perhaps a feature or two.

Directed by the one and only Sean Cronin who we all love especially playing the bad boy roles. I do hope that it will receive some well deserved recognition for an amazing little film.

Film Review: The Boss

The Boss is Melissa Mcarthy’s newest film. Playing a titan of her industry Michelle Darnel, a cold, callous, sassy but exceptionally talented businesswoman and 47th richest woman in the world. Until she is caught insider trading and goes to jail. No one is unhappy about her downfall and she loses everything.

When she gets out of jail, Darnel has no one to turn to, no family and certainly no friends. What will she do?

As fate would have it her ex assistant Claire, played by the talented and funny Kristen Bell is the executer of her estate and her and her daughter are to become the family Darnel never had.

On her journey back to success, which comes when Darnel uses her talents for business and Claire’s “Holy Sh*t” brownies to take over the patch of a local girl guide type group called the Dandelions, Darnel is faced with challenges, rivalries and even the return of her nemesis and once lover, Renault, played by Peter Dinklage. What are his intentions, love or revenge?

This riches to rags and back again story has taken a lot of flack for not being as funny as The Heat or Bridesmaids, and the writing slated by a lot of critics, however this critic does not agree.

(L-r) Michelle Darnell (Melissa McCarthy) and Claire (Kristen Bell) in “The Boss.” Photo: Hopper Stone, Universal Pictures

Yes there is definitely some slapstick comedy, being thrown against walls and falling down stairs. Brawling in the street. Comical bitchy rivalries, and even some out of touch quips about tennis courts in white collar jails and not knowing what a Dorito is, but I love it.

It is easy laughs and if like me you don’t always want a lot of thought with your comedy, who really cares that they don’t expand on subjects like her philanthropic work, who cares about loose ends. Is the fact that Peter Dinklage’s comical animated character is not an Oscar winning performance really a problem, he is exactly what he should have been…a character, a very humorous almost comic like character.

The film is written by Ben Falcone, Melissa’s husband and often unrequited love interest in films which is actually funny within itself. Also responsible for Tammy (although I confess that Tammy and Identity Thief are my least favourite, but I do still love them and a big fan), I am loving this formidable duo. I love the fact that they write for themselves and they are funny and can only get funnier.

For me it would be a shame to pre judge this film, go and see it for yourself. You will laugh, I think you’ll laugh hysterically, if you don’t then chalk it up to experience but I honestly love this film. It’s not quite The Heat funny, but it is well worth seeing. I give this film a well deserved 3.5/5