Film PSA: A Man For All Seasons

Alright, for those of you who have NOT seen the 1966 film "A Man For All Seasons", this is me telling you to see it. I'm not going to lie, the first time I attempted to watch this film I fell asleep. It's pretty dry. To get through it, you really have to concentrate on the dialogue. However, it's an important film from a political, historical, religious and artistic standpoint. If you do end up watching it I ask that you close your eyes during the beginning scenes with Cardinal Wolsey played by Orson Welles. Old Welles has very little resemblance to the man I fell in love with.

Anyway...we all know Thomas More. He was a scholar and author most known for writing "Utopia". You might not know that most of More's lines in "A Man For All Seasons" are directly from More's writings. Thomas Cromwell's interrogations of More as well as More's trial and final words are word for word of what was actually said. More's story is a sad one and is often overlooked since the Protestant Reformation, Spanish Inquisition and Henry VIII's affairs were all at the same time.

In fact, More and King Henry went to Cambridge together and remained good friends up until the whole Anne Boleyn incident. More was the King's most trusted adviser, but he found the King's request for a divorce from Catherine to be blasphemous and was labeled a traitor when he did not show up at Anne's coronation. The penalty for being a traitor in 16th century England? Beheading.

Well I think I just gave away the ending (sorry). If you don't care about More at all, it's always fun to see "old" English actors as their younger selves. First, John Hurt acts as Richard Rich. Venessa Redgrave plays Anne Boleyn, but probably more famous than her are her daughters Joely and Natasha Richardson. Robert Shaw plays Henry VIII and ya'll should know him as everyone's fun-loving, Great White Shark killer in "Jaws".

"A Man For All Seasons" is a classic example of betrayal and men (and women)like More can be found throughout history. We need to keep hearing about people like More, from this movie or anywhere really, so we can keep holding on to our convictions.

Today's Random Thoughts

I want to start with a disclaimer: I am a (creative) writing minor, but my "non-fiction writing" teacher said it's okay to not follow grammatical rules if you have a purpose for doing so. That being said, assume I always have a purpose for poor grammar :) .

I'm on and off writing a full length play for a class and must say that I think I'm intentionally making it boring because compared to movies that's exactly what most plays are. I need a break from this stupid 19th century New England setting I've written myself into. Therefore...

...my (ex) boyfriend made the mistake of teaching me how to make a grilled cheese sandwich. I realize it's stupidly easy to make one, but I don't ever remember my mom making me one, asking her or trying to learn myself. Ever since learning, I've made the habit of making myself one after long nights of alcohol consumption. So during a recent night, there I was at 2am, making my sandwich (with grace). After making the crispy, cheesy deliciousness, I decided eating might not be the best idea and set the plate on the couch-side table. My one roommate was still out [don't judge] so I easily "fell asleep" on the couch while watching "Ghost Adventures", whole grilled cheese still by side. An unknown amount of time passed before I awoke to some stupid infomercial and then passively noticed that my sandwich was missing. Two large crumbs remained and I was unaware if my roommate had come home or not. I immediately was trying to remember if I could have eaten it or if someone could have possibly brought a dog back to jump up on the table and eat it. Oh well-I was tired so decided I'd find out in the morning. It turns out that once my roommate returned, she tried to shout my name to wake me up, but since I didn't wake up, she'd decided I probably wasn't going to eat my sandwich so took it upon herself.

I'm not at all mad at her, but just felt like sharing. I'm actually watching the newer Pride & Prejudice with Kiera Knightly for the first time. Too bad every male actor in this movie is trying way too hard to match their 1995 TV-series counter-part. I can't blame them though, playing a Mark Darcy currently acted by Colin Firth would be hard. I actually like this movie, but it's only making me want to first, argue with Colin Firth in the English rain with an English accent and second, own a rope swing.

I guess the moral of the story is to not leave (good) food out and then "fall asleep" knowing your drunk and hungry roommates will be back soon. Unless you love your roommates and don't care like me :D

GO CARDS!