CineBasement February POLL! "It's Capitalism.."

With everything that 2020 is already throwing at us, there’s still assurance in the current cultural climate that so much of what stands between people and their ability to improve quality of life boils down to one persnickety problem..

And here are our nominees for February’s CB event!


#1: It’s High Noon in OUTER SPACE. The one and only Sean Connery, is a new sheriff in a bent mining town in a remote Jupiter outpost in Peter Hyams’ OUTLAND.


#2: I’ll just let the trailer do all the talking. So proud of Director Bong, and company.

#3: Akira Kurosawa’s suspenseful, unforgettable examination of what constitutes a criminal, and how it’s often hard to tell when the chances for a stable life find themselves against a stacked deck.

In Plain Language..

Over the past two years, it has grown ever more obvious that despite the many strides, leaps, and bounds made by our collective society, there are these elements that have long festered beneath assumptions that all would mend over itself, and that would better foster a more equity, and justice laden world.

And then, a certain president was “elected”.

And like a UV light, it has become more evident that these long supposed vanquished specters have been gestating in plain sight, often using the assistance of various corners of long held power to maintain male dominator norms in the name of “staying on top”. And never has it been more flagrantly obvious than the Brett Kavanaugh controversy, and ensuing ammo-less fight by the GOP to place him upon the Supreme Court. And apparently, simple process is beneath them in order to get this through. As if it never mattered that more people are visible, that women have made significant progress over the years. The rule of entitled white men, appears to be a non-negotiable fact to the people of the Republican Party. Which is why history has not been, nor will be kind to a party largely run by octogenarian males with pasty skin. They may have every branch of office at this very moment, but they do not represent the demographic reality beyond their halls.

And as the week ahead seems primed for either a painful farce, or something far more catastrophic for one side, it becomes blindingly clear that in order for us to create a world beyond this culture of disrespect and antipathy toward women, and people of color, everyone will be tasked with making their wishes known in the form of sincere effort.

In short, in the social world, everyone should be granted respect, unless given plenty adequate reason not to.

And when it comes to the realms of the physical, we need to nurture the ideal that to have this innate desire, is natural, but does not override our need to be cordial, understanding, empathetic, and cognizant of others own unique agency. The other person always has the last call.

If they are uncomfortable, back off.

If they don't jibe, move on.

If they aren't interested, they aren't interested.

Mutuality, should be everything.

After all, isn't this about the enjoyment of reaching out together?

Feeling like we need to make that clear, every chance we get. Not be sheepish about it.

Mutuality, should be all-encompassing, all consuming, all very real.

If it isn't, someone doesn't need to be where they are. And need to do some serious soul searching. They simply aren't ready.