2/22/2007
Memories . . .
I got a really sweet card today from my third grade teacher. She'd read ARKANSAS and signed my guestbook. Today she sent me pics of her gorgeous grandkids and a picture of my THIRD GRADE CLASS!! So to the Beedeville Elementary third grade class of 1970 -- I salute you! And I have a few questions. Do you see that mural above our heads? Can you remember the feel of those square long pieces of colored chalk in your hand? I got it all over my clothes, but felt such a sense of accomplishment when we finished it! It seems like yesterday in so many ways. And another world, in others. We were a small class and extremely close. When I read Junie B. Jones books I think of this class! BTW, can you find me in the pic? (Hint: I'm standing directly in the center of my beloved mural.) The way we were.
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2/16/2007
FLICKA - My thoughts
I've been on a tight deadline and got a little breathing space today, so I promised the kids and hubby a night of my company. (aren't they blessed?) Introducing. . . TADA! Family Movie NIGHT! Pull down the screen and turn on the projector. It's time for FLICKA. A horse movie. A family movie. A feel good movie based on a wonderful book. What more can you ask for?
(SPOILER ALERT!)
Barely into the movie, Kevin and I start taking turns making little dissenting noises. Our daughters glance over at us and frown. Finally, I say, "I can't believe that." He says, "Why is she doing that??" I sit straight up as the girl heads into the corral with the wild mustang (yep, the one her dad forbade her to go near.) and say, "Didn't her dad tell her not to go in there?" My oldest says, "Shh. . .y'all are ruining the movie."
I feel really old. It was a heart-wrenching movie, (I cried at the appropriate times) but all I could see was a disobedient daughter with a kind, loving father who was treated by his whole family (including his wife and grown son) like he was a mean tyrant for not wanting his baby girl to get hurt. He spoke to her always with love and respect, but he was answered with shouts of "NO!" and even at one time she hit him with her fists while he just stood there.
His wife talked him into seeing it their way time after time. At one point, when the daughter almost killed her dad's whole herd and HIM by catching the mustang and bringing it back to the ranch (they narrowly escaped going off a cliff), the mom said "Let her keep the horse." He said, "I will not reward disobedience." I was like "YAY!" But that was quickly forgotten. By the end, he's apologizing to her and praying she'll forgive him for not being proud of her every day.
I don't know what our girls learned from the movie. I hope they just saw it as wholesome entertainment. Don't teenage girls and nowadays even pre-teen girls often think their dads are too hard on them? Their thinking is distorted enough without the encouragement, thank you very much. I'm laughing at myself for daring to be irritated with FLICKA. How could this film be anything but harmless? Hmm. . .you watch it and tell me what you think.
COMMENTS:
(SPOILER ALERT!)
Barely into the movie, Kevin and I start taking turns making little dissenting noises. Our daughters glance over at us and frown. Finally, I say, "I can't believe that." He says, "Why is she doing that??" I sit straight up as the girl heads into the corral with the wild mustang (yep, the one her dad forbade her to go near.) and say, "Didn't her dad tell her not to go in there?" My oldest says, "Shh. . .y'all are ruining the movie."
I feel really old. It was a heart-wrenching movie, (I cried at the appropriate times) but all I could see was a disobedient daughter with a kind, loving father who was treated by his whole family (including his wife and grown son) like he was a mean tyrant for not wanting his baby girl to get hurt. He spoke to her always with love and respect, but he was answered with shouts of "NO!" and even at one time she hit him with her fists while he just stood there.
His wife talked him into seeing it their way time after time. At one point, when the daughter almost killed her dad's whole herd and HIM by catching the mustang and bringing it back to the ranch (they narrowly escaped going off a cliff), the mom said "Let her keep the horse." He said, "I will not reward disobedience." I was like "YAY!" But that was quickly forgotten. By the end, he's apologizing to her and praying she'll forgive him for not being proud of her every day.
I don't know what our girls learned from the movie. I hope they just saw it as wholesome entertainment. Don't teenage girls and nowadays even pre-teen girls often think their dads are too hard on them? Their thinking is distorted enough without the encouragement, thank you very much. I'm laughing at myself for daring to be irritated with FLICKA. How could this film be anything but harmless? Hmm. . .you watch it and tell me what you think.
Labels: movies
COMMENTS:
OOh. I read the spoiler even though I haven't seen the movie. I was a TOTAL horse nut right through college and probably would have loved it as a young teen. It's amazing how time and experience can change our perspective! :)
Yes, I know, Lynette! Me, too. I did enjoy a lot of the movie. It's just one that needs a little discussion after. :) Thanks for commenting, Rach and Lynette!
I really enjoyed the book Arkansas
you did a really good job and I was wondering if I could get an email address to get in touch with Kristianna.:)
you did a really good job and I was wondering if I could get an email address to get in touch with Kristianna.:)
# posted by 
at 2:00 PM
at 2:00 PM
Hi, Kyra! Good to hear from you. I sent you an email today with Kristianna's email address in it. If you don't get it, let me know. :)
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