People Worth Mentioning – Page 4

Utopia: No One Should Care About Michael Sam and Ellen Page Being Gay

Posted on February 28, 2014 by Colin McMahon

On February 10th of this past year, I can remember reading an article on ESPN Boston that gave me pause. The subject: would Michael Sam (who just came out as the first openly gay football player entering the NFL draft) be a good fit for the New England Patriots? Reading it unfolded as I figured: yes, if he can help the team win. You know what I remember thinking as soon as I finished: “must be a slow news day if this is what they’re talking about.” But it wasn’t just an ESPN Boston article, it was all over the news. That night I heard it on the NewsHour (public broadcasting I consider to be more reputable than CNN or… you know, Fox). It astonished me that it was all television journalists would talk about. Thankfully most of the reaction was positive and supporting but I couldn’t help thinking: isn’t there something (a lot of things) more newsworthy?

This is a chart showing radiation leaking into the Pacific Ocean from Japan. Not to be an alarmist but doesn't this impact exponentially more people than Michael Sam's orientation? — This is a chart showing radiation leaking into the Pacific Ocean from Japan. Not to be an alarmist but doesn’t this impact exponentially more people than Michael Sam’s orientation?

Less than a week later, Ellen Page also came as gay. She revealed her truth in a very passionate and sincere speech. It was genuinely moving but again: I couldn’t believe how many people were talking about it. Her announcement did not generate the sensation that Michael Sam’s did (he is an historic first, after all) but still. People cared, like really cared (both supportive and inhuman). My thought was this: who cares who these people sleep with?

A lot of people do. That’s the sad fact. Whether abroad or at home, the issue of gay rights is still an intense battle. Should it be: f*ck no, there are actual problems out there BUT that doesn’t make it any less legitimate. Take the Olympics for example: we all know about Russia’s stance.

Just saying: for a country that hates gays, they put on one colorful opening ceremony.

Personally I feel that the United States, Canada, and every other country claiming to be “first-world” should have abstained from attending. By sending our athletes, that was an endorsement, not just of the Olympics (which are very homoerotic when you consider the history: so add that irony) but of Russia (most importantly, their politics). But anyway, I’ll try to stick to my point and avoid ranting.

There is a real perverse fascination with people’s sex lives on this planet. Whether it’s in support or not: why do people care? Sex is an intensely personal act so unless the whole planet is having one global orgy, it’s not going to affect everyone. Yet this has been an issue throughout all of human history. First it was skin color and gender, now it’s sexual orientation. Humanity loves to look for stupid reasons to hate each other.

I don’t mean this article to belittle LGBT rights or pride in any way. Those organizations are needed and are a benefit for so many millions. I cannot praise enough the work that they do. However, I do look forward to the day where gay/bisexual/transgender pride is treated the same way as straight pride: no one cares.

We're getting there, just slowly. — We’re getting there, just slowly.

There should never be pride or shame in being what you are. Black, white, gay, straight, brown-haired, blue-eyed, depressed, athletic: people are born with all sorts of traits. Some of them are currently societal advantages and some of them are legitimate gifts and handicaps (a person born with a strong heart as opposed to a person born with an anxiety disorder). The point is, regardless of type: those don’t matter. That’s what makes humanity great. We’re born being what we are; we decide who we are. Sometimes that decision isn’t great. I’m not going to say everyone is awesome because there have been (and still are) plenty of people who choose to hurt rather than to love, to be angry instead of forgiving, to be prejudiced instead of understanding. Those are defects worth getting emotional about, because those are the ultimately the responsibility of the individual.

To quote the LEGO Movie (which is so awesome btw): "it may sound like a cat poster but it's true". — To quote *the LEGO Movie* (which is so awesome btw): “I know it sounds like a cat poster but it’s true”.

I’m far from preaching all out love. Again, people should be held responsible for the poor decisions they make and unconditional love in the face of repeated abuse is certainly an unhealthy thing. As I said before, I’m aware that the world is not ready for LGBT pride to be irrelevant, I just hope one day that it can be (that sounds odd to say). Both Michael Sam and Ellen Page are role models and incredibly brave for what they CHOSE to do. Fifty years from now though, I would love it if the reaction I opened the article with was the norm: “someone’s talking about their sexuality? Must be a slow news day”.

To me there are few sadder pictures than children being taught to hate.

Leave Harry Potter Alone, J. K. Rowling!

Posted on February 5, 2014 by Colin McMahon

In 2007, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was released. The seventh book in the series concluded the adventures of Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger. The three finished Hogwarts, defeated Lord Voldemort and went on to live happily ever after. In short: series done. With this finale came the expected sadness. The adventures were over and, short of fanfiction, there would be no future installments to talk about with friends. What a horrible existence. Thank god for J.K. Rowling.

Less than four months after she finished with Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling came out to announce the important facts not already covered by her book series. Burning questions were answered and finally everyone knew: Dumbledore was gay. Obviously questions were asked after this revelation by a thankful reading public. Gratitude-filled inquiries like: “What does this have to do with the series?” and “Why did she say that?” and “Who really cares?”. Yes, everyone was happy. J.K. Rowling especially. For an arbitrary declaration, she got to see her name once more decorate the headlines. It was like casting a magic spell.

J.K. Rowling: boldly answering questions that no one asked.

Evidently J.K. Rowling enjoyed the response to her post-series declarations so much that she decided to do it again. Very recently, the author has come out with new information: Hermione should have ended up with Harry Potter. It’s funny how well those old questions reapply themselves here.

Rowling isn’t the first author to be unable to let go of her beloved creation. Look no further than J.R.R. Tolkien to see an author who became consumed with his created universe. The difference here is: Tolkien kept writing books to expound upon the history of Middle-Earth. What a sucker. J.K. Rowling hasn’t made a significant contribution to Harry Potter in years and her name still keeps making headlines.

Tolkien's long-winded announcement of "Frodo and Sam are gay." — Tolkien’s long-winded announcement of “Frodo and Sam are gay.”

True, Rowling could write another book. One shaped by her personal growth and more reflective upon the universe, but that would be too drastic. A book like that would completely change the tone of the series and might, in all likelihood, discard or contradict everything said in previous installments. I mean, no other book in history has done that, at least no other really famous book in history… like really really famous:

Almost as if it were written over hundreds of years by many different authors.

Okay but when is lightning going to strike twice?

I know I’ve been really tongue-and-cheek, but a serious comparison does exist here for Rowling. George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars, angered his fans for years with constant and continued changes to his creations. Lucas’ defense was simple: he made it, he decides what’s best. But is that true with major works? There is a real argument to be made that creations such as Harry Potter and Star Wars have become bigger than their creators. They have entered the public space and thus: belong to the public.

This documentary explores the notion of ownership. Really a sequel could be made that focuses on Rowling.

That same public does not want the change. If J.K. Rowling has new insights to say on Harry Potter then new books should be written. Sequels, prequels (look how well those worked out for George Lucas), just something new. At the moment: no such plan exists. There was a joke released last year that claimed Rowling was working on new installments, but it was just that.

Who knows what the future will bring for Harry Potter and J.K. Rowling. Maybe next year she’ll announce that she regrets writing the fifth book, or that Harry should have ended up with Ron or that she never should have written that unbelievably sappy epilogue to end her series. The good news for the fans is this: Harry Potter won’t change. There is an advantage to books over movies: it’s that much harder to make Special Editions.

The Super Bowl & Remembering Philip Seymour Hoffman

Posted on February 3, 2014 by Colin McMahon

Yesterday saw two impacts to our media world: one positive (maybe) and one decidedly negative. I will open with the impressions of Super Bowl XLVIII: the showdown between the Denver Broncos and the Seattle Seahawks. In my lifetime, I have been blessed to see many spectacular NFL championships: from the New England Patriots’ dramatic upset of the St. Louis Rams back in 2001 to the even more unpredictable Super Bowl XLII. Whether my team won or lost: those games were phenomenal. Last night… was not one of those games. The Seattle Seahawks scored five points fewer than the total number of Super Bowls while Denver quarterback, Peyton Manning, had an evening that had previously only existed in his worst nightmares. There isn’t much else to say about the actual Super Bowl game itself: a disappointing, one-sided blowout to end an exciting, up-and-down NFL year. But since when has the Super Bowl been about football?

111.5 million people tuned in to watch Super Bowl XLVIII. The NFL event has become the largest opportunity for television advertising in history and rest assured: companies brought their “A” game. Toyota, Doritos, Budweiser and even Stephen Colbert. Every big product was present last night, taking advantage of the air time while it is still profitable. It is no secret that the world of television advertising is dying. For many people, internet streaming has rendered commercials irrelevant. The media circus that is the Super Bowl represents the last night that television is still king. For that reason alone, it is interesting to watch. Television and the NFL: two American enterprises facing a world of challenge and change in the 21st century.

As much as I know the film will be horrible, I can't deny that part of me wants to see more of this. — As much as I know the film will be horrible, I can’t deny that part of me wants to see more of this.

In terms of movie advertising, those claiming that Hollywood is bereft of originally get another example to add to their evidence. The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Captain America: the Winter Soldier, and Transformers: Age of Extinction represented three movies that might very well be among the highest grossing for the year. The obscure Need for Speed adaptation also deserves mentioning as it demonstrates Hollywood’s continued inability to see video games as a source of serious revenue (seriously, we’re getting that before Bioshock or Halo?). Anyway, those are the Super Bowl highlights: enjoy or criticize at your leisure.

—

The other, much more important, event that occurred yesterday was a tragedy. Philip Seymour Hoffman, one of the most talented actors in Hollywood, passed away at the young age of 46. The Oscar-winning actor was found dead in his New York home from apparent heroin overdose.

I’m always unsure of what to say when these incidents occur. There are many out there who will argue that this death is no more tragic than any other that occurred that day, and that the media glorifying one man misses the larger scope of everyone else who lost their lives. That is true: every death is a profound loss. In some ways, Philip Seymour Hoffman is no different than the countless other heroin addicts who have lost their lives to this unfortunate drug. In some ways. In others: the difference is night and day.

Obviously, I did not know Philip Seymour Hoffman personally, but that did not stop him from having an impact. He was a character actor. Not the most physically attractive human being, or someone from a well known family: this is a man who ran on talent. When Hoffman spoke, he did so in a calm and intelligent manner, reflecting someone who put a great deal of thought into what he did. From Capote to Moneyball, to most recently The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and A Most Wanted Man, there is no film that he simply “appeared in”. Philip Seymour Hoffman left presence and personality in every one of his movies.

It is unknown if Philip Seymour Hoffman filmed his scenes in the upcoming film, Mocking Jay. — It is currently unknown if Philip Seymour Hoffman filmed his scenes in the upcoming film, *Mocking Jay*.

If his life can be seen as a tragedy, it can also be viewed as a triumph. Hoffman’s drug problems began early on, before any of his films. He rose past them. Not only that: he became famous, a name to be known around the world. Philip Seymour Hoffman is an inspiration to what heights lives can reach, as well as a caution against the human struggle with past mistakes and substance abuse. Yes, in some ways he was just a man: one of many. What makes him worth remembering is what he did with those humble beginnings.