Depth - Blog Posts
I didn’t tell you everything.
Not because I didn’t want to… but because I wanted to see if you’d come find it on your own.
Some feelings don’t need words — just sensitivity.
I like when someone doesn’t just read my words…
but also my silence.
Yes, I may flirt…
but I have depths that pull you in without warning.
Try me — if you dare.
Kitchen Great Room Sacramento
Example of a mid-sized trendy galley light wood floor, brown floor and wood ceiling open concept kitchen design with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, brown cabinets, granite countertops, beige backsplash, ceramic backsplash, an island, gray countertops and paneled appliances
Movies that make you think--if you let them
There are many movies that with a final scene turn the whole show on its head, make you try to figure things out as you go along, or fit so well together –these movies aren’t for the night at the end of the week where you’re tired or trying to relax, these are movies that make you think, keep your heart pounding not with action or violence but just suspense and intrigue (yeah, some of them also have those but that’s not what keeps people talking)
Gone Girl (2014)
Gone Girl was mentioned to me by one of my best friends whose really into movies and is a pretty smart guy all around. Knowing me, he also knew I’d like the question of the relationship between the married couple and the truth. While it was on my list, his recommendation pushed me to get to it sooner.
While the movie is good and has you thinking from the start, along with growing sympathy, the true story shoots up halfway thru with the wife’s reveal—something that could have but should not have been slipped in earlier (obviously). Here we delve further into the gray area, who is right, who is wrong, is there absolution for the husband and how can he get out of all this and how guilty is he really in everything that occurs.
There were many things I didn’t like about the movie, especially the character of the wife, but while it’s a movie I can’t bring myself to see again, I may one day as I still think about it.
Gattaca (1997)
Gattaca was a movie, that due to personal circumstances, I saw many, many time. Focused on how genetics shape our lives, this movie becomes more realistic every day and jumped back into my head late last year with the Chinese scientist who (may) have genetically engineered twins to be HIV resistant. A simple plot, lightly explained how genetics impact everything and how much of our DNA is everywhere—but more so it brought out the core questions related to humanity and the many levels of how our genetics should be used as decisions about our lives. The main character has been able to lead a superior life, regardless of his inferior genetic makeup, but also exceed beyond the identity his has assumed. Forget heart and effort, will and perseverance—he promotes the idea that he the genetics test provides nothing but statistical probabilities, not absolute facts (in how they are used in this film, there obviously very clear cut yes and no things with genetics).
On another level, which you may choose to explore, is the reminder that the law hardly ever is equal with society—it is always behind, and how while genetics may allow for a “higher chance” of success for the human race, it will not rid people of their human qualities. But again, the work is on you
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was the final book of the series, creating a different and more pronounced impact than probably all but Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. It was also different for me than the rest of the series as it was the only book I got at midnight, it was the only book (I ever) jumped ahead with—seeing that at the end “All was well” and that this was the only book I read after the movies, having been dismayed by the 4th movie, I didn’t read it for almost 8 years. Reading the book then I was an adult and not a pre-teen or teenager and it, therefore, has a separate place in my heart and in my mind even though I read it after just rereading the entire series. The fact that Deathly Hallows all fits in one book is majesty itself, so much explained and told but not overwhelming.
One of the main themes through the series and highlighted in the Deathly Hallows is how much Harry has to due by himself and how much of the burden he can share with others. As we have grown up with Harry, Ron and Hermione we experience this as well albeit with less dramatic stakes. This is true in both the physical battles of the Seven Potters and the Battle of Hogwarts, but also just in terms of Harry leaning on Hermione and Ron in trying to figure things out but in other times letting them take charge while he rests or sometimes becomes distracted by the Deathly Hallows and not the task at hand: finding and destroying the Horcruxes and also when they all joke around, comforting each other and themselves. This is also true emotionally, in the way we can best understand when Harry leans on Hermione and Luna while burying Dobby.
Another theme throughout the Deathly Hallows is how complicated relationships and individuals can be. Looking past Ron and Hermione and Harry, I mean Harry and Dudley, Draco Malfoy and Xenophilius Lovegood. For Harry and Dudley it happens for both of them; while Harry despises them, he makes sure they’re safe and while the Dursleys have always had disdain and repulsion for Harry, Dudley is worried and angry that they’re not sticking together and helping him, and we know Petunia’s recognition of the final loss of her sister shocks and somewhat destroys her. With Draco, as we saw in the Half-Blood Prince, he reminds us there’s a difference between a bad boy or bully, and a truly bad person. Yes, he’s a bully and elitist, but just like his father he mostly just likes to complain and pump up his ego; he’d do very little actual damage or harm to others, that type of evil or hatred is outside of him. Xenophilius Lovegood, in my opinion, had his best and worst moments in trying to sell Harry and his friends to the Dark Lord. It wasn’t cowardly, it wasn’t weak; there is a difference between sacrificing yourself for a cause or for someone else and sacrificing your child. Xenophilius fought alongside and supported Harry until for him, there really was no more purpose in a better world, an okay world or any world.
The Deathly Hallows also nicely tidy’s up the series with the Chapter “King’s Cross” by referencing for us how just because the Harry Potter Universe was in books and in our minds didn’t make it any less real and for showing us as well as Harry how death, adulthood and life are all things we must accept and how choosing acceptance will help us move forward even if not always easy or instantaneous.
Depth answers only to depth.
Charles Dickens, Hard Times