"Blue Bloods" Season Two (2011)

Under construction 

"The Rookie" Season 1 (2018)

Overall grade for Season One: A-

*** SPOILER ALERT ***

Perhaps one of the most heartbreaking scenes was the line of duty death (LODD) of Captain Anderson who gave her life for the rookie John Nolan in "Greenlight."  The moral significance of an officer -- and a captain no less -- laying down her life in a LODD for another merits a solid A at this time.  Overall, Season One earned an A- due to "Greenlight" which gave a realism to what officers go through being in harm's way.  "Greenlight" then ranks at the top of Season One.  Characters development came to fruition in "Greenlight" where characters like Training Officer (Corporal) Bradford and even Nolan refuse to execute Anderson's murderer for revenge but rather let the justice system play out.  They said that their slain by-the-book captain would want it that way.  ("Plain Clothes Day" showed how each character is able to grow into something or someone outside their current image so far.)

Second, on a separate but related note, the series presented certain moral issues, both police ethics as well as general social ethics.  For example, Nolan and his fellow rookie, Officer West, do their utmost to protect themselves from possible corruption (such as accepting favors of free rent and even free food) as part of professional police ethics, while the larger ethical issue of lying (or evading) to protect relationships by another fellow rookie, Officer Chen, is a consistent theme.  While not a direct violation of department policy (police ethics), Chen and Nolan protect their relationship even to the point of violating the moral law through lying (general ethics).

Furthermore, the season is packed with both action and even humorous moments, and perhaps the main critique is killing off the actress who playing the captain as well as avoding the hook up details which the story could have done without. I'm not sure that lower subordinates poke fun at their training officers in real life, but there is a bond to protect each other.

Finally, the spirit of the law and the letter of the law receive fair treatment to highlight the humanity of the police officer as an enforcer of the law.  West, for example, should have left or even assisted with a sick dog instead of writing a speeding ticket for the dog's owner, and he later learns to assist the public instead of being a cold public servant by giving an old watch to the wife of a murder victim and through this finds peace with West's action in favor of the spirit of the law.  Characters grow through such moments in the series making the first season enjoyable and also ethically thought-provoking. 

Posted Here After Several Years Hiatus

 AMDG

"Blue Bloods" Season One (2010)

 Grade: A

*** SPOILER ALERT ***

Law enforcement series follows a New York family of cops, starring Tom Sellick who plays the NYPD Police Commissioner (PC) Reagan.

One theme from the first season is the ethical balance between the vocation of police officers and family obligations.  Balance is the key word, since commitment to the job reinforces the other commitment to family.  They are seen as "mutually beneficial" overall and not in conflict.  For example, by the end of the season, Jamie, a law-school-graduate-turned-cop faces the problem of possible corruption in his family; however, it turns out that it was bad cops gaslighting the situation to make it look like the Reagan family were the criminals.  The Reagans find the truth of who killed Joe, a family member cop killed in the line of duty.

Second, related to the first point, when PC Reagan finds out who killed his son, he's tempted to kill his son as human psychology would do; however, his high moral sense prevent him from killing his murdered son's killer.

Perhaps in a surprise character development, PC Reagan's granddaughter quoted a key line from the series's lesson about learning from mistakes, "What matters is what happens next."  This shows human redemption in the face of tragedy that gives the series a high mark from this reviewer.

Finally, aside from Tom Sellick's fine acting, his character fits his distinguished personality to give viewers a sense of doing the right thing even when there are sacrifices.  There are consistent moments of integrity such as PC Reagan's prudence before rushing to approve a canonization process for a priest and stepping up beyond his job to help uncover the truth of a poor kid's mom's death.

The actors' acting and the attention to detail for real law enforcement protocol adds to the quality of the film, along with the ethical promotion that the movie radiates.  Characters may bleed blue, but they also bleed common red just like the rest of humanity.

"Son of Saul" (2015)

A-

"Khartoum" (1966)

A+/A

"The Last Legion" (2007)

"The Last Ship: 3rd Season" (2017)

A-

"Megan Leavy" (2017) Movie Review

Mr. P.s Grade: A-

Based on the true story of decorated U.S. Marine K-9 Dog Handler Corporal Megan Leavy, this movie chronicles a troubled teen who eventually joins the Corps.  Now with purpose in life, the Marine is part of a unsung group of heroes that saves lives by locating IEDs and explosives.  It is a giving of oneself for others at its finest, but it is particularly highlighted by a female heroine figure in a male dominated profession like the military.  Movie could have omitted the one-night stand implications to advance plot.  Possible social engineering of the military and politicization of bringing her dog, Rex, home with a U.S. senator, but if these are intended by the directors they are overshadowed by a well-deserved recognization scene at the end where Corporal Leavy is honored.  A scene showing Rex's burial after his death could havr advanced the movie further as the audience was connected with the main character's passion for her combat dog.  Thank you, Megan, for your service fighting the evils of our time and fighting the threats to our freedom!

"1911" (2011) Movie Review

Grade: A/A+

"1911" attempts to accurately depict the end of 2,000 years of monarchy and the rise of the Republic of China.  Heroes Huang, Sun and fellow revolutionaries manifest the virtues of patriotism and laying down one's life in the face of overwhelming odds.

Sun keeps his word as a modern statesman by eventually resigning his presidency.  Huang settles to raise a family.  Both characters experience character development through the movie and grow; however, the audience should have seen character development in ordinary people like the father who died and left a note for his unborn son and the woman at the beginning and end of the movie who was beheaded as a heroine figure.  Also, Huang's love needed deeper interweaving into the plot as a heroine.  All these are needed for a higher grade rating.  The European investment bankers should be commended for their actions, albeit with economic motives, and with econmic motives mutually beneficial for those involved.

Finally, a non-politically savvy audience could have easily mixed this revolution with the Communist revolution in China in 1949(?), so clarity is needed there.  At the end of the movie, it was stated that the Communist Party was inspired by the 1911 Revolution.  These two revolutions are not to be confused!  The rise of the Republic was inspired by freedom and principles of democracy, but the rise of Communist (the People's Republic) is built on violent Marxism and centralized dominance.

On an unrelated note, the acting was excellent, and this was the first time I've seen Jackie Chan perform a more serious role.  The fight scene onboard the ship was definitely a tip of the hat to Jackie's martial arts background but with just the right tone.

"Warlords" (2010): Movie Review

Mr. P.'s Grade: A/A-

Based on the true story of the life of General Pang before he was mysteriously assassinated in 1870, the movie's three main parts provides reflection for military ethics:

1) Even after betrayal by another general, Pang returns to battle his enemies by joining 2 other leaders thus demonstrating virtues of honor and loyalty.  A blood pact is formed among the 3 such that when one harms the other, that one deserves death.

2) After victoriously taking on a force of 4000 with a mere 800, Pang and his blood brothers demonstrate their courage in the face of overwhelming odds.  Yet they are victorious after a few men lead a suicidal front line charge.  The suicide unit provided a glimer of hope for victory.  Later, however, in the next great battle with more troops and fresh supplies, the issue of killing 4000 combat troops that surrender was depicted.  Pang said that they were soliders, and his army only had food for themselves, so he wanted to kill them all.  But if just war doctrine means that surrendered soliders are noncombatants as part of jus in bello criteria, then an alternative to mass killing surrendered soliders should have been examined.  One of the blood brothers protests to keep his word, but 2 of the brothers overrule him, not without resentment on the protesting brother's part.  This forms the backdrop to the final scene.

3) Pang betrays his brother's by pursuing an illicit relationship with one of their mistresses, and she is later killed as a threat to the blood brotherhood.  I was grateful that physical intimacy scenes were not needed to advance the plot.  She bears a Cross around her neck that was found off of a dead solider.  Pang also has one of his blood brothers killed.  The movie's thesis is that political motives led to the eventual death of Pang, aided by the surviving blood pact brother.  By the end of the movie, Pang asks the other blood brother to quickly kill him as he lay dying by gunshot wounds.  This request seems a redemptive value and growth in one of the main characters, Pang.  With this, he seems remorseful displayed honor to his word.

As a side note, Jet Li's acting was superb.

"Homeland (4th Season)": Movie Review

Mr. P's Grade: B-/C+

While I personally love the genre, from a literary philosophical viewpoint, the basic premise of the series is Hobbesian and Machiavellian.  The ends justifies the means of fighting the evils of terrorism.  The brutish, short, nasty and violent world comes emerges in American foreign policy as morally acceptible.  For example, the main character seduces an informant to obtain intel and she also was willing to kill her former boss.  The principle of double effect as an in bello criteria should he explicitly stated in the film.  I did not find maim characters growing in traditional virtues, other than the fine soliders and agents killed in action.  Finally, the film really should remove the sex scenes which amount to a type of soft porn as unnnecessary to advance the plot.  Pagan ethics should not drive America's foreign and military policy, and traditional virtue ethics will help improve the movie.

Ven. Fulton Sheen on "3 Phases of Communism"

Ven. Fulton Sheen on "War & Revolution" (1943)

"Crisis in Christendom: War & Revolution" (Jan. 3, 1943)

"Coriolanus" (2011) Movie Review

Coriolanus (2011)

Grade: A+

SPOILER ALERT!  (Read no further if you do not want to know the ending)

Shakespeare's modified General Martius, military hero of Rome, is betrayed by his own people.  They banish him, but he silences those who condemn him, "I...banish...you!"  He is a type of Christ-like figure who will return in glory to be Judge of the living and the dead.

While in exile, he later allies himself with a former enemy to seek revenge against Rome, only to be swayed from his revenge by his mother and wife.  While not intended by Shakespeare, this image is reminiscent of the Second Coming and Christ's Mother role pleading for mercy for God's weak people.

In the end, his former enemy betrays him once again and slays him.  In sense, the Christ-like figure of General Martius -- Coriolanus -- lays down his life for his weak people showing that a soldier lives and died with honor for the people.

Movie merits a strong A+ life and death scene and depiction of heavy military ethos of honor, courage tempered with mercy, and laying down one's life for others.

(Magnificent acting by Ralph Fiennes, Gerard Butler, and Vanessa Redgrave.)

Fr. Joseph LaFluer, U.S. Army Air Forces (POW Died Enroute from Philppines to Japan)

This Catholic priest-chaplain was assigned to Clark Air Base in the Philippines.
The Philippines was invaded a few hours after Pearl Harbor was bombed.
Lt. LaFluer later died aboard the Japanese POW ship Shinyo Maru in 1942.

(Military Times Hall of Valor: http://valor.militarytimes.com/recipient.php?recipientid=22916)

Official Website: http://fatherlafleur.org/

* * *

The following is used with permission from Deacon Carl Kube.  It will be published in the December newsletter of the Veterans Club in Sun City, Roseville, CA.  The article can be accessed on Page 3 of this link HERE.

Fr. Joseph Verbis LaFleur, Chaplain in WW2

This account is from a homily as heard by Carl Kube as delivered  by Father Frank Lowe, Air Force Chaplain, on Sept. 20, 2016 at  St. Clare Church [Roseville, CA] and also the result of further research.

Fr. LaFleur was a Catholic Chaplain from the United States during WW2 and serving in the Philippines beginning in 1941. He was arrested there and held prisoner by the Japanese for 2 years. During that time he ministered and helped the other prisoners who were sick and emaciated. Fr. Frank Lowe’s father was also a prisoner there. At the time his father was an agnostic (he did not know if there was a God)  but in seeing Fr. LaFleur help the other prisoners he said to himself that if he ever was freed he would become Catholic.

In the prison camp in the Philippines Fr. LaFleur not only ministered to the spiritual needs of the prisoners but also procured cigarettes and extra food for them.  At one point a work detail of prisoners was assigned to fix an air strip - some were greatly emaciated and debilitated. Father LaFleur volunteered to take the place of one of them even though he was not required to do so. Fr. LaFleur told  one of the prisoners who planned to escape that he himself would never escape but that he had a duty to stand by the prisoners until the last one was freed.

In 1944 Fr. LaFleur was sent on a Japanese ship with other prisoners of war from the Philippines destined for Japan. Fr. LaFleur organized the prisoners on the ship who looked to him for leadership. He made sure the meager food and water which was supplied to them was divided equally. They used a tablespoon to do it. At one point he gave up his ration of water to another prisoner who needed it more.  Eventually the ship was accidentally torpedoed by the United States and many prisoners were injured or died. Fr. LaFleur was last seen trying to help the other prisoners to escape the hold of the ship through the hatch.

US Army Major William Sharp said Fr. LaFleur thought of everyone but himself and raised the spirits of the prisoners by caring for them. Major Sharp said he was deserving of the highest commendation and recognition. He has already receive the Distinguished Service Cross, the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star. He is under consideration for the Medal of Honor.

Later Frank Lowe’s father escaped and returned home and became a Catholic as he had said he would . His son, Frank, also was Catholic. Frank was so inspired by the story of Fr. Lafleur that he became a priest and eventually a chaplain as well. He has served stateside as well as being deployed to Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Iraq. Father Frank has been a chaplain in the Air Force for 26 years and is now about to retire.

There is a statue of Fr. LaFleur assisting prisoners at St. Landry Parish, Opelousas, LA.Here is the link to a video which tells his story. The account of Fr. LaFleur in prison begins at about 25 minutes.

  http://www.vermilionhistorical.com/features/presentations/father_verbis_lafleur/father_verbis_lafleur.html

Here is a link to an article on Chaplain Frank Lowe.

 http://www.arkansas-catholic.org/news/article/2340/God-always-found-a-way-for-Father-Frank-Lowe-to-serve

WW3 "Narrowly" Averted

After I posted my last post about WW3 being averted HERE, I did a search and found this article HERE: http://www.scifile.info/2016/11/world-war-iii-narrowly-averted-by.html

In it, the author talks about WW3 being "narrowly" averted.  I couldn't agree more with this. 

The author of the article is prudently still on guard until Inauguration Day.

Thank you, God, for giving America another chance.

Third World War Averted

It seems that World War III has been averted with the election of Donald J. Trump as the next President of the United States. 

Thank you, God.

Putin wants to restore hurt relationships with the USA.

All this took place during the Year of Mercy.

Where Are All the Anti-War Liberals Now?

With the world on the brink of a Third World War, where are all the anti-war liberals now?

All I hear are crickets.

Carl M. Kube, USNR (Killed In Action, Leyte Gulf, Philppines, 1944)