FW CanDo!

The following film reviews were compiled, subjectively, from a list of a couple of current films I just happened to see and some old favorites from the grand old master of social commentary, Frank Capra.

It seems that, every December we are exposed to movies such as these that challenge us to take stock of our moral and ethical standards, to examine the choices we make. They have the power to humble us and open our hearts. They compel us to look at ourselves in the mirror and ask the Big Questions.

I admit to a bit of cynicism in these capsule reviews but, this is Fort Worth, Texas circa 2007, under the "leadership" of the current occupant of the mayor's office. These are the times that try women's and men's souls.

Herewith are a few movies viewed through the dark prism of the Barnett Shale. Check 'em out.

DY

The Golden Compass (2007)

Now playing. All you need to know about this film is that, the polar bears have nothing to do with Coca Cola and the bad guys, who remind me a lot of the heads of the Barnett Shale Mafia, are a group called, the Magesterium . The chief "bad girl", Mrs. Coulter, played by an icy, Nicole (is there any other kind) Kidman, reminds me of a certain female PR commissar of a large Oklahoma gas drilling company that is currently terrorizing Fort Worth neighborhoods with toxic fumes and deceptive advertising. The baddest of the power hungry bad guys who wants to deceive the good guys is a dead ringer for the "current occupant" of the FW Mayors office. If you have an ounce of humanity, this film will give you the courage to defend your neighborhood from urban gas drillers and city officials who eat from their troughs.

http://www.goldencompassmovie.com/blog/us

Michael Clayton (2007)

Now playing. "The Truth Can Be Adjusted" is the ominous subtitle of this Oscar worthy thriller starring George Clooney. My personal choice as the best film of 2007, this film will have you confusing it with reality. Take a look around town at the billboards, bus bench and print ads for a certain Oklahoma City gas drilling company and you'll see what I mean. The bad guys in Michael Clayton are cut from the same cloth as the heads of the companies exploiting Fort Worth neighborhoods with the blessing of Mike Moncrief and his puppet council. They distort the truth and intimidate their adversaries. They will do anything, possibly even murder, to keep their secrets and the truth about their operations hidden. They thrive on your ignorance. They laugh at your greed. The lawyers who work for them have sold their moral compass for a handful of dollars. The one lawyer who stands up to them and exposes the corruption is labelled a nut case. When he looks Michael Clayton in the eye and asks imploringly, "If you're not the enemy then who are you?", he's addressing you and me. Will we fight to keep dirty and dangerous gas drilling out of our neighborhoods, for our city or just take the money because, "they're going to drill anyway?"

http://www.michaelclayton.warnerbros.com/

You Can't Take It With You (1938)

This Oscar winning film with a social conscience by Frank Capra combines several of the actors from his later films. This time, Barrymore, is the good guy, the head of a a family of lovable eccentrics. Edward Arnold plays a ruthless banker who uses dirty tricks to force them out of their home. Reminds me of how gas drillers, developers and some realtors work in concert to deceive homeowners. Right now, in Dirty Ol' Town, they are building and selling homes right next to gas wells to unsuspecting families. Despite their low income status, the good guys in this film put a high price on dignity and self esteem. This film also has an important message for folks who are eager to trade their mineral rights and a piece of their soul in pursuit of the almighty dollar. There are higher ideals than bonus payments and mailbox money. Besides, you can't take it with you.

http://www.tcm.com/thismonth/article/?cid=35400&mainArticleId=153087

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1024312-you_cant_take_it_with_you/

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0030993/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/You_Can't_Take_It_with_You

Meet John Doe (1941)

Another oldie directed by Frank Capra that will never go out of style as long as companies like Chesapeake, Devon and XTO are still in business. Gary Cooper stars as an innocent man trying to locate his moral compass after being manipulated by a cynical but well meaning newspaper reporter (Barbara Stanwyck) who is herself manipulated by evil newspaper publisher, D.B. Norton (Edward Arnold in a role not unlike his local counterpart). Norton uses and abuses John Doe as long as he can before Doe gets wise to the corruption and throws a wrench in the works. Old fashioned as it is, this film can be used as a template for how to expose and bring down the corporate and elected officials who have allowed urban gas drilling to take root near our homes, schools, churches and parks. D.B. Norton is a symbol of the enemy who must be defeated.

http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/title.jsp?stid=3827

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/meet_john_doe/

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0033891/combined

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meet_John_Doe

It's A Wonderful Life (1946)

Frank Capra's masterpiece of morality as seen through the life of George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart) is the all time champion of holiday movies with a message of redemption. Everyman, George Bailey is caught in a no win, desperate situation and given the gift of seeing what the world would be like without his selfless actions. His striving for the moral high ground is something in short supply around the Fort these days. The degenerate vision of a corrupt and greedy world owned and operated by the likes pf Mr. Potter (Lionel Barrymore), is strikingly similar to the one taking shape in an ethically challenged Fort Worth, Texas, circa 2007. Ah, but George Bailey has a guardian angel who helps him see how his decisions and actions contribute to a better world. When Mr. Potter offers to help George out of his financial troubles, but at the price of his soul, George finds the courage to Just Say NO to Urban Gas Drilling. George Bailey serves as a very human symbol of what we can all strive for when the temptations of "Free Money", with strings attached, come knocking at the door. If we aren't careful, Fort Worth could easily turn into Pottersville.

http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/title.jsp?scarlettTitleId=79566

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1010792-its_a_wonderful_life/

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0038650/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It's_a_Wonderful_Life