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Cicely Tyson: Her Legacy and Influence

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Cicely Tyson: A Life of Legacy and Influence Cicely Tyson (1924–2021) was an award-winning actress renowned for her groundbreaking roles in film, television, and theater. Born to West Indian parents in Harlem, New York, she overcame early struggles, including becoming a single mother at 17, to build a celebrated career. Tyson made her on-screen debut in Carib Gold (1956) and gained prominence with roles in Sounder (1972), The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman (1974), and Roots (1977). Known for her commitment to portraying strong Black women with dignity, she became an icon in the entertainment industry. She won three Emmy Awards, a Tony Award, and an honorary Academy Award. Her memoir, Just as I Am (2021), released just days before her passing at age 96, reflects on her career, personal challenges, and love life, including her complex relationship with jazz legend Miles Davis. Tyson’s enduring impact extends beyond acting, as she used her platform to challenge racial stereotype...
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Movies and Culture

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The Cultural Influence of Movies: Shaping Society Through Film To Kill a Mockingbird  (1962) highlighted racial injustice in America. By John Fisher (assisted by AI) Introduction Movies are more than just entertainment; they are powerful cultural artifacts that influence public opinion, societal norms, and global perspectives. Through compelling storytelling, films shape how people perceive the world, fostering social change, facilitating cross-cultural exchanges, and sometimes reinforcing harmful stereotypes. This article explores the significant ways in which movies impact culture, illustrating each point with notable film examples. Shaping Public Opinion Films have the ability to shape and shift public perceptions on various social issues. Whether addressing racial injustice, gender equality, or environmental concerns, movies serve as catalysts for conversation and change. For instance, To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) highlighted racial injustice in America, influencing discussion...
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Searching (2018)

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  How does the movie Searching (2018) show cybercrime? By John Fisher (assisted by AI) Plot Summary of Searching (2018) David Kim (John Cho) is a widowed father who lives with his teenage daughter, Margot (Michelle La). They have a seemingly normal life, though their relationship has become somewhat distant following the death of David's wife, Pamela. One night, Margot tells David she’s going to a study group, but the next morning, he realizes she never came home. Unable to contact her, David grows increasingly worried and reports her missing. He works with Detective Rosemary Vick (Debra Messing), who is assigned to the case, but as time passes, no immediate leads surface. Determined to find his daughter, David takes matters into his own hands. He begins searching through Margot’s laptop, social media accounts, emails, and bank records. What he discovers shocks him—Margot had withdrawn a large sum of money and was living a secret online life that he knew nothing about. She had few...
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NEBRASKA MEN’S CHORUS RANKS 10th AT INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION

The Pathfinder Chorus, of Fremont, NE, returned home from the Barbershop Harmony Society International Competition in Toronto as the tenth best chorus worldwide in the barbershop harmony federation. The Chorus Finals, held Friday, July 5th, in Toronto, Canada, consisted of the 29 Chorus finalists from ~ 840 groups around the globe, coming from as far away as Australia and the United Kingdom. This year marks the fourth consecutive International Competition for the Pathfinders, and they have the additional distinction of being the most consistently improving chorus in the Society, moving up each year since their international debut at 20th in 2010. The chorus has existed continually since 1972, and their 100+ members come from a 20,000 square mile area each Monday evening, 7-10 pm, to rehearse at the First Presbyterian Church at West Linden & Nye Avenue in Fremont, NE. Men of all ages who like to sing are invited to visit and experience firsthand this fast-growing, Top Ten world-...
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Argo wins Academy Award, but in some ways is disappointing

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By Gillian Anzel The movie Argo revealed some facts about the Canadian rescue of six Americans from Tehran in 1980 that I didn't know. I knew that Canadian Ambassador Ken Taylor and his wife risked their lives to hide the Americans. I thought that they also got them out of Iran. However, it was a single CIA agent Tony Mendez who brought them home. This was not revealed at the time of their rescue. Argo is the story of their rescue. Directed by Ben Affleck who also acts as Mendez the movie is sometimes gripping and tense. The movie is well-written and well-acted. The movie portrays the rescue as a miracle. The six Americans and their rescuers just got out in the nick of time.  Thirty seconds later they would have been caught. While coincidences happen in real life, too many coincidences make the story unbelievable.  Yet, the movie is supposed to be about real life. Real people in a real situation. However, too many coincidences occurred as the rescue story is ...
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Life of Pi (2012)

I've read Life of Pi so I persuaded my wife to go see the movie with me. I wasn't disappointed. And she enjoyed it. It is one of those movies that went quickly to the cheap theaters but it will come back if it gets an Academy Award Nomination. The movie story was close to the book although it left out one major part where the tiger saves Pi from the cook. That was a good part to leave out. If it was shown the way it was described in the book, it would have definitely made the movie R rated. I won't tell you much more. You need to enjoy discovering the story again through the movie. Most of the actors were unknown to me. However, I enjoyed seeing Gerard Depardieu who played a cameo role as the cook.
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Moonrise Kingdom (2012)

Moonrise Kingdom (2012) Moonrise Kingdom is another coming to age movie, based in the 1960s. This one brings together Bruce Willis and Bill Murray. Two 12 year old lovers runaway as a hurricane force storm brews. Bruce Willis, the police captain, and Bill Murray, join forces with a Scout troop to look for them. The situation is hilarious and laughter is inevitable. At 12 years old in the 1960s I was not nearly as knowledgeable as the young people in the film were about some things. I'm sure their actions didn't surprise my 13 year old granddaughter, but I blushed and grandma proposed we fast forward the rough spots. Otherwise it was good fun.
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The Story of Silent Night

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The Story of Silent Night  BYUtv's original holiday movie, Silent Night, is receiving a lot of positive reviews from viewers. The film tells the true story  of a young priest, Joseph Mohr, who upsets the upper class in his new village by inviting poor, uneducated people to church. Mohr stays true to his convictions, and goes on to write the world's most famous Christmas carol. Beautifully filmed on location in Austria, Silent Night is the perfect new movie for your family this holiday season. You can watch Silent Night online by  clicking here .
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Rhone nominated for NAACP Image Award

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Many in Hollywood fled small towns and Midwestern cities long ago and few return; producer Eric C. Rhone is a rare exception.  A successful executive, Rhone helped lead the production team that recently earned an NAACP Image Award nomination for the top rated series  "The Soul Man"  on TV Land.  In 2012 Rhone, working closely with his business partner Cedric "The Entertainer," produced a television series, a comedy tour, and the 2012 Soul Train Awards which Cedric headlined and hosted respectively, but he remains most passionate about bringing money into his home state -- so much so that he proudly holds a post as a commissioner on the tourism board.   After debuting to the second highest audience in TV Land's history, being featured on the front page of the Los Angeles Times (October 13, 2012) as one of few positive portrayals of a nuclear African American family on television, "The Soul Man" concluded its first season with some well...
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Everyman's War

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I watched this movie, because it was made as a tribute by two sons for their father.  He was involved in the invasion of Germany in January 1945.  I was not disappointed by the movie.  The movie was well crafted and told a good story. Here are excerpts from IMBD.com: As the seasoned infantry and tank units of the German 11th Panzer "Ghost" division move silently into position on the snow covered hills around Nennig Germany ,a battle weary GI and his unit stand ready to defend the small town, a key position in the Allied advance to win the war. Outgunned and outnumbered, S/ Sgt Don Smith struggles to find hope and courage against overwhelming odds in one of the decisive confrontations in the "Battle of the Bulge" during WWII. His squad of GI's of the 94th Infantry Division lay dug in on the ridge-line outside of town. No one in high command believed that German forces would attack in the sub zero temperatures and near blizzard conditions. As the pre-dawn attack c...
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