the Rio and a gripe
Photo credit: Keira on Flickr
Last night courtesy of Rebecca and the Rio Theatre, Keira and I got to enjoy a free midnight showing of Rush Hour 3. Except for the part where the three single obnoxious jerks sat down next to the three seemingly single ladies and preceded to make ‘noises’ every single time there was a woman on the screen, the movie was pretty much exactly what you would expect from a third installment, being that in reality you shouldn’t be expecting anything from a third installment of any movie.[I have one gripe about it that I will address likely in the next paragraph or two]. Fortunately the Rio’s very gracious and extremely friendly owner Mike gave us a behind the scenes tour before the box office opened because the man one seat down from me was incredibly obnoxious during the pre-commercial-free-movie spiel.
Back in the late 90’s when I shared my residence with mice and slugs I lived a mere ten to fifteen minute walk from what is now thanks to Mike a restored, yet modernized, version of the original theatre built in 1938, a classic photo from the theatres past hangs in direct eye sight when you walk inside, a bright red curtain hangs over the one and only screen and it has a balcony. I used to always wonder about that theatre whenever I would walk by it. It was extremely dilapidated and ran shows on a very sporadic basis, but I could tell it was ‘cool old’, history old, because of its signage and character that was still evident through the mess of garbage and scattering of posters.
My gripe, [NOT a spoiler] although I realize this is Rush Hour 3 here and not a movie of cinematic brilliance and nor is that expected of this movie, like any other person on the planet there are things that erk me and get under my skin and one of those things is the destruction or disrespect to basically any countries flag. I was even born on America’s flag day, no I am not American but their rules for proper display and use are very similar to ours. I was raised on a mix of the two due to my years of involvement with Scouts Canada/Girl Guides of Canada.
* Random Tangent*
Although I enjoyed my years in Scouting, even the embarrassing years of it being seriously uncool, I have never agreed with their politics on homosexuals and find their views ancient and quite frankly disgusting. I have also always been in HUGE disagreement with the decision to allow girls into ‘Scouts Canada’. Originally there was three levels one for girls and one for boys and then at the fourth level it goes co-ed. This is how it should have always remained and it still angers me greatly even though I have no involvement anymore that this was allowed and actually became policy in 1998. It is does not seem fair to me that girls have the option to join Brownies and be with all girls or join Beavers and be with boys and girls from the get go. What about the BOYS. It was started with BOYS for BOYS in 1908 the Girl Guides started in 1910. My point, start a separate sect so the boys have the same choices as the girls.
*Tangent End*
A scene in the movie between five and ten minutes in length completely destroys a French flag. I find it odd that a country that has such strict laws in regards to the treatment of its flag would be so quick to idiotically destroy and disrespect one for a scene that was already gravely lacking in humor. As soon as we left the theatre and started sharing opinions on the movie I mentioned my disgust and was actually shocked that they both agreed with me [to the extent we talked about it at that time] because it is not something that comes up in many conversations and Adam also thinks it is silliness and pretty much laughs at me when I freak out over misuse and handling of flags which I have done numerous times over the course of our relationship. For one I was taught that it is to never touch the ground. I can see how something simply made from a piece of cloth could have its significance lost on some and being something that you wouldn’t really think about or care too much about, but tradition that is not wrapped in religion is rare these days and so I respect my flag and the flag of every other nation because if Canada were to ever fall, her flag and all of its symbolism, and history would go with her and I find that rather sad.
If you are interested in the Flag Etiquette for Canada the information is here, for the United States and links to other countries the information is here.
August 10th, 2007 at 9:09 pm
*Possible Mini Spoiler*
Oddly enough, what bothered me most was the gunfight scene in the hospital. For some reason, I just found that highly inappropriate and distasteful. Not that fighting with guns is ever appropriate or in good taste, but you know what I mean.
August 10th, 2007 at 9:24 pm
now that you mention it that was rather shocking as well. for a comedy it just wasn’t funny in enough places.
August 11th, 2007 at 10:21 am
nice post! could you imagine if it was a french movie in which the american flag was destroyed? freedom fries would be everywhere…
August 11th, 2007 at 9:55 pm
Wow I didn’t know about all that flag etiquette. It’s quite interesting. Kids should be taught stuff like that in school!
August 12th, 2007 at 1:19 am
Why they didn’t stop after Rush Hour 1, is beyond me.
August 12th, 2007 at 7:14 am
>I have never agreed with their politics on homosexuals and find their views ancient and quite frankly disgusting.
Scouts Canada has never had a policy barring membership by homosexuals. On the other hand, the Boy Scouts of America does not allow membership by homosexuals. It’s not clear which of these opposite positions you are condemning.
Regarding co-ed Scouting, Scouts Canada and the Girl Guides of Canada are completely separate organizations. Scouts Canada originally admitted only boys. In 1971, the Rover section (ages 18-26) allowed females to join. In 1984, females were allowed to join Venturers (ages 14-17). In 1992, females were allowed to join the three other sections: Beavers (5-7), Wolf Cubs (8-10), Scouts (11-14). Until 1998, each Scout group could choose whether to be co-ed or boys only. In 1998, this local option was removed. Today, about 6% of Scouts Canada’s youth membership is female.
August 12th, 2007 at 9:45 am
don’t want to be rude here but: DENIAL not sure what planet you are on but the boy scouts have ALWAYS been anti homosexual. I never said Scouts Canada had a ‘policy’ you can have a politically incorrect and down right wrong opinion without it being ‘policy’.
not sure why you felt it necessary to write out a whole paragraph on what i already wrote, you are right that i left out the rovers but it was intentional, OF COURSE they are separate orgs. but they are related (both started in the Baden-Powell family) and very similar. i am not sure if you simply did not read what i wrote correctly, i am assuming for you it wasn’t clear enough, or if you just want to get in a fight with me over who knows more about Scouting. If so bring it on.
August 12th, 2007 at 9:58 am
Liam: While I can agree that there may not be a written policy in BP&P barring homosexuals, it is clear that in practice that has always been the case. This was a practice stated clearly by every professional scouter I have encountered in 26 years of scouting. The irrational fear that the terms homosexual and pediphile were synonomus has been preached by upper levels of scouting for decades. While it is clear that Scouts Canada will deny descriminating against homosexuals the reality of the practice is clear.
As for girls in Scouting, one just has to look at the the enrolment numbers since 1992 to see what a disaster that has been.
August 12th, 2007 at 6:06 pm
“Kunstemaecker Says:
August 12th, 2007 at 1:19 am
Why they didn’t stop after Rush Hour 1, is beyond me.”
Shhhhhh….. don’t spoilt it for everybody else!!!
August 12th, 2007 at 6:07 pm
or even *spoil it…….
*sighs* bed time….
August 12th, 2007 at 11:08 pm
Good evening, as one of the individuals considered to be a “professional Scouter” that Corinna’s Dad mentions, I feel compelled to weigh in and clarify the position and policies of Scouts Canada.
On Scouting and homosexuality - I believe that you (both Gus and Corinna’s Dad) have Scouts Canada confused with the Boy Scouts of America.
This is a common misconception about Scouts Canada in Canada due to the extensive American media coverage around the strong position of the BSA and ongoing civil-rights legal challenges.
Scouts Canada does not currently deny membership or refuse to renew membership for any person who is or may be homosexual.
In fact, during the 2000 - 2001 Scouting season an entirely homosexual Rover crew operated in Toronto ( see http://www.commondreams.org/headlines/070300-02.htm ) .
Sadly, that Rover Crew has since become inactive due to a lack of continuing interest within the community that started the group.
If a member chooses to identify him/herself as homosexual, it is his/her choice and has no bearing on their membership. We simply ask that they follow the same rules that all of our members must follow, with a particular emphasis in this case on: any personal and/or sexual relationships must be left at home, and that the name, uniform, and insignia of Scouts Canada not be used for lobbying or political purposes.
If you require further clarification, please don’t hesitate to contact your nearest Scouts Canada Service Centre.
August 13th, 2007 at 7:17 pm
Sounds like it really rubbed you the wrong way. I’m sorry it was in such poor taste.
August 14th, 2007 at 1:28 pm
Christopher and Liam (if he comes back) - basically i just want to thank you both for not coming on my website and attacking me because you don’t agree with what i have written and view it as incorrect, that is actually really great and rare most people, attack attack attack… which is why i had my guard up right away against Liam, you blog long enough it comes with the territory.
with that said, i think the advancements with the rovers are superb and a step in the right direction, but even still, i am not surprised at this denial, nor does it bother me that you both consider me wrong, I completely respect you standing up for your organization.
August 14th, 2007 at 2:47 pm
While it’s unfortunate that you still view a statement of what the situation really is as a “denial”, I am glad that you are willing to listen to people offering constructive criticism of what you have written (a rarity on the ‘net).
As for your surprise that people have been polite, I hope you remember from your time with us that Scouts are…
Helpful and trustworthy,
Kind and cheerful,
Considerate and clean…
August 16th, 2007 at 7:10 pm
Gusgreeper, I don’t think we disagree. I believe in equal rights for all, regardless of sexual orientation. I have been active with Scouts Canada for 23 years and an adult volunteer for 15 years. In this time, I have not seen Scouts Canada discriminate against homosexuals. I have occationally heard other members of Scouting make homophobic comments, but no more or less so than in the general population.
Scouting is part of society and will reflect societal values. I’m sure an openly homosexual person would have had difficulty joining in 1955. But that would have been the unfortunate reality of the time, not anything Scouting-related.
Corinna’s Dad: Certainly Scouts Canada’s membership is falling rapidly, but the co-ed policy changes are not related to this. Membership has been falling since 1965. That said, many Scout parents have told me that they want a boys-only program. Almost none have said the opposite. The Scouts, in my experience, don’t care one way or the other.
December 2nd, 2007 at 1:18 am
BOOKMARK THIS BLOG NOW!!! This is sooo to the point and well written (the Rio and a gripe). I wish I had found this blog a long time ago. Originally I was searching Google for information on Toronto Adult Club when I stumbled across you Sunday.