![Say No to the Devil: The Life and Musical Genius of Rev. Gary Davis](/uploads/profile_image/09f/378f671a-9414-4b00-8393-3309af2b009f.jpg?m=1522338816)
Say No to the Devil: The Life and Musical Genius of Rev. Gary Davis
Book
Who was the greatest of all American guitarists? You probably didn't name Gary Davis, but many of...
![Harsh Times (2005)](/uploads/profile_image/775/e63ff3f0-454d-4b0d-b75e-03537744d775.jpg?m=1522356595)
Harsh Times (2005)
Movie Watch
Davis (Bale) is an ex-Army Ranger who finds himself slipping back into his old life of petty crime...
![40x40](/uploads/profile_image/70d/8e54b769-5ff4-4ea4-a2a7-399af6c9e70d.jpg?m=1522325189)
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated Freedom Is a Constant Struggle in Books
Sep 18, 2017
On the other hand, Davis' book is a perfect counterpart to Michelle Alexander's important theoretical book "The New Jim Crow" as "Freedom is a Constant Struggle" is more of a manifesto, with practical advice.
Davis, who was at one point on the FBI 's Most Wanted List, discusses her role and support for the Black Panther Party during the 1960's, as well as global movements such as Palestine, who in turn advised those in Ferguson, Missouri, in how to deal with militarized police tactics. She criticizes companies such as G4S for essentially gaining from corporate punishments, who are notorious across the world.
Ironically, I have always held Davis on a pedestal, and went to see her many years ago during a speech in London. But she does warn against individualism and instead encourages finding common tenets across other civil actions. And while I love her vision of intersectionality, these speeches are far too brief to gauge a full understanding - it may be better to read some of her other works alongside this book. A great insight into a great mind.
![Treasure Planet (2002)](/uploads/profile_image/f7c/86cd7d92-63fb-4b9e-8b06-1cbaf87eff7c.jpg?m=1522357698)
Treasure Planet (2002)
Movie Watch
The legendary "loot of a thousand worlds" inspires an intergalactic treasure hunt when 15-year-old...
![Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989)](/uploads/profile_image/d60/142115e8-117f-4e6f-baf9-ff916216fd60.jpg?m=1522354930)
Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989)
Movie Watch
Bill Preston and Ted Logan are two totally excellent dudes facing one most heinous history exam....
![Half Baked (1998)](/uploads/profile_image/f59/38ed70c0-4f81-46be-8518-3ac1b81f3f59.jpg?m=1522341185)
Half Baked (1998)
Movie Watch
After Kenny accidentaly kills a cop's diabetic horse by feeding it the food he purchased from a...
![Supernatural](/uploads/profile_image/022/eb50e0f4-08b7-4151-a867-e17750bbf022.jpg?m=1522331200)
Supernatural
TV Show Watch
We are introduced to the Winchester Brothers, Sam and Dean set off on a journey to find their father...
![40x40](/uploads/profile_image/7ee/95ede904-a6dc-4f2c-bcdb-e13886e197ee.jpg?m=1522359198)
Chris Sawin (602 KP) rated Harsh Times (2005) in Movies
Jun 18, 2019
Jim Luther Davis (Christian Bale) seems like a normal guy that anyone could know. Now that he’s done his time as a soldier, it’s now his dream to become a cop in Los Angeles. Unfortunately though, Jim likes to spend most days drinking, smoking pot, and looking for ways to either get laid or kick the snot out of someone and his time as a soldier gets to him more than he lets on. He has nightmares every night and wakes up screaming with cold chills and is on the verge of downright insanity.
His best friend, Mike Alonzo (Freddy Rodriguez), has the intention of getting a job to make his wife happy but his drinking problem stands in the way of that. While Mike has his wife, Sylvia (Eva Longoria), Jim has his girlfriend, Marta (Tammy Trull), back in Mexico that he hopes to get across the border once he gets that dream job. One day, Jim gets a call from Homeland Security and Mike has an interview go surprisingly well at one of the best businesses in town; the two best friends think their lives are beginning to look up. However, Jim gets pushed too far and innocent people are suddenly caught in the crossfire.
Harsh Times plays out like a song that becomes a sleeper hit or one that eventually evolves into one of your favorites; events unfold rather slowly but they’re also building towards a big finale. Once the ball gets rolling, it’s inevitable to try and resist the mayhem that’s sure to ensue. Harsh Times may not be that appealing on the surface, but David Ayer has mastered the dynamic of two cops (one is usually Caucasian and the other is usually Hispanic or African American) set within a broken neighborhood. Watching Jim and Mike give into their vices and basically flush their dreams down the toilet by relishing the deteriorated reputation they’re known for is a riveting train wreck. Aside from Christian Bale’s outstanding performance, the real gem of the film lies within the last 20 minutes.
Ayer typically aims to shock or catch you off guard with the finales of his crime films, but there’s also a scene involving Jim that is unexpected. It’s an intriguing scene that is spontaneous in nature, but it puts what Jim went through as a soldier into perspective. Jim is completely unfazed by what he puts himself through, but Mike seems to be physically traumatized by the whole ordeal. It seems rather unimportant as it’s occurring, but it’s also the most memorable sequence once the credits roll. Before Don’t Breathe came along in 2016, this was the worst way any Hollywood film ever utilized a turkey baster.
For several years, Christian Bale was known for dramatically changing his appearance and using a different accent in every project he was a part of. Watching Harsh Times after seeing Batman Begins (both films were released in 2005) for the first time allows you to appreciate Bale’s performance even more. Imagine Batman or even Bruce Wayne trying to say with a straight face, “Yeah, homie. That’s how we roll in these streets, dawg.” It seems implausible and almost otherworldly; it’s a transition you never expected Bale to make. The transformation of the Jim Luther Davis character is incredible. The film’s editing when Jim is going through one of his episodes is an admirable nod to how unstable he is. Once the screen has that yellow tint to it, you know something detrimental is about to go down.
Harsh Times has a reputation for being slow and boring, but it’s worth a watch especially if you’re a fan of David Ayer films. The crime film may not appeal to everyone, but it probably has a lot more to offer than anyone gives it credit for. Christian Bale has a particularly strong performance in the film that deserves to behold and the intense finale should make up for any slow or dragging sequences. If you’re watching the film for the first time, try giving it a chance when you know you have a more patient mentality. You may be pleasantly surprised with Harsh Times.
Harsh Times is available to stream on YouTube, Google Play, and Vudu for $2.99 and iTunes for $3.99. It’s available on Amazon Prime for free if you have Showtime with Prime Video channels. The film is available on Amazon on DVD for $7.96 and Multi-Format Blu-ray for $13.49. The pre-owned DVD is currently $4.09 with free shipping while a brand new Multi-Format Blu-ray is $15.98 with free shipping on eBay.