the express - the Ernie Davis story

Got this movie a week or two back - am now wonderin whether has this movie been shown on our shores here in Malaysia as yet. That aside, here goes...


The story opens up somewhere in the 1940s. Pennsylvania. Along some railroads of some quiet train station. The part where you get introduced to the huge discrimination the whites had against the blacks during that time, evident even amongst children. Seen on this film, as experienced by the central figure of this story.

Davis had such optimism - it dawned upon me, that what some of us face is virtually nothin compared to what he did. He was brave to speak at the expense of compromising whatever he had. As it turns out, his entire football team inclusive of his coach, would become those of the early fews who learned to see beneath the skin tones that separate 'em races.

He went down in history heaps as one who attained status as 'first of this, and first of that kinda thing' amongst many other notable achievements.

He was personally acknowledged by The Mr. President of that time, Mr. Kennedy.

And perhaps the Lord above love him all too much, that He had in mind a much better place for him to be in. He passed on to the afterlife, at the young tender age of 23 due to leukemia.

His legacy impacted many during his lifetime, and continues to live on to this very day.

The movie closes with a passage quoted:

"He was an outstanding young man of great character who served — and my hope is, will continue to serve — as an inspiration to the young people of this country."
- John F. Kennedy on Ernie Davis

Escape from Huang Shi

(as extracted from an email I wrote to my bestie)



Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 03:54:19 +0800

Nie,

I found few sources, but this one seems to be the most interesting read.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/the-long-march-across-china-and-a-very-british-hero-437898.html

I found out that George Hogg is partially a fictional character in 'Children of Huang Shi' (in Singapore and M'sia, it's known as 'Escape from Huang Shi') - just like how 'Bailey' is potrayed in 'Kingdom of Heaven' and other movies which I can't recall for now.

He's fictional in the sense that many of the events in the film was not accordingly to the events that was written in the book that formed the basis for the film.

He died of tetanus, actually contracting the disease from an injury to his toe whilst playin' basketball with his students.

His mate - Lee Pearson - she was nowhere to be mentioned in history.

Hogg's mentor - Alley - a major contributor to Chinese history, was not being told in the film, where in Shandan, memorial were set up in remembrance of Hogg and Alley.

Anyways, we're so lucky to have witness this story - cos' it took 22 years for the story to reach the screen - thanks to the author of the book, who was in shanghai in the 1980s or something...so happen he overheard some other people's conversation, in a public area - about a memorial in remembrance of an English hero. That sparked an interest in the author, who went on to investigate the full story, plus interviewing the survivors, i.e. the children of Huang Shi, who are now in their eighties.

- Sam -

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(Below as quoted from a site)

The Book: The Life & Legend of George Hogg
http://kenixloh.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/untitled1.jpg
The author, James MacManus, was working as a reporter in Shanghai in 1980s when he heard talk of a statue being up in the remote town of Shandon on the Mongolian border in memory of an Englishman called George Hogg. This book is the result of his investigations – and the basis for a major feature film called ‘The Children of Huang Shi’, directed by Roger Spottiswoode and starring Jonathan Rhys Myers

The curious case of Benjamin Button

March 9th, 5.20 am

Few hours ago on March 8th, I had the opportunity to catch 'The curious case of Benjamin Button'. It a fictional story, nevertheless a beautifully written one.

The movie showed great passion and love a fellow being could have for another, through the good and bad times. It sure had impact many of those who were in the cinema house watching the show with me, especially the ladies - could hear slight 'cries' (now, i'm at loss at the word that correctly describes this) from where i sit.

Lovely acting by Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett. Haven't seen much of the former, but of the latter - love her works in both Elizabeth movies.

On a personal note, had an amazing time catching up with an ex colleague - a much needed break from my everyday routine of work, after such a long time.

Also, this movie invoked heaps my longing for travellin - now, I won't deny that any bit. It also served me as a good reminder on how we should just appreciate those around us, before they are forever taken from us, by the Almighty God. Applies too, in the event that we are taken by the One above, when our time is due - we just never know when after all. Hence, live everyday as if it's gonna be our last. Amen. :)