Wilmas in Cinema: Get Smart

(picture from exclaim)

When it comes to locations in the history of cinema there are few locations due to their fame where they could easily be recognized, for other places it may be harder to near impossibleto tell where they are. Wilmington (Wilmas to the Wilmington native) is the latter of the two in cinema. 

In the third act of the recent release and remake "Get Smart" much action and chase takes place in the city of Los Angeles. Not just any part, a good amount of a chase seen is done on the little famed 47 freeway which leads to the LA ports. This is a freeway that travels through the industrial section of Wilmington. Port cranes, refineries and the quirky green lift bridge can all be seen in the background of the action. I'm sure this particular freeway was used due to it being small and can easily be closed down for filming. In the history of 47 it is not the first time it has starred in a few feature films. More details on this in future postings.

"Get Smart" is an entertaining film that does not just copy its origins but takes it in a new direction without ruining the concept. The film maybe misleading, it does contain humor as the trailers and TV spots emphasize but it works better as a full fledged spy film that contains humor.

Graduation Salute: Melly

When most of us escape high school we are unsure what we can demand or deserve from the world, better yet what one can contribute. When it comes to Latina/os few of us make it to the next level of interest and education, but some do continue to the next step and manage to finish this particular chapter of their life with tremendous difficulty.

One of the few has managed to do this. This strong Mexicana, Melissa, has just graduated class of 2008 with a degree in Literature from the University of California, San Diego. I salute her accomplishment not only for the respect i have to overcome the obstacles that stood in her way but also because she is someone dear to me, my girlfriend. I am proud of her but nothing in comparison as to how proud her parents must be of their child. Congratulations Melly!

(The image above she is turning her tassel to the proper side to signify she is now a graduate.)

Father's Day Salute: hero

What is the true definition of a hero? For most of us during our upbringing we are influenced by tales of fictional beings of the super, incredible and other worldly. We are also taught to respect the ones that defend and protect the innocent in the name of the greater good such as policemen, firemen and soldiers. What of the everyday individual, what of the person that in compasses so many of these things but exists in a closer tangible form for some of us. I speak of the parent and on this day i speak directly of the father.

The one that protects us since birth which sacrifices not only moments but dreams and goals to help us along our path of development. A super hero personality is present when they express patience with our childhood tantrums and our teenage rebelliousness that sometimes breaks their hearts but they manage to overlook it and continue to love us.

In perspective, incredible can be applied for some when we account their history and the acts that lead to the present. Overcoming tremendous obstacles and odds to come to a foreign land to not only have a better life but to provide a secure future for their loved ones. This is the true meaning of courage which is an attribute of the hero, when you venture to a strange land but know you have to and are unsure of the outcome. A place that no matter the length of time one spends may not embrace you but ends in rejection and overlooks the value of one as an active participate of society.

The hero that we have been guided to praise are one dimensional being which we hear of their greats deeds but the human side is hidden from us. The human element, i feel, is important to connect with because the real world is much more difficult to navigate than the fictional world i use to see superman deal with in Saturday morning cartoons. 

This is my love and respect that i express to not only my father but to both my parents. Loved ones that I believe are not only proper role models but deserve my praise. Happy father's day. 

 

When form fails to location

Many of you may have noticed the aesthetically pleasing cellular towers that have been multiplying throughout the landscape of this country, maybe causing a double take in some cases in disbelief. For the last few years, depending on there location, cell phone signal towers have been incognito as nature. 

In California many take the shape of palm or sequoia trees attempting to blend into their surroundings. Others in the southern more desert dominant states have towers pretending to be saguaro cacti and the list of artificial nature continues. One reason for this decision in the change of tower appearance was due to commercial and upper class neighborhood influence. Both groups wanting their cell phone provider coverage but not wishing for hideous structures to invade their neighborhoods and mall type businesses the following sculptural solution was enforced.

The interesting thing I observed was that sometimes one aesthetic which replaces another can be defeated due to its location. In the above image, a lonely palm tree dots the landscape. The odd thing about this tree is not that it is an artificial palm but a tree in an area with less then .1 percent vegetation. The picture is taken at one of the Los Angeles Harbor ports on terminal island. If you are unfamiliar with the dockscape of the LA ports it is a waterfront cargo container terminal setting of concrete, asphalt and steel. The usual and only greenery present is in the form of a potted plant in one of the very few buildings on the site. This is the visual oxymoron that exists for this particular lonely waterfront palm and creates the question: was aesthetic form defeated due to its location? Was this a misplaced decision where the older, often considered uglier, towers would be more welcome to fit into its surroundings? It is a site that is easily overlooked but once witnessed there is an effect that something is out of place. 

Security at the Waterfront?

Since the events of 9/11 and the creation of Homeland Security this agency of the government has attempted to police ports of entry into the United States of America. This is an overwhelming task considering the thousands of miles of land and coast that has to be policed. Thus including hundreds of commercial points of entry such as the import/export cargo ship container docks of the Los Angeles Harbor.

The presence of Homeland Security at the Waterfront is something that has appeared in the last few years but has appeared with increasing force. The waters around some of these dock, which in Los Angeles are a combination of Long Beach, Wilmington and San Pedro, are now heavily more patrolled than in the past.

Many individuals from different parts of the Los Angeles County come to this area during the weekends to charter a quick cruise or take out their own boats unaware of many of the laws and rules that may work against them and their excursion. As many involuntarily find out when they travel too close to the docks and their cargo ships. Pictured above, these individuals where stopped for testing out their speed boat too close to the docks, they were detained for some time by the Harbor Patrol. It is unclear if they were let off with a warning or fined. This image can be seen more often and is having a negative impact as less private boats are seen in the water. Part of the Los Angeles Harbors appeal is not only to sail freely but to be able to view this amazing industry of the ports up close and at work. 

Birthday shout out: Daisy

This is a birthday shout out to one of my good friends who just turned 25, Daisy. She is a fierce funny latina who is currently at the University of California, Irvine in the phd program in sociology.

Her birthday was spent in old town pasadena in some fancy hip italian restaurant. The food was good but i think it upset my stomach later that night. She appeared to have a good time, maybe it was the alcohol in her veins. hey we all need some help.

Daisy and i have known eachother for many years, she was so young back then. jejeje. We have tried to support eachother, with other individuals in this network, during the hard days of school and life when sometimes we cannot see the light at the end. I wish her nothing but the best in her continuing struggle to achieve the degree.