Now more than ever we must stand together, promote love and unity in our community and set an example for small towns across the nation. We have the opportunity to use our voice for the greater good and empower all minorities, cultures and colors to ...
Now more than ever we must stand together, promote love and unity in our community and set an example for small towns across the nation. We have the opportunity to use our voice for the greater good and empower all minorities, cultures and colors to stand up for justice for all. Americans are capable of great courage and kindness.
Some of the most powerful films exemplify how we can honor and celebrate diversity as well as educate us on the history of America. Below is a list of thought provoking and powerful films you can watch and learn from.
“Selma”
“Selma” (2014) is a chronicle of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life and his pursuit for equal voting rights, centered on the historic 1965 march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama. The film, starring David Oyelow as the late Dr. King, follows the true story of the famous activist embarking on a dangerous three-month campaign to secure equal voting rights for African Americans, culminating in President Johnson signing the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Feel free to watch the film anytime you’re in need of some major inspiration.
“Loving”
It’s time to pull out your tissue box, folks. “Loving” (2016) is based on the real-life love story of Richard and Mildred Loving, an interracial couple that got married in the 1960s. At the time, it was illegal for them to wed in their home state of Virginia due to miscegenation laws, and they traveled to DC to tie the knot after Mildred realized she was pregnant. Soon after, the Lovings were arrested, put on trial and banned from the state of Virginia for their apparently illegal union. They refused to give up their fight to live in the state though, and their perseverance and love eventually led them all the way to the Supreme Court, whose unanimous decision led to the end of the country’s last remaining segregation laws.
For more information about these films or to watch the trailers for the movies listed, visit this link
Summer time is notorious for some of the biggest blockbuster hits in history! The season has officially started in Chelan and although things are different this year, we still have all the summer feels. Looking for a little inspiration to set your summer mood? Here’s a few of the most nostalgic summer time films that will have you ready to jump in the lake!
GREASE (1978) John Travolta and Olivia Newton John star in one of the most iconic and famous musicals of all time GREASE! This film will have you on your feet and singing “You’re the one that I love!”WEEKEND AT BERNIES (1989) This cult classic comedy will have you rolling on the ground laughing! A classic tail of two friends who’s epic summer weekend, turns into a nightmare.THE SISTERHOOD OF THE TRAVELING PANTS (2005) You will laugh cry and call your best friend after going on a journey with these girls and their pants!THE SANDLOT (1993) Nothing says summer like the 4th of July and baseball with your best friends in the park! Take a trip down memory lane with this crew and gear up for some serious nostalgia!500 DAYS OF SUMMER (2009) This adorable indie rom-com will get you giddy for love, make you want to break up and fall in love again. Reminisce on your first summer fling and fall for this adorable duo.
Memorial Day has always meant so much to our Valley. It’s when we honor those who died for their country by having our annual Memorial Day Parade, it’s the kick off to summer and it’s pure nostalgia for all locals and visitors alike.
Although it is going to look quite different this year, we can still honor our War heroes through incredible film. Below are a few of our favorites from the top 45 list of The Greatest American War Movies Ever. We hope you are able to enjoy one of these stories this weekend and get inspired.
To all of those who have lost a loved one who died fighting for our country’s honor, we acknowledge you and your War Hero like the ones on these films! Happy Memorial Day!
One of the earliest war movies in history, “Wings” became the very first film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture. 1920s mega-star Clara Bow played the love interest of two air combat pilots (Richard Arlen and Buddy Rogers) in World War I. The film impressed audiences for its unbelievable aerial sequences, a major feat for the earlier days of cinematic technical prowess. Gary Cooper played a small role in the film, which led to him becoming one of Hollywood’s biggest stars.Gary Cooper leads in this tale of an incredible sniper, Alvin C. York, who becomes a World War I hero when his marksmanship forces a German platoon to surrender. Cooper’s acclaimed performance not only won the Oscar for Best Actor—and earned 11 total nominations including Best Picture—it led to the American Film Institute naming York as the 35th greatest hero in American film history.The second James Jones story to make the list—see #33, “From Here to Eternity” starred Burt Lancaster, Montgomery Clift, and Frank Sinatra as soldiers stationed in Hawaii in the months before the Pearl Harbor attack. It ended up winning eight Oscars in 1954 and has since been added to the National Film Registry for its tremendous cultural significance. It was Sinatra’s only Academy Award win for his acting work.At almost four hours long, “Gone with the Wind” is a sprawling epic film about the downfall of a well-to-do southern family. Set in Georgia during the Civil War, the adaptation of Margaret Mitchell’s 1936 novel set all kinds of box office records. Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh starred in the picture that eventually took home 10 Oscars in 1940, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Writing, and Best Actress in a Leading Role. AFI listed it as #6 on a list of best American movies of all time.Denzel Washington won his first Oscar for his role in this Civil War film about one of the first all-black regiments in American history. Matthew Broderick plays Captain Robert Shaw, a white colonel in charge of a group of black volunteers for the Union Army. The group deals with racism and prejudice within their own army as they fight against the Confederacy and the evils of slavery on the other side. The film enjoyed massive critical success: New York Times film critic Vincent Canby called the cast “superior” and correctly predicted that Washington was “on his way to a major screen career.”
We hope that you are all keeping well, and supporting each other, during these extraordinary times. The Ruby team keeps busy doing projects inside and outside the Ruby while we are closed. You will see a few happy changes when we re-open. And the Ruby is also working with Riverwalk Books and other generous donors to provide a new book for all elementary school students (over 800 students) in Manson and Chelan. You can find the “Keeping Kids Reading” program presented on Riverwalk Books’ Facebook page.
It’s inspiring and fun to witness the many amazing stories unfolding all around us. This week we want to share with you some memorable stories about bringing out the best in people… and lions, tin man and scarecrow too. Challenges met with hope, faith, courage, kindness, determination and more…to inspire us to create our own stories of greatness.
