Michael T. Starks

Category: Heroes

  • Icarus

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    Somebody at Telluride attributed the following quote to Guillermo del Toro. It may be included in the new Leonardo da Vinci documentary by Ken Burns. “The lesson of Icarus isn’t to stop flying so high. It’s to build better wings.” I love this idea! Daedalus, father of Icarus, knows the limitations of the wings he…

  • Biographies

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    Biographies and autobiographies can be inspiring. I finished listening to Govt Cheese by Steven Pressfield on Audible tonight. He went through many, many years of writing stuff nobody wanted before he finally wrote The Legend of Bagger Vance, while in his early fifties, which was adapted into an excellent movie directed by Robert Redford. (Full disclosure: I haven’t read…

  • Orson Scott Card

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    Sometimes, we like the output of a creative individual more than their personal views and actions. I’ve never met Orson Scott Card in person. If I did, I would want to talk to him mostly about science fiction. While I don’t like that Card supports laws against homosexual activity and same-sex marriage, I love that…

  • Jeff Bridges

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    Jeff Bridges is one of my favorite actors and one of my heroes. He’s played so many amazing roles. Here are a few of my favorites. I could list so many more! Of these, I’ve watched The Fabulous Baker Boys, Fearless, The Big Lebowski, K-PAX, and The Men Who Stare at Goats multiple times. And…

  • Wealth and Poverty

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    While I’m thinking about it, here is another collection of videos from Robert Reich. Because I haven’t made it through all of these yet, I want an easy way to find and watch them. Enjoy! Class Sessions Part I — The problem Class 1: What’s happened to wealth and income in America over the last 40 years, and should…

  • Economic Myths

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    Robert Reich has put together a series of videos debunking economic myths. Today, I finished watching this series. So I’ve decided to include all of the links here. Enjoy! Myth #1: Economics has nothing to do with politics, morality, or power. BUNK!  Myth #2: Government obstructs the free market. BUNK! Myth #3: The rich deserve…

  • James Cameron

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    James Cameron has done an excellent job of making movies that audiences want to see. He sure knows how to create blockbusters! Here are a few of my favorites. I also enjoyed watching Dark Angel, a fascinating TV series that features a young Jessica Alba. While I don’t think it’s best to be so controlling…

  • Mira Nair

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    Mira Nair is another one of my heroes. As a director, she’s made several great movies, unlike any that I’ve seen previously. Here are my favorites. She’s worked with many impressive actors. Denzel Washington gave a rich and tender performance in Mississippi Masala. Marisa Tomei gave a delightful performance in The Perez Family. I look…

  • Edith Wharton

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    Edith Wharton has been one of my heroes since high school. She is an extraordinary writer who captures what it means to be human, especially for women in the society of her time. I read Ethan Frome for a class, and it haunts me still. “…and the way they are now, I don’t see’s there’s…

  • Simon Sinek

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    Simon Sinek is one of my heroes because he has given solid TED talks, written more than one influential book, and helped many people find more meaning in their lives. Part of me aspires to do something similar. Part of me wants to make more movies. And part of me wants to continue putting the…