Movies

Granderson: Against vampires or tyrants, truth is the essential weapon

BBG News

After watching “The Lost Boys” in 1987, my interest in vampire movies blossomed. Before this film, I had mostly appreciated these films for their horror aspects. However, under the guidance of the late Joel Schumacher, “The Lost Boys” opened my eyes to the storytelling elements beyond just the scary parts. Since then, I’ve become a fan of both high-quality and less-than-stellar vampire movies.

One intriguing aspect I enjoy in vampire films lies in the revelation that a simple cross, garlic, or sunlight isn’t what truly eliminates these creatures. Instead, it’s about convincing others of the truth. For instance, in “The Lost Boys,” it was those shunned by society who initially attempted to spread the truth but were disregarded. Similarly, in Ryan Coogler’s latest film “Sinners” (1932 Mississippi Delta-set), it was those often overlooked by society who first alerted the masses of the impending danger.

To set the record straight, I’m a big fan of vampire movies that ooze sexiness and bloodlust. Yet, what truly intrigues me is the director’s choice of character who reveals the truth to the public, and the challenges they face in getting people to believe them. In light of our country’s ongoing constitutional crisis, watching the men in “Sinners” readily accept a qualified Black woman as their leader was like witnessing a cinematic second chance.

The founders set up the first line of defense against tyranny not through the right to own firearms, but by ensuring that citizens could never be silenced. Modern media corporations, born from capitalism, prioritize profits over all else. Yet, freedom of speech, a result of the founding fathers’ wish for a thriving democracy in America, is just as crucial. Having experienced life under oppressive regimes, the writers of the Bill of Rights recognized the importance of free speech above all else.

The primary obstacle hindering progress towards a more harmonious nation hasn’t been the liberty of the media, but rather the reluctance to accept reality. Similar to how important it is to identify the truth-teller in vampire films I enjoy, it’s crucial to know who is disseminating truth to the public.

The term “gaslighting” was initially coined in 1938 through a play titled “Gas Light,” written by Thomas Hamilton. This play revolves around a wife who doubts her sanity due to her husband’s persistent deception. In 1944, a film adaptation of the play was released. During one scene, the husband manipulates his wife so thoroughly with lies that she begins to question her upbringing and relationship with her mother. Not laws or force, but truth ultimately set her free. This psychological thriller remains influential, as its concept—manipulation in personal relationships, politics, and beyond—continues to resonate more than 90 years later.

As a cinephile, I’ve often noticed that concealing the truth is an intriguing narrative device, empowering certain characters to manipulate others effectively. In the realm of cinema, vampires, disloyal spouses on stage, and corrupt politicians in government offices all thrive by keeping their true nature hidden from the public. Their survival depends on our ignorance of their dark secrets.

Another way of expressing this could be: They too depend on the fact that people often disregard those who come forward with the truth. The reason President Nixon was re-elected even after the Watergate scandal broke out was because the general public found it hard to believe the truth.

– Truth doesn’t require recognition from others to be real, but it requires individuals who are brave enough to identify and uphold it. This courage is the primary tool in the fight for righteousness, and unfortunately, it’s often the very thing that wickedness attempts to suppress first.

@LZGranderson

Read More

2025-04-26 13:31

Previous post Brawl Stars Mega Discussion: Questions, Tips, and Memes Galore!
Next post Corrie Legend from First Episode Dies at 88, Tributes Flood In