Thursday, November 27, 2014

US Flag in Forrest Gump

On this Thanksgiving Day there are so many things to be thankful for.  In the movie Forrest Gump 1994, the story of one man, Forrest Gump, reflects back the story of America in tale is one to consider.

Several flags appear in dramatic fashion.  Forrest Gump's best friend Bubba looses his life in Vietnam, but Forrest decides to live out Bubba's dream fishing for shrimp.
Here the US flag is on the flying on the shrimp fishing boat Jenny.  Note that Forrest Gump was filmed at the apex of natural colour filming.  Currently as of 2014 movie directors, since the Matrix in 1999, opt to film in a genre of limited colours. Maybe soon they will go back to black and white since natural color movies are out of fashion  
During the anti-war rally in DC, a man with an American Flag shirt stands in awe as Forrest gives a speech about Vietnam.
Here the US flag is in the background next to several other flags, including the US Army flag.









Other Flags in Forrest Gump

 The state flag of Alabama appears in Forrest Gump 1994 during his graduation ceremony.
 A unique banner is created just for Forrest Gump when he attends Alabama.  It is a message vexilloid that tells him to stop running. 

  A banner of DC War protesters appears on the back of a 'Hippie Bus'.
The flag of China appears in Forrest Gump 1994 during his international Ping Pong match.


Confederate Flags In Forrest Gump

 The Confederate flag appears in the movie Forrest Gump several times.  As the hero of the film is from Greebow, Alabama, it is inevitable that the flag should appear in the film.

In the introductory scene we learn of Forrest Gump's origin of his name which has its ties to a 'bed sheet' rally community.
 During Forrest Gump's service in the US Army in Vietnam it appears during the opening scene. 
 Here Forrest is running away from of his classmate bullies, who chose to put a Confederate Battle flag on the front of the pick up truck.
Hardest to see is the Old Georgia state flag that used the Confederate Battle flag in its design.  It can be seen in the background hanging off of the building.






Vietnam Forrest Gump Flags


 In 1994 the Viet Cong flag was waved in the faces of Americans for one last time, in the movie Forrest Gump. It apparently appears as a captured flag, that is used to decorate the toilet stalls.


Forrest Gump Flag

In Forrest Gump's bedroom, Forrest drew an American flag.  Although it does not accurately portray the flag, it accurately captures a child's perception of the US flag.  It has the key elements of stars, and red and white stripes. 

Saturday, November 22, 2014

Blue Jeans Awareness Ribbon

The blue jeans awareness ribbon is dedicated to helping find a cure for all sorts of genetic diseases.  Nearly 1 in 10 people are affected by rare and genetic orders.  Approximately 30% of children with these nearly invisible to the media and public syndromes will not see their first day in kindergarten.  Over 7,000 distinct rare and genetically related diseases are represented by this symbol.

The jeans ribbons is a poetic reference to malfunctioning genes associated with these disorders. The golden rivet in the center refers to the origin of jeans when Jacob Davis first used reinforced metal rivets to make hardy denim work pants - also known as jeans, first created sometime in the 1870s.  

The golden rivet also symbolizes the proverbial golden genetic thread that connects all of our lives.  It is reminder that we are all related to each other and share the same basic genetic blueprint.  And that strangers, friends and others are actually members of our family.  Furthermore the golden rivet distinguishes this blue ribbon symbol from the multitudes of other important causes that also utilize a blue ribbon.

http://globalgenes.org/

Sunday, November 9, 2014

Saturday, November 8, 2014

Batten's Syndrome - Falling under the Jean's Awareness Ribbon


Awareness ribbons are popular vexilloids that carry a message by a colourful and simple means.

 Like flags, depending on the colours used - these ribbons communicate a message.  Perhaps the most successful and renowned ribbon is the pink breast cancer ribbon.  But since there are a limited number of colours, some awareness groups use designs to convey their message.  One particular unique design is the jigsaw autism awareness ribbon that a pieces of the puzzle in red, yellow, and blue.

The purpose of these ribbons is to promote public awareness, inspire hope, muster moral support, and aim for healing.  One particular unique ribbon is the blue jeans ribbon that refers to rare types of genetic syndromes that often cut life short or add a heavy burden to those persons born with rare genetic complications.  The jeans ribbon, is play on the word for genes.  It is a unique ribbon that represents all types of genetic complications united under one ribbon - the jeans ribbon.

Rare Genes Ribbon with a Golden Rivet to 
distinguish it from other blue ribbons
My attention to the genes related "Jean's Ribbon" was sparked by tragic condition of Batten's Disease that has affected one of my family members.  Batten's Syndrome causes persons to loose their eye sight at an early age, then effects the central nervous system.  Eventually their minds regress along with motor coordination leading to a shortened lifespan.


We are at primitive stage of genetic therapy, but with good science and caring hearts a cure is surely within our reach.

For More Information on Batten's Disease please visit this website: www.bdsra.org
More Information about rare genetic diseases:
http://globalgenes.org/rare-diseases-facts-statistics/


Tuesday, November 4, 2014

1950s Refeshments Vexilloid

A vexilloid appears in the most iconic theater refreshment ad during the 1950s.  The leading refreshment dressed in blue, which appears to be a chocolate bar is holding a drum majors mace with golden orb as the finial.  Behind the leader is a bucket of popcorn holding a refreshment standard.  The refreshment standard is a white broadside with a "Refreshments" written in all capital letters in the colour green.  


 Imagine going to the movies in a suit?  That's what some people did in the 1950s.  Here the four snacks are being consumed by the American nuclear family of the 1950s.











It has been said that Frylocks father is the bucket of popcorn and Master Shakes mom is the cup of soda.  Oddly Meatwad's father was a chocolate bar.