Wild, Wild West
Wild Wild West Yuck.  That sums that movie up.  I can pretty much stop there. This movie depends heavily on the stereotype of disabled=evil.  This character comes across as not even human, just cackling and one-dimensional. I can’t imagine who thought this was a good idea.  Why in the world did renown Shakespearean actor Kenneth Branagh agree to this? Someone in this team of writers or producers decided that it would make sense for Loveless, who uses crazy machines to fight people, to be part machine himself.  At least I’m certain that’s the way that person looked at a wheelchair.  Did we really need yet another example of disabled=evil in media?  I don’t care that it’s a stupid movie not meant for thought, just imagine how  much...
Read MoreDexter-it gets worse
My friend was certainly right to tell me I was not going to be happy with Dexter. I’m not sure that I can keep watching this show, it upsets me so much. This time the problem isn’t with portrayal of disability, but with portrayal of devotees. The police are looking for a devotee in connection with this serial killing. It isn’t clear to me why. One of the characters tells another that there is indeed an amputee fetish and gives the scientific name for it, then says,”but don’t let them hear you call them that, they prefer the term ‘devotee.'” Really? I have no idea who came up with that word for it, but I think it’s stupid. I wish there were a better one. But yes, it is better than having it referred to like some kind...
Read MoreSaved
Really the main thing that bothers me here is that the paraplegic character is standing up on the cover. I don’t know who in all the people involved in the making of a movie is responsible for cover art, but I find this happens a LOT.  When there is a character in a wheelchair, you can’t see it on the cover, and all the characters are shown at exactly the same height.  What is the purpose in that?  Trying to hide something?  (I’m also bothered that the cover of Pay It Forward has an unblemished Kevin Spacey, though his character in the movie had burn scars on his face).  I find it messes with my suspension of disbelief as I get ready to watch the movie.  The actors photographed on the front are not portraying the characters from the movie!  It...
Read MoreBreaking Bad
This is another show I gave up on. Â I was really interested in it because the main character’s son has cerebral palsy and that isn’t the focus of the show, just a background detail. Â What a promising start! I got through about eight episodes before I became frustrated that the main character seemed to have more chemistry with and interest in his drug partner than his son. Â I didn’t get any feel for them being a family at all. Â I had a hard time picturing the main character being married to the wife he had. Â None of the family members felt like they had any connection. The show is doing really well, though. Â Maybe I should give it another chance. Â Maybe these issues have improved. Â The son is a really interesting character and I hope that...
Read MoreYou Might Be a Devotee If…
In the spirit of Jeff Foxworthy… This is a humor post, so all in good fun! Â I compiled these from friends as well as my own contributions. Â Some are not specific to devs, but I think they are all fun: You might be a devotee if… Â …the squeaky sound of a wheel on tile makes your pulse race …you’re able-bodied, but you have an account at a dating site for disabled people. … you’ve ever learned of someone’s bathroom habits in the first 10 minutes of an IM conversation …you never pass an elevator without a hopeful glance …you use photoshop to put people into wheelchairs …you’ve ever walked around your house in a 28″ wide box to make sure there are good wheelchair paths … a...
Read MoreProgress Trackers
At proofreaders; available for pre-order
What Is Meant To Be
Second draft
Homework & Homicide (working title)
Second Draft
Book Montage
RFW winner October 7, 2011
