Bad Girls Guide to Good Film, the essays - Everything I Needed to Know, I Learned from 'Soldier'

    When I was “doing the research”* for my first article I noticed that I am not the only hard-core action fan or film freak who loves the movie “Soldier”. Yes, the Kurt Russell film, with Gary Busey and schlock aplenty. Since we are all now a month or so into the Holiday Season, with another month to go and trying hard not to go 'Here's Johnny' on the fam, neighbors, etc., I thought it would be a good time to post this relevant list of life lessons for all the Bad Boys and Girls out there, trying not to lose their jollies.

    Merry Yule, Krampus, Festivas, Xmas, &. - whatever you do this time of year, even if it's just try to patiently get through it without hurting anyone or doing jail time.

-BG

    Everything in Life I Needed to Know I learned from 'Soldier' :

• There is a basic, instinctual set of protocols for trying to turn good creatures into bad ones.
• You don't have to be bad just because you were made that way.
• Maybe it is better to be smart instead of fast.
• Guys named Todd CAN be cool.
• You can say a lot with just a few words.
• Sometimes, it's just nice to be called or call people sir, sir.
• Handmade scarves are a great gift.
• It is better to teach someone how to defend themselves than turn them into someone who must depend on others.
• Bad people can learn to become good.
• Sometimes even the worst damage can be healed in some way by learning to love and being loved and feeling like you belong.
• It's ok for something to be unoriginal, as long as it is a loving and honest homage.
• Roy Batty was bad-@$$ enough to have fought alongside (or possible even against) Todd's unit and still survive.
• Recycling is necessary, wise AND really cool-looking.
• It takes a lot to override human nature.
• Human nature can be really good AND really bad.
• Having something you care about and have to protect is a good motivation for change, and yourself is a good place to start.
• Sometimes it's good to be the best predator, and until things change, society will always need them in some capacity.
• Sometimes it's a hard and bloody path to overcome your programming.
• Even some really tough mofos can be made to cry by the stupid-@$$ holidays!
• Really getting to know a child or children changes people in a profound way.
• Just as you can turn good things into bad ones, so can you do the opposite
• Unfortunately, sometimes just hitting things is the only way to get it out.
• Fortunately, there are lots of safe and socially acceptable ways to be able to hit things.
• Often, the the authorities, you are just junk. And sometimes, if you don't fight that, no one else will.
• Even if you can't trust anyone completely, you can trust a few people a little until things get better.
• When you want to hammer a nail into a piece of wood, don't do anything fancy. Just get a hammer and pound the son of a bitch.
• If it sounds like a growl, it's probably a growl.
• The mind controls the body, after all. 
• Learn to build and/or successfully hijack a good house and/or boat.

• Kurt Russell is THE MUTHA!@#$IN' MAN (Well, I knew that long before 'Soldier'.)

      - sll 12/11