It Came From The Man Cave!: Camp

Showing posts with label Camp. Show all posts

Crip Camp

Crip Camp

2020 | R | 1 Hr 46 Min | Documenty | Netflix

Directors:
James Lebrecht

Nicole Newnham

Writers:

James Lebrecht

Nicole Newnham

Stars:

Larry Allison

Dennis Billups

HolLynn D'Lil

Synopsis:

In the early 1970s, teenagers with disabilities faced a future shaped by isolation, discrimination, and institutionalization. Camp Jened, a ramshackle camp "for the handicapped" in the Catskills, exploded those confines. Jened was their freewheeling Utopia, a place with summertime sports, smoking and makeout sessions awaiting everyone, and campers who felt fulfilled as human beings. Their bonds endured as they migrated West to Berkeley, California - a promised land for a growing and diverse disability community - were friends from Camp Jened realized that disruption and unity might secure life-changing accessibility for millions. Co-directed by Emmy®-winning filmmaker Nicole Newnham and film mixer and former camper Jim LeBrecht, this joyous and exuberant documentary arrives the same year as the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, at a time when the country's largest minority group still battles daily for the freedom to exist.

If I was ever to tell you to watch something this would be the one I would hope you all watch. Such a warm-hearted look at the fight many fought to get rights for the handicap world. Without these brave souls, we would not have ramps on the streets or kids in school let alone transportation around town.

I do wish there was more about the camp and a little less about the fight but let's face it I'm a camp guy at heart so of course, I wanted more. But still, a fun look at camp life way back in the 70s even if I was cringing of the fact they were running with chairs and did not always have an attendant. We changed the no run rule in around 1987 as it was deemed unsafe so to see it again made me squirm a little. The biggest take away from Crip Camp has to be Friendship! And simply how friendship can change the world! Honestly check out Crip Camp it is such a fun look back and a moving tribute to those who helped make a change for many lives.

4 out of 5 Stars

20 Question's With Steve

It's been almost a year now and I'm still trying to get Steve to do some blogging sure it's not the easiest thing for him to do so let us get started with 20 Questions for Steve.

What’s your Favourite Book?

My favorite book of all time would have to be the Hobbit.

What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?

Wow! This is a very difficult question to answer, there's so many to choose from. I guess if someone put a gun to my head, I would have to say Mint Chocolate Chip.

What’s your most embarrassing childhood memory?

I don't remember where we were but a stranger called my Mom a lady, and I said "That's no lady. That's my Mom!"

What are your 3 Favourite Movies?

1. Evil Dead

2. Star Wars

3. Goodfellas

What’s the most beautiful place you’ve ever been?

The most beautiful place I ever been definitely has to be Hawaii. My family and I had the opportunity to go for my Make A Wish, we spent a week on the Big Island. I was able to swim with some dolphins and fly in a helicopter over the volcanoes.

You lived in Florida and Illinois so which one do you prefer?

Well, both places are so different, it makes it a really hard choice. They both have advantages and disadvantages. Florida is great because of the weather and being close to extended family, but it kept me way to far from my Mom and friends. Illinois is great because my Mom and Brother are here and it's where I've met so many amazing friends. So it's way to hard to choose which I prefer.

Who would you like to live like for a day?

I would like to live as Bill Gates for a day because I would have more money than I would know what to do with.

When you’re having a bad day, what do you do to make yourself feel better?

I watch a good movie and eat my favorite junk food.

Using one word, how would you describe your family?

Entertaining.

Miller or Bud?

I don't like either so I would choose Angry Orchard.

What is the scariest movie you’ve ever seen?

The Exorcist scared the crap out of me as a kid.

Who’s your celebrity crush?

Mila Kunis.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I always wanted to be a pro wrestler.

Who would play you in a movie about your life?

Ryan Gosling

What’s the one food you could never bring yourself to eat?

Squid and Octopus.

Ok, how about some MDA Summer camp questions,

Favorite Camp Food?

Wait... Camp had good food? The best thing I ever ate at camp was the turkey we cooked on the grill at our cabin. Best turkey I've ever had in my life.

The turkey was good but come on dude California Dog's all the way!

What is the one Camp activity you wish you could still do?

I definitely would like to be able to swim. I used to be a great fish reenactor.

Over the past 25 plus years, what was your favorite Camp Theme?

Another hard ass question... geez. There's been a lot of great themes over the years. I would have to say Horizon's 25th Anniversary year was my favorite out of both camps. Favorite MDA Camp theme would have a be the Pirates.

Heck Yeah, who else builds a huge Pirate ship that is handicap accessible!

What cabin was better our new one Shagbark or our old one Cedar?

No comparison! It's obviously Cedar, hands down! Don't get me wrong though, Shagbark is awesome as a cabin, but Cedar was where I met some friends that have since become my big brothers.

Once a C-Men always a C-men!

What is your favorite camp activity? And what is your least favorite?

My least favorite would have to be Arts and Crafts, only because I would've rather been outside. My favorite activities would definitely be Skit Night at MDA Camp and Carnival Night at Horizon.

Thanks, Steve for playing along! We look forward to hearing from you with Comic book news and Movie reviews and what ever else your little heart wants to tell us! If you have a question for Steve leave a comment below.

Love ya Little Brother.

Jerry Lewis I will Miss You!

Some love him, some love to hate him but the man changed my life and for me, he will be missed. I always sit and think would I be who I am if it was not for Jerry Lewis and his Labor Day Telethon to raise money with one goal to find a cure for over 40 neuromuscular diseases. If it was not for the telethon that my dad so carefully put together locally every year would I still have done something so important in my life as MDA Camp? My heart my soul my life and the way I live it every day stems from what this man has done for the world. Jerry Lewis opened the doors to a world that I can not imagine not being a part of.

For many Lewis will be remembered for his film and comedian career for me he gave my life a path that after 40 plus years I still follow to this day.

Every labor day even when our local telethon was already in full swing I would still find a TV set tuned into the main feed just to hear his opening monolog listing for the words "We found a cure" and every year even tho those words were never spoken he would tell us hopeful we are getting close.

Before you think no good has come out of this at one time there were well over 40 types and then they adopted if you will a few more as the years went on. Today we only have 30! And only 9 of those are big ones like ALS, SMA, and Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. With SMA having a new trial under way they feel strongly about a cure they also may have found a way to reverse the effects with some patients that suffer with it today.

Jerry said once and it has stuck with me forever "We will find a cure in my life time" Sadly Jerry will not see this day but every year we get so much closer and the man that has given many of us hope is no longer with us. From this fan, he will be missed and he will "Never Walk Alone." And I will never stop the fight as we inch closer to the day we never have to worry about MDA every again.

Thank You, Jerry, for shaping my life to what it is today.

Bob

You're Never Too Old To Go Back.

Chris Riedell

Nick Riedell

Writers:

Mamrie Hart

Stars:

Grace Helbig

Chester See

Ellen Karsten

Plot:

With her personal and professional life in shambles, Elise ends up having to take a job as a counselor at her old summer camp. There, she reunites with two estranged friends who attended camp and never left. When the future of the camp is put in jeopardy, the three friends must band together to save it, changing the course of their lives forever.

If you have never attended summer camp you will not love this movie as much as I did. See I went to MDA Summer Camp for 20 years. I walked away when my camper became too old to go anymore. Then my new life took over and thank god I never lost those friendships I made back then. Just like the movie I was away for 10 years. Now I did not have my wife leave me or lose my job like the movie but I did have a best friend (Thanks, Sis) bring me back into a world that not everybody understands. But I world I missed very much.

Camp Takota is a buddy movie in the best of ways. Sure you can predict the movie in the first 5 minutes but if you take the time to sit and lose yourself you will find a perfect gem to spend your time with.

The cast in this movie really gel's and get into your head with their up and down lifestyles. It really took me to a place where you can feel the peace and tranquility that is summer camp. Everything does get tied together in the end. Sure, they all live happily ever after. But the journey to get there is worth it. What you will not get is a meatballs clone, but you will get this very heartwarming movie that should make some of your must see list's for the year.

My Bunk Mates from last year

To my sister, I thank you for bringing me back into the camp mix! I'm pretty sure if you watch this you will identify with the cast like I did. If I could go back in time I would find a camp to do all year long.

Heartwarming Adventure with Brains...

4 Bloody Brains

High Ho High Ho its off to camp I go!

OK gang so I'm about to embark on a new journey this weekend. Heading off to Horizon disabilities camp. I was a camp counselor for over 20 years for MDA. After kids I put it on the back burn. Well this year its time to dust off the camp shoes and walk again. Its only a weekend but its to prove to myself I can still do this! And get myself ready for a full week next year. I will do my best to tweet out pictures. Wish me luck!

Pictures From Steve's Party

We are going to miss you Steve

Erinn Steve and I

Tim and his "Cubs Suck" shirt

John, Me,Dave,Jim, and Dan (Cedar Rules)