Introduction

                                    Welcome to Stuart Fernie’s Blog

Please scroll down or find on the right links to articles, pages of reflections on films and books, and occasional pieces of short fiction.

Articles include discussion of Critical Thinking, "the relationship between an artist, a work of art and the consumer of a work of art", "respect, self-perception and self-healing", "Sicario" (2015), Steve McQueen, "Dracula entre l'amour et la mort" (the French-Canadian musical), science-fiction films, films about teaching, "A Tale of Two Cities" (1958), "The Invention of Lying", the Arts, the James Bond films, "Sweet Smell of Success", "Rollerball" (1975 and 2002), "The Professionals" (1966), "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest", "The Name of the Rose", "The Man who would be King", "Mr. Holmes" (2015), "The Last Samurai", "Judgment at Nuremberg" (1961), "The Sand Pebbles", "Forrest Gump", "Gran Torino", "Gangs of New York", "Emperor of the North", "Five Easy Pieces", "Chinatown", "Casablanca", Blade Runner", "The Big Red One", early Luc Besson films, "Being There", "An Inspector Calls", "La Belle et la Bête", "The Searchers", "The Mission", "High Plains Drifter", "Nuremberg" (2025), "Prime Cut", the influence of existentialism in society today, anxiety, professional criteria and essential attributes in teaching, professionalism versus careerism, thoughts on the meaning of "success" and "worth", "Hobson's Choice", "Quai des Orfèvres", "Le Corbeau", "The Wages of Fear", advice and questions to assist in the writing of essays about films, thoughts on Proportion and Self-respect, "The Offence", "Trainspotting", "Three Days of the Condor", "Spotlight", "Good Night and Good Luck", "The Count of Monte Cristo" (French version, 2024), "Midnight Express", Jason Bourne, Advocating Arts and Humanities, "Heaven's Gate", "Civil War", "The Ghost and Mrs Muir", "Ad Astra", Duality in 19th century literature, "Living", "Hell in the Pacific", "Point Blank", "Vera Cruz", "Dr Strange in the Multiverse", my interpretation of "Il faut cultiver notre jardin", "Jean de Florette" and "Manon des Sources", "Drive my car", "The Batman", the place of acting in society, thoughts about religion and fate, "The Banshees of Inisherin", "Full Metal Jacket", "The Bishop's Wife", "Moliere", "Les Fleurs du Mal", "Soylent Green", "Bad Day at Black Rock", "The First Great Train Robbery", The Dreyfus Affair, "Persona", "The Seventh Seal", "A Clockwork Orange", "Night Moves", "Lonely are the Brave", "In the heat of the night", "The League of Gentlemen" (1960), thoughts on the nature of film noir, "Star Trek", "Seven Days in May", "Dead Poets Society", "Good Will Hunting", "Callan", "The Hill", "Cool Hand Luke", "The Hustler", "Road to Perdition", "The Verdict", "Three Colour Trilogy", "Jojo Rabbit", "Jeremiah Johnson", "Collateral", "Joker", "Barry Lyndon", "The Bridge at Remagen", "Le Mans '66 (Ford v Ferrari)", Charles Foster Kane ("Citizen Kane"), "The Deer Hunter", "Highlander", "No Country for Old Men", "Gattaca", "The Adventures of Robin Hood"(1938), "Apocalypse Now", "Spartacus", "The Bridge on the River Kwai", "The Long Good Friday", "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood", "The Third Man", "Finding Forrester", "The Outlaw Josey Wales", "Untouchable" (2011),"Unforgiven", "The Manchurian Candidate", "The Wild Bunch", "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre", "Papillon" (1973), "Public Eye", "Existentialism in society today", "Seven Samurai", "It's a Wonderful Life", "Don Quixote", "We're No Angels", "The African Queen", "Babette's Feast", "War for the Planet of the Apes", "Dunkirk", “Dances With Wolves”, “Inherit The Wind” and “The Prisoner”. 

A link to my YouTube channel with video presentations of a number of my pages.

After I retired from teaching, I thought I’d write my memoirs, “What have I done?”, and present them online. Please find links to these memoirs, some French support pages and reflections on "Les Misérables" below.

I can be contacted through the comments sections or at stuartfernie@yahoo.co.uk

Other blogs available:

French Support Pages

Discussion of “Les Misérables”

Tales of teaching – memoirs of a former French teacher

Versions françaises d’articles initialement publiés en anglais sur mon blog

All intellectual property rights reserved

Some reflections on Critical Thinking, what it is and when to use it

 

Some reflections on Critical Thinking, what it is and when to use it

 

Much is made these days of the term “critical thinking” and it is frequently used to suggest gullibility or naïve acceptance on the part of those who appear to put little thought into perspectives and perceptions.

So, what is “critical thinking” and why should it be considered important?

Before studying the operation of critical thinking, let us consider a few potential consequences of not applying what is, after all, merely a system of verification or checks and balances.

In the modern age when communication is easy and pressure to make commercial, legal or social decisions can be insidious and immediate, whether over the phone, via email or in a sales environment, it is essential to be able to verify or assess identity, figures, facts and reliability. Otherwise, you may enter into a contract with hidden clauses, false figures or disreputable partners. You may accept financial or business propositions over the phone from people falsely claiming to belong to a reputable organisation. You may hire dubious tradesmen to work on your home who fail to provide adequate documentation or guarantees. You may even be persuaded to vote for a politician who bombards you with general promises and statements of intent without furnishing details of just how his/her promises will be achieved and what he/she is likely to obtain personally from securing an elected position.

These (and many others) are all situations that may be avoided through use of critical thinking, which is merely the exercise of care and attention through application of reasonable doubt and verification. It is in your own best interests, indeed I would go so far as to say you owe it to yourself, to think critically.

At the heart of critical thinking is respect for objective truth.

Respect for truth must surpass opinion (which may consist of unsubstantiated thoughts or views), ambition (a prejudiced desire for a particular outcome to be the case), advantage (an unwillingness to accept a challenge to your belief if it weakens that belief) and pride (a stubborn refusal to change your mind despite clear and persuasive evidence).

Statements should not be accepted at face value. Corroboration or validation is required and may reasonably be expected. The proposer of a statement or contract should be able to provide clear evidence to support their claims.

Corroborated or validated accounts and evidence may be gathered to support or deny an affirmation (using facts, witness statements or accounts, images, sound recordings etc.). No extraordinary deductions should be reached – conclusions should be supported by facts, evidence and reason.

Recognition or acknowledgement of facts is essential, even (and especially) if the facts and evidence contradict previous statements or views. The overriding factor is a desire to reach the truth, not provide support for a particular standpoint.

Denial of facts or evidence, and conclusions drawn from them, is unreasonable and unacceptable as it is tantamount to setting subjective interpretation or insistence on a chosen viewpoint above objective evidence. Refusal to accept evidence and fairly-drawn conclusions will render a counter-argument invalid.

That said, some statements and evidence may be open to interpretation. Context and precision should be applied to reading of language or interpretation of evidence, and conclusions should be reached only if supported by reason and facts.

There may be insufficient evidence to support a conclusion but reasonable inferences may be drawn (clearly labelled as such), or there may be sufficient evidence to cast doubt on another assertion without necessarily proving a case.

Recognition of ignorance is essential – there should be no assertion of knowledge based on mere supposition or belief.

Insistence on a view despite counter-argument involving the presentation of facts and evidence suggests dependence on personal conviction rather than a pursuit of objective truth, and that view should be considered subjective or invalid.

 

Stuart Fernie (stuartfernie@yahoo.co.uk)

 

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Very brief reflections on the relationship between an artist, art and “consumers” of art

 

Very brief reflections on the relationship between an artist, art

 and “consumers” of art

 

An artist may seek to convey a “message”, discuss a theme or draw attention to a concept by contriving a representation through poetic beauty, an engaging narrative or a striking image that captures the spirit of whatever truth or principle he/she has identified, and the “consumer” attempts to deconstruct this contrivance or artifice to elucidate the “message” contained within the artist’s work. Intelligibility may depend on several factors including the level of lucidity of the artifice and of course the level of perception on the part of the “consumer”.

Naturally, this deconstruction or analysis is open to personal interpretation and may involve ideas and concepts not originally intended by the artist whose work, essentially, takes on a provocative or evocative life of its own. The consumer is focused on the work of art before him, not on the ideas and concepts the artist originally tried to convey. The work of art may be viewed as an independent entity given birth by one but whose interpretation is developed or nurtured by another, therefore creating a “formula” of creator – product – interpreter.

An intriguing thought - can this principle be applied to all forms of communication? A poem, image, text, film, song, even a sentence, may be produced with one concept in mind but it may be interpreted by the consumer in a quite different way, dependent on the consumer’s background, frame of mind and powers of perception. If this is the case and a product is declared a work of genius, who deserves credit – the creator or the consumer? It is possible, after all, that the source of genius is in an interpretation not considered by the creator.

 

 

Stuart Fernie (stuartfernie@yahoo.co.uk)

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Very brief reflections on respect and self-esteem

 

Very brief reflections on respect and self-esteem

 

This piece is one of an occasional series of articles produced

under the banner of “self-healing”

 

If you regularly seek validation through the eyes and views of others, you may lack self-confidence.

Bear in mind this desire for validation suggests a lack of perceived respect, and may be symptomatic of poor self-esteem. However, your perception of yourself (and others) may be skewed, flawed or inadequate and you may be creating issues that need not, in fact, exist.

You do not need to seek the validation of others. It is a pleasant bonus but it is not a necessity.

Learn to see the value of your own thoughts, actions and words. Let others draw their own conclusions but care less about their opinions. Be willing to see and recognise your own value, especially as you will have carefully considered your choices of thought, action and words. This is not arrogance, it is realism. You are willing to acknowledge qualities in others – apply the same criteria to yourself.

The attitude of others often reveals something about them and their outlooks. You will not appeal to everyone and it is their right to reject you or disagree with you, but that does not detract from the worth of your considered contributions (as perceived by yourself and those open to your views and mindset).

Do not assume lack of interest, rejection and even disrespect are the norm and represent a set standard. People merely reveal their own standards.  Be willing to recognise shortcomings in others whose perceptions and self-image may also be skewed or flawed.

 

Stuart Fernie (stuartfernie@yahoo.co.uk)

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Very brief reflections on low spirits and self-perception

 

Very brief reflections on low spirits and self-perception

 

This piece is one of an occasional series of articles produced

under the banner of “self-healing”

 

When we retire or withdraw (for whatever reason) from an active, focused, professional life, it is easy to become introspective, lose sight of a sense of purpose and edge toward a feeling of pointlessness or worthlessness. Of course, this sense of torpor need not be restricted to those who are ageing or who have retired. Feelings of lack of worth or failure to contribute meaningfully can strike at any age, at any one of us and with no respect for “success” or otherwise, but I would point out one thing – all these negative feelings are the result of and are dependent on your perception of yourself and your circumstances. Others may point out positive aspects of your life, your character and your circumstances but their efforts will be to no avail if you cannot adjust your perception of yourself and your situation.

So, I suggest that a first step in resolving torpor, a feeling of pointlessness or low spirits, is to make an effort to cease introspective reflection and a focus on your perceptions of failure, weakness or even guilt, which will almost undoubtedly be out of all proportion with reality, and consider others, your influence on them and their perceptions of you.

Be fair to yourself as you would be fair to and understanding of others. Recognise you may have become self-absorbed and perhaps excessively self-critical. Recognise your weaknesses but also your positive input and influence in the lives of others.

This positive influence or input may take many forms, even that of mundane interaction. If you were pleasant to a sales assistant or had a friendly word with an elderly person in the passing, you may have made that person feel valued or appreciated. At work, you may contribute positively in interactions with co-workers, clients, customers, patients, pupils or anyone in need of a helping hand. Your attention or kindness, while rather taken for granted by you, may give a boost to others.

Do not deny your positive influence. The offer of a helping hand, advice, sharing laughter, knowledge or wisdom – fleeting moments that may mean relatively little to you – may impact the lives of others and make their lives more interesting, bearable, pleasant or even more worthwhile.

Your influence or impact may seem unobtrusive but take heart from the fact that, perhaps by virtue of your very existence and by being yourself, you exercise or have exercised a positive influence on those around you and you need to be open to recognising your own input, value and worth just as you would recognise these elements in others.

 

 

Stuart Fernie (stuartfernie@yahoo.co.uk)

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Very brief reflections regarding therapy and self-healing

 

Very brief reflections regarding therapy and self-healing

 

This piece is one of an occasional series of articles produced

under the banner of “self-healing”

 

Although discussion of personal issues is often regarded as therapeutic in that analysis may allow a person to view issues differently, it seems to me that these “cathartic” reflections may also have the effect of reinforcing the existence of issues and augment reaction to them. Recognition need not lead to resolution. It may be advisable to avoid wallowing in feelings raised in discussion as this may perpetuate and exacerbate existing problems.

It may be advisable to try to consign issues to the past, focus on present circumstances and apply your own learned world view.

There is no need for validation, affirmation or justification as a result of past experience and what may be considered “errors” of judgement. The fact you are reflecting on the past and consider some acts or decisions as errors suggests you have regrets and have learned from the past. Reliving past errors may only reinforce the issues caused by these errors. Be the person you have learned to be, not who you were during your evolution. Recognise your achievements and skills without diminishing them or undermining them through fear and doubt which are of your own creation, or regret for actions of the past. Fear and doubt that you experienced in the past need not apply to the present or future. You have undoubtedly proved yourself (to yourself and others) many times – acknowledge that and don’t torture yourself with artificial and unwarranted doubts and fears.

Pleasing or accommodating people need not apply – any feelings of inadequacy (based on self-doubt) will have been invalidated many times. You may assert yourself and simply be yourself as your views are as valid as others’ views, perhaps even more so due to reason and insight.

Practise being calm and clear-minded. It is often thought control of emotion and the mind will lead to calm, but control of physical response to stimuli can also be immensely helpful and will allow clarity and reason to gain the upper hand in testing circumstances. Deep, regular breathing is helpful, as well as control of emotions.

Perspective and proportion are essential. Bear in mind that ultimately everyone is equally insignificant and nothing matters.

 

Stuart Fernie (stuartfernie@yahoo.co.uk)

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Reflections on characters and themes in “Sicario” (2015)

 

Reflections on characters and themes in “Sicario”

Directed by Denis Villeneuve

Written by Taylor Sheridan

Starring Emily Blunt, Josh Brolin and Benicio Del Toro

FBI agent Kate Macer, an expert in kidnapping cases, is invited to join a mysterious task force whose objective is to trace leaders of drug cartels in Mexico and to cause maximum disruption to their operations. However, all is not as straightforward as Kate hoped and this leads to a journey of moral exploration and discovery, and conflict with her newfound colleagues.

Fundamentally, “Sicario” presents us with a juxtaposition of law-abiding principle and idealism, disillusioned and determined realism, and ruthless or amoral acts of retribution, showing how one can descend from one to another.  

Kate does everything by the book and is proud of her honesty and dedication to duty. That said, she is willing to accept that her efforts have made barely a dent in the nefarious activities of the Mexican cartels and other drug gangs. Matt Graver, a CIA officer specialising in covert activities, recognises all too well the legal limits, restrictions and confines of confronting these highly organised and ruthless drug gangs and he is willing to push legal boundaries to their limits and beyond in his determination to halt or at least curtail their activities. That said, there are limits that he, as a representative of his government, cannot go beyond and that is where Alejandro Gillick comes in. Alejandro has suffered great personal loss and pain and is more than willing to apply the gangs’ own rules of engagement and standards to them. He takes brutal and merciless action as a private citizen, though with the willing, if necessarily limited, co-operation of Matt and his forces.

Kate is impressed by Matt’s knowledge, determination and purpose, and is persuaded to join him in a venture that is laden with murky secrecy but which promises to be more effective in a few hours than all her efforts to obstruct the flow of drugs into her country over several years. She is thus drawn into a dark and amoral world in which it seems the end justifies the means.

Vaguely reminiscent of the principle behind “The Dirty Dozen”, our film charts the decline of idealistic and principled law enforcers in favour of devoted and perhaps desperate professionals willing to do whatever it takes to damage the cartels’ operations.

We are shown evidence of the cartels’ brutal and ruthless methods used to establish and maintain their position of criminal dominance and Kate, representing the relatively innocent and morally upright audience, is rightfully horrified and disturbed. She may be morally outraged by the actions of her new colleagues but she sees the magnitude and moral dilemma of the problem, and is willing to recognise the progress Matt and his colleagues have made and the effectiveness of their admittedly dubious methods.

Kate is left in no doubt as to the vicious and pitiless methods the gangs will employ to gain the advantage when her trust is shattered by a treacherous would-be lover and when she discovers the reasons for Alejandro’s contempt for and utterly merciless attitude toward his enemy. His wife and daughter were brutally slain as a result of his efforts to legally prosecute the gangs. So, Alejandro was undoubtedly once as idealistic as Kate but his tragic experience in losing his family taught him that principle has little or no value when dealing with people who do not share your values, and who are willing to show no mercy in seeking to assert their will.

As the film progresses, Alejandro becomes the central figure and his actions provide a demonstration of the level of ethically dubious determination and even inhumanity which may be necessary to dent the drug gangs’ activities. It is, quite simply, a matter of tit for tat. Alejandro is willing and able to stoop to their depths to stop them because he has lost everything, including his compassion and moral inhibitions, due to their actions and methods.

Ironically, the gangs’ success is dependent on the humanity of their victims as they react with horror and fear to the gangs’ intimidation and savage actions. In order to combat the gangs’ progress, Alejandro has committed to allaying any vestiges of humanity. The gangs and any willing to support them must be treated in the same way the gangs are willing to treat others and, as Kate discovers, Alejandro is willing to apply his brutal determination and disregard for humanity and compassion to anyone who may hinder his plans for the gangs’ elimination. For him, there is no room for legal or moral squeamishness and, though he is driven by a desire to do “good” and eliminate what he sees as a force of evil, his conduct raises questions about his own soul…

This neo-noir par excellence seems to suggest that man-made rules are great so long as everyone agrees to abide by them but extreme contempt for society’s rules may require extreme solutions – amorality may be called upon to defeat amorality, though a façade of legality and respectability is required to avert general anarchy.

Toward the end of the film, Kate has an opportunity to stop Alejandro but she cannot bring herself to do so. Whether this is due to the strength of her principles or a realisation that her principles serve little purpose in the face of abject amorality is not clear, but she is left to reflect on her outlook on life…

The film ends with a haunting image of a mother watching her son play football with the sound of gunfire in the background – the veneer of social “normality” and fun with the distant reality of the ever-present threat of amoral violence.

This film works because by and large we in the audience will have retained our idealism and as such we are shocked by events and perspectives in the film. We may be represented by Kate and we, as well as Kate, have our eyes opened to relentlessly escalating and violent issues, and their potential solutions that are equally unremitting and ferocious. This erosion or undermining of the veneer of respectability and propriety in society is explored in different ways in two of Taylor Sheridan’s other works, “Hell or High Water” and “Wind River”.

I have to say I was somewhat disappointed by the sequel, perhaps because the brutality was not offset or balanced by the idealistic approach we had in Kate. It became a matter of just how brutal things can become and there was little or no shock value or conflict as principle and idealism have been eradicated and replaced by similar but opposing factions of violence and amorality.

My thanks for taking the time to read this article. I hope you found it of some value.

Stuart Fernie (stuartfernie@yahoo.co.uk)

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