Recently I got to attend a screening of Mel Brooks’ 1974 comedy Blazing Saddles.  

     When the showing was  announced I became excited because this is not only one of my favorite comedies but one of my favorite movies.

    While rewatching this cinematic masterpiece it hit me that this would never be made today.  Not for lack of filmmakers doing interesting work but as a society we seem to be overly sensitive when it comes to how we view our culture.  DO NOT misread that as me saying sensitivity is bad rather I am saying it can be taken to far.  History does not need to be swept under the rug, rather studied and discussed respectfully with each other so we can evolve into a mutually respectful society. 

     In crafting this spoof of the western genre and send up of Hollywood Mel Brooks created something more than just a movie.  He created a central talking point about the past while showing how to move forward. 

     These lessons were important in the time period the film was set, the time when it was released, and still today.  The genius of it all is entertained us while doing it with a unique sense of humor.  There is power in that, not only in this trailblazing film but across the media form as a whole.  Am I saying that every movie is that way? No but there are plenty of movies out there like this.  They speak to some point of human society/ culture and challenge us to learn and move forward.