GroshLink

Today's concerns of overpopulation, global warming, and food shortages have been around for awhile.  An adaption of Harry Harrison's 1966 book, Make Room! Make Room! came to the big screen with a big name actor in 1973 with the release of Soylent Green.

It's the year 2022. ... People are still the same.  They'll do anything to get what they need.  And they need SOYLENT GREEN.

A week ago, while reading a tribute to Charlton Heston, I was reminded that although I had a vague idea regarding the plot of Soylent Green, I had never seen the film and it was about time to take advantage of inter-library loan in order to see it for myself.  Note:  I also placed The 10 Commandments, with Heston, on order as the twins have been clamoring to see the film since seeing advertisements around Passover/Easter.

Highlights from when Theresa and I screened Soylent Green the other night:

• Theresa almost falling asleep several times, but pushing through it.  At the end, she asked why she bothered [I guess it was to support my interest and thinking the plot would become of more interest to her].  In addition, she wondered why Heston had so many Sci-Fi films, Planet of the Apes (1968) and Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970) come to mind along with The Omega Man (Note: there has been recent release of another film version of I Am Legend, now with Will Smith facing apocalypse, this time the film and the book have the same title). 
• To answer Theresa's Sci-Fi question, we need models of strong, courageous leadership when facing the difficult challenges of the future (which we imagine to be great and unique) just as much as in the past as with The 10 Commandments and Ben Hur.  Unfortunately, Dectective Robert Thorn lacks moral, relational strength in both Make Room! Make Room! and Soylent Green (reading over the wikipedia cliff notes on the book, Heston's character appears to be 'more moral' than the book character)
• Sol's (a former professor and/or army engineer? who shares an apartment with and works alongside Charlton Heston's dectective character Robert Thorn) bicycle generator which powers the dimming lightbulb reminded me of many times on such a piece of equipment at various science centers.
• The various uses of trucks to scoop and haul people. 
• The additional (or main) ingredients to Soylent Green, which is only supposed to be Soy and Lentils.
• Comparing the wikipedia summary of Make Room! Make Room! with Soylent Green the film.  I'll take the movie over the book.  By-the-way, the book was set in 1999!  Of course, the wikipedia article needs sources or references that appear in reliable, third-party publications ;-)
• Regarding overpopulation, global warming, and food shortages, I am reminded to pray for proper creation care, to continue to be an encouragement to those preparing an adult elective on Creation Care at our local congregation, to prepare for the upcoming public meetings regarding the the local landfill expansion, to find ways to discern fact from fiction and media explosion (note:  just placed an order for the new IVP release Our Father's World: Mobilizing the Church to Care for Creation by Edward R. Brown of Care of Creation, Inc.), and to work toward that which will be the greatest blessing to my neighbor and the creation as a whole.  Big things moving ahead through small steps . . . praying for the new heavens and the new earth.