Have you ever had somebody try to talk you out of something, and all it does is talk you straitght into it? Like somebody says "Don't bother ordering Chocolat Fantastique Cake. It's just chocolate on chocolate on more chocolate. Dipped in chocolate." Um, yes, please. "Don't bother going to see the new Vin Diesel movie. It's just him mostly naked running around firing a big gun for 90 minutes. No plot whatsoever." Please, sir, can I have some more?
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080506/ap_en_re/film_review_the_fall;_ylt=Akt09zTGDZ7KjPlnL9Oum7ZxFb8C
That's pretty much the case for this review of The Fall. I had it on my short list of movies to see this summer, based on it being by the same guy who did The Cell. Which, though containing some of the na-hastiest images I've ever seen on film, was a truly fascinating mess of a movie. And he did the R.E.M. Losing My Religion video. (And if you hear the words Losing My Religion, and you don't want to put on a white shirt with rolled up sleeves, and fall on your knees Michael Stipe-style in front of a guy with wings, you need call an excorcist because a demon has sucked your soul.) So, the pump was already primed for me to go see this one.
But, somehow, I get the feeling that this reviewer wants me to not go. But then she throws out a bit like "Too often the images, shot over several years in countries including Bali, Fiji, South Africa and Italy, seem to exist because they're cool-looking and weird, and for no other reason." Cool-looking and weird? Uh, yeah. Is there another reason to go to the movies? And she seems to be really hung up on this logic thing. Okay. Whatever. If I want logic, I'll go read the latest Christopher Hitchens, thanks much. Especially in the summer. I want to leave my brain in it's handy carrying case, and just get swept away by the images. The summer is no time for the worthy documentary or the family drama. Was there ever a chance they'd release the new Indiana Jones in February? I think not.
So if reviewers got commission checks, this one would have a little something coming her way. Cause I'm definitely going.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Ordinary Joe
I was watching some of the coverage of the primaries in Indiana and North Carolina last night on CNN. And it looks like we've moved into the stage of kissing the butt of working class America. I guess it's their turn. This time around, hispanics have had their shot. So have single women, white middle class men, blacks, Christians and college students. One of the benefits of the race going on so long is that, eventually, everybody will get their butt kissed. And now it's the regular working-class Joe's turn. And in order to appeal to the working class Joe, you've gotta show your Joe cred. And knocking back shots and talking about how much a gallon of milk costs, Hillary Clinton seems to be winning the match on this count.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/primary_rdp
Then I see this. In order to "stay in the fight" she's loaned herself $6.4 million. Now I'm no mathmatician. But it would seem to me that in order to loan yourself $6.4 million, you'd have to actually have, oh, I don't know, $6.4 million in the first place. More or less. I'm guessing more. There may be some finance tricks I don't know. But, I'd put it right in the ballpark of $6.4 million.
How many regular Joes do you know that have $6.4 million jingling in their pants pockets?
I'm not saying this makes her unable to represent "the little people." To whom much is given . . . noblesse oblige . . . yadda yadda. And none of the candidates are exactly poor. Obama doesn't buy his underwear at K-Mart. John McCain doesn't clip coupons. And Hillary doesn't sit around the house with Bill drinking PBR. (Though John McCain might sit around drinking Natty Light. His father-in-law is the biggest Annheuser-Busch distributor in the southwest. Ka-ching.) And that's okay.
Politicians have to be rich these days. It's a fact. And most of them wouldn't know a coupon from a savings bond. But, in truth, they don't have to feel my financial pain. They have people to feel the pain for them. You don't have to be one of us to do a good job. Women aren't asking that John McCain where a dress so that he can show that he understands womens' issues. (Taking a moment to picture that one. Whoo.)
Would I like to see some poor but honest schlub make it to the White House? Sure. But that's not currently one of my choices. So just own up to it. The next time one of them is offered a cold one at the local bar, it's fine by me if they say, "No, thanks, really. But I'd love to see the wine list."
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/primary_rdp
Then I see this. In order to "stay in the fight" she's loaned herself $6.4 million. Now I'm no mathmatician. But it would seem to me that in order to loan yourself $6.4 million, you'd have to actually have, oh, I don't know, $6.4 million in the first place. More or less. I'm guessing more. There may be some finance tricks I don't know. But, I'd put it right in the ballpark of $6.4 million.
How many regular Joes do you know that have $6.4 million jingling in their pants pockets?
I'm not saying this makes her unable to represent "the little people." To whom much is given . . . noblesse oblige . . . yadda yadda. And none of the candidates are exactly poor. Obama doesn't buy his underwear at K-Mart. John McCain doesn't clip coupons. And Hillary doesn't sit around the house with Bill drinking PBR. (Though John McCain might sit around drinking Natty Light. His father-in-law is the biggest Annheuser-Busch distributor in the southwest. Ka-ching.) And that's okay.
Politicians have to be rich these days. It's a fact. And most of them wouldn't know a coupon from a savings bond. But, in truth, they don't have to feel my financial pain. They have people to feel the pain for them. You don't have to be one of us to do a good job. Women aren't asking that John McCain where a dress so that he can show that he understands womens' issues. (Taking a moment to picture that one. Whoo.)
Would I like to see some poor but honest schlub make it to the White House? Sure. But that's not currently one of my choices. So just own up to it. The next time one of them is offered a cold one at the local bar, it's fine by me if they say, "No, thanks, really. But I'd love to see the wine list."
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Hail to thee! My alma mater!
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2008/05/05/von.arizona.asu.undie.run.ktvk?iref=videosearch
Well, of course. If you want footage of naked and/or drunk college students, who ya gonna call? ASU, that's who! Ya-hunh, baby! You don't just get a Sun Devil as a mascot, you have to earn it. I feel a certain amount of pride as my future fellow alumni proudly strip off and do something that makes parents question their decision to send their little darling off to these hallowed halls. Sniff. Sniff. Tradition. A school only an alum could love.
Well, of course. If you want footage of naked and/or drunk college students, who ya gonna call? ASU, that's who! Ya-hunh, baby! You don't just get a Sun Devil as a mascot, you have to earn it. I feel a certain amount of pride as my future fellow alumni proudly strip off and do something that makes parents question their decision to send their little darling off to these hallowed halls. Sniff. Sniff. Tradition. A school only an alum could love.
Par-tay!
Okay, settle down. Not as exciting as it sounds. Unless you're 8. This weekend was my niece's b-day, and I went to help with the festivities. It was out at a very cute little city park over on my sister's side of town.
Helpful Hint: If you've been walking along in an area, and look down and think to yourself. "Hey! That looks like the back of my phone!", do not treat this as just a curious coincidence. Stoop down and pick it up. Then look at the back of your own phone. It may not be a coincidence. It may actually be the back of your phone. Which is an unfortunat thing to discover 4 hours later, when you can't do a damn thing about it. Just a word to the wise. Don't ask me how I know this.
My sister, who is truly the hostess with the mostest, had a few activities planned (nature trails scavenger hunt, marshmallow & toothpick building contest, pin the antenna on the bee), and some general "goof off on the playground" time as well. Pretty simple, pretty affordable, and pretty dang fun. And for anyone who thinks that kids are really jaded these days, you'll be glad to know that one of the kids looked at me and said, "This the best party ever." No moon-bounce, pony rides, magicians, clowns or party DJ needed. They did get party favors, but you'd be surprised how happy a candy lipstick can make a kid.
I got to run the marshmallow & toothpick building contest while my sister made a run with a few of the girls to the little girls room. The kids ran from 3 to 9, and they were all able to participate. You have to balance helping the littler ones, while not making the big kids feel like you're hanging them out to dry. At one point, I said to one of my nieces, "You've got a lot of marshmallows to help stick it together, but you need something to make it tall. What makes it taller?" And another little girl yelled, "Toothpicks!" In much the same tone that Einstein must have said, "Oh, you square the velocity of light!" It's so much fun to watch when a kid suddenly gets it.
Anyway, cupcakes and fun had by all. My niece raked in the birthday bucks, so she's feeling like Miss Moneybags. A good day.
Helpful Hint: If you've been walking along in an area, and look down and think to yourself. "Hey! That looks like the back of my phone!", do not treat this as just a curious coincidence. Stoop down and pick it up. Then look at the back of your own phone. It may not be a coincidence. It may actually be the back of your phone. Which is an unfortunat thing to discover 4 hours later, when you can't do a damn thing about it. Just a word to the wise. Don't ask me how I know this.
My sister, who is truly the hostess with the mostest, had a few activities planned (nature trails scavenger hunt, marshmallow & toothpick building contest, pin the antenna on the bee), and some general "goof off on the playground" time as well. Pretty simple, pretty affordable, and pretty dang fun. And for anyone who thinks that kids are really jaded these days, you'll be glad to know that one of the kids looked at me and said, "This the best party ever." No moon-bounce, pony rides, magicians, clowns or party DJ needed. They did get party favors, but you'd be surprised how happy a candy lipstick can make a kid.
I got to run the marshmallow & toothpick building contest while my sister made a run with a few of the girls to the little girls room. The kids ran from 3 to 9, and they were all able to participate. You have to balance helping the littler ones, while not making the big kids feel like you're hanging them out to dry. At one point, I said to one of my nieces, "You've got a lot of marshmallows to help stick it together, but you need something to make it tall. What makes it taller?" And another little girl yelled, "Toothpicks!" In much the same tone that Einstein must have said, "Oh, you square the velocity of light!" It's so much fun to watch when a kid suddenly gets it.
Anyway, cupcakes and fun had by all. My niece raked in the birthday bucks, so she's feeling like Miss Moneybags. A good day.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
