A list of my favorite albums of all time would start like this:
1 Abbey Road – The Beatles
2 Restless Nights – Karla Bonoff
3 The White Album - The Beatles
I bring this up only to emphasize the thrill I just had. Not only did I get to hear Karla Bonoff in concert at The Barns at Wolf Trap in Virginia tonight, but I actually got to meet her and tell her how much her music had meant to me over the years. Got an autograph too!
This is a concert I had looked forward to for a long time. I’ve watched Karla’s web site for years hoping to see her again, as she doesn’t play often. I first saw her in Memphis over 20 years ago, and still listen to her albums to this day. Every song she ever recorded is on my ipod.
The acoustics in this venue were as good as any place I’ve ever been. And what an incredible voice. Wow.
The good news is I sat dead center in the second row. The bad news is that I had the talking, screaming, drunk couple from hell sitting next to me. I felt like Karla was giving me a personal concert. This couple acted like she was doing it just for them. They talked to her, loudly. The girl sang every song she knew at the top of her lungs. If they didn’t know the song, they made out. I’m not making this up. Fortunately, people started “shusing” her and she calmed down, and I’m happy to say I was able to ignore her.
It was a thrill to hear this music, and I hope it's not the last time I get to hear her in concert.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
At the Cinema - March 2009
I Love You, Man – 8 – An enjoyable comedy featuring Paul Rudd and Jason Segel’s continued ascension as comedy stars. They have believable chemistry in this story of Paul’s search for a suitable best man for his upcoming wedding to Rashida Jones as a too good to be true fiancée. There’s actually more charisma and star power than story here. My guess is that we’ll look back at this movie as another stepping stone to stardom for the three leads. I got a kick out of the music scenes, but I won’t give that away. See it – you’ll laugh. And check out Role Models on DVD if you like Paul Rudd.
Knowing – 7 – A good but strange movie. Nicholas Cage, whom I’ve never been a fan of, (Other than his great performance in Leaving Las Vegas – his every-squirrel-finds-an-acorn moment), gives another in a series of bland performances, but the movie is an interesting story that I won’t spoil here. It morphs from suspense to science fiction and has some impressive special effects in the disaster scenes. One of the strangest things to me in the movie is that Cage looks like he’s riding a horse. In several scenes he stands with his feet wide apart like he’s about to do a broad jump. Never quite figured that out.
I just learned that Cage has 2 homes in New Orleans, including Anne Rice’s old house. So, he obviously has good taste, and I’m sure he’s a great guy, although how would you like to know you’d shared a wife with Michael Jackson? (They both were married to Lisa Marie Presley, who has now kept Graceland through several marriages)
Let me explain my distaste for Cage, who’s my Lionel Ritchie of movies. How did he get this career? I think the best way would be to give you my
Top Ten Movies I just didn’t get.
I remember once Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel having a spirited discussion on why Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid was considered a classic. Neither of them liked the movie, thought it was way overrated, and just could not grasp its popularity. I, like most, consider it a classic, but was always fascinated by the personal taste factor of movies. So, keeping in mind that this is purely a personal thing, here are the movies that I just never “got.”
10. Caddyshack/Jerry McGuire Two universally acclaimed sports movies I totally fanned on. I found Caddyshack mildly amusing but never the great sports classic that so many others go nuts over. I’ll take Bull Durham or Major League for sports comedy. Caddyshack was just silly to me, but I seem to be alone. As usual. As for Jerry, other than the star-making performance by Renee Zellweger, I found nothing else remotely believable and the first half in particular made me want to turn my head, with Cruise so far over the top he made me cringe. Just didn’t get these 2, and I love sports movies. (#1 – Hoosiers)
9. The Big Lebowski/Rocky Horror Picture Show. Two cult favorites. I finally watched “The Dude” last year and had the mature reaction of “huh?” As for Rocky, I don’t think I’ve ever been able to make it through the whole movie and I’ve tried several times.
8. The English Patient. The endless patient to me. Thought it would never end
7. Two classics: One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and The Godfather. While I appreciate the artistry and acknowledge the depth, I just never went gaga over them the way the rest of the world did. This will undoubtedly remove all my credibility forever, but I’m just being honest. I actually like Godfather II better in which the Pacino/DeNiro acting was phenomenal. Which is why I can forgive Pacino for
6. Scent of a Woman. Any movie with a blind man driving is ridiculous to me and for Al Pacino to have finally gotten his Oscar for this, instead of Serpico or Dog Day Afternoon is like giving an MVP award to Andruw Jones at this point in his career.
5. 2001 A Space Odyssey/Eyes Wide Shut. How can the same iconic director that made Dr. Strangelove, Clockwork Orange, and Full Metal Jacket, have made these? I’m sure 2001 has some mystical meaning that I never got, but I’ll never concede that on Eyes. An idiotic title that means nothing is just the beginning. It’s excruciating from beginning to end and was one of the few movies where I wanted my money back. People have tried to tell me what this was about and I tell them they’re making it up. There’s no “there” there.
4. Anything with Adam Sandler. The Nicholas Cage of comedy. I find him likable, but I just sit there wondering what everyone else is laughing at. Just shows how personal comedy is.
3. Pineapple Express and other Seth Rogen vehicles. This guy’s a star? Really?
2. Schindler’s List. Sorry. I know this is another classic, and it’s politically stupid to say so, but if the US government ever wants to send me to Gitmo and torture me, I’ll take waterboarding over having to sit through this again.
1. Moonstruck. Everyone I know loves this movie and it is “nails on a blackboard” to me. Let’s start with Nicholas Cage. Never believed him for a minute, but at least he’s half Italian. Cher as an Italian? Please. I kept asking myself was this the same woman who sang “Half Breed?” Now that was a believable performance! And the fact that she campaigned her way to an Oscar is a blight on the books. Can we get a recount? I just looked at this as a movie where they threw every Italian cliché up on the screen and called it a soup. I never bought it for a moment. I hate being manipulated and this movie lays it on so thick that by the time they pulled out “That’s Amore” to officially go over the top, I’d had enough. Sometimes I watch it just to see if I just was sick that day or something. Nope. Can’t stand it, and the fact that it launched Cage to stardom makes it that much tougher to take.
Now you know how weird my taste is. Send me some of the movies that you didn’t get. I’m sure you’ll want to tell me how wrong I am, but as I said, purely personal – and never afraid to give a contrarian opinion.
Next Month: My top 10 underrated movies.
Nominees?
Knowing – 7 – A good but strange movie. Nicholas Cage, whom I’ve never been a fan of, (Other than his great performance in Leaving Las Vegas – his every-squirrel-finds-an-acorn moment), gives another in a series of bland performances, but the movie is an interesting story that I won’t spoil here. It morphs from suspense to science fiction and has some impressive special effects in the disaster scenes. One of the strangest things to me in the movie is that Cage looks like he’s riding a horse. In several scenes he stands with his feet wide apart like he’s about to do a broad jump. Never quite figured that out.
I just learned that Cage has 2 homes in New Orleans, including Anne Rice’s old house. So, he obviously has good taste, and I’m sure he’s a great guy, although how would you like to know you’d shared a wife with Michael Jackson? (They both were married to Lisa Marie Presley, who has now kept Graceland through several marriages)
Let me explain my distaste for Cage, who’s my Lionel Ritchie of movies. How did he get this career? I think the best way would be to give you my
Top Ten Movies I just didn’t get.
I remember once Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel having a spirited discussion on why Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid was considered a classic. Neither of them liked the movie, thought it was way overrated, and just could not grasp its popularity. I, like most, consider it a classic, but was always fascinated by the personal taste factor of movies. So, keeping in mind that this is purely a personal thing, here are the movies that I just never “got.”
10. Caddyshack/Jerry McGuire Two universally acclaimed sports movies I totally fanned on. I found Caddyshack mildly amusing but never the great sports classic that so many others go nuts over. I’ll take Bull Durham or Major League for sports comedy. Caddyshack was just silly to me, but I seem to be alone. As usual. As for Jerry, other than the star-making performance by Renee Zellweger, I found nothing else remotely believable and the first half in particular made me want to turn my head, with Cruise so far over the top he made me cringe. Just didn’t get these 2, and I love sports movies. (#1 – Hoosiers)
9. The Big Lebowski/Rocky Horror Picture Show. Two cult favorites. I finally watched “The Dude” last year and had the mature reaction of “huh?” As for Rocky, I don’t think I’ve ever been able to make it through the whole movie and I’ve tried several times.
8. The English Patient. The endless patient to me. Thought it would never end
7. Two classics: One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and The Godfather. While I appreciate the artistry and acknowledge the depth, I just never went gaga over them the way the rest of the world did. This will undoubtedly remove all my credibility forever, but I’m just being honest. I actually like Godfather II better in which the Pacino/DeNiro acting was phenomenal. Which is why I can forgive Pacino for
6. Scent of a Woman. Any movie with a blind man driving is ridiculous to me and for Al Pacino to have finally gotten his Oscar for this, instead of Serpico or Dog Day Afternoon is like giving an MVP award to Andruw Jones at this point in his career.
5. 2001 A Space Odyssey/Eyes Wide Shut. How can the same iconic director that made Dr. Strangelove, Clockwork Orange, and Full Metal Jacket, have made these? I’m sure 2001 has some mystical meaning that I never got, but I’ll never concede that on Eyes. An idiotic title that means nothing is just the beginning. It’s excruciating from beginning to end and was one of the few movies where I wanted my money back. People have tried to tell me what this was about and I tell them they’re making it up. There’s no “there” there.
4. Anything with Adam Sandler. The Nicholas Cage of comedy. I find him likable, but I just sit there wondering what everyone else is laughing at. Just shows how personal comedy is.
3. Pineapple Express and other Seth Rogen vehicles. This guy’s a star? Really?
2. Schindler’s List. Sorry. I know this is another classic, and it’s politically stupid to say so, but if the US government ever wants to send me to Gitmo and torture me, I’ll take waterboarding over having to sit through this again.
1. Moonstruck. Everyone I know loves this movie and it is “nails on a blackboard” to me. Let’s start with Nicholas Cage. Never believed him for a minute, but at least he’s half Italian. Cher as an Italian? Please. I kept asking myself was this the same woman who sang “Half Breed?” Now that was a believable performance! And the fact that she campaigned her way to an Oscar is a blight on the books. Can we get a recount? I just looked at this as a movie where they threw every Italian cliché up on the screen and called it a soup. I never bought it for a moment. I hate being manipulated and this movie lays it on so thick that by the time they pulled out “That’s Amore” to officially go over the top, I’d had enough. Sometimes I watch it just to see if I just was sick that day or something. Nope. Can’t stand it, and the fact that it launched Cage to stardom makes it that much tougher to take.
Now you know how weird my taste is. Send me some of the movies that you didn’t get. I’m sure you’ll want to tell me how wrong I am, but as I said, purely personal – and never afraid to give a contrarian opinion.
Next Month: My top 10 underrated movies.
Nominees?
Sunday, March 8, 2009
I'll Have What He's Having
I just can’t help drawing comparisons between the fantasy world of sports and the real world from which sports distracts us:
One common denominator is Greed
How do you get rich in America? Nowadays, you hope to win the lottery, or you sue someone, or you go for the inflated sports/entertainment dollar. You could work for it. But, as we know, that’s no sure thing, and it can really be time-consuming.
We slam the executives who make the big bonuses (they were promised) and ride in private jets but we can’t really imagine their lives. Sure, a $50 million bonus would be nice, but can we get it without having to make decisions that impact 100,000 employees whose welfare is at stake? Can we get that without being held accountable for maybe a billion dollars per quarter in profit?
So, you wouldn’t have taken steroids to enhance or prolong your earning power?
That of course would be cheating.
You would never do anything illegal, like say smoke pot?
You would never intentionally endanger your health by smoking a cigar.
You would never take an upper to stay up to study for a test.
You wouldn’t drink coffee in the morning to wake up.
You wouldn’t smoke a cigarette for stress relief.
Or have a drink to “relax.”
You wouldn’t take Ambien to go to sleep,
You wouldn’t take Viagra to “enhance performance.”
You wouldn’t take a diet pill to lose weight
So, you wouldn’t have taken steroids to make $25 million a year or prolong your ability to continue a dream job.
Barry, Roger, Alex, Mark, Rafael, Jose, Rafeal, Sammy, plus 100. Do you think it was performance they wanted to enhance, or their bank accounts?
Roger Clemens had so little regard for baseball, his basic deal in recent years was, “Look, I’m not going to spring training, I won’t be there for the start of the season. In fact, I’m not going to travel with the team. I’m not going to be there when I’m not pitching. I’ll show up every fifth day for a start, at about a million dollars per. I’m pitching five years past when most pitchers would retire, and I’m still throwing like I was 25. Why do you care if I look a little heavy and I’ll be broken down by October and unable to help when it really counts? Just write the checks.”
And we’re shocked that he was “cheating.” The steroid era greatly distorts my favorite sport and it’s a shame. But with so much money at stake, how can we really be shocked, when our whole culture revolves around “give me something to make me feel or perform differently?”
I love baseball. Someone once asked me, if I had to pick one activity to do for eternity what would it be? I said “play baseball.” I remember getting up on those summer mornings, throwing my glove on my handlebar, and riding off to look for a pickup game.
Baseball is one sport where size didn’t matter. It was about hand-eye coordination, that most elusive skill. If Joe Morgan could make it, anyone could.
Not today. It’s all power – home runs by bulked up, full-time weight lifters. And it’s not just baseball. Compare the slight physiques of Roberto Clemente, Michael Jordan, and Joe Montana to what their counterparts look like today. If ESPN Classic doesn’t open your eyes, nothing will. The Magic Johnson of today could back down the young Magic Johnson into the post and score at will. He works out now harder than he ever worked out when he was playing. He happens to have a unique motivation right now, but working out has a whole new meaning these days.
Steroids were a shortcut.
The problem with our economy is that the heavily-bonused execs found shortcuts. They bundled and sold and were able to post bonus-justifying numbers to the income statement, for awhile. Greed was the driver. Get-rich quick. No matter that it couldn’t continue, in fact was detrimental. Just get people into those loans, and book the income.
Regulation was the answer, but it can inhibit the greed.
Same with baseball.
How do we solve it?
The way I see it, baseball has two major problems.
First, too much talk about the Hall of Fame. It’s supposed to be about winning, not what happens after you retire.
Baseball blew it when, in an overreaction to Pete Rose, they tied the MLB eligibility list to the Hall of Fame, effectively giving the Commissioner control over HOF eligibility. The Hall of Fame had always been independent of the Commissioner. Too much power for the commissioner. He should be focused on the playing of the game and let the writers and the public do the legacy defining.
The biggest problem with Major League Baseball is the diminishing World Series. After the extended, often pulse-pounding playoffs, which go on for weeks on a ridiculous tv-driven schedule (really, off-days between games in the same city?) the World Series is often anti-climatic, with none of the tension that precedes it. Kind of the way the Super Bowl was until recent years. But the worst thing is that it’s played as winter begins, in weather more conducive to Hockey than Baseball. And even worse, it’s past young fan’s bedtime.
Bill Mazersoski hit his famous home run at 3:30 in the afternoon. Carlton Fisk hit his 12th inning home run late at night. Derek Jeter actually crossed the plate after midnight.
Baseball is scheduling so poorly, that they run the risk of becoming a DVR event. I remember taking a transistor radio to class to sneak a listen to the World Series. Imagine this scene today taking place in a school after the 7th game of the World Series: “Don’t tell me what happened – I’ve got it Tivo’d.”
Is that any way to treat the fans you need to insure your future?
What the NFL does right is The Super Bowl. The NFL season culminates in it’s ultimate event.
If baseball got back to that, it would be on its way to recovery.
I’m not quite as sure how to fix the banks.
One common denominator is Greed
How do you get rich in America? Nowadays, you hope to win the lottery, or you sue someone, or you go for the inflated sports/entertainment dollar. You could work for it. But, as we know, that’s no sure thing, and it can really be time-consuming.
We slam the executives who make the big bonuses (they were promised) and ride in private jets but we can’t really imagine their lives. Sure, a $50 million bonus would be nice, but can we get it without having to make decisions that impact 100,000 employees whose welfare is at stake? Can we get that without being held accountable for maybe a billion dollars per quarter in profit?
So, you wouldn’t have taken steroids to enhance or prolong your earning power?
That of course would be cheating.
You would never do anything illegal, like say smoke pot?
You would never intentionally endanger your health by smoking a cigar.
You would never take an upper to stay up to study for a test.
You wouldn’t drink coffee in the morning to wake up.
You wouldn’t smoke a cigarette for stress relief.
Or have a drink to “relax.”
You wouldn’t take Ambien to go to sleep,
You wouldn’t take Viagra to “enhance performance.”
You wouldn’t take a diet pill to lose weight
So, you wouldn’t have taken steroids to make $25 million a year or prolong your ability to continue a dream job.
Barry, Roger, Alex, Mark, Rafael, Jose, Rafeal, Sammy, plus 100. Do you think it was performance they wanted to enhance, or their bank accounts?
Roger Clemens had so little regard for baseball, his basic deal in recent years was, “Look, I’m not going to spring training, I won’t be there for the start of the season. In fact, I’m not going to travel with the team. I’m not going to be there when I’m not pitching. I’ll show up every fifth day for a start, at about a million dollars per. I’m pitching five years past when most pitchers would retire, and I’m still throwing like I was 25. Why do you care if I look a little heavy and I’ll be broken down by October and unable to help when it really counts? Just write the checks.”
And we’re shocked that he was “cheating.” The steroid era greatly distorts my favorite sport and it’s a shame. But with so much money at stake, how can we really be shocked, when our whole culture revolves around “give me something to make me feel or perform differently?”
I love baseball. Someone once asked me, if I had to pick one activity to do for eternity what would it be? I said “play baseball.” I remember getting up on those summer mornings, throwing my glove on my handlebar, and riding off to look for a pickup game.
Baseball is one sport where size didn’t matter. It was about hand-eye coordination, that most elusive skill. If Joe Morgan could make it, anyone could.
Not today. It’s all power – home runs by bulked up, full-time weight lifters. And it’s not just baseball. Compare the slight physiques of Roberto Clemente, Michael Jordan, and Joe Montana to what their counterparts look like today. If ESPN Classic doesn’t open your eyes, nothing will. The Magic Johnson of today could back down the young Magic Johnson into the post and score at will. He works out now harder than he ever worked out when he was playing. He happens to have a unique motivation right now, but working out has a whole new meaning these days.
Steroids were a shortcut.
The problem with our economy is that the heavily-bonused execs found shortcuts. They bundled and sold and were able to post bonus-justifying numbers to the income statement, for awhile. Greed was the driver. Get-rich quick. No matter that it couldn’t continue, in fact was detrimental. Just get people into those loans, and book the income.
Regulation was the answer, but it can inhibit the greed.
Same with baseball.
How do we solve it?
The way I see it, baseball has two major problems.
First, too much talk about the Hall of Fame. It’s supposed to be about winning, not what happens after you retire.
Baseball blew it when, in an overreaction to Pete Rose, they tied the MLB eligibility list to the Hall of Fame, effectively giving the Commissioner control over HOF eligibility. The Hall of Fame had always been independent of the Commissioner. Too much power for the commissioner. He should be focused on the playing of the game and let the writers and the public do the legacy defining.
The biggest problem with Major League Baseball is the diminishing World Series. After the extended, often pulse-pounding playoffs, which go on for weeks on a ridiculous tv-driven schedule (really, off-days between games in the same city?) the World Series is often anti-climatic, with none of the tension that precedes it. Kind of the way the Super Bowl was until recent years. But the worst thing is that it’s played as winter begins, in weather more conducive to Hockey than Baseball. And even worse, it’s past young fan’s bedtime.
Bill Mazersoski hit his famous home run at 3:30 in the afternoon. Carlton Fisk hit his 12th inning home run late at night. Derek Jeter actually crossed the plate after midnight.
Baseball is scheduling so poorly, that they run the risk of becoming a DVR event. I remember taking a transistor radio to class to sneak a listen to the World Series. Imagine this scene today taking place in a school after the 7th game of the World Series: “Don’t tell me what happened – I’ve got it Tivo’d.”
Is that any way to treat the fans you need to insure your future?
What the NFL does right is The Super Bowl. The NFL season culminates in it’s ultimate event.
If baseball got back to that, it would be on its way to recovery.
I’m not quite as sure how to fix the banks.
At the Cinema - February 2009
The International – 8 – This one really surprised me.
Way better than I expected. The story about a huge bank playing in global arms dealing starts a little complicated, and gets even more so. But the centerpiece of this movie is a heart thumping chase through Manhattan. It features the good guys quietly searching for, then following the bad guy to a showdown at the Guggenheim museum. These scenes are filmed so well, that they pack more punch and tension than any of the wild car chases or Indiana Jones – Bourne – Bond – Die Hard expeditions that border on the ridiculous. Let’s face it. Most adventure movies are just that – ridiculous. We watch while laughing because they are so implausible. Here, the chase culminates in a scene at The Guggenheim museum that is anything but implausible. In fact, it is so good it is nothing short of incredible. I don’t want to give too much away other than to say I have no clue how they shot it. Most movie confrontations feature the bad guys missing and the good guys connecting on every shot and every punch. This isn’t like that. No implausibility here. No blurry action. Just some amazing work that we’ll be watching over and over on DVD for years.
After that, the movie comes down to earth and gets a little confusing, but it’s still well worth your time. What could be more evil than a bank?
The director is Tom Twyker and I thought his “Run Lola Run” 10 years ago was terrific. This makes me want to take another look. Rent it if you missed it before. Clive Owen continues to build his action resume, although in one scene he is inexplicably clean-shaven. Naomi Watts is a little wasted as the Manhattan DA who has to spend too much time justifying her investigation before “they” shut it down. If they gave out supporting actor Oscar’s for action villains, Brian F. O’Bryne as the assassin would be worthy. He’s quiet, deadly, and his shifting alliances add unexpected depth.
If you like thrillers, even when they’re a little muddy, you’ll like this one. The Guggenheim scene is why I go to movies.
Underworld: Rise of the Lycans – 7 – I’ll be the first to admit this isn’t for everyone. I’ll also admit that thanks to Buffy, I never seem to get tired of vampire storylines. I’ve seen all three of these vampire/werewolf movies and I like them. The previous two movies had Kate Bleckinsale shooting and slicing so what more could you want? This prequel actually has a pretty good story. Not for everyone. You already know if you’re a fan.
Way better than I expected. The story about a huge bank playing in global arms dealing starts a little complicated, and gets even more so. But the centerpiece of this movie is a heart thumping chase through Manhattan. It features the good guys quietly searching for, then following the bad guy to a showdown at the Guggenheim museum. These scenes are filmed so well, that they pack more punch and tension than any of the wild car chases or Indiana Jones – Bourne – Bond – Die Hard expeditions that border on the ridiculous. Let’s face it. Most adventure movies are just that – ridiculous. We watch while laughing because they are so implausible. Here, the chase culminates in a scene at The Guggenheim museum that is anything but implausible. In fact, it is so good it is nothing short of incredible. I don’t want to give too much away other than to say I have no clue how they shot it. Most movie confrontations feature the bad guys missing and the good guys connecting on every shot and every punch. This isn’t like that. No implausibility here. No blurry action. Just some amazing work that we’ll be watching over and over on DVD for years.
After that, the movie comes down to earth and gets a little confusing, but it’s still well worth your time. What could be more evil than a bank?
The director is Tom Twyker and I thought his “Run Lola Run” 10 years ago was terrific. This makes me want to take another look. Rent it if you missed it before. Clive Owen continues to build his action resume, although in one scene he is inexplicably clean-shaven. Naomi Watts is a little wasted as the Manhattan DA who has to spend too much time justifying her investigation before “they” shut it down. If they gave out supporting actor Oscar’s for action villains, Brian F. O’Bryne as the assassin would be worthy. He’s quiet, deadly, and his shifting alliances add unexpected depth.
If you like thrillers, even when they’re a little muddy, you’ll like this one. The Guggenheim scene is why I go to movies.
Underworld: Rise of the Lycans – 7 – I’ll be the first to admit this isn’t for everyone. I’ll also admit that thanks to Buffy, I never seem to get tired of vampire storylines. I’ve seen all three of these vampire/werewolf movies and I like them. The previous two movies had Kate Bleckinsale shooting and slicing so what more could you want? This prequel actually has a pretty good story. Not for everyone. You already know if you’re a fan.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Stimulate Me
Best that I can determine there are only two things wrong with our government.
Republicans and Democrats.
Other than that everything is going fine.
Imagine where America would be under the following scenario:
In each business enterprise for the last 100 years the employees of every single company were split into two unions. The two unions had vast ideological differences and basically fought tooth and nail over every business decision. How many companies would have prospered under that labor division?
Would America be the capitalist powerhouse it is today?
No.
So, in case you’re keeping score, here’s where we are today, February 22, 2009:
The Republicans, who had no problem ballooning the deficit with President Bush at the helm, have suddenly grown balls and are “going back to their fiscally conservative roots.” Whew, how convenient. Just when they pledged bi-partisan cooperation, there they go, voting unanimously against whatever’s on the agenda. Well, almost unanimously.
Meanwhile the Democrats have presented and passed an economic stimulus plan that just happens to feature every two-bit social program they could dredge up.
The parties have one thing in common. They love spending money they don’t have.
Here’s what we know so far:
President Bush’s tax rebate plan didn’t work. Remember it? Was it good for you?
The first half of the bail out – the one that we just had to do to loosen the credit markets?
Didn’t work. Was it good for you?
The second half of the bail out, the “TARP,” the one we’re about to role out, but with more “oversight” and limited executive compensation? Any evidence that it will work? None.
The stimulus package that just passed – any evidence it will do the trick?
None. Might. Might Not. Just like porn – might stimulate you, might not. Is it good for you?
I used to get very upset about how the government spent my money. I’m over that. They’re not spending my money anymore. They’re several generations ahead now. So, while the woman who had octuplets is being roundly criticized, may I commend her for doing her part to populate the U.S. with the taxpayers of the future. We’re going to need them.
Just gotta job ‘em someday.
So, the way I see it the stimulus bill is a cheesy attempt to slip a high hard one past us. President Obama made it easy on the Republicans who can say they voted against the largest spending bill in history.
The Pelosi’s should have broken the bill up into the debatable parts. Pass a massive infrastructure bill. Let them vote against it. Pass a massive energy bill. Let them vote against it. Pass Health Care reform. Let them vote against it. But they had to do it all at once, tossing in all that “stuff” in a bill that couldn’t have been read by Congress reading at the normal reading rate of a human. Good move in the short run. Bad move in the long run. They’ll pay.
Congressmen have long been re-elected on their ability to bring home the bacon to their home district. Now we just call it pork. One man’s pork is another man’s bacon. Just don’t call it an earmark.
Back to the two parties. Could it be that we’ve outgrown them - that they no longer serve us as well as they should? We have two parties who have strong ideological bases. And maybe that’s the problem. They can’t see past their ideologies. Are the problems of 2009 beyond their grasp? While the pols continue to spit blame, could it be more obvious that they all let us down – that they simply didn’t understand what was ahead? Do you get the feeling that they are on a fishing expedition for solutions and they’re overmatched? Maybe their indecision on our eventual social security shortfall and failure to solve it is just a preview of things to come. We should’ve known.
Could it be time for a third party? Maybe one that doesn’t have its own shill cable network. A party that doesn’t have an ideological base, but a factual, pragmatic one? One that can reason its way through the complex, tough decisions that confront us without being encumbered by the expectations of its donors. An inclusive one where all opinions are respected, valued, and utilized, and consensus decision making is the norm.
Or is it going to be octuplets all around?
Republicans and Democrats.
Other than that everything is going fine.
Imagine where America would be under the following scenario:
In each business enterprise for the last 100 years the employees of every single company were split into two unions. The two unions had vast ideological differences and basically fought tooth and nail over every business decision. How many companies would have prospered under that labor division?
Would America be the capitalist powerhouse it is today?
No.
So, in case you’re keeping score, here’s where we are today, February 22, 2009:
The Republicans, who had no problem ballooning the deficit with President Bush at the helm, have suddenly grown balls and are “going back to their fiscally conservative roots.” Whew, how convenient. Just when they pledged bi-partisan cooperation, there they go, voting unanimously against whatever’s on the agenda. Well, almost unanimously.
Meanwhile the Democrats have presented and passed an economic stimulus plan that just happens to feature every two-bit social program they could dredge up.
The parties have one thing in common. They love spending money they don’t have.
Here’s what we know so far:
President Bush’s tax rebate plan didn’t work. Remember it? Was it good for you?
The first half of the bail out – the one that we just had to do to loosen the credit markets?
Didn’t work. Was it good for you?
The second half of the bail out, the “TARP,” the one we’re about to role out, but with more “oversight” and limited executive compensation? Any evidence that it will work? None.
The stimulus package that just passed – any evidence it will do the trick?
None. Might. Might Not. Just like porn – might stimulate you, might not. Is it good for you?
I used to get very upset about how the government spent my money. I’m over that. They’re not spending my money anymore. They’re several generations ahead now. So, while the woman who had octuplets is being roundly criticized, may I commend her for doing her part to populate the U.S. with the taxpayers of the future. We’re going to need them.
Just gotta job ‘em someday.
So, the way I see it the stimulus bill is a cheesy attempt to slip a high hard one past us. President Obama made it easy on the Republicans who can say they voted against the largest spending bill in history.
The Pelosi’s should have broken the bill up into the debatable parts. Pass a massive infrastructure bill. Let them vote against it. Pass a massive energy bill. Let them vote against it. Pass Health Care reform. Let them vote against it. But they had to do it all at once, tossing in all that “stuff” in a bill that couldn’t have been read by Congress reading at the normal reading rate of a human. Good move in the short run. Bad move in the long run. They’ll pay.
Congressmen have long been re-elected on their ability to bring home the bacon to their home district. Now we just call it pork. One man’s pork is another man’s bacon. Just don’t call it an earmark.
Back to the two parties. Could it be that we’ve outgrown them - that they no longer serve us as well as they should? We have two parties who have strong ideological bases. And maybe that’s the problem. They can’t see past their ideologies. Are the problems of 2009 beyond their grasp? While the pols continue to spit blame, could it be more obvious that they all let us down – that they simply didn’t understand what was ahead? Do you get the feeling that they are on a fishing expedition for solutions and they’re overmatched? Maybe their indecision on our eventual social security shortfall and failure to solve it is just a preview of things to come. We should’ve known.
Could it be time for a third party? Maybe one that doesn’t have its own shill cable network. A party that doesn’t have an ideological base, but a factual, pragmatic one? One that can reason its way through the complex, tough decisions that confront us without being encumbered by the expectations of its donors. An inclusive one where all opinions are respected, valued, and utilized, and consensus decision making is the norm.
Or is it going to be octuplets all around?
Sunday, February 8, 2009
U got some splainin to do
The week that was:
Fascinating isn’t it that there’s a whole lot of cheating going on.
First a bunch of the President’s nominees get caught in tax dodges.
Then it gets revealed that A-Rod was using steroids back around 2003.
The question of the week is, “when everyone’s cheating, is it really cheating?” Let’s reflect.
Baseball is largely a contest between a pitcher and the hitter.
If they’re both juiced, what’s it all mean?
It’s 2003 and 67 year old Roger Clemens is out there throwing BB’s. What to do, what to do? Now it turns out 104 players tested positive when it wasn’t against the rules, just against the law. A-Rod’s getting crucified, but forgive me if I want to know the rest of the names. If McGuire was hitting against pitchers who were juiced, who had the advantage? Who goes to the Hall of Fame now? Can we be sure about anyone? Do we just throw out the whole steroid era?
Meanwhile, in DC it appears that a life in public service culminates in a late-in-life paycheck of epic proportions as an influence-peddler. Just don’t get called back to public service because you’ll have some “splaining to do,” especially if your accountant was asleep at the wheel. Now, I’ve had my own IRS adventures, so I know how easily one can slip up. But aren’t the parallels between sports and politics becoming apparent? If everyone’s doing it, is it cheating, or are the rules just changing?
Tom Dashcle bit the dust and we’re worse for it. He was clearly exactly what the doctors ordered and now we have to find someone as qualified. But, it turns out there aren’t two sets of rules. But, it sure is time to change the rules. If you’re going to be a public servant, looks like we’ll have to limit that pot at the end of the rainbow. Do you know any other professions where there is a huge payoff when it’s over? A huge pension and great jobs lined up? Teacher? Preacher? Businessman? (Well, sometimes, if you make it to the very tippy top.) It will make it tough on young ex-Presidents, but while we’re bitching about CEO’s bonus’s might we take a look at what an ex-congressman could possibly be worth.
If we can’t trust A-Rod and Tom D, whom can we trust?
Fascinating isn’t it that there’s a whole lot of cheating going on.
First a bunch of the President’s nominees get caught in tax dodges.
Then it gets revealed that A-Rod was using steroids back around 2003.
The question of the week is, “when everyone’s cheating, is it really cheating?” Let’s reflect.
Baseball is largely a contest between a pitcher and the hitter.
If they’re both juiced, what’s it all mean?
It’s 2003 and 67 year old Roger Clemens is out there throwing BB’s. What to do, what to do? Now it turns out 104 players tested positive when it wasn’t against the rules, just against the law. A-Rod’s getting crucified, but forgive me if I want to know the rest of the names. If McGuire was hitting against pitchers who were juiced, who had the advantage? Who goes to the Hall of Fame now? Can we be sure about anyone? Do we just throw out the whole steroid era?
Meanwhile, in DC it appears that a life in public service culminates in a late-in-life paycheck of epic proportions as an influence-peddler. Just don’t get called back to public service because you’ll have some “splaining to do,” especially if your accountant was asleep at the wheel. Now, I’ve had my own IRS adventures, so I know how easily one can slip up. But aren’t the parallels between sports and politics becoming apparent? If everyone’s doing it, is it cheating, or are the rules just changing?
Tom Dashcle bit the dust and we’re worse for it. He was clearly exactly what the doctors ordered and now we have to find someone as qualified. But, it turns out there aren’t two sets of rules. But, it sure is time to change the rules. If you’re going to be a public servant, looks like we’ll have to limit that pot at the end of the rainbow. Do you know any other professions where there is a huge payoff when it’s over? A huge pension and great jobs lined up? Teacher? Preacher? Businessman? (Well, sometimes, if you make it to the very tippy top.) It will make it tough on young ex-Presidents, but while we’re bitching about CEO’s bonus’s might we take a look at what an ex-congressman could possibly be worth.
If we can’t trust A-Rod and Tom D, whom can we trust?
At the Cinema - January 2009
Frost/Nixon - 9 . Frank Langella gives my new favorite performance of 2008, largely because it’s such a deft impersonation of a President that those my age know so well. If you’re under 30, you may not be as impressed. He runs us up and down the sympathy pole and reveals magical insights into the ego of a man who dedicated his life to public service, yet was never appreciated – and in the end was vilified. Director Ron Howard seems to do his best recreating real events by layering on the drama and this recounting of the David Frost interview of Nixon and the back story is no exception. He revs up the action until we just can’t wait for the climax. Well worth seeing.
The Wrestler – 8. Mickey Rourke will probably win a best actor Oscar for his tour de force in which he tours and forces as a wrestler sliding down the rope of his career. This is at times a brutal movie, and the only punches it pulls are in the wrestling ring. Evan Rachel Wood adds to her resume as his alienated daughter. There’s some brute force in their scenes. Marisa Tomei is every bit Rourke’s equal in her best role since My Cousin Vinnie. She won’t win an Oscar for this role like she did for that one, but she’s wonderful as the stripper attracted to the wrestler but trying to keep her distance. I didn’t much care for the ending, which has generated a little controversy, but in fairness it’s the trip that’s fascinating here, not the destination.
Rachel Getting Married – 2. Anne Hathaway’s Oscar-nominated turn as the screwed up sister of the bride can’t save this Jonathan Demme mess of a picture. I give it a two for the few interesting scenes between her and Rosemarie DeWitt (who’s every bit as good), but other than that the movie is as excruciating as attending a real wedding. (Not yours of course.) I don’t know if it was the hand held camera that made me nauseous or the subject matter, but I never believed it for a minute. In fairness, let me point out that almost all other reviews have been raves. I don’t know what movie they were watching. In fact I don’t think I’ve ever seen a bigger disparity on one of my favorite web sites, metacritic.com between the critical acclaim and audience reaction. Critics praised it, and the viewers didn’t. I guess I just ain’t as sophisticated. If Demme was out to make us squirm and uncomfortable, he succeeds, but not the way he wanted. I’m a big Anne fan, so let me just say, check out Get Smart and at least have some fun watching her. "Bridal Wars" notwithstanding (which I have no plans to see because it's been panned so badly), I think she's going to be a huge star.
Taken – 8 I’ve never been much of a Liam Neeson fan, but here he brings some great anger to his role as the CIA retiree father of a kidnapped daughter who turns out to be the kidnapper’s worst nightmare – a father who’s both skilled and pissed. The theme here is basically “you fucked with the wrong American” as he chews through the Paris underworld leaving a body count that never seems to catch the attention of the police. Throw in some Bournish chase scenes and fights and you’ve got the picture, but it’s a well done ride that avoids the “blurry action” until the climactic fight scene. You’ve seen it all a million times, why not go see it again? This one is at least crisp and to the point.
The Wrestler – 8. Mickey Rourke will probably win a best actor Oscar for his tour de force in which he tours and forces as a wrestler sliding down the rope of his career. This is at times a brutal movie, and the only punches it pulls are in the wrestling ring. Evan Rachel Wood adds to her resume as his alienated daughter. There’s some brute force in their scenes. Marisa Tomei is every bit Rourke’s equal in her best role since My Cousin Vinnie. She won’t win an Oscar for this role like she did for that one, but she’s wonderful as the stripper attracted to the wrestler but trying to keep her distance. I didn’t much care for the ending, which has generated a little controversy, but in fairness it’s the trip that’s fascinating here, not the destination.
Rachel Getting Married – 2. Anne Hathaway’s Oscar-nominated turn as the screwed up sister of the bride can’t save this Jonathan Demme mess of a picture. I give it a two for the few interesting scenes between her and Rosemarie DeWitt (who’s every bit as good), but other than that the movie is as excruciating as attending a real wedding. (Not yours of course.) I don’t know if it was the hand held camera that made me nauseous or the subject matter, but I never believed it for a minute. In fairness, let me point out that almost all other reviews have been raves. I don’t know what movie they were watching. In fact I don’t think I’ve ever seen a bigger disparity on one of my favorite web sites, metacritic.com between the critical acclaim and audience reaction. Critics praised it, and the viewers didn’t. I guess I just ain’t as sophisticated. If Demme was out to make us squirm and uncomfortable, he succeeds, but not the way he wanted. I’m a big Anne fan, so let me just say, check out Get Smart and at least have some fun watching her. "Bridal Wars" notwithstanding (which I have no plans to see because it's been panned so badly), I think she's going to be a huge star.
Taken – 8 I’ve never been much of a Liam Neeson fan, but here he brings some great anger to his role as the CIA retiree father of a kidnapped daughter who turns out to be the kidnapper’s worst nightmare – a father who’s both skilled and pissed. The theme here is basically “you fucked with the wrong American” as he chews through the Paris underworld leaving a body count that never seems to catch the attention of the police. Throw in some Bournish chase scenes and fights and you’ve got the picture, but it’s a well done ride that avoids the “blurry action” until the climactic fight scene. You’ve seen it all a million times, why not go see it again? This one is at least crisp and to the point.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Rouxing the day
If there be any doubt in your mind that I’m an idiot, consider that I am from Pittsburgh and 40 years ago I decided to look away from the Steelers and begin a new loyalty – The New Orleans Saints. That’s right, why go to 7 Super Bowls when you can suffer through the Saints ineptitude?
(I actually did go to the first Steeler SB win – the Tulane Stadium victory over the Vikings.)
Saints - I’m convinced the gods have taken offense at the name, and we must change it. Look what happened when the Tampa Bay Devil Rays dropped the “Devil” and became just the “Rays.” They were in the World Series faster than you can say the Yankees suck.
Any suggestions on a new name for the Saints?
By the way, is there anything more gratifying that watching the Yankees miss the playoffs?
I can get some solace from the fact that I’ve seen the Pirates win 3 World Series in my lifetime. Due to baseball’s fiscal imbalance, I’m sure I’ll never see them there again. I guess it could be worse – I could be a Cub Fan.
Speaking of baseball, not to be outdone by the NFL, Major League Baseball has launched a new cable network all their own. In case you’ve wondered it’s a clone of everything every one else has been doing, including old footage, a panel of talking heads, and an overabundance of Yankees/Red Sox coverage.
By the way, how many people does it take to do a postgame show? Was NBC in some kind of arms race with ESPN on Sunday Night? These shows are going to have to expand their sets pretty soon to keep up with the current retirement rate of NFL stars. Where are they going to fit Brett Favre if he retires? Those pre and post game shows are beginning to look like a long salad bar. Soon they’ll extend one whole sideline. When there are more talking heads on the pre-game shows than on Meet the Press what does that say about America?
Speaking of sidelines, I can’t stand how many flags are thrown by referees at the sidelines. Do officials really expect football players to stop playing at the white lines? They’re way too liberal with those flags. Let ‘em play.
Great News: The Saints need a cornerback or 4 and Pacman Jones is available. Imagine the wacky hijacks that could ensue on Bourbon Street! What a great one-man reality show this would make. I can see it now – ratings through the roof. Plus, there is the added advantage of an undermanned New Orleans police department. Has there ever been a better fit than Pacman in New Orleans? He wouldn’t even have to suit up to make headlines.
The surliest fans in America? Try Philadelphia. Going to other stadiums around the country, Philly fans are the nastiest, with New York close. Question of the day – Do they deserve Donovan McNabb? Going to their fifth NFC championship game in 8 years isn’t good enough. They’ve hated McNabb since the moment his name was announced on draft day and what NFL team wouldn’t have taken him during that time period? Only about 5. The Phillies win a World Series and the delphians are still not happy. Wow.
Meanwhile, the Saints have found their defensive coordinator. All that’s at stake is a Super Bowl. If the Arizona Cardinals can make it, the Saints certainly can.
Tony Dungy retires, leaving a real legacy. He proved that you could be a nice, level-headed guy, and still win by treating men like men.
Meanwhile, at the opposite end of the class spectrum, I love to watch Deion Sanders and Stephen A. Smith try to defend Terrell Owens. “This happens on every team – it just gets coverage with T.O.” Exactly. I laugh every time I see that clip of him saying, “I love me some me.” Please stay in Dallas, T.O. Jerry loves ego, mostly his own, so you fit right in. You’ll continue to divide the team because that’s what you do. When a leader stands up to you and tries to radiate you, all hell will break loose. What ever happened to those QB’s you trashed, Garcia and McNabb? What became of them? Will Romo end up on the scrap heap because of your childish behavior? Or will you just scream at the offensive coordinators for what’s left of your career?
Last but not least the endless NFL season has once again culminated with 2 teams who got hot at the right time. Continued success in the NFL is hard to achieve. The Giants and Titans looked dominant but faded. About midway through next season look for the Steelers and Cardinals to lose concentration.
Who's going to win? My pick is coming, unless I'm an idiot.
(I actually did go to the first Steeler SB win – the Tulane Stadium victory over the Vikings.)
Saints - I’m convinced the gods have taken offense at the name, and we must change it. Look what happened when the Tampa Bay Devil Rays dropped the “Devil” and became just the “Rays.” They were in the World Series faster than you can say the Yankees suck.
Any suggestions on a new name for the Saints?
By the way, is there anything more gratifying that watching the Yankees miss the playoffs?
I can get some solace from the fact that I’ve seen the Pirates win 3 World Series in my lifetime. Due to baseball’s fiscal imbalance, I’m sure I’ll never see them there again. I guess it could be worse – I could be a Cub Fan.
Speaking of baseball, not to be outdone by the NFL, Major League Baseball has launched a new cable network all their own. In case you’ve wondered it’s a clone of everything every one else has been doing, including old footage, a panel of talking heads, and an overabundance of Yankees/Red Sox coverage.
By the way, how many people does it take to do a postgame show? Was NBC in some kind of arms race with ESPN on Sunday Night? These shows are going to have to expand their sets pretty soon to keep up with the current retirement rate of NFL stars. Where are they going to fit Brett Favre if he retires? Those pre and post game shows are beginning to look like a long salad bar. Soon they’ll extend one whole sideline. When there are more talking heads on the pre-game shows than on Meet the Press what does that say about America?
Speaking of sidelines, I can’t stand how many flags are thrown by referees at the sidelines. Do officials really expect football players to stop playing at the white lines? They’re way too liberal with those flags. Let ‘em play.
Great News: The Saints need a cornerback or 4 and Pacman Jones is available. Imagine the wacky hijacks that could ensue on Bourbon Street! What a great one-man reality show this would make. I can see it now – ratings through the roof. Plus, there is the added advantage of an undermanned New Orleans police department. Has there ever been a better fit than Pacman in New Orleans? He wouldn’t even have to suit up to make headlines.
The surliest fans in America? Try Philadelphia. Going to other stadiums around the country, Philly fans are the nastiest, with New York close. Question of the day – Do they deserve Donovan McNabb? Going to their fifth NFC championship game in 8 years isn’t good enough. They’ve hated McNabb since the moment his name was announced on draft day and what NFL team wouldn’t have taken him during that time period? Only about 5. The Phillies win a World Series and the delphians are still not happy. Wow.
Meanwhile, the Saints have found their defensive coordinator. All that’s at stake is a Super Bowl. If the Arizona Cardinals can make it, the Saints certainly can.
Tony Dungy retires, leaving a real legacy. He proved that you could be a nice, level-headed guy, and still win by treating men like men.
Meanwhile, at the opposite end of the class spectrum, I love to watch Deion Sanders and Stephen A. Smith try to defend Terrell Owens. “This happens on every team – it just gets coverage with T.O.” Exactly. I laugh every time I see that clip of him saying, “I love me some me.” Please stay in Dallas, T.O. Jerry loves ego, mostly his own, so you fit right in. You’ll continue to divide the team because that’s what you do. When a leader stands up to you and tries to radiate you, all hell will break loose. What ever happened to those QB’s you trashed, Garcia and McNabb? What became of them? Will Romo end up on the scrap heap because of your childish behavior? Or will you just scream at the offensive coordinators for what’s left of your career?
Last but not least the endless NFL season has once again culminated with 2 teams who got hot at the right time. Continued success in the NFL is hard to achieve. The Giants and Titans looked dominant but faded. About midway through next season look for the Steelers and Cardinals to lose concentration.
Who's going to win? My pick is coming, unless I'm an idiot.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
2008 Movie Ranking
Here's a purely personal ranking of the 2008 Movies I saw - best to worst:
Slumdog Millionaire
Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Role Models
Get Smart
Cadillac Records
The Bank Job
Wanted
Religulous
Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Tropic Thunder
Gran Torino
Iron Man
Changeling
Eagle Eye
Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Definitely Maybe
Trouble the Water
Swing Vote
Mama Mia
Marley and Me
Burn After Reading
The Dark Knight
W
Synedoche, New York
Baby Mama
Untraceable
Quantum of Solace
The Incredible Hulk
Journey to the Center of the Earth
The X Files/I want to Believe
21
Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull
Last Chance Harvey
Vantage Point
27 Dresses
Pineapple Express
Other comments:
The best movie I saw all year was The Orphanage, but that was a 2007 release.
Rent it, turn out the lights, and prepare to be scared by a good old fashioned ghost story.
There were some I missed, like "Doubt" and "Frost/Nixon" which I'll catch sometime this year.
Movies I've seen at the last minute:
Gran Torino - 8 - unexpectedly hilarious, a worthy swan song for Clint on celluloid, if this is in fact his last on-screen appearance.
Last Chance Harvey - 6 - Tepid chick flick with Dustin Hoffman playing the same character, presumably himself, that he's been playing for years. Emma Thompson brings the film to life, but only when she's speaking. Some nice scenes, but not enough to equal a full movie.
Favorite 2008 performances:
Jeffrey Wright as Muddy Walters in Cadillac Records
Anne Hathaway in Get Smart
Tom Cruise and Robert Downey Jr. in Tropic Thunder
Clint Eastwood in Gran Torino
Best Direction - Danny Boyle for Slumdog Millionaire
Slumdog Millionaire
Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Role Models
Get Smart
Cadillac Records
The Bank Job
Wanted
Religulous
Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Tropic Thunder
Gran Torino
Iron Man
Changeling
Eagle Eye
Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Definitely Maybe
Trouble the Water
Swing Vote
Mama Mia
Marley and Me
Burn After Reading
The Dark Knight
W
Synedoche, New York
Baby Mama
Untraceable
Quantum of Solace
The Incredible Hulk
Journey to the Center of the Earth
The X Files/I want to Believe
21
Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull
Last Chance Harvey
Vantage Point
27 Dresses
Pineapple Express
Other comments:
The best movie I saw all year was The Orphanage, but that was a 2007 release.
Rent it, turn out the lights, and prepare to be scared by a good old fashioned ghost story.
There were some I missed, like "Doubt" and "Frost/Nixon" which I'll catch sometime this year.
Movies I've seen at the last minute:
Gran Torino - 8 - unexpectedly hilarious, a worthy swan song for Clint on celluloid, if this is in fact his last on-screen appearance.
Last Chance Harvey - 6 - Tepid chick flick with Dustin Hoffman playing the same character, presumably himself, that he's been playing for years. Emma Thompson brings the film to life, but only when she's speaking. Some nice scenes, but not enough to equal a full movie.
Favorite 2008 performances:
Jeffrey Wright as Muddy Walters in Cadillac Records
Anne Hathaway in Get Smart
Tom Cruise and Robert Downey Jr. in Tropic Thunder
Clint Eastwood in Gran Torino
Best Direction - Danny Boyle for Slumdog Millionaire
Sunday, January 11, 2009
At The Cinema - Year End
I'm scrambling to see all those 2008 movies that are just now making it to Mississippi.
Slumdog Millionaire - 10 - The best movies transport you to a place or time you've never been to. Here, it's an incredible travelogue of India, wrapped around a great story. Wonderful visuals, wonderful acting, wonderful editing.
Earlier this year I wrote about the most amazing statistic I heard all year:
The United States has a population of 309 million people. India has 400 million people without electricity! That’s right – 100 million people more than our entire country. I’m floored by this information. Then suddenly, along comes a movie that lets you see India. I was enthralled. Maybe you won't be - but check it out. I'm betting you'll be entertained.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - 8 - An amazing technical achievement that you will either fall for or not. For me, it fell short of greatness, mostly due to a fundamental believability flaw (which I'll be happy to discuss with you if you call me, but I don't want to give it away here. After I tell you, you'll say I'm quibbling about believability in a fantasy movie - and I won't argue that.) Meanwhile, much of the movie is truly amazing, although it does meander on a little long for my taste. Brad Pitt continues to build his resume.
By the way for Brad Pitt's most under-appreciated performance, check him out as murderer Early Grace in "Kalifornia."
One more encouraging thing about Benjamin Button. The theater was full of adults. It appears the word of mouth is building for this movie among mature viewers who it turns out will go to the movies for an intellectually challenging movie.
Mama Mia - 7 - Finally saw this on DVD and thoroughly enjoyed it. There are some mysteries here, like the incredibly poor casting of the males. Whatever happened to dubbing? If you really must have Pierce Brosnan in the movie, did you have to embarass him by revealing his vocal inadequacies? Especially while the women are torching up those catchy Abba songs?
Which brings me to the lasting impression of the movie, which is "Is there anything Meryl Streep can't do?" What a national treasure this actress is. Her enthusiasm carries the day and you can just watch in wonder as she cavorts through the incredible scenery. Sit back, enjoy it, and don't take it to seriously.
Marley and Me - 7 - The dog is great. Old Yeller now has company for the all-time dog tear-jerker award. Meanwhile, we have to look no further than Jennifer Anniston and Meryl Streep to compare the difference between celebrity and talent in the good ole USA. Jennifer is lovely to look at, probably always will be. But, here she is so bland and lifeless that she makes Owen Wilson look good - and that's a whole other discussion.
Coming soon - my ranking of every 2008 movie I saw.
Slumdog Millionaire - 10 - The best movies transport you to a place or time you've never been to. Here, it's an incredible travelogue of India, wrapped around a great story. Wonderful visuals, wonderful acting, wonderful editing.
Earlier this year I wrote about the most amazing statistic I heard all year:
The United States has a population of 309 million people. India has 400 million people without electricity! That’s right – 100 million people more than our entire country. I’m floored by this information. Then suddenly, along comes a movie that lets you see India. I was enthralled. Maybe you won't be - but check it out. I'm betting you'll be entertained.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - 8 - An amazing technical achievement that you will either fall for or not. For me, it fell short of greatness, mostly due to a fundamental believability flaw (which I'll be happy to discuss with you if you call me, but I don't want to give it away here. After I tell you, you'll say I'm quibbling about believability in a fantasy movie - and I won't argue that.) Meanwhile, much of the movie is truly amazing, although it does meander on a little long for my taste. Brad Pitt continues to build his resume.
By the way for Brad Pitt's most under-appreciated performance, check him out as murderer Early Grace in "Kalifornia."
One more encouraging thing about Benjamin Button. The theater was full of adults. It appears the word of mouth is building for this movie among mature viewers who it turns out will go to the movies for an intellectually challenging movie.
Mama Mia - 7 - Finally saw this on DVD and thoroughly enjoyed it. There are some mysteries here, like the incredibly poor casting of the males. Whatever happened to dubbing? If you really must have Pierce Brosnan in the movie, did you have to embarass him by revealing his vocal inadequacies? Especially while the women are torching up those catchy Abba songs?
Which brings me to the lasting impression of the movie, which is "Is there anything Meryl Streep can't do?" What a national treasure this actress is. Her enthusiasm carries the day and you can just watch in wonder as she cavorts through the incredible scenery. Sit back, enjoy it, and don't take it to seriously.
Marley and Me - 7 - The dog is great. Old Yeller now has company for the all-time dog tear-jerker award. Meanwhile, we have to look no further than Jennifer Anniston and Meryl Streep to compare the difference between celebrity and talent in the good ole USA. Jennifer is lovely to look at, probably always will be. But, here she is so bland and lifeless that she makes Owen Wilson look good - and that's a whole other discussion.
Coming soon - my ranking of every 2008 movie I saw.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)