Artist and worker solidarity; I whole-heartedly support. Unions are an important part of America's economic strength. But Kelsey, you say, Union's are in direct conflict with the goals and efficiency intended in a free-market capitalistic society, how can they possibly be beneficial to the American economy, let alone, part of it's strength?
(For a moment let's suspend the outbursts of "WHAT STRENGTH!?" due to the current recession- and deal in generalities of the last century and America's previous dominance of Western civilization.)
Oh silly, naive, albeit fabricated antagonist- you are taking a decidedly ignorant/simplistic interpretation of the economy. If we are to follow the theory of Keynesian economics- and most of the post-WWII population does, we can logically find that a certain level of government price controls and modes of action designed to monitor and regulate the free-market WILL lead to the most efficient and more importantly, stable economy a modern nation can hope for. Unions being one of these controls, not directly in line with government controlled rate changes and controls, but an important product of American capitalism none-the-less. Disagree? Well you can thank Unions for giving us the 8 hour work day, health care (however much this has been eliminated), vacation time, minimum wages etc. Basically, giving us the "civilized conditions" under which we now live, undermined though they may be, by globalization.
This leads me to my distantly alluded to point. The Writer's Strike. A good idea, in theory. In action, I'm starting to think the meaning is being lost. They made their stand clearly when, striking together, they almost completely shut-down Hollywood. But with recent "cracks" in the wall, so to speak (the reemergence of late night's like Conan, Leno, and Letterman), it appears as if the strike is breaking down.
And with the comebacks of The Daily Show and The Colbert Report, it appears ever more apparent that the stars themselves are getting desperate, and, dare I say it, scabby? I don't watch the big late-night guys, so I'm not quite sure at what level they're operating, but I can speak from the perspective of someone who watches Colbert and Stewart like it's her job. Aside from losing a lot cleverness, they appear to be functionally in the realm of normalcy. Now I'm the last person who wants to believe this, but is what Jon and Stephen doing, hurting their striking brethren? Only time will tell, I guess, and I'm trying to give them the benefit of the doubt, but it appears to be a major chink in the armor of the guild- just trying to get just compensation for their intellectual property.
Meanwhile, all of us out there in TV land must come face-to-face with some of the most gruesome reality crap the networks can drag up. Not that I'm not fan of reality crap, (Flavor of Love is a work of art), but it's crap that doesn't know and embrace it's ridiculousness. Most notably, I couldn't help but stumble upon NBC's recent revival of American Gladiator. Remember this one? I seem to recall it only on "off-brand" affiliate networks such as, UPN and PAX, but not anymore. The previously shunned, dead air time-filler (Saturday morning staple), is now prime-time, front and center- with Hulk Hogan himself as host! Our souls may be dying inside, but hey, the steroid industry hasn't gotten a shot-in-the-arm like this in years. (Pun MOST DEFINITELY intended)
Peace, hepcats
Monday, January 21, 2008
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Cold as fire baby, hot as ice. If you've ever been to heaven this is TWICE AS NICE.
Love'n me some new Britney Spears right now. I know, I know, ew right? Wrong. True it's shameless dance-pop, but it's catchy and fun. And yes, the girl has no musical ability to speak of, but who needs it, when you've got the best producers and songwriters in the biz, makin your tunes for you.
New Hampshire: Kind of what I was expecting, though not necessarily hoping for. Clinton eked the win, which she desperately needed to still be a strong contender. Obama and Clinton are neck-and-neck going into South Carolina and that one's going to be tricky to predict. While Obama has obvious appeal to black voters in the South, he is viewed in many communities as almost traitorous in his assimilation to white America. Clinton on the other hand, could possibly ride the wave of admiration that many Black voters still hold for her husband. It'll all depend on which campaign has been more active in the state and getting their supporters to the poll on election day.
As for the Plutocrats, Mccain with the UPSET. Take that Romney, looks like all the money in the world can't buy you out of your crazy religion in the voters mind. Not that that is how I feel, but most Republicans apparently do. Thats quite a sock to the Romney camp as this was the first indicator of whether or not candidates could appeal to the slightly more liberal masses. Have to see if all that cash buys him any more popularity in Super Tuesday, chances are it will, but then he's going to have to split the take with Mr. 911 himself.
Enough about important stuff, what have I been watching on the boob tube you ask? Yes, of course you ask, you're reading my blog aren't you? So don't pretend like you don't care. Or do, it makes no difference to me really.
There Will Be Blood:
I'm saying Oscar for Best Actor: Daniel Day Lewis in this flick. Liked it. I really did. Paul Thomas Anderson (Magnolia, Punch-Drunk Love, both good) delivers a relatively interesting story through a stunning look through the lens. Great looking film. If you're a born-again/evangelical, go ahead and pass on this one, unless you want to be shocked and horrified. Anderson does not look kindly on the kind of healer/preachers that inhabit that church.
Should you see it? If you have a lot of patience. I would say about 30-45 minutes too long, and if you can't take slow plots before then, don't aste your time and energy. In addition to that wasted time at the end of the film, Lewis's performance becomes so animated, he verges on ridiculous in the final sequences.
Get a Life (TV Series) (1990)
Not gonna find this little gem at your local Blockbuster, hell, even legitimately, anywhere. Reason: The DVD's have yet to be released because they are tied up in court battling copyright issues with producers, and it doesn't look like they will be working things out anytime soon. If you didn't catch this masterpiece when it was on air (if you're my friend chances are you were under 5 years old, so you're forgiven) and manage to get a hold of any of the episodes, check it out! Brilliant. Simply Brilliant. Get past the annoying early 90's style laugh track piped in over every one-liner and you're in for a treat. Chris Elliot stars as a 30 year old paper boy who still lives with his parents, and the crazy shenanigans he gets into.
My parents just got rid of their land line at the house. What is the world coming too? Oh, don't worry, they didn't get of our phones, they just got this crazy blue tooth enabled transmitter that allows the cordless phone to answer for their cells when they are within range (10 feet or so) from the box. Weird man. I don't like it.
New Hampshire: Kind of what I was expecting, though not necessarily hoping for. Clinton eked the win, which she desperately needed to still be a strong contender. Obama and Clinton are neck-and-neck going into South Carolina and that one's going to be tricky to predict. While Obama has obvious appeal to black voters in the South, he is viewed in many communities as almost traitorous in his assimilation to white America. Clinton on the other hand, could possibly ride the wave of admiration that many Black voters still hold for her husband. It'll all depend on which campaign has been more active in the state and getting their supporters to the poll on election day.
As for the Plutocrats, Mccain with the UPSET. Take that Romney, looks like all the money in the world can't buy you out of your crazy religion in the voters mind. Not that that is how I feel, but most Republicans apparently do. Thats quite a sock to the Romney camp as this was the first indicator of whether or not candidates could appeal to the slightly more liberal masses. Have to see if all that cash buys him any more popularity in Super Tuesday, chances are it will, but then he's going to have to split the take with Mr. 911 himself.
Enough about important stuff, what have I been watching on the boob tube you ask? Yes, of course you ask, you're reading my blog aren't you? So don't pretend like you don't care. Or do, it makes no difference to me really.
There Will Be Blood:
I'm saying Oscar for Best Actor: Daniel Day Lewis in this flick. Liked it. I really did. Paul Thomas Anderson (Magnolia, Punch-Drunk Love, both good) delivers a relatively interesting story through a stunning look through the lens. Great looking film. If you're a born-again/evangelical, go ahead and pass on this one, unless you want to be shocked and horrified. Anderson does not look kindly on the kind of healer/preachers that inhabit that church.
Should you see it? If you have a lot of patience. I would say about 30-45 minutes too long, and if you can't take slow plots before then, don't aste your time and energy. In addition to that wasted time at the end of the film, Lewis's performance becomes so animated, he verges on ridiculous in the final sequences.
Get a Life (TV Series) (1990)
Not gonna find this little gem at your local Blockbuster, hell, even legitimately, anywhere. Reason: The DVD's have yet to be released because they are tied up in court battling copyright issues with producers, and it doesn't look like they will be working things out anytime soon. If you didn't catch this masterpiece when it was on air (if you're my friend chances are you were under 5 years old, so you're forgiven) and manage to get a hold of any of the episodes, check it out! Brilliant. Simply Brilliant. Get past the annoying early 90's style laugh track piped in over every one-liner and you're in for a treat. Chris Elliot stars as a 30 year old paper boy who still lives with his parents, and the crazy shenanigans he gets into.
My parents just got rid of their land line at the house. What is the world coming too? Oh, don't worry, they didn't get of our phones, they just got this crazy blue tooth enabled transmitter that allows the cordless phone to answer for their cells when they are within range (10 feet or so) from the box. Weird man. I don't like it.
Monday, January 7, 2008
Caucuses, like woah.
Iowa.
What an incredibly pleasant surprise to have Obama swipe this first and very important caucus. Especially considering that this was one of the caucuses he was not favored to win in initially. I think, by winning this hurdle, a base of largely conservative faith driven constituents, Obama has proven he has mass appeal. My prediction, and hope, is that he will sweep New Hampshire riding the momentum of this very pivotal win.
Iowa was make or break for Edwards. He broke. His real base was the conservative religious democrats, and by not even carrying those, I think he's officially cashed in his political chips.
As for our favorite little lady in the mix, Hilary's still got a chance if she can carry a few of the upcoming caucuses. My guess is that she's counting on Super Tuesday being her money shot. I think she can still lose New Hampshire, and if she manages to carry the big one, still be in serious contention for the nomination.
If you didn't see Huckabee winning this one, a mile off, you haven't been paying attention. His little rush of support recently, was just the wave he needed to boost him with the faith based conservatives in Iowa. Had he not carried these guys, he'd have been done for, because it's only going to be an uphill battle for him from here on out. Huckabee WILL be the big loser in New Hampshire, as the "live free or die" republicans there won't look too kindly on the big government leanings of the reverend. My prediction is that Romney carries NH; with his biggest competition being McCain. It'll all depend on if McCain can get the young people out to the polls, if he manages that, he might manage the win. If not, Romney's the man.
Giulani is clearly banking on winning the big ones. Namely Florida, the first of the monster electoral college states. But he will HAVE to carry it (Florida), New York (given), AND California to even have a prayer against Romney when it comes down to the final nomination. And thats a lot of "if".
Can't wait for NH returns tomorrow night. Keep the TV's and radio's on people, big decisions are going down.
What an incredibly pleasant surprise to have Obama swipe this first and very important caucus. Especially considering that this was one of the caucuses he was not favored to win in initially. I think, by winning this hurdle, a base of largely conservative faith driven constituents, Obama has proven he has mass appeal. My prediction, and hope, is that he will sweep New Hampshire riding the momentum of this very pivotal win.
Iowa was make or break for Edwards. He broke. His real base was the conservative religious democrats, and by not even carrying those, I think he's officially cashed in his political chips.
As for our favorite little lady in the mix, Hilary's still got a chance if she can carry a few of the upcoming caucuses. My guess is that she's counting on Super Tuesday being her money shot. I think she can still lose New Hampshire, and if she manages to carry the big one, still be in serious contention for the nomination.
If you didn't see Huckabee winning this one, a mile off, you haven't been paying attention. His little rush of support recently, was just the wave he needed to boost him with the faith based conservatives in Iowa. Had he not carried these guys, he'd have been done for, because it's only going to be an uphill battle for him from here on out. Huckabee WILL be the big loser in New Hampshire, as the "live free or die" republicans there won't look too kindly on the big government leanings of the reverend. My prediction is that Romney carries NH; with his biggest competition being McCain. It'll all depend on if McCain can get the young people out to the polls, if he manages that, he might manage the win. If not, Romney's the man.
Giulani is clearly banking on winning the big ones. Namely Florida, the first of the monster electoral college states. But he will HAVE to carry it (Florida), New York (given), AND California to even have a prayer against Romney when it comes down to the final nomination. And thats a lot of "if".
Can't wait for NH returns tomorrow night. Keep the TV's and radio's on people, big decisions are going down.
J-term is boring.
And FAR too long. So I'm doing what I do best; watching movies, CNN and reading things school doesn't allow me time for. So as far as films go, here's the breakdown of the most recent rash of reels I've encountered.
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barbour of Fleet Street.
"SWEENEY TODD. Blood Bath. I mean, well, yeah, I would say blood bath but like my friend thought it was super fake. Well, I guess I wouldn't say blood bath, but there is A LOT of blood."
- Teenage D&D enthusiast/ticket-taker at the movie theater.
Tim Burton is a one trick pony. Scissorhands was brilliant, Ed Wood, genius. Everything succeeding those, passe. In Sweeney Todd, it's same old, same old as far as Burton's dark and dreary landscapes, sets and lens. That being said, it is what he does best and he does it well. Not a huge fan of most of Sondheim's work, Sweeney Todd's murderous cosmetologist has always had a soft spot in my heart and of course, Johnny Depp could not disappoint. Due, in large part, to the fact that most of Sondheim's "music" is a talk-sing style, his abilities as a vocalist don't come under the biggest demand. Depp clearly is not tone-def, but I highly doubt he would carry the performance off in a Broadway setting- but for screen, he is entirely adequate. Helena Bonham Carter on the other hand, falls pitifully short in the vocals department. Her feeble portrayal of Mrs. Lovett, is the low point of the performances. Visually perfect, we don't seem to feel the real malice and anger she harbors throughout the story even at the violent climax of the film.
Overall, though, I enjoyed this movie a lot. Straight razors across throats, sans edit. You got a fan right here, Mr. Burton. Plus, my nerdy musical theater fan had a bit of bias. There I said it.
Lame, I know, so sue me. Despite that, I still think it's incredibly entertaining, not in the least compelling, but worth seeing as long as you aren't even a tad squeamish.
Juno.
Excited when I first saw previews, I mean give me a little George Michael any day, but quickly fizzled when I heard more of the kitschy dialogue. I wouldn't even have bothered to see it, had a free viewing not been offered. Should you see it, you ask? No. Unless it's free, or you happen to be a huge fan of the Gilmore Girls.
For the few good moments when the film get's real, it's not worth wading through the sickly sweet mires of Diablo's cutesy back and forth between relatively flat characters. I found Ellen Page's portrayal of a knocked up teen, annoying bordering on inane, and Michael Cera's sincere baby daddy, sadly absent from the screen.
Atonement.
Let's me start by prefacing this review with the fact that I attempted to read McEwan's novel years ago, having to jump-ship due to excruciating boredom. However, I felt I had to see this film given all of the critical acclaim it was accumulating, and the sumptuous cinematography in the trailers.
Jaw open, eyes wide, I breathlessly exclaimed to the girlfriend who had pressured me into going, post-viewing, "That was INCREDIBLE." Because it was. Not only was I not bored once in the relatively lengthy story (130 minutes), I was completely enthralled. I hate love stories, and don't particularly care for period pieces. I loved this movie. Every single cast member delivers talented and cohesive performances. The pacing is fast, and the cinematography, perfection. It's an excellent marriage between a riveting story and an excellent use of film as artistic medium, as demonstrated most evidently by the interesting shifts in plot sequencing.
I'm going to say Oscar for Best Picture. I would personally prefer the newest Cohen brothers, No Country for Old Men, but I can see where the Academy might not go for the excessively violent thriller.
I also finally got around to seeing Dirty Pretty Things and Wonder Boy. Both very good and highly recommend. Dirty Pretty Things, for reference and reverie, Wonder Boy because you'll always wish you had a professor as cool as Michael Douglas.
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barbour of Fleet Street.
"SWEENEY TODD. Blood Bath. I mean, well, yeah, I would say blood bath but like my friend thought it was super fake. Well, I guess I wouldn't say blood bath, but there is A LOT of blood."
- Teenage D&D enthusiast/ticket-taker at the movie theater.
Tim Burton is a one trick pony. Scissorhands was brilliant, Ed Wood, genius. Everything succeeding those, passe. In Sweeney Todd, it's same old, same old as far as Burton's dark and dreary landscapes, sets and lens. That being said, it is what he does best and he does it well. Not a huge fan of most of Sondheim's work, Sweeney Todd's murderous cosmetologist has always had a soft spot in my heart and of course, Johnny Depp could not disappoint. Due, in large part, to the fact that most of Sondheim's "music" is a talk-sing style, his abilities as a vocalist don't come under the biggest demand. Depp clearly is not tone-def, but I highly doubt he would carry the performance off in a Broadway setting- but for screen, he is entirely adequate. Helena Bonham Carter on the other hand, falls pitifully short in the vocals department. Her feeble portrayal of Mrs. Lovett, is the low point of the performances. Visually perfect, we don't seem to feel the real malice and anger she harbors throughout the story even at the violent climax of the film.
Overall, though, I enjoyed this movie a lot. Straight razors across throats, sans edit. You got a fan right here, Mr. Burton. Plus, my nerdy musical theater fan had a bit of bias. There I said it.
Lame, I know, so sue me. Despite that, I still think it's incredibly entertaining, not in the least compelling, but worth seeing as long as you aren't even a tad squeamish.
Juno.
Excited when I first saw previews, I mean give me a little George Michael any day, but quickly fizzled when I heard more of the kitschy dialogue. I wouldn't even have bothered to see it, had a free viewing not been offered. Should you see it, you ask? No. Unless it's free, or you happen to be a huge fan of the Gilmore Girls.
For the few good moments when the film get's real, it's not worth wading through the sickly sweet mires of Diablo's cutesy back and forth between relatively flat characters. I found Ellen Page's portrayal of a knocked up teen, annoying bordering on inane, and Michael Cera's sincere baby daddy, sadly absent from the screen.
Atonement.
Let's me start by prefacing this review with the fact that I attempted to read McEwan's novel years ago, having to jump-ship due to excruciating boredom. However, I felt I had to see this film given all of the critical acclaim it was accumulating, and the sumptuous cinematography in the trailers.
Jaw open, eyes wide, I breathlessly exclaimed to the girlfriend who had pressured me into going, post-viewing, "That was INCREDIBLE." Because it was. Not only was I not bored once in the relatively lengthy story (130 minutes), I was completely enthralled. I hate love stories, and don't particularly care for period pieces. I loved this movie. Every single cast member delivers talented and cohesive performances. The pacing is fast, and the cinematography, perfection. It's an excellent marriage between a riveting story and an excellent use of film as artistic medium, as demonstrated most evidently by the interesting shifts in plot sequencing.
I'm going to say Oscar for Best Picture. I would personally prefer the newest Cohen brothers, No Country for Old Men, but I can see where the Academy might not go for the excessively violent thriller.
I also finally got around to seeing Dirty Pretty Things and Wonder Boy. Both very good and highly recommend. Dirty Pretty Things, for reference and reverie, Wonder Boy because you'll always wish you had a professor as cool as Michael Douglas.
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