To Have and Have Not (1944)***
Better than Casablanca, the screen debut of Lauren Bacall is an entertaining excursion into the many tropes of Ernest Hemingway upon whose novel the film is based (see Islands in the Stream.) Bogart is solid, Bacall sizzles, and "free French" intrigue abounds in the Caribbean.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Camelot Revisited: The Creators of "The Kennedys" Speak Out - NYTimes.com:
"Is it fair to say that all biographical films have to rely on a certain amount of reconstruction, and creating scenes where there’s no record of what was said or what occurred?
KRONISH Of course. For example, the scenes between Jack and Jackie in the bedroom, where nobody knows exactly what was said, but we do know what the attitudes were and we do know, for example, that she knew about several of his affairs and was deeply distressed by them, but she stayed with him. Although she would periodically leave, she would always return. We know that. That is historical fact. And so we used those facts to create scenes that had that basis in mind. You’re compressing 50-odd years of a family’s history into eight hours. That compression is going to have to show somewhere. It doesn’t mean that the facts are changed or invented."
I think when you "create scenes" that is kind of equivalent to "invented". I would just like for once to see a bio-pic where not one scene is invented, not one conversation is "imagined". If you cannot or will not do that, then you must not use real names or claim any sort of veracity to your film or book. Because everyone who sees this will believe that ALL the scenes really happened. And that is wrong.
"Is it fair to say that all biographical films have to rely on a certain amount of reconstruction, and creating scenes where there’s no record of what was said or what occurred?
KRONISH Of course. For example, the scenes between Jack and Jackie in the bedroom, where nobody knows exactly what was said, but we do know what the attitudes were and we do know, for example, that she knew about several of his affairs and was deeply distressed by them, but she stayed with him. Although she would periodically leave, she would always return. We know that. That is historical fact. And so we used those facts to create scenes that had that basis in mind. You’re compressing 50-odd years of a family’s history into eight hours. That compression is going to have to show somewhere. It doesn’t mean that the facts are changed or invented."
I think when you "create scenes" that is kind of equivalent to "invented". I would just like for once to see a bio-pic where not one scene is invented, not one conversation is "imagined". If you cannot or will not do that, then you must not use real names or claim any sort of veracity to your film or book. Because everyone who sees this will believe that ALL the scenes really happened. And that is wrong.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Alice in Wonderland (1933)***
Faithful to the source in spirit and form if not verbatim, this heavily critically disparaged version of Alice defies narrative conventions. There really is no story and no narrative flow which most people demand of their films. Instead we are treated to a literate young girl's fantasy-dream of unusual and surreal encounters with all sorts of creatures, clever word play and strange, unexplained antics. Just like the books.
Faithful to the source in spirit and form if not verbatim, this heavily critically disparaged version of Alice defies narrative conventions. There really is no story and no narrative flow which most people demand of their films. Instead we are treated to a literate young girl's fantasy-dream of unusual and surreal encounters with all sorts of creatures, clever word play and strange, unexplained antics. Just like the books.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Chloe (2009)***
Not a bad little exploration of identity inside a trashy thriller. Good actors, crisply directed.
Not a bad little exploration of identity inside a trashy thriller. Good actors, crisply directed.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Somewhere (2010)**
I might revise my rating after a second viewing, but at first blush this is a mis-step for Ms. Coppola, one of my favorite directors. Wonderful soundtrack, wonderful images, sparse, minimalist direction, but it does not seem to add up. Admirable effort, but no results.
I might revise my rating after a second viewing, but at first blush this is a mis-step for Ms. Coppola, one of my favorite directors. Wonderful soundtrack, wonderful images, sparse, minimalist direction, but it does not seem to add up. Admirable effort, but no results.
Winter's Bone (2010)**
You know, it's an intelligent, well made film with great directorial restraint by Debra Granik and a fine, star-making performance by Jennifer Lawrence, but it's just not very entertaining. Critics would complain about Scorsese making pictures about vile people like Travis Bickle and Jake LaMotta but you know what? Those films were great! Highly entertaining, compelling, stunning. This film is not at that level. It's a passable noir.
You know, it's an intelligent, well made film with great directorial restraint by Debra Granik and a fine, star-making performance by Jennifer Lawrence, but it's just not very entertaining. Critics would complain about Scorsese making pictures about vile people like Travis Bickle and Jake LaMotta but you know what? Those films were great! Highly entertaining, compelling, stunning. This film is not at that level. It's a passable noir.
Don't Look Back (2009)***
Very entertaining French psychological thriller featuring Sophie Marceau and Monica Bellucci. That's more than enough reasons to see the film.
Very entertaining French psychological thriller featuring Sophie Marceau and Monica Bellucci. That's more than enough reasons to see the film.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Mailbag: Charlie Sheen, 9/11 Truthers, Oil Prices | Rolling Stone Politics | Taibblog :
"The blame for all of this is going to be laid at disruptions in the Middle East and other factors, but the inescapable fact is that commodity index speculation was up $80 billion last year, meaning that there was $80 billion of new money coming on the market betting on the rise of commodity prices. The total amount of commodity index speculation approached $400 billion last year, meaning the amount of speculative money on the market was roughly twenty times pre-2003 levels – and again, this is all “long-only” speculation, i.e. money betting on prices to go up."
"The blame for all of this is going to be laid at disruptions in the Middle East and other factors, but the inescapable fact is that commodity index speculation was up $80 billion last year, meaning that there was $80 billion of new money coming on the market betting on the rise of commodity prices. The total amount of commodity index speculation approached $400 billion last year, meaning the amount of speculative money on the market was roughly twenty times pre-2003 levels – and again, this is all “long-only” speculation, i.e. money betting on prices to go up."
NFL becomes victim of its own success | ProFootballTalk:
"The NFL’s success has suddenly become a weakness. The NFL and its players don’t have the luxury to wait until August before they look like greedy fools that take their success for granted. Fans are understandably outraged that the richest league in the country is in a work stoppage — even though it’s only March."
Another false equivalence. There was a CBA, collective bargaining agreement, in place that the OWNERS decided they wanted to abandon. Why can't sports "journalists" get this right? The players were perfectly happy with the CBA as it stood and apparently everyone was making A LOT of money with it. The true greedy party in this dispute is quite clearly the owners. They are the ones who decided to renegotiate this thing, not the players.
"The NFL’s success has suddenly become a weakness. The NFL and its players don’t have the luxury to wait until August before they look like greedy fools that take their success for granted. Fans are understandably outraged that the richest league in the country is in a work stoppage — even though it’s only March."
Another false equivalence. There was a CBA, collective bargaining agreement, in place that the OWNERS decided they wanted to abandon. Why can't sports "journalists" get this right? The players were perfectly happy with the CBA as it stood and apparently everyone was making A LOT of money with it. The true greedy party in this dispute is quite clearly the owners. They are the ones who decided to renegotiate this thing, not the players.
Leaving (2009)***
Trying to beat Isabelle Huppert at her own game, Kristin Scott Thomas is a knockout as a married bourgoisie who falls in love, perhaps for the first time in her life. Trouble is it's not with her husband and he doesn't like that, to say the least. Great performance by Thomas.
Trying to beat Isabelle Huppert at her own game, Kristin Scott Thomas is a knockout as a married bourgoisie who falls in love, perhaps for the first time in her life. Trouble is it's not with her husband and he doesn't like that, to say the least. Great performance by Thomas.
Little Caesar (1931)**
Influential gangster picture with a star-making performance by Edward G. Robinson, but it doesn't date well at all. Most of the acting is in that very broad silent film type style. Threadbare script and production.
Influential gangster picture with a star-making performance by Edward G. Robinson, but it doesn't date well at all. Most of the acting is in that very broad silent film type style. Threadbare script and production.
Tuesday, March 08, 2011
Megamind (2010)*
Completely forgettable CGI animated riff on superheroes. Superman meets Shrek. Not a good thing.
Completely forgettable CGI animated riff on superheroes. Superman meets Shrek. Not a good thing.
Watership Down (1978)***
Excellent animated version of Richard Adams's novel about a group of rabbits longing to be free. Quite moving in places.
Excellent animated version of Richard Adams's novel about a group of rabbits longing to be free. Quite moving in places.
The Virgin Suicides (1999)****
Magnificent debut film from Sofia Coppola. Perfectly captures mid '70's teenage angst which is astounding since Ms. Coppola was born in 1971. The way the actors look and move and talk is remarkable. Exceptional use of period music. A directing tour de force. Kirsten Dunst and Josh Hartnett are outstanding.
Magnificent debut film from Sofia Coppola. Perfectly captures mid '70's teenage angst which is astounding since Ms. Coppola was born in 1971. The way the actors look and move and talk is remarkable. Exceptional use of period music. A directing tour de force. Kirsten Dunst and Josh Hartnett are outstanding.
Monday, March 07, 2011
Rango (2011)***
Ups the ante on Pixar for CGI prowess. Incredibly realistic animation for everything except actual human beings although they come pretty close. The story is weird and meandering and not entirely coherent and maybe it is profound but I didn't get it. Funny in parts but doesn't resonate as a complete and satisfying tale. Too long and feels it.
Ups the ante on Pixar for CGI prowess. Incredibly realistic animation for everything except actual human beings although they come pretty close. The story is weird and meandering and not entirely coherent and maybe it is profound but I didn't get it. Funny in parts but doesn't resonate as a complete and satisfying tale. Too long and feels it.
Tuesday, March 01, 2011
The Swan (1956)**
Alec Guinness is fine as usual but miscast as a prince hunting for a princess. Grace Kelly is lovely as usual but the picture drags too often and a few lively sequences and a fine ending cannot compensate.
Alec Guinness is fine as usual but miscast as a prince hunting for a princess. Grace Kelly is lovely as usual but the picture drags too often and a few lively sequences and a fine ending cannot compensate.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Mailbag: Friedman, Naked Swaps and Madoff | Rolling Stone Politics | Taibblog | Matt Taibbi on Politics and the Economy:
"'Here are some numbers for you. There were approximtely $1.4 trillion worth of subprime loans outstanding in the United States by the end of 2007. By the first quarter of 2009, there were forclosure filings against approximately 4.4 million properties. If it was only the subprime market's fault, $1.4 trillion would have covered the entire problem, right?
Yet the Federal Reserve, the treasury, and the FDIC forked out $13 trillion to fix the housing “correction”… With all that money, the government could have bought up every residential mortgage in the country – there were about $11.9 trillion worth at the end of December 2008 – and still have had about a trillion left over to buy homes for every American who couldn’t afford them.'"
It wasn't the bad mortgages. It was the bets on the bad mortgages. And the bets on the bets on the bad mortgages.
"'Here are some numbers for you. There were approximtely $1.4 trillion worth of subprime loans outstanding in the United States by the end of 2007. By the first quarter of 2009, there were forclosure filings against approximately 4.4 million properties. If it was only the subprime market's fault, $1.4 trillion would have covered the entire problem, right?
Yet the Federal Reserve, the treasury, and the FDIC forked out $13 trillion to fix the housing “correction”… With all that money, the government could have bought up every residential mortgage in the country – there were about $11.9 trillion worth at the end of December 2008 – and still have had about a trillion left over to buy homes for every American who couldn’t afford them.'"
It wasn't the bad mortgages. It was the bets on the bad mortgages. And the bets on the bets on the bad mortgages.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Citizen Ruth (1996)***
Alexander Payne's first picture shows all the hallmarks he would refine to perfection in his next film. Laura Dern delivers a tremendous performance as the titular character. Very good cast.
Alexander Payne's first picture shows all the hallmarks he would refine to perfection in his next film. Laura Dern delivers a tremendous performance as the titular character. Very good cast.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Mrs. Miniver (1942)***
Skirts the edge of blatant propoganda, but the skillful direction of William Wyler and the strong lead performances of Garson and Pidgeon keeps the film grounded and lend a realism to the Capra-esque script. Some terrific sequences.
Skirts the edge of blatant propoganda, but the skillful direction of William Wyler and the strong lead performances of Garson and Pidgeon keeps the film grounded and lend a realism to the Capra-esque script. Some terrific sequences.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Government Tries to Keep Secret What Many Consider a Fraud - NYTimes.com:
"Mr. Montgomery’s former lawyer, Michael Flynn — who now describes Mr. Montgomery as a “con man” — says he believes that the administration has been shutting off scrutiny of Mr. Montgomery’s business for fear of revealing that the government has been duped.
“The Justice Department is trying to cover this up,” Mr. Flynn said. “If this unravels, all of the evidence, all of the phony terror alerts and all the embarrassment comes up publicly, too. The government knew this technology was bogus, but these guys got paid millions for it.”"
Is he serious? Has Mr. Flynn been paying any attention at all the past 10 years? We have hard evidence that "the government" has transferred billions of dollars from taxpayers to corporations, has spent hundreds of billions of dollars and murdered hundreds of thousands of human beings, tortured and imprisoned thousands of innocent people all over the world and CONTINUES to do so, and nobody and I mean NOBODY gives a flying fuck. Some low level lackey somewhere may be trying to suppress this but it's to save his own ass not to prevent embarrassment to "the government". That entity ceased giving a shit years ago.
via @MJMcKean
"Mr. Montgomery’s former lawyer, Michael Flynn — who now describes Mr. Montgomery as a “con man” — says he believes that the administration has been shutting off scrutiny of Mr. Montgomery’s business for fear of revealing that the government has been duped.
“The Justice Department is trying to cover this up,” Mr. Flynn said. “If this unravels, all of the evidence, all of the phony terror alerts and all the embarrassment comes up publicly, too. The government knew this technology was bogus, but these guys got paid millions for it.”"
Is he serious? Has Mr. Flynn been paying any attention at all the past 10 years? We have hard evidence that "the government" has transferred billions of dollars from taxpayers to corporations, has spent hundreds of billions of dollars and murdered hundreds of thousands of human beings, tortured and imprisoned thousands of innocent people all over the world and CONTINUES to do so, and nobody and I mean NOBODY gives a flying fuck. Some low level lackey somewhere may be trying to suppress this but it's to save his own ass not to prevent embarrassment to "the government". That entity ceased giving a shit years ago.
via @MJMcKean
Sisters (1973)*
Early Brian De Palma thriller tries too hard and ends up being silly. Very good score by the great Bernard Herrmann. A good Margot Kidder performance is wasted.
Early Brian De Palma thriller tries too hard and ends up being silly. Very good score by the great Bernard Herrmann. A good Margot Kidder performance is wasted.
Home (2008)***
Nicely done darkly comic fable about trying to escape a difficult past. Huppert is again wonderful.
Nicely done darkly comic fable about trying to escape a difficult past. Huppert is again wonderful.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Dead Reckoning (1947)**
The dialog veers into too-cute territory a bit too often and Lizabeth Scott looks so much like Lauren Bacall as to be a distraction, especially paired with Humphrey Bogart. Minor noir.
The dialog veers into too-cute territory a bit too often and Lizabeth Scott looks so much like Lauren Bacall as to be a distraction, especially paired with Humphrey Bogart. Minor noir.
The Odd Couple (1968)***
Sharp one-liners and a strong cast highlight this filmed version of Neil Simon's Broadway hit.
Sharp one-liners and a strong cast highlight this filmed version of Neil Simon's Broadway hit.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Pujols declines deal believed worth more than $200 million:
"“We’d like Albert to continue (with the Cardinals). He is an iconic player. He helps us win. He has helped us win,” DeWitt said. “It’s a process we have no control over. If he chooses to go elsewhere, he chooses to go elsewhere. That’s the business we’re in. The players are mobile in this generation. In the end, if he doesn’t stay a Cardinal – which we’ll make every effort that he does stay – we’ll be out there trying to win a division and championships just like we have in the last 15 years.”"
Um...no, I think you DO have control over the process. Yes, it takes 2 to reach a deal, but you have to do something called "negotiate" not stonewall. If the reports are correct and Pujols' initial offer was for $30M/yr for 10 years, and Alex Rodriquez, a very good player but not Pujols' level, currently makes $27.5M/yr, the Cardinals should have taken it and run. Because Pujols WILL get that and more in free agency.
"“We’d like Albert to continue (with the Cardinals). He is an iconic player. He helps us win. He has helped us win,” DeWitt said. “It’s a process we have no control over. If he chooses to go elsewhere, he chooses to go elsewhere. That’s the business we’re in. The players are mobile in this generation. In the end, if he doesn’t stay a Cardinal – which we’ll make every effort that he does stay – we’ll be out there trying to win a division and championships just like we have in the last 15 years.”"
Um...no, I think you DO have control over the process. Yes, it takes 2 to reach a deal, but you have to do something called "negotiate" not stonewall. If the reports are correct and Pujols' initial offer was for $30M/yr for 10 years, and Alex Rodriquez, a very good player but not Pujols' level, currently makes $27.5M/yr, the Cardinals should have taken it and run. Because Pujols WILL get that and more in free agency.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Night Moves (1975)***
Entertaining vintage '70's noir from the great Arthur Penn. Would make a great twin bill with The Long Goodbye.
Entertaining vintage '70's noir from the great Arthur Penn. Would make a great twin bill with The Long Goodbye.
Calif TV weatherman pleads guilty to lewd act:
"San Diego police say a woman in her 20s saw Lizura was masturbating while watching her as she waiting at a bus stop. Lt. Andra Brown says another witness also reported seeing the incident.
Lizura told police he was adjusting window blinds."
Thus, a new euphemism is born.
"San Diego police say a woman in her 20s saw Lizura was masturbating while watching her as she waiting at a bus stop. Lt. Andra Brown says another witness also reported seeing the incident.
Lizura told police he was adjusting window blinds."
Thus, a new euphemism is born.
To Have and Have Not | Vanity Fair
"Bacall continues, “I don’t think anybody that has a brain can really be happy. What is there really to be happy about? You tell me. If you’re a thinking human being, there’s no way to divorce yourself from the world. Yes, I probably was happy when I was married to Bogie, but I was very young then. I had a good growing-up life, I would say, but I wasn’t really happy, because I was an only child, and I wasn’t part of a whole family—what we in America consider the proper family, a father and a mother and child, which, of course, is a big crock we know—and yet I had the greatest family anyone could wish for in everyone on my mother’s side. So what you think is happy? Happy shmappy. I think you have to be unconscious to be happy. Are you unconscious?” she asks me."
God bless Lauren Bacall! The predicament, perfectly stated.
"Bacall continues, “I don’t think anybody that has a brain can really be happy. What is there really to be happy about? You tell me. If you’re a thinking human being, there’s no way to divorce yourself from the world. Yes, I probably was happy when I was married to Bogie, but I was very young then. I had a good growing-up life, I would say, but I wasn’t really happy, because I was an only child, and I wasn’t part of a whole family—what we in America consider the proper family, a father and a mother and child, which, of course, is a big crock we know—and yet I had the greatest family anyone could wish for in everyone on my mother’s side. So what you think is happy? Happy shmappy. I think you have to be unconscious to be happy. Are you unconscious?” she asks me."
God bless Lauren Bacall! The predicament, perfectly stated.
Monday, February 14, 2011
How the Internet Gets Inside Us : The New Yorker:
"Now television is the harmless little fireplace over in the corner, where the family gathers to watch “Entourage.” TV isn’t just docile; it’s positively benevolent. This makes you think that what made television so evil back when it was evil was not its essence but its omnipresence. Once it is not everything, it can be merely something. The real demon in the machine is the tirelessness of the user. A meatless Monday has advantages over enforced vegetarianism, because it helps release the pressure on the food system without making undue demands on the eaters. In the same way, an unplugged Sunday is a better idea than turning off the Internet completely, since it demonstrates that we can get along just fine without the screens, if only for a day."
Geez how many Gladwells do we need? ANYTHING you are obsessed with becomes...an obsession! Who would have thought? Look, the Internet is a tool. It is not inherently anything but that.
"Now television is the harmless little fireplace over in the corner, where the family gathers to watch “Entourage.” TV isn’t just docile; it’s positively benevolent. This makes you think that what made television so evil back when it was evil was not its essence but its omnipresence. Once it is not everything, it can be merely something. The real demon in the machine is the tirelessness of the user. A meatless Monday has advantages over enforced vegetarianism, because it helps release the pressure on the food system without making undue demands on the eaters. In the same way, an unplugged Sunday is a better idea than turning off the Internet completely, since it demonstrates that we can get along just fine without the screens, if only for a day."
Geez how many Gladwells do we need? ANYTHING you are obsessed with becomes...an obsession! Who would have thought? Look, the Internet is a tool. It is not inherently anything but that.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Is Mark Zuckerberg a Modern Day Moses? | The Big Picture:
"BLITZER: Wael, this is Wolf Blitzer in Washington. So first Tunisia, now Egypt. What’s next?
GHONIM: Ask Facebook.
BLITZER: Ask what?
GHONIM: Facebook.
COOPER: Facebook.
BLITZER: Facebook. You’re giving Facebook a lot of credit for this?
GHONIM: Yes, for sure. I want to meet Mark Zuckerberg one day and thank him, actually. This revolution started online. This revolution started on Facebook.
You know, I always said that if you want to liberate a society, just give them the Internet. If you want to have a free society, give them the Internet."
Suck on THAT, Malcolm Gladwell!
"BLITZER: Wael, this is Wolf Blitzer in Washington. So first Tunisia, now Egypt. What’s next?
GHONIM: Ask Facebook.
BLITZER: Ask what?
GHONIM: Facebook.
COOPER: Facebook.
BLITZER: Facebook. You’re giving Facebook a lot of credit for this?
GHONIM: Yes, for sure. I want to meet Mark Zuckerberg one day and thank him, actually. This revolution started online. This revolution started on Facebook.
You know, I always said that if you want to liberate a society, just give them the Internet. If you want to have a free society, give them the Internet."
Suck on THAT, Malcolm Gladwell!
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Chrissie Hynde: The Great Pretender | American Songwriter:
"No one wants a lot of ballads. When people go through their householder years and start having kids and stuff, it does ruin the mix. It all goes a little soft, it’s not very rock anymore. When you’ve got youth, drugs, sex and alcohol and stuff, it’s a no-brainer. Anyone can do it. But when those things start to fall away, and you try to clean up your act and not be addicted, you just have to dig deeper. And unfortunately, that’s hard to do with rock and roll."
via Intellectual House o'Pancakes.
"No one wants a lot of ballads. When people go through their householder years and start having kids and stuff, it does ruin the mix. It all goes a little soft, it’s not very rock anymore. When you’ve got youth, drugs, sex and alcohol and stuff, it’s a no-brainer. Anyone can do it. But when those things start to fall away, and you try to clean up your act and not be addicted, you just have to dig deeper. And unfortunately, that’s hard to do with rock and roll."
via Intellectual House o'Pancakes.
Tuesday, February 08, 2011
No joke: Ex-mayor's name too funny for Ind. center:
"'We realize that while Harry Baals was a respected mayor, not everyone outside of Fort Wayne will know that,' Malloy said Tuesday in a statement to The Associated Press. 'We wanted to pick something that would reflect our pride in our community beyond the boundaries of Fort Wayne.' An online site taking suggestions for names showed more than 1,000 votes Tuesday for the Harry Baals Government Center. That's more than three times the votes received by the closest contender."
I guess his cousins Itchy, Sticky, Scratchy and Fuzzy are relieved.
"'We realize that while Harry Baals was a respected mayor, not everyone outside of Fort Wayne will know that,' Malloy said Tuesday in a statement to The Associated Press. 'We wanted to pick something that would reflect our pride in our community beyond the boundaries of Fort Wayne.' An online site taking suggestions for names showed more than 1,000 votes Tuesday for the Harry Baals Government Center. That's more than three times the votes received by the closest contender."
I guess his cousins Itchy, Sticky, Scratchy and Fuzzy are relieved.
Monday, February 07, 2011
Dogtooth (2009)***
Admirably disciplined modern fable sees its premise all the way to it's logical, horrifying conclusions. It's either a searing, damning drama or the driest and blackest comedy you'll ever see, and the fact that I can't decide which is a testament to the director's skills. Exceptional acting by all.
Admirably disciplined modern fable sees its premise all the way to it's logical, horrifying conclusions. It's either a searing, damning drama or the driest and blackest comedy you'll ever see, and the fact that I can't decide which is a testament to the director's skills. Exceptional acting by all.
Sunday, February 06, 2011
Peeping Tom (1960)***
Director Michael Powell seems to have a thing for redheads in this creepily fascinating little film about a boy with a camera fetish. To say the least. Moira Shearer sparkles in this colorful thriller.
Director Michael Powell seems to have a thing for redheads in this creepily fascinating little film about a boy with a camera fetish. To say the least. Moira Shearer sparkles in this colorful thriller.
The Woman in the Window (1944)***
Intricately plotted noir with a sultry Joan Bennett and a conservative Edward G. Robinson as a "certain" kind of woman and a staid professor caught up in a compromising situation. Tight, well-paced, well-acted.
Intricately plotted noir with a sultry Joan Bennett and a conservative Edward G. Robinson as a "certain" kind of woman and a staid professor caught up in a compromising situation. Tight, well-paced, well-acted.
Busch girlfriend died with cocaine, oxycodone in system, sources say:
"Martin was found dead Dec. 19 in a darkened bedroom at Busch's mansion in Huntleigh. There were no signs of trauma to her body, officials said.
Michael Jung, a Busch household employee, called 911 at 1:12 p.m. and said an unresponsive woman wouldn't wake up. He said he wasn't sure if she was alive because it was 'dark back there' and he was going to get a light to check.
Emergency responders pronounced Martin dead at 1:26 p.m.
In response to a question about whether drugs were found at the scene, police said in December that they found nothing to suggest a cause of death. They also said the room was dark 'due to curtains drawn in the bedroom' and that the room was outfitted with blackout curtains to block the sun."
"Martin was found dead Dec. 19 in a darkened bedroom at Busch's mansion in Huntleigh. There were no signs of trauma to her body, officials said.
Michael Jung, a Busch household employee, called 911 at 1:12 p.m. and said an unresponsive woman wouldn't wake up. He said he wasn't sure if she was alive because it was 'dark back there' and he was going to get a light to check.
Emergency responders pronounced Martin dead at 1:26 p.m.
In response to a question about whether drugs were found at the scene, police said in December that they found nothing to suggest a cause of death. They also said the room was dark 'due to curtains drawn in the bedroom' and that the room was outfitted with blackout curtains to block the sun."
Saturday, February 05, 2011
Biotech sugar beets get USDA's OK for spring planting:
"Genetically modified sugar beets represent more than 90 percent of the sugar beets planted in the country and account for half of the sugar supply. Monsanto, along with the sugar beet industry, has said that preventing the planting of the beets would disrupt the flow of sugar and trigger havoc in the sugar markets."
I think the game is over, frankly. When 90% of sugar beets, corn, soybeans, canola are GMO with rice and alfalfa on the way, there's not much left to fight about. Monsanto has an incredibly effective legal and lobbying team with an impressive string of victories recently. The amazing thing to me is that it is still possible to obtain organically grown foods at all. Enjoy it while it lasts everybody!
"Genetically modified sugar beets represent more than 90 percent of the sugar beets planted in the country and account for half of the sugar supply. Monsanto, along with the sugar beet industry, has said that preventing the planting of the beets would disrupt the flow of sugar and trigger havoc in the sugar markets."
I think the game is over, frankly. When 90% of sugar beets, corn, soybeans, canola are GMO with rice and alfalfa on the way, there's not much left to fight about. Monsanto has an incredibly effective legal and lobbying team with an impressive string of victories recently. The amazing thing to me is that it is still possible to obtain organically grown foods at all. Enjoy it while it lasts everybody!
Wednesday, February 02, 2011
Jack Nicholson: I used to feel irresistible to women. Not any more | Mail Online:
"‘If men are honest, everything they do and everywhere they go is for a chance to see women. There were points in my life where I felt oddly irresistible to women. I’m not in that state now and that makes me sad.
‘But I also believe that a lot of the improvements in my character have come through ageing and the diminishing of powers. It’s all a balancing act; you just have to get used to the ride.’"
"‘If men are honest, everything they do and everywhere they go is for a chance to see women. There were points in my life where I felt oddly irresistible to women. I’m not in that state now and that makes me sad.
‘But I also believe that a lot of the improvements in my character have come through ageing and the diminishing of powers. It’s all a balancing act; you just have to get used to the ride.’"
Monday, January 31, 2011
Straight Time (1978)****
Rough, gritty, painfully realistic look into human nature with a stellar cast and subtle, effective direction. The late 70's vibe is dead on and no punches are pulled throughout. Not everyone's idea of entertainment, but well made.
Rough, gritty, painfully realistic look into human nature with a stellar cast and subtle, effective direction. The late 70's vibe is dead on and no punches are pulled throughout. Not everyone's idea of entertainment, but well made.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Wild Strawberries (1957)***
Ingmar Bergman's film about what happens to an old physician when he faces up to his loneliness. Subtle, warm and thoughtful with a gorgeous Ingrid Thulin as the doc's daughter-in-law.
Ingmar Bergman's film about what happens to an old physician when he faces up to his loneliness. Subtle, warm and thoughtful with a gorgeous Ingrid Thulin as the doc's daughter-in-law.
In the Blink of Bird’s Eye, a Model for Quantum Navigation | Wired Science | Wired.com
"Many animals — including not only birds, but some mammals, fish, reptiles, even crustaceans and insects — navigate by sensing the direction of Earth’s magnetic field. Physicist Klaus Schulten of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign proposed in the late 1970s that bird navigation relied on some geomagnetically sensitive, as-yet-unknown biochemical reaction taking place in their eyes.
Research since then has revealed the existence of special optical cells containing a protein called cryptochrome. When a photon enters the eye, it hits cryptochrome, giving a boost of energy to electrons that exist in a state of quantum entanglement.
One of the electrons migrates a few nanometers away, where it feels a slightly different magnetic field than its partner. Depending on how the magnetic field alters the electron’s spin, different chemical reactions are produced. In theory, the products of many such reactions across a bird’s eye could create a picture of Earth’s magnetic field as a varying pattern of light and dark."
"Many animals — including not only birds, but some mammals, fish, reptiles, even crustaceans and insects — navigate by sensing the direction of Earth’s magnetic field. Physicist Klaus Schulten of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign proposed in the late 1970s that bird navigation relied on some geomagnetically sensitive, as-yet-unknown biochemical reaction taking place in their eyes.
Research since then has revealed the existence of special optical cells containing a protein called cryptochrome. When a photon enters the eye, it hits cryptochrome, giving a boost of energy to electrons that exist in a state of quantum entanglement.
One of the electrons migrates a few nanometers away, where it feels a slightly different magnetic field than its partner. Depending on how the magnetic field alters the electron’s spin, different chemical reactions are produced. In theory, the products of many such reactions across a bird’s eye could create a picture of Earth’s magnetic field as a varying pattern of light and dark."
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Batman (1989)**
At first viewing, the casting of Michael Keaton as Batman seemed ok. Now, it just doesn't work. Keaton is a good actor, but the look is not right. Kim Basinger, however, is stunning and turns in an exceptional performance, one I didn't really appreciate the first time around. She needs better material and more parts. Not one of Tim Burton's better films.
At first viewing, the casting of Michael Keaton as Batman seemed ok. Now, it just doesn't work. Keaton is a good actor, but the look is not right. Kim Basinger, however, is stunning and turns in an exceptional performance, one I didn't really appreciate the first time around. She needs better material and more parts. Not one of Tim Burton's better films.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Cutler Critics Out of Line : Bear Goggles On | A Chicago Bears Blog:
"In the days and weeks to come, the full extent of the injury will come out. If it turns out the Cutler wasn’t seriously injured, I’ll be the first one to pile on, but after the beating he took over the last two years, I think Cutler’s earned the benefit of the doubt. If one of the media darlings like Peyton Manning or Aaron Rodgers gets dinged in the game, the world gasps and Rachel Nichols and Pam Oliver and every other sideline bimbo is painting a picture of woes and misery. Jay Cutler gets hurt and everyone just calls him a quitter. Why? Because he likes to keep to himself and doesn’t pimp himself out to advertise TV’s and sports drinks.
Somewhere Rick Reilly is laughing."
The criticism of Cutler is just amazing. It clearly shows that sports "opinionators", I can't call them "journalists", are severely biased by personal feelings toward a player and not the facts at hand. See, they all loved Brett Favre because he was outgoing, ebullient, demonstrative, a good ol' boy. So anything he did, even trying to play when he was clearly incapable of performing at all, was deemed heroic and THE standard.
Even when continuing to play obviously was detrimental to his team! Did any of these critics see how Cutler was performing? SOMETHING was affecting his throwing A LOT. Could it have been his knee? Duh. Throwing a football is not just about your arm. So wisely, the coaches determined he needed to be pulled. The depth of the team at qb is not Cutler's fault.
My take on the game was that it was a tremendous defensive effort by Chicago. Aaron Rodgers, probably the best qb in the league, was effectively shut down. Unfortunately, he managed to get 2 good drives in before the gates were closed. And GB was fortunate Brian Urlacher cannot run like Devin Hester. Caleb Hanie turned in a near heroic performance in relief. In Chicago's last drive, however, in GB territory with time running out, Mike Martz called a strange reverse-type play which was stuffed. This forced a 3rd down throw which a rattled Hanie had intercepted to end the game. I would have hoped Martz could have called a shorted pass play or a simple run play (reverses are VERY iffy) on on second down so Hanie would not have been pressured so much on 3rd. Besides at that point, GB was letting up a bit on the run and Chicago was getting 7-10 yards per run in that drive.
I like Mike Martz as an OC and head coach. I find him fascinating, interesting and fun to watch. His trouble, from my limited perspective, seems to be that he is too much a player's coach. I think it hampers his judgment. He loves his players and that sometimes causes him to see the upside too much to the detriment of being able to see their weaknesses. So he feels they can run any play he calls at any time. And he had those kinds of players in St. Louis at one time. He came very close this year. I hope he is able to return next season.
"In the days and weeks to come, the full extent of the injury will come out. If it turns out the Cutler wasn’t seriously injured, I’ll be the first one to pile on, but after the beating he took over the last two years, I think Cutler’s earned the benefit of the doubt. If one of the media darlings like Peyton Manning or Aaron Rodgers gets dinged in the game, the world gasps and Rachel Nichols and Pam Oliver and every other sideline bimbo is painting a picture of woes and misery. Jay Cutler gets hurt and everyone just calls him a quitter. Why? Because he likes to keep to himself and doesn’t pimp himself out to advertise TV’s and sports drinks.
Somewhere Rick Reilly is laughing."
The criticism of Cutler is just amazing. It clearly shows that sports "opinionators", I can't call them "journalists", are severely biased by personal feelings toward a player and not the facts at hand. See, they all loved Brett Favre because he was outgoing, ebullient, demonstrative, a good ol' boy. So anything he did, even trying to play when he was clearly incapable of performing at all, was deemed heroic and THE standard.
Even when continuing to play obviously was detrimental to his team! Did any of these critics see how Cutler was performing? SOMETHING was affecting his throwing A LOT. Could it have been his knee? Duh. Throwing a football is not just about your arm. So wisely, the coaches determined he needed to be pulled. The depth of the team at qb is not Cutler's fault.
My take on the game was that it was a tremendous defensive effort by Chicago. Aaron Rodgers, probably the best qb in the league, was effectively shut down. Unfortunately, he managed to get 2 good drives in before the gates were closed. And GB was fortunate Brian Urlacher cannot run like Devin Hester. Caleb Hanie turned in a near heroic performance in relief. In Chicago's last drive, however, in GB territory with time running out, Mike Martz called a strange reverse-type play which was stuffed. This forced a 3rd down throw which a rattled Hanie had intercepted to end the game. I would have hoped Martz could have called a shorted pass play or a simple run play (reverses are VERY iffy) on on second down so Hanie would not have been pressured so much on 3rd. Besides at that point, GB was letting up a bit on the run and Chicago was getting 7-10 yards per run in that drive.
I like Mike Martz as an OC and head coach. I find him fascinating, interesting and fun to watch. His trouble, from my limited perspective, seems to be that he is too much a player's coach. I think it hampers his judgment. He loves his players and that sometimes causes him to see the upside too much to the detriment of being able to see their weaknesses. So he feels they can run any play he calls at any time. And he had those kinds of players in St. Louis at one time. He came very close this year. I hope he is able to return next season.
Pit Bull Ban Proposed In Texas, "Justin's Law"; Would Make Owning The Dog Breed A Felony:
"Dog trainer Michele Crouse believes that it's not the dog's breed, but rather the dog's owner who determines the animal's aggression. 'It's all upon the responsibility of the owner and not what dog they have,' she told NBC. 'It doesn't matter if they have a 2-pound Chihuahua or a 200-pound mastiff.'"
I agree! Just LOOK at all the fatalities from Chihuahua attacks.
"Dog trainer Michele Crouse believes that it's not the dog's breed, but rather the dog's owner who determines the animal's aggression. 'It's all upon the responsibility of the owner and not what dog they have,' she told NBC. 'It doesn't matter if they have a 2-pound Chihuahua or a 200-pound mastiff.'"
I agree! Just LOOK at all the fatalities from Chihuahua attacks.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
NFL Playoffs: Chicago Bears; Jay Cutler not a likable player - ESPN:
"Is it his penchant for making things difficult?
Reporter (after a game): What happened on that first interception, Jay?
Cutler: I threw the ball.
Reporter: Right, but what did you see developing there? Take us through it.
Cutler (archly): It seemed like a good place to throw the ball.
Then there was this:
Reporter: When you were a kid, which quarterback did you look up to?
Cutler: Nobody.
Reporter: Nobody? You didn't look up to anybody?
Cutler: No.
If he's lying, it makes him a miscreant. If he's telling the truth, it makes him a miscreant.
'Deep, deep down, I think he's a really good guy,' Waddle says.
Maybe. But why do we have to look that deep?"
It seems every few months I make a vow to completely ignore sports "journalists" particularly those whose job it is to be "colorful", "opinionated" in their daily columns. Because they are almost to a man completely awful and bereft of insight. Then I notice something secondhand that is so egregious I have to say something about it. Gee thanks, Rick Reilly. So Cutler is a "miscreant", a person without moral scruples, because he did not idolize a quarterback as a youth? He's a miscreant because he wants a private life? He's a miscreant because he can't hide his utter disgust at the inane questions from reporters? I'll tell you, the true miscreants are individuals like Reilly who make a living leeching off professional athletes, demanding they adhere to some ridiculous standard so they can sit in judgment. "Why do we have to look that deep?" he asks with a straight face. Yikes.
"Is it his penchant for making things difficult?
Reporter (after a game): What happened on that first interception, Jay?
Cutler: I threw the ball.
Reporter: Right, but what did you see developing there? Take us through it.
Cutler (archly): It seemed like a good place to throw the ball.
Then there was this:
Reporter: When you were a kid, which quarterback did you look up to?
Cutler: Nobody.
Reporter: Nobody? You didn't look up to anybody?
Cutler: No.
If he's lying, it makes him a miscreant. If he's telling the truth, it makes him a miscreant.
'Deep, deep down, I think he's a really good guy,' Waddle says.
Maybe. But why do we have to look that deep?"
It seems every few months I make a vow to completely ignore sports "journalists" particularly those whose job it is to be "colorful", "opinionated" in their daily columns. Because they are almost to a man completely awful and bereft of insight. Then I notice something secondhand that is so egregious I have to say something about it. Gee thanks, Rick Reilly. So Cutler is a "miscreant", a person without moral scruples, because he did not idolize a quarterback as a youth? He's a miscreant because he wants a private life? He's a miscreant because he can't hide his utter disgust at the inane questions from reporters? I'll tell you, the true miscreants are individuals like Reilly who make a living leeching off professional athletes, demanding they adhere to some ridiculous standard so they can sit in judgment. "Why do we have to look that deep?" he asks with a straight face. Yikes.
Monday, January 17, 2011
"The Social Network" Is a Pack of Lies That Conveys Nothing About Our Time | The Awl:
"The film’s misstatements have been well documented. The jilted love affair that drives Mark Zuckerberg to create Facebook is invented. The resentment against the Harvard elite clubs that drives him to create an alternate society is invented. The claims of others involved in the creation of Facebook are given vastly too much credence in the film. Zuckerberg is portrayed as an angry, vengeful sociopath, which by most accounts and all appearances, he is not.
But other than that, it says a lot of fascinating things about the era."
Wholeheartedly agree, but as evidenced by the Roeper quote and nearly everyone you talk to who has seen the film, the lies have been accepted as truth and it does not look like it will be an easy thing to undo that. A shame.
"The film’s misstatements have been well documented. The jilted love affair that drives Mark Zuckerberg to create Facebook is invented. The resentment against the Harvard elite clubs that drives him to create an alternate society is invented. The claims of others involved in the creation of Facebook are given vastly too much credence in the film. Zuckerberg is portrayed as an angry, vengeful sociopath, which by most accounts and all appearances, he is not.
But other than that, it says a lot of fascinating things about the era."
Wholeheartedly agree, but as evidenced by the Roeper quote and nearly everyone you talk to who has seen the film, the lies have been accepted as truth and it does not look like it will be an easy thing to undo that. A shame.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Francis Ford Coppola: On Risk, Money, Craft, Collaboration : The 99 Percent:
"This idea of Metallica or some rock n’ roll singer being rich, that’s not necessarily going to happen anymore. Because, as we enter into a new age, maybe art will be free. Maybe the students are right. They should be able to download music and movies. I’m going to be shot for saying this. But who said art has to cost money? And therefore, who says artists have to make money?"
Fascinating interview with the great filmmaker.
"This idea of Metallica or some rock n’ roll singer being rich, that’s not necessarily going to happen anymore. Because, as we enter into a new age, maybe art will be free. Maybe the students are right. They should be able to download music and movies. I’m going to be shot for saying this. But who said art has to cost money? And therefore, who says artists have to make money?"
Fascinating interview with the great filmmaker.
What the science of human nature can teach us : The New Yorker:
"At first, Harold found the talk a little chilling: it seemed that the revolution the scientist was describing was bound to lead to cold, mechanistic conclusions. If everything could be reduced to genes, neural wiring, and brain chemistry, what happened to the major concepts of life—good and evil, sin and virtue, love and commitment? And what about the way Harold made sense of his life as he lived it, the everyday vocabulary of morals, moods, character, aspirations, temptations, values, ideals? The scientist described human beings as creatures driven by deep mechanisms, almost like puppets on strings, not as ensouled human beings capable of running their own lives.
During the question-and-answer period, though, a woman asked the neuroscientist how his studies had changed the way he lived. He paused for a second, and then starting talking about a group he had joined called the Russian-American Folk Dance Company. It was odd, given how hard and scientific he had sounded. “I guess I used to think of myself as a lone agent, who made certain choices and established certain alliances with colleagues and friends,” he said. “Now, though, I see things differently. I believe we inherit a great river of knowledge, a flow of patterns coming from many sources. The information that comes from deep in the evolutionary past we call genetics. The information passed along from hundreds of years ago we call culture. The information passed along from decades ago we call family, and the information offered months ago we call education. But it is all information that flows through us. The brain is adapted to the river of knowledge and exists only as a creature in that river. Our thoughts are profoundly molded by this long historic flow, and none of us exists, self-made, in isolation from it.
And though history has made us self-conscious in order to enhance our survival prospects, we still have deep impulses to erase the skull lines in our head and become immersed directly in the river. I’ve come to think that flourishing consists of putting yourself in situations in which you lose self-consciousness and become fused with other people, experiences, or tasks. It happens sometimes when you are lost in a hard challenge, or when an artist or a craftsman becomes one with the brush or the tool. It happens sometimes while you’re playing sports, or listening to music or lost in a story, or to some people when they feel enveloped by God’s love. And it happens most when we connect with other people. I’ve come to think that happiness isn’t really produced by conscious accomplishments. Happiness is a measure of how thickly the unconscious parts of our minds are intertwined with other people and with activities. Happiness is determined by how much information and affection flows through us covertly every day and year.”
"At first, Harold found the talk a little chilling: it seemed that the revolution the scientist was describing was bound to lead to cold, mechanistic conclusions. If everything could be reduced to genes, neural wiring, and brain chemistry, what happened to the major concepts of life—good and evil, sin and virtue, love and commitment? And what about the way Harold made sense of his life as he lived it, the everyday vocabulary of morals, moods, character, aspirations, temptations, values, ideals? The scientist described human beings as creatures driven by deep mechanisms, almost like puppets on strings, not as ensouled human beings capable of running their own lives.
During the question-and-answer period, though, a woman asked the neuroscientist how his studies had changed the way he lived. He paused for a second, and then starting talking about a group he had joined called the Russian-American Folk Dance Company. It was odd, given how hard and scientific he had sounded. “I guess I used to think of myself as a lone agent, who made certain choices and established certain alliances with colleagues and friends,” he said. “Now, though, I see things differently. I believe we inherit a great river of knowledge, a flow of patterns coming from many sources. The information that comes from deep in the evolutionary past we call genetics. The information passed along from hundreds of years ago we call culture. The information passed along from decades ago we call family, and the information offered months ago we call education. But it is all information that flows through us. The brain is adapted to the river of knowledge and exists only as a creature in that river. Our thoughts are profoundly molded by this long historic flow, and none of us exists, self-made, in isolation from it.
And though history has made us self-conscious in order to enhance our survival prospects, we still have deep impulses to erase the skull lines in our head and become immersed directly in the river. I’ve come to think that flourishing consists of putting yourself in situations in which you lose self-consciousness and become fused with other people, experiences, or tasks. It happens sometimes when you are lost in a hard challenge, or when an artist or a craftsman becomes one with the brush or the tool. It happens sometimes while you’re playing sports, or listening to music or lost in a story, or to some people when they feel enveloped by God’s love. And it happens most when we connect with other people. I’ve come to think that happiness isn’t really produced by conscious accomplishments. Happiness is a measure of how thickly the unconscious parts of our minds are intertwined with other people and with activities. Happiness is determined by how much information and affection flows through us covertly every day and year.”
Saturday, January 08, 2011
Mean Streets (1973)***
Where it all began for Scorsese. The long takes, the POV tracking shots, the handheld shots, the slow motion, the violence, the f-bombs. It's still a bit raw in this picture, but effective. De Niro's breakout role.
Where it all began for Scorsese. The long takes, the POV tracking shots, the handheld shots, the slow motion, the violence, the f-bombs. It's still a bit raw in this picture, but effective. De Niro's breakout role.
Friday, January 07, 2011
Casino (1995)****
...or "Goodfellas Goes to Vegas". Terrific account of how the mob ran Las Vegas in the 60's through 80's with Martin Scorsese directing with style and flair. Lots of long shots, lots of violence, lots of clothes! The art direction and period detail is exceptional as are the performances across the board. Even Momma!
...or "Goodfellas Goes to Vegas". Terrific account of how the mob ran Las Vegas in the 60's through 80's with Martin Scorsese directing with style and flair. Lots of long shots, lots of violence, lots of clothes! The art direction and period detail is exceptional as are the performances across the board. Even Momma!
Thursday, January 06, 2011
True Grit (2010)***
I'm not sure the Coens are capable of making an uninteresting film. Terrific performances, scenes densely packed with details and nuances, and no pandering. They use much more music in this film than most of their others but it is not overbearing as is usually the case with Westerns.
I'm not sure the Coens are capable of making an uninteresting film. Terrific performances, scenes densely packed with details and nuances, and no pandering. They use much more music in this film than most of their others but it is not overbearing as is usually the case with Westerns.
Tuesday, January 04, 2011
Summary Box: Wheat surges on weather concerns:
"Wheat prices surged as flooding in Australia and dry, cold weather in the U.S. and China caused concerns about the global supply. Wheat is coming off a year in which poor weather hurt crops in several countries, particularly Russia."
This is complete and total bullshit. Wheat, and many other commodities, are and have been surging because a shitload of money needs a place to go that is relatively unregulated and the commodities markets fit that bill. But you will never hear the word "speculation" mentioned in any mainstream news reports purporting to explain price changes in commodities.
"Wheat prices surged as flooding in Australia and dry, cold weather in the U.S. and China caused concerns about the global supply. Wheat is coming off a year in which poor weather hurt crops in several countries, particularly Russia."
This is complete and total bullshit. Wheat, and many other commodities, are and have been surging because a shitload of money needs a place to go that is relatively unregulated and the commodities markets fit that bill. But you will never hear the word "speculation" mentioned in any mainstream news reports purporting to explain price changes in commodities.
Monday, January 03, 2011
Busch IV talks about death of girlfriend, his depression:
"On the day before Martin died, Busch said, he took Adrienne Martin 'for her first and her last helicopter ride.' The ride on Dec. 18 was 'just for fun because she had never been in a helicopter before. I just bought a helicopter because I'm going to start flying helicopters again.'
The relationship with Martin was so strong, he said, that it led him to change his playboy ways. 'She was the only girl I've ever been with that I didn't want to have someone on the side,' Busch said. 'You know, I'm this notorious bachelor who always wanted someone on the side, but I didn't with Adrienne.'
He said five of his eight dogs routinely slept in the same bed with him and Martin. The five are Shih Tzus, the smallest of the gaggle of pooches. Since Martin's death, Busch has encouraged all eight of the dogs to sleep on her side of the bed.
On Dec. 30, the day of Martin's funeral, Busch said he 'couldn't get out of bed.'"
The dude is just totally creepy.
"On the day before Martin died, Busch said, he took Adrienne Martin 'for her first and her last helicopter ride.' The ride on Dec. 18 was 'just for fun because she had never been in a helicopter before. I just bought a helicopter because I'm going to start flying helicopters again.'
The relationship with Martin was so strong, he said, that it led him to change his playboy ways. 'She was the only girl I've ever been with that I didn't want to have someone on the side,' Busch said. 'You know, I'm this notorious bachelor who always wanted someone on the side, but I didn't with Adrienne.'
He said five of his eight dogs routinely slept in the same bed with him and Martin. The five are Shih Tzus, the smallest of the gaggle of pooches. Since Martin's death, Busch has encouraged all eight of the dogs to sleep on her side of the bed.
On Dec. 30, the day of Martin's funeral, Busch said he 'couldn't get out of bed.'"
The dude is just totally creepy.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Woman found dead in home of August Busch IV:
"A law enforcement source told the Post-Dispatch that the death was initially being investigated as a possible overdose.
It's not immediately clear if Busch was at the residence. Frontenac police, who cover Huntleigh, said they would release a statement later today. Local attorney Art Margulis, who is a lawyer for Busch, told the Post-Dispatch: 'I can tell you there is absolutely nothing suspicious about her passing, and it's a tragic and untimely death of a young person. A very kind young person, by the way.'"
Yes let's make sure that we get it out in the press that Busch "might" not have been there at the time this "very kind young person" met her most unkind fate. What a strange thing for a lawyer to say!
Let's see how well the cover up goes. At one time, the Busch's owned St. Louis. Since the sale of the brewery to In-Bev, not so much.
"A law enforcement source told the Post-Dispatch that the death was initially being investigated as a possible overdose.
It's not immediately clear if Busch was at the residence. Frontenac police, who cover Huntleigh, said they would release a statement later today. Local attorney Art Margulis, who is a lawyer for Busch, told the Post-Dispatch: 'I can tell you there is absolutely nothing suspicious about her passing, and it's a tragic and untimely death of a young person. A very kind young person, by the way.'"
Yes let's make sure that we get it out in the press that Busch "might" not have been there at the time this "very kind young person" met her most unkind fate. What a strange thing for a lawyer to say!
Let's see how well the cover up goes. At one time, the Busch's owned St. Louis. Since the sale of the brewery to In-Bev, not so much.
Black Swan (2010)****
A film about the limits of obsession featuring a career-defining performance by Natalie Portman. Darren Aronofsky lets his images do the talking for the most part and the result is very impressive.
A film about the limits of obsession featuring a career-defining performance by Natalie Portman. Darren Aronofsky lets his images do the talking for the most part and the result is very impressive.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
SODERBERGH ON STORYTELLING AND EARLY RETIREMENT | The Filmmaker Magazine Blog:
"“After I worked with Clint [Eastwood] I went back and said, ‘Look, Clint is having a blast and he’s going to be 80 years old.’ And Steven says back, ‘Yeah, but he’s a storyteller and I’m not,’” Damon recounted. “If you’re an actor or a writer or someone working in film, it’s such a waste. For me, I’m going to spend the next 40 years trying to become a great director and I will never reach what he’s reached. And he’s walking away from it.”"
Agreed. Soderbergh is one of a handful of directors with a half dozen essential films to their credit. And he's still doing great work. The Girlfriend Experience was exceptional.
"“After I worked with Clint [Eastwood] I went back and said, ‘Look, Clint is having a blast and he’s going to be 80 years old.’ And Steven says back, ‘Yeah, but he’s a storyteller and I’m not,’” Damon recounted. “If you’re an actor or a writer or someone working in film, it’s such a waste. For me, I’m going to spend the next 40 years trying to become a great director and I will never reach what he’s reached. And he’s walking away from it.”"
Agreed. Soderbergh is one of a handful of directors with a half dozen essential films to their credit. And he's still doing great work. The Girlfriend Experience was exceptional.
The latest Jets controversy is the strangest one yet - ProFootballTalk:
"If he didn’t care about it, the comment would be something other than “no comment.” It would be something along the lines of, “See, I told you I was married to a supermodel, too.” The more likely reality is that he simply assumed that no one would be smart enough to connect the dots, and that if anyone ever did he would just ignore it and move on."
Don't get me wrong, I am NOT a fan of Mr. Ryan at all. I don't like his extreme arrogance and big mouth. But, this kind of thing is clearly way out of bounds for reporters and there was a time when they knew that. The only reason they are making a story out of this is because they do not like him. Very petty stuff. I mean, who DOESN'T like a pretty foot every now and then? ;-)
"If he didn’t care about it, the comment would be something other than “no comment.” It would be something along the lines of, “See, I told you I was married to a supermodel, too.” The more likely reality is that he simply assumed that no one would be smart enough to connect the dots, and that if anyone ever did he would just ignore it and move on."
Don't get me wrong, I am NOT a fan of Mr. Ryan at all. I don't like his extreme arrogance and big mouth. But, this kind of thing is clearly way out of bounds for reporters and there was a time when they knew that. The only reason they are making a story out of this is because they do not like him. Very petty stuff. I mean, who DOESN'T like a pretty foot every now and then? ;-)
The Last Several Days . . . | The Agonist:
". . . have not been without good news: the repeal of DADT, the passage of the new START treaty and today's Senate vote to actually do something for our 9/11 responders. So, credit where credit is due: Obama, the Senate Democrats and the House Democrats and a few, very few, Republicans willing to tell the party crazies to 'eff off.'"
I've seen this sentiment echoed in various lefty blogs but nobody is connecting the dots: this is the other shoe dropping from giving in to the Republicans on the Bush tax deal. And what did they get? Things that they would have gotten anyway! There is NO WAY START would not get passed. DADT was a matter of time. Even the military was for repeal! And would the Reps let the 9/11 Responders bill go down by the time the 2012 elections came around? I don't think even they are THAT stupid. Yet Obama gave away the store to get these things. And who pays for it? We, the taxpayers do. Color me unimpressed. We already have Obama pulling shit like this and there is all this posturing about cutting Social Security on the near horizon. This guy is still bad news.
". . . have not been without good news: the repeal of DADT, the passage of the new START treaty and today's Senate vote to actually do something for our 9/11 responders. So, credit where credit is due: Obama, the Senate Democrats and the House Democrats and a few, very few, Republicans willing to tell the party crazies to 'eff off.'"
I've seen this sentiment echoed in various lefty blogs but nobody is connecting the dots: this is the other shoe dropping from giving in to the Republicans on the Bush tax deal. And what did they get? Things that they would have gotten anyway! There is NO WAY START would not get passed. DADT was a matter of time. Even the military was for repeal! And would the Reps let the 9/11 Responders bill go down by the time the 2012 elections came around? I don't think even they are THAT stupid. Yet Obama gave away the store to get these things. And who pays for it? We, the taxpayers do. Color me unimpressed. We already have Obama pulling shit like this and there is all this posturing about cutting Social Security on the near horizon. This guy is still bad news.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Divided FCC adopts rules to protect Web traffic - Yahoo! News:
"At the same time, the two Republicans on the FCC worried that the rules will discourage phone and cable companies from continuing to upgrade their networks by making it difficult for them to earn a healthy return on their investments. They also insist that the regulations are intended to fix a problem that does not exist, as all the major broadband providers have already pledged not to discriminate against Internet traffic on their networks."
ROFLMAO! Ya gotta love those Republicans. In the face of overwhelming, easily verifiable evidence to the contrary, they stick to their guns. So the phone and cable companies are finding it "difficult for them to earn a healthy return on their investments"? Then why are their profits obscenely stratospheric? And the new regs are unnecessary because the providers have "pledged" not to break them? Really? They can't seriously believe that all we need is a pledge from corporations, right?
I haven't read the new regulations and have heard some very conflicting reviews saying all sorts of extremes on both sides so I can't comment on them yet. But clearly there are efforts underway by the major ISP's to restrict, financially at least, internet traffic based upon origin and destination and we need rules to prevent that.
"At the same time, the two Republicans on the FCC worried that the rules will discourage phone and cable companies from continuing to upgrade their networks by making it difficult for them to earn a healthy return on their investments. They also insist that the regulations are intended to fix a problem that does not exist, as all the major broadband providers have already pledged not to discriminate against Internet traffic on their networks."
ROFLMAO! Ya gotta love those Republicans. In the face of overwhelming, easily verifiable evidence to the contrary, they stick to their guns. So the phone and cable companies are finding it "difficult for them to earn a healthy return on their investments"? Then why are their profits obscenely stratospheric? And the new regs are unnecessary because the providers have "pledged" not to break them? Really? They can't seriously believe that all we need is a pledge from corporations, right?
I haven't read the new regulations and have heard some very conflicting reviews saying all sorts of extremes on both sides so I can't comment on them yet. But clearly there are efforts underway by the major ISP's to restrict, financially at least, internet traffic based upon origin and destination and we need rules to prevent that.
Monday, December 20, 2010
2010 In Review: Music
**** Apples In Stereo - Travellers In Space and Time
**** Belle & Sebastian - Write About Love
**** Bettie Serveert - Pharmacy of Love
**** Crowded House - Intriguer
**** Elvis Costello - National Ransom
**** Frankie Rose and the Outs
**** KT Tunstall - Tiger Suit
**** New Pornographers - Together
**** Paula Carino - Open On Sunday
**** Shalini - Magnetic North
**** Surfer Blood - Astro Coast
*** Blitzen Trapper- Destroyer of the Void
*** Charlotte Gainsbourg - IRM
*** Dum Dum Girls - I Will Be
*** Goldfrapp - Head First
*** Hellogoodbye - Would It Kill You?
*** Joan Armatrading - This Charming Life
*** Like - Release Me
*** Mystery Jets - Serotonin
*** Pernice Brothers - Goodbye, Killer
*** Ringo Starr - Y Not?
*** Shonen Knife - Free Time
*** Teenage Fanclub - Shadows
*** Vampire Weekend - Contra
*** Wavves - King of the Beach
*** We Are Scientists - Barbara
** Annie Lennox - A Christmas Cornucopia
** Avi Buffalo - Avi Buffalo
** Brian Ferry - Olympia
** Field Music - Measure
** JP, Chrissie & the Fairground Boys - Fidelity!
** Magic Kids - Memphis
** Spoon - Transference
* Devo - Something For Everybody
* Robyn Hitchcock - Propellor Time
* Various Artists - Electric Cambodia
**** Apples In Stereo - Travellers In Space and Time
**** Belle & Sebastian - Write About Love
**** Bettie Serveert - Pharmacy of Love
**** Crowded House - Intriguer
**** Elvis Costello - National Ransom
**** Frankie Rose and the Outs
**** KT Tunstall - Tiger Suit
**** New Pornographers - Together
**** Paula Carino - Open On Sunday
**** Shalini - Magnetic North
**** Surfer Blood - Astro Coast
*** Blitzen Trapper- Destroyer of the Void
*** Charlotte Gainsbourg - IRM
*** Dum Dum Girls - I Will Be
*** Goldfrapp - Head First
*** Hellogoodbye - Would It Kill You?
*** Joan Armatrading - This Charming Life
*** Like - Release Me
*** Mystery Jets - Serotonin
*** Pernice Brothers - Goodbye, Killer
*** Ringo Starr - Y Not?
*** Shonen Knife - Free Time
*** Teenage Fanclub - Shadows
*** Vampire Weekend - Contra
*** Wavves - King of the Beach
*** We Are Scientists - Barbara
** Annie Lennox - A Christmas Cornucopia
** Avi Buffalo - Avi Buffalo
** Brian Ferry - Olympia
** Field Music - Measure
** JP, Chrissie & the Fairground Boys - Fidelity!
** Magic Kids - Memphis
** Spoon - Transference
* Devo - Something For Everybody
* Robyn Hitchcock - Propellor Time
* Various Artists - Electric Cambodia
TRON: Legacy (2010)**
At least the first movie made some logical sense. This one is incoherent. Jeff Bridges does fine work and Olivia Wilde looks cute but that's it.
At least the first movie made some logical sense. This one is incoherent. Jeff Bridges does fine work and Olivia Wilde looks cute but that's it.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Romeo Is Bleeding (1993)***
Bloody, violent noir with a spectacular, mesmerizing performance by Lena Olin as a brutal and sexy assassin. The rest of the cast is very good, particularly Juliette Lewis.
Bloody, violent noir with a spectacular, mesmerizing performance by Lena Olin as a brutal and sexy assassin. The rest of the cast is very good, particularly Juliette Lewis.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Al Franken: The Hardest Vote I've Taken:
"And for the Minnesotans truly suffering right now -- men, women, and children on the edge of economic disaster -- the alternative is simply unacceptable. If we let Republicans block unemployment benefits, even temporarily, there will be a lot more pain for working families, a lot more homeless kids spending Christmas in a shelter or a car."
So the only alternative is to immediately acquiesce to ALL Republican demands without a fight at all? This is nothing but extortion and to let the Republicans get away with it, without ANY political damage is just about the stupidest thing I've seen Democrats do and that is saying QUITE a lot. I thought Franken was smarter than this.
"And for the Minnesotans truly suffering right now -- men, women, and children on the edge of economic disaster -- the alternative is simply unacceptable. If we let Republicans block unemployment benefits, even temporarily, there will be a lot more pain for working families, a lot more homeless kids spending Christmas in a shelter or a car."
So the only alternative is to immediately acquiesce to ALL Republican demands without a fight at all? This is nothing but extortion and to let the Republicans get away with it, without ANY political damage is just about the stupidest thing I've seen Democrats do and that is saying QUITE a lot. I thought Franken was smarter than this.
Intact Grains vs. Whole Grains | Summer Tomato:
"Lesson 1: Refined grains contribute to nearly every chronic disease in modern civilization.
It is universally agreed in the nutrition community that refined, processed carbohydrates are the worst things to eat on the entire planet. And it is impossible to overstate how remarkable this is. The nutrition community is one of the most disagreeable bunches in all of science. But across the board–from vegans like Colin Campbell to carnivores like Robert Atkins–not a single one of them considers processed carbs to be nutritionally neutral. They all consider them dangerous.
Without question, refined carbohydrates contribute to poor health."
Sensible advice from Ms. Pino. Watch those refined carbs over the holidays!
"Lesson 1: Refined grains contribute to nearly every chronic disease in modern civilization.
It is universally agreed in the nutrition community that refined, processed carbohydrates are the worst things to eat on the entire planet. And it is impossible to overstate how remarkable this is. The nutrition community is one of the most disagreeable bunches in all of science. But across the board–from vegans like Colin Campbell to carnivores like Robert Atkins–not a single one of them considers processed carbs to be nutritionally neutral. They all consider them dangerous.
Without question, refined carbohydrates contribute to poor health."
Sensible advice from Ms. Pino. Watch those refined carbs over the holidays!
Friday, December 10, 2010
Night Train to Munich (1940)***
Coolly directed by Carol Reed it nevertheless has a handful of terrific action sequences as Rex Harrison attempts to rescue a lovely Margaret Lockwood and her father from Nazi Germany as Britain enters the war.
Coolly directed by Carol Reed it nevertheless has a handful of terrific action sequences as Rex Harrison attempts to rescue a lovely Margaret Lockwood and her father from Nazi Germany as Britain enters the war.
Tuesday, December 07, 2010
Argentina, Uruguay to recognize Palestinian state - Yahoo! News:
"'The Argentine government recognizes Palestine as a free and independent state within the borders defined in 1967,' Argentine Foreign Minister Hector Timerman said, reading a letter sent by President Cristina Kirchner to Abbas. Timerman said the recognition reflected a general consensus among members of Mercosur, the South American trade bloc. Uruguay announced soon afterward it will recognize a Palestinian state next year. 'Uruguay will surely follow the same path as Argentina in 2011,' deputy foreign minister Roberto Conde told AFP. 'We are working towards opening a diplomatic representation in Palestine, most likely in Ramallah.' Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay all make up Mercosur. Venezuela's membership is pending."
The tide is shifting...South!
"'The Argentine government recognizes Palestine as a free and independent state within the borders defined in 1967,' Argentine Foreign Minister Hector Timerman said, reading a letter sent by President Cristina Kirchner to Abbas. Timerman said the recognition reflected a general consensus among members of Mercosur, the South American trade bloc. Uruguay announced soon afterward it will recognize a Palestinian state next year. 'Uruguay will surely follow the same path as Argentina in 2011,' deputy foreign minister Roberto Conde told AFP. 'We are working towards opening a diplomatic representation in Palestine, most likely in Ramallah.' Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay all make up Mercosur. Venezuela's membership is pending."
The tide is shifting...South!
Monday, December 06, 2010
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (2009)***
Fine effort from Terry Gilliam, back in Munchausen territory with an original story about a traveling stage act with an incredible gimmick. Maybe a metaphor for Gilliam's trials in film-making?
Fine effort from Terry Gilliam, back in Munchausen territory with an original story about a traveling stage act with an incredible gimmick. Maybe a metaphor for Gilliam's trials in film-making?
Persons Unknown (1996)**
Not quite abysmal, not quite good, yet maintains interest with a top notch cast and decent script. Another heist-gone-bad picture, but not up to Mamet or Coens levels.
Not quite abysmal, not quite good, yet maintains interest with a top notch cast and decent script. Another heist-gone-bad picture, but not up to Mamet or Coens levels.
Ex-National Security Advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski: Spokespersons of US Right "In Most Cases Stunningly Ignorant" - SPIEGEL ONLINE
"SPIEGEL: And the American decline. Are Americans aware of that trend or does the fate of Carter await President Barak Obama should he openly address the issue?
Brzezinski: I am very worried that most Americans are close to total ignorance about the world. They are ignorant. That is an unhealthy condition in a country in which foreign policy has to be endorsed by the people if it is to be pursued. And it makes it much more difficult for any president to pursue an intelligent policy that does justice to the complexity of the world.
SPIEGEL: Yet the American right is still convinced of American exceptionalism.
Brzezinski: That is a reaction to the inability of people to understand global complexity or important issues like American energy dependency. Therefore, they search for simplistic sources of comfort and clarity. And the people that they are now selecting to be, so to speak, the spokespersons of their anxieties are, in most cases, stunningly ignorant."
No argument here.
"SPIEGEL: And the American decline. Are Americans aware of that trend or does the fate of Carter await President Barak Obama should he openly address the issue?
Brzezinski: I am very worried that most Americans are close to total ignorance about the world. They are ignorant. That is an unhealthy condition in a country in which foreign policy has to be endorsed by the people if it is to be pursued. And it makes it much more difficult for any president to pursue an intelligent policy that does justice to the complexity of the world.
SPIEGEL: Yet the American right is still convinced of American exceptionalism.
Brzezinski: That is a reaction to the inability of people to understand global complexity or important issues like American energy dependency. Therefore, they search for simplistic sources of comfort and clarity. And the people that they are now selecting to be, so to speak, the spokespersons of their anxieties are, in most cases, stunningly ignorant."
No argument here.
Saturday, December 04, 2010
I Am Legend (2007)**
For those scoring at home I have now seen all three film versions of the Richard Matheson novel and not one of them could muster more than 2 stars. Each had different flaws though. This one tries to shoehorn some quasi-religious message onto the proceedings and makes the infected humans into cartoon killing machines. Will Smith just does not have the screen presence to overcome the weaknesses.
For those scoring at home I have now seen all three film versions of the Richard Matheson novel and not one of them could muster more than 2 stars. Each had different flaws though. This one tries to shoehorn some quasi-religious message onto the proceedings and makes the infected humans into cartoon killing machines. Will Smith just does not have the screen presence to overcome the weaknesses.
Friday, December 03, 2010
The MacKintosh Man (1973)***
Nicely done espionage actioner crisply and imaginatively directed by John Huston. Solid cast with Paul Newman and James Mason standouts.
Nicely done espionage actioner crisply and imaginatively directed by John Huston. Solid cast with Paul Newman and James Mason standouts.
Thursday, December 02, 2010
Heartbreaker (2010)*
Has the feel of a French remake of a bad Hollywood rom-com. Mildly amusing. The only saving grace is lovely scenes of Monaco and environs.
Has the feel of a French remake of a bad Hollywood rom-com. Mildly amusing. The only saving grace is lovely scenes of Monaco and environs.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
US cuts access to files as Interpol seeks Assange - Yahoo! News:
"The government scrambled Tuesday to prevent future spills of U.S. secrets like the embarrassing WikiLeaks' disclosures, while officials pondered possible criminal prosecutions and Interpol in Europe sent out a 'red notice' for nations to be on the lookout for the website's founder.
Interpol placed Julian Assange on its most-wanted list after Sweden issued an arrest warrant against him as part of a drawn-out rape probe — involving allegations Assange has denied. The Interpol alert is likely to make international travel more difficult for Assange, whose whereabouts are publicly unknown."
Glad to see we have our priorities in order. International manhunt for Assange. US "ponders" criminal prosecutions for Assange. Yet confessed torturer and serial murderer George W. Bush and his pals are having the times of their lives. Look forward! Look forward!
"The government scrambled Tuesday to prevent future spills of U.S. secrets like the embarrassing WikiLeaks' disclosures, while officials pondered possible criminal prosecutions and Interpol in Europe sent out a 'red notice' for nations to be on the lookout for the website's founder.
Interpol placed Julian Assange on its most-wanted list after Sweden issued an arrest warrant against him as part of a drawn-out rape probe — involving allegations Assange has denied. The Interpol alert is likely to make international travel more difficult for Assange, whose whereabouts are publicly unknown."
Glad to see we have our priorities in order. International manhunt for Assange. US "ponders" criminal prosecutions for Assange. Yet confessed torturer and serial murderer George W. Bush and his pals are having the times of their lives. Look forward! Look forward!
Scrooge (1970)***
Enjoyable retelling of the venerable Dickens classic in late 60's musical form. Albert Finney is very good but the tone strays into cartoon land and loses a bit of the humanity. Still some nice musical numbers tastefully directed by Ronald Neame.
Enjoyable retelling of the venerable Dickens classic in late 60's musical form. Albert Finney is very good but the tone strays into cartoon land and loses a bit of the humanity. Still some nice musical numbers tastefully directed by Ronald Neame.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (2010)***
The action moves away from Hogwart's and the film brightens up (literally) significantly which is a plus. A lot of time spent with Harry, Hermione and Ron on an extended camp-out which sets up an emotional climax in the next film. A long film but it didn't feel so which is a credit to director Peter Yates.
The action moves away from Hogwart's and the film brightens up (literally) significantly which is a plus. A lot of time spent with Harry, Hermione and Ron on an extended camp-out which sets up an emotional climax in the next film. A long film but it didn't feel so which is a credit to director Peter Yates.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
The Man in the White Suit (1951)**
Well made, Guinness is again marvelous, but when it's over it seems such a trifle.
Well made, Guinness is again marvelous, but when it's over it seems such a trifle.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Clinton gives thumbs-up to new Bush memoir:
"'George W. Bush also gives readers a good sense of what it's like to be president, to take the responsibilities of the office seriously, do what you think is right, and let history be the judge.'"
No. Wrong. We don't need history to be a judge. We HAVE judges. And just because you are president, that doesn't mean you just "do what you think is right". We have laws. Presidents ARE bound by those laws. George W. Bush has admitted to major crimes. He needs to be tried and JUDGED and sentenced. History has NOTHING to do with it.
"'George W. Bush also gives readers a good sense of what it's like to be president, to take the responsibilities of the office seriously, do what you think is right, and let history be the judge.'"
No. Wrong. We don't need history to be a judge. We HAVE judges. And just because you are president, that doesn't mean you just "do what you think is right". We have laws. Presidents ARE bound by those laws. George W. Bush has admitted to major crimes. He needs to be tried and JUDGED and sentenced. History has NOTHING to do with it.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
The City of Your Final Destination (2009)****
Yeah the story doesn't amount to much (sort of a Uruguayan "Howard's End"), and the lead actor is miscast and ineffectual, but the cinematography, production design, direction and acting by the supporting cast is so strong and compelling it more than compensates. Lovely picture.
Yeah the story doesn't amount to much (sort of a Uruguayan "Howard's End"), and the lead actor is miscast and ineffectual, but the cinematography, production design, direction and acting by the supporting cast is so strong and compelling it more than compensates. Lovely picture.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Alan Greenspan: The Banks Robbed You in [Market-Ticker]
"There are two fundamental reforms we need - to get adequate capital and, two, to get far higher levels of enforcements of statutes of fraud statutes, existing ones. I'm not even talking about new ones. Things were being done which were certainly illegal and fairly criminal in certain cases. Fraud, fraud is a fact. Fraud creates very considerable instability in competitive markets. If you cannot trust your counterparties, it won't work. And indeed, we saw that it didn't."
Finally, Mr. Greenspan, now that he is out of power and a borderline laughing stock, admits that he CAN recognize reality once in a while. Fraud is no longer a prosecutable offense in this country apparently so I don't hold out any hope. But wait a minute. Wasn't he IN CHARGE of the banks as Fed Chairman???
via The Agonist.
"There are two fundamental reforms we need - to get adequate capital and, two, to get far higher levels of enforcements of statutes of fraud statutes, existing ones. I'm not even talking about new ones. Things were being done which were certainly illegal and fairly criminal in certain cases. Fraud, fraud is a fact. Fraud creates very considerable instability in competitive markets. If you cannot trust your counterparties, it won't work. And indeed, we saw that it didn't."
Finally, Mr. Greenspan, now that he is out of power and a borderline laughing stock, admits that he CAN recognize reality once in a while. Fraud is no longer a prosecutable offense in this country apparently so I don't hold out any hope. But wait a minute. Wasn't he IN CHARGE of the banks as Fed Chairman???
via The Agonist.
Last Holiday (1950)**
Another droll British comedy-drama with Alec Guinness fine as usual. The story just doesn't amount to much. A bunch of snobs learn that we're all just folks.
Another droll British comedy-drama with Alec Guinness fine as usual. The story just doesn't amount to much. A bunch of snobs learn that we're all just folks.
Tuesday, November 09, 2010
Elvis Costello - National Ransom (2010)****
It's like Blood & Chocolate but performed by a 5 star bluegrass band. 20 songs (including a bonus EP) as topical as ever, as timeless as ever, as angry as ever, as hook-laden as ever. I felt his last album was a mis-step but since it led directly to this triumph it was worth it.
It's like Blood & Chocolate but performed by a 5 star bluegrass band. 20 songs (including a bonus EP) as topical as ever, as timeless as ever, as angry as ever, as hook-laden as ever. I felt his last album was a mis-step but since it led directly to this triumph it was worth it.
Monday, November 08, 2010
Bush's Opposition To Abortion Grew After Mother Showed Him Dead Fetus In A Jar
"According to Bush, he didn't recount the story primarily to explain the genesis of his anti-abortion views, but rather 'to show how my mom and I developed a relationship.'"
Oh, in that case, ok...I mean...what? WHAT? Jeez there are SO MANY LEVELS of weird here it is unbelievable. The Onion really has its work cut out with these people don't they?
"According to Bush, he didn't recount the story primarily to explain the genesis of his anti-abortion views, but rather 'to show how my mom and I developed a relationship.'"
Oh, in that case, ok...I mean...what? WHAT? Jeez there are SO MANY LEVELS of weird here it is unbelievable. The Onion really has its work cut out with these people don't they?
Brooke the Immortal: An American Child May Hold Secrets to Aging - SPIEGEL ONLINE:
"'Different parts of her body are developing at different rates, as if they were not a unit but parts of separate organisms,' Walker explains. He believes that there is only one explanation -- a failure of central control genes.
Normally, a carefully orchestrated genetic program allows a tiny egg cell to grow into an adult body. But if this master plan is impaired, the marvel of growth goes awry. Walker believes that this is precisely what has happened with Brooke. Genes that play an important role in physical development are either inactive or defective. 'If we identify those genes, we might be able to understand the development and subsequently the aging of the body,' says the scientist.
...
'Aging happens when developmental genes merely run out of meaningful information and subsequently cause chaos,' Walker says. His idea is to simply shut off the master genes of development. This, he hopes, will put a stop to the aging process. If Walker is right, the consequences will be dramatic. A body manipulated in this fashion would no longer change, but would only perform repair work. Eternal life would be within reach."
"'Different parts of her body are developing at different rates, as if they were not a unit but parts of separate organisms,' Walker explains. He believes that there is only one explanation -- a failure of central control genes.
Normally, a carefully orchestrated genetic program allows a tiny egg cell to grow into an adult body. But if this master plan is impaired, the marvel of growth goes awry. Walker believes that this is precisely what has happened with Brooke. Genes that play an important role in physical development are either inactive or defective. 'If we identify those genes, we might be able to understand the development and subsequently the aging of the body,' says the scientist.
...
'Aging happens when developmental genes merely run out of meaningful information and subsequently cause chaos,' Walker says. His idea is to simply shut off the master genes of development. This, he hopes, will put a stop to the aging process. If Walker is right, the consequences will be dramatic. A body manipulated in this fashion would no longer change, but would only perform repair work. Eternal life would be within reach."
Self Comes To Mind | Wired Science:
"It turns out that the “higher” parts of the cortex are inseparable from the “lower” parts, and that “you” – the “you” reading these words – emerge in large part from the brain stem, the nub of tissue just above the spinal cord. We arise, in other words, from the place were brain and body meet, where flesh and feeling are emulsified together."
Brain and body are inseparable. No body, no "self".
"It turns out that the “higher” parts of the cortex are inseparable from the “lower” parts, and that “you” – the “you” reading these words – emerge in large part from the brain stem, the nub of tissue just above the spinal cord. We arise, in other words, from the place were brain and body meet, where flesh and feeling are emulsified together."
Brain and body are inseparable. No body, no "self".
Friday, November 05, 2010
Union Station (1950)***
Tight little noir about a kidnapping plot gone awry with some inventive scenes in the municipal tunnel underneath L.A.'s Union Station. Lyle Bettger is a scary psychotic villain.
Tight little noir about a kidnapping plot gone awry with some inventive scenes in the municipal tunnel underneath L.A.'s Union Station. Lyle Bettger is a scary psychotic villain.
It Was the Banks | CommonDreams.org:
"This is why, in a crisis, you need new people. You must be able to attack past administrations, and override old decisions, without directly crossing those who made them.
President Obama didn't see this. Or perhaps, he didn't want to see it. His presidential campaign was, after all, from the beginning financed from Wall Street. He chose his team, knowing exactly who they were. And this tells us what we need to know about who he really is."
Unfortunately, Obama still does not see this. He thinks he has actually done something praiseworthy and we just don't get it.
"This is why, in a crisis, you need new people. You must be able to attack past administrations, and override old decisions, without directly crossing those who made them.
President Obama didn't see this. Or perhaps, he didn't want to see it. His presidential campaign was, after all, from the beginning financed from Wall Street. He chose his team, knowing exactly who they were. And this tells us what we need to know about who he really is."
Unfortunately, Obama still does not see this. He thinks he has actually done something praiseworthy and we just don't get it.
Mighty Aphrodite (1995)***
Funnier than most later-day Allen films with Mira Sorvino walking away with the picture in her Academy Award winning performance.
Funnier than most later-day Allen films with Mira Sorvino walking away with the picture in her Academy Award winning performance.
Tuesday, November 02, 2010
The Last Man on Earth (1964)**
Marred by an apparently extremely low budget and some technical lapses, this film nonetheless has some redeeming features, namely a fine performance by Vincent Price, and some interesting and novel ideas. Probably the first vampire-zombie picture, it's a rare post-apocalyptic story that doesn't lay the blame at man's feet. Still, a quite bleak and harsh look at humanity.
Marred by an apparently extremely low budget and some technical lapses, this film nonetheless has some redeeming features, namely a fine performance by Vincent Price, and some interesting and novel ideas. Probably the first vampire-zombie picture, it's a rare post-apocalyptic story that doesn't lay the blame at man's feet. Still, a quite bleak and harsh look at humanity.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Dracula (1931)***
Highly influential version of the Dracula story primarily due to the spectacular production design and some strange and interesting performances. Lugosi is startling as the Count and Dwight Frye as Renfield almost steals the picture. The only thing lacking is some stronger direction from Tod Browning who just doesn't seem to be interested.
Highly influential version of the Dracula story primarily due to the spectacular production design and some strange and interesting performances. Lugosi is startling as the Count and Dwight Frye as Renfield almost steals the picture. The only thing lacking is some stronger direction from Tod Browning who just doesn't seem to be interested.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992)***
Entertaining take on the vampire legend, although claiming this is "Bram Stoker's" version is quite suspect. The venerable tale is enlivened by Gary Oldman's and Anthony Hopkins' performances and Francis Coppola's interesting and offbeat visual style. The sex is more explicit, the blood and gore more visible. Winona Ryder and Keanu Reeves stand out as miscasts, although the entire project might not have happened were it not for Ms. Ryder so what can you do?
Entertaining take on the vampire legend, although claiming this is "Bram Stoker's" version is quite suspect. The venerable tale is enlivened by Gary Oldman's and Anthony Hopkins' performances and Francis Coppola's interesting and offbeat visual style. The sex is more explicit, the blood and gore more visible. Winona Ryder and Keanu Reeves stand out as miscasts, although the entire project might not have happened were it not for Ms. Ryder so what can you do?
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
The Omega Man (1971)**
I'm not quite sure what got into Charlton Heston in the late 60's/early 70's, but he made 3 iconic sci-fi dystopian pictures almost in a row: Planet of the Apes, Soylent Green, and this one. Very cynical, very bleak, very depressing views of humanity, full of interesting ideas, but, except for "Apes", made on a shoestring budget and sorely lacking in imagination. I kind of admire Heston for taking chances like this even though he sometimes is woefully miscast. "Omega" is competent, kids will find it scary.
I'm not quite sure what got into Charlton Heston in the late 60's/early 70's, but he made 3 iconic sci-fi dystopian pictures almost in a row: Planet of the Apes, Soylent Green, and this one. Very cynical, very bleak, very depressing views of humanity, full of interesting ideas, but, except for "Apes", made on a shoestring budget and sorely lacking in imagination. I kind of admire Heston for taking chances like this even though he sometimes is woefully miscast. "Omega" is competent, kids will find it scary.
Monday, October 25, 2010
The House on Telegraph Hill (1951)***
Above average "is-my-husband-trying-to-kill-me" gothic melodrama, well-cast with a fine lead performance by a gorgeous Valentina Cortesa as the threatened wife. Robert Wise does a good job of creating atmosphere and maintaining the suspense. Alfred Hitchcock would have approved.
Above average "is-my-husband-trying-to-kill-me" gothic melodrama, well-cast with a fine lead performance by a gorgeous Valentina Cortesa as the threatened wife. Robert Wise does a good job of creating atmosphere and maintaining the suspense. Alfred Hitchcock would have approved.
The Return of the TARP Lie About the Commercial Paper Market | Beat the Press
"This is worth mentioning now because this hoary lie keeps popping up. Let's be clear, it was important for the Fed/government to take steps to sustain a working financial system. But these steps could have included conditions that made Wall Street pay a huge price and change its mode of operation forever.
The decision to give the money essentially without conditions was a political decision that was attributable to the banks' political power. As a result, these parasites are more economically and politically powerful than ever. The public should know the truth even if they lack the money to do anything about it."
God, and/or Aqua Buddha, bless Dean Baker!
"This is worth mentioning now because this hoary lie keeps popping up. Let's be clear, it was important for the Fed/government to take steps to sustain a working financial system. But these steps could have included conditions that made Wall Street pay a huge price and change its mode of operation forever.
The decision to give the money essentially without conditions was a political decision that was attributable to the banks' political power. As a result, these parasites are more economically and politically powerful than ever. The public should know the truth even if they lack the money to do anything about it."
God, and/or Aqua Buddha, bless Dean Baker!
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
How to use, abuse, and leave Facebook Groups:
"There have been a number of criticisms since Facebook's original announcement about the Groups feature, the most prominent being that anyone can add you to any group, with or without your permission. You would likely find out about this by suddenly getting an influx of e-mail notifications about group activities, or watching the little badge at the top of your Facebook page constantly light up with new updates."
I tried out this supposedly new group thing and it hit me: Facebook is the new AOL. And they are going to be toast. And it is all because they do not care at all about the UI. Facebook is about maximizing the back end. That is where all their efforts and probably their best programmers are directed.
Either that or they are just plain incompetent.
They bill the "new" groups as a way for YOU to segregate your friends into groups that YOU want. But they didn't create a new feature, they just made making public groups easier. You could ALWAYS place your friends into different groups by creating lists of friends. And this was known only to you not your friends. These new groups go way beyond that. And try deleting the group once you create one. You have to remove each friend from the group then yourself and it magically "disappears" although that is questionable considering this is Facebook.
There is a HUGE window of opportunity for another player or two to step in with a user friendly social networking web app that actually works and is intuitive from a user standpoint.
"There have been a number of criticisms since Facebook's original announcement about the Groups feature, the most prominent being that anyone can add you to any group, with or without your permission. You would likely find out about this by suddenly getting an influx of e-mail notifications about group activities, or watching the little badge at the top of your Facebook page constantly light up with new updates."
I tried out this supposedly new group thing and it hit me: Facebook is the new AOL. And they are going to be toast. And it is all because they do not care at all about the UI. Facebook is about maximizing the back end. That is where all their efforts and probably their best programmers are directed.
Either that or they are just plain incompetent.
They bill the "new" groups as a way for YOU to segregate your friends into groups that YOU want. But they didn't create a new feature, they just made making public groups easier. You could ALWAYS place your friends into different groups by creating lists of friends. And this was known only to you not your friends. These new groups go way beyond that. And try deleting the group once you create one. You have to remove each friend from the group then yourself and it magically "disappears" although that is questionable considering this is Facebook.
There is a HUGE window of opportunity for another player or two to step in with a user friendly social networking web app that actually works and is intuitive from a user standpoint.
The Curse of Frankenstein (1957)***
Good, effective "re-imagining" of the oft-told tale of the mad genius who can't let dead dogs lie. Literally. Some great art direction, original ideas, and not as heavy handed with the music and closeups as subsequent Hammer films would be.
Good, effective "re-imagining" of the oft-told tale of the mad genius who can't let dead dogs lie. Literally. Some great art direction, original ideas, and not as heavy handed with the music and closeups as subsequent Hammer films would be.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
And Then There Were None (1945)**
Earliest version of Agatha Christie's whodunnit stage play has problems with a whimsical tone while the bodies pile up. Apparently this is in keeping with the stage play but doesn't work well on film. At least not in this instance. Perhaps because the actors are too good in their roles?
Earliest version of Agatha Christie's whodunnit stage play has problems with a whimsical tone while the bodies pile up. Apparently this is in keeping with the stage play but doesn't work well on film. At least not in this instance. Perhaps because the actors are too good in their roles?
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Soylent Green (1973)**
Bleak, depressing vision of the now near future, 2022, but clearly dated to 1972. Extremely low budgeted and unimaginative art direction really hampers the film. The helmets used for riot gear by the police are not modified football helmets but ACTUAL football helmets spray painted grey. Hilarious. Except for Edward G. Robinson, a very poorly cast film. Heston doesn't even come close to being believable. Lots of huge plot holes.
Bleak, depressing vision of the now near future, 2022, but clearly dated to 1972. Extremely low budgeted and unimaginative art direction really hampers the film. The helmets used for riot gear by the police are not modified football helmets but ACTUAL football helmets spray painted grey. Hilarious. Except for Edward G. Robinson, a very poorly cast film. Heston doesn't even come close to being believable. Lots of huge plot holes.
The Ladykillers (1955)**
Energetic performances from Alec Guinness and Peter Sellers enliven the film, but the best it can do is be a droll bit of British caper-film whimsy.
Energetic performances from Alec Guinness and Peter Sellers enliven the film, but the best it can do is be a droll bit of British caper-film whimsy.
Saturday, October 09, 2010
Brain cells of rats used within experimental robots:
"...he [cyberneticist Kevin Warwick] argues that the field is advancing at a rapid rate, and that it won't be long before we have a cultured set of brain cells that rival the size of simple mammalian brains. At what point can we consider these robots 'alive', let alone 'intelligent'?"
"...he [cyberneticist Kevin Warwick] argues that the field is advancing at a rapid rate, and that it won't be long before we have a cultured set of brain cells that rival the size of simple mammalian brains. At what point can we consider these robots 'alive', let alone 'intelligent'?"
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