| I think we all know that politicians will say almost anything to get elected including stretching the truth, distorting fact and telling outright lies. Fact Check is a nonprofit, non-partisan website run by the Annenberg Foundation that checks the facts behind what both candidates are saying to the voters. Personally, after reading how both parties are playing fast-and-loose with the truth, it amazes me they still continue to practice these obvious deceptions especially when their statements can be checked so easily. If you find this site helpful, please pass it along to others. In other news... I saw this item today from the Associated Press on several news feeds: Lehman Brothers steered millions to departing execs while asking for rescue. And even better, a Wall Street insider was appointed "Bailout Czar". Nice. So, they're giving control of the taxpayers bailout to a guy that was part of the same exclusive club of rich white ivy-league geniuses who got us into this mess in the first place? Wow. CU |
Monday, October 6, 2008
Just the Facts...
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Berlin 1936 - Beijing 2008
The first sentence of the U.S. State Departments Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2007 is: "The People's Republic of China (PRC) is an authoritarian state in which, as specified in its constitution, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is the paramount source of power".
So while you're enjoying the 2008 Olympics and you begin to think the Chinese aren't so bad, here are a few things to consider:
- Tiananmen Square protests of 1989
- Chinese Forced Labor Camps
- Shandong No. 2 Labor Re-education Camp
- Human Rights
- Tibet
- A Holocaust of Little Girls
Just like the Berlin 1936 Olympics, everything you see during the Beijing 2008 Olympics will be fresh paint and window-dressing: A well-orchestrated subterfuge designed to promote the false reality that everything is a-ok in the world's largest police state. But only while the world is watching. Underneath the pretty picture the labor camps remain open. Even on Christmas.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Glen Beck and the Anti-Christ
Is it possible the prognosticators of doom have gotten it all wrong and the “Anti-Christ” isn’t a person at all but a powerful world-wide organization?
During the tenure of organized religion on this small remote planet, untold millions have been slaughtered in the name of God or whatever deity was in vogue at the time.
Case in point, during the middle and dark ages when Christianity held temporal authority over the west, the misery was so great and death so prolific that western civilization barely survived.
The history of religion is a literal catalog of horrors: Driven by greed, lust, ignorance and superstition, organized religion has done everything in its power to halt the progress of humanity, of science, of the betterment of the world in order to maintain its sway over all the peoples of the Earth. Or, that is to say it’s wealth and power. Promoting the kingdom of heaven has always paid very well for those in charge.
No crime, no act torture, no amount of depravity is beyond the religious warrior because as the Christians said during the middle ages: “God wills it.”
So the religious machine grinds on into the present day.
Christian’s killing Muslims.
Muslim’s killing Jews and Christians.
Jew’s killing Muslims with the enthusiastic help of Christians who provide
Because of flag-waving, holy-book-thumping, flag-pin-wearing sociopaths who portray themselves as the acme of piety and wholesomeness, we live in a world soaked in blood and misery because one people’s version of the Creator is not the same as another’s.
And the tragedy is compounded when rational people uninfected by this virus, this madness, are ridiculed simply for showing us a world without superstition, without ignorance, without fear.
Without religion.
“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.”
We don’t need to look very hard to find the Anti-Christ: It’s already here and it has been for a long, long time.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Imported Electronics Acting as Vectors for Viruses
This is an interesting article from the Dallas Morning News which reports that "From iPods to navigation systems, some of today's hottest gadgets are landing on store shelves with some unwanted extras from the factory – pre-installed viruses that steal passwords, open doors for hackers and make computers spew spam."
The infected gadgets include iPod's, digital picture frames sold by Target and Best Buy, and TomTom NV's navigation gear. There wasn't any mention of flash or hard disk drives but I'm sure they're susceptible to this method of infection as well.
Right now the infections are thought to be caused by lax quality control practices rather than an organized attack.
For example, a factory computer used to test gadgets is infected with a virus which transfers it to a music player; the device acting as a delivery system for the virus. When the customer plugs it into their home computer, the virus installs itself.
I always took it for granted flash drives and other electronic joy that I purchase is uninfected.
Nothing is sacred anymore.
CU
Friday, March 14, 2008
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Hulu: Online TV, Movies & More
I'm not sure how long Hulu has been around but I recently saw it profiled on G4 and thought I'd give it a shot. They don't yet have a huge selection to choose from but what they do have is pretty decent and I had an enjoyable experience on the site. According to their "About Us," they have an "ambitious and never-ending mission [...] to help you find and enjoy the world's premium content when, where and how you want it."
What I liked:
- The website is very clean and easy to navigate. Additionally, the embedded media player is easy to use and understand. Their designers obviously grasp the concept of "less is more."
- Content is browsed by popularity, title, genre, and studio.They've also put together collections of videos such as pilot episodes and SNL music videos which I thought was a nice touch.
- You can pop-out the media player and place it anywhere on your screen.
- Good picture and sound ("high-def" 480p is available if you have Flash Player 9 and a fast enough connection).
- You can perform a search and then turn it into an RSS feed.
- They provide Queues and Subscriptions.
- They provide video sharing allowing you to add content to your website and - this is cool - define the start and end points of the video you wish to share.
- They're content is "free" if you don't mind watching short advertisements at the beginning of each video. I'm uncertain if they interrupt the middle of a TV show or movie with commercials. The ad's I saw were 10-15 seconds in length and didn't bother me too much. However, if they get any longer or start cluttering up the site and/or media player with a ad banners, it could get ugly.
- I don't like ad-supported anything but if they're short and intrusive, I'll grin and bear it.
- There's not a lot of content to choose from but they're adding more all the time so this will change. I hope they get into more partnerships with independent filmmakers but since they're a joint venture between NBC Universal and Fox, that's unlikely to occur. I'd also like to see some documentary selections but they have none of those at the moment.
- I wish they had more textual content because for the most part, the site consists of lists and thumbnails. It would be nice, for instance, to have more complete descriptions of the programs.
CU
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
8 Films to See Before You Die
he majority of films produced by the entertainment industry for mass market consumption are mediocre at best while at worst, they represent 90-odd minutes of my life that I'll never get back.
Most characters in mainstream films are usually one-dimensional representations of the ideal American hero: White, heterosexual Christian males with great bodies, great teeth, who always support the troops, love their mothers and above all, are patriotic. The villains aren't much better either: All evil all the time sporting weak chins, bad teeth and unnatural sexual urges. Hey folks, guess what: The Germans supported their troops, too and Hitler liked dogs and children. Life is not black and white and more often than not, the bad guys win (just like corporate America).
Hey, don't get me wrong: I enjoy unwinding with a decent no-brainer flick just as much as the next guy. But after a while all the CG effects, explosions, car chases, foot chases, boobies, bullets, blood, more boobies and senseless dialog tend to blur into one huge meta-movie that keeps repeating itself over and over and over again. Its this meta-movie that dominates the entertainment landscape of our fading republic.
I've always preferred the anti-heroic protagonist to the typical American hero in the books I read and the films I watch. I search out artists who paint their characters in shades of gray, weaving together shadow and light to build wonderfully flawed, entirely fallible human beings.
The eight films below are some of my favorites which I believe, outshine the mediocrities that surround them.
La Cité des enfants perdus (1995)
The City of Lost Children
French with English Subtitles
In THE CITY OF LOST CHILDREN, an imaginative fantasy from the creators of DELICATESSEN, a prematurely aging mad scientist named Krank (Daniel Emilfork) kidnaps children so he can steal their dreams. However, Krank runs into trouble when his henchmen grab Denrée (Joseph Lucien), a little boy whose adopted brother, One (Ron Perelman), is a circus strongman. One desperately tries to find Denrée and begs for help from Miette (Judith Vittet), a 9-year-old girl who heads up a gang of orphans. Together, One and Miette finally find Krank's castle, meeting along the way the lost identical brother--the original--of the three clones (each played by Dominique Pinon) who serve as Krank's assistants. French directors Marc Caro and Jean-Pierre Jeunet once again prove their technical prowess with this dark fairy tale, which features outstanding performances from its youthful cast (most notably Vittet). As is the case with DELICATESSEN, however, their genius in constructing a highly artificial, beautiful, believable world threatens to overshadow the story. But even the fantastic sets cannot compare to the bizarre spectacles that Jeunet and Caro dream up. In one unforgettable scene, a pair of evil Siamese twin sisters prepare dinner, their four arms working perfectly in sync--one holding vegetables for another to chop while a third stirs the soup and a fourth scratches their collective itches. Frequent David Lynch collaborator Angelo Badalamenti creates the chilling, circusy musical score that adds to the film's magic. Reprinted from: Rotten Tomatoes
Comment: This is one of my absolute favorites! A must-see for anyone who enjoys dark fantasy.
Dead Man (1996)
In bringing his distinct vision to the Western genre, writer-director Jim Jarmusch has created a quasi-mystical avant-garde drama that remains a deeply spiritual viewing experience. After losing his parents and fiancée, a Cleveland accountant named William Blake (a remarkable Johnny Depp) spends all his money and takes a train to the frontier town of Machine in order to work at a factory. Upon arriving in Machine, he is denied his expected job and finds himself a fugitive after murdering a man in self-defense. Wounded and helpless, Blake is befriended by Nobody (Gary Farmer), a wandering Native American who considers him to be a ghostly manifestation of the famous poet. Nobody aids Blake in his flight from three bumbling bounty hunters, preparing him for his final journey--a return to the world of the spirits. Jarmusch once again employs the beautifully contrasted black-and-white photography of Robby Müller, which sets a poetic, dreamy mood. He also fades in and out of scenes in order to better reflect Blake’s dazed, weak mental state. Adding an even greater depth to the film is Neil Young’s haunting score, which completes the overall effect. DEAD MAN stands firmly as a timeless work of art whose impact only increases upon subsequent viewings. Reprinted from: Rotten Tomatoes
Comment: I was floored the first time I saw this film. The story and acting are superb and the soundtrack by Neil Young, initially sounds harsh and ragged, suddenly begins blending seamlessly with the story. You'll hear echoes of this music for days afterwards. I wholeheartedly agree with RT, this film is a work of Art. Look for the cameo by Billy Bob Thornton.
Suicide Kings (1998)
Avery is desperate: his sister has been kidnapped and ransomed for $2,000,000, and his father doesn't have the cash. So Avery and his buddies concoct a bold, semi-suicidal scheme: abduct retired mob boss Charlie Bartolucci (Walken), hide out in their uptight friend Ira's house while his folks are out of town, and force Bartolucci to use his contacts to find the girl. Amused by his fledging captors, the seasoned mobster agrees to help them...but not before he cautions them that the guilty party might be right under their noses. Reprinted from: Rotten Tomatoes
Comment: The critics at RT are way off base for giving this film a low rating. Take my word for it, this is a great picture.
King of New York (1990)
Christopher Walken stars as Frank White, an ultracool crime boss, in this moody gem from director Abel Ferrara. Released from a long stint in jail, White rejoins his devoted gang, which includes the trigger-happy Jimmy Jump (Laurence Fishburne), Test Tube (Steve Buscemi), and his attractive attorney girlfriend, Jennifer (Janet Julian). Setting up headquarters in Trump Plaza, they start wiping out members of rival mobs in a bid to take back the streets and indulge in lots of cocaine and sex, but ultimately White has more noble ambitions, such as giving a fortune in drug money to charity. David Caruso, Victor Argo, and Wesley Snipes costar as a group of bitter cops who don’t buy Frank’s change of heart and decide to go outside the law to take him down. Poetic, sexy, funny, somber, and very violent, this critical hit cemented the rep of Ferrara and has earned a strong cult following. Bozan Bajelli serves as director of the arresting cinematography, which is full of rich shadows and gold, blue, and red hues. For fans of films such as THE GODFATHER and SCARFACE, this is essential viewing. Reprinted from: Rotten Tomatoes
Comment: This is a dark and violent film and its not for everyone but in my opinion, its well worth seeing at least once. Since I'm a huge Christopher Walken fan its at the top of my DVD shelf.
Chelsea Walls (2002)
The Chelsea Hotel echoes with loneliness, residents moving in and out, dreaming behind closed doors and searching for someone -- or something -- that got away. The Chelsea Hotel used to be grand, the place to live for New York City artists. Mark Twain, Thomas Wolfe, Tennessee Williams, Arthur Miller, Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix…they all passed through the hotel’s halls. Now, the iron façade has become rusty and the artists in residence are tarnished, too. Still, new dreamers come every day, hoping to be inspired by the ghosts of the past. Grace (Uma Thurman) and Audrey (Rosaria Dawson) are young poets, who constantly struggle with issues of art and love. Never learning from experience, they always seem to let the wrong men into their hearts. Grace should love Frank (Vincent D’Onofrio), an artist who respects and understands her. But she still responds to the siren call of the lover who went to Hollywood. Similarly, Audrey lets impenetrable Val (Mark Webber) back into her life, knowing he will go off with Crutches (Kevin Corrigan) to do something that could take him away from her forever. Down the hall, Bud (Kris Kristofferson) is a writer who faces more endings than beginnings. His pretends that his wife, Greta, (Tuesday Weld) and his mistress, Mary, (Natasha Richardson) are his muses. But his eight-hundred page book is really fueled by an endless supply of alcohol. A lion who is losing his roar, Bud is out of time. For every worn out writer, there are two new musicians who come to town. Ross (Steve Zahn) and Terry (Robert Sean Leonard) have just driven in from Minnesota, eager to experience the sights and sounds of the Chelsea Hotel. These new hotel residents, young and full of expectations, mingle with the old hotel ghosts, ultimately becoming interchangeable. They form a community, linked by their dreams, their isolation, and their pain. The Chelsea Hotel never really leaves the people who live there, nor do they ever really leave it. -- © 2002 Lions Gate Films. Reprinted from: Rotten Tomatoes
Comment: Once again, I disagree with the RT rating for this flim. I've watched it a few times and each time, I was very moved by the outstanding portrayals of the damaged people who live within the Chelsea hotel.
Nomads (1986)
NOMADS, Director John McTiernan’s first film, is a blueprint for his later psychic thrillers, PREDATOR, DIE HARD, and THE LAST ACTION HERO. Here he boldly delivers a movie which deviates from the blasé and conventional plots popular in most mid-eighties films. After moving to Los Angeles, Pommier (Pierce Brosnan), a cultural anthropologist and his wife, Niki (Anna Maria Montecelli) are attacked by a group of what appears to be angry street kids. It turns out that the punky group are not urban riff raff, but in fact, evil Eskimo spirits called the Innuat which have been haunting Pommier across the planet. Eventually driven mad by the spirits, Brosnan transfers his persona into Dr. Flax (Lesley-Anne Downs). In order to rid herself of the malady, she joins Niki and searches out the Innuat. With NOMADS, McTiernan treats the viewer to a cinematic cascade of lunacy. The viewer sees Pommier’s memories through Flax’s eyes: or, are the memories merely a hallucination? One isn’t sure until the shocking finale, which make NOMADS both frightening and unforgettable. Reprinted from: Rotten Tomatoes
Comment: Yeah, I know. Not many folks liked this one. It does have something of a kitchy feel to it. McTiernan could have made the Innuat somewhat darker and less leather-boy-meets-eighties-madonna but it was his first film so give the guy a break. The acting is great and there are some really good moments during the film (the convent scene was pretty damn scary). I think people - especially critics - expect too much. The whole idea of the Innuat really set my imagination cooking. Kitch aside, there are some dark themes being played out in this film. If you haven't seen it, give it a chance.
Once Upon a Time in America (1984)
Once Upon a Time in America is an outstanding film on several levels. Its length and its impeccable attention to period detail give it the feel of an epic. But at its heart, it is the story of one man's journey through life, and the price he's paid for the choices he made along the way. Though his age is never specified, Noodles (Robert De Niro) must have been born just after the turn of the century, making him about 30 when we first meet him in the opium den beneath the Chinese theatre. We know he is a hunted man, and by the looks of things, he is also a haunted man... still young, but devoid of vibrance. He isn't merely hiding out from thugs, Noodles is hiding out from life itself... lost in a druggy haze of nothingness. But he can't really hide from the past, as we see when a ringing telephone cues his memory and we are provided a glimpse of the events that led him to seek this refuge. Reprinted from: About Film
Comment: This film is much, much more than a gangster movie. Starring Robert De Niro, James Woods, Elizabeth McGovern, Joe Pesci and Jennifer Connelly; it possesses some of the finest screen writing and character portrayals I've ever encountered on film. In particular, De Niro's role of Noodles moved me to tears. His fall and - as I see it - ultimate redemption are the main theme of this genuine work of art. I waited a long time for this film to come to DVD. I don't watch it too often because it does leave behind a lingering sadness that hangs on after the ending credits roll and the DVD is back in its case. Still, I believe something undefinable but glorious shines through making the whole journey worthwhile.
"Your youngest and strongest will fall by the sword."
-- Inscription on the entrance to the crypt
-- Inscription on the entrance to the crypt
Carlito's Way (1993)
Notorious Puerto Rican heroin dealer Carlito Brigante (Al Pacino) is released from jail on a technicality thanks to the manipulations of his sleazy lawyer buddy (Sean Penn). All he wants is to keep his nose clean and earn enough money to start a business in the Bahamas--and maybe rekindle romance with his old flame, played by Penelope Ann Miller. Instead he finds himself back in trouble as a result of old-world codes of honor and misguided loyalties. It all takes place in 1975 Manhattan, in and around a nightclub Carlito manages, so there's plenty of classic disco music pulsing on the soundtrack. John Leguizamo plays one of the younger generation of hoodlums out to prove something. Viggo Mortensen and Luis Guzmán star as a couple of Carlito's buddies from the old days. Brian De Palma, who directed Pacino a decade earlier in SCARFACE, makes this seem almost like that film's sequel. As expected, there's plenty of elaborate tracking shots and suspenseful set pieces, most memorably a pulse-pounding chase through Grand Central Station. It's adapted from two novels by New York Supreme Court Judge Edwin Torres based on his childhood in East Harlem. Reprinted from: Rotten Tomatoes
Comment: An incredible film...
No room in this cityCU
for big hearts like ours.
Sorry, baby.
I tried the best I could. Honest.
Can't come with me on this trip, though.
Gettin' the shakes now.
Last call for drinks. Bar's closin' down.
Sun's out.
Where we goin' for breakfast?
Don't wanna go far.
Rough night.
Tired baby...
...tired.
Ending narrative dialog from the film "Carlito's Way"
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
