September 29, 2008
Jstbitchin
I am Jack’s whiney cry baby. I’m not real happy with myself, but I’m also not real thrilled with my folks. We knew it was coming, and I’m reminded of a scene from Fletch.
Dr. Joseph Dolan: You know, it's a shame about Ed.
Fletch: Oh, it was. Yeah, it was really a shame. To go so suddenly like that.
Dr. Joseph Dolan: He was dying for years.
Fletch: Sure, but... the end was very... very sudden.
Dr. Joseph Dolan: He was in intensive care for eight weeks.
Fletch: Yeah, but I mean the very end, when he actually died. That was extremely sudden.
For about eight years I’ve known my parents planned to retire to Arizona. They put their house on the market in July, and it seemed a little more plausible, and I still didn’t really accept it. With this economy and housing market, selling a villa on a street in which six are for sale could, and should, take at least a year. It didn’t. They got an offer, and it was low. They countered, and were countered back. Then they accepted. They were given three and a half weeks to pack up and move. Nearly one third will be spent looking for a new house in Arizaon. So, as Fletch said, at the end, it was extremely sudden.
I’ve gone from pretty sad, thinking about how they’re about to miss the Kyd’s 7th birthday, the wife’s birthday and my own. All of which take place in November, incase you’re wondering how many shopping days you have. They’re going to be gone for Thanksgiving, and the plan was for my brother and his family to come up, which had us all (especially the Kyd) very excited. They won’t be here to light the Menorah, and probably won’t get to see the Kyd cheerleading a flag football game. Sadness gave away to anger, for all those same points and more. Parents aren’t supposed to leave their kids, it’s supposed to be the other way around. I always felt like I missed out, because I never lived near my extended family. I didn’t have grandparent at baseball games. Aunts and uncle’s didn’t come to my birthdays. I wanted different for my kyd, and luckily she still has that with her mom and dad’s family. Which, quite honestly, makes my families absence that much more apparent.
I want to be happy for my parents, that they are in a position both financially and physically, that they can go and spend, as they call it, the final chapter of their lives away from winter. But at the same time, being the final chapter, why would anyone want to be in a hurry to start that chapter? Just when this chapter is finally such a great read?
And of course, I’m pretty annoyed with myself for not handling this the way I’d like to. I wish I was just happy for them, and excited that we’ll be taking some trips out to Arizona. But I am Jack’s selfish bastard.
Dr. Joseph Dolan: You know, it's a shame about Ed.
Fletch: Oh, it was. Yeah, it was really a shame. To go so suddenly like that.
Dr. Joseph Dolan: He was dying for years.
Fletch: Sure, but... the end was very... very sudden.
Dr. Joseph Dolan: He was in intensive care for eight weeks.
Fletch: Yeah, but I mean the very end, when he actually died. That was extremely sudden.
For about eight years I’ve known my parents planned to retire to Arizona. They put their house on the market in July, and it seemed a little more plausible, and I still didn’t really accept it. With this economy and housing market, selling a villa on a street in which six are for sale could, and should, take at least a year. It didn’t. They got an offer, and it was low. They countered, and were countered back. Then they accepted. They were given three and a half weeks to pack up and move. Nearly one third will be spent looking for a new house in Arizaon. So, as Fletch said, at the end, it was extremely sudden.
I’ve gone from pretty sad, thinking about how they’re about to miss the Kyd’s 7th birthday, the wife’s birthday and my own. All of which take place in November, incase you’re wondering how many shopping days you have. They’re going to be gone for Thanksgiving, and the plan was for my brother and his family to come up, which had us all (especially the Kyd) very excited. They won’t be here to light the Menorah, and probably won’t get to see the Kyd cheerleading a flag football game. Sadness gave away to anger, for all those same points and more. Parents aren’t supposed to leave their kids, it’s supposed to be the other way around. I always felt like I missed out, because I never lived near my extended family. I didn’t have grandparent at baseball games. Aunts and uncle’s didn’t come to my birthdays. I wanted different for my kyd, and luckily she still has that with her mom and dad’s family. Which, quite honestly, makes my families absence that much more apparent.
I want to be happy for my parents, that they are in a position both financially and physically, that they can go and spend, as they call it, the final chapter of their lives away from winter. But at the same time, being the final chapter, why would anyone want to be in a hurry to start that chapter? Just when this chapter is finally such a great read?
And of course, I’m pretty annoyed with myself for not handling this the way I’d like to. I wish I was just happy for them, and excited that we’ll be taking some trips out to Arizona. But I am Jack’s selfish bastard.
September 23, 2008
Jstfast
Leave it a 6 and 4 year old to reveal the fundamental flaws of organized religion. This story was told me today, by a friend, and I wish I had made it up.
A young boy and girl attend a private school, and at their meals they recite a prayer, something to the affect of “God is good, God is great.” Its harmless stuff, and there’s nothing wrong with it in a private school. Fast forward to one night at dinner, and the kids want to recite their prayer before eating. Being young kids, they seem to remember the prayer slightly different. And this leads to a fight between the two.
That’s organized religion for you. Doesn’t matter if you’re basically saying the same thing, it’s how you say and you’re either right or wrong.
A young boy and girl attend a private school, and at their meals they recite a prayer, something to the affect of “God is good, God is great.” Its harmless stuff, and there’s nothing wrong with it in a private school. Fast forward to one night at dinner, and the kids want to recite their prayer before eating. Being young kids, they seem to remember the prayer slightly different. And this leads to a fight between the two.
That’s organized religion for you. Doesn’t matter if you’re basically saying the same thing, it’s how you say and you’re either right or wrong.
JstRant
Maybe I’m a bigot of sorts. Or just too narrow minded, or maybe I’m best described as a snob. Or all three and then some. Last night I took the Kyd to her cheerleading practice, which is organized by her fathers Church. So we get there early, par for the Hirp course, and the Kyd wants to go hang out in the bookstore. Par for the Kyd course, she loves books.
So instead of just wandering with her through the aisles, and just enjoying her enthusiasm (which I still enjoyed) I was stuck in my head making cracks about the titles and just looking for things to rant about. Like the fact that every book cover had the whitest, squarest looking people. I notice how the titles and authors seem to just follow a formula, title start with “the” and is followed by an adjective that drums up the most dramatic apocalyptic images, such as “Parting” or “Found” or “Forgiven.”
This bugs me, but really, it could have just been a play out of John Grisham or Stephen King’s playbooks. But since the theme is Christ, and not a hot shot lawyer, it raises my most cynical flag. I make no bones about it, I have issues with organized religion. Not just those that pray to Jesus. Those just come up more, because frankly, they seem to be more outspoken themselves.
And I can’t get over this Church. It’s huge. It’s plush, with their nice café, impressive teenage hangout and their fully equipped stage that’s more high tech than anything in Lawrence or Westport. The money spent here, well, I can’t help but think about what good it could have done. I just looked it up, and its 150,000 square feet. I’m guessing at least $20 million.
But now I’m stuck thinking about me, what the hell is wrong with me? So what if it cost $20 million, and so what if the books and CD’s have an agenda, it’s not as if anyone is being tricked into coming here. Thousands of people come here, and they get something from coming. Good for them. But I can’t let it go that easily.
I can’t help but notice how often I hear the other parents bring up God or Jesus. A girl tried to cheer up another on Saturday, and they gave her an award for being “Christ-like.” I think it’s great that she helped her friend, and it should absolutely be brought to everyones attention and that sort of behavior should be re-inforced. But what if I, the agnostic Jew, does something nice for someone? Is it not “Christ like” because of my beliefs? Why can’t we just acknowledge and appreciate a good deed, without grand comparisons?
And these parents, wow. I know they’re parents like any other parents, but there’s something about the fact that we’re at a Church, and they are holding their kids to such high standards, that makes it even worse, in my eyes, when I see what most would agree is less than ideal parenting. While these girls are practicing their cheers, there are little babies wandering around, sometimes taking their sisters pom-poms. And no one seems to notice. When their kids act out, even throw a megaphone at their dad, it’s smiled at. Of course, I have no idea what will happen when they get in the car, but I can’t understand why that isn’t addressed right away.
And the “coach” has zero control, or any kind of influence over the team. She’s obviously learning the routine as she teaches it, and she’s going over four pages of cheers and the corresponding movements in an hours time. Each cheer and action is said three times, doesn’t matter if half the kids are more intoned with the sound their pom-poms make. She doesn’t care that no ones getting it, and anytime her daughter interrupts her, she hugs her and says thanks. Someone needs to call in Cesar, this place needs a pack leader. All of this has absolutely nothing to do with God, religion or this Church. Or does it?
The fact that his is first graders learning cheerleading sounds insignificant, but it isn’t. This is, for most of them, their first expierence with organized sports. This can have a great impact on their self-esteem, social skills and overall health for the rest of their lives. I’d argue that the most important coach any kid ever has, is their first coach. With teachers, the kindergarten or first grade teacher, can really set the wheels in motion for the rest of a kids academic future. But if they don’t connect, there’s going to be a second grade teacher, or a third grade, all the way up through high school, who may get through to the kid. Maybe it never happens, but you’re going to get more chances. But if the first coach fails, a kid may never want to try sports again.
So I can’t help but hold the Church, at least, somewhat responsible. Of course I don’t expect them to recruit 1st grade cheerleading coaches, or check resumes. And it doesn’t matter at all if the coach has any experience with what they’re coaching, but they must care. They have to engage each kid, motivate them and praise them. And they have to be willing to toss a parent out of practice for being over-bearing, or call out a kid who isn’t listening.
I keep hearing them say, that trying is all that matters. Well, that only works when the coaches try too. Going through the motions isn’t given any effort, my high school career proves that. So the cynical flag flies again, and I can’t help but question if this is all just another tool to sell the kids on the Church. As if they are saying, “you come here, and you have fun. You get pom-poms and a cute outfit. We give you treats every week, and your parents smile. This all makes God happy.”
I think it’s great that the Church wants to give the kids things to do, productive things too. But this isn’t just so pure and harmless. They can totally wreck a kid’s confidence, and you can’t pray for confidence. Some kids may never want to play sports, and that’s fine. My wife didn’t particularly enjoy playing softball as a kid, she’s turned out fantastic. I loved playing baseball and basketball, even though I was awful and embarrassed myself on a regular basis. But the great memories always make those moments and after thought.
“That’s alright, that’s okay, Jesus loves you anyway” is one of their cheers. Cute little thing. But does anyone really look at what is being said? Maybe I’m way off here, and first graders are just having fun, but it seems as if this cheer is for after a mistake (they don’t really pay attention to the game, and all the cheers are pretty random). But they aren’t considering the neurotic Jew in the crowd, that’s over analyzing every detail. So Jesus loves them anyway, even if they fumble. Good to know. What about their parents, do they still love them? If Jesus loves the winners and the losers the same, do we really need to point this out? That’s a lot of time and energy spent to bring light to what is no more than a tie in God’s eyes. Making football, and everything else, a giant game of tic-tac-toe.
See, this is why I’ve never smoked pot. I can’t imagine the stupid things I’d obsess about if I ever got high.
So, back to the idea that maybe I'm a bigot. Could be, but I'd never attach these thoughts to religion if this wasn't organized by a Church. This is why I'm glad we keep Church and State seperate. Well, for now anyway....
So instead of just wandering with her through the aisles, and just enjoying her enthusiasm (which I still enjoyed) I was stuck in my head making cracks about the titles and just looking for things to rant about. Like the fact that every book cover had the whitest, squarest looking people. I notice how the titles and authors seem to just follow a formula, title start with “the” and is followed by an adjective that drums up the most dramatic apocalyptic images, such as “Parting” or “Found” or “Forgiven.”
This bugs me, but really, it could have just been a play out of John Grisham or Stephen King’s playbooks. But since the theme is Christ, and not a hot shot lawyer, it raises my most cynical flag. I make no bones about it, I have issues with organized religion. Not just those that pray to Jesus. Those just come up more, because frankly, they seem to be more outspoken themselves.
And I can’t get over this Church. It’s huge. It’s plush, with their nice café, impressive teenage hangout and their fully equipped stage that’s more high tech than anything in Lawrence or Westport. The money spent here, well, I can’t help but think about what good it could have done. I just looked it up, and its 150,000 square feet. I’m guessing at least $20 million.
But now I’m stuck thinking about me, what the hell is wrong with me? So what if it cost $20 million, and so what if the books and CD’s have an agenda, it’s not as if anyone is being tricked into coming here. Thousands of people come here, and they get something from coming. Good for them. But I can’t let it go that easily.
I can’t help but notice how often I hear the other parents bring up God or Jesus. A girl tried to cheer up another on Saturday, and they gave her an award for being “Christ-like.” I think it’s great that she helped her friend, and it should absolutely be brought to everyones attention and that sort of behavior should be re-inforced. But what if I, the agnostic Jew, does something nice for someone? Is it not “Christ like” because of my beliefs? Why can’t we just acknowledge and appreciate a good deed, without grand comparisons?
And these parents, wow. I know they’re parents like any other parents, but there’s something about the fact that we’re at a Church, and they are holding their kids to such high standards, that makes it even worse, in my eyes, when I see what most would agree is less than ideal parenting. While these girls are practicing their cheers, there are little babies wandering around, sometimes taking their sisters pom-poms. And no one seems to notice. When their kids act out, even throw a megaphone at their dad, it’s smiled at. Of course, I have no idea what will happen when they get in the car, but I can’t understand why that isn’t addressed right away.
And the “coach” has zero control, or any kind of influence over the team. She’s obviously learning the routine as she teaches it, and she’s going over four pages of cheers and the corresponding movements in an hours time. Each cheer and action is said three times, doesn’t matter if half the kids are more intoned with the sound their pom-poms make. She doesn’t care that no ones getting it, and anytime her daughter interrupts her, she hugs her and says thanks. Someone needs to call in Cesar, this place needs a pack leader. All of this has absolutely nothing to do with God, religion or this Church. Or does it?
The fact that his is first graders learning cheerleading sounds insignificant, but it isn’t. This is, for most of them, their first expierence with organized sports. This can have a great impact on their self-esteem, social skills and overall health for the rest of their lives. I’d argue that the most important coach any kid ever has, is their first coach. With teachers, the kindergarten or first grade teacher, can really set the wheels in motion for the rest of a kids academic future. But if they don’t connect, there’s going to be a second grade teacher, or a third grade, all the way up through high school, who may get through to the kid. Maybe it never happens, but you’re going to get more chances. But if the first coach fails, a kid may never want to try sports again.
So I can’t help but hold the Church, at least, somewhat responsible. Of course I don’t expect them to recruit 1st grade cheerleading coaches, or check resumes. And it doesn’t matter at all if the coach has any experience with what they’re coaching, but they must care. They have to engage each kid, motivate them and praise them. And they have to be willing to toss a parent out of practice for being over-bearing, or call out a kid who isn’t listening.
I keep hearing them say, that trying is all that matters. Well, that only works when the coaches try too. Going through the motions isn’t given any effort, my high school career proves that. So the cynical flag flies again, and I can’t help but question if this is all just another tool to sell the kids on the Church. As if they are saying, “you come here, and you have fun. You get pom-poms and a cute outfit. We give you treats every week, and your parents smile. This all makes God happy.”
I think it’s great that the Church wants to give the kids things to do, productive things too. But this isn’t just so pure and harmless. They can totally wreck a kid’s confidence, and you can’t pray for confidence. Some kids may never want to play sports, and that’s fine. My wife didn’t particularly enjoy playing softball as a kid, she’s turned out fantastic. I loved playing baseball and basketball, even though I was awful and embarrassed myself on a regular basis. But the great memories always make those moments and after thought.
“That’s alright, that’s okay, Jesus loves you anyway” is one of their cheers. Cute little thing. But does anyone really look at what is being said? Maybe I’m way off here, and first graders are just having fun, but it seems as if this cheer is for after a mistake (they don’t really pay attention to the game, and all the cheers are pretty random). But they aren’t considering the neurotic Jew in the crowd, that’s over analyzing every detail. So Jesus loves them anyway, even if they fumble. Good to know. What about their parents, do they still love them? If Jesus loves the winners and the losers the same, do we really need to point this out? That’s a lot of time and energy spent to bring light to what is no more than a tie in God’s eyes. Making football, and everything else, a giant game of tic-tac-toe.
See, this is why I’ve never smoked pot. I can’t imagine the stupid things I’d obsess about if I ever got high.
So, back to the idea that maybe I'm a bigot. Could be, but I'd never attach these thoughts to religion if this wasn't organized by a Church. This is why I'm glad we keep Church and State seperate. Well, for now anyway....
September 18, 2008
JstPee
To pee or not to pee, that is the question. Where you stand, that’s the issue. The wife and I debated the pro’s, the cons, the joys and the disgust of peeing in the shower. For the record, my stream ended when I first heard her feelings about the issue a while back when Porqchop and his better half were having the same debate. As I figured, to go against those wishes, would be more foolish than peeing into the wind.
But that didn’t answer the question, if it’s right or wrong, to make your shower a little golden from time to time. I still believe, there’s nothing inherently wrong with taking a leak under the showerhead. Here are my arguments for men:
First of all, it’s a disinfectant, so this could be the time where men actually assist in cleaning the shower.
Second, we’re not talking about peeing and standing in urine, you aim for the drain, and the running water helps wash it down.
Third, our aim is much better given the size of this target.
Fourth, it’s eco friendly. It saves water, and it’s never wrong to multi-task. Well, unless of course, you’re texting while at the controls of a train. That’s a pretty big no-no.
Fifth, it’s economical. Back to that flushed toilet, and running water. It all costs money. Would it be better to piss money down the drain, or urine? One of them belongs in the drain, the other, well that could be used to purchase more useful items. Like purses.
***
Spoiler alert! Do not read if you haven’t seen Weeds’ Season Finale!
There, you’ve been warned. Consider this my “Remain 100 Yards Behind” sign that you see on a garbage truck or my “Not Responsible for Lost or Stolen Items” you see at the gym. By the way, I think I want to steal one of those signs. They can’t prosecute me right?
So the wife and I finally got around to watching the finale to a very strange season of Weeds. If the first season was a 10, the second season was a 9, this year was a 6.5. Which is pretty much par for the cable television series, they all seem to start so strong, then lose direction like a drunk peeing in the shower.
This year we saw Nancy move the family to just north of the border, make Guillermo irrelevant by connecting with his boss, another DEA agent get whacked, Silas eat out while in the sandwich shop, Shane pull of a three some that would make R. Kelly proud, and Celia’s life spiral out of control faster than Britney circa 2007. I miss it when Nancy just sold pot in the burbs. No gangsters, no murder, no teenage three-ways. Yet, I still have to watch every episode.
I think the writers even acknowledged the fact that the show has gotten away from them. In the finale, Nancy is talking to her brother in-law, while naked in the tub, about how she used to be able to justify everything. That’s what made her great. Selling pot to keep her kids in the best schools and dressed in American Eagle, that made sense. Seeing her first drive by, made the poor-middle class white lady upset. And some where along the ride, she ended up being Nancy Escobar. No justification, she just did whatever seemed to be the worst thing she could do. There was no rhyme, no reason, no damn sense to it.
And now, when faced with the fact that she ratted on her boyfriend/mayor/drug lord, she looked entirely screwed. And she was, so screwed that she was actually preggars. Well, that’s just great. Earlier in the episode, we saw a glimpe of the Nancy Botwin we used to know, as she dealt with all her guilt and the fear that she’s failed her sons. What better way to redeem yourself, than to raise the child of a really likeable crime lord.
But that didn’t answer the question, if it’s right or wrong, to make your shower a little golden from time to time. I still believe, there’s nothing inherently wrong with taking a leak under the showerhead. Here are my arguments for men:
First of all, it’s a disinfectant, so this could be the time where men actually assist in cleaning the shower.
Second, we’re not talking about peeing and standing in urine, you aim for the drain, and the running water helps wash it down.
Third, our aim is much better given the size of this target.
Fourth, it’s eco friendly. It saves water, and it’s never wrong to multi-task. Well, unless of course, you’re texting while at the controls of a train. That’s a pretty big no-no.
Fifth, it’s economical. Back to that flushed toilet, and running water. It all costs money. Would it be better to piss money down the drain, or urine? One of them belongs in the drain, the other, well that could be used to purchase more useful items. Like purses.
***
Spoiler alert! Do not read if you haven’t seen Weeds’ Season Finale!
There, you’ve been warned. Consider this my “Remain 100 Yards Behind” sign that you see on a garbage truck or my “Not Responsible for Lost or Stolen Items” you see at the gym. By the way, I think I want to steal one of those signs. They can’t prosecute me right?
So the wife and I finally got around to watching the finale to a very strange season of Weeds. If the first season was a 10, the second season was a 9, this year was a 6.5. Which is pretty much par for the cable television series, they all seem to start so strong, then lose direction like a drunk peeing in the shower.
This year we saw Nancy move the family to just north of the border, make Guillermo irrelevant by connecting with his boss, another DEA agent get whacked, Silas eat out while in the sandwich shop, Shane pull of a three some that would make R. Kelly proud, and Celia’s life spiral out of control faster than Britney circa 2007. I miss it when Nancy just sold pot in the burbs. No gangsters, no murder, no teenage three-ways. Yet, I still have to watch every episode.
I think the writers even acknowledged the fact that the show has gotten away from them. In the finale, Nancy is talking to her brother in-law, while naked in the tub, about how she used to be able to justify everything. That’s what made her great. Selling pot to keep her kids in the best schools and dressed in American Eagle, that made sense. Seeing her first drive by, made the poor-middle class white lady upset. And some where along the ride, she ended up being Nancy Escobar. No justification, she just did whatever seemed to be the worst thing she could do. There was no rhyme, no reason, no damn sense to it.
And now, when faced with the fact that she ratted on her boyfriend/mayor/drug lord, she looked entirely screwed. And she was, so screwed that she was actually preggars. Well, that’s just great. Earlier in the episode, we saw a glimpe of the Nancy Botwin we used to know, as she dealt with all her guilt and the fear that she’s failed her sons. What better way to redeem yourself, than to raise the child of a really likeable crime lord.
September 15, 2008
Righteous Ill
They’re two of the greatest ever. Jordan and Magic, Bach and Beethoven, Harvard and Yale. But they joined forces on the backside of their careers, so we’ll never think of the duo as we did Newman and Redford, or Lennon and McCartney. And at some point, Robert Deniro and Al Pacino are going to answer to the movie gods for mailing in the last 10 years of their careers.
This weekend I saw Righteous Kill, which marked the first time the two Don’s shared the screen. Sure, they were both in Heat and Godfather II, but we never saw them share the screen. Maybe we never should have. It’s not that Righteous Kill is a horrible movie, it’s just not up to their standards. It felt like watching Kate Hudson and the lead singer of the Black Crowes, maybe it worked for them, but no one else needed to see it.
It isn’t often that you see a movie, and would have rather spent the $7 (it was the matinee) just to see the two stars interviewed together to promote the film. But that’s the case with Kill. Some movies, we shorten the title when they have longer titles, but I couldn’t refer to this as just “Righteous.”
I had a bad feeling when I first heard of this movie a year or so ago. I love both actors, and it isn’t as if they just lost their talents, but they had just stopped reading screenplays. Deniro was more concerned with his budding real estate empire, and mocking himself, and Pacino was stuck in his Scent of a Woman character, and yelled his way through some 10 films, including Heat. But maybe, just maybe, uniting would bring out the best in each other again. It didn’t happen. I guess they felt they had to do it, while they were physically able. But Newman and Redford have passed on multiple oppurtunites to work together because the script wasn’t right, if only Bob and Al had used such high standards. Then again, they had a couple of classics with each other, for us to enjoy.
This was Deniro, doing a combination of the NYC cops he played in City by the Sea, 15 Minutes and Showtime. The best laugh comes from seeing Pacino lift weights in the gym, and a small action scene where we see the two of them jump over a railing with agility they’ve never had. Come on, I doubt Pacino has lifted anything heavy since the machine gun he picked up Scarface.
Heat was it, and the greatness of Heat should be enjoyed more now, than ever before. Deniro put out a few quality films right after Heat, with Sleepers, Cop Land, Wag the Dog and Jackie Brown. He made us laugh with Analyze This and Meet the Parents. But he swung and missed more than he made solid contact. The Fan, Great Expectations, 15 Minutes, The Score, the comedy sequels, and nearly bored us to death with the Good Shepherd. Pacino gave us Donnie Brasco and the Insider, but can we please forget he did S1m0ne, Gigle, Two for the Money and Any Given Sunday? I doubt it, but I hope so.
The best thing I see in their future right now, is the fact they are both attached to a video game to compliment Heat. Keep doing whatever Michael Mann wants you guys to do. In fact I have to pass a rule for these two giants, no more working with anyone else other than the top guys: Tarantino, Martin Scorecese, Mann, Soderbergh and the Scott brothers. Deniro is attached to a new Michael Mann flick, Frankie Machine, about an ex mob hit man living a civilian life but goes back to the life from the urging of the son of a Mafia Don. Hopefully, this is Deniro’s return to greatness. Michael Mann has the highest batting average of any major director in Hollywood. Added bonus, Machine was penned by Levien and Koppleman, the duo responsible for Rounders.
If you’re itching to see some Bob and Al, I recommend popping in Heat, or looking for the Insider, which has been on cable of late. But if you must, keep an eye out for the following previews: Defiance, about a Holocaust story I’ve never heard, where three Jewish brothers give us what may have been the inspiration for Red Dawn. Pride and Glory, with Edward Norton and Collin Farrell doing sort of a Departed type thing. Maybe Farrell can actually put out a quality flick.
This weekend I saw Righteous Kill, which marked the first time the two Don’s shared the screen. Sure, they were both in Heat and Godfather II, but we never saw them share the screen. Maybe we never should have. It’s not that Righteous Kill is a horrible movie, it’s just not up to their standards. It felt like watching Kate Hudson and the lead singer of the Black Crowes, maybe it worked for them, but no one else needed to see it.
It isn’t often that you see a movie, and would have rather spent the $7 (it was the matinee) just to see the two stars interviewed together to promote the film. But that’s the case with Kill. Some movies, we shorten the title when they have longer titles, but I couldn’t refer to this as just “Righteous.”
I had a bad feeling when I first heard of this movie a year or so ago. I love both actors, and it isn’t as if they just lost their talents, but they had just stopped reading screenplays. Deniro was more concerned with his budding real estate empire, and mocking himself, and Pacino was stuck in his Scent of a Woman character, and yelled his way through some 10 films, including Heat. But maybe, just maybe, uniting would bring out the best in each other again. It didn’t happen. I guess they felt they had to do it, while they were physically able. But Newman and Redford have passed on multiple oppurtunites to work together because the script wasn’t right, if only Bob and Al had used such high standards. Then again, they had a couple of classics with each other, for us to enjoy.
This was Deniro, doing a combination of the NYC cops he played in City by the Sea, 15 Minutes and Showtime. The best laugh comes from seeing Pacino lift weights in the gym, and a small action scene where we see the two of them jump over a railing with agility they’ve never had. Come on, I doubt Pacino has lifted anything heavy since the machine gun he picked up Scarface.
Heat was it, and the greatness of Heat should be enjoyed more now, than ever before. Deniro put out a few quality films right after Heat, with Sleepers, Cop Land, Wag the Dog and Jackie Brown. He made us laugh with Analyze This and Meet the Parents. But he swung and missed more than he made solid contact. The Fan, Great Expectations, 15 Minutes, The Score, the comedy sequels, and nearly bored us to death with the Good Shepherd. Pacino gave us Donnie Brasco and the Insider, but can we please forget he did S1m0ne, Gigle, Two for the Money and Any Given Sunday? I doubt it, but I hope so.
The best thing I see in their future right now, is the fact they are both attached to a video game to compliment Heat. Keep doing whatever Michael Mann wants you guys to do. In fact I have to pass a rule for these two giants, no more working with anyone else other than the top guys: Tarantino, Martin Scorecese, Mann, Soderbergh and the Scott brothers. Deniro is attached to a new Michael Mann flick, Frankie Machine, about an ex mob hit man living a civilian life but goes back to the life from the urging of the son of a Mafia Don. Hopefully, this is Deniro’s return to greatness. Michael Mann has the highest batting average of any major director in Hollywood. Added bonus, Machine was penned by Levien and Koppleman, the duo responsible for Rounders.
If you’re itching to see some Bob and Al, I recommend popping in Heat, or looking for the Insider, which has been on cable of late. But if you must, keep an eye out for the following previews: Defiance, about a Holocaust story I’ve never heard, where three Jewish brothers give us what may have been the inspiration for Red Dawn. Pride and Glory, with Edward Norton and Collin Farrell doing sort of a Departed type thing. Maybe Farrell can actually put out a quality flick.
September 04, 2008
hirPolitics
If ever I decide that it’s okay to become a hypocrite, I’ll just change my party affiliation. Listening to the radio on my way to work, they had a delegate from Shawnee Kansas on the air, and I quote “anyone listening to Sarah Palin last night should have no question that she’s ready to step up and lead.”
Wait, you mean it isn’t her record as a Mayor or Governor that we should feel comfortable about, but instead we should have no doubts because of a speech? I see, but that same logic just doesn’t fit when the candidate is Barack Obama. And I’ll give the lady the credit she deserves; she gave a pretty good speech. Plenty about it I disagreed with, but for the most part, at least she wasn’t up there trying to take pot shots at Obama.
Can’t say the same for Rudy Giuliani, a guy I once thought could make a decent President. Instead of giving a speech that made me believe in McCain and the Republican party, he took cheap shot after cheap shot at Barack Obama. When will they ever grow up? While we all heard Obama give McCain credit for all he’s done, Rudy mocked what Barack has done. Oh, how funny, Barack was a community organizer. Mwhaha, and he wants to be President now?
Did I hear Rudy right? Just to be sure, I pulled the transcript. “One final point. And how — how dare they question whether Sarah Palin has enough time to spend with her children and be vice president. How dare they do that.”
Seriously, did the adultery really go there? We’re getting lessons in family values a guy who strayed twice, that we know of. How dare us? How dare him! You don’t get a pass for getting your first marriage annulled because she was your second cousin, and not your third. How did that not come up? When sending out the invites, didn’t they realize they were asking people to sit on both sides?
I have a few comments in response to Rudy questioning Barack’s resume. First point, where exactly is the job posting for President? I want to see it, because if in fact it lists certain requirements, that Barack hasn’t met, then maybe we shouldn’t elect him President. Second, how do you mention the fact that Obama went to an Ivy League school as if it’s a negative accomplishment? Raised in a single parent household, the man made his own way to one of the most prestigious Universities in the world. Unlike George W, who went to a Ivy League school on daddy’s lap.
Then, instead of taking that education and trading it in as soon as possible for a cushy job, he went to work as a Community Organizer. And I guess if we listen to Rudy, organization isn’t something they need in Washington. Oh, and the group that he worked for was a church-based community. But I guess he still isn’t Christian enough, because he may think that some people hold too religion a little too much.
Is McCain a hero for going through the hardships he had to endure, and not just surviving but succeeding? Absolutely. But Obama is every bit the hero McCain is. The fact that McCain spilled his blood, and made great sacrifices for his country, doesn’t entitle him to the Presidency. If that’s the case, he’ll make sure we have plenty of well qualified applicants in the future. They’ll be ready just as soon as they get back from Iraq.
I’m glad my parents never taught me, what must be Republican law, that a man can’t change his mind when he receives new and different information. But Rudy, if changing your mind is so bad that you must mock Barack for doing so, why then, is it okay that you changed parties back in 1975, when you went from being a Democrat (gasp) to an Independent. And then once Reagan won, you were suddenly a Republican. You change your mind almost as often as you change brides.
Another gem from Rudy, “I learned as a trial lawyer a long time ago, if you don’t have the facts, you’ve got to change them.” That says it all, doesn’t it? He went on to say that’s what their opponents are doing, in trying to re-frame the debate, but this is what you learned Rudy. Maybe some didn’t learn that lesson. Maybe, just maybe, some people go on just the facts and let them speak for themselves. And now, maybe we should have every conviction Rudy padded his resume with, looked at under a microscope.
As Rudy Giulani said as he campaigned for Mayor of New York City in 1989 (he lost this one), “if we keep going merrily along, this city’s going down.” And you can keep slinging the word “liberal” around as if it was a four letter word, but I know you ran as part on the Liberal Party line when you were elected Mayor in 1993.
Rudy also said he was impressed at how Sarah Palin took out corruption, even in the Republican Party, while Governor of Alaska. Finally, something you should be impressed by. Or did you think everyone forgot about your right hand man in New York, Bernard Kerik. That’s right; you also had him as a partner at Giuliani Partners. You named him New York City Police Commissioner, and how quickly you cut your ties. After it came out his nanny was an illegal immigrant, and he was later charged for ethics violations. I think he’s still under Federal investigation after a grand jury issued a multi-count indictment for, oh this is good, conspiracy, mail fraud, wire fraud AND lying to the IRS.
So Rudy, if we go back to your analogy, of looking at the resumes for both candidates, maybe McCain would be better served to leave your name off of the references page.
Wait, you mean it isn’t her record as a Mayor or Governor that we should feel comfortable about, but instead we should have no doubts because of a speech? I see, but that same logic just doesn’t fit when the candidate is Barack Obama. And I’ll give the lady the credit she deserves; she gave a pretty good speech. Plenty about it I disagreed with, but for the most part, at least she wasn’t up there trying to take pot shots at Obama.
Can’t say the same for Rudy Giuliani, a guy I once thought could make a decent President. Instead of giving a speech that made me believe in McCain and the Republican party, he took cheap shot after cheap shot at Barack Obama. When will they ever grow up? While we all heard Obama give McCain credit for all he’s done, Rudy mocked what Barack has done. Oh, how funny, Barack was a community organizer. Mwhaha, and he wants to be President now?
Did I hear Rudy right? Just to be sure, I pulled the transcript. “One final point. And how — how dare they question whether Sarah Palin has enough time to spend with her children and be vice president. How dare they do that.”
Seriously, did the adultery really go there? We’re getting lessons in family values a guy who strayed twice, that we know of. How dare us? How dare him! You don’t get a pass for getting your first marriage annulled because she was your second cousin, and not your third. How did that not come up? When sending out the invites, didn’t they realize they were asking people to sit on both sides?
I have a few comments in response to Rudy questioning Barack’s resume. First point, where exactly is the job posting for President? I want to see it, because if in fact it lists certain requirements, that Barack hasn’t met, then maybe we shouldn’t elect him President. Second, how do you mention the fact that Obama went to an Ivy League school as if it’s a negative accomplishment? Raised in a single parent household, the man made his own way to one of the most prestigious Universities in the world. Unlike George W, who went to a Ivy League school on daddy’s lap.
Then, instead of taking that education and trading it in as soon as possible for a cushy job, he went to work as a Community Organizer. And I guess if we listen to Rudy, organization isn’t something they need in Washington. Oh, and the group that he worked for was a church-based community. But I guess he still isn’t Christian enough, because he may think that some people hold too religion a little too much.
Is McCain a hero for going through the hardships he had to endure, and not just surviving but succeeding? Absolutely. But Obama is every bit the hero McCain is. The fact that McCain spilled his blood, and made great sacrifices for his country, doesn’t entitle him to the Presidency. If that’s the case, he’ll make sure we have plenty of well qualified applicants in the future. They’ll be ready just as soon as they get back from Iraq.
I’m glad my parents never taught me, what must be Republican law, that a man can’t change his mind when he receives new and different information. But Rudy, if changing your mind is so bad that you must mock Barack for doing so, why then, is it okay that you changed parties back in 1975, when you went from being a Democrat (gasp) to an Independent. And then once Reagan won, you were suddenly a Republican. You change your mind almost as often as you change brides.
Another gem from Rudy, “I learned as a trial lawyer a long time ago, if you don’t have the facts, you’ve got to change them.” That says it all, doesn’t it? He went on to say that’s what their opponents are doing, in trying to re-frame the debate, but this is what you learned Rudy. Maybe some didn’t learn that lesson. Maybe, just maybe, some people go on just the facts and let them speak for themselves. And now, maybe we should have every conviction Rudy padded his resume with, looked at under a microscope.
As Rudy Giulani said as he campaigned for Mayor of New York City in 1989 (he lost this one), “if we keep going merrily along, this city’s going down.” And you can keep slinging the word “liberal” around as if it was a four letter word, but I know you ran as part on the Liberal Party line when you were elected Mayor in 1993.
Rudy also said he was impressed at how Sarah Palin took out corruption, even in the Republican Party, while Governor of Alaska. Finally, something you should be impressed by. Or did you think everyone forgot about your right hand man in New York, Bernard Kerik. That’s right; you also had him as a partner at Giuliani Partners. You named him New York City Police Commissioner, and how quickly you cut your ties. After it came out his nanny was an illegal immigrant, and he was later charged for ethics violations. I think he’s still under Federal investigation after a grand jury issued a multi-count indictment for, oh this is good, conspiracy, mail fraud, wire fraud AND lying to the IRS.
So Rudy, if we go back to your analogy, of looking at the resumes for both candidates, maybe McCain would be better served to leave your name off of the references page.
September 02, 2008
From The Hirp
• I used to believe that “politician” and “opportunist” were synonyms, than along came Barack Obama. His speech at the convention brought up comparisons to Michael Douglas’ President Andrew Shepard, but Obama feels more and more like an Aaron Sorkin creation with the more of him we see. To take the high road, when we heard that Sarah Palin’s daughter was having a baby, is beyond admirable. And we know Barack will let her skate on the real issue at hand, but not because it’s the right thing to do, only because his mom named him “Barack.”
However, I won’t let it slide. How the hell can we even consider allowing this woman to be Vice President when she named her children Track, Bristol, Willow, Piper and Trig? You could probably get having a stable full of horses with those names, but not a house full of kids.
• Maybe next time we have a big hurricane, the networks can just send cameramen down to get footage. But please, leave the correspondents in the hotel; we don’t need to hear their constantly interrupted reports of how windy and rainy it is. The camera pretty much says it all, and doesn’t continuously apologize for the storm, you know, making things difficult.
• I just read that the CEO of Overstock, Patrick Byrne believes a “Sith Lord’ is actively working to destroy his company. I wonder how this will affect their stock prices.
However, I won’t let it slide. How the hell can we even consider allowing this woman to be Vice President when she named her children Track, Bristol, Willow, Piper and Trig? You could probably get having a stable full of horses with those names, but not a house full of kids.
• Maybe next time we have a big hurricane, the networks can just send cameramen down to get footage. But please, leave the correspondents in the hotel; we don’t need to hear their constantly interrupted reports of how windy and rainy it is. The camera pretty much says it all, and doesn’t continuously apologize for the storm, you know, making things difficult.
• I just read that the CEO of Overstock, Patrick Byrne believes a “Sith Lord’ is actively working to destroy his company. I wonder how this will affect their stock prices.
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