Thoughts on You See Me Laughin'

My thoughts on the documentary, You See Me Laughin', are tepid. The film profiled the tragic yet talented lives of a group of Blues musicians from rural Mississippi. I truly enjoyed listening to the musicians recount their life experiences and simplisitc yet eloquent philosphy. Yardbrough's retelling of the incident where he shot a man in the head was humorous and complex. I can't recall his analogy about the guy jumping the fence or something like that, but it was quite funny. I was shocked by his apathy at shooting a man in the head. I'm not sure how you could justify shooting some one in the back of the head as justifible homicide and then serve a six month sentence. Honestly, I cannot recall his story with vivid detail, but I do remember those two key features.

T-Model Ford's tale of child abuse by his father was disturbing. At first I thought he was describing rape, but, apparently, his father beat his testicles.........and caused bleeding......... I'd sing the Blues as well if that happened to me. Adding his turbulent relationship with his wife and her attempt to kill him, it's only natural for him to be drawn to the genre. His run-in with the law was interesting as well. Again, I can't remember his motive, but I believe he stabbed some guy in the throat, hid in a ditch for two day, but was eventually arrested and convicted.

Ciddell last name I can't recell had a very innovative and resourceful way of playing the guitar after being trampled and major illness. It was amazing watching him play with one hand in mal form.

The illustrations of incidents in the musicians lives were pretty neat as well. Reminded me of Kill Bill I.

My only complaint against the movie was the deep, rural, southern accents. It was difficult to understand what they were trying to convey at certain points in the film. Perhaps it was the bad audio settings of the sound system.

Overall, I enjoyed the film. Wouldn't watch it a second time, but I would recommend it to others.

Thoughts On Classmate's Review

After looking through the class's blogs, only a few completed reviews of their favorite movies (hell I just completed mine about five minutes ago). Of the movies that were reviewed, Back To The Future was the only one I seen. Unfortunately, I have very vague memory of the film. I do remember it starred Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd and some white woman. I also remember it featured a time traveling Delorean. I don't remember anything about the plot, climax or ending except time traveling hence the title. The only notable aspect of the movie I truly remember is Huey Lewis and the News's kick ass tune "Power of Love".



Aside from that there's nothing more I can add. I only seen snippets of the film. The plot never attracted me (only remember .5% of it) A time traveling Delorean that flew? The Doc should have sold them to narco traffickers (could've done a Miami Vice crossover episode). Again, I have vague memory of the film so my critique is significantly flawed, but its nice that Nick and others enjoyed this film.

That's all I got.

"Yo Homie, Is That My Briefcase?"

One movie that ranks in the top five of my favorite movies of all time is the action - drama film, Collateral. Released in August of 2004, Collateral is another one of those films that calls into question destiny, fate and free will with a true crime back drop in the city of Angels.

Tom Cruise stars as Vincent, an intelligent, witty and pragmatic assassin in L.A. to do his hits for a narco cartel and get out before sunrise. Max, played by Jamie Foxx, is a mundane taxi driver oblivious to Vincent's killer self. Max soon learns who Vincent truly is after taxing Vincent to his first hit and the film kicks into high gear until its end.

The cinematography of the film was truly impressive. It was shot using an HD camera that added realistic and gritty visuals to the film and made the shots of Los Angeles come alive as if it were to a main character in the film. The choice of filming locations worked as well such as subway tunnels, parking garages, alleyways and ethnic music clubs. It portrayed the city as a living entity not just a simple inanimate setting.



Foxx and Cruise gave two of the best performances of their careers in this film. The film's was full of sharp and witty dialouge. Vincent's seriousness and cunning-ness was best articulated in the following line (my favorite line from the film) : "Okay, look, here's the deal. Man, you were gonna drive me around tonight, never be the wiser, but El Gordo got in front of a window, did his high dive, we're into Plan B. Still breathing? Now we gotta make the best of it, improvise, adapt to the environment, Darwin, shit happens, I Ching, whatever man, we gotta roll with it." Cruise's delivery was so cool and ballsy I was like "FUCK YEAH!" Foxx also delivered a powerful scene when he posed as Vincent for a meet with the cartel representative that ordered the hits (played by Javier Bordem, something I just realized like yesterday):



The film's score was quite cosmopolitan. James Newton Howard's percussive instrumentals during suspenseful scenes added piercing tension.
The film was more than just a hitman killing and an innocent guy getting caught up in the mix. Vincent represented fate with his fine zeal of sticking to the plan and not making an diversions. When Max did make diversions violence soon followed:



Max represented free will by challenging the wrecking force that is Vincent. Max tested fate constantly through the film in his failed escape attempt after they visited his mother in the hospital, destroying Vincent's dossier, contacting Detective Fanning (played by a chulo looking Mark Ruffolo) and his failed attempt to prevent Vincent from serving the hit on Jazz man (played by Barry Shabaka):



In the end, free will succeeded. After Max discovered the last target on Vincent's hit list was Annie(played by Jada Pickett Smith), the federal prosecutor and passenger of his who he was quite enamored with, Max outsmarted Vincent. In a shootout in the federal building and a chase throughout downtown L.A. which ended on a subway train, Vincent succumbed to Max in a hail of gunfire.



Finally, as a fan of Michael Mann's true crime works, there was no way I'd sleep on this. I was pumped for this movie since seeing the trailer in the spring of 2004. I re watched five seasons of Miami Vice before the release of the 2006 remake(a highly underrated movie). I've watched Heat so many times that I've memorized the notably dialogue. Mann is one of the preeminent directors of the American cinema. Can't wait for Public Enemies.

COP IT!!

McPalinism

As the election year nears its end, the McCain / Palin ticket continues to assault its near dead campaign by taking a queue from the past. Instead of using the sensible, intelligent and classy tactic of sticking to the issues, they have chosen to appeal to their inner nazi by questioning the patriotism of their opponents and any other American who doesn't agree with their WHITE and rosy view of the United States.

All this talk of pro American pockets of the country, a GOP Congresswoman calling for the media to suss out other Congress members for anti Americanism and robo calls implying Obama's a terrorist is reviving the spirit of the McCarthyism era. This period in history was known as the Second Red Scare and spanned a little more than decade. Senator Joeseph McCarthy sought communists at all levels of society from those employed by the federal government, union leaders, teachers, actors and anyone else narced out to the House Un-American Activities Committee. This was a dangerous time when the civil rights of citizens were curtailed and lives ruined all in the name of some inflated communist threat.

It pains yet relieves me to see these neoconservatives that hijacked the Republican party resort to such tactics. Its pains me because its now is really not the time for further divide us politically. We are on the cusp of significant global and domesitc changes and do need this silly divisive bullshit to distract us from progressing as a nation.

I'm relieved because most Americans aren't buying it. They see that these tactics are indicative of desperation not a geniune concern. McCain, Palin and others of the neocon GOP know there world is over and the only way to stay relevant is to scare the shit out of people, but it won't work this time. Why should Americans fear Osama Bin Laden (dead anyways) or Al Quaeda when the economic terrorists on Wall Street may deliver us another Depression?

I guess the GOP has already accepted its lost and is like "FUCK IT".

Palin herself needs to answer for un American activities regarding her ties to the Alaskan secessionist movement. Her husband was once a member, therefore she is right? Isn't that the logic the used against Obama regarding Wright and Ayers? That bitch should be the first to appear before Michele Bachmann's new HUAC (oh wait, she's another GOP bitch that's going to lose her seat soon).

W

What are the main events shown here and who do they concern?

The main events shown in the W trailer spanned his entire adult life.

1. Bush's bizarre press conference - As the American public has come to learn, Bush is one shitty orator. Blissfully ignorant and divorced reality it seems. This should concern everyone. It shows he's out of touch with average folk and treats his job like a video game. He fucks up, no real consequences for him. Just runaway to his rural enclave and block it out.
2. His history of alcoholism - This concerns himself. His own personal weakness for falling short of being the great elite WASP like his criminal father and grandfather.
3. His ownership of the Texas Rangers - Another attempt to please daddy Bush and be part of that elite legacy.
4. His experience in the oil industry - Bush was involved with Harken and Arbusto. I forgot the particulars, but one was bailed out by the Saudis and he was accused of insider trading when Harken was about to belly up. It should be no surprised that he's self serving, criminal and deceptive as president. He's been there before and he's a Bush.
5. Enhanced Interrogation Techniques (Torture) - Bush has already stated that America does not torture, but no one believes him except the tiny minority that still thinks he's doing a fine job (the military industrial finanical complex). This should concern us all as it has subverted our global influence, killed innocents and increased terrorism.
6. Time in the Texas Air National Guard - Through his father's connection, Bush was able to bypass Vietnam and serve stateside where he parited and coked up. This should concern veterans and troops who are programmed to admire a man who never truly served his country and likes to play soldier.
7. Pretzelgate - The incident when Bush almost croaked by choking on a pretzel. This should concern everyone as well. Its always important to chew your food properly before swallowing.
   
8. Protests - Bush's presidency has sparked a wave of anti american sentiment around the world. This should concern all Americans as its counter productive to our standing as a nation, effects our traveling habits and makes us easy targets.
9. Crawford - Bush's enclave when he's shirking his duites or going on one of many vacations. This should concern all working people.
10. War In Iraq Redux - Wouldn't be a Bush movie without this event. This concerns us all as it is the event that's directed all this global hatred at us.
11. State of the Union - I'm assuming the one after 9/11 where he uttered the axis of evil of line. It kicked the War on Terror farce.
12. Mission Accomplished - Bush's notable role of playing soldier where declared an end to the Iraq War II. Military vets and enlisted should be ashamed.
13. WMD - The lie that started it all. It should concern us all, but not surprising given this man's character.
14. 9/11 - Conservative Bush who promised a humble foreign policy, lashed out at Clinton and liberal interventionism for nation building yet does the same with his own War On Terror to democratize the Middle East. This should conern Republicans as its another sign of their hypocrisy.
    

At Random

A year ago, I was watching Current TV (YouTube meets CNN) and watched a piece or pod as their called on the channel on a fascinating custom in the Arab world, grown men holding hands in public. I was quite surprised to see Arab men engaging in what we in the West deem homosexual behavior. Especially in a country such as Syria where homosexuality is a crime and punishable by battery and possibly death. In ultra conservative pockets of the Arab world, it is criminal for a man and woman to hold hands publicly.

In the Arab world, men hold hands as a sign of close friendship and deep affection. It is not at all homosexual. In the pod, two of the men interviewed stated that they were married and one even had three wives. Don't mean to sound cultural insensitive, but I find it odd that men in a part of the world where homosexuals experience state sanctioned battery and sometimes death are so expressive in their feelings and not have to worry about the gay connotation. I also noticed this in the documentary, Baghdad High, about four Iraqi teenage male friends trying live a normal life in a war zone. The friends were quite expressive in how they felt about each other. Engaging in non sexual displays of deep affection that many Westerners would deem homosexual. I personally don't find offensive or gross. I think its great. It shows the Middle East is some what progressive.

Switching gears, I'd like to speak on Sarah Barracuda. Recently, the loser VP nominee stated some parts of the country were pro American and others were not. Its sad this patriotism questioning bullshit is rearing its ugly head again as it did after 9/11. To Palin, pro America is neo conservative, white and fake ass christian. If she love neocon, rural, white and fake christian America, why did she go to NewYork (hell for her ilk) do SNL this weekend? These scare tactics are reflective of a defeated GOP. They've fucked up so bad that there last act before the fall is to try and scare the shit out of people for a vote, but it won't work because the tactic is played out. They've spent their fear mongering captial with all those fake ass terror alerts of the past years and the whole duct tape and plastic debacle. This woman need to shut the fuck up, enjoy her 15 minutes, take her lost like a man and go back to the great WHITE Alaska. Maybe she'll get a TV or book deal out of this. Anything that'll keep her away from governing over folk.

Detachment

Why is this the #1 Movie in the United States (besides the obvious fact that more people paid for tickets to it than any other film)?

There's nothing new about Americans watching and doing stupid shit. After watching the trailer for Beverly Hills Chihuahua, I did find it some what humorous and cute. That little dog is adorable. My neighbors in my old neighborhood had a Chihuahua named Tequila that was very similar to the Taco Bell dog. The dog was quite friendly and did not meet the mean spirited stereotype assigned to Chihuahuas. Unfortunately, Tequila died in the flood. Sentimentally, I can't take fault with the movie or find it perplexing that its number one at the box office again.

Cute, talking animals always draw in the folks with small children. I haven't looked up statistics (nor do I care to) on the demography of the audience who view this movie. I'm assuming the majority of the audiences consisted of dual and single parents with small children since it was Disney film. Throw in some animal lovers and pedophiles as well. There's also the Paris Hilton effect. I recall seeing commercials and advertisements of her with her Chihuahua so add daft teenage girls and young women as well.

With all that's going wrong in the world right now, people need a release from reality. Movies, video games, music and other mediums of entertainment provides that outlet. People see, hear and experience losing money, rumors of a depression, the election and ongoing military conflicts with no hope of resolution. They don't want their avenues of escapism to reflect these uncertain realities. It is the reason why the latest bunch of Iraq war movies bombed at the box office. Why see movies on an ongoing event when you can learn of it for free from books, newspapers and the internet?

In some way, I share this view. I use to love seeing those movies with a message and sociopolitical dramas of today's events, but as things continue go down an uncertain path I'd rather see a horror film or some mindless action flick. Well, I did see Body of Lies this past weekend and found it entertaining, but I only watched it for Leo's and Crowe's performance. I really didn't give a shit about the message.

I am not making excuses for Americans to remain ignorant of what's going on the world. It is times like these where we must be the most alert and on guard, but its overwhelming and the average man and woman have powerful interests ensuring that they remain ignorant.

Gaia Nazis

One type of fundamentalist mindset I abhor is rabid environmentalism in the West. I more respect for a white supremacy than I do an annoying, far leftist environmental nut job. My disdain for these people does not stem from a disagreement in viewpoint, but the manner in which they try to indoctrinate you.

Like all fundamentalists, the Gaia Nazis come heavy with the scare tactics. As Christian fundamentalists foretell of eternal banishment to hell if you refuse to become their mental slave, Gaia Nazis hold you responsible for the pending destruction of the earth and cession of life because you don't walk 40 miles to school, drive an expensive fuel efficient vehicle or spend five dollars for a carton of organic eggs. I am total agreement that we as global village must do everything possible to improve the environment, but demonizing non believers or folks still on the fence concerning their message do more harm than getting people on their side. When I see or read something by one of these people, I become combative and less interested in giving a shit about the environment.

When the scare tactics don't work, they resort to insults. One that really pisses me off is their pre conceived notions of pickup and SUV drivers, the scum of the earth to them. To them, men who drive pickup trucks and SUVs are insecure about their prick size. Driving large vehicles makes them feel like manly and macho. While this may be true for some men, it is certainly not true for me and men in my family that drive trucks and SUVs. My primary reason for driving a pickup truck is for safety. I know it’s a lame reason due to the roll over risk, but I do feel safe driving on the interstate than driving a smaller car. I am a very responsible and humble driver and not reflective of the stereotype these environ Nazis have against SUV and pick up drivers. And what about women who drive these large vehicles? Are they compensating for small vaginas or not have big boobs?

They proclaimed the high cost of gas this summer was the result of peak oil and advocated the cost go as high as $10-25 a gallon. I to believe oil is a finite resource and all for a full fledge Manhattan project to kick us of our oil habit, but a situation like that would plunge us into a Depression than bad mortgages and greedy bastards on Wall Street ever will. Those who suggested speculation or devaluation of the dollar due deficit spending from the wars were insulted. As the price of gas continues to fall, it seems the speculation and economic factors were the primary causes of the gas price increase not peak oil.

Before any significant, life changing environment policy can be implemented, a radical change in government is needed. The bitching of obnoxious and self righteous fundamentalists will change nothing. It will keeps us divided as we continue to foul our own nest.

Blame Darkie

With passage of the massive corporate welfare bill and the prospect of transferring more public funds to private hands, politicians, average Americans and citizens of the world are anxiously trying to assign blame to someone or institution. The consensus amongst fair minded and thinking folk is that Wall Street is to blame for this mess. Greedy banks and financial institutions only interested in making a quick buck through exploitative means. For certain group of Americans, this is not the case and seeks to rely on that old standby American scapegoat, the minority (they intend to say blacks, but the subtly helps conceal their true racist intention).

Mainly advocated by the stalwart pundits of the far right and its Ministry of Truth, Fox News, these covert racists place all blame for the mortgage crisis on Frannie Mae's and Freddy Mac's lending to poor and working class minorities folk. According to that exalted CUNT, Ann Coulter, the Clinton Administration (the second scapegoat of the far right, Obama will adorn that crown after serving his two terms) leaned on Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae to increase its lending to minority applicants due to pressure from community activist groups such as ACORN. To Coulter, this traces back to affirmation action, the bane of far right conservative republicans.

Coulter isn't the only covert racists of the opinionated yellow journalism market. That alleged reformed pill popper and third world sex tourist Rush Limbaugh agrees with this view as well that ACORN cowed the government into undertaking these toxic mortgages. They also place blame on the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 enacted to encourage lending institutions to provide poor and working class communities easy credit in attaining home ownership.

I will proudly admit that I am ignorant on most matters regarding the economy. The sub prime mortgage mess is as complex as coming to a resolution for the Israel-Palestine dispute. It's just that this theory reeks of racism, classism and absolute bullshitism. I find it hard to believe that two government run private institutions would shoot themselves in the head for lower class, white, black, brown and yellow people to acheive the American dream of home ownership and become members of Bush's glorious ownership soceity. It's easy for these covert racists, although classists is just as appropriate, to place the blame on the poor and minoriites. It reenforces what their base already thinks of the poor and minorities (I'm aware poor whites believe the bullshit spewed by Coulter and others of her ilk) . They also don't want to face the fact that all this economic terrorism is the result of greed, exploitation and deregulation, which the far right loves more than Ronald Reagan and hating gay people. This view assumes that the poor and minorities controlled the home buying process without any involvment of realors, mortage companies and banks.

The lower classes and minorities aren't the only groups facing foreclosure in these times of economic peril. I reccently watched a clip at McClatchyDC on forclosures in wealthy and WHITE Greewich, CT.. Large, posh homes empty because previous owners could no longer afford them. When will Coulter and the rest blame them for the current economic mess?

Next Stop.....Police State

I Do No Wrong

What's the worst thing you've ever done? (Don't write about anything that could get you locked up like "One time me and my friends firebombed a TGI Friday's...."). If you've never done anything wrong you're either lying or you need to go do something like this.

This topic is quite difficult for me. I haven't committed any crimes. Well there was that time during my elementary school year when I stole a mechanical pencil for a store. All the other kids bragged about stealing shit, so I succumbed to peer pressure and indulged in minor criminal behavior. Thankfully, the criminal meme died in my adolescence preventing me from becoming another dead nigger statistic in my teenage and adult years(father and two uncles had major issues with the law in their youthful years). I suppose I should mention some digital piracy, but everyone is doing it and the authorities have their hands full chasing down real criminals with better payoffs than a geek downloading old jazz records and comic books.

The worst thing I have ever done as for as a major life screw up, was getting a credit card. A few weeks into my freshmen year at my previous college, this vulture representative from Discover Card called and urged me to accept their credit card. Since high school, I was staunchly against getting a credit card. It was pounded into my head that revolving credit was a form of bondage. Instead of exercising wise discretion, I succumbed to that consumerist pressure and accepted.

Months after receiving the card, everything was fine. Only used the card for emergencies and paid back in full any purchases I made. I am not quite sure where I became irresponsible in handling credit. From what I remember, it was college textbooks costs, new computers and video games that did me in. I worked at a toy store for during the first two years at my previous college and bought a new video game every Friday. I thought everything was under control, but shit was slowly crumbling. The interest rate and finance charges jumped. Discover Card kept increasing my limit which spurred me to charge more.

I’m still a tool of the credit card companies. There was a moment I was close to freeing myself from their clutches, but I had to charge a significant amount of money for a somewhat important task (nothing illegal or embarrassing, just very stupid) and now I’m back in the hole. Economic bondage sucks.

Opinions On The 2008 Presidential Debate

In less than five weeks, the electoral college will select the next President of the United States. Before that, the American public must endure the ideological dog and pony shows, the Presidential and Vice Presidential debates where the candidates agree, disagree, agree to disagree, disagree to agree and spin. Last Friday's Presidential Debate was mildly entertaining and, I guess, informative,
To be honest, the debate was boring and it's clear, unless another 9/11 happens between now and election day, McCain will lose, but for the purpose of this blog entry I'll present my opinions.

On the economy and mending the current financial market crisis, both candidates agreed on federal intervention, for the bailout to include strict oversight, expressed an interest to put an end to golden parachutes for CEOs of failed finanical services companies, the need for the government to recoup revenue after purchasing and selling toxic assets and increased regulation.

Obama had a populist stance by expressing that the bailout should include assitance to middle class familes and blamed Bush's history of deregulation as a cause of the current problems.

McCain spoke of the bipartisan effort to get the leglisation passed (so much for that since its dead in the water now), painted himself as a crusader against Wall Street largese and reemphaised his "fundamentals of the economy" line. One of McCain's tactics to end the crisis was cut government spending. He touted earmarking as the bane of our financial woes and, strangely, argued it was responibile for the GOP corruption scandals of the past eight years (umm, yeah....., sure........). Another bullshit rationale for the party of morality, God and personal responsiblity of blaming someone or something else for their fraility and lack of self control.

Obama urged tax cuts for middle class to put more money into pockets of average Americans and stated that McCain wants $300 billion in tax cuts to the wealthy.

So, that's where they stand on the economy. The typical populist, for the people democrat vs. the traditionalist, no tax promising republican. I still don't understand how any candidate can offer tax breaks to anyone with a $700 billion corparate welfare to Wall Street and billion dollars wars in the Middle East. The money has to come from somewhere unless a one world currency is on the horizon.

On to Foreign Policy, Obama seemed more hawkish than McCain on Pakistan. Obama's wants to violate Pakistan's soverignty to hunt down terrorists. Even after we entered their country and mowed down some of their civilians and downing of one of our killer drones, I was quite surprised Obama's advocating heavy handed tactics against Pakistan. In the one instance where McCain delivered a stunning blow to Obama, McCain called him out saying the idea was basically stupid and would further detoeriate our fragile relationship with that nation.

On Iraq, from what I remember, Obama wants a gradiual withdrawal from Iraq. McCain wants to stay the course until we "win" (whatever that means). We won't leave until the oil fields start producing 2 million barrels a day then we can finally say "Mission Accomplished."

On Iran, Obama wants dipolamtatic talks with Iran. No bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb Iran, just yet, but the military option was still on the table. McCain went off on some rant about POTUS having direct talks with a rouge head of State legitmizes that head of State. Ahmadinejad is the President of Iran, although many outside Iran have questioned his true polical role. Obama's been preaching this talking to "our adversaires" line for a while and it's great. More talk. Less bombs.