Tiger Woods is back on the PGA Tour. There is almost nothing that can be said about his return that the following commercial by Nike does not capture.
Yes the party is over. Or is it?
Watching Tiger play in the Accenture Match Play Championship today, versus Clark tells me that the laser beam is off center.
Tiger Woods is just not as sharp as we all expect him to be. Now this is match play, so it’s not like a regular competition. And Tiger can easily be far better on different courses. But I watched him through the 11th hole. And the best he did was end up even.
This is not the Tiger that the rest of the field fears. This is not the Tiger that the fans expect. There is just no other way of stating the facts.
There were just too many shots that were not close enough, or putts that were dropping. Any other golfer in the world would be pleased, and fans would accept the results. But we are talking about the Great One. A golfer that can easily break every record, even at a severely reduced attempt to do so.
Tiger Woods has another 20 or 30 years of golf before him. So I do not doubt that he will achieve new records for other golfers to strive for. Nor do I doubt that he can win virtually at will. The only question at this point is does he want it as much as he did 5 years ago?
There is nothing wrong with having family as the first priority. And I believe that Tiger has enough endorsements and ability to take care of his family for life. In fact I think his business acumen has ensured their comfortable living standard for decades to come. But watching him today was like watching a man in quicksand.
Now it’s a given that he has not been in competition for a year. Add to that the stress of a new child. Plus there is no way I would ever match up to Tiger on his worst day with the benefit of my handicap and a great caddy. So my criticism is separate of my ability. Given.
Still I’m waiting for Tiger to turn on the fire. It seems that the WCG Accenture Match Play Championship will not be it. But once he turns it on, well the commercial says it all. Yet I can’t describe my displeasure at Woods losing on Thursday.
It’s like a vortex, like the bear market, like the prospects of the stimulus plan working. We all want it to succeed, but we know it just isn’t happening. But unlike the rest of the economy, or the pipe dreams of Democrats, I believe Woods will pull through. And so do you.
The ratings for Woods first match back are up 50% from a year ago. That’s good news for the PGA, the players and fans. Imagine once Tiger gets back into the swing of things.
Well enough rambling. Tiger Woods is back. The trophies are waiting. And I wouldn’t bet against him even with Vegas odds.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Movie Preview: Inglorious Basterds
Going in a totally different direction I saw the trailer for Inglorious Basterds. This is the latest film from director Quentin Tarantino. So be prepared to have your ears assaulted by profanity and your eyes by violence.
Now don’t get me wrong, I like the movies of Quentin Tarantino. I love Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction. I think Tarantino has a unique ability to display a film that will grip an audience. He provides a sense of reality and honesty most directors shun from. That makes his films powerful and hard to look away from.
I also love the way that Tarantino weaves into his movies insights about human nature, and deep philosophical nuggets. Most might just blur past these comments, but for those that pay attention he makes it intense. I mean the Superman solo by David Carradine in Kill Bill 2 is masterful.
But can this work when applied to World War II? Especially when styled as a spaghetti-western?
Brad Pitt makes an interesting choice of lead for this motley group of Dirty Dozen rejects. He’s not dark enough of an actor to me. I don’t see him as akin to Lee Marvin, who would be ideal for this kind of role. So that takes something off the film for me. But the movie may fill that gap.
And have no illusions, this movie looks to be a Guns of Navarone or Dirty Dozen inspiration. It may be more violent, and thus a bit repellant at points, but it is an homage.
And it has nothing to do with Inglorious Bastards starring Fred Williamson. Entirely different films. No connection whatsoever. And Tarantino’s film does not have any African Americans in it (well except for the narration by Samuel Jackson), which makes sense considering the plot – centered in Europe behind enemy lines.
This film has been talked about and rumored for years. It’s been through multiple rewrites and revisions. It is claimed that this will be similar in ways to a spaghetti western, though set in WWII. Ultimately though the question is if it will be good.
The trailer really doesn’t give us a clue yet. I’m still mixed in my thoughts. But it won’t be out till the summer, so expect to hear a lot more about it soon.
Now don’t get me wrong, I like the movies of Quentin Tarantino. I love Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction. I think Tarantino has a unique ability to display a film that will grip an audience. He provides a sense of reality and honesty most directors shun from. That makes his films powerful and hard to look away from.
I also love the way that Tarantino weaves into his movies insights about human nature, and deep philosophical nuggets. Most might just blur past these comments, but for those that pay attention he makes it intense. I mean the Superman solo by David Carradine in Kill Bill 2 is masterful.
But can this work when applied to World War II? Especially when styled as a spaghetti-western?
Brad Pitt makes an interesting choice of lead for this motley group of Dirty Dozen rejects. He’s not dark enough of an actor to me. I don’t see him as akin to Lee Marvin, who would be ideal for this kind of role. So that takes something off the film for me. But the movie may fill that gap.
And have no illusions, this movie looks to be a Guns of Navarone or Dirty Dozen inspiration. It may be more violent, and thus a bit repellant at points, but it is an homage.
And it has nothing to do with Inglorious Bastards starring Fred Williamson. Entirely different films. No connection whatsoever. And Tarantino’s film does not have any African Americans in it (well except for the narration by Samuel Jackson), which makes sense considering the plot – centered in Europe behind enemy lines.
This film has been talked about and rumored for years. It’s been through multiple rewrites and revisions. It is claimed that this will be similar in ways to a spaghetti western, though set in WWII. Ultimately though the question is if it will be good.
The trailer really doesn’t give us a clue yet. I’m still mixed in my thoughts. But it won’t be out till the summer, so expect to hear a lot more about it soon.
Movie Preview: Mutant Chronicles
Some movies look good. Some movies have great plots. And then there are movies that are modified copies of some other form of entertainment. That could be a remake, a revisioned television show or book, a comic book or video game to movie conversion, or lastly a role playing game conversion to a movie.
Now I have been clear that I find 90% of all remakes, especially those done in the last 15 years, to be sub-par expression of quick-money greed. I am equally clear that any revisioned is 99% assured to be the biggest waste of money and time you can torture yourself with. And numerous films have proven both things to be true.
But it is the run to convert video games and comic books (cartoons too) into movies of late that is interesting. There have been huge successes, and disastrous failures. The movie Hitman was just ok, making it one of the few that does not reach an extreme. Iron Man is a great success, the Dungeons and Dragons films were laughable attempts.
This brings me to Mutant Chronicles.
The film looks like it has potential. It’s based on a role playing game, which bodes badly for the film. It has Ron Perlman and Devon Aoki (best known from her role in Sin City). It’s gritty, futuristic, dark, and action oriented. In fact the trailer reminds me of a WWII film more than anything else.
But that’s where we see problems. The film is too dark. The features of characters in the light is hard to make out. But maybe that’s just the way the trailer is done. There seems to be some mysterious religious aspect to the trailer, which could be good or bad. It seems that humans are on other worlds than Earth, which might be interesting. But there are no hi-tech gizmos that you might expect for so far into the future. And there is a decided retro theme, giving an image more akin to 1935 than 2072.
It’s these mixed up ideas that seems to be the problem. The trailer really doesn’t give us a window into what the hell is going on. It make it hard to feel interested in what might happen.
The very best of fantasy, sci-fi, or almost any film follows one rule every time. Whatever is possible or real in the realm we are seeing must be explained in the first 15 minutes and then you never break those rules. Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Sin City, Bladerunner, The Great Escape, Mad Max, Die Hard, Terminator, and on and on. It works every time with a great film. Even ok films follow the rule mostly.
But this film looks like it will just barrel into action, without much explanation or care. It seems far too concerned with action to care if we care about the action or its cause and effect. But to be fair it’s had to be clear on that in just a movie trailer.
I would enjoy seeing this film do well. I’m sure Doom Trooper card collectors are praying it will. But the odds are against it, and the trailer isn’t helping. Hopefully a better movie trailer will pop up and give us a reason to watch this. But I think it might be coming to a DVD sale near you.
Now I have been clear that I find 90% of all remakes, especially those done in the last 15 years, to be sub-par expression of quick-money greed. I am equally clear that any revisioned is 99% assured to be the biggest waste of money and time you can torture yourself with. And numerous films have proven both things to be true.
But it is the run to convert video games and comic books (cartoons too) into movies of late that is interesting. There have been huge successes, and disastrous failures. The movie Hitman was just ok, making it one of the few that does not reach an extreme. Iron Man is a great success, the Dungeons and Dragons films were laughable attempts.
This brings me to Mutant Chronicles.
The film looks like it has potential. It’s based on a role playing game, which bodes badly for the film. It has Ron Perlman and Devon Aoki (best known from her role in Sin City). It’s gritty, futuristic, dark, and action oriented. In fact the trailer reminds me of a WWII film more than anything else.
But that’s where we see problems. The film is too dark. The features of characters in the light is hard to make out. But maybe that’s just the way the trailer is done. There seems to be some mysterious religious aspect to the trailer, which could be good or bad. It seems that humans are on other worlds than Earth, which might be interesting. But there are no hi-tech gizmos that you might expect for so far into the future. And there is a decided retro theme, giving an image more akin to 1935 than 2072.
It’s these mixed up ideas that seems to be the problem. The trailer really doesn’t give us a window into what the hell is going on. It make it hard to feel interested in what might happen.
The very best of fantasy, sci-fi, or almost any film follows one rule every time. Whatever is possible or real in the realm we are seeing must be explained in the first 15 minutes and then you never break those rules. Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Sin City, Bladerunner, The Great Escape, Mad Max, Die Hard, Terminator, and on and on. It works every time with a great film. Even ok films follow the rule mostly.
But this film looks like it will just barrel into action, without much explanation or care. It seems far too concerned with action to care if we care about the action or its cause and effect. But to be fair it’s had to be clear on that in just a movie trailer.
I would enjoy seeing this film do well. I’m sure Doom Trooper card collectors are praying it will. But the odds are against it, and the trailer isn’t helping. Hopefully a better movie trailer will pop up and give us a reason to watch this. But I think it might be coming to a DVD sale near you.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Would you watch octuplet mom porn?
The word you are looking for is inconceivable. And if you say it in much the way that Wallace Shaw did in the unforgettable Princess Bride, that will pretty much sum it up.
What else could there be to say about the mother of octuplets, Nadya Suleman, being offered $1 million to appear in a porn video for Vivid Entertainment. Actually she is being offered $1 million and a year of health care costs to "act" in just 1 porn movie. And I have to say she should do it.
Now I realize that I will likely be bombarded by women's rights groups and feminists about what I just said. But the fact is that this mother of 14 has no job, lives off the Government, is in a home of her parents, and is pending eviction due to being $23,000 in arrears. To say that the situation is dire is an understatement of huge proportions. That does not include the roughly $10 million dollar medical bill that she incurred having the children.
I realize that the state of California will be picking up the tab for the medical bill. And of course they will be supplying this mother with an income for everyone to live on. They even will likely pay for a home for the troupe to live in. But that is hardly a life.
The kids will need supervision and relatively sane guidance. They need food, clothing, and other supplies. And that is all before they start to go to school. Can you imagine the cost when you include school supplies for 14? It is unlikely that any single parent, without a winning lotto ticket, could possibly provide all the needs these kids will have - even on Government payrolls.
So the choice becomes this. Either the Government comes in and takes the children from this mother - which the legal system is remiss to do - or they change the laws to provide her and anyone in the future with outsized payments and services. Providing special services and payments to this woman will inevitably lead to others doing the same kinds of insanity, for the same kind of pay.
Thus if Suleman were to have some of the future health care needs, of which the first year has many, eliminated and has the $1 million (I'd negotiate that its a million net after tax) placed in a fund where withdrawals are solely for the needs of the children, it alleviates much of the burden on the public while removing some of the impetus for copycats.
No matter the choice that ends up happening, which I bet will be the porn video - though likely for reasons other than what I have described, Vivid has made a PR coup. There is sure to be a run on their video tapes (not that ANYONE ever buys porn). If this tape does come to fruition it will sell out much like those of celebrities like Pamela Anderson and Paris Hilton (why would anyone watch that vapid skinny excuse of womanhood I cannot imagine).
Is this wrong? On many levels. Then again, the fact that a woman with questionable mental facilities, 6 children (some with special needs), no job, no stable home, was allowed to have more children via artificial means (let alone 8) is even worse than an opportunistic porn video. But not quite as bad as the self-serving ratings grab of Dr. Phil.
What else could there be to say about the mother of octuplets, Nadya Suleman, being offered $1 million to appear in a porn video for Vivid Entertainment. Actually she is being offered $1 million and a year of health care costs to "act" in just 1 porn movie. And I have to say she should do it.
Now I realize that I will likely be bombarded by women's rights groups and feminists about what I just said. But the fact is that this mother of 14 has no job, lives off the Government, is in a home of her parents, and is pending eviction due to being $23,000 in arrears. To say that the situation is dire is an understatement of huge proportions. That does not include the roughly $10 million dollar medical bill that she incurred having the children.
I realize that the state of California will be picking up the tab for the medical bill. And of course they will be supplying this mother with an income for everyone to live on. They even will likely pay for a home for the troupe to live in. But that is hardly a life.
The kids will need supervision and relatively sane guidance. They need food, clothing, and other supplies. And that is all before they start to go to school. Can you imagine the cost when you include school supplies for 14? It is unlikely that any single parent, without a winning lotto ticket, could possibly provide all the needs these kids will have - even on Government payrolls.
So the choice becomes this. Either the Government comes in and takes the children from this mother - which the legal system is remiss to do - or they change the laws to provide her and anyone in the future with outsized payments and services. Providing special services and payments to this woman will inevitably lead to others doing the same kinds of insanity, for the same kind of pay.
Thus if Suleman were to have some of the future health care needs, of which the first year has many, eliminated and has the $1 million (I'd negotiate that its a million net after tax) placed in a fund where withdrawals are solely for the needs of the children, it alleviates much of the burden on the public while removing some of the impetus for copycats.
No matter the choice that ends up happening, which I bet will be the porn video - though likely for reasons other than what I have described, Vivid has made a PR coup. There is sure to be a run on their video tapes (not that ANYONE ever buys porn). If this tape does come to fruition it will sell out much like those of celebrities like Pamela Anderson and Paris Hilton (why would anyone watch that vapid skinny excuse of womanhood I cannot imagine).
Is this wrong? On many levels. Then again, the fact that a woman with questionable mental facilities, 6 children (some with special needs), no job, no stable home, was allowed to have more children via artificial means (let alone 8) is even worse than an opportunistic porn video. But not quite as bad as the self-serving ratings grab of Dr. Phil.
Video Game Review: 50 Cent Blood on the Sand
In the world of video gaming there is the latest release from former crack dealer 50 cent. In yet another attempt to create an image beyond the sell-out corporate minstrel, 50 cent has put out 50 cent: Blood on the Sand. It is a self-serving glob of software, styled in a 3rd-person shooter format.
There is nothing that can really be said about this game that is new or innovative. The screen is cluttered, the levels repeatitive. And on top of the monotony is the distraction of soundtracks from 50 cent. So the game is uninspired, rehashed, and targeted to hip hop culture so it can make a quick buck for the name it sports.
Honestly I've seen better video games based on movies. We all know most of those are crap made just to line someone's pocket. But here is a snippet of a review from Gamespot.com
This is from a review that garnered a 7.0 - hardly worthy of shelling out $60. Plus the rating of those poor souls that did buy the game so far is a depressing 6.4. If that doesn't say wait for the $5 bargin bin, if you must have this, I'm not sure what will.
Well maybe this can help. IGN reviewed it with these interesting statements
But the shock is really how the game came about to be in the first place. What might have been the inspiration you ask? Well according to 50 cent
So the act of performing for soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan, who are fighting a war against religous fanatics that would see women illiterate and the freedoms of the Constitution obliterated, inspired a game where a band of ex-convict corporate minstrels chase down a diamond encrusted skull, killing almost everything in sight. It sounds like a bad Scooby-Doo episode.
Somehow I believe our soldiers, or the enemy, are hardly running around shooting people to hoard gemstones. The feeling of greed, somehow seems less important than the preservation of life and love of your comrade in arms. Then again, 50 cent believes in the ghettofabulous life of thugs. So it's always about money, even if it means selling-out.
Perhaps there were a few too many mind-altering substances available to 50 cent while he was overseas. Then again, a poorly educated criminal is not someone I'd expect to see more than an opportunity of greed from. Which the game essentially is.
Now I also believe that this will make enough money that yet another 50 cent name touting game will be created. I cringe for the reviewers that must play these games. It has to be a painful way to earn a living.
There is nothing that can really be said about this game that is new or innovative. The screen is cluttered, the levels repeatitive. And on top of the monotony is the distraction of soundtracks from 50 cent. So the game is uninspired, rehashed, and targeted to hip hop culture so it can make a quick buck for the name it sports.
Honestly I've seen better video games based on movies. We all know most of those are crap made just to line someone's pocket. But here is a snippet of a review from Gamespot.com
"It is then that you commence shooting anything that moves. 50 and his chosen G-Unit companion (Tony Yayo, Lloyd Banks, or DJ Whoo Kid) traverse a war-torn urban Middle Eastern landscape, slaying countless goons while pursuing one criminal figure after another. Though there are a few vehicle segments to vary things up, most of the locales kind of blur together in a blend of gunfire and earth tones."
This is from a review that garnered a 7.0 - hardly worthy of shelling out $60. Plus the rating of those poor souls that did buy the game so far is a depressing 6.4. If that doesn't say wait for the $5 bargin bin, if you must have this, I'm not sure what will.
Well maybe this can help. IGN reviewed it with these interesting statements
"Much of Blood on the Sand is utterly ridiculous -- explosions send bodies flying a hundred feet in the air and Fiddy waxes poetic with expletive-filled taunts while taking rocket-propelled grenades to the face...There's little if any challenge in slogging through the endless waves of enemies on your way to victory, but that's really not the point. After all, Fiddy is leading the charge, so victory is inevitable...If Gears of War 2's mantra was "Bigger, badder, more bad ass," then BOTS's should have been "Fiddy, Fiddier, more fiddier." Instead it's just one five-hour "Fiddy."
But the shock is really how the game came about to be in the first place. What might have been the inspiration you ask? Well according to 50 cent
"After performing for the soldiers, you look at the people there and you use your imagination to say, 'What are they actually feeling? What are they going through?'," he said. "It was an experience but the game itself, I brought some of those experiences I had in to it and that's why it looks the way it looks"
So the act of performing for soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan, who are fighting a war against religous fanatics that would see women illiterate and the freedoms of the Constitution obliterated, inspired a game where a band of ex-convict corporate minstrels chase down a diamond encrusted skull, killing almost everything in sight. It sounds like a bad Scooby-Doo episode.
Somehow I believe our soldiers, or the enemy, are hardly running around shooting people to hoard gemstones. The feeling of greed, somehow seems less important than the preservation of life and love of your comrade in arms. Then again, 50 cent believes in the ghettofabulous life of thugs. So it's always about money, even if it means selling-out.
Perhaps there were a few too many mind-altering substances available to 50 cent while he was overseas. Then again, a poorly educated criminal is not someone I'd expect to see more than an opportunity of greed from. Which the game essentially is.
Now I also believe that this will make enough money that yet another 50 cent name touting game will be created. I cringe for the reviewers that must play these games. It has to be a painful way to earn a living.
The Expendables: Cast growing with action movie icons
In a bit of a quick update there is the news that the 2010 film, The Expendables, has increased the large and famous cast. The latest addition to the film will include yet another major icon of the 1980’s action movies.
Yes the Guvernator himself will be taking a role in Sylvester Stallone’s latest film. But this will not be a major part, just a cameo. And he will be playing a role that will involve little acting – he will play the Governor of California. How embarrassing might it be if his role is done poorly?
Still the Expendables movie is continuing to look like a must see film. The cast of Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren (an old nemesis of Stallone and Schwarzenegger) , Mickey Rourke, and Forest Whitaker is compelling. The addition of the Governator just adds a bit of flair.
By the way, here are some of the match-ups from the past with this cast.
Stallone has been in films with:
Mickey Rourke – Get Carter (remake)
Dolph Lundgren – Rocky 4
Jason Statham has been in films with:
Jet Li – War and The One
Mickey Rourke – 13 (filming now - remake)
Mickey Rourke has been in films with:
Eric Roberts – Pope of Greenwich Village
Forest Whitaker has been in films with:
Ben Kingsley – Species
And oddly enough, Christopher Walken (who is not in the film) has been in movies with:
Mickey Rourke – Dominoe, Man on Fire
Arnold Schwarzenegger - The Rundown (the Governator had an uncredited role, did you notice?)
Sylvester Stallone – Antz
Eric Roberts – Prophesy 2
Dolph Lundgren – A View To A Kill
Just thought I’d add that.
Yes the Guvernator himself will be taking a role in Sylvester Stallone’s latest film. But this will not be a major part, just a cameo. And he will be playing a role that will involve little acting – he will play the Governor of California. How embarrassing might it be if his role is done poorly?
Still the Expendables movie is continuing to look like a must see film. The cast of Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren (an old nemesis of Stallone and Schwarzenegger) , Mickey Rourke, and Forest Whitaker is compelling. The addition of the Governator just adds a bit of flair.
By the way, here are some of the match-ups from the past with this cast.
Stallone has been in films with:
Mickey Rourke – Get Carter (remake)
Dolph Lundgren – Rocky 4
Jason Statham has been in films with:
Jet Li – War and The One
Mickey Rourke – 13 (filming now - remake)
Mickey Rourke has been in films with:
Eric Roberts – Pope of Greenwich Village
Forest Whitaker has been in films with:
Ben Kingsley – Species
And oddly enough, Christopher Walken (who is not in the film) has been in movies with:
Mickey Rourke – Dominoe, Man on Fire
Arnold Schwarzenegger - The Rundown (the Governator had an uncredited role, did you notice?)
Sylvester Stallone – Antz
Eric Roberts – Prophesy 2
Dolph Lundgren – A View To A Kill
Just thought I’d add that.
Expecting the worst of MSNBC and Matthews is reaching too high
You know, it’s not like anyone watching MSNBC (few as they are) believes there is any shred of impartiality on the channel. The bias of this cable news network is obvious, insulting, and questions the descriptor “news”. But what happened yesterday was even worse.
Chris Matthews not so quietly let out “Oh God” just as Republican Gov. Jindal was about to provide the Republican response to President Obama’s speech. Now it does not matter if you are political or not. The on-mike comment was an insult to the American system of Government. It was bias in the news. It was a slap in the face to millions of Americans that did not vote for President Obama or feel that the current fiscal response is being run by Democrats like a Roman toga party.
We all know that Chris Matthews is without self-control when it comes to President Obama. He has said as much on air. So there is no doubt that he has the inability to do his job with regard to our nation’s leadership. But to tarnish the comments, before a single word is uttered is even worse. Just imagine the outrage that Matthews, MSNBC, and most of the rest of liberal news media would have had if such an utterance was made just prior to a Democrat response to any Republican Presidential address. They’d lose their minds and plaster the airwaves with the news.
But nothing will happen to Matthews. And the liberal media will ignore his contemptible bias. Because they share it. Thus living up to the ever more increasing thought that I have said before:
The Huffington Post made a poll about the event, asking who the voice (at first unacknowledged as to whom it was) making the utterance was. 32% went with Matthews, 35% went with Keith Olbermann, 18% thought it was a producer. So clearly the visitors at the Huffington Post acknowledge that the on-screen and behind-the-scenes hierarchy of MSNBC, and likely NBC, are corrupt in their reporting. Which means the cable network is incapable of doing its job.
But the question I really would like to have heard Huffington Post ask was
Chris Matthews not so quietly let out “Oh God” just as Republican Gov. Jindal was about to provide the Republican response to President Obama’s speech. Now it does not matter if you are political or not. The on-mike comment was an insult to the American system of Government. It was bias in the news. It was a slap in the face to millions of Americans that did not vote for President Obama or feel that the current fiscal response is being run by Democrats like a Roman toga party.
We all know that Chris Matthews is without self-control when it comes to President Obama. He has said as much on air. So there is no doubt that he has the inability to do his job with regard to our nation’s leadership. But to tarnish the comments, before a single word is uttered is even worse. Just imagine the outrage that Matthews, MSNBC, and most of the rest of liberal news media would have had if such an utterance was made just prior to a Democrat response to any Republican Presidential address. They’d lose their minds and plaster the airwaves with the news.
But nothing will happen to Matthews. And the liberal media will ignore his contemptible bias. Because they share it. Thus living up to the ever more increasing thought that I have said before:
“Liberals and Democrats love freedom of speech and thought. As long as it matches exactly what they think. Otherwise they will try to remove it completely.”
The Huffington Post made a poll about the event, asking who the voice (at first unacknowledged as to whom it was) making the utterance was. 32% went with Matthews, 35% went with Keith Olbermann, 18% thought it was a producer. So clearly the visitors at the Huffington Post acknowledge that the on-screen and behind-the-scenes hierarchy of MSNBC, and likely NBC, are corrupt in their reporting. Which means the cable network is incapable of doing its job.
But the question I really would like to have heard Huffington Post ask was
Can America be served by a “news” network that has sold-out, effectively blocking free speech and thought?
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Duke Ellington: The jazz, the stamp, and the quarter
What do you think of when you think of Duke Ellington?
Some will instantly hear any number of jazz music selections created by this great musician and performer. Other may reflect on the Presidential Medal of Freedom he received in 1969
, or the Legion of Honor from France (both are the highest honors that a civilian can receive from the respective countries). Then there are those that will remember that he was part of the second generation of African Americans to be born free of slavery.
Each of these things are powerful memories, with a history and impact for all those that pay attention. In Washington D.C. they have set about trying to capture all those facts, and countless numbers more, by commemorating Duke Ellington, born Edward Kennedy Ellington in 1899 (34 years after the end of slavery), on an American quarter. As each of the 50 states have emblazened an image representing the State on quarters, D. C. has now joined with its own image of its famous and beloved hometown son.
Ellington, named Duke for his appearance and mannerisms in youth that denoted nobility, was born in Washington D.C. and had President Teddy Roosevelt watch him play baseball as a child. His talent at the piano, in jazz, and with his bands allowed him to play for White and Black audiences - which was virtually unheard of in the 1920 and on. Duke was a groundbreaking, amazing man - proof that color cannot bind music even in a segregated nation.
Duke Ellington is the first and only African American to be featured on a official, functional, U.S. coin by himself. Commemorative coins, like those sold since the election of President Obama, are not valid currency. This too is a piece of history worthy of such a great American. It goes well with the fact that in 1986 Ellington was place on a 22 cent U.S. stamp and his special citation of the Pulitzer Prize.
You may not have heard about this anywhere else, but you should have. It's just one more reason that the world was lucky to have had Duke Ellington in it. It's another reason that every African American should always hold their heads high, not just during Black History Month.
Some will instantly hear any number of jazz music selections created by this great musician and performer. Other may reflect on the Presidential Medal of Freedom he received in 1969
, or the Legion of Honor from France (both are the highest honors that a civilian can receive from the respective countries). Then there are those that will remember that he was part of the second generation of African Americans to be born free of slavery.Each of these things are powerful memories, with a history and impact for all those that pay attention. In Washington D.C. they have set about trying to capture all those facts, and countless numbers more, by commemorating Duke Ellington, born Edward Kennedy Ellington in 1899 (34 years after the end of slavery), on an American quarter. As each of the 50 states have emblazened an image representing the State on quarters, D. C. has now joined with its own image of its famous and beloved hometown son.
Ellington, named Duke for his appearance and mannerisms in youth that denoted nobility, was born in Washington D.C. and had President Teddy Roosevelt watch him play baseball as a child. His talent at the piano, in jazz, and with his bands allowed him to play for White and Black audiences - which was virtually unheard of in the 1920 and on. Duke was a groundbreaking, amazing man - proof that color cannot bind music even in a segregated nation.
Duke Ellington is the first and only African American to be featured on a official, functional, U.S. coin by himself. Commemorative coins, like those sold since the election of President Obama, are not valid currency. This too is a piece of history worthy of such a great American. It goes well with the fact that in 1986 Ellington was place on a 22 cent U.S. stamp and his special citation of the Pulitzer Prize.
You may not have heard about this anywhere else, but you should have. It's just one more reason that the world was lucky to have had Duke Ellington in it. It's another reason that every African American should always hold their heads high, not just during Black History Month.
Where in the world was George Clooney?
I know that some people were curious about the non-appearance of George Clooney at the Oscar Awards on Sunday. And even more people are wondering about his appearance on the final episode of E.R. But far more important is the actual place he was at.
On Sunday, George Clooney delivered 250,000 postcards to President Obama from the Save Darfur organization. He then discussed his latest, and 6th, trip to the Darfur region.
It is in the Sudan where the genocide of Darfur has been taking place since 2003. Clooney, Don Cheadle, Brad Pitt and several other prominent celebrities and activists around the world have been trying to draw attention and help end the genocide for years, and I support that too.
The work of Save Darfur, the movie Darfur Now with Don Cheadle, and several other efforts have been mostly unheeded by the U.S. Government, including Congress. It is Congress that has been incapable of passing a single bill of legislation to place pressure on the Sudanese Government to end this slaughter of innocents. And that includes Democrats and Republicans alike.
But President Obama is supposed to be the President of change. He is supposed to be doing things differently in Washington. So I hope this meeting with George Clooney is the first step in a path where America does something to help end the death of children, women and men.
I think that the President cannot ask China to do anything, until the U.S. acts in a similar manner. Since 2004 the Congress has been unable to pass HR 180 IH, which would bar U.S. businesses from working with the Sudan – effectively helping to cut their funding for this genocide. To date over 400,000 are estimated to have been killed with 2.5 million, including children, refugees searching for safety from the fighting. If America will not stop funding such acts of vile murder, how can we expect China to do so?
But I am glad of this. At least Presaident Obama has listened to the plea. Even though he has never voted in favor of HR 180 IH while in Congress, and the fact he did not speak about Darfur on the campaign trail, this is a step in the right direction. But I hope he acts on it. Just as he promised in the media ignored, undiscussed trip to Chad
And I am glad that celebrities and entertainers like Don Cheadle, Brad Pitt, George Clooney and so many more are actively doing something beyond lip-service for this cause. So I don’t mind he was not at the Oscar Awards, nor do I care about the end of ER. Some things are just more important.
On Sunday, George Clooney delivered 250,000 postcards to President Obama from the Save Darfur organization. He then discussed his latest, and 6th, trip to the Darfur region.
It is in the Sudan where the genocide of Darfur has been taking place since 2003. Clooney, Don Cheadle, Brad Pitt and several other prominent celebrities and activists around the world have been trying to draw attention and help end the genocide for years, and I support that too.
The work of Save Darfur, the movie Darfur Now with Don Cheadle, and several other efforts have been mostly unheeded by the U.S. Government, including Congress. It is Congress that has been incapable of passing a single bill of legislation to place pressure on the Sudanese Government to end this slaughter of innocents. And that includes Democrats and Republicans alike.
But President Obama is supposed to be the President of change. He is supposed to be doing things differently in Washington. So I hope this meeting with George Clooney is the first step in a path where America does something to help end the death of children, women and men.
I think that the President cannot ask China to do anything, until the U.S. acts in a similar manner. Since 2004 the Congress has been unable to pass HR 180 IH, which would bar U.S. businesses from working with the Sudan – effectively helping to cut their funding for this genocide. To date over 400,000 are estimated to have been killed with 2.5 million, including children, refugees searching for safety from the fighting. If America will not stop funding such acts of vile murder, how can we expect China to do so?
But I am glad of this. At least Presaident Obama has listened to the plea. Even though he has never voted in favor of HR 180 IH while in Congress, and the fact he did not speak about Darfur on the campaign trail, this is a step in the right direction. But I hope he acts on it. Just as he promised in the media ignored, undiscussed trip to Chad
And I am glad that celebrities and entertainers like Don Cheadle, Brad Pitt, George Clooney and so many more are actively doing something beyond lip-service for this cause. So I don’t mind he was not at the Oscar Awards, nor do I care about the end of ER. Some things are just more important.
Another attempt to explain UFO's - badly
Over the years I have heard many things about UFO’s. I have heard they are impossible, imaginary, absolutely mathematically probable, a fact, and logical. I have listened to the Government, and others around the world, deny the existence of anything beyond Earth and also admit that there are events beyond explanation.
But of all the things I have heard to deny the existence of UFO’s the worst has to be the latest answer, Natural Explanation Found for UFOs. This has to be the least honest excuse I can recall being stated in my lifetime.
Now while that is a cool effect of nature, does it seem otherworldly to anyone? Does it seem to be moving anywhere? And when I say moving I mean laterally, or in intricate turns, for extended periods of time. Lightning, even ball lightning or sprites do not do that. Better yet, how about remaining completely stationary, 500 feet above Phoenix, without a lightning storm?
10,000 people are sure they did not see flares or sprites or any man-made phenomenon. From dozens of angles and video cameras and people of all walks of life came a clear statement that cannot be adequately explained.
Can there be a natural explanation? Possibly, though modern science is nowhere near having that answer. Least of all the existence of sprites. It is even a bit insulting for any scientific group to claim they have an answer.
If the universe is only half as big and half as old as science believes, that leaves billions of solar systems with as many planets in the universe existing for longer than the history of the Earth. For anyone to claim that in billions of billions the only form of intelligent life, or life at all, resides on our planet alone is the ultimate in arrogance. It is mathematically improbable, logically a lie, and considering the abundance of events that cannot be explained dumb.
Sprites might explain some questionable events over the years. But it is in no way an answer, nor definite. Still I’d expect the Government to explain what happened to JFK sooner than admit even 1 UFO in recorded history.
But of all the things I have heard to deny the existence of UFO’s the worst has to be the latest answer, Natural Explanation Found for UFOs. This has to be the least honest excuse I can recall being stated in my lifetime.
Now while that is a cool effect of nature, does it seem otherworldly to anyone? Does it seem to be moving anywhere? And when I say moving I mean laterally, or in intricate turns, for extended periods of time. Lightning, even ball lightning or sprites do not do that. Better yet, how about remaining completely stationary, 500 feet above Phoenix, without a lightning storm?
10,000 people are sure they did not see flares or sprites or any man-made phenomenon. From dozens of angles and video cameras and people of all walks of life came a clear statement that cannot be adequately explained.
Can there be a natural explanation? Possibly, though modern science is nowhere near having that answer. Least of all the existence of sprites. It is even a bit insulting for any scientific group to claim they have an answer.
If the universe is only half as big and half as old as science believes, that leaves billions of solar systems with as many planets in the universe existing for longer than the history of the Earth. For anyone to claim that in billions of billions the only form of intelligent life, or life at all, resides on our planet alone is the ultimate in arrogance. It is mathematically improbable, logically a lie, and considering the abundance of events that cannot be explained dumb.
Sprites might explain some questionable events over the years. But it is in no way an answer, nor definite. Still I’d expect the Government to explain what happened to JFK sooner than admit even 1 UFO in recorded history.
Monday, February 23, 2009
The best award at the 81st Academy Awards
On Sunday, the 81st Academy Awards took place. The buzz has been huge about which films won, which actors took what prize, and what all the ladies were wearing. Which meant really nothing to me.
But there was one thing that occurred at this Oscar Awards that did make an impact. It had nothing to do with the movies and actors nominated. And it is something far bigger than any awards show.
Joseph Levitch, a man best known to the world as Jerry Lewis, received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award for his work to help those with Muscular Dystrophy. He has been an advocate of those suffering with MS and similar diseases since the 1950’s, and has run a MDA Labor Day Telethon since 1966, raising more than $2 billion over the decades.
Jerry Lewis has never received an award form his peers for the lifetime of work he has done. It is his innovation that has led to several advancements in television and movies that we see today. His career is an example of prolific performance on television, stage and movies. A great number of his films are considered classics.
But it is his work with the telethon that is what makes me so interested. No one has ever been able to find out why he had dedicated so much of his life to this cause. And there is no question that he is dedicated. Even if some dispute the manner or apparent reasons he may have. I have even heard in the past that the answer to why he is so obsessed (for lack of a better term) with this cause is sealed in a vault that his attorney is meant to open upon his death, during a telethon – so that it can be used to raise funds, as is the wish of Lewis.
Jerry Lewis is a human being. Born in 1926, I am not surprised by the occasional gaffes and seeming insensitivity he has on various issues that those far younger are appalled about today. Not surprised does not mean I approve. But I do not allow that to take away from what he has done.
This is inspirational I think. Or at least I hope it is. So few actors and entertainers today are truly involved with any cause. Yes many give lip-service to the popular buzz of the day. But few are dedicated, true believers. Which is sad, because their fame can be used to help so many.
Jerry Lewis is an icon. But far more than that he is a driven advocate that will do anything to help the causes that he believes in. So don’t be surprised if you hear in the next Telethon this year that he places his award up for sale to the highest bidder – the proceeds to go to those he most directly wishes to help. I’d expect that it’s something he would do, and I can respect that.
Of all the entertainers alive today, I can barely think of any that deserve such an accolade as much as Jerry Lewis. And it’s more than about time.
But there was one thing that occurred at this Oscar Awards that did make an impact. It had nothing to do with the movies and actors nominated. And it is something far bigger than any awards show.
Joseph Levitch, a man best known to the world as Jerry Lewis, received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award for his work to help those with Muscular Dystrophy. He has been an advocate of those suffering with MS and similar diseases since the 1950’s, and has run a MDA Labor Day Telethon since 1966, raising more than $2 billion over the decades.
Jerry Lewis has never received an award form his peers for the lifetime of work he has done. It is his innovation that has led to several advancements in television and movies that we see today. His career is an example of prolific performance on television, stage and movies. A great number of his films are considered classics.
But it is his work with the telethon that is what makes me so interested. No one has ever been able to find out why he had dedicated so much of his life to this cause. And there is no question that he is dedicated. Even if some dispute the manner or apparent reasons he may have. I have even heard in the past that the answer to why he is so obsessed (for lack of a better term) with this cause is sealed in a vault that his attorney is meant to open upon his death, during a telethon – so that it can be used to raise funds, as is the wish of Lewis.
Jerry Lewis is a human being. Born in 1926, I am not surprised by the occasional gaffes and seeming insensitivity he has on various issues that those far younger are appalled about today. Not surprised does not mean I approve. But I do not allow that to take away from what he has done.
This is inspirational I think. Or at least I hope it is. So few actors and entertainers today are truly involved with any cause. Yes many give lip-service to the popular buzz of the day. But few are dedicated, true believers. Which is sad, because their fame can be used to help so many.
Jerry Lewis is an icon. But far more than that he is a driven advocate that will do anything to help the causes that he believes in. So don’t be surprised if you hear in the next Telethon this year that he places his award up for sale to the highest bidder – the proceeds to go to those he most directly wishes to help. I’d expect that it’s something he would do, and I can respect that.
Of all the entertainers alive today, I can barely think of any that deserve such an accolade as much as Jerry Lewis. And it’s more than about time.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Madison vs. Barbs: a basketball game with higher rewards
It’s just so nice to hear about a story in the news of sports that is positive. I ran across this the other day and felt I had to write about it.
Most everyone is aware of the fact that in high school sports the competition between rival schools can be quite intense. This is especially true in smaller towns and the mid-west. A critical game between rival schools is something that local fans may talk about for years.
Just as often, these big games can come down to a matter of a few points. So every point counts. Thus when I saw that Coach Dave Rohlman of the Barbs had the chance for 2 points from a technical foul against rival school Madison, I was surprised that the choice of shooter was left to volunteers. It got even more interesting that once team captain Darius McNeal did volunteer he was told
Yes McNeal did understand this. And miss them he did. McNeal
What in the world was going on?
Well earlier that day, Johntel Franklin - a member of the Milwaukee team - was at the local hospital. His mother had just suddenly lost her battle with cancer. Several teammates were at the hospital with him. In fact the basketball game had been delayed an hour because of this.
But Franklin wanted Milwaukee Madison to play the game rather than cancel. And the DeKalb Barbs, visitors in this matchup, were willing to go along with whatever the team decided. So the game started late.
In the middle of the game, Franklin showed up to cheer on the team. And asked to join in, trying to use the game as a way to deal with the sudden loss of his mother. The Milwaukee team had no problems accepting. But this caused a technical foul, giving the Barbs a 2 point free throw. Which they argued not to take. But rules are rules.
The results are as stated above.
In a world were success is often desired above all else, especially in sports where winning is always the ultimate goal, its comforting to hear of compassion. I don’t mean just giving up, or throwing the game. Both teams played a good game, and there was a winner and loser according to the score.
But there was a respect given. A rarity these days in almost any potion of life we hear about. A respect of the humanity of rivals, of the situation at hand. And that ultimately is more valuable than stats, or scores.
The loss of a parent is always a difficult thing. Even in my 30’s the loss of my father was devastating to me. So I can easily understand the feelings of Franklin.
And I must credit the Barbs. They had the chance of easy points. They could have improved the stats, maybe even altered the course of the game. But instead they took the high road. Which should been blasted across all the sports radio and television stations across the nation.
Winning at all costs has a cost. A loss of humanity, compassion, and/or any number of other negatives at times. We as a society lose that perspective these days. Far too often. Mostly because the money at risk is too large it seems. Or the notoriety is too valued.
2 points can make or break a basketball game. At the same time, the very same 2 points can help define men (and women) for their lives. I think Madison, Barbs, McNeal, and coach Rohlman won far more than what the basketball game was intended to give.
Most everyone is aware of the fact that in high school sports the competition between rival schools can be quite intense. This is especially true in smaller towns and the mid-west. A critical game between rival schools is something that local fans may talk about for years.
Just as often, these big games can come down to a matter of a few points. So every point counts. Thus when I saw that Coach Dave Rohlman of the Barbs had the chance for 2 points from a technical foul against rival school Madison, I was surprised that the choice of shooter was left to volunteers. It got even more interesting that once team captain Darius McNeal did volunteer he was told
“You realize you're going to miss them, don't you?" Rohlman said.”
Yes McNeal did understand this. And miss them he did. McNeal
“..went alone to the free throw line, dribbled the ball a couple of times, and looked at the rim.
His first attempt went about two feet, bouncing a couple of times as it rolled toward the end line. The second barely left his hand.“
What in the world was going on?
Well earlier that day, Johntel Franklin - a member of the Milwaukee team - was at the local hospital. His mother had just suddenly lost her battle with cancer. Several teammates were at the hospital with him. In fact the basketball game had been delayed an hour because of this.
But Franklin wanted Milwaukee Madison to play the game rather than cancel. And the DeKalb Barbs, visitors in this matchup, were willing to go along with whatever the team decided. So the game started late.
In the middle of the game, Franklin showed up to cheer on the team. And asked to join in, trying to use the game as a way to deal with the sudden loss of his mother. The Milwaukee team had no problems accepting. But this caused a technical foul, giving the Barbs a 2 point free throw. Which they argued not to take. But rules are rules.
The results are as stated above.
In a world were success is often desired above all else, especially in sports where winning is always the ultimate goal, its comforting to hear of compassion. I don’t mean just giving up, or throwing the game. Both teams played a good game, and there was a winner and loser according to the score.
But there was a respect given. A rarity these days in almost any potion of life we hear about. A respect of the humanity of rivals, of the situation at hand. And that ultimately is more valuable than stats, or scores.
The loss of a parent is always a difficult thing. Even in my 30’s the loss of my father was devastating to me. So I can easily understand the feelings of Franklin.
And I must credit the Barbs. They had the chance of easy points. They could have improved the stats, maybe even altered the course of the game. But instead they took the high road. Which should been blasted across all the sports radio and television stations across the nation.
Winning at all costs has a cost. A loss of humanity, compassion, and/or any number of other negatives at times. We as a society lose that perspective these days. Far too often. Mostly because the money at risk is too large it seems. Or the notoriety is too valued.
2 points can make or break a basketball game. At the same time, the very same 2 points can help define men (and women) for their lives. I think Madison, Barbs, McNeal, and coach Rohlman won far more than what the basketball game was intended to give.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Exclusive - Dennis Dortch - it's just begun
In an exclusive heads-up, I want to mention something that I have just learned.
I was speaking with Dennis Dortch, director and writer of A Good Day To Be Black & Sexy, about the interview we had (and will be posted soon) and he mentioned a little something that fans of the movie will be thrilled with. Now I can't reveal too much of what I do know. But I can state this, with absolute certainty.
It is not over.
Yes, there will be more of the characters and storylines found in A Good Day To Be Black & Sexy. This is something being developed as we speak. And I believe in the near term will be something fans can enjoy.
This will be something new as I am not aware of any other director or film that has taken this direction. And I believe that it will capture the attention of fans and create new fans as well.
I will keep you up to date as I learn more information, and further developments happen. If you have not seen A Good Day To Be Black & Sexy yet I again strongly suggest it. And I know the DVD became available as of February, which includes extras about the film and cast that I think are insightful and entertaining.
Don't forget that I will have my interview with director Dennis Dortch, Gotham Awards nominee for the Breakthrough Director Award in 2008, about this Sundance Film Festival favorite up soon. Keep an eye out for it.
I was speaking with Dennis Dortch, director and writer of A Good Day To Be Black & Sexy, about the interview we had (and will be posted soon) and he mentioned a little something that fans of the movie will be thrilled with. Now I can't reveal too much of what I do know. But I can state this, with absolute certainty.
It is not over.
Yes, there will be more of the characters and storylines found in A Good Day To Be Black & Sexy. This is something being developed as we speak. And I believe in the near term will be something fans can enjoy.
This will be something new as I am not aware of any other director or film that has taken this direction. And I believe that it will capture the attention of fans and create new fans as well.
I will keep you up to date as I learn more information, and further developments happen. If you have not seen A Good Day To Be Black & Sexy yet I again strongly suggest it. And I know the DVD became available as of February, which includes extras about the film and cast that I think are insightful and entertaining.
Don't forget that I will have my interview with director Dennis Dortch, Gotham Awards nominee for the Breakthrough Director Award in 2008, about this Sundance Film Festival favorite up soon. Keep an eye out for it.
Chris Brown vs. Rihanna: Domestic Violence is inexcusable
I normally do not like to delve into the sorid tabloid scheme of invading the privacy of entertainers and celebrities. There are better ways to make money or gain an audience. But I will take up the issue of Chris Brown's alleged domestic violence against Rihanna.
Domestic violence, and all violence against women is abominable. No true man ever has a need of placing his hands on a woman. It is a sign of cowardice and inferiority, in my opinion.
Domestic violence, and any violence against women, is inexcusable. This is not love. It is not an accident. It is not something that is the blame of anyone except the child that wants to be viewed as a man. No woman should ever have to expereince this.
If there is anything that the Chris Brown / Rihanna case can do, it is to make it clear that ANY woman can be a victim of such abuse. It makes clear that neither money nor fame make a man, and violence even less so. Real men do not need money, fame, violence to be strong or respected. Real men do not abuse women, but instead defend them from what I feel are worse criminals than almost any other, those that hurt women.
If you are a woman, if you are the victim of domestic abuse, or any violent crime, get help. Go to the authorities. It's not something to hide. Rihanna has taken action, and her fame makes this a spotlight that few could imagine. Yet the more important thing is her life and ability to live without such abuse. She made a brave choice, and so can you.
There is help out there. The National Domestic Violence Hotline (www.ndvh.com) at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) is available 24/7, every day of the year. And they speak 170 languages. All calls to the National Domestic Violence Hotline are anonymous and confidential.
Beyond this I will not discuss the case, as I feel to do so would be exploitative.
Domestic violence, and all violence against women is abominable. No true man ever has a need of placing his hands on a woman. It is a sign of cowardice and inferiority, in my opinion.
Domestic violence, and any violence against women, is inexcusable. This is not love. It is not an accident. It is not something that is the blame of anyone except the child that wants to be viewed as a man. No woman should ever have to expereince this.
If there is anything that the Chris Brown / Rihanna case can do, it is to make it clear that ANY woman can be a victim of such abuse. It makes clear that neither money nor fame make a man, and violence even less so. Real men do not need money, fame, violence to be strong or respected. Real men do not abuse women, but instead defend them from what I feel are worse criminals than almost any other, those that hurt women.
If you are a woman, if you are the victim of domestic abuse, or any violent crime, get help. Go to the authorities. It's not something to hide. Rihanna has taken action, and her fame makes this a spotlight that few could imagine. Yet the more important thing is her life and ability to live without such abuse. She made a brave choice, and so can you.
There is help out there. The National Domestic Violence Hotline (www.ndvh.com) at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) is available 24/7, every day of the year. And they speak 170 languages. All calls to the National Domestic Violence Hotline are anonymous and confidential.
Beyond this I will not discuss the case, as I feel to do so would be exploitative.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Movie preview: Echelon Conspiracy
I saw a great film trailer recently. The movie is called Echelon Conspiracy. This could be a very good film, or it will be a miserable rip-off of several successful films. So far it's hard to tell.
Essentially the movie revolves around a concept we have seen before. The world is filled with technology, and someone or something is always monitoring all that information floating around. It's Big Brother to the Nth level.
But there are some that can manipulate all this knowledge. And a lowly joe average is lucky to be the one in possession of the device with all the answers. Or unlucky, as all previous owners are dead.
In a bit of a take on the movie Magic, a cell phone talks to the latest owner. It will help the owner out of trouble with police, other people, financial debt and plane crashes (possibly caused by the phone to make a point). Anything. But you can never turn it off, nor not listen to what it tells you to do. In fact there was an episode of the Twilight Zone that went like that too - in a diner and a machine that can predict the future.
But unlike the device in the television show, this one will actively set about killing you if you don't listen to it. Still you get to travel the world, have tons of money, and intense fun. If you call every agency in the world hunting you, all willing to kill you for the device, fun.
In particular is some shadowy U.S. Government agency that is very interested in this device. It seems to be connected to other shadowy things our government is not supposed to do. That is run by Martin Sheen. Who is on a power trip bigger than when he was on the West Wing.
The other problem for our hapless owner of the cell phone? It wants him to do things for it. Seemingly random things. But that's just chaos theory. And at this point we touch on Eagle Eye. Especially why the person in control can't do all this themselves.
But if the writer ever read Mona Lisa Overdrive (a really good book by William Gibson) then there may not be a person involved at all. Like in the book, and in Ghost in the Shell, the cell phone is just one spot that an AI program is hiding. It was created in secret to break any code barrier and spy on everyone for its creators. But it became self-aware (like Skynet) and ran.
The random actions of the owners of the cell phone, directed by the cell phone, are meant to hide the set of dominoes needed to permanently get the government off the back of the AI. Killing them (cell owners) is just part of the process of ensuring they can't reveal anything that might tip everyone off to what is happening.
Now that story can be entertaining. It's been done before many times, as noted above. But when it's done right it's highly entertaining. Of course when its done wrong, you sit back and wonder which is hurting you worse, the stimulus plan or the movie. In the case of films like Eagle Eye, it was the movie.
So am I interested in this film? Sure am. It has action, technology, maybe a twist or 2, and great actors like Martin Sheen, Ving Rhames, and Ed Burns. Given that I think there will be plot hole large enough to drive a semi through, but there should be enough explosions and crashes to keep the mind from paying attention, we can hope. But there is the off chance that the writer, or the execs in Hollywood, actually bet above the common demoninator, which the cast seems to imply. So we may find that it makes sense and is invigorating to watch.
We have some time before the film comes out. That's another plus. It means that Hollywood thinks it has a chance to make money, so some level of quality should be involved. But ultimately only time will tell. I'll be watching.
Essentially the movie revolves around a concept we have seen before. The world is filled with technology, and someone or something is always monitoring all that information floating around. It's Big Brother to the Nth level.
But there are some that can manipulate all this knowledge. And a lowly joe average is lucky to be the one in possession of the device with all the answers. Or unlucky, as all previous owners are dead.
In a bit of a take on the movie Magic, a cell phone talks to the latest owner. It will help the owner out of trouble with police, other people, financial debt and plane crashes (possibly caused by the phone to make a point). Anything. But you can never turn it off, nor not listen to what it tells you to do. In fact there was an episode of the Twilight Zone that went like that too - in a diner and a machine that can predict the future.
But unlike the device in the television show, this one will actively set about killing you if you don't listen to it. Still you get to travel the world, have tons of money, and intense fun. If you call every agency in the world hunting you, all willing to kill you for the device, fun.
In particular is some shadowy U.S. Government agency that is very interested in this device. It seems to be connected to other shadowy things our government is not supposed to do. That is run by Martin Sheen. Who is on a power trip bigger than when he was on the West Wing.
The other problem for our hapless owner of the cell phone? It wants him to do things for it. Seemingly random things. But that's just chaos theory. And at this point we touch on Eagle Eye. Especially why the person in control can't do all this themselves.
But if the writer ever read Mona Lisa Overdrive (a really good book by William Gibson) then there may not be a person involved at all. Like in the book, and in Ghost in the Shell, the cell phone is just one spot that an AI program is hiding. It was created in secret to break any code barrier and spy on everyone for its creators. But it became self-aware (like Skynet) and ran.
The random actions of the owners of the cell phone, directed by the cell phone, are meant to hide the set of dominoes needed to permanently get the government off the back of the AI. Killing them (cell owners) is just part of the process of ensuring they can't reveal anything that might tip everyone off to what is happening.
Now that story can be entertaining. It's been done before many times, as noted above. But when it's done right it's highly entertaining. Of course when its done wrong, you sit back and wonder which is hurting you worse, the stimulus plan or the movie. In the case of films like Eagle Eye, it was the movie.
So am I interested in this film? Sure am. It has action, technology, maybe a twist or 2, and great actors like Martin Sheen, Ving Rhames, and Ed Burns. Given that I think there will be plot hole large enough to drive a semi through, but there should be enough explosions and crashes to keep the mind from paying attention, we can hope. But there is the off chance that the writer, or the execs in Hollywood, actually bet above the common demoninator, which the cast seems to imply. So we may find that it makes sense and is invigorating to watch.
We have some time before the film comes out. That's another plus. It means that Hollywood thinks it has a chance to make money, so some level of quality should be involved. But ultimately only time will tell. I'll be watching.
A discussion of police, race, America, and what to do - part 2
Concluded from A discussion of police, race, America, and what to do
That brought up a point for my friend. I was being unfair to the police. Because they must be more aware and on guard in high crime areas. Which I agree with. But that does not justify their actions, nor does it excuse them.
My friend brought up a case he felt that was an example of such an understandable use of deadly force. The Amidou Diallo case. Which I lost my mind on. The fact that a man can be shot at his door 41 times, while unarmed, is inexcusable to me. My friend felt that in the heat of the moment, with adrenaline pumping, and the sound of shots going off these officers feared for their lives and thus it was understandable.
Except I noted, that Diallo was unarmed, so the police had no reason to begin shooting in the first place. And the police continued to shoot Diallo after he was laying flat on the ground, since it was found that he was shot through the sole of his foot. And this was a violation of police procedure as they are trained, and to my knowledge is part of written policy (correct me if I am wrong), to shoot in small bursts to protect the populace and prevent such overkill events.
Worse yet, I reminded my friend that in the last decade alone, we have seen dozens of times where police confront an armed individual, that may have already killed innocents, and is an obvious danger to their lives. Yet in those documented, and occasionally video taped, events the suspect is fired upon maybe 6 times by multiple officers. With the same adrenaline, the same fear, though with a real threat and a White antagonist. If police overkill is so understandable, why do police never kill armed White murderers with hails of 30, 40, 50 bullets?
Again we came back to the central thought, how can this be changed or prevented. My friend noted that he felt the Black community must stand up and kick out the criminals, not allowing them to continue. And he noted that the White community must learn to recognize that people of color are not an unequivocal threat.
But again I find fault with that argument. Because often in the most poor areas of major cities, where crime is highest, there is no where else to go. Where can the Black community move its criminals to? There is no where else to go. And it avoids the root of the cause of crime, education.
In any poor community, the one factor that is the same is the fact that the education system is abominable. School books are older in many cases than the students. Teachers are burnt out, or unqualified. The buildings and resources sub-standard. Yet it is expected that students from these schools should be the equal of those with far better resources? That these students will have the means, en masse, to improve their standard of living?
Yet something else came to me as I decided to write about this event. The discussion of what is ailing America and influencing crime, prejudice, and racial disparity is not just one thing. It is a multitude of events and actions. Each plays a part in creating the whole. And in trying to limit the subject to 1 thing we fail to reach a point of reasonable change.
I understand that most police officers are good people. I realize they have a difficult job, and do not question the actions they take to defend themselves and the populace from criminals, in general. But I also realize that these same reasons are not excuses to act in a manner that harms those they are supposed to have been sworn to protect.
I understand that the Black community has its share of fault in this process. But I realize at the same time that it is difficult to wage such a battle when the community is being assaulted by the media (with a message of inevitably), denied a fair education, presumed at large to be wrong and violent, and poisoned by dreams of instant wealth (either through attainment of entertainment's highest circles or by enlisting in the inner circles of hell and selling drugs - both of which are presented as equally available options).
But I am left with a horrible thought in the end. America is ingrained with the residual thought that people of color are not equal or similar, and that means inferior. This thought started with the first slave, no later than 1619, and was reinforced with Jim Crow laws until 1965. And even then it was not until the mid to late 1980's that the nation accepted people of color into positions of familiarity (television and movies) or power (politics, business, ect) with any regularity or trust.
The seeds of our past still continue to grow, though at a far slower pace today than ever before. That is an improvement, but it still hides the causation and thus a remedy.
There is no one answer to the problems that plague America. There is no one cause for the racial divide in the nation. Though it is clear that the longer we do not address the causes we will keep having more incidents of violence and discord among our people and thus law enforcement too.
I know that I do not see these issues objectively. I cannot because I have been their victim, and may be so again in the future. As well as my family and friends of color. It prevents a calm and separate view. At the same time the completely dispassionate view of some Whites is just as wrong. Because it refuses to see the multiple vines of this infestation, refuses to acknowledge that this is all connected since it will never truly affect them in their life.
So again I come to the thought that communication is the key. Angry, calm, loud and quiet. Passionate and dispassionate. An ebb and flow of discussion that will annoy and grate on the nerves of everyone involved at one point or another. Because if we cannot communicate fully, with all that is vested in the conversation, with all the things we are wrong about, we will never resolve this. It will just create another vine and choke off some other aspect of our lives, plaguing yet another generation of Americans.
But what do you think?
That brought up a point for my friend. I was being unfair to the police. Because they must be more aware and on guard in high crime areas. Which I agree with. But that does not justify their actions, nor does it excuse them.
My friend brought up a case he felt that was an example of such an understandable use of deadly force. The Amidou Diallo case. Which I lost my mind on. The fact that a man can be shot at his door 41 times, while unarmed, is inexcusable to me. My friend felt that in the heat of the moment, with adrenaline pumping, and the sound of shots going off these officers feared for their lives and thus it was understandable.
Except I noted, that Diallo was unarmed, so the police had no reason to begin shooting in the first place. And the police continued to shoot Diallo after he was laying flat on the ground, since it was found that he was shot through the sole of his foot. And this was a violation of police procedure as they are trained, and to my knowledge is part of written policy (correct me if I am wrong), to shoot in small bursts to protect the populace and prevent such overkill events.
Worse yet, I reminded my friend that in the last decade alone, we have seen dozens of times where police confront an armed individual, that may have already killed innocents, and is an obvious danger to their lives. Yet in those documented, and occasionally video taped, events the suspect is fired upon maybe 6 times by multiple officers. With the same adrenaline, the same fear, though with a real threat and a White antagonist. If police overkill is so understandable, why do police never kill armed White murderers with hails of 30, 40, 50 bullets?
Again we came back to the central thought, how can this be changed or prevented. My friend noted that he felt the Black community must stand up and kick out the criminals, not allowing them to continue. And he noted that the White community must learn to recognize that people of color are not an unequivocal threat.
But again I find fault with that argument. Because often in the most poor areas of major cities, where crime is highest, there is no where else to go. Where can the Black community move its criminals to? There is no where else to go. And it avoids the root of the cause of crime, education.
In any poor community, the one factor that is the same is the fact that the education system is abominable. School books are older in many cases than the students. Teachers are burnt out, or unqualified. The buildings and resources sub-standard. Yet it is expected that students from these schools should be the equal of those with far better resources? That these students will have the means, en masse, to improve their standard of living?
Yet something else came to me as I decided to write about this event. The discussion of what is ailing America and influencing crime, prejudice, and racial disparity is not just one thing. It is a multitude of events and actions. Each plays a part in creating the whole. And in trying to limit the subject to 1 thing we fail to reach a point of reasonable change.
I understand that most police officers are good people. I realize they have a difficult job, and do not question the actions they take to defend themselves and the populace from criminals, in general. But I also realize that these same reasons are not excuses to act in a manner that harms those they are supposed to have been sworn to protect.
I understand that the Black community has its share of fault in this process. But I realize at the same time that it is difficult to wage such a battle when the community is being assaulted by the media (with a message of inevitably), denied a fair education, presumed at large to be wrong and violent, and poisoned by dreams of instant wealth (either through attainment of entertainment's highest circles or by enlisting in the inner circles of hell and selling drugs - both of which are presented as equally available options).
But I am left with a horrible thought in the end. America is ingrained with the residual thought that people of color are not equal or similar, and that means inferior. This thought started with the first slave, no later than 1619, and was reinforced with Jim Crow laws until 1965. And even then it was not until the mid to late 1980's that the nation accepted people of color into positions of familiarity (television and movies) or power (politics, business, ect) with any regularity or trust.
The seeds of our past still continue to grow, though at a far slower pace today than ever before. That is an improvement, but it still hides the causation and thus a remedy.
There is no one answer to the problems that plague America. There is no one cause for the racial divide in the nation. Though it is clear that the longer we do not address the causes we will keep having more incidents of violence and discord among our people and thus law enforcement too.
I know that I do not see these issues objectively. I cannot because I have been their victim, and may be so again in the future. As well as my family and friends of color. It prevents a calm and separate view. At the same time the completely dispassionate view of some Whites is just as wrong. Because it refuses to see the multiple vines of this infestation, refuses to acknowledge that this is all connected since it will never truly affect them in their life.
So again I come to the thought that communication is the key. Angry, calm, loud and quiet. Passionate and dispassionate. An ebb and flow of discussion that will annoy and grate on the nerves of everyone involved at one point or another. Because if we cannot communicate fully, with all that is vested in the conversation, with all the things we are wrong about, we will never resolve this. It will just create another vine and choke off some other aspect of our lives, plaguing yet another generation of Americans.
But what do you think?
A discussion of police, race, America, and what to do
This will be in 2 parts. I hope you read it all.
A friend of mine recently contacted me about news of Robbie Tolan. While listening to a NYC sports radio program he learned of the shooting that happened on January 1st of this year. He knew that this is an issue I am deeply concerned about and wanted to make sure I was aware of it.
I clarified that I was aware of the Robbie Tolan police shooting, as well as of Adolph Grimes and Oscar Grant's murder on the same day. My friend had not heard of the Grimes case, and was vaguely familiar with the Grant case. Which is sad since we are nearly 3 months after the facts, but the blame for that I place on the major news media.
Now my friend informed me about the radio broadcast. He told me how the radio DJ reamed a caller who blatantly took the side of the police in this matter, on the basis that the victims were Black. The caller felt that alone justified the use of deadly force - on an unarmed Black male in his driveway that was co-operating with police and I emphasize unarmed.
This made my friend ask the question; what can be done to prevent this from happening again?
My thought on this goes to what I believe is one of the biggest factors in this issue - communication. At this moment most of America is unaware of events of police brutality and overkill against Black males (not to mention Latino/Hispanics and other people of color). I have found that often many side with the police, without ever knowing any of the facts. And the news media is reluctant to display or report these actions - though they are expedient to portray African Americans as criminals at almost every turn.
Thus I feel America must talk about this. Talk about the fact that these "isolated" events are in fact tied together and a pattern. Talk about what is the cause of these issues, and why the news media prefers to mold stereotypes about people of color.
Now my friend does not agree with me on all points of this. He feels that the media is more or less fair. He pointed out the number of African Americans that can be found on any day in various media.
I countered with the fact that 95% of all television and/or films ignore the existence of people of color. And for a majority of the time that they are provided a chance to appear onscreen they are portrayed as violent and criminals. My friend thought this was inaccurate. When I provided the fact that this is based on NAACP studies (most recently as of this year) and my own experiments done and reported over the last 3 years I have been writing this blog, he questioned the veracity of the NAACP findings and assured me that today you could turn on the television and not see Blacks as criminals on any of the broadcast programs (or at least the majority of those shows).
He went on to state that African Americans are not all just portrayed as criminals anymore. He pointed to Denzel Washington, Cuba Gooding Jr., and Samuel Jackson as examples. But I pointed out that while in the last decade they have improved their stature, virtually all major African American actors had to start their careers as criminals or antagonists before they could become anything else. Samuel Jackson came to be known for his portrayal as a crackhead, Lawrence Fishburn played thugs (a la King of New York) before moving on in his adult career, Wesley Snipes had to portray a drug kingpin, Chris Rock was a crackhead, and so on.
Now my friend countered that not all Black actors have had to have this kind of start. And that I was unfair because this was like saying that DeNiro and Pacino were negatives since they played gangsters to start their careers. Which is not the same as there were dozens of films at the same time, and multiple characters in the same films that were showing an opposite and positive image for Whites. The effect is not the same, the same impression is not being made. When you primarily are shown one facet of a people, if they are shown, then people tend to believe it is true over time.
But we felt that this was a digression from the main point. Which I felt was that to have things change we must delve into the fact that there is a problem. That police wantonly abuse their power without reason, and the media covers for them in these cases.
Continued in part 2...
A friend of mine recently contacted me about news of Robbie Tolan. While listening to a NYC sports radio program he learned of the shooting that happened on January 1st of this year. He knew that this is an issue I am deeply concerned about and wanted to make sure I was aware of it.
I clarified that I was aware of the Robbie Tolan police shooting, as well as of Adolph Grimes and Oscar Grant's murder on the same day. My friend had not heard of the Grimes case, and was vaguely familiar with the Grant case. Which is sad since we are nearly 3 months after the facts, but the blame for that I place on the major news media.
Now my friend informed me about the radio broadcast. He told me how the radio DJ reamed a caller who blatantly took the side of the police in this matter, on the basis that the victims were Black. The caller felt that alone justified the use of deadly force - on an unarmed Black male in his driveway that was co-operating with police and I emphasize unarmed.
This made my friend ask the question; what can be done to prevent this from happening again?
My thought on this goes to what I believe is one of the biggest factors in this issue - communication. At this moment most of America is unaware of events of police brutality and overkill against Black males (not to mention Latino/Hispanics and other people of color). I have found that often many side with the police, without ever knowing any of the facts. And the news media is reluctant to display or report these actions - though they are expedient to portray African Americans as criminals at almost every turn.
Thus I feel America must talk about this. Talk about the fact that these "isolated" events are in fact tied together and a pattern. Talk about what is the cause of these issues, and why the news media prefers to mold stereotypes about people of color.
Now my friend does not agree with me on all points of this. He feels that the media is more or less fair. He pointed out the number of African Americans that can be found on any day in various media.
I countered with the fact that 95% of all television and/or films ignore the existence of people of color. And for a majority of the time that they are provided a chance to appear onscreen they are portrayed as violent and criminals. My friend thought this was inaccurate. When I provided the fact that this is based on NAACP studies (most recently as of this year) and my own experiments done and reported over the last 3 years I have been writing this blog, he questioned the veracity of the NAACP findings and assured me that today you could turn on the television and not see Blacks as criminals on any of the broadcast programs (or at least the majority of those shows).
He went on to state that African Americans are not all just portrayed as criminals anymore. He pointed to Denzel Washington, Cuba Gooding Jr., and Samuel Jackson as examples. But I pointed out that while in the last decade they have improved their stature, virtually all major African American actors had to start their careers as criminals or antagonists before they could become anything else. Samuel Jackson came to be known for his portrayal as a crackhead, Lawrence Fishburn played thugs (a la King of New York) before moving on in his adult career, Wesley Snipes had to portray a drug kingpin, Chris Rock was a crackhead, and so on.
Now my friend countered that not all Black actors have had to have this kind of start. And that I was unfair because this was like saying that DeNiro and Pacino were negatives since they played gangsters to start their careers. Which is not the same as there were dozens of films at the same time, and multiple characters in the same films that were showing an opposite and positive image for Whites. The effect is not the same, the same impression is not being made. When you primarily are shown one facet of a people, if they are shown, then people tend to believe it is true over time.
But we felt that this was a digression from the main point. Which I felt was that to have things change we must delve into the fact that there is a problem. That police wantonly abuse their power without reason, and the media covers for them in these cases.
Continued in part 2...
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Dragonball – The Hollywood revision curse
Of course there is the very distinct fact that the upcoming Dragonball movie will be nothing more than a blatant attempt of Hollywood to collect a bunch of money on the hopes of the worldwide fan base. The word to use here is revisioning. And long-time readers know what I think of this now common Hollywood tactic.
But perhaps one of the best ways to discuss the fears of fans of DBZ is said best by this Youtube video.
I think that says it all.
But perhaps one of the best ways to discuss the fears of fans of DBZ is said best by this Youtube video.
I think that says it all.
Dragonball: Evolution is coming
When 68 million people all say the same thing, you have to believe they might be right. And when we are talking about from across the world, well then you have to imagine that anything that crosses cultures like that has to be special.
Now all the Obama maniacs can calm down, a lot, because I am not speaking about him. I am referring to Dragonball and Dragonball Z. A series of cartoons – based on a manga with over 100 million copies sold - that have created fans across decades, generations, cultures, and the globe. If you have not seen the cartoon series, I can virtually guarantee you know someone who has, even in America.
The cartoon is too involved to explain quickly. Basically a baby (named Goku) from another planet that no longer exists was sent to Earth to be raised. And yes, he is a bit of a superman. Though in an extreme martial arts manner. He is trained by a master martial artist named Roshi, older than you might guess, hornier than a goat, and when he decides to kick ass more buff than the Guvernator. His best friend and rival is a short (possibly a midget) kid named Krillin. As they grow they enter an event similar to the Kumate. This eventually leads to 2 things. The fact that when Goku see the moon – and still has his tail (he is an alien) – he turns into a super strong wild King Kong, literally. And that he needs to defeat Piccolo to save the Earth.
Trust that I am not doing justice to the fun and humor of the cartoon series.
That all said, Hollywood knew it had to do this movie. An international fanbase in the tens of millions, a huge volume of history to work from, and the potential for multiple sequels to fill their coffers. How could they resist.
Of course with Hollywood involved that means that things are going to change. A lot. Like the fact that in Dragonball Goku is supposed to be 7, but for the movie he will be a young adult. And Roshi (played by Chow Yung Fat) will not be the dirty old man that was so funny in the cartoon and manga. And James Marsters, best known from the Buffy television series as the vampire Spike, will be the ultra-buff alien bad guy Piccolo. And who knows how they will deal with the special fighting moves, the Dragon Balls (7 of them that will summon a Dragon and grant any 1 wish), or a dozen other aspects of the show that made it so special.
One thing is for sure. If this is done right, there will be sequels aplenty. The entire DBZ series could take several films alone. And there are millions of fans of the Saiyan Prince Vegeta (me included). The only way they could really screw this up is if they were to either ignore the main storyline, kill major characters permanently – before any of them actually die, or just make up their own story (revision anyone).
There is no proper way to discuss quickly the fun and addictive nature of Dragonball and DBZ. It has to be seen to be understood. Suffice to say that the world blockbuster for the year will be this Dragonball movie, and it will crush movie records if its done right.
(And yes the trailers have a touch of the look of Speed Racer, but I can hope it will not be a factor.)
Now all the Obama maniacs can calm down, a lot, because I am not speaking about him. I am referring to Dragonball and Dragonball Z. A series of cartoons – based on a manga with over 100 million copies sold - that have created fans across decades, generations, cultures, and the globe. If you have not seen the cartoon series, I can virtually guarantee you know someone who has, even in America.
The cartoon is too involved to explain quickly. Basically a baby (named Goku) from another planet that no longer exists was sent to Earth to be raised. And yes, he is a bit of a superman. Though in an extreme martial arts manner. He is trained by a master martial artist named Roshi, older than you might guess, hornier than a goat, and when he decides to kick ass more buff than the Guvernator. His best friend and rival is a short (possibly a midget) kid named Krillin. As they grow they enter an event similar to the Kumate. This eventually leads to 2 things. The fact that when Goku see the moon – and still has his tail (he is an alien) – he turns into a super strong wild King Kong, literally. And that he needs to defeat Piccolo to save the Earth.
Trust that I am not doing justice to the fun and humor of the cartoon series.
That all said, Hollywood knew it had to do this movie. An international fanbase in the tens of millions, a huge volume of history to work from, and the potential for multiple sequels to fill their coffers. How could they resist.
Of course with Hollywood involved that means that things are going to change. A lot. Like the fact that in Dragonball Goku is supposed to be 7, but for the movie he will be a young adult. And Roshi (played by Chow Yung Fat) will not be the dirty old man that was so funny in the cartoon and manga. And James Marsters, best known from the Buffy television series as the vampire Spike, will be the ultra-buff alien bad guy Piccolo. And who knows how they will deal with the special fighting moves, the Dragon Balls (7 of them that will summon a Dragon and grant any 1 wish), or a dozen other aspects of the show that made it so special.
One thing is for sure. If this is done right, there will be sequels aplenty. The entire DBZ series could take several films alone. And there are millions of fans of the Saiyan Prince Vegeta (me included). The only way they could really screw this up is if they were to either ignore the main storyline, kill major characters permanently – before any of them actually die, or just make up their own story (revision anyone).
There is no proper way to discuss quickly the fun and addictive nature of Dragonball and DBZ. It has to be seen to be understood. Suffice to say that the world blockbuster for the year will be this Dragonball movie, and it will crush movie records if its done right.
(And yes the trailers have a touch of the look of Speed Racer, but I can hope it will not be a factor.)
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Hip-Hop Chess Federation - expanding minds and hip hop
I am often asked why, or more often criticized for, I have disdain of hip-hop. This is especially true in regard to gansta rap music. And my answer is always in one wording or another the following:
Put another way, I grew up with rap music. I enjoyed it as much as anyone, if not more than some, prior to 1992. It was up until that time that Hip Hop was still formative. There was a diversity in the sub-genres that fell under the cloak of hip hop.
There was political, social, and just recreational commentary. All at the same time. And there were positive messages being put out every day. Yet at that time, not one advertiser or the music industry itself would commit to rap and/or hip hop. Not until they found a way to package it and sell it as a negative. On that day it stopped being a fad (more than a decade after it had started) and was 'legitimate'.
Since 1992 there has been no reason to have anything but contempt for rap and hip hop, with the constant message of drugs, violence, gangs, and illiteracy being propped up as positives. Until I saw something today.
The Hip-Hop Chess Federation. The name alone drew my attention. I feared it was a gimmick meant to just drive more dollars to some corporation intent on denying the potential of Black youth. I'm glad to say this is not true.
Adisa Banjoko is one of the founders of Hip-Hop Chess Federation (HHCF). The stated goal of this organization that
I can and do respect that thought. To use Hip Hop and rap in such a manner is more akin to the roots of the genre and its intention of improving and enjoying lives. This is something that hip-hop has needed for over a decade.
Since it's inception in 2007 HHCF has had the support of celebrities and entertainers including DJ QBert, international chess Master Vinay Bhat, Casual from the Hieroglyphics, award-winning filmmaker Kevin Epps and martial artists champions Denny Prokopos and Alan "Gumby" Marques. Without huge fanfare HHCF has been able to fund over $10,000 in educational scholarships.
So when I am asked why I find sell-outs like 50 cent to be a insult to the minds of the youth, it's not because I don't understand hip hop. Nor when I question the commercial interest to limit the growth of minds via gangsta rap am I against rap music - the full scope of it.
When presented with the positive, spiritually and mentally beneficial aspects of hip hop, as found in HHCF I am a happy supporter. Were there more organizations like this, I'd never have a negative word to say.
"I do not support anything that commoditizes Black culture and pigeon-holes African Americans. We are diverse, intelligent, successful Americans. Anything that detracts or distracts from that deserves to be reviled."
Put another way, I grew up with rap music. I enjoyed it as much as anyone, if not more than some, prior to 1992. It was up until that time that Hip Hop was still formative. There was a diversity in the sub-genres that fell under the cloak of hip hop.
There was political, social, and just recreational commentary. All at the same time. And there were positive messages being put out every day. Yet at that time, not one advertiser or the music industry itself would commit to rap and/or hip hop. Not until they found a way to package it and sell it as a negative. On that day it stopped being a fad (more than a decade after it had started) and was 'legitimate'.
Since 1992 there has been no reason to have anything but contempt for rap and hip hop, with the constant message of drugs, violence, gangs, and illiteracy being propped up as positives. Until I saw something today.
The Hip-Hop Chess Federation. The name alone drew my attention. I feared it was a gimmick meant to just drive more dollars to some corporation intent on denying the potential of Black youth. I'm glad to say this is not true.
Adisa Banjoko is one of the founders of Hip-Hop Chess Federation (HHCF). The stated goal of this organization that
"We recognize that chess, martial arts and hip-hop unify people from multiple cultural, religious and social backgrounds. These black and white squares do not care what color you are or if you are rich or poor. The only thing they ask is that you come with your strategy, your patience and your skills."
I can and do respect that thought. To use Hip Hop and rap in such a manner is more akin to the roots of the genre and its intention of improving and enjoying lives. This is something that hip-hop has needed for over a decade.
Since it's inception in 2007 HHCF has had the support of celebrities and entertainers including DJ QBert, international chess Master Vinay Bhat, Casual from the Hieroglyphics, award-winning filmmaker Kevin Epps and martial artists champions Denny Prokopos and Alan "Gumby" Marques. Without huge fanfare HHCF has been able to fund over $10,000 in educational scholarships.
So when I am asked why I find sell-outs like 50 cent to be a insult to the minds of the youth, it's not because I don't understand hip hop. Nor when I question the commercial interest to limit the growth of minds via gangsta rap am I against rap music - the full scope of it.
When presented with the positive, spiritually and mentally beneficial aspects of hip hop, as found in HHCF I am a happy supporter. Were there more organizations like this, I'd never have a negative word to say.
Jackie Chan is too violent for China - Shinjuku Incident
If there is any movie that you might want to see, it is likely to be a film that you are told you cannot see. If that forbidden movie also happened to be an action film, with one of the most beloved and successful action stars in the world, then I’d say banning the film will drive revenues through the roof.
Such is the case with the latest film with Jackie Chan.
The film is Shinjuku Incident and it is not the usual Jackie Chan fare. This is a violent film, with Chan playing way-off of type. He’s not a hero cop or sweet good guy. He is a Chinese refugee in Japan, and working for the Yakuza or similar mob as a killer. And the film is being called more of a drama than an action film.
People lose hands, stabbed and shot in the most vicious of ways. It is because of this dark tone, and the violence that the film will not clear Chinese movie restrictions. (It could also be the fact that Chan is a Chinese refugee in Japan – an old social issue going back at least to WWII) Yet Chan himself describes the film as a drama far more than an action film.
This film will be release throughout Southeast Asia, and I have no doubt it will do well. It was filmed with a $25 million dollar budget – equivalent to a $100 million Hollywood blockbuster. It has Jackie Chan, Naoto Takenaka, Xu Jinglei, Daniel Wu, Fan Bingbing, and Ken Watanabe (maybe best known in America for The Last Samurai with Tom Cruise). And now it has the news it is too violent for China. How can they not make money on this film?
I have found a trailer, with translations in it. I suggest watching it twice, the first time reading the trailer, the second just watching it. From the looks of it I saw it will be a good film. And it may be the first film starring Chan in which he dies. It’s a bold move for him to try drama (if that is what this actually is), but a far better bet than say Sylvester Stallone or Vin Diesel doing comedy.
Such is the case with the latest film with Jackie Chan.
The film is Shinjuku Incident and it is not the usual Jackie Chan fare. This is a violent film, with Chan playing way-off of type. He’s not a hero cop or sweet good guy. He is a Chinese refugee in Japan, and working for the Yakuza or similar mob as a killer. And the film is being called more of a drama than an action film.
People lose hands, stabbed and shot in the most vicious of ways. It is because of this dark tone, and the violence that the film will not clear Chinese movie restrictions. (It could also be the fact that Chan is a Chinese refugee in Japan – an old social issue going back at least to WWII) Yet Chan himself describes the film as a drama far more than an action film.
This film will be release throughout Southeast Asia, and I have no doubt it will do well. It was filmed with a $25 million dollar budget – equivalent to a $100 million Hollywood blockbuster. It has Jackie Chan, Naoto Takenaka, Xu Jinglei, Daniel Wu, Fan Bingbing, and Ken Watanabe (maybe best known in America for The Last Samurai with Tom Cruise). And now it has the news it is too violent for China. How can they not make money on this film?
I have found a trailer, with translations in it. I suggest watching it twice, the first time reading the trailer, the second just watching it. From the looks of it I saw it will be a good film. And it may be the first film starring Chan in which he dies. It’s a bold move for him to try drama (if that is what this actually is), but a far better bet than say Sylvester Stallone or Vin Diesel doing comedy.
Texting gets a tabloid flavor
From time to time, basically every day, I get emails from various PR groups promoting this party, that gadget, or a request to place ads for some insanely high interest loan company (which I will never allow as I disagree with the business model of such companies). But occasionally I get something that perks my interest and makes me take a second look.
So I checked out Predicto, owned by NextWeb Media. This purports to be an mobile text survey system. I don’t care what they charge or the free gifts they claim to provide to winners of contests they run. So don’t ask me if any of that is real or useful.
But what I did want to look at were a couple of the claims they made. It seems that their subscribers vote on various question posted each day. This is supposed to reflect the opinion of the nation. Whether it does or not I cannot say. But the questions intrigued me.
Top surveys as of this moment:
If Johnny Depp will get married to long-time girlfriend by April 25th – 61% yes
If Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez will announce a divorce by Feb 25th – 57% yes
Will President Obama add an indoor basketball court to the White House – 52% no
Will Eddie Murphy be the next Riddler in the Batman Begins series of films – 70% yes
Honestly, does anybody really do this? Is there anyone who is so without purpose that they spend their day just texting in responses to polls on their phone?
Look I am not against polls. Nor am I saying that mindless trivia is without merit (well maybe a little). But I really have to ask why anyone cares about the lovelife and/or marital problems of Depp, Lopez, and/or Anthony? Even if you are right, what does it change? This is just mostly interactive tabloid trash. As a friend once told me
Why am I speaking on it then? Because I discuss movies, and the question on Eddie Murphy looked like it could be relevant. But I was wrong. The poll had no facts, and would not even provide the number of people that voted. It could be 10 or 100 or 1 billion. The votes might even be by 1 person a dozen times. So it’s a useless poll.
But mostly, anything that engages in tabloid fodder – exhibiting paparazzi pictures that are clear violations of privacy, anything interfering with the children of entertainers and celebrities, attempts to invade the marriage or sex lives of anyone, ect – is something that I feel is unworthy of reading. In general I feel disgusted by it.
You may disagree. You may want to know what Joe Bob in Montana and Daisy Sue in Kansas think about some aspect of unimportant issues of a celebrity they have never seen. I really don’t care. You may want to invade the privacy of entertainers. I do not.
So for me Predicto is a unique gimmick meant to up-sell various products. Nothing more. I don’t recommend it to my readers. But you can make the choice for yourself.
So I checked out Predicto, owned by NextWeb Media. This purports to be an mobile text survey system. I don’t care what they charge or the free gifts they claim to provide to winners of contests they run. So don’t ask me if any of that is real or useful.
But what I did want to look at were a couple of the claims they made. It seems that their subscribers vote on various question posted each day. This is supposed to reflect the opinion of the nation. Whether it does or not I cannot say. But the questions intrigued me.
Top surveys as of this moment:
If Johnny Depp will get married to long-time girlfriend by April 25th – 61% yes
If Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez will announce a divorce by Feb 25th – 57% yes
Will President Obama add an indoor basketball court to the White House – 52% no
Will Eddie Murphy be the next Riddler in the Batman Begins series of films – 70% yes
Honestly, does anybody really do this? Is there anyone who is so without purpose that they spend their day just texting in responses to polls on their phone?
Look I am not against polls. Nor am I saying that mindless trivia is without merit (well maybe a little). But I really have to ask why anyone cares about the lovelife and/or marital problems of Depp, Lopez, and/or Anthony? Even if you are right, what does it change? This is just mostly interactive tabloid trash. As a friend once told me
“It’s the worst form of mental masturbation.”
Why am I speaking on it then? Because I discuss movies, and the question on Eddie Murphy looked like it could be relevant. But I was wrong. The poll had no facts, and would not even provide the number of people that voted. It could be 10 or 100 or 1 billion. The votes might even be by 1 person a dozen times. So it’s a useless poll.
But mostly, anything that engages in tabloid fodder – exhibiting paparazzi pictures that are clear violations of privacy, anything interfering with the children of entertainers and celebrities, attempts to invade the marriage or sex lives of anyone, ect – is something that I feel is unworthy of reading. In general I feel disgusted by it.
You may disagree. You may want to know what Joe Bob in Montana and Daisy Sue in Kansas think about some aspect of unimportant issues of a celebrity they have never seen. I really don’t care. You may want to invade the privacy of entertainers. I do not.
So for me Predicto is a unique gimmick meant to up-sell various products. Nothing more. I don’t recommend it to my readers. But you can make the choice for yourself.
Darfur: An end to genocide is possible with your help
Sometimes there is a light at the end of the tunnel. You may not know there was a tunnel, or a light, if you only follow the major U.S. news media – but that is the case. In this point I am speaking about the 6 year long war in the Sudan, specifically Darfur.
As much as the major media has ignored this conflict, as much as the Congress has sat on it’s collective fat ass (Republican and Democrat alike), no less than 300,000 men women and children have died to date. Over 2.7 million have had to flee their homes.
Individuals like Don Cheadle, George Clooney, Matt Damon, Brad Pitt, and many others both with and without celebrity have worked hard for years to raise the awareness in America of the plight across the sea. The major news media was about as interested as Congress – one too busy hyping a case in Ohio, the other too busy looking to the past to see the present. But thankfully there have been others that have spread the word. And it may have helped.
Today it can be said that the main rebel faction and the Sudanese Government have started on the path that can lead to the end of the war. The first real steps have begun, with initial acts of good will being offered. It is possible that in about 2 weeks the first major cease-fire in that region will occur. It is possible that in the near future, one less place on the Earth will be at war.
But I still blame Congress for its inaction. Over 4 years in a row Congress refused to consider HR 180 IH – otherwise know as the Darfur Accountability and Divestment Act. In many ways this could have been like the laws enacted to punish South Africa for Apartheid in the 1980’s. America could have led the world in bringing pressure to the situation, or at least stemming the money that funded the genocide. And genocide is not an opinion, but a direct description of this slaughter by the White House.
But Congress refused to make any statement. They just let this sit and gather dust. In essence they flipped channels while mothers had their breasts chopped off and/or were raped, and children were executed. They allowed enough people to fill a mid-sized American city to be brutally killed while they plotted polispeak and political one-upmanship in luxury resorts. Pick whichever political party you want, they all acted with the same disdain.
We will never know how many lives might have been saved by a simple show of concern by our Government. But I can definitely say that over 300,000 conservatively have died while America twittled its thumbs. It’s not something I am proud of.
Still the good news is perhaps one day soon Don Cheadle, George Clooney, and myself among thousands if not tens of thousands of others will no longer have to raise awareness. Perhaps this will be over and the healing will be able to begin.
But that is not today.
We still need to speak about this. To do something about this. To ask Congress to take some action. Because it could mean saving the life of even 1 child – and to me that is reason enough.
Donate to Not On Our Watch. Write to your Congressional Representatives. Send President Obama your request for action.
Because we are Americans, and we make an impact on the world. Because America is a good nation, with big hearts. And even while we worry about our jobs and homes, not one American ever fears being slaughtered in genocide. We can sleep at night in relative peace, which to me means that making even a symbolic act is the least we can do.
As much as the major media has ignored this conflict, as much as the Congress has sat on it’s collective fat ass (Republican and Democrat alike), no less than 300,000 men women and children have died to date. Over 2.7 million have had to flee their homes.
Individuals like Don Cheadle, George Clooney, Matt Damon, Brad Pitt, and many others both with and without celebrity have worked hard for years to raise the awareness in America of the plight across the sea. The major news media was about as interested as Congress – one too busy hyping a case in Ohio, the other too busy looking to the past to see the present. But thankfully there have been others that have spread the word. And it may have helped.
Today it can be said that the main rebel faction and the Sudanese Government have started on the path that can lead to the end of the war. The first real steps have begun, with initial acts of good will being offered. It is possible that in about 2 weeks the first major cease-fire in that region will occur. It is possible that in the near future, one less place on the Earth will be at war.
But I still blame Congress for its inaction. Over 4 years in a row Congress refused to consider HR 180 IH – otherwise know as the Darfur Accountability and Divestment Act. In many ways this could have been like the laws enacted to punish South Africa for Apartheid in the 1980’s. America could have led the world in bringing pressure to the situation, or at least stemming the money that funded the genocide. And genocide is not an opinion, but a direct description of this slaughter by the White House.
But Congress refused to make any statement. They just let this sit and gather dust. In essence they flipped channels while mothers had their breasts chopped off and/or were raped, and children were executed. They allowed enough people to fill a mid-sized American city to be brutally killed while they plotted polispeak and political one-upmanship in luxury resorts. Pick whichever political party you want, they all acted with the same disdain.
We will never know how many lives might have been saved by a simple show of concern by our Government. But I can definitely say that over 300,000 conservatively have died while America twittled its thumbs. It’s not something I am proud of.
Still the good news is perhaps one day soon Don Cheadle, George Clooney, and myself among thousands if not tens of thousands of others will no longer have to raise awareness. Perhaps this will be over and the healing will be able to begin.
But that is not today.
We still need to speak about this. To do something about this. To ask Congress to take some action. Because it could mean saving the life of even 1 child – and to me that is reason enough.
Donate to Not On Our Watch. Write to your Congressional Representatives. Send President Obama your request for action.
Because we are Americans, and we make an impact on the world. Because America is a good nation, with big hearts. And even while we worry about our jobs and homes, not one American ever fears being slaughtered in genocide. We can sleep at night in relative peace, which to me means that making even a symbolic act is the least we can do.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Is your mom/sister/girlfriend/wife/daughter ok? Are you sure
Not long ago I interviewed Cynthia Basinet. In that interview the topic of humanitarian aide came up. In particular were comments about the needs of Africa. Shortly after that I posted about an event that was targeting aid to women around the world and in Africa that have been victims of violence and rape.
And few paid attention, sadly.
But just days ago Chris Brown was arrested in connection to charges about violence against Rihanna. And the internet is abuzz. And I have to wonder.
Is it only when a celebrity endures a hardship that we care as a nation. Are we so cold-hearted as to ignore the suffering of millions of women simply because we don’t know their name or country. Has the media so blinded the masses that unless something happens to someone famous we don’t think it happens at all?
I despise the thought of what Chris Brown has been accused of doing. There is no justification, and I believe punishment is in order if the facts are as have been blasted across the media. Yet there is a bigger issue.
The odds are that 1 in 3 women, across the globe, will be the victim of a rape or violence. That means out of you mother, wife/girlfriend, sister, daughter 1 will definitely be a victim and more than a chance of another as well. That’s not something that I would wish upon even my enemy.
This is not just an issue of what celebrities do. It’s not just something that happens in movies, or to “those people” whoever you wish to define it. It’s happening in every part of the globe, every day. And the chance of you knowing a woman that this has happened to is better than you remembering what will be on TV tonight.
We should never let this pass without thought. We should never allow this to be a secret. This needs to be addressed and confronted.
No man ever needs to place a hand against a woman. It’s just not needed. There is no justification unless you are in a pool of your own blood. It is the act of a coward and a small child to lash out in such a manner. It is the action of a weak and pitiful boy, never a man regardless of age.
I am glad that Cynthia Basinet brought up the issue of violence against women in Africa. I am happy to heard of women like Jessica Alba, Kerry Washington, Charlize Theron, Camryn Manheim, Anne Archer and Sherry Lansing among many others are making this a reality to the millions of Americans that have turned a blind eye and deaf ear.
I hope that before I die I never need to read about the atrocities that Dr. Denis Mukwege tries to heal each day. Because they don’t happen any more. I hope that before I die I never have to fear for my sisters, mother, and every woman I have ever known.
But that means that you have to act, and not forget this post or the articles in the news. Because tomorrow it could be a woman you love.
And few paid attention, sadly.
But just days ago Chris Brown was arrested in connection to charges about violence against Rihanna. And the internet is abuzz. And I have to wonder.
Is it only when a celebrity endures a hardship that we care as a nation. Are we so cold-hearted as to ignore the suffering of millions of women simply because we don’t know their name or country. Has the media so blinded the masses that unless something happens to someone famous we don’t think it happens at all?
I despise the thought of what Chris Brown has been accused of doing. There is no justification, and I believe punishment is in order if the facts are as have been blasted across the media. Yet there is a bigger issue.
The odds are that 1 in 3 women, across the globe, will be the victim of a rape or violence. That means out of you mother, wife/girlfriend, sister, daughter 1 will definitely be a victim and more than a chance of another as well. That’s not something that I would wish upon even my enemy.
This is not just an issue of what celebrities do. It’s not just something that happens in movies, or to “those people” whoever you wish to define it. It’s happening in every part of the globe, every day. And the chance of you knowing a woman that this has happened to is better than you remembering what will be on TV tonight.
We should never let this pass without thought. We should never allow this to be a secret. This needs to be addressed and confronted.
No man ever needs to place a hand against a woman. It’s just not needed. There is no justification unless you are in a pool of your own blood. It is the act of a coward and a small child to lash out in such a manner. It is the action of a weak and pitiful boy, never a man regardless of age.
I am glad that Cynthia Basinet brought up the issue of violence against women in Africa. I am happy to heard of women like Jessica Alba, Kerry Washington, Charlize Theron, Camryn Manheim, Anne Archer and Sherry Lansing among many others are making this a reality to the millions of Americans that have turned a blind eye and deaf ear.
I hope that before I die I never need to read about the atrocities that Dr. Denis Mukwege tries to heal each day. Because they don’t happen any more. I hope that before I die I never have to fear for my sisters, mother, and every woman I have ever known.
But that means that you have to act, and not forget this post or the articles in the news. Because tomorrow it could be a woman you love.
David Beckham - Let AC Milan have him
The L.A. Galaxy. A team that has ascribed to greatness with the addition of David Beckham. And yet the team has done an unremarkable bit of use of Beckham.
In 2008 Beckham scored 5 goals, in 2248 minutes. He had 1 game winning goal and 1 goal assist. He made 12 shots on goal for the season. In 25 matches that’s pretty poor for one of the top players in the world. Honestly Landon Donovan, a good player but nowhere near the top of the world, who played the same number of matches, had 20 goals from 65 shots on goal – given he is a forward. Still I would expect more from the caliber of player that Beckham is at.
The question though is this the fault of Beckham or the L.A. Galaxy? I would have to think it is partially both. Otherwise AC Milan would not have interest.
Partially one would have to believe that David Beckham is playing far below his potential. Now that could be due to coaches, teammates, or the lack of gratification from the country in general. And the last part is very important. Beckham is used to being a major sports athlete, a hero among the masses, and a headline grabber.
In America, soccer is lucky to grab 3rd place above NASCAR in local news let alone ever being mentioned nationally. So even in the most phenomenal match, using all his skill, he would barely be noticed outside of the fanbase locally. That has to be demoralizing to some extent.
On the other end, L.A.Galaxy is hardly the equal of AC Milan, or Manchester United. The level of play is severely diminished. It’s just not as intense. It’s like Tiger Woods playing against amateurs in the British Open; he would be bored of the competition on day one.
So should Beckham play in Italy? Should we lose him to preserve his spirit? Can American futbol improve without him?
Again I blame them both. Beckham is a world class player, and as such should be stellar in every match. He should be motivating the team and helping to propel them to a winning streak they have not had before. And he should be speaking to the masses, ABOUT SOCEER, at every opportunity.
Show Beckham in a US ad, have a soccer ball with him. Speaking at a red carpet event, talk about soccer. Doing something for charity, you get the point.
And the Galaxy should be lining up his time with events where he can talk about this. They need to get him in front of reporters every chance they get. And in L.A. it’s not that hard to find a reporter. Or paparazzi.
I am underwhelmed by the performance of Beckham. I had such high hopes of what he could bring to the Galaxy and the MLS. But neither have happened. So let him go.
Soccer in America can only grow if we nurture it. Given the competition for eyeballs in the nation, that means a battle. But I think soccer can win, if the teams and players work the system. There is a reason why this game is so big across the world, and if Beckham spent more time displaying that rather planning his next move America would understand it just that much more.
In 2008 Beckham scored 5 goals, in 2248 minutes. He had 1 game winning goal and 1 goal assist. He made 12 shots on goal for the season. In 25 matches that’s pretty poor for one of the top players in the world. Honestly Landon Donovan, a good player but nowhere near the top of the world, who played the same number of matches, had 20 goals from 65 shots on goal – given he is a forward. Still I would expect more from the caliber of player that Beckham is at.
The question though is this the fault of Beckham or the L.A. Galaxy? I would have to think it is partially both. Otherwise AC Milan would not have interest.
Partially one would have to believe that David Beckham is playing far below his potential. Now that could be due to coaches, teammates, or the lack of gratification from the country in general. And the last part is very important. Beckham is used to being a major sports athlete, a hero among the masses, and a headline grabber.
In America, soccer is lucky to grab 3rd place above NASCAR in local news let alone ever being mentioned nationally. So even in the most phenomenal match, using all his skill, he would barely be noticed outside of the fanbase locally. That has to be demoralizing to some extent.
On the other end, L.A.Galaxy is hardly the equal of AC Milan, or Manchester United. The level of play is severely diminished. It’s just not as intense. It’s like Tiger Woods playing against amateurs in the British Open; he would be bored of the competition on day one.
So should Beckham play in Italy? Should we lose him to preserve his spirit? Can American futbol improve without him?
Again I blame them both. Beckham is a world class player, and as such should be stellar in every match. He should be motivating the team and helping to propel them to a winning streak they have not had before. And he should be speaking to the masses, ABOUT SOCEER, at every opportunity.
Show Beckham in a US ad, have a soccer ball with him. Speaking at a red carpet event, talk about soccer. Doing something for charity, you get the point.
And the Galaxy should be lining up his time with events where he can talk about this. They need to get him in front of reporters every chance they get. And in L.A. it’s not that hard to find a reporter. Or paparazzi.
I am underwhelmed by the performance of Beckham. I had such high hopes of what he could bring to the Galaxy and the MLS. But neither have happened. So let him go.
Soccer in America can only grow if we nurture it. Given the competition for eyeballs in the nation, that means a battle. But I think soccer can win, if the teams and players work the system. There is a reason why this game is so big across the world, and if Beckham spent more time displaying that rather planning his next move America would understand it just that much more.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Anna Nicole Smith: The Opera
Of the many things in the world I could expect an opera to be made about, Anna Nicole Smith is not among them. In fact if I had made a bet with Las Vegas yesterday about the chances of such an event happening, the odds would have been astronomical I would guess. The difference one day makes.
Because in the face of crazy odds, good taste and profiting off the back of the dead there will be an opera based on Anna Nicole Smith.
Who would bring such an atrocity to the stage? Who would think that anyone of sound mind would part with their hard-earned cash in this economic blast furnace to watch such a travesty of the arts? Richard Thomas.
If you are wondering who in the world this is think back to another great occurrence in the world of opera. He is the man responsible from presenting Jerry Springer: The Opera to the masses. And that collective look of dumbfoundment and trepidation you likely have is answer enough about the quality I expect from this venture.
Of course to propose an opera is one thing, but you need to stage it somewhere. Considering the reputations of opera houses across the world you might think that this could be found in the Timbuktu Opera House (no offense to them if one exists). But in fact it will be at the Royal Opera in Britain. I had no idea they were that starved for cash.
Opera loves tragedy, and the life of Smith is one fraught with just that. But it is also a life that was self-inflicted. Without merit. And without cause of celebration, re-enactment, or glorification.
I suppose that those fans of the Jerry Springer Show, who likely saw the film and play, are likely to see this play as well. But as I consider most people that would view such tripe as just as likely to appear on the program, the rest of the human race will undoubtedly avoid this near inarguable refuse.
Still I could be wrong. It is probable that Anna Nicole Smith: The Opera could be an endearing testament of the pressure and pitfalls of success and fame. On the same order of probability that I can produce diamonds out of my rectum. It’s probable, but that does not mean it is a practical reality in this universe.
But by all means, if you are in the mood to smack your face with a ball-peen hammer, go see this performance for yourself. If after viewing this you have more brains left than drinking a Pan-Galactic Gargle Blaster, and you are still imbued with the ability to flail your limbs enough to respond, please do let me know if I was wrong.
And for those wondering about the Pan-Galactic Gargle Blaster, it is/was created by Zaphod Beeblebrox and the effect of one is like having your brain smashed out by a slice of lemon wrapped round a large gold brick.
Because in the face of crazy odds, good taste and profiting off the back of the dead there will be an opera based on Anna Nicole Smith.
Who would bring such an atrocity to the stage? Who would think that anyone of sound mind would part with their hard-earned cash in this economic blast furnace to watch such a travesty of the arts? Richard Thomas.
If you are wondering who in the world this is think back to another great occurrence in the world of opera. He is the man responsible from presenting Jerry Springer: The Opera to the masses. And that collective look of dumbfoundment and trepidation you likely have is answer enough about the quality I expect from this venture.
Of course to propose an opera is one thing, but you need to stage it somewhere. Considering the reputations of opera houses across the world you might think that this could be found in the Timbuktu Opera House (no offense to them if one exists). But in fact it will be at the Royal Opera in Britain. I had no idea they were that starved for cash.
Opera loves tragedy, and the life of Smith is one fraught with just that. But it is also a life that was self-inflicted. Without merit. And without cause of celebration, re-enactment, or glorification.
I suppose that those fans of the Jerry Springer Show, who likely saw the film and play, are likely to see this play as well. But as I consider most people that would view such tripe as just as likely to appear on the program, the rest of the human race will undoubtedly avoid this near inarguable refuse.
Still I could be wrong. It is probable that Anna Nicole Smith: The Opera could be an endearing testament of the pressure and pitfalls of success and fame. On the same order of probability that I can produce diamonds out of my rectum. It’s probable, but that does not mean it is a practical reality in this universe.
But by all means, if you are in the mood to smack your face with a ball-peen hammer, go see this performance for yourself. If after viewing this you have more brains left than drinking a Pan-Galactic Gargle Blaster, and you are still imbued with the ability to flail your limbs enough to respond, please do let me know if I was wrong.
And for those wondering about the Pan-Galactic Gargle Blaster, it is/was created by Zaphod Beeblebrox and the effect of one is like having your brain smashed out by a slice of lemon wrapped round a large gold brick.
Tom Cruise - Denzel Washington. Can it work?
If you could pick 2 of the biggest celebrities in Hollywood and put them into a movie, would anyone go see it? And I’m not talking about the paparazzi inspired Jennifer Lopez – Ben Affleck kind of pairing. I mean in the order of Tom Cruise and Denzel Washington.
As I provided in the example above, the answer depends deeply on who exactly is being called a star celebrity, their talent, and the movie they are in. If you want to have Hilary Duff, or Jessica Alba, or Shia LeBouf well you can’t really expect much even with material as good as The Maltese Falcon. They may be popular, especially with teens, but they just aren’t quality actors.
But quality is not enough either. Burt Reynolds and Clint Eastwood are both notable, exceptional actors. They both are legitimate mega-stars. But if you saw them in City Heat, well let’s say that I hope you watched it on broadcast television where it didn’t cost you more than time.
And sometimes it’s just so close but not there, like Russell Crowe and Denzel Washington in Virtuosity. Or Al Pacino and Keanu Reeves in Devil’s Advocate.
On the other hand, match up Robert DeNiro and Al Pacino (in Heat); Cary Grant and Tony Curtis (in Operation Petticoat); Steve McQueen, Yul Brynner, Robert Vaughn, Charles Bronson and James Coburn (The Magnificent Seven); Marlon Brando and the entire cast of the Godfather; Kathryn Hepburn and Spencer Tracy (Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner – also including Sidney Poitier) or Humphrey Bogart (The African Queen), and now with the proper script you have a movie. A big movie. A movie people want to pay to see, and will enjoy the experience.
So I come back to the question at hand. Is the pairing of 2 of the top A-list actors, with a decent script enough to have a blockbuster movie?
Well in 2010 we may well find out. Because that is the proposed release date for a spy-thriller, The Matarese Circle, featuring Tom Cruise and Denzel Washington. The deal is not final yet, and production has yet to start. But if this is the line up the next question has to be the script.
The script is from the same mind that created the Bourne series of books, Robert Ludlum. So I think the question of how good it might me is no longer in doubt. Add to this the fact that the director of this proposed film is David Cronenberg known for his films The Dead Zone, The Fly, Crash, and Scanners. So that front should be solid as well.
If this film can capture the unique spark that was in say Collateral, then this film will top the charts. One might expect that this could become an Oscar contender. Mostly due to Washington. Especially if the issue of accents are removed as we all know that Tom Cruise can’t do one.
Either way, if this comes to fruition as it stands now, this will be a must see film. I am eagerly awaiting the early trailers.
As I provided in the example above, the answer depends deeply on who exactly is being called a star celebrity, their talent, and the movie they are in. If you want to have Hilary Duff, or Jessica Alba, or Shia LeBouf well you can’t really expect much even with material as good as The Maltese Falcon. They may be popular, especially with teens, but they just aren’t quality actors.
But quality is not enough either. Burt Reynolds and Clint Eastwood are both notable, exceptional actors. They both are legitimate mega-stars. But if you saw them in City Heat, well let’s say that I hope you watched it on broadcast television where it didn’t cost you more than time.
And sometimes it’s just so close but not there, like Russell Crowe and Denzel Washington in Virtuosity. Or Al Pacino and Keanu Reeves in Devil’s Advocate.
On the other hand, match up Robert DeNiro and Al Pacino (in Heat); Cary Grant and Tony Curtis (in Operation Petticoat); Steve McQueen, Yul Brynner, Robert Vaughn, Charles Bronson and James Coburn (The Magnificent Seven); Marlon Brando and the entire cast of the Godfather; Kathryn Hepburn and Spencer Tracy (Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner – also including Sidney Poitier) or Humphrey Bogart (The African Queen), and now with the proper script you have a movie. A big movie. A movie people want to pay to see, and will enjoy the experience.
So I come back to the question at hand. Is the pairing of 2 of the top A-list actors, with a decent script enough to have a blockbuster movie?
Well in 2010 we may well find out. Because that is the proposed release date for a spy-thriller, The Matarese Circle, featuring Tom Cruise and Denzel Washington. The deal is not final yet, and production has yet to start. But if this is the line up the next question has to be the script.
The script is from the same mind that created the Bourne series of books, Robert Ludlum. So I think the question of how good it might me is no longer in doubt. Add to this the fact that the director of this proposed film is David Cronenberg known for his films The Dead Zone, The Fly, Crash, and Scanners. So that front should be solid as well.
If this film can capture the unique spark that was in say Collateral, then this film will top the charts. One might expect that this could become an Oscar contender. Mostly due to Washington. Especially if the issue of accents are removed as we all know that Tom Cruise can’t do one.
Either way, if this comes to fruition as it stands now, this will be a must see film. I am eagerly awaiting the early trailers.
Movie inspires feeding the hungry
Here’s a story I saw the other day that I wanted to mention. It covers the music, a movie and people who are having a difficult time right now. It’s a message of the better nature we all can have.
The movie is The Soloist. This is a film that I think will be huge. It was originally supposed to come out in 2008 but instead will open in April. I can only hope that it has been delayed so that it can capture the bigger spring-summer market.
The film is based on the true story of an exceptional cellist who becomes homeless, and an L.A. reporter who befriends him. It’s a very uplifting story, and stars Robert Downey Jr. and Jamie Foxx. Based on the trailers I have seen it will be an early contender for Oscar nominations next year.
But it is this movie that has inspired orchestras across the nation to reach out and help the communities they are parts of. There are some 163 orchestras that are currently planning food drives just prior to the release of the film. The food is to be distributed locally to Americans in need by Feeding America.
Orchestras that will be involved, and dates of specific events include:
Considering that orchestras in 45 states are involved in this drive to help those in need, I expect that there is likely an event coming up near most of my American readers. So if you have the ability, I hope you can become involved. No family should ever have to starve, especially children.
The movie is The Soloist. This is a film that I think will be huge. It was originally supposed to come out in 2008 but instead will open in April. I can only hope that it has been delayed so that it can capture the bigger spring-summer market.
The film is based on the true story of an exceptional cellist who becomes homeless, and an L.A. reporter who befriends him. It’s a very uplifting story, and stars Robert Downey Jr. and Jamie Foxx. Based on the trailers I have seen it will be an early contender for Oscar nominations next year.
But it is this movie that has inspired orchestras across the nation to reach out and help the communities they are parts of. There are some 163 orchestras that are currently planning food drives just prior to the release of the film. The food is to be distributed locally to Americans in need by Feeding America.
Orchestras that will be involved, and dates of specific events include:
- Rhode Island Philharmonic and Music School on March 19 and 21
- Detroit Symphony on March 27
- New York Philharmonic on March 28
- Gemini Youth Orchestras on April 19
- Louisiana Philharmonic on April 22
Considering that orchestras in 45 states are involved in this drive to help those in need, I expect that there is likely an event coming up near most of my American readers. So if you have the ability, I hope you can become involved. No family should ever have to starve, especially children.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
40th Annual NAACP Image Awards
For those that are needing another Awards show fix until the Oscar Awards, there is hope. The 40th Annual NAACP Image Awards show is just over 24 hours away. Rejoice.
Actually this awards show should be interesting for more than the fact that it highlights the achievements of people of color, something rarely done by the Academy Awards. This year is also the 100th anniversary of the NAACP. Thus I expect the television broadcast to be quite special.
There will be stars a plenty as well. Halle Berry and Tyler Perry will be presenting. Which says nothing of those celebrities in attendance. All of whom I expect to note the significance of what the NAACP has done over the years.
A special honoree will be Muhammad Ali. He is a man well deserving of recognition and I am happy to know he will be singled out for praise. He is one of the major catalysts in some of the changes that have occurred in sports, television, and international perceptions of African Americans. More should credit what he has done and achieved.
Another honoree will be Russell Simmons. He has been highly influential beyond just music. He has been a great role model of how successful any African American businessperson can be. His empire of clothing, music, finance, televison and film ventures is the match of most any business. Such is the power of a mind dedicated in its purpose.
But on the pure awards front here are a few of the categories and my thoughts.
I am not covering the television choices because I feel that there really is no choice available. There are virtually no lead actors, and too little diversity in television to really have a selection to choose from. That is not the fault of the NAACP, but Hollywood and its double standards. [Though I will say that Sean Combs should never win.]
So with that said, there is your next Awards fix.
Actually this awards show should be interesting for more than the fact that it highlights the achievements of people of color, something rarely done by the Academy Awards. This year is also the 100th anniversary of the NAACP. Thus I expect the television broadcast to be quite special.
There will be stars a plenty as well. Halle Berry and Tyler Perry will be presenting. Which says nothing of those celebrities in attendance. All of whom I expect to note the significance of what the NAACP has done over the years.
A special honoree will be Muhammad Ali. He is a man well deserving of recognition and I am happy to know he will be singled out for praise. He is one of the major catalysts in some of the changes that have occurred in sports, television, and international perceptions of African Americans. More should credit what he has done and achieved.
Another honoree will be Russell Simmons. He has been highly influential beyond just music. He has been a great role model of how successful any African American businessperson can be. His empire of clothing, music, finance, televison and film ventures is the match of most any business. Such is the power of a mind dedicated in its purpose.
But on the pure awards front here are a few of the categories and my thoughts.
Outstanding Picture:
"Cadillac Records"
"Miracle at St. Anna"
"The Secret Life of Bees"
"Seven Pounds" – I expect this to win
"Tyler Perry’s The Family That Preys"
Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture
Derek Luke – "Miracle at St. Anna"
Don Cheadle – "Traitor" - This is my pick
Jeffrey Wright – "Cadillac Records"
Rob Brown – "The Express"
Will Smith – "Seven Pounds" - The main competition
Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture
Alfre Woodard – "Tyler Perry’s The Family That Preys"
Angela Bassett – "Tyler Perry’s Meet The Browns" - Probable winner
Dakota Fanning – "The Secret Life of Bees" - main competition
Queen Latifah – "The Secret Life of Bees"
Rosario Dawson – "Seven Pounds"
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture
Cedric the Entertainer – "Cadillac Records"
Columbus Short – "Cadillac Records"
Dev Patel – "Slumdog Millionaire" - Great choice for popularity with the Oscars
Mos Def – "Cadillac Records"
Nate Parker – "The Secret Life of Bees"
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
Alicia Keys – "The Secret Life of Bees"
Beyonc̩ Knowles Р"Cadillac Records"
Jennifer Hudson – "The Secret Life of Bees" - The winner
Sophie Okonedo – "The Secret Life of Bees"
Taraji P. Henson – "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
Outstanding Independent Motion Picture
"Ballast"
"Noah’s Arc: Jumping the Broom"
"Rachel Getting Married"
"Slumdog Millionaire"
"The Visitor"
I am amazed that this category did not include A Good Day To Be Black & Sexy or Diary of a Tired Black Man. I would really have loved to see Diary win too. But such controversy is beyond the NAACP I suppose.
Outstanding Foreign Motion Picture
"Captain Abu Raed"
"The Class"
"Mongol" - Possible winner (but I have not seen it)
"Song of Sparrows"
"Under the Same Moon"
Outstanding Documentary
"The Black List"
"Black Magic"
"CNN Presents: Black in America"
"Dare Not Walk Alone"
"Trouble the Water"
I have no idea in this list, but I would guess it will be CNN. Mostly because of the very positive coverage of President Obama throughout the election.
I am not covering the television choices because I feel that there really is no choice available. There are virtually no lead actors, and too little diversity in television to really have a selection to choose from. That is not the fault of the NAACP, but Hollywood and its double standards. [Though I will say that Sean Combs should never win.]
So with that said, there is your next Awards fix.
DVD Review: Chocolate (Thai movie)
Sometimes you can watch a movie and know that you are watching a star. The presence and ability just stands out and you cannot help but be awed. While this happens occasionally in dramas and comedies, it is rare in an action film. But when it does you know it.
Bruce Lee was such an actor. Jackie Chan is that caliber of actor. Around the world there are many others that hope to be grouped with these men, to be held in the same degree of immortality. But that rarely happens.
I just finished watching a DVD, Chocolate, and I think I have seen a star that may well be able to be mentioned along with those 2 mega-entertainers. Jeeja Yanin (or Yanin Vismistananda, I’m not sure which is the correct version of her name). If you don’t recognize the name, I think you will in time. And she is a woman.
Chocolate is by no means a chick flick. At least by U.S. standards anyway. It is directed by Prachya Pinkaew who created the Thai sensation Ong-Bak. While Tony Jaa gained an audience here in the states, I think Yanin will surpass that with ease.
The movie is not like a traditional American action film. It’s not because of the dubbing, nor the sub-titles (both are options – in Spanish, Thai, and English). There is a plot, which happens to make sense and is pretty decent.
The movie starts with a Romeo and Juliet romance of a Japanese Yakuza (Masashi) and a Thai mob boss (Number 8) girlfriend (Zin), in Thailand. This obviously leads to a confrontation. But to prevent the worst from happening Zin asks that Masashi go back to Japan and never see her again.
He does as she wishes, even though he later finds out she was pregnant with his child. The child is a daughter, named Zen, that seems to be a high order autistic. We learn as the girl grows she has lightning reflexes, and photographic reflexes as well. Meaning she can watch Ong-Bak (nice plug) on television and/or watch the Muay Thai school across her yard and reproduce the moves flawlessly, though faster.
Eventually Zin builds a routine and picks up a stray boy to raise along with her daughter. As they reach their teens Zin becomes ill with an undisclosed illness – though it appears to be similar to cancer. The cost of the medication is enormous and requires several visits to the hospital, when there is money available. It is during the first of these visits that the kids find an old mob book of debts. The kids not knowing why money is owed to Zin decide to collect the money and use it for her medication.
Now I won’t tell you much more about what ensues, other than in the process of collecting the money we learn the full extent of Zen’s ability. And it is stunning.
She is as fast as Lee, as flexible as Chan, and uses the same style of fighting as Jaa. She is a whirlwind of power and precision. Yet always maintaining the innocence of a child not quite understanding all the implications of her actions. She wants her mom to be better and nothing will stop her in that quest.
The plot is semi-dark and bittersweet, and thus the apt name of Chocolate. The direction keeps you involved, interested, and perhaps only slightly bored for about 4 or 5 minutes. I wish several martial arts movies made here in the U.S. had the same intensity.
Now if you are a fan of the wire-fu that Jet Li employs you will be disappointed. Yanin is all about real moves. And as is seen in the film’s end and making of extras on the DVD, she gets hurt. Though many of the extras are far worse off.
Yanin is a tough woman, especially for her age (now 24 I believe). She works hurt, and is quite adept in her martial arts ability. The other key fighters in the film are equally as good. Which really allows you to be immersed in what happens. And you really care about the plot too.
Stephen Segal wishes his films made as much sense. Van Damme dreams of being as good. And any rapper who thinks he is really tough would be laughable standing in a scene with Yanin.
Honestly, you could go out and spend $30 to see a film out right now – and be completely disappointed just before you forget the entire film you saw. Or you could buy this DVD and really enjoy some quality martial arts action.
If you are a fan of the genre you will thank me. If you aren’t a fan, this will likely make you one.
Bruce Lee was such an actor. Jackie Chan is that caliber of actor. Around the world there are many others that hope to be grouped with these men, to be held in the same degree of immortality. But that rarely happens.
I just finished watching a DVD, Chocolate, and I think I have seen a star that may well be able to be mentioned along with those 2 mega-entertainers. Jeeja Yanin (or Yanin Vismistananda, I’m not sure which is the correct version of her name). If you don’t recognize the name, I think you will in time. And she is a woman.
Chocolate is by no means a chick flick. At least by U.S. standards anyway. It is directed by Prachya Pinkaew who created the Thai sensation Ong-Bak. While Tony Jaa gained an audience here in the states, I think Yanin will surpass that with ease.
The movie is not like a traditional American action film. It’s not because of the dubbing, nor the sub-titles (both are options – in Spanish, Thai, and English). There is a plot, which happens to make sense and is pretty decent.
The movie starts with a Romeo and Juliet romance of a Japanese Yakuza (Masashi) and a Thai mob boss (Number 8) girlfriend (Zin), in Thailand. This obviously leads to a confrontation. But to prevent the worst from happening Zin asks that Masashi go back to Japan and never see her again.
He does as she wishes, even though he later finds out she was pregnant with his child. The child is a daughter, named Zen, that seems to be a high order autistic. We learn as the girl grows she has lightning reflexes, and photographic reflexes as well. Meaning she can watch Ong-Bak (nice plug) on television and/or watch the Muay Thai school across her yard and reproduce the moves flawlessly, though faster.
Eventually Zin builds a routine and picks up a stray boy to raise along with her daughter. As they reach their teens Zin becomes ill with an undisclosed illness – though it appears to be similar to cancer. The cost of the medication is enormous and requires several visits to the hospital, when there is money available. It is during the first of these visits that the kids find an old mob book of debts. The kids not knowing why money is owed to Zin decide to collect the money and use it for her medication.
Now I won’t tell you much more about what ensues, other than in the process of collecting the money we learn the full extent of Zen’s ability. And it is stunning.
She is as fast as Lee, as flexible as Chan, and uses the same style of fighting as Jaa. She is a whirlwind of power and precision. Yet always maintaining the innocence of a child not quite understanding all the implications of her actions. She wants her mom to be better and nothing will stop her in that quest.
The plot is semi-dark and bittersweet, and thus the apt name of Chocolate. The direction keeps you involved, interested, and perhaps only slightly bored for about 4 or 5 minutes. I wish several martial arts movies made here in the U.S. had the same intensity.
Now if you are a fan of the wire-fu that Jet Li employs you will be disappointed. Yanin is all about real moves. And as is seen in the film’s end and making of extras on the DVD, she gets hurt. Though many of the extras are far worse off.
Yanin is a tough woman, especially for her age (now 24 I believe). She works hurt, and is quite adept in her martial arts ability. The other key fighters in the film are equally as good. Which really allows you to be immersed in what happens. And you really care about the plot too.
Stephen Segal wishes his films made as much sense. Van Damme dreams of being as good. And any rapper who thinks he is really tough would be laughable standing in a scene with Yanin.
Honestly, you could go out and spend $30 to see a film out right now – and be completely disappointed just before you forget the entire film you saw. Or you could buy this DVD and really enjoy some quality martial arts action.
If you are a fan of the genre you will thank me. If you aren’t a fan, this will likely make you one.
Forbes recognizes the obvious about Will Smith and people of color
Oh how shocking. Will Smith is the most bankable entertainer in Hollywood. With the record for the most movies grossing over $100 million in a row, who could have guessed?
Honestly I am not amazed. But I really hope that the executives in Hollywood are paying attention to the numbers. Because it flies in the face of the notion that
In fact, according to Forbes, the top of the Star Currency list includes Denzel Washington at number 8. On the Celebrity 100 list the start is with Oprah Winfrey and Tiger Woods. That list goes on to include Beyonce Knowles and Jay-z in the top 10.
Yet for all of that, and the many other people of color that made each of the lists, Hollywood avoids us. Which is odd for an industry that is best known for copying anything that is successful to death.
Just look at the 30 remakes that are going to hit screens or announced so far in 2009. Look at all the copycat stories that fill the television screens and theaters; they even copycat success from other countries (Life on Mars, Leverage, Bangkok Dangerous, ect.). And there is hardly any escape from some form of reality programming on every network including cable television. There are few original ideas in the industry, especially over the last decade or so. Except if it involves people of color. Then there are really none.
Will Smith, Denzel Washington, Laurence Fishburne, Samuel Jackson, Jamie Foxx and Eddie Murphy are the key male African Americans that fill screens and bring in revenue. Halle Berry and Queen Latifah are the Black female counterparts. Several of them have been doing so for decades. Yet Hollywood ignores the majority of Black actors, preferring to fill the ranks of new actors with virtually only White faces. And it’s not because there is a lack of a potential pool of actors to select from.
Television shows like the Cosby Show, A Different World, My Wife and Kids, The Fresh Prince of Bel Aire dominated the small screen. And once they were off the air nothing even close replaced them. The various networks didn’t even try to copy the shows.
It’s not that I expect every show to have people of color in them. I don’t want to see a television schedule of crap that is made to have people of color fill the screens and then be rejected with a casual ‘well we tried.’ But to honestly expect that in the 21st century, as people are declaring the era of “post-racial America”, we see almost the same number of African Americans, Latino/Hispanics, Asians and so on in any medium you wish to chose as were around in the 70’s. It’s deplorable.
Perhaps I wouldn’t get as upset if other aspects of the media were better. But news media still loves to depict people of color as violent and guilty of any wrong-doing or lack of success whenever a video is needed. And it is conspicuously remiss in reporting any news event that identifies people of color as victims of crimes via police brutality or other circumstance.
Just look around for the coverage of Oscar Grant, Adolph Grimes, or Robbie Tolan. All you will see is continuing coverage of Casey Anthony and the Petersen case in Ohio. Or how about the last time you saw national attention of a Black child that was missing?
But at least Forbes is taking notice that America loves it’s celebrities and entertainers of color as much as anyone else. Hopefully one day Forbes might just get involved in entertainment and things will improve. Or the racially blind execs in Hollywood will be replaced by open minded people. If only.
Honestly I am not amazed. But I really hope that the executives in Hollywood are paying attention to the numbers. Because it flies in the face of the notion that
“American audiences want to only watch people similar to themselves.”That is the industry code words for the functional equivalent of “White only” - to me - which is present in the overwhelming number of television shows, movies, and even work behind the camera.
In fact, according to Forbes, the top of the Star Currency list includes Denzel Washington at number 8. On the Celebrity 100 list the start is with Oprah Winfrey and Tiger Woods. That list goes on to include Beyonce Knowles and Jay-z in the top 10.
Yet for all of that, and the many other people of color that made each of the lists, Hollywood avoids us. Which is odd for an industry that is best known for copying anything that is successful to death.
Just look at the 30 remakes that are going to hit screens or announced so far in 2009. Look at all the copycat stories that fill the television screens and theaters; they even copycat success from other countries (Life on Mars, Leverage, Bangkok Dangerous, ect.). And there is hardly any escape from some form of reality programming on every network including cable television. There are few original ideas in the industry, especially over the last decade or so. Except if it involves people of color. Then there are really none.
Will Smith, Denzel Washington, Laurence Fishburne, Samuel Jackson, Jamie Foxx and Eddie Murphy are the key male African Americans that fill screens and bring in revenue. Halle Berry and Queen Latifah are the Black female counterparts. Several of them have been doing so for decades. Yet Hollywood ignores the majority of Black actors, preferring to fill the ranks of new actors with virtually only White faces. And it’s not because there is a lack of a potential pool of actors to select from.
Television shows like the Cosby Show, A Different World, My Wife and Kids, The Fresh Prince of Bel Aire dominated the small screen. And once they were off the air nothing even close replaced them. The various networks didn’t even try to copy the shows.
It’s not that I expect every show to have people of color in them. I don’t want to see a television schedule of crap that is made to have people of color fill the screens and then be rejected with a casual ‘well we tried.’ But to honestly expect that in the 21st century, as people are declaring the era of “post-racial America”, we see almost the same number of African Americans, Latino/Hispanics, Asians and so on in any medium you wish to chose as were around in the 70’s. It’s deplorable.
Perhaps I wouldn’t get as upset if other aspects of the media were better. But news media still loves to depict people of color as violent and guilty of any wrong-doing or lack of success whenever a video is needed. And it is conspicuously remiss in reporting any news event that identifies people of color as victims of crimes via police brutality or other circumstance.
Just look around for the coverage of Oscar Grant, Adolph Grimes, or Robbie Tolan. All you will see is continuing coverage of Casey Anthony and the Petersen case in Ohio. Or how about the last time you saw national attention of a Black child that was missing?
But at least Forbes is taking notice that America loves it’s celebrities and entertainers of color as much as anyone else. Hopefully one day Forbes might just get involved in entertainment and things will improve. Or the racially blind execs in Hollywood will be replaced by open minded people. If only.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)