Logging

Film: Silverado

Probably the film that caused me to dislike Westerns until I got to film school. I feel like my parents might've dragged me to the theater to see it. Can't say my younger self was wrong. It's the actors that are the problem here - you don't buy them. Something about the 1980s vibes - Kevin Kline? A gunslinger-criminal? Sorry...but no. The other huge aspect of the film that fails - what was the bad guy plot? I seriously came away with no clue about the story at all. Were they just trying to kill Kevin Costner? I am going to need to re-read the plot on Wikipedia. Costner interesting to watch in the film. He hadn't yet figured out his movie star persona, so overacts in a boyish, goofball manner. Funny to see glimpses of what he would become but Kasden wasn't quite able to bring it out. Give credit to Ron Shelton for that. And say all you will about the wokies being idiots, but they have a point about white writers writing for black families that comes across in this film. Danny Glover's scenes and storyline are among the most simplistic and ridiculous that one can imagine. Guess what he suffers from? If you guessed racism, you would be right. They murder his father and his sister is a prostitute. And none of this is played in a fun, wink wink, manner mind you. They take the whole thing very seriously. 

One highlight is Brian Dennehy who offers up some moral complexity in the villain role. He could've held his own in a Peckinpah film.

Logging

TV: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms E5

Nothing worse than a flashback episode... 

Karen Bass

Thinks Wasserman should step down. Ha! Does anyone care that this guy was a little pervy in private? No. Does it matter to anyone? No. Meanwhile, Bass mismanaged the LA fires and lied in the aftermath. Jeez.

Skiing

Such a pain in the ass and still worth it. A single long run on great snow is worth the price of admission. My older son said it was like riding a roller coaster, but you're in control. The secondary benefit: an appreciation of nature and the mountain. Kids learn to become self-sufficient, carry their gear, be prepared for weather shifts, and monitor food and water intake.  

Logging

Film: The Graduate

This time around, I was fascinated by Mrs. Robinson. Surely this is an age thing. When I first watched the film, of course, I was closer to Ben's age. And the film strongly takes his perspective. But now, being closer in age to Mrs Robinson, I can't help but think - what is going on with her? What is her deal? Why is she so thirsty and obvious? Why does she fear Ben dating Elaine? As best I can surmise, Mrs. Robinson resents losing her youth. She was forced into marriage because she got pregnant with Elaine. Now both she and her husband are alcoholics and miserable. Her seduction of Ben is about getting her youth back, but of course, this is doomed from the start, and even she knows it. Hence her melancholy. In this respect, the film is much wiser than how filmmakers of today would and do treat the subject. Today, this film gets made by a female director (or perhaps a female writer), and they would insist Mrs. Robinson is an empowered individual. But she is not. She's a hungry predator who has a shot at redemption but instead chooses to punish Elaine for "ruining" her life. Hence, she plots for Elaine to marry poorly and sacrifice her own youth as penance for stealing it from Mrs. Robinson. This is as far as I can tell what's happening psychologically with her. 

Next observation, the music. Much of the magic of the film stems from how the music interacts with the images - the two beautiful montages sections that bridge the affair and his loneliness plus the travel up to Berkeley section. One montage actually goes for two songs! Clearly the music inspired the movie and the movie inspired the music. You can't imagine the shots or the opening or the montages without the music. Films cannot escape the era in which they are made. So the question of: why can't we make movies like that anymore is a nonsense. Because we don't listen to new Simon and Garfunkel songs on the radio is why. And even if we did, it's just an exercise in nostalgia at this point. 

Deal

Makes sense. 

The NFL is free to hire Bad Bunny 

Bad Bunny is free to say what he wants, and in Spanish 

MAGA is free to boycott and criticize Bad Bunny 

Jon Stewart is free to call it hypocrisy 

I am free to try to harvest some clicks from the entire dwindling nontroversy

China-Taiwan

China could obviously "take" Taiwan if they had to. But could they take Taiwan+Japan? 

Could they take Taiwan+Japan+Philippines+Vietnam?

Could they take Taiwan+Japan++Philippines+Vietnam+India+US?

Logging

Film: Bugonia

Does it surprise anyone that the worldview espoused in this film turns off the vast majority of the planet? So ugly and disconnected from life. And the cinefiles cheer it on. Losers!

Logging

Film: Die Hard

When Argyle crashes the limo out of the metal garage cage at the end, the thought crossed my mind - why didn't you do that earlier? Fridge logic, I know.

A couple things:

-how does this film have so many iconic characters without famous or memorable actors? The black nerd terrorist? I can't name another film he was in. The hateable reporter? Holly Gennero/McClane? Ellis? Karl? Argyle? Takagi? I suppose the FBI guy and the police lieutenant were legit character actors and around a bunch

-McTiernan does a fantastic job staging iconic shots in this film - Hanz falling is up there with great villain endings of all time. Willis jumping off the building...these are simple writing moments, even cliche, elevated way higher by the direction.

Here We Are

The lie: 10,300,000 views and 327,000 likes 

The truth posted 12 hours later: 406,000 views and 2,700 likes

Remember when Google was the biggest, baddest tech company with the moto: "don't do evil." Now the tech companies are like - well, a little evil okay so long as it gets engagement.

PS - those who study films know the guy who says "don't do evil" means the literal opposite.

Why Weigh In

I feel a dumb obligation to have some sort of opinion on Bad Bunny...I shouldn't, I know. But the thing I'll point out is that when watching it, I feel like a foreigner missing all the nuance since I don't understand a word he is saying. I understand he is funny? That's nice. But to who? That the proponents of his performance can't understand how deliberately confusing and alienating to most Americans it is super bizarre to me. I mean, go for it...who cares...but if you think this is "bringing people together," you are 100% definitely wrong. 

I suppose we can expect some K-pop next year?

Watergate Part Deux

Isn't this the type of thing that brought down Nixon? Or at least Nicholson in A Few Good Men? Karen Bass ordered the code red, people. She needs to resign.

Salem Witch Trials

In the yoga studio.

Logging

Film: The Rock

My favorite of all Michael Bay films... an absolute sluggers line up of character actors... if you just embrace the absurdity, quite a lot of fun.

Indeed

Revolutions were fought over these issues. 

If I’m on stolen land why the F am I paying property taxes?

Pretty Evil

Putin continues to string us along.