Europeans

Have the most hilarious relationship to reality and diplomacy. The Brits weigh in, want a ceasefire by September or else they'll recognize a Palestinian state. Causing Hamas to back out of negotiations since why negotiate when they can get what they want by not?

The Europeans occupy this interesting position where they do not take the blame for any of the things that happen in the world, and yet weigh in with preening moral sentiment and proclamations as if they bear any impact. So Russia invades Ukraine. Everyone in Europe opposes it, yet they do nothing but try to persuade the Americans to help. They don't send troops or arms and don't have any levers to pull but to follow the American lead. And this is in their interest, supposedly. Now with respect to Israel and Palestine - they have no interest in the matter and no power. They yell, hector, lecture both sides and none of it matters. They declare this and that. None of it matters. They blame Hamas, then they blame Israel, then they blame the US, they blame everyone but themselves. And then they make a declaration that will not and cannot be enforced by them or anyone else. Bizarre people.

Logging

Film: Friendship 

Doesn't totally work. Robinson better in sketch bits than say carrying a movie with a performance. A number of things don't make sense, among them why Kate Mara married this guy.

Cognitive Advantage

Zuckerberg thinks Meta glasses will give people a cognitive advantage, but I foresee a corresponding disadvantage in passing down ones genes. Tradeoffs...

The Palestinian Side

If they have such a strong case, why do they fake it so much?

I Agree With This

If you run, you run. You wouldn't have AI do it for you. Same with writing and other things.

I let AI read, but I appreciate human responses more.

Logging

Film: Napoleon Dynamite

Underrated as a kid-appropriate film.

Film: Top Secret

Not kid appropriate...one of the funniest bits in the movie went over my kids head...Val Kilmer gets put into East German prison. His manager comes in and is like I've spoken to everyone - the ambassador, the police chief, the secret service, the CIA, and I still can't figure out how to give my wife an orgasm. Val Kilmer pulls out some sort of anal dildo device and gives it to him. Then he leaves, thanking Val Kilmer for his help. Then Val Kilmer gets out of jail for totally different reasons. Later we find out his manager died because he didn't realize the voltage was more powerful in East Germany. This film is rated PG.

Public Service Announcement

Genes and jeans are two different words. Thank you for your attention to this matter. 

Interesting Take

Does it apply to George Floyd? 

Logging

Film: Eddington

Still processing, but some preliminary thoughts:

-Could you pitch this film as Jaws but the shark is ourselves?

-First reaction was that this felt like a paranoid fever dream 70s movie and I loved it for that

-On second thought I felt like the characters were a bit shallow, like a perception of how people are from the lens of being online but then I wondered if this was intentional

-About 15 years ago this would've been considered an interesting film, but a bit of a hot mess. Today it feels like it will be one of the best films of the year

-Couldn't 100% tell if it was a satire or meant to be taken seriously/metaphorically 

-Do not marry Emma Stone under any circumstances

-I did not find any of the political ideas in the film remotely offensive. Do others?

-Loved loved loved the antifa on private jet element of the film, although I imagine others will poor taste will not. It's the best part of the film and by that I mean the chase and climax.

-Anyone who says the film doesn't tie up neatly into a message is using too much AI.

-One element I like about the film are some important questions about the characters are raised but not answered. For instance, was Emma Stone abused by her father or did she have something with Pedro Pascal or both? Also, what did happen to Pedro Pascal's wife?

-One element I didn't like as much about the film was the sense of place felt completely artificial and fake. Like all these rich woke people liked next door to a reservation in the middle of nowhere. Bullshit. But again, that's why the film feels either metaphorical or satirical. 

Still processing

UPDATE:

-There is a really dumb question that gets asked in meetings sometimes, which is: what is the movie you wish you had written/made? I cannot fathom answering this question, I almost don't even want to talk about it because it's so pointless and dumb and perhaps misses the entire point of writing and moviemaking to begin with. But Eddington might be A answer, although of course I would never say this to anyone who actually asked the question so...

Fascinating and Not At All Surprising

Exercising can be more effective than anti-depressants for depression. 

But where's the money in that?

I Hope So

Reading to your children every night is the best school they will get. 

My recommendations for all parents--

Bible Stories (start around age 5). Get a simple version of the Bible - I use the Action Bible

Greek Myths (start around age 8-9). Someone somewhere recommended D'Aulairies  

Logging

Film: Suzhou River

Been trying to figure out something to say intelligent about the film. I'd say a good watch for cinephiles, especially those curious about Chinese cinema. The movie is poetic, abstract, at times confusing. But nevertheless the filmmaking technique feels innovative and original and somehow works. Basically, the cameraman starts off as a character in the film disappears (and you barely notice) only to reappear later. Great acting, beautiful camera work. But can't say I'll remember the film nor that the film will create a lasting impact on me. In fact, I give it 50/50 odds I've seen the film before and can't fully remember it all.

Film: Napoleon Dynamite 

Never realized this was a kids movie. Makes it better than I remember.

France Announces Palestinian Statehood

Has as much impact as me announcing that I'm a billionaire. 

Next France will announce a ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine war.

A Picture Is Worth 1000 Words

In some cases. 

Solutions

Real food, go outside, less screens = no obesity for kids (and adults).

A public policy that would help in urban areas is to not let parks, libraries, and other public spaces turn into defacto homeless shelters but of course libtards are too distracted by other issues and concerns to address those matters.

The Baby Bust

Yes, it's a huge demographic problem. Thankfully, there is an easy and fun solution. 

Science

I'm sure the science won't be followed on this one in any meaningful public policy way. 

Scary and Retarded

So yeah, if you take this guy at face value, it's pretty weird. But the thing is, he probably works part time at board game shop and his opponent makes millions a year as a "public intellectual." Maybe this guy should debate Peter Thiel or Elon. This would be like  watching Bradley Beale in a JV high school game. You could be fooled by watching into thinking Bradley Beale was the best basketball player to ever exist.

Screentime

There comes a time in summer where the best screentime policies for children become violated in an extreme manner. Typically around July 20th.

Beginnings

The first half of Taxi Driver is about a guy trying to bed a girl way out of his league.  

The first 25 minutes of The Equalizer is about a hardware store worker trying to read a bunch of famous books.

The first 25 minutes of Falling Down is about two different guys - one trying to get through his last day on the job without incident and the other trying to make a phone call to his estranged wife.

I think this is what Tony Gilroy means when he says "start small."

Be Careful Out There

Chatgpt made a guy think he found a significant scientific breakthrough.

If I were to teach class on using AI, I would include Her in the syllabus. Also I believe, the Seinfeld episode "Serenity Now" should be mandatory viewing in all schools to teach people to beware of easy solutions to mental problems. Serenity now means insanity later.

Logging

TV: Atlanta S1 E2

In jail lock up episode, one of my single favorite tv episodes from any show of all time. 

TV: FNL S4 E1

What they did to reboot this show in S4, genius level. Also, they found Michael B Jordan. Give them some credit.

Script: Taxi Driver

Can't believe he wrote this at age 26. 

Agree

The assessment of Palestine/Palestinians seems to me correct. I don't believe their problems with Israel are uniquely anti-semitic, but are rather political in nature. Or at least they were. No more than Americans in the 1940s were uniquely anti-Japanese. Although, to be fair, the original hostility toward Israel has morphed into what could easily be described as anti-semitism, even if it didn't start that way.

But whatever. The fundamental problem with the Palestinians are refusing to acknowledge their position or to accept their lack of power. I know, they will claims justice, justice, justice. But let me ask this - why do no other communities from this period deserve justice, justice, justice. What of the German citizens who were savaged by the Soviets? What of the Chinese displaced by the Communists? What of all the Eastern Europeans who were similarly "occupied?" To me, it just seems pathological at this point to even care about your great grandparents losing a home. And even if that is wrong, even if you should care, the relevant point is that if you can't actually do anything about it but blow yourselves up or murder random Israelis then it seems like you ought to reconsider your life decisions.

The Game

LA won't let people who lost their homes in the fires rebuild without going through onerous bureaucratic hurdles. Now, they offer to buy the land to put up "low income" housing.

Who knew the Soviet Union reconstituted itself in California. Despicable.

Deadline

Nearly ever headline on deadline about Emmy nominations right now says something about "first time in history..." followed by a fill-in-the-blank. Sort of dilutes the "first time in history" thing... Call it "first time in history" inflation.

Logging

Film: Sorry, Baby 

Positive critical response to this film is a good example of the spread of a negative emotional contagion.  The A24-verse can be said to serve this demographic. It's a bit more whimsical and light than other misery porn entries, yet the defining characteristic of the main character is her contemplation of suicide. Where do these suicidal thoughts come from? I don't want to give it all away, but suffice to say, the "incident" didn't merit that reaction, in my opinion. The word snowflake came into my frontal cortex.

The film also lacks structure and hence a climax. It doesn't feel like it builds toward anything. More like a long, flat line. 

A good "first film" by any measure and impressive achievement for the writer/director/star, but not a great movie, nor my kind of movie at all.

Did like the academic setting, though.

Climate Change

Interesting how the topic absolutely disappeared from the world's agenda the moment national security issues came to the fore.

Underestimated issue in general - timelines. Impossible to focus on long or medium term issues when faced with short term crises.

RFK

Not only normal, but awesome. People giving him shit for taking his family fossil hunting? That's an awesome idea.  

We've Lost the Plot

Since we're talking about whether Superman is an illegal immigrant. As one of my kids used to say, jeez weez. 

Safetyism

This all sounds about right. 

Logging

Film: Howard the Duck

70mm series. Lea Thompson deserved an Oscar. How do you act with a midget in a duck suit? Very impressive. 

Popularity Overrated in Geopolitics

Would you prefer to be in Ukraine or Israel's position? Ukrainians are popular round the world, yet their reality is daily bombardment by an evil enemy who kidnaps their children and wants to brainwash them into being Russian. Their front is a slaughterhouse for their young men. Israel on the other hand is now "unpopular" round the world, but they can sleep at night because their enemies are decimated. 

Who would you rather be?

Point is, the only time it was "popular" to be American in my adult life was post-9/11. So take that as you will. 

Logging

Film: The Searchers

70mm screening at the Egyptian. One of the great pleasures of living in LA. Packed theater. Amazing crowd. Amazing film. Several impressions - surprisingly funny on this watch, a bunch of romantic slapstick bits. Implication in the film that John Wayne is a crook and a racist. The runtime for such an epic film only about 2 hours. It goes by fast. Very economical storytelling. Really, pretty close to a perfect movie. Music though doesn't age great.

Film: A Quiet Place, Day One

Needed something more from this movie. The family, emotional stuff helps propel the other two. This one needed more relationship situations or some good old fashioned alien killing. It had neither, so it just became internal and meditative without frankly much to say about the characters other than they were experiencing trauma. Relying too much on the cat to generate sympathy.

Logging

Film: Crash (Cronenberg)

So many thoughts on this film...but the main one being - the characters have so much freedom back in 1996 compared to 2025. None of movie feels plausible today because the characters would be far too constrained to do what they do throughout the film. And it isn't the government, but rather work demands, social demands, etc. Fascinating. Haunting.

Social Security

Everyone thinks we've got a crisis with Social Security, but I believe there is a fix. The system was designed and sold as an insurance system, but we gamed it into a pension system. Therefore, rich people need to give up on some of benefits that turns their retirements into easy living. The system is meant for grandma to have a roof over her head and get groceries, not to fund an inflation protected annuity for those with assets in the 5-25 million range. The true benefactors under this system are the children and charities who will inherit the unspent assets for people with too much dough to spend in their lifetimes. Is that what social security is for?

Value Investing

Is not in fashion at all. But here's why I tilt. 

Value stocks rise with inflation. So when you need the money, it's there. This is an important point. 

Just read any story about booms and busts. People buy 13,000 square foot homes in Midland Texas during oil booms when they have a huge net worth. 2 years later, they find themselves in millions of dollars of debt, in possession of oil rigs and homes they can't sell for 20% of what they paid for them. The point is not having the money, but having the money when you need it. 

Brains

Most people are too dumb to understand why capitalism works, including myself. But I am smart enough to know socialism doesn't, whereas many of my fellows in the State of California are not.

Code Breaking

People on the internet arguing about Mamdani calling himself an African American on a college application. Let's discuss.

1) Detailed arguments supporting Mamdani inadvertently argue for getting rid of affirmative action. They rest on the point: it's absurd to categorize on race. Exactly. 

2) The offended people are American blacks, an important coalition in the Democratic party. Why? Because Mamdani and everyone else damn well knows what African or Black heritage means. (Mamdani is Indian, okay. That counts in our world as Asian, South Asian specifically).

3) The Mamdani gamble/predicament is that the noisiest and most likely to call foul on the claim of his African American heritage are likely to overlap with his pro-Socialist, anti-Western views. Think AOC, Briahna Joy Gray, etc. These people will give him a pass, I'm positive. An interesting political question will be whether this "group" now outweighs the group who might actually be offended - someone like Stephen A Smith, for instance.

4) The worst case scenario is that we are indeed already in a 1984 type of situation where the unwritten "rules" for this type of thing are deliberately opaque so that who possess "power" dictate whether Mamdani broke the rule or didn't break the rule. Very dark, Russian-esque. 

Deep Risks

1) Inflation

Combat with: hard assets, inflation protected bonds, value stocks, stocks in general, fixed rate mortgage (negative bond)

2) Deflation

Combat with: cash

3) Confiscation

Combat with: nearly impossible to do, but...Roth IRA? Some might say crypto or foreign real estate

4) Devastation 

Combat with: nearly impossible to do, but...community ties in out-of-the-way places? Insurance, if possible?

Many Weird Things

If you were in a coma in the late 1990s and woke up today, one of the weirder things would be to discover that in the Jurassic Park Franchise apparently humans and dinosaurs now live amongst each other? 

That factoid alone would suggest something has gone very awry in the world, perhaps even moreso than Donald Trump being President.

Logging

Film: F1

Perfectly enjoyable but not A-plus level. A hair below the joys of Top Gun Maverick. A bit too long. Poker scene was forced. But still lovely to be in a packed theater with gorgeous images and actors and a classic stranger comes to town story. 

UPDATE/NOTE: Prior to F1, I hadn't seen a trailer. Was there a trailer? I'd only seen posters and heard of it. Meaning I went in with no sense of the story whatsoever. It got me thinking - maybe this is a way to regenerate interest in films - tell us less about them. Then we actually have a reason to go. Often, trailers tell us waaaaay too much. Just give us vibes. Brad Pitt, car racing. I'm in. No need to tell us more. So even though this story was familiar, I didn't mind it. Don't give us so many hints about the story...just let us vibe.

UPDATE/NOTE 2: Is there anything to be made of Joseph Kosinski's mother being from French-Canada, same as Denis Villeneuve, the two biggest and best studio filmmakers out there right now?

What To Do With Dumb People?

Genuinely difficult question. Our answer over the past 25 years or so seems to be: let them feel smart by letting them into college and make "learning" easier. 

The result: far left and far right become pseudo intellectual morons who want to drag the world down. It was so much better when they did blue collar jobs, drank beer, and rooted for sports teams. 

America

Still remains a mysterious place to me.

"People are pouring baby oil over one another"

"It's not RICO, it's freak-o"

Maybe movies are having a hard time because real life so magical. 

Random Thought

An amusing aspect of Brokeback Mountain is how shitty Jack and Ennis are at all their jobs. 

Logging

Film: Love Hurts

More interested in "being a movie" than reflecting life or human existence. The tone doesn't totally work. Ke Huy Quan does a Jackie Chan impersonation. He's not terrible but also isn't Jackie Chan. I wonder if the casting sheet for one the characters read simply: he drinks a lot of Boba. Still, I watched the whole thing.

TV: The Day of the Jackal

Terrible end of the season "twist," undermined the entire show. Reminds one of how cheap and pointless television can be.

Did anyone watch this show? I've never heard a soul talk about it. I go online. Rotten Tomatoes very vague - don't even show numbers. Then go onto IMDB - over 100k ratings. So someone watched. 

But I can't find anything intelligent written about the show on a brief perusal of the internet. Maybe I'll check chatgpt.