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."