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May. 24th, 2013 05:23 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
gwydion* Standing up to Terror:
* US Failure to Maintain Infrastructure Betrays our National Legacy:
* I have never liked Rahm Emmanuel. Apparently, my super low opinion isn't nearly low enough. Remember all those public schools he's closing, knowing full well that those kids are going to lose 6 months to a year of academic achievement due to being uprooted and that 91% of the kids being put into overcrowded classrooms instead of smaller clases in their neighborhoods are on free and reduced lunch? It turns out, while he somehow doesn't have enough money to keep neighborhood schools open, he has 55 million dollars to waste on building a stadium as a give away to a private business. After all, which is a better use for $55 million of taxpayer money than educating the children most in need of it or corporate welfare? Clearly, punishing the children of the poor by denying the education is a top government priority, since the families vigorously protesting the thing he's doing to them don't even register compared to his rich friends wanting a kick back. I have no words, really.
If Chicago has a surplus of 55 million Dollars that they can afford to waste this way, why are they closing schools? Any one with even an unce of decency wouldn't hesitate to invest that money in children's education instead of just throwing it away on a give away to a sports team.
* Republicans Behaving Badly:
Imagine how much these Republicans have to hate women to do these things. The racism, cruelty, and hypocrisy are also pretty appalling.
I have to admit, it's kind of nice to see John McCain still has a line, which when crossed still leads him to cry bullshit. I thought he'd sold out entirely. I'm glad to be wrong, though I wish he'd spoken up sooner.
* "New Terror Strategy Shifts C.I.A. Focus Back to Spying:" http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/24/us/politics/plan-would-orient-cia-back-toward-spying.html?google_editors_picks=true&_r=2&
Remember how I said I hoped that the choice of a CIA Head signaled that they were going to move the drones and other paramilitary activities back to the military and put the CIA back into the intelligence business? Yeah. There is more oversight with the military, and we very much need an intelligence service rather than an extra wing of the military.
* "Ken Cuccinelli Loses Petition To Uphold Anti-Sodomy Law:" http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/10/ken-cuccinelli-sodomy_n_3051758.html
* "How Van Halen explains Obamacare, salmon regulation and scientific grants:" http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/05/02/how-van-halen-explains-obamacare-salmon-regulation-and-scientific-grants/
* "Kicked out of the mall — for an anti-cancer hat:" http://www.salon.com/2013/05/22/kicked_out_of_the_mall_for_an_anti_cancer_hat/
"The most insensitive mall cops ever aggressively escort out two teens who just lost their mom."
* Helen Mirren FTW! Bring tissues: http://gawker.com/helen-mirren-has-tea-with-dying-boy-after-actual-queen-509157446
* "Pavlof Volcano, Alaska Peninsula:" http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=81205
* "Privilege Soup:" http://greenwick.livejournal.com/206122.html
* "The Only Unfair Thing Ever:"
* "Rare color film shows what London looked like in 1927:" http://www.deathandtaxesmag.com/198876/rare-color-film-shows-what-london-looked-like-in-1927/
* "The 5 Ugly Lessons Hiding in Every Superhero Movie:" http://www.cracked.com/blog/the-5-ugly-lessons-hiding-in-every-superhero-movie/#ixzz2UIuSGkt4
* "Watch a Supercut of Every Impression Bill Hader Did on SNL:" http://www.vulture.com/2013/05/supercut-every-impression-bill-hader-did-on-snl.html
* "Benedict Cumberbatch’s ‘STID’ shower scene was deleted, but here it is:" http://www.celebitchy.com/299861/benedict_cumberbatchs_stid_shower_scene_was_deleted_but_you_can_see_it_here/
* Re: Into Darkness. I am about to ruin the ending pretty much. Stop reading if you plan on going and haven't yet.
It's big, pretty and stupid. The stupid makes me rather sad as the TV shows, for all their problems had thinky bits: politics, philosophy, social commentary, etc.. I am of the opinion that they shouldn't have made the Benedict Cumberbatch character someone other than Khan and had the Peter Weller character be the villain throughout. They could have then been more nuanced with the BC character, and saved Khan for a different movie rather than white washing him. There were all sorts of problems with race and gender in this that I'm too tired to get into and other people have ranted about better than I could at this point. I do think this movie was less forced than the first one, although it was still forced in spots. I did like the characterizations and character interactions generally. Part of my fundamental problem with both the original series and the reboot is that I really, really, really hate James T. Kirk. I know this is blasphemy. I was watching the original series before I could speak, as my dad always watched it, being a huge fan. (I was born the year it was cancelled, so I was watching it in syndication my whole childhood, to the point that I still salivate like pavlov's dog when the closing credit music plays because we always had dinner right after on... I'm thinking it was Sundays). Anyway, I find Mr. Pine's Kirk significantly less annoying than Shatner's, but I still really hate that sort of person in real life and I would really love them to just kill him the hell off forever so I don't have to watch him to get my Spock fix. Yes, I know that will never happen; he'll forever keep coming back up like tainted shellfish. I am deeply and fundamentally tired of this sort of hero: the brainless, conceited, womanizing, frat boy who always succeeds for no discernible reason except being white, male, and handsome. It's boring and deeply annoying. I'd rather have a lead who succeeds on her or his merits. I know Hollywood is wedded to this sort of "hero," but I get less patient with it every year and would love a ten year (or better yet hundred year) moratorium whether it's the frat boy Green Lantern, Captain Kirk, or Seth Rogan's Green hornet, or any other version. It's boring and there is imply no excuse at this point in our culture.
* I've been watching the Director's Cut of the original Alien. I was not allowed to see this in the theater, as my parents wanted to see it before letting me see it. I watched it the first time when it hit cable within a year or so of coming out. I loved how real it looked, the grittiness of the set design. I loved that Ms. Weaver looked like a particular girl in my neighborhood only grown up. I loved that she looked like she could really be an astronaut: athletic, intelligent, and mentally and emotionally tough. I'd never seen a lead character like that before and it was exciting. I was a kid raised on science fiction and monster movies and it was just so exciting to see her taking charge and fighting back. Ripley was real to me in a way most characters I saw on TV or in movies could never be. When I got older, there were other things I came to appreciate about the movie, but as a sprout, it was all about Ripley.
So here I am watching it again, amazed at how well it holds up. How many movies made in the last thirty three years have special effects that look as good even a year or two after release as the effects in this look right now? How many genre films have a real artist working out an unusual person vision in this detail and with such monumental feel? How many SF/horror genre movies made in the last year have a female lead at all, let alone one as tough and smart as Ripley? Not very many. (Off hand, I can only think of the lead in that hot mess Prometheus, though I must be missing something). See my rant about frat boydudebro leads in action/sf/superhero/etc. movies above. Ripley has no romantic plot in this first movie. She stands up for what is right in the face of the captain's direct order. She wants answers. She wants herself and the crew as a whole to survive. She is focused and professional and practical. 33 years later, and I still root for her. Would I like the crew to be more diverse? Yes. While the one character of color in the film comes off well, especially compared to pretty much everyone but Ripley, he's still a space janitor. This is a problem, like the token inclusion of the '70's so often was. Still, one roots for him, especially when no one is listening to him talk sense. (Contrast with Idris Elba's captain in Prometheus, though.) So yes, the movie isn't perfect, but hardly anything is, and it kicks Into Darknesses ass on so many levels, even watching it on my living room TV set. Seriously, watch the face hugger close up when they are poking it after it comes off the John Hurt character's face. Damn! So here's to you, Alien, for outlasting the decades with considerably more grace than I've managed.
Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
* US Failure to Maintain Infrastructure Betrays our National Legacy:
Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
* I have never liked Rahm Emmanuel. Apparently, my super low opinion isn't nearly low enough. Remember all those public schools he's closing, knowing full well that those kids are going to lose 6 months to a year of academic achievement due to being uprooted and that 91% of the kids being put into overcrowded classrooms instead of smaller clases in their neighborhoods are on free and reduced lunch? It turns out, while he somehow doesn't have enough money to keep neighborhood schools open, he has 55 million dollars to waste on building a stadium as a give away to a private business. After all, which is a better use for $55 million of taxpayer money than educating the children most in need of it or corporate welfare? Clearly, punishing the children of the poor by denying the education is a top government priority, since the families vigorously protesting the thing he's doing to them don't even register compared to his rich friends wanting a kick back. I have no words, really.
If Chicago has a surplus of 55 million Dollars that they can afford to waste this way, why are they closing schools? Any one with even an unce of decency wouldn't hesitate to invest that money in children's education instead of just throwing it away on a give away to a sports team.
* Republicans Behaving Badly:
Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Imagine how much these Republicans have to hate women to do these things. The racism, cruelty, and hypocrisy are also pretty appalling.
I have to admit, it's kind of nice to see John McCain still has a line, which when crossed still leads him to cry bullshit. I thought he'd sold out entirely. I'm glad to be wrong, though I wish he'd spoken up sooner.
* "New Terror Strategy Shifts C.I.A. Focus Back to Spying:" http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/24/us/politics/plan-would-orient-cia-back-toward-spying.html?google_editors_picks=true&_r=2&
Remember how I said I hoped that the choice of a CIA Head signaled that they were going to move the drones and other paramilitary activities back to the military and put the CIA back into the intelligence business? Yeah. There is more oversight with the military, and we very much need an intelligence service rather than an extra wing of the military.
* "Ken Cuccinelli Loses Petition To Uphold Anti-Sodomy Law:" http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/10/ken-cuccinelli-sodomy_n_3051758.html
* "How Van Halen explains Obamacare, salmon regulation and scientific grants:" http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/05/02/how-van-halen-explains-obamacare-salmon-regulation-and-scientific-grants/
* "Kicked out of the mall — for an anti-cancer hat:" http://www.salon.com/2013/05/22/kicked_out_of_the_mall_for_an_anti_cancer_hat/
"The most insensitive mall cops ever aggressively escort out two teens who just lost their mom."
* Helen Mirren FTW! Bring tissues: http://gawker.com/helen-mirren-has-tea-with-dying-boy-after-actual-queen-509157446
* "Pavlof Volcano, Alaska Peninsula:" http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=81205
* "Privilege Soup:" http://greenwick.livejournal.com/206122.html
* "The Only Unfair Thing Ever:"
* "Rare color film shows what London looked like in 1927:" http://www.deathandtaxesmag.com/198876/rare-color-film-shows-what-london-looked-like-in-1927/
* "The 5 Ugly Lessons Hiding in Every Superhero Movie:" http://www.cracked.com/blog/the-5-ugly-lessons-hiding-in-every-superhero-movie/#ixzz2UIuSGkt4
* "Watch a Supercut of Every Impression Bill Hader Did on SNL:" http://www.vulture.com/2013/05/supercut-every-impression-bill-hader-did-on-snl.html
* "Benedict Cumberbatch’s ‘STID’ shower scene was deleted, but here it is:" http://www.celebitchy.com/299861/benedict_cumberbatchs_stid_shower_scene_was_deleted_but_you_can_see_it_here/
* Re: Into Darkness. I am about to ruin the ending pretty much. Stop reading if you plan on going and haven't yet.
It's big, pretty and stupid. The stupid makes me rather sad as the TV shows, for all their problems had thinky bits: politics, philosophy, social commentary, etc.. I am of the opinion that they shouldn't have made the Benedict Cumberbatch character someone other than Khan and had the Peter Weller character be the villain throughout. They could have then been more nuanced with the BC character, and saved Khan for a different movie rather than white washing him. There were all sorts of problems with race and gender in this that I'm too tired to get into and other people have ranted about better than I could at this point. I do think this movie was less forced than the first one, although it was still forced in spots. I did like the characterizations and character interactions generally. Part of my fundamental problem with both the original series and the reboot is that I really, really, really hate James T. Kirk. I know this is blasphemy. I was watching the original series before I could speak, as my dad always watched it, being a huge fan. (I was born the year it was cancelled, so I was watching it in syndication my whole childhood, to the point that I still salivate like pavlov's dog when the closing credit music plays because we always had dinner right after on... I'm thinking it was Sundays). Anyway, I find Mr. Pine's Kirk significantly less annoying than Shatner's, but I still really hate that sort of person in real life and I would really love them to just kill him the hell off forever so I don't have to watch him to get my Spock fix. Yes, I know that will never happen; he'll forever keep coming back up like tainted shellfish. I am deeply and fundamentally tired of this sort of hero: the brainless, conceited, womanizing, frat boy who always succeeds for no discernible reason except being white, male, and handsome. It's boring and deeply annoying. I'd rather have a lead who succeeds on her or his merits. I know Hollywood is wedded to this sort of "hero," but I get less patient with it every year and would love a ten year (or better yet hundred year) moratorium whether it's the frat boy Green Lantern, Captain Kirk, or Seth Rogan's Green hornet, or any other version. It's boring and there is imply no excuse at this point in our culture.
* I've been watching the Director's Cut of the original Alien. I was not allowed to see this in the theater, as my parents wanted to see it before letting me see it. I watched it the first time when it hit cable within a year or so of coming out. I loved how real it looked, the grittiness of the set design. I loved that Ms. Weaver looked like a particular girl in my neighborhood only grown up. I loved that she looked like she could really be an astronaut: athletic, intelligent, and mentally and emotionally tough. I'd never seen a lead character like that before and it was exciting. I was a kid raised on science fiction and monster movies and it was just so exciting to see her taking charge and fighting back. Ripley was real to me in a way most characters I saw on TV or in movies could never be. When I got older, there were other things I came to appreciate about the movie, but as a sprout, it was all about Ripley.
So here I am watching it again, amazed at how well it holds up. How many movies made in the last thirty three years have special effects that look as good even a year or two after release as the effects in this look right now? How many genre films have a real artist working out an unusual person vision in this detail and with such monumental feel? How many SF/horror genre movies made in the last year have a female lead at all, let alone one as tough and smart as Ripley? Not very many. (Off hand, I can only think of the lead in that hot mess Prometheus, though I must be missing something). See my rant about frat boydudebro leads in action/sf/superhero/etc. movies above. Ripley has no romantic plot in this first movie. She stands up for what is right in the face of the captain's direct order. She wants answers. She wants herself and the crew as a whole to survive. She is focused and professional and practical. 33 years later, and I still root for her. Would I like the crew to be more diverse? Yes. While the one character of color in the film comes off well, especially compared to pretty much everyone but Ripley, he's still a space janitor. This is a problem, like the token inclusion of the '70's so often was. Still, one roots for him, especially when no one is listening to him talk sense. (Contrast with Idris Elba's captain in Prometheus, though.) So yes, the movie isn't perfect, but hardly anything is, and it kicks Into Darknesses ass on so many levels, even watching it on my living room TV set. Seriously, watch the face hugger close up when they are poking it after it comes off the John Hurt character's face. Damn! So here's to you, Alien, for outlasting the decades with considerably more grace than I've managed.
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(no subject)
Date: 2013-05-26 02:56 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2013-05-27 03:00 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2013-05-28 05:25 am (UTC)I always hesitate to link Cracked pieces as they tend to be a bit absolutist, but I do think this point is worth thinking about.