There's a disturbing trend starting to emerge from the new administration and it's counterpart in congress
I was watching a commercial on TV, where this poor veteran who had served this great country honorably in war, is forced to thank the "people of Venezuela" for oil handouts courtesy of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's empty largess, by way of Joe Kennedy's vanity, or rather his Citizen's Energy program. And it got me thinking, just what was President Obama's response to President Hugo Chavez's so called election abolishing term limits? This was an election which basically removed any pretense of a democracy in Venezuela, as if that were really a question anyway. It turns out, Obama's state department didn't really have a problem with it.…
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176 - Clavos
Heh, Doc. Great minds, etc.
177 - Roger Nowosielski
I think she expanded on STM's #41 somewhat - wasn't exact quote.
178 - Roger Nowosielski
You should remember Kurt Vonnegut's "Harrison Bergeron" - short story made into a movie. Except they don't have to put a contraption on. It's already intact.
179 - Dr Dreadful
I remember seeing that movie a few years ago. Sean Astin and Christopher Plummer, IIRC. Pretty astute satire.
180 - Ruvy
Lisa's analysis is Stan's #41. She was quoting him (as she indicated in her post).
Yeah, I guess she was, wasn't she? I did kinda the same thing in Dave Nalle's article (that's pronounced NAWL as in "th-th-that's awl folks!). I quoted Stan. But I still like Uncle Jay Kamen's versions better. At least I get to laugh about it.
Reading it all here just pisses me off....
181 - Roger Nowosielski
Right. The short story is only 4-5 pages long, but the movie cleverly explores it. Kind of like "Clockwork Orange," except it's the state that does the violence to the people - to avert the Third American Revolution. And they do so by numbing them. The point being - the device may not be necessary. It's already in effect.
182 - Roger Nowosielski
Ruvy,
Then you'll also like the one that Cindy posted in #72 on "Economic Crisis" thread.
183 - Ruvy
Then you'll also like the one that Cindy posted in #72 on "Economic Crisis" thread.
Roger, I wanted to see that video but at the time, my computer was being hobbled by an antivirus program that continually scanned incoming files and made the computer work as fast as something out of 1985.
Having disabled the offending auntie-virus, (I caned her into submission) I can go and attempt to watch the video.
184 - Roger Nowosielski
Do it when you can. It's in the tradition of "Monty Python." You'll love it if you have appreciate British humor.
185 - zingzing
handyguy: "Zing, you actually...like Michael Haneke? Yikes. Check Metacritic to see the amusingly appalled reviews the remake of Funny Games got. The trailer was enough to scare me away."
i really like movies that are painful to watch. like irreversible, happiness, visitor q, funny games, etc. and yeah, i like michael haneke. he splits critics right down the middle. a few critics will absolutely love him and say he's the best thing ever, but many will be sickened by him. he provokes strong, complex reactions, which is better than the spielbergian "meh."
"Actually, Cache [Hidden] is pretty decent. But some of his stuff is reminiscent of that other horrible Eurotrash nihilist, Lars von Trier."
true, but i like lars von trier some of the time as well. dogville was excellent. some of his other stuff isn't so grand. haneke is probably a nihilist. or, at least he hates the viewer.
186 - roger nowosielski
What about David Lynch, zing? Don't you just love him?
187 - zingzing
not really, roger. dunno why, but i've come to the conclusion that the trick to all of david lynch's movies is that he is david lynch and you are not.
188 - roger nowosielski
Well, he's quite a dedicated director, hands-on in every respect. Quite dedicated to his trade. My favorite of course, "The Twin Peaks" series.
It's amazing, though, how much of what a movie you end up seeing at the end is slowly arrived at through editing and re-editing to no end. It's an eye-opener.
189 - zingzing
well, it depends on my mood really. sometimes i think lynch should get his head out of his sick, sick ass. and sometimes, i think he's quite brilliant. if i have one reaction, i can't figure out how i ever had the other. but such is life.
190 - roger nowosielski
Personally, I just think he had become too iconic before due time, and now it's messing with his head. So he feels he must outdo himself every time out. To live up to his reputation.
191 - Cindy
zing,
i looked at some youtube videos of funny games yesterday when i saw you post that. i also saw an interview with haneke discussing it. good interview.
but...OMG...if the idea is to disturb, i think it would take a lot less to disturb me.
192 - Cindy
i couldn't take it. not even just the tiny bit i saw.
193 - zingzing
the thing is, cindy, that it's disturbing as hell, but there is very little actual onscreen violence. it plays out in your head. it's also hilarious, which doubles the guilt.
and roger, i'll agree with that. he has to out-lynch himself.
194 - roger nowosielski
Want to see a gory movie? See "The Perfume."
195 - Cindy
zing,
if you can get a hold of it sometime, i recommend one of my two favs...
what happened was...
by tom noonan.
What Happened Was... is a 1994 independent film written, directed by and starring Tom Noonan. It is an adaptation of Noonan's original play of the same name. It depicts two people on a first date; their conversation gradually reveals their hidden personalities. (Wikipedia)
not violent...but, very strange.
196 - zingzing
i'll keep an eye out for it. i think i've read something by this noonan guy, but i can't quite recall.