Zinn's book was a long read. The is substantial in both shear number of pages and in the amount of information packed in between the covers. Because I was reading it during a presidential election cycle between an explicitly corporate man and a centrist made it even more difficult.
Zinn's writing is ponderous. He clearly has a message and never misses an opportunity to bludgeon the reader with it. The research, secondary, and primary sources, are prodigious and drives home the point like a sledgehammer.
Despite the writing, I forged through because I found the story Zinn was telling compelling. It is true that the victors write the history, so when the losers get a chance it is a troubling treat. As part of the mollified middle class, it is disheartening to be reminded that my happiness is a well constructed myth and that in many ways I, along with my peers, have been duped, and are in league with, the rapacious captains of capitalism.
Reading the book I moved between feeling angry and despondent-mostly despondent. I thought that perhaps the best way to effect change was to vote for Romeny and accelerate the rapid decimation of the middle class. I also thought that despite the fact that Obama was part of the grand compromise that kept the existing balance in place, it was better than the pain of revolution. I eventually found a balance by accepting that Zinn and his ilk present a false choice.
It is not the case that the current balance is fundamentally flawed and that it needs to be torn down. The current balance is still weighted towards the haves, and is arguably getting more lopsided, but it is far better than many systems. Revolution will not get us any closer to a healthy balance; it will only get us further away. That doesn't mean we accept the balance. The answer is constant vigilance and never accepting the status quo.
Monday, November 12, 2012
The Artist
The Artist was one of the most praised movies out last year. It was a box office surprise and an award season darling. Normally these things make me suspicious. It is a rare film that is both commercially successful and critically praised. More often than not, it is a marginally entertaining gloss or a tedious, but pretty, attempt to show off important ideas. When it is a silent, black and white movie, my suspicions are heightened.
I am happy to say that The Artist earned its praise. The story, the performances, the amazing use of sound all just work. I was riveted throughout the movie. The actors did a great job of making one feel without words. There was humor and drama. In short, it was excellent.
I am happy to say that The Artist earned its praise. The story, the performances, the amazing use of sound all just work. I was riveted throughout the movie. The actors did a great job of making one feel without words. There was humor and drama. In short, it was excellent.
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Limitless
I had moderate hopes for Limitless, but Brad Cooper's name on the poster should have scared me off. Still the concept seemed ripe for a smart movie that plumed some depths. Hollywood has recently shown that it will make smart blockbusters....
Sadly, this is not one of the smart blockbusters. It is dumb and dull. Instead of digging into the issues raised by chemical enhancement, addiction,the ethics of being "super", or the implications of corporate control of access to healthcare, it punted. The entirety of the side-effects, or any other consideration, is just one more obstacle to be conquered. In the end, the message is that any lazy idiot can pop a pill and become awesome.
The plot is just as sad as the intellectual depth. It plods along predictably with little suspense or stunning action. The acting, if it can be called that, is wooden. The characters are so thin that it is hard to care about them.
I think that I should be paid for the time I spent watching this dreck. $10 should be just about enough.
Sadly, this is not one of the smart blockbusters. It is dumb and dull. Instead of digging into the issues raised by chemical enhancement, addiction,the ethics of being "super", or the implications of corporate control of access to healthcare, it punted. The entirety of the side-effects, or any other consideration, is just one more obstacle to be conquered. In the end, the message is that any lazy idiot can pop a pill and become awesome.
The plot is just as sad as the intellectual depth. It plods along predictably with little suspense or stunning action. The acting, if it can be called that, is wooden. The characters are so thin that it is hard to care about them.
I think that I should be paid for the time I spent watching this dreck. $10 should be just about enough.
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Moonrise Kingdom
Last weekend H and I got a rare opportunity to see a movie! There wasn't much out that we could agree on seeing: other than the lingering Avengers and Dark Knight Rises it was mostly just the typical late summer Hollywood crap polluting the screens.
With some trepidation, and based on a good Kermode review and a 94% Rotten Tomatoes rating, we decided to give the latest Wes Anderson outing, Moonrise Kingdom, a shot.
Most Wes Anderson movies are infuriatingly kooky. It worked alright in The Royal Tannenbaums, but the rest of Anderson's catalog to date has been just too much. In fact, I found most of them to be kooky to the point of smugness. It is almost like he is saying if you don't find this funny, you are too crass to watch the movie. It is a little like Joyce's and Elliot's attitude towards the common reader, except Anderson doesn't have an iota of the talent to earn the attitude.
In Moonrise Kingdom, Anderson is able to temper the kook just enough to make a good movie. It helps that the story is centered around two endearing children and Anderson is smart enough to treat the characters with respect and tenderness. The strong center holds the kookiness of the rest of the movie in check.
The movie also benefits from an excellent performance from Bruce Willis as a downtrodden, good hearted police offer that becomes the surprising hero of the film.
Anderson favorite Bill Murray turns in a workman like performance. Murray's performance is paltry compared to Frances McDormand's portrayal of his wife. She makes you feel the conflicts of being a good mother, good wife, and lusting for more adventure in life. You can see from McDormand's character where Suzy gets her chutzpah.
This movie, like all Anderson movies, is full kookiness. In many ways it adds to the humor and tenderness of the film. It is always, however, threatening to overpower the whole endeavor. It wouldn't take much for the film to devolve into a version of The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou where the kookiness destroys what could have been a smart commentary on family, fame, and obsession.
Ultimately, Anderson is able to restrain his tendencies and make a tender, funny, and smart movie. It is to his credit that he let the strong characters and endearing story dominate the story telling. It is the strong center that works the rest is just window dressing.
With some trepidation, and based on a good Kermode review and a 94% Rotten Tomatoes rating, we decided to give the latest Wes Anderson outing, Moonrise Kingdom, a shot.
Most Wes Anderson movies are infuriatingly kooky. It worked alright in The Royal Tannenbaums, but the rest of Anderson's catalog to date has been just too much. In fact, I found most of them to be kooky to the point of smugness. It is almost like he is saying if you don't find this funny, you are too crass to watch the movie. It is a little like Joyce's and Elliot's attitude towards the common reader, except Anderson doesn't have an iota of the talent to earn the attitude.
In Moonrise Kingdom, Anderson is able to temper the kook just enough to make a good movie. It helps that the story is centered around two endearing children and Anderson is smart enough to treat the characters with respect and tenderness. The strong center holds the kookiness of the rest of the movie in check.
The movie also benefits from an excellent performance from Bruce Willis as a downtrodden, good hearted police offer that becomes the surprising hero of the film.
Anderson favorite Bill Murray turns in a workman like performance. Murray's performance is paltry compared to Frances McDormand's portrayal of his wife. She makes you feel the conflicts of being a good mother, good wife, and lusting for more adventure in life. You can see from McDormand's character where Suzy gets her chutzpah.
This movie, like all Anderson movies, is full kookiness. In many ways it adds to the humor and tenderness of the film. It is always, however, threatening to overpower the whole endeavor. It wouldn't take much for the film to devolve into a version of The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou where the kookiness destroys what could have been a smart commentary on family, fame, and obsession.
Ultimately, Anderson is able to restrain his tendencies and make a tender, funny, and smart movie. It is to his credit that he let the strong characters and endearing story dominate the story telling. It is the strong center that works the rest is just window dressing.
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Fatherhood
It's been two years since Bug joined our family. It hardly seems like it could be that long ago and it feels like an eternity. Mostly, it feels great; terrifying, overwhelming, joyous, proud, thrilling....
I now understand what people mean when the say a child takes over your life. Bug takes a lot of time and energy. It feels like our job is to entertain, and feed, her and there are no mandated eight hour work days. She is on the go from 6am to 7pm, with a few hours of napping (most days). It is exhausting and frustrating, and yet the most fun I know how to have. It really isn't a job because it is amazing, and tiring and frustrating and head wracking.
The past two years have been and incredible ride. I look at Bug and cannot believe that she was the tiny baby in all the pictures. She is a little girl now. She is talking in sentences; often we have no idea what she is saying, ,but they are definitely sentences. She runs, climbs, feeds herself, and has definite opinions about what she wants and doesn't. Her favorite phrases are "Me do!" and "Why?".
Both phrases are the best and worst of dealing with a two year old. It is great that she is so curious and independent. It is crazy making when she insists on doing things like changing her own diaper or spending 20 minute trying to put a shirt on when we are trying to get out the door for work. Coming up with answers for the tenth why occasionally makes me want to bang my head against a hard surface repeatedly. There are times when I almost resort to the "because I said so" non-answer. When I am quick enough to remember that she can answer questions, I do pull out the "I don't know, do you know why?"
One of the most incredible parts of the journey has been how much it has changed my life. I have developed much better eating habits and started brushing my teeth twice a day. I have learned to be more present in each moment. I have discovered wells of patience I never knew I had. I have learned to be more cognizant of my own behavior and how it effects those around me. Everyday I feel like I've grown a little bit.
The growth springs from my fervent desire to give Bug the best life possible. That means being able to play with her and take her into the wilderness for explorations. I want to instill a love of being active and nature. It means that I need to be a good role model and a good coach. It means being aware of how what we do today effects the future.
Parenthood is, while daunting, frustrating, wearisome, etc, is also the most important, rewarding, and challenging thing I will ever do. It is my labor of love.
I now understand what people mean when the say a child takes over your life. Bug takes a lot of time and energy. It feels like our job is to entertain, and feed, her and there are no mandated eight hour work days. She is on the go from 6am to 7pm, with a few hours of napping (most days). It is exhausting and frustrating, and yet the most fun I know how to have. It really isn't a job because it is amazing, and tiring and frustrating and head wracking.
The past two years have been and incredible ride. I look at Bug and cannot believe that she was the tiny baby in all the pictures. She is a little girl now. She is talking in sentences; often we have no idea what she is saying, ,but they are definitely sentences. She runs, climbs, feeds herself, and has definite opinions about what she wants and doesn't. Her favorite phrases are "Me do!" and "Why?".
Both phrases are the best and worst of dealing with a two year old. It is great that she is so curious and independent. It is crazy making when she insists on doing things like changing her own diaper or spending 20 minute trying to put a shirt on when we are trying to get out the door for work. Coming up with answers for the tenth why occasionally makes me want to bang my head against a hard surface repeatedly. There are times when I almost resort to the "because I said so" non-answer. When I am quick enough to remember that she can answer questions, I do pull out the "I don't know, do you know why?"
One of the most incredible parts of the journey has been how much it has changed my life. I have developed much better eating habits and started brushing my teeth twice a day. I have learned to be more present in each moment. I have discovered wells of patience I never knew I had. I have learned to be more cognizant of my own behavior and how it effects those around me. Everyday I feel like I've grown a little bit.
The growth springs from my fervent desire to give Bug the best life possible. That means being able to play with her and take her into the wilderness for explorations. I want to instill a love of being active and nature. It means that I need to be a good role model and a good coach. It means being aware of how what we do today effects the future.
Parenthood is, while daunting, frustrating, wearisome, etc, is also the most important, rewarding, and challenging thing I will ever do. It is my labor of love.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Thor
Thor finally made it onto Netflix, so when H announced she needed to go to the mall for something I took my rare opportunity to watch a full length geek boy movie. I enjoyed the pure escapism for a couple of hours.
Make no mistakes, Thor is not a great movie, but it is a good popcorn super hero movie. It lacks the depth o f Nolan's Batman, the edge of Iron Man, and the heart of X-Men. However, it is significantly better than either of the recent Hulk outings, the last few Superman outings, and the last Wolverine movie.
It pulls off a delicate balancing act. The principles clearly know that this is comic book movie, but they take it seriously enough to give solid performances based on a well written script. The big set pieces and special effects are first rate. The plot moves along at a decent clip. It does feel a little jumbled when switching between locations and the script never does anything to explain it away. The love story doesn't really ring true. It is hard to see how a smart woman would fall for a big lunkhead in the time provided, but it never really matters much to the story. Perhaps in the sequel the love story will matter and become more flushed out.
Hemsworth does a great job as Thor. He certainly looks the part. His wooden acting style fits the character's haughty nature. Portman does her usual good work. She is believable as a scientist.
The true star of the movie is Loki. He is deliciously malevolent. Even before he turns completely dark, you can see his mean streak and his underlying shifty nature. Yet he still retains a small morsel of my sympathy because he really does love Thor and his family. He wants to be loved, trusted, and honored for his strengths. It is his insecurity and jealousy that get the best of him.
I'm torn about wanting to see the inevitable sequel. While not a classic, Thor was a solid piece of escapist comic book fun. Sequels, think Iron Man 2 and the X-Men sequels, usually fall short of the original. For a movie like this falling short puts it squarely into rubbish category. On the other hand, there have been sequels that surpassed the original such as The Dark Night. If Marvel can pull that off, the result could be an excellent movie. There is certainly enough material to work with.
Make no mistakes, Thor is not a great movie, but it is a good popcorn super hero movie. It lacks the depth o f Nolan's Batman, the edge of Iron Man, and the heart of X-Men. However, it is significantly better than either of the recent Hulk outings, the last few Superman outings, and the last Wolverine movie.
It pulls off a delicate balancing act. The principles clearly know that this is comic book movie, but they take it seriously enough to give solid performances based on a well written script. The big set pieces and special effects are first rate. The plot moves along at a decent clip. It does feel a little jumbled when switching between locations and the script never does anything to explain it away. The love story doesn't really ring true. It is hard to see how a smart woman would fall for a big lunkhead in the time provided, but it never really matters much to the story. Perhaps in the sequel the love story will matter and become more flushed out.
Hemsworth does a great job as Thor. He certainly looks the part. His wooden acting style fits the character's haughty nature. Portman does her usual good work. She is believable as a scientist.
The true star of the movie is Loki. He is deliciously malevolent. Even before he turns completely dark, you can see his mean streak and his underlying shifty nature. Yet he still retains a small morsel of my sympathy because he really does love Thor and his family. He wants to be loved, trusted, and honored for his strengths. It is his insecurity and jealousy that get the best of him.
I'm torn about wanting to see the inevitable sequel. While not a classic, Thor was a solid piece of escapist comic book fun. Sequels, think Iron Man 2 and the X-Men sequels, usually fall short of the original. For a movie like this falling short puts it squarely into rubbish category. On the other hand, there have been sequels that surpassed the original such as The Dark Night. If Marvel can pull that off, the result could be an excellent movie. There is certainly enough material to work with.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
The Pirates!
After nearly two years, H and I finally got out to see a movie in a theater. Instead of jumping into something heavy, we decided for lighter fare: The Pirates! Band of Misfits (In the rest of the English speaking world, where they are not afraid of science, the subtitle is Adventures with Scientists.
It is an Ardman claymation film. Ardman are the people who created Wallace and Grommet, Chicken Run, and Sean the Sheep. As one would expect from Ardman, the film looks incredible. I am always amazed at how detailed and lush their films look. The characters are amazingly expressive. They have facial expressions, body postures, and movements that are, in some cases, even more expressive than what you can get from a human actor. The backgrounds were equally detailed. Some of them are digital, but they all flow together seamlessly. We saw it in 2D and I cannot see how 3D would do anything to improve the visuals. It would probably detract from the experience by being a distraction.
The story was OK. It had a good number of laughs and a wicked portrayal of Queen Elizabeth. Overall, it is a pretty standard issue story for a family movie. The writing will appeal to kids and adults alike. H felt like the first part of the movie dragged a bit, but I didn't mind the beginning at all.
The most impressive thing about the movie was the craftsmanship. It was clearly made by people who care about turning out high quality products. The movie was years in the making and it shows. It is a stark contrast to a lot of the poop that studios crank out simply for a buck. If you want to support quality, skip Transformers, John Carter, G. I. Joe and all of the cookie cutter romance movies spit out from the Sparks factory, and see Pirates!.
It is an Ardman claymation film. Ardman are the people who created Wallace and Grommet, Chicken Run, and Sean the Sheep. As one would expect from Ardman, the film looks incredible. I am always amazed at how detailed and lush their films look. The characters are amazingly expressive. They have facial expressions, body postures, and movements that are, in some cases, even more expressive than what you can get from a human actor. The backgrounds were equally detailed. Some of them are digital, but they all flow together seamlessly. We saw it in 2D and I cannot see how 3D would do anything to improve the visuals. It would probably detract from the experience by being a distraction.
The story was OK. It had a good number of laughs and a wicked portrayal of Queen Elizabeth. Overall, it is a pretty standard issue story for a family movie. The writing will appeal to kids and adults alike. H felt like the first part of the movie dragged a bit, but I didn't mind the beginning at all.
The most impressive thing about the movie was the craftsmanship. It was clearly made by people who care about turning out high quality products. The movie was years in the making and it shows. It is a stark contrast to a lot of the poop that studios crank out simply for a buck. If you want to support quality, skip Transformers, John Carter, G. I. Joe and all of the cookie cutter romance movies spit out from the Sparks factory, and see Pirates!.
Friday, May 4, 2012
Habenaros
For H's birthday we got a sitter and did "adult" things: eat, drink, and see a movie. Our initial plan was to eat at Bison County, but H wanted to go to Tempo. Tempo is closed on Sundays....
Then we remembered that there was a new Mexican place, Habenaros, on the corner of Moody and Newton. We were initially skeptical that it would be any good since most of the restaurants that have occupied the space were take out joints that lasted about six months.
We felt adventurous and checked out the menu. The menu looked good and the insides made it clear that the joint was a sit down eatery. We decided to take the risk. Bad Mexican food is still pretty decent. It is hard to totally ruin.
The first thing we did was checkout the drink menu. It was fairly standard save for one thing: infused tequila. The take top shelf tequila and add in fresh cut fruits and other things to add a twist to the flavor. We decided on Margaritas with infused tequila. H went with a peach and I went with a spicy jalapeño, mango. They were both yummy. The infusions were subtle and added to the drink without radically altering the basic flavor.
The food was basic, but good. We got nachos with chicken, mole chicken enchiladas, and a vegetable burrito. The nachos were the most interesting thing we got. The chicken was grilled over an open flame and had a little bit of a kick. The enchiladas and the burrito were both excellent, but basically what you would expect from a high end Mexican restaurant.
The prices were pretty reasonable. We managed to get out for around $50. I felt it was reasonable for two top shelf drinks, an appetizer, and two entrées.
I would definitely go back.
Then we remembered that there was a new Mexican place, Habenaros, on the corner of Moody and Newton. We were initially skeptical that it would be any good since most of the restaurants that have occupied the space were take out joints that lasted about six months.
We felt adventurous and checked out the menu. The menu looked good and the insides made it clear that the joint was a sit down eatery. We decided to take the risk. Bad Mexican food is still pretty decent. It is hard to totally ruin.
The first thing we did was checkout the drink menu. It was fairly standard save for one thing: infused tequila. The take top shelf tequila and add in fresh cut fruits and other things to add a twist to the flavor. We decided on Margaritas with infused tequila. H went with a peach and I went with a spicy jalapeño, mango. They were both yummy. The infusions were subtle and added to the drink without radically altering the basic flavor.
The food was basic, but good. We got nachos with chicken, mole chicken enchiladas, and a vegetable burrito. The nachos were the most interesting thing we got. The chicken was grilled over an open flame and had a little bit of a kick. The enchiladas and the burrito were both excellent, but basically what you would expect from a high end Mexican restaurant.
The prices were pretty reasonable. We managed to get out for around $50. I felt it was reasonable for two top shelf drinks, an appetizer, and two entrées.
I would definitely go back.
Friday, March 2, 2012
Keeping Track of Everything
It is no secret that I suffer from gadgetophilia. What is a little surprising to me is my love of data. I always thought that tracking a paddle on GPS was useful while on the water, and it was fun to see your speed at the end of the trip. I never really thought I'd be interested in that data later.
A few years ago I got a Garmin Forerunner as a cycling computer. It track cadence, speed, heart rate, and your course. It also let's you down load the data to a computer for tracking your workouts. I figured what the heck, it would be cool to see where I've been riding. Now, I have three years of ride data and I constantly compare new rides with past rides to track my progress. It is a little bit of an obsession.
I've also been keeping track of my weight because my doctor told me it was the best way to diet. Seeing the trend line would keep me motivated. It never really worked, but I did it anyway. The graph was sort of neat. When our scale died a few weeks ago, I wanted one that would automatically track my weight. I ended up with the Withings scale. It records weight, BMI, and body composition data and automatically uploads it to the Web. I find this super cool and love looking at the graph.
This obsession with data extends to photos as well. I love the way iPhoto can show where a picture was taken and I love the fact that my iPhone automatically ads that information. It save me from compulsively adding the data manually. If I have to I do while I'm adding face data, because that is super cool too.
Initially I worried that maybe keeping track of all this stuff was unhealthy; it was just another time killing obsession. As I thought about it more I realized that it was just another form of journalling in a sense and that some of the data was actually helpful. In fact, human beings have been obsessed with keeping track of things forever. Technology just makes it easier.
I have always been a journal keeper. Writing things down started out as a crazy teenage dream about having source material for an autobiography for when I was famous. Then it became a creative outlet and a way to work out the stresses of life. The journal is also a good way to keep things in perspective. It provides a window to the past, both good and bad, that can help refocus what is happening in the present. It can also provide clues as to what is happening in the present-sort of like medical records.
The face and places data with the photos serves a similar role. It provides context for the pictures. It adds to the memory. It also makes the photos easier to find.
The workout data and the weight data doesn't serve a real memory purpose, but they do help in keeping track of your health. I can easily see that last summer I was in better shape than I am now. That is no surprise since the stationary bike is easier than a real bike. I can also easily see that I am in better shape at this year than I was at the same time last year. So, when I drag the real bike out of the garage, I will be able to gage what is a good starting point for training. When my health anxiety gets going good I can see proof that I'm in good physical shape.
I think that the data craze is here to stay and not just for me. Anyone can keep and track reams of data about themselves cheaply and easily. For a hundred dollars you can buy a wrist band that monitors your activity throughout the day and monitor the quality of your sleep. With a smartphone you do even more.
Applications like Facebook, Pintrest, and Intagram are more ways we keep records of our lives. They are taking the place of journals, folders, and photo albums. Just easier to update, store, and share.
Of course the downside of all this is that companies now have access to all of this information too. When it was written on paper in your drawer or in your bookcase, you controlled access to the information. Now Facebook, Google, Apple, Garmin, Fitbit, and other companies can use the data for their own ends. You just have to trust them to be good shepherds and not sell your data to the wolves.
That is probably easier with companies that view you as their customer instead of their product.... So it pays to know the business model of the companies who have your data.
A few years ago I got a Garmin Forerunner as a cycling computer. It track cadence, speed, heart rate, and your course. It also let's you down load the data to a computer for tracking your workouts. I figured what the heck, it would be cool to see where I've been riding. Now, I have three years of ride data and I constantly compare new rides with past rides to track my progress. It is a little bit of an obsession.
I've also been keeping track of my weight because my doctor told me it was the best way to diet. Seeing the trend line would keep me motivated. It never really worked, but I did it anyway. The graph was sort of neat. When our scale died a few weeks ago, I wanted one that would automatically track my weight. I ended up with the Withings scale. It records weight, BMI, and body composition data and automatically uploads it to the Web. I find this super cool and love looking at the graph.
This obsession with data extends to photos as well. I love the way iPhoto can show where a picture was taken and I love the fact that my iPhone automatically ads that information. It save me from compulsively adding the data manually. If I have to I do while I'm adding face data, because that is super cool too.
Initially I worried that maybe keeping track of all this stuff was unhealthy; it was just another time killing obsession. As I thought about it more I realized that it was just another form of journalling in a sense and that some of the data was actually helpful. In fact, human beings have been obsessed with keeping track of things forever. Technology just makes it easier.
I have always been a journal keeper. Writing things down started out as a crazy teenage dream about having source material for an autobiography for when I was famous. Then it became a creative outlet and a way to work out the stresses of life. The journal is also a good way to keep things in perspective. It provides a window to the past, both good and bad, that can help refocus what is happening in the present. It can also provide clues as to what is happening in the present-sort of like medical records.
The face and places data with the photos serves a similar role. It provides context for the pictures. It adds to the memory. It also makes the photos easier to find.
The workout data and the weight data doesn't serve a real memory purpose, but they do help in keeping track of your health. I can easily see that last summer I was in better shape than I am now. That is no surprise since the stationary bike is easier than a real bike. I can also easily see that I am in better shape at this year than I was at the same time last year. So, when I drag the real bike out of the garage, I will be able to gage what is a good starting point for training. When my health anxiety gets going good I can see proof that I'm in good physical shape.
I think that the data craze is here to stay and not just for me. Anyone can keep and track reams of data about themselves cheaply and easily. For a hundred dollars you can buy a wrist band that monitors your activity throughout the day and monitor the quality of your sleep. With a smartphone you do even more.
Applications like Facebook, Pintrest, and Intagram are more ways we keep records of our lives. They are taking the place of journals, folders, and photo albums. Just easier to update, store, and share.
Of course the downside of all this is that companies now have access to all of this information too. When it was written on paper in your drawer or in your bookcase, you controlled access to the information. Now Facebook, Google, Apple, Garmin, Fitbit, and other companies can use the data for their own ends. You just have to trust them to be good shepherds and not sell your data to the wolves.
That is probably easier with companies that view you as their customer instead of their product.... So it pays to know the business model of the companies who have your data.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Troll Hunter
Troll Hunter is a low budget Scandinavian found footage movie about a three college kids who are making a documentary about a troll hunter. I know it sounds totally pants, but it is actually quite good. (Full disclosure I was sick on the couch with a stomach flu when I watched it.) The story is surprisingly interesting and the characters are surprisingly well realized.
The whole idea is that this group of friends set out to film a bear hunt, but instead stumble across a giant government cover up. Trolls are real, the government knows, and has an agency dedicated to keeping trolls and humans safe from each other. There are designated troll habitats and as long as the trolls stay on their own land everything is fine. When one leaves and starts causing trouble like killing cows or hikers, the TSS sends out Hans to deal with the troll. Once the troll is taken care of clean up crews come in and make things look like say a rabid bear or a tornado. It is vaguely Men in Blackish.
The movie looks good too. The shots of the Norwegian countryside are spectacular. The effects for the trolls are the perfect blend of cheap and well done. Trolls are clunky creatures. The interior shots are sufficiently bleak to set the tone of Hans. The found footage trope mostly works. The chase scenes early on are enhanced by it, but by the end it was a little distracting.
The movie also has an underlying moral message about living in harmony with nature. Trolls aren't evil. They are just wild animals whose habitat is threatened.
I'd recommend Troll Hunter as a pay rental. It was good fun for a sick day.
The whole idea is that this group of friends set out to film a bear hunt, but instead stumble across a giant government cover up. Trolls are real, the government knows, and has an agency dedicated to keeping trolls and humans safe from each other. There are designated troll habitats and as long as the trolls stay on their own land everything is fine. When one leaves and starts causing trouble like killing cows or hikers, the TSS sends out Hans to deal with the troll. Once the troll is taken care of clean up crews come in and make things look like say a rabid bear or a tornado. It is vaguely Men in Blackish.
The movie looks good too. The shots of the Norwegian countryside are spectacular. The effects for the trolls are the perfect blend of cheap and well done. Trolls are clunky creatures. The interior shots are sufficiently bleak to set the tone of Hans. The found footage trope mostly works. The chase scenes early on are enhanced by it, but by the end it was a little distracting.
The movie also has an underlying moral message about living in harmony with nature. Trolls aren't evil. They are just wild animals whose habitat is threatened.
I'd recommend Troll Hunter as a pay rental. It was good fun for a sick day.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Chuck is Over
Chuck was one of my favorite shows of all time. I know it was often ridiculous and had plot holes a space shuttle could fly through, but the show's heart was in the right place. It offered up likable characters that I genuinely wanted to succeed. Even the superfluous characters like Jefster and Morgan had a certain charm.
I am sad that the show is over and even sadder at the way it ended. I wasn't expecting a great ending that displayed all of the best parts of the show. Finales usually don't hit that mark and most wouldn't work if they tried. A finale is for wrapping things up and sending the heroes into the sunset. On one level the Chuck finale succeeded in that it wrapped up the spying and sent the characters into the sunset.
The thing that really got me was that they didn't let Chuck and Sara have their happy ending. All of the other characters, even Jefster, saw their dreams realized and moved onto the next stage of their lives. Meanwhile Chuck and Sara are left wondering if they will ever get their life back. The writers do drop a lot of hints that it will all work out and Sara will get her memory back, but they leave the question hanging. I choose to believe that the kiss is the key and that, like Morgan, Sara will get the important parts of her memory back. However, it would have been better if the writers answered the question before the sunset. It is not like there will be a sequel or a movie to finish things up. Chuck was generally a show that showed all of its cards. Leaving this key card hidden feels gratuitous and out of character for the show. Chuck and Sara were the center of the show and deserved a neater bow.
I am sad that the show is over and even sadder at the way it ended. I wasn't expecting a great ending that displayed all of the best parts of the show. Finales usually don't hit that mark and most wouldn't work if they tried. A finale is for wrapping things up and sending the heroes into the sunset. On one level the Chuck finale succeeded in that it wrapped up the spying and sent the characters into the sunset.
The thing that really got me was that they didn't let Chuck and Sara have their happy ending. All of the other characters, even Jefster, saw their dreams realized and moved onto the next stage of their lives. Meanwhile Chuck and Sara are left wondering if they will ever get their life back. The writers do drop a lot of hints that it will all work out and Sara will get her memory back, but they leave the question hanging. I choose to believe that the kiss is the key and that, like Morgan, Sara will get the important parts of her memory back. However, it would have been better if the writers answered the question before the sunset. It is not like there will be a sequel or a movie to finish things up. Chuck was generally a show that showed all of its cards. Leaving this key card hidden feels gratuitous and out of character for the show. Chuck and Sara were the center of the show and deserved a neater bow.
Monday, January 30, 2012
The Fighter
H and I watched The Fighter on Netflix this past weekend. I found it to be Rocky for the artsy crowd. The plot is the typical stuff. Without knowing any of the real life story of Micky Ward, I knew the basic plot five minutes into the movie. It didn't matter much since I like a good zero to hero redemption tale. I like it even more when there is fighting involved.
What makes The Fighter special are the performances. The male leads, Whalberg and Bale, are excellent.
Whalberg plays Micky with deft physicality. It would have been easy for Micky to be seen as dull or even a tool, but Whalberg brings the character's grace and strength to the fore.
Bale does the opposite. He takes a manic and overly verbal joke and humanizes him. Dicky could easily have become annoying and unlikable. He talks too much and sucks the oxygen out of the room. In Bale's capable hands, however, Dicky becomes human. Even early in the movie, you can see the love and loyalty alongside the fear and desperation in Dicky. It makes the transformation at the end of the movie believable.
I recommend seeing this movie. It has a good, if predictable, story that showcases several great performances.
What makes The Fighter special are the performances. The male leads, Whalberg and Bale, are excellent.
Whalberg plays Micky with deft physicality. It would have been easy for Micky to be seen as dull or even a tool, but Whalberg brings the character's grace and strength to the fore.
Bale does the opposite. He takes a manic and overly verbal joke and humanizes him. Dicky could easily have become annoying and unlikable. He talks too much and sucks the oxygen out of the room. In Bale's capable hands, however, Dicky becomes human. Even early in the movie, you can see the love and loyalty alongside the fear and desperation in Dicky. It makes the transformation at the end of the movie believable.
I recommend seeing this movie. It has a good, if predictable, story that showcases several great performances.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Your Highness
Given the awesome cast signed up to this film, I had high hopes. I should have remembered that the quality of a movie is often inversely proportional to the number of hot stars that are in it.
The performances are passable, but it is pretty obvious that Natalie Portman is not a comedic actor and neither is James Franco. While they have superb dramatic skills, they were unable to find the sweet spot for a satiric performance that was funny because it was supposed to be and not because it was so bad.
The humor also was a let down. The jokes relied too heavily on homo jokes and dick jokes. Sure one or two jokes about macho men being unknowingly gay is funny, but an hour and forty minutes of it is wearing. The rest of the dick jokes were just lame.
I certainly hope that Portman and Franco look back on this movie as a bad mistake. Maybe they will feel guilty enough to make up for the hours wasted by people watching this shlock. If I wasn't trapped on a plane for three hours I would have walked out of this just after seeing Portman semi-nude. That is the only good thing in the whole film.
The performances are passable, but it is pretty obvious that Natalie Portman is not a comedic actor and neither is James Franco. While they have superb dramatic skills, they were unable to find the sweet spot for a satiric performance that was funny because it was supposed to be and not because it was so bad.
The humor also was a let down. The jokes relied too heavily on homo jokes and dick jokes. Sure one or two jokes about macho men being unknowingly gay is funny, but an hour and forty minutes of it is wearing. The rest of the dick jokes were just lame.
I certainly hope that Portman and Franco look back on this movie as a bad mistake. Maybe they will feel guilty enough to make up for the hours wasted by people watching this shlock. If I wasn't trapped on a plane for three hours I would have walked out of this just after seeing Portman semi-nude. That is the only good thing in the whole film.
2012
So this is the last year of the Mayan calendar, so the world might end in December. If that is the case, which I doubt, there is a lot of living left to squeeze into the year....
For me, less is usually more so I'm not going to clutter the year up with lots of big plans and lofty must accomplish goals. Instead, I'm going to set myself a few things to guide how I live this year:
1. I'm going to value time with my family over time at work.
2. I will do my best in all things that I do.
3. I will read indiscriminately.
4. I will prefer outdoor time to screen time.
5. I will stay active.
6. I will eat healthy with the occasional chocolate and ice cream.
7. I will try to relax.
These are just guiding principles. They are not mandates. They are not goals to be reached.
Mandates, goals, resolutions are just another way to beat yourself up. They are carrots to chase and hoops to jump through on the way to the next goal. They are not a way to live a life.
If they Mayans were right, I don't want to be looking back from the end of the world wishing I had accomplished some goal. I want to be happy knowing that I had lived life.
For me, less is usually more so I'm not going to clutter the year up with lots of big plans and lofty must accomplish goals. Instead, I'm going to set myself a few things to guide how I live this year:
1. I'm going to value time with my family over time at work.
2. I will do my best in all things that I do.
3. I will read indiscriminately.
4. I will prefer outdoor time to screen time.
5. I will stay active.
6. I will eat healthy with the occasional chocolate and ice cream.
7. I will try to relax.
These are just guiding principles. They are not mandates. They are not goals to be reached.
Mandates, goals, resolutions are just another way to beat yourself up. They are carrots to chase and hoops to jump through on the way to the next goal. They are not a way to live a life.
If they Mayans were right, I don't want to be looking back from the end of the world wishing I had accomplished some goal. I want to be happy knowing that I had lived life.
Friday, January 13, 2012
Thursday, January 12, 2012
ChronicTaco
While wandering around the suburbs of Vegas looking for food, I found Chronic Tacos in an oasis of strip mall stores. It is a small taco and burrito joint with a distinctly skate punk decor. Don't let the decor put you off though, the food is good if you are looking for basic burritos or tacos. I got a chicken burrito with hot salsa and it was on par with Chipolte Grill. The chips were also excellent.
The ordering process was similar to other joints in the genre. You tell them what you want and they custom build your meal out of the available meats, rices, beans and toppings. All of the food was fresh, but I'm not sure how local, GM free, or organic it was. They kid who served me also had a distinctly skater punk feel, but the other workers looked very Mexican. All of them were polite and efficient.
Overall I enjoyed the meal. If I lived in Vegas, I'd considered making Chronic Taco a regular joint.
The ordering process was similar to other joints in the genre. You tell them what you want and they custom build your meal out of the available meats, rices, beans and toppings. All of the food was fresh, but I'm not sure how local, GM free, or organic it was. They kid who served me also had a distinctly skater punk feel, but the other workers looked very Mexican. All of them were polite and efficient.
Overall I enjoyed the meal. If I lived in Vegas, I'd considered making Chronic Taco a regular joint.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Source Code
Rented Source Code on iTunes for a flight today. It was an interesting film. I'm not sure I liked the twist at the end, but it was kind of cool. For me there were two things that made it so compelling: the acting and the premiss. All of the actors do a great job making the characters real. Gyllenhall's war hero chopper pilot is both inspiring and heart breaking. You want him to succeed and get the girl and find some peace. The actor that plays his handler paints an equally compelling character. You can see the conflict in her. She knows her duty and will see the mission through. You also see the pain it causes her to use another soldier this way.
The idea that you can relive the last eight minutes of a person's life is interesting. The idea that you can use those eight minutes as the basis for a role playing game is out there. The idea that you can use those eight minutes to relive the past is crazy, but fascinating. Can you do that without altering the time line? Is it all just a computer simulation? If it is just a simulation how can you trust that the "facts" that are uncovered aren't just ghosts in the machine? Is it really time travel?
The who done it and the love story are almost ancillary. They are required to give the characters something to do and some way to make the premise tangible. They are handled well enough to make the film work.
I do recommend the movie. I think it would be better on a big screen although I didn't find the small screen detracted too much.
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