Entertainment, Films, reviews

Film Review: Funny People

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Title: Funny People
Year: 2009
Director: Judd Apatow
Writer: Judd Apatow
Starring: Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen, Leslie Mann, Eric Bana, Jonah Hill, Jason Schwartzman
IMDb Rating: 7.5/10
My Rating: C
NOTE: 7s on IMDB are like 8s or Bs, because the currently highest rated film, The Shawshank Redemption, is 9.2. So, this movie geek’s rating is slightly lower than the movie geeks’ rating over at IMDb.

SPOILERS!: DON’T READ, IF YOU HAVEN’T SEEN FILM YET!

Plot: Old yeller, bitter comedian, George Simmons (Adam Sandler) is suffering from a terminal illness and is simultaneously still in love with the woman he cheated on over a decade ago, whom has moved on and his married with children. He enlists a young, up start comedian, Ira Wright (Seth Rogen) as his personal assistant and joke writer. Simmons becomes closer to the people in his life, now that he is losing his life, until he learns that the illness has faded and he will be fine for now. Simmons comes to the conclusion that he can’t fix the issues in his life and have everything he wants. The film closes with Ira and him happily working on promising comedy.
NOTE: not full plot, go to other sites or wikipedia for a better description haha.

My Opinion: It was a decent flick, but I’d advise y’all to rent it, watch it on demand, or you can go through your illegal means of acquiring it, I don’t care. But, I’d say it’s not worth paying the ludicrous amount of money it is for movie tickets these days. I went in (based on the trailer) thinking this would be in the same vain of other Apatow flicks like The 40 Year Old Virgin and Knocked Up, which greatly combined comedy and drama. With there being mostly memorable comedy, with some drama carefully calculated into the recipe. But, instead it was mostly drama. I only laughed out loud a few times, not enough for a “comedy.” In fact, my cousin went as far to state it should have been called “Serious People” ahah. Also, the movie was way too long. Wayyy too long. 146 minutes is dragging on. On the other hand, the acting was good, the characters were fairly well developed and the comedy that was there was funny, particularly Jason Schwartzman’s character.

Chris

Books

Meltdown Book Review

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Meltdown – (Thomas Woods Jr.)
A pretty damn good analysis of why we are in the shitter. It’s ‘cuz of regulation, duh! What’s not to see?! Woods Jr.’s standpoint is of the laissez faire Austrian economics variety, a view which always had me subconsciously thinking laissez faire is a gateway to consumer capitalism. But hold on…Woods Jr. instead makes a valid point in saying that we can’t spend our way out of a recession. He encourages saving. His argument, though quite repetitive, must be evaluated by everyone who thinks they know what is going on. Fed Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke needs to read this book! Woods Jr. got me shouting “End the Fed” at various points throughout. The book also acts as a nice little lesson in Austrian economics.

Grade: 9.0 out of 10

Crime, Entertainment, Films, Lists

Tarantino’s Top 20 Since ’92!

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I love his enthusiasm. He could make a movie about the lives of McDonalds employees and I’d see it. I seriously doubt he would do that though haha. He seriously makes me appreciate Unbreakable more though. I’ve seen 9 out of the 20 and I’m familiar with most. I’ve had Audition on my never ending list of movies to see for so long! Dazed and Confused(2), Fight Club(6), and Boogie Nights (16)appear on my top 20 list as well. He hit the nail on the head on Dazed, but I can’t imagine going a few years without watching it! I used to watch it once a month!
P.S. It’s FRIDAY Quentin!

Chris

Books

Radiohead and Philosophy Book Review

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Radiohead and Philosophy
If you want to read a work of literature from people who live and breathe Radiohead this book is for you. If you are looking for a thinking-lite read…this book is not for you. The main theme behind Radiohead’s music, at least according to a majority of the passages in this book, is alienation. As a fan, you probably already know this. You might also know the “meaning” behind the lyrics of all Radiohead’s songs. What the authors of the various essays in this book do is take the entire Radiohead/Thom Yorke catalog and assess the philosophy behind it. They try their best to really knock down what Radiohead is trying to get at while also leaving open the possibility for alternative meanings. For example, the members of Radiohead themselves have often shied away from explaining their music. And then there’s the last major point argued: the band has embraced technology, despite lyrically warning listeners of its dangers in a post-modern society. A lot of the essays are hard to argue with, because they are so grounded in philosophy. Looking at Radiohead’s lyrics discussion on songmeanings.com , people disagree with each other constantly. Rather than just relying on what this book has to offer, I think Radiohead fans should all agree that you can’t just listen to their music passively. There’s something behind it. Sometimes quite obvious…sometimes not.

Grade: 8.0 out of 10

Culture Jamming, News, Politics

Peltier Update

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As attorney Eric Seitz has said regarding parole, the Peltier case is one of “original jurisdiction”. That classification is the result of a number of factors–including the seriousness of the “offense,” the fact that Mr. Peltier is serving life sentences, and also because this is such a high-profile case.

Procedurally, this means the examiner made a recommendation sometime following the hearing on July 28. The application for parole was then forwarded to the regional commissioner apparently, who also reviewed the case and made a recommendation (the same as a vote, in this instance). The case was then forwarded to the four sitting executive commissioners in Washington (or Chevy Chase, MD, right outside of DC). The parole decision will be made by majority vote.

According to parole guidelines:

“Upon receipt of an original jurisdiction case, the National Commissioners, where feasible, shall process the case within 21 days. Cases shall be voted on sequentially.”

It isn’t known when the National Commissioners received the Peltier application for parole or when the 21-day clock began running. Also, generally, reference by the government of “days” means business days, not calendar days.

It isn’t known how many parole applications were received prior to Peltier’s application or if a backlog exists at the U.S. Parole Commission.

It isn’t known if all four National Commissioners are available for the review and a vote at this time. It’s August and, traditionally, Washington pretty well closes down during the month of August. Members of Congress return to their home districts for the month and they and the President generally vacation during this period. Government bureaucrats often do the same.

Our point: There are many unknowns. But this is something we DO know. There is great potential here for there to be a delay — intentional or not — with regard to the parole decision. The words “where feasible,” tell us so.

That’s why everyone has to keep up the political pressure.

We know you’ve written letters, made calls, sent e-mails. First, thank you. Thank you very much for all you do on Leonard’s behalf.

But now you have to do it again. And again. And again. Please. Do it and keeping doing it until Leonard Peltier is home with his family.

Call the White House Comment Line: 202-456-1111 or 202-456-1112;

AND

Fax a letter to the White House: 202-456-2461;

AND

E-mail the White House: http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/.

Take all three actions every single day.

And the message?

Mr. President. Free Peltier NOW!

Again, thank you.– Electricbrave, Earth Friendly Media 2009

Chris

Music

No Radiohead EP…Just “These Are…”

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No four track EP. But the leak that was “These Are My Twisted Words” is available from Radiohead’s w.a.s.t.e merchandise shop as a free download.

Click here to download: http://www.waste.uk.com/Store/waste-radiohead-twisted+words.html

Included in the download is the song, artwork, a .pdf about the artwork, and a little document about the song.

Boston based shows/fests – DIY, punk, noise