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Open Thread: Back from the Other Side

Yes, I know that I have been absent from blogging for a week, with no open threads. I have no excuse besides work -- I was so inundated that I felt like if I even took a minute out to check on TalkLeft, it would turn into hours (as it so often does) and I'd fall hopelessly behind.

The deluge of deadlines ended today. That doesn't mean I'm in the clear, and can return to hours of reading news every night. But it does mean I won't be gone for days at a time.

For those of you that are still reading, I hope that's good news. I have caught up with events on all things Russia-related, and I did finally dump my new Android phone and switch back to an iPhone (I got the iphone X and and feel like I'm in back in control of my life, I will never understand why anyone chooses anything other than an iPhone )so all is good.

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

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  • Welcome back, Jeralyn. (5.00 / 1) (#1)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Feb 27, 2018 at 03:56:20 AM EST
    I hear ya. The period from January to May is normally our busy time of year at work, but this year is exceptionally so. The state legislature is currently in session, and I've been racking up the frequent flyer miles in a twice-weekly commute to Honolulu. And like you, I'm constantly jamming to keep up with the workload so I don't fall behind. Only time I can catch up on the news is at night, like right now.

    The flight between Hilo and Honolulu is only 45 minutes long on average, I print out my boarding passes at home, and as a Hawaiian Airlines frequent flyer I get pre-checked through security and thus avoid the wait in line. And once I'm seated on the plane, I can do all my daily reading. But it's still a drag.

    That said, we chose to move to the Big Island, and I figured that I could handle my workload remotely. But it would be unfair to leave all of our government relations work this session to my partner (who still lives on Oahu), especially since she's got several upcoming trips to D.C. over the next three months. So, I've got all the state / county stuff this winter, while she works the feds.

    Because I've got to be back on Oahu at the Capitol this Friday morning, my wife is going to fly into HNL that evening after she's done at school, and we'll spend the weekend with Elder Daughter, her husband and our two grandchildren.

    So, how was the film / TV shoot you were on?

    I can't say (none / 0) (#15)
    by Jeralyn on Tue Feb 27, 2018 at 01:21:40 PM EST
    I had to sign a very detailed confidentiality agreement.

    Parent
    Well, I hope you at least enjoyed yourself. (none / 0) (#29)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Feb 27, 2018 at 04:26:32 PM EST
    ;-D

    Parent
    The (5.00 / 1) (#3)
    by FlJoe on Tue Feb 27, 2018 at 07:51:07 AM EST
    Trickle down economy in action
    Republicans said their big tax cut would spur corporations to invest more and give their employees big raises. Everybody else said it was far more likely that corporations would spend most of the money on stock buybacks, which would increase the value of stock owned by CEOs and wealthy investors. It looks like everybody else was right:

        Almost 100 American corporations have trumpeted such plans in the past month. American companies have announced more than $178 billion in planned buybacks -- the largest amount unveiled in a single quarter, according to Birinyi Associates, a market research firm.


    Not to worry though, the peons will get their slice as promised.....some day
    Back in October, CEA head Kevin Hassett said "I would expect to see an immediate jump in wage growth." Today he's singing a different tune: "Right now we're going to have an adjustment where you see probably more dividends and share buybacks than wage increases."
    Probably?

    Teacher with a gun--look out! (5.00 / 2) (#65)
    by KeysDan on Wed Feb 28, 2018 at 12:18:08 PM EST
    In Dalton, GA, a small town in north Georgia, a teacher barricaded himself in the high school with reports of gun shots.   The high school students were evacuated and taken to a nearby safe site; no students were injured by gun shots.  The teacher was arrested and is in custody.  A developing story, it is not known, at this time, if Trump rushed in, unarmed, to save the day.

    That (5.00 / 1) (#68)
    by Repack Rider on Wed Feb 28, 2018 at 12:53:36 PM EST
    ...certainly complicates the argument!

    It was inevitable in hindsight, but I didn't see that coming.

    The Onion
    just went out of business.

    Parent

    Not really. (none / 0) (#91)
    by vml68 on Wed Feb 28, 2018 at 05:08:57 PM EST
    That certainly complicates the argument!

    Coming next...If only the students were armed!
     

    Parent

    Speaking of travel... (5.00 / 2) (#87)
    by kdog on Wed Feb 28, 2018 at 03:33:37 PM EST
    my arse is off to Denver first weekend in May to see Phil Lesh at Red Rocks.  Crossing this iconic venue off my bucket list Baby, while entering the Lesh Zone once more, what could be better...

    Humbly calling on our fine hostess, MileHi, and any and all Denverites for the inside dope on the best hiking/natural wonder spots in the area, places to eat and booze, and perhaps most pertinently for those so inclined...the finest cannabis shops in all of your most enlightened land.


    kdog, be sure to let Jeralyn know (5.00 / 2) (#90)
    by fishcamp on Wed Feb 28, 2018 at 04:54:55 PM EST
    you're going to Denver and Red Rocks.  She may want to go with you.
    She is a rock and roll fan like you wouldn't believe.  She knows the words to most all rock songs ever written.  Don't get stoned and climb the rocks like many do.  It's difficult to climb back down, and many have fallen.  Have a great time.  Terrific Mexican restaurants in Denver.

    Parent
    My father didn't call me Monkey... (none / 0) (#104)
    by kdog on Thu Mar 01, 2018 at 08:00:57 AM EST
    for nuthin' Fish...I can climb like nobody's business.  In the house I was born in, I was able to navigate the entire inside perimeter without touching the floor from when I was still in diapers. One time my pops comes home from work...err, home from happy hour...sees me performing this daily feat and says...err, slurs..."I can do that!".  And proceeds to knock over the stove attempting the treacherous living room-kitchen pass and spill a whole pot of stuffed cabbage all over the floor and walls, which my poor sister got stuck cleaning up.  

    So I'll stay off the red rocks once I start in on the booze.  But this Toys-R-Us Kid must climb!!!

    Parent

    Yeah. (none / 0) (#109)
    by Chuck0 on Thu Mar 01, 2018 at 10:28:46 AM EST
    Definitely good Mexican food in Denver.


    Parent
    Hey Monkey Boy... (none / 0) (#142)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Thu Mar 01, 2018 at 08:42:01 PM EST
    just sent you an email.

    Parent
    Thanks old pal... (none / 0) (#143)
    by kdog on Fri Mar 02, 2018 at 10:35:29 AM EST
    but I think I may have accidentally deleted by emptying the spam folder without looking.  Please be so kind as to resend.

    Parent
    You're killing me. (none / 0) (#160)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Fri Mar 02, 2018 at 06:38:46 PM EST
    Check again, you'll know it when you see it.

    Parent
    Trump V Sessions (5.00 / 1) (#93)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Feb 28, 2018 at 07:36:13 PM EST
    Is getting interesting.  This morning Trump throws more shade at Jeff calling his actions outrageous and calling Sessions Mr Magoo which actually is pretty funny.

    But Sessions for the first time is saying TALK TO THE HAND.

    And then this evening Sessions dines out with Rosenstein.  With photos.

    F U Donald.

    We watched Our Cartoon President (none / 0) (#94)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Feb 28, 2018 at 07:47:47 PM EST
    Recent episode last night. The series is so tongue in cheek the tongue has a charlie horse. But they went around the cartoon administration table where we discover everyone's inner thoughts/confessions. The Keebler Elf's confession was he knows exactly what he's doing.

    Parent
    Haven't seen this week (none / 0) (#95)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Feb 28, 2018 at 07:55:53 PM EST
    I'm kind of over it.  I like it but I keep thinking this is really not f-ing funny

    Parent
    The edge is painful (none / 0) (#96)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Feb 28, 2018 at 07:58:36 PM EST
    Exactly one year ago today (none / 0) (#97)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Feb 28, 2018 at 08:35:02 PM EST
    I bought this house.

    Doesn't seem possible does it?

    Parent

    Nope (none / 0) (#103)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Mar 01, 2018 at 07:59:17 AM EST
    Corporations are people. (5.00 / 2) (#145)
    by KeysDan on Fri Mar 02, 2018 at 12:07:59 PM EST
    Did the State of Georgia violate Delta Airlines First Amendment right to free speech and freedom of association?  The state government punished Delta by taking away a state benefit because of its stand on the NRA  (no longer giving special discounts to NRA members).  

    The Lt. Governor, Casey Cagle (a candidate for governor) sought to kill broader tax legistation that would provide the company a $50 million tax break on jet fuel.  Cagle made the rationale clear in his twitter message--the benefit would not be returned unless Delta "changed its position and fully re-instates its relationship with the NRA." ..adding "corporations cannot attack conservatives and expect us not to fight back."  As with Trump, twitter pronouncements may not be helpful to the government'defense.

    By taking away an otherwise planned state benefit may violate the First Amendment restriction on view-point based discrimination. Certainly, the state of Georgia could not take away a benefit, such as mortgage deduction because the mortgage holder did not vote for Trump..or Cagle.   Or, no longer provide government cheese to person on the basis of offense to conservatives policies.

    Sounds like Delta... (5.00 / 1) (#146)
    by kdog on Fri Mar 02, 2018 at 12:46:08 PM EST
    needs to shop for a new main hub. lol

    Another example of Bizarro America flipped on it's ear...Democrats are now the party of business who hate the (former) commies and love the FBI, and Republicans are the social
    (in)justice warriors who restrict business,  hate the FBI, and love (former) commies.

    Parent

    Mortgage deductions are allowed to all. (none / 0) (#147)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Mar 02, 2018 at 12:49:52 PM EST
    Jet fuel tax breaks not so much.

    Parent
    Mortgage deductions (none / 0) (#149)
    by KeysDan on Fri Mar 02, 2018 at 02:37:13 PM EST
    are allowed to all that have mortgages. Not renters or owners without a mortgage.  Jet fuel tax breaks were intended only for all who use jet fuel.  

    The issue involved the rights of two nongovernmental actors: a public corporation (Delta) and NRA (a private nonprofit organization--nongovernmental if you are inclined to exclude Russia).

     Government coercion, such as by the State of Georgia, violates first amendment rights  It is often difficult to determine why a particular provision is jettisoned in a bill as it progresses or to assume unconstitutional motives...so it is not a matter of principle but of evidence.  But, in this case, it is not hard to prove, thanks to the Lt. Governor's political tweet.  It is called evidence.

    Parent

    Sorry, to me your logic does not hold up. (none / 0) (#150)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Mar 02, 2018 at 03:12:54 PM EST
    Does GA offer a jet fuel tax break to all airlines but are now excluding Delta?

    Parent
    Yes (none / 0) (#166)
    by Yman on Sat Mar 03, 2018 at 08:42:26 AM EST
    The bill as originally passed would have applied to all purchases of jet fuel, including other airlines.  Delta was a primary beneficiary of the tax break because they are the largest purchaser of jet fuel in GA.  It would be awesome if Delta decided to move their headquarters/hub.

    Parent
    GA does not "offer a jet fuel tax break to all airlines but are now excluding Delta."

    GA's jet fuel tax break (which expired in 2015) applied to all jet fuel sold in the state.

    Parent

    It's a computer question (none / 0) (#172)
    by Yman on Sat Mar 03, 2018 at 02:57:51 PM EST
    You were responding to a discussion about the proposed tax bill that was originally passed by the GA House, but then yanked when the wingnuts were upset by Delta's failure to kowtow to the NRA.  The proposed tax break (the topic being discussed) applied to all airlines, not just Delta.  So your question was, "Does Georgia offer a jet fuel tax break to all airlines but are now excluding Delta?".  The answer to the first part of your question is "Yes" - it was offered to all airlines.  The answer to the second part of your question (are they excluding Delta) is "No".  They denied the tax break to all jet fuel purchasers, while their decision was clearly a punishment aimed at the airline that purchases the vast majority of the her fuel in GA.  Keep pretending that makes a difference, if that makes you feel better.

    Parent
    It's a "compound" question (none / 0) (#173)
    by Yman on Sat Mar 03, 2018 at 02:58:25 PM EST
    that equated mortgage tax deduction with a jet fuel tax break. I don't think that logic holds and commented to that effect. I'm really not interested in whatever you're on about.

    Parent
    Actually, again, yes (none / 0) (#181)
    by Yman on Sat Mar 03, 2018 at 06:52:46 PM EST
    ... and you appear to be very interested in something you're now pretending you can't understand.  The only "logic" that doesn't hold is yours - either pretending the topic was the tax break that expired in 2015 or your "question" about whether Delta wasn't receiving a tax break being given to other airlines,

    But it's fun watching your contortions.

    Parent

    Here's a good explanation (none / 0) (#174)
    by Yman on Sat Mar 03, 2018 at 03:20:30 PM EST
    Georgia Violated Delta's First Amendment Rights.

    ... from a law professor.  Notice there's no discussion of whether Delta is being treated differently/discriminated against compared to other airlines, since their intent is clearly to punish Delta for their stance against the NRA.

    Parent

    Real time world and US (5.00 / 1) (#165)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Mar 03, 2018 at 07:37:41 AM EST
    POPULATION
     CLOCK

    We are doomed

    Alec Baldwin v Donald Trump (5.00 / 1) (#169)
    by KeysDan on Sat Mar 03, 2018 at 12:28:54 PM EST
    A tweet exchange, including the misspelling of Baldwin's name by Trump and his calling Baldwin a terrible impersonator, Baldwin said he will keep up the impersonations through all the "good stuff"....the impeachment and resignation.

    A photo of the happy couple..on the right.

    A Family Tradition (5.00 / 3) (#187)
    by Repack Rider on Sat Mar 03, 2018 at 11:44:46 PM EST
    My 97-y.o. mother and I seem to be competing to have the most letters to the editor published.  Today it was my turn, a couple of days ago it was hers.

    My letter in the San Rafael Independent Journal:

       

    Teens are old enough to speak out on guns

        The kids who survived and spoke out about the recent school shooting in Florida immediately came in for attacks from the extreme right, which questioned the legitimacy of the protests.

        Some suggested that the kids on TV were actors playing a role, others implied that it must be their liberal parents pushing an agenda through the kids.

        No matter what the rationale, what they are saying is that these kids may be mature enough to purchase a deadly weapon, but they're not mature enough to hold an opinion about it after they see one being used.

    My mother's letter in the 2/28 Pacific Sun (not online)

       

    The Survivors

        In news reports of the frequent massacres in our country, we see repeated lists of the number killed, one report of those shot.

        I would like to see a list of the survivors; I want to know how they are coping. I want to know WHO pays their hospital and medical bills.  Do we just forget about the `also shot?'



    OSCAR whining (none / 0) (#2)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Feb 27, 2018 at 07:49:56 AM EST
    Has reached fever pitch.  As usual for the lead up week.  As usual (IMO) a lot of it is nonsense.  One particularly bugs me.

    The whining that the two leads in CALL ME BY YOUR NAME were straight.  Really?  This might have been a vid criticism a few years ago but come on, the anomaly now is a gay actor who is NOT out and they play straight roles all the time.

    Seriously, this is nonsense.  There are real problems in the LGBTQ community.  This is not one of them.

    OSCARS on Sunday.  Oldman, Frances, 3 Billboards.  Tho i still hold out hope for SHAPE OF WATER.

    Agreed, it's a nonsensical issue. (none / 0) (#53)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Feb 28, 2018 at 02:53:28 AM EST
    After all, a very gay Kevin Spacey won the 1999 Academy Award as Best Actor for American Beauty, in which he played an unhappy married man in midlife crisis, who develops a Lolita-like obsession with his teenaged daughter's best friend. Maybe Sam Mendes should erase him from that film and replace him with Christopher Plummer.

    Parent
    McMAFIA (none / 0) (#4)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Feb 27, 2018 at 10:18:27 AM EST
    Just watched the first of this new series on ACM.

    It's good.

    IGN

    If you're looking to scratch that crime drama itch then you should check out McMafia, AMC's excellent new series. It's The Godfather for a new generation. The show is called McMafia because it's all about franchising crime, just like you would a McDonald's. Now, in The Godfather, most of the crime was relegated to New York and Las Vegas, but these gangsters are dealing in Dubai, Tel Aviv, Mumbai, and Prague. In the digital age, they can control shipments and lock down deals with the press of a button. Imagine what kind of empire Michael Corleone could have amassed if he'd had an iPad

    McMafia doesn't rewrite the crime drama playbook, but it does do a great job of giving the genre a fresh coat of paint with its story of how crime works in an era where you can order a pizza and a hit, all from your cell phone. You can watch McMafia when it premieres on AMC on February 26th



    I'm going to watch this (none / 0) (#16)
    by Jeralyn on Tue Feb 27, 2018 at 01:22:43 PM EST
    weekend. It has gotten a lot of acclaim, especially for the international cast. They used actors from the countries they filmed in.

    Parent
    AMC (none / 0) (#26)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Feb 27, 2018 at 03:46:37 PM EST
    Has been doing the best stuff.  In that review link is a trailer for another I'm really excited about,  THE TERROR.

    It really is good.  

    Parent

    So, what are the best crime movies? (none / 0) (#32)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Feb 27, 2018 at 04:47:30 PM EST
    My top dozen picks, as ranked in order of favorites by me:

    (1)  The Godfather, Part II
    (2)  The Godfather
    (3)  Goodfellas
    (4)  Chinatown
    (5)  Un Prophete (French)
    (6)  Casino
    (7)  The Departed
    (8)  Once Upon a Time in America
    (9)  Pulp Fiction
    (10) Cop Land
    (11) The Road to Perdition
    (12) Miller's Crossing
    (13) Bonnie and Clyde
    (14) Black Mass
    (15) Bugsy

    Just noticed that three of my favorites were directed by Martin Scorsese. Please feel free to add others, especially if they're from an earlier era. I'm not always familiar with them, but I'm always game for a good film I haven't seen.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    eastern promises (none / 0) (#35)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Feb 27, 2018 at 05:00:46 PM EST
    scarface (my leetel friend)
    layer cake
    and 3 Tom Hardy
    Bronson
    Legend
    The Drop


    Parent
    also (none / 0) (#36)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Feb 27, 2018 at 05:21:55 PM EST
    Babylon Berlin was discussed recently.  its good.  ive been watching it.  but the beautiful young female lead in that just this week popped up in my new favorite series, COUNTERPART.

    she definitely has a bright future.

    Liv Lisa Fries

    Parent

    Brian De Palma's "Scarface" ... (none / 0) (#54)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Feb 28, 2018 at 03:10:11 AM EST
    ... was cheesy, albeit very watchable cheese, especially when it's playing on TNT where they overdub all the prolific profanity. "Forget you, Tony!" "No. Forget YOU, Frank!" "BANG!" LOL! Seriously, though, it's a movie that starts with great promise, but then repeatedly careens off the guardrails as it gradually devolves into a big hyper-violent mess. Al Pacino really chewed the scenery and dialogue in that one.

    Parent
    How about Dassin's (none / 0) (#37)
    by desertswine on Tue Feb 27, 2018 at 05:28:21 PM EST
    The Grifters (none / 0) (#38)
    by jondee on Tue Feb 27, 2018 at 05:33:29 PM EST
    Blood Simple
    Kubrick's The Killing..


    Parent
    I saw "The Grifters" ... (none / 0) (#55)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Feb 28, 2018 at 03:12:06 AM EST
    ... when it first came out, and have never watched it again. It's time to re-acquaint myself with that film.

    Parent
    What do you consider (none / 0) (#39)
    by Zorba on Tue Feb 27, 2018 at 05:38:19 PM EST
    a "crime movie"?
    Because I agree with most of yours, but I would add The Maltese Falcon, The Shawshank Redemption, City of God, and, yes, A Clockwork Orange.

    Parent
    And you seem to have limited yourself (5.00 / 1) (#45)
    by Peter G on Tue Feb 27, 2018 at 09:05:03 PM EST
    to movies of the last 50 years. As Zorba suggests, what about The Maltese Falcon. Or The 39 Steps and other Hitchkock films? How about The Thin Man? Plenty of greats from the 1930s and 1940s.

    Parent
    Films are entertainment (2.00 / 2) (#48)
    by linea on Tue Feb 27, 2018 at 10:16:24 PM EST
    My opinion.

    I realize that one is supposed to like old films the way one is supposed to like mediocre jazz -- because it's old and supposedly sophisticated.

    Any old film, especially a white-and-black film, that is good, has a modern remake that is better. For example, the excellent remake of True Grit which I'm told is more faithful to the novel. The original was baffoonery while the remake was emotional tragedy and wonderful. Those white-and-black films that don't have a remake, aren't really good enough to view except as historisk curiosity.

    Parent

    The original True Grit was in color.. (5.00 / 1) (#51)
    by jondee on Wed Feb 28, 2018 at 12:15:40 AM EST
    though I agree that the new one was better.

    There really havn't been that many attempted color remakes of the great black and white films. I do know that the new Psycho paled in comparison to the original. And no flim maker today would be foolhardy enough to try to do a new color version of Citizen Kane, or The Seventh Seal, or The Battleship Potemkin.

    Breakfast At Tiffany's might be a good candidate for a redo because a lot from Capote's book was left out of the original film and probably tons of actresses today would love a crack at playing Audrey Hepburn's character.

    Parent

    Say what?!?! (5.00 / 3) (#101)
    by Chuck0 on Wed Feb 28, 2018 at 09:22:05 PM EST
    That's like claiming no book written before 1980 is worth reading. You would't know a good film if was shown on your forehead. Try Inherit The Wind, 12 Angry Men, To Kill A Mockingbird, On The Waterfront. Great b&w movies. Some have been remade. And they don't hold candle to the original b&w production.

    Parent
    Say what???!!! (5.00 / 1) (#108)
    by Chuck0 on Thu Mar 01, 2018 at 10:26:38 AM EST
    That's like saying there are no good books written before 1980. No sense reading anything before that. You know next to nothing about film. There are hundreds of classic B&W films that will never be outdone by a remake. Some have been remade and nothing beats the original. 12 Angry Men is a good example. Try watching some good films. Inherit The Wind, Casablanca, To Kill A Mockingbird, The Grapes of Wrath, Treasure of the Sierra Madre ("badges? we don't need no stinkin' badges).

    Parent
    Film as entertainment not homework assignment (2.00 / 1) (#113)
    by linea on Thu Mar 01, 2018 at 02:55:00 PM EST
    I believe you are confusing films one watches for entertainment with `films students are assigned to watch because teachers consider them iconic or historical.' The Grapes of Wrath falls into the later category as does Citizen Kane and A Streetcar Named Desire. Thankfully, I was never required to write a report for 12 Angry Men or To Kill A Mockingbird but they both fall into that category too.

    Parent
    We have incredibly (5.00 / 2) (#114)
    by Chuck0 on Thu Mar 01, 2018 at 03:20:15 PM EST
    different definitions of entertainment. I find all of those films entertaining. Your millennial is showing.

    Parent
    Sounds like someone was subjected to (5.00 / 2) (#117)
    by jondee on Thu Mar 01, 2018 at 04:25:32 PM EST
    an incredibly uninspiring film studies professor. And not all that long ago.

    Parent
    That generous (none / 0) (#118)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Mar 01, 2018 at 04:30:11 PM EST
    I really have to work at it sometimes (5.00 / 5) (#120)
    by jondee on Thu Mar 01, 2018 at 04:48:10 PM EST
    Hey, really liking The Alienist (none / 0) (#128)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Mar 01, 2018 at 07:08:08 PM EST
    Completely into it. But it's the only new offering that stuck. And the character development has become so deep...lost my husband :(

    Parent
    if you havent (5.00 / 1) (#130)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Mar 01, 2018 at 07:26:53 PM EST
    you should do the book

    in other news

    i find this commercial really disturbing

    Parent

    Bahaha luv it (none / 0) (#135)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Mar 01, 2018 at 07:57:01 PM EST
    I should've watched "The Alienist" ... (none / 0) (#131)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Mar 01, 2018 at 07:34:53 PM EST
    ... rather than "Victoria," a lead-lined British costume drama which has all the pizazz and verve of a live-action oil painting.

    Parent
    I have eyed Victoria (5.00 / 1) (#138)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Mar 01, 2018 at 08:05:51 PM EST
    You can stream it (none / 0) (#132)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Mar 01, 2018 at 07:45:48 PM EST
    I think Citizen Kane is an amazing film (4.00 / 1) (#115)
    by McBain on Thu Mar 01, 2018 at 03:53:54 PM EST
    it's one of the few "old" movies I've seen several times.  

    I agree somewhat with your main point here.... old b/w films are overrated... but don't throw the baby out with the bathwater. Most of the time, I'd rather watch an ancient classic than a stupid Mission Impossible or Fast and the Furious sequel.

    Parent

    The Seven Samurai is 100 times better (none / 0) (#75)
    by McBain on Wed Feb 28, 2018 at 01:29:42 PM EST
    than the first Yul Brenner Magnificent Seven.  I didn't see the newer version.

    I much prefer the remake of Solaris to the original although many would disagree.

    Spielberg's War of the Worlds was at least as good as the 1953 version.

    I didn't see the original The Thing but I doubt it was as good as John Carperter's remake.  

    Parent

    You should watch (none / 0) (#80)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Feb 28, 2018 at 02:32:37 PM EST
    The great original Howard Hawks THING before you talk about things you know nothing about.

    And the remake of WAR OF THE WORLDS absolutely was not better than the original.  Which was in color btw

    Parent

    A little film history (none / 0) (#83)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Feb 28, 2018 at 03:08:24 PM EST
    From the AVClub

    There is no good reason why I haven't seen Howard Hawks' The Thing From Another World or John Carpenter's The Thing until recently. Both men are national treasures. The films are considered classics. Yet I never quite got around to seeing them, perhaps because in the abstract, The Thing From Another World sounds ridiculous. Reduced to mere plot summary, it sounds more like the rightfully forgotten dreck the gang over at Mystery Science Theater 3000 would heckle rather than a timeless classic.

    Here's the thing about The Thing From Another World: It sounds terrible but is actually pretty great. Though Christian Nyby is credited as the director, the film is almost universally regarded as the work of Hawks, a prolific and versatile filmmaker who flitted from genre to genre while specializing in screwball comedy and film noir. The Thing From Another World has all the hallmarks of a Hawks film. Like so many of the auteur's masterpieces, it concerns a community of professionals who view conversation as a linguistic battle in which only the fastest and funniest survive: Frequent Hawks screenwriter Charles Lederer wrote a spectacularly clever script filled with slangy one-liners and good-natured gibes the cast delivers at breakneck speed.

    Like Steven Spielberg in Jaws, Hawks smartly doles out stingy glimpses of his monster. We feel the effect he has on the psyches of the soldiers and scientists profoundly, even when he's not present. And when Arness appears onscreen (we don't get a sustained look at him until the film is nearly over), it's absolutely terrifying. Hawks and his collaborators trust audiences enough to know that what dreamers in the dark imagine is happening is almost invariably more frightening than what they can show.

    The Thing From Another World has a title and premise straight out of the big book of '50s monster mega-cheese, but the filmmakers Trojan Horse a smart, scary, funny, and even philosophical fright film into the gaudy shell of drive-in movie schlock. The title may be hyperbolic and campy, but everything else about the film is refreshingly sophisticated. Writer-director-composer John Carpenter is a huge fan of The Thing From Another World; clips from it can even be seen in Halloween, and he provided an audio commentary for the film's DVD. But his version of the story deviates wildly from Hawks' and hews more closely to Who Goes There? the John W. Campbell, Jr. novella that inspired both films.

    Like the novel that inspired the various versions of Invasion Of The Body Snatchers, the premise of The Thing is extremely conducive to political and social allegory; as long as there are scaremongers, hysterics, bullying Wisconsin senators, and conservative all-news cable channels out there trying to convince us that the enemy is in our midst, passing unrecognized as one us, the film's message will remain timely and potent. So it doesn't surprise me at all that there's a prequel in the works. Now is as good a time as any to revisit the originals and, as always, keep watching the skies.

    THE THING FROM ANOTHER WORLD is a great film.   Probably the most influential  Sci-fi film ever made.

    Btw

    The "prequel" he mentions has been made.  And it's excellent.  Made in 2011 it is the prequel to the Carpenter version.  It's also called THE THING which was probably a mistake because it was assumed a remake.  It's not at all and IMO it's every bit as good if not better than the 1980s Carpenter version. Which I love.  It's made to merge seamlessly with the Carpenter version.   The final scene of one being the opening scene if the other.

    THE THING 2011


    Parent

    I liked both versions of ... (none / 0) (#133)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Mar 01, 2018 at 07:50:54 PM EST
    ... "The Invasion of the Body Snatchers." The outdoor scenes in the first one, directed by the great Don Siegel, were principally filmed in only 23 days in and around the small suburban town of Sierra Madre, which borders the east Pasadena neighborhood where I grew up.

    (If you go to Sierra Madre today, it really hasn't changed at all in the 62 years since that movie's release, and is a hidden gem in the San Gabriel Valley.)

    The second "Body Snatchers" in 1978 had much higher production values, of course, and is probably one of the best remakes in Hollywood history.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    I agree (none / 0) (#136)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Mar 01, 2018 at 07:57:27 PM EST
    One of the few I can think of that are pretty much equally good.  I also like the Nicole Kidman version INVASION

    Parent
    I enjoyed that version as well (none / 0) (#140)
    by McBain on Thu Mar 01, 2018 at 08:37:20 PM EST
    the famous dog scene still creeps me out.

    There was also 1993 version directed by Abel Ferrara which I barely remember being decent until the ending.

    Parent

    That, there are. (none / 0) (#56)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Feb 28, 2018 at 03:34:26 AM EST
    I'm a big aficionado of film noir, and TCM has become my TV hangout. I've never seen the old Hitchcock films save for Suspicion. But I love old Humphrey Bogart films like Key Largo and The Big Sleep. I saw The Maltese Falcon for the first time a few years ago.

    And perhaps my all-time favorite noir from that era is Billy Wilder's Double Indemnity, for which the great Raymond Chandler co-wrote the screenplay. I just love the way in which Fred MacMurray, Barbara Stanwyck and Edward G. Robinson were all cast by Wilder against type, and it worked to perfection. Stanwyck's manipulative and duplicitous Phyllis Dietrichson is perhaps cinema's all-time classic femme fatale.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    i took it as organized crime (none / 0) (#40)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Feb 27, 2018 at 05:49:41 PM EST
    if not BOUND and A SIMPLE PLAN and NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN

    Parent
    speaking of Coens (none / 0) (#41)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Feb 27, 2018 at 05:52:06 PM EST
    FARGO, THE MAN WHO WASNT THERE

    Parent
    one you might have missed (none / 0) (#42)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Feb 27, 2018 at 06:03:40 PM EST
    Well if it's organized crime, (none / 0) (#44)
    by Zorba on Tue Feb 27, 2018 at 07:27:48 PM EST
    City of God would qualify.  It's about organized drug gangs in Rio de Janeiro.

    Parent
    One film I neglected to add to my list ... (none / 0) (#57)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Feb 28, 2018 at 03:47:05 AM EST
    ... is Curtis Hanson's L.A. Confidential. In my opinion, that should've won the Oscar for Best Picture in 1997, and not the bloated and schmaltzy Titanic.

    Parent
    THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE (5.00 / 1) (#58)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Feb 28, 2018 at 08:50:38 AM EST
    The original unwatchable one.

    Parent
    Titanic winning all those awards (none / 0) (#122)
    by jondee on Thu Mar 01, 2018 at 04:54:50 PM EST
    was when it finally sunk in to me that the Oscars aren't worth a damn as indicators of cinematic and artistic excellence.

    Parent
    Everyone I know worked on Titanic (none / 0) (#123)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Mar 01, 2018 at 05:07:59 PM EST
    It was the project I left at Digital Domain to go to Disney.

    I agree.

    Parent

    Suckered in, set up, pushed around.. (none / 0) (#163)
    by jondee on Fri Mar 02, 2018 at 09:31:45 PM EST
    I had forgotten that teenage girl-crush movie Titanic beat out As Good As It Gets and LA Confidential for all those awards..

    I think parties unknown were very concerned that all those investors had the optimal opportunity to reap some return..

    I'm just spit ballin' here.

    Parent

    Schmaltzy? (none / 0) (#124)
    by linea on Thu Mar 01, 2018 at 05:59:57 PM EST
    Titanic is formulaic in the style of the English Romance novel. An upper-class woman falls for an exciting man from the lower classes. She falls in love with him and with the simple and fun-loving ways of the common classes. However, the formula requires that her love interest die, usually in a heroic way, because her social status doesn't actually allow her to marry him. Because she loved him and would have married him, had he not died, she remains an honorable woman despite her short-term sexual fling. That's pretty much all there is to an English Romance novel.

    Parent
    having met James Cameron (none / 0) (#125)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Mar 01, 2018 at 06:14:51 PM EST
    he was one of the early owners of Digital Domain, i would strongly suggest you not share this opinion with him should you ever meet him.

    in fact i wouldnt say anything at all.  except hello.

    Parent

    Heh. Ya. (none / 0) (#144)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Mar 02, 2018 at 10:58:26 AM EST
    Although, back in the day, our kids played together in the park a little. He had his good days.

    Parent
    And that English Romance formulaic style ... (none / 0) (#129)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Mar 01, 2018 at 07:21:35 PM EST
    ... you described is exactly what was needed to propel "Titanic" to the lofty height of terminal Schmaltzitude. Strictly my opinion, of course, but "Titanic" has to be the worst Best Picture winner in Oscar history.

    The plot was cheesy, which made the dialogue cheesy. And because the plot and dialogue were cheesy, the film's stock characters -- who were already straight out of central casting -- were even more cheesy. And because the plot, dialogue and characters were cheesy, the acting was cheesy.

    And because the screenplay, characters and acting are all so cheesy, "Titanic" is the cinematic equivalent of a double order of Stadium Nachos, topped off by Celine Dion's diabetes-inducing Love Theme from Hell, "My Heart Will Go On (and On and On and On, Just Like This Movie)."

    I freely admit that I was rooting for the iceberg.

    Parent

    Still (none / 0) (#134)
    by linea on Thu Mar 01, 2018 at 07:56:42 PM EST
    It's not as ridiculous as nominating the unfunny unscary comedy-horror film Get Out as best picture of 2017.


    Parent
    I liked Get Out (none / 0) (#151)
    by MKS on Fri Mar 02, 2018 at 04:21:29 PM EST
    It reminded me of Spinal Tap.

    Parent
    Spinal Tap (none / 0) (#156)
    by linea on Fri Mar 02, 2018 at 05:31:41 PM EST
    Seeing five minutes of that film was enough to get it on my worst films of all time list.

    Parent
    I'm curious, linea (none / 0) (#162)
    by jondee on Fri Mar 02, 2018 at 09:13:40 PM EST
    are all those Thor movies considered sacrilegious where you come from?

    Parent
    Where I come from? (none / 0) (#164)
    by linea on Fri Mar 02, 2018 at 11:31:44 PM EST
    Ha ha. That's funny.

    Parent
    Spinal Tap (none / 0) (#186)
    by Repack Rider on Sat Mar 03, 2018 at 11:14:09 PM EST
    ...was my first date with my wife.

    I was part of that world for years, I thought it was absolutely on point.

    As are all the other ensemble movies, For Your Consideration, Waiting for Guffman, Best In Show, A Mighty Wind.

    Parent

    linea: "Seeing five minutes of [This Is Spinal Tap] was enough to get it on my worst films of all time list."

    I think This Is Spinal Tap is inspired moviemaking. It's the film that put Rob Reiner -- who had heretofore been best known as the actor who played Archie Bunker's liberal son-in-law, Mike 'Meathead' Stivic, on the legendary 1970s CBS-TV sitcom "All in the Family" -- on the map as a formidable director.

    A deftly vicious mockery of all those often-pretentious rock'n'roll documentaries that were once a staple of Anglo-American art house cinema in the '70s, Spinal Tap is considered by many film critics to be one of the best satires ever made. It has a 95% rating on the film review website Rotten Tomatoes, and was probably a big reason why we don't see that many rock / pop music documentaries any more. Rob Reiner nailed that genre right between the eyes, and left it for dead on the side of the road.

    Further, Reiner's film was recognized by the Library of Congress in 2002 as "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" and was selected for preservation by the U.S. National Film Registry.

    I can understand why you and other younger people might not care for Spinal Tap, since it's now 34 years old and the heyday of the rock'n'roll documentary it mocked was well before your time. But for those of us who came of age and lived in that particular era, Reiner's movie struck a bull's-eye.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    If nothing else (none / 0) (#198)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Mar 04, 2018 at 04:38:27 PM EST
    We definitely understand TURNING IT UP TO 11

    Parent
    Only best picture? (none / 0) (#157)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Mar 02, 2018 at 05:40:45 PM EST
    How about the nominations for BEST ACTOR, BEST DIRECTOR and BEST SCREENPLAY?

    no clue free shade about that?

    Parent

    Good lists, all. (none / 0) (#60)
    by KeysDan on Wed Feb 28, 2018 at 09:40:32 AM EST
    Not organized crime, but crime and the aftermath: "In the Bedroom."   A 2002 release. Great performances by Sissy Spacek (Golden Globe Award), Tom Wilkinson and Maris Tomei.  Among the best.

    Parent
    My Black Panther Film Review (none / 0) (#5)
    by linea on Tue Feb 27, 2018 at 11:07:38 AM EST
    I saw Black Panther the day after release at a theatre in the suburbs. Representatives from Marvel Studio provided a questionnaire for the audience.

    The plot:
    The film starts by explaining the backstory of vibranium. It is the hardest metal in the universe and it's also an energy source. It can be used to make wondrous things like skyscrapers, light rail, energy weapons, and force fields. It's only found in Wonkaland because an asteroid struck that spot in the long-long ago. Wonkaland is also unique because there is an extract from a purple flower that gives one super-strength but only the dictator-king and his son, the prince, are allowed to drink it.

    The dictator-king of Wonkaland is dead. Two female soldiers with spears go to America to retrieve the prince; Eddie Murphy (aka Black Panther). The female soldiers have shaved heads and spears. You later discover that all the female soldiers have shaved heads and spears.

    They return to CGI Wonkaland in a spaceship. Wonkaland is hidden by an invisibility cloak powered by vibranium. Wonkaland has tall gleaming modern skyscrapers with thatched roofs and there is considerable street graffiti. The Black Panther's younger sister flips him the F-U middle finger and teases him for having a girlfriend.

    Several people discuss with Black Panther whether Wonkaland should remain hidden or use its wealth and wondrous technology for good.

    Black Panther must have a spear fight with an African tribal ruler who is a challenger to the throne. But first they have Black Panther drink a potion to counteract the purple flower and remove his super-strength so it's a fair fight. Black Panther wins the fight and he is declared king.

    Black Panther drinks the purple flower again, speaks to his dead dad in the afterlife, gets his super-strength back, and is given a new catsuit made of vibranium. Several people discuss with Black Panther whether Wonkaland should remain hidden or use its wealth and wondrous technology for good.

    In London, an African American named Killmonger teams up with a South African arms dealer named Klaw to steal an African artifact made of vibranium from a museum. They are planning to sell it in South Korea. Klaw is kinda fun in the museum and kinda fun in South Korea but he's really just a minor character. I won't add details to avoid spoilers.

    Later, Killmonger shows up in Wonkaland and discusses with Black Panther whether Wonkaland should remain hidden or use its wealth and wondrous technology for good. Because Black Panther is a dictator, he threatens to have Killmonger executed for disrespecting him. But Killmonger shows his inside lower lip tattoo proving that he is a Wonkalandian and challenges Black Panther to a fight for the throne. Wonkalandians have inside lower lip tattoos.

    Black Panther again drinks the potion to counteract the purple flower in preparation for a second ritual spear fight. But this time, Black Panther loses the fair fight with Killmonger and is tossed over a waterfall - apparently, it is the Iguazu Waterfalls in Argentina. Killmonger is now the new dictator-king so he drinks the extract from the purple flower and gets a catsuit made of vibranium.

    The Black Panther's girlfriend and younger sister find Black Panther buried in the snow and they have him drink the purple flower again, he talks to his dad in the afterlife again, then he goes to fight Killmomger with his vibranium catsuit and super-strength restored. Killmonger says, `Wazzup?' There is a CGI battle scene of opposing armies with spears, blankets that can generate force fields, and at least three CGI rhinoceros with metal armor.

    I WONT TELL YOU WHO WINS - you need to see the film yourself.

    The film ends with a discussion of whether Wonkaland should remain hidden or use its wealth and wondrous technology for good. I won't tell you how that is ultimately resolved.

    My review:
    The film has a running time of 2 hours and 15 minutes. One professional reviewer called it an `overproduced bore' and I'm afraid I agree. I also found the music score distracting in parts. Most of the film is Black Panther discussing with others whether Wonkaland should remain hidden or use its wealth and wondrous technology for good. The only serious action scene in the film is the part in South Korea and that was short and just okay. If the film had just been Black Panther fighting Klaw in South Korea, it would have been a better film. But Klaw is a minor character and the entire story is building to the finale of Black Panther vs. Killmonger - both super-strong from the purple flower and both wearing vibranium catsuits - which was rather boring. But I won't tell you who wins.

    Wonkaland? (5.00 / 4) (#6)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Tue Feb 27, 2018 at 11:55:50 AM EST
    Really?  Did you actually see the movie or a showing of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

    WAKANDA.

    Parent

    Black Panther Meets Willy Wonka (5.00 / 6) (#11)
    by Jack E Lope on Tue Feb 27, 2018 at 12:42:36 PM EST
    The film starts by explaining the backstory of chocolatium. It is the hardest chocolate in the universe and it's also an energy source. It can be used to make wondrous things like Sky Bars, Lindor, energy bars, and fudge.

    Parent
    Best review I've read so far. (5.00 / 1) (#19)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Feb 27, 2018 at 02:32:57 PM EST
    Malapropism (5.00 / 1) (#47)
    by Towanda on Tue Feb 27, 2018 at 10:05:46 PM EST
    hits new heights of hilarity  here.

    That review may be the funniest thing I read today.

    Parent

    Wakanda n/t (none / 0) (#17)
    by Coral on Tue Feb 27, 2018 at 02:21:40 PM EST
    Malapropism (none / 0) (#46)
    by Towanda on Tue Feb 27, 2018 at 10:03:30 PM EST
    hits new heights of hularity here.

    That review may be the funniest thin I read today.

    Parent

    I'm amazed you read it (5.00 / 1) (#49)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Feb 27, 2018 at 10:31:23 PM EST
    Fozzie Bear (5.00 / 1) (#71)
    by Zorba on Wed Feb 28, 2018 at 01:15:50 PM EST
    of the Muppets read it, and he commented, "Waka, Waka!"

    Parent
    Aren't spears generally bald? (none / 0) (#100)
    by oculus on Wed Feb 28, 2018 at 09:16:48 PM EST
    I fell asleep during it. (5.00 / 1) (#8)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Feb 27, 2018 at 12:12:54 PM EST
    My 16 y/o liked it. As have a lot of others, judging by it's gross.

    Parent
    "its gross" not "it's gross" (none / 0) (#9)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Feb 27, 2018 at 12:13:57 PM EST
    It's the biggest movie (none / 0) (#12)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Feb 27, 2018 at 12:43:55 PM EST
    In the world.  I haven't seen it yet but I think the idea of a culture allowed to evolve without white colonialism is interesting.

    I always thought about what north American culture might have been if it survived into the age of technology.

    Parent

    Vibranium. Defying logic, (none / 0) (#20)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Feb 27, 2018 at 02:35:00 PM EST
    vibration was not one of its qualities.

    Parent
    at least it wasn't (none / 0) (#22)
    by CST on Tue Feb 27, 2018 at 03:05:03 PM EST
    unobtanium

    Parent
    Vibranium (none / 0) (#24)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Feb 27, 2018 at 03:42:55 PM EST
    Is very central to the MARVEL universe.  Captain America's shield and a lot more.  

    Parent
    Apparently so. From Wiki. I might have (none / 0) (#27)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Feb 27, 2018 at 04:10:43 PM EST
    snoozed during the exposition...

    A different variety of Vibranium found in Wakanda absorbs sound waves and other vibrations, including kinetic energy. Absorbing sound waves, vibrations, and kinetic energy makes this metal stronger. It was discovered by the Wakandan ancestors. To protect this resource,they concealed their country from the outside world. T'Chaka funded his country's education by occasionally selling off minuscule quantities of the metal. As a result, Wakanda is one of the world's most technologically advanced nations.[2]


    Parent
    heh (none / 0) (#33)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Feb 27, 2018 at 04:50:46 PM EST
    the first choice if you google Vibranium is, is it real.

    Parent
    Actually (none / 0) (#34)
    by linea on Tue Feb 27, 2018 at 04:54:15 PM EST
    Re: `Wakanda is one of the world's most technologically advanced nations.'

    In the film, it was science fiction advanced.

    Extrapolating from BP, if Marvel Studio releases a film featuring a futuristic `lost tribe' in North America, the CGI city would have modern gleaming skyscrapers shaped like tepees, the high tech laser-blaster weapons would somehow resemble a tomahawk, and the women would have braids, beads, and fashionable buckskin dresses. But it would be a groundbreaking film because the cast would be mostly North American first peoples. And if someone invites me, I'll watch it. There are very few films I won't accept an invitation to see.

    Parent

    I don't want to ruin it for you (none / 0) (#21)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Feb 27, 2018 at 02:40:56 PM EST
    but don't expect this movie to reveal much deep thinking...

    Parent
    I haven't seen it (none / 0) (#25)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Feb 27, 2018 at 03:44:24 PM EST
    So.......

    I'm sure it's good.  But generally you like super hero movies or not....

    Parent

    Eric Holder says (none / 0) (#13)
    by Towanda on Tue Feb 27, 2018 at 01:01:10 PM EST
    he fell asleep during the movie, too.

    Parent
    So, Eric Holder is not (5.00 / 1) (#14)
    by Towanda on Tue Feb 27, 2018 at 01:01:31 PM EST
    running for president.

    Parent
    Guess I'm out too. (none / 0) (#18)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Feb 27, 2018 at 02:31:30 PM EST
    I fell asleep during Wonder Woman... (none / 0) (#62)
    by kdog on Wed Feb 28, 2018 at 10:26:13 AM EST
    it's those damn comfy recliners in the fancier movie theaters and 2+ hr. runtimes...nothing to do with getting old, no sir;)

    Parent
    nah, kdog, (5.00 / 2) (#63)
    by KeysDan on Wed Feb 28, 2018 at 11:00:20 AM EST
    You are old when picture shows only come to you and you do not go to them.

    Parent
    And you're really ancient... (5.00 / 2) (#69)
    by kdog on Wed Feb 28, 2018 at 01:05:51 PM EST
    when you call them picture or flicker shows.

    Parent
    Moving pictures.. (5.00 / 1) (#127)
    by jondee on Thu Mar 01, 2018 at 06:37:51 PM EST
    My grandfather used to tell an old joke (even for him) about a Scotsman who married the tattooed lady from the carnival so he could watch moving pictures for free.

    Parent
    How ancient (none / 0) (#73)
    by Zorba on Wed Feb 28, 2018 at 01:20:12 PM EST
    Are those of us who say "X band" (or singer) has a new "record" out?

    Parent
    You can be forever young... (5.00 / 1) (#79)
    by kdog on Wed Feb 28, 2018 at 02:28:59 PM EST
    saying "record" or "album"...just don't say "record album".

    Parent
    Well, I do try (none / 0) (#82)
    by KeysDan on Wed Feb 28, 2018 at 02:51:26 PM EST
    to keep up by following that ... with it, woke senator, Charles Grassley (R. IA).  In his warning of evil, Grassley supports investors "as opposed to those that are spending every darn penny they have, whether its booze or women or movies."  See, no picture show or flicker.  

    Parent
    That nasty Calvinistic analysis (none / 0) (#126)
    by jondee on Thu Mar 01, 2018 at 06:34:37 PM EST
    of the non-investor class just proves that the life-force may have vacated Grassley's dessicated carcass long ago, but the meaness never did..

    So in a nutshell, the poor deserve to be poor due to their poor impulse control and lax morals; end of story.

    Parent

    Hey now, I have only been to two (none / 0) (#85)
    by vml68 on Wed Feb 28, 2018 at 03:19:06 PM EST
    "picture shows" in the last fifteen years and I haven't reached the half century mark...yet!
    Brokeback Mountain and Gravity. Well, the husband wanted to see the Bond movie that was running at the time but it was already sold out when we got to the theatre and so we watched Gravity, instead.
    We watch a lot of movies but we prefer to watch them at home.

    Parent
    Few people watch more movies than me (none / 0) (#86)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Feb 28, 2018 at 03:29:48 PM EST
    And I do most of them at home.  Home entertainment systems these days make home viewing very nearly as good as your average tiny screen multiplex.  
    Plus more and more movies are being released on PPV the same day.
    I only go to the theater when I really want a big screen.  Almost always effects movies

    Parent
    Overrated but still pretty good (5.00 / 1) (#28)
    by McBain on Tue Feb 27, 2018 at 04:14:36 PM EST
    for a comic book movie.  I felt the same way about Wonder Woman... better than most Avenger or Batman films but not quite as good as hyped.

    One thing I liked about Black Panther was it didn't have bunch of other familiar comic book characters.  No unnecessary Iron man or Captain America cameos.  

    Parent

    I liked Wonder Woman (none / 0) (#31)
    by linea on Tue Feb 27, 2018 at 04:40:53 PM EST
    ... especially the London screnes (but was bored at the end with the imaginary fighting).

    In BP, there is a superhero cameo in one of the end-credit scenes. I didn't recognize it but it was pointed out and explained to me. Spoilers.

    Parent

    Recent court decision (none / 0) (#7)
    by linea on Tue Feb 27, 2018 at 12:11:25 PM EST
    ZARDA V. ALTITUDE EXPRESS doing business as SKYDIVE LONG ISLAND

    The Second Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Title VII, which covers discrimination in employment, covers sexual orientation discrimination (i.e., gay/lesbian) and discrimination based on sex stereotypes (i.e., effeminate/unfeminine).

    Previously, courts have ruled that the several failed attempts to add sexual orientation to Title VII demonstrates that Congress did not intent sex to be defined this broadly. The same is true for gender expression.

    From my reading of the decision, I believe this is a correct interpretation of caveats in the ruling:

    • This court decision `uses the terms "sex" and "gender" interchangeably' to refer to sex stereotyping.
    • This court decision affirms `that "sex" in Title VII "means biologically male or female." `
    • This case did not involve discrimination against a transgender individual which is `a distinct question not at issue here.'
    • This ruling does not address a possible religious exception (see below).

    We express no view on whether some exception, either under a different provision of Title VII or under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, might immunize from liability discriminatory conduct rooted in religious beliefs.



    Warming trend (none / 0) (#10)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Feb 27, 2018 at 12:41:14 PM EST
    North Pole surges above freezing in the dead of winter, stunning scientists

    Temperatures may have soared as high as 35 degrees Fahrenheit (2 degrees Celsius) at the pole, according to the U.S. Global Forecast System model. While there are no direct measurements of temperature there, Zack Labe, a climate scientist working on his PhD at the University of California at Irvine, confirmed that several independent analyses showed "it was very close to freezing," which is more than 50 degrees (30 degrees Celsius) above normal.

    It would be ironic if we were saved from global warming by an ice age.  Which is what some fear if enough ice melts to mess with the polar current.

    That was the plot of the Day After Tomorrow, which was a dumb movie about a real possibility.

    This is bad news indeed for all of us... (none / 0) (#141)
    by desertswine on Thu Mar 01, 2018 at 08:40:17 PM EST
    who happen to live on this planet;  and while the world's leaders are bragging about the size of their nuclear weapons.  Give it a little time and there's not going to anything worth nuking.

    Parent
    Kushner loses top security clearance. (none / 0) (#23)
    by desertswine on Tue Feb 27, 2018 at 03:12:58 PM EST
    White House adviser Jared Kushner's security clearance has been downgraded, Politico and Reuters reported Tuesday, each citing unnamed people familiar with the situation.

    Oh no, who's going to solve the world now?

    Finished watching two documentaries (none / 0) (#30)
    by McBain on Tue Feb 27, 2018 at 04:38:31 PM EST
    Waco: Madman or Messiah was really good.  I've seen several Waco specials but this one had previously unreleased branch dividian footage and interviews.

    I'm still not sure what level of conman and/or what level of crazy David Koresh was.  He might have actually believed he was the reincarnation of Jesus Christ. Some of his followers definitely believed that.

    One thing I learned about the ATF Raid was that it was supposed to be a showcase maneuver to justify increased funding.  They brought along a camera crew to show how a successful raid was supposed to go down.

    Seeing Allred was a decent Netflix documentary about Gloria Allred.  It talked about some of the pro bono work she does that doesn't get media coverage.   I wish it hadn't focused so much on the Cosby allegations but that's what was going on in  her life when it was being made.

    Please (none / 0) (#50)
    by linea on Tue Feb 27, 2018 at 11:34:59 PM EST
    I highly recommend the audio podcast documentary on the the 1989 abduction of Jacob Wetterling in rural Minnesota: In the Dark

    On Netflix I recommend the documentary:
    Natascha Kampusch: The Whole Story

    Parent

    Oh!! And... (none / 0) (#52)
    by linea on Wed Feb 28, 2018 at 01:40:26 AM EST
    On Netflix, the documentary Into The Wild
    Roger Ebert Reviews

    Parent
    Into the Wild wasn't a documentary (none / 0) (#77)
    by McBain on Wed Feb 28, 2018 at 01:34:43 PM EST
    It was an excellent adaptation of John Jon Krakauer's book about the life of Christopher McCandless.  Sean Penn was robbed of an Oscar nomination. Hal Holbrook greatly deserved his.

    Parent
    Gates must have something good (none / 0) (#43)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Feb 27, 2018 at 06:59:33 PM EST
    and not just on Manafort

    Special Counsel Robert Mueller and his legal team has moved to drop charges that were brought last week in an expansive superseding indictment against Rick Gates. The 32-count indictment issued in the Eastern District of Virginia accused Gates of tax and bank fraud.

    Why it matters: Mueller's decision to drop the more expansive charges against Gates suggests that he may have provided good information for Mueller's probe. Gates still faces an advisory sentence of 57 to 71 months under his guilty plea, per Bloomberg, but it's worth noting that the "prosecution can request a shorter sentence but isn't required to do so." Gates pled guilty last week to charges filed in the District of Columbia on counts of conspiracy against the United States and lying to the FBI and the Special Counsel.

    AXIOS

    and (5.00 / 3) (#59)
    by KeysDan on Wed Feb 28, 2018 at 09:16:12 AM EST
    Gates was allowed to travel to Boston with his children to see the historic sites and learn about the country. He was previously confined to the Richmond environs.  Gates is telling a lot
    . Hope gates has some security.

    Parent
    There is a decently sized (none / 0) (#61)
    by CST on Wed Feb 28, 2018 at 10:10:24 AM EST
    Russian community here.  Or at least Russian-speaking community.

    Parent
    maybe (none / 0) (#64)
    by KeysDan on Wed Feb 28, 2018 at 11:12:35 AM EST
    Gates can catch a movie at a theater near him...my beautiful lauderette, starring d.trump, Russian language version.

    Parent
    Maybe (5.00 / 1) (#74)
    by Zorba on Wed Feb 28, 2018 at 01:22:47 PM EST
    Gates should hire a food/drink taster.
    Although, who would want that job?

    Parent
    Let's say (none / 0) (#66)
    by CST on Wed Feb 28, 2018 at 12:36:21 PM EST
    You were planning a trip to Brazil where you only have 2 full days (and 2 half-days) in Rio.

    Would you a) visit a tropical jungle preserve and/or botanical gardens, or b) go to a soccer game?

    Day 1.5+.5 is already hypothetically filled with beaches, visits to mountain tops, and general hanging out/putzing around.

    File this one under first world problems, but in reality, I'd love any advice on Rio from anyone who has been there.  I am finding it surprisingly daunting to plan, especially given the limited time frame (I'm going to Brazil for a wedding, Rio is just an add-on).

    Having never been (5.00 / 1) (#70)
    by KeysDan on Wed Feb 28, 2018 at 01:06:11 PM EST
    Rio or Brazil, I bring Ivanka-like expertise to the question:  On limited visits, I try to take in that experience that is not readily available elsewhere, such as seeing a movie or a sports-ball game (unless, of course, this is a keen interest).  I would go for the jungle/gardens or the uniqueness of time in Rio (don't know if Rio is as dangerous as some reports, but caution in any large city is warranted).   In any event, have fun, sounds like you have nice choices to make.

    Parent
    I'm trying not to overthink (none / 0) (#72)
    by CST on Wed Feb 28, 2018 at 01:20:07 PM EST
    The safety factor, since if I do that I'll never leave my hotel room and my history is filled with great experiences in sketchy locations.  It is what it is, I think the biggest risk for tourists is robbery rather than the gang-violence/murders, in which case I'll hand over my money and hopefully call it a night.

    I certainly can't go to the jungle in Boston, but I can attend a soccer match.  That said, I would consider a soccer game in Brazil to be somewhat "unique" compared to a soccer game in the US, and it would be much more of a local/authentic experience as sarc points out.  But we don't have a jungle here at all, and there may be wasted time associated with getting in/out of the game that could be put to better use.

    A local bar is still in the cards either way, wouldn't miss that for the world.

    Parent

    Either choice sounds fun. (none / 0) (#76)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Feb 28, 2018 at 01:34:38 PM EST
    If it was the Amazon... (none / 0) (#81)
    by kdog on Wed Feb 28, 2018 at 02:38:26 PM EST
    I'd say jungle, but the heart of the Amazon is a long way from Rio.  Might be a hike to some serious jungle, I don't know.

    The futbol game I went to at the Estadio Jalisco in Guadalajara was certainly uniquely awesome, and I'd imagine the Brazilians are even more fanatically entertaining to attend a match with.  But for me, natural wonders unique to the area are the highlight of any travels.

    Tough call, but as you said, good problems to have.  Have a blast!

    Parent

    Are you going to Igazu Falls? (none / 0) (#99)
    by oculus on Wed Feb 28, 2018 at 09:07:35 PM EST
    unfortunately not (5.00 / 1) (#107)
    by CST on Thu Mar 01, 2018 at 09:00:55 AM EST
    It looks incredible, but despite being in the same part of the country, it's still about 13 hours away from Sao Paulo in the opposite direction as Rio.  Which basically sums up the challenges of planning a trip to Brazil - it's frikken huge.

    Parent
    Having been to Rio (5.00 / 6) (#89)
    by fishcamp on Wed Feb 28, 2018 at 04:42:36 PM EST
    fifteen times I would advise walking the beaches of Copacabana and Impanema during the day.  Night time is vey  dangerous in Rio.  Copacabana beach is four miles long and is filled with volleyball people. and at the southern end across the street from the Rio Palace Hotel, at dusk the Macumbanieros float candle lit little boats out to sea to their Gods, and have other ceremonies on the beach.  It's very fun to see.  There are excellent restaurants along the way.  Don't miss having their pizza as it is about the best I've ever had, and they're small.  The food in Rio is continental and delicious.  Their beer is good too.

     If you happen to be in Brazil on a Saturday all the restaurants offer Feijoada which had been a peasant dish but is now famous and delicious for everybody.  It's pork and black beans with a sprinkling of wheat.  The ears and snout of the pig were given to the poor people.  Now it has all the delicious parts of the pig and is served with sliced vegetables, pickles, and other different and strange Brazillian treats.  You must have it with their national drink the Caipirinha that is made from Cachaça, their sugar cane.  Watch it though as they are strong drinks.

    At the southern end of Copacabana is a military fort and just a short walk around the corner is Impanema beach.  The northern end that, you first come to, is the surfer beach.  Impanema beach is very long filled with beautiful people playing paddleball and swimming, dancing, and looking cool.  One block inland from both beaches are fabulous fruit juice stand up bars.  My favorites are suco de pera and suco de abacaxi (pineapple).  They will understand your Spanish but you will not understand their Portuguese.  No problem as most speak English.  If they don't, get out of there to a safer place.

    You must take the tram up to azucar de pau, Sugarloaf.  It's right in town and has restaurants and bars on top.  The view is unbelievable.  It can be dangerous too, so stick with a group.  Christ the Redeemer statue can be seen from all over Rio as can Sugarloaf.  I don't advise driving up there as it has many robbers, and is too large to see from the base of it.

    The downtown part of Rio is quite gritty and not worth seeing.  Stick to the beaches.  There are many wild and crazy discos just a block inland from the beaches and are fun.  If it's late don't walk on the sidewalks, amble down the street so the robbers can't get you.  Not sure what to say about going to a soccer game as they can be quite rowdy.  Don't go at night.  Sorry to be so negative about the robbers, but they are everywhere.

    A fun drive south of Impanema, past Leblon is a good way to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.  There are delicious shrimp on a stick and fish dishes in strange little shacks along the beautiful beaches.  Your hotel people will tell you what to do and not do.  Do not go up into the dangerous favelas where the poor people live.  The police won't even go up there.

    Not sure about the botanical gardens but I'm sure they are beautiful.  Your wedding people will know about them.  CST is it you that's getting married?  True truth here now.  Have a great trip and Bom Dia.  PS: don't forget to buy a string bikini.

    Parent

    Thanks! (none / 0) (#98)
    by CST on Wed Feb 28, 2018 at 09:06:56 PM EST
    This is great.

    It's not me, I'd cop to it.   My college roommate is originally from Brazil and is getting married in her home town outside Sao Paulo.  From there I'm spending a few days on the coast and then heading to Rio.  

    If I ever get married it will be in my own personal definition of paradise - Chappaquiddick in September.

    Parent

    CST, Rio is not in the jungle. (none / 0) (#102)
    by fishcamp on Thu Mar 01, 2018 at 06:57:42 AM EST
    It is at 23 degrees south which is sub tropical.  Here in the keys I'm at 25 degrees north, also sub tropical with no jungle.  Manaus, Brazil is in the jungle since it's two degrees from the equator.  Those tall, narrow, rounded hills like Sugarloaf are covered in greenery, but not jungle growth.  They probably have trekking trips, but since you're going to the worlds most famous beaches I would stay down there.

    Speaking of beaches, do you know at which hotel you will be staying?  Most all the hotels along Copacabana and Impanema have towel and beach chair zones on the sand with a lifeguard like watcher.  Take only your flip flops, sunglasses, and some of their money tucked in your tanga.  All the hotels along both beaches are very good, with the Rio Palace being the best.  I usually stay at the Cesar Palace on Impanema.  They have a small fresh water pool on the roof with food service.  Sometimes it's essential to get away from the crowds on the beach.

    Brazil has a wealth of gemstones and there are hundreds of gem stores everywhere.  They have most all the colored gemstones except rubies and sapphires which are from Asia.  The emeralds from Brazil are stunningly beautiful.  I shop at Amsterdam and Sauer stores since I know the family.  Don't buy from the hawkers on the street.  You have two or three stones from the month you were born and your astrological sign.  It's fun and memorable to shop for those.  Brazil also has very good diamonds.  Take the hotel taxis when you go someplace.  You will have it figured out after your days in Sao Paulo.  Abracos.

    Parent

    Make that Cesar Park Hotel. (none / 0) (#105)
    by fishcamp on Thu Mar 01, 2018 at 08:18:00 AM EST
    Jungle may have been the wrong word (none / 0) (#106)
    by CST on Thu Mar 01, 2018 at 08:56:05 AM EST
    But Rio has one of the largest urban parks in the world, Tijuca Forest which is described as a tropical rainforest.  To this New Englander that sounds a lot like jungle but I'm sure there are a million distinctions I'm not quite getting.  That and it also has a botanical garden.  Those were the sites I was considering, that would probably take a chunk of time.

    I'm staying at a small hotel in Urca, on the bay side.  For now at least - to be honest I've now booked and cancelled and re-booked 4 different hotels in Rio, because I keep changing my mind about the neighborhoods/price tolerance. The hotels on the beaches look very nice but I was looking for something a little cheaper that would still be close by and relatively safe.

    The wedding is actually about an hour and a half outside Sao Paulo, in a more suburban/rural location, so Rio will be the only real city we visit beyond our flight in.

    Parent

    is the Rio Palace the same (none / 0) (#111)
    by Jeralyn on Thu Mar 01, 2018 at 02:20:59 PM EST
    as the Rio Othon Palace? That's where I stayed.

    Parent
    Jeralyn, no the Rio Othon Palace (none / 0) (#182)
    by fishcamp on Sat Mar 03, 2018 at 07:57:58 PM EST
    is a different, but very good hotel, than the Rio Palace.

    Parent
    I agree with all (none / 0) (#112)
    by Jeralyn on Thu Mar 01, 2018 at 02:25:05 PM EST
    Fishcamp says about Rio. He's been there 15 times, I only went once.

    I had relatives that owned a very nice jewelry store on Avenida Atlantica. That was a great shopping street back then. They also took us to their country club for a day, it was just like country clubs here. We didnt' speak Portuguese and they didn't speak English, but we all understood each other enough to spend two days together.

    Don't forget to drink lots of Caipirinhas.

    Parent

    I've never been to Brazil or Rio (none / 0) (#67)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Feb 28, 2018 at 12:42:04 PM EST
    but I spent 3 months backpacking through S America, back in the day. The things I remember most from that trip are the people I met and the conversations we had. With that in mind I'd vote soccer game and then head to the local bar afterward...

    Parent
    You've gotta go to a soccer game! (none / 0) (#78)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Feb 28, 2018 at 02:00:30 PM EST
    My vote would go to jungle and/or botanical (none / 0) (#84)
    by vml68 on Wed Feb 28, 2018 at 03:11:31 PM EST
    garden any day and everyday.

    Then again, unlike most people I have no interest in sports. Tennis is the only sport I watch.

    Parent

    I would have to do (none / 0) (#88)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Feb 28, 2018 at 04:14:38 PM EST
    CST, I like Howdy's idea (none / 0) (#92)
    by fishcamp on Wed Feb 28, 2018 at 05:32:49 PM EST
    to go to the Museum of Tomorrow.  You can look down upon it from Sugarloaf, and that is a safe area.

    Parent
    Have you (none / 0) (#153)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Mar 02, 2018 at 05:18:13 PM EST
    Been there

    Parent
    Howdy, no I haven't, (none / 0) (#159)
    by fishcamp on Fri Mar 02, 2018 at 06:35:03 PM EST
    and I see they now have a train up to Corcovado, so it's probably much safer..  I haven't been to Rio for twenty years and those parks CST mentions were not there then.  Yep I'm old, but that's ok.  Went out in my boat and caught dinner for tonight.  I just have to pick the calm days.

    Parent
    I spent a week in Rio (none / 0) (#110)
    by Jeralyn on Thu Mar 01, 2018 at 02:19:28 PM EST
    and a week in Manaus in 1977, during which we went for a two day boat trip through the Amazon jungle.

    Don't miss the Christ the Redeemer statue.

    I posted my pictures and recollections here.

    Parent

    The Opera House in Manaus ... (none / 0) (#137)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Mar 01, 2018 at 07:57:31 PM EST
    ... is truly spectacular, if only because it's really not something you'd expect to see in the middle of the Amazon. And it looks even more out of place since its setting is smack-dab in the center of one of the city's most impoverished neighborhoods.

    Parent
    ... must first obtain a tourist visa. If you don't have a consulate nearby, you'll likely need to use a broker like this one. The visa costs about $170.

    Parent
    Condi Rice PBS project (none / 0) (#116)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Mar 01, 2018 at 04:18:47 PM EST
    AMERICAN CREED


    What does it mean to be American? What holds us together in turbulent times? In the documentary film AMERICAN CREED, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Pulitzer Prize-winning historian David M. KENNEDY come together from different backgrounds and points of view to investigate the idea of a unifying American creed. How, ask Rice and Kennedy, have American ideals of freedom, fairness, equality, and opportunity been shaped? How are they interpreted tod

    Just posted in the wrong thread she thinking about 2020.  She denies it.  Of course she does.

    Today's BREAKING 1 (none / 0) (#119)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Mar 01, 2018 at 04:31:19 PM EST
    Mueller is about to indict a bunch of Russians for the hacking AND PUTIN MIGHT BE ONE OF THEM.

    #2 (none / 0) (#121)
    by FlJoe on Thu Mar 01, 2018 at 04:49:17 PM EST
    breaking on CNN, Ivanka's foreign business deal being investigated by FBI

    Parent
    Let's Invest in Infrastructure! (none / 0) (#148)
    by CST on Fri Mar 02, 2018 at 12:52:56 PM EST
    While simultaneously making it more expensive to build anything!

    That'll work out.

    Who are we kidding, he doesn't actually plan to do $hit about investing in infrastructure.

    That said, I feel like these Tariffs are flying under the radar more than they should be.  It could cause serious damage to the economy in both the short and long-term, and it's something that he can implement without a bill from Congress.  Unlike most of the nonsense he spouts, this is actually possible.

    Let's inverst in infrastructure II... (5.00 / 1) (#171)
    by desertswine on Sat Mar 03, 2018 at 02:16:00 PM EST
    Trumpf is sabotaging the Gateway project, the new tunnel under the Hudson from NY to NJ..  because he doesn't like Schumer.  Trump is one sick old man.

    Parent
    Tight race (none / 0) (#152)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Mar 02, 2018 at 05:15:37 PM EST
    they say

    I'm rooting for SHAPE OF WATER but I will laugh out loud if it's the one in 3rd place, GET OUT.

    Also driving odds calculations are the results from guild awards that provide clues to how the academy members will vote. "The Shape of Water'' won the prizes for directing from the Directors Guild and the British Film Academy, whose members overlap in part with the film academy. Their choices often point to the ultimate best picture winner.

    But "Three Billboards'' took home the top prize at the Screen Actors Guild, and with actors being the largest voting bloc for Oscars, that film was suddenly looking like a sure thing. "Get Out'' got a boost for taking the top prize from the Writers Guild. It's nominated for best screenplay, which also correlates highly with best picture.



    But I'm expecting 3 Bs (none / 0) (#154)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Mar 02, 2018 at 05:19:29 PM EST
    Also funny (none / 0) (#155)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Mar 02, 2018 at 05:22:56 PM EST
    Golden Derby (none / 0) (#158)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Mar 02, 2018 at 05:59:31 PM EST
    Oscar predictions

    Call me crazy, but I'm predicting "Get Out" to win Best Picture at the Oscars. Yes, "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri" won the Golden Globe, the BAFTA, and the SAG Award for its ensemble cast, which are often solid bellwethers of Oscar. And yes, "The Shape of Water" has the most nominations and triumphed at the Producers Guild, Directors Guild, and Critics Choice Awards, which are even more reliable Oscar tea leaves. But "Get Out" captured the zeitgeist to such a degree that we're still talking about it a full year after it was released.

    Based on stats alone, I should probably be predicting "Three Billboards"; with all the major hardware it has picked up it might be a shoo-in -- on a straight plurality vote where only your top choice matters. But Best Picture at the Oscars is decided by a preferential ballot, where voters rank the nominees from their favorite to their least favorite, a system that rewards consensus over passion. So it's crucial to pick up those number-two and number-three votes to guarantee victory.

    That's probably how "Moonlight" toppled "La La Land" in 2016 and how "Spotlight" upset "The Revenant" in 2015. Like "La La Land" and "The Revenant," "Three Billboards" is divisive. For every voter who loves it, there may be another who hates it for its controversial handling of racial themes and its frequent tonal shifts. Many will place it at the top of their ballots, but if it ranks too low on other ballots it could be overtaken by a film that's generally well-liked across a broader spectrum of voters.



    Parent
    For the first time... (none / 0) (#161)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Fri Mar 02, 2018 at 07:29:29 PM EST
    in over 100 years, the Dem controlled CO House has voted to expel a sitting Rep for being a (alleged) serial sexual harasser. Creeper was elected as a Dem but changed to the Grand Old Perverts before the vote in a fit of spite.

    This puts the GOP in a bind as they have several sitting members in the same boat and are doing nothing about it.

    CST, are you safe (none / 0) (#167)
    by fishcamp on Sat Mar 03, 2018 at 09:46:28 AM EST
    up there from the giant storm that's surrounding Boston?  You definitely do not need a string bikini during that storm.

    BTW Jeralyn was correct about the great shopping on Avenida Atlantica one block inland from Copabana beach.   I stumbled into a string bikini factory outlet and bought five to bring home to some girls in Aspen.  Well that went viral and a few months later, back in Rio, I bought 100.  They come in amazing floral and tropical designs and roll up into a tiny ball slightly larger than a golf ball.  They also have beautiful one piece suits.  Rio is the place to buy your tropical clothing.  They also have agate ash trays and super thin agate plates with little stand up stands.  They are beautiful when lit from behind.

    Donald from Hawaii is correct about the Brazilian visa.  Boston may have a Brazilian consulate where you can do it yourself.  If not go the route he included.  It's a stupid situation that the U S started with requiring Brazilian citizens to have visas to come here.  A week later Brazil started the same thing for us.

    One time coming home from Brazil our airplane wouldn't start, so they bussed us all to the Hotel Gloria, near where you are staying.  They also stamped our passports iwith the huge black two page word  saying INULADO.  That gets you pulled into customs secondary all over the world every time.

    None of these things will stop you from having a onderful time.

    Thanks we are fine (none / 0) (#195)
    by CST on Sun Mar 04, 2018 at 11:48:38 AM EST
    It's becoming increasingly clear that Boston will need some kind of barrier from the sea in the not too distant future.   Either that or build canals, because the ocean is coming.  We can't do anything about wind, snow, and rain.   But the high tides are the real issue.

    As for Brazil, they actually changed the Visa process this January so you can now get one online for $40.  Good timing!

    Parent

    Wrongfully convicted man gets nothing (none / 0) (#170)
    by McBain on Sat Mar 03, 2018 at 02:07:35 PM EST
    after 23 years in prison.
    When Lamonte McIntyre was exonerated for a double murder in October, he walked out of a Kansas prison with a clean record - but not a dime to his name, reports CBS News' Dean Reynolds. After losing 23 years of his life behind bars, the state is offering him nothing.

    The state of Kansas doesn't offer any compensation to the wrongfully convicted.
    Tricia Bushnell of the Innocence Project worked to win McIntyre's release. She said McIntyre has other reasons to be angry. She called this case the "perfect storm."

    For example, at his trial in 1994 when he was 17, there was no physical evidence or motive presented. Worse, according to McIntyre's current lawyers, lead police detective Roger Golubski built the case by threatening witnesses.



    Google search (5.00 / 1) (#175)
    by linea on Sat Mar 03, 2018 at 03:22:36 PM EST
    Kansas is one of eighteen states that does not compensate the wrongfully convicted for time served in prison. Other states, and the Federal government, have wrongful conviction compensation statutes. The Federal statute allows up to $50,000 per year of wrongful imprisonment and up to $100,000 per year on death row.


    Parent
    Rarely is anyone punished for sending (none / 0) (#176)
    by McBain on Sat Mar 03, 2018 at 03:29:59 PM EST
    an innocent person to prison.

    Parent
    Maybe this time? (none / 0) (#177)
    by linea on Sat Mar 03, 2018 at 04:23:14 PM EST

    I do recall a prosecutor being disbarred in a high-profile case. Maybe something will happen in this case also?

    Detective Golubski has since retired, and said he did nothing wrong. But Mark Dupree, who became the state's attorney a year ago, has asked the Kansas Bureau of Investigation to review his conduct.

    "If my office receives that information and there's probable cause to charge Mr. Golubski, it will happen," Dupree said.



    Parent
    Florida middle school teacher ... (none / 0) (#178)
    by Yman on Sat Mar 03, 2018 at 05:44:33 PM EST
    ... outed as being the host of a white nationalist podcast, suggesting other white nationalists become teachers and covertly spread their garbage.

    Glad she was outed.  OTOH, it's Citrus County/Trump country, so it might get her a raise.

    A (none / 0) (#180)
    by FlJoe on Sat Mar 03, 2018 at 06:40:24 PM EST
    raise and a gun, hell yeah, a good gal with a gun.

    Parent
    Stay safe Joe (none / 0) (#183)
    by Ga6thDem on Sat Mar 03, 2018 at 08:33:10 PM EST
    down there in the Gunshine state. I for one will not be taking any vacations there anytime soon. Why should I spend money to hang out with gun nuts when I'm surrounded by them here?

    Parent
    America's drain trap (none / 0) (#185)
    by jondee on Sat Mar 03, 2018 at 09:41:15 PM EST
    strikes again.

    Parent
    That's good. I certainly wouldn't want my grandchildren to be taught by a warped goofball like her.

    Parent
    I don't know (none / 0) (#200)
    by linea on Mon Mar 05, 2018 at 02:03:30 PM EST
    I'm not sure about this.

    I don't think I'm a fan of a major online news/opinion site (HuffPost is owned by Verizon Communications via Oath Inc.) going out of their way to hunt-down insignificant individuals on the internet, people who are not in the news, with the express purpose of publicly doxxing them to generate a sensational news story and then contacting their employer to get them fired. Seems like HuffPost is behaving like 4chan to me.

    My opinion.

    Parent

    Darkest Hour (none / 0) (#184)
    by Chuck0 on Sat Mar 03, 2018 at 08:49:32 PM EST
    Just finished watching on Amazon.

    Bravo! Simply bravo

    I liked it too (none / 0) (#189)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Mar 04, 2018 at 07:31:08 AM EST
    Saw SHAPE OF WATER yesterday.  It's pretty special.  It might be to odd for the academy to give it best picture but I will be very surprised I'd DelToro doesn't get best director

    Parent
    Bobblehead sunday (none / 0) (#190)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Mar 04, 2018 at 10:12:16 AM EST
    Most interesting thing was FOX NEWS SUNDAY.

    To be clear, I never watch the "interviews".  Interviewees are always porfessional dissemblers.  They are trained to first, say nothing.  Democrat AND Republican.  
    I watch the discussions.  The one on FOX was interesting.  Hard after Trump.  On many fronts but especially on Russia.  I really think the right has remembered Russia is not our friend.  Lots of talk about the recent Putin campaign ad that featured "new weapons" and many open threats to America, including making jokes about the "misile shield", and the lack of not even response but even to acknowledge it.

    It really had the feel of prepping their audience.

    Plus, my opinion might be skewed because their "power player of the week" was the fabulous, the goddess, the queen Dolly Parton and her long support and promotion of early reading.  She has an org that provides free books to poor kids under 5.

    best moment, Dolly says " I'm the book lady!"
    Gesturing to her breasts with both hands, "who knew?!"

    Best Dolly Parton story (none / 0) (#193)
    by Repack Rider on Sun Mar 04, 2018 at 10:57:39 AM EST
    ...I ever heard was from a friend who owned for many years a prestigious recording studio, located on an isolated ranch in Marin County. His clients included Keith Richards, Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris, and of course Dolly Parton.

    The studio was equipped with everything, lodging and a trained chef, but after a week or so, Dolly wanted to get out and see Marin County. My friend took her to dinner at one of the fanciest restaurants in the area.

    Marin County has plenty of celebrities. My friend tells me that even though he was dining with one of the most recognizable women in America, people left them alone.

    Until.

    Dolly made a visit to the ladies' room at the end of the meal. In that restaurant, the ladies room is a tiny one-holer up a small flight of stairs.

    Apparently every woman in the place had the same notion at the same time, the effect was that there was a woman standing on each stair when Dolly exited the room!

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    I met Dolly once (none / 0) (#194)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Mar 04, 2018 at 11:05:00 AM EST
    In, I'm estimating, 1972 ?, I was working in a really good record store which believe me is a whole diary on its own, Dolly visited one day.  I have a pic someplace of me Dolly and the manager who was my best friend.  Maybe I will find it.

    Dolly really is a goddess.  There is no public Dolly.  What you see is what she is.  She is gorgeous even in the later when I met her she is funny as hell and she is as real as it gets.

    And for the record I take her contribution to music as a significant as almost anyone.

    I listen the Dolly.  A lot.


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    THE IRISHMAN (none / 0) (#191)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Mar 04, 2018 at 10:20:59 AM EST
    One of Netflix's priciest upcoming projects is The Irishman, which is estimated to have a budget over $100 million. However, the film seems like its definitely worth the price--it reunites Martin Scorsese with Robert De Niro, along with a rumored supporting cast of heavy hitters like Al Pacino, Joe Pesci, Bobby Cannavale, and Harvey Keitel. 

    Starring De Niro as Frank "The Irishman" Sheeran, a mob hitman allegedly responsible for the death of Jimmy Hoffa, the movie--based on the Charles Brandt book I Heard You Paint Houses--also boasts a screenplay written by Moneyball's Steve Zaillian. Its impressive pedigree could score The Irishman a short theatrical release to qualify it for the Academy Awards, so get ready--with a huge amount of talent on both sides of the camera, this movie will surely be on your radar (and in your queue) soon.



    I just got the audio book of (none / 0) (#192)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Mar 04, 2018 at 10:35:11 AM EST
    I HEARD YOU PAINT HOUSES.

    I will report.

    haven't started it yet almost done with ANNIALIATION.  So good.  Really.  The movie will be great but it can't be the book.  First thing in a while I cant stop thinking about even when I'm not reading it.  

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    Track legend... (none / 0) (#196)
    by desertswine on Sun Mar 04, 2018 at 12:02:33 PM EST
    Roger Bannister has died at 88, the first man to run a sub 4-minute mile in 1954.

    I didn't even realize (none / 0) (#197)
    by Zorba on Sun Mar 04, 2018 at 01:44:26 PM EST
    that he was still alive.
    May he rest in peace.

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