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Anita O'Day Day
Well....I never have butter put on my popcorn (i'm watching the figure). I've just never liked butter on anything other than a baked potato. So, I guess that explains that.— January 7, 2009 11:27 a.m.
San Diego Stupid Chargers
Well, the problem with that point is this. I can name football players, because I love the sport. And, I remember something like a catch Chris Carter made 18 years ago, because I don't know how it was humanly possible for him to have made it and stay in bounds! Or Walter Payton making a cut, and juking the defender so bad, the guy ends up on the ground, before finishing the run by jumping over yet another defender, to get into the end zone. I'm guessing the scientist at UCSD is just standing over a beeker, mixing stuff. Not as exciting (to me, anyway). But obviously much more important in society. So, when idiots like Charles Barkley say "I am not a role model. The parents should be the role models." It sounds great to say. But kids would much rather watch LeBron James slam dunk, then watch their dad sit at a computer all day! It's not a matter of "priorities" being screwed up in America. It's a matter of what people find more entertaining. Going to a rock concert, football game or [insert event here]...or praising our teachers, firefighters, and scientists. Which we can do with awards, but not with paying $50 to sit and watch them, uh, "perform" their job.— January 7, 2009 11:19 a.m.
Favorite Few
I'd also like to ask critics, why when I see a movie like The Swimmer, which was highly praised a few years ago...what are they thinking? It was okay, but not great. But it really does seem that critics sometimes feel that certain films deserve praise. Or, in their reviews, they just aren't...I dunno...self-depricating enough or something. And it can often turn people off. I would have no problem writing a review for Tropic Thunder where I say "Look...most of this movie is garbage. And Ben Stiller playing the same character he's played over and over. But so much of it is fun to watch, and most of the jokes work...." Instead, critics feel they either have to love or hate something, and that is often what gets people so fired up. I heard a DJ on KGB the other morning say he bought the DVD of Tropic Thunder since everyone said how great it was. He said, "It was horrible. Except for Tom Cruise. He was funny." Which made me want to call, just to say his character was the one thing that wasn't that funny.— January 7, 2009 1:05 a.m.
Favorite Few
I think you don't realize, that yeah, people are extremely sensitive. It surprises me, as an adult, that other adults are this way. With movies, the amount of times people have gotten upset when you "insult" their favorite film is unbelievable. I do agree with you that it is "inappropriate" if the word "unsafe" wasn't the right choice. But our bosses here at the Reader don't seem to care. Since I do the Crasher column, as well as a daily blog, I'll sometimes see someone post something that just knocks me and is rude. Or a letter to the editor. But my bosses have no desire to get rid of the comment. I once said "I don't mind them knocking me, and they can go all out and use the worst language. As long as they are attacking what I'm saying and disagreeing with it. But if someone just logs on to say "Josh, you're a dick"...I'm not sure why we can't remove it. I guess they just want people to continue coming back. And, in 2009, this is todays version of the crank call. Some idiots can log on, post some insults anonymously, and have a thrill from it. What I find fascinating about movies is...well, for example, The Promotion. I really liked the film. But for someone as critical as Duncan is, I'm not sure why a few scenes didn't ruin the picture for him. Because, I have this theory about comedies. You can be the unrealistic, crazy comedy; Naked Gun, Airplane, Anchorman...where real people don't act like that, but there's a joke every few seconds. Or, a serious comedy, that's supposed to be a realistic scenario: Election, Tootsie, etc. The Promotion, along with In Bruges (both this year) were great "serious" comedies, but then in the 3rd act, got silly, and turned into unrealistic comedies, at an attempt for cheap laughs. I'd love to hear Duncan explain The Promotion gets a pass. Or for all the critics that LOVED In Bruges, why they didn't have problems with the way Fiennes was acting near the end, and the insane scenarios that transpired.— January 7, 2009 1:04 a.m.
Favorite Few
Well, in regards to the person tearing down a critic, here's the problem with that logic. When a critic says how awful a movie is, and one of the readers enjoyed that movie...they feel their opinion has been insulted and "torn down". It's kind of like calling them stupid. It's not the same with music or other arts, because one can like a painter or classical violinist, while another likes classic rock. And we all know that intelligence doesn't factor into it. But we all know that with movies, this isn't the case. I know that sounds arrogant of me to say, but think about it. I can pick an Adam Sandler movie, and we can take an IQ test among the people that liked and disliked the film. And, when big action pictures that are horrible (going back to the karate guys like Van Damme, Segal, Chuck Norris in the 70s), which were so bad...I don't think most doctors, lawyers, and scientists were flocking to the theatre for those films. Maybe a Jackie Chan would squeek by, because of the humorous elements involved. So, when a reader is seeing a list of best films, and they haven't heard of 75% and they are mad, they think it's yet another stuffy critic that can tell you everything about Preston Sturggess, Fellini, or any current French film. And they get upset. You said earlier that it's "not safe" when they rant and rave on message boards like this. I disagree. It gives them an outlet. Now when I worked in radio, it certainly wasn't safe. We would have listeners call and threaten our lives at times. I worked with a DJ who, while in Phoenix, had a listener come up and shoot one of their DJs after weeks of threatening to do it. So threats, yes...I'd say they are never a good idea. But people venting about this critic or that critic, being "arts fartsy" or "not knowing what they're talking about"...is what makes the world go round. And what makes talking about film fun. And, as much as I agree with your point (which was Duncans point) about that scene in Iron Man, it doesn't ruin the movie for me either. It reminds me of Ebert saying that Benjamin Buttons was ruined for him, because how can Brad Pitt make love to a woman he first met when she was 7 years old, and "doesn't he think about her at that age when they are in bed." Well...how can someone not say Ebert is insane for such comments? I hardly think it's "unsafe" for Ebert that I'd post that on his message board (if I had the time; he makes so many mistakes in his reviews, it's not worth even addressing each one, each week). I do agree about people that say "all my friends liked it." When a friend told me that he liked Pineapple Express, and "so did all his friends," I couldn't resist but to say, "All your friends must've been stoned. Or you just hang around with stupid people." Sure, he was insulted. But hey...I was insulted that I spent $30 at the theatre watching that crap! It at least makes me feel better to insult the people that were happy they saw it ; - )— January 6, 2009 8:44 p.m.
Leaving Off the Airplane
It's kind of like this. I read in the paper this morning, about the California Supreme Court looking at a case involving a San Francisco 49ers fan, that didn't want to be searched while going into the game back in 2005. Really? This bozo wants to waste tax dollars and court time, because of this. The NFL said searches became policy after 9/11. But this guy freaked out, because he's a season ticket holder, with his grandson, and the whole situation disgusted him. Well, if that's how he feels, he's entitled to that feeling. But then he can watch the game at home. My point is this, Fred. I have no problem with people wearing whatever they want. As long as it's not offensive (since children can see that). But, as much as I think we should have freedoms, I also believe that human beings should be kind to one another, and they should think about their actions, and how others will perceive them. Those people on the plane said that people have stared at them before when in airports. So...right there, I'd like to think that maybe they would refrain from the headscarves while going into the airport. But...if it's against their religion or whatever, okay, fine. But if I were them, I'd certainly watch what I was saying. And yeah...if someone committed a crime, and I fit the description, and was pulled over, had a gun placed to my head and was cuffed, oh well. That's what our taxes pay the cops for. When they run my license and check my alibi and let me go, that's that.— January 6, 2009 8:24 p.m.
San Diego Super Chargers
Yeah, that song is lame. Even back when disco was in, the song was lame. Can't somebody update the song? I mean, look at Monday Night Football? They took that rockin' Joan Jett "I Hate Myself For Lovin' You" and made it about football. It seems some famous rockers can do something with the Super Chargers song. As usual Fred, you bring up many great points I hadn't considered.— January 6, 2009 8:18 p.m.
San Diego Super Chargers
Well Fred, you know more about those topics than me, I'll be the first to admit. But don't you think sports has a place in society? I mean, aside from all the politics on whether or not a stadium should be paid for? Think about, let's say, the high school level. And if the arts programs, and sports, were taken away. Professional sports also brings money into the city.— January 6, 2009 11:14 a.m.
Favorite Few
You make a few good points, and a few bad ones. Yes...love your favorite films and favorite critics. I love Roger Eberts books, his discussion on film, but boy, the guy really can't review pictures to save his life. He likes crappy films, and often gives thumbs down to good movies (he says Reader is best movie of the year, and it's average, at best; thinks Benjamin Button is a bad film, it's good, not great...don't even get me started on him loving Congo and Anaconda, two of the worst movies of all-time). Regarding "pooling a circle of friends doesn't count as evidence," I'm not sure what that even means. My friends, in regards to my opinions on movies, think I'm too critical. And, saying you loved Iron Man, but it's not "great cinema" doesn't make sense. Isn't the point of a movie supposed to be how you enjoyed it? It's one of the reasons I enjoyed Iron Man, but might be able to acknowledge that the science involved probably wasn't accurate. (same with Benjamin Buttons, although that was too much for Ebert to ever get past and enjoy)— January 6, 2009 11:12 a.m.
Lottery Tickets
LOTTERY UPDATE: In Danbury, Conn, a guy died. But, he gave some nice financial security to his wife of almost 60 years. He bought to Connecticut Lottery tickets at 7-11. He died of a heart attack, that WASN'T caused by him seeing him won the lottery! The retired hat-factory worker was working on his yard. And his widow cashed in one of the tickets, which she almost didn't check in her grief over losing her husband. It's good she did. It won $10 million!— January 6, 2009 2:18 a.m.