The Post review

I'm going to use an early seventies metaphor to describe the film The Post. It's like an Apollo rocket just before launch. It stands there quietly with little action. But when ignition comes, it is a powerful testament to an idea. Literally, the rocket is the triumph of science. But in our metaphor if the rocket is the movie, The Post is a tribute to a free press.

The Post starts out with Daniel Ellsberg (Matthew Rhys) a researcher with the Department of Defense and later The Rand Corporation seeing the horrors of the Viet Nam war. It's the late sixties. While at Rand, he sneaks out a secret government study of the war and its dirty secrets. In essence, the report concludes the war could not be won and the basic reason for it was American prestige. He leaks it to the New York Times.

Meanwhile, Washington Post owner Katherine Graham (Meryl Streep) is about to offer her paper for public investment. She's warned that any catastrophic event would scare off the bankers and investors. Post editor Ben Bradlee (Tom Hanks) is frustrated that the New York Times constantly scoops them, particularly with the publication of Ellsberg's report now known as The Pentagon Papers. When the government gets an injunction against the Times, Bradlee dispatches reporter Ben Bagdikian (Bob Odenkirk) to get leads on the Pentagon Papers.

Every performance in The Post rings true, from the part of the maid to the major roles. Meryl Streep's Graham is a study in sadness over the loss of her husband, fear over the possible loss of paper, and moral heroism in risking it all to publish the truth. Tom Hanks plays his Bradlee as cantankerous newsman drive with one goal. Speak truth to power. Bruce Greenwood as former Defense Secretary Robert McNamara is not an evil man. But he's supporting a lie that he feels will benefit the country. Bob Odenkirk's Bagdikian is a dedicated, yet neurotic reporter.

Liz Hannah and Josh Singer's script takes enough artistic license to make compelling cinema. Yeah, the move feels inert during the first half. It's an Apollo rocket. The ignition comes when Bagdikian meets Ellsberg in a motel room with volumes of the Pentagon Papers. Their conversation details the risks and Ellsberg's sense of guilt for the country. The movie lifts off. Graham must decide whether to publish the truth and face possible jail or choose the safe route. I have no problem with the speeches made in this film. They are exactly what is needed to elucidate the importance of a free press. And that wonderful idea is a bedrock of American democracy. The movie has purpose.

Director Steven Spielberg is one of America's greatest filmmakers. He uses every trick in his repertoire to create a compelling, interesting and triumphant film. He gets great performances from his actors. There is fascinating camera movements. He either drains the color or uses filters to give the move an old yet timeless quality. Kudos also to Janusz Kaminski's cinematography. It's a beautiful use of light and shadow.

Spielberg said on directing The Post, "this was a story i felt we needed to tell today." (USA Today) Amen to that. President Donald Trump hates the free press. That's because they will speak truth to power especially when the government doesn't want the truth to come out. If a partisan Congress won't tell the truth on Trump's ties to Russia then a free press will.

The Post may not be as entertaining as other good films of 2017. But it is certainly the most important. And it deserves the Oscar for Best Picture. The grade is A.

Vain, idiot conservative President Trump thinks the Women's March was about him

Hundreds of thousands of people marched in protest on the one year anniversary of Republican President Donald Trump's term of office. This was the second Women's March following last year's protest march of Trump. Of course, the vain and conservative president thought it was about him. He tweeted,

"Beautiful weather all over our great country, a perfect day for all Women to March. Get out there now to celebrate the historic milestones and unprecedented economic success and wealth creation that has taken place over the last 12 months. Lowest female unemployment in 18 years!"

What an idiot. This is coming from a man who looks at the sun directly during an eclipse. God help us. Speaking of God, thank her for our late night comedians. Here's Stephen Colbert and Seth Myers with their takes. And to quote Trump from a tweet, "Enjoy."

Stephen Colbert on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.


Seth Myers on his The Late Show with Seth Myers.

Stephen Colbert's hilarious skit on Melania Trump's take of Fire and Fury book

We need a laugh during these terrible days of conservative President Trump. Stephen Colbert with the help of the lovely and talented Laura Benanti perform this riotous skit of an interview with Melania Trump as she addresses the tell all book of Fire and Fury

Conservative Republican President Trump overtly expresses his racism

During a meeting with Republican congressmen and one Democrat, Sen. Dick Durbin (Il.), conservative President Donald Trump overtly expressed his hatred of people of color. The conversation was about extending protections to immigrants from Haitians and Africans who are in America.

“Why are we having all these people from shithole countries come here?” Trump then said America should be bringing in more people from countries like Norway. New York Post and Washington Post.

If you didn't think conservative Trump is a racist, it is now apparent. He is saying that people from Africa and Haiti are from "shithole" countries. But this is where it's racist. He wants more people from Norway which is a white country. All due respect to the people of Norway by the way. Trump wants just white people to come to America.

And by the way it goes against his merit based immigration desire. You see he wants to eliminate even brilliant people from Africa and Haiti. That's because Trump doesn't want black people to come to America. He wants white people from Norway.

If you are an American who believes in love, justice, equality and freedom, then resist conservative Trump. Vote liberal Democrat if you want to live.

Conservative Republicans want a criminal investigation on an American ally

It is simply despicable that conservative Republicans want a criminal investigation of former MI6 agent Christopher Steele. His alleged crime? Notifying the FBI of evidence that the Russians could blackmail conservative President Donald Trump. But what is the real reason behind this outrage? David Corn of Mother Jones, who reported on the Steele Dossier which outlined Trump-Russia collusion says it's all about defending Trump and not getting at the truth.

"The Republican Party, which for decades claimed it was the party that championed patriotism and national security, has jettisoned these priorities for Trump protectionism."

David Corn. "Republican Senators target Christopher Steele and the reason is obvious." Mother Jones.

Amen. Conservative Republicans are not trying to get at the truth. Folks, Trump campaign officials Donald Jr., Paul Manafort and Jared Kushner met with Russians with the idea to get "dirt" on opponent Hillary Clinton from the Russian government. Nobody's denying that fact. Instead of trying to find out if the Russians not only hacked into Democratic emails and possibly colluded with Trump campaign officials, the Republicans are making smoke screens to cover up the truth.

To Mr. Steele and our English friends. I'm sorry for the conservative Republican attack on our alliance that for decades has stood for democracy. The great majority of Americans are still your friends and cherish our shared democratic values. To my fellow Americans. Vote liberal Democrat if you want to live.

Stephen Colbert: Cheeseburger in POTUS' bed

Oy. According to Michael Wolff 's book Fire and Fury, conservative President Donald Trump likes to have a cheeseburger in bed. And yesterday, Trump made an appearance via TV screen during the White House Press briefing. Yeah, we get it. That's so Trump doesn't have to face the press. I'm guessing Stephen Colbert has something to say about this. Yep. Hilarious commentary from The Late Show with Stehen Colbert.

Stephen Colbert:: The Trump presidency is like "The Producers"

Okay, we need to a laugh before conservative President Trump gets us all killed. Here's Stephen Colbert on the upcoming book Fire and Fury by Mihcael Wolff. We find out that Trump did not expect to win and was not prepared for the job. It was like Mel Brooks' "The Producers." Oy.