Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Jon Stewart rips conservative gated communities
Yesterday, Jon Stewart of the Daily Show took on a movement in the conservative ranks to set up gated communities where they enforce conservative ideology. Sound hypocritical? Yes, it is. You see, they espouse freedom on one hand but set up rules that control liberty. Stewart also gets to rip paranoid and crazy Glenn Beck one more time. Funny stuff.
Stephen Colbert takes on stupidity from Mississipi
So angry are the right-wing yahoos over President Obama's attempt to make the country safer by controlling guns, that some states are going to refuse to enforce federal law. Sounds a little familiar? See Civil War. Anyway, Mississippi Representative Jeff Smith's proposed state laws to nullify federal law and his appearance made Stephen Colbert lose it, as in laugh out of character. Check out his videos and learn something about the Supremacy Clause.
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Crazy conservatives fight gun control
There was a time where you would get insane comments from the right-wing and just laugh it off since they came from the fringe. But now the far right-wing is the mainstream for conservative Republicans. Don't think so? Check out these statements on gun control from two mainstream conservatives on gun control.
Former Republican presidential candidate and Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) blamed gun violence on video games. He told MSNBC,
"I think video games is [sic] a bigger problem than guns, because video games affect people."
There is no correlation between gun violence and video games. I've played hundreds of hours of Grand Theft Auto and have not been inspired to murder anyone.
But the biggest moment of conservative craziness came from Gayle Trotter of the conservative Independent Woman's Forum. Speaking before the Senate Judiciary Committee, she had the audience laughing at her. It's so crazy, I'm going to let the Huffington Post report it.
"Trotter painted a picture of mothers under siege in their homes, and when Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) questioned the details of one example she offered, she told the lawmaker he didn't understand the issue. "You are a large man, tall man, a tall man," Trotter said to laughter from the audience.
"You are not a young mother who has a young child with her and ... you cannot understand. You are not a woman stuck in her house, not able to defend her children, not able to leave her child, not able to go seek safety, on the phone with 911," Trotter said. And that woman, "she's not used to being in a firefight."
First, I didn't know that being a tall, large man can make you invulnerable to gunfire. Second, on what planet are single mothers engaging in firefights? Who is she trying to defend the house against? I mean what army? The Girl Scouts?
Former Republican presidential candidate and Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) blamed gun violence on video games. He told MSNBC,
"I think video games is [sic] a bigger problem than guns, because video games affect people."
There is no correlation between gun violence and video games. I've played hundreds of hours of Grand Theft Auto and have not been inspired to murder anyone.
But the biggest moment of conservative craziness came from Gayle Trotter of the conservative Independent Woman's Forum. Speaking before the Senate Judiciary Committee, she had the audience laughing at her. It's so crazy, I'm going to let the Huffington Post report it.
"Trotter painted a picture of mothers under siege in their homes, and when Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) questioned the details of one example she offered, she told the lawmaker he didn't understand the issue. "You are a large man, tall man, a tall man," Trotter said to laughter from the audience.
"You are not a young mother who has a young child with her and ... you cannot understand. You are not a woman stuck in her house, not able to defend her children, not able to leave her child, not able to go seek safety, on the phone with 911," Trotter said. And that woman, "she's not used to being in a firefight."
First, I didn't know that being a tall, large man can make you invulnerable to gunfire. Second, on what planet are single mothers engaging in firefights? Who is she trying to defend the house against? I mean what army? The Girl Scouts?
What the? Conservatives concede global warming exists
Holy cow. Conservatives are beginning to concede that global warming exists. But according to Stephen Colbert, the conservatives are taking the attitude, "We can't do anything about it." Conservatives are great comic fodder for Colbert. Here's his "The Word" piece on it.
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The Daily Show on women in combat
The Defense Department has lifted the ban on women in combat. The Daily Show with Jon Stewart takes a comic look at the change. The Daily Show's reporter Samantha Bee exposes the crazy ideas that some conservatives have. Funny stuff.
Monday, January 28, 2013
Stephen Colbert interviews Tavi Gevinson
It just goes to show you that you can do great things even when you are a teenager. Teenager Tavi Gevinson started her fashion blogging at age eleven and age fifteen she started a website for teenage girls called "Rookie." I'm assuming she's well known among teenage girls because frankly I know nothing of what teenage girls. Anyway, here's a Stephen Colbert interview with Ms. Gevinson and she helps him with a makeover. By the way, Ms. Gevinson is Colbert's youngest interview.
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Hilary Clinton kicks Republican ass
In a moment that Republicans were looking to take down possible presidential candidate Hilary Clinton, the Secretary of State kicked their asses. She did this in a hearing with Congress over the Benghazi incident. Stephen Colbert goes over it and of course, Fox News coverage of it for you.
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Stephen Colbert loves the French?!
Wow. Stephen Colbert does a piece where he shows his love for the French. The reason? There's anti-gay protests. And the French are kicking ass in Mali against Al Qaeda. Of course, in regards to the anti-gay sentiment, Colbert is really a liberal pretending to be a conservative. Check his funny video with help from NYU's Edward Berenson.
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Friday, January 25, 2013
What does J.J. Abrams directing Star Wars VII mean for Star Trek?
I'm a Trekker, that means Star Trek fan. I don't hate Star Wars, it is good cinematic entertainment. But it is not Star Trek. What's the difference? Well, Star Trek is science fiction. Star Wars is science fantasy. Star Trek is about big ideas. Philosophical. Scientific. Star Wars is Flash Gordon with cartoon villains.
So when it was announced today, that Star Trek Into Darkness director J.J. Abrams will helm the next Star Wars movie, I had a mild anxiety attack. After all, Abrams is more of a Star Wars fan. Entertainment Weekly, 10-24-08, pg. 29. Would Abrams try to inject Star Wars into Star Trek? Hold on. Abrams has already injected Star Wars into Star Trek. Just watch the making of Star Trek (2009) movie documentary on the DVD called "A New Vision." First section of the documentary is called, "What Can We Learn From Star Wars Here?" And the 2009 movie felt like Star Wars with its ADHD pacing designed to appeal to teenagers. Don't get me wrong, I liked the 2009 movie but wished it was more like Star Trek than Star Wars.
I bet you wish you had Rick Berman back.
But what does Abrams helming Star Wars mean to Star Trek? One needs to look back at the delays of Star Trek Into Darkness. STID was delayed because Abrams was busy with his pet project movie, Super 8. (2011) And Abrams is one busy guy. He just created Person of Interest, Revolution before and during the production of STID. Since Abrams is fonder of Star Wars, expect his attention to be more directed to that franchise. And let's face it, Star Wars is bigger in terms of revenue. So if you want Abrams to direct the next Star Trek movie, you better wait for about five to six years. Forget about a new TV series also. At least when the Star Trek franchise was run by Rick Berman, Trekkers know they had his undivided attention.
Boldly Go.
The health and fate of any franchise starts with the writers. And luckily for Star Trek the new movies have a great writer. He is Roberto Orci or to us Trekkers, Bob Orci.
But Bob has one important distinction when it comes to his fellow writers. He's a dedicated Trekker. He knows the difference between tranya and synthehol. He understands why we cried during The Next Generation's "The Inner Light." And why we were thrilled with the Original Series "Arena." That makes Bob the perfect man to run the Star Trek franchise. And just maybe, Star Trek will return to television where it belongs, where you can tell more sophisticated stories.
Quentin Tarantino's Star Trek.
The third Star Trek film should be directed by someone other than Abrams. He will be too busy. And while Abrams is a marvelous director, think of the talented directors who could film the third Star Trek movie.
What about Quentin Tarantino? Could you imagine the movie. It could star Samuel L. Jackson. I can just see it. Jackson can utter this line. "I've had it with these mother fu_king tribbles on this mother fu_king starship."
So when it was announced today, that Star Trek Into Darkness director J.J. Abrams will helm the next Star Wars movie, I had a mild anxiety attack. After all, Abrams is more of a Star Wars fan. Entertainment Weekly, 10-24-08, pg. 29. Would Abrams try to inject Star Wars into Star Trek? Hold on. Abrams has already injected Star Wars into Star Trek. Just watch the making of Star Trek (2009) movie documentary on the DVD called "A New Vision." First section of the documentary is called, "What Can We Learn From Star Wars Here?" And the 2009 movie felt like Star Wars with its ADHD pacing designed to appeal to teenagers. Don't get me wrong, I liked the 2009 movie but wished it was more like Star Trek than Star Wars.
I bet you wish you had Rick Berman back.
But what does Abrams helming Star Wars mean to Star Trek? One needs to look back at the delays of Star Trek Into Darkness. STID was delayed because Abrams was busy with his pet project movie, Super 8. (2011) And Abrams is one busy guy. He just created Person of Interest, Revolution before and during the production of STID. Since Abrams is fonder of Star Wars, expect his attention to be more directed to that franchise. And let's face it, Star Wars is bigger in terms of revenue. So if you want Abrams to direct the next Star Trek movie, you better wait for about five to six years. Forget about a new TV series also. At least when the Star Trek franchise was run by Rick Berman, Trekkers know they had his undivided attention.
Boldly Go.
The health and fate of any franchise starts with the writers. And luckily for Star Trek the new movies have a great writer. He is Roberto Orci or to us Trekkers, Bob Orci.
But Bob has one important distinction when it comes to his fellow writers. He's a dedicated Trekker. He knows the difference between tranya and synthehol. He understands why we cried during The Next Generation's "The Inner Light." And why we were thrilled with the Original Series "Arena." That makes Bob the perfect man to run the Star Trek franchise. And just maybe, Star Trek will return to television where it belongs, where you can tell more sophisticated stories.
Quentin Tarantino's Star Trek.
The third Star Trek film should be directed by someone other than Abrams. He will be too busy. And while Abrams is a marvelous director, think of the talented directors who could film the third Star Trek movie.
What about Quentin Tarantino? Could you imagine the movie. It could star Samuel L. Jackson. I can just see it. Jackson can utter this line. "I've had it with these mother fu_king tribbles on this mother fu_king starship."
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Stephen Colbert on the Ayn Rand dating site
Holy Cow! There's an Ayn Rand dating site for her fans. Great comic fodder for Stephen Colbert. Check it out. And he also covers the idea of arming school janitors in another great Tip of the Hat/Wag of the Finger segment.
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Stephen Colbert on Beyonce Gate
Last night, Stephen Colbert went over the media's obsession with Beyonce and whether she lip synched the national anthem at Obama's presidential inauguration. It's a conspiracy! Very funny stuff from Colbert. Check it out.
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Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Stephen Colbert rips Fox News over President Obama's second Inauguration speech
Stephen Colbert rips Fox News over their criticism of President Obama's second Inauguration speech. He also goes over First Daughter Malia Obama's opportunity to photobomb the event. Very funny stuff. Check out his video.
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Another great Colbert Report show
Last night, Stephen Colbert did it again. It was a great show. He absolutely deserves all the Peabody awards he can get. The show covered Fox News right-wing coverage of President Obama's second Inauguration, Dustin Hoffma and featured a thoughtful interview with Zero Dark Thirty director Kathryn Bigelow. I've been posting the videos piecemeal but here is the full show for you.
Dustin Hoffman "cuts" Stephen Colbert out of Quartet
Now this is the way to publicize a movie. Actor and now director, Dustin Hoffman, has a new movie out called Quartet. Last night, he appeared on The Colbert Report to tell Stephen Colbert that his character "Spoons" was cut out of the movie. Funny stuff. And by the way, Colbert, you are a good actor since you play a conservative idiot very well. Check out the video.
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Stephen Colbert on the Republicans plan to sabotage democracy
Last night Stephen Colbert looked at plans by the Republican plans to allocate electorate vote counts by congressional district. The reason? Republicans can't win the national elections since their supply of angry white men is diminishing. Here's his funny "The Word" segment.
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Stephen Colbert's extended interview with Kathryn Bigelow
Stephen Colbert interviewed Zero Dark Thirty's director, Kathryn Bigelow, last night. She says the torture scenes were based on first hand accounts of intelligence officers. Colbert reminded her that many Americans get their history from the movies. Bigelow doesn't deny that her intelligence sources may have tried to spin the effectiveness of torture. But she believes that they were fair accounts.
Here's the problem. Zero Dark Thirty makes the point that the name of Osama Bin Laden's courier was derived from torture. In essence, the movie says torture works regardless of Bigelow's protestations against torture. We're Americans. We believe in due process. If the United States uses torture, how can America be against it? I believe that torture is despicable and that many times the victim will tell the "interrogator" anything to end the torture.
Anyway, here's Colbert's extended interview with Kathryn Bigelow.
Here's the problem. Zero Dark Thirty makes the point that the name of Osama Bin Laden's courier was derived from torture. In essence, the movie says torture works regardless of Bigelow's protestations against torture. We're Americans. We believe in due process. If the United States uses torture, how can America be against it? I believe that torture is despicable and that many times the victim will tell the "interrogator" anything to end the torture.
Anyway, here's Colbert's extended interview with Kathryn Bigelow.
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Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Stephen Colbert takes on the flu and vomiting robot
Yesterday, Stephen Colbert took on the flu epidemic and the projectile vomiting robot! He makes getting a cold, funny. Check out his "Threat Down" piece.
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Stephen Colbert takes on the Second Inauguration of President Barack Obama
Last night, Stephen Colbert gave us his take on the President Barack Obama's Second Inauguration. Funny satire.
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Martin Luther King Jr. would have been for this
Sigh. Right-wingers are now using civil rights leader and icon, Martin Luther King, to support their positions like gun ownership rights and anti-abortion. The Daily Show take this on with a very funny piece featuring Larry Wilmore. Love how Wilmore uses the phrase to describe how the right-wing uses King's name. The phrase? "Imaginary black yes man." And check out how Jon Stewart and Wilmore almost go out of character. Enjoy the political comedy.
The Daily Show takes on Michele Obama's bangs
Yesterday, the Daily Show covered the second inauguration of President Barack Obama and his wife's new hair style featuring bangs. It's kind of a spoof of the media's notation of Michele Obama's hair. Funny stuff. Check it out.
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Husky photobombs another dog
I saw this on Bill Maher's "Real Time." He says it's legit. Here's a picture of a Husky puppy photobombing another dog's portrait. Yep, it's a shameless attempt by myself to boost traffic for my blog. It is funny though.
Bill Maher takes on the crazy right-wing over the Second Amendment
On Bill Maher's Real Time, he takes on the crazy right-wing Second Amendment supporters with the last New Rule. Courtesy of HBO and Mediaite, here is the video. Funny stuff.
Friday, January 18, 2013
Stephen Colbert takes on Rush and the crazy right-wing over guns
Yesterday, Stephen Colbert took on Rush Limbaugh and the crazy right-wing over their love of guns. Especially galling was Limbaugh's mockery of the children that wanted President Barack Obama to take action on gun control. Colbert's sarcastic wit is fantastic. It's followed by a "The Word" segment.
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Thursday, January 17, 2013
Stephen Colbert takes on Pat Robertson's romantic advice
Did I say lately that I can be hard on conservatives on the issue of race? Let me add that their views on women also irk me. Here'a an example. Conservative leader and televangelist Pat Robertson gives marital advice by implying that women must live up to his Christian beauty standard. Anyway, Stephen Colbert did a very funny piece on it.
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Ann Coulter implies minorities are responsible for gun violence
There are reasons why I'm so hard on conservatives and accuse them of racism. And here's why. Conservative writer and leader Ann Coulter went on conservative Sean Hannity's Fox News show and said this.
"If you compare white populations, we have the same murder rate as Belgium, ... So perhaps it's not a gun problem, it is a demographic problem, which liberals are the ones who are pushing, pushing, pushing. ...Let's get more Colin Fergusons...Why are they coming in to begin with?"
So she's blaming non-whites for gun violence? As this ABC article points out, the recent massacres are at the hands of white men. So you see, I've got a point when I accuse conservatives of racism. She's a leader of the movement. I would like to see an overwhelming majority of conservatives condemn her remarks.
"If you compare white populations, we have the same murder rate as Belgium, ... So perhaps it's not a gun problem, it is a demographic problem, which liberals are the ones who are pushing, pushing, pushing. ...Let's get more Colin Fergusons...Why are they coming in to begin with?"
So she's blaming non-whites for gun violence? As this ABC article points out, the recent massacres are at the hands of white men. So you see, I've got a point when I accuse conservatives of racism. She's a leader of the movement. I would like to see an overwhelming majority of conservatives condemn her remarks.
The Bengals should draft Manti T'eo
FAUX NEWS-
Tung N. Cheek reporting here. Today, I interview Cincinnati Bengals owner Mike Brown about the needs of the team. It's clear they need linebackers.
Tung N. Cheek: Will the Bengals draft a linebacker in the first round?
Mike Brown: I'm tired of seeing our linebackers getting duped by tight ends, running backs and receivers. They get fooled over and over again by the quarterback, and receivers. We need wise linebackers who won't get fooled.
Tung N. Cheek: Who are you thinking about drafting?
MIke Brown: Manti T'eo. He's not going to be fooled by any ruse. He's the perfect Cincinnati Bengal...
Tung N. Cheek: ... um, Mr. Brown... T'eo was ...
Mike Brown: Cheek, I've seen the tapes. What athleticism. Manti T'eo can't be fooled.
Tung N. Cheek: um... aaaa, Mr. Brown, Manti T'eo was duped into falling in love with an online girlfriend. You see she didn't exist.
Mike Brown: Oh. Let's talk about Bengals playoff victories in the last ten years.
Tung N. Cheek reporting here. Today, I interview Cincinnati Bengals owner Mike Brown about the needs of the team. It's clear they need linebackers.
Tung N. Cheek: Will the Bengals draft a linebacker in the first round?
Mike Brown: I'm tired of seeing our linebackers getting duped by tight ends, running backs and receivers. They get fooled over and over again by the quarterback, and receivers. We need wise linebackers who won't get fooled.
Tung N. Cheek: Who are you thinking about drafting?
MIke Brown: Manti T'eo. He's not going to be fooled by any ruse. He's the perfect Cincinnati Bengal...
Tung N. Cheek: ... um, Mr. Brown... T'eo was ...
Mike Brown: Cheek, I've seen the tapes. What athleticism. Manti T'eo can't be fooled.
Tung N. Cheek: um... aaaa, Mr. Brown, Manti T'eo was duped into falling in love with an online girlfriend. You see she didn't exist.
Mike Brown: Oh. Let's talk about Bengals playoff victories in the last ten years.
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Stephen Colbert takes on crazy gun advocates
It's kind of difficult to do comedy about gun control in light of the recent mass shootings. But leave it to Stephen Colbert to "side" with the right-wing gun control advocates. Here are the video pieces from last night's show where he defends crazy gun advocates. This is what great satire is all about.
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Saturday, January 12, 2013
Why the United States will not build the Death Star
Hilarious. The White House answers why the American government will not build the Death Star. Yes, we're talking about Star Wars' Death Star. What next? Will the White House have to answer some crazy Texans about their desire to secede from the United States? Um, never mind about that one. Anyway, here's the article from the Huffington Post about the Death Star.
Friday, January 11, 2013
Colbert on Treasury nominee Jack Lew
Stephen Colbert has already declared President Barack Obama 's second term to be a failure. He comments on it and Treasury Secretary nominee Jack Lew's wacky signature in this funny video.
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Zero Dark Thirty Review
There's a controversy surrounding the director Kathryn Bigelow's Zero Dark Thirty. The U.S. Senate is going to investigate whether the CIA gave inappropriate information to Bigelow and screenplay writer Mark Boal. There's another controversy. The movie makes the point that torture of detainees was a large key to tracking down terrorist Osama bin Laden. This is disputed by Senators Diane Feinstein (D-Ca.) and Carl Levin. (D-Mich.) Senator John McCain (R-Ariz.) also argues that torture doesn't work. McCain himself was tortured as a prisoner of war in Viet Nam. The question becomes how accurate is Zero Dark Thirty? Because if it's accurate, then a Senate investigation is relevant.
Zero Dark Thirty is about the nine year hunt for one of America's greatest enemies, terrorist Osama bin Laden. It starts out with 9/11 phone calls from doomed victims of the Twin Towers. The film then moves two years later at a CIA black site. It takes the point of view of CIA agent and analyst Maya. (Jessica Chastain) At this site, a prisoner is being tortured by CIA agent Dan. (Jason Clarke) The methods include strip searching, humiliation and waterboarding. Maya might seem at times disturbed but she soon becomes an advocate of torture. About the first third of the movie is about the results gained by torture. You see this is not a movie about secret agents going undercover. Maya must use information gleaned from terrorist detainees to find bin Laden.
Jessica Chastain has played a spy before. See The Debt. (2010) She's dogged and obsessed in Zero Dark Thirty. But she can be a blank page. Jason Clarke plays his agent as man who would be satisfied with accurate information but can in an instant dish out punishment. I saw Mark Strong last in John Carter and this time he's unlike anything in that movie. He's very good as a CIA agent who must deal with the executive branch and an obsessed Maya. The excellent Jennifer Ehle (Contagion) plays Jessica, a fellow agent of Maya. She's the one who is the most fleshed out. She's old school but doesn't let her veteran views stifle Maya's analytical talents.
Mark Boal's screenplay is lean and there's not much to flesh out Maya. At times I felt her dialogue was cliched. That being he said his screenplay gives Director Bigelow a canvass to make a riveting thriller. The movie is punctuated at times by various real life terrorist attacks. It's Kathryn Bigelow's direction that makes these scenes exciting since we already know what happens. During one scene, I knew that a horrible event was going to happen. But Bigelow with the help of Boal builds the tension. It's the depiction that held me. But where the film takes off when Maya and Jessica are nearly killed be a car bomb. Bigelow shows the confusion and screams of pain from victims.
As for the bin Laden raid, we know the conclusion. But the great thing about Bigelow's directions is that she makes us feel like we don't know what will happen. As she shoots Seal Team Six's helicopters flying around the hills of Pakistan and we hear the muffled beats of the choppers, you'll be grabbing your armrests. The raid itself has the visual style of "you are there" vibe. It's absolutely thrilling.
As for the question that was posed about accuracy, I don't have the classified reports of the bin Laden raid. We do know that Maya is based on a real character. But what I can say is that Zero Dark Thirty does not feel like a Hollywood movie. During the screening, a guy behind me said the ending stunk. I thought the movie's documentary style made it a riveting film. As for the torture element, I can just say that I hope this portion is not accurate.
Zero Dark Thirty is a thrilling drama. The way it makes you feel as if you are present makes this film enthralling. The grade is A.
Zero Dark Thirty is about the nine year hunt for one of America's greatest enemies, terrorist Osama bin Laden. It starts out with 9/11 phone calls from doomed victims of the Twin Towers. The film then moves two years later at a CIA black site. It takes the point of view of CIA agent and analyst Maya. (Jessica Chastain) At this site, a prisoner is being tortured by CIA agent Dan. (Jason Clarke) The methods include strip searching, humiliation and waterboarding. Maya might seem at times disturbed but she soon becomes an advocate of torture. About the first third of the movie is about the results gained by torture. You see this is not a movie about secret agents going undercover. Maya must use information gleaned from terrorist detainees to find bin Laden.
Jessica Chastain has played a spy before. See The Debt. (2010) She's dogged and obsessed in Zero Dark Thirty. But she can be a blank page. Jason Clarke plays his agent as man who would be satisfied with accurate information but can in an instant dish out punishment. I saw Mark Strong last in John Carter and this time he's unlike anything in that movie. He's very good as a CIA agent who must deal with the executive branch and an obsessed Maya. The excellent Jennifer Ehle (Contagion) plays Jessica, a fellow agent of Maya. She's the one who is the most fleshed out. She's old school but doesn't let her veteran views stifle Maya's analytical talents.
Mark Boal's screenplay is lean and there's not much to flesh out Maya. At times I felt her dialogue was cliched. That being he said his screenplay gives Director Bigelow a canvass to make a riveting thriller. The movie is punctuated at times by various real life terrorist attacks. It's Kathryn Bigelow's direction that makes these scenes exciting since we already know what happens. During one scene, I knew that a horrible event was going to happen. But Bigelow with the help of Boal builds the tension. It's the depiction that held me. But where the film takes off when Maya and Jessica are nearly killed be a car bomb. Bigelow shows the confusion and screams of pain from victims.
As for the bin Laden raid, we know the conclusion. But the great thing about Bigelow's directions is that she makes us feel like we don't know what will happen. As she shoots Seal Team Six's helicopters flying around the hills of Pakistan and we hear the muffled beats of the choppers, you'll be grabbing your armrests. The raid itself has the visual style of "you are there" vibe. It's absolutely thrilling.
As for the question that was posed about accuracy, I don't have the classified reports of the bin Laden raid. We do know that Maya is based on a real character. But what I can say is that Zero Dark Thirty does not feel like a Hollywood movie. During the screening, a guy behind me said the ending stunk. I thought the movie's documentary style made it a riveting film. As for the torture element, I can just say that I hope this portion is not accurate.
Zero Dark Thirty is a thrilling drama. The way it makes you feel as if you are present makes this film enthralling. The grade is A.
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Stephen Colbert takes on addictive bread
Oh, boy we can't eat anything. Stephen Colbert takes on a CBS story about bread being addictive. Honestly, white bread is not good for you since it's based on processed flour. Anyway, Stephen Colbert introduces McNaw the Gluten Free Beaver to help the children eat better than bread. Funny stuff and some salty jokes.
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Stephen Colbert "supports" the NRA
Yesterday, Stephen Colbert on his show, "supported" the NRA. And by support I mean in his own sarcastic way, he shines the light of satire on the crazies at the NRA. Crazy people like former NRA president Marion Hammer who thinks gun control is like racial discrimination based on the color of say a gun. Great stuff from Colbert.
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Forgot Robocop, here comes Robodog
DARPA (Dept. of Defense's Advanced Research Project Agency) has released video of its robotic dog. Here's the Huffington Post and CNET stories. Check out the videos below. Kind of creepy. Cold. Inhuman. The Terminator.
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Stephen Colbert's interview with Minnesota Vikings' punter Chris Kluwe
An entertaining interview may not be necessarily with the most famous celebrity. Yesterday, Stephen Colbert had a funny interview with Minnesota Vikings' punter and gay rights supporter Chris Kluwe. Check it out.
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Colbert on the trillion dollar platinum coin
The House Republicans are at it again. This time, it's the debt ceiling. The Republicans want to hold hostage the debt ceiling to wring more spending cuts out of President Obama. As a reminder, the debt ceiling is not about spending more money, it's about allowing the government to borrow money to pay the debts it has already generated. So if the House Republicans refuse then the credit rating for the United States goes through the dumper and we head towards a recession. Great job, you Republicans.
Anyway, there's been a crazy idea floating around. Have the Treasury mint a trillion dollar platinum coin and deposit it into the Federal Reserve. That would allow the printing of more money and hence no "debt ceiling" nonsense. Of course, the Republicans are against it since it would sabotage their plan to hold the country hostage. (Here's an explanation of the trillion dollar coin theory.) Anyway, Stephen Colbert did a very funny piece on this Monday. Check it out.
Anyway, there's been a crazy idea floating around. Have the Treasury mint a trillion dollar platinum coin and deposit it into the Federal Reserve. That would allow the printing of more money and hence no "debt ceiling" nonsense. Of course, the Republicans are against it since it would sabotage their plan to hold the country hostage. (Here's an explanation of the trillion dollar coin theory.) Anyway, Stephen Colbert did a very funny piece on this Monday. Check it out.
The Colbert Report
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Stephen Colbert takes on Bill O'Reilly's Asian American comments
Hooray. Stephen Colbert is back from Christmas vacation. Last week, Fox News pundit Bill O'Reilly made a stupid comment that Asian Americans are hardworking and not liberal. Well, Stephen Colbert did a funny piece on it. He also makes some humorous comments on Wikipedia.
The Colbert Report
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Monday, January 7, 2013
Shatner: Kirk would kick Picard's a**
In a recent interview with CNN's Don Lemon, William Shatner (Star Trek's original Captain Kirk) said the fictional Kirk would kick TNG's Captain Picard's ass. Shatner also talks about the television's first interracial kiss he had with Nichelle Nichols and J.J. Abrams' Star Trek. Yes, I agree with the Shat that the original Star Trek had a more "soul."
Best Stephen Colbert video of 2012
Okay, it's the start of 2013 and time to review some of the bests of 2012. I like to laugh so let's name the best Stephen Colbert video of 2012. It comes from June and it's a Tip of the Hat/Wag of the Finger segment. In this video, Colbert goes over a Japanese diet device, a successful American export, to which I would yell "USA, USA, USA" and a use for your dead pet. Hilarious stuff.
Saturday, January 5, 2013
The Ballad of G.I. Joe
Okay, with the Bengals loss, I need to laugh. There's also a G.I. Joe movie coming out. So here's a video from Funny Or Die about what does the G.I. Joe cast of characters do during their off time. And check out the guest stars in the video. See how many you can name.
FBI investigated Occupy Wall Street
The Huffington Post is reporting that the FBI investigated the Occupy Wall Street protest movement. Yeah, a bunch of lefty hippies are a danger to the country. I wonder if they investigated The Tea Party.
Bengals lose again to Texans
Sigh. Like last year, the Cincinnati Bengals lost again to the Houston Texans in the first round of the playoffs. The score was 19-13 but it wasn't that close. The Bengals offense was putrid. And the Texans took advantage of the Bengals weak middle part of the defense. Game over. I may never see a Bengals Super Bowl championship in my lifetime. Oy Vey.
Well, time to look at the draft. I'm tired of seeing Rey Maualuga getting burned in short routes. The Bengals must look at the linebacker position. Now I like running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis but he's not an every down back. He's not a home run hitter. Now I've got to do something to get me to laugh. Stay tuned for a future post of comedy. Sigh. At least the Bengals are not funny.
Well, time to look at the draft. I'm tired of seeing Rey Maualuga getting burned in short routes. The Bengals must look at the linebacker position. Now I like running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis but he's not an every down back. He's not a home run hitter. Now I've got to do something to get me to laugh. Stay tuned for a future post of comedy. Sigh. At least the Bengals are not funny.
George Takei on Bill O' Reilly's Asian American comments
Bill O'Reilly of Fox News made a stupid comment the other day. Okay, he makes a bunch of them. But he seemed amazed that Hawaii is such a bastion of Democrats. Here's what he had to say.
"Asian people are not liberal, you know, by nature. They’re usually more industrious and hard-working."
A couple of things here Bill O. That may sound like a compliment but it's really kind of racist. You're saying that hard working people are usually conservative and moochers of society are not. So, I'm guessing you're pointing your white finger at African Americans because it ain't at your race. I mean you bemoaned the loss of traditional America after Barack Obama got reelected. And what he was talking about was the "traditional" white family of "Leave it to Beaver." And since Republicans are conservative and mostly white, it's not white people that O'Reilly is upset with.
But let's take a look at O'Reilly's Asian American comment. It's just another dumb comment by a conservative who is using low effort thinking. There's no proof that Asian Americans are not liberal. In fact, the evidence is just the opposite. Asian Americans voted for Obama by a whopping seventy six per cent.
Look Bill O. It's like this. I'm an Asian American. Yes, we can be "conservative" when it comes to family. But we also believe that government's job is to make the lives of Americans better. We're not a laissez faire type. We also believe in civil rights. And I'm talking about women's rights and social justice.
On the Ed Show, Star Trek's George Takei (Sulu) gave his take on Bill O' Reilly's comments.
"Asian people are not liberal, you know, by nature. They’re usually more industrious and hard-working."
A couple of things here Bill O. That may sound like a compliment but it's really kind of racist. You're saying that hard working people are usually conservative and moochers of society are not. So, I'm guessing you're pointing your white finger at African Americans because it ain't at your race. I mean you bemoaned the loss of traditional America after Barack Obama got reelected. And what he was talking about was the "traditional" white family of "Leave it to Beaver." And since Republicans are conservative and mostly white, it's not white people that O'Reilly is upset with.
But let's take a look at O'Reilly's Asian American comment. It's just another dumb comment by a conservative who is using low effort thinking. There's no proof that Asian Americans are not liberal. In fact, the evidence is just the opposite. Asian Americans voted for Obama by a whopping seventy six per cent.
Look Bill O. It's like this. I'm an Asian American. Yes, we can be "conservative" when it comes to family. But we also believe that government's job is to make the lives of Americans better. We're not a laissez faire type. We also believe in civil rights. And I'm talking about women's rights and social justice.
On the Ed Show, Star Trek's George Takei (Sulu) gave his take on Bill O' Reilly's comments.
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Thursday, January 3, 2013
NRA hypocrisy on guns in movies
Remember when the NRA's Wayne LaPierre blamed the Connecticut elementary school shootings on movies and video games? Media Matters did some research and found out that the NRA museum has a section dedicated to guns used in Hollywood movies. There's a video by the NRA outlining the section and it glorifies the use of guns in film. Video below. Now that's what I call hypocrisy.
Republicans: Bush tax cuts increased deficit
On last night's Rachel Maddow Show, she did a story that now Republicans now concede the Bush tax cuts increased the deficit. Of course, Bush's two wars (Iraq and Afghanistan) also added to the deficit. But the Republicans admitting that tax cuts can cause deficits? What the... What next? Republicans admitting that global warming exists? One can dream. One can dream.
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Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Rihanna and Chris Brown together again?
I really can't make many jokes about this celebrity story. Singers Chris Brown and Rihanna had a relationship that ended with Brown beating her. We've seen the photos of her bruised face. Now they're back together. Brown also has a tattoo of what looks to be of her in said injured condition. If it's not her, it sure looks like her. Seriously, I'm worried about her. Yeah I've seen battered women go back to their tormentors. It's just that one asks "why?" I guess I would feel a whole lot better if Brown would come out publicly and restate his remorse. Maybe admit that he has gotten treatment for anger. That might help.
Kim Kardashian pregnancy equals boring news day
When you're a blogger, you're supposed to post articles three times a week. Really you should write every day. So it becomes hard to write when things are boring. Nothing to see here.
I'm not Perez Hilton and writing about celebrity is not my thing. But okay, I'm still confused why Kim Kardashian is a celebrity. The latest news is that she is pregnant with Kanye West's baby and that she could make millions in the baby's first pictures. Four years ago, I had an email conversation with talk show radio host who informed me of why Kardashian is famous. She dated football player Reggie Bush. So if you look up her road to fortune and fame, it's not because she wrote a book, acted or sang. She was a socialite who had a sex tape, dated Reggie Bush and parlayed that into reality TV stardom.
So that's what gets you famous in America today. Next thng you know there will be celebrity surrounding a teenage mother. Oops, that's already happened to Bristol Palin.
I'm not Perez Hilton and writing about celebrity is not my thing. But okay, I'm still confused why Kim Kardashian is a celebrity. The latest news is that she is pregnant with Kanye West's baby and that she could make millions in the baby's first pictures. Four years ago, I had an email conversation with talk show radio host who informed me of why Kardashian is famous. She dated football player Reggie Bush. So if you look up her road to fortune and fame, it's not because she wrote a book, acted or sang. She was a socialite who had a sex tape, dated Reggie Bush and parlayed that into reality TV stardom.
So that's what gets you famous in America today. Next thng you know there will be celebrity surrounding a teenage mother. Oops, that's already happened to Bristol Palin.
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
The Huffington Post's UFO Page
Looking for a legitimate news organization which reports UFO news? The Huffington Post has a page dedicated to UFO news. Look, if UFOs are really extraterrestrial beings then it's the biggest news story of the century. Anyway, the page is cool and has fascinating stuff. Here is the link.
Bengals beat Ravens
As I was watching Sunday's Cincinnati Bengals game against the Baltimore Ravens, I was preparing to write that the Ravens B team ran over the Bengals. After all, the Ravens in the first quarter sat down quarterback Joe Flaccid er, Joe Flacco. But the Bengals defense held after a touchdown by the Ravens who were led by backup Tyrod Taylor. The Bengals scored three field goals and their scoring was highlighted by a Carlos Dunlap interception which he returned for a touchdown. Bengals win 23-17. Here's the story with video. Next up, the playoffs and a rematch with the Houston Texans who beat the Bengals last year in a playoff game.
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