People Are People
Showing posts with label Politics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Politics. Show all posts
Stop SOPA PIPA
Millions of Americans oppose SOPA and PIPA because these bills would censor the Internet and slow economic growth in the U.S.
Two bills before Congress, known as the Protect IP Act (PIPA) in the Senate and the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) in the House, would censor the Web and impose harmful regulations on American business. Millions of Internet users and entrepreneurs already oppose SOPA and PIPA.
The Senate will begin voting on January 24th. Please let them know how you feel. Sign this petition urging Congress to vote NO on PIPA and SOPA before it is too late.
Click here: https://www.google.com/landing/takeaction/ Read more!
WATCHMEN
novel by Alan Moore
artwork by Dave Gibbonsa kate west review
The long awaited newest superhero movie "Watchmen" finally arrives to Los Angeles after several false starts. Not only is there a controversial change in the ending, but also creator Alan Moore remains bitter about his work being Hollywoodized. The original 1980's D.C. comic series debuted to some skepticism itself, due to its dark nature and deeply flawed heroes. But it ultimately achieved cult status, becoming one of the most famous modern graphic novels.
Purists will of course take issue with the change of ending (you've been warned), and pure thrill-seekers will be baffled by the despairing bleakness of the film. Director Zack Snyder (actually a fan of Moore, in spite of the creator's animosity), creates a faithful adaptation, up until the finale and the casting is spot on. Those familiar with the series will appreciate the small character moments and personalities that make up the detailed universe of "Watchmen". It may help you to read the novel before seeing the film, although it is not vital to understanding the plot. The movie is quite thorough.
A group of 1940's superheroes (shown in flashbacks) help rid the world of crime while trying to tend to their own lives. Some of them make it, some don't. They are the Minutemen. A new generation comes along in the 80's, only to be forced into early retirement by a society hell bent against vigilantism. They are the Watchmen. One of the originals is murdered, however, prompting the new crew to get back into the fight.
Nite Owl, The Comedian, Ozymandias, Dr. Manhattan, Silk Spectre and Rorschach are some of the vibrantly different heroes and villains of the story. Aside from plenty of action, the movie is chock full of betrayal, sordid pasts, madness and fear. In this version of history, Richard Nixon takes on a third term and every man, woman and child hopes the Russians won't send nuclear warheads raining down on America. The Watchmen are rejected, yet the world still ends up needing them to save the planet. Isn't that always the way? No respect for hardworking masked saviors.
Jeffrey Dean Morgan is fantastic as the devilish Comedian and Jackie Earle Haley conveys the tortured Rorschach to perfection. So many of the scenes are exact storyboards lifted right out of the comic pages. Rorschach's expressions and violence match the novel panel for panel, as do Nite Owl's (Stephen McHattie) awkwardness at developing into a true hero. Billy Crudup is not outshone by the flawless special effects look of his character, but rather makes it his own, turning from mortal into god. And Matthew Goode's arrogant Ozymandias works quite well. To say more would deprive one of the gradual unfolding of each revelation. Suffice it to say, it is a well-executed rendition of a cult classic, despite Moore's petulance. One main complaint however - the soundtrack. Some of the songs choices are tired and often random. Sometimes they are too obvious a choice and sometimes don't fit the era. In a perfect world, the DVD would be released with a brand new musical score. Here's hoping.
Granted, 'tis a black world indeed, and one that asks for insight into our modern world and our own penchant for harming each other. The uncompromising Rorschach is even driven mad by it. So don't expect Superman or even Batman fare - this story is quite somber and kudos to Snyder for his meticulous adaptation. That was a brave undertaking.
Purists will of course take issue with the change of ending (you've been warned), and pure thrill-seekers will be baffled by the despairing bleakness of the film. Director Zack Snyder (actually a fan of Moore, in spite of the creator's animosity), creates a faithful adaptation, up until the finale and the casting is spot on. Those familiar with the series will appreciate the small character moments and personalities that make up the detailed universe of "Watchmen". It may help you to read the novel before seeing the film, although it is not vital to understanding the plot. The movie is quite thorough.
A group of 1940's superheroes (shown in flashbacks) help rid the world of crime while trying to tend to their own lives. Some of them make it, some don't. They are the Minutemen. A new generation comes along in the 80's, only to be forced into early retirement by a society hell bent against vigilantism. They are the Watchmen. One of the originals is murdered, however, prompting the new crew to get back into the fight.
Nite Owl, The Comedian, Ozymandias, Dr. Manhattan, Silk Spectre and Rorschach are some of the vibrantly different heroes and villains of the story. Aside from plenty of action, the movie is chock full of betrayal, sordid pasts, madness and fear. In this version of history, Richard Nixon takes on a third term and every man, woman and child hopes the Russians won't send nuclear warheads raining down on America. The Watchmen are rejected, yet the world still ends up needing them to save the planet. Isn't that always the way? No respect for hardworking masked saviors.
Jeffrey Dean Morgan is fantastic as the devilish Comedian and Jackie Earle Haley conveys the tortured Rorschach to perfection. So many of the scenes are exact storyboards lifted right out of the comic pages. Rorschach's expressions and violence match the novel panel for panel, as do Nite Owl's (Stephen McHattie) awkwardness at developing into a true hero. Billy Crudup is not outshone by the flawless special effects look of his character, but rather makes it his own, turning from mortal into god. And Matthew Goode's arrogant Ozymandias works quite well. To say more would deprive one of the gradual unfolding of each revelation. Suffice it to say, it is a well-executed rendition of a cult classic, despite Moore's petulance. One main complaint however - the soundtrack. Some of the songs choices are tired and often random. Sometimes they are too obvious a choice and sometimes don't fit the era. In a perfect world, the DVD would be released with a brand new musical score. Here's hoping.
Granted, 'tis a black world indeed, and one that asks for insight into our modern world and our own penchant for harming each other. The uncompromising Rorschach is even driven mad by it. So don't expect Superman or even Batman fare - this story is quite somber and kudos to Snyder for his meticulous adaptation. That was a brave undertaking.
Directed by:
Starring:
Malin Akerman...Laurie Jupiter / Silk Spectre II
Billy Crudup...Dr. Manhattan / Jon Osterman
Matthew Goode...Adrian Veidt / Ozymandias
Jackie Earle Haley...Walter Kovacs / Rorschach
Jeffrey Dean Morgan...Edward Blake / The Comedian
Patrick Wilson...Dan Dreiberg / Nite Owl II
Carla Gugino...Sally Jupiter / Silk Spectre
Matt Frewer...Edgar Jacobi / Moloch the Mystic
Stephen McHattie...Hollis Mason / Nite Owl
Laura Mennell...Janey Slater
Malin Akerman...Laurie Jupiter / Silk Spectre II
Billy Crudup...Dr. Manhattan / Jon Osterman
Matthew Goode...Adrian Veidt / Ozymandias
Jackie Earle Haley...Walter Kovacs / Rorschach
Jeffrey Dean Morgan...Edward Blake / The Comedian
Patrick Wilson...Dan Dreiberg / Nite Owl II
Carla Gugino...Sally Jupiter / Silk Spectre
Matt Frewer...Edgar Jacobi / Moloch the Mystic
Stephen McHattie...Hollis Mason / Nite Owl
Laura Mennell...Janey Slater
Graphic Novel:
Watchmen
Blu Ray:
Watchmen [Blu-ray]
Read more!
Sizzle
Sizzle -
a global warming comedy
a kate west review
directed by Randy Olson
written by Randy Olson & Ifeanyi Njoku
World Premiere - Los Angeles Outfest
at Fairfax Theater
7907 Beverly Blvd. L.A.
www.sizzlethemovie.com
The movie "Sizzle" is a cinematic hodgepodge of styles: comedy, documentary and science, all in an attempt to illuminate global warming. Director/writer Randy Olson is a bonafide scientist (Marine Biologist) who chose to leave science for film school at USC. His previous films include "Rediagnosing the Oceans" and "Flock of Dodos" (about evolution). In "Sizzle" he counters Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth" with a mix of fantasy and a dose of skepticism.
The premise is that he, Olson as a scientist, wants to make a different type of movie about global warming and recruits (pretend) producers Mitch Silpa and Brian Clark who bring him argumentative crew members (Alex Thomas and Ifeanyi Njoku). Using real scientists and fake actors, his mix of fantasy and fact-driven reality can be confusing. For instance, Clark, Silpa and Thomas are the actors playing actors and film crew. Some of them use their real names and some do not. Real creators Olson and Njoku play themselves (Olson) and fake crew members (Njoku). He even enlists his own mother, Muffy Moose, to play his mother. Make sense yet?
The scientists are real, covering the spectrum of both the pro and the con regarding the severity of environmental impact. The alarmists include Dr. Jerry Meehl, Dr. Richard Somerville, Dr. Megan Owen, Julia Bovey and Dr. Naomi Oreskes (who was featured in Al Gore's documentary) and the skeptics include Dr. Pat Michaels, Dr. Steve Hayward, Dr. Fred Singer, Dr. Bill Gray, Dr. Marc Morano and Dr. George Chillingarian. The latter skeptic, Dr. Chilli let's call him, is such a character himself that it further blurs the fantasy/reality line. With a flamboyant mustache and attitude, his outrageousness rivals that of the fake producers.
In addition, Olson has an editing problem. So many scenes are needlessly repetitive. For instance, he interviews a scientist and his pretend cameraman (Thomas) disputes the facts; Olson shows frustration and follows up with several interviews in the exact same manner. Then about two-thirds into the film, Olson presumably finally listens to his sound man (Njoku) who tells him to put a human face on global warming, inspiring them to visit New Orleans and show the still-visible carnage of Hurricane Katrina. While obviously moving, this happens a little too far into the movie and again, goes on a little too long.
The scenes with Brian Clark and Mitch Silpa as flaky novice Hollywood producers are hilarious as the real Silpa and Clark are professional improvisers (www.groundlings.com) and darn good at it too. However, Olson is unfortunately not as talented, and thus is not a strong enough presence to keep viewer interest for an entire feature. His science is interesting, but even after a stint at USC, he is not the consummate filmmaker, having produced a film riddled with editing and believability problems. As a general audience, we appreciate the attempt at fun, but Olson does not quite understand how to maintain a coherent story line, choosing instead to throw everything in but the kitchen sink.
The overall impression is one of chaos, with Olson constantly seeming to wrestle with how to convey his confusion (he does present both pro and con, after all). One ill-directed dream sequence of a literal wrestle (with a polar bear) adds little to the film. His dramatic arguments are written to be funny and are amusing, but the reality/fantasy transitions are just not sharp enough to make a well polished film. In the editing room scene, where Olson is getting advice on focus, one wishes this had really happened behind the scenes in order to be translated into a gratifying whole.
In spite of some spots of entertainment and thought-provoking facts, the film plays as a work-in-progress. It just isn't there. Kudos for the attempt at enlightenment, and if it shifts someones global perspective, that would be great. But sadly, it is just not cinematically logical. And why it premiered at theme-structured Los Angeles Outfest is yet another mysterious facet of the experience.
Read more!
MLK
Happy Martin Luther King Day
a kate west recommendation
The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Ralph Nader
Ralph Nader
a kate west reflection
He ran for President four times, as a Democrat in 1992 and then in 1996 and famously in 2000 for the Green Party and also in 2004 for the Reform Party. That is what Ralph Nader is most remembered for, currently, although his real life's work is in protecting consumers and fighting tirelessly for your civil rights. Born in 1934, this attorney (a graduate from Princeton University and Harvard Law) and civil rights activist led many to take on evil corporate power, earning them the name "Nader's Raiders". He's the one responsible for our seat belts, air bags and free tickets when the airline bumps you, to name but a few of the thousands of positive reforms he's accomplished. We need men like him to remain stubborn and tenacious, even when we don't want to hear it anymore.
A hit at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival, the documentary "An Unreasonable Man" features all aspects of Ralph, to the point of illuminating, (for those of us who don't already know), the sordid details of the 1966 smear campaign by General Motors in an attempt to discredit him. The dangerous idealist Nader started a slew of activist organizations, including helping to found the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and has worked his entire life to save us from corporate greed.
Why then, is he ridiculed and even reviled today? For campaigning in 2004 against Al Gore and George W. Bush, supposedly taking away votes from Gore, helping Bush gain the election. Completey absurd allegations. Gore fought briefly and half-heartedly for a recount when everyone knew the Florida votes were invalid, so he lost that election all on his own. Besides, it's still a free country, and everyone should be entitled to run for President if he/she is able and it's high time the two-party monopoly system was challenged anyway. There are bound to be more than two points of view in this country. So why not try Nader's? He's always looking out for ours. He's still a hero in my book.
| Directed by | Henriette Mantel Steve Skrovan |
|---|---|
| Produced by | Kevin O'Donnell |
| Starring | Ralph Nader Pat Buchanan Howard Zinn |
| Cinematography | Mark Raker |
| Editing by | Beth Gallagher Alexis Provost |
| Distributed by | IFC Films |
| Release date(s) |  January 24, 2006 (Sundance Film Festival)January 31, 2007 |
www.nader.org &
www.votenader.org
Read More:
The Ralph Nader Reader
Civic Arousal
Unsafe at Any Speed: The Designed-in Dangers of the American Automobile
Read more!
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