Lives in a Shoe

Bret Easton Ellis -- Why Not?

Christian Toto, Hollywood in Toto:  First 35 minutes.

Ellis, who once used Trump to highlight his “American Psycho” protagonist’s oily manner, isn’t a rock-ribbed conservative. He didn’t vote for Trump, nor does he apologize for the president’s baser instincts. The author still refuses to accept progressive dogma at face value. It’s a recurring theme on his popular podcast.

Last year, Ellis excoriated political correctness during a particularly blazing podcast episode. That was just a taste of what he delivered this week. Ellis took on liberals who simply cannot process the fact that Hillary Clinton isn’t living in the White House. His withering comments hit some rather sacred cows, especially Oscar winner Meryl Streep...

 

 

 

 

I Don't Care How Cool You Are -- You Will Never Be Dancing Down the White House Stairway Cool

But Cagney was...

 

"I Was Misinformed"

 

North Carolinians Might Be Relieved

The Big Short, Another Look

Worth six and a half minutes.

The arrival of The Big Short in theaters a few weeks ago, and its subsequent nominations at the 88th Academy Awards, has reignited interest in the causes of the 2008 financial crisis. The film would have you think that private greed on Wall Street and a lack of regulation caused the economic crash. While stories like this might make for a fun movie, The Big Short fails to align with the facts.

I was communicating with a commenter about the film, which I have not yet seen.  She told me it was really clear that "corporate greed" caused the crisis and that we need tougher regulation lest it continue to happen.  I wanted to discuss my thinking that maybe it had something to do with excessive regulation by both political administrations and interference with the market.  I couldn't explain it a well as this quick video does.

  

 

I’m Going to Write a Story That Involves Four Black People, Three Jews and a Dog

--..."idiotic": that's not how stories get written.

When asked by the Daily Beast why there aren’t more minority characters in the film, Joel Coen shot back: “Why would there be?”  The film is about the golden age of Hollywood.  

Plus, trailer for "Hail Caesar".

 

Lost In Translation, Mark Steyn's Take

Loved the movie, love this essay.  Here's the intro, but it's a fun read.

Aside from Alec Baldwin's Tony Bennett impression (which was so spot-on I won't hear a word against Baldwin for as long as he lives), I thought the "Saturday Night Live" 40th anniversary show was pretty much a snoozeroo. But the sight of Bill Murray's ravaged visage reminded me of the latter of his two great Oscar-worthy performances. A week ahead of this year's Academy Award winners, I thought it would be appropriate to salute an Academy Award loser for our Saturday movie date - and a loser who, on the big night, was weirdly humiliated in his loss by the Oscar host (and Bill Murray's supposed friend) Billy Crystal. Nominated in four categories, Sofia Coppola's 2003 film Lost In Translation won in only one - for Miss Coppola's screenplay [...]

This has nothing to do with it, but Steyn refers to "a Tokyo full of Americanisms that aren't quite right" and I remembered a Tokyo electronics/appliances emporium, four or five stories tall.  It was chock full of merchandise and featured a very loud soundtrack: "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" endlessly repeated, sung uptempo by cheery  junior-high-school-age girls.  Or chipmunks maybe.  I asked Marcella to tell me what the lyrics were,  She told me, "Our washers are the best, our stereos are wonderful, buy today..."  Not. Quite. Right.

Pocahontas

George is in Texas visiting granddaughters who love the Disney princesses.  I loved princess stories as a girl and it's wonderful to know that little girls still dream like that. 

Someday, though, I hope they learn the real story of Pocahontas instead of the
politically correct claptrap from the cartoon movie.  The real heroine is far more interesting than any plastic princess could be.

For Derek and Marcella: Wizard of Dogs, from the BBC -- Flying Kittehs Too.

Celebrate Human Achievement Tonight During Earth Hour

Fear grows in darkness; if you think there's a bogeyman around, turn on the light.
Dorothy Thompson.

Tonight especially, I will recall with gratitude Dr. Ben Chue and the scientists and corporations that made possible the treatment with Herceptin that saved my life. I will think of Dr. Chue with gratitude for treating Sara and making it possible for my grandchildren to continue to have their mother.  I will think with gratitude of the physicians and technology that have made it possible for my cousin Pat to stay here with us.  I will again be consciously thankful that we live in a society where free enterprise continues to astound us. 

I will not sit huddled in the darkness.  I will watch this video again and turn on lights in celebration. Every single light, even those in the barn.  I will lift a glass to honor Thomas Edison and his scientific descendants, clink!   Technology rules.