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Filtering by Category: Films
Stranger Things 3: The Battle Of Starcourt Mall
Season Three of Stranger Things is now available on Netflix. The climax is the battle of Starcourt Mall (watch it and you will see why) and the season does not disappoint fans. I actually re-watched the first two seasons again before diving into the new one.
The Duffer Brothers are doing a great job of developing the lives of their characters as they age and making it part of the plot. The personal relationships, real life intruding with fighting the dangers from the Upside Down, kept reminding me of what Josh Whedon did with Buffy The Vampire Slayer. That story then, as is Stranger Things now, is not as much about the dangers as the characters' lives. It is what draws fans back.
There is a great job in introducing new characters (and some instant fan favorites) and not being shy in writing people off. This always helps keep a show fresh. And you have to admire the Duffer Brothers persistence in dropping 80's references when the opportunity permits. From songs, to fashion, to the mall itself, (not to mention a whole Terminator part of the story that is a great tribute), the show serves as a time capsule for those who know nothing about the decade.
I'll try not to give away too much here but if you haven't seen the season yet, I'm about to give a major twist at the end of the season. READY?
What the hell happened to Hopper is what everyone will be focused on when Season 4 comes around (hopefully, next year). There is a big mystery there and since fans like Hopper, one has to wonder what surprise the writing room has in mind.
Also, there seems to be a splintering of the core group which opens all sorts of possibilities. Each character now has a personal challenge - whether grief, sexual, career - to surmount. Yeah, Season 4 has all the potential to be the best yet.
If you haven't seen any of Stranger Things - what is wrong with you??? Joking of course. But this is one of the best television shows available. Do yourself a favor and dive into it. Meanwhile, I give Season 3 a 4.5 on the rating scale.
categories / Cinema, entertainment, Films, food, history, Politics, travel, TV, writing
tags / Stranger Things, Stranger Things Season Three, Netflix, Upside Down, Eleven, Mad Max, Hopper, television, Starcourt Mall, Duffer Brothers, Josh Whedon
My ancestors, who were instrumental in getting the original Declaration of Independence done, would be appalled at this week's events. They'd probably be trying to rally supporters around the original document to remedy the situation we currently face. So in that spirit, I thought it would be a good thing to put up the original document so you could read it once through for yourself.
The holiday has always been a time for fireworks, picnics, and family events. A century ago, there would have been public gatherings, maybe an orator or two (it use to be an art, not like the current crop of speakers who ramble incoherently) and a time for celebration.
This year, that tradition is openly being mocked. Instead of the non-partisan festivities we are use too, like say a fife and drum corp, the viewing of a national celebration on television that everyone can enjoy, we are have our tradition hijacked for a display of political ego stroking. For the first time we will have the sickening sight of tanks at the celebration, activities restricted to party supporters, and the theme isn't the country, but a tyrant of our own.
Here is a document meant to help inspire people, citizens, to put tyrants in their place:
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.
He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected, whereby the Legislative Powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.
He has obstructed the Administration of Justice by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary Powers.
He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance.
For protecting them, by a mock Trial from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefit of Trial by Jury:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:
For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies
For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:
He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation, and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & Perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.
He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.
Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.
We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. — And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.
categories / Books, entertainment, Films, history, Politics, religion, travel, TV, writing
tags / history, Declaration of Independence, American Revolution, 4th of July, celebrations, holidays, rebels, American history, Revolutionary War, 1776
The Rolling Thunder Revue
Martin Scorsese ruined this film. There's no other way to say it. I wish I didn't have to say it but I do. Few directors have done greater service to musical history than Scorsese. The Last Waltz and No Direction Home are but two of his best among half-dozen or more music related documentaries. Then comes The Rolling Thunder Revue and …. WHAT THE HELL WAS HE THINKING?
This 'documentary' (and use that term lightly) uses footage from the famous Dylan tour of that name to explore the tour and its impact. Sorta. Here is the problem: A lot of the best parts are fake. Actors. Fake stories. The sad part is there was no need for it. The concert footage and that of the musicians together is great. In many respects, this is like opening a time capsule or finding forgotten treasures in your attic.
Scorsese spoils the experience. I watch a documentary to learn or relive a moment in time. If I wanted fantasy, I could turn on a rerun of That 70's Show. I really felt used and exploited. There is no way around this.
I love Dylan. Saw him in concert once. He has inspired some of my writing. And I know he is a trickster to some measure. But that is no excuse for Scorsese to do what he did. We have enough 'fake' moments in our lives these days. And in an era when an untalented trickster occupies the White House, and anyone who stands up for truth is ridiculed, this documentary had the potential to be a counter-balance and inspire the viewer to do some soul-searching. (How can you listen to Dylan perform and have it not seem relevant?). Times were rough then like they are now. Scorsese intentionally deprived the audience of that experience.
The why is the big question. I don't know. Everyone makes a bad call at some point. But on this level, with Scorsese's experience, this should have never happened. There was a great article published in Variety concerning this topic. It is written by Owen Gleiberman. I link the ARTICLE HERE. Read it.
The only other thing I will add, the more I see footage of Joan Baez from this period, the more I realize what a presence she was. Other than that, I feel like I wasted 2 1/2 hours of my life thanks to Scorsese. This rates a 2/5 on the scale. And only because you can't go wrong watching Dylan and Baez perform.
categories / Cinema, economy, entertainment, Films, history, Music, Politics, religion, travel, writing
tags / The Rolling Thunder Revue, Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Martin Scorsese, Owen Gleiberman, Variety, Concerts, Music, tours, Trump, Rock n roll, Carter
Since it is the 75th Anniversary of D-Day, I thought it would be a fine time to recommend a top read on the subject. Cornelius Ryan is one of the best WWII historians and produced two classic works: A Bridge Too Far (about the disastrous Allied operation, 'Market Garden') and The Longest Day, which is aptly titled to describe D-Day.
What makes Ryan stand apart from many of his peers is the sheer volume of interviews. He in turn incorporated those stories into his narrative so that instead of reading simply about military tactics or what happened when, you have the event relayed through the eyes of the people on the ground. Little details about what they took with them, personal encounters with the enemy etc make the whole history come to life. There is a film version of this. The movie is well-done but the book is better.
D-Day and the fight against fascism helped change the course of humanity. You can't know where you are going if you don't know where you've been. Take time to read about the men and women who gave you the world you have today.
categories / Books, entertainment, Cinema, films, Films, France, Germany, history, Holocaust, Politics, religion, travel, writing
tags / D-Day, June 1944, Normandy, France, Allies, WWII, WW2, writing, history, books, Cornelius Ryan, The Longest Day, historians, Operation Market Garden, A Bridge Too Far
35th Day of May
This week marks the 30th Anniversary of what many Chinese refer to as the 35th day of May, because China censors any mention (including this blog) of the Tiananmen Square Massacre. The event is called such because it was a bloodletting of thousands of innocent, peaceful protestors who were demonstrating for democracy when the Communist Party of China brought in troops and tanks from outside the capital, and without provocation, slaughtered those who dared to demand their voices be heard. The demonstrators had been camped out for several days, and they were winning people over by the hour. Demonstrators even built their own Statue of Liberty. The move toward democracy threatened the Communist apparatus.
I was actually listening to the radio when the massacre occurred. There was a reporter, ABC's Kyle Gibson, who was in the Square, and giving a live account. I recall hearing bullets whiz past her as she scrambled for cover and described the carnage round about her. They were secretly filming the confrontation. It was one of the best pieces of live reporting I have ever heard.
Since then, the ruling party of China has departed on a mission to repress freedom wherever it is found. It currently operates one of the largest gulag systems in history with millions locked up in camps and executed due to race or religion. It doesn't even have to do with politics.
China censors what you see on tv or the internet. They rate citizens by their behavior, using facial recognition developed by companies like Google and Amazon. Jaywalk in China and you're likely to find your picture up on a billboard, denouncing you as a threat to society. Your citizen score gets low enough, you lose your job and get sent off to a camp. China has embraced Big Brother so that the Communist Party may stay in power.
For many Chinese, the massacre is only a rumour, or something they've never even heard of after all this time. They don't know who 'tank man' is - the fellow who stood by himself in front of two dozen tanks to stop their approach. Authorities arrested him and no one has ever learned of his fate or even who he was since that day.
China is a threat to humanity itself. The Chinese people can be a promise to the future of our species but only if the the ruling party falls. Until then, it seems the citizens will have to remain enslaved to a powerful elite. The country has taken many wrong turns since the Long Journey. How power does corrupt.
categories / Books, Cinema, economy, entertainment, Films, history, Politics, religion, travel, TV, writing
tags / China, Tiananmen Square, Kyle Gibson, ABC, news, Asia, 35th day of May, censorship, Google, Amazon, facial recognition, gulag, concentration camps, communist, communism
April 17, 2019 / Jett Wilson
If you know anything at all about comedy, then you know that Laurel and Hardy were legends in their day. And frankly, they still are. This movie, based on the book about Laurel & Hardy's last tour in the U.K. during the 1950s, is an unheralded delight. I suspect for most viewers, it will give an insight into the comedic duo that is little known.
Laurel and Hardy were before my time. Yet, this movie brought back some good memories because as a kid, I and a friend use to watch their movies on a television station, typically over the weekends. This was before cable and there were stations that played older movies or artists like on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Their routines cracked me up and my friend could do a decent Stan Laurel imitation.
Steve Coogan and John C. Reilly nail their roles in this film. What I like about them, and the script, is that it focused on their personal lives. The famous bits they did were woven not into the story as opposed to the story being built around the bits.
This is a movie about two legends who are at the twilight, not only of their careers but their lives. And I have to say, one refreshing aspect is that you realize, when given the chance, people reconnected with their greatness even though they'd been out of the spotlight a good while. I streamed this on Redbox. This one should've gotten a wider release in theaters so thank goodness for streaming services. Want a good movie to watch, this is it. 5 by 5 on the rating scale.
categories / Books, Cinema, entertainment, Films, history, Music, travel, TV, writing
tags / Laurel and Hardy, Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, books, films, cinema, Redbox, Steve Coogan, John C Reilly, comedy, comedy legends
I woke up this morning to a news story about how The Hunchback Of Notre Dame, written by Victor Hugo, has soared to number one on book and movie lists. This in the wake of yesterday's terrific fire at Notre Dame. One story talked about how the French often turn to literature in a time of crisis. My first reaction that was how wonderful it must be to live in a country where literature is revered in that fashion.
Hugo is one of the great writers - EVER. His book is a fine read and I encourage you to follow the trend and read it if you haven't done so already. Many may be more familiar with the movie version. The Disney take was of course a big hit in the late '90s. However, if film is your forte, then definitely check out Charles Laughton in the 1939 version. Laughton, who is considered one of the greatest actors ever, offers one of his best performances in that movie. So, skip Disney, go for the real deal.
It is amazing how people are transfixed by places where they've been or that have become symbolic in their own lives of something that lies deeper within. Clearly, from the world reaction, Notre Dame is such a place for many people.
categories / Books, Cinema, entertainment, Films, France, history, travel, writing
tags / Notre Dame, Hunchback Of Notre Dame, Victor Hugo, books, movies, Paris, travel, Charles Laughton
The Final Year
This documentary about the foreign policy in the last year of the Obama Presidency reveals a lot about that administration and the country as a whole. It was a time when China, Syria, Cuba, the Paris Climate Accords were all at major stages. The film focuses on four, prominent and powerful players in those historical moments: Samantha Power; Ben Rhodes; John Kerry; and President Obama.
It doesn't take but a few minutes into the film to realize why the Trump administration has failed so miserably on foreign policy. The people in this film were working 24/7, knew the life-death stakes of their decisions, and strove to make the moral and best choices for the country as deemed best by results in the long-run. All things the Trump administration never does. Change doesn't happen by itself. You have to work at it.
I was caught up - as I always am by her - in Samantha Power's genuine concern for the people in the countries she was trying to help. Whether it be visiting parents of the victims of Boco Haram, speaking at an immigrant swearing-in ceremony, or challenging Russia in the U.N., her passion was always on display. I'm a huge fan of hers and find her inspirational. Although, for some reason, I didn't know until this film that she was a migrant from Ireland.
Ben Rhodes hit home some good points in this movie. I think one of the best ones was when he was in a conference room after talks with the Chinese and he spoke about all the issues and things the administration had done, and then pointed out how the U.S. press covered almost none of it, being more focused on Trump's twitter feed instead. This is how - in large part - we've gotten us in the unholy mess we are in now.
I was also struck by his interactions in Laos, Vietnam, and the trip to Hiroshima where the President made a speech. Avoiding war and the cost of war is a constant theme when these people are talking. And no one touched on that subject more forcefully than John Kerry.
Whatever your views on Kerry, he will no doubt go down in history as probably the hardest working Secretary of State this country has had up until now. While his successors had to call off meetings for nap times, Kerry was on the go 24/7, handling several issues at once. I think the movie said that during the week of the U.N. General Assembly he had 70 meetings with representatives from other countries. Let that sink in for a moment.
The movie was great at showing how labor intensive these jobs can be but I thought it fell short because it never let you follow the progress - good or bad - on any particular issue. Now that may be due to security reasons, I don't know. But it leaves a void in the story arc that, if dealt with, would have turned this movie from good to great.
The Final Year is interesting and and well made. Even with the flaw I mentioned, I still give this a 4 of 5 on the rating scale. It was depressing in the sense that in watching this, you realize how far this country has fallen in the last couple years. On the other hand, the people in this movie do give you hope that the future can be rescued.
categories / Cinema, entertainment, Environment, Europe, Films, history, Politics, travel, writing
tags / Samantha Power, Ben Rhodes, The Final Year, documentaries, John Kerry, Obama, Trump, foreign policy, U.N., Iran, Cuba, Hiroshima, politics
After watching this movie, I'm convinced more than ever that society depends on being systemically risk adverse. Watching the lead in this movie survive their last days of middle school, while recalling my own youth, made me wonder how much we dampen the intellect growth of youth simply because we don't want to be bothered. What was worse for me was that the lead - Elsie Fisher - reminded me of a close friend's child and I was thinking, oh, shit, is this what they have to look forward too? How do we help them?
You know what? Those are the right questions to be asking because this movie is a flashing red light on what a deadly jungle it is out there. The film reminds you that from school shootings to sexual assault, suicide, and a student's wrong move, can have the worse of consequences.
We get lost in our own orbits of jobs, housing, social circles, and it is easy to abdicate our responsibility to help the next generation navigate their way in life. We have lessons and wisdom to pass on and often they need us. But it takes time, and effort, to step into that role. Sure it is exhausting and yes, we will often fail. But we have to try even it means sacrificing things we personally care about. Those kids are more important. They just are.
If you stop and think, how many times has a relative or a stranger helped you through what seemed like an impossible situation? How many people do you know still walk this planet because someone aided them in an hour of need? It was a sacrifice on their part. And no one will ever give them an award except maybe in the afterlife because when you consider the ripple effects of those acts of kindness, few acts are as important to the greater good. That kindness changes the world. You may not be able to see it now - or ever - but a generation or two from now, that kindness still reaps benefits. That is more than you can say for your job, social status, or the retirement fund you leave in your will.
This movie, written and directed by Bo Burnham, was nominated for major awards (over 50 according to IMDB) and won several including the WGA award for best screenplay, AFI Picture Of The Year, and Director's Guild for Best First Picture. You don't do a whole lot better than that on the award circuit. And after watching it, I say each award was well-deserved.
The script is tight and even as I write, I'm still laughing about the banana scene. Cracked me up. I'm also still contemplating the burning of those hopes and dreams on the fire for the sake of moving on. And I got a new favorite line - thanks Bo Burnham - in "You can't be brave without being scared". As Joseph Campbell might say, how many people never found their bliss because they were scared?
This typically isn't my type of movie but I am so glad I watched. Elsie Fisher is the focus of this movie and she pulls it off. The writing and directing is spot on. There are some points in the directing where I went, 'oh, yeah… awesome choice …' because it brought an angle to a thought you may have known to a different light. This movie is easily 5/5 on the rating scale.
categories / Cinema, entertainment, films, Films, travel, writing
tags / Eighth Grade, Bo Burnham, Elsie Fisher, movies, awards, school, teenagers, writing
February 26, 2019 / Jett Wilson
On recommendation of a friend, I binged Netflix's Umbrella Academy this past week. Based on a comic series, the story is about a group of kids, all conceived and born in 24 hours on the same date, who have super powers that use for various, and sometimes selfish, purposes. However, the premise is they are brought back together to stop an apocalypse.
The show reminds me a lot of the old hit series, Heroes. It just has that feel to it. And I was surprised, once I started viewing, to discover Ellen Page has a major role in the show (I won't give it away). She typically does good work and is no disappointed in this series.
There are mixed views on Umbrella Academy. Overall, I like it but I do feel at times the plot is sacrificed for the sake of being off-the-wall simply because the show can be. There are also a couple major plot holes I'd like to point.
First, is a real simple thing but it just seems weird to me. In almost every episode, someone uses a pay phone or land line. The story takes place in the now so let me ask, when was the last time you saw a working pay phone or was some place where everyone had a land line? And yet the use of a cell is far and between, in fact, I am saying that thinking a cell was used a couple times but not really sure during what point in the show. Why?
My second point falls in purview of time travel. One of the characters can time travel. And he comes back to the future, having destroyed an adversary in the future. That adversary sees changes in the timeline. Well, if you go back in time (the killing having taken place in the future) then the adversary would presumably still be alive and able to detect a change in events and know something was up. But in shows dealing with time travel, a measure of leeway is always there because it is such a pandora's box. However, the writers never addressed the issue as to explain or dismiss it or establish 'rules'.
Overall, the show is entertaining and interesting. Certainly well done and the acting is on the mark. If you like these sorta of shows then you in all likelihood will get into this one. I rate it 4 of 5 on the scale.
categories / Books, Films, travel, TV, entertainment
tags / Ellen Page, Umbrella Academy, Netflix, time travel, tv shows, flims, comics, Heroes
2019 Oscar Picks
For the first time ever, the differing guilds (WGA, Directors etc) all picked a different set of award winners. This means, handicapping the Oscars this year is a lot more difficult than usual. And to me, the acting and writing categories are really up in the air. But hey, the show without a host is airing this weekend so here are my picks:
BEST PICTURE: Roma
BEST DIRECTOR: Alfonso Cuaron (Roma)
ACTRESS LEADING ROLE: Olivia Colman (The Favorite)
ACTOR LEADING ROLE: Rami Malek (Bohemian Rhapsody)
SUPPORTING ACTRESS; Regina King (If Beale Street Could Talk)
SUPPORTING ACTOR: Mahershala Ali (Though secretly, I'm rooting for Sam Elliot)
ANIMATED FEATURE: Spider Man
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Lukasz Zal (Cold War)
COSTUME DESIGN: Ruth Carter (Black Panther)
DOCUMENTARY: RBG
DOCUMENTARY SHORT: Black Sheep
EDITING: Yorgos Mavropsaridis (The Favorite)
FOREIGN FILM: Roma
MAKEUP/HAIR: Vice
ORIGINAL SCORE: Black Panther
SONG: Shallow (Star Is Born) - Probably the only sure pick of the night
PRODUCTION DESIGN: Black Panther
SHORT: Weekends
SHORT - LIVE: Marguerite
SOUND EDITING: Black Panther
SOUND MIX: Black Panther
VISUAL EFFECTS: Avengers: Infinity War
WRITING (ORIGINAL): Vice
WRITING ADAPTED: Blackkklansman
categories / Cinema, Books, Films, travel, Music, films
tags / Oscars, Hollywood, movies, awards, cinema, films
Discovering Che
Last night I watched a documentary by Spanish writer/director, Paco Ignacio Taibo II. On Netflix, the title is simply, El Che. I specify Netflix (where I watched it) because it appears to have various other titles overseas.
Taibo is definitely a fan of Che, who remains one of the most iconic figures of the late 20th century and Che is still an inspiration to many people. I like the way Taibo starts this film, by explaining that every people need a myth. This is part of being human and every society is entitled. I think Joseph Campbell would agree.
Taibo follows the paths that Che took in his life, in the order he took them. Basically, he followed in Che's footsteps. And what is revealed is a wanderer, an adventurer, who somewhere along the way, discovered a greater purpose in life.
We see the actual room where Che and Castro first met. The sites of Che's great military victories and of course the place where he was ambushed and captured. We see where his body was sprawled out for villagers after he was executed at behest of the C.I.A. I was reminded that the world changes course in some very obscure places.
During the film, we are exposed to Che's family life. The subject of mistresses isn't touched on (probably should've been) or what his relationship was with his children and wives. I suspect Taibo would've been pushing his luck to try and obtain that kind of cooperation. However, it was the one area where I wish I knew more. Fortunately, both his wives wrote books.
As it is, we are introduced to leading figures who fought alongside Che during the revolution. We also meet boyhood and school friends and see rare photos. You do walk away from this movie with a greater sense of who Che was as a person.
There is a lot of pro and con about Che out there. Sometimes, you have to look at the source. Yeah, Cuban exiles probably don't have a lot of good things to say. On the other hand, many of those families had a stake in the dictatorship that was overthrown by the revolution. Did Che really have those people executed in the Cuban political prison? Those in the movie who probably had first-hand knowledge say he didn't. Those who hate him, say he did. We may never know for sure.
What we do know is that Che was a doctor dedicated to the poor. He actually lived with and treated a leper colony. He believed in manual labor, even after ascending to power he spent time among laborers erecting schools. He was one of those rare leaders who lived as the people he served. Maybe because of this, his legend, more than just about anyone else's from this period, will be sustained.
While there were some subjects I wish the movie had delved deeper into, this film is definitely worth the time. It gives you a chance to hear from those who participated in events and to get a glimpse of the era that forged one of the greatest historical figures of the modern age. Definite 5 of 5 on the rating scale.
categories / Cinema, Films, Politics, travel
tags / Che, Cuba, Paco Ignacio Taibo, films, documentaries, Netflix, revolution, C.I.A.
Imagine being on the battlefields of Sri Lanka, Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, and Syria. Imagine being wounded and losing an eye or watching friends be killed. Now, imagine doing all that even though you aren't a soldier but rather a reporter.
A Private War is the story of Marie Colvin who did all those things and more, including broadcasting live from Homs, Syria where she exposed the lies of the Assad regime. Her reporting from Homs is what caused the Assad regime to kill her there.
The acting in this movie is superb. Rosamund Pike has this part nailed. Her mannerisms give you a good clue what Colvin must've been like in real life. And her co-star, Jamie Dornan proves her equal in a much quieter role, that of her photographer Paul Conroy, who survived the Homs attack. Tom Hollander does a good job as her editor though I wish the script had filled his character out a bit more.
In fact, if there is a shortcoming with this movie, it is the script. Don't get me wrong, it isn't bad. Rather it has some jerky transitions that get in the way of the storytelling. I will add that I thought the first five minutes of the movie were the most disappointing part of it.
There could've been better transitions into the war zones. Viewers are left to figure out what is going on there or why Colvin went, all on their own. Also, Colvin's PTSD could've used a little more clarity. We know why she got it but her recognizing it creeping into her life is a bit of mystery. She went to rehab but apparently it didn't take though the movie never explores when or why she moved beyond treatment.
I've been waiting to see this movie ever since it was released. Having said that, it wasn't released in too many towns so I ended up streaming it on Redbox. Despite the shortcomings with the script, this is a worthy movie. It scores 4 of 5 on my rating scale.
categories / Cinema, Books, Films, Politics, travel
tags / A Private War, Syria, Homs, Marie Colvin, movies, cinema, Paul Conroy, Rosamund Pike
Dog-tired on a Friday night, and I stumbled across this film on Netflix. I knew of it from a couple years ago but was one of those critically acclaimed movies that seems to evade wide-release. For instance, 2018's A Private War falls into that pattern. I'm having to wait for the DVD release.
Thanks to Netflix, I didn't have to rent Personal Shopper. And what a unique story this was from the director of Clouds Of Sils Maria, which also starred Kristen Stewart and made her the first American to win France's highest acting honor for her supporting role.
In Personal Shopper, Stewart plays a … well, you guessed it …. personal shopper. Living in Paris, she has put her life on hold because her twin brother recently died from a rare heart ailment. He was a medium and she's waiting for a sign from him. Along the way, we see how her brother's friends are reacting and what kind of boss she has. And if that isn't enough, a murder occurs to add a little psychological edge.
This is part ghost story. It is part mystery. Mostly, it is coming to terms with death and the twists that life throws in your path. This is a drama, low-key on the action, but it is intense. Very much Stewart's vehicle, she holds your attention from start to finish.
I was wondering why watching this why I've always liked Stewart as an actress. And I think I boiled it down to two items. First, she deftly handles emotional range. It is almost like she changes gears in a slight of hand fashion. Secondly, she reminds you of someone you run into everyday. She is your co-worker. Your neighbor. A cousin. There isn't that gulf that typically separates you from the Hollywood type. Hopefully, you get what I am saying.
One question though, can Stewart really text as fast as she does in this movie? I was impressed.
For a movie a bit off the beaten path, Personal Shopper, is worth the view. I give it a strong 4 of 5 on the rating scale.
categories / Cinema, Films, Europe, travel
tags / Personal Shopper, Kristen Stewart, Clouds of Sils Maria, France, Paris, ghosts, movies
Babylon Berlin (Season 1 & 2)
January 19, 2019 / Jett Wilson
I finished binging Babylon Berlin. This has instantly become one of my all-time fav shows. I loved this. Based on literary novels, this production is the most expensive non-English project on Netflix's slate. Don't worry though, its dubbed in English and so there are no subtitles. The action will keep you riveted.
The story starts in 1929. If you don't know anything about Germany in this period let me throw in a few elements that weave their way into the dozen story lines: WW1 was lost and there were tons of disenfranchised vets; the Great Depression was underway; political parties constantly staged street battles; jazz and sex clubs were a thing as was morphine addiction.
What I loved about this was the writing. The characters are so vivid and different and yet they meld together in a way that brings the city to life. You see people protecting their interests in dire times. You see the poverty (Want a bath? Rent one for 15 minutes at the public baths) and people trying to survive. And yet there are great story lines of mystery, murder, political intrigue, good cops and bad cops, and wannabe cops. And of course romance. This show has it all and trust me, there isn't one boring episode. No one is pure and there are no obvious outs.
Netflix in the States has both seasons (in Germany) listed as Season One. And there will be a Season Three. Don't expect characters to survive and don't be surprised when hearts are broken. But by all means stream this show. The cast is great. The sets marvelous. Really, they stand out whether it is a club for the elite or a slum flat where a half-dozen people are crammed into two rooms. In case you haven't guessed, for the record, this is a 5/5 on the rating scale.
categories / Films, Germany, TV
tags / Babylon Berlin, Germany, movies, television, Berlin
Zu Asche, Zu Staub (Babylon Berlin)
I started watching 'Babylon Berlin'. This is the trailer but the song and dance sequence is from the second episode and I loved it so much I had to share. The drum solo and audience dance about half the way through is the best part.
Berlin in the 20s and early 30s was the wildest city in Europe. Everything was a go. For instance, I learned at a seminar one time that in the early 30s there were 400 gay clubs just in Berlin. You wanted to forget the war, the depression, the shit of life, there was a way to do it. This reminded me of Margaret Mitchell (Gone With The Wind) who caused a scandal by dancing the Apache, which she learned in Europe, at a social event in the States. I've only watched two episodes but I'm hooked on the show. Now streaming on Netflix.
categories / Films, Cinema, Germany, TV
tags / Babylon Berlin, Zu Asche, Zu Asche Zu Staub, Germany
Cold Fact
Welcome to my first blog post of 2019! Hope the New Year is off to a good start for you. First a couple housekeeping notes. Posts on this blog from previous years have been placed on separate page. You can scroll/search for them there. The same is true of book and film ratings. I will be adding pages and making changes to the site over the next month. Time permitting that is.
Over the holiday I FINALLY got around to watching the Oscar-winning documentary, Searching For Sugar Man, about the singer Rodriguez. For those of you who don't know the story, he was a singer from the late 60's, early 70's, that big-time producers thought was on the same level as Dylan. His style and lyrics are of that caliber. Trouble was, he was a Latino man trying to sell records in a country that didn't want to listen to Latino men. However, while he was shunned in America, unbeknownst to him or anyone else, he became literally bigger than Elvis in South Africa, selling millions of records. Everyone there thought he was dead until a couple music fans in the 1990's started digging around and discovered to their shock he wasn't. They brought the singer to South Africa for sold-out concerts and basically the man who worked hard labor all his life because his music career had been derailed, found second life as a singer.
Rodriguez' first album was Cold Fact. After seeing the movie, I ordered it. Turns out his works are still hard to purchase and when you can, it may be on the pricey side. This probably has to do with the fact initial record companies are defunct and there were lawsuits about what exactly happened to all that moola from South Africa.
The singer has lived and grown up in the inner-cities of America and does it ever show on this album. The lyrics are haunting, reflecting the desperation of surviving a country that doesn't give merde about anything but money. This Is Not A Song, It's An Outburst: Or, The Establishment Blues echoes Dylan but on a deeper level. Rodriguez' voice has such a distinctive sound that its almost as though he's a cry of what he's writing about as he effortlessly moves through the hollow scenery of life.
I Wonder could've easily been a radio hit. Actually, there are at least three songs on this album where that could be true. But this song is catchy, sticks in your mind (in a good way) and always reminds me of something Elliot Smith might have wrote years later.
Whether its about lost souls searching for one last glimmer of hope or a fix to remind them there isn't one, this album is totally worth adding to your music library. It is only a half-hour long but you'll find yourself learning the songs on here. Rodriguez' music sounds even more relevant and fresh than it did when first released. Cold Fact inspired anti-Apartheid bands in South Africa for good reason. With a rating of 5/5, let it inspire you.
categories / Films, Music, Cinema
tags / music, film, cinema, Oscars, documentaries, Rodriguez, Cold Fact


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text:
Q: Using a smaller subset symbol? I was looking at a paper and noticed they were using a thin subset symbol, like this:

I can't seem to find a command for this (and the corresponding symbol for \subseteq) online anywhere. How would I use this symbol?

A: You could design your own thin subset symbol using \scalebox. Adjust the .8 scaling factor however you like.

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{graphicx}

\newcommand{\thinsubset}{\mathrel{\scalebox{1}[.8]{$\subset$}}}
\newcommand{\thinsubseteq}{\mathrel{\scalebox{1}[.8]{$\subseteq$}}}

\begin{document}

$A\subset B\subseteq C$

$A\thinsubset B\thinsubseteq C$

\end{document}

A more complicated version, using \mathpalette will allow the symbol to be used as a subscript:

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{graphicx}
\usepackage{amsmath}

\makeatletter
\newcommand{\thinsub}{\mathrel{\mathpalette\thin@sub\relax}}
\newcommand{\thin@sub}[2]{\m@th#1\text{\scalebox{1}[.8]{$\subset$}}}
\newcommand{\thinsubeq}{\mathrel{\mathpalette\thin@subeq\relax}}
\newcommand{\thin@subeq}[2]{\m@th#1\text{\scalebox{1}[.8]{$\subseteq$}}}
\makeatother

\newcommand{\thinsubset}{\mathrel{\scalebox{1}[.8]{$\subset$}}}
\newcommand{\thinsubseteq}{\mathrel{\scalebox{1}[.8]{$\subseteq$}}}

\begin{document}

$A\subset B\subseteq C_{A\subset B\subseteq C}$

$A\thinsub B\thinsubeq C_{A\thinsub B\thinsubeq C}$

\end{document}

A: Solution 1:
This might be what you look for:
\documentclass{article}
\let\mysub=\subset
\usepackage{mathabx}

\begin{document}
The original: $\mysub$

mathabx: $\subset$
\end{document}

Solution 2:
I searched the definition of \subset in the mathabx package, and another solution without using this package is here:
\documentclass{article}

\DeclareFontFamily{U}{matha}{\hyphenchar\font45}
\DeclareFontShape{U}{matha}{m}{n}{
    <5> <6> <7> <8> <9> <10> gen * matha
    <10.95> matha10 <12> <14.4> <17.28> <20.74> <24.88> matha12
}{}
\DeclareSymbolFont{matha}{U}{matha}{m}{n}
\DeclareFontSubstitution{U}{matha}{m}{n}
\DeclareMathSymbol{\mysubset}{3}{matha}{"80}

\begin{document}
The original: $\subset$

Own symbol: $\mysubset$
\end{document}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
World Series Fans: Joy and Despair
Published at 1:41 pm on November 3, 2016
The Cubs defeated the Indians 8-7 in 10 innings to win their first championship in 108 years. Fans of both teams experienced dramatic ups and downs in a Game 7 that started Wednesday night and stretched into early Thursday morning.
Chicago Cubs fans celebrate outside Wrigley Field after the Cubs defeated the Cleveland Indians in game seven of the 2016 World Series on Nov. 2, 2016, in Chicago, Illinois. The Cubs 8-7 victory landed them their first World Series title since 1908.
Justin Merriman/Getty Images
Chicago Cubs fans hug outside of Progressive Field after game seven of the World Series between the Cleveland Indians and the Chicago Cubs on Nov. 2, 2016, in Cleveland, Ohio.
Chicago Cubs fans celebrate outside Wrigley Field as the Cubs play the Cleveland Indians during game seven of the 2016 World Series on Nov. 2, 2016, in Chicago, Illinois. The Cubs defeated the Indians 8-7 to win their first World Series title since 1908.
Bill Murray reacts on the field after the Chicago Cubs defeated the Cleveland Indians 8-7 in game seven of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field on Nov. 2, 2016, in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cubs win their first World Series in 108 years.
Scott Olson/Getty Images
Chicago Cubs fans celebrate outside Wrigley Field as the Cubs play the Cleveland Indians during game seven of the 2016 World Series on Nov. 2, 2016, in Chicago, Illinois.
Chicago Cubs fans celebrate outside Wrigley Field as the Cubs play the Cleveland Indians during game seven of the 2016 World Series on Nov. 2, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois.
Cleveland Mounted Police keep watch near Progressive Field before the start of game 7 of the World Series between the Cleveland Indians and the Chicago Cubs on Nov. 2, 2016, in Cleveland, Ohio. This marks the 37th Game 7 in World Series history.
Richard Jefferson and LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers react during game seven of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field on Nov. 2, 2016, in Cleveland, Ohio.
Fans react as they watch a big screen outside of Progressive Field during game seven of the World Series between the Cleveland Indians and the Chicago Cubs in the early morning hours on Nov. 3, 2016, in Cleveland, Ohio.
Fans react as they watch the big screen outside of Progressive Field during game seven of the World Series between the Cleveland Indians and the Chicago Cubs on Nov. 2, 2016, in Cleveland, Ohio.
Cleveland Indians fans watch a big screen outside of Progressive Field during game 7 of the World Series between the Cleveland Indians and the Chicago Cubs on November 2, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cleveland Indians are looking to secure their first World Series championship since 1948.
A Cleveland Indians fan reacts after game seven of the World Series between the Cleveland Indians and the Chicago Cubs in the early morning hours on Nov. 3, 2016, in Cleveland, Ohio.
Cleveland Indians fans sit outside of Progressive Field after the Chicago Cubs beat the Cleveland Indians in game 7 of the World Series in the early morning hours on Nov. 3, 2016, in Cleveland, Ohio.
A Cleveland Indians fan sits in the street after the Chicago Cubs defeated the Cleveland Indians in game seven of the World Series in the early morning hours on Nov. 3, 2016, in Cleveland, Ohio.

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