text:
"We're still at war, Plissken. We need him alive."
"I don't give a fuck about your war... or your president."
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THE BIG HIT is a 1998 action-comedy with enough good qualities that I have a soft spot for it. Alot of the humor is too broad for me, but that's okay. I saw it when it was in theaters, and returning to it 20 years later it's interesting as a time capsule, a Polaroid of a specific moment in movie and pop culture history. It was a time when:
-New Kid On the Block brother, laughing stock rapper and underwear model Mark Wahlberg was suddenly a cool actor after having starred in BOOGIE NIGHTS the year before. This was his first movie released post-Dirk Diggler, but it had been shelved since 1996. At the time, most people still derisively called him Marky Mark. It's so early in his career that he has a song on the end credits ("Don't Sleep").
-Hong Kong cinema had invaded Hollywood. John Woo had already done HARD TARGET, BROKEN ARROW and the Once a Thief tv show, Ringo Lam had done MAXIMUM RISK, Tsui Hark had done DOUBLE TEAM. Chow Yun Fat had starred in THE REPLACEMENT KILLERS, and Jet Li would soon be the villain in LETHAL WEAPON 4. So here we have Kirk Wong (director of CRIME STORY starring Jackie Chan) bringing a little bit of Hong Kong flair to the action in THE BIG HIT. Wahlberg practices on a kung fu dummy, and in his hidden weapons cache we see enough bladed weapons to stock a Shaw Brothers movie (plus a three-section-staff ala 8 DIAGRAM POLE FIGHTER).
John Woo and Terence Change are producers (along with Wesley Snipes). Wang Chun-Kang (THE BRIDE WITH WHITE HAIR) and Benny "The Jet" Urquidez (henchman in WHEELS ON MEALS and DRAGONS FOREVER) are fight coordinators, Lau Chi-Ho (THE KILLER, THE SWORDSMAN) is one of the stunt coordinators.
-The success of PULP FICTION had started a flood of movies about the funny and fun side of being a hitman. They wore ties and talked about trivial things (often movies and TV shows) and killed indiscriminately. It was a whole thing.
-Popular music was absolute garbage and could destroy any movie that it touched
Okay, the last one is an overstatement. My apologies to those who grew up with this soundtrack. But for most eras there is pop music I used to think was shit that has some kind of nostalgia factor to it. Fun Lovin' Criminals and whatever pop punk ska band it is in this movie (possibly Save Ferris or The Mighty Dub Katz) seem to perform styles of music that I will never be able to consider dated in an endearing way. What white people did to ska is the strongest argument I know against cultural appropriation. Shame.
Anyway, the score by Graeme Revell hits a little too hard on the "you see, this is funny" vibe for my tastes, but I like it better than some of those songs. (In fairness, O.D.B. shows up on the closing credits and there's a scene where a character is watching a Funkdoobiest video.)
But this is a great cast. Wahlberg (MC Hammer's "2 Legit 2 Quit" video, PLANET OF THE APES) plays Melvin Smiley, high-achieving professional killer and co-dependent people-pleaser who works for Paris (Avery Brooks, 15 MINUTES) along with fellow killers Cisco (Lou Diamond Phillips, Michael Jackson's "Liberian Girl" video), Crunch (Bokeem Woodbine, TLC's "Waterfalls" video, PANTHER, THE ROCK, Blade: The Series, BLACK DYNAMITE, RIDDICK, SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING) and Vince (Antonio Sabato Jr., Janet Jackson's "Love Will Never Do [Without You]" video, HIGH VOLTAGE). They treat it like a normal working class job, complete with locker room and locker room talk.
Phillips almost steals the movie as the obnoxious and treacherous showboat who orchestrates a kidnapping and then tries to pin it on Melvin when it doesn't go over well with the boss. There's a pretty funny scene where he has to lead the other men to interrogate his own idiotic accomplice (Robin Dunne, CRUEL INTENTIONS 2), gets him to blame Melvin in front of them without giving him up, and then pretends to be near tears at the betrayal. I've never seen him so loud and physical and energetic, and it really works for him. I'm surprised it didn't get him more roles like this.
But Woodbine is also very funny with his fearless dedication to the dumb joke that he just discovered masturbation and thinks about it 24-7. He continues to function as a character moving the plot along but in every scene he's using increasingly elaborate hand exercisers, browsing his porn collection, arguing with a store clerk about his preferred lotion, etc.
Disguised as a limo driver, Melvin abducts Catholic college girl Keiko (China Chow, FRANKENFISH), daughter of a business man (Sab Shimono, BLIND DATE, THE SHADOW, WATERWORLD, SOUTHLAND TALES) who can't pay the ransom because he blew all his money directing and starring in a flop movie called TASTE THE GOLDEN SPRAY. (I blame the title.) Keiko has no such quirky character details, but Chow's charisma and intelligent presence give her a sense of reality that the other characters lack, despite her fast-acting Stockholm Syndrome that has her immediately interested in Melvin's life and offering armchair psychological advice while tied up on the couch.
Melvin has to keep her at the house, hiding her from his fiancee Pam (Christina Applegate, Jessica Simpson's "A Public Affair" video, JAWS OF SATAN, ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: THE SQUEAKQUEL), who he's already keeping in the dark about his other girlfriend Chantel (Lela Rochon, THE METEOR MAN, KNOCK OFF, BROOKLYN'S FINEST, SUPREMACY). He actually wants to break it off with Chantel, but he's afraid of making her not like him, completely unaware that she's already scheming against him and spending her time laying in bed with her Tarzan-looking other boyfriend (David Usher, THE EXOTIC TIME MACHINE II: FORBIDDEN ENCOUNTERS) watching the KING KONG LIVES video that Melvin has out two weeks late from Big Top Video and can't find.
By the way, I know values change over time, but shame on this movie's anti-video store propaganda with nasally voiced nerd Danny Smith (THE THREE STOOGES) constantly calling to harass Melvin about his late video. And he's just standing in the middle of the store doing it, it's not like he's going through a list of the different people with late movies. He just has it in for Melvin. An unfair portrayal. We took those places for granted.
But also hooray for this movie setting the action climax in a video store decorated largely with Troma posters (and THE BEAST, the 1988 Kevin Reynolds movie about mujahideen fighting a Soviet tank crew!?).
And I did think it was funny that the late KING KONG LIVES kept coming up throughout the movie. After a big action scene Melvin walks over to Chantel and her boyfriend and it seems like he's going to shoot them, but he just wants to shame them for not planning to return the video. For some reason they have it in the car with them and he insists and taking it and returning it before fleeing town
There's a subplot about Melvin trying to win over Pam's parents (Elliott Gould and Lainie Kazan), who disapprove of him because he's not Jewish. Unfortunately his attempt to prepare them a traditional Jewish meal leads to sensual dual chicken-basting with his abductee. The GHOST pottery scene, but with meat and kidnapping.
This broad portrayal of Jewish living is likely offensive, but it all builds to a great joke: Gould drunkenly haranguing his wife's judgment of Melvin and venerating him for his multi-cultural group of friends, unaware that they're all pointing guns at each other under the table, moments away from a bloodbath.
A cartoonishly low respect for the sanctity of human life is established in the opening frames, when Vince hands Melvin a garbage bag full of the remains of some guy to put in the trunk of his car and stash until later. He tries hiding it in the shower, where he makes out with Chantel. She apparently sees the dead guy's head and thinks he's cute, asks who he is. Doesn't really get grossed out until she accidentally steps in him. This isn't treated as her being particularly ghoulish, it's just the way shit works in this world. So it's not inconsistent at the end when Keiko turns love interest even though at the beginning Melvin shot her sometime-boyfriend right in front of her. He was annoying and getting handsy but in the real world execution on the spot would be a little extreme for that.
It's a comedy first and then a crime movie and then an action movie, but there are bits of action that stand out compared to other American movies of the time, mostly during the assassination/shootout at the beginning (not the titleistical big hit – the penultimate hit, I guess). There are two specific gags I love:
1. Melvin sets off bombs and jumps out a tall window with a bungee cord, but he mistimes it, causing himself to bounce back up into the flames as they spurt out the window. Unfortunately the effects look pretty terrible on Blu-Ray. But it's a funny idea.
2. Instead of sliding down a banister Chow Yun Fat style, Melvin rolls down with one end of his body on the banister, the other on a handrail in the middle of the stairs, like a log rolling down a hill.
Some scenes are somewhat hampered by dated visual gimmicks like a night-vision thing. But I appreciate its willingness to send people flying across the room on wires when they get shot, or to have people strangle each other on the hood of a car dangling off the edge of a cliff. This is back when more of us agreed that realism was not a high priority in action.
There are many things that don't work in this movie, but there's one thing I think absolutely does: the joke of Melvin's sincere sweetness. He's always apologizing in the middle of shootouts, checking on the welfare of women in the hot tub of a guy they kill, etc. And he does it with the gentlest voice. This is his first comedic performance, and it's a good one.
THE BIG HIT was also the first movie written by Ben Ramsey, who would go on to write/direct LOVE AND A BULLET (one of the first DTV action movies I enjoyed) and write the very unpopular (but I didn't think it was that bad) DRAGONBALL: EVOLUTION. More importantly he directed the best Michael Jai White vehicle so far, BLOOD AND BONE. This week, because it's the sort of thing I do, I will be revisiting a couple of these.
VERN has been reviewing movies since 1999 and is the author of the books SEAGALOGY: A STUDY OF THE ASS-KICKING FILMS OF STEVEN SEAGAL, YIPPEE KI-YAY MOVIEGOER!: WRITINGS ON BRUCE WILLIS, BADASS CINEMA AND OTHER IMPORTANT TOPICS and NIKETOWN: A NOVEL. His horror-action novel WORM ON A HOOK will arrive later this year.
Vern's LOVE AND A BULLET review!!!
I ♥ Huckabees
Antonio Sabato Jr. Avery Brooks Ben Ramsey Bokeem Woodbine hitman Kirk Wong Lou Diamond Phillips Mark Wahlberg Robin Dunne
This entry was posted on Monday, March 19th, 2018 at 11:32 am	and is filed under Action, Comedy/Laffs, Reviews. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.
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63 Responses to "The Big Hit"
A definite favorite of mine!
I got to meet LDP through work. He took my cigarettes and I told him he could only if he answers Big Hit questions for me. He gladly accepted.. He said it was the most fun he ever had making a movie, everyone loved it, and the director did not speak any English but was quite happy.
The Undefeated Gaul
Yes! An absolute favorite of mine, I used to watch this all the time back in the day. Haven't seen it in a very long time so I don't know how it holds up, but just thinking about it and remembering the classic bits makes me smile. The trace-buster-buster-buster bit, the well-timed outburst of "You can't handle the truth!" and of course every bit of Lou Diamond Phillips' glorious performance. That guy is legendary in this, and like Vern I just do not understand how it did not result in more comedic roles for him.
Just remembering LDP's body language in a lot of this is making me laugh out loud, like when his boss is sending him out with a bunch of guys to get the kidnapper, and the way he's standing there, reluctantly fake-urging everyone to hurry up and get in the vans. Small moment, but it really stuck with me. I need to watch this one again pronto
I saw this one in theaters back in the day as well. It is fun, and If you watch it now it really does serve as a 90's time capsule. The clothes, the music, the heavy Hong Kong cinema, and Tarintino influences are all very much of the time. It feels like a silly version of a Johnnie To/MilkyWay Image film from the late 90's presented as a crowd pleaser aimed at the American market. It is the older, goofy American born cousin of FULLTIME KILLER.
Yeah, I remember walking out of the theater thinking this movie would do for Lou Diamond Phillips what Pulp Fiction did for Travolta but that unfortunately did not come to pass.
The Kurgan
Oh wow, that was a blast from the past. I haven't thought about this movie since it was in theaters but as soon as I saw the title of the review, I had a vivid memory of me and my friends laughing our asses off at the final payoff of the "Bokeem Jerks It A Lot" gag, where it's revealed in the midst of a gunfight in a video store's adult movie section that a giant poster of him is hung up indicating he is the "customer of the month".
And, to be fair, people still to this day derisively refer to Marky Mark as Marky Mark. Hell, I'm doin' it right now!
CJ Holden
Recently I've been itching to pull this old favourite of mine out of the DVD shelf again. I guess my psychic abilities were striking again, sensing that a Vern review was coming up.
Man, this takes me back to the time in the late 90s, when I spent lots of time hanging with my best friend in the basement, watching (and bootlegging) VHS tapes.
I need to correct you about one thing: The Mighty Dub Katz are NOT a pop punk ska band, it's actually another sample based dance music project by Norman Cook, the last thing he did before he became Fatboy Slim, but after he released an album as Pizzaman. (I also think at the same time he was a part of Freak Power, but I'm the only one here who cares anyway.)
If memory serves me right, this was also the first R-rated action film, that I showed to my mother. I mentioned here a few times before that she was a bit on the squeamish side (and still is in terms of violence), but she was interested in it, because Kelly Bundy and Captain Sisko were in it. She didn't really like the masturbation jokes, but all in all she enjoyed it.
Woodbine kissing his hands is still hilarious to this day. This had one of the best trailers ever at the time. Was so psyched to see it but I don't remember it ever making it to UK cinemas. I certainly want to rewatch it after your review Vern.
I know there will always be people who call Mark Wahlberg "Marky Mark." That's how people are. But I bet not many people hear his name and think "from the Funky Bunch" before "guy from the Will Ferrell movies" or "guy from the TRANSFORMERS movies" or "movie star who has starred in many popular movies for about 20 years." This was when him being a legit actor was fresh and novel, even exciting.
Just rewatched the trailer. Still awesome.
BTW, Wong's follow up to this one was supposed to be an IRON FIST movie with Ray Park. Of course that never happened, but I was very excited about it. And in terms of "Hong Kong cinema invading Hollywood" we should also mention that one year earlier Stanley Tong (POLICE STORY 3, FIRST STRIKE, RUMBLE IN THE BRONX) gave his Hollywood debut with MR MAGOO!
No, wait. We shouldn't mention this. I'm sorry.
CJ, I think almost every talented director from HK that was working I got the late 80s and early 90's made the jump to Hollywood before or shortly after HK became part of mainland China at the start of this century.
Pacman2.0
That pop punk stuff is having a bit of a revival in the UK at the moment, with a high profile compilation album topping one of the album charts. Tragically pop punk came along at a time when globalisation or whatever meant that UK teens were increasingly powerless to the charms of the latest US fad, so we went for this stuff much more than we ever did hair metal or grunge. Always hated this stuff and found it baffling that some of my friends were *still* into it a year or two ago, but I must admit I am starting to have a small amount of affection for it, not on an aural level because it still sounds awful to me and I certainly don't choose to listen to it, but it's probably the most recent thing which seems distinctively "of its time" and too goofy to imagine being a hit now.
I do think that the primary "Ska" influence for some of these bands was more the UK 2-Tone scene of 79-82ish (The Specials, Madness, The Beat etc.), so you could perhaps call it cultural appropriation of cultural appropriation (though many of the 2 Tone Bands were mixed race and/or wrote songs addressing racial prejudice)
As for THE BIG HIT, to be honest this one, THE REPLACEMENT KILLERS and THE CORRUPTOR all kind of blur into one for me, even though they weren't really that similar. I'm pretty sure I liked this more than THE REPLACEMENT KILLERS. I'll have to give it another look sometime.
"Working in the late 80s and early 90s"
I have a soft spot for THE REPLACEMENT KILLER. Had a small crush on Mira Sorvino as well.
RBatty024
I never saw this, but I did watch both The Replacement Killers and Romeo Must Die in theaters. I also had a friend who was super into pop punk and ska in the 90s. I never got all that into either, but I did buy a few CDs and attended Warped Tour a couple of times. (Full disclosure: I own two Reel Big Fish albums and an embarrassing number of NOFX CDs packed away in boxes somewhere). That stuff really is only suitable for middle school, but it did get me into some second wave ska and Toots and the Maytals, so it wasn't a complete loss.
I don't like any of Chow Yun-Fat's Hollywood films. All of his films after his his HK exit in the late 90 are forgettable to bad American versions of his HK work until CROUCHING TIGER HIDDEN DRAGON in 2003.
Mr. Majestyk
I have no beef with pop-punk or ska. Most of those bands suck but the format is sturdy enough that, even if you're not great musicians, you can make some fun, catchy tunes if you have any facility with hooks or lyrics. I appreciate that these two forms were the last time rock music en masse was allowed to be silly. A sense of humor goes a long way with me.
Anyone else have the misfortune of watching BULLETPROOF MONK?
Felix, yeah it is a lame waste of Chow's talents.
If THE BIG HIT was a HK film with an HK cast Simon Yam would play LDP's part.
I watched this myself a little over a month ago, I really dug it, it's true that it is such a 90s time capsule, I mean it's almost everything that was 90s culture at that time rolled into one movie, the Tarantino style crime comedy, the Hong Kong style action, the clothes, the music and the cherry on top, the video store, which the King Kong Lives subplot is so hilariously random, why that movie? I don't know but it works.
And China Chow's character is clearly referencing the whole Japanese schoolgirl motif, which is the one element of the movie that feels more like something from the 00s than the 90s.
The same night I watched THE BIG HIT I also watched SPEED 2: CRUISE CONTROL which much to my surprise won me over in the end (it's rough going at first but gets more entertaining as it goes on, Jason Patric is still a poor substitute for Keanu though), so after mainlining the 90s like that it was honestly hard to return to 2018.
By the way though Vern, speaking of the soundtrack, you didn't like the "she's the one" song? I liked that enough to buy it on itunes afterward.
Sternshein
I have to say that I've seen The Corruptor more times than anybody alive I assure you. I love it. Has a phenomenal car chase and Chow is pretty great.
Al T.
Going back to The Winchester's comment at the top of the thread, it's strange that LDP would recall Kirk Wong speaking very little English when he's demonstrated his fluency quite well on the commentary tracks for this film and others. It's like how one of the producers of MORTAL KOMBAT, while acknowledging Robin Shou grew up in America, claimed he did not speak English very well. Shou has a Civil Engineering degree from Cal State.
I remember some good chuckles in TBH, I'll have to dig it up again. It's a little out of step with Wong's other films, which are certainly stylish and violent but in a more grim and serious mode. Maybe my sample size isn't large enough.
pegsman
I think Chow was trying to get out of the action hero roles at the time he started acting in American movies. And that's why his best performance back then will always be in THE KING AND I. And Jodie Foster calling him the nicest man on earth didn't excactly scream "the new Bruce Willis".
After checking out the tracklist of the soundtrack, I don't think it would work as a time capsule for me. Maybe if I had lived in the US at that time. Nothing against the lovely 90sness of the movie itself, but I don't know, but outside of the Fun Lovin' Criminals and Mighty Dub Katz there is really nothing that makes me go "Oh shit, the 90s, man!"
https://www.discogs.com/de/Various-The-Big-Hit-Original-Motion-Picture-Soundtrack/master/1140068
(Now the soundtrack for GO, another very 90s VHS favourite of mine on the other hand…
https://www.discogs.com/de/Various-Go-Music-From-The-Motion-Picture/master/74743 )
I also would like to randomly mention that the movie here is also known as VOLLTREFFER, which can be translated with BULLSEYE and according to my limited english knowledge, seems to be an odd translation of THE BIG HIT. At least that's how it ran on TV one or few times, while the rest of the time it was listed as THE BIG HIT, which is also the title on the DVD. I seem to remember that it ran in theatres as THE BIG HIT – VOLLTREFFER, but can't remember if it was also released as that on VHS or just as THE BIG HIT. I definitely have never heard anybody refer to it as VOLLTREFFER. Only as THE BIG HIT.
CJ HOLDEN DROPPING USELESS KNOWLEDGE ON Y'ALL!!!!
CJ, your English knowledge does not seem very limited. Also I always appreciate hearing about the translated titles.
I should watch GO again. That would be a good one to review. I didn't expect this review to get as much traction as it did, but that's good, because I like revisiting the '90s stuff.
I wouldn't say VERY limited, but limited enough that I had to think for a few minutes if a big hit can be the same as a bullseye in a different context. (I still don't know, but I don't think so.)
And I'm all for a review of GO (or GO – DAS LEBEN BEGINNT ERST UM 3 UHR MORGENS [Life starts only at 3am], as it is named here).
The movie was called WARHEADS in some parts of Asia. Hard to understand why…
GO is a good one.
Pegsmen, I remember Chow saying some about wanting more dramatic roles at the time, but I could argue that every Hollywood film he made was an action movie except THE KING AND I.
Sternshein, I will have to give THE CORRUPTOR another chance. It has been almost 20 years since I watched it, and maybe I was hard on it because I was comparing it against all his great HK action films.
I also saw this in the theater and once again on DVD whenever the DVD came (early 2000-something?). I'm mis-remembering it as coming out earlier than 1998? I do remember it being really great and one of the rare American movies that actually feels like a HK film except it has "famous Hollywood actors", same with Hard Target (bootleg director's cut) and maybe Face-Off. The editing of the car chase in the woods, that didn't obey the law of physics, was just as funny as anything edited and directed by Sam Raimi. I don't remember the band soundtrack being particularly notable and looking at it today I don't see a single band I like (or even recognize).
Charles, that was the reason why I hated The Replacement Killers. I like the Curruptor because it's a basic police procedural with good performances. They really don't do police procedural much anymore.
Yeah that car chase in Corruptor is solid! I remember the movie being a little bit of a letdown in the action department but that scene sold it for me. (Corruptor had less of the HK action I wanted but more of the cops/criminal grey areas, whereas I felt Replacement Killers had the flash and action but lacked the depth)
I also concur with thr GO review. Really enjoy that one.
Sternshein, yeah they don't make police procedural films and modestly budgeted action films like they used to. Hollywood seems to only want to make special effects filled films that cost over 200 to 300 million in hopes of making 600 million or more. They don't seem as interested in making medium to small budget films between 30 to 70 million and potentiay making a 100 million plus profit. They would rather gamble on the chance of one big expensive spectacle film hitting it big than making a few modestly costing smaller films, because even if they are successful at the box office they don't have the chance of potentially grossing the money the more expensive spectacle film could gross. However, the current Chinese film industry cranks out the type of police procedurals and action genre films Hollywood seems to have given up on. For example: DRUG WAR, THE WHITE STORM, OPERATION MEKONG, and EXTRAORDINARY MISSION are all good examples of the type of film we are disscusing.
While we are suggesting films to review, Chow Yun-Fat and Asian cinema, I have to give a plug for LET THE BULLETS FLY. It is directed by and staring Wen Jiang (SW: ROUGE ONE) and features Chow. It is not a tradtional action film even though it does have some good shoot outs in it. It is clever social political satire with with a good story, humor, and action. I would recommend it based on entertainment value alone, but it is also interesting that the film made it past mainland China censors considering it is a story where the line between government official and bandit is blurred. It has a much more complex view of good and bad than most mainland China films. Also, Chow plays a great bad guy in the film, and it is fun to see him in that role.
Of those you mentioned I think Drug War is a 5 star classic. The performance of Louis Koo is like next level incredible.
"they don't make police procedural films and modestly budgeted action films like they used to."
People keep saying that, but I've seen at least a dozen movies fitting that description in the past couple years. Maybe not the police procedural part (America is not really on speaking terms with its law enforcement community at the moment) but there's been SLEEPLESS, PROUD MARY, TRIPLE NINE, SICARIO (with a sequel on the way), JOHN WICK 2, ATOMIC BLONDE, COLLIDE (didn't see but fits the criteria), BABY DRIVER, WIND RIVER (more a crime thriller, but there is some pretty decent action), THE HITMAN'S BODYGUARD (also unseen by me), AMERICAN ASSASSIN, KINGSMAN 2 (which, sadly, would have to be considered "modestly budgeted" by modern standards), THE FOREIGNER, LIAM NEESON IS TAKEN THE TRAIN, DEN OF THIEVES… Probably more that I'm forgetting. And that's not even counting DTV or streaming, which would more than double that list. I'm not saying many of these movies are future classics, but the same could be said of the majority of action films from the 80s or 90s. Compare this list of theatrically released action films to the horror genre, which, to me, is in a sorry state. I've seen one (1) horror movie in the theater in that same span of time that I didn't think was an almost total waste of time, and that one had the advantage of being based on my favorite book of all time so it barely counts. All the others are sad, stunted little specimens designed to appeal to wieners and dilettantes. In light of that, and also coming off of the nonstop travesty that was the Shakycam Era, I have to say we're living in a minor golden age of action cinema at the moment. Maybe a Bronze Age. 87Eleven is making an action movie with Bob Odenkirk, for christ's sake. Amazing things are afoot. I don't know how long it'll last so I'm enjoying it while I can.
Mr. M, I agree that we are in the golden era of DTV genre films, and I think there are foreign film industries that are making the type of films we are talking about. THE FOREIGNER is a great example of the type of film I am talking about, it is the type of modestly budgeted successful foreign produced action film I was talking about. My point was that Hollywood doesn't make the type of genre films they used to. The are usually foreign or independent productions, that may or may not get a wide spread theatrical release in the states. That means that some genres like the police procedural are not getting made the way they used to in the Hollywood studio system.
Mr M, to my point OUT FOR JUSTICE, POINT BREAK, DOUBLE IMPACT, NEW JACK CITY, SILENCE OF THE LAMBS, THE LAST BOY SCOUT, BACKDRAFT, DEAD AGAIN, LIONHEART, RICOCHET, THE HARD WAY, F/X 2, HUDSON HAWK, STONE COLD, and THE PERFECT WEAPON all came out in 1991.
Hot take, Sicario is boring and in no way an action movie.
CrustaceanLove
They're still making police procedurals, how could anyone forget… uh… THE SNOWMAN. Good candidate for a review that one. It plays as a parody of grim serial killer fiction in the same way as ALEX CROSS, and I still chuckle thinking of Vern's review of that one.
ALEX CROSS is comedy gold.
Vern, just curious but will you be reviewing THE HURRICANE HEIST?
I enjoyed Hurricane Heist but there isn't much to say about it.
Ben Railton
Vern and all,
Since it features LDP in one of his all-time wonderful roles, I just wanted to put in a plug for the TV series Longmire, which has completed its run and is available in full on Netflix. One of the great recent shows, and LDP is a huge reason why. Just sharing!
March 21st, 2018 at 10:30 am
Felix – I certainly will review any Rob Cohen movie about a hurricane heist but I have not seen it yet. I would like to see it in a theater but I don't know if it's going to happen.
Never saw this one. Came out when I was in high school, when I hated most things. I saw it as shallow, empty, and vacuous. But, hearing about it now, it sounds like something I should see, especially that LDP performance. I'm usually okay with admitting when I was wrong, but that is going to be a lot of pride to swallow because of the sheer volume of shit I talked about it.
Also, even though 1998 was peak hatred and angst for me, loved me some Save Ferris. It is, to this day, still my jam. It Means Everything has not been off of my iPod in over three years.
Ancient Romans: Don't be so quick to doubt yourself. I rewatched it a couple years ago and found it pretty insufferable except for a few good bits. It's an ugly-looking movie (See, guys, sometimes I do care about cinematography) with some cringe-worthy gender dynamics, and everybody acts like they're in a Troma movie, but without the cheap, sleazy madness that would make that interesting. I particularly found Woodbine's masturbation obsession to be pretty eye-rolling, and the one really good gag (the KING KONG LIVES thing) is ripped off from BETTER OFF DEAD. It all felt dated in a way that I didn't find endearing. So I think you were right the first time and it's everybody else who was wrong.
LDP was good, though.
March 21st, 2018 at 3:07 pm
Nope, after caspering* it, I say you are wrong. Kinda agree with you about the cinematography, but I would call it more basic than ugly. It doesn't stand out, but at least it looks like a theatrically released movie. (And in parts even like a real Hong Kong movie, the way the camera moves, slow motion and/or that weird looking shutter whoosh effect is used.)
*still trying to make it a thing
I mean it is kind of like the Better Off Dead joke in some rudimentary way I guess.
bastardjackyll
Saw this back when it came out and even then it was obvious that LDP (who I love) was totally trying too hard.
HALLSY
Man, I saw this at the theater and loved it but have never thought about it since. I was a teenager then so it would be interesting to see how it holds up now. GO on the other hand I have on DVD and still watch every now and then. Great movie.
I thought everyone still called him Marky Mark? I mean, why wouldn't you? Just like the guy from Independence Day will always be the Fresh Prince.
Sternshein – you usually have pretty good taste, but Sicario is the complete opposite of boring. That movie was fucking great.
And Jeff Goldblume will always be The Fly.
March 22nd, 2018 at 2:43 am
One thing I noticed for the first time is how much I could identlfy with Melvin in some ways. They play his constant politeness for laughs, but there is more than one moment, where we are supposed to feel bad for him, when his friends make fun of him for it. That's basically me. I've always been the nice guy of every group I was in. I can be a real cold hearted asshole, but all in all I was raised to say please and thank you and try to not hurt other people's feelings, which is something that I'm definitely not ashamed of, because they are good values IMO. But still, this time some moments totally triggered some memories from school or work in me.
(Disclaimer: I never worked as a hitman or kidnapper)
Franchise Fred
March 22nd, 2018 at 1:22 pm
This was my all time favorite movie for an entire year after it came out. Now that I'm more mature, I understand how unhealthy Melvin's attributes that I related to were. I do still think this is the American movie that got Hong Kong style more right than any other because it embraced the absurd humor. American movies were always trying to make wirework and gun fu make sense. That's not really how Hong Kong played it. Even John Wick I feel embraces the fantasy of Hong Kong style while giving it gravitas.
I definitely called Wahlberg being an action hero. Too bad he didn't do more martial arts because he had the skills for the choreography.
CJ, I think the point of Melvin's journey is that it is good to be considerate, but it's also okay to assert oneself for what they want. I.e., don't let your colleagues throw you under the bus, don't let lovers use you for their own benefit… Sometimes letting people not like you is better for yourself in the long run.
I definitely avoided many conflicts in my youth because I didn't want someone to stop liking me. It was only the last few years I got bold enough to stand up for myself. I found in most cases, yes, they got angry. That's part of the process. But they cooled off and at least resumed our friend ship, and in some cases ultimately saw my way. If they won't like you because you stand up for yourself, that's a sign.
Also King Kong Lives video rules and #1 customer to the adult section!
E-Squared
I remember having a ball with this film when I was a lot younger, like when I was 12, and I bought it a few years later when I was about to turn 15 and I still liked it a lot. It's been so long. I must give it a re-watch.
One other thing, I am really shocked that when you mentioned Christina Applegate, you did not mention "Married… With Children." That show had ended a year before this film had come out and she was mostly known for being on that show up to that point.
Ya know, thinking about it I can see myself disliking the movie if I had been old enough to see it at the time.
But the 90sness of it was simply appealing to me, one era's obnoxious can be another era's charming.
It's the late 90s in a nutshell, it was a time that was easy to hate when living through it, a lot of the culture at the time just seemed dumb and irritating, but in today's world you just miss the days when people were carefree enough to be able to be earnestly dumb and irritating.
April 23rd, 2018 at 7:05 am
I just watched THE CORRUPTOR and can agree with Sternstein that it is the real deal. I can even imagine if more or less the same film had been released this decade a select audience would have gone nuts for it DRIVE-style. But I think in 1999 people were too invested, one way or the other, in the politics of Hong Kong stars going Hollywood.
Broddie
I don't know if it was cause I was 14 at the time but I really enjoyed this back when I saw it in theaters. I think it helped that I had no expectations for it and was pretty surprised. As opposed to something like THE REPLACEMENT KILLERS that I was really hyped for and ended up hating.
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Women Are Running Strong
By JANICE RHOSHALLE LITTLEJOHN
Tina Fey fans have been enthusiastically tweeting about Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt since the show premiered earlier this month.
Many are expressing their love for Netflix's binge-worthy 13-episode series with the now-trending tagline from the show's opening theme: Females are strong as hell.
Fey's role on the creative team is a huge boon to women viewers, who make up the largest demographic of television watchers — and are more than 51% of the U.S. population. When women create the shows, they tend to have female protagonists in the lead and women writing behind the scenes.
Women, unlike men, don't have to think about what other women want, feel or need — it's instinctive. And the women who watch connect to their shows because they feel relatable. (Just ask any fan of Shonda Rhimes.)
And the benefit is even more widespread — when women are behind the scenes, both men and women viewers get a broader scope as to who women are. (And "strong as hell" is only a fraction of the story.)
Despite the popularity of series from showrunners like Fey, Rhimes, Jill Soloway and Michelle Ashford, white men still create and run the majority of shows on television. And while there is a perception that cable programming is more welcoming to women in key behind-the-scenes roles than shows on the big broadcast networks, the numbers don't bear that out.
Twenty percent of creators of broadcast-network programs are women, versus 15% for cable (A&E, AMC, FX, History, TNT, USA Network, HBO and Showtime) and Netflix programs, according to a study done in the 2013-14 season.
Among executive producers, women account for 23% of showrunners on broadcast network programs and 17% of the executive producers on cable and Netflix shows, as per Boxed In, the annual study of women on screen and behind the scenes, by Martha M. Lauzen, executive director for the Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film at San Diego State University.
The number of women characters on screen and working behind the scenes has grown slowly but incrementally. That progress, small as it was, now appears to be stalled.
One reason why this should matter, especially to women viewers (and actors): When a program had at least one woman creator, women comprised 47% of all speaking characters, compared to 39% of all characters when women weren't involved in the creation of a show.
"People tend to create what they know," Lauzen said. "Having lived their lives as females, women tend to create female characters. Having lived their lives as males, men tend to create male characters.
"There are exceptions, of course, but when you consider hundreds or even thousands of cases, as my research on television and film has, patterns emerge," Lauzen said. Michelle Ashford, creator of Showtime's Masters of Sex, got her start in TV writing with a gig on the 1980s female buddy-cop drama Cagney & Lacey. The 1980s Golden Globe-award winning series, created by Barbara Avedon and Barbara Corday, was a welcome training ground for burgeoning women screenwriters.
"It was just a given that they were looking for strong, complicated, interesting stories for women — and women of a certain age, also, because they weren't 20-year-olds," Ashford said in an interview at her Sony Studios office. "I had worked on other shows that where much more male-oriented, and there was a marked difference. It was just a way of looking for stories where women weren't afterthoughts, they were the first thought."
Ashford's writing team on Masters is predominately female.
"But that is simply a function of finding the writers that I think can do the best job on the show," Ashford said. "We have made an effort with directing, because there are a lot of women writing in television, but directing less so."
Ashford is one of a generous handful of women creating and/or executive producing shows for Showtime. Among them are The Affair's Sarah Treem, cocreator and showrunner; Ray Donovan creator and executive producer Ann Biderman; and women executive producers heading up Nurse Jackie, Shameless and House of Lies.
"These are shows where you have women writing to an audience in terms of what is real through their perspective versus the male gaze," Melanie McFarland, the Seattle-based TV editor of website IMDb.com. "If you go back and look at what J.J. Abrams did with Alias, there was an idea that if you have a strong female protagonist she has to be kick-ass, and there's something very cool and hip and untouchable about her.
"When you look at shows with female showrunners, they're not afraid to write their characters more real," McFarland added. "I find them to be much more nuanced and relatable as a woman."
There remains a disparity in opportunities for women to go beyond what would be traditionally considered "a woman's story."
"I'm completely open to women, and I don't know if that's a function of being a female showrunner or not," Ashford said.
"I would never not look at a woman's script because I think a guy's would be more interesting, so as a result, it turns out women are just as good as writers as any guy, and on our show what has happened, women's writing samples are more appropriate for our show," she added. "So I have just naturally gravitated toward women anyway."
That said, "there are a lot of television shows that network executives wouldn't naturally think of hiring a woman for — things with a darker sensibility, with more violence," Rizzoli & Isles showrunner Jan Nash said from her office on the Paramount lot, walls lined with the artwork of her 7½-year-old son and her daughter, who just turned 5. "Something like Transparent, which Jill [Soloway] is very close to, those kinds of stories people can look at and say, 'Oh yeah, a woman can do that, or a man can do that.' But a lot of the network shows, I just think they look at and go, 'Is that a female sensibility? I don't know.'"
Inside her air-conditioned office on an unseasonably summer-like Friday afternoon in March, Nash, a former investment banker, said she has had great experiences working with male showrunners on such shows as Without a Trace, Family Law and Fairly Legal; they were men who "had world views very consistent with my own world view," she said.
"I've never been a male showrunner, and so I don't know what that experience is like," she continued with a laugh. "But I know for me, that as I think about how to do my job, there's nothing more important to me than my family.
"I have two young children, a partner that I love, and I would never want this job — no matter how great this job is, and it's really great — to get in the way of our life together," Nash said. "And I feel that for everybody here. I want them to go … experience their lives, and come here and do their work with gladness."
To accommodate such an environment on-set, showrunner Mara Brock Akil said it's all about mastering the off-set juggle.
"I compartmentalize my entire life," Akil said. "I compartmentalize as a mother, as a wife, as the business side of who I am and the artist side of who I am, in order to sort of get it done."
On the phone from her driveway — compartmentalizing her focus before meeting her two young sons — the creator/executive producer talked about doing double duty for BET's Being Mary Jane, which shoots in Atlanta, and The Game, which she handed over a couple of years ago to her husband, director Salim Akil, and writer Kenny Smith, Jr.
"From a physical standpoint, I could not be on the stage all the time, and comedy requires you to be on top of it all the time," she said. "That's why I hire really, really, really well, because sometimes you need to make a change to save the show — even if you're the change, and you need to get out of the way."
This article was updated on March 24. An earlier version said The Game, which is produced in Atlanta, was produced in Los Angeles.
JANICE RHOSHALLE LITTLEJOHN
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text:
Race to save Greek-Australian archives
Researchers in Melbourne have begun the painstaking task of unravelling thousands of boxes containing historical Greek archives.
The priceless collection of art, newsreels and photographs captures the Hellenic diaspora in Australia.
And the race is on to preserve the material before it fades into history.
New future for historic Greek migration archive
Scholarship and heritage: from left, Ambassador Haris Dafaranos and his wife Eva with Greek community member Spiros Rombotis, La Trobe's Professor Chris Mackie and Maria Herodotou, Archives Project supervisor Maria Ammazzalorso and Eva Fisch.
La Trobe University's recently announced three-year Greek Archives project was inspected in September by a high-level delegation when the Greek Ambassador to Australia, Mr Haris Dafaranos and Consul-General for Victoria, Mrs Eleni Lianidou, visited the Melbourne campus.
Also taking part were the Greek Consul for Education Mr Vasileios Gkogas, three Greek community members of the La Trobe University Greek Archives Project Committee, Tassos Revis, Spiros Rombotis and George Papadopoulos, as well as Dr Maria Herodotou and Dimitris Gonis from La Trobe's Modern Greek Studies Program.
The event was hosted by La Trobe Head of Humanities, Professor Chris Mackie, who chairs the Project Committee, project manager and Library Collections Librarian Eva Fisch, and Dr Michális S. Michael from La Trobe's Centre for Dialogue.
Social history: Ambassador Dafaranos and Mrs Dafaranos with librarian Eva Fisch, right.
The Greek Archives document 130 years of the Greek diaspora in Australia and were formerly part of the National Centre for Hellenic Studies and Research (EKEME in Greek), which ceased operating in 2007.
They hold a wide-range of material on the social history of Greeks in Australia which is being curated and listed by a team of three bi-lingual trained staff under the direction of the University Library.
History of Greek settlement
Professor Mackie said the Greek government delegation came to see the archives and discuss their accessibility for students of the Greek diaspora in order to help the Greek and wider community learn more about the history of Greek settlement in Australia.
One of the first tasks of the project, he said, was to provide access to the Dardalis Archives of the Hellenic Diaspora, sponsored and named after Melbourne businessman and Greek community philanthropist Zissis (Jack) Dardalis.
Ambassador Dafaranos said he applauded La Trobe for undertaking such an important task. He said the extensive materials in the archive would be extremely useful for scholars in Australia and around the world, as well as for the next generation of the local Greek community.
'What we have here now is a solid basis for the future. Greeks of Melbourne feel strongly about this archive. I believe we have an excellent team and that we can work together to have this collection promoted and used by students and researchers.'
Print and film culture: inspecting 'The Beauty of Peran', historic poster of a famous 1930s film, and a linotype machine adapted for early Greek publications in Australia.
Project manager Eva Fisch said the work involved going through more than 5,500 archive boxes, 80 meters of bound newspapers, costumes, newsreels, films, art objects, as well as material stored on 60 computers donated to the archive over the past 13 years.
More than 700 boxes of archives had already been completed.
She said the newspaper collection was probably one of the most extensive in the Greek diaspora anywhere in the world.
'Dating back to 1907 the collection holds some of the oldest newspapers published in Athens, and there are a lot of papers spanning the years of the two world wars.'
Link to today's boat people
Ms Fisch said a number of exciting projects using the archives were already in train. For example, a Master of Information Studies student will be working with the project team on devising a display on subjects such as Greek local community history and global citizenship later this year.
'The latter display will draw links between decisions made by a family deciding to step foot on a boat in search of a better life, and major changes in our society,' she said.
An article, published earlier this year (11 March 2013) in the Greek newspaper Neos Kosmos by Nick Kitsakis was researched at the archives. The article traced the origins of the Hellenic (soccer) cup in Victoria, and who was responsible for the organisation of this cup from the 1960s.
And a steam-punk-like industrial relic, a typesetter modified by a Greek printer to deal with the differences between the English and Greek alphabets, is the subject of another research project.
Author GREEK WORLD MEDIAPosted on October 31, 2013 October 31, 2013 Categories Greek/AustralianLeave a comment on Race to save Greek-Australian archives
Greek Australian Arthur Papastamatis: Top Football Coach
Source: greekreporter
The 33 year-old Greek Australian Arthur Papas, is considered to be one of the top coaches in India. This country does not have a longtime football tradition, but the population is second in the world.
Moreover, Arthur Papas is considered as a top upcoming coach in Asia. He started his career from his birth country of Australia. At the age of 25, he was a football player but had already undergone in six knee surgeries, preventing him from continuing his game.
As coach he was distinguished by the Greek team named Okli. Then he worked as assistant coach to the U-17 Australian team as well as to Newcastle Jets. At the age of 32 he decided to continue his career in India.
There, he was responsible for the Olympic team where he assumed Dembo team (India category A) with excellent results leading him to be one of the first names of India.
Nevertheless, Arthur Papas expressed his aspirations for a career Greece.
Author GREEK WORLD MEDIAPosted on October 31, 2013 Categories Greek/AustralianLeave a comment on Greek Australian Arthur Papastamatis: Top Football Coach
Greek Australian Funds Renovation of Historic Bridge in Lemnos
The well-known music composer of Australia Pantelis Volaris, who is from the Greek island of Lemnos, founded the renovation of the historic "Kountouriotis Bridge" where the Greek admiral and naval hero Pavlos Kountouriotis raised the Greek flag during the Battle of Limnos in 1912.
This gesture was appreciated by the authorities of his homeland and Volaris came back to Melbourne excited and moved.
Volaris, who visits Greece every year, stayed in Lemnos until the 8th of October in order to be present at the celebrations of the local anniversary of October 8, 1912, when Lemnos became part of Greece, during the First Balkan War.
The residents of the island seized the opportunity to honor and express their gratitude to Volaris, who, on his own initiative, funded the renovation of that historic bridge of his village, while he also contributed to the erection of a monument at the seaside location of Vourlidia, where the liberation army of Pavlos Kountouriotis landed in 1912.
Obviously touched, Volaris thanked everybody for honoring him and wished that they would always celebrate this anniversary and remember the sacrifices the Greek people made.
Author GREEK WORLD MEDIAPosted on October 31, 2013 Categories Greek/AustralianLeave a comment on Greek Australian Funds Renovation of Historic Bridge in Lemnos
Starting a business in Greece is now much easier than a year ago
Source: Ekathimerini
Augusto Lopez-Claros (right), director of Global Indicators and Analysis at the World Bank, with Development Minister Costis Hatzidakis.
Greece leapt 111 spots in the World Bank's global Doing Business chart in terms of starting a new enterprise, as it climbed from the 147th to the 36th position in the world, according to the report for 2014 released on Tuesday.
The main reasons for the major increase in Greece's attractiveness for starting a business are the introduction of a new form of private company, known as IKE, which has simplified the start-up process, the reduction in the minimum capital required to start a company, and the abolition of the minimum capital needed to set up a limited company (Ltd).
On the other hand, Greece continues to find itself among the countries with the most procedures required for the transfer of commercial property, while the well-known delays in the justice system have also weighed heavily on Greece's image as a destination for business. Nevertheless, the Development Ministry has stated that the obligatory presence of lawyers for the transfer of properties will be abolished in the next few months, which should improve Greece's position in that respect.
"Greece's continued regulatory reforms are laudable and a further step in the right direction to improve the quality of the investment climate," stated Augusto Lopez-Claros, director of Global Indicators and Analysis with the World Bank Group. "Making it significantly easier to start a business is particularly important for growth and job creation in Greece at this point in time," he added.
The report's researchers counted the procedures required for the start of an IKE in Athens. They found that five procedures are needed, equal to the average for Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) member states. The process takes 14 days (against an OECD average of 11.1 days), a minimum capital of near zero (hence the nickname one-euro companies), and a cost of 1,544.99 euros, which amounts to 4.6 percent of the per capita income (against an OECD member state average of 3.6 percent). A year earlier, the cost amounted to 24.4 percent of the per capital income in Greece.
Author GREEK WORLD MEDIAPosted on October 31, 2013 Categories GREECELeave a comment on Starting a business in Greece is now much easier than a year ago
Greek island on frontline of Europe's migration war
An immigrant detention camp that has been built in Moria is officially called a "reception centre"
The Greek coast guard boat races through the vast expanse of the Aegean, the water glinting in the morning sun.
Behind, in silhouette, are the lush mountains of Lesbos island – Greece's third largest, a place of extraordinary natural beauty – but now one of Europe's key immigration frontiers.
Since August 2012, when the Greek authorities increased controls on the land border with Turkey, the country's islands have born the brunt of the inflow.
And Lesbos holds first spot. This year alone, 4,409 migrants attempted to enter the island from mainland Turkey – just six miles away.
Of those, 2,600 were arrested here, with the remainder detected in Turkish waters and sent back. Smugglers squeeze desperate people into overcrowded dinghies for a small fortune.
Humanitarian disaster
Lt Antonios Sofiadelis from the Lesbos coast guard says they sometimes come across boats designed for 10 people, with 40 or 50 packed in.
At noon, the daily ferry leaves for Piraeus, the port next to Athens, taking locals, tourists – and those migrants released with papers from Moria camp
"They destroy the raft when they see us and jump into the water, screaming. But we have to do our job."
Since the Lampedusa tragedy earlier this month, when 366 people lost their lives trying to reach the southern Italian island, illegal immigration has shot back onto the agenda of Europe's leaders.
An EU summit last week promised only a "task force" to report back – but southern European countries have long argued that substantial steps are needed to tackle a growing humanitarian disaster.
Until 2012, 90% of illegal immigrants entered Europe through Greece. The numbers have now dropped but the Greek government says it is still shouldering a huge burden in the midst of its worst financial crisis in living memory – and that the north must show solidarity.
Appalling conditions
"I ask for more support from EU member states," says Lt Sofiadelis, "because we defend Europe's borders too. We have to protect our country from criminal networks."
I feel desperate and ashamed when the immigrants talk to us about the problems they face in my country – and I feel very angry"
Efi Latsoudi Local co-ordinator, Doctors of the World
Until 2010, Lesbos had an immigrant detention centre in the town of Pagani.
It was criticised by human rights groups for its appalling conditions and subsequently closed.
Now another facility has been built in the town of Moria – officially called a "reception centre".
Those arrested are taken here to be registered and held.
Non-Syrians stay for around 25 days before being given papers ordering them to leave Greece within a month.
Syrians, due to their country's civil war, are released more quickly and allowed six months in Greece.
I tried to get into the camp to see the conditions and talk to inmates – but was refused access.
Inside are offices of NGOs and the UN Refugee Agency, the UNHCR.
Behind barbed wire are a dozen small containers housing about 70 refugees. They sit outside, their hands gripping the fence.
When some try to engage me in conversation, the police ask me to move away.
"This is a prison," one Afghan tells me.
'Escape from danger'
"I feel desperate and ashamed when the immigrants talk to us about the problems they face in my country – and I feel very angry," says Efi Latsoudi, the local co-ordinator of the group Doctors of the World.
The cemetery on the mountain overlooking Lesbos contains the names of immigrants who have died seeking a better life
"Because I believe we can change something – and we don't."
What needs to change, I ask her?
"There must be a political decision that we have these arrivals here and we have to support them as humans, not as a problem or an illegal thing.
"Most of them are like us – they are simply escaping from danger and they must be helped."
Away from Moria, I am taken to another facility provided by locals and NGOs, housing an Afghan family, who arrived two months ago.
The mother – who does not wish to be identified – and her four young children live in a tiny room.
She breaks down as she tells me the story of her husband being arrested here and their treacherous journey from Jalalabad.
Numbers and codes
"We'd hoped we could find safety and that our children could go to school," she says.
"But instead we have nothing – the smugglers took all our money and we had a dangerous trip here – one of my children fell into the water on the way and I thought he'd die. I think it wasn't worth it to come here. Europe wasn't worth it."
Perhaps the most perilous part of the journey made by these immigrants – arriving in Europe – is behind them
Perched on the mountain overlooking Lesbos, a corner of the cemetery is given to those who do not make it here.
A few have been identified – the name "Mohamed Amin" is written on one stone.
But most are simply given labels: "Afghan, 31/07/07", "Number 3, 5/1/13".
They were people, individuals before they tried to come to Europe. Now they are reduced to numbers and codes.
At noon, the daily ferry leaves for Piraeus, the port next to Athens, taking locals, tourists – and those migrants released with papers from Moria camp.
I meet a few young Syrians there. They are educated, speak good English and dress well – far from the stereotypical image of refugees.
"We paid 1,300 euros [£1,100; $1,800] each to the smugglers to take us here," says one.
"My family don't want to see me die in our war. So they told me to leave. I won't stay in Athens because of the economic situation – I want to go to another European city. I want only life."
As the ferry doors close, they climb aboard, carrying one bag each – and their dreams.
Perhaps the most perilous part of their journey – arriving in Europe – is behind them. But plenty more hardship awaits in Athens and beyond. And thousands more will follow in their wake.
Author GREEK WORLD MEDIAPosted on October 31, 2013 Categories GREECELeave a comment on Greek island on frontline of Europe's migration war
New Details On Kelly Clarkson's Secret Wedding!
Source: radaronline
We've got all the latest details on Kelly Clarkson's surprise weekend wedding to love Brandon Blackstock, from what she wore, to the bling, and where they're going from here.
As we previously reported, American Idol's first-ever champion, 31, and Blackstock, 36, stepson to country legend Reba McEntire, wed this past Saturday at Walland, Tenn. resort Blackberry Farm.
Johnathon Arndt, a Beverly Hills-based jeweler, described the celeb wedding to People, recalling that the bride and groom "were walking hand-in-hand.
"It was just what you expect from two people in love."
As for the bling? The comely country couple was decked out in jewelry, with Kelly's wedding band (locked with her engagement ring) coming at 4.24 carats, while Blackstock's — which Kelly designed — has a total of six sapphires in it.
When she walked down the aisle, Kelly wore a Temperley Bridal Jessamine gown, which the magazine said sells for more than $7,000. Showing some of her Greek roots (Clarkson's mother is of Greek descent), she wore a special one-off headpiece designed by Jim Verraros and Maria Elena of Maria Elena Headpieces. Her stylist Steph Ashmore said, "When she tried them on, it felt like she liked every single dress," but the Temperley had a "Jane Austen-meets-country-relaxed feel," which sealed the deal for the 'Miss Independent' singer.
"It feels like an heirloom," said the stylist.
As for babies, Kelly and Brandon might be hearing the pitter patter sooner than later, as she told the magazine in Sept., "We want to have more children. We're just excited."
Arndt summed it up best, saying that "when you see Kelly and Brandon together, they are just as in love as you would think of in a fairy tale."
Check out "Brandon and Kelly Blackstock" on Vimeo http://vimeo.com/77468517
Author GREEK WORLD MEDIAPosted on October 31, 2013 October 31, 2013 Categories GREECELeave a comment on New Details On Kelly Clarkson's Secret Wedding!
The Greek Orthodox Community of NSW is to elect its new Board on December 1
Source: NeosKosmos
Elections for new NSW Board
The current President of the GOC of NSW Harris Danalis.
After a majority decision by the members of the Greek Orthodox Community (GOC) of NSW at their Annual General Meeting last Sunday – The election of a new Board of the GOC of NSW have been scheduled for Sunday December 1st.
The attention is now focused on the various stakeholders in order to form the ticket/ballots that will take part in the GOC elections.
The AGM held at the GOC's premises in Lakemba was attended by 223 members and many of the questions from the floor enquired on the economic situation of the Community, which for 2012-2013 financial year posted a deficit of over $ 500,000.
As explained by the Board, the loss was mainly due to the foregone rents of the building in Paddington and also to the increase in staff levels and subsequent salary costs required under new government regulations for the Community's Nursing Home.
The deficit is expected to continue for another one to three years until the renovations to the building in Paddington are completed, when it is expected that this property will once again become the financial lifeblood of the Community.
In his report the President, Mr. Harris Danalis, spoke extensively about all the services that the Community provides, while the treasurer Christos Belerchas focused on the financial outcomes- Both rejecting claims that in the last eight years the debts of the Community have increased, explaining that in 2005 the organisation was in debt $ 7 million and in 2013 that amount decreased to approximately $ 6 million.
The AGM unanimously accepted, with only one amendment, the proposals that would bind the new Board of Directors to proceed with the renovations to the Paddington building and update members on a regular basis about the progress of the works.
Another proposal discussed by the AGM, was the restriction of the use of voting by proxy. Under current rules, a voting member can register as many proxies as they want.
After hearing arguments for and against, the Presidium did not accept the proposal nor put it to a vote, because the resolution went contra to the Companies Act and this decision was consistent with the legal council (Barrister) the Board received on this issue.
Mr Nikos Thliveris was elected unopposed as president of the Election Committee, with the following elected to assist him: Katerina Vetsikas, Thanasis Economou, Anna Ioannides,
Costas Apoifis, Fokion Vouros, Stella Valenzuela.
Author GREEK WORLD MEDIAPosted on October 31, 2013 Categories Greek/AustralianLeave a comment on The Greek Orthodox Community of NSW is to elect its new Board on December 1


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text:
The Power Of Social Media In The Future Of Freight
Any one owner of a computer or smartphone is guaranteed to have access to some form of social media and as a result, the power that these websites and apps hold is unrivalled. With over 3.19 billion people utilising social media as we know it today, these numbers are set to continue growing and so now is a better time than ever to start paying attention to just what this could mean for freight and logistics. With the industry seemingly leaning towards the older generations, could social media be the solution we need to pull in the younger one? We're exploring just what social media could do for freight, below.
The Power Of Social Media
The first thing we have to understand is that no social media account is ever going to make a difference instantly. Anyone can set up a business account, enter a bit of information and start posting; it's those that take the time to use it properly that benefit fully. While the freight industry isn't necessarily the leading market on social media today, the potential that anything from Facebook and Twitter to WhatsApp and WeChat could hold is enough to turn heads.
For freight forwarders and other logistics companies, research suggests that working out how to make the most of their social accounts in the coming years could be the difference between a plateau in conversions and a surge – but how much of this is true? What could freight companies really do with social media to help their business?
How Could Freight Companies Use Social Media In The Future?
In answer to the question above, we've taken a look into just what drives businesses to social media and what they can and could use in the future to help spread their brand:
For Viral Content
Viral content is the biggest draw for consumers on social media and for businesses that utilise this kind of content, they could see a surge in impressions and engagement. For freight forwarders, this might not necessarily mean conversions, but it does give you the opportunity to start conversing and communicating with your customers. Learn what they like, spread relevant but viral content and start building up loyalty – it's a simple process, but one that could prove invaluable when you least expect it.
On a similar strain to the point above, you can use your social media account for customer service. By either using the chat feature on Facebook or Instagram or encouraging tweets or direct messages on Twitter, you can more effectively communicate answers to common questions from your customers. Freighters could also opt for chatbots – these AI-run simulations will answer questions to customers without requiring manpower or resources from the company itself. They are automated but can put the user through to the company themselves if or when necessary. Nowadays, people expect their favourite brands and businesses to utilise social media for communication, so whether it's self-managed or a chatbot, there's no better time than now to start giving it a try.
Paid advertising on social media has become one of the most common and most effective forms of advertising in the digital world. Think about it – you're more likely to see someone scrolling through their phone while using public transport than reading an advertisement on a billboard. Today, companies can advertise on everything from Facebook and Instagram to LinkedIn and even Google itself.
While social media isn't the only form of advertising available today, it's certainly looking to be the way forward. From chatbots for improved customer service to the power of paid advertising on leading social platforms, the potential for the future of freight could be huge.
For more information about how we can help with your shipments, feel free to get in touch with a member of our team or use our handy online form for a quick quote, today.


text:
""" """

# Standard library modules.
import unittest
import logging
import os

# Third party modules.
import numpy as np
from PIL import Image

# Local modules.
from pyhmsa.spec.datum.analysis import Analysis0D, Analysis1D, Analysis2D
from pyhmsa.spec.condition.condition import _Condition

# Globals and constants variables.

class TestAnalysis0D(unittest.TestCase):

    def setUp(self):
        super().setUp()

        self.datum = Analysis0D(4.0)
        self.datum.conditions['Test'] = _Condition()

    def tearDown(self):
        unittest.TestCase.tearDown(self)

    def testskeleton(self):
        self.assertAlmostEqual(4.0, self.datum, 4)
        self.assertEqual(1, len(self.datum.conditions))

    def testcopy(self):
        datum = self.datum.copy()
        self.assertIsInstance(datum, Analysis0D)
        self.assertAlmostEqual(4.0, datum, 4)
        self.assertEqual(1, len(datum.conditions))

class TestAnalysis1D(unittest.TestCase):

    def setUp(self):
        super().setUp()

        self.datum = Analysis1D(5)
        self.datum.conditions['Test'] = _Condition()
        self.datum[0] = 5.0

    def tearDown(self):
        unittest.TestCase.tearDown(self)

    def testskeleton(self):
        self.assertEqual(1, len(self.datum.conditions))
        self.assertEqual(5, self.datum.channels)
        self.assertAlmostEqual(5.0, self.datum[0], 4)
        self.assertAlmostEqual(0.0, self.datum[1], 4)
        self.assertAlmostEqual(0.0, self.datum[2], 4)
        self.assertAlmostEqual(0.0, self.datum[3], 4)
        self.assertAlmostEqual(0.0, self.datum[4], 4)

        self.assertEqual(5, self.datum.datum_dimensions['Channel'])

        datum = np.arange(5.0).view(Analysis1D)
        self.assertAlmostEqual(3.0, datum[3], 4)
        self.assertEqual(0, len(datum.conditions))
        self.assertEqual(5, datum.channels)

        datum = datum[:3]
        self.assertEqual(3, datum.channels)

    def testget_xy(self):
        xy = self.datum.get_xy()
        self.assertEqual(5, len(xy))
        self.assertEqual(2, xy.shape[1])

    def testxlabel(self):
        self.assertEqual('Channels', self.datum.get_xlabel())

        self.datum.set_xlabel("Test", 'cps/nA')
        self.assertEqual('Test (cps/nA)', self.datum.get_xlabel())

    def testylabel(self):
        self.assertEqual('Values', self.datum.get_ylabel())

        self.datum.set_ylabel("Test", 'cps/nA')
        self.assertEqual('Test (cps/nA)', self.datum.get_ylabel())

class TestAnalysis2D(unittest.TestCase):

    def setUp(self):
        super().setUp()

        testdata = os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), '..', '..', 'testdata')
        self.im = Image.open(os.path.join(testdata, 'diffraction_pattern.png'))
        self.datum = Analysis2D(220, 220, np.uint8, np.array(self.im))
        self.datum.conditions['Test'] = _Condition()

    def tearDown(self):
        unittest.TestCase.tearDown(self)

    def testskeleton(self):
        self.assertEqual(220, self.datum.u)
        self.assertEqual(220, self.datum.v)
        self.assertEqual(1, len(self.datum.conditions))
        self.assertEqual(147, self.datum[0, 0])
        self.assertEqual(218, self.datum[-1, -1])

        self.assertEqual(220, self.datum.datum_dimensions['U'])
        self.assertEqual(220, self.datum.datum_dimensions['V'])

if __name__ == '__main__': # pragma: no cover
    logging.getLogger().setLevel(logging.DEBUG)
    unittest.main()

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Francisco "Frank" Fernandez, the number 1 most wanted rebel in Negros Occidental, was arrested in Laguna province for illegal possession of firearms and explosives., the Philippine National Police (PNP) announced on Monday.
Fernandez, a 71-year-old former Roman Catholic priest, and two companions were apprehended in Barangay Calumpang, Liliw town last Sunday.
"The operation that led to their arrest was part of our aggressive campaign against crime, terrorism and wanted persons," PNP Director General Oscar Albayalde said.
Albayalde said the arrest of the Negrense rebel will "greatly affect the leadership aspect" of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-New People's Army (NPA)-National Democratic Front.
The two others arrested were Cleofe Lagtapon, NPA-Negros' regional deputy for communications and education; and Gee-Ann Perez, a suspected NPA regional communications staff.
The PNP said the arrested persons would be charged with violation of Commission on Election Resolution 10429 in relation to the Omnibus Election Code; violation of Republic Act 10591 (Illegal possession of firearms); and violation of Republic Act 9516 (Illegal possession of explosives).
Fernandez has four standing arrest warrants for murder.


Welcome to the Bai Bua Treatment and Package Menu.
The Treatment Menu offers an overview of each of the treatments to help you decide which treatment you would prefer. If you have specific injuries/soreness/preferences these can be discussed with the therapist prior to your booking, so that we can ensure you receive the treatment best suited to you.
We can also design a package to suit your personal requirements. Please contact us to discuss if required.
Please visit our Gallery to view our current Treatment Brochure.
Please try to make your bookings 12 to 24 hours ahead to avoid disappointment.
Treatment menu & prices effective 14/05/2012.
The Thai Foot Massage is one of the most well-known of all Thai Massage techniques. In Thailand, the Thai Foot Massage has its roots in the ancient Chinese massage which has been in use for more than 3,000 years. The Thai Foot Massage is all about the effects it can have on the sensory nerves of the body's inner organs, which are spread throughout the body and are connected to the most superficial layer of the body, such as the skin. All sensory nerves are rooted primarily on the soles of the feet, and massaging and applying pressure to the specific points on the soles which are associated with particular organs, can produce a therapeutic effect in corresponding parts of the body.
This massage is suitable for office workers or those who work at a computer for long periods. This type of work can create soreness and tension around the neck and shoulders. It might also cause headaches and tension in the scalp due to tightness in the muscles on the shoulders and neck.
This massage releases stress and eases tired and aching muscles.
Thai massage is believed to have originated 2,500 years ago in India and have been since influenced by traditional Chinese medicine. For centuries, Thai massage was performed by monks as one component of Thai medicine. Thai massage is more energizing and rigorous than more classic forms of massage.
Thai massage is also called Thai yoga massage, because the therapist uses his or her hands, knees, legs, and feet to move you into a series of yoga-like stretches. Many people say Thai massage is like doing yoga without any work. No oil is applied, so you are fully dressed. We supply suitable clothing for this massage.
Awaken your senses through a combination of aromatic oil and Thai massage. The medium to firm massage pressure of Thai massaging techniques and passive yoga stretches will be used to relieve muscular tension, release blockages, improve body flexibility, and stimulate the free flow of energy.
The aromatic oil of your choice will penetrate through your skin during the massage and help soothe the skin, relieving tension and release emotional stress, giving the relaxed, energized feeling.
Aroma body massage combines the therapeutic properties of pure essential oils with a specialised Swedish technique that totally refreshes, and relaxes the body and mind through skin and inhalation.
The essential oils penetrate the skin and relax the body and release stress. Gentle massage improves elimination of waste throughout the body by increasing blood circulation and assisting the lymphatic system.
A hot oil massage can soothe, relax and relieve muscle tension. A full body massages can bring lasting relief to tense, tired and painful muscles, relieve backaches, with all types of headaches benefiting from a hot oil massage. It is great for sore muscles, inviting the feeling of complete inner calm. Promoting blood circulation in stress zones, this massage is ideal for alleviating general tension, sports related pain and chronic muscle conditions.
Relaxation, indulgence and pleasure are the keys to this massage. Whether you like a firm deep tissue type of oil massage or a softer more caressing style; a milk oil massage will relax you and enrich your skin.
We use only premium non allergenic massage oil in our Milk Oil massage. Massage techniques such as effleurage, smooth gliding strokes with the palms, thumbs and/or fingertips are what add to the pleasurable indulgence of this massage.
The therapist uses a system of long strokes, kneading, friction, tapping, percussion, vibration and shaking motions that apply pressure between muscles and bones, rubbing in the same direction as the flow of blood returning to the heart.
Remedial massage is a therapeutic deep tissue massage that can treat specific health issues, musculoskeletal problems and injuries.
This massage will leave you feeling relaxed if you are stressed and soothes sore, tired muscles.
The Deep Tissue/Sport massage treatment is ideal for significantly tensed muscles from sports or repetitive work, where the muscles are constricted, sore and uncomfortable.
Such treatments place emphasis on the injured muscles and gradually relieve the constricted muscles – at the same time as elevating the blood circulation.
This treatment includes stretching and kneading with unscented oils and a herbal balm to de-stress the muscle.
The Hot Herbal massage focuses on the pressure points of the whole body to relax tight muscles and stimulate blood circulation by using a Thai Herbal Pack.
It is used to treat aches, pains, and bruises by compressing the warm Thai Herbal Pack on the body part which needs healing.
It can ease muscle tension, aches, and pains.
Facials use deep cleansing techniques to promote new skin growth. The treatment will enliven tone and complexion, remove dead skin cells, condition the skin, relax facial muscles, improve circulation, break down fatty deposits, release toxins, reduce wrinkles, and leave the skin feeling smoother and more vibrant.
A full-body scrub, using natural products, cleans and removes dead skin cells. It moisturises and encourages new cell growth to produce healthier and more radiant, silky smooth skin.
A full body scrub using natural products that cleanses and removes the dead skin cells. It moisturises and encourages new cell growth to produce healthier and more radiant, silky smooth skin and then we finish off with a gentle application of our soothing body lotion.
Also called radiant heat. This heat is produced by infrared rays, a form of energy that is just below visible light on the spectrum. The radiant heat penetrates to a depth of 35-40mm, soothing and relieving muscles and tissues.
The benefits also are deep cleanse and detoxification, reduce muscular stress, tension and physical fatigue, give comfort and relaxation for an aching body, improve body conditioning and wellbeing and burns calories and improve skin tone.


text:
NHL on Twitter
Tweets from @cbcsportslists/nhl
Follow all NHL Players »
Korbinian Holzer
#5 - Anaheim Ducks
Position Defense
Birthdate February 16, 1988
Birthplace Munich, Germany
Draft 2006 - Round 4 (111 overall) by Toronto
+/- -2
PIM 31
Date vs Score G A P +/- PIM PP SH S HT BS SHF TOI
1/17/20 @ CAR W 2-1 (OT) 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 2 16 12:15
1/16/20 @ NAS W 4-2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 2 20 14:00
1/9/20 DAL L 0-3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 21 13:41
12/31/19 @ VEG L 2-5 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 3 2 22 16:17
12/29/19 PHI L 1-2 (OT) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 - 20 16:22
12/27/19 VEG W 4-3 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 4 - 20 13:55
12/22/19 @ NYR L 1-5 0 0 0 -1 2 0 0 1 2 1 21 14:28
12/21/19 @ NYI W 6-5 (SO) 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 1 - 0 19 12:32
12/18/19 @ NJ L 1-3 0 0 0 -1 0 0 0 1 - 3 30 15:36
12/12/19 LA L 1-2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 2 21 13:19
Statistics | Career
Season Team GP G A Pts +/- PIM PPG SH Shots Sh%
19-20 ANA 37 1 3 4 -2 31 0 0 32 3.12
18-19 ANA 22 1 3 4 5 8 0 0 15 6.67
17-18 ANA 16 0 0 0 -3 6 0 0 10 0
16-17 ANA 32 2 5 7 0 23 0 0 14 14.29


The release of SZA's debut album A seems to be in chaos as the singer launched a one-tweet Twitter attack at her record label boss at Top Dawg Entertainment, also home to Kendrick Lamar and ScHoolboy Q.
SZA, whose Z EP was released by TDE Red Room two years ago, had originally voiced her intention for the album to drop "while everybody was still in a bathing suit" — but now Halloween is around the corner, and there's still no sign of the record.
A TDE release schedule posted to Instagram in March by label founder Anthony Tiffith also seemed to confirm that the label certainly had plans to release SZA's album before 2016 was out.
The public nature of SZA's apparent frustrations is a very recent development, with the singer retweeting not only the work of her TDE label-mates Ab-Soul and ScHoolboy Q in the last few days, but also a tweet from Top Dawg Entertainment itself promoting official Kendrick Lamar merchandise.
SZA hasn't yet clarified what exactly she meant by "I actually quit", whether it refers to quitting her record label, quitting music or quitting her attempts to get her work released on time, but her deletion of the tweet could suggest that she's ready to row back on whatever frustrations she vented last night, or at least willing to take them somewhere less public than the Twittersphere.
What remains clear is that frustrated or not, Punch doesn't seem particularly preoccupied with SZA's plight — and it may be time to take off that bathing suit.


The element carbon has been in existence since the dawn of time. It has a diverse presence in our world, with coal being the most familiar example. Diamonds, with their very ordered structure, are the purest form of carbon. Chains of carbon atoms also make up the backbone of all molecules in the human body and all living material around us. It is from these sources, particularly the botanical materials, that another form of carbon – activated carbon – has been derived.
Activated carbon is defined as a microporous adsorbent made from a carbonaceous material. The commercial raw materials are coal, wood, peat and coconut shells. The term "microporous" means that activated carbon, despite its solid appearance, is actually composed of a network of inter-linked fissures and pores which are present throughout the material. The pores are extremely small, ranging in size from <2>1000 nanometres (10-9m), and can only be seen with a powerful scanning electron microscope. The extent of the pores, and the range of their sizes, reflect to a large degree the structure of the original material. Volatile materials, such as water, tars and resins, are burnt off during the manufacturing process. Subsequently, the remaining matrix of carbon atoms is selectively oxidised to open up the original botanical pore network. The result is a material with an extremely high internal surface area (~1000 m2/g).
Due to its complex internal pore structure, activated carbon is used in the purification and filtration of gases. Contaminant gas molecules in an air stream can enter the large pores at the surface of the carbon through a process called diffusion and move towards the internal surface of the smallest pores.When a gas molecule collides with the carbon surface at a suitable site, an attraction is formed and it will be retained. Gas molecules are extremely small and are most strongly adsorbed in the smallest diameter pores. Commercial carbons that traditionally satisfy these criteria are manufactured from coconut shell and coal.
The first major application of activated carbon in air filtration was during World War I, when it was used in respirators to combat war agents such as chlorine, mustard gas and phosgene. Eighty years later, activated carbon is extensively used to remove odours and toxic or corrosive gases. The following table gives examples of well-established applications.
Camfil is at the forefront of carbon filter technology with the unique test facility in Sweden. This facility has the capability to test life-scale ventilation filter systems against a wide range of inorganic gases and organic vapours. Clearly this facility is unique in the filtration industry and demonstrates Camfil's commitment to providing world-class products for the control of gas phase pollutants in any environment.
Carbon is indeed an old material but, in light of the above developments, it has a fresh and vital future in the field of air filtration.


Buttons in Time played 9305 times.
Description: Play the game for the movie The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, starring Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett. Your goal: Identify the photographs taken during different eras in Benjamin Button?? life. The faster you choose the right decade, the more points you earn. But be careful: each time you pick the wrong decade, you lose a life. Lose three lives and it?? game over!