Nicholas Cage's recent movie was good, if rather flawed. It's certainly a depressing film, but it has a reason for it and it doesn't shy away from its own content.
The central image of the film is Nicholas Cage walking down the street with a bow and quiver full of arrows. Although this is a powerful image in the trailer, he is more often seen getting fast food thrown at him throughout the film.
I can't say I recommend the movie, but it was a noble attempt, and I usually prefer noble attempts to films where it seems very clear that no one wanted to show up to work that day.
Tomorrow at 10:00 am I'll be seeing a trade screening of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. I'm going to have a hard time not bragging about seeing it 17 days early.My apologies in advance.
But I will post a review and I will avoid what I consider to be spoilers (in this case, I think, a spoiler is going to be what they leave out of the plot rather than what happens, since everyone who reads this blog and will see the movie likely have already read the book).
Monday, October 31, 2005
Friday, October 28, 2005
The Leak
a short article from today's New York Times:
TACOMA, WA--Erik Hanberg's Chief of Staff, Jules McGinty, was indicted today on charges of obstruction of justice and leaking classified information to the general public and a local film critic. It is generally assumed that Mr. McGinty "fell on his sword" to protect Mr. Hanberg from the smear to his reputation.
The Grand Jury finished its 4 month charter by handing down the indictment. Both Mr. Hanberg and Mr. McGinty were under suspicion for giving away crucical plot secrets to "Star Wars, Episode III: Revenge of the Sith" on his website erikemery.com.
In a published statement, Mr. Hanberg said, "I was very clear to post spoiler warnings in front of the plot secrets of Episode III. I clearly followed the Code of Ethics established by Roger Ebert in his reviews and I expect Jules to be cleared during the trial."
Mr. McGinty resigned his post as Chief of Staff immediately after the indictment was issued. He has already hinted that he may write a book about his former employer, "A Look at the Mind of Erik Hanberg: one insider's story about the man who may very well be the next President of the United States were he old enough to hold that office but who probably won't hire me to work there because he likes to sell out his friends."
Mr. Hanberg declined comment.
TACOMA, WA--Erik Hanberg's Chief of Staff, Jules McGinty, was indicted today on charges of obstruction of justice and leaking classified information to the general public and a local film critic. It is generally assumed that Mr. McGinty "fell on his sword" to protect Mr. Hanberg from the smear to his reputation.
The Grand Jury finished its 4 month charter by handing down the indictment. Both Mr. Hanberg and Mr. McGinty were under suspicion for giving away crucical plot secrets to "Star Wars, Episode III: Revenge of the Sith" on his website erikemery.com.
In a published statement, Mr. Hanberg said, "I was very clear to post spoiler warnings in front of the plot secrets of Episode III. I clearly followed the Code of Ethics established by Roger Ebert in his reviews and I expect Jules to be cleared during the trial."
Mr. McGinty resigned his post as Chief of Staff immediately after the indictment was issued. He has already hinted that he may write a book about his former employer, "A Look at the Mind of Erik Hanberg: one insider's story about the man who may very well be the next President of the United States were he old enough to hold that office but who probably won't hire me to work there because he likes to sell out his friends."
Mr. Hanberg declined comment.
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
If you thought blogging was a waste of time ...
... try this. This guy should win an award for being the most talented time-waster in the world. The video starts a little slow and it may be ultimately depressing to see what passes as "content" on the internet. But it's not a bad way to spend a year.
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
The Coyote
Apart from the peaceful vegetarian animals in the Northwest Trek Wildlife Preserve are the predators. This includes black bears and grizzly bears, cougars, wolves, and coyotes as well as a few owls and hawks.
I mention the coyotes in particular, however, because they were by far the most interesting of the predators at NW Trek. We saw three or four coyotes playing? fighting? courting? in their habitat. I'm not sure I've ever seen a coyote up close. They're kind of like big dogs, although not Saint Bernard big, but big like a wolf--pointy ears, pointy teeth, pointy everything. Big may be the wrong word. They looked aware, alert, and cunning. How's that for a little anthropomorphizing?
The predators were fun to see, but too many of them sleep. I think NWTrek should consider mixing and matching its exhibits in the future. I'd like to see the coyotes go against the elk. Maybe the grizzly could get a shot at the moose. And then we'll release a team of would-be-TV-icons and call the show "Survivor: Eatonville Edition". Top ratings for CBS guaranteed.
I mention the coyotes in particular, however, because they were by far the most interesting of the predators at NW Trek. We saw three or four coyotes playing? fighting? courting? in their habitat. I'm not sure I've ever seen a coyote up close. They're kind of like big dogs, although not Saint Bernard big, but big like a wolf--pointy ears, pointy teeth, pointy everything. Big may be the wrong word. They looked aware, alert, and cunning. How's that for a little anthropomorphizing?
The predators were fun to see, but too many of them sleep. I think NWTrek should consider mixing and matching its exhibits in the future. I'd like to see the coyotes go against the elk. Maybe the grizzly could get a shot at the moose. And then we'll release a team of would-be-TV-icons and call the show "Survivor: Eatonville Edition". Top ratings for CBS guaranteed.
Monday, October 24, 2005
Moose Notes
I'd promised a couple lines about the moose at Northwest Trek. The moose are usually considered the highlight of the tram ride. They are hard to spot, usually hiding in the swamps and such, and when you see one you get the sense of truly being in the wilderness.
I was talking about Northwest Trek at the Greater Tacoma Community Foundation luncheon and someone told me they saw the moose from the tram years ago; just its antlers were above the waterline as it swam through the small lake looking for food. That would have been a sight.
According to the tram driver, a moose can dive to 18 feet to get food. I imagine that if a moose ever gets to 19 feet deep it's no longer diving but sinking. I think that would be probably the most bizarre thing to see while snorkeling: a moose swimming along below you.
Anyway, moose or no moose, it's still a pretty great park. I need to spend a post on the predators' area. Let me just say that coyotes are funny guys.
I was talking about Northwest Trek at the Greater Tacoma Community Foundation luncheon and someone told me they saw the moose from the tram years ago; just its antlers were above the waterline as it swam through the small lake looking for food. That would have been a sight.
According to the tram driver, a moose can dive to 18 feet to get food. I imagine that if a moose ever gets to 19 feet deep it's no longer diving but sinking. I think that would be probably the most bizarre thing to see while snorkeling: a moose swimming along below you.
Anyway, moose or no moose, it's still a pretty great park. I need to spend a post on the predators' area. Let me just say that coyotes are funny guys.
Saturday, October 22, 2005
Good Night, Good Luck, Good Day, Good Life
We're selling out nearly every show of Clooney's Good Night, and Good Luck. It's an incredibly beautifully constructed film and it feels like it moves at the pace of 1953. Which is not a bad thing, but a fitting thing.
I think every screening has ended in applause so far, which I find more comforting than the applause after "Fahrenheit 9/11". It's a very solid film and our sell-out is all the greater considering that it is a fantastically beautiful day outside. I love fall days like this. I'm inside all day herding people in and out of the theater, but I'll take it. And many more.
I am reminded of Lake Wobegon in Minnesota on days like this. Sure, it's a fictional town, but Keillor ends many of his narrations about the town with a good thought for a good day like this one: "Thank you, dear God, for this good life and forgive us if we do not love it enough."
I think every screening has ended in applause so far, which I find more comforting than the applause after "Fahrenheit 9/11". It's a very solid film and our sell-out is all the greater considering that it is a fantastically beautiful day outside. I love fall days like this. I'm inside all day herding people in and out of the theater, but I'll take it. And many more.
I am reminded of Lake Wobegon in Minnesota on days like this. Sure, it's a fictional town, but Keillor ends many of his narrations about the town with a good thought for a good day like this one: "Thank you, dear God, for this good life and forgive us if we do not love it enough."
Friday, October 21, 2005
The Tribune Gets Into the Game
Kind of funny that on the front page of the Tribune today is Alling Park, the very first park Mary, Dad and I visited. It's used frequently as a symbol of what needs to be fixed for Tacoma's parks.
We visited it first because it started with an A and it was a disappointing way to start, although it has made every park since then seem much better. I would expect a Tribune endorsement of the park bond very soon. They just endorsed keeping the gas tax, which at this point is probably as futile as standing in front of stampeding elephants (and donkeys) and asking them to stop.
People have been getting crazy about the gas tax, yet high prices have already reduced demand in the US and is promoting sales of non-gas guzzling cars. Basically what environmentalists have been trying to get us to do for 20 years. So if we're going to have high gax prices, we may as well get good highways out of it.
We visited it first because it started with an A and it was a disappointing way to start, although it has made every park since then seem much better. I would expect a Tribune endorsement of the park bond very soon. They just endorsed keeping the gas tax, which at this point is probably as futile as standing in front of stampeding elephants (and donkeys) and asking them to stop.
People have been getting crazy about the gas tax, yet high prices have already reduced demand in the US and is promoting sales of non-gas guzzling cars. Basically what environmentalists have been trying to get us to do for 20 years. So if we're going to have high gax prices, we may as well get good highways out of it.
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
The Park Way Out There
Northwest Trek is something of an anomaly. It's at least an hour's drive from downtown Tacoma and it's already in the foothills of Mount Rainier.
So what's MetroParks doing with it and what's it doing on our tour?
I didn't fully understand its relevance until well after the trip when I met Kitty Rothman from Miami. Kitty and her husband were here as invited guests of the Grand for our Hitchcock film series. And she would not stop talking about how excited she was to see a moose. I was very hesitant to let her know that moose don't bask along the Interstate in the same way alligators sun themselves on the Everglades State Highway where she's from. But, it was nice to be able to tell her where she could go to see a moose in its natural habitat.
Some might challenge me on this and talk about imprisoning animals and how abhorrent zoos are. I say phooey to that. Read "Life of Pi" for a defense of zoos. Or visit Northwest Trek. Because those animals out there never had it so good. The deer and the buffalo play and seldom is heard a bear, because they're kept elsewhere.
Anyway. Northwest Trek is known for its tram, which takes you on a 50 minute tour of the park. From what I can tell, there is little point to going after the first or second tram. Anyone who's ever had an animal should know that afternoon is not the time to see them do anything interesting.
Our tram ride started as a disappointment, but I've decided since it's by design. A few spotty bison (there aren't actually buffalo in North America) and that was about it. And then we went around a curve in the tram road and we started seeing animals everywhere. Beautiful elk, deer of many kinds, big herd of bison, mountain goats, and two moose.
I will post on the moose later, but this tram ride really was something. Kudos to Northwest Trek.
So what's MetroParks doing with it and what's it doing on our tour?
I didn't fully understand its relevance until well after the trip when I met Kitty Rothman from Miami. Kitty and her husband were here as invited guests of the Grand for our Hitchcock film series. And she would not stop talking about how excited she was to see a moose. I was very hesitant to let her know that moose don't bask along the Interstate in the same way alligators sun themselves on the Everglades State Highway where she's from. But, it was nice to be able to tell her where she could go to see a moose in its natural habitat.
Some might challenge me on this and talk about imprisoning animals and how abhorrent zoos are. I say phooey to that. Read "Life of Pi" for a defense of zoos. Or visit Northwest Trek. Because those animals out there never had it so good. The deer and the buffalo play and seldom is heard a bear, because they're kept elsewhere.
Anyway. Northwest Trek is known for its tram, which takes you on a 50 minute tour of the park. From what I can tell, there is little point to going after the first or second tram. Anyone who's ever had an animal should know that afternoon is not the time to see them do anything interesting.
Our tram ride started as a disappointment, but I've decided since it's by design. A few spotty bison (there aren't actually buffalo in North America) and that was about it. And then we went around a curve in the tram road and we started seeing animals everywhere. Beautiful elk, deer of many kinds, big herd of bison, mountain goats, and two moose.
I will post on the moose later, but this tram ride really was something. Kudos to Northwest Trek.
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
Simon Says Without A Winner
In regards to the "Intelligent Design" debate, Andrew Sullivan (a believing if not practicing Catholic) wrote that clinging to creationism in the face of overwhelming scientific theory and fact is not religion but superstition. That a belief in something so demonstrably unlikely is so far from the core of religion and science that it falls into superstition.
In many ways, I agree. Sunday's "West Wing" had Intelligent Design as a central issue and argued that it shouldn't be considered science, which it shouldn't. But it missed the reasoning: because Intelligent Design theory can't be proven wrong. Scientific inquiry assumes that an idea can be proven false, even evolution. Intelligent Design is inherently not science.
But is it superstition? Andrew's argument, though, strikes me as flawed and I am not as quick to dismiss a belief in creationism as superstition. Couldn't I just as easily say that the transubstantiation of the bread and wine is demonstrably false, therefore it's superstition. Or that--more central to Catholicism--a virgin birth and a resurrection are demonstrably false, therefore belief in them is superstition.
On the other hand, not just anyone gets to be resurrected, so it would make sense that only Jesus was resurrected and not anyone else. But what of the Assumption of Mary? Lazarus? Elijah? It seems like many individual pieces of Christianity or any religion could be dismissed as superstition, but what is more important is their place in the whole.
Or maybe superstition is defined only when we lose the meaning and message of the words and assume only their literal veracity. So maybe Christian evangelicals who talk about Genesis should extoll Adam & Eve's relationship with each other and God as a model for marriage (before the fall that is) rather than trying to argue for their historical existence.
Maybe there is a divinty student who could advise me. :)
* * *
As a final thought, all Catholics should see the Simpsons episode where Bart and Homer become Catholic after Liam Neeson (voicing a kindly priest) converts them. Marge is very upset and complains, "And what's with all the standing and sitting and kneeling? It's like Simon Says without a winner."
In many ways, I agree. Sunday's "West Wing" had Intelligent Design as a central issue and argued that it shouldn't be considered science, which it shouldn't. But it missed the reasoning: because Intelligent Design theory can't be proven wrong. Scientific inquiry assumes that an idea can be proven false, even evolution. Intelligent Design is inherently not science.
But is it superstition? Andrew's argument, though, strikes me as flawed and I am not as quick to dismiss a belief in creationism as superstition. Couldn't I just as easily say that the transubstantiation of the bread and wine is demonstrably false, therefore it's superstition. Or that--more central to Catholicism--a virgin birth and a resurrection are demonstrably false, therefore belief in them is superstition.
On the other hand, not just anyone gets to be resurrected, so it would make sense that only Jesus was resurrected and not anyone else. But what of the Assumption of Mary? Lazarus? Elijah? It seems like many individual pieces of Christianity or any religion could be dismissed as superstition, but what is more important is their place in the whole.
Or maybe superstition is defined only when we lose the meaning and message of the words and assume only their literal veracity. So maybe Christian evangelicals who talk about Genesis should extoll Adam & Eve's relationship with each other and God as a model for marriage (before the fall that is) rather than trying to argue for their historical existence.
Maybe there is a divinty student who could advise me. :)
* * *
As a final thought, all Catholics should see the Simpsons episode where Bart and Homer become Catholic after Liam Neeson (voicing a kindly priest) converts them. Marge is very upset and complains, "And what's with all the standing and sitting and kneeling? It's like Simon Says without a winner."
By the way ...
What's up with Daniel Craig as James Bond? What happened to Clive Owen. Although, really: what happened to Pierce? That man was James Bond. It's not his fault the last movie was really bad.
Or bring back Woody Allen. He was Bond in Casino Royale the last time they made it into a movie. Kidding about that one.
Speaking of Woody. You must must must watch the trailer for his new movie Match Point. If you can't stand Woody Allen you owe it to yourself to see the trailer and if you love him you'll be shocked at how different this film is from his others. Watch!
Or bring back Woody Allen. He was Bond in Casino Royale the last time they made it into a movie. Kidding about that one.
Speaking of Woody. You must must must watch the trailer for his new movie Match Point. If you can't stand Woody Allen you owe it to yourself to see the trailer and if you love him you'll be shocked at how different this film is from his others. Watch!
Hooked on the New Yorker Worked for Me!
I am hooked on the New Yorker's on-line caption contest. Obviously. It's 1:04 am, I'm sick and I'm tired but I had to submit a caption.
The contest is great. They provide a cartoon and then people write in and submit captions for it.
I've submitted four so far:
"I thought nothing would get me out of my SUV."
"His new controller for the X-box just arrived in the mail."
"All those in favor of removing the glass ceiling in the atrium, say 'aye.' "
"Will my subscription be in people years or dog years?"
If you care to find out, you can follow the link above and probably figure out which caption goes with which cartoon. I just thought it was fun to put them all next to each other.
If I get them to accept a few captions as nominations for a contest (let's say, five in a row, for example) I'll write the New Yorker and ask for an assignment. This may just be my ticket to the Big Apple.
The contest is great. They provide a cartoon and then people write in and submit captions for it.
I've submitted four so far:
"I thought nothing would get me out of my SUV."
"His new controller for the X-box just arrived in the mail."
"All those in favor of removing the glass ceiling in the atrium, say 'aye.' "
"Will my subscription be in people years or dog years?"
If you care to find out, you can follow the link above and probably figure out which caption goes with which cartoon. I just thought it was fun to put them all next to each other.
If I get them to accept a few captions as nominations for a contest (let's say, five in a row, for example) I'll write the New Yorker and ask for an assignment. This may just be my ticket to the Big Apple.
Monday, October 17, 2005
Caught!
The desert weather seemed to agree with me but my cold found me on my return to the wet side of the mountains. It also hit Mary pretty good, too.
I will be posting on Northwest Trek soon, but it'll take a couple posts to cover the expansive park. And I'll probably spend a whole post just talking about those mooses. moose? mise?
Anyway, it's off to the Board meeting for the Grand which means I'll be missing another class at UWT and 2 1/2 hours of talking about drunk drivers. Although it's provided for a lot of good fun so far. Maybe I'll get lucky and miss a pop quiz.
I will be posting on Northwest Trek soon, but it'll take a couple posts to cover the expansive park. And I'll probably spend a whole post just talking about those mooses. moose? mise?
Anyway, it's off to the Board meeting for the Grand which means I'll be missing another class at UWT and 2 1/2 hours of talking about drunk drivers. Although it's provided for a lot of good fun so far. Maybe I'll get lucky and miss a pop quiz.
Thursday, October 13, 2005
And once more to the high desert
I'm going to try to outrun my cold. We'll see if it finds me in Chelan tomorrow.
European Visitor
Spent yesterday showing Deborah Quarles, the daughter of family friends, around Tacoma. She's Dutch, but her English is impeccable; she knows that she pays when she is "on the bus" rather than "in the bus" for example, which is such a small detail most learning English as a second language wouldn't catch.
Taking her around Tacoma reminded me how much I like Europe. My perception is that it is very cosmopolitan. How could it not be? If you live in the Netherlands and are surrounded by four countries that all speak different languages and have different cultures it would dramatically affect your outlook. My brief time in Europe showed me a taste of that difference and it has great appeal.
But our tour of Tacoma also reminded me how much I like this town and this place on the globe. Walking around downtown and going to museums and restaurants I could not help but run into people I knew or at least recognized. Stopping in at the Museum of Glass, for example, the ticket-seller said she loved seeing Hitchcock's "Notorious" with us the night before. Turns out she'd been in the same show as us. But we seemed to always be stopping to talk to people in coffee shops, at bus stops, and in museums. I forget sometimes that this is a pretty great town.
I want to travel and I want to live elsewhere for short periods of time. I could really do for a year in Italy or London or New York or five years in Minneapolis. But I think I'll be coming back to the Northwest eventually.
Taking her around Tacoma reminded me how much I like Europe. My perception is that it is very cosmopolitan. How could it not be? If you live in the Netherlands and are surrounded by four countries that all speak different languages and have different cultures it would dramatically affect your outlook. My brief time in Europe showed me a taste of that difference and it has great appeal.
But our tour of Tacoma also reminded me how much I like this town and this place on the globe. Walking around downtown and going to museums and restaurants I could not help but run into people I knew or at least recognized. Stopping in at the Museum of Glass, for example, the ticket-seller said she loved seeing Hitchcock's "Notorious" with us the night before. Turns out she'd been in the same show as us. But we seemed to always be stopping to talk to people in coffee shops, at bus stops, and in museums. I forget sometimes that this is a pretty great town.
I want to travel and I want to live elsewhere for short periods of time. I could really do for a year in Italy or London or New York or five years in Minneapolis. But I think I'll be coming back to the Northwest eventually.
Saturday, October 08, 2005
Hitchcocktails at the Grand Cinema
Last night the Grand finished a very successful fundraiser at 21 Commerce (a restaurant and martini bar in downtown Tacoma). I was particularly proud of the event and the astounding turnout because I had come up with the central reason for having it: Hitchcock martinis, including the Vertigo, Psycho, and Notorious martini, and the Grand got a dollar from each sale. In fact, doing the fundraiser and having the martinis was the reason I really wanted to do the entire series (well, at least the first reason among many).
It's also a chance to see many good good movies on the big screen. I am particularly excited about the seeing Rebecca, which I saw on a small 12" TV with Sara V. at Carleton my junior year. I feel that if the level of my enjoyment of the film is proportional to the size of the screen, I'm in for a real treat on Wednesday. :)
It's also a chance to see many good good movies on the big screen. I am particularly excited about the seeing Rebecca, which I saw on a small 12" TV with Sara V. at Carleton my junior year. I feel that if the level of my enjoyment of the film is proportional to the size of the screen, I'm in for a real treat on Wednesday. :)
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
Smallest Park Ever
Once upon a time, somewhere in the North End of Tacoma, there was a park. It was a pretty park. A pretty park with a bad name: The North Slope Historic District Park. The End.
Actually, it's not totally the end. The park is notable for being no bigger than a house lot. It also has one of the most interesting signs (as seen in the other link) which is a pedestal of books. The books are rather odd: "The Wonder Clock," "The Fairy Tale Book" (which is why I started this entry with Once Upon A Time), "Space Style and Structure," and a "History of Tacoma" by Hunt.
But the park seems to be good for kids, and it would be a nice surprise on any walk.
Actually, it's not totally the end. The park is notable for being no bigger than a house lot. It also has one of the most interesting signs (as seen in the other link) which is a pedestal of books. The books are rather odd: "The Wonder Clock," "The Fairy Tale Book" (which is why I started this entry with Once Upon A Time), "Space Style and Structure," and a "History of Tacoma" by Hunt.
But the park seems to be good for kids, and it would be a nice surprise on any walk.
Sunday, October 02, 2005
Between 30,000 feet and 3 fathoms ...
... choose 3 fathoms. If you're looking for a good movie to make you think it's still the summer movie season, I must recommend "Into the Blue" with Paul Walker and Jessica Alba. If you've seen the preview, you likely think I'm only recommending this film because Jessica Alba wears a little tiny bikini the whole time. Which she does.
But the film is a real surprise. Good characters, a narrative rather than just lots of explosions, a treasure hunt, suspense, and lots of fun. Two thumbs up. If you doubt me, read Ebert's review. Or as further evidence that I'm not just reviewing Jessica's costumes, would you believe Mary liked this film better than me?
As to 30,000 feet, Flightplan was not bad, but Into the Blue revealed its flaws. Surprisingly boring for the first half, good suspense in the last 30 minutes, but--besides Josie Foster--everyone else was pretty bland. Even the bad guy.
Go for the Blue.
But the film is a real surprise. Good characters, a narrative rather than just lots of explosions, a treasure hunt, suspense, and lots of fun. Two thumbs up. If you doubt me, read Ebert's review. Or as further evidence that I'm not just reviewing Jessica's costumes, would you believe Mary liked this film better than me?
As to 30,000 feet, Flightplan was not bad, but Into the Blue revealed its flaws. Surprisingly boring for the first half, good suspense in the last 30 minutes, but--besides Josie Foster--everyone else was pretty bland. Even the bad guy.
Go for the Blue.
Jefferson Park in the Shade
Actually, it's me in the shades. And it's me in the shade of this cool tree. This tree we're under is really really cool. If you know about arbor issues and can identify this tree for us, we would all be grateful. Look at these branches. The tree dominates the landscape of Jefferson Park, which is a pretty regular park otherwise. Nice neighborhood park. Thumbs up.
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