Fade Away...

Do Chinese people eat the food that they make?  

Chopsticks are a lot of fun.

Anyways, it's amazing how many TV shows and films fade in and out of the public spotlight.  I'd like to think that the people in charge of picking which shows make the air know what they are doing...but it appears that they don't.  It's really a crapshoot for them.  

How could they possibly know what shows are going to be popular or even good?  How can they possibly predict which ones are going to have substance past year one?  On the film end of things, how can the executives know if they are sitting on the next Matrix, or The Day the Earth Stood Still?  Most executives would like to think they know how to play the game, but most don't.  

Sinking millions of dollars into a film is never easy.  When you are about to put that much money into something that has an opportunity to fail miserably, it has to be stressful.  But, on the other hand, there are so many movies the make millions of dollars and are complete masterpieces, due to hard work and not a gaudy budget, that didn't need the financial help of the executives.  

That should just go to show you that money in the entertainment industry isn't everything.  Typically, the more over-hyped something is, the worse it is going to be.  However, when something that is really hyped impresses you, it really is great.  I was really skeptical that the Dark Knight was going to be as good as people thought it was, but somehow it surpassed my expectations.  

Cheers.

-Nick

My Big Mouth.

I'm going to elaborate on something I just read here.  

I, too, hate people who think they know about movies.  However, what really gets me going is when people think that movies are stupid because they aren't the norm or they're not what the average joe can comprehend.  It's funny that a person can either love Independent films or movies...they can never like both!  It's amazing how some people think the movies I tend to watch are stupid because they are done in a different manner, which tends to stretch the realm of things that were already done.  

IN SAYING THAT, I love films, but I also love these over-hyped, billion dollar budget films, when they are done right.  The Dark Knight was great!  However, if I told you that I watched The Dark Knight and then went on to watch City of God (Great film, see it) your head might explode.  

I'm actually really happy Andrew brought that up, because I was just thinking about that today in my Film Analysis class.  My teacher is a european man who doesn't care about flash or glam, but instead content and character.  Just watch films if they are good.  Don't follow something because it is a "cult classic" or is nominated for an Oscar.  The Academy's picks don't count for everything, do they?

Scene.

-Nick.

Cast No Shadow.

In this new presidency, America seems to be searching for a new beginning.  I don't know what it is, but we're ready to rally around this Obama guy.  America was formed on the basis of freedom and rights for it's people.  Government in this country shouldn't have too big of a footprint on it's citizens.  However, in the last eight years, the Bush regime seemed to have made too big of an impact on the country.  Unfortunately, it was a negative one in the eyes of the American people.

So the goal for Obama should be to leave a very small mark on history.  I know that sounds like something that goes against the grain of what is commonly said, but it's true.  The day has come where the president needs to make decisions that benefit the people quietly.  It's not a popularity contest anymore.  No president should want to be in the lime light anymore.  The more you are seen in the news, it's probably for the worst.  It's the people's country, not the president's.  

The closer we get to understanding that is important.  Those in power should ask themselves, "why are we really here?"  It's not to become a popular figure or even lead the people.  The people need to lead this country.  You are a servant to the people.  This is the basic idea that the country was born upon.  

So, Obama, don't try and win us all over with your glam and ideas, but simply with quiet actions.  Propel America to where it should be.

Signing off.

-Nick

Go Let It Out.

Well, here's a thought.  Let's all listen to Huey Lewis and News!  After all, it's "Hip to Be Square."

Moving on, applying for jobs is the dumbest thing I've ever done.  Some of the things they ask are so dumb.  Yesterday, I was filling out an online application, and was in the question section.  Some of them were ridiculous.  "When in crowds you seem to get angry? Strongly disagree, disagree, agree, or strongly agree."  Why would anyone in their right mind answer strongly agree to that question.  You don't deserve a job if you do.  

Anyways, good luck.

-Nick

Defiance.

Last night, I went to the midnight showing of the Defiance.

It starred Daniel Craig, who you probably know as the new James Bond, and Liev Schreiber, who played Lt. Shaw in The Manchurian Candidate.  The acting in the film was well executed and seemed real enough for me.  

It takes place in Belorussia during WWII, when the Nazi's were rounding up Jews and killing them.  The story is about siblings, the Bielskis, who save as many other Jews as possible by building a new village in the woods.  It is a true story, by the way.

With action only sprinkled throughout, at least for Daniel Craig, it's nice to see him tackle a role which is nothing like what people want to see him do.  I don't want him to turn into the next Jason Statham.  

All of the scenes seem to fit and are well done.  The problem with the film is that it seemed like they couldn't decide which scenes to cut, so they left them all.  It was about 2 hours and 15 minutes, if it had been cut down to 2 hours, that would have seemed better.  A few scenes seemed to drag on a bit too much.

It ended up seeming like a really good made for TV movie.  You can take that for what it's worth.

Overall, I'd say it's a rental.  I could see where you can get detached in a movie theater.

3 out of 5 stars.

-Nick

Mean Mr. Mustard

Old people really have it easy in the world today.  They can shit where they want, yell at whoever they want, and drive their cars into a Denny's fast-food restaurant.  Through and through, they're still the ones who tell us old war stories, how they met your grandfather, and tales of the crypt.  

-Nick

I wish.

ugh...

Yer Blues.

There's nothing conceptually better than Rock N' Roll.  John Lennon once said that, and I think he's right.  

Most humans would not agree with that statement...nothing?...better?...John?  I think I missed a day in kindergarden about basic thought processes.  Apparently, I went to a very sophisticated K-5 school, if they are teaching kids about thought processes and how to split the atom.  Then again, Nazi Germany isn't an easy place to be a kid.  

Anyways, over the last two days, I've been sitting around doing nothing.  Well, actually, it's the complete opposite of that.  I've been doing everything.  I've read a book, watched movies, burned movies, played video games, exercised, watched football, played and listened to music.  The issue is, nothing seems to satisfy my craving for something to do.  I am extremely bored!  

And now, to add to it, I'm writing about being bored.  Bored should not be a feeling, I've decided.  Anger, yes...Smiling, no...that's not a feeling...boredom, no...it's stupid.  

I mean, boredom is kind of like with drawl from an addiction.  I am so used to doing things, I've gone crazy and am trying to find more things to do, until my head falls off.  How am I supposed to conquer this?  I haven't found any solutions.  

Basically, this was a useless post.  I just needed something to keep me busy for 5 minutes.  If you've read this far, I'm sorry.  Please see Melissa at the front desk for a full refund.

Until next time, humans.

-Nick

Don't Look Back in Anger

As another presidential term is about to end, and we're going to welcome in a new president with open arms, let's not be so quick to jump on the anti-Bush bandwagon.  

The hardest job in the United States of America is the job of president.  Not only in the sense of the executive branch of government, but also as the CEO of our companies.  If you think about it, America is one big company.  We're all trying to work together, or against each other, to make money.  Think about how hard it would be to control the millions of people who live in this country.

Now, I'm not saying that he was our best president, but he certainly wasn't our worst.  We're in the middle of an economic crisis which is not his fault, but he is certainly going to be blamed for it.  We're in the middle of a war in the middle east, which Dick Cheney manipulated us into.  

And while I don't think we're having great luck in this country right now, I do think that we've been avoiding the fact that we've been a safe country for almost 10 years running.  In a world where Al Qaeda is vowing to kill us all, they haven't been successful in an attack in quite some time.  If anything, we should thank the current administration for that.  

I know it's easy to point out his speaking flaws or all the bad that has come in this country, but he's still our president.  I'm getting tired of people treating him terribly and making fun of him constantly.  

Good Morning.

-Nick

Tomorrow Never Knows.

Two things I'd like to talk about today...how the New Year's Celebration is stupid and how New Year's resolutions are right there with it.  

I don't understand the fascination and over-commercialization over watching the ball drop in Times Square.  Last night I was forced to watch the ball drop and as soon as it dropped I realized how much of a waste it is.  The year before, I didn't watch the ball drop...and despite popular belief...it doesn't affect you.  I wasn't stricken with a plague of locusts, frogs didn't fall from the sky, and a witch doctor didn't shrink my head (thanks, cars.com).  

So, who really cares?  Why stay up and party until the wee-hours of the morning?  Oh wait, that's right...any excuse to party in this country turns into a holiday.  If people can get drunk and stupid, then it's a holiday!  I'm surprised Martin Luther King, Jr. day hasn't become a big partying day...what about Presidents' Day?  

Isn't it good enough to wake up to a new year?  It's just as cool to see a new year the following morning as it is right at midnight.  You've got a whole year to enjoy that '09 on your checks, letters, and whatever else you need to sign.  So why did this all start?  This country is obsessed with countdowns, drinking, pissing on each other in Times Square, and watching shitty performances by the Jonas Brothers...yes, unfortunately I saw it.  

Now, on to my next point.  New Year's resolutions are stupid...they really are!  For some reason, once the clock hits midnight, we're expected to change our ways and pledge something that no one ever keeps.  My resolution was nothing...I don't want to change anything.  Is there a problem with that?  Apparently if you have nothing to change or are completely satisfied, then you have issues.  There seems to be a hatred or resistance toward happiness in this country.  Why is this?

Shouldn't everyone be happy?  By forcing yourself to point out a flaw, isn't that just an endless cycle?  When people say they need to lose weight, as their resolution, doesn't that mean you haven't been trying for the past 12 months?  Oh wait, it's actually pretty likely that you've made the same resolution again.  Considering that it's the most common resolution, it means that people making the same one over and over again.  

So why make one?  If you know you can't keep it...don't make it!  Just be healthy, don't make it your resolution!  Just don't drink and eat yourself fat all the time.  It doesn't have to be your resolution...especially if you can't keep it.

Good luck.

-Nick.