Today's post is about quilting so I decided to use one of my QUILT series (#9 to be precise). I don't have a red, white and blue image so this is as close as I could come to the colors of our flag. (If you can't figure out why I'd want that from the title you probably shouldn't be reading my blog.-
A bit ago (May 16th to be exact) I had a bit of a dust up with my sister Jane over my “Blue Friday” post. (I think it had a lot more to do with miscommunication than anything else.) We have (I hope) resolved the issue and come to an understanding to agreeably disagree on certain issues. During our talk she pointed out that she has been doing something unique to support our troops in her own way. It was so interesting I thought I should highlight and celebrate it here.
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My sisters Jane (Chick), has been working with a group called the Quilts Of Valor Foundation. These dedicated quilters from around the country have come together with the intention of providing every wounded Veteran with a quilt. No matter what you think of the war I think this is a good thing. Here’s a link to the QoV web site for those wanting more information. http://www.qovf.org/ . This will take you directly to the web site and provide all the information you could want on this worthwhile organization.
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This post also has a couple of pictures of recent quilts my sisters Jane, Andrea (Keskey) and Tanya (Manley) did for the Wounded Warrior Program based out of Camp Pendleton. I don’t think it is affiliated with QoV but they pretty much do the same thing--providing quilts to wounded Veterans. As pretty as they are in the pictures I assure you they are SPECTACULAR in person. I’m glad I had the chance to spotlight their art and the great work of the Quilts of Valor Foundation and the Wounded Warrior Program.
What kind of fractal image can I pick for my review of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull? In the end I chose Green Springs because most of the action takes place in a jungle and around water. The tie is tenuous at best but it’s the best I could do. Hope you enjoy the fractal and the movie review.
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It seems the more things change, the more they stay the same for Indiana Jones. Twenty years have passed since Raiders of the Lost Ark first took the screen. “Indy” is older, grayer and even more rugged but he’s still gallivanting around the world and getting into trouble. This time he’s gotten himself captured by some Russian Operatives. (It’s 1957 and “Commies” have replaced the Nazis as the bad guys.) The story moves from Nevada to Los Angeles to Peru and finally to the Amazon jungle for the ultimate climax. From star to end this movie is one wild ride.
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There’s all the action anyone could want and the period details are perfect in every way. The stunts are amazing (if they tend to defy the laws of physics) and the FX are all first rate. (The movie reputedly cost over 150 Million dollars to make and you see all that money up on the screen.) At first I find the nods to the first three movies charming but after a while they became a bit annoying. (Ooh--what movie was that bit from???) The script is formulaic in the extreme (and you can almost hear the plot-gears grinding along under John Williams’ rousing, symphonic score). Still, the movie delivers on everything one might expect.
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Harrison Ford is his usual gruff, underplayed self (just like he was in the first three movies.) Shia LeBoeuf isn’t given much to work with as “Mutt” Williams (the heir apparent to the “Indiana Jones“ franchise) but he does a fine job with what he has. I was glad to see Karen Allen (from “Raiders“) back as Miriam Ravenswood on screen after an absence of twenty years and still looking fabulous. Cate Blanchett (as Irina Spalko the head Russian) does a good job and even has the Russian accent down pat. The rest of the large cast does well.
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Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull isn’t as good as the first three movies in the series. It gets a little weird and “science fiction-y” at the end for my taste. (I know that’s an odd criticism from me since I’m such a fan of S.F.--but it doesn’t quite work here.) Still, the movie is quite enjoyable. It delivers what the viewer expects and it’s a great “popcorn” flick. Fans of the series may not "love" the movie but I believe they'll like it a great deal.
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FINAL GRADE: B+
So the 2007-08 TV Season has come and gone--after being cut short by the writer’s strike. Way back on 10/18/08 I posted a list of predictions. Now it’s time to look back and see how I did. The fractal for this post is CRYSTAL since I never made a fractal called “Crystal Ball”.
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ALIENS IN AMERICA (CW): I predicted this show wouldn’t see a second season. FATE: “Alien” was deported from the schedule.
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BACK TO YOU (FOX): I thought the show should die a quick death but it hung on for a full year before Fox put a bullet in its head. Sadly, CBS may pick up the show as a midseason replacement. (How weird is that?)-
BIG SHOTS (ABC): I thought this show couldn’t miss with Mark Cherry at the helm and a well-known and talented cast. Boy was I wrong. FATE: Big Shots missed big time.
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BIONIC WOMAN (NBC): I said “nostalgia won’t keep the fan boys watching so this new version won’t last. FATE: dark and edgy (maybe too much so), the geek-boys stayed away in droves--as did everyone else.
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CANE (CBS): I didn’t see this big-budget soap lasting. FATE: Came was cut down in November.
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CARPOOLERS (ABC): I predicted this dismal comedy would be “permanently parked before 2008” and it was!
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CAVEMEN (ABC): went extinct early. Sadly the Geico commercials are still playing--and still annoying.
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CHUCK (NBC): surprisingly the network decided to give this show another chance in spite of low ratings. Yay NBC!
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DIRTY SEXY MONEY (ABC): I predicted it would be a big hit for ABC and it was (after a fashion). The show was the highest-rated new drama on the network (which wasn’t saying much). Critical praise helped give the show a second season.
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ELI STONE (ABC): I didn’t review this show last year because it was a mid-season replacement. Still, I wanted to give it whatever mild buzz I can since this quality, quirky legal drama has made it back for a second season. WATCH THIS SHOW!!!
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GOSSIP GIRL (CW): the biggest hit for the CW got an early full-season pick-up for the network. FATE: no big surprise, it was renewed.
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JOURNEYMAN (NBC) ended just as it was starting to pick up steam and move beyond Quantum Leap retreads. This would be a fine channel for the Sci Fi Channel to pick up but nobody’s is biting. Dunno why…
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K-VILLE (Fox): was “X”-ed early.
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LIFE IS WILD (CW): I predicted this show would go extinct by the end of the season. FATE: extinct.
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MOONLIGHT (CBS): I predicted the Network would “stake” the show before the end of the season. FATE: much to my surprise the show made it to the end of the year and even had some new episodes after the Writers’ Strike before CBS killed it off. The CW may pick up the show for next year.
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PRIVATE PRACTICE (ABC): keeps its doors open for another year (even though it and Grey’s Anatomy are weaker for the spin off.
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PUSHING DAISIES (ABC): the quirkiest show on Network Television since Twin Peaks (also on ABC oddly enough) was a Critics darling but didn’t have super ratings. Still, it will be back for a second season.
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REAPER (CW): I expected the show to be in Purgatory by season’s end. FATE: makes it back for a second year even though it was only a marginal hit for the Network.
-SAMANTHA WHO? (ABC): I thought this show would do well and it was the only comedy hit for ABC. FATE: back for another year.-
WOMEN’S MURDER CLUB (ABC): this show started off strong and was a HUGE Friday night hit. It was, IMHO, the best and freshest Crime Drama on television and I thought it would do very well. FATE: the “Club” won’t be meeting any longer. Too bad. Lets hope another network picks it up.
A review of the new movie--The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian needs a suitably “Regal” and “fantastical” image. That’s why I chose the Crown of Stars 
fractal. Like the movie it is complex and fanciful but with a certain dark beauty. SO--on with the review!
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A year has passed since the Pevensie children left the magical land of Narnia to return to the “real” world and it hasn’t been easy for them: Peter has become an angry young man: Susan is just discovering her womanhood, Edmund (who was so nasty in the first movie) has become a non-entity milquetoast. Only Lucy retains her basic sweet nature. They soon find themselves in Narnia--but it is a Narnia that is much changed. 1,300 years have passed and the land has been conquered by the invading Calmarines. Things are none too good for the Calmarines either: Prince Caspian flees his evil Uncle Miraz (who intends to kill him now that he has a son of his own. It is Prince Caspian who summons the Pevensies back to Narnia. In the end the old Kings and Queens team up with the new Prince to restore peace and prosperity to Narnia.
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This new movie carries the Narnia franchise forward quite nicely. The script drags a little at the start but it quickly picks up during the battle sequences begin (there are three). The FX (spectacular in the first movie) have advanced a great deal in only two years. All the actors do a fine job and I think Ben Barnes is likely to be the next Orlando Bloom. Fans of the book will not be disappointed and neither will fans of action or fantasy movies. The violence may be a bit intense for some very young (or elderly) viewers but the whole family can enjoy this outing.
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FINAL GRADE: A-
It took me a lot of time to pick the fractal for today’s post. In the end I settled on Midnight Lotus because of the predominance of “blue” color in the image and because I thought a serious post like this one needed a seriously pretty image to go with it. So, enjoy your “cookie” as you read on…
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Yesterday my sister Jane forwarded an e-Mail that got me fired up. At first I decided to hit REPLY ALL and send my commentary to everybody who had gotten the post with me--but then I decided it would be better to simply “blog” about my feelings. ANYway--you are about to read a Left Wing Political Rant. Please STOP NOW if this is going to offend you!
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Here’s what set me off . . .
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Blue Fridays. -Very soon, you will see a great many people wearing blue every Friday. The reason? Americans who support our troops used to be called the 'silent majority' We are no longer silent, and are voicing our love for God, country and home in record breaking numbers. We are not organized, boisterous or overbearing. -Many Americans, like you, me and all our friends, simply want to recognize that the vast majority of America supports our troops. Our idea of showing solidarity and support for our troops with dignity and respect starts this Friday -- and continues each and every Friday until the troops all come home, sending a deafening message that .. every red-blooded American who supports our men and women afar, will wear something blue. By word of mouth, press, TV -- let's make the United States on every Friday a sea of blue much like a homecoming football game in the bleachers. If every one of us who loves this country will share this with acquaintances, coworkers, friends, and family, it will not be long before the USA is covered in BLUE and it will let our troops know the once 'silent' majority is on their side more than ever, certainly more than the media lets on. The first thing a soldier says when asked 'What can we do to make things better for you?' is ..'We need your support and your prayers.' Let's get the word out and lead with class and dignity, by example, and wear something blue every Friday.
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There’s so much about this that bothers me that I’m not even sure where to begin. So, in no particular order--here are my objections . . .
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1) ENCOURAGING THE “EMPTY” GESTURE: I think this trend started with those damned “Yellow Ribbons” during the hostage crisis in Iran. Now it seems EVERY cause has it’s Ribbon, Wrist Band, or Lapel Pin so the wearer can share their cause with the world. Rather than actually DOING SOMETHING (raising money, donating time, writing our Congressman) we slap on a ribbon and call it good. “Blue Friday” is the latest permutation of that.
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2) NASTY IMPLICATIONS; things like this that subtly indicate that if we don’t support the War in Iraq you are both unpatriotic and somehow un-American. What happened to the days when we could respectfully agree to disagree? Here’s my favorite bit from the post: “if every one of us who loves this country will share this with acquaintances, coworkers, friends, and family, it will not be long before the USA is covered in BLUE and it will let our troops know the once 'silent' majority is on their side.” I’m sorry folks--it is entirely possible to love this country while not agreeing with everything the leadership does. Those who TRULY love our Country will work to change to change the things that are wrong--and there ARE things that should be changed!
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3) BLAMING THE MEDIA: every time I hear this old saw I want to pull my hair out and scream. Here’s another bit from the post (more than the media lets on). Quit blaming the media for reporting what Americans are saying and feeling. Talk Radio (and much of television) is dominated by the Right and so many of these folks seem to be doing their best to squash debate by name-calling, insinuation, and outright ridicule of anyone who happens to disagree with their narrow viewpoint. The White House has forbidden Press coverage of bodies and wounded troops returning from Iraq--indeed most aspects of the war. (I grew up watching the Viet Nam “Conflict” on television over dinner: I truly believe that if the American Public saw how horrible the War was there would be even more opposition than we already have.)
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4) BEING LESS THAN TRUTHFUL: I was curious to see if I could find out where this started. It led to a group called Blue Fridays.Org. Their web site is quite nicely done and easy to do. Still, it bothers me that the site offers a lot of “Blue Fridays” merchandise for sale: I don’t know what the profits are going to and that makes me uncomfortable. I have no solid evidence but there’s something about this organization that strikes me as fundamentally dishonest.
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During the Gulf War there were a lot of bumper stickers reading SUPPORT THE TROOPS NOT THE WAR. It’s easy to do: you can…
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* write letters (I’ve been using Operation Dear Abby since the Gulf War.) The troops really do appreciate it and it is something every American can do and doesn’t take much time.
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* pray: couldn’t hurt--might help.
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* send “Care” packages: lots of groups do this. Show your support for the troops by doing something Concrete and sending them items they need and/or will make them more comfortable as they do their duty in a nasty environment.
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* contact your Representatives in Washington: it is shocking to see how our troops are treated by their own government. They are often deprived of items that could be used to save their lives. Worse, the treatment of wounded soldiers who return is a national shame. These brave men and women are fighting for us and they sacrifice a lot to do that: we as a nation should honor that sacrifice by taking care of them in their time of need.
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I wasn’t able to find an exact count but I know over three thousand American soldiers have died since the war began. Over twenty thousand have been wounded--many of whom will need medical care for the rest of their lives. Our national debt has doubled in the past eight years (which will affect the children and their children) and the price of gas has more than doubled (and it will keep going up). These things are largely due to the war. Sooner or later we are going to have to deal with ALL the aspects of this mess.
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Think about it . . .
I couldn’t find a fractal that was a literal representation of Speed Racer so instead I decided to pick one that expressed how the movie made me feel Hence I give you--Shock Storm! (No, the movie isn’t shocking but it is a sensory assault so I thought it worked.) You’ll just have to read on to find out what I meant . . .
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Speed Racer first arrived on these shores from Japan in 1967 and quickly became an “Anime” cult-classic. Forty years later it made the jump to the big screen thanks to Andy and Larry Wachowki--the team behind The Matrix trilogy. They managed to capture the look of the cartoon with amazing similarities while simultaneously taking the combo of animation and live action to a whole new level never seen on screen before.
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And rest assured--Speed Racer is all about the look. It is worth the price of admission just to see the racing sequences (which gleefully defying the Laws of Physics and straining credibility.) The seamless combination of live-action and animation is something that really needs to be seen on a big screen to be believed and appreciated. Even the sets have this candy-colored and fantastic yet fully-realized “reto-future look that should be recognized come Oscar time.
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And then there’s the script . . .
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The plot is frankly cartoonish but, considering the source material. It works quite nicely. Emile Hirsch as Speed isn’t given a lot to work with but he looks the part and serves the role well. Christina Ricci (Trixie) gets to fly a pretty pink helicopter and wear a lot of miniskirts but nothing else. John Goodman (the perfect real-life embodiment of “Pops: Racer) plays gruff but loveable while Susan Sarandon gets to play the perfect “Mom.” Matthew Fox (from Lost) gets to show off his Ninja skills as the mysterious Racer X (and if you don‘t know who he REALLY is you probably shouldn‘t see this movie!) Spritle, Chim-Chim and Sparky (why is he an Austarilain?) also makes an appearance. Roger Allam (who I thought was Tim Curry from The Rocky Horror Picture Show) gleefully chews the scenery as arch-villan Royalton. The cast is HUGE and multi-ethnic--all of whom look pretty amazing.
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Clocking in at a little over two hours, the movies tends to drag in places (and sags horribly in the middle.) The directors could have shortened up or completely eliminated most of the “talky” scenes and the movie wouldn’t have suffered. The cast is so big and the story so sprawling sometimes it gets hard to tell the Players without a Score Card: there are also a few situations which will leave the viewer scratching their heads going “huh?”. Still, the movie is completely enjoyable in any case.
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Speed Racer is a wonderful summer flick: check your brain at the door and enjoy the eye candy. Fans of the original show will enjoy the movie and animation fans in general will probably like it as well. It isn’t for fans of romantic comedies or serious movies but adults can go with children that the whole family can enjoy.
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FINAL GRADE: B-
I decided to use another of the Satin Arabesque series (in the case #28) in today’s post for several reasons. I like the metallic sheen and details in the image and the color scheme reminds me of the Iron Man suit--not to mention the fact that Arabia has a lot to do with the movie. All in all it seemed like a nearly perfect fit.
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So the 2008 Summer Movie season has kicked off with a bang as Iron Man blasted into theaters and made well over a hundred million dollars domestically. Still, two days later I’m still not sure how I feel about the movie. (I liked it well enough but did I really love it?) The FX are suitably dazzling (a must for a summer blockbuster) and the actors all turn in fine jobs. Still, the movie has no surprises (except for one REALLY BIG twist literally at the end of the movie) and you can hear the plot clanking along like a heavy metal monster all the way through the movie. I also don’t know whether the Tony Stark character was “dumbed down” or if the writers are simply waiting to introduce those elements in a later movie. Ah well--on with the synopsis. (I’d like to say I’ll review the movie on its own merits--and not try not to compare it to the source material but I know that’ll never happen.)
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Tony Stark (nicely played by Robert Downey Jr.) has been transformed from the tortured alcoholic he was in the comics to an enfant terrible Weapons Master (which works for this movie). In a singularly dumb movie Tony decides (for reasons unexplained) to head off to Iraq in order to display his latest weapon of mass destruction. He ends up being captured by a multinational terrorist group who hold him prisoner and demand he build them a WMD of their own (in a cave stocked with all kinds of nice parts and even an assistant who helps awaken Tony’s conscience.) Our hero builds a prototype Iron Man suit and uses it to escape (thoughtfully leaving all his plans behind for later use by the bad guys.) Triumphantly returning to America our hero decides to move his company in a more “peaceful” direct (with predictable results). Lifelong family friend Obadiah Stane (played by Jeff Bridges--looking and acting like a bald Teddy Bear) promises to “smooth over” everything. But Obi has other motives . . . If you want the rest of the plot you’ll have to go see the movie.
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Some of the movie moves a little slow for me: IMHO they spend way too much time in the cave building the prototype.) Still, Robert Downey Jr. really inhabits his role and brings a certain magic particularly in intimate scenes with his secretary and proto-love-interest Pepper Potts (Gweneth Paltrow in a strawberry-blonde dye job). Still, it bugs me a little when scripts make obviously dumb choices (but if they didn’t there wouldn’t be much of a movie).
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Iron Man isn’t a movie for the ages--but it’s a pretty darn good movie for the summer. Check your brain at the door and enjoy the eye candy. Intense fans of the comic book may be a bit disappointed in the simplification of the origin (although I was OK with it). It’s a good summer movie, nothing more, nothing less.
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FINAL GRADE: B
Today's post is about quilting so I decided to use one of my QUILT series (#9 to be precise). I don't have a red, white and blue image so this is as close as I could come to the colors of our flag. (If you can't figure out why I'd want that from the title you probably shouldn't be reading my blog.
