I always pick a “Stained Glass” post when I’m ragging on religion. (This one just happens to be Stained Glass 60.) For a change though I won’t be taking on the Catholic Church: instead I’ll be talking about those wacky Roberts’ boys in Tulsa Oklahoma. (But hey, you probably figured that out from the title, eh what?)
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You gotta love them wacky “Roberts’” boys. First Oral (and I do so love that name!) Roberts tells his television audience that God would “call him home” if his viewers didn’t raise a certain amount of cash (I think it was nine million dollars) for some project or other. Oddly enough, he actually GOT the money--most of it from a Dog Track owner in Florida (with a long criminal record). Now his son Richard has decided to resign the Presidency of Oral Roberts University after being accused of financial management of school funds including multiple remodeling projects on the family mansion, allowing his daughters to use the University Jet (ORU has a university jet???), giving nonacademic scholarships to friends of the Roberts’ children and buying his wife a Lexus SUV.
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In his statement he said he had “had a long talk with God and wanted to fight the charges but God had insisted he resign--because America had become such a ‘litigious’ society.” I don’t live in Tulsa but here in SoCal we have a name for people who talk to God. We call them schizophrenics! Frankly, I don’t know what I find more hilarious--the fact that Roberts might actually believe this story or the fact that he expects us to swallow it!
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Maybe I’m not a very good Christian or maybe I simply lack understanding of God’s Plan. Maybe if I had enough faith God would speak to me. Most likely I’m just too big a cynic to swallow a whopper like this. It boggles my mind that God would insist that Roberts NOT fight the accusations (especially false ones as Roberts insists). Sorry Ricky-boy--if you ain’t fighting this battle it’s because you did something wrong! It is truly sad to think that there are people out there who will take this statement at face value and not question it in the least but that’s a post for another time. In the meantime--has God been talking to YOU?
Today’s post features a fractal called Renaissance Magic 11. The number isn’t important (other than to let you know this image comes from a larger series.) I picked the image because it seemed apropos for a review of the movie Enchanted. (The word “Magic” in the title was a good start and the swirly design and pink-peach-and-gold color palette worked well I thought.) ANYway--on with the review!
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QUESTION: what do you get when a fairy tale princess is exiled from her animated kingdom into real world New York City? ANSWER: the latest Disney Studios release Enchanted--and a pretty darn good movie it is too!
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The basic story but it goes something like this: sweet maiden Giselle lives in a cute little house in a forest where surrounded by her animal friends: she meets and “instantly” falls in love with handsome Prince Edward. Edward’s wicked stepmother Queen Nerissa is determined to keep her crown (since it seems Edward can’t take the throne until he takes a wife) so she exiles Giselle to “real world” Manhattan ("where there ARE no happy endings!") Lost and alone, Giselle finally meets Robert--a sad sack lawyer and single father who ha given up on romance. Edward follows Giselle to Manhattan find his “true love” and is pursued by Nathaniel who repeatedly tries to poison Giselle or at least keep the two lovers apart. In the end the wicked Queen gets her comeuppance and everyone else (even the chipmunk!) gets their “happily ever after.”
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Amy Addams (the best reason to see this movie) plays Giselle sweetly without the slightest trace of irony or smarminess and makes you believe in her magic. James Marseden (fresh from his supporting role in Hairspray) continues his seemingly inexorable slide toward complete and utter “pussy”-dom as Prince Edward--who’s as dumb as he is good looking. Susan Sarandon chews the scenery with great abandon as Edward’s wicked stepmother Queen Nerissa: she’s the perfect embodiment of a Disney villainess. British character actor Timothy Spall plays Nathaniel in full “villainous buffoon” mode. Patrick Dempsey departs from his “Dr. McDreamy” personae to play Robert--and has all the charm of a wet blanket. Rachel Covey is cute-as-a-button as Robert’s daughter Morgan and Idina Menzel (who made such a huge splash as the original “Elphaba“ in Wicked on Broadway) plays Nancy, Robert’s long-suffering girlfriend who has a secret bit of romance in her soul.
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True, you can almost here the clockworks turning as the plot cranks along without a single surprise twist anywhere and a cynical viewer might wonder why none of the characters wonder too much about Giselle’s character. (It’s a fairy tale so the viewer is going to need a healthy dose of “willingness suspension of disbelief” to enjoy the movie.) The animated scenes are lushly and elegantly drawn. The few songs by Alan Mencken (who scored so many of the recent “Disney“ cartoons) and Stephen Schwartz (best known for Wicked) are appropriate and clever if none-too-memorable. The live-action scenes are prettily shot and the direction never gets in the way of the actors or the story. This is a fun movie with broad inter-generational appeal suitable for the whole family. (Only a die-hard “Macho Man” or a very young child would NOT enjoy this movie!) I don’t know whether Enchanted will become an enduring “classic” but it is the best family movie out right now.
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FINAL GRADE: A-
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OK folks, follow my chain of association to figure out why I picked the fractal for today’s post. Today’s fractal is called Jemz. I named the image in honor of a 1980s cartoon called Jemm. (I don’t remember all the details but I know it was about a rock star/model who turned into a super heroine.) Like all cartoon offerings of the 1980s it spawned a line of toys--the tag line of which is “Jemm is truly outrageous.” As outrageous as Jemm may have thought she was--this story is truly outrageous! Truly, truly, truly outrageous!
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Just when you think you’ve seen/heard it all you come across a story that just make you drop your jaw. Buried in yesterday’s evening newscast (11/20) I heard a story that literally stopped me in my tracks! The Pentagon has been offering $3000 bonuses to those who re-enlist for military service then sending demand letters to wounded soldiers unable to complete their service.
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I can fully understand, even support, the Pentagon’s position if the soldier fail to complete their service through some fault of their own but going after men and women wounded in service seems completely beyond the pale. Still, thousands of letters have gone out and the feds are collecting from hapless vets under the threat of tax liens and even jail time.
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Is this some sort of weird policy error or did somebody really think it was a good idea? To me, this policy sounds like a classic case of bureaucracy run amok. Honestly, I dunno: still these instructions came form a government sending men and women off to a foreign country than not having proper resources to aid these brave soldiers when they get wounded. To me there is some sort of huge “disconnect” between the cries of “support our troops” and they way said troops are treated once they come home. What’s wrong with this picture folks? Personally, I find this particularly disturbing is the fact that this story gets about one minute’s coverage on the Evening News (and not all newscasts at that) and it hasn’t even been covered in the local paper.
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If there is a bright spot in this story it is this: a congressman (I wasn’t able to find his name) has introduced a bill to prevent the Pentagon from attempting to collect from wounded soldiers. The story came to light after Cpl Jordan Fox was wounded in Iraq by an I.E.D. He contacted station KDKA after he was billed: the Pentagon “reviewed” his case and decided (mere moments before he went on National TV) that the bill was a “mistake.” Still, one has to wonder how many other “mistakes” were made that weren’t corrected because their story didn’t get the same kind of attention.
No fractal for this post but I just ran across a bit about our embattled County Sherriff Mike Carona that was simply too dishy not to pass on to my loyal readers! Turns out way back in 1998, (December 15, to be exact) our County Board of Supervisors approved a request from our newly-elected Sherriff (that’s Mikey) to reduce the qualifications needed for the position of assistant sheriff. Sheriff-elect Carona’s request came because he wanted to “facilitate a smooth transition” in the Sheriff’s Department and to “allow the new Sheriff the necessary autonomy to select his executive management team from the broadest possible pool of applicants pool of qualified applicants.” (I found that in Frank Mikadeit’s Orange County Register column this morning and had to quote it.) The two men who eventually got the postions (George Jaramillo and Don Haidl) had some ethical questions surrounding them even before they took the jobs.
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I’m not sure why the Supervisors went for it but they didn’t put up much of a fight. (They voted 5-0 in favor.) Yesterday (1120) the Board of Supervisors undid their previous action (with another 5-0 vote and virtually no debate). Now assistant sheriffs will again be required to have a minimum of two years as a Captain before they can hold that position.
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Here’s another fun fact about the whole tawdry affair: before leaving “America’s Sheriff” placed himself on paid administrative leave (at full salary) while he’s dealing with his legal troubles. (The County Supervisors are trying to decide what, if anything, they are going to do about this.) Oh, and with all this the local Republican Party still has not yet made an official request for Carona to resign. My, my boys and girls--how positively “Democratic Party” of you…
I will be reviewing the new animated movie Beowulf so I chose a fractal called Odin. (I did a whole series of fractals representing Gods of various pantheons: since Odin is mentioned in the movie I decided to use it as my image for today‘s post.) Again, I’m stretching a bit to come up with an image for my post but I gotta do what I gotta do to put something up for you.
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Beowulf is a true “classic”. It may well be the oldest surviving work of “English” literature--so old in fact that it is written in Old English from even older oral sources. Frankly I’m surprised it took this long to bring the movie to the big screen: the story of a lusty barbarian slaying monsters and becoming king seems ripe for the big screen.
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This new animated version of Beowulf departs somewhat from the source material to flesh out and connect the two stories. King Hrothgar (Anthony Hopkins) has just built a new “Mead Hall” to celebrate his many victories. But the celebration is ruined by the untimely arrival of the gigantic, misshapen monster Grendel (voiced by Crispin Glover speaking what sounds like old English) who uses the king’s guests as after-dinner snacks. Blond and buff barbarian Beowulf (Ray Windstone) and his men arrive to save th day, slaying the monster after a spectacular battle. The celebration after the monster’s death is ruined by another collection of grisly murders. Horthgar reveals that Grendel has a mother--and she’s angry!
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Here the movie departs from the source-myth. Horthgar has a secret (which I won‘t reveal here) but sends the hero out over the objections of his trusted advisor Unferth (John Malkovich in “high snivel“ mode). Beowulf confronts the demon mother (Angelina Jolie in a role tailor-made for her). Beowulf strikes a “devil’s bargain that wins him a kingdom and everything he could desire--including the old king’s beautiful queen Wealthow (Robin Wright-Penn). Many years later the bargain is broken and Beowulf is forced into final battle with a dragon.
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Director Robert Zemeckis uses the same “motion capture” animation technique he used in The Polar Express. Two years of new technology has made the look of Beowulf somewhat better. Still, the human figures have a rather “Barbie”-like look and their flat dead eyes are somewhat creepy. As a whole the movie is beautifully animated and the battle scenes are nothing short of spectacular. The story is somewhat predictable (even with the new twist) and the dialog is frankly cheesy. Still, it makes for a delightfully fun, if campy, romp.
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Beowulf isn’t quite a classic but well worth seeing for what it is. Some parents may be lured into taking young children to the movie because it is an animated feature. This movie though is NOT for children! It is loaded with graphic (if somewhat cartoonish) violence and brimming with (animated) nudity. If this had been shot with “live” actors Beowulf would have gotten an “R” Rating instead of “PG13”. It is not a movie for young children or those with delicate sensibilities but a lot of those who like action movies.
FINAL GRADE: A-
You’d think with the thousands of fractals I’ve done that at least one would be called “Tempest” (or some variation)--but, No! So instead I settled on one called Sunset Storm: I think the image is pretty and today’s post will talk about several “tempest-in-a-teapot” stories floating around the news. (“Tempest” is another word for “storm”--thus the connection.) ANYway--on with the rant!
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Lets get to the really salacious stuff first… Who remembers those pix of Boxing Champ Oscar de la Hoya wearing women’s underwear? (Those that do--how many of you, like me, wish you could forget???) Turns out super-hot Siberian Exotic Dancer (that’s STRIPPER folks!) Milana Dravnel, 22, is filing a ONE HUNDRED MILLION DOLLAR suit against de la Hoya for alleged fraud, defamation, interference with contract, infliction of emotional distress and undue influence. (Remember folks--SHE was the one who sold the photos and went on every TV Show that would book her.) De la Hoya insists the photos were “doctored” and hasn’t really suffered much because of the scandal.
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I wanna know how this broad thinks she can get any cash out of the guy! If indeed, as she alleges, de la Hoya had “fake FBI Agents” harassing her it seems to be a job for the Police--but no! She goes straight for the money? Oh yeah--we all believe she was harassed and intimidated--NOT! In the end this is just another tempest in a teapot. Nobody cares whether Oscar de la Hoya likes to wear women’s undies or not: the only person who should care is Oscar’s wife (and she should care because he was in frolicking in a hotel with a stripper.) As for you Milena--it’s time for you to climb back up your pole and out of our lives babe. Your “fifteen minutes” are definitely over!
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Our next tempest involves Lakers Coach Phil Jackson regarding a comment he made after his team was thorough whupped by the San Antonio Sours. (Here’s a link to a story that features the comment: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-NLzjcA3kM .) The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) was instantly up-in-arms over the comment as Jackson was quick to apologize. (Use this link to hear Jackson’s apology on ESPN http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-m0xfdID34 .) He was quickly reprimanded (but not fined) by the NBA.
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So--why is this a “tempest-in-a-teapot” story? It’s true that all professional sports are frankly homophobic (however much they pretend not to be). Phil Jackson though is no more “anti-Gay” then anyone else in Professional Basketball. He was playing to his audiences (and the crowd of reporters certainly laughed). Do we fault him for a lapse in taste and/or judgment? I hope not. GLAAD really needs to save their indignation for something that really matters so their complaints won’t be so diluted. If anyone should be upset it should be for Jackson's half-assed apology. (No consequences equals no contrition.)
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Our final “tempest-in-a-teapot” story comes from the John McCain campaign in Hilton Head North Carolina where one of his supporters (Check out this link to view the incident in context http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLQGWpRVA7o .) I wasn’t able to find the name of the woman who made the comment but I saw a bit on Inside Edition where she states she “hates” Hillary Clinton and thinks she is “diabolical”. For McCain’s part he simply looked flustered and tried to laugh it off. He ended up saying he respected “anyone who gets the nomination for the Democratic Party.” A number of groups were quick to criticize him for not denouncing the comment.
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Personally, I have to confess that I’ve lost a lot of respect for John McCain after watching him change his stance on several issues dear to my heart just to go after conservative Republican votes. Still, I feel sorry for the guy here: he was clearly caught off guard in an unscripted moment (and I wonder how any of us would do were we caught in the same situation.) I’m saddened that our political process has sunk so law that we (no matter what side we’re on) resort to name-calling. (Come on people! We got over that by the time we were in High School--or at least should have!) I also wonder what those who objected to his comments (or lack thereof) were thinking when they raised a fuss: doing so is just like handing conservative pundits rocks and telling them to chuck away. Not to bright…
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But in the end who I really feel sorry for is us as a nation. We’re so wrapped up in our “tempest-in-a-teapot” stories that we don’t even think about the really important things in life. Still--I love these stories and frankly I enjoy getting my dander up about them. Ah well--I guess I’m no better than anyone else. Bring on the sleaze!
You have to follow a “chain of associations” to figure out why I chose DUVET as the fractal for today’s post. For those of you who might not know “Duvet” is a fancy word a quilt. Quilts usually go on beds and one wears pajamas to bed. Today I will be reviewing the Musical Theater West production of THE PAJAMA GAME and the chain is complete. ANYway--on with the review!
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Bad seats can really spoil your enjoyment of a show: Robyn and I had seats slightly off center in the fourth row of Carpenter Center and yet my seat was “bad”. As soon as I sat down I knew I was going to be in trouble: the seat was canted about fifteen degrees downward so I began a slow slide forward until butt was poised on the edge of the seat and my shoulders were soon against the seat back--but nothing else was supported! I ended up bracing my feet so using my arms as anchors so I wouldn’t slide. I didn’t move but my muscles started cramping almost immediately. Luckily I was able to move to a different seat fir Act Two but I’m afraid it rather colored my opinion of the entire show. But enough about my viewing experience. On with the review!
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THE PAJAMA GAME is the stuff of Broadway legend: the show (based on the novel 7 1/2 CENTS by Richard Bissel) was offered to famous composer Frank Loesser (of GUYS AND DOLLS fame) but he was unavailable. He recommended neophyte “pop” composers Richard Adler and Jerry Ross (who went on to write DAMN YANKESS the next year). The show also helped launch the careers of Choreographer Bob Fosse and Shirley MacLaine who lived the “Chorus Girl becomes a Broadway Star” when she stepped into a featured role when another actress was injured. The show went on to win the Tony Award for “Best Musical” of 1954, became a motion picture and was a multiple “Tony” winner when it was revived in 2004. The most well-known songs from the show include “Hey There” (You With the Stars in Your Eyes…”). “Steam Heat and “Hernando’s Hideaway.”
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The show is a love story set against the backdrop of labor troubles in a Pajama factory. The union is threatening to strike over their demands for a 71/2 cent an hour wage increase (ah for the days when that actually made a difference in the salary!) but management is determined not to give in. Newly-arrived middle-manager Sid Sorokin falls for “Grievance Committee” Chair Babe Williams, She’s spunky, sparky and totally devoted to the Union. Jealous “Time Study Expert” Norman Hines is carrying on with the flirty-ditzy secretary Gladys.
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To me, this production is a little threadbare: yes, the show is set in a factory but this minimal set looks slapped together. (I was close enough to see conspicuous gaps in the construction--not a good thing.) There aren’t as many dance numbers as I’d have expected: the ones the cast does do look good if they are a bit repetitive. (Every production numbers has a couple of guys doing tumbling runs across the stage.) The costumes didn’t thrill me but they convey the feel of the period. As always, the “Pit Band” (this time under the direction of Daniel Thomas) was first rate. I don’t know how many people were in the Orchestra but they rocked it out.
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Paul Dean, as Sid, is good looking and has a magnificent voice. The duet with his own recorded voice on “Hey There” is one of the high points of the show. He isn’t given much to work with in this part and he still underplays his role. He also seemed to be unable to quite keep up with the groups dance numbers. Darcie Roberts (Babe) does a fine job with her role. Nick Degruccio is a fine comic dancer and singer who is suitably frenetic in his role as Hines. Terra C. McCloed has a great role as “Gladys”: it’s easy to see why this role could make a star--hot dance number and a great “drunken” scene… Robert Pieranuzi as “Prez” is an excellent comedian and Vonetta Mixon steals every scene she’s in as “Mabel.” Nils Anderson channels “Jerry Stiller” as factor owner “Mr. Hassler.” The ensemble does a fine job supporting the lead and featured roles and they do well with what they are given.
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In the end I have to ask myself--did I not enjoy THE PAJAMA GAME because of my “bad” seat or was it the show itself or just this production? Honestly, I don’t know: I know I enjoyed the second half a lot more than the first. (I overheard several similar comments on the way out and I can’t assume that they all had “bad” seats so maybe it was a flaw in the production.) I’m used to high quality productions from Musical Theater West and this show didn’t quite deliver.
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FINAL GRADE: C-
I always pick a “Stained Glass” post when I’m ragging on religion. (This one just happens to be Stained Glass 60.) For a change though I won’t be taking on the Catholic Church: instead I’ll be talking about those wacky Roberts’ boys in Tulsa Oklahoma. (But hey, you probably figured that out from the title, eh what?)
