I chose Celestial Dragon for a variety of reasons (many of which you will understand if you go see the movie I am reviewing today). It will take entirely too long to explain all those reasons so just go see the movie and find out for yourself!
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Who would have thought that the first “must see” movie of Summer 2008 was Kung Fu Panda? Frankly, the ads didn’t give me a lot of hope for anything other than a cute kids movie--boy was I wrong! Kung Fu Panda might just be this year’s “perfect” summer movie! (Of course Will Smith’s latest hasn’t bowed yet so who knows?)
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Yes, you’ve seen this story before--lovable loser embraces his weakness to achieve a “Great Destiny”. This time they add the twist that the lovable loser will also bring peace to his master. Plot-wise there are no revelations but the script saves this movie from utter pedantry: it offers a near-perfect balance of action, comedy, sweetness and self-discovery.
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Jack Black is the perfect voice for Po. (There are few Actors who could make a line like “legends tell us of a legendary warrior who’s Kung Fu skills were the stuff of legend” and make us appreciate it. The movie’s entire fate rests of his shoulders and he rises to the occasion. Dustin Hoffman voices Master Shifu (a “Red Panda”) makes us believe his transformation from bitter leader to fatherly friend. Angelina Jolie, Jackie Chan, Lucy Liu, Seth Rogen and David Cross gives voice to the “Furious Five”--Shifu’s prized students. (They aren‘t given much to do--one of the few “down“ sides of the movie.) Ian McShane is the villainous Snow Leopard Tai Lung (with serious “father issues”). Randall Duk Kim is the ancient turtle Oogway (what an oddly non-Chinese name!) who serves as a combo Yoda and Obi-Wan Kenobi.
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The rendering is beautifully cinematic with a colorful palette and amazing artistically touches. Scenes move seamlessly from intimate to epic with nary a misstep anywhere. The many Kung Fu battles are as artfully-done as anything a Martial Arts fan could see in a live-action flick. (The battle over a dumpling is a definite “must see” for any movie fan.) I watched a bit of AntZ and was amazed to see how much computer animation has advanced in ten years.
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Kung Fu Panda is the rarest of movies that offers something for the entire family. I saw the movie with a large crowd that had everything from “littles” to grandparents and everybody laughed. It’s not too long for the kiddies and there are enough jokes aimed at the older set to keep adults enthralled. There is no bad language or questionable content to upset “itty-bitties” and enough combat to satisfy the most-rabid action and adventure fans, There’s something for everyone except for romantic comedy devotees. I fully expect to see Kung Fu Panda at the Oscars (for “animated feature” of course).
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FINAL GRADE: A
Today’s post begins with a fractal called Marital Pride. I created it on the day San Francisco began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples in spite of Proposition 22 (which defined “marriage” only as a union between ONE man and ONE woman.) Considering the subject matter the fractal seemed singularly appropriate.
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Last May (I don’t have the exact date) the California State Supreme Court ruled Proposition 22 to be unconstitutional and directed state agencies to begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Opponents mounted a request for a “Stay” until a new measure could be placed on the ballot in November. June 2nd it was announced the measure had enough signatures to qualify for the ballot. On June 3rd the State Supreme Court ruled against the stay. So as of June 17th same-sex couples will be allowed to marry (at least until the Proposition passes in November). What happens after that nobody knows…
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Way back when Proposition 22 was put on the ballot advocates made a big point of saying that it was in no way an attempt to deprive ANYONE of rights but simply was to PROTECT marriage. OK could somebody PLEASE explain to me why marriages NEEDS to be protected? Is legalization of same-sex marriage going to cause of family break-ups as people abandon their partners for new partners? Honestly, I don’t see this happening. Will same-sex marriages diminish the institution in any way? I can’t see how. They also say we must protect the “Sanctity of Marriage”. (President George W. Bush said this on more than one occasion.) Senator and Republican Presidential-Candidate John McCain said we should honor the “unique status of a marriage between a man and woman” (on the Ellen show. Here’s a link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7addd1-SY8. Check it out for yourself.) All I want to know is this--what exactly IS the “unique status” of marriage? For the life of me I can’t think what the might be and why we need to protect it.
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Senator McCain said he believes people should be able to “enter into legal agreements” especially in the case of “insurance and other things”. Still, you have to contrast that with what the Court said: (paraphrasing here--domestic partnerships are not equivalent. We learned back when Racial Integration in the schools wasn’t a regular thing that separate but equal isn’t equal at all. Much as some people might wish it to be otherwise there will always be those who deny same-sex couples their rights until they are granted the right to marry. I saw this happen with my dear friends Joyce and Jeanne and I think what happened to them was frankly criminal.
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For foes of same-sex marriage it primarily boils down to religious objections. The First Amendment guarantees Religious Freedom. It seems to me though, that BECAUSE of said First Amendment Religious Groups shouldn’t be allowed to force their viewpoints on everyone else
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In the end it boils down to one simple question. Is marriage a “Sacred Institution” or is it a “Civil Contract”? If marriage truly IS a sacred institution then the government has NO BUSINESS meddling with that. Each Church can decide what they think constitutes a “sacred union” and everyone would have to respect that. Logical extension also indicates that married couples should lose their tax benefits and whatever “unique status“ marriage brings. If marriage is a “Civil Contract” there isn’t any reason why same-sex couples SHOULDN’T be allowed the same benefits as hetero couples.
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Think about it . . .
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 chose Celestial Dragon for a variety of reasons (many of which you will understand if you go see the movie I am reviewing today). It will take entirely too long to explain all those reasons so just go see the movie and find out for yourself!
