It seems I can never find the time ( or indeed make the time ) to go and see movies when they initially come out anymore.
The last exception to that was for "Star Trek", the fun version. That's the one that Bad Robot productions brought out in 2009. I did see that movie on opening weekend with my dad, my partner in Star Trek since William Shatner debuted as Captain Kirk in 1966.
So this weekend, when I found myself with a lot of seat time in a plane, I watched both "Black Swan" and "The King's Speech".
No doubt both were worth every bit of the acclaim granted to them by the Oscars.
Natalie Portman was terrifying as her sanity slipped away in the Black Swan. In fact, I too, was having trouble separating real from fantasy in her life - kudos to both the screen writers and Portman for that.
Prior to seeing the reviews, I had read how this was a break-out role for her, But neither Hollywood nor critics seldom write the truth. This time was different. In my opinion, Portman distinguished herself as one of top actresses of her generation.
As the second film in my sitting, Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush we also great, but never had a chance against Portman. I was still twitchy from Black Swan, long after the King's Speech.
See them both, but one at a time. The King will thank you for it.
- YES! It is revolutionary. Posted using BlogPress from the INCREDIBLE iPad.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Acting like a Southern Gentleman
It has been a while since I had the privilege of traveling globally for my company. And yes, it is a privilege.
The best part about hitting the road to visit the cultures that are different from the good ole USA is to see the cultures that really are different.
Years ago, I had the opportunity to spend time in India, and frankly, became enthralled with the country and it's unique people.
This week, I find myself in a not to different from USA place, Brazil. Just so happens that I got lucky enough to find myself here at the exact same time as President Obama. He of course, is on his Latin American tour.
If you expect that the American President is coming will make any real difference for the average Brazilian, think again. While so many of our European friends think Barack Obama has 'rock star' status, our southern neighbors have a different thought. In reality, it is indifference.
And why shouldn't they?
We are a country that has largely ignored South America. Even when we have looked to the South, it has very often been with disdain.
Take for instance, Brazil. the largest democracy in the Americas, excluding the United States. For some reason, after 9/11, we established that every person entering the United States from Brazil must have a VISA and go through our typical "over the top" security measures. Not to be outdone, Brazil decided what's good for the goose, is good for them. So USA visitors to Brazil are subject to the same restrictions.
It's just plain dumb. President Obama did not create the issue nor has he fixed it.
This is not a President making history for his foreign policy, despite his Nobel Peace Prize.
President Obama will start his Southern Swing to promote the United States as partners, looking for American jobs created by demand from Brazil and other nations for American goods. Good for him. He is our President and he needs to be concerned with the job situation in the United States first.
Perhaps one move would be to take the VISA demands down on Brazilian citizens and acknowledge Brazil as a true friend and partner in 'American' democracy.
We might get a few more churrascarias in the US. By the way, I am writing this from Master Beef. I highly recommend it.
If the President can actually do this, maybe we can work on getting some Cuban Cigars in the United States as well, rather than opening a third front in the third World War. (I know we had to stop Qaddafi, but no one can feel good about another Muslim war for the United States. I sure do wish Big Ron had got that guy in 1986)
- YES! It is revolutionary. Posted using BlogPress from the INCREDIBLE iPad.
The best part about hitting the road to visit the cultures that are different from the good ole USA is to see the cultures that really are different.
Years ago, I had the opportunity to spend time in India, and frankly, became enthralled with the country and it's unique people.
This week, I find myself in a not to different from USA place, Brazil. Just so happens that I got lucky enough to find myself here at the exact same time as President Obama. He of course, is on his Latin American tour.
If you expect that the American President is coming will make any real difference for the average Brazilian, think again. While so many of our European friends think Barack Obama has 'rock star' status, our southern neighbors have a different thought. In reality, it is indifference.
And why shouldn't they?
We are a country that has largely ignored South America. Even when we have looked to the South, it has very often been with disdain.
Take for instance, Brazil. the largest democracy in the Americas, excluding the United States. For some reason, after 9/11, we established that every person entering the United States from Brazil must have a VISA and go through our typical "over the top" security measures. Not to be outdone, Brazil decided what's good for the goose, is good for them. So USA visitors to Brazil are subject to the same restrictions.
It's just plain dumb. President Obama did not create the issue nor has he fixed it.
This is not a President making history for his foreign policy, despite his Nobel Peace Prize.
President Obama will start his Southern Swing to promote the United States as partners, looking for American jobs created by demand from Brazil and other nations for American goods. Good for him. He is our President and he needs to be concerned with the job situation in the United States first.
Perhaps one move would be to take the VISA demands down on Brazilian citizens and acknowledge Brazil as a true friend and partner in 'American' democracy.
We might get a few more churrascarias in the US. By the way, I am writing this from Master Beef. I highly recommend it.
If the President can actually do this, maybe we can work on getting some Cuban Cigars in the United States as well, rather than opening a third front in the third World War. (I know we had to stop Qaddafi, but no one can feel good about another Muslim war for the United States. I sure do wish Big Ron had got that guy in 1986)
- YES! It is revolutionary. Posted using BlogPress from the INCREDIBLE iPad.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
The Cold War on the Northern Border
I spent part of this past week in Windsor, Ontario, which is just across the Detroit River from (surprise) Detroit, Michigan.
It was in the confined space of the 'no man's' land that is the border area between countries that I discovered that the United States of America is involved in another Cold War. The antagonist in this case is not the dreaded Evil Empire as President Ronald Reagan so aptly named the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, but instead is our northern neighbor, those overly aggressive Canadians.
Yes, it is the Canucks that now hold a place in American History previously reserved for those nations of the former Soviet Bloc. I can see it will be a very short time before students in elementary schools begin to fear everything Canadian and run to hide at the very hint of the lyrics of "Oh Canada".
How did we come to such a place you might ask. That is indeed the question.
The reality is this. Over the course of 3 days and 4 border crossings, what I discovered was a policy of intimidation, contempt and general rudeness from none other than the officers of the United States Border Patrol.
I was both ashamed and appalled. There was not one person that I encountered as a countryman that I am proud to say represented my nation to those entering - not one.
No doubt the US forces were 'over the top' in their Black Uniforms and intimidating actions. There dress was more reminiscent of a police state than any other thing. Think about the jackbooted thugs depicted in futuristic movies crashing through your doors and yanking family members to some dark place while they beat the holy heck out of them for some trumped up charge. That kind of intimidation. Obviously, these people were trained in their jobs by watching the movie "Vendetta", but failed to recognize the bad guys.
Too much? Don't believe it? How about a young girl being detained for an hour without parents? How about Being pulled from you car simply because you drive up holding your passport and say "Nothing to declare". How about refusing a passport because it was not handed in with another passport?
I lived through September 11, 2001. I will never forget it. I also stood in fear for years, before I recognized that to be free means inherently we are not safe. There is a trade off. Police States are safe. I just don't want to live in one. And neither should other Americans.
So is all this brought on by a little rudeness at the Canadian border? Yes it is. For the last 197 years, the United States has been at PEACE with Canada. The last issue was during the War of 1812. I dare say no one remembers that. We share a common heritage with our neighbors to the North. But over the last 8 years, because of the large unprotected border, we have gone security crazy and now view anyone traveling through that border with disdain. AND CANADA IS OUR LARGEST TRADING PARTNER!
It is easier to cross between European Countries than Between the US and Canada. Something is wrong with that very sentence.
Ronald Reagan called America "The Shining City upon a hill". Today that city is less shining, and much darker. The policies of the past that have not been eradicated as yet, must be erased from our society. Only then will America return to the place envisioned by President Reagan.
It was in the confined space of the 'no man's' land that is the border area between countries that I discovered that the United States of America is involved in another Cold War. The antagonist in this case is not the dreaded Evil Empire as President Ronald Reagan so aptly named the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, but instead is our northern neighbor, those overly aggressive Canadians.
Yes, it is the Canucks that now hold a place in American History previously reserved for those nations of the former Soviet Bloc. I can see it will be a very short time before students in elementary schools begin to fear everything Canadian and run to hide at the very hint of the lyrics of "Oh Canada".
How did we come to such a place you might ask. That is indeed the question.
The reality is this. Over the course of 3 days and 4 border crossings, what I discovered was a policy of intimidation, contempt and general rudeness from none other than the officers of the United States Border Patrol.
I was both ashamed and appalled. There was not one person that I encountered as a countryman that I am proud to say represented my nation to those entering - not one.
No doubt the US forces were 'over the top' in their Black Uniforms and intimidating actions. There dress was more reminiscent of a police state than any other thing. Think about the jackbooted thugs depicted in futuristic movies crashing through your doors and yanking family members to some dark place while they beat the holy heck out of them for some trumped up charge. That kind of intimidation. Obviously, these people were trained in their jobs by watching the movie "Vendetta", but failed to recognize the bad guys.
Too much? Don't believe it? How about a young girl being detained for an hour without parents? How about Being pulled from you car simply because you drive up holding your passport and say "Nothing to declare". How about refusing a passport because it was not handed in with another passport?
I lived through September 11, 2001. I will never forget it. I also stood in fear for years, before I recognized that to be free means inherently we are not safe. There is a trade off. Police States are safe. I just don't want to live in one. And neither should other Americans.
So is all this brought on by a little rudeness at the Canadian border? Yes it is. For the last 197 years, the United States has been at PEACE with Canada. The last issue was during the War of 1812. I dare say no one remembers that. We share a common heritage with our neighbors to the North. But over the last 8 years, because of the large unprotected border, we have gone security crazy and now view anyone traveling through that border with disdain. AND CANADA IS OUR LARGEST TRADING PARTNER!
It is easier to cross between European Countries than Between the US and Canada. Something is wrong with that very sentence.
Ronald Reagan called America "The Shining City upon a hill". Today that city is less shining, and much darker. The policies of the past that have not been eradicated as yet, must be erased from our society. Only then will America return to the place envisioned by President Reagan.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Just starting out...
So this will not be interesting, but since I know so many that have started a blog, how could I be any different?
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