I've just discovered Tom Lehrer. This guy is absolutely hilarious. I'd heard "The Elements" before, but I've begun listening to this playlist on YouTube, and he's so funny. The standouts are "Poisioning Pigeons in the Park", "So Long Mom (A Song for World War III)", and "The Masochism Tango".
http://http//www.youtube.com/user/6funswede#play/user/1C68974C982CBA68
Showing posts with label Politics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Politics. Show all posts
July 19, 2009
July 17, 2009
Bruno
Ever since I saw the first trailer for Bruno, I fully expected to despise it. It just seemed so juvenile and homophobic. It didn't seem like it would have any of the charm and smart satire of Borat. I figured it would be awful, but my curiosity got the best of me and I had to see it. For most of the first 66 minutes of this 76 minute film, despite getting an occasional chuckle (a priceless scene involving Bruno at a anti-gay hate rally comes to mind), I thought I was right. However, those final ten minutes were better than anything in Borat. In particular, the closing "music video", featuring many special musical guests, is the hardest I have laughed at a film this year.
It's worth noting right now that this is NOT one for the kiddies. There is actual sex in this film. It's covered up with black boxes, but it's still there. It's probably the single most sexually explicit mainstream film I have ever come across, and is borderline pornographic at times. Those scenes are not funny, but just kind of disturbing. The fact that this did not receive an NC-17 is mind-boggling. I, despite my hatred for those bastards at the MPAA and for restricting films based on ages, believe that, under the MPAA's current (very flawed) standards, this film deserves the NC-17 rating.
I was afraid, based on the trailers and promotional material, that the film would be basically 80 minutes of gay jokes. There are indeed penis jokes galore, and there is plenty of very stupid humor, most of which I did not find funny. However, the film's main target is homophobia. Much like Borat mocked anti-Semites, rednecks, and ignorance, Bruno takes most of it's shots at homophobes. Bruno, despite engaging in some truly ridiculous and exaggerated behaviors, is a likable enough protagonist. He comes across more as a real, very flamboyant person than as a two-dimensional gay stereotype. Sure, he's pretty stereotypical, but he seems like a real person. He's just a lovable goof.
As I said, the first hour or so of the film is very inconsistent, with a few good bits but mostly mediocre or bad, but the "grand finale" makes up for those inconsistencies. Sacha Baron Cohen does a good enough job of playing Bruno. He's not Oscar-worthy, but not bad. The same can be said for the film as a whole. 7/10
It's worth noting right now that this is NOT one for the kiddies. There is actual sex in this film. It's covered up with black boxes, but it's still there. It's probably the single most sexually explicit mainstream film I have ever come across, and is borderline pornographic at times. Those scenes are not funny, but just kind of disturbing. The fact that this did not receive an NC-17 is mind-boggling. I, despite my hatred for those bastards at the MPAA and for restricting films based on ages, believe that, under the MPAA's current (very flawed) standards, this film deserves the NC-17 rating.
I was afraid, based on the trailers and promotional material, that the film would be basically 80 minutes of gay jokes. There are indeed penis jokes galore, and there is plenty of very stupid humor, most of which I did not find funny. However, the film's main target is homophobia. Much like Borat mocked anti-Semites, rednecks, and ignorance, Bruno takes most of it's shots at homophobes. Bruno, despite engaging in some truly ridiculous and exaggerated behaviors, is a likable enough protagonist. He comes across more as a real, very flamboyant person than as a two-dimensional gay stereotype. Sure, he's pretty stereotypical, but he seems like a real person. He's just a lovable goof.
As I said, the first hour or so of the film is very inconsistent, with a few good bits but mostly mediocre or bad, but the "grand finale" makes up for those inconsistencies. Sacha Baron Cohen does a good enough job of playing Bruno. He's not Oscar-worthy, but not bad. The same can be said for the film as a whole. 7/10
July 15, 2009
Glenn Beck: A Domestic Terrorist
As this post's title says, Glenn Beck is truly a domestic terrorist. He's been cluttering our airwaves with his hate speech and severe mental issues for far too long. We must stop this man. I'm a defender of free speech, but the vile nonsense coming from this fascist pig's mouth is just complete violent hate, and nothing else. He's deranged. This is the man who said he hated the victims of 9/11 and their families. Pardon my language, but this man is a sick, sick bastard. That's the only way to put it, and even that misses the mark in terms of describing how loathsome this monster is. I am so angry because I just heard a clip of his radio show on YouTube, in which he screams nonsensically at a woman who is being perfectly reasonable about universal healthcare, which is something this country needs desperately. The woman states her opinions logically and calmly, and Beck goes completely, absolutely insane. Finally, the woman has enough of it and asks Beck "what the hell is your problem?". That's a great question. Glenn Beck, what the hell is your problem?
Here's that link. For the safety of your ears, keep the volume low. Viewer discretion is strongly advised. Do not expose children to this.
http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGeZQrpZbjI
Here's that link. For the safety of your ears, keep the volume low. Viewer discretion is strongly advised. Do not expose children to this.
http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGeZQrpZbjI
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