Reflections on the Past Year, Personal, Cultural, Political and a Prayer for This Year

It’s fortunate this past year was mundane for me. Nothing terribly impactful, painful, or upsetting. Those things in the small circle that I directly influence or am influenced by was ordinary and comfortable for the most part.

An exception was at work. I really had no direct experience with Millennials as a group until this past year. Heard stuff on the peripheral but didn’t pay much attention.  I was given a new team. Part of my job as a team leader is to critique work and offer ways to improve. Most of this group were Millennials, and every bad thing I had heard about them proved true. This is the first time I disliked people as a group. Up to now there’s been dislike of certain individuals (and I’m sure vice versa), since I think it improper to lump people together for judgement or criticism. Millennials though, are so indoctrinated, so much a product of groupthink, they are essentially all of the same mold. With observing them, an individual must stand out and show there is something unique about them for me to see uniqueness. This just turned the way I relate to people on its head. They don’t take criticism at all, even when it’s worded, ‘this is what we can do to improve on this kind of situation’. They have zero respect for experience or authority. They are the smartest people in the room. Anything anyone has to say, other than praise (mostly unfounded) is rejected without consideration.

They expect to be only adored and praised, regardless. I send out motivational and life improving observations daily. I was providing feedback to a Representative and I said this issue ties right into a motivational observation I had sent out recently, and she said, “I don’t read them, I don’t need any motivation, maybe you do, but I don’t.' Here’s a woman in the middle of middle age, is on the edge of obese (for me a health issue), and does average work in an entry level job. She has shown no interest in improving her position or quality of work/life. This is what stunned me. All but a couple of people of about sixteen were like this.

Working with them, I’ve found they have no idea of history before the day they were born, no interest in anyone or anything beyond what directly impacts or influences them, have no interest in current events except maybe for the Kardashians or the Housewives of Wherever. Apparently there’s several Housewives of Wherever shows. They actually talk about these things, and importantly, as if there’s universal truths or insights into human behavior or something on these and similar “reality” shows.  When I’ve actually offered up a true universal truth, from thousands of years of observation of human behavior, it’s rejected as stupid or untrue. I’m stunned.  

I’m getting an inkling now of what the generation following them is like, and it’s even worse. There’s culture and social writers saying there’s a change, they’re more inclined to traditional modes of behavior or belief systems. Don’t know what those guys are looking at. College students getting University Presidents fired because they don’t like something allegedly said, “safe zones” where they don’t have to hear any alternative ideas to what their professors have indoctrinated them to believe. There’s a building at some university called “Lynch” which is the name of one of the founders of the university. They want the name of the building changed because “lynch” is, well, racist you know.  There are petitions of remove the 1^st Amendment, most specifically the freedom of speech part. Only they should be allowed to say what they want. The myth of white privilege. Universities are founded on the back of slavery and white privilege. It’s too stupid and crazy to continue. The “adults” should expel these knuckleheads. It costs a huge amount of money (the cost of Leftist greed, not an improvement of education) to go, and this is what the outcome is?

I’m so convinced this is the tipping point of Western Civilization in general and America specifically.

Part of the tipping point is a US President that has opened the borders, imports people from countries that are enemies of the US with no effective vetting process, illegally granted amnesty to millions that have invaded this country. He makes anti-Christian statements, but pro Muslim statements. He is an anti-Semite, and sides with terrorist groups against Israel. He has demonized Christians, Whites, Conservatives and Republicans, making race relations even worse that they were in the 1960’s. Hillary Clinton has violated dozens of laws, lied about them, been caught and still no trial, yet still getting massive support from the main stream media and her political party. Anyone else would be on trial or in prison by now. Bill, a serial abuser and exploiter of women, probable rapist, is given a pass. Black celebrity Bill Cosby did the same thing and is getting pounded, by the Leftist Jurassic Press and good Leftists everywhere. And there’s worse this president is doing, and in his last year of office it’ll be a full on blitz to destroy as much as he can that is good about America; its energy production, and the 1^st Amendment, race relations, foreign policy to name a few.  

Wacko Leftists and Islamist terrorists killing people, and it’s a gun restriction problem. I say wacko Leftists because reading the backgrounds of the mass killers, I don’t see any of them members of the TEA (taxed enough already) party, any church going Christians, no Conservatives, no Republicans, yet the Jurassic Press always starts out finding a way to blame one of these groups; often stating there are ties to those groups, then burying the retraction. Speaking of murder, Planned Parenthood is caught murdering babies and selling body parts and not only given a pass, but getting more government funding. Passed by Republicans no less. That and their supporting amnesty and open borders with the Democrats. And the Republican Establishment wonders why they don’t have the support of Republicans in flyover country? Good grief. Is there a measurement for how dumb those guys are? 

This is heading in a direction I hadn’t intended so I’m pulling it back.

Movies I saw this past year. It was a weak movie year. Zombies and vampires and teddy bears oh my. My fav observation about Zombie movies I make, (given how I think about the Millennials and the following generation) is they are so popular because they identify with the characters. (Brain dead except for motor movements.)  “American Sniper” was amazing, reverent and touching. The usual demented Leftists called it a movie praising murderers. The colossally fat, stupid one percenter Michael Moore leading the charge of insensitivity and stupidity. Saw the new “Star Wars”, and while it was fun, it was also overly PC. Small slender woman kicks ass on men that are trained in fighting and combat, that are bigger than her, flies spaceships for the first time better than trained pilots, knows more about the electronics and the engine of the Millennium Falcon than Hans Solo who’s ship it is and has been flying it for years and years…yeah yeah yeah. Had the same problem with the new “Mad Max”. Hardly anything to do with Max, most everything to do with the female character the story was actually about. “Bridge of Spies” with Tom Hanks I thought was good. I’ve read several reviews since by conservative reviewers that reviewed it as one of the worst of the year. Apparently I watched something different with the same title. “Man from U.N.C.L.E.” was splendid fun and I hope there are sequels, but for some reason I doubt it. My favorite movie was “Kingsmen: The Secret Service" which was stylish, clever, fun. Saw it when it came out and have streamed it twice since. Fun fun fun. “Unbroken” was heartbreaking and inspiring at the same time. Highly recommended. Bond movie was fun, but it’s time to fire Daniel Craig. He bad mouthed the movie, the production, the character. He’s made $millions upon $millions then criticizes the US, our lifestyle and our politics. Time to go hypocritical ingrate. Saw the “Age of Ultron”, a mistake. Super tired of all the comic book characters brought to life.

It turns out the most creative film is TV series. “Justified”, “Major Crimes” Agatha Christie’s “Perot”, and I know I said I’m fed up with comic book stories, but like “Gotham”, “Arrow”, “Flash”. For “reality” shows, “Diners, Drive Ins and Dives”, “Fixer Upper” (love love love that couple!), and a few others. “Blue Bloods” is amazing, especially since the family lives up to Christian values and ethics, has a family meal every week, prays together, is smartly written, and just enjoyable. All that and it has survived several seasons.

Read a few books. Best among them “Christianity & Liberalism" published in 1923 about how Liberalism is becoming the new religion in many churches. Sound familiar? "Jesus - A Pilgrimage” by SJ James Martin…fabulous Journey in the Holy Land. If you haven’t read Martin, pick him up. "Ordinary: Sustainable Faith in a Radical, Restless World", we need to recognize God in the ordinary. Down to earth religious writing. Read some mysteries. Most fun book of the year was “Ready Player One”. Clever fiction, Dystopic future, with gamers, bad guys and the story is chock full of 1980’s references which is the most fun part. Easy read and highly recommend.

The list of what I read and saw at the movies is in the right column. Oh, by the way, if you want a good chuckle with classic rock ‘n’ roll, stream the “Minions”. A hoot!

For the upcoming year, I pray our church prospers and all get along, I don’t have to take any more grief from Millennials at work (I’m off that team, but we have many of that generation working here). I pray that the slaughter of Christians in Africa and the Middle East by IslamoNazis is stopped, that the imperialism of Putin/Russia is stopped, and Christians in this country stand up to the Secularists and the Democrat Party to protect freedom of religion. I pray Ted Cruz is elected President.

I pray for the health and happiness of all who desire it. Sadly there are many that find pleasure in misery. I pray these attitudes and beliefs that bring that on, is banished from their souls, and they find what is good in life, friends and liberty. 

Bain, Bane, So Lame

Because Leftists politicize everything, I'm compelled to comment on the new Batman movie. When I say everything, you can't read a movie review, restaurant review, sports commentary, recipe or food review by a Leftist that doesn't include some snarky slimy slam against a Christian, Conservative or Republican. Even Anthony Bourdain, my favorite food and travel writer, often does it on "No Reservations"; isn't necessary or have anything to do with what he's talking about.

Back to Batman. "The Dark Knight Rises" delivered. Good story and action. It is, at the end, just a comic book story and nothing more. Just before its general public release, the Dems came out in ads and talking points connecting the lead evil character Bane, to Bain Capital, to its previous CEO Mitt Romney. A stretch even for Democrats, but they often have a problem distinguishing between reality and fiction.

This, to my great hilarity, was a major backfire. In the movie, Bane was all about destroying the rich, taking all their wealth, then destroying the city. He was doing all this to "liberate" the people of Gotham. There's a "people's court" where the rich are condemned to die. There are scenes where the "poor" break into businesses and homes and take all those possessions.

Politicized like the Left likes to do, Bane represents a composite of Obama, Reid and Pelosi approving and leading the "Occupy" movement. The want to strip the wealth of the most productive and successful, actually steal it and use it for themselves (while denouncing materialism of the rich), then destroy the city. The correlation of destroying the city is because the Left, whether "Occupy" or any other protest, they rampage through downtown areas destroying property.

It's amazing the principles and ideology they subscribe to, Marxism, is all and only about materialism. Marxism is only about supplying material needs, and rejects any notion there are any other human needs to be met.

So Bain haters, Bane lovers, the Black Knight's joke is on you.

          

My Favorite Movies

On Facebook a friend ask to name top 15 movies, which I did, but couldn't stop. Here's the rest I could think of:

The Big Sleep ~ Bogart

Farewell, My Lovely ~ Bogart

Treasure of the Sierra Madre

Miller’s Crossing

The Godfather

Citizen Kane

The Searchers

Lawrence of Arabia

Star Wars (original)

Indiana Jones Raiders of the Lost Ark

The Year of Living Dangerously

Bullitt

Ben Hur

High Noon

Nevada Smith

Winchester ‘73

Comes a Horseman

Midnight Cowboy

The Crying Game

Atanarjuat (The Fast Runner)

Groundhog Day

The Jazz Singer

Planet of the Apes (original)

Goodfellas

Rocky (original)

My Fair Lady

Camelot

The Music Man

A Clockwork Orange

Terms of Endearment

The Deer Hunter

Once We Were Warriors

Stop Making Sense

A Man for All Seasons

Network

The Violent Men

The Great Escape

Blazing Saddles

Double Indemnity

Judgment at Nuremburg

Fantasia

When Harry Met Sally

The Purple Rose of Cairo

Brief Encounters of the Third Kind

Shane

The Seven Samurai

It’s a Wonderful Life

The Nightmare Before Christmas

2001: A Space Odyssey

Aliens

Annie Hall

The Big Chill

Who Framed Roger Rabbit?

Cool Hand Luke

Easy Rider

Apocalypse Now

Hud

Rashomon

The Third Man

Casablanca

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid

The French Connection

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance

The Paucity of Good Movies Has Left Me a Cinematic Pauper

I checked out the movie listings for the weekend, really wanting to see a movie, and there’s nothing out there of any interest, let alone merit.

There’s George Clooney’s “The American” with the oft used hunter becomes hunted. Clooney, like Tom Cruise, are “B” movie actors that have parlayed movie technical wizardry into a handsome income. It’s like a singer with a middling voice becoming a pop star because of all the sound filters and reverbs and whatever. I stay away from Clooney vehicles too because he sounds off on political issues, with the standard useful idiot statements of America bad, leftist dictators and neo-fascists good. He wouldn't get my money even if he accidently made a good movie.

So far this weekend, “The American” is the number one movie. Second is the vile racist anti-American “Machete”. I liked “Grindhouse”, a fun and funny send up/parody of that movie genre. This is a spinoff, and is nothing more than a hate filled racist rant against white Americans and US immigration policy. Really, the assassination of a senator just because he believes immigration law should be enforced is a good plot? I saw an early trailer with Danny Trejo saying nasty things about Arizona’s SB1070 immigration legislation. The Jessica Alba character states that if an American only believes in legal immigration, they “should be cut down”. This movie advocates for a revolution against America and the overthrow of our government. A group like the Minute Men is portrayed as cold blooded killers that hunt down Mexicans and murder them. In one scene they shoot a pregnant Mexican woman and comment, “Welcome to America”. Really. This is good cinematic fun?

“Takers” that’s supposed to have an all star cast about a detective going against some idealized robbers. Saw the trailer; that’s about the whole movie. Ever get the sense that the trailer is the movie, and feel duped when you get out of the movie itself? Everything worth seeing in the movie was in the trailer. Well, I’m not a taker on this movie either.

Then “The Last Exorcism” yet another plot done to death. I think horror movies are horrible by definition, stupid and time wasting. Last one I saw was “The Exorcism” with Linda Blair. It was possibly the last innovative horror flick.

Romantic comedies Hollywood just needs to stop trying to make. They aren’t funny, and are just vehicles for bad writers to make juvenile sexual innuendos. Even the trailer for this last attempt, “Going the Distance” I couldn’t wait to end. Drew Barrymore could be a good if not great actress, but has decided to bank on bad romantic comedies.

I actually read “Eat, Pray, Love” which was supposed to be a story of self growth and revelation, turned out to be nothing more than self obsessed navel gazing. She went though all those experiences and still was a selfish, intolerant Leftist. Julia Roberts, who portrayed the character, now claims to be a Hindu. That’ll pass, she’s an empty vessel, and something else that takes no effort will come along and she'll think that's fulfilling and meaningful too .

So I’ll stay home and read some good books and articles on line; and do some blogging. Time better spent. There are great plots and stories to be told. I wish Hollywood would bother to tell them, and find good actors to portray them. 

     

Hollywood Trying to Squeeze More Money Out of Bad Product

Hollywood makes worser and worser movies, causing their profits to dramatically diminish, so they're all in a tizzy now. I find it comedic since they are for the most part anti capitalist, pro gov, Statists. Expect them to be asking for a bailout like the newspapers are. Can't make a salable product? Instead of making a better product, inconvenience your customers (or ask for a bailout).

DVD revenues are down. OMG! Profits are getting smaller there too. The studios' answer is to have a period at the beginning of the DVD release where the vids are for sale only, before they are available to rent. The idea is that since sales generate more income than rentals, they'll try in increase profits (there's that horrible word again lefties!) that way, instead of producing product with the quality and interests their customers want.

These are the same knuckleheads that were against vids in the first place, at the time saying revenue will decline because fewer people would go to the movies. Now they think they can increase sales by temporarily withholding a product that's not selling so well in the first place?

Hey Hollywood. How about making some good movies? I see fewer movies every year, 'cause so much of it is crap. Quit pushing Statist ideology and tell some good stories without guts, gore (no not al's gore, I'm too squeamish for any more of that), bad acting covered by special effects, and rewrites. I think the Bamster's Pay Czar ought to cut Hollywood's actors', producers', and directors' pay by 90%. That'll help them pay for all the Statist programs they support. It may also provide some motivation to make watchable, enjoyable, storytelling, creative, innovative movies.

(and yes I know worser isn't a word, but it is fun)

Taking the Kids to See "Where the Wild Things Are"?

Here's an interview with writer Maurice Sendak and director Spike Jonze. One would be hard pressed to find two people as intolerant and dismissive of parents and their children.

Reporter:"What do you say to parents who think the Wild Things film may be too scary?"

Sendak: "I would tell them to go to hell. That's a question I will not tolerate."

Reporter: "Because kids can handle it?"

Sendak: "If they can't handle it, go home. Or wet your pants. Do whatever you like. But it's not a question that can be answered."

Jonze: "Dave, you want to field that one?"

Eggers: "The part about kids wetting their pants? Should kids wear diapers when they go to the movies? I think adults should wear diapers going to it, too. I think everyone should be prepared for any eventuality."

Sendak: "I think you're right. This concentration on kids being scared, as though we as adults can't be scared. Of course we're scared. I'm scared of watching a TV show about vampires. I can't fall asleep. It never stops. We're grown-ups; we know better, but we're afraid."

Reporter: "Why is that important in art?"

Sendak: "Because it's truth. You don't want to do something that's all terrifying. I saw the most horrendous movies that were unfit for child's eyes. So what? I managed to survive."

Yeah, Sendak survived, as did Jonze, but look at what kind of low life knuckleheads they turned out to be.

Harry and Movies

Went and saw Harry Potter and his wizard friends and enemies today. Fun stuff. It was slow paced, and it heartens me that kids will read through and sit through this series of books and movies. It' a good story with a huge amount of detail. Innovative and creative, which is rare in films now.

No, I won't harken back to the days when men were men, and women were women, and movies were movies. I'm just stunned by the lack of creativity in film. We have cartoons brought to life; X-men, Spiderman, Transformers. All fun, but they are, after all, cartoons. Then Hollywood gets a movie people like, and they spawn like giant fleas. Star Trek and lots of sequels, Night at the Museum and sequel, the anti-Christian Da Vinci stuff, then back to cartoons with the "Ice Age" franchise, followed by remakes of the "Land of the Lost", and "The Taking of Pelam 1 2 3". The remakes are of 'B' movies, so I guess maybe there's room for improvement, but the plots are so lame I don't really think so.

I read much, and there's some great stuff out there. Hollywood needs to learn how to read. I remember a discussion with my brother about records, about if anyone puts together a concept album anymore (like The Moody Blues, Jethro Tull and The Who did, to name some). No, not going to happen, because the hit is the thing, the sound that will put money in the pockets of the execs. It's not about the music. The movies, it now appears, is all about the execs and income. It was why United Artists was formed; to put the art back in film and curtail the execs. It lasted a little while. Sure I enjoy this new generation of flicks. They're fun. It's just been a lot of years since I've walked out of a movie awed by the story. I've been touched, moved, emotionally engaged, but it's been awhile since I've walked out at the end surprised and enthralled.

The last two movies that totally captured me was "Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner" (2002)and "Mongol" (2007).

From Cinerama to Imax

I was still a kid, had my transistor radio with the little ear plug, and we got two television stations. Dad had to get up on the roof and turn the antenna to get the picture for the station we wanted to see. We had party lines then too. You had to pick up the phone and listen to make sure no one was talking before dialing. One didn't listen to other's conversation on the phone either.

There was a new movie format and we were all excited. It was called Cinerama. It would have the biggest screen ever. This was such a momentous event that we went all the way into LA to see it. LA was over an hour away! Road trip! Today people commute way farther than that. The movie we went to see was "The Brothers Grimm". Our first Cinerama experience. All along the front of the auditorium was the longest, highest screen ever. The screen was so huge three projectors had to be used. They didn't line up perfectly; you could see the lines between each section. No nevermind there! This was Cinerama! And a trip to LA!

Today I went and saw the new 'Transformers' movie in Imax. It was dazzling. Another huge screen, and no three cameras with lines between the sections. Chrystal clear images, spectacular special effects, and even some funny moments. Surround sound conveying the chest rumbling explosions and the sound of monster robots as they whomped on each other, and bombs got dropped.

I've got to wonder what movies will be like fifty years from now.