Hollywood, the Movies and so on

Is it just me or is Hollywood really gone off the deep end? I can recall when America and its people were the heroes. Now, not the case although this year wasn't as bad as others (that I noticed anyway). They speak about how unfair things are and calling those in the middle or the right fools (among other things). Hollywood has gone from creating art and telling a story to create nothing short of propaganda. Avatar offend some because of implied the evils of everything from American businesses profiting from war to subtle views on race and environmentalism. Now we come to find out that "The Hurt Locker" was not exactly true to what happened. In other words, the creators took liberties with the story and the soldier who this is based off of is now suing them. How about the blockbuster, "Couples Retreat", where in the overseas poster the Black couple in this film was removed (yet the Hollywood elite wants to call other racist). They said that films with Black actors don't do as well than others. How about the fact that (from what I've see) Europeans don't go to the movies with the same frequency as Americans do. Better yet, they may be able to tell art from trash. Not to mention the Davinci Code franchise this basically mocks the Christian faith without coming right out and saying it. Let's not even mention the films so BAD people may not recall they were even made (or wish they didn't know). In other words, when Bad Movies happen to Good Actors and Actresses. Kate Beckinsale has done some good work but in "Whiteout"- no. "The Ugly Truth" with Katherine Heigl and Gerard Butler- whiff.
Now, I get to call Hollywood on its bluff. I will write on some of the good films I saw over the last year (or were at least well-done). This is not my "Top whatever of 2009" but I wanted to point out some good things I saw in movies (regardless of how trivial). Opening with two I didn't see but those who did, I value their opinions.

1. "Princess and the Frog" by Disney. This was significant because this is the first time Disney used an African American girl as a Princess. What was sad is that some people were angry about it. Where's the problem??? Black kids have watched Snow White without any problems so why should this be an issue at all? I don't care what color the Princess is as long as the movie gives a positive message to young girls. I even heard people talking about boycotting the film. I guess these folks needed to get their Klan robes from the cleaners before closing. The movie actually did well and the reviews were good. I say to Disney, keep on doing what you've done over the years.

2. "Precious." I saw this film and while I saw what I felt would be good, I figured I would take a pass. I have heard this (and seen similar) things that this story is about. The comedian Mo'Nique was not comical at all, playing a very abusive mother. Gabourey Sidibe, the lead actor, comes off to me as a tough but vulnerable young woman trying to overcome incredible odds. What still keeps my curiosity is the undiva-fied Mariah Carey. I don't know her but we see her made up for videos and TV. This is about as stripped down as I have ever seen (http://www.scene-stealers.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/mariah-carey-precious-500x270.jpg) (1).

3. "Inglorious Bastards" (I.B.) by Quinton Tarantino. Now when you hear that last name and movie, you should expect violence and blood (LOTS of it as well). This movie was no exception. The funny thing is I noticed something that I would hope SOMONE would have done when making a World War II movie. Tarantino finally did something so obvious it should be a cruel joke not to do otherwise- USE GERMAN ACTORS AND ACTRESSES. When I saw "Valkarie", I really still enjoyed the movie but it was weird (having studied German) hearing the characters speaking in an American (British, or very CANNED German) accent. Some of them are like watching old dubbed Schwarzenegger films. The first person I would have casted for the Claus von Stauffenberg role would have been Daniel Bruhl, a tremendous German actor who was in "I.B". If not for the lead, Bruhl would have a VERY prominent role in it.

4. "Star Trek" had a mixed bag for me. I HATED how it started because it started pretty slow. I guess they had to take the liberty of trying to guess what they (Kirk, Spock, etc) were like as young adults. As the movie went forward, I was really able to enjoy the ride. Now I am in no way a Trekky (not that it's a bad thing) but this was just a fun ride. Bottom line is I DID like it and would see it again on video.

5. "The Blind Side" was a story I was familiar with especially since I follow SEC Football. It's about Michael Oher, current starting offensive lineman for the Baltimore Ravens and his journey in life. I wish his character was a bit more visible than Bullocks (who I think did a very good job). Quinton Aaron, who played Oher, did the best he could with what he was given. He has appeared in "Law & Order" previously. What was missed here is that if you don't think you could make a difference, Mrs. Touhy proved otherwise. THIS is the type of film missing today, being one of good values and going to help someone else even if that person is nothing like you. I hope more films with this type of message are in the works. Whoever gave Bullock the worst actress award missed a few very BAD films or have very low standards.


Works Cited:
1. Photo taken from scene-stealers.com (will remove upon request).

GOP is Partially Responsible for Obama becoming a Senator

I had a fun exchange with @imsure (who’s a fine follow) on Twitter last night. She posted a video on Chicago and prompted a conversation about President Obama and the Chicago Machine. He won the Senate seat after a scandal broke out and the rest is history. While I can’t “prove” the Machine’s involvement with this election, there are a few things that need to be made clear. In other words, some serious facts need to be visited. How the Illinois (and national) GOP is partially at fault for this happening. I hope this blog post will at least create some food for thought and make sure this doesn’t happen again. I’m going in reverse (somewhat) so please work with me here. I have taken the time to really look back at this and documented my claims. See if you agree with me.

Before I explain this, I need to set the table a bit and refresh some important things. Barack Obama won the Illinois US Senate seat in 2005. But who did he beat- Jack Ryan or Alan Keyes? Both and I will discuss this later. So where did the Illinois GOP mess up? Peter Fitzgerald. Who is that you may ask? Fitzgerald was the Illinois US Senator that held the seat before now-President Obama. He beat Carol Mosley Braun, who was the first African American female to hold that seat. This guy was a solid conservative Senator. Here is a page to show where he stood on the issues (1). I think it speaks for itself. Here are his views on bailout, made after 9/11 (2). Why did he fall out of favor? He often broke ranks with the Illinois GOP. What really got him in trouble (among other things) was Fitzgerald insisting on an out of state US attorney to investigate corruption in state government. This initiative resulted in several indictments including the last two Governors’ (Blago and George Ryan). The GOP made a mistake because they didn’t back him in his first run and let it be known they weren’t behind him in his re-election. He decided not to seek a second term and decided to go back to the private sector. This is another detailed not only detailing how he fell out of favor with the Illinois GOP but the National GOP as well, but still was known as one who “stood for principles” when deciding not to run (3).

Here’s the breakdown and what resulted. Barack Obama explored the opportunity to run for this seat in 2002, with the likes of David Axelrod as his consultant. He announces his candidacy in 2003. He had a HUGE list of people running in the Democratic Party primary. Below are the results of the Democratic Primary for US Senate (4). Unless you live here in Illinois, this may not make sense so I decided to write in whom some of the other faces are in “( )”:

Democratic Primary, United States Senate, March 16, 2004

Party Candidate Votes % ±% Democratic

- Barack Obama 655,923 (52.8%)

- Daniel W. Hynes (former Illinois Comptroller) 294,717 (23.7%)

- M. Blair Hull (worked at the CBOE, now runs Madlock Capital). 134,453 (10.8%)

- Maria Pappas (Current Cook County Treasurer). 74,987 (6.0%) 

- Gery Chico (Lawyer, today named the new Chairman of City Colleges of Chicago; former Board Chairman for the Chicago Public Schools; former Chief of Staff for Mayor Richard M. Daley) 53,433 (4.3%)

- Nancy Skinner (nationally syndicated talk show host). 16,098 (1.3%)

Majority 361,206 29.4

Turnout

1,242,996

Now this is going to get sticky. We know Barack Obama beat Alan Keyes for this seat. We all know that Jack Ryan was the GOP front-runner for that seat. Then scandal broke from his divorce due to sealed records (agreed by Ryan and then-wife Jeri Ryan, aka Seven of Nine from “Star Trek Voyager” and Ronnie Cooke from “Boston Public” among other roles). This was the tip of the iceberg. While the Machine took advantage of Ryan’s missteps, it was actually the GOP candidates that wanted the records unsealed (5) along with local media. Another Illinois GOP misstep- get everyone in step. Those records were sealed for years before the need for this sudden disclosure. Ryan also opposed to the unsealing of John Kerry’s divorce from his first wife (during the 2004 Presidential Election). Ryan steps down as a result. Who came in the picture? Alan Keyes, who at the time didn’t even live in Illinois. Last time I check, it would be a good thing to live in the state that you decide to run for office in. In fact, I thought it was required. While then-Illinois Senator Obama was a rising star, I think Senator Fitzgerald would have given him a run for his money.

This is a result of a party without any identity, at the time anyway. Here was a guy in Peter Fitzgerald who was by definition conservative (more so than those who were calling themselves conservatives). The state and national GOP wanted him out and they got what they asked for. Then the one candidate that may actually win the seat has to step down. Why? Dirty laundry sought by liberal media outlets and those who ran against Jack Ryan. Now the two most legitimate candidates were no longer and had to scramble to find a candidate. Now, Illinois got what we deserved or at least what too many asked for. What's happen since? We now have Mark Kirk in the Senate, who decided to vote for the “Cap and Trade” mess. It’s a shame because Kirk is now the lesser of the evil this time around because Alexi Giannoulias (who’s running opposite Kirk) is from the same liberal cloth as the current President. I hope Patrick Hughes decides another run for Senate because my home state deserves better….no the best. He’s the closest thing to Fitzgerald. It’s a shame Hughes got to the party so late.

A word of advice for the GOP. If we get a legitimate candidate, get behind them- don’t try to bury them.

Works Cited:
1. Peter Fitzgerald: “On The Issues” Internet site: http://www.ontheissues.org/Senate/Peter_Fitzgerald.html.S.%20Senator%20Peter%20G.%20Fitzgerald


2. “Who Will Bail Out the American Taxpayer”, Peter Fitzgerald speech: http://www.illinoisgop.org/archives/storys/issue_90.html

3. “Retiring Senator Stood Up for Principles”, Radley Balko, Fox News Internet site, 2/14/2004.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,111159,00.html

4. Democratic Primary, United States Senate, March 16, 2004: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Senate_election_in_Illinois,_2004

5. Chicago Sun-Times archive: http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=CSTB&p_theme=cstb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&s_dispstring=(Senate%20rivals%20urge%20Ryan%20to%20unseal%20divorce%20records)%20AND%20date(all)&p_field_advanced-0=&p_text_advanced-0=(Senate%20rivals%20urge%20Ryan%20to%20unseal%20divorce%20records)&xcal_numdocs=20&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&xcal_useweights=no