my morning routine is always accompanied by the live news program on channel 11. many tragedies, few triumphs, weather, sports, traffic, and entertainment. i don't mind the quick tour through entertainment news - i enjoy music and films, and will admit to a few sinful peeks through the celebrity gossip doorway. i do have growing concerns over our obsession with the people who entertain us...not only because it's extravagant and wasteful for us but also because it can have awful effects on the celebrities themselves (e.g. britney spears' rapid decline, the singular life of the late michael jackson, and the fatal drug addictions of a dozen american comedians). but this concern is overshadowed by my mounting hatred of Trash Culture - those disgusting, violent, pointless and utterly stupid exploits of barely-stars who have contributed little to the world of arts and entertainment, let alone to the world as a whole.
we fixate on the ridiculuous acts of has-been celebrities, providing them with far more TV and internet time than they deserve - and they feed and feed and feed on it like insatiable parasitic worms. 'celebrity' apprentice, 'celebrity' rehab and other significant TV programs showcase E, D, and F-list entertainers who barely qualify as asterisks let alone stars.
perhaps you're thinking that mr. charlie sheen's crazy ass is the inspiration for this rant. but no. it is one ms. lindsay lohan who is the root of all this rage. perhaps i should care more about the actress who provided us with such classics as Herbie Fully Loaded and Mean Girls? maybe my heart should soften for the co-star of Freaky Friday? (was that oscar-winning or just oscar-nominated...?)
DUIs, multiple motor vehicle accidents, failed stints at rehab, accusations of shoplifting, all at the tender age of 24. why do i know so much about ms. lohan's demise? because it's on the local news program i watch every morning, and maddeningly, it is accorded the same amount of time that actual news stories are given. i know just as much about robberies and murders down the street as i do about ms. lohan's poor life choices.
as i stated earlier, i don't mind hearing entertainment news. but this woman has contributed so little to the actual world of entertainment that it boggles my mind as to why so much time is allotted to her now. let the girl while away her penal time in private while allowing news channels stick to more worthy arts and culture stories.
our society is consumed by celebrity enough as it is; we might as well stick to genuine celebrities and leave the trash outside where it belongs.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Friday, March 11, 2011
Rango - a movie review
an enjoyable film that was just shy of extraordinary.
the expressiveness and emotion of the hardened desert critters was superb, which is likely thanks to the use of a new form of motion capture animation. it was like watching live actors in masks or makeup instead of PC-borne animated characters.
along with a mature vocabulary, there were a number of nightmare-inducing scenes that seemed to push this film from its rating of PG into a 14A: the hillbilly rodents climbing zombie-like out of the sand; the sinewy, unpredictable movements of Rattlesnake Jake; and certainly the violence and explosions of the obligatory chase scene. but even more adult than these grown-up frights was the pacing of the movie and truly, its overall message.
among the theatre-goers of that late show were a couple and their 4 or 5-year-old little lady. the visuals may have been captivating for her and the drawling creatures charming, but Rango was paced for an adult audience. foreshadowing and character-building abounded the film, and the storyline refused the frenetic speed of today's films for the ADD audience. two delightful cameos were absolutely intended for viewers that can vote or even viewers who have children that can vote (but i will not spoil those here).
the social commentary was not earth-shattering but it was shared in a contemplative manner that invoked equal amounts of discomfort and admiration. thus Rango joins the ranks of other eco-related calls to action...but it sidles into that line quietly, clicking its dusty spurs over an era that may be out of reach.
may be.
the expressiveness and emotion of the hardened desert critters was superb, which is likely thanks to the use of a new form of motion capture animation. it was like watching live actors in masks or makeup instead of PC-borne animated characters.
along with a mature vocabulary, there were a number of nightmare-inducing scenes that seemed to push this film from its rating of PG into a 14A: the hillbilly rodents climbing zombie-like out of the sand; the sinewy, unpredictable movements of Rattlesnake Jake; and certainly the violence and explosions of the obligatory chase scene. but even more adult than these grown-up frights was the pacing of the movie and truly, its overall message.
among the theatre-goers of that late show were a couple and their 4 or 5-year-old little lady. the visuals may have been captivating for her and the drawling creatures charming, but Rango was paced for an adult audience. foreshadowing and character-building abounded the film, and the storyline refused the frenetic speed of today's films for the ADD audience. two delightful cameos were absolutely intended for viewers that can vote or even viewers who have children that can vote (but i will not spoil those here).
the social commentary was not earth-shattering but it was shared in a contemplative manner that invoked equal amounts of discomfort and admiration. thus Rango joins the ranks of other eco-related calls to action...but it sidles into that line quietly, clicking its dusty spurs over an era that may be out of reach.
may be.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
