Tagged: love
Rapid Fire Movie Reviews, The Order, 65, 28 Weeks Later
The Order with Jude Law, on Hulu, is pretty fantastic. But turn it off before you start seeing the black screen “wrap up facts”. Trust me.
65, with the new Star Wars bad guy, is not about only him on a violent planet. I hate when they mess up the previews. I’m talking from the opening scene you‘re struck by the fact that the movie is not what the previews made it out to be. On the whole, the very idea of people marooned on killer, dinosaur infested planet Earth while the dinosaur-killing asteroid is visibly on its way is kinda a cool story. Add in some language barrier stuff and other family interest moments and it really isn’t a bad sci-fi flick. Just very poorly marketed.
28 Weeks Later is old, but it is still fantastic. The best part—and now I am really looking forward to the newest one—is the speed which the virus infects the new zombie. It is nearly instantaneous. This got me thinking though.
Is the novel speed concept an analogy for the times we live in? I’m not saying the writers intentionally meant to make an analogy. I mean more like in the sense that it was inescapable. Like how 80s movies had muscular military men instead of breathy and broken women saving the day.
I am talking about politics and education.
We seem to be living in a time when everyone makes up their mind instantly, and then attacks incessantly. And no one ever changes their mind.
TDS strikes and BOOM! You won’t talk to your parents.
MAGA hits and BAM! No more chatting with your brother.
Follow me?
Compare this rage virus zombie tale to, say, any movie which portrays leprosy, or other old and slow moving diseases and what is the difference? The time period. No rapid rage virus zombie conversions in the dark ages or period pieces. And no slow leper death scenes in air conditioned rooms with laptops and Twinkies.
Just something for your consideration as the winter and family meals approach.
In the end, there are three lessons to be learned from these movies.
Number 1. Do not read The Turner Diaries.
Number 2. Do not become a pilot if the reason you are doing so is to save your daughter’s life.
Number 3. Do not make out with your long lost wife whom you thought you saw die from a zombie attack—at least not until the military doctors clear her.
Saturday Sermon
The following is the short, thunderous homily I just texted my wife who is constantly perplexed by my actions. She’s my second wife. She is anxious about some stupid imaginary drama regarding her son and his dad who lives in a different country. This is for posterity.
****
If you want to attack me about H- and her mom etc, the strongest way to attack is to say, “You paid money NOT to see H-. How stupid are you, Pete?!”
And my response is, “Do you see it then? Do you finally understand? Life is, at times, unbelievably horrible. How does it make sense to be able to pay money to ‘not’ get/buy something, like time with your own child?
“I, your husband, would rather pay money to not see H- (which is insane) than pay money to (maybe) see H-, which is evil. I am not paying people to be my friend. I am not paying you to be my wife. I am not paying children to be my children. Humans are not for sale. Humans are not slaves. That is the outer darkness. That is my ex wife’s world. And the lawyers. And the government. It is not my world.”
On The Virality of Being Caught
Like many, many of you, I too watched more than one video of the recent Coldplay Kiss Cam Catch.
Why?
Firstly, because it already was “viral” and so I deemed it worthy of the peek.
Secondly, because the very idea of “getting caught” requires that generally suppressed emotion “shame”.
“Shame”, then, is what caught my attention. Is anyone ashamed anymore? Apparently, the answer is “yes”.
Maybe not the Parents who are castrating their children. Maybe not the Doctors who are overlooking every single problematic behavior in favor of chemical treatments. Maybe not the blue, green, or pink-haired faggots. Maybe not the Marxists. Maybe not the Politicians in general. Maybe not Celebrities. Maybe not Professors. Maybe not MegaChurch Pastors and Boards. Maybe not Blacks. Maybe not Illegal Immigrants. Maybe not Gang Bangers. Maybe not New Yorkers or Californians.
But that couple at the Coldplay concert did. And we all recognized it immediately.
They were living some kind of bliss, some kind of pure illicit fantasy—forbidden love—right up until the moment they were not. Just an amazing thing to consider. Where exactly were they until that moment?
The song in Romeo and Juliet comes to mind. “A Rose will Bloom/It then will Fade”.
It’s My Birthday
I grew up on the movie City Slickers.
In short, it is difficult for me to not agree with his aging bit.
There’s also the natural element of “taking stock” in any anniversary. This seems to lead to either 1. forcedly happy and mostly untrue feelings or 2. depressing realities.
Something on my mind today is the recent observation (more to follow in my next reading log post) that life is unfolding precisely as we/I want. That is a scary thought, no? In my case, I put up with a lot of depressing shyat because I want to be around my kids as much as possible. But is there a way to be around them with less drama? I don’t know. It doesn’t appear so. But I am working on it.
I leave you with a sad, but I can report 100% accurate, commentary centering on the concept of “natural virtues” (you might say “inherent virtues” in 2025), with a close look at “veracity” and “savages”. JS Mill is the writer.
Super?man, A Review of Superman by James Gunn
[SPOILERS] Shortly before the final action sequence, I had the thought, “Well, I can tell my folks that they don’t need to see this.” I think this thought came through because I had previously sent them the trailer, accompanied by some of my excitement and the thought that someone had made a superhero movie which they could enjoy in the classic sense.
My question-mark-bedecked title is not questioning whether the movie is in fact a Superman movie, but mean to indicate my questioning why Mr. Gunn thought it would be a good idea to make Superman hated and weak for so much of the movie.
I liked the “Superman lost his first fight” opening. Plenty of places to take that etc. But shortly thereafter, and for most of the rest of the movie, Superman lost and was weak and hated by mankind. It lasted for far too much of the run time. I wanted to see Superman, not not-Superman. Get me?
I want really difficult achievements being accomplished with ease. I want some seemingly morally challenging situations resolved by doing the obviously right thing. I want some scenes where he is completely absorbed in fighting one bad guy who wants to hurt general earthlings and then another bad guy appears out of nowhere holding Lois or Martha or John (Jimmy and Perry are also available), and Superman triumphs over both bad guys all while saving all strangers and friends/family alike by a tremendous act of sheer will, that again, confirms what we all already knew was the absolutely right decision.
For me, Superman’s actual unique power is his inhuman consistency in doing (all) the right thing(s) in the ethical dilemmas mankind’s best minds have developed to date. I know that this isn’t always the case in the comics. But I also know that you agree with me.
And the simple fact is this movie, while drawing out some unforeseen and difficult to achieve emotional responses from me (it was touching), did not inspire me, did not give me hope.
So, Mom and Dad, you’re better off with whatever memory you have of Superman—which is sad.
To end on a positive note, Kansas and the Kansans were great. The actor cast as the dad is one of my favorites, though I only really know him from The Legend of 1900. But that is enough for me and now with this and that, I am especially a fan.
Who Knew?
Who knew that the rivers would flood to the extent that they did?
That is the only question that matters. Who knew?
Not, “What were the warnings?” Not, “Would pre-DOGE situation have known?” Not, “When did…?” No.
Who knew?
Is there any meteorologist that would claim that they were interpreting the data and the data suggested that what happened was possible to happen?
Who knew?
If the meteorologists thought, “Zero chance of 26ft rise, but non-zero chance of 25 foot rise,” then we want to know that.
If they thought, “Unlikely, but non-zero chance of 26ft rise,” then we want to know.
None of the other questions matter until someone admits that they knew the floods could happen precisely as the floods did happen. It doesn’t matter which warning system was in place. It doesn’t matter when the warnings were given. DOGE doesn’t matter. Nothing matters until we learn if any human being on earth (likely a meteorologist in TX) knew that the floods would play out as they did play out.
I, for one, did not know that what happened in TX was possible.
What I want to know now is who did know.
Thoughts On Metallica’s Denver Shows
I stood in awe on Night One when they entered Mile High. And I never sat down again. The professionalism, the polish, the poise—it’s perfect. I do not attend many concerts (mostly Metallica and various symphonies) but Metallica is doing something other musicians aren’t. Which leads me to my next thought.
Is it time? Can we finally admit that Metallica just writes better songs? Their songs are just better. That’s why their fanbase is among the largest ever amassed.
Night One, as I said, I stood the entire show. I was in section 309–essentially the fifty-yard line—half-way up the section. Pretty great seats. At times, between songs, I spun around to see how the crowd was doing and was surprised to find them all sitting. “Oh well. No problem,” I thought. “I’ll just motivate them.” And I did. Metallica was down there giving us their all, the least we can do is give our all. Some, not all, got the memo.
Night Two (last night), after Pantera, before they took the stage, I felt a tap on the shoulder and turned around to see a man signaling the lady two rows up is who wanted my attention. As my eyes continued the journey, they landed on what we all would’ve recognized as our high school Algebra 2 teacher. Undeterred from having a good time, I immediately said, “Are you ready!?” She gave me a, “Yes.” And then she proceeded to describe to me how horrible it was on Night One because I stood and blocked her view. Naturally she followed this speech by asking, “At least on a couple songs could you sit down?”
Wow.
Given the movie that recently released, and using the 10% truth rule of Air Force Performance Reports, I asked her, “Did Metallica save your life?”
She didn’t seem to get it.
The other fans were only mildly interested in this back-and-forth. I listened for longer than any heathen fan would have and dryly concluded, “I will be standing.”
She continued to lament to all around her in a whiny, relentless, disbelieving manner (partly ashamed she had asked such a thing, I had to imagine) and I turned to acknowledge her again—again, trying to show respect for her effort. This time, because it was loud, I randomly found myself making the “sorry” ASL fist circle over my heart, which drew a laugh from a mom my age, there with her husband and their teenage daughter. I can’t be sure she “signs” but I think she could “feel” the moment and appreciated my attempts to respect this Miss Nelson, or Mrs. Tietz as it were if memory serves.
“Metallica is Metallica.” Integrity in the flesh. That might sum my thoughts up best. They don’t pretend. They are just simply the best band on the planet, writing the best songs—the definitive band. We can all learn from Metallica. We all owe Metallica. The influence of Metallica is worldwide and enduring.
Was that it? That’s my only question. Will I ever see them perform again? Lars was more vague than normal on his, “Denvah!! We’ll see you again not soon enough!” farewell.
I don’t enjoy the thought that that was it for me. But I do think the world will witness something unlike it has ever seen when the actual end comes for them. What king, what leader, what celebrity has ever accomplished so much for so many?
No, ma’am. People don’t “sit for a couple songs”. When people have taken full account of their lives, people stand for Metallica.
(And for the “W” see this clip from after the show and after the lights came on.)
Two Novel Thoughts As We Wait (Wink Wink) on Iran
Firstly, I love how the media made Iraq out to be some super fighting force in the days Desert Storm 1. The big claim was “fifth strongest” military in the world. But let’s run with this. They were wrong. Next, Afghanistan was supposed to be cavemen. Now, the media wants me to be worried about Iran’s response. Did you they not see the response that the strike aircraft saw? Zero. Zilch. Nada. No response. They didn’t even know the planes were in the air. But sure, media (wink wink), we’ll wait for the response.
Secondly, this is the largest attack/action that has occurred in my non-fighting age days. As in, 9/11 was a large impetus for my wanting to join the AF. And I did join the AF to help get revenge. But right now, even if WW3 somehow starts, I have a new feeling like, “Well, I hope my company doesn’t fold during the war. I don’t know how else to make money.”
Time will tell.
Do I Make It Rain?
Obama breaks silence.
Did you see how soon it was after I expressed sincere desire to hear his thoughts? To be clear, I am declaring that I manifested it.
If you missed it, here is what he said.
“Thirteen years ago, my administration acted to protect young people who were American in every single way but one: on paper.
DACA was an example of how we can be a nation of immigrants and a nation of laws. And it’s an example worth remembering today, when families with similar backgrounds who just want to live, work, and support their communities, are being demonized and treated as enemies.
We can fix our broken immigration system while still recognizing our common humanity and treating each other with dignity and respect. In fact, it’s the only way we ever will.”
Decent, if weak, opening.
Second para is trash entirely. “Who just want to live” is as disrespectful as it gets.
Third para brings to mind the question: just how much dignity is required to fulfill the definition of dignity?
People are told, “You can self-identify and leave.” That seems dignified.
Then they are not physically abused during their arrest. Seems pretty dignified to me.
They are fed for free. That seems dignified.
I just don‘t know what more is necessary. Many Americans would be fine with much more aggressive tactics and techniques to resolve the “paperwork.”
In the end, Obama played his role perfectly—while demonstrating again that he has no power besides attracting our attention.
On the Perfection of the Bite of EMB
When the entire topping comes off the dough at once, the flavor is out of balance.
But let me be clear: when you bite into a slice of Little Caesar’s Extra Most Bestest Pepperoni and the sauce temp and amount is not so hot or plentiful as to give caution to the maneuver, I’m talking about the act of cleanly biting off a piece from the pizza slice, you are nearer heavenly rhapsodies than even the inspired writers of scripture could express in words.
In a word, it is perfection.
Captain’s Log 