Monthly Archives: August 2008

A rare turnabout

Now here’s a movie that bites back. Personally, I think it’s silly, cheap humor — moronic, even. But you know…the entity called “liberals” has enjoyed mainstream popularity, which some would even call a monopoly, in entertainment over the last three-plus decades; anyone with gray matter knows that. Consequently, the animals called “conservatives” are generally — not always, but in general — depicted in their movies as loopy wackjobs or warmongers with no social conscience. Puppy kickers. Therefore, some liberal filmmakers love to pile it on thick (and some conservatives can’t take a joke).

Well, it seems the shoe is temporarily on the other foot. And I must say, I think the trailer is funny. It’s not right or sane or high art or politically correct — but it’s funny. And it’s causing all kinds of uproar.

Of course, I refer to American Carol, the new Zucker film, due out in October. The trailer shouts names like Kelsey Grammer, James Woods, Dennis Hopper, and “Rosie O’Connell” (HA). But what might be most offensive to those who stray to the left of center is the cameo by Satan himself: Bill O’Reilly.

I wonder why I can’t find the trailer on imdb.com or rottentomatoes.com…but O’Reilly got it. Maybe because he’s “in the cast” now. Or maybe it’s a liberal conspiracy. (KIDDING, geez)

Personally, I think many liberals would take it with a grain of salt — even laugh at it. It’s only the most mature, confident and self-realized people who can laugh at themselves. [It’s the ones who love to pitch the poo but not occasionally catch it who make me mad.] Liberal or conservative, if you can’t take a joke, get out of politics.

Anyway, here’s the trailer:

Yikes. I guess that’s why the word “satire” is often preceded by the word “biting.” David Zucker is no Republican lemming, however. This Weekly Standard article gives a solid look back at how Zucker came to be what he is: a rare advocate for nationalism in Hollyweird.

Annnnyway…on to another ambivalent topic. My visit with Kay yesterday was both wonderful and sad. We laughed a lot, took the obligatory “I’ll hold the camera at arm’s length and we’ll see what happens” photos, I made my famous cheezers for Bob, and we helped them clean up and get ready to leave.

It’s now 9:15 a.m. EST — Kay’s probably on the 3rd leg of her trip back to Slovenija now, if not there already (Bob is not far behind, on another flight). And another school year begins…

Have a great weekend, liberals and conservatives all. Fink out.

TGIF?

Drama on an olympic scale

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And some people think we theater types live for the histrionics. Take for instance the soap opera swirling around the “women’s” gymnastics team from China (gold medal winners over the Americans). US gymnastics coach Bela Karolyi called them “babies in diapers.” They called him “man chewing on sour grapes.” Regardless, breaking the rules is breaking the rules. If the IOC declared that the minimum age to compete is 16, it’s a rule that should be followed. No getting around that. But then, there’s the Chinese team…

But it is what it is, and griping about it won’t do any good. Team USA (who, on average, outweighs the Chinese team by 15 pounds and is taller by 6 inches) had a great showing winning their silver medal. And let’s face it, those little Chinese girls flew. No arguing that point.

Still…if these are 16-year-old girls (especially the three on the right), I will eat my hat.

I’ve read several blogs about it, many with long-winded responses from former gymnasts, Asian people in general, Europeans and other Americans. Everybody’s got a point (I’m paraphrasing here):

“If it was the Americans instead of the Chinese, they’d stop the Games and do an investigation.”

“If it was the Americans instead of the Chinese, no one would say a word.”

“Asians look younger.”

Ok, that last one gets an eye roll and a tongue cluck. The little (and I do mean little — she weighs like 68 pounds) girl on the far right is missing a baby tooth. I guess that could happen if you’re 16…Cha, and monkeys might fly out of my…

But, who’s going to bust China’s chops when they’re the hosts? So, when in Rome…or, like the Times article said, ” When in North America, do as the North Americans do — overreact. When in China, overlook.”

And remember Mark Spitz? He was totally an American hero back in 1972 (unfortunately, he swam his magic at the cursed Olympic games in Munich). He won seven gold medals, and is making news again now that Michael Phelps is looking to do the same, and one better.

But I read an article about Spitz this morning that was a bit disturbing — sometimes I wish people would just let me remain happily ignorant in my delusions.

Then there’s this. Whatev.

And while it’s not an Olympics matter, it’s olympic in its shame: there’s no excuse for this.

And that’s all I have to say about it. You have a lovely day. Whoa…it’s Thursday already. I lost 24 hours somewhere.

Fink out.

Photo credits: New York Times (Chinese gymnastics team), Richard Lim (Mark Spitz)

I wonder…

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….when it will be my teams’ turn to go to the Big Party (or win it).

Of course, I’m talking about the Browns and the Indians. (Not much of a basketball fan, and the Cavs have “been there” once, but we won’t talk about that. *coughSWEPTcough*)

I know, I know. As my friend RD will say, “You should be a Cubs fan.” At least the baby bears have some company in the dungeon. And the opinions are many as to exactly why the Indians fell off the bike this year. And now, of course, when it doesn’t count, they win 5 in a row. Sometimes I want to hurt people.

I guess that’s what keeps people like me coming back to watch, season after season. Maybe *this* season will be the one.

Or, I could dust off that wonderful old adage that Browns and Indians fans have learned to memorize: There’s always next year.

Feh.

Rockin' the Bourgeoisie

Your friend Rat Fink fires the neurons at random