Nuclear Unicorn
Nuclear Unicorn's JournalYou'll never guess what my SIL and I have been watching when she gets home from school
I found the DVD collection at the library and said, "Hey, I remember my step mom talking about that show." I checked out the DVDs and we started watching an episode of two when my SIL comes home in the afternoon (she's in middle school). We've already learned the lyrics to a couple of their songs including "Daydream Believer" which, previously, I had only known from the karaoke scene during the end credits of Shrek.
So, I guess The Monkees get to live on for a new generation.
Gun Control has devolved to absolute fabrication
They have literally retreated to their safe space that permits no debate in order to write complete works of fiction to where they set the terms of the debate, make themselves the hero, and insert whatever statements they want to make their counterparts appear foolish. They then pile in to congratulate themselves and grouse about having to defend their positions.
It's breathtaking just how sad this really is.
And though they will deny it, the debate isn't about the sky being blue, it's about their rose-colored glasses.
There is even a complaint about the posting of articles discussing string theory in physics, so deep is the epistemological closure.
Massachusetts to tax ride-hailing apps, give the money to taxis
Massachusetts is preparing to levy a 5-cent fee per trip on ride-hailing apps such as Uber and Lyft and spend the money on the traditional taxi industry, a subsidy that appears to be the first of its kind in the United States.
Republican Governor Charlie Baker signed the nickel fee into law this month as part of a sweeping package of regulations for the industry.
Ride services are not enthusiastic about the fee.
"I don't think we should be in the business of subsidizing potential competitors," said Kirill Evdakov, the chief executive of Fasten, a ride service that launched in Boston last year and also operates in Austin, Texas.
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-massachusetts-uber-idUSKCN10U1ST
This is about the worst thing since the Kelo v New London decision.
Even if one does not approve of ride hailing apps that the government would take legally earned income from one legitimate private commercial enterprise and give it to another, competing private for-profit enterprise ought to have everyone up in arms. This is as much a threat to everyone as the Kelo decision.
New York man in court charged with murdering Muslim cleric, assistant
A New York City man appeared in court on Tuesday and denied charges he shot and killed a Muslim cleric and his assistant on a street in the borough of Queens over the weekend.
Oscar Morel, 35, faces up to life in prison without parole if he is convicted of killing Imam Maulama Akonjee, 55, and Thara Uddin, 64, in a brazen daylight attack on Saturday that horrified the neighborhood's Bangladeshi community.
Morel, who was shackled at the hands and feet and wore a tan button-down shirt with black pants, was arraigned at Queens Criminal Court on one count of first-degree murder, two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon.
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-new-york-shooting-idUSKCN10O0X4
Suicide Squad: I find the 41 metacritic score inexplicable and undeserved.
Even if someone doesn't appreciate comic book movies the movie was solidly acted, shot, and edited. The story was soft in some parts though I couldn't say in detail without 1) seeing it again and 2) revealing spoilers.
I'm totally willing to see it again and look forward to it coming out on disc, hopefully with a director's cut.
The very low score from the professional critics makes me wonder if there isn't some ideological axe-grinding going on here. They seem angry over something where no anger is warranted.
Will Smith didn't really sell it for me as Deadshot. He's a competent actor but he's more of a goofball than an intimidating, steely-eyed sociopath.
They redeemed the relationship between Joker and Harley, somewhat. In the comic books, video games and animated series he is the worst sort of abusive boyfriend. He never loves Harley, he only manipulates her love of him. In SS he is actually as codependent as she is -- as a good boyfriend ought to be!
I chortled every so often when Margot Robbie's Australian accent peeked out or she strained to hide it behind an accent from 1930's gun moll from Brooklyn.
Katana could have been an interesting character but she was very underdeveloped. They did her character a big disservice having her separate herself from the rest of the squad at the one moment they bonded together and decided to be the heroes. Perhaps they are grooming her for later appearances though I can see that falling away due to the fans' inability to grow to love her.
The costume for Enchantress was captivating! But I have to say even I can dance sexier than Cara Delevingne and that's saying something.
El Diablo brought a poignancy to the story, which I suppose is necessary. If the audience doesn't have a place to become emotionally invested in the characters lest the audience sit there like a bunch of Amanda Wallers.
Speaking of Amanda Waller. Holy crap! Sorry to be un-PC but she earned "Ruthless Bitch 2016." hands down, no contest, would the rest of the contestants please just get off the stage! Viola Davis crushed it. Tremendous actress in a powerful role.
Killer Croc and Captain Boomerang seemed to be padding the numbers to fill out the roster to make it a squad.
There were some decidedly heroic acts by normal humans, if members of the military could be considered such (and I mean that affectionately). While the metahumans are running around doing their thing the film depicted many acts of selfless service and self-sacrifice by the military, which is what they do. The movie would have been much, much stronger if it had given that aspect a bit more recognition ala Battle: LA.
So, while most of what I wrote may seem like a detraction the movie was fun. Which is what a movie -- especially a comic book movie -- ought to be. I enjoyed the fight scenes. Harley stole many scenes -- which is what everyone wanted. You wanted the squad to win. You even felt cheated knowing they wouldn't be released even though you also know they're the worst of the worst and for me that was the clincher.
Oh, and: Best soundtrack in a long time and I think the editors really enjoyed their work, especially in the first act.
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Member since: Wed Sep 16, 2009, 07:33 PMNumber of posts: 19,497
