The Crack Team

Noticed something new on Netflix: a rating that wasn’t from the MPAA. Turns out it’s from an organization called Common Sense Media. It strives to do what Roger Ebert has been doing for years - let parents know when the MPAA got it wrong. However, it goes beyond movies into TV and video games, and goes beyond covering sex and violence into areas like consumerism. It also seems to stress - gasp - talking to your kids about how they should think about what they’re watching.

Sadly, this will probably go completely unnoticed by the parents who need it most. Like that couple complaining that the “free under 3″ policy doesn’t apply to R-rated movies. Like the Exorcist. And yes, that’s a true story. We are doomed.

I’m trying to work on my Best Films of 2008 a little early this year. I went through the list of Oscar-eligible films and copied all the titles I haven’t seen yet that might make my “best of” list. I’m sure some of these are great¹ and some have almost no chance, but if you have an opinion (for or against) please comment.
Read the rest of this entry »

1. The Wrestler, WALL-E, and Slumdog Millionaire are already in the IMDB Top 250; a few others are Ebert 4 star films. [↩]

TV shows are in limbo, making this a good time to catch up on those movies you’ve missed. I’ve tried to use Netflix, but it’s recommendation engine is still sub-par.¹ Here are two resources that are actually reliable:

Ebert Search: Just select 3.5-4 stars in 2008. You’ll find some interesting stuff from the best film critic in the world.

2008’s Oscar-Eligible Films: Going through the 281 films that can be nominated for the 2009 Academy Awards, I found a lot of interesting films I didn’t have a chance to see.

1. No matter how I browsed, it never suggested Step Brothers, even though I haven’t rated it, I want to see it, and Netflix predicts I’ll really like it. [↩]

This weekend I watched Meet Bill and Cashback on Netflix downloads. Meet Bill has a great cast, but they’re tied to a messy plot with an unfulfilling ending. It’s also a bit gayer than was strictly necessary. I would have been better off watching American Beauty for the seventh time. Cashback has some hot naked chicks, and while I can relate with the protagonist’s (and director’s, I’m sure) obsession with the beauty of the female form, there wasn’t a lot of there, there. Here, I should have rewatched Art School Confidential. Neither are terrible films, but you can find better. Even on Netflix downloads.¹

But coincidentally, both films included Royksopp’s What Else Is There? in their soundtracks. This is a great mid-tempo electronic song with ethereal vocals, so I include it here for your enjoyment:

1. Netflix’s download selection is notoriously subpar, especially if you discount the classics. Illustrating this, one commenter on IMDB, complaining about Meet Bill, wrote “now I know why it was available for download”. [↩]

There was a shooting in a theater on Christmas, and what’s most interesting is what isn’t being discussed. Here’s what went down: a family was laughing and talking very loudly during Benjamin Button, which annoyed other theater goers. Words were had, then popcorn thrown, then fighting broke out, then gunfire.

Here’s another way to put it: an Italian guy shot a black guy in a South Philly movie theater because the black guy’s family wouldn’t keep quiet and the Italian guy is clearly unhinged¹.

And nobody is mentioning any stereotypes here. I’ve read several articles, and comments on those articles by people who did not have to pass any tests to comment, and still no mention of race, ethnicity, black, white, stereotypes, etc.

I think this is progress. But I’m not 100% sure.

1. After the shooting cleared the theater, the shooter sat back down to enjoy the rest of the film. Ah, peace and quiet! [↩]

Sometimes, the Universe surprises me.  Karma balances out and all is well with the world.

I was pleasantly surprised on New Year’s Morning to find out that Stephanie Edwards is back as co-host of the big Pasadena Rose Brou-ha-ha.  As you may recall, she was unceremoniously dumped several years ago to the surprise of many traditionalists and to the detriment of the local KTLA parade coverage.   I covered the outrage here  and others also picked up this story.    Here she is, soldiering on under one of the few rainstorms to hit the Rose Parade (2006):

But now she is back and her replacement was moved to the sidelines in an ironic turnaround that makes for gossipy good fun.  And for good measure, she returns to a higher-paying salary;  payback is a bitch.

This article lists the times taken for the moves of game 12 of the 1972 World Chess Championship Match between Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky.

Game 12, August 8-9, 1972

    Fischer         Spassky
    White           Black
    (ar)   (0:09)
 1. c4     (0:10)
(Spassky arrived 30 seconds after Fischer's clock was started and then disappeared until five minutes after Fischer made his move.)
 1. ...             e6    (0:05)
 2. Nf3    (0:11)   d5    (0:06)
 3. d4     (0:11)   Nf6   (0:06)
 4. Nc3    (0:11)   Be7   (0:06)
 5. Bg5    (0:11)   h6    (0:06)
 6. Bh4    (0:12)   0-0   (0:06)
 7. e3     (0:12)   Nbd7  (0:06)
 8. Rc1    (0:17)   c6    (0:09)
 9. Bd3    (0:20)   dxc4  (0:09)
10. Bxc4   (0:20)   b5    (0:10)
11. Bd3    (0:21)   a6    (0:11)
12. a4     (0:40)   bxa4  (0:12) Read the rest of this entry »