Culture – Page 30

W. – A Movie Review

February 23, 2009March 1, 2009 John Dick Chenney, Elizabeth Banks, george bush, George H.W. Bush, James Cromwell, Josh Brolin, Oliver Stone, W.

W. takes viewers through Bush’s eventful life — his struggles and triumphs, how he found both his wife and his faith, and of course the critical days leading up to Bush’s decision to invade Iraq. Lay and I watched this movie at home on DVD last weekend. It was more interesting than I expected. The film hopscotches through Bush’s life in an effort to compile all the seminal moments. Because of the number of “events” the film attempts to chronicle, this just all happens too fast. “W.” is not really a political movie per se; rather, it’s a movie about a man who went into politics but probably shouldn’t have. It’s about how a father can misread a son, how a son can suffer in the shadow of a famous dad and how temperament gets molded by events both internal and external.

Crime Culture General Society

Michael Phelps and Kellogg’s

February 13, 2009 John Kellogg's, Marijuana, Michael Phelps, Olympics, Pot

I can’t quite grasp the whole idea that people seem to have about the evil weed, marijuana. I think it’s pretty much established it’s less destructive than alcohol, and I suspect, truth be told, there are few middle-aged adults today who haven’t partaken. Now I see you all are supporting this over-reaction by withdrawing your sponsorship of Michael Phelps. The guy may be the greatest athlete ever, and not just in terms of physical accomplishments. He comes across as a gentleman and true sportsman. He certainly made a mistake, but he also represented America brilliantly both in and out of the pool at last year’s Olympics.

Culture Movies

Gran Torino – A Movie Review

February 9, 2009February 11, 2009 John Action, Asian, Bee Vang, bigotry, Clint Eastwood, Drama, Gangs, Gangsters

Archie Bunker meets Dirty Harry: Walt Kowalski is a widower, grumpy, tough-minded, borderline-hateful, unhappy old man who can’t get along with either his kids or his neighbors, a Korean War veteran whose prize possession is a 1973 Gran Torino he keeps in cherry condition. When his neighbor Tao, a young Hmong teenager, tries to steal his Gran Torino, Kowalski sets out to reform the youth. Drawn against his will into the life of Tao’s family, Kowalski is soon taking steps to protect them form the gangs that foul their neighborhood. It’s worth seeing, just wait until it is out on video.

Culture Fun Stuff Movies

David Huynh Of The Movie Baby

February 5, 2009February 15, 2009 John Actor, Baby, David Huynh, Invasion, Movies, Stage, tv

A recent movie we watched on DVD was the 2008 movie “Baby.” It was a well made movie that provided a tense and gritty look at gang life in East L.A. I was especially impressed with the actor who played the Character, Baby, David Huynh. After reading up on him, I was especially impressed at how authentic he made the character, but he seems to share none of Baby’s background.

Culture Movies

Rock N Rolla – A Movie Review

January 31, 2009 John Action, Comedy, Crime, Gangster, Gerard Butler, Guy Ritchie, Tom Wilkinson

A Russian mobster orchestrates a crooked land deal, putting millions of dollars up for grabs and attracting all of London’s criminal underworld. Lay and I watched this movie last night on DVD. I admit I was tired, and didn’t give it my full attention. One of my complaints was that the British accents were so heavy, it was hard to follow, but at least the Director was probably being true to the location.