One of my all time favorite movies is Clerks. Though a low budget film, it manages to convey a view of the world through the eyes of a group that had been largely ignored in popular culture until this point, the "slackers." Those people working a job that society says they should have moved on from by now. I think what hits me the most is how "real" the movie feels, despite the fairly improbable circumstances that occur within the film (the funeral, hockey on the roof, etc). The dialog is superb and flows seamlessly, despite the ridiculousness of what is often being discussed. It exposes you to a world and a way of thinking that, though it exists all around us, is often ignored.
As for genres of films that interest me, I have always enjoyed science fiction. The idea that man could be his own undoing through the attempted mastery of science and technology, such as the virus in The Andromeda Strain, can make a very interesting story. I also enjoy the idea of the "other." I find this especially interesting because it helps us imagine what different beings could be like. Not just aliens or monsters, but perhaps our own creations such as the replicants from Blade Runner. Though many science fiction movies can be cheesy or simply special effect extravaganzas, some manage to be incredibly interesting thought experiments.
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Winning
In
Winning Actually Isn’t the Only Thing (The
Washington Post) David Maraniss argues that the blown call at the end of the Green
Bay Packer game is indicative of larger problems within the NFL and the United
States. He argues that the “winning is everything” attitude that was shown by
the Seattle Seahawk coach (Pete Carroll) and the quarterback (Russell Wilson)
is the real problem. The fact that the Seahawks celebrated like they somehow
earned the win, as opposed to being awarded the win based on nothing but a
clearly incorrect call shows this winning is everything attitude. That it is the win that matters,
regardless of how it is achieved. He further argues that the call is not
really the fault of the replacement refs; but the fault of the league for
looking after the pocketbooks of the team owners (by not paying the regular
refs better), not the good of the game.
I do agree that this attitude is prevalent.
I also feel that within the game of football winning is the only thing that
matters. It is what determines if you make the playoffs. It is what decides home-field
advantage. And winning is what decides who gets to hoist the Lombardi Trophy.
The problem is that the call Monday night was in many ways outside of the game
of football. It was clearly the inexperience of the refs that made this call
happen. A dispute between the NFL and the Referee’s union should not decide a
winner. But it did. So I do agree with Rick Maraniss. Even if a team plays
badly but gets lucky then celebrating a win is fine. But this was beyond luck,
and should have been treated by Seattle as such. After all, they do get the “W”
no matter how they react, so being humble about it couldn’t hurt when it
happens under these circumstances.
Monday, October 1, 2012
The believing game B
Airlines have every right to charge for any
number of bags. The simple fact is by not charging a bag fee; people without luggage
are subsidizing those who do fly with luggage. That is unfair to those who do
fly without checked luggage, such as short trips and many business travelers.
The fee is obviously posted by airlines and common knowledge, so there is
nothing hidden about it.
Believing game 1
Airlines have no right to charge a fee for the
first checked bag. The passenger has already paid for a ticket and most
everyone who travels brings at least some luggage. This is simply a way for
airlines to disguise the true cost of a ticket so that people think it is
cheaper. They will then be hit with the fee when they board and will have
little choice but to pay it. This is clearly a dishonest business practice.
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