Quill & Claw/Pen & Paw

As I read on Fark.com the other day, Fahrenheit 9/11 was the number one box office draw over the weekend. That says something about the public in two ways. One, that there is something going on about public opinion of documentaries and two- People are really not liking President Bush right now. And those people who saw the movie are probably nailing their right wing buddies right now with what they saw Saturday night. documentaries have really taken a huge leap in the entertainment business these days, I'm thinking as a result of so many reality television programs being so popular. Docs weren't always easy to watch. Long before MTV style editing, the docs were really regulated to National Geo and PBS specials, the stuff you feel asleep watching when you felt you needed something smart to watch. But reality shows, if they have a redeeming quality at all, is that the whole of life has somekind of story. You just need a filmmaker that can some how bring that out. Mr....

If you read my last two reviews, you'll see two important items that I feel I need to remit here. First off, I read some good books in college and whatnot--some that effected the way I percieve art. And two, that a great story stays a great story, you really have to bring something novel to it before I'll notice some intelligence. The reason I bring this up, is because I was forced to read James Joyce's piece-du-resistance, Ulysees. I finally understood the concept of analogy through that work. I also learned that great literature is not always written well, but that's another story. This movie is the tale of Ulysees, complete with Cyclops and Sirens. I also bring this up is that the original tale, the Odyessue is a great story, so it takes something really well worked before I'll take notice. I did take notice, and it wasn't because George Clooney is proving himself to be a very good (looking) actor. I had heard prior to the rental that this was ...

I blame Shakespeare, I really do. I mean, you make a damn good story like Romeo and Juliet , die, wait a few gazillion years and poof...Hollywood beats the living shit out of it. Why couldn't old Will have written stuff that when people copied it, it would still be good. It's because Will wrote some amazing shit and you can't just photocopy a Picasso, right? Case in point, Underworld. I guess it sounded pretty cool, right? Werewolves and Vampires, but two fall in love. So their love is doomed forever, for they are immortal and since they'll friggin live forever, issues will probably never get resolved. Can you see the arguments in the kitchen, "honey, remember last millenium when you had your little Lycanthrope buddies over for the dog show and they got so drunk they pissed on the couch leg?" "Dear, do you have to bring that up again, I mean, shoot, that's like the 5, 488, 237th time you've mentioned it." So it goes. Th...

I have to admit, if hindsight is really 20/20, well, I really did have some good teachers in high school and college. When I go back and realize the stuff they subjected me to, it was, in all actuality--quite good stuff. I mean, I had to read The Catcher in the Rye , and at first, my teenage brain came up with the ever deep response of: "It was weird." Low and behold, I've reread it and there is so much, much more. Same with the other works they had me work through. King Lear . The Thief of Time . Some really good stuff, yo, very respectable. Even the Stepford Wives . Yes, I had to read the book for my gender awareness ( I did get an A, folks, which is kinda ironic. I mean, I'm queer, people would think I would need as much gender awareness as I could get!) class. The book had already been made into a cheesy (by today's standards) television horror flick. But I remembered the book and it's author. I later saw Deathtrap ("my God, Superman's...

I work with kids, and it's amazing how, in the press, all I hear are organizations screaming about violence and sex in the movies. And they're probably right, I agree. But what's truly amazing? How many of the kids I see get to see these kinds of movies with full knowledge of their parents. It's like the time I worked in a flicka and we had the movie Fantasia. Boring stuff, excellent art. Mickey's in it for five minutes too. There have been textbooks written about this movie, I'm sure UCLA offered a course on it as well. And the parents came streaming in to drop off kids at this "Disney" movie. None of them thought it through; nor did they care. The Ring, when it came out, was the topic of my kids I worked with--well under the age of 17. They were scared, it was that good, they told me. And their parents dropped them off, sometimes even buying the tickets. Whatever. The point is, this is NOT a movie for kids. And then next time a k...

I've always loved hating the summer season of movies. Nothing arty at all, mostly sequels. And we all hate sequels, don't we? I mean, everyone talks about, "it's not as good as the first part," or, "did you know Yoda dies?" We detest them. That's why they do so well and Hollywood keeps making them. And so we arrive at Shrek 2 . I wanted to hate it as well, but you know what? It's actually not that bad, kinda like Harry. The storyline has so much you can do with it, and since it's not being produced by Disney, you don't have to be concerned about a specific audience. Really, it's kinda like a kids' movie made for adults. I mean, look at the casting. Jennifer Saunders as the Fairy Godmother. If you don't already know, she's from Ab Fab . When I heard her voice, I half expected her to pull out a smoke and paint stimata on her forehead and palms in lipstick. Alas, this is a kids' movie, so she's oddl...

Ever hear of a guilty pleasure? It's something we patently know is bad for us, yet we indulge for the sheer thrill of it. I mean, hello? Britney Spears? She lipsynchs her concerts people! And yet I know all the words to "Toxic." Or better, COPS on Fox. It's been on for 15 years, I believe. It's basically human scum at it's worst and I still tune in when there's nothing else on. Help. This brings me to my guilty pleasure. I've got several, and I'm sure if you read enough reviews, you'll hit on most of them. But for me? Martial arts movies. Hong Kong triads. Kill Bill. Drunken Master. I can't get enough of them. It's one of the reasons I love Netflix. Their search engine can drag up some of the most out of the way titles from my texts. Yes. I do have texts about martial arts movies. See what I mean? I'm hooked. I bring this up because I stumbled across this title from said search engine and it brought ...

I really liked today's poem from my Tao book, it spoke of one of the few times to rise above the nature of things. The item was with mercy. I agree. For so long I've wanted to crack the living crap out of some people, but still, they live. A sign of a love that goes well beyond me. I say this as I observe Emperor Bush's newest confection. A commercial where he points out that the economy is on the rise and that 4. something jobs are back. Didn't he lose 10 million jobs in the first place? He wanted to improve improvished schools by subjecting them to testing and analysis. But he didn't pay for it. I even saw his robot at the Hall of Presidents mention that we must work "together" for a better nation. And then he alienates gays and lesbians with a consistutional amendment. I suppose the mere fact that I remember these faux pas is because I am unable to be merciful. I'm thinking that needs to change. He can be who he wants to be...

I'm not fickle enough to individually see a movie on a star's draw. It's not my thing, really, I like to think that a movie has so many other things to criticize, why limit it to one actor. Alright, you caught me, I will go see Jackie Chan and Jet Li. And if Jean Claude and Vin Diesel are in a scene without sleeves on (or better, no shirt!)? I'm there as well. But that's it. I draw the line there. The reason I bring this up is to mention I am not a fan of Robin Williams, at least not normally. I saw his Broadway revue on HBO, and yes, it was entertaining, but I saw him do similar works on The Actor's Studio. So why would I want to see him do the same schtick again? It's getting to be a bit dated. Luckily for us, he's got an Oscar and therefore, a farely decent paycheck. As such, he can actually try different things. Like acting. And here's the evidence people. This movie is all about Robin and creating sympathy for the devil. The ta...

One of the main tenets of Taoism is the noticing and reacting to natural changes and cycles in the environment. It uses nature as the analogy, but there's a deeper way of interpreting it--natural interactions with friends, coworkers and family. I am in a relationship. It's up to me to go with what is said and see the natural ebb and flow of it's goings-ons. In this manner, not one person takes the lead or becomes the boss, it moves in a manner that is organic and appropriate for being Tao. There is also a spiritual component that arises from such a concept. By paying attention to what my partner needs, I am donating energy to the relationship--and become better for both of us, as well as, growing myself. It's especially important now, for I am very aware we are at a crossroads. We have the wedding, the dog and the house. College and education are completed, we both have good cars. In terms of goals, we've done everything we elected to do. This is natural....

You know, it's hard to be hard on a movie you enjoyed. It really is. So I don't know how quick with the quips I'm going to be this evening, but I do know I need to say something. And, Lord knows, I really did try to find something really bad about this motion picture, I really did. But the mere fact that my mind didn't wander off or I left prior to the credits is a good sign. Again, I'm baised. I did not read all of the Harry Potter books. Fantasy is not my thing. I'm more of a Steve King, Ann Rule and Laura Joh Rowland kinda guy. But when I heard all the conservative groups leap up in arms years back about these books possibly teaching black magic to children, I knew I would have a liking for them. BTW, they don't teach black magic. However, if you do listen carefully, Latin is thrown in. I'm part of that group that believes if a kid is reading, like real words on real pages in a real book...let them. I read the first book and that was it...

The poem today deals with not saying much about the Tao, and letting the message get through. I have to laugh, for I've already made two comments/posts. Have I said too much? The thing I've liked about the Tao, what has drawn me to it, is there is very little anger about it. World religions, on a whole, argue and yell and scream. I've never heard of a Tao flying an aircraft into a building or spilling poison on the train. Taoism was not exported. It was not imported. It just is, and I enjoy that aspect and respect it. There's no elaborate ceremony to accept it, and no pledging of your income. What more can you ask for? So the Tao is translated very little. But the huge concepts are actually very, very basic. What more can I say? Peace once more.

You know, I was hesistant to move to this little hamlet for several reasons. Being too close to parents, I'm not grown up enough and probably the most crucial: There's no entertainment. Oh sure, the multiplex plays the latest Shrek confection or The Ring, part gazillion. But where are the art movies? I read about them in my entertainment rags, but never seen them. I could make the trek to Denver, but that's not always an option. Then came Netflix, and I have to tell you folks, I'm thinking I'm not missing out on anything. Maybe it's the big screen, maybe it's the real butter on the popcorn or even the fuchia mohawked haired college kid next to me, but something has been lost when these tiny flicks reach an even tinier screen. I joined Netflix to see what I was missing. So here is my review of the movie: Camp I'm going to give this movie a 3 out of five stars. I really wanted to like this movie. It has my own personal bias--I performed in a simi...

First, I have to mention, when it comes to my log, I merely just "go with it." I do a spell check when I remember, but other then that, I have to write and get on with. In Stephen King's On Writing he recommends writing first and then finding the meaning. Well, since this is an online journal, I'm writing first. The poem I read this morning dealt with the sudden onslaught of summer storm. It may ruin your plans, but you have no choice but to go with it. BTW, if you are interested, the text I'm taking these poems from is called 365 Tao by Den Ming-Dao. Anyways, the gist of the poem is that nature dictates schedule and we are helpless to it. I tend to agree. Last year, when I was at Walt Disney World during the rainy season, we were enslaved to the downpour. We worked with it, instead electing to by rain ponchos and not let it dampen our spirits, but there is much to be said from this poem. Here's my a-ha moment. I'm also reading a text about Ce...

Every morning I read one Tao poem and then try to relate it to my life, when and if I can. It helps me spiritually and also to connect unlike items into something greater. Sometimes I run on a tangent, sometimes it's very, very focused. As for today, I've not a clue. Insignificance? My fingers are going to fall off if I have to keep typing that word. Tao is difficult to write about. If you define it with the parameters of words, you limit the limitless and are not truly talking about the original Tao. But then how are we to bring it to others? Confusion, confusion. Of should I say, Confucius, Confucius. Today's poem did not get me riled up into an ego-frenzy likes yesterday. Nor was there the 'a-ha!' moment when I found a link. Perhaps it's my Western upbringing, but I cannot see myself as insignificant. I feel we all have a purpose in the tapestry of life. Annoying as it is, yes, that includes the politicians, if even to rally against. I suppose...

I feel, since other people are, hopefully, going to read this, I need to say something, anything important. But it's not like I've seen any movies lately or there's something happening in the world that I feel I have enough acumen to make comment on. One thing I do want to make comment on? Gay marriage. I support it. I cannot, for the life of me, understand why this is an issue. Let's take a look at the arguments, one after another. It's in congruent with the Bible--this very well be true. But there are several faults with this argument. 1. The segments that people quote deal with a code of living (Code of Leviticus, I believe it's called) that also includes the improvishment of women and even mentions burning a cow before those who are non Christians. But, as typical, no one is looking to the entire piece, just the parts to oppress. They could argue back that the reason they are not burning cows is due to their participation in the Atkins diet, b...

Alright, I'm going out of mind right now with the noise. You know, like, when you have an itch inside your ear. YOu can feel it movin' about, but can't do anything about it? That's what it's like around here. There's all this, I don't know, activity going on upstairs and I can't concentrate. I detest the headphones, but they seem to be my only recourse right now. The noise is good...in that it means something is going on upstairs. But my head throbs with the pounding, having no real place to go. I can only imagine what the cat is experiencing. I had set myself three daily goals for this summer. In that way, while I was off on summer vacation, I could grow a little. Mind, Body and SPirit. Mind=reading and writing daily. Body=exercise daily, excluding my daily Penelope excursion. Spirit=daily meditation. I guess, well, I am writing SOMETHING here. Let's just hope that the day gets better, shall we?

What can I say? I'm huddled down here in the basement this morning due to the fact we're having the floors done. You know the drill--sanded and then covered with something that smells like unclean armpits. The ceiling humms and is setting the cat into a frenzy. But then again, she'll get into a frenzy at 4 am when there's silence as well. Gotta love it. The dog, my more literate companion, who warms my feet when I compose anything is away at her grandmother's, sparing her the impending madness this is going to leave us with. I suppose I should say something political or deep right now, but I can't seem to think of much. I'm married to a man, and my most images, that political enough. But we're having our floors done, so where is the political-ness in being boring? We're making a statement by not making one. The humm is getting louder to this end of the house. Maybe it will hum me to sleep like a vacuum cleaner or something to that effect. I had ...