Big Hollywood » Blog Archive » Open Thread Tuesday

Growltiger - August 4th, 2009 at 12:18 pm

This was an excellent film, well-written, beautifully acted, but such a downer that it took me days to shed the black mood inflicted by the film.

DrPain63 - August 4th, 2009 at 12:24 pm

Many today are afflicted with the incurable disease of "Subacute Obamaitis". Let us hope we find a cure…Think of the children!

Grofe - August 4th, 2009 at 12:29 pm

One of the most under rated films ever. Though, this may hit too close to home for anybody that was raised by an alcoholic parent. Growltiger hits the nail on the head.

Willow_DeWisp - August 4th, 2009 at 12:43 pm

Good morning, fellow thinkers! In my continuing quest to wrap my brain around the working of the liberal mind, I have another point of discussion in the "Why Do Lefties Do That?" department. As we all know, libs love victims. Their compassion for these folks is endless. (They tell us that all the time, right?) However, I can't help but notice one class of victim that doesn't get their affection and love. That would be crime victims. Then suddenly, mysteriously, that compassion and empathy dry up, because they are far too busy having compassion for the criminal instead. (The one exception being if something called a "hate crime" takes place. But I'm talking about plain old, run-of-the-mill, non-PC crime, like burglary, car-jacking, mugging, etc.) So my discussion question of the day is two-fold: a) Why all this love and compassion for criminals and b) Why does this compassion for people who break the law negate their well-touted love for victims? Thoughts?

Miko - August 4th, 2009 at 12:56 pm

I watched it all the way through once. I agree with Growltiger's snapshot review. But the dark theme caused me to quit watching several times before finishing. If I happen upon it channel surfing, I can't change the channel fast enough.

James Coburn and Nick Nolte nailed it on this film.

USArtguy - August 4th, 2009 at 1:13 pm

I'll take a "stab" at it, heh, heh. Usually, in the minds of liberals anyway, criminals steal from people better off than they are, therefore the victim "deserved" it. The poor criminal is just trying to improve his lot in life. He must be someone the system let down. He's usually not well educated or comes from a broken home and somewhere along the lines he's fallen through the cracks of all our social programs, so society is to blame for his sorry state of affairs. This way liberals can salve their conscious by asking themselves what if they were in their (the criminal's) shoes and then try to identify with them. Liberals presume it's rarely the criminal's own fault for being the way he is, an excuse they also conveniently use for their own actions… "not my responsibility, not my fault". Social programs, i.e. government, failed them because their wasn't a program specifically for them… so their answer is more programs (government). This, of course doesn't help anything, but they feel better about it.

Hank_Scorpio - August 4th, 2009 at 1:57 pm

C'mon!! When Michael Caine was whacking Steve Martin in the shins trying to get him to yell in pain???

I was LMAO at that!

Willow_DeWisp - August 4th, 2009 at 2:00 pm

Agreed. Irony seems to elude them entirely. Not only are they angry and hate-filled while claiming to be tolerant and loving, they call us the angry, hate-filled ones. I think Freud's projection theory comes into play here. They hate, so they say we hate. They're angry, so they say we're angry. They see everything in terms of race, so they say that's what we do. Isn't it interesting that thoughtful disagreement coming from someone on the right is termed hate, while hate coming from someone on the left is called thoughtful disagreement?

Jimmy Arone - August 4th, 2009 at 2:08 pm

Thomas Sowell:

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/printpage/?url=h...

Cuneo - August 4th, 2009 at 2:14 pm

I'm looking at the headlines at the top of the home page, and they're all about liberals feigning outrage over the Barry O'Joker poster and The Original American Immigrants being offended by Jessica Simspson. Sheesh.

BuckwheatPicard - August 4th, 2009 at 2:23 pm

Ever notice how the people who listen to NPR really want you to know it?
they like to drop it in a conversation at every opportunity

BuckwheatPicard - August 4th, 2009 at 2:24 pm

I line by the credo: You can't offend me unless I choose to let you

BuckwheatPicard - August 4th, 2009 at 2:24 pm

I live by the credo: You can't offend me unless I choose to let you

EdSki - August 4th, 2009 at 2:39 pm

Society made them do it, they are not responsible for their actions. Watch some old All In The Family episodes. Meathead is a stunning example of this train of thought.

wonder_all - August 4th, 2009 at 2:43 pm

Excellent points. Honestly, I can't remember the last time the shiny, happy people were tolerant or loving. Must be ten years ago at least…

wonder_all - August 4th, 2009 at 2:45 pm

Hmm. I don't know, but it sure sounds like Orwellian Doublethink to me. Up is down, good is bad, criminals are victims…

EdSki - August 4th, 2009 at 2:51 pm

My own opinion is simpler, they never grew really grew up. The cliques, the childish insults, the beliefs in fairy tales. Arrested development.

EdSki - August 4th, 2009 at 2:56 pm

I don't. I'm kind of embarrassed to be honest. But never fear, Rush will be on in an hour, and the world will be right again. I need three hours of Rush to flush NPR out of my brain.

jackinmaine - August 4th, 2009 at 3:17 pm

Did anyone see the article about the beaded likeness of the great messiah being created by 1000 4th grade school children across the nation to celebrate Barry's birthday??

That's creepy and smacks of something that the lowly proletariats do for the head comrade.

If that creation was something done during a regular school day when learning should have been the top priority and my kid was involved, I'd be screaming at the school board. Am I off base here?

BuckwheatPicard - August 4th, 2009 at 3:23 pm

It is funny to me that so many lefties claim rightwingers of being Rushbots, but I witnessed a woman change her opinion on two topics because someone told her some NPR person believed that way. This was over the course of 3 minutes.

ThinkRight - August 4th, 2009 at 3:30 pm

Hussein Obama' s biggest cheerleader has falled off the wagon__LOL__Barack Obama vs. Drudge Report__The White House on Tuesday posted a three-minute video punching back at an old clip of President Barack Obama that was featured on the Drudge Report with the headline “Uncovered Video: Obama Explains How His Health Care Plan W http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0809/25779.h... 'Eliminate' Private Insurance.”__/Hahaha__

ThinkRight - August 4th, 2009 at 3:33 pm

Unread Lips
Trustworthiness: The media savaged President George H.W. Bush for breaking his tax pledge. Will President Obama instead get a pass for breaking trust on middle-class taxes and medical care?
http://www.ibdeditorial.com/IBDArticles.aspx?id=3...
/"O" will get a pass

EdSki - August 4th, 2009 at 3:36 pm

NPR didn't use to be this bad. They've always had a leftward bent, but in my opinion, they used it against both democrats and republicans. And they used to be a real news organization. I remember they were the only out fit that regularly reported on the Balkan wars during the 1990's, when the rest of the MSM ignored it.

And what have they devolved into? This morning I'm hearing about health insurance companies "attacking" the government. Not a peep about the leaked democratic house memo, instructing democrats to "attack" health insurance companies.

Also they're so happy I'm betting they pee'd a little over that dismal waste of money and resources "cash for clunkers." The thought of a government program that people aren't up in arms over is too much for them. I'm guessing the whole case of Morning Edition is heading out to the tofu bar after work, so they can all expand their karma, and grow their consciousness.

Jake_Was_Here - August 4th, 2009 at 3:42 pm

To give R.E.M. a little credit, they were being sarcastic when they wrote that song. They stopped performing it live when they realized too many of their fans didn't get the joke.

EdSki - August 4th, 2009 at 3:42 pm

No you're not. You're right on the mark. That's the exact reason my daughter never set foot in a public school classroom. It's not about education, it's about indoctrination.

Let me give you an example: A few years ago I tutored my niece in 10th grade trigonometry. First thing I did was sketch out the trig functions so I could refer to it, you know, simple sine, cosine and tangent graphs. She had no idea what I was doing. They actually try to teach trig these days with out even explaining what the graphs are. Once I explained, I could see the light bulb go off, and all was better.

That's like trying to teach some one to drive a car, by having them draw pictures of bunny rabbits.

wonder_all - August 4th, 2009 at 5:29 pm

The whole spoiled brat scenario. I'll buy that.

wonder_all - August 4th, 2009 at 5:30 pm

Once again, the whole not getting the irony in a situation…lol

L.B. "Oscar" Mayer - August 4th, 2009 at 5:32 pm

NPR – where everyone speaks quietly as you doze off.

L.B. "Oscar" Mayer - August 4th, 2009 at 5:45 pm

OTOH – The John and Ken Show on KFI is the antithesis of any NPR program, yet when John was on NPR for an interview he said even he spoke quietly. Must ne in the studio paint or aomething.

Speaking of John and Ken, they did a remote broadcast this past Saturday promoting prostate awareness for men in which John (Kobylt) had previously volunteered to have his prostate checked live on the air. They told him it would be a "digital" exam and he assumed it involved some type of computer and scanning device. Hahahahahaha….not until he got there, did he realize the 'joke'. Hahahaha…and worse, the medical van that was supposed to be there didnt show up, so they wound up doing the exam on a big cloth on the floor in a men's room that they commandeered. Good radio.

Now – preaching here – this is a painless, potentially life saving procedure for you where you don't have to do jackshit except lay there while the doctor puts his latex-gloved index finger up you butt hole for maybe 15 seconds and checks to see that your prostate gland is in the condition it should be in.

Dudes – dont freak out – it aint nothing and dont be embarrassed. That Doc had seen one million a-holes and madkes some nice money doing it and it can SAVE YOUR LIFE. There's no 'gay angle' to this, either. I doubt even gay guys get any thrill from it. The Doc has the worst deal. He's got to look at your ass. Hahaha, so just DO IT! The whole thing is over in less than 30 seconds as you are on the examining table or even just bent over leaning against something.

S0 – DEATH vs a finger up your butt for 30 seconds or less? YOU CHOOSE!

republibot3 - August 4th, 2009 at 5:55 pm

Though they were an undeniably liberal band, Oingo Boingo had a number of surprisingly right wing songs that never ceased to get them pilloried by the lockstep liberals in the Kalifornia Uber Alles set. Here's one of my favorite examples of this:

There's nothing wrong with Capitalism
There's nothing wrong with free enterprise
Don't try to make me feel guilty
I'm so tired of hearing you cry
There's nothing wrong with making some profit
If you ask me I'll say it's just fine
There's nothing wrong with wanting to live nice
I'm so tired of hearing you whine
About the revolution
Bringin' down the rich
When was the last time you dug a ditch, baby!

—Capitalism by Oingo Boingo (1981)
Full lyrics here http://www.musicsonglyrics.com/O/oingoboingolyric...
and later on in the same song, they nail it home:

Aggie_Sith - August 4th, 2009 at 6:35 pm

Just heard about this on Limbaugh:

http://www.redstate.com/jeff_emanuel/2009/08/04/c...

–"There is a lot of disinformation about health insurance reform out there, spanning from control of personal finances to end of life care. These rumors often travel just below the surface via chain emails or through casual conversation. Since we can’t keep track of all of them here at the White House, we’re asking for your help. If you get an email or see something on the web about health insurance reform that seems fishy, send it to flag@whitehouse.gov"–

White House website. So now the administration is encouraging neighbors to spy unto neighbors….

EdSki - August 4th, 2009 at 6:47 pm

Holy crap! I can't believe what Rush broadcast. Over at Redstate.com, they found a most interesting blurb on the white house web site:

http://www.redstate.com/jeff_emanuel/2009/08/04/c...

"There is a lot of disinformation about health insurance reform out there, spanning from control of personal finances to end of life care. These rumors often travel just below the surface via chain emails or through casual conversation. Since we can’t keep track of all of them here at the White House, we’re asking for your help. If you get an email or see something on the web about health insurance reform that seems fishy, send it to flag@whitehouse.gov."

In a sign of good will, I decided to cut out the middle man, and just let the white house know directly exactly what I thought of socialized medicine.

Jimmy Arone - August 4th, 2009 at 6:48 pm

In need of a good laugh? Here ya go…

Obama Solves More Conflicts:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0umKaGxkkE

DontTreadOnMe - August 4th, 2009 at 6:56 pm

My simplistic answer would be "criminals love other criminals".

DontTreadOnMe - August 4th, 2009 at 7:05 pm

If a kid of mine spent even 5 minutes out of art class doing an Obama birthday project, the teachers AND the administrators would be hearing from me. They weren't doing that for Bush or Clinton!

I got stuck in the auto shop waiting room with the TV on the "Wendy Williams show". She had to mention to her studio audience that it was Obama's birthday today, and they all broke out in wild cheering and applause, as if they were winning a car or something. So many morons….

republibot3 - August 4th, 2009 at 7:37 pm

That was surprisingly funny. A lot of these kinds of things aren't really all that funny, but a progressively drunker president spilling beers on everyone and singing dinosaur rock and ripping his shirt off and profusely apologizing to his wife for no reason, that was just golden. It's a shame Gerald Ford didn't live to see this.

CapnAhab - August 4th, 2009 at 7:40 pm

I'm sure this is a temporary measure, until they can get the funding for the Brownshirts sorted.

ReaderRedux - August 4th, 2009 at 8:27 pm

That is classic!

BuckwheatPicard - August 4th, 2009 at 1:30 pm

the fact that you can articulate that point of view so well is peverse.
well done though

In the 80's Oingo Boingo had a song called "Only a Lad" about a bad kid, who stole things and didn't like school and ended up stealing a car and killing an old man who "had to go and die":
Only a lad
You really cant blame him
Only a lad
Society made him
Only a lad
Hes our responsibility
Only a lad
He really couldnt help it
Only a lad
He didnt want to do it
Only a lad
Hes underprivileged and abused
Perhaps a little bit confused

Its not his fault that he cant behave
Society made him go astray
Perhaps if were nice hell go away

the song is full of excuses for the boy, but the "narrator" sees through this kid and hopes he gets what he deserves. http://www.boingo.org/lyrics/OnlyLad.html

EPorvaznik - August 4th, 2009 at 8:33 pm

It's no Obama as the Joker, but still some pointed fun with socialism…

http://www.eyeblast.tv/public/video.aspx?v=GduzkU...

ScottDS - August 4th, 2009 at 1:37 pm

Man, I miss James Coburn. One of the Flint movies was on the other day. Was the organization he worked for really called Z.O.W.I.E.? I have a friend from film school who can do impressions but he can only do one line for James Coburn, from Payback: "That's just mean, man!"

I recently watched Dirty Rotten Scoundrels with Steve Martin and Michael Caine. I honestly didn't like it as much as I wanted to. It was okay but I guess I was expecting a laugh riot which I didn't get. Oh well. I did enjoy seeing Ian McDiarmid ("Emperor Palpatine" from Star Wars) as Caine's butler.

wonder_all - August 4th, 2009 at 1:48 pm

Random Thought While Listening to "Shiny Happy People" on the Radio:

Why are the people who consider themselves love-niks (aka Liberals) the least shiny, happy people on the planet? They write lyrics like:

Shiny happy people laughing
Meet me in the crowd
People people
Throw your love around
Love me love me
Take it into town
Happy happy
Put it in the ground
Where the flowers grow
Gold and silver shine

Shiny happy people holding hands
Shiny happy people laughing

Yet seem to hate and want to destroy everyone who doesn't have their world view? They actually seem more vicious than shiny and happy. I honestly don't get it.

ScottDS - August 4th, 2009 at 2:03 pm

I guess I should've been clearer. I did smile at some stuff (including the scene you just mentioned) but on the whole, it didn't do it for me. Don't get me wrong, I love Steve Martin (I recommend his book from a couple years ago, Born Standing Up) and who doesn't enjoy Michael Caine?

Now that I think of it, one thing I loved in the film was whenever Caine would simply show up whenever Steve Martin thought he had the upper hand. When Glenne Headly tells Steve Martin, "I love you" and we hear from off-screen, "Yes, we all love you" and the camera pans right to find Caine sitting in the chair behind the door, I liked that (and Steve Martin's subsequent reactions).

L.B. "Oscar" Mayer - August 4th, 2009 at 9:19 pm

NEWHART!
WILDER!

Check out THURSDAY'S GAME with Bob Newhart and Gene Wilder about two married men who decide to keep hanging out together when their weekly poker game breaks up. Funny as hell! Some TV movie from the 70s. Good luck finding it.

EdSki - August 4th, 2009 at 9:50 pm

That video was hysterical. Unlike the humorless left, you don't need to insult, ridicule, and ostracize politicians to make fun of them.

All you have to do is be funny. And that was funny.

One of the best things I like about BH is the comedian posters who discuss the craft of comedy. I almost gave a shot at the business 25 years ago while in college. Not tooting my own horn, but my best friend and myself were actually invited to parties specifically to do out "act."

But after seeing what the "business" had done to so many others, I passed. Not because we weren't funny, but because the business seems to take a heavy toll on its participants. I decided I couldn't I wouldn't survive the life style.

But again, I love reading established comedians discuss the craft. It truly is an art form. And these guys absolutely nailed it.

Jimmy Arone - August 4th, 2009 at 10:24 pm

Looks like Bill Clinton delivers…Laura Ling and Euna Lee to be released from Hell Hole.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/08/04/nkore...

Don't like the apology but we all know it's the BS required to get these women home.

GospelJohn - August 4th, 2009 at 10:30 pm

Okay…. I'm feeling a bit defeated I suppose.

So I bring up this whole Thundercrack business in another forum: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,535608,00.htm...

And of course instead of rationally discussing the merits of government funding for arts and what problems that can lead into… the immediate reaction is to tear down the source: Fox News.

Nevermind that the story actually has pretty decent context (you have to READ it to get it… but what do you expect from a written article).

Got pretty much the same reaction when I posted the Crowder piece on Obamacare.

So I'm starting to ask myself… what's the point?? What's the point of being a conservative?

Point out some facts… you've obviously shaping a story… your faking something. Post something from Big Hollywood… it's just right wing blather. Let's not discuss issues or facts or philosophy. It's from Fox or Cato or anything right wing, it must be lie.

Now I'm not stupid, I know the right shapes the stories too but I don't subscribe that journalists can be completely devoid of a perspective. But I'm getting into minutia that only a thinking person would really care about.

So I ask this question… what's the point of being a conservative? Wouldn't it be more fun to be on the bandwagon, praising a messiah, hating Bush and mocking Sarah Palin? I mean everybody's doing it… why not? Palin's an easy target and government checks seem to cash okay (for now).

I am 27, single, and I run my own struggling video business… Conservatism hasn't made me richer, happier, or found me a girlfriend. Maybe it's time to turn to the dark side?