Author: photog

16MAR2024 – And Now for a Message from Our Sponsor

photog Book Reviews, Current Events, Literature, Movie Reviews, Music Reviews, OCF, Reviews, TV Reviews , , ,

Saturday dawns sunny and brisk.  Very refreshing.  So much so that I resent sitting here to write.  But yesterday was a clamorous and dreary day of work.  So as Bob Cratchit observed, “I am behind my time.”  So here I am and I will take the time to provide cogent analysis on whatever it is that demands comment.  But “demands” is a stretch here.  I refuse to write further on Trump’s many legal battles.  When and if they reach a critical juncture, meaning, when they actually drag him off to the gulag, then I shall say my piece.

As for the latest political polls; yes, yes, we all know Trump’s winning.  Even a Democrat shill like Nate Silver is openly admitting that Biden is losing significant minority voters along with other important components of the Democrat coalition like the young and women.  But that’s all been said.  Sure, I’ll mention it in passing if it seems especially pointed.  But we are months and months away from even the conventions and by then, Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny may be the Democrat candidate.  So, no, let’s put that aside for now.

I’ve already spoken about cannibal migrants this week.  Check.

Camera Girl has complained about the ruinous price of food including the corned beef for her birthday celebration this weekend.  Check.

Russians killing Ukrainians and Ukrainians killing Russians.  Check.  Check.

So, what, what, what?

Well, truth be told, I don’t feel like talking about any of that crap right now.  It’s been said and we can take a break from saying the same things again.

If you notice I’ve been putting up some stuff from movies and books.  I find this stuff makes me feel better.  And I’m looking for more of it.  This kind of stuff makes the day better and reinforces the things I think are good and healthy to think about.  And I openly encourage anyone who has anything that they want to share with the rest of the readers to link it and I’ll put it up.  Even Weird Al Yankovic (within reason of course).

Inevitably because I’m old and because a lot of what’s new stinks, the things I’ll point to will be old.  And the amount of high definition will be limited.  I hope my younger readers will forgive this.  But honestly watching some black and white footage won’t hurt any of them too badly.

I was thinking the other day that Shakespear died more than four hundred years ago and yet his English is still ninety percent understandable by even average readers.  Newness isn’t really a very good selection criterion for entertainment or really much of anything outside of technology.  Humans are still humans.  What needs to be done is to attempt to reintroduce the younger audience with their cultural heritage.  Whether it’s Shakespeare or the Marx Brothers, the human condition is pretty constant.  Iron Man and Odysseus are similar characters with similar problems.  Thor is just Achilles with CGI added in.

So, I apologize in advance if I stop banging away quite as often on how the end of Western Civilization is approaching and instead put-up examples of why we should care if Western Civilization is saved.  I’ll try to strike the right balance of outrage and fond remembrance so that your experience here is stimulating.

On with the show.

Guest Contributor – Bigus Macus – 16MAR2024 – A Modern Classic

photog Bigus Macus, Guest Contributors, Humor, Music Reviews , , ,

“Weird Al” Yankovic – Another one rides the bus [HD, 60FPS REMASTERED] – YouTube

Ridin’ in the bus down the boulevard
And the place was pretty packed, yeah
Couldn’t find a seat so I had to stand
With the perverts in the back

It was smellin’ like a locker room
There was junk all over the floor
We’re already packed in like sardines
But we’re stoppin’ to pick up more, look out

Another one rides the bus, another one rides the bus
Another comes on and another comes on
Another one rides the bus
Hey, he’s gonna sit by you, another one rides the bus

Friends, Romans, Countrymen; Lend Me Your Ears

photog Literature, Movie Reviews, Reviews , , , , ,

Mark Antony’s eulogy of Julius Caesar.  Everyone has heard the first few words.  They’re in my title.  But have you ever watched a dramatization?  Many years ago I saw a small production in the Berkshires.  And in its bare bones presentation; no fancy costumes or sets, it was well done.  But I do not remember Antony’s speech impressing me.

Here are three versions.  Two are Hollywood spectacles.  One with Marlon Brando and one with Charlton Heston.  The third is a solo recitation.  See if you can guess which one I favor.  And I’ll give those who care to watch them a chance to provide their own judgement on which is best.  Lend me your ears.

 

 

Which Version of Mark Antony's Speech is Best?

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Import – Export

photog Current Events , , ,

I open up Word and stare at the white space and wonder, “What the hell can I write at midnight?” But there is always something to say (or write, or whatever I do) and I might as well find out what is lurking in my subconscious. The news is all over the place

Today there was a shooting on the NYC subway. Someone was shot in the head. Now this is just days after the wholly useless Governess of New York State Kathy Hochul sent the National Guard into the subway to stop the homeless from assaulting and murdering the straphangers. So, my first thought was, did a National Guardsman shoot a perp? I thought, “Nah. They probably weren’t given bullets.” Then I thought, “Maybe one of the gangbangers shot a Guardsman!” Now that seemed much more likely.
But honestly when all is said and done it was probably just gangs shooting at each other. So, all’s right with the world. Or, mission accomplished or whatever. After all, Haiti has just lowered the bar for everyone in the Western Hemisphere. If your gangsters aren’t butchering, roasting and eating their rivals then all you’re dealing with are “first world problems.” And in fact, just to show Haiti that the challenge has been accepted, Mayor Adams of New York proudly claimed that New York City is considered the Port au Prince of America. Now that’s remarkable. Port au Prince has always been a paragon of dysfunction. Back in Hait’s glory days in the 1970s there were two thriving industries that went on in Port au Prince. They had a brisk export business in medical cadavers and human blood.
Now considering that Haiti had a real problem with AIDS I’m guessing the blood business went bust. I’m guessing the cadavers were also impacted by the AIDS problem. After all, how many future doctors wanting to be dipping their hands in AIDS virus? So that’s probably why things have gone awry down in the New York City of the Caribbean. But now that powerful anti-viral drugs are all the rage, I think it’s time for all this discriminatory behavior by Americans to end and restore the trade lifeline that Haiti needs so badly.
That’s right. Haiti can now offer a new product line. Instead of medical cadavers they can provide a better option for all of those dearly departed that are cluttering up the streets of Port au Prince. Haitian Strongman Jimmy Chérizier, can bring his culinary skills to the fore and share his barbecue recipes with the right businessmen and begin exporting a whole line of smoked and cured Haitians to the US.
I mean can’t you just see it? Of course, everything will be most tastefully and delicately handled. Nothing recognizably human will be seen. No heads or hands or feet. Just meat on the bone or fillet. Why, what a perfect way for Americans to support Haiti in its hour of need. And some entrepreneurial Haitians could even emigrate up to New York and open up some barbecue joints in Manhattan. And if supply of prime Haitian runs low, I’m sure the subway shooters could provide some Northern barbecue meat in the meantime.
I always joked about cannibalism breaking out in America. I guess I was just slightly ahead of my time.
There. There’s my post.