Thought of the Day: “What I Have Learned”
“If I have seen further than others, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” —Sir Isaac Newton, whose birthday is today (via The Writer’s Almanac).
One Sentence Movie Reviews: “Superman Returns”
Superman Returns (2006): “I didn’t think it was possible to knock all the joy out of watching Superman but here’s the proof.”
Notes: This sucked, a joyless, loud disorganized mess. I didn’t care about Superman or plight of any part of our small planet. The acting is passable, the script about as dynamic as a pile of firewood. The special effects I’ve seen before. Even if I hadn’t, they don’t made up for taking perhaps the most iconic story of the 20th century and rendering it inert and lifeless like a slain dinosaur. I wanted wash out my eyes with lighter fluid after this mess.
Word of the Day: “Panegyric”
Panegyric: (noun) “a lofty oration or writing in praise of a person or thing;”
Example: Please don’t deliver a panegyric on the succulance of my franks and beans cassarole. Eating them and belching is praise enough.
Gleanings: Global Warming, Dazed and Confused and the MGM Lion:
- The London Times reports that experts predict that the North Pole will be open sea, i.e. no ice, i.e. curtains for the polar bears by 2040. Which is the worst news I’ve heard all year (via Buzzfeed).
- The New York Times reports that rape charge have been dropped in the Duke Lacrosse case however charges of kidnapping and sexual abuse remain on the books.
- Radar Magazine asks “Is 2006 the year that antisemitism made a comeback?”
- Jim DeRogatis’s essay on the Criterion Collection edition of Dazed and Confused, one of my favorite ever movies. I have to get this thing
- The Feedburner podcast has featured an episode called “How to avoid Podfading”, i.e. how to keep from losing enthusiasm for your podcast. I so need this as my two podcasts are stalled big time (via Micropersuasion).
- Modern Mask is a new online journal of the arts. My friend George is contributing.
- A pictoral history of the MGM lion via Wikipedia. Quite relevant to my research on my current book.
One Sentence Movie Reviews: “Pumpkin”
Pumpkin (2002): “Actresses who choose black comedies as vanity projects are worth watching”
Update on things:
So I’ll be in Florida until Dec. 29th due to a family health emergency which seems to have resolved itself. Plan on blogging resuming though the holiday season.
That is all.
I’m Not in South Africa:
I’m in Florida with my family. Long story. More soon.
South Africa:
Dear Blog and its reader,
I’m headed to South Africa tomorrow to go on Safari with my parents and brothers. Internet access will be nill out on the brush so expect to hear from me after the 29th when I return home to California.
Happy Holidays.
–Kevin
For the Miracles:
“For the miracles,
For the salvation,
and for the triumphant victories which You performed for our forefathers in those days,
at this time.”
Happy Channukah everyone!
Thought of the Day: “Innocence”
“The knowledge that makes us cherish innocence makes innocence unattainable.” —Irving Howe