Quick Takes on the Winners
So, the Oscars are over and we now know who the elitists think are the best in Cinema for 2008. I didn’t watch them, but here are my notes on the winners:
• Motion Picture: “Slumdog Millionaire.”
Don’t have a clue why this one won. Don’t really have an argument here, except that I don’t think it ever played in a theater within 50 miles. Apparently, it is the fantasy about some Indian boy from the slums winning his country’s version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? My guess is that this is either a really good warming movie, or some kind of slam on Balliwood, since Hollywood and the Academy regularly ignore the growing Indian movie industry.
• Actor: Sean Penn, “Milk.”
This decision was obviously made for to reasons: 1) the Academy had to give this movie an award or it would be deemed “anti-gay.”, and 2) in hopes that Sean Penn will finally stop trying to prove his is a good actor and go away. He hasn’t been good since….ah….well never. Heck, his brother was better in Fast Times at Ridgemont High.
• Actress: Kate Winslet, “The Reader.”
I am a firm believer that the only movies eligable for an award should have to have been available to at least 90 percent of the public. These unknown movies that openned in one or two towns just before the holidays just to get their name in the hat (So they can do a bigger release based on Oscar rush). I really don’t know anything about this movie…never heard of it until they mentioned it last night on the news about the awards.
Remembered and Honored and Deserving
• Supporting Actor: Heath Ledger, “The Dark Knight.”
No surprise here. The performance was stunning. When I first heard he was Joker, I was shocked. Yeah, he was good in A Knight’s Tale, but Joker….Anyway, after seeing him in Dark Knight, I went back and took a look at his other films and was impressed by how he changed himself for each role. You can’t believe that the cowboy in Brokeback, the rock-n-roll knight and the laughing psycho-killer are played by the same person.
• Supporting Actress: Penelope Cruz, “Vicky Cristina Barcelona.”
Huh?
• Director: Danny Boyle, “Slumdog Millionaire.”
See Best Picture
• Foreign Film: “Departures,” Japan.
Don’t know, but since it got the Oscar, I am betting it is weird, boring and has no sword fights, ninja or anime babes.
• Adapted Screenplay: Simon Beaufoy, “Slumdog Millionaire.”
See Best Picture
• Original Screenplay: Dustin Lance Black, “Milk.”
Haven’t seen it. The Screenplay might be good, but Penn is just too horrid to risk watching. I am still traumatized by that Sam I am movie.
• Animated Feature Film: “WALL-E.”
I boycotted this movie because of the abuse of CGI. If they can make animation like Final Fantasy 7, why are they wasting computer power on lame animation like this, Up, Cars and other dullness. I guess I am not in the target age group, but I didn’t like Disney-style crap when I was a kid either.
• Art Direction: “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.”
• Cinematography: “Slumdog Millionaire.”
• Sound Mixing: “Slumdog Millionaire.”
• Sound Editing: “The Dark Knight.”
As much as I liked the movie, I don’t think they should have one because they could fix Bale’s Eastwood/growl voice…and if they did, it must have been even worse than imagined.
• Original Score: “Slumdog Millionaire,” A.R. Rahman.
• Original Song: “Jai Ho” from “Slumdog Millionaire,” A.R. Rahman and Gulzar.
• Costume: “The Duchess.”
I tried to watch this, and the costumes were the only thing of interest. Sorry Keira.
• Documentary Feature: “Man on Wire.”
• Documentary (short subject): “Smile Pinki.”
• Film Editing: “Slumdog Millionaire.”
• Makeup: “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.”
• Animated Short Film: “La Maison en Petits Cubes.”
• Live Action Short Film: “Spielzeugland (Toyland).”
• Visual Effects: “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.”
A lot of the geek crowd are shouting about this one because Iron Man or Dark Knight didn’t get it. But lets face it. Neither the Bat nor the tin man did anything spectacular, but Button had really interesting effects in the trailers alone.
Movies to See – The International
Does the world of high finance excite you? Are you looking for a career in international banking? Does the idea of dealing in bank accounts with balances higher than the GNP of Spain make your heart pitter-patter?
Then maybe “The International” is the movie for you.For the rest of us, “The International” is just as boring as listen to your cousin’s best friend talk about her exciting day as a teller at the corner branch of not-quite national bank.
When it comes down to the bottom line, International’s problem comes down to an accounting error. It has several good positives that somehow don’t add up to a positive balance.
To the good, you have some excellent actors, a good plot and a good action scene. However, these deposits are countered by an excruciatingly slow payout, lack of a romantic interest rate and heavy penalties for boredom.
Louis Salinger (Clive Owen) is an ex Scotland Yard detective who is now working for INTERPOL. He lost his detective job because he became obsessed with bringing down the IBBC, a gigantic banking operation that protects its own interest with assassinations and weapons deals to third world nations. He has teamed up with New York Assistant District Attorney Eleanor Whitman (Naomi Watts) in an investigation to the mysterious deaths that happen to anyone who casts an unfriendly eye toward this financial powerhouse. The IBBC, led by Jonas Skarssen (Ulrich Thomsen) and Wilhelm Wexler (Armin Mueller-Stahl), is currently brokering a deal to become the exclusive dealer of Chinese missiles to Africa and the Middle East. Anyone who gets in the way is dealt with their special consultant (Brian F. O’Byrne).
To be honest, the acting is great. You cannot slight anyone’s performance, particularly of Owen and Mueller-Stahl. We have seen him playing various villainous or Eastern Europeanpoliticians roles for what seems like forever, but I thought his performance really stood out in the film.
In the plus column for directing, the shoot out at the Guggenheim
Museum was spectacular. However, it was the only bit of excitement in the film and was pretty much the climax of the film. Unfortunately, this high point came at about the halfway point between several long and drawn out scenes that made you wish that your credit card was declined when you bought tickets.
I was sure that this movie was based on a book. If it were a novel, the suspense and intrigue might have held up for an interesting read. I was betting that in some weird happenstance, the producers decided to follow the book a little too closely and resisted the urge to “Hollywood it” for the audience.
However, as it turns out, it was written for the screen by Eric
Singer. Of course, we don’t know how much the production changed from the original screenplay, but from what I have seen from this movie, he should give up on writing screenplays and become a novelist.
“The Internationalist” fails as a movie, but if you see the “novelization” out there somewhere, it might be a good read.
(Originally Published at www.MyrtleBeachHerald.com)
Places to Be-Sam’s Corner
Sam's Corner, Myrtle Beach
Hot dogs: Is there a more American food than hot dogs? Sure, some people may argue that its really a German food or that corn or turkey could be considered more American because they are native to the land.
However, you don’t go to the ball game and order corn on the cob. You don’t celebrate the Fourth of July out in the back yard grilling up some turkey breast.
I am sure I have mentioned that hot dogs are my favorite food, and have been since … well longer than I can remember. And yes, I have been told all the dreadful tales of supposed ingredients and health risks. In fact, those culinary horror stories inspired my award-winning piece entitled “No one here gets out alive.” (Reprinted Here at PirateJournalism.com)
However, we are straying from the point, which was that hot dogs were one of the first things I ate as a new resident of Myrtle Beach.
I was meeting with a real estate agent about an apartment shortly after I had loaded up the Buick and made the 700-mile exodus to the promised land of the Grand Strand. I had basically bet everything on this trip, burned my bridges and hoped that I could find a place to live, a job and a life before my tiny bankroll ran out. Well, after signing a lease for a new apartment, I decided it was time for a reward — and lunch.
Lo and behold, right there next to the realtor’s office was Sam’s Corner. Well, okay, it was one of them. They have three locations: Garden City, Myrtle Beach and Pawleys Island. I was at the Myrtle Beach location in the plaza on the 77th North block of Highway 17. It wasn’t on a corner — closer to the center of the plaza — but I was nitpicking.
Sam’s is a narrow place with booths on one side and “old-style diner” bar seating on the other. The walls are alive with vintage style signs advertising chili-cheese fries and “state fair-style Italian sausage hot dogs.” However, this place had me at “World Famous Hot Dogs.”
I grew up as a purist of my hot dogs. Weiner, bun and ketchup — that was all that you needed or should have on a hot dog. Of course, over the years, I have matured and come to enjoy the variety of things you can put on your dog, except for maybe onions. In addition, I usually don’t go for chilidogs, but Sam’s proved to be the exception.
Their basic foot long comes with chili, mustard and onions (I get them with no-onions), and dawg-gone-it, if these aren’t the best chilidogs I have ever had.
Moreover, Sam’s is not just a one-trick pony. Their Ocean Burger — served on a pita with cheddar and American cheese and ranch dressing — is good, too. In addition, while it is not my thing, I have a buddy who raves about the El Paso sandwich — grilled pimento cheese, bacon, jalapeños and tomato on wheat.
I have also enjoyed hearty, hot breakfasts there. In addition, if you need a little pick-me-up or nightcap, they offer draft beers and a selection of cocktails and frozen drinks.
While Sam’s Corner may not be one of those big flashy touristy places to be, I am here to tell you that those chili dogs are well worth the trip.
(Originally published in the Myrtle Beach Herald.)
No One Here Gets Out Alive – Winner of the 2003 First Place Award of Op-Ed Writing by the W.Va. Press Association
There is some major news uncovered by researchers in the health industry that is drawing fire from other researchers across the world.
According to scientific studies, the leading cause of death is not cancer, heart disease, guns, drunk drivers or being mauled by hyenas. After rigorously studying decades of statistics and studies by the EPA, CDC, WHO, Johnson & Johnson and numerous other health agencies and medical research groups, researchers on the cutting edge of scientific fact have determined a single link between every disease and fatality on the planet.
The leading cause of death is living.
Yes, that is right. According to this groundbreaking study, everyone who has ever died on the planet earth was living at some point in time. In fact, the researchers have gone as far as to predict that every living thing on the planet is going to die. However, they do allow a +/- 4 percent margin of error for the occasional divine being, members of the Rolling Stones and Dick Clark.
Boy, I am glad I discovered this “study.”
Recently, I read about another recent study where it has been “determined” that hot dogs, and other processed meats, increase your chances of becoming a diabetic. So great, I said to myself. Not only am I staring down the preverbal double-barreled shotgun of a genetic disposition to diabetes, but now, my favorite food is helping pull the trigger.
Nevertheless, I am not too concerned about this study. Just like the study in the early 90s that said eggs were bad for you was refuted by a later study, I am sure this one will be refuted as well. However, I am concerned about the effect this will have on the not-so-Zen-at-heart. You know the ones I mean. The people who freak out at every little study and are now trying to live on a steady diet of grass, cultured yogurt (non-dairy, of course) and soy-substitutes. They still drink water, but are very concerned because H2O has been found to be the leading cause of drowning.
However, despite their precautions, they are still dying. Moreover, they are not having much fun while doing it because everything fun has been determined to be harmful to your health, hence illegal.
The simple point of the matter is that we are all going to die. There is no getting around it. Whether it is from cancer, diabetes, a drunk driver, or being fatally licked to death by an over-affectionate ferret, there is no last minute pardons on the electric chair of life. We all get fried in the end.
In addition, to tell the truth, some times-abet rarely, but sometimes-death is a preferred option. I had to watch my grandfather-a proud, wonderful man-suffer with an inoperable tumor for months. I had to try to consul him as he begged to die.
Maybe if I were a stronger person, I would have helped him, but that is neither here nor there.
When he past away, I was happy for him. I knew that he went on to a better place where there was no pain. But did he have to suffer for so long to get there? That is a question for the euthanasia lobbyists to argue, but I know where my vote lies on that issue.
However, this column is not about dying. It is about living, and living life to the fullest.
Jim Morrison said, “No one here gets out alive.”
Death said, “You got what everyone gets, you got a lifetime.”
That is the truest definition for time that I had read. Minutes, seconds, hours and days are all relevant. Anyone who has been on the wrong side of the bathroom door knows this. Scientists have proven it. The seconds and minutes that we use to measure time mean very little to the actual universe or even in our lives. How many times have you lost yourself in a movie or book, spending years of your life as you walked down the road with the characters, only to come back a “couple hours” later when the cover was closed or the credits started to roll?
Have you ever lost yourself in a kiss that lasted forever and only a few seconds?
Have you ever waited for your parents to wake up on Christmas morning?
Have you ever seen the seconds stretch into eternity as your car slides along the icy highway and starts to spin?
It is not how long you live. It is how you live.
If you worry about everything; take every health precaution recommended, don’t do anything risky and manage to avoid bad luck, twists of fate, angry gods, and the stupidity of other people (perhaps by living in a bubble locked in a vault buried under NORAD), then perhaps you will the longest number of days.
However, was it a good way to spend a lifetime?
I know how I will cast my vote; I think I’ll eat some hot dogs.
(Originally published in the Weirton Daily Times when I was city editor)
Myrtle Beach Government Hell Bent Against Biker Rallies.
I am sure that all of you fans and supporters of the Myrtle Beach Bike Rallies are keeping a firm eye on the fascist going-ons over at the Myrtle Beach City Council.
Over the last couple of months, Mayor Jim Rhodes has been spearheading an assault against the May Harley Davidson rally and the Atlantic Beach Memorial Day Bike Week. Starting with increasing the city’s property tax to help pay for efforts to drive off millions of dollars of tourism the rallies bring in over the month, the council has continued their efforts with a series of gestopo-esque ordinances specifically aimed at infringing on the rights and freedoms of motorcycle riders and any business that might do business with them.
For instance, despite the fact that South Carolina’s laws allow adult riders (over 21) to ride without a helmet if they choose, the city council intends to make helmets and eye protection mandatory in the city. Riding without protection will be considered an “administrative infraction.”
What is an administrative infraction? Good question, and not many know, but the city will also set up a special administrative infraction board to deal with these “offenses.” Sounds an awful lot like those secret courts that Homeland Security and the FBI got caught using for illegal wiretaps and putting people in Guantonimo.
The council also has proposed ordinances to ban parking trailers on public streets, public lots and “some private lots.” In addition, they plan to have the parking meters running during the rallies and restrict parking to one bike per space.
Furthermore, the council intends to further restrict the sales of alcohol within the city limits, cutting the hours of sale, as well as baring the consumption and possession in parking lots.
In addition to the plan to refuse to sell vendor permits during the rally weeks, the council has put forth ordinances to declare “unpermitted events and rallies” a public nuisance and enforce these restrictions within the city limits and beyond-kind of like how Germany want to enforces its ordinances throughout Europe. In that vein, they are also requiring every visitor staying in a hotel room to provide identification.
Can you say, “Papers, please!”?
The city will also require convenience stores to provide increased security during the rally times. What this means exactly-armed guards? Video cameras? Search dogs?-is rather vague, but it will mean a bigger whole in everyone’s wallet.
Finally, when challenged by residents and business owners on a unilateral assault on freedom, capitalism, and the American way-one that would produce proud tears of joy from Adolph, Lenin, and Mao–Rhodes responded, “If you don’t like it, get out.”
Obviously, the statement of a man with the best interest of his city and people in mind-More taxes. More laws (which will require more tax money to enforce). More bureaucracy. Less business. Less Jobs. Less Freedom.
And this was “America’s” favorite beach…
(Originally published in Myrtle Beach Alternatives NewsMagazine
A Return to the Good Ole Days
Back when I was little, we could come down to Myrtle Beach singing a little parody of a commercial jingle.
“Baseball, Hot Dogs, Apple Pie and Myrtle Beach.” I can’t remember much more, but basically playing on Chevrolets’ patriotic jingle praising the things that were part of the American ideals we grew up with.
However, it would seem that “American” and “Myrtle Beach” don’t go to well together, particular with the rash of bigoted, fascist activities going on over at the Myrtle Beach City Building.
Over the last couple of months, Mayor Jim Rhodes has been spearheading an assault against tourism, bikers, and the May Bike Rallies that bring millions of dollars into the Grand Strand coffers that wouldn’t be there if it wasn’t for freedom-loving Americans and their two-wheeling ways.
First, they started by increasing the city’s property tax to help pay for efforts to drive off millions of dollars of business for hotels, shops and restaurants. Then the council has continued the assault with a series of laws specifically aimed at infringing on the rights and freedoms of motorcycle riders and any businesses that do business with them.
It would seem that the Myrtle Beach Council has an eye toward turning back the clock to the “good ole days” where bigotry, stereotyping and picking on the longhaired weirdo freaks was the order of the day.
Let’s face it. These new anti-biker ordinances have one thing at their heart-Bigotry. Whether because “Hell’s Angels” was a scary movie, Eric Von Zipper was a bad guy in the “Beach Blanket Bingo” movies, or because motorcycles don’t leave enough room on the road for their SUVs, the entire effort to kill off the bike rallies really boils down to bigotry.
The only thing making these laws different from the laws that enforced “Whites Only” water fountains, dining rooms and toilets is that the new laws have politically correct language.
And if you think I am going to wimp out and say that racism has nothing to do with this, you are wrong. We all know that racial bigotry has a lot to do with what is going on in Myrtle Beach. However, just like I have said, the “good ole boys” have just got some fancier lawyer speak to keep them out of trouble.
Of course, racial discrimination isn’t enough for these new “good ole boys.” They miss the days of Joe McCarthy, too. Therefore, they are going to go after any business, within or without of their jurisdiction, that might support what they feel is un-Myrtle Beach. Just like Joe going after the people in Hollywood, Broadway, or anywhere else that didn’t agree with his version of America, the Myrtle Beach Council plans to go after anyone, anywhere that supports the bike rallies.
Calling these laws McCarthy-esque, however, is being nice. They are less like fascist fanatical anti-communists and more like something National Socialist from Europe would think up.
They have proposed laws that state their intention to go after any business-inside or outside of Myrtle Beach City Limits-that they have deemed a nuisance.
Sound kind of like how Hitler wanted to spread their view of Jews beyond Germany’s boarder back in the 40s. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the baby blue and white tanks laying siege to Little River, North Myrtle Beach and Murrells Inlet any day now.
Of course, if any Bikers still want to come to Myrtle Beach, they must properly identify themselves. Kind of like a yellow star on the lapel, Bikers within city limits, will be forced to where helmets, despite the prevailing South Carolina laws.
Riding without protection will be considered an “administrative infraction.”
What is an administrative infraction? Good question, and not many know, but the city will also set up a special administrative infraction board to deal with these “offenses.” Sounds like the same legal process as lynching or internment camps.
Private property and businesses also mean little to this new regime. The council has proposed ordinances to ban in “some private lots.” Furthermore, the council intends to further restrict the sales of alcohol within the city limits, cutting the hours of sale as well as barring the consumption and possession in (private?) parking lots.
The city will also require convenience stores to provide increased security during the rally times. What this means exactly-armed guards? Video cameras? Search dogs? -Is rather vague, but it will mean a bigger hole in everyone’s wallet.
Finally, when challenged by residents and business owners on a unilateral assault on freedom, capitalism, and the American way-one that would produce proud tears of joy from Nazis, Klansmen, and other intolerant dictators throughout history–Rhodes responded, “If you don’t like it, get out.”
Yeah, no bigotry or hate in that statement. These are obviously the words of a man who “supports all tourism” (2005). Indeed, the statement of a man with the best interest of his city and people in mind-More taxes; more laws (which will require more tax money to enforce); More bureaucracy (which will require more taxes and more laws to regulate); Less business; Less Jobs; Less Freedom.
And this was “America’s” favorite beach…
Defiantly American,
From the American Part of the Grand Strand.
(Originally Published in Alternatives NewsMagazine)
Places to Be: Original Mr. Fish
We interrupt your regularly scheduled Places to Be to bring you this special issue.
I know that in the last issue I told you about my plans to present you with some tourist oriented places that you might want to check out before the summer crowds arrive. However, two things happened over the last week: First, I had a terrible cold that put me out of the mood for visiting tourist spots, and second, I enjoyed a spectacular lunch from The Original Mr. Fish.
Fish is a trick food for me. I love it, but my desire to order it rarely comes up. I don’t know what it is exactly, but sometimes I will see a restaurant that specializes in fish and, blam, that is what I want. That is how I came across Mr. Fish.
I was heading toward the office after a morning meeting and I came across The Original Mr. Fish, located at 3401 N. Kings Highway. Right then, I knew it was lunchtime.
Mr. Fish is an intimate place. It is brightly colored and a friendly environment. There were maybe a half-dozen tables for seating, with a few tables outside on the sidewalk. It was lunchtime and the place was full. I was happy that I was getting take out and didn’t have to wait for a seat.
On the other hand, I was kind of jealous of the people eating in. While I waited, I watched some truly excellent customer service going on in the midst of the crazy lunchtime rush. The waiter was on the ball, and Ted Hammerman, the owner, seemed to make time to stop and talk to everyone.
It seems that Ted really knows his fish. Apparently, Ted is a well-respected consultant to the international fishing industry and has an impressive resume. He also offers catering in addition to the restaurant, consulting, seafood supply, bait and … well, just about every service you can think of that involves fish.
I ordered a fish sandwich and she-crab soup from the menu, which I almost regretted. The specials board listed a lot of tasty sounding meals, including seafood lasagna.
However, I had made my choice, and would have to live with it.
When I got to the office and finally got to dig into my meal, I had no regrets.
The sandwich had a perfectly cooked piece of fish.
There was a generous side of fries, and more importantly, a very generous supply of tartar sauce.
The she crab soup was something different. To be honest, I wasn’t impressed with my first taste of it, but with every spoonful, it got better and better. By the time I reached the bottom of the bowl, I found myself wanting more.
The Original Mr. Fish is a great place to be for lunch, but I suggest you plan ahead. It gets crowded, and even with the great customer service, it may take awhile. If you can, call ahead for take out orders (843.839.FISH), Mr. Fish is well worth the extra effort.
(Originally Published in the Myrtle Beach Herald)
Movies to See: He’s Just Not That Into You
Ah, February. Time for some lame romantic comedies and other doldrums offerings from the movie industry. Or so we have come to expect.
However, this year’s lead romantic comedy manages to be good, if not quite original.
“He’s Just Not That Into You” has a blunt, if slightly awkward, title, that really only describes one of the several storylines in this look at relationships in the 21st century.
Okay, I admit my soft spot for romantic comedies and these “relationship” films. It reminds of movies like “St. Elmo’s Fire” and similar films I grew up with. This movie follows the same basic plots but with just enough innovation took keep it interesting.
The title plot goes to Gig (Ginnifer Goodwin), a young girl who can’t seem to figure out why guys don’t caller her back. Then she meets Alex (Justin Long), who gives her frank advice on the man’s point of view on dating.
The other plots involve a couple (Jennifer Aniston and Ben Affleck) that has been together for seven happy years until the idea of marriage comes between them; a young realtor (Kevin Connolly) who is in love with a yoga instructor (Scarlett Johansson) who toys with his affections, but is really interested in Ben (Bradley Cooper), who is married to his college sweetheart (Jennifer Connelly). Throw in to the mix is Drew Barrymore, executive producer, who plays one of the girls who has a lot of angst over the multi-media world of dating in the new millennium.
It is all been done before, plot-wise, and on the surface, you wouldn’t expect to be impressed. I know I didn’t, but this turned out to be surprisingly good. You really get involved in the characters’ lives and hope everything works out. Of course, nothing surprising happens. Nevertheless, even that doesn’t damper the feel well, date movie vibe you get watching it.
About the only surprise acting-wise is with Affleck. After a long string of bringing down movies with some placid performances that put off moviegoers, Affleck actually comes across as likable in this film. Maybe it is because of the minimal screen time or the fact that he was paired with Aniston, who just makes any scene better, but you’re almost surprised that it is Affleck in the role.
I would recommend this movie as a great date movie with Valentines Day coming, however I will warn you. If you are in one of these situations, you might just have to face facts and put your relationship to the test.
(Originally Published by the Myrtle Beach Herald)
Check out Writerspub.com
I have been playing around with this new site called www.writerspub.com and it looks like a great place to compare notes with other writers. You can earn points by reviewing other writers and then spend points to post your own stories for review. I have a couple short stories up. Come to my page, check them out and review them!
PR Success! Paintball press release generates lead story!
So, I did a little PR work for an upcoming event at my local painball field — www.abpaintball.com — and the SKYNET scenerio event we had last weekend, and my PR effort led to a lead story on the Local
Bluestar Press Release works magic.
section of the Sun News, with an expanded story on the web site.
Go me! While it may not seem like much, it is my first public relations victory!
Check it out here! http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/news/local/story/776279.html
About
“Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and start slitting throats.”
– H.L. Mencken
Direct Email: Christopher@PirateJournalism.com
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