Movie Review: 2012

I went and saw 2012 last night with Angel, and the movie was exactly what I expected it to be: ridiculous and thrilling with a clear moral message.

2012 was a lot like Mission: Impossible III in its apparently overwhelming need to be a ridiculous action movie.  The special effects which showed the destruction the disruption of Earth's crust would bring were amazing, but, nevertheless, screamed "I am fake!"  But perhaps that's just because it's incredibly difficult to believe anything like that would ever happen, and one scene-the volcano's eruption-was particularly well-done, despite my criticism.

The acting was decent.  I was very happy to see that they decided to cast less well-known actors (at least to me).  John Cusack and Danny Glover are somewhat well-known, but not as iconic as Bruce Willis, Tom Cruise, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sandra Bullock, or Tom Hanks, for example.  I feel the presence of better-known actors can pull attention away from the plot and towards the super-stars, making it a Bruce Willis movie, to pick on him, instead of a movie about whatever.

I thought that a much better end-of-the-world type movie was Children of Men.  Both films commented on the sanctity of life, but I believe Children of Men did so much more convincingly with its gentle but strong suggestion that life is precious; babies need to be protected so the human race can continue, and fertility is inherently important to civilization.  The movie was also less popular; I don't believe it was released to regular theaters, or at least not as long as other films tend to be. (Please correct me if I am mistaken.)  Children of Men encouraged viewers to be emotional to the point of crying, whereas 2012 inspired the occasional "NO!!!" but nothing more.

Here's the link to Children of Men's page on IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0206634/

and the link to 2012: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1190080/

I'm sure Angel has a lot to say about the movie as well, so stay tuned for a diatribe :P

Did anyone else see it who wants to comment on it?

Thank you

I would just like to thank everyone for reading my blog.  Your feedback inspires me to continue writing.  I do wish more people would comment on my posts though!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone!  May your holiday season be bright and full of joy. :)

My mom got me two new pairs of shoes and I felt really guilty about buying new shoes when I've already got shoes.  I did a high school English project on how we need to fix the world and included a comparison picture my friend Nora drew of No Secrets singing "you ask me why I need 32 pairs of shoes...to wear" and a child in Africa crying and saying "You ask me why I need shoes". And now I've got excess pairs of shoes.

So here's hoping Christmas doesn't become a holiday devoted exclusively to presents, but a celebration with family or friends devoted to spending time together and enjoying special traditions.

(And in my case particularly, not sleeping through the day and staying up all night.)

Sunday

A bunch of us went caroling in my hometown last night. Despite a rough start, it worked out really well and we had a wonderful time.  I was so excited to have such a big group.

It's kind of a strange experience to celebrate Christmas traditions for the first time since I've come out of the closet to announce to my family that I'm no longer really a Roman Catholic.  But caroling was still fun, despite all my doubts about the faith.   Angel said it was like we were going trick-or-treating and I agree-it's like Halloween for big kids...going from house to house for a few minutes of interaction with neighbors, (with less selfish intentions, lol.)

Honestly, sometimes I wish it would be less strange to interact with strangers and neighbors frequently.  There are so many interesting people in the world, and I wish people were more willing to share themselves with others. For example, very few people have commented on my blog posts, despite my encouragement.  I'm not in favor of Communism, but would a little more community interaction hurt?  Our lives would be so much more boring if we didn't interact with each other as much as we do, and more interaction would be fun.

Thankfully, Christmas time brings the community closer together.  More of us are doing similar activities at the same time, and the frustration and rush of trying to get everything "just right" makes it a little easier to ask friends and strangers their opinion on Christmas gift ideas, not to mention the whole "Christmas spirit/cheer" thing where everyone tries to be just a little bit nicer.

And it's nice to believe, even if just for a season, that God sent Jesus, his only Beloved Son to Earth to die for us so we could be saved.  It's a beautiful story, and maybe it's true!  And if you just ignore the obviously mistaken belief that Jesus was born on December 25, everything goes down a little bit easier.  So Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, everybody.  It's the most wonderful time of the year.

Oh and the world's going to end 3 years from now.  So get ready people! :P Let's figure out if God exists.

Brand New Show: FlashForward

I just started watching FlashForward this week when I was browsing Hulu for any interesting new shows, bored to death by Plato's Republic and summarizing the process of legislature through Congress-and I certainly found one.

FlashForward is a brand-new drama/thriller tv show with some philosophical edginess on ABC.  The first season just ended, and the show will resume in March.  Of course, it's not for everyone; I have to admit a few of the episodes scared me.  But I like it, and all of this past season's episodes are available free on Hulu, so do yourself a favor and check it out!

Flashforward-on Hulu
FlashForward-on IMDB
FF on the ABC network's website

BONUS!: Jack Davenport, who played Norrington in POTC, is Lloyd Simcoe, a main character in the show.

Added Bonus: It's based on the sci-fi novel Flashforward by Robert J Sawyer, an award-winning Canadian sci-fi writer.  Here's his website.

Did anyone enjoy Dollhouse?  FOX has discontinued it but some episodes are available on Hulu.  Thoughts?

Website of the week!

http://oddlyspecific.com/

Unfortunately, many of these are photoshopped.  Nevertheless, the vast majority of these photos are hilarious.





For more funny signs: http://www.flickr.com/photos/chris_radley/sets/72157622076190561/
http://www.signspotting.com/index.php?do=rate&gender=0&new=7

Should Andre Crawford have received the death penalty?

In a 10-2 verdict, Andre Crawford, serial killer, was sentenced today to life in prison without parole instead of receiving the death penalty, which he is eligible for.  He had to receive a unanimous decision in favor of the death penalty in order to receive that punishment.

The rule in Cook County is that the perpetrator must have killed at least 2 people, unless the perpetrator is a minor. See http://law.findlaw.com/state-laws/capital-punishment/illinois/ for more details.

Andre Crawford was convicted of killing 11 women, 9 of whom he raped, as well as 1 attempted murder in the New City neighborhood on the South Side of Chicago.  And no, they were not white nor wealthy.  They were all African-American women, most alleged to be prostitutes and drug addicts.

He was supposedly sexually abused as a child, but there is no evidence to support that claim.

http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/12/jury-to-decide-if-convicted-murder-gets-death-penalty.html

http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local-beat/andre-crawford-sentencing-79661577.html

http://www.examiner.com/Subject-Andre_Crawford.html

http://www.suntimes.com/news/24-7/1931711,CST-NWS-serial10.article

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-serial-killer-trial.2dec16,0,7179238.story

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-serial-killer-trial.4dec18,0,96753.story

www.katieslaw.org/chicago.dna.study.doc

http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/11/decade-later-trial-begins-for-man-accused-of-killing-11.html

What do you think the just decision is in this circumstance?
Is it worse to be killed or live in prison for the rest of your life?

Video Game/Technology Club Update

Alfredo Rodriguez has been elected as the new president after Angel Guma left the position due to his leaving Dominican University officially next semester.

The club is restructuring itself to become a network of collaborating subcommittees.  It will now be similar to CAB, in that we will have subcommittees separate from each other but all under the jurisdiction of Alfredo Rodriguez.

The committees that will be part of this network include the following but there may be more, pending interest:
Blog/Social Networking
Foosball
Video Game Exchange
Computer Club

But then there's this too. What is our world coming to?

Although I cannot find a mainstream newspaper article on this event or even on homosexuality in public schools, there must be some truth in the following story.  And if there is, why is this not being covered?  Is there some truth in the idea that the media has a liberal twist to it?

Eight German fathers are in prison for refusing to let their children, who are in elementary school, to attend a graphic class on sexual education.
http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=118635


And this is not so different than what is happening in the United States.


http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/55754


The principle argument defending teaching about homosexuality in elementary school is that the younger children are when they learn it, the more likely they will accept it.


However, the method schools achieve respect for homosexuals is important.  And some methods are better than others.  For example, should Tara Miller at Faith Ringgold School of Arts and Science bring up homosexuality in her kindergarten class by distributing pledge cards ?  Again, unfortunately, I was unable to find mainstream article on what happened.


http://www.onenewsnow.com/Education/Default.aspx?id=308780




Should public schools get consent from parents before teaching children about homosexuality?  How much of a role should the government have in the education of a child? Should they have more or less than a parent?  How early should children be taught about sex?  Should it be the school's responsibility to teach children sex ed?  What should happen if the parent doesn't want their child to learn about sex ed?


If you can find any newspaper articles that do not smear either side of the issue or are mainstream newspapers, please give me the link!

Wait...what?

You don't have to be in favor of gay marriage rights.  You don't have to stop saying "this is gay" when you mean "this is stupid".  The gay community would appreciate you do so, but something even more devastating, and something I believe is undeniably wrong, is happening in Africa.  Besides its problems of malnutrition, a poor economy, and seemingly un-ending strife and struggles, coup d'etats and straight-out war, we've got another problem on the table, something that even Westboro Baptist Church members may find disturbing: a true anti-gay movement in the form of a proposed Ugandan law that would make homosexuality punishable by death or life imprisonment (depending most notably upon whether one of the partners has HIV).

WHAT?

Yes I can understand how homosexual behavior is a threat to the traditional family structure.
Yes I can understand how some people think it's "gross".
But I have trouble understanding the justification of killing off homosexuals.

One Ugandan journalist's perspective: http://www.mediacentre.go.ug/details.php?catId=1&item=718
This article is published on the government's website.

Another Ugandan journalist's perspective: http://www.monitor.co.ug/artman/publish/news/Church_leaders_back_govt_on_anti-gay_Bill_95758.shtml
This appears to be a private news group in the area.

Human Rights Watch's take on the issue: http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2009/10/15/uganda-anti-homosexuality-bill-threatens-liberties-and-human-rights-defenders

A copy of the bill: http://wthrockmorton.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/anti-homosexuality-bill-2009.pdf
which was proposed back in October.

Penalties for Offences:
Death penalty if (rape, incest, drugs are involved, etc) one of the people has HIV.
Acts of Homosexuality: Prison for life
Same-sex Marriage: Prison for life
Encouraging homosexuality: 7 years in prison
Promotion of homosexuality: 5-7 years in prison
Knowledge of a related offence without giving authorities notice within 24 hours: up to 3 years in prison

Is this justice? You decide.

Post #3

Crichton's State of Fear: Hollywood, the news media, and global warminghttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UUM9rGMMbA&feature=PlayList&p=B97F011C01BEFB5E&index=4&playnext=4&playnext_from=PL

Global warming might be a hoax.  Just because it's in print doesn't make it true.  Trust but verify. Virtue is its own reward.  Or at least that's what my parents say.

I wish charitable giving were more black and white morally.  I've found that two of the charities I'm fond of (Save Darfur & Heifer International) may not be helping who they say they're helping or may not be helping them in the best way possible.  This is where clairvoyance or supreme dedication to figuring this stuff out would be helpful.

What charities do you donate to?  Do you prefer to donate your time or your money?  What do you do when you see someone who may be homeless but you aren't sure?  How much confidence do you have that you made the right call?

More Down to Earth Happenings

-Snowball fight Friday!
-Language lab has odd hours. closed at 5 tonight and closes at 9 tomorrow?

Post #2 (quite original, I know)

Oops I skipped a day. Sort of. Oh well.
I think the trick to remembering things is leaving a reminder and actually wanting to accomplish the goal and focusing on that urge.  For example, I need to go to bed soon, even though I really don't want to.  I have to focus on why I need to go to bed in order to coerce myself into doing that-I need to go to bed earlier so I can get up earlier.

Anyway, I was watching some Disney movies earlier today: The Black Cauldron, Sleeping Beauty, and the Lion King because I need to write a two page paper on how the elements of good children's theater are used or not used.  I suppose this is why I could never be a film critic; it's too much fun and I would get so easily distracted I would never do anything with the information learned from the movie-I would never write the review.  I'm back on track with my theater professor, however, so that's what counts.

Finals are next week.  Ew.

Oh and the security office...I was in Parmer studying today around 5 and a girl accidentally left her cell phone there, so another girl came and told me she'd take it to the security office and could I please let the girl know that if she came back?  The girl did come back, and I told her what happened.  She then apparently went over to the security office to go get it and then came back to tell me the security office was closed and wondered if I knew the girl personally.  I can't remember exactly-I don't think I was particularly personally involved in the situation-but I may have assumed that the security office would be open at that time.  I think it's a little odd that it wasn't.  Do you?

First Post

I've actually started writing every day...for the past few days.  I hope this works.  I really really hope this works because I hate failure.  I hate letting people down, and I've been conditioned to believe failure is a horrible thing. That's what school teaches you.  That and "do whatever you can to get the job done...get around the system".  Is that really what we want?  That sort of mentality encourages cheating and doing the least work possible.  Are people rewarded for not cheating and actually going above and beyond?  Or are they just looked at as "losers"? Is it time to fight the system-the system of deciding who's the best cheater? Or should we just keep cheating?