(no subject)

This is what comes of catching up with my communities: A link-filled post.

This had me grinning all day when I heard about. Grinning during the commute when it was on the radio. Grinning at work when I read about it online. Grinning now. I don't know why it makes me this happy, it's just nifty. "SpaceShipOne, GovernmentZero"

************

I'm suprised that there wasn't more ranting about this on my friends list. You guys are usually a pretty privacy conscious. More and more I think of the Lazarus Long (aka Robert Heinlein) quote "When a place gets crowded enough to require ID's, social collapse is not far away. It is time to go elsewhere. The best thing about space travel is that it made it possible to go elsewhere." Conveniently tied to the story above, no? Just, you know...in time and all.

Another good one..."If you are part of a society that votes, than do so. There may be no candidates and no measures you want to vote for .. but there are certain to be ones you want to vote against. In case of doubt, vote against. By this rule, you will rarely go wrong." Oh just go read them all.

************

On a much less serious note, I just can't see any of these guys as Superman. But then, I'm biased. I absolutely adored the Superman movies when I was growing up and it just seems a betrayal to want anybody but Christopher Reeve.

(no subject)

Saw Harry Potter last night. I haven't seen a more entertaining movie in awhile. Unfortunately, I haven't seen a more irritating one either. Plot holes you could drive a truck through. So many important details that they left out. I think anybody who hasn't read the books would be left feeling very confused. I mean there were silly plot points that they kind of alluded to for the book fans (like the knight Sir whats-his-name from the paintings making an over the shoulder cameo) but so, so many that are actually (imho) pretty damned important.

( On the off chance you haven't read the book and don't want plot points given away )

There's more than what I listed but those are what are at the top of the list. When I left I was pretty balanced between entertained and annoyed, but the more I think about it the more annoyed I get. I realize the books are getting longer and so it's hard to fit it all in one movie. As such, that last plot point was probably an acceptable casualty since it doesn't really advance the story. But I'm worried about the next two movies which are based off of even longer books. What's going to be cut out of those and how vital will it be to the story?

The new director was pretty good, though he was overly fond of some "artistic" shots that didn't really serve any prupose (other than using up film time that could have gone towards some of the above-listed plot points).

The kids are getting better as actors, but they're also getting older which means the viewer is less forgiving of them not being truly good actors. The whole house of cards caves a bit about half way through when Harry has to get all emotional about his parents. Kind of reminded me of Affleck in "Jersey Girl" and his "Acting's hard!" tantrum.

(no subject)

Oh. Good. God. THis just keeps getting better and better.

"Subway and commuter rail riders will be discouraged from bringing briefcases or backpacks on board during the week of the Democratic National Convention..."

Yeah, cause the word "commuter" in no way connotes people going to work and/or school and thus, you know, needing a briefcase or backpack. Is it August yet, cause this is just getting stupid?