Robs takes on Media and Entertainment

 Nihilism is always a popular theme or character trait in literature and movies. In "The Sunset Limited" (2011) nihilism is approximately 50% of the story. In that movie / play, 'White' is arguing that all life is meaningless and that he has no connection to anything worth living for. 'Black' is arguing that God is the reason for life and we are called to reach one another from that love.  The piece that struck me was the last exchange as White is leaving the apartment. White apologizes to Black. But what is he saying sorry for? It seems to me that he is sorry for how badly Black feels about being unable to save White. He feels empathy for Black hurting because Black has accepted his human frailty - and the consequence that White is doomed. As an otherwise perfect nihilist by White - it is this turn that is out of character. If nothing matters and all life is meaningless ... why be empathetic? Why extend a word of kindness & concern? Why try to make this o...

 I would like to label "Jackie Brown" (1997) as one of my 'perfect movies'. I would like to. While I think it is Quentin Tarantino's best work, I find one stand out flaw in the writing + directing (both of which QT is responsible for) that knocks it off that stage. How can a man responsible for such a number of cinematic triumphs mess up the denouement so badly. The opening offense is:    “Look out, Ray! He has a gun!” (-Jackie Brown) Then there is some nonsense about [is he dead], [did you call the police], and [marked bills].  Some tsking and tasking. The scene closes with:    "Ray? Remember when you said you hoped you'd get him before he gets me?" (-Jackie Brown)   "Mm-hmm." (-Ray Nicolette) "Well, you did. Thanks." (-Jackie Brown) {End scene} This last bit is a call back to an ominous comment by Ray as he is suspicious Jackie is holding out and messing with him. For a tense thriller it is like having your buddy next to you in ...

 "They Live" (1988) is a movie I had never seen until last night when I went over to my sister's place. What a gem (my sister and this movie). Roddy Piper does some of his best work - which even for a Canadian is pretty dull. If, while watching it, you imagine that he never heard the director call 'action', then his performance makes total sense. Offsetting this is any scene where Keith David or Peter Jason are in. They are acting their butts of and are enthralling. (Just so you don't get confused - Peter Jason is neither Meatloaf nor Jason Sudekis' father ... You might think he is, but he isn't). The movie itself is a 94 minute indictment on Reagonmics, and gets plenty preachy. It would be under an hour of you cut out the establishing shots of people walking. But - THE REASON this movie needs to be seen - is a fight scene between Roddy and Keith. It goes on for 5+ minutes - you think it is over at least 3 times - it has all the beats of a professional...

 "Bait" (2012) is a great value for your time and money. You get 2 sharks, and at least 3 different movies -  let's see if I can count thems: supermarket shark, parking garage shark, Romeo and Juliet, heist+blackmail+double cross thing ... 4 movies - all for about 94 minutes. There could have been a much better monster+disaster film, but the film makers opted for this nonsense. You get a multitude of accents. And some entirely watchable 3D effects (even though the stream is 2D). I really like these low budget JAWS knock offs. Even one where the characters are all dumber than the Pomeranian that is also in the show.

 I need to add one more to my [perfect movie] list: "Midnight Run" (1988). I don't think I had seen it before until now. It holds up well, it is very quotable, shot and edited really well. You can understand how this guy made "Beverly Hills Cop" four years earlier. I do think the secret of this (and BHC) is character. These characters are really well written and played. Charles Grodin is giving a master class in playing down beat against DeNiro's comedic version of "Taxi Driver". Yaphet Kotto looks like he is going to have an aneurysm - and Dennis Farina is truly a scary Chicago mobster. Added bonus - Danny Elfman soundtrack.

 This week on Johnny Quest, no one wore proper eye protection while operating a high power laser. Based on the devices performance, I expect all following episodes will include the characters being partially blind.

 I thought I needed a little Nipsey Russell, so I watched "The Wiz" (1978). I remember going to the theatre to see this as a kid. It is generally considered a poorly written and directed script (i.e. no one likes the self determination messages). The production is big and fantastic. 33 year old Diana Ross playing 24 year old Dorothy is strange - she is a bit stiff. I don't think I caught the poppy girls being prostitutes when I was a kid. I think LaToya plays an uncredited role in the opening dinner scene. I love that when Mabel King is about to cook Toto, she offers Dorothy a choice of mustard or sauerkraut. No ketchup on the hot dog. Mabel King might be wicked, but she is not a monster. It was some fun.