The new X2 teaser is available for download…this doesn’t have to be very good to be better than the last Patrick Stewart film I saw…Still, I wonder why it is that as soon as you take away Ian McKellen’s putty nose he gets to be as hammy as Stanley Tucci or Phillip Seymour Hoffman.
Month: December 2002
Been real, been fun…
Good news on the Gore front – apparently friends of the former Vice-President are beginning to lay the groundwork for a January bow-out.
A Lott of Trouble.
With some lexis-nexis searches establishing a dubious pattern in Trent Lott’s rhetoric, even Dubya’s piling on now. For his part, Lott’s decided to try the contrition route to see if he can save his seniority. I’d say at this point it’s probably better for the Dems to have him around, just as an ever-present reminder of exactly who the GOP likes to cater to.
Tricksy Lights!
I’m usually all one for spoilers, but do NOT watch this last thirty-second trailer for Two Towers, and especially do NOT go look at the frame-by-frame analysis here. I counted at least eight money shots from near the end of the film that I wish I’d experienced for the first time Tuesday. You have been warned.
Insurrection.
I’m looking forward to Gods and Generals in spite of this lame new trailer, which not only suffers from a lousy tagline but also covers all the “Southern heritage” bases, from Robert E. Lee exalting Virginia to a glimpse of the battle flag in action. (Trent Lott would be proud.) Well, if nothing else, I’m sure the new Bob Dylan song will be good.
Pride of New Hampshire.
Hmm…maybe John Kerry has a better chance in 2004 than I first thought. For one, Dem leaders are starting to publicly beg Gore to stay out of the election. And you know Kerry’s got the Gore crowd worried when Marty Peretz’s Gore Republic starts trying to undercut Kerry’s strengths, such as Vietnam service and foreign policy credentials. More importantly, in a recent New Hampshire poll, Gore is only beating Kerry by three points, 31 to 28. Obviously, being from nearby Massachusetts helps, but if Kerry can pull a McCain-like bounce out of the NH primary without having to spend too much money… Update: In a related story, Joe Lieberman is also starting to make his move.
Seven Days to Go.
The veiling shadow that glowers in the East takes shape. One week until The Two Towers, and the rave reviews keep on coming. Check out this one, from an ostensibly non-fanboy site. “Whether you liked Fellowship or not, it does not matter. The Two Towers is one of the greatest cinematic achievements of all time, and it should not be missed…I cannot give high enough praise to this film. It is the year’s best film, and a milestone in cinema history.” Phew. I’ll be happy if it’s as good as Fellowship, which is no small task, particularly considering how TTT is probably my least favorite of the books. At any rate, here’s sixteen minutes of footage and a Tolkien-themed crossword puzzle for the rest of you out there who can’t wait.
The Good Old Days.
After a flurry of Internet criticism, GOP Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott is forced to apologize for his paean to segregation at Strom Thurmond’s birthday party, a paean which echoed his prior support for such racialist organizations as the Council of Conservative Citizens. So, were Lott’s remarks really a “poor choice of words” or a brief glimpse of something more sinister in the Majority Leader’s character? You be the judge.
Family Affair.
My apologies for the lack of updates in the past few days. I spent the weekend visiting home for a family reunion (Happy 80th once again, Grandma), and have since been trying to make up all the work I should have done during my sojourn. But I’m back now, and, aside from two papers, exam grading, and a slew of movies I’m looking forward to (Adaptation, Gangs, Nemesis, and, well, you know) I should be around.
Timberrrrr.
According to Slate writer Douglas Gantenbein, Dubya’s recent forest bill isn’t only bad for the environment – it’s lousy business, even for the timber industry.