Don’s Random Thoughts

I used to like to go to the movies years ago. I must have liked it, I became a projectionist and worked in theaters in my youth. I like the big screen. I like the way they made the movies. My thrill is disappearing. I don’t like most of the new movies, and much of that dislike is for technical reasons.

First, and possibly the worst is movie sound. It has not improved with technology, it has become nonfunctional. The primary failure is volume. It varies far too much. Explosions are quite loud, voices are generally unintelligible because they are too soft or uneven. Current sound engineers don’t seem to have learned their craft.

Special effects. Far too overused. Far too many movies are made only to use them.

The plot. Has there been a new one developed in the past thirty years? Far too many remakes and sequeles.

How can you make a movie without having a script before you start. there is a lot of talk of collaboration in the movie making responding to actor input during filming. That isn’t a benefit it’s a failure. When a movie starts shooting, everything should have been worked out in advance, if not then why start?

Awards. I look at awards as recommendations against viewing a film. How can a film be nominated for an award before it’s released to the public. It’s all just marketing.

Current “actors” don’t seem to know their craft. If they did, there would be fewer out-takes.

I believe in a working Hollywood. Movie factories that produced lots of product were better that the current limited production of “block busters.”

I also hate the sticky floor.

What I like. The big screen. Simple sound, no more than stereo is needed. Being able to hear what people say. Not to much camera movement. A plot. Good character development. A focused picture. Synchronized curtain movement on film beginning and end.

So, I guess I’m banished to foreign and small independent films.

What’s all this talk, now, by Republicans about bipartisanism? They not only never mentioned it during their majority period, they specifically said they had a mandate not to be bipartisan. OK, now the Democrats have the mandate, so use it. Get ready for the ride.

The people want out of Iraq, not to expand our depth in the quagmire. If the Democrats  are to be true leaders and use their mandate they won’t follow Mr Bush further into Iraq. If Bush does his “surge” into Iraq, against the recommendations of his own generals and the Iraq Commission their funds should be cut off and if Mr Bush ignores the legislature, then there are even more grounds for his impeachment.

How much is enough?

The Original pledge:

“I pledge allegiance to my flag and the republic for which it stands, one nation indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

Note the missing “under god” and “of the United States of America” The “under god” was added to the pledge in 1954. In 1955, “In God We Trust” was added to our paper money. And in 1956 the country’s motto was changed from “E Pluribus Unum” (”Out of many, One”) to “In God We Trust.” All this is part of the red scare period which also brought us McCarthy-ism.

Our founding fathers were wise enough to specifically not include similar wording. Loss of freedom was brought about by scare tactics and manipulation. Doesn’t this sound similar to the way over response to the 9/11 incident? It really scares me.

Thanks to Maria Langar’s blog for pointing out this article.

Why are there so many?
First, please pardon the use of stereotypes.
I’ve noticed that inconsiderate people seem to be generally inconsiderate, they don’t seem to have single failures. Here are a few of the traits I think are inconsiderate:

• Walking on the wrong side of the sidewalk. Just like when driving (at least here in the US), people should stay to the right side.
• Crowding into lanes or lines.
• Talking loudly on the cell phone.
• Driving across the lane line in a curve on the road. Almost guaranteed to be done by SUV and pickup drivers. I can make it through in my RV so there’s no technical reason they shouldn’t. I’m listing this as being inconsiderate because they do it as a general driving technique, while usually returning to their side when cars are actually present. It’s inconsiderate because it often requires evasive actions by the oncoming cars seemingly unnoticed by the errant drivers.
• Owners of unleashed dogs. These people tend to own larger dogs, especially pit bull dogs. They cause people to take alternate paths, scare away wildlife, and leave poop everywhere. An owner that lets their dog run off leash rarely picks up after their dog.
• Bicyclists that ride against the flow of traffic and run stop signs. Are they stupid or inconsiderate, or both?
• Litter bugs.
• People who can’t control their children.
• People who drive vehicles with head lights more than 24″ above the roadway. Same for drivers using supplemental lighting like mis-aimed driving or fog lights.
• Telephone solicitors. They should be an exception to the laws against murder. Same for email spammers.
• People who have those obnoxious car stereos that anybody with hearing finds objectionable. The occupants of the cars with the stereos either are deaf or will be. That must be why they use these vibrators.

This is a quick list, more to follow.