Labels: opinion

Labels: mikeablexray.com

Last time I outlined a new ratings system. Lets see it in action.

V for Vendetta
"Rent"
A mad vigilantly libertarian terrorizes "the man" in the not so distant British future. Pretty good except for the captivity of Natalie Portman. That bit manages to destroy any sympathetic notions we might have for the cause.

Don't Come Knocking
"Rent"
Just ignore the acting (and some of the writing). Instead focus on the beauty and majesty of Butte.

Brick
"Matinee"
A high-school movie sans clumsy teen humor meets a murder mystery; but it's not that mysterious. Bizarre in a delightfully stylish way. The dialog is purposely hard to follow. Try to keep up. There is nothing about the cinematography that demands in theater viewing but the film is original enough to be worth the expense and hassle.

Thank You For Smoking
"Pay Full Price"
The twisted humorization of the world of the tobacco lobbyist. A rare funny film. The main character has a weak arc, but hey its funny. Its got a good message as well. Again, it doesn't demand in theater viewing but Its worth the $7-$10.

Labels: movies, recomendation, review

Us journalists (Jesus, I kill me). Um yes; Us journalists have a dilemma when it comes to rankings for food, books movies, etc. If we've done a good job in the editorial section of our review then a simple rating shouldn't be necessary. The rating is probably more of a distraction. Ratings are an appeal to the lowest common denominator among us who wants content without depth. But, yet... so handy and ubiquitous are ratings that it's natural and expected to use them.

So going forward I will be changing the way I rate movies. Instead of a letter grade (which are great because they are so clear) I'll be switching to something more descriptive, more important, and more relevant to you the reader than just a simple rating of movie quality. Instead I will be making a terse suggestion of what you should do. Example: Saving Private Ryan would go from an A- to "pay full price". This new rating reflects not only the quality but the perceived importance of the film while also taking into account the relative value of watching films in a particular medium.

The ratings I'll be using for now will be following: "Avoid", "Catch on TV", "Rent", "Matinee", "Pay Full Price", and the ever rare "Opening Night". I reserve the right (as I always do) to change these ratings up all willy-nilly.

The clever amongst you have probably already realized a weakness in the new system. Example: Finding Nemo is a good movie that is probably best seen in the theater, and I might well recommend "Matinee" but by now its not in the theaters any more. Well... tough. You'll just have to do the best you can. And plus, sometimes things do go back to the theaters, or sometimes be found at a second run cinema.

Huzzah! I have spoken.

Labels: art, movies, review

I had some California observations and predictions; and since this is my damn blog I'll share them all mixed together to make it hard to tell fact from fiction.

• The water infrastructure needs to be replaced wholesale very soon Californians will be asked to pass what might be the biggest bond measure ever. I predict utter disaster.
• At some point there will be no more money to continually replace HWY 1. Which is the only thing keeping California from being claimed by the ocean.
• Like every other government initiative this immigration reform nonsense will prove to be a poor idea, and it will hit California the hardest.
• Californians still seem to have an unhealthy aversion to driving a car older than 5 years. Be it leased or otherwise.
• Its going to be ass hot for a few months. Better to ride it out in an oasis like Butte MT.
• California will shortly change (not repeal) Prop 13 to allow a higher increases in the property taxes.
• Livermore's schools system will eventually implode under its own managerial incompetence. This while Livermore spent 12 million dollars on a face lift of 1st Street that none of the business owners like.
• Meter Maids: Next time your about to give some poor guy a 20 dollar parking ticket, ask: "What would Jesus do?".
• Urban and suburban Californians have all lost 50K on their homes in the last 6 months and don't know it. So those that bought in the last 6 months and had 100% financing are probably upside-down on it. It's OK just besure that you can make that payment and be ready to live there for 7 years.
• The women still wont give me the time of day.
• A big earthquake is coming and California is denial. Considering what has happened to Houston after Katrina I'd be surprised if somewhere like Phoenix is going to be too hospitable.
• Only the tax revenue from big-time Vegas style gambling can save the bloated government now.
• California: Worst Wal-Marts in the nation.
• Most Californians live like blissful automatons unaware that their liberties have been so horrifically curtailed.
• Californians aren't enjoying the movie star governor thing as much as they used too.
• With all the stations going Spanish Butte MT might now officially have better radio.
• Concord: Trust me, by the time you manage to shut down your airport so you can build some condos on that land your home market will suck so bad you'll ban new building (and have no airport).
• Pacific storms are only getting stronger as the world heats. Good luck with those levees.
• Hey! Turbo Diesels get comparable (if not better) gas-mileage than hybrids. Do the earth and yourself a favor and buy your self a sweet ride. Yah know, like one that someone else might want in 3 years when you want a new one.
• If you can leave; do so. The following states don't have income tax: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington and Wyoming. Two others, New Hampshire and Tennessee, tax only dividend and interest income. Trust me it wont kill you to live elsewhere (but avoid Texas they have weird booze laws).
• The Mexican food is still excellent, and worth the trip.

Wow, more cathardic than I thought. I love you guys.

Labels: California, opinion

I got some comments about the blog on the trip. In fact most people had something to say. I know your all busy and important people like me so here is the executive summary: "I read it a lot", "Were did it go?". "I used to here from you now I don't", "Why don't you give more details about your personal life?", "You should go back to having it password protected and more unedited content", "Its funny", "What ever happened to Hard Hitting Action News?", "I like your movie reviews.". And here is a short set of responses. "Cool", "Its still here I'm just lazy - er I mean busy", "Then pick up the phone", "Because my mom read this", "But who would be in the 'inner circle'?", "Sounds like code for: 'It occasionally makes me snort'", "With the advent of the Onion and the Daily Show HHAN is dead.", "I'll do more". Where you able to match those up? Good for you!

Labels: mikeablexray.com

Howdy all. Just back from my late Spring California trip-o-goodness. For the ones I got to see it was fantastic and for the ones I didn't I'll labor extra to catch you next time. I'd like to re-extend my invitation to all you to come visit me in Montana. This spring/summer would be an excellent time. Events of note:

• June 28th - My birthday.
• June 28th - July 4th - "Fireworks Week", the Independence Day Eve fireworks display and the 4th of July Parade. Yes I did say Independence Day Eve. Independance Day Post from last year. Be sure to check out the fireworks movie.
• July 27th - July 29th - Evel Kievel Week Kievel Week Posts from last year

Labels: Butte, California, Montana

Labels: mikeablexray.com