Lobo’s Rants

Happy Fourth of July to one and all. In-between BBQ’s, movies, picnics, mattress sales and general relaxation it is a good day to think about our Bill of Rights.

The Bill of Rights is the name we gave to the first ten amendments of the United States Constitution. If we look at these Rights today, and think about how this thuggish administration has polluted, and mangled many of them it is shameful, makes me pissed and wish the election were tomorrow.

Here are your Rights - think about them today, okay? How many more of them are you willing to give up without a fight?

The Bill of Rights protects freedom of speech, press and religion. It gives us the right to bear arms (much discussion on this one lately) and the freedom to assemble (we got that right returned in NYC and once again have the right to assemble in Central Park).

It prohibits the unreasonable search and seizure (that one needs more debate of late with all of the ‘random’ searching of our person), it is supposed to stop cruel and unusual punishment (don’t even get me started on this abused right) and also gives us the protection of self-incrimination.

It prohibits the Congress from establishing a State religion (how’s that one going these days?) It also prohibits the Federal Government from depriving anyone of life, liberty and due process (ha!)

In Federal criminal cases you are given the Right of an indictment by Grand Jury for any capital or ‘infamous crime’. It also guarantees a speedy public trial with an impartial jury composed of members of the State or District where the crime has taken place. It also prohibits double jeopardy (also a great old movie).

Enjoy some fireworks here:

Movie Review: WALL-E

Alternate Title: Hello Wally!

Story: Will a post-apocalyptic film geared towards children be appreciated by adults? Without q’wall’ification, yes. It seems to me that adults might even enjoy the film more than kids. The film is charming, sweet, innovative, filled with humor, throws in a love story and even has a message that doesn’t clobber you over the head.

It was artfully and lovingly directed by Andrew Stanton (Finding Nemo) and written by Stanton and Jim Reardon. It is based on a story by Mr. Stanton and Pete Docter.

It is 700 years in the future and because of our shameful care taking of Earth humans have been driven off the planet to a space station far, far away. Earth is now in the care of Waste Allocation Load Lifters: Earth Class (WALL-E). The goal was to have humans return to Earth when the planet was cleaned up and capable of supporting life again. Probes (Extra Terrestrial Vegetation Evaluators: EVE) are launched from the space station to periodically see if plant life has returned to Earth.

How WALL-E meets EVE, how they communicate and how they save humankind, is the meat of the story. For me, however, the joy was in the small things that made me smile, chuckle and at times guffaw. There is a moment solely dedicated to Mac users that cracked me up.

It is not one of those films that you will feel silly going into without a kid on your arm. Take a friend or two. I was with two of the sappiest people I know and we all enjoyed it.

Check out the trailer:

Acting: The wonderful voices and sounds of Ben Burtt (Wall-E/M-O), Elissa Knight (Eve), Jeff Garlin (Captain), Fred Willard (Shelby Forthright/BnL C.E.O.), Macintalk (Auto), John Ratzenberger (John), Kathy Najimy (Mary) and Sigourney Weaver (Ship’s Computer).

Predilection: None

Critters: Does a Pixar cockroach count?

Food: Food comes in liquid form now on the space station.

Sex Spectrum: No sex - just some very sweet hand holding

Soundtrack: Delightful

Visual Art: If you like Pixar stuff you will like this

Theater Audience: A small group of people, mostly adults. This film is playing everywhere, all of the time.

Weather: On the space station it is 72 and sunny all of the time. Earth is not as pleasant.

Sappy Factor: 2

Quirky Meter: 0

Squirm Scale: If you think about the conservation message it will make you squirm.

Drift Factor: It could have been a little shorter.

Predictability Level: High

Tissue Usage: I did not use a tissue but one of my sappy friends got all teary on me.

Oscar Worthy: I am sure this will get some nods.

Big Screen or Rental: Either would be fine.

Length: One hour and 40 minutes.

LOBO HOWLS: 8

Movie Review: Wanted

Alternate Title: Frat Boy

Story: Woefully inadequate, always apologetic, anxiety ridden, office drone Wesley, has his life suddenly and violently changed when he is spotted, attacked and seemingly saved from a wild man’s bullet while buying anti-anxiety medication. The action is non-stop for the balance of the film as Wesley, goes from mild mannered, self hating nerd to martial arts expert and first rate assassin.

He was hand-picked to follow in his recently murdered father’s foot steps. His father was a member of a thousand year old group, called The Fraternity, with super human skills, who assassinate people to balance the world’s fate (don’t get all troubled over the plot). You could say this is a like father, like son film that is pure entertainment. Russian director Timur Bekmambetov has kept the story line trim and the action heavy. It was written by Michael Brandt, Derek Haas and Chris Morgan and is based on a story by Brandt and Haas and the comic books by Mark Millar and J. G. Jones.

This is a summer film that is loaded with action, special effects, good looking people and a some very funny lines. I am still laughing at the last line. Take a break from your woes, beat the heat and see this one.

Check out the trailer-

Acting: James McAvoy (Wesley) is right on the money as the nerd turned assassin.Morgan Freeman turns in his usual fine performance. Angelina Jolie is stunning to watch and she seemed to be having a fine time in this film. Terence Stamp is always good, even when in a cameo role.

Predilection: I like most action summer schlock.

Critters: A pretty white kitty and zillions of rats.

Food: Steak, asparagus, take out containers.

Sex Spectrum: There are two brief counter top sex scenes - not at all sexy.

Blatant Product Placement: Honey Nut Cheerios, Ikea and Red Bull

Soundtrack: Loud, appropriate and sometimes funny music by Danny Elfman

Opening Titles: None - all credits are at the end.

Visual Art: It was visually pleasing in a graphic novel kind of way.

Theater Audience: Crowded for a mid-afternoon performance on a Wednesday.

Weather: The weather was good for assassins.

Sappy Factor: 0

Quirky Meter: 0

Squirm Scale: I squirm during knife fights.

Drift Factor: There is too much non-stop action to drift.

Predictability Level: High but there were a few surprises.

Tissue Usage: 0

Oscar Worthy: Perhaps some of the special effects will get a technical nod from the Academy.

Big Screen or Rental: Oh - big screen for sure. James McAvoy is the flavor of the month. He is also a good actor and has an impressive resume. Check out two of his films for rental: Last King of Scotland and Atonement.

Length: Under two hours.

LOBO HOWLS: 7.5

Movie Review: All in this Tea

Alternate Title: The Perfect Blend

Story: A man and his passion for tea is the subject of this focused documentary by Les Blank and Gina Leibrecht. Who cares, you might ask? After seeing the film, you will definitely think differently about that next cup of tea.

Californian David Lee Hoffman’s love of tea has taken him to the most remote parts of China countless times. His avocation of tea turned into a business as he spread the word about the beauty, health benefits and joys in drinking tea. His boundless energy (perhaps it is the caffeine in tea) drives him to fight the maze of bureaucracy in China’s Government run industry. You will find yourself rooting for this very determined man.

Check out the trailer-

Acting: Not applicable in a documentary

Predilection: I like documentaries

Food: Lots of yummy looking Chinese food and of course, tea.

Sex Spectrum: None

Blatant Product Placement: Not applicable, it is documentary.

Soundtrack: Appropriately Chinese.

Visual Art: The beauty of the tiered landscape where tea is grown is magnificent.

Theater Audience: Five other teas drinkers.

Sappy Factor: 0

Quirky Meter: 1

Squirm Scale: 0

Drift Factor: It was too short to drift at all.

Oscar Worthy: No

Big Screen or Rental: Rental would be fine.

Length: 75 minutes

LOBO HOWLS: 7

The thug in the White House continues his charade as Commander in Chief, even though he gives the term ‘lame duck,’ a bad name. His latest bullshit announcement concerns the new GI Bill. The passage of the GI Bill was accomplished because other issues were attached to the legislation. That, of course, is nothing new in Washington. For highlights of the new Bill read this article.

Watch and listen as Keith Olbermann speaks with Senator Jim Webb on this issue:

- Keith was on a roll last night as he also gave one of his Special Comments. This one was dedicated to Barack Obama and his decision to vote in support of the FISA Bill. Obama says he is satisfied with changes made to the original bill, including a provision that will give a secret court, not the White House, the final say on spying procedures. Stay tuned.

- Raise your hand if you are tired of the term ’swift boating’ or Willie Hortoning’? Can’t each election cycle come up with new crap to slander, smear and otherwise confuse the real issues. You would think that there was nothing to discuss this year with these issues coming back to the surface.

- McSame has nothing new to say. His position on the environment and oil is one big joke - if it were funny.

- If anyone you know is even considering voting for John McCain you might want to remind them about the Bush years and that they would be guaranteed four more of the same incompetence, thuggery and even more loss of our Civil Rights. Read Alternet’s Ten Most Awesomely Bad Moments of the Bush Presidency. I honestly do not know how they narrowed it to ten.

- In the always leave ‘em with something else to think about mode:

Movie Review: Trumbo

Alternate Title: Irritably Yours

Story: The national disgrace called the House Un-American Activities Committee (1938-1975) has been fodder for many books, films and TV shows. The actions of the Committee ruined countless lives.  Director Peter Askin has taken an unusual cinematic approach in bringing the documentary about accused screenwriter Dalton Trumbo (Exodus and Spartacus) to the big screen. It is based on the play by Trumbo’s son, Christopher Trumbo (who also was the screenwriter for the film).

For those not familiar with the witch hunt of the period, Congress was seeking out Communists everywhere, but devoted special attention to the ‘Reds’ that they claimed were pervasive in the Hollywood community.

Through the voices and images of 10 actors, we listen to some of Trumbo’s writing before, during and after his battle and incarceration for being in contempt of Congress. He was one of the few who refused to “name, names” in front of the Committee and used the First Amendment, rather than the Fifth Amendment as his defense. His case went all the way to the Supreme Court where it was denied.

Askin uses wonderful file footage, including video of Trumbo being interviewed, to advance the story. There are ideas throughout this film that resonate all too closely to our Government’s intrusion into our lives today. If you like films that make you think (and cringe at times) check out this fine film.

The Hollywood Ten included Alvah Bessie, screenwriter, Herbert Biberman, screenwriter and director, Lester Cole, screenwriter, Edward Dmytryk, director, Ring Lardner Jr., screenwriter, John Howard Lawson, screenwriter, Albert Maltz, screenwriter, Samuel Ornitz, screenwriter, Adrian Scott, producer and screenwriter, and Dalton Trumbo, screenwriter. For more information (and there is plenty) check out this site.
Check out the trailer.

Acting: These actors read from Trumbo’s letters: Joan Allen, Brian Dennehy, Michael Douglas, Paul Giamatti, Nathan Lane, Josh Lucas, Liam Neeson, David Strathairn, Donald Sutherland. The interviewees were: Emanuel Azenberg, Walter Bernstein, Larry Ceplair, Kirk Douglas, Peter Hanson, Dustin Hoffman, Lew Irwin, Kate Lardner, Helen Manfull, Victor Navasky, Jean Rouverol, Christopher Trumbo, Mitzi Trumbo

Predilection: I like documentaries and am particularly fascinated with that period in time.

Critters: Trumbo and his family had lots of pets including dogs, cats a parrot and a cockatiel.

Sex Spectrum: There is an hysterical Trumbo letter to his college age son, spoken and acted brilliantly by Nathan Lane, that is all about the glories of masturbation.

Opening Titles: Montage of old screenplays.

Theater Audience: About 25 cinephiles and us.

Weather: Lovely

Sappy Factor: There is nothing sappy about a witch hunt.

Quirky Meter: 0

Squirm Scale: Those HUAC hearings are very squirmy.

Drift Factor: Some of the letters were a bit long. It needed more editing.

Tissue Usage: 0

Oscar Worthy: no

Big Screen or Rental: Rental would be fine. If you want a themed festival check out The Front and Guilty By Suspicion.

Length: 100 minutes

LOBO HOWLS: 7

The Not So Supreme Court ended their term with a bang, not a whimper. As the nine black robed jurists head for their three month summer vacation, we, the people, are left in their Titanic like wake of destruction.

Here are some of the decisions that pissed me off.

- The Exxon gift wrapped package: In a 5 to 3 ruling, the Court overturned a $2 billion punitive damage penalty and reduced it to $500 million. Keep in mind that the oil spill of 1989 was the biggest spill in history and that Exxon’s profits last year exceded $40 billion dollars. A head scratcher you say?

Note: The Black Robed Nine have had to recuse themselves from several cases where a conflict of interest might be noted. The Justices are allowed to hold stocks in their portfolios so since the courts has been hearing more corporate cases than ever, they have had to step aside and at times there are not enough judges to actually rule on a decision. How about making these robed people sell their stocks and go into less obvious conflict of interest holdings?

- Bang, bang, you’re dead: I do not waffle about this issue. With over 30,000 Americans killed by hand guns each year, I think ‘we’ have lost the right to ‘bear arms’. However, this ever leaning right wing Court has decided that the strict laws in the DC area were unconstitutional. Let the mayhem begin. Other suits by gun rights advocates have already been brought against major cities. Stay tuned.

- Campaign Finance Reform is dead as a door nail: The Supremes have decided that millionaires should not be penalized for trying to buy an election. In a 5 to 4 decision, the decided that the Millionaires Amendment violates the First Amendment of the Constitution. “Different candidates have different strengths. Some are wealthy; others have wealthy supporters who are willing to make large contributions. Some are celebrities; some have the benefit of a well-known family name. Leveling electoral opportunities means making and implementing judgments about which candidates should be permitted to contribute to the outcome of an election. The Constitution, however, confers upon voters, not Congress, the power to choose the Members of the House of Representatives, and it is dangerous business for Congress to use the election laws to influence the voters’ choices.”

- The controversial issue of the death penalty is back in the headlines: The Court decided that the rape of a child does not warrant the death penalty. I am against the death penalty, period. Life in prison, without parole, is my choice for heinous crimes. So - in this case, I am with the judges. So shoot me!

- One of my favorite Court decisions was the massive blow to the Thug Administration regarding the detainees at Gitmo. My most liked talking head on the Keith Olbermann show is Jonathan Turley, the Constitutional Lawyer expert. Read what his has to say about that decision.

- Another thing that gets me crazy is when the Repugnants discuss ‘activist judges.’ We all know that they are referring to the dying breed of Liberal Judges but in actuality, the most ‘activist’ decisions being made today are from the Conservative guys on the right, in the black robes. For instance. Check out the leader of the pack, Antonin Scalia, in an interview with the Telegraph in London. He blames Al Gore for the 2000 debacle. He believes Al Gore should have simply conceded and not brought in the Courts during the 2000 nightmare.

- Other Notable Decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court, 2007-2008 Term

- Supreme Court Restores Control to Federal Judges: Court votes, 7-2, to give federal district judges the authority to impose sentences at their discretion even if the sentences conflict with federal sentencing guidelines.

- Supreme Court Says 401(k) Participants Can Sue: Justices unanimously vote to allow 401(k) retirement participants to sue under a pension protection law to recover their losses, which will affect 50 million workers with $2.7 trillion of retirement investments.

- Supreme Court Sustains Lethal Injection Case in Kentucky: Judges ruled 7-2, that Kentucky’s method of execution by lethal injection is constitutional. Dozens of executions were delayed awaiting the decision.

- Supreme Court Favor Voter ID Law: In a 6-3 ruling, Judges ruled to uphold Indiana’s voter identification law, declaring that the requirement of having a photo ID does not encumber the right to vote.

- Supreme Court Upholds Child Pornography Law:  Judges ruled 7-2, that a 2003 child pornography law is not unconstitutionally vague, after the United States Court of Appeals asserted that the law is too broad and violates the First Amendment.

- Supreme Court Supports Older Workers: The Supreme Court votes, 7-1, that lay-offs hurt older workers more than others and that employers must prove that an employees termination is not based on age, but on other “reasonable factors.”

WCS’s Bronx Zoo opened its new Madagascar exhibit last week. The opening was greeted with much deserved fanfare and praise. It was too tempting for me to wait, so I hopped on up to the Bronx last Monday and was captivated by the sensational sounds and sights I witnessed. Enjoy my photo montage of the new exhibit and a second montage of some of the other fabulous faces I saw in other parts of the Zoo on the same day.

- In the always leave ‘em smiling mode, watch my video of some playful bonobos at the San Diego Zoo.

Movie Review: Edge of Heaven

Alternate Title: Lost and Found

Story: I loved this film. It had everything a cinephile like me looks for in a movie. The story was engrossing with overlapping story lines.The film is character driven and emotionally packed. The writing and acting were first rate and I cared about each character, regardless of their errors in judgment. This award winning film was written and directed by Fatih Akin and is in German, Turkish and English with English subtitles.

The story is divided into three parts with separate chapter headings. We are told which character will die before two of the chapters. This knowledge takes nothing away from the poignancy of the film. The audience, actually, knows more about the connectives in the story than the characters themselves. How the characters meet, influence one another, overlap, intersect and discover themselves is fascinating to watch.

The movie is about connections, coincidence, rediscovery, passion, mothers and daughters and fathers and sons. This film has everything. It was a totally satisfying cinematic experience.

The trailer gives you a tiny hint of some of the beautiful faces you will see in this glorious film:

FYI: I learned more about the nature of Turkey’s entry into the European Union from this film than from any newspaper article or TV report on the subject.

Acting: The five leading characters are sensational. Tuncel Kurtiz, Baki Davrak, Nursel Kose, Nurgul Yesilcay and the always wonderful Hanna Schygulla.

Predilection: None

Critters: A cat who works at a bookstore and some cattle.

Food: Yummy Turkish dishes.

Sex Spectrum: Two fob the characters are lesbians but you only see them cuddling in bed and one of the characters is a hooker and one the John.

Soundtrack: Music to the ears.

Visual Art: A nice look at middle class German and Turkish homes.

Theater Audience: A handful of patrons on the last day of this film’s showing at the Film Forum.

Weather: Nice all over Europe for this shoot.

Sappy Factor: 0

Quirky Meter: 0

Squirm Scale: 0

Drift Factor: I did not take my eyes off the screen for a second.

Predictability Level: I had no idea where this film would end up.

Tissue Usage: 0

Oscar Worthy: Yes

Big Screen or Rental: If you can find it on the big screen that would be grand. If not, put it on your NetFlix list ASAP. To read my 2005 review of Fatih Akin’s Head-On.

Length: Two hours.

LOBO HOWLS: 9.25

Movie Review: Get Smart

Alternate Title: Get Lost

Story: How does a movie qualify for Lobo’s annual Worst List? Let me count the ways.

I am sure when director Peter Segal started out he had summer blockbuster dreams with sequels aplenty. However, when you put together a team like screenwriters Tom J. Astle and Matt Ember compared with the TV original creative team of Mel Brooks and Buck Henry, let’s just say you cannot make a silk purse out of a sows ear. This script stunk. The humor spanned the gamut from fat jokes to toilet and barf scenes. The problem seems that they did not have a target audience like an Adam Sandler film has. They tried to be all things to all people. That simply does not work.

We had four good laughs (not a positive sign when you can count your laughs in a comedy) and the times we did laugh, were derivative jokes in the manner of Mel Brooks.

The movie also did not know when to end. It went on for 30 minutes too long and we actually walked out before the credits started to roll (I have not done that in a long time).

Save your time and money and watch the real Agent 86 and 99 on TV Land reruns.

The trailer is all you need to see:

Acting: I like Steve Carell but am wondering how long you can bank on that puppy hang dog type he is becoming. Has he replaced the crazy Jim Carrey? Anne Hathaway is a lightweight.Dwayne Johnson is big and toothy. Alan Arkin did not have enough screen time and Terence Stamp, can do no wrong in my book, ever.

Predilection: I liked the TV show.

Critters: When a film has to throw in a puppy to cater to the puppy loving crowd there is nothing to do but roll your eyes.

Food: Yellow cake uranium was being made in a bakery.

Sex Spectrum: Please. There was more chemistry between the original TV stars than these two.

Blatant Product Placement: Dell

Soundtrack: Ode to Joy was nice. I don;t remember anything else but noise.

Visual Art: I probably drifted thinking about this category.

Theater Audience: It was crowded at a 4PM showing on a Monday afternoon. It was also a shockingly quiet audience. This film will make money, but surely not by word of mouth.

Weather: The weather was lovely in both Russia and LA

Sappy Factor: 2 - Remember there was a puppy.

Quirky Meter: 0

Squirm Scale: There is a scene in an airplane toilet that is very squirmy. It involves small piercing darts.

Drift Factor: I drifted and drifted and almost had an out of body experience.

Predictability Level: Over the top

Tissue Usage: 0

Oscar Worthy: NO

Big Screen or Rental: Neither.

Length: Too long at just under two hours.

LOBO HOWLS: 2

Movie Review: The Grocer’s Son

Alternate Title: Van Go

Story: Antoine, the sullen, semi-estranged grocer’s son is called home from the City to take care of the family grocery store and food van delivery service when his father suffers a heart attack. How Antoine finally grows up and learns how to smile is at the heart of this slow moving, quiet summer film.

Affectionately directed by Eric Guirado and written by Guirado and Florence Vignon we meet an odd assortment of people who live in the present day but seem to be a throwback to a slower, simpler time.

The slow pace of the film helps to set up his realistic change of heart and attitude. As the film draws to a close the story lines are complete and there is a warmth in your heart.

Watch the trailer here. It is pretty funny. You will see a French film with Japanese(?) subtitles.

Acting: Nicolas Casale (think a young, puffier Alain Delon) was terrific as the rough around the edges grocer’s son. Clothilde Hesme was lovely as the love interest. The rest of the supporting cast, including many of the local elderly Provencal folks were great.

Predilection: None

Critters: Hens, kittens and a dog.

Food: What else? It is a French film about a grocer, so for sure so there is food. Eggs, tomatoes, tins of peas, flambe’d dishes, peaches, apples, etc. etc. etc.

Sex Spectrum: A roll in the hay. Fuzzy in the details.

Blatant Product Placement: Perrier

Soundtrack: Sweet and bucolic.

Visual Art: The hills of Provence looked like many an Impressionist painting. Yummy for the eyes.

Theater Audience: About 30 other people on a Sunday afternoon at Cinema Village.

Weather: Provence in the summer is perfect.

Sappy Factor: 0

Quirky Meter: 0

Squirm Scale: 0

Drift Factor: I looked at my watch a few times during the middle.

Predictability Level: High

Tissue Usage: 0

Oscar Worthy: No

Big Screen or Rental: Rental would be fine.

Length: Under two hours.

LOBO HOWLS: 7