Saturday, March 27, 2004

Problem solved

So, the little dilemma I posted about was resolved rather successfully. My wife and I ended up seeing The Ladykillers, and it was just a terrific movie. Great acting all around - even by Marlon Wayans, and I usually hate Marlon Wayans. I don't know how the Coen Brothers do it, but every movie they write and direct is absolutely superbly cast. Never a poor choice for a role, never a time when you wonder "Could {Insert actor here} have done that better?". This was a terrific film - I'll be recommending it to everyone I know.

A minor dilemma?

What to do, what to do. I have a dilemma. Should I see The Ladykillers, Jersey Girl, or Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind? (Yes, that actually is a site for the movie) I realize this may be a rather trivial dilemma to most people, but it's pretty important to me - I take my moviegoing very seriously. So the new Coen brothers movie, the new Kevin Smith movie, or the new Charlie Kaufman movie? Quite the dilemma indeed.

Friday, March 26, 2004

"This stuff blew my mind..."

It is becoming increasingly easy to have a very critical view of our government. Thanks to Richard Clarke, former Counterterrorism expert for the White House (and a man with 30 years experience in government, who worked for Presidents Reagan, Bush Sr., Clinton, and Bush Jr.), our current Executive Branch leadership is shown in a much less than flattering light. I believe John Stewart said it best on The Daily Show the day that Mr. Clarke testifyed before the 9/11 commission - "This stuff blew my mind - the behind the scenes story of who did what and who knew what - and when...". I unfortunately didn't get to see all of Mr. Clarke's testimony myself, but the snippets I did see (or hear thanks to NPR) really did make me very curious. I cannot believe the current administration's take that they did everything possible to stop terrorism, and I trully do not know enough about Mr. Clarke to say with 100% absolute surety that his take on how things happened between Jan. 2001 and Sept. 4th, 2001 (when he sent his warning letter to National Security Advisor Condoleeza Rice) is the absolute honest truth. That said, something really compels me to BELIEVE Mr. Clarke. Maybe it's his earnest manner, or how passionate he seems when speaking about how he felt the White House didn't take these threats seriously enough. I don't know - I just believe him. Maybe it's easier to believe Mr. Clarke because I find our current leadership very difficult to believe. At any rate, it's a very interesting thing to watch and follow through the news. We can only hope that this helps to move the government back towards a government of the people, for the people, and by the people.

Tuesday, March 23, 2004

MAME - oh yeah

You know, MAME (Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator) is a great thing. I've played with it at different points in it's development cycle, and enjoyed it immensely. Recently, a friend at work gave me a copy on CD (with about 650 ROMS), and I've been playing it a lot. Really takes you back to the old days when you used to hang out in the arcade to play the newest and most advanced games. Many of my all-time favorite arcade games are on there, like Pac-Man and Ms. Pac-Man, Galaga, Tron, Asteroids, Space Invaders, and Donkey Kong. Good stuff - I highly recommend it!