Redefining Rockel

You know I never discuss female thermodynamics - Lou; Rescue Me

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Peeps

Politics

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The Film of the Week

The WORD of the Week

Matthew 3:7-10

But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?

Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.

And do not think you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.

The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

Stupid Fact of the Week

There was only one civilian casualty during the three-day Battle of Gettysburg

27 February, 2005

Just in time

OSCAR PICKS

Actor - Leading
my pick: Don Cheadle
my runner-up: Jamie Foxx
my favorite: Johnny Depp

Actor - Supporting
my pick: Thomas Haden Church
my runner-up: Alan Alda
my favorite: Clive Owen

Actress - Leading
pick: Hilary Swank
r-u: Imelda Staunton
fav: Kate Winslet

Actress - Supporting
pick: Cate Blanchett
r-u: Virginia Madsen
fav: Natalie Portman

Animated Feature
pick: The Incredibles

Art Direction
pick: The Aviator
r-u: The Phantom of the Opera
fav: Finding Neverland

Cinematography
pick: The Aviator
r-u: House of Flying Daggers
fav: The Passion of the Christ

Costume Design
pick: The Aviator
r-u: Finding Neverland
fav: Finding Neverland

Directing
pick: Clint Eastwood (Million Dollar Baby)
r-u: Martin Scorsesse (The Aviator)
fav: Martin Scorsesse (The Aviator)

Documentary Feature
pick: Super Size Me

Film Editing
pick: Ray
r-u: Collateral

Foreign Language Film
pick: The Sea Inside

Makeup
pick: The Passion of the Christ

Original Score
pick: Finding Neverland
r-u: The Passion of the Christ
fav: Finding Neverland

Original Song
pick: "Al Otro Lado Del Rio" (from The Motorcycle Diaries)

Best Picture
pick: The Aviator
r-u: Million Dollar Baby
fav: The Aviator

Sound Editing
pick: Spider-man 2

Sound Mixing
pick: Ray
r-u: The Aviator

Visual Effects
pick: Spider-man 2
r-u: I, Robot

Screenplay - Adapted
pick: Million Dollar Baby
r-u: Sideways
fav: Finding Neverland

Screenplay - Original
pick: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
r-u: Hotel Rwanda
fav: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

posted by Rockel @ 10:15 AM 0 comments

19 February, 2005

Goodbye Big Apple?

updates:
- new posts by Chuck at http://polcorrect.blogspot.com:
a short post, "Michael Moore," promising more on the subject,
a humorous short, "green Peas"
and a very brief post with link to article, "Iran."

No more "Big Apple?"

Apparently, New York's world-famous nickname may be changing to "The World's Second Home." I've yet to find an in-depth article as to when or if it will definitely be changing, but have heard several news stories concerning the possible change.

Film/Video updates:
Ebert and Roeper have their Oscar picks out for this year, at http://emol.org/film/archives/academyawards/2005/ebertandroeper.html
My picks still to come.
Also, due out just in time for Easter this year is "The Passion of the Christ: Re-Cut." This re-edited version, however, unlike many special editions that are released months after an initial release, is less graphic than the original. It is an attempt to reach the people who were hesitant to see the original film due to the graphic torture/crucifixion scenes.

Politics:
Chuck has a post ("Iran") with a link to an article that attempts to calm spirits over claims that America will go to war with Iran. However, Iran is preparing despite our countries calming words. Apparently, Iran and Syria received a message from President Bush's state of the union address, whether or not it was the message intended by the President remains to be seen.
"Iran and Syria heightened tension across the Middle East and directly confronted the Bush administration yesterday by declaring they had formed a mutual self-defense pact to confront the "threats" now facing them." (Full article - http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iran/story/0,12858,1416319,00.html)

I love the sentiment from Republicans that Democrats are the most horrible people because they don't agree with Republicans or wish to conform their beliefs to those of Republicans to "work together."
Well of course Republicans are the most divine beings who love to "work together" with anyone no matter what their point of view. That's why President Bush tried to push into the Constitution the most conservative position that their should be an amendment to stifle homosexual civil unions, something to which many Republicans held objection and continued to hold objection when the 2004 platform was announced and was strongly homophobic. But all Republicans "want to" and "look forward to" working alongside all members of government and transcending partisan boundaries to do what's best for America. That's why the President appointed all conservative Republicans who hold to his same ideals to every post that he had 100% say over. It's easy to say you want to work together with those that disagree with you when you're surrounded by people who agree with you and you hold a majority of Congress.

A little bit on Michael Moore:
Just googled around for fun on Michael Moore, turned up a few interesting tid-bits, here's one I'll share with you:
http://www.michaelmoorehatesamerica.com/
New film, looks fairly interesting... not a lot of press on it, however. Two thumbs up by Ebert and Roeper, and other than that no real noteable names. There is a trailer on the website, not very impressive, but interesting enough to peak my interest.
My opinion of Michael Moore: He's a big, fat, stupid, white man. And he's turned into one heck of a film maker. I've got to give him that. I first heard of him during the time at which "Bowling for Columbine" was in theatres. When the movie came out on video, I picked it up and checked it out. I wasn't too terribly impressed, but I did like some of what he did. After seeing that I researched a little bit and watched "Roger and Me," which I thought was incredible for a first attempt at a film. I could see a definite improvement in the technicalities of filmwork from Roger to Bowling, and so, when Fahrenheit 911 came out I was very much looking forward to it. I skipped seeing it in theatres and waited for it to come out on video. It premiered on video just prior to the Presidential elections (intended, I'm sure, and I hold nothing against him for that), and as I had already decided on my voting choices across the board I had no reservations in watching the film. I found it to be his best, by far, as far as film-making. Quite easily his most controversial, I found it to be an incredible delight as it ruffled so many feathers of so many people who saw it in the video store at which I am employed.
Michael Moore says awful things, like, "Their is no terrorist threat," or that the threat has been "heightened," or "blown out of proportion." Do I think that is true? Hell yes. Has there been a terrorist attack on American soil since 9/11? Yet how many of those days have we been in a "code orange," or God forbid, "code red?" Does anyone know what a "code orange" is? What it implies? If you want to know, go here: http://www.dhs.gov/interweb/assetlibrary/CitizenGuidanceHSAS2.pdf
And wasn't it funny that any time the Democratic party made an announcement concerning their party in 2004, the next day the risk would rise, from a blue to a yellow, or yellow to an orange? Funny, funny. Two words: Scare Tactics.
In conclusion, what do I think about Michael Moore? I think he's a big, fat, stupid, white man. And I love what he does.

More to come, I'm sure.

Proßt.

- Rockel

posted by Rockel @ 11:30 AM 0 comments

13 February, 2005

Politics take a backseat for a day

I am he. It. The creature. The one who lurks in the shadows. Seeking out his prey and devouring none. I remain motionless; controlled; controlling yet not, festering in the ironies of emotion sweeping over me.

I see the lights in the darkness; the indifferent beacons of momentary contrast. I search the horizon. There is nothing. No one. Those who have been have fled as though they had sensed an evil approaching.

The rain begins to pour out of the heavens with an unknowing fury, assaulting each intrusion with unrelenting constancy. Gravity pulls each insignificant drop to the ground as though it longs for them, yet I remain standing.

I inhale deeply and taste the cruel bitterness of the night air. It is harsh and crisp, yet somehow refreshing. I exhale, allowing my lungs to export the toxic mix of humanity and godliness. The task is completed. I have lived.

The rain begins to subside, and settles itself into a hushed rhythmic patter that echoes my heart.

My heart, jaded by the night and black as the same, calls me to the light, but I remain. Lonely and alone, it is my sole companion, yet I pay it no mind. I welcome the emptiness as one welcomes the ground beneath his feet.

The rain comes harder now, challenging me to stand against in, yet still I remain. My heart beats faster, in time with the rain, though I know not for fear or anticipation. It begs me forth again. Again I yield.

The rain builds to a roar. A monstrous scream from He who caused this. My heart struggles to keep tempo. It cannot. It stops.

Alone in the dark the rain continues, but I hear no noise. My companion is gone. Apathetic to my surroundings, I pass my gaze carefully across the cityscape, assuming it will be my last. I know not what I hope to gain from the dismal view.

Pain grabs hard at my chest and I feel myself weakening. It courses through the entirety of my body, paralyzing me where I stand. My head begins to swim and my body goes numb.

Halfway between hallucination and sheer terror a fire begins to burn within my soul. Like the awakening of a volcano, my body quakes with this newfound passion. It stiffens my body and steadies my legs beneath it.

With all that is within me I throw myself out into the rain. The strength of the storm overpowers me and I am immediately brought down to my knees. The sound is now deafening as the rain beats hard and sharp against my face and body. It is too much. I crumple further towards the muddy ground.

I tighten my aching muscles, pressing with everything I can muster against the onslaught. But it is not enough. He who sent the rain raises his voice as I am thrust down against the ground, my face only inches from the cold, hateful earth.

Pain seizes me once more, a thousand times more powerful than before. Tears well up in my eyes and glide down my ragged face. They cling to my chin like sailors clutching to the mast of a storm-tossed ship, holding on for dear life. And then, one by one, their grasp is loosed.

Tears by the hundreds flee from my eyes, fearful, as am I, that my end is near.

But as I watch through tear-stained eyes at the multitudes of saline drops falling from my face, I see a storm inside of me more powerful than this which He brought to slay me; more powerful than any.

The stillness of my chest cries out to me and I lurch back, thrust my face into the storm and let out a cry from the very cellar of my soul. There is a fire in my eyes and a churning in my soul. I rise up still more and plant one of my feet solidly on the ground. A courage like I have never known races through my body like a locomotive. I quicken my remaining strength and rise up, planting my foot squarely next to its like, and stand triumphant in the thick of the storm.

And then, from that familiar place, it begins.

The beating. My heart!

In one giant wave my body is brought back to new life.

The rain falls softly on my face now, cooling and refreshing me. He knows there is nothing now he can do. I smile as the storm clouds roll away and the sun begins to rise.

A new day has begun. It is a good day. And should the night return, I shall be ready.

posted by Rockel @ 3:39 PM 0 comments

06 February, 2005

Super Bowl Sunday

TODAYS UPDATE:

IRAQ
3 American Soldiers dead. At least 33 Iraqis dead.
(www.cnn.com)

NATIONAL DEBT
$7,616,792,798,166.73
(http://www.publicdebt.treas.gov/opd/opdpenny.htm)

So, the Eagles couldn't pull it out... oh, well. Sorry, Cathey...

They say that life sometimes imitates art... perhaps sports imitate life.... The white house and congress have been considerably "red" for quite a few years in recent history, and now it seems that the NFL is dominated by the "red" AFC.

Coming soon (hopefully tomorrow): 1) Bush's Social Security, 2) Al Qaeda - what is it? You think you know, but do you?

Later in the week: Conspiracy theories - Iraq, 9/11, all sorts of fun stuff.

posted by Rockel @ 12:03 PM 0 comments

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