Good News Comes From the Oddest Places

Indiana Jones Movie Upsets Communists.

Here's the money line: Moscow Communist lawmaker Andrei Andreyev said Saturday "it is very disturbing if talented directors want to provoke a new Cold War."

For making a silly adventure movie where the "Red" in question is a sword-wielding Cate Blanchett who works for Stalin in the 50's?

Huh. Can't imagine why Communists get a bad rap.

ADDED: Am I seriously the only one who find this hilarious? Communists. Upset. Indiana Jones. Come on, people!

girlfriday to Walden Media: Make Us Care

I'm BORED, Walden Media.
(Spoilers ahead, blah, blah, blah.)

Dare to imagine (you're filmmakers after all), that Lewis' fan base (that means the people who pay to see the movies) actually love the stories (even the weaker ones). We're shocked and sad with the children when they discover they're exploring the RUINS of their own beloved Cair Paraval. We thrill at Aslan's first apperance and wince when Lucy doesn't follow him. We wonder at the dumb beasts the talking animals of Narnia have become (not because they were TREATED like dumb animals but because they were corrupted). We're pleased when the true Narnians use the horn in the hour of deepest need, not when they fell off a horse.

Characterizations of Peter and Caspian are completely off. Honorable, humble, and wise young men are reduced to bickering, arrogance, and selfishness.

We want to really know Corneilus, punch Nikabrik, root for Caspian, admire Lucy, love Peter, loathe the hag, yearn for Aslan.

We do not want to see Lord of the Rings Lite. We're going to these movies because we're devoted to C.S. Lewis and his Narnia. Battle scenes with giant birds and clashing swords. Yawn. Mythical creatures, angry trees, magic water, old man, drown the baddie...oh, sorry, I drifted off.

[It]ignores this theme completely and shows none of the joy and beauties of Narnia. The Telmarines want to keep control of Narnia; the Narnians want to overthrow them. That's the only story-- no underlying nobility or goodness is evident.

Caspian the Spaniard, oops, Telmarine, is the rightful heir of Narnia. Who is he and why do we care? The Pevensies were called back but to what end? (To claim superiority, squabble and get kissy face, the movie suggests.)

Whatever the movie was, it wasn't Lewis' Prince Caspian.

This film is essentially a vehicle for PG-rated fantasy action, with very little causing you to root for the good guys. Douglas Greshem needs to exert better quality control on any future Narnia projects.

This review was written by me (large letters) and this guy at NarniaFans.com. (in bold).

GO THERE and post your review. You can read my husband's here, Hob's at White Noise here.

A Pulitzer-nominated newspaper, ladies and gentleman

Below is a screen capture of a page on the Idaho Statesman's Web site a couple weeks back. I have blurred out the spots where they identified a young sexual abuse victim (I also blurred some of the page tabs for privacy purposes).

Later, the Statesman updated this page and removed the identification, but perhaps some damage was already done. In case you didn't know, identification of sex abuse victims -- especially young ones -- by journalists simply isn't done. This is bush-league. This is outrageous.



girlfriday adds: Adam at Adam's blog linked to this, noting that the Idaho Statesman didn't (fortunately) go to print with this story. It was still a rookie blunder and the consequences could have been devestating for the victim.

Spoiler: if you haven't watched American Idol yet, don't read this.

*****

*****

*****

Are you freaking kidding me, America?

Michael Johns????

YOU SENT HOME MICHAEL JOHNS?!?!

My friend's e-mail pretty much sums up my thoughts, or lack of them, because this just doesn't compute:

"Michael Johns?! What the *$%#@?!!???

I can hardly talk...I am in shock."

I wasn't even this disappointed when I threw my water bottle at my TV when Chris Daughtry was eliminated.

Better Late than Never

I don't want a single reader of girlfriday (insert self effacing remark about "all three of you") to miss this. I'm sure most of you have seen it and laughed your ever-loving butt off (and maybe cried a little) but just in case, as a courtesy to you who may have missed it (DAD), take a look.

"Rob Riggle goes undercover to report on Berkeley, CA's reaction to a new Marine recruiting station."



Read the comments on The Daily Show's website if you had any doubt about which direction Stewart's viewers swing.