Posts
"Chili Palmer - it's chilly outside and it's Chili inside. It's a regular fuckin' Chili-fest!"
So said Ray Barboni, played by Dennis Farina, at the beginning of 1995's "Get Shorty." Right now I am watching "Get Shorty" for about the sixth or seventh time and the third time in a week. The movie is starring John Travolta as Chili, Gene Hackman as dumb-ass movie producer Harry Zimm, Rene Russo as horror film actress Karen Flores, and Danny DeVito as actor Martin Weir. The movie's got a great bunch of supporting actors as well including the aforementioned Dennis Farina who plays an outstanding part; Delroy Lindo, who you've seen in any number of supporting roles in everything from "Romeo Must Die" to "Broken Arrow" and "The Devil's Advocate;" "The Soprano's" James Gandolfini; and Jon Gries, who I barely recognized from his part as Uncle Rico in "Napolean Dynamite."
Aside from the writing and the cast, though, the most striking thing for me in "Get Shorty" is how freakin' cool Chili Palmer is. I really can't think of a cooler character in any movie off the top of my head. Sure, Dirty Harry is cool, as is Randle McMurphy in "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" and Tyler Durden in "Fight Club." The problem is that none of them are just as even-tempered and unwaveringly cool as Chili. From the pre-Barboni-confrontation statement he makes at the beginning of the movie "I'm not gonna say any more than I have to, if that" to his repeated easy beatings of Bo Catlett's bodyguard Bear, Chili is damn cool.
Think you know a cooler movie character? Email me - subgenus @ subgenus.net
Kopp
Friday, January 12, 2007
Monday, January 08, 2007
Pimping
Recently I have been learning a lot about Buddhism and today was listening to a talk on occupations. In Buddhism, the noble eightfold path is the path that the Buddha laid out to help practitioners reach enlightenment. Buddhists don't believe that the path is magical or anything like that, but they view it as a practical way to get to the goal of enlightenment. Right Livelihood is the fifth step of the eightfold path which also includes right view, right resolve, right speech, right action, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration.
Anyway, Buddhists believe that there are certain occupations that are just not in sync with the path to enlightenment. Making and selling weapons is one such occupation, as is being involved in the raising and slaughter of animals (though Buddhists are ok with buying the meat from non-Buddhist butchers). Another job that is a no-go is anything that has to do with the selling of humans. Back in the day of Buddha, this referred first and foremost to slavery, but there are still some jobs (most not legal) today that involve this.
A job that the speaker mentioned was being a pimp. Though prostitution is not looked on badly by Buddhists (at least in comparison to the way the institution regarded in the West), the speaker said that since pimps sell the prostitutes, the job qualifies as buying and selling humans and is therefore no good. It got me thinking - does a pimp really buy and sell people? In some cases yes. For pimps overseas that are dealing in the trade of young boys and girls who really have no choice in the matter, pimps are certainly doing that. In, say, the US, though, many pimps could be seen as an example of outsourcing certain aspects of a job. Pimps can provide overall management, coordination, collection, protection, and scheduling for a prostitute - all value added services in the flesh industry.
Not that I'm planning on moving into the pimping industry or anything. I just thought it important to point out that for anyone that's a Buddhist, but has a yen to move into pimping, that it may be possible to do that and still stay on the eightfold path. It's just very important that you make sure that you clearly define your role as pimp - you are not there to sell the prostitute, rather you are there to facilitate situations where the prostitute can offer his or her services to a customer, as well as provide certain administrative and back office functions.
Kopp
Anyway, Buddhists believe that there are certain occupations that are just not in sync with the path to enlightenment. Making and selling weapons is one such occupation, as is being involved in the raising and slaughter of animals (though Buddhists are ok with buying the meat from non-Buddhist butchers). Another job that is a no-go is anything that has to do with the selling of humans. Back in the day of Buddha, this referred first and foremost to slavery, but there are still some jobs (most not legal) today that involve this.
A job that the speaker mentioned was being a pimp. Though prostitution is not looked on badly by Buddhists (at least in comparison to the way the institution regarded in the West), the speaker said that since pimps sell the prostitutes, the job qualifies as buying and selling humans and is therefore no good. It got me thinking - does a pimp really buy and sell people? In some cases yes. For pimps overseas that are dealing in the trade of young boys and girls who really have no choice in the matter, pimps are certainly doing that. In, say, the US, though, many pimps could be seen as an example of outsourcing certain aspects of a job. Pimps can provide overall management, coordination, collection, protection, and scheduling for a prostitute - all value added services in the flesh industry.
Not that I'm planning on moving into the pimping industry or anything. I just thought it important to point out that for anyone that's a Buddhist, but has a yen to move into pimping, that it may be possible to do that and still stay on the eightfold path. It's just very important that you make sure that you clearly define your role as pimp - you are not there to sell the prostitute, rather you are there to facilitate situations where the prostitute can offer his or her services to a customer, as well as provide certain administrative and back office functions.
Kopp
The Box Song
As much as I'd love to just blindly hate Justin Timberlake the way I hate Dave Matthews, he just seems to get himself involved in projects that make me can't help but like the guy. Most recently was the SNL "A Special Christmas Box" project. I'm sure most everyone has seen this already, but if you haven't, be sure to watch this:
A Special Christmas Box
Just be warned, this is the uncensored version.
Kopp
A Special Christmas Box
Just be warned, this is the uncensored version.
Kopp
The Weather Man
I started watching "The Weather Man" today with Nick Cage as weather reporter Dave Spritz. I haven't finished the movie yet, but it's not terrible. It's kindof a dark comedy and has some moments that at least made me Michael Caine plays opposite Cage as Spritz's father. I happen to really like Caine and though he has a small part he's solid as usual.
My problem, though, is the use of the inner dialogue for Spritz. I have to wonder whether somewhere in Screenwriting 101 there's something that says "avoid using inner dialogue like the plague." Typically it comes off as very contrived to me - it just seems like cheating. If Dave Spritz feels refreshed, get that to come across on screen, you don't have to tell me outright.
I'm sure there are some movies out there that I have liked and have used inner dialogue (though more tastefully I'm sure), but I can't think of any off the top of my head. The only movie that's coming to me right now is that Jude Law flick "Alfie." "Alfie" made extensive use of the inner dialogue from the very beginning and I turned that one off after less than ten minutes.
When I'm watching a movie I want to see a movie. If I want to have a chat with Nick or Jude I'll call them and do lunch.
Kopp
My problem, though, is the use of the inner dialogue for Spritz. I have to wonder whether somewhere in Screenwriting 101 there's something that says "avoid using inner dialogue like the plague." Typically it comes off as very contrived to me - it just seems like cheating. If Dave Spritz feels refreshed, get that to come across on screen, you don't have to tell me outright.
I'm sure there are some movies out there that I have liked and have used inner dialogue (though more tastefully I'm sure), but I can't think of any off the top of my head. The only movie that's coming to me right now is that Jude Law flick "Alfie." "Alfie" made extensive use of the inner dialogue from the very beginning and I turned that one off after less than ten minutes.
When I'm watching a movie I want to see a movie. If I want to have a chat with Nick or Jude I'll call them and do lunch.
Kopp
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Unbelievable
Unbelievable - that's really the only word to describe it. My dismay began right before Christmas when I was trying to fly back to the East Coast from San Francisco to attend a graduation. In a long line to check bags at 5AM in the San Francisco airport was bad enough, but then I get this call:
"This is United Airlines informing you that your flight has been cancelled." CLICK...
As I looked around there were cell phones doing the same thing all around me and people at the counter turning would-be fliers away. What happened? The Denver airport, a major United hub, had been shut down due to a blizzard. I'll spare the diatribe on how Denver is perhaps one of the worst choices for a hub... After a solid hour and a half on the phone with United's ticketing department, I finally managed to wrangle a trip that had me flying up to Sacramento, connecting to a flight going to Chicago, then flying on to Charlotte. Eighteen hours later, I'm there. Fantastic.
But that wasn't enough, oh no. After all the seasonal merriment was over, there I am waiting like a jackass at the baggage claim back in San Francisco. The problem? While one of my checked bags was beside me, the other was nowhere to be seen. So I file the paperwork and tell myself that I can deal with it. The next day I'm on the phone with a United baggage specialist who gives me the downlow on my bag:
Me: Have you been able to locate my bag yet?
United Employee: Sir, your bag is currently in trace, we will call you as soon as we are ready to deliver it.
Me: That's great! So you found it, where is it right now?
UE: I don't know sir, like I said your bag is in trace.
Me: (suspiciously now) Trace? What exactly does that mean? Is that code for "we don't know where the heck your bag is?"
UE: (silence)
Me: Fantastic.
A day later I was given a call that they had found the bag and would be delivering it between the hours of 3PM and 7PM. And I thought the cable guy was bad. At least I got my bag back.
In any case, two days later in a twist of fate eager to show me that United isn't the only airline that can make my life difficult, I flew a nonstop Southwest flight back to the East Coast earlier today to attend a funeral. Standing at the baggage claim in Philadelphia I was presented with an all too familiar situation - one checked bag in my hand and one nowhere to be seen. Beside me was a garment bag containing one suit and two button down shirts, missing in my other bag: all of my underwear, socks, t-shirts and toiletries. Fantastic.
There has not been a resolution to the most recent missing bag incident, though I'm told I can expect it a few days from now when all of those clothes will be nearly useless to me. The important thing, though, is that I've learned a couple valuable lessons from the whole thing:
1) When presented with a flight cancellation that effects a lot of passengers in the airport, don't bother going to the person at the counter. You'll have to wait forever which will lessen your chances of getting on a good replacement flight, and you'll have to deal with somebody whose likely very annoyed because angry passengers have been yelling at them. Instead, pick up one of the airline's courtesy phones, or use your cell phone to call the airline's ticketing department. You will vastly up your chances of getting to where you want to go.
2) When an airline "misplaces" your bag be sure to ask about what they can offer you. In the case of Southwest, I was given a crappy, but usable toiletry bag and was told that they will reimburse up to $50 for new clothes that I have to buy.
3) Don't check bags. Ever. If you can't fit all the clothes you want in your carry on, layer them on your body. For years I have had a strict policy of not checking bags but had to violate it on these last two trips. No more.
Kopp
"This is United Airlines informing you that your flight has been cancelled." CLICK...
As I looked around there were cell phones doing the same thing all around me and people at the counter turning would-be fliers away. What happened? The Denver airport, a major United hub, had been shut down due to a blizzard. I'll spare the diatribe on how Denver is perhaps one of the worst choices for a hub... After a solid hour and a half on the phone with United's ticketing department, I finally managed to wrangle a trip that had me flying up to Sacramento, connecting to a flight going to Chicago, then flying on to Charlotte. Eighteen hours later, I'm there. Fantastic.
But that wasn't enough, oh no. After all the seasonal merriment was over, there I am waiting like a jackass at the baggage claim back in San Francisco. The problem? While one of my checked bags was beside me, the other was nowhere to be seen. So I file the paperwork and tell myself that I can deal with it. The next day I'm on the phone with a United baggage specialist who gives me the downlow on my bag:
Me: Have you been able to locate my bag yet?
United Employee: Sir, your bag is currently in trace, we will call you as soon as we are ready to deliver it.
Me: That's great! So you found it, where is it right now?
UE: I don't know sir, like I said your bag is in trace.
Me: (suspiciously now) Trace? What exactly does that mean? Is that code for "we don't know where the heck your bag is?"
UE: (silence)
Me: Fantastic.
A day later I was given a call that they had found the bag and would be delivering it between the hours of 3PM and 7PM. And I thought the cable guy was bad. At least I got my bag back.
In any case, two days later in a twist of fate eager to show me that United isn't the only airline that can make my life difficult, I flew a nonstop Southwest flight back to the East Coast earlier today to attend a funeral. Standing at the baggage claim in Philadelphia I was presented with an all too familiar situation - one checked bag in my hand and one nowhere to be seen. Beside me was a garment bag containing one suit and two button down shirts, missing in my other bag: all of my underwear, socks, t-shirts and toiletries. Fantastic.
There has not been a resolution to the most recent missing bag incident, though I'm told I can expect it a few days from now when all of those clothes will be nearly useless to me. The important thing, though, is that I've learned a couple valuable lessons from the whole thing:
1) When presented with a flight cancellation that effects a lot of passengers in the airport, don't bother going to the person at the counter. You'll have to wait forever which will lessen your chances of getting on a good replacement flight, and you'll have to deal with somebody whose likely very annoyed because angry passengers have been yelling at them. Instead, pick up one of the airline's courtesy phones, or use your cell phone to call the airline's ticketing department. You will vastly up your chances of getting to where you want to go.
2) When an airline "misplaces" your bag be sure to ask about what they can offer you. In the case of Southwest, I was given a crappy, but usable toiletry bag and was told that they will reimburse up to $50 for new clothes that I have to buy.
3) Don't check bags. Ever. If you can't fit all the clothes you want in your carry on, layer them on your body. For years I have had a strict policy of not checking bags but had to violate it on these last two trips. No more.
Kopp
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)