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Saturday, January 1, 2011
Rabbit Hole
Rabbit Hole (2010) ****1/2
Directed by John Cameron Mitchell
My tweet:
Rabbit Hole (2010)- What a surprise departure for Mitchell! Tricky subject matter handled with a great deal of acumen. ****1/2 of 5
Other thoughts:
In order to avoid being pigeonholed as a certain "type" of filmmaker, it might prove wise for an up and coming director to accept a project completely outside of his comfort zone. Not only is it helpful for one's reputation, but it also might help strengthen one's abilities as well, forcing a relatively new director to think in ways and tackle problems he hasn't come across in his career thus far. Though he's been around long enough that no one considers him "up and coming" anymore, M. Night Shyamalan did something similar this year by directing a live action 3D adaptation of a kids cartoon show instead of a Hitchcockian psychological thriller with a glimpse of the supernatural often coming by way of a "wow" moment at the end. It's always important to credit risk taking in Hollywood, but by most accounts, The Last Airbender proved to be a colossal disaster, with many critics claiming that Shyamalan was playing completely against his strength of masterfully suggesting the presence of the unseen by trying to tackle an action epic using CGI to emphasize candid visuals.
Therefore, one must choose his or her projects carefully. Rabbit Hole is John Cameron Mitchell's third film, and it couldn't be more different than his first two--2001's Hedwig and the Angry Inch, a glam fest about a transsexual punk rocker, and 2006's Shortbus, a humorous comment on society by showcasing graphic real sex. Instead of another visually striking film for a niche audience, Mitchell chose as his next project to tackle an adaptation of David Lindsay-Abaire's very low key stage play about a couple dealing with the grief of the sudden death of their four year old son. Adding another difficult layer is the fact that we join the couple eight months after the tragedy, so we're restricted from the sort of explosive emotions one might expect immediately following something so harrowing.
Nicole Kidman and Aaron Eckhart play Becca and Howie who are clearly not doing well at all. Becca has become quite cynical and even downright cruel at times, which we see almost immediately when Becca berates another grieving couple for positing that God needed another angel in heaven in order to give some meaning to something beyond explanation. Becca is the last to learn that her sister is pregnant. This coupled with her mother's insistence on comparing Becca's son's death with the death of Becca's brother who was a thirty year old heroin addict when he died makes family interactions unbearable for her, and too often they don't end well.
Howie, on the other hand, is all-too-eager to try and take that next step, though his nightly ritual of watching a video of his son might be holding him back. He resents Becca for trying to erase evidence of his existence, at least that's how he sees it. He's even open to having another child, and after making the first romantic gesture towards her in eight months, she rejects him outright. As they grow apart, he connects with a woman from group therapy, played by Sandra Oh, whose husband just left her. They smoke pot nightly and clearly she would be willing to accept him romantically if he ever decides to pursue it.
Becca meanwhile has her own peculiar way of dealing with her feelings. She follows the school bus of the high school student who caused her son's death by accidentally hitting him with his car. Eventually, the two sit down for a conversation in a public park, which leads to an odd camaraderie between them. He shows her the comic book that he's working on called Rabbit Hole about parallel universes where everyone exists as themselves except by living lives different than they are in the real world. Becca finds this comforting.
Howie and Becca drift farther from each other with their dishonesty. Clearly, their son's death is either going to break them apart completely or somehow bring them together. Sadly, the odds are stacked against them. Either way, though, both have to figure out how to make it through each unbearably difficult day to the next one after that.
Rabbit Hole is not dealing with new material at all. If you want to watch a movie about a couple grieving the loss of a child, simply turn on the Lifetime Movie Channel and you're guaranteed to find something that day which is aiming to jerk the tears out of your eyes. Yet, Rabbit Hole is much smarter than that. This couple's struggle is thankfully foreign to most of us, and there is a place for heightened emotions and hyper-real dialogue within such a cruel tragedy. At the same time, there needs to be truthful insight or else we're left with just another manipulative manufactured weepfest.
Lindsay-Abaire wrote the screenplay himself, and he's able to keep us not only believing the struggles of our main characters, but also totally invested as well. We're presented with situations that are sort of expected but don't always play out in the most obvious ways. Take Becca's encounter with the high school kid named Jason, played by newcomer Miles Teller. Most people in Becca's situation probably wouldn't do what she did, but when the two are talking, the exchange feels very real, yet it still contains some mystery and intrigue. Is he taking the place of her son in her mind? Is she trying but not capable of forgiving him? Is she there simply to try and get answers to questions that really have no answers? There's not a single moment in Rabbit Hole where an actor does something totally unbelievable. Expectations are confounded, but never in a way that destroys believability altogether. This is tricky to do, especially considering how much we've seen this material in film and on television in the past.
Of course, perhaps the key to truth with this material lies with the performances. Aaron Eckhart has the more straightforward role of a man who wears his struggles on his sleeve. Eckhart, a fine actor, is certainly up for the challenge even if his performance isn't as compelling as Kidman's. Not only is Kidman one of the most talented actresses working today, but she's also one of the bravest, not afraid to take on projects with some of the most off-beat directors like Noah Baumbach and Lars von Trier. As a one-time gossip magazine staple, Kidman has proven over and over again that she's more than a pretty face. Here she gives one of her best performances as a woman on the verge of martial and personal destruction. She's cold to those around her, and yet she projects her struggles in her performance so well that we do warm to her at first through pity and later through respect. Granted, Kidman's accent work is a little bit questionable at times, but it's forgivable especially considering how good she is otherwise.
There's also a solid supporting cast including Diane Wiest as Becca's less sophisticated yet caring mother, Tammy Blanchard as her rough around the edges pregnant sister Izzy as well as the aforementioned Sandra Oh and Miles Teller. Mitchell's direction, though far from flashy, provides a texture which further helps to elevate this material beyond movie of the week pablum. The way he focuses on his actors' faces in just the right ways at just the right moments shows that he doesn't need visual flamboyance as a crutch for his talent behind the camera. Mitchell is one of the best directors working today. One only needs to watch all three disparate film to see this.
Kudos to John Cameron Mitchell and everyone involved for a wonderfully surprising, emotionally satisfying character study. The risk was well worth it. M. Night Shyamalan, on the other hand...well, I'll continue to root for you in the future.
Film Tweets- 2010
The Sound of Music (1965)- How do you solve a problem like a sugar sweet screenplay? Fantastic direction and amazing music. ****1/2 of 5
Harlan: In the Shadow of Jew Suss (2010)- Fascinating doc about a family's Nazi filmmaker patriarch & shame of Nazi descendants. **** of 5
Peeping Tom (1960)- Macabre and unsettling look at the logical extremes of voyeurism. There's a lot of today in this film. ****1/2 of 5
The Fighter (2010)- Story about as generic as the film's title. Russel's direction doesn't live up to the talent on screen. Good film. ***/5
127 Hours (2010)- Pretty damn amazing. Maybe the most intense film I've seen in the last few years. ***** out of 5
The King's Speech (2010)- Flawed, but a refreshingly humble telling of importance & accomplishment. Solid acting. **** out of 5
Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962)- Two lead performances make this B-level trash fest worth seeing. Sunset Blvd-lite. *** out of 5
Paris 36 (2009)- A wonderfully rich story with likable characters. Visually stunning. Historical metaphor doesn't quite work though. ****/5
A Christmas Carol (2009)- Classic story told well, but technology still washes out emotions. Too many chase sequences for Dickens. *** of 5
Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work (2010)- Nothing too novel, but Rivers is a fascinating genius/circus freak. Smart film making. ***1/2 out of 5
Black Swan (2010)- Not as much burrowing under the surface as under Ms Portman's skin. Impressive telling of a preposterous tale ***1/2 of 5
(Untitled) (2009)- Well-acted with some great laughs, but it never really rises above the intellectual-lite that it parodies. *** out of 5
Afterschool (2009)- Despite jejune moments and a cynical naivety, there are enough thought provoking questions to carry this film. ***/5
Walt & El Grupo (2009)- Should have been a short doc. This story showcasing three months is languidly stretched out. **1/2 out of 5
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One (2010)- As an autonomous entity, this unpleasant film's narrative is bankrupt. ** out of 5
My Son My Son What Have Ye Done? (2009)- Parodies of Herzog cliches aside, this is a fascinating meditation on paranoia. ***1/2 of 5
Carlos (2010)- Epic, bloody and fascinating look at an insecure man's rise and fall as a terrorist. Ramirez=brilliant. 330 minutes fly by. *****/5
The Red Shoes (1948)- Good story. Transcendent ballet sequence. Visually one of the richest films I've seen. ****1/2 out of 5
Black Narcissus (1947)- A bit rushed and unfocused, but it's gorgeous, well-acted and truly disturbing. Burrows under the skin. **** of 5
Inception (2010)- (second viewing) Harder to follow when you don't exert much effort. DiCaprio's perf. even more impressive. ****1/2 of 5
How to Train Your Dragon (2010)- What a disappointment! Voice acting is stiff & the character animation is less than mediocre. **1/2 of 5
Me and Orson Welles (2009)- Pleasant enough and McKay's outstanding, but Efron's awful and the script lacks depth. *** out of 5
Never Let Me Go (2010)- Logan's Run meets Jane Austin... powerful, wonderfully acted philosophical cautionary tale. **** out of 5
The Town (2010)- Affleck's penchant for directing smart though totally predictable mainstream thrillers is fine by me. ***1/2 out of 5
A Matter of Life and Death (1946)- Beautiful and bizarre one of a kind look at law, love and England as only Powell/Press. can. ****1/2 of 5
Iron Man 2 (2010)- Slick, wise-cracking action romp...entertaining enough though overstuffed. Downey Jr's great as always. ***1/2 out of 5
The Killer Inside Me (2010)- Way too on the nose to really register, though Casey Affleck's performance is worth seeing. *** out of 5
The Social Network (2010)- Whip-smart...one of the most satisfying and entertaining movies I've seen. Brilliant script. ***** out of 5
Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps (2010)- Dear Oliver Stone, Either calm down w/ the over-directing or make more substantial films. **1/2 of 5
That Evening Sun (2009)- Sentimental melodrama suffocates genuine moments of truth and insight. Good perfs. give it a pass. *** out of 5
Date Night (2010)- Has its moments, but this formula action-comedy is just a little too dumb to be considered successful. **1/2 out of 5
New York, I Love You (2009)- One good short does not make a good shorts collection. New York has never been so underutilized. ** out of 5
Breathless (1960)- Brilliant and effervescent glimpse at young people living in a grand city during a grand period of history ***** out of 5
Gigante (2009)- Red Road dealt with this material in a much darker and more interesting way. Still, this film is passable and moody. ***/5
True Grit (1969)- Wayne is just terrific in a wonderfully entertaining formula western. **** out of 5
Scott Pilgrim vs the World (2010)- Keeps up its energy until the end. Clever & fun but Cera's shtick hurts the film. ***1/2 of 5
The Square (2010)- Engaging and interesting Double Indemnity/Fargo knockoff. Perhaps a bit too serious for its own good. *** out of 5
Mother (2010)- Unsettling, suspenseful mystery/thriller that honors the turmoils of motherhood. Great opening & closing scenes. ****1/2 of 5
The Beaches of Agnes (2009)- Eclectic, eccentric & entertaining self-meditation of a cinema legend & creative genius. ****1/2 of 5
Beeswax (2009)- Funny, frustrating and dark, Bujalski's intriguing look at two passive twin sisters is solid mumblecore. **** out of 5
The Runaways (2010)- Adequate look at an explosive all-girl punk band that's not willing to get as down and dirty as it needs to. ***/5
High Plains Drifter (1973)- Savior for a town not worth saving--dark deconstructed Western dealing with familiar Eastwood themes. **** of 5
The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp (1943)- You name it, this wonderful film deals w/ it--love, friendship, war, history, mortality. *****/5
A Face in the Crowd (1957)- Dark look at power corrupting a decent man. Solid performances. ****1/2 out of 5
The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928)- Rarely a wasted image in this most devastatingly beautiful treasure. Falconetti is perfect. ***** of 5
Edge of Darkness (2010)- a. gov't conspiracy thriller b. grieving father's descent into madness c. Ridiculous pablum --Answer- C. **1/2 of 5
Kick-Ass (2010)- I'm all about the fun, but this fanboy magnet is maybe the most mindless thing I've seen all year. ** out of 5
Once Upon a Time in America (1984)- Taut gangster epic leads into final act full of dull melodrama & overblown self-importance. ***1/2 of 5
Irma la Douce (1963)- Ending made me chuckle, but plot is preposterous & Lemmon's completely miscast--a mess of a film. **1/2 out of 5
Life During Wartime (2010)- Though a bit busy & too tethered to the logic of Happiness, this is an interesting look at guilt. ***1/2 of 5
Green Zone (2010)- Greengrass' direction is slick, but a comment on Iraq through an action flick? Stupid idea, stupid film. ** out of 5
Witness for the Prosecution (1957)- Charles Laughton is truly amazing in this fun, convoluted courtroom mystery. **** out of 5
Sabrina (1954)- Enjoyable enough, but I'm still waiting for Bogart's transformation to be believable. *** out of 5
The Kids Are All Right (2010)- Great performances in an astute look at the complexities of marriage. **** out of 5
Burma VJ (2009)- Impeccably well-crafted look at Burmese injustice as well as the reporters who risk their lives to show it ****1/2 out of 5
The Yes Men Fix the World (2009)- Call to action doc that's painfully uncomfortable. Unfocused activism but admirable intentions ***1/2 of 5
Pirate Radio (2009)- Interesting concept but executed poorly--cartoonish and not at all funny. Songs are too on the nose. **1/2 out of 5
Tokyo Sonata (2009)- Strange and beautiful look at a family/country that's not quite dealing with these difficult times. **** out of 5
A Town Called Panic (2009)- Plastic barnyard animals holding a mirror up to humanity's destruction. Hilarious yet brutally cynical. ****/5
The Song of Sparrows (2009)- Majidi's storytelling is naive and cheap. He's best with arresting visuals which are lacking here. ** out of 5
Inception (2010)- A wonderfully slick bit of entertainment not catering to stupid people, though it's far from perfect. ****1/2 out of 5
Cyrus (2010)- All the laugh out loud moments are at the service of a false, lazy and empty movie. **1/2 out of 5
The Maid (2009)- Fascinating oddity. Rich character study based on how the judgments of the viewer can be so wrong. ***** out of 5
Stalag 17 (1953)- Even with its annoying goofiness, Wilder's POW drama is a truly sad and great achievement. ****1/2 out of 5
Winter's Bone (2010)- Sense of place and the people living within is gold. The overly sensational plot doesn't quite match up. **** out of 5
Defamation (2009)- Well-judged, brave exploration into modern anti-Semitism and what's provoking it. ***1/2 out of 5
Everlasting Moments (2009)- Heiskanen is amazing as Maria in a compelling yet somewhat flimsily textured feminist tale. ***1/2 out of 5
Floating Weeds (1959)- Beautiful, simple story of tradition vs. modernization and what it means to belong to a family. ***** out of 5
American Radical: The Trials of Norman Finkelstein (2010)- Taut look at how a relevant voice can devolve into radicalism. **** out of 5
The Apartment (1960)- (second viewing) One of the great movies about loneliness ever made. ***** out of 5
Ballast (2009)- I'll keep embracing these poverty line neo-realist films as long as they hold onto their intimacy and humility. ***** of 5
Best Worst Movie (2010)- Surprisingly sweet, if a bit meandering, look at a modern cult classic. *** out of 5
Some Like It Hot (1959)- (second viewing) Even better than I remember. So tightly constructed, well-acted and hilarious. ***** out of 5
We Live in Public (2009)- I came to hate Joshua Harris. This film panders to the whim of a terrible person. Disturbing and infuriating. **/5
Flame and Citron (2009)- Gritty and compelling, though a bit overstuffed and self-serious. ***1/2 out of 5
Trucker (2009)- Painfully clunky dialogue in this predictable sapfest which isn't quite saved by some good performances. **1/2 out of 5
William Kunstler: Disturbing the Universe (2009)- Justice is complex and so is Kunstler, a great and terrible man. Insightful. **** of 5
A Hard Day's Night (1964)- The Marx Brothers should have been proud of a cheeky self-effacing look at a cultural phenomenon. ***** out of 5
Toy Story 3 (2010)- Though it relies on too many jokes and sequences from the first two, this is still a wonderful movie! ****1/2 out of 5
Where the Wild Things Are (2009) (second viewing)- Holds up for multiple viewings. Brilliant, quirky look into coping methods of an angry young boy. ***** out of 5
The Book of Eli (2010)- What a pleasant surprise! One of the more satisfying popcorn movies I've seen. **** out of 5
Shutter Island (2010)- Saw the twist coming, but still I was satisfied by this atmospheric mystery/thriller. **** out of 5
Alice in Wonderland (2010)- Stale and technologically dull. Depp needs to calm down & Wasikowska needs to cheer up. **1/2 out of 5
Kiss Me Deadly (1955)- Slick, dark, entertaining noir with one of the trashiest and most audacious endings in all film. ***1/2 out of 5
Exit Through the Gift Shop (2010)- Works on every single level. Frustrating, funny, fascinating. Blows the mind. ***** out of 5
Please Give (2010)- Baumbach-lite...too often devoid of truth. Just barely enough genuine moments to make it watchable. *** out of 5
Tetro (2009)-Coppola's earned the right to be indulgent--sadly, he's not as clever and interesting as he thinks he is. **1/2 out of 5
Pressure Cooker (2009)- Simmers a bit but then comes to a boil when true talent becomes the main course. Inspiring. ***1/2 of 5
The Lady Eve (1941)- Convoluted and uneven, but Stanwick's amazing acting and some huge laughs make this comedy a classic. **** out of 5
Double Indemnity (1944)- The perfect film noir... sleazy, smokey and so very sexy. One of my all-time favorites. ***** out of 5
A Fistful of Dynamite (1971)- Kaboom!!! Then some crap about a revolution. Then more Kaboom!!! **1/2 out of 5
Blue Velvet (1986)-It's important every once in a while to pull back the perfect facade of this world to find a rotting severed ear. *****/5
The Princess Bride (1987)- One of those rare movies that gets funnier as it goes along. By the end, I was totally with it. ****1/2 of 5
The General (1926)- It's awe inspiring to see one of the true geniuses of cinema at his best. Among the greatest movies ever made.***** of 5
Amelie (2001)- A truly original life affirming gem with just the right amount of sadness to balance the idealism and joy within. ***** of 5
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)- Finally, a Sergio Leone western with a story as good as its style. Immensely satisfying. ***** of 5
His Girl Friday (1940)- Nonstop energy along with Rosalind Russell's brilliant acting help make this dark screwball comedy work. **** of 5
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2010)- Novels take hours/days to read. Why inflexibly stuff EVERY DETAIL into 150 minutes? Absurd. ** of 5
Life of Brian (1979)- Anarchy of Monty Python doesn't fit well into a conventional narrative--still moments of pure genius. ***1/2 of 5
The Lost Weekend (1945)- I applaud its intentions and its unflinching commitment, but Reefer Madness-like camp weighs heavy. *** out of 5
The Secret in their Eyes- A film about a story within a novel. Novel's story is cheesy, but the film about it is sly and smart. ****1/2 of 5
Advise and Consent (1962)- Absorbing & intelligent. Perfectly captures what's (still) wrong with our government. ***** out of 5
For a Few Dollars More (1965)- Final act disappoints, but Leone's style is solidified. The result is slick and entertaining. ***1/2 of 5
The Good Heart- What the hell? Forget 3D. Here comes the 1D revolution. *1/2 out of 5
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (2009)- Clunky & underwhelming...sorry to say, those words also apply to Ledger's performance **1/2 of 5
The Big Lebowski (1998)- Perfect blend of fully baked cinema with a peppering of acid flashbacks. Coens at their most audacious ****1/2 of 5
Blessed is the Match: The Life and Death of Hannah Senesh (2009)- Amazing, well told story of a dynamic heroine. **** out of 5
A Fistful of Dollars (1964)- Solid practice run for a director that has better things in store. Simple & shallow yet cinematic. ***1/2 of 5
M (1931)- Someone better protect the children for sure, but we must be protected from the systemic flaws of the state. Amazing! ***** of 5
Black Dynamite (2009)- First ten minutes & last ten minutes are hilarious. Rest is hit & miss. All involved not on the same page ***1/2 of 5
The Damned United (2009)- A tricky film. Both too serious & surprisingly compelling at once. Love/hate relationship w/ Clough works. ****/5
The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2009)- Dug Weitz's style, but mopey plot is short on action & tall on a romance I don't care about at all **1/2
The Secret of Kells- A fuzzy story and a blend of mostly 2D animation w/ a peppering of computer generated 3D make for an okay movie. ***/5
The Ghost Writer- A well-crafted beach read of a movie that's fun despite how shallow and at times ridiculous its plot is. *** of 5
Afghan Star (2009)- Putting aside its desire to be a competition show itself, this doc showcases a country's struggles w/ transition. ***/5
The Private Lives of Pippa Lee (2009)- What a pretentious, overdirected, overwritten, sloppy mess of a film. Blech. *1/2 out of 5
Once Upon a Time in the West (1968)- Overstuffed, sure, but I can't recall too many films that are so damn entertaining. ****1/2 out of 5
Greenberg- Brutally honest meditation on being 40. Baumbach's not afraid to be unlikable in his successful quest for truth. ****1/2 of 5
The Way We Get By (2009)-Honoring those who honor the troops. Potential for pulled focus never materializes. Solid & inspiring. ****1/2 of 5
Seraphine (2009)- Few loose threads are forgivable in one of the most beautifully tragic movies of the year. Moreau is amazing. ****1/2 of 5
Laura (1944)- Fun mystery. All the noir ingredients are there--convoluted plot, dangerous woman, conflicted protagonist. Classic. **** of 5
Serbis (2009)- Dares you not to look away. I didn't look away. I wish all the depravity actually added up to something. **1/2 out of 5
$9.99 (2009)- No reason for animation other than gimmick. Occasionally insightful but ultimately muddled. *** out of 5
The September Issue (2009)- Cutler's doc perfectly matches the self-serious/joyous vibe of the fashion industry. Refreshing. **** of 5
Anatomy of a Murder (1959)- Impeccably well-acted, fascinating courtroom drama. 160 minutes absolutely fly by. So entertaining. ****1/2 of 5
Heaven Can Wait (1943)- Found the final bookend a real letdown to an absolutely charming story imbued with the Lubitsch touch. **** out of 5
Chloe- Fatal Attraction meets Skin-a-max. I could write a better script after a lobotomy. Yet, Moore saves it from train wreck status. **/5
The Informant! (2009)- Well acted and sporadically entertaining, but this cynical look at one man's greed is tepid at best. *** out of 5
To Be or Not to Be (1942)- Convoluted and contrived, but the comedy is sublime and so is Carole Lombard. **** out of 5
Capitalism: A Love Story (2009)- Moore is a gifted filmmaker. Argument made well, which makes me beg Moore to stop the gimmicks. ***1/2 of 5
Everybody's Fine (2009)- Bit schmaltzy, fractured & self-serious, but I was ultimately won over by its heart and DeNiro's perf. ***1/2 of 5
The Boys Are Back (2009)- Not bad, though unseemly pangs of self-loathing in this simplistic drama based on a memoir. *** out of 5
A Prophet- The prison yard is a brutal place. Is the real world any easier? Unflinching, gritty tale of survival. Magical film. ***** of 5
The Shop Around the Corner (1940)- Stewart's stiff. Sullavan's shrill. Matuschek plot line works better than romance. *** out of 5
Jay McCarroll: Eleven Minutes (2009)- Hilarious Jay from Project Runway has turned into a dull, type-A automaton. Insightful but dull. **1/2
Climates (2006)- Compelling story & stellar direction, yet I'm not exactly sure what everything's supposed to add up to. ***1/2 out of 5
My Neighbor Totoro (1988)- Cute, sweet and imaginative. A bit timid exploring sadness in the world. ***1/2 out of 5
Porco Rosso (1992)- Not bad though Miyazaki's ode to old Hollywood contains muddled messages and a lazy ending. *** out of 5
Coco Before Chanel (2009)- One would think there's not a movie to be made from this woman's early life. Wrong. Wonderful. ****1/2 out of 5
The Last Station (2009)- Simplistic look at Tolstoy which ends up as little more than an excuse for excessive histrionics. **1/2 of 5
The Hurt Locker (2009) (Second viewing)- Such a good film w/ standout sequences. Still believe contrivances hold it back a bit. ****1/2 of 5
Y Tu Mama Tambien (2002)- Devastatingly tender. Offers nostalgia that few movies can match. Nearly perfect. ***** out of 5
Cold Souls (2009)- Giamatti's fun to watch, but this is dull Charlie Kaufman-lite. **1/2 out of 5
Whip It (2009)- This is how I like my feel-good formulaic films--light, witty, charming and extremely well-acted. ***1/2 out of 5
Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief- Cool special effects, but film gets very obnoxious and downright ludicrous. **1/2 of 5
Fish Tank- Though too sensational at times, Arnold's neo-realistic character study is effective and unsettling. ****1/2 out of 5
Princess Mononoke (1997)- A darker and more sincere Miyazaki. This is easily his most focused narrative. A wonderful film! ***** out of 5
Burden of Dreams (1982)- One of the great filmmaking documentaries showcasing one of the great filmmakers. ****1/2 out of 5
Ninotchka (1939)- The Lubitsch touch slightly dampened by tone shifts and political commentary that's just a bit heavy. ***1/2 out of 5
Loren Cass (2009)- Brutal experimental look at the sort of anger and meaninglessness that could lead to race riots. ****1/2 out of 5
Amreeka (2009)- Heart in the right place. Screenplay riddled with cliches. Too simplistic and predictable. **1/2 out of 5
No Impact Man (2009)- Self-serving? Who cares? One of the most inspirational and compelling docs of the year. ****1/2 out of 5
Brothers at War (2009)- Impressive troop access by a vain, insecure filmmaker. Doc is equally interesting and disappointing. **1/2 out of 5
Bright Star (2009)- Though buttoned-up and plodding, this historical romance proves that poetry can be cinematic. **** out of 5
The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994)- Not too much beyond its considerable camp value. *** out of 5
The Cove (2009)- Sincere & graphic activist doc which won me over despite its presentation of only one side of an argument. **** out of 5
The Seven Samurai (1954)- One of the purest examples of what movies are capable of--a complete masterpiece. ***** out of 5
Trouble in Paradise (1932)- Brutally smart and funny farce. Fantastic introduction to Lubitsch's dynamic direction. ***** out of 5
In the Mood for Love (2001)-Kar Wai's hypnotic direction elevates this steamy yet chaste noir to near perfection. ***** out of 5
Bandslam (2009)- With its feet planted firmly in the teen music film genre, this overlooked winner may be the best one yet. ***1/2 of 5
Medicine for Melancholy (2009)- Tedious hipster racial trope. Way too self-conscious & self-important for its own good. **1/2 out of 5
The Young Victoria (2009)- A modest and lovely look at a fascinating historical couple. Admittedly simple but satisfying. **** out of 5
Kiki's Delivery Service (1989)-Wonderfully magical and surprisingly inspirational without getting too treacly. ****1/2 out of 5
Sherlock Holmes (2009)- Downey Jr. & Law are the best of all else, especially Ritchie's bloated, literal, fratboyish direction. ** out of 5
It's Complicated (2009)- No, it's actually a bit simplistic, but that doesn't mean it's not really entertaining and satisfying. ***1/2 of 5
Crazy Heart (2009)- Bridges' performance overcomes a lackluster script and a subpar Maggie Gyllenhaal to offer a solid drama. ***1/2 of 5
It Might Get Loud (2009)- Disorganized, slightly self-important doc that showcases three random guitarists. Why these three? *** out of 5
Lorna's Silence (2009)- A dark, twisted, beautiful celebration of womanhood. ****1/2 out of 5
Jerichow (2009)- Passable blend of Double Indemnity and Days of Our Lives. *** out of 5
Play It Again, Sam (1972)- Here's looking at a great script, Kid. Here's also looking at an actor whose reach exceeds his grasp. ***1/2 of 5
Avatar (2009)- Great visual effects blah blah blah stupid story blah blah blah. *** out of 5
Big Fan (2009)-Such a smart, sad character study that's slightly hampered by an over-the-top plot. ***1/2
Somers Town (2009)- Too short, too sappy, but undeniably sweet & quite funny. Huge step backwards for Meadows after This is England *** of 5
You, the Living (2009)- Never knew hopeless misanthropy could be this amusing. Nihilism, you crack me up! ***** out of 5
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (2009)- Take some Ritalin & Pepto and watch. Might just have some mindless fun. *** out of 5
Laila's Birthday (2009)-A slow taxi ride from one manufactured occurrence to another thankfully ends sweetly. *** out of 5
Collapse (2009)- The sky is falling! Did I say the sky, I meant the clouds... no wait, the sun. WHY WON'T YOU BELIEVE ME? ***1/2 of 5
Adam (2009)- Convention & a weak subplot are forgivable in a touching and respectful look at Aspergers. Pitch-perfect ending. **** out of 5
Motherland (2009)-Amazing women and poor people exploited to make a bad documentary. Cruel to play with grief and poverty. ** out of 5
Fifty Dead Men Walking (2009)- Well made, moderately interesting thriller that's wildly uneven. Trying to be another The Departed. *** of 5
Still Walking (2009)-Despite a heedless change of tone halfway, this family drama about grief is so very sad and so very beautiful **** of 5
Of Time and the City (2009)-Though some overlong sequences, Davies' doc is singularly poetic and meticulously well-crafted. **** out of 5
Red Road (2007)- Can't stress enough how chilling Arnold's thriller is...worth it though for its insight into grief. ****1/2 out of 5
This Gun for Hire (1942)- Alan Ladd is a revelation, but plot requires more than suspension... slaughter of disbelief. **1/2 out of 5
The Lovely Bones (2009)- Good. Should have been great but gets bogged down in eye-rolling logic and an overbearing soundtrack. *** out of 5
Nine (2009)- Total misfire. Other than Cotillard & Cruz, the other women join Day Lewis by giving empty performances in a pretty empty film. **1/2
My Man Godfrey (1936)- The silly rich get what's coming to them through kindness. A few great laugh-out-loud moments. **** out of 5
Friday, December 31, 2010
2010 Year End Movie Wrapup Blog-a-Thon- Day 4
And there you have it folks! Four days of analyzing the films and Oscar possibilities of 2010. I'm writing this introduction one hour and forty-five minutes before 2011! What a great way to end the year by sharing insights with three great lovers of film. Please feel free to comment on any of these posts to any one of us and I'll make sure your comment is seen by the intended recipient.
Sean Patrick Kernan's writing will be in maroon. Visit Sean's blog here.
Julian Stark's writing will be in green. Visit Julian's blog here.
Candice Frederick's writing will be in blue. Visit Candice's blog here.
My writing will be in orange.
Sean Patrick Kernan
What a great year this has been and to cap it off with this four day intensive look back at the best movies of the year with three of the most educated and unique bloggers on the net has been phenomenal. Candice, Brian and Julian thank you. Dear reader, please contribute as well, you can email me or on Candice, Brian and Julian's sites they have comment sections.
And, there is always Twitter
Candice @Reeltalker
Brian @bpdreview
Julian @202chicago
Sean @SeanPatriKernan
Julian Stark
I actually have to agree with Candice that Mark Ruffalo was better in Shutter Island. I actually didn't see too much in his Kids Are All Right performance, even though it's easily ranks high on my list of this year's best films. To be honest, I'd completely forgotten about his work in Shutter Island, but that's probably because it's been so long since I've seen it.
Anyway, as far as my Oscar wishlist (alphabetical order) is concerned…
Lead Actor
Leonardo DiCaprio (Inception)
Leonardo DiCaprio (Shutter Island)*
Robert Downey, Jr. (Iron Man 2)
Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network)
Aaron Johnson (Kick-Ass)
Lead Actress
Annette Bening (The Kids Are All Right)
Anne Hathaway (Love and Other Drugs)
Natalie Portman (Black Swan)
Anika Noni Rose (For Colored Girls)
Tilda Swinton (I Am Love)
Supporting Actor
Christian Bale (The Fighter)
Nicolas Cage (Kick-Ass)
Vincent Cassel (Black Swan)
Kieran Culkin (Scott Pilgrim vs. The World)
Zach Galifianakis (It's Kind of a Funny Story)
Supporting Actress
Amy Adams (The Fighter)
Barbara Hershey (Black Swan)
Mila Kunis (Black Swan)
Juliette Lewis (Conviction)
Chloe Moretz (Kick-Ass)
*I know that it's a maximum of one nomination per category, but I can dream, can't I?
However, here's what I'm predicting (listed in order of most likely to win to least likely; essential locks for nominations are IN CAPS)
Lead Actor
Ryan Gosling (Blue Valentine)
Robert Duvall (Get Low)
Lead Actress
NICOLE KIDMAN (RABBIT HOLE) – close enough to being a lock to be considered one
Michelle Williams (Blue Valentine)
Supporting Actor
Andrew Garfield (The Social Network)
Jeremy Renner (The Town)
Supporting Actress
Barbara Hershey (Black Swan)
Candice Frederick
To respond to Sean's question about my impression of Greenberg in more depth, I'll say this: Quite frankly I just wished someone other than Stiller played the role. I know he was supposed to be a smug guy, but he didn't give Greenberg any justice. As an actor I think he should have drawn some empathy from the audience to make them see his point of view, and he just didn't. I was disappointed. To me, that showed that he never fully understood the character enough to play him.
I would love The Town to receive a best picture nomination. Though I think too man folks would see it as a The Departed redux for it to stand alone and get recognized. But I definitely agree that Renner should get a nod. To me, his performance in that movie was better than Wahlberg's in The Departed.
And I agree that Wahlberg is swallowed by his terrific cast performances in The Fighter to be a real contender, but it looks like he'll get a nod. Armie Hammer was great in The Social Network but I really think with Sorkin's wonderful script his performance might have been written for him already.
I'm not getting all the love for Kick-Ass. I didn't think it was kickass at all; I thought it was lame But I know I'm in the minority on this one.
I just want to also add that I hope Inception gets more appreciate from the academy than some special effects nods. The script was great, as was the acting. I'd love to also see The Social Network, Black Swan, The Kids are All Right, and Night Catches Us up on the board for best picture. With a 10-movie slot, it might be safe to assume there may be a few duds, throaways, and/or curve balls in the mix. What do you think they'll be? Shutter Island maybe? Blue Valentine? I guess is 127 Hours, Winter's Bone, The King's Speech, and The Fighter as well.
Sean Patrick Kernan
Julian I am so with you on the Kick Ass love. That movie kicked my ass all over the theater and I loved every minute of it. Kick Ass was one of my favorite experiences at the movies in 2010 which is what I want to talk about before I also chime in on the Oscar talk. Two horror movies provided two of my other favorite experiences of the year. Going in to The Crazies I was expecting another lame zombie movie. What I got instead was a taut, witty horror movie that kept me consistently breathless with it's brilliant B-movie-ness. Breck Eisner may just have a career yet and that provides of the bigger surprises of the year. The other favorite experience of the year was The Last Exorcism a smart, self aware horror movie that took a TV actor, Patrick Fabian, and made him look like a superstar. Fabian's charm ropes you in and then once you are hooked director Daniel Stamm rips the rug out from under you in surprising fashion. Just when I thought I couldn't be surprised by a horror movie, The Last Exorcism actually made me jump in my seat.
It was not an exceptionally good year for comedy but a couple stood out for me. Get Him to the Greek is a movie I know Candice is not a fan of but it worked for me. I'm a fan of Russell Brand's schtick and Get Him to the Greek actually makes me eager to see his take on Arthur. The more surprising successes for me were Easy A and Going the Distance. Emma Stone nails every moment of Easy A despite being hampered by omniscient narration and a predictable High School setting. Stone's chemistry with Stanley Tucci and Patricia Clarkson as her parents is phenomenal and may be the funniest thing about a very funny movie. Going the Distance worked for me because of how unabashedly foul it was. It's not that I love four letter words but the proper employment of expletives works for me and Going the Distance, and especially Drew Barrymore, deploy expletives in the most unique and unexpected ways.
So, digging into the Oscar talk I think we are underestimating True Grit. We have to keep in mind how much the Academy loves something familiar, hence all the love for The King's Speech. The only thing the Academy loves more than familiarity is zeitgeist, hence the ultimate zeitgeist movie The Social Network getting so much love. True Grit has last year's Oscar winning lead actor. It has Oscar winners the Coen Brothers, pedigree my friends gets you along with the Academy, how else did Meryl Streep get nominated for half a movie in Julie and Julia. Matt Damon is a former Oscar winner and young Hailee Steinfeld has a great narrative, she was selected after a nationwide search of more than 17,000 other actresses and the performance is stunning. If not for the fact that True Grit is a remake it might be lock to win it all.
The Social Network will win this year because Fincher is due, the film is current and by Academy standards it's a hip choice. That's not a knock on The Social Network which is a phenomenal movie but it's not hip, your mom has a Facebook page now. If the Academy were truly hip we'd be talking about Tiny Furniture or I Am Love or Mother, movies that are hot with the tastemakers who are not running with the pack but are setting the pace. I don't claim to be one of those people, I don't have the time to keep up with them but I am aware enough to know what they are talking about and they stopped talking about The Social Network the minute Academy member mommies and daddies started appreciating it. Again, not a knock on The Social Network, merely an observation about the way our culture moves, the moment the Academy starts talking about Lena Dunham is the moment she will stop being hip.
Here is my list of the 10 movies the Academy will find acceptable..
The Social Network
The King's Speech
True Grit
Winter's Bone
The Town
Shutter Island
Toy Story 3
Black Swan
127 Hours
The Fighter
Watch out for The Way Back, Get Low, The Kids Are All Right, Rabbit Hole, How to Train Your Dragon and unfortunately Alice in Wonderland.
Winter's Bone is a strange case of a movie that critics have delivered all the way to the Academy. It's rare that critics have such power these days but without the critics Winter's Bone would have died on the vine. Instead, Winter's Bone has been making the papers nationwide for the past two weeks, sitting at or near the top of critics lists everywhere. Shutter Island is going to top Inception because the studio muscle has been stronger behind Shutter Island than behind Inception, a rare example where box office may hurt a nominee with the perception that it has been rewarded enough by box office dollars. Keep in mind that Lord of the Rings was the culmination of three films and not an honor for that particular. The notion that box office matters all that much should have been blown up by The Hurt Locker last year. Being a hit helps but for the image conscious Academy creating a hit movie is more fun than bandwagoning on a hit.
Candice I am happy to see you champion Night Catches Us. I wasn't as big of a fan of that film as you are but critics taking on a cause out of passion for the movie is always appealing to me, it's why I still love going to the movies and being a film critic, the chance to find a movie and tell as many people about it as will listen. I had an opportunity this year to be a champion for a tiny independent film that was shot just up the road from me here in Iowa. It's called 16 to Life and it's a charming little Juno-esque story of a small town girl looking for her first kiss on her 16th birthday. 16 to Life is a charming, ultra-literate and witty little comedy that is filled with these tiny perfect moments. I met the director Becky Smith and interviewed her on the radio and was really impressed and moved by how she and the cast were barnstorming this little movie from town to town and film festival to film festival where audiences were delighted enough to give it a couple awards. If you can find 16 to Life I urge you to check it out, it will be one of my last experiences at the movies in 2010.
Brian Dunn
Please someone promise me that we'll do something like this again next year. I've had a blast, and I feel like I've really been able to cement my own thoughts on the year as a whole by doing this. Again, I still have so many movies to see, and after this back and forth, I can't wait to get back to watching some of the great 2010 movies you all have mentioned that I haven't yet seen.
I haven't yet made my own list of what I think will be nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars, so I think I'll start formulating one by looking at Sean's choices.
The Social Network is a given, and it's also my favorite non-documentary film of 2010. I think Julian said that it's not a technically impressive film. I couldn't disagree more. Fincher's direction is certainly more subtle than someone like Christopher Nolan's for Inception, but his handiwork is certainly there on screen. No one does CGI the way Fincher does it. It's almost invisible how he's able to implement the CGI without ever drawing attention to it. He's done it again and again with Zodiac and Benjamin Button as other examples. The regatta scene in particular in The Social Network is perhaps the most viscerally exciting scene of the year, and that's all Fincher right there. Plus don't forget what he did with Armie Hammer's characters. By the way, I do think Hammer's fantastic, and he has gotten the recognition he deserves. I can understand Candice's and Sean's points about The Social Network not being the hip film because the Academy loves it, but I do think it will stand the test of time. I wouldn't be surprised to see it high on people's best of the decade lists in 2019. I also wouldn't be surprised to see it on something like the American Film Institute's list of the Greatest American Films in like 30 or 40 years. I truly believe it has the potential to be the movie of this generation. It will win, and it should.
The King's Speech (a really nice movie) is a given. I do agree that True Grit will be nominated for Best Picture. I don't think it will win much at all. As a matter of fact, I wouldn't be surprised if it goes home empty on Oscar night. Again I haven't seen it, but I have read many critics' reviews. I get the sense that many see it as a very solid movie, but as a Coen brothers film, it's not among their best work. The acting is good all around, and I'd love to see Matt Damon, a great actor, get nominated especially since I didn't even think about him until he was mentioned by the three of you. However, I haven't heard anything like "Jeff Bridges' best work" or "Matt Damon's best performance" or "the Coen Brothers' best film." I really do think it will be nominated though. And that whole argument that Julian refuted about the Globes not liking the Coens is ridiculous and Julian explained why perfectly.
I do think Winter's Bone will be nominated as well, and Sean's right that it is the critics that deserve credit for the buzz for it. It's a wonderful film, and it's the sort of film that never would have a chance of being nominated if there were still five nominees. Winter's Bone is exactly the sort of film that gives the ten BP nominee system merit. I think Candice mentioned that she didn't think The Town will be nominated. I disagree completely. It's gotten really good critical buzz and it's done well at the box office. I think it's a pretty sure bet that it will be nominated. Someone mentioned earlier that Ben Affleck might be a surprise nominee for Best Actor. He's good in the film, but I don't see that happening.
That brings me to Shutter Island. I liked Shutter Island. I was entertained by it, but wow, that film is polarizing. Some people hate it. Match that with the fact that it came out early in the year and that it's not among Scorsese's best and I think it's one that might get in, but probably won't. If it had been released later in the year, that might have given it a better shot, but I think the haters are going to have the last word on that one.
Toy Story 3 is a given. It's as charming as any film released this year. Black Swan is also a pretty sure thing in my opinion as well, even if I'm not totally in love with it. I actually think The Fighter is a definite. I don't think the moderate box office is going to hurt it. It's an Oscar bait kind of a film. It'll be nominated--at least I think so.
127 Hours is one of my favorite films of the year. I do think it will be nominated, but it might be the one that might disappoint me by slipping through the cracks. It's such a unique kind of a film and some Academy voters might have avoided it because of the subject matter. That being said, I still think it will get in.
So the nominees so far of Sean's that I agree with are:
The Social Network
The King's Speech
True Grit
Winter's Bone
The Town
Toy Story 3
Black Swan
127 Hours
The Fighter
That tenth spot will be an interesting one to say the least. Now I'll admit the sad fact that I only predicted seven of the 10 nominees last year, so that makes it difficult for me to even trust myself to predict the biggest wild card of the ten. I really really don't think Shutter Island will get in. So I think that tenth spot will in fact go to Inception. It's a great film. Everyone's seen it. It will be nominated for a number of technical awards. It's just been released on DVD. Christopher Nolan is unbelievably well respected. I think Inception's lack of early awards buzz won't matter that much. Critics groups don't vote for ten films. The Golden Globes' voting process is ridiculous because it's less than 100 people who like famous people and being bribed. The Academy is certainly a serious group of people so they won't nominate something like Iron Man 2, but I think the general moviegoing audience wants to see Inception nominated, and considering that it's also a great film, I think the Academy will award it.
The tenth movie that will be nominated will be:
If I'm wrong, it'll probably be among the following films: The Kids Are All Right, How to Train Your Dragon, Blue Valentine or Rabbit Hole. Again considering my track record from last year, I really do think The Kids Are All Right will be nominated in place of something. But I can't choose eleven films so I'll keep it off even though it's a wonderful movie.
Once again, thanks to Candice, Julian and Sean, and thanks to everyone who has read our exchange. 2011 is here, and I can't wait to start watching the movies we'll be discussing for next year's Blog-a-Thon.


text:
UNCA collects for tsunami relief
Published: Sunday, January 9, 2005 at 4:30 a.m.
Last Modified: Monday, January 10, 2005 at 12:00 a.m.
v BASKETBALL UNC-Asheville and the Biltmore DoubleTree Hotel will collect donations for the Tsunami relief effort during the men's basketball game between UNCA and Winthrop on Monday at the Justice Center beginning an hour before the 7 p.m. game.
Everyone in attendance will receive a DoubleTree Cookie compliments of the Biltmore DoubleTree. Each wrapper will be numbered and one lucky fan will win a free stay at the Charleston, S.C., DoubleTree.
For ticket information call the UNCA ticket office at 250-3858.
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Marvel Assembles an Official Title for Third "Avengers" Movie
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Digital comics | Japanese publisher Kadokawa plans on March 22 to launch ComicWalker, a digital comics service that will carry manga in three languages: Japanese, English and Chinese. The stories will include some well-known classics (Sgt. Frog, Neon Genesis Evangelion, Gundam: The Origin) as well as new manga, and apparently they will be free. The launch will include 150 titles, 40 of which will be translated, so it sounds like not everything will be available in English right away. [Anime News Network]
Conventions | Lewis Trondheim, a former winner of the Grand Prix d'Angoulême and therefore a member of the academy that chooses each year's winners, provides an insider's view of the voting and the causes and effects of the changes that have been made over the past two years: "In its forty-three years, the festival has had, I believe, three Americans, one Argentine, one Swiss, three Belgians, and over thirty Frenchmen. This doesn't seem to correspond with the reality of the comics world to me." [The Comics Journal]
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Party Scene:
Graduate University Lifestyle – Nightlife is relatively good here in the campus. There are parties around the university. Specifically during the weekends students between the age 18 to 25 can be found in the bar or club in the Mill Avenue. I really like the light music because it is calm and soothing. If the party is organized then there is a maximum possibility for the cab to be called to take you back to the campus. But if you are with your roommates or close friends then you don't have to worry for transportation as they may give you a ride back.
Off-Campus Housing:
Lots of Housing, NOT So Much Parking – Overall the housing around campus is convenient because the size of Tempe Arizona is fairly large. With that said it is an old neighborhood with narrow streets. Most landlords in the area are allow pets which is always a plus and pretty reasonable rent prices.
Party on and FEAR the FORK – ASU is an over all party school. Most parties do not get broken up because there are a ton of students. On occasion parties will be broken up and just sent home, very little students get an MIC a.k.a. minor in consumption. ASU is the ultimate school to socialize and party your pants off. There is some occasional punishment that is why ASU received an A-.
Summers Are HOT! The weather doesn't really affect the campus experience. The summers in Arizona is just really hot making walking to class a little bit miserable!
The computers on campus are great. There are average laptops and Apple computers. They all run very fast. Printing I believe is 10 cents a page. I personally have my own computer and printer but the computers on campus are great for emergencies.
Easy to Apply – It is fairly easy to apply to any program on campus, however keeping up with it is what matters. Make sure you take your critical classes when you're supposed to and get at least the required minimum grade in them. It is easy to stay on track if you use your DARS, which you can get from your MyASU page under where is lists your major. Just keep on top of the requirements for your program.
Greek Life:
The dorms, Taylor Place, have no declared a floor for Greek Life. People in Fraternities and Sororities can now live together on a floor. It brings new life to the social atmosphere of the dorms.
SRC Is a Great Place to Workout – The SRC has just about any piece of workout equipment you could ask for, as well as a pool. It's a fun place to workout with friends or by yourself, there are tvs on some of the equipment so you don't have to miss your favorite shows. There are also classes available there that you can take. I definitely suggest checking it out.
Studying abroad is something that ASU values highly, not that you HAVE to do it, but if you want to there are many opportunities to do so. There are many different trips available during the school year or the semester and anyone can do it. There are also scholarships available for those in need, so don't be afraid to ask if it is something you are interested in.
I go to the downtown Phoenix campus and there is nothing but meters surrounding campus. It wouldn't be so bad if the meters lasted long enough to get through a class. But they don's and we all end up with $50 tickets because we were in class and didn't get out enough to feed the meter.
Lots of Opportunities for Success – ASU has great events, advisers, and online access to information about internships, research positions, and jobs. The Job Portal through ASU's website is really helpful and has job posting for many different areas. The advisers and professors are typically always ready and willing to help people who come to them with questions. Don't be afraid to put yourself out there!
The wifi at ASU can get really busy especially around finals and registration. Sometimes you can't even get on, but typically if you use the guest wifi, there are less people on it and you can typically get through.
Local Area:
There is much to do at ASU since sightseeing and exploring the campuses take one to take the opportunity to participate at local vendors, malls, and recreation centers.
Campus Quality:
Better Than Most Universities – The space at the general facilities is sufficient and wide enough to have many students enjoy the available utilities there.
Nursing Pro's and Con's – With people loosing their jobs or having to take pay cuts at an alarming rate retired Nurses are returning to the job market. This is making the number of nurses wanting to be teachers less and less. The benefit of that is, the ones who are teaching really want to be there. If you take the time to communicate with them and put the time in you will do well in the program. You may have three separate teachers for one class, but this will prepare you for the multiple people you will have to interact with once working as a nurse. Keeping a positive attitude and being dedicated will take you a long way.
Super Busy Labs – Labs on campus are always super busy and there is a wait to get to computer
Party Scene:
One of the Top Party Schools – Asu has one of the top party scenes in the nation. Bars and clubs for those above 21 are right by campus and super easy to get to. Dry campus though so keep drinks off of school property!
Arizona state university's athletic team has a great fan base- and everyone is involved in one way or another!
The wheather in Tempe is like any other weather type in the phoenix metropolitan weather. Summer is hot, winter is somewhat cold, spring is nice enjoyable weather, and the fall is best weather
Very Strict – ASU/ Tempe/ Arizona in general has some of the most strict drinking laws in the country. Underage drinking policies are highly enforced. Undercover cops will randomly breathalize or search backpacks in the on-campus apartments. Police will ticket and breathalize for something as simple as jaywalking at night (ive seen it happen) and the student ends up with an MIC (minor in consumption ticket). Something as simple as holding a red cup if the police show up at a party and you get caught, whether you were drinking or not can get you an MIC. The first MIC offense can be wiped off your record by taking $130 class, and remains permanently after any further offenses. Tickets for the second offense are ~$450, and continuously go up from there with continuing offenses, upwards of $1000. So keep the monetary and legal consequences in mind when you go out to get shwasteddd because you might wake up an unhappy camper the next morning with serious problems on your plate. Smoking marijuana is also highly frowned upon, and the police are called immediately if any weed scent emanates from your room. Consequences are severe, with either being kicked out of where you are living, or kicked out of where you are living as well as the university + a lot of legal issues to follow. Another thing I got to deal with this year was harassment and stalking, and ASU police does not take this lightly. If you have a problem, go to them immediately and ASU and the police will be willing to help with any problems you may have, so don't suffer in silence.
I Would Do It Again – My program unfortunately got messed up half way through I started with the program director changing everything and then leaving, staff leaving, etc, but the major itself I would never have chosen differently. I simply was at the school at an inconvenient time, but they are in the process of fixing the issues that came up. When I started, I had no idea what I wanted to do. I was on the "pre-med" track and thought about medical school. I was worried I would never figure out what I wanted to do, but as you go along, you figure out what you like and don't like. I now am more interested in working for a big company in industry, rather than research or medical school. I am somewhat concerned about finding a job, because BME majors are often over looked if there is a mechanical engineer also applying. The job market is already generally tough, so if this is the major you want to pursue, make sure you get into research labs, make connections, and try to add something to your skill set to set you apart from others.
Harbor Branch Marine Institute – Apply apply apply! Apply to as many things as you can find, and you are bound to get something. I just recently finished an internship at an ocean institute doing drug discovery research, which actually has nothing to do with my major biomedical engineering. I learned a lot of new skills and it helped to broaden my horizon when it came to possible jobs. This was an REU (research experience for undergraduates) so my internship was all research based. Pay all depends where and what the internship is, for example an internship at an actual company is going to pay significantly more than an internship through a university. The time commitment for me was your typical 8-5 M-F job, plus outside research and time for writing a final report. Starting with an REU is a good way to gain more experience and boost your resume, because getting internships with a company is much more competitive and difficult. I had already had previous research experience at my university, however many of the students there had little or none, so don't let this discourage you! The REU programs often take those with no experience because the entire point is to help students gain experience. I learned a lot about living on my own for the first time, and I was away from my family in a different state for the time, so you learn a lot about yourself, as well as technical skills you can take to a future career. Students who are sophomores or juniors should definitely try to apply for a research-based internship through a university if they have little experience. Another plus, you are with a group of other students and it is good to share experiences and hear what everyone else is doing in their life.
It gets incredibly hot at ASU! So it gets very uncomfortable getting from class to class. From about November to about March the weather is good though.
It's pretty expensive to get a parking space at one of the garages on campus. But the only other option to park your car would be at a meter, and usually those are all taken up. The best advice I have, is to either get there early enough so you can get a meter or to use the lightrail or bus.
Easy Peasy – ASU is one of the easier schools to get into, accepting over 90% of applicants. The engineering school is slightly more difficult, requiring higher test scores and a higher high school GPA, but overall, still pretty easy. Definitely the most important criteria to focus on would be SAT/ACT test scores, as ASU focuses on this more and not GPA for scholarship money (which I found out after I got in :p). So study for these!!
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Arizona State is like no other university in the country. With a large, vibrant, and exciting student body that truly makes the campus unique, there is no arguing that ASU is by any means a boring place to be for the next four years of your life. As soon as you step onto ASU's campus, you will feel the immense amount of positive and exciting energy that gives you sense of belonging. Even though there are so many students around campus, you will be sure to find a niche to call your own. College is the time to find yourself and truly learn who you are as you prepare for the real world. ASU provides the perfect environment to challenge you to make "adult" decisions, and you won't always, but by the end of it all, you will mature into a dedicated individual!
Even though students will struggle with all-nighters, sports practice, parking tickets, and trying to recover from a great night, many of them couldn't ask for anything else. There will be times that you are drowning in homework and studying, but by the end of it all, you will look back and laugh. Your peers help you get through the tough times and make those social outings even more fun. ASU knows how to party hard, but when it comes to crunch time, we pull it off well. The kids here know how to have a great time, the nightlife and social settings are extremely fun, the academics are quite challenging—especially when you apply yourself and take it seriously—but most importantly, students will leave prepared for post-graduation and taking on the world. ASU is a fantastic place to meet new people and a great way to experience life in the great southwest. But don't take my word for it—come on out and experience it for yourself!
Compared against the students in the chart, you are in the:
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Safety & Security: Athlete Safety
- Group Calls for End to Full-Contact Hits in Football Offseason
by Emily Attwood February 2013
The Sports Legacy Institute held a press conference in advance of Sunday's Super Bowl to announce a new initiative calling for all state high school athletic associations to ban full-contact practices and games during the offseason. Current and former NFL players, including Ravens center Matt Birk, Titans quarterback Matt Hasselbeck and Chiefs Eric Winston were also present to show their support for the proposed ban.
- Virginia Tech Concussion Study Expands Beyond Football
by Emily Attwood January 2013
Since 2003, researchers at the Virginia Tech - Wake Forest University School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences have been compiling impact data from college football players using sensor-embedded helmets, resulting in a rating system for commercially developed football helmets. In 2011, the study was expanded to include helmets, with the intent of establishing safety ratings by 2016, as well as updating the existing ratings for football helmets.
- H.S. Wrestler Fine After Being Hit by Falling Light
by Emily Attwood January 2013The annual "Madison Square Garden" wrestling tournament hosted by Madison High School in South Dakota was cut short this weekend after a lighting fixture fell from the rafters and directly onto one of the competitors.
- Can Cardio Exercise Aid in Concussion Recovery?
by Michael Popke January 2013
Long considered a forbidden activity for individuals with concussions, cardiovascular exercise is slowly becoming recognized as a recovery tool.
- High School Student Dies While Trapped in Wrestling Mat
by Michael Popke — AB Managing Editor January 2013
News out of southern Georgia this week suggests there is at least one more safety precaution to consider in high school gymnasiums: the storage of wrestling mats.
- Concussions: Bridging Gap Between Athletic, Academic Departments
by Michael Popke December 2012
David Hayward began thinking differently about his job the day the parents of a student-athlete at Highland High School in Gilbert, Ariz., expressed frustration to him about their son's lack of academic progress while recovering from a concussion.
- Youth Hockey Players: 'Heads Up, Don't Duck'
by Emily Attwood December 2012
USA Hockey has teamed up with Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic on a new initiative to reduce spinal injuries in youth hockey players. While many campaigns have taken aim at banning fighting and tougher rules on head-checks, both common causes of head injuries in ice hockey, the new program addresses the fundamentals of the sport. "Heads Up, Don't Duck" teaches players just that - to keep their heads up when colliding with the boards around the rink, which reduces the shock impact on the spine.
- Balance Test Proving Effective in Concussion Evaluation
by Emily Attwood December 2012
The University of Mississippi Medical Center is adding another tool to its concussion testing protocol. The Computerized Dynamic Posturography device has been commonly used to evaluate balance issues, but only recently has been found to be effective in detecting lingering signs of concussion, which can cause impaired balance. The test is especially useful in diagnosis of athletes who exhibit or claim to exhibit no symptoms.
- U. of Iowa Climbing Wall Closed After Student Falls
by Emily Attwood November 2012
The rock climbing wall at the University of Iowa is closed indefinitely after a fall landed one student in the hospital on Nov. 9. Business student Spencer Bean, an experienced climber who is also an employee of the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center, fell 30 feet, landing upright on his feet. He remained conscious and coherent for a few moments before passing out.
- Survey: More Parents Paying for High School Protective Gear
by Michael Popke — AB Managing Editor October 2012
An estimated half of high school coaches and athletic directors say their budgets for purchasing protective sports equipment have been reduced during the past three years, according to a recent survey conducted by the National Sporting Goods Association. Approximately 400 participants responded to the survey, which covered baseball, football, boys' and girls' ice hockey, boys' and girls' lacrosse, and softball.
- Can Cardio Exercise Aid in Concussion Recovery?
- Gym Cited for Closing Without Notifying Members
- Georgia Tech Coach Supports Eight-Team Playoff
- Organizers: Olympic Village May Have Been Sabotaged
- Clippers Exploring Options for New L.A. Home
- HS Football League Disbands Due to Lack of Teams


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Services were held today to honor and remember Cascade County Deputy Joe Dunn, who died in the line of service on Aug. 14. A full story will follow soon.
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Service honors fallen Cascade Co. Deputy Joe Dunn
Mourners arrive in Great Falls to honor the life and service of Cascade County Sheriff's Deputy Joe Dunn. Dunn was killed in the line of duty on Aug. 14.
Read or Share this story: http://www.greatfallstribune.com/story/news/local/2014/08/21/service-cascade-county-deputy-joe-dunn/14382333/


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Mayor to start watch group for horse killings
Posted: 08/24/2009 - A South Florida mayor says she wants to start a community group that she hopes will help protect the area's horses, which have become targets for apparent slaughter.
Posted: 08/24/2009 - A South Florida mayor says she wants to start a community group that she hopes will help protect the area's horses, which have become targets for apparent slaughter.
Posted: 08/24/2009 - Police say a teenage boy crashed a stolen vehicle into an Orlando home, throwing a retired Orange County school bus driver out of bed.
Posted: 08/24/2009 - Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio and Police Chief Steve Hogue are expected to attend a ceremony honoring a police officer who was fatally shot on patrol last week.
Updated: 08/22/2009 - An Egyptian man acquitted earlier this year of terrorism-related charges has been released from federal custody.
Updated: 08/22/2009 - NASA has begun the launch countdown for space shuttle Discovery.
Updated: 08/22/2009 - A central Florida postal worker has pleaded guilty to federal charges of destroying mail.
Updated: 08/22/2009 - Two people were killed when their car ran off a Collier County road and hit a tree.
Updated: 08/22/2009 - Police arrested a North Port woman a day after authorities say she left her baby in a vehicle with the windows rolled.
Updated: 08/22/2009 - Authorities say a north Florida man contracted by a veterinary clinic to dispose of euthanized animals was dumping them illegally.
Posted: 08/21/2009 - A four-year-old northwest Florida girl, critically injured in a traffic crash a week ago, has now died from those injuries.
Updated: 08/21/2009 - Police say a woman's body has been found inside a car after a traffic stop in northwest Jacksonville.
Posted: 08/21/2009 - A judge has ruled that the media can watch and describe video taken from the home of a Panhandle couple the night they were killed, but not air or distribute the video.
Updated: 08/21/2009 - The Panama City Police Department is requesting the community's assistance in identifying a robbery suspect.
Updated: 08/21/2009 - A man suspected of killing a woman in north Walton County was captured early Thursday evening near Laurel Hill.
Posted: 08/20/2009 - Bermuda is under a hurricane watch as Hurricane Bill nears the island with its winds slightly weakened but still blowing at near 120 mph.
Posted: 08/20/2009 - A Panama City Beach woman says her husband has been holding her prisoner inside their home.
Updated: 08/20/2009 - Walton County detectives have a suspected named for the murder of a Florida woman.
Updated: 08/25/2009 - Fla. court OKs force against retreating attackers.
Updated: 08/25/2009 - Gov. Charlie Crist is including longtime Republican Congressman Bill Young among the people he's considering to fill the remainder of Republican Sen. Mel Martinez' term.
Updated: 08/25/2009 - Vice President Joe Biden and Education Secretary Arne Duncan are asking teachers to bring forward new ideas to reform the nation's school system.
Updated: 08/19/2009 - An Indiana money manager who pleaded guilty in June to federal charges of intentionally crashing his plane to fake his death and flee financial ruin will be sentenced Wednesday.
Updated: 08/19/2009 - The Florida Department of Transportation wants your input regarding building a new bridge and improving road conditions in Vernon.
Updated: 08/19/2009 - The Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office is launching a new public awareness campaign called "Lock, Take, and Hide" to encourage residents and tourists alike to remember to lock your cars, take your keys, and hide your belongings.
Updated: 08/18/2009 - Residents Continue Debate over Legalizing Liquor Sales
Updated: 08/25/2009 - The University of Florida is laying off 11 faculty members and 49 staff members.


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Tomorrow's BPP
The Rundown for Friday
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Please keep your community civil. All comments must follow the NPR.org Community rules and terms of use, and will be moderated prior to posting. NPR reserves the right to use the comments we receive, in whole or in part, and to use the commenter's name and location, in any medium. See also the Terms of Use, Privacy Policy and Community FAQ.
sigh.... The final rundown.
Oh how I loved these.
I have the same msg notifier tone as MM! Love this nice tour of the (soon to be former) BPP studios.
It feels just like the last days of school: excitement for new things to come but a feeling of sadness for all the times shared. The best of luck, and thanks for all the good times. Listening from MxCity
The only one we didn't get to see on camera (aside the absent people) was Meena Ramamurthy, but I guess that would have been amateur, turning the camera on yourself.
that was really charming. all the more sad that you have to do another tomorrow.
Wow, that sounds like it hurt. Thanks for the tour of the studio. I love the "this is not an exit" sign on the door.
Not much left to say but this:
I <3 the BPP.
Wishing you all the best for a great show. This will be a sad day indeed...but hang in...you have a lot of support and fans out here.
dangit. i am still so upset. please, please don't go! that's the trouble when you make a radio show that shares so much of your personality with your listeners; the listeners get very, very attached to you.
unpack those boxes! stay!!!1!
That was cool, fun, and sad all at the same time. It was the Smiths of Rundowns.
First of all, thank you to the BPP reporters for making my morning commute interesting, fun and ultimely shorter than it really is. Just to let you know I am a Public Library Director and often shared your stories with my staff at our Wednesday morning meetings. You provided our Library with great music (Melody Gardot), great books (Choose Your Own Adventure for adults) and inspiration (the successful New York Charter school), just to name a few items I shared with my staff.
Second, NPR is '...cutting off its nose...' Don't you realize that the BPP makes NPR's dry and intense reporting hip, happening and tolerable? I like the premise of NPR, but man, I cannot stand to listen to it! It's too dull!
Guess what, I'm in my early 50's and I work with that wide range of public and have worked with the public since I was 15 years old. NPR better get on the right train and realize who the audience is out here and what we like - and it's not dull, boring reporting...
Okay, I'm done. I never really blog or write letters to the editor, but I feel that it's important to share my thoughts about the loss of the BPP.
Good luck to all of you and thank you for giving me interesting morning commutes and food for thought!
I absolutely love The Rundown. The BPP has been such a cool show and a thriving community.
i hate this
I have not yet expressed my extreme displeasure with the cancellation of this show. I am contemplating taking the Sirius receiver out of my car, placing it under my rear right tire, and backing over it. The BPP was BY FAR the best part of Sirius.
I wish I could join you in drinking Friday night, but will do so in my locale in your honor- it will be like a funeral.
Thank you, best of luck to you all, and great job to everyone.
I just finished my second and (thankfully) final resignation letter.
So I totally empathize with everyone at BPP. Tiniest of silver linings: be thankful that you don't have go through "The End" two weeks in a row, like me.
Have a great last show, everyone!
Final, 11th hour post. I needed to write one more time, not sure what to say. Thanks and love to you all at the BPP - see you around the inter-webs. Greetings to new friends - see you at the Diner. Note to NPR - there is still time. Don't blow this.
Thanks for the guided tour of the BPP Crib guys. It was nice to see some of the behind-the-scenes faces one last time. I'm planning to defy my company's Web Use Policy and listen to the final show live today. (It's vacation season here in Sweden, and with so many colleagues out-of-office, I think our servers can handle it.)
My very best wishes to the entire BPP crew. I'm now off to stalk as many of you as I can find on twitter (where my username is Shazzer). Cheers Sweeties!
I'm so sorry to see you go. I have loved the BPP since I discovered it last October. Good luck everyone! BTW, Alison: I can't wait to hear you on Wait!Wait! Do you know when your appearance will air?
SO sad to see the show go- it was the perfect way to start my mornings. You guys did a great, creative, entertaining and intellectually stimulating job! Good luck.
Pink is the new Lauren!


text:
Comments about 'Suitcase full of cash found in storage unit raises ownership question'
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"asset forefeiture" is a racket, and one eagerly abused by the law
enforcement system, who I understand get to keep the proceeds for their
In this case, it is highly likely that the money is from illicit activity, but it should be up to the government to prove that. And, the mere smell of drugs on money should not be cause for confiscation.
Have the cops take their drug sniffing dogs to any bank, and they will almost certainly get the same results there. Incredible amounts of cash have been inproximity to illegal drugs then returned to circulation. And, that is the money that you and I get when we cash our paychecks at the bank, or get change at the gas station.
If Grandma distrusts banks and want to keep her cash under the mattress, it is her right to do so, and the cops should not be seizing it unless they can prove she got it illegally.
Bust the drug dealers, sure, but it better be with more evidence than "the dogs smelled drugs on the money."
- 10:42 p.m. May 11, 2012
- Like (1)
- Report abuse
The woman has proof of her claim of a settlement should be all that is needed to
back up her ownership of the money.
Police have to prove otherwise and this is why this law of asset forfeiture must be repealed, it gives law enforcement to much incentive to become criminals. Law enforcement should not be allowed to use this law and confiscate assets or money until they can prove its source without the use of circumstantial assumptions. It must be with direct evidence related to a specific crime.
They should not be allowed to say it must have come from drugs, no one can have that much cash in their possession without it being illegal. Guess what, others have cash obtained and stored through legal means of saving so police accusation are criminally motivated. This also proves that police are corruptible and motivated by the same criminal greed and lies of those they prosecute.
The police will take this same money and put it back in to circulation or criminal stings to entrap other innocent citizens of possessing drug money. The possibilities are endless for how this kind of flimsy tainted evidence can be used against the public.
- 5:37 a.m. May 12, 2012
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Oh, now I remember where I left my suitcase full of cash.
- 9:03 a.m. May 12, 2012
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I am trying to derive the second equation displayed in section 7.1 (or p. 41) of this article or equation (6.3) of this book. I've seen this in many documents discussing conditional sampling with copulae.
Suppose $C(u_1,...u_d)$ is a d dimensional copula and $C_j(u_1,...u_j)=C(u_1,...u_j,1,...,1)$, $j \in {2,...,d-1}$ is the $j$ dimensional marginal copula.
I am trying to prove the following relationship as in page 420 of this book (search inside the book for "conditional inverse method" in google books to see this page),
$\mathbb{P}\left(U_{j}\leq u_{j},U_1=u_{1},\ldots,U_{j-1}=u_{j-1}\right)=\frac{\partial^{j-1}C_{j}\left(u_{1},\ldots,u_{j}\right)}{\partial u_{1},\ldots,\partial u_{j-1}}$
Maybe something along the lines of,
$\mathbb{P}\left(U_{j}\leq u_{j},U_1=u_{1},\ldots,U_{j-1}=u_{j-1}\right)$
$=\lim_{\triangle u_{1},\ldots,\triangle u_{j-1}\rightarrow0}\mathbb{P}\left(U_{j}\leq u_{j},u_{1}\leq U_{1}\leq u_{1}+\triangle u_{1},\ldots,u_{j-1}\leq U_{j-1}\leq u_{j-1}+\triangle u_{j-1}\right) $
then the paper i'm reading tells me if this is right it should equal
$=\lim_{\triangle u_{1},\ldots,\triangle u_{j-1}\rightarrow0}\frac{C_{j}\left(u_{1}+\triangle u_{1},\ldots,u_{j-1}+\triangle u_{j-1},u_{j}\right)-C\left(u_{1},\ldots,u_{j}\right)}{\triangle u_{1}\cdots\triangle u_{j-1}}$ ... (*)
Where the fact the copula $C_j$ is the joint distribution of $j$ uniform random variables, $U_1,...,U_j$ is used. But I dont quite understand where the denominator in (*) $\triangle u_{1}\cdots\triangle u_{j-1}$ comes from??
In fact the derivation in the paper goes against my understanding of probability.
For example how does the author divide by $\mathbb{P}\left(U_{j}\leq u_{j},U=u_{1},\ldots,U_{j-1}=u_{j-1}\right)$ in the derivation. I would have imagined since the $u_i$'s are continuous this quantity would be 0... but how come its not??


text:
2007-09-11 - The following statement has been posted by the band:"We regrettably have to inform you that we have been forced to pull out of the November tour with The Dillinger Escape Plan. There are several reasons for this. The main one being the fact that the album recording has taken longer than what was originally planned.As an effect of that - NB has moved the album release to Jan/Feb of 2008.In light of this we choose to not do a tour that could compromise the outcome of the album as well as possibly delaying the release even more.Our intention was to have the album out in November and then do this as the first tour in direct support of the release. With this "album-promotional" aspect of the tour gone, we feel that we should instead focus on the most important thing at hand - the album! We realize that this is a big disappointment to everyone who didn't have the opportunity to catch us on the European tour last summer but we will be back in 2008 touring the new album. Tourdates will be posted shortly!Our apologies to the other bands on the bill and all who already bought their tickets as well as those who were about to do so. The tickets are, of course, refundable."/Meshuggah
|Linked bands
MESHUGGAH - 25 Years Of Musical Deviance Box
2016-06-02 17:30 - The ninth wonder of the unnatural world, extreme tech-metal messiah's MESHUGGAH are releasing the ultimate collectors piece, 25 Years Of Musical Deviance box set. Details
MESHUGGAH - European tour and new album!
2016-05-12 10:00 - The ninth wonder of the unnatural world, extreme tech-metal messiah's MESHUGGAH have announced a European tour for winter 2016. Details
NUCLEAR BLAST Bands @ "Fear FestEvil 2015"
2015-01-14 14:30 - Performing live at the RockBar Theater in San José will be MESHUGGAH, AGNOSTIC FRONT, and ORCHID, in addition to the North American debut of BLUES PILLS! Details
MESHUGGAH – »The Ophidian Trek« DVD & »I« ...
2014-09-26 17:30 - Swedish experimental extreme metallers MESHUGGAH have released their brand new concert DVD / 2CD set and Blu-ray, »The Ophidian Trek«, as well as the the special edition ... Details
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2014-09-24 15:00 - Commemorating the 25th anniversary of the recording of their first EP, Swedish experimental extreme metallers MESHUGGAH will release a concert DVD / 2CD set and Blu-ray, ... Details
2014-09-19 10:30 - American Billboard Top 100 artist & 9th Wonder of the Unnatural World, Sweden's MESHUGGAH have released a trailer for their re-mastered version of "I", the band's one song ... Details
MESHUGGAH – to release live DVD »The ...
2014-09-05 16:50 - Commemorating the 25-year anniversary since the recording of their first EP, Sweden's extreme musical deviants MESHUGGAH will release their upcoming live DVD / 2CD (also ... Details
MESHUGGAH – to re-issue »I« via Nuclear Blast
2014-08-08 10:45 - Continuing with the momentum of celebrating their 25-year anniversary, Sweden's extreme metal deviants MESHUGGAH proudly announce the re-issue of 2004's one song EP, »I« ... Details
MESHUGGAH - new live DVD/Blu-Ray details ...
2014-08-01 08:40 - Commemorating the 25-year anniversary since the recording of their first EP, Sweden's extreme musical deviants MESHUGGAH have announced the artwork and the track listing ... Details
MESHUGGAH - A quarter century of deviance
2014-02-03 11:15 - You try to wrap your head around it but comprehension fails - it's been twentyfive years since the first official MESHUGGAH release!!! The selftitled (though often referred .. Details


text:
ATHENS, Greece - It was a typical play, something the U.S. women's basketball team surely has practiced hundreds of times.
Sheryl Swoopes passed the ball outside, made a break for the basket as the Americans moved it around the perimeter, took a perfect feed from Dawn Staley and banked in an easy layup with 6:41 left in the third quarter Friday afternoon.
That basket gave the Americans the lead to stay, and Swoopes' crucial 3-pointer later wrapped up that decisive 13-4 run as the U.S. women earned first place in Olympic pool play with a satisfying 71-58 win over previously unbeaten Spain.
Stifling defense and a strong bench effort helped make the difference for the Americans, who overcame foul trouble that limited their top three inside players at different times.
Spain, which had averaged 82 points a game in three earlier victories, managed only two field goals from early in the second quarter to midway through the fourth.
"I've told them all along that somewhere along the line we'd have to depend on our defense to win the gold medal," U.S. head coach Van Chancellor said. "We still didn't shoot the ball very well, but we got that defense today. What separates us from the rest is our commitment to defense and our bench.
"Our team faced much adversity in this game, especially getting all three post players in foul trouble. But we overcame it all, and I'm proud of them."
Lisa Leslie had 19 points, Tina Thompson 16 (all but one in the second half) and Tamika Catchings 14 for Team USA, which never led by more than 10 points until the final period before a crowd of 1,352 in Helliniko Indoor Arena.
Finally, though, inside baskets by Leslie, Thompson and Yolanda Griffith pushed the margin to 60-44 with 4:50 remaining, ending any remaining doubt.
Amaya Valdemoro, the Spanish star forward who formerly played for Chancellor and with Swoopes and Thompson on the WNBA's Houston Comets, had 10 points in the first quarter before cooling off and finishing with 22 for the day.
"We are proud that we put pressure on the American team," Valdemoro said. "Our goal was to compete as hard as possible against the world champions and lose with a small deficit. I think we did that against a team which is extremely athletic, plays very tough defense and has too much talent."
Swoopes made her presence known in more subtle ways.
Olympic Agenda
Aug. 14: United States 99, New Zealand 47
Monday: United States 80, Czech Republic 61
Wednesday: United States 80, South Korea 57
Friday: United States 71, Spain 58
Sunday: U.S. vs. China, noon CDT
Aug. 25: Quarterfinals, TBA
Aug 27: Semifinals, TBA
Aug. 28: Final, 8:15 a.m. CDT
She finished with eight points but also had eight rebounds, five steals and four assists while playing 35 minutes - eight more minutes than any of her teammates.
Defensively, the former Texas Tech star always seemed to be disrupting Spain's attacking offense.
"We knew we had to get down the floor and guard Spain, because they could really score," said Anne Donovan, U.S. assistant coach and former Olympian. "So many times today, Sheryl was the spark on defense that we've got to have. She was back there faster than anybody.
"It seemed like every time we needed it, Sheryl was the one making a key steal, stop or rebound. And everybody else feeds off that."
Playing a closer game didn't bother the U.S. women in the least.
"Spain didn't do anything that we didn't expect," Swoopes said. "We knew they would stay with us the whole game. It was a great test for us. We needed to play a full, 40-minute game."
Leslie agreed, saying, "We'll see more like that when we get to the medal round. It was also really good to have another strong third quarter. We seem to be doing that a lot."
After taking off today for the first time in nearly two weeks, the Americans finish pool play Sunday night with a meaningless game against China, which has already been eliminated from the medal round.
In the quarterfinals Wednesday, the U.S. women likely will face the winner of a Sunday game between Greece and Japan.
"I hate the thought of playing Greece at home," Chancellor said. "I've also seen Australia, Russia and Brazil from the other group, and they all look good.
"I'm a little worried about our legs right now, but the off day will help. We'll be all right."
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text:
I've got a testing environment set up on my work PC, and I am starting to play around with the Multisite features of WordPress.
I'm running a Windows 7 box using XAMPP 3.1.0 to run WordPress locally for developing WordPress themes and custom WordPress sites.
Today I started with a clean slate, and installed WordPress 3.5.1 into the environment. Everything runs perfectly. I then followed the instructions here: http://codex.wordpress.org/Create_A_Network
I have 2 sites set up that are sort of working on the network now. If Site A and Site B have the Twenty Twelve theme active, everything works peachy keen.
If I have Site B set to my custom theme, everything works peachy keen.
If I have Site A set to my custom theme, everything isn't peachy keen.
When I attempt to go to any of these menu pages from Site A:
My Sites > Network Admin
My Sites > Network Admin > Dashboard
My Sites > Network Admin > Sites
My Sites > Network Admin > Users
I get this error:
Fatal error: Call to undefined function get_current_screen() in C:\WP_Network\xampp\htdocs\wordpress\wp-admin\network\settings.php on line 22
The only files I've modified on Site A and Site B are the files housed in my theme's folder, so I don't really understand why there's an error on Site A and not Site B.
Anyone have any thoughts on why this might be happening?


text:
to pair as a couple normally in fan fics.
I ship Cethany!
Bethany Mota and Connor Franta
Bethany Mota and Connor Franta
defineit!!によって 2013年12月07日(土)
N: Short for romantic relationship, popularized in fanfiction circles.
V: To endorse a romantic relationship.
N: I see a 'ship developing between Rechelle and John Paul.
V: To endorse a romantic relationship.
N: I see a 'ship developing between Rechelle and John Paul.
Ship: Rechelle Medina
grammatikaによって 2015年04月08日(水)
Camel of the seas
Due to their ability to carry cargos across vast distances ships are known as the Camels of the Seas...
zenratによって 2010年08月05日(木)
When relationship, friendship, courtship or any other word ending in ship just doesn't suffice.
The two of them had been inseparable and helped each other out with so many things they were definitely in a ship.
Montana Jaeによって 2015年12月21日(月)
When you're so helplessly in love with two characters that you want them to bring happiness to each other.
DemonofHeavenによって 2015年06月30日(火)
To ship means that you rate a couple that you think should be together but for whatever reason aren't at the current time you decide to ship them!
When you order something online it's because you like it so if you like two people that should be together you ship them just like you would have an online order shipped to you!
G-Unit Gang Gang we in thisによって 2016年03月27日(日)
short for championships
we're going to ships!!
swagmaster__によって 2015年02月28日(土)


text:
I am working on AIX 6.1 and inadvertently renamed
/usr/lib/libc.a to
usr/lib/libc.a_ Just as I renamed I realized my stupid mistake. Almost all of the commands
ftp etc ( except
cd ) have stopped working.
How shall I rename by
libc.a back. Without it, the system hardly functions sanely :(