The Broken Chair

“I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding Generations as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by Solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.” - John Adams

Enjoy the day. God bless America.

Posted by Ed Z at 08:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

"Holy crap, Marie!"

Is the phrase that comes to mind when I think of this movie. Unfortunately, It was just that... crap. Being a fan of Generation 1 and Beast Wars, I found that these movies are just 2 hour commercials for merchandise. This movie was sorely lacking story, I mean real story. It looks like Michael Bay just grabbed the script on top of the pile and said "Throw in some explosions and we're set" It starts out Sam (Shia LaBeouf) is off to collage because he wants to be "normal" (sorry, you live with a transforming robot, "normal" is out the window!) and is not allowed to have his car, Bumblebee, the Autobot who transforms into a 2008 concept Camaro. Yeah, what 19 year old wouldn't want to take that to college?!?! Hot car like that, a kid will FIND away to bring it. Anyway, Sam finds a piece of the All Spark (from the first film) in his clothes and it turns the kitchen appliances (ugh!) into robots. Insanity ensues. Action was abundant, explosions, fighting robots you can't tell where 1 robot ends and another begins.

The Autobots

They brought back Peter Cullen (the Original Cartoon Prime) which is always a pleasure, after all to me he IS Prime. The introduction of new characters (barely!) Sideswipe, a concept Corvette and Arcee ...sisters(?) 3 motorcycles? But these characters were very brief.  Instead of using the afore mentioned Transformers, Bay decides to waste time (ours and in the story) with Mudflap and Skidz. These 'bots were the Transformers equivalent to Jar Jar Binks (More like Jar Jar Bots!) They were the writers way to try and connect with a younger crowd, not a bad thing but it was done poorly. I've read online that some people saw these two were robots in black face, and that may not be as accurate a statement.  in my opinion this may be a case of some old guy trying to speak street and failing miserably.  ( Nothing worse than a ageing hipster!) Also, Jetfire made his movie debut, and going the other direction, made this character some old, crotchety 'bot that farted fire, had a cane, and sported some sort of metal beard. Really trying to reach those 90+ Trans-fans!

As for the Decepticons...

Hugo Weaving (Matrix, Lord of the Rings) Returns as Megatron, and we find out he isn't the real Leader.  Some guy named The Fallen (HUH?) is.  Bay did however manage to throw in genius voice actor, Frank Welker, (who was the original Megatron, Soundwave, Rumble, Etc.  Check him out on IMDB, I guarantee you'll know some of his work) as wasted character Soundwave. This guy sat in orbit and stole Earth's Defense Satellite...Boring!  Constructicons (robots who combine to form a giant robot, Devastator) make their appearance as well.  Apparently the depiction of Devastator is only to get off a bad joke.  Devastator has... balls. Yes, I said balls.

I know I didn't mention all the robots, and be thankful. They really aren't worth mentioning. And worse, the less that's said about the human cast, the better. As my boss, John, would say; "They were about as useful as tits on a bull". Hot girls, crazy parents, and army guys. They all seem pretty faceless.

All in all, it was 77% action+3% lackluster story+3% love story+6% bad/useless characters+1% Devastator balls= 1 typical Michael Bay film.

Posted by Glenlock at 07:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Posted by Ed Z at 12:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

So much for engaging in a dialogue.

Obama attempts to contact these thugs and they promptly rig an election, murder people in the streets, and laugh in our faces about it.  Yeah, just the types you want to negotiate with.

No word yet if they've been uninvited to the 4th of July barbecue.

Posted by Ed Z at 08:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The Arab/Israeli Conflict

The root causes of the Israel-Arab conflict are a U.N. resolution, Jew hatred and that Arab leaders created, but refused to absorb Palestinian refugees.

The U.N. Resolution

• The historical fact is that, wrongly or rightly, the U.N. created the Jewish state in November 1947.

Jew hatred

• Most Arab and Muslim nations, as well as non-government groups, have officially refused to recognize, and continue to deny, Israel's right to exist. Some have even declared their intention to destroy Israel.
• Egyptian President Mubarak said on June 14, 2009, "Netanyahu's demand that Palestinians recognize Israel as the Jewish state is ruining the chance for peace … Not Egypt nor any other Arab country would support Netanyahu's approach."
• Would a sane person hope for peace with someone threatening to kill them and their children?

The Creation of Unassimilated Arab Refugees:

• Wrongly or rightly, Arab leaders refused to accept the U.N. resolution, threatened (and carried out) war and demanded that Arabs leave Palestine.
• Wrongly or rightly, in the meantime, Jewish leaders urged Arabs to remain in Palestine. Nevertheless, hundreds of thousands of Arabs voluntarily left to become refugees in Arab-controlled areas.
• Unlike many other nations that humanitarianly assimilate refugee families and children into their citizenry, economy and culture, encouraging them to thrive and prosper, the surrounding Arab nations instead forced their brother Arabs into internment camps and fed them on "Jew" hatred.

What Might Have Been

Had the Arab states instead assimilated the Palestinian refugees, today's turmoil would not exist. Better yet, had the Arabs accepted the 1947 U.N. resolution, there would have been no Palestinian Arab refugees and an independent Arab state would now exist alongside Israel.

What Might Still Happen

America accepts refugees of all races and religions and doesn't express plans to annihilate our enemies. Do you think that if the Arabs recanted their wish to destroy Israel, the climate of the peace discussions would improve?

Posted by Zorroaster at 08:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Imported!

Posted by Ed Z at 03:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I know, I know.  I haven't posted anything in a while.  While I have been busy, I'll confess it more laziness or perhaps a case of the blogging blahs.  But what could be better help you snap out of a funk than a good 'ole Rubber Chicken!

If memory serves, this is the first post-Bush rubber chicken entry.  Not that there haven't been any, (just turn on the television or read a paper) but I suppose the definition has changed slightly.

During the Bush presidency, just mentioning his name in a disparaging way was enough to get your rubber chicken waving but now some of the alternative targets have come front and center to take the heat.  Transformers star Megan Fox covers most of them in a recent interview (via Newsbusters):

Wait, was that before or after they purchase tickets to Transformers 2?

According to IMDB, Megan Fox was born in Tennessee and, at the age of 10, moved to Florida.  Maybe those 10 years in Tennessee were awful?  Sounds like a girl who hates where she came from and couldn't wait to run off to Hollywood.

Either way, a rubber chicken indeed.

Posted by Ed Z at 11:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)