Check out this blog aboutmurder rates in top movies and video games. Parents compare about violence in movies today but the amount of violence in video games might shock you.
Politics are an ugly business. I have a feeling the war of words is just beginning.
Bodog.com recaps an episode from The Amazing Race. Milking a camel is harder then you think.
Monday, November 19, 2007
The Studio System vs Today's Movie Industry
The motion picture industry has not been the same since 1938 when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that major film studios such as Paramount Pictures were monopolizing the film industry. With decreased revenue and financing for the films, the production of films came to a halt. Today, major studios make fewer then 20 films a year and far more independent films are released today with only financial backing from the major studios. Unfortunately, the qualities of the movies haven’t been the same since.
Oligopolies actually helped improve the quality of movies. Rival studios such as 20th Century Fox, Warner Brothers, Columbia Pictures, MGM, United Artist, RKO Pictures and Universal Studios all had to churn out great movies to keep up with each other. They signed promising young thespians, directors, writers and even producers to long-term contracts which helped with the stability and camaraderie. The competition and chemistry helped fuel the greatest year of cinema history in 1939. Films such as Gone with the Wind, Hunchback of Notre Dame, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Stagecoach, Wizard of Oz, and Wuthering Heights were all released during that year. Rival Studios of MGM couldn't afford to be satisfied with the status quo that year due to the monster box office appeal and critical acclaim that went to Gone with the Wind and Wizard of Oz
.Another reason for the declining quality of movies is due to fewer great casts. It’s more difficult today to assemble great casts due to the ridiculous money paid to star actors and actresses. For example, a movie like Casablanca had a top-notch ensemble cast with great character actors such as Paul Henreid, Claude Rains, Sydney Greenstreet, Peter Lorre and Dooley Wilson with the featured leads Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman.
It was also easier to look up to and admire movie stars. They exuded class with their looks and attitude. Can anybody picture Cary Grant jumping up and down like a bufoon on national television? The film stars of yesterday did their best to uphold an image and lives by the standards set by their studios.
Finally, actors and actresses were typecast in roles they were best at. Whenever people talk about stereotypes, they talk about it in a negative light. That couldn't be further from the truth. Why should actors try to take on roles that aren't suited for their talents? Far too frequently, today's actors try to play characters that isn't an ideal fit for them because they want to expand their range. One bad casting choice will bring down the quality of the film very easily and unfortunately, it happens far too often. I know the Studio system will never return but these are simple steps that could be taken to improve the quality of films today.
Oligopolies actually helped improve the quality of movies. Rival studios such as 20th Century Fox, Warner Brothers, Columbia Pictures, MGM, United Artist, RKO Pictures and Universal Studios all had to churn out great movies to keep up with each other. They signed promising young thespians, directors, writers and even producers to long-term contracts which helped with the stability and camaraderie. The competition and chemistry helped fuel the greatest year of cinema history in 1939. Films such as Gone with the Wind, Hunchback of Notre Dame, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Stagecoach, Wizard of Oz, and Wuthering Heights were all released during that year. Rival Studios of MGM couldn't afford to be satisfied with the status quo that year due to the monster box office appeal and critical acclaim that went to Gone with the Wind and Wizard of Oz
.Another reason for the declining quality of movies is due to fewer great casts. It’s more difficult today to assemble great casts due to the ridiculous money paid to star actors and actresses. For example, a movie like Casablanca had a top-notch ensemble cast with great character actors such as Paul Henreid, Claude Rains, Sydney Greenstreet, Peter Lorre and Dooley Wilson with the featured leads Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman.
It was also easier to look up to and admire movie stars. They exuded class with their looks and attitude. Can anybody picture Cary Grant jumping up and down like a bufoon on national television? The film stars of yesterday did their best to uphold an image and lives by the standards set by their studios.
Finally, actors and actresses were typecast in roles they were best at. Whenever people talk about stereotypes, they talk about it in a negative light. That couldn't be further from the truth. Why should actors try to take on roles that aren't suited for their talents? Far too frequently, today's actors try to play characters that isn't an ideal fit for them because they want to expand their range. One bad casting choice will bring down the quality of the film very easily and unfortunately, it happens far too often. I know the Studio system will never return but these are simple steps that could be taken to improve the quality of films today.
Senate passes bill to eliminate public education
Washington- In their latest effort to curb government spending in a flattening economy, the Congress approved a bill yesterday to eliminate funding for their most disposable department: the United States Public School System. The legislation calls for the complete removal of all public education schools after this following year due to decreased revenue for government spending after granting a much needed tax break for the wealthy. Senior West Virginia Senator Robert Byrd voted for the measure and believes there are far more pressing issues facing this country today then education.
"When the forefathers of this country won their freedom from the British, only the rich were able to get any education at all. It was also a time when Slavery was still legal, women didn't have rights, social mobility was lacking, and children that didn't behave were beaten and flogged. Hopefully, this is the first step towards getting this country to what it used to be."
The bill comes off the heels of the House of Representatives passing a proposal that eliminated student financial aid in an effort to cut down the problem of an increasing number of incoming college students. Together, these bills are expected to trim over $750 Billion Dollars off the federal budget, more then $150 billion larger then the goal set in a budget agreement earlier this year between the President and Congressional leaders. Texas Representative Ralph Hall says the bill was passed because public education is a lost cause.
"We passed the No Left Child Behind Act into law in 2001. The only way to ensure that no child gets left behind is if we can try to prevent any child from jumping ahead,"Hall said. "If we get rid of Public Education altogether, nobody will criticize us anymore for leaving any child behind again."
It's becoming more obvious that students are doing everything they can to prevent using their brain. A recent study has found that American Students performed towards the bottom in International testing despite spending over $11,000 per student in grade-level education per year. By the time the students are 25, they will be like many Americans-never worried about getting a job or advancing their career while living comfortably off welfare.
"My mother is able to support six kids without knowing a lick of algebra,"remarked 15-year-old James King. "Why should I care about school when the government takes care of me?"
The new law is expected to take effect after the end of the school year.
"When the forefathers of this country won their freedom from the British, only the rich were able to get any education at all. It was also a time when Slavery was still legal, women didn't have rights, social mobility was lacking, and children that didn't behave were beaten and flogged. Hopefully, this is the first step towards getting this country to what it used to be."
The bill comes off the heels of the House of Representatives passing a proposal that eliminated student financial aid in an effort to cut down the problem of an increasing number of incoming college students. Together, these bills are expected to trim over $750 Billion Dollars off the federal budget, more then $150 billion larger then the goal set in a budget agreement earlier this year between the President and Congressional leaders. Texas Representative Ralph Hall says the bill was passed because public education is a lost cause.
"We passed the No Left Child Behind Act into law in 2001. The only way to ensure that no child gets left behind is if we can try to prevent any child from jumping ahead,"Hall said. "If we get rid of Public Education altogether, nobody will criticize us anymore for leaving any child behind again."
It's becoming more obvious that students are doing everything they can to prevent using their brain. A recent study has found that American Students performed towards the bottom in International testing despite spending over $11,000 per student in grade-level education per year. By the time the students are 25, they will be like many Americans-never worried about getting a job or advancing their career while living comfortably off welfare.
"My mother is able to support six kids without knowing a lick of algebra,"remarked 15-year-old James King. "Why should I care about school when the government takes care of me?"
The new law is expected to take effect after the end of the school year.
Personal Narrative
In Baltimore, se habla crabs. That is the first thing I thought about pertaining to Baltimore. This city is well known for their seafood because of their proximity to the Chesapeake Bay so it should come as no surprise that there are so many good crab houses in this area. Our crabcakes are considered the best because there is actually lump crab meat on the food. When tourists come to Baltimore, there are two things people always do . They check out the Inner Harbor and feast on our crabs and crabcakes when they are in the area.
It's not only tourists that feasted on crabs. My parents brought home crabs stored in a big box. They usually were alive and squirming so our family had to be careful handling the crabs. My sister and I were both born in Baltimore but whenever our parents brough home crabs, it was a great occasion for the family to spend some quality time with each other.My sister, Linda and I didn’t spend a lot of time with our parents because they were constantly working to put food on table and pay the bills. Even when they were home, it seemed like we were all doing our own thing. Linda was usually upstairs reading a book or talking on the phone with her friends. I liked to be downstairs watching TV or surfing the internet. My parents watched TV shows on VHS tapes in their bedroom upstairs. That wasn't the case when we ate crabs.
However, I have to fess up and admit that crabs weren't even one of my favorite foods. I was the only person from the family that didn't feast on the crabs as soon as it left the pan. It’s weird how I lived all my life in a state that was known for their crabs but but was only mildly interested in their most famous delicacy. I still ate the crabs because it would be weird to be the outsider in the family doing something else while the rest of my family was carrying on. The crabs weren’t bad but it’s definitely not something I would go out of my way to eat especially at the price it typically costs. We all sat together table with old newspapers covering the table and enjoyed the crabs. It was a good time to talk about what happened during our weeks and just chill. That's what crabs mean to me personally.
It's not only tourists that feasted on crabs. My parents brought home crabs stored in a big box. They usually were alive and squirming so our family had to be careful handling the crabs. My sister and I were both born in Baltimore but whenever our parents brough home crabs, it was a great occasion for the family to spend some quality time with each other.My sister, Linda and I didn’t spend a lot of time with our parents because they were constantly working to put food on table and pay the bills. Even when they were home, it seemed like we were all doing our own thing. Linda was usually upstairs reading a book or talking on the phone with her friends. I liked to be downstairs watching TV or surfing the internet. My parents watched TV shows on VHS tapes in their bedroom upstairs. That wasn't the case when we ate crabs.
However, I have to fess up and admit that crabs weren't even one of my favorite foods. I was the only person from the family that didn't feast on the crabs as soon as it left the pan. It’s weird how I lived all my life in a state that was known for their crabs but but was only mildly interested in their most famous delicacy. I still ate the crabs because it would be weird to be the outsider in the family doing something else while the rest of my family was carrying on. The crabs weren’t bad but it’s definitely not something I would go out of my way to eat especially at the price it typically costs. We all sat together table with old newspapers covering the table and enjoyed the crabs. It was a good time to talk about what happened during our weeks and just chill. That's what crabs mean to me personally.
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