Wednesday, September 22, 2004

I've Come About With A Change Of Heart

In the past I have said a few unnecessary and rude comments about George Lucas. I even launched an investigation into how I could bring the man (just the man, not "the Man") down. However, due to recent events I have decided to give the guy a break. Let me explain why.
I believe films are a style of artwork and piece of history. I have blogged about this subject before. While some movies are more beautiful and inspiring pieces of artwork, all deserve to be recorded in books and reference guides for future generations to use as a tool to understand our social views and misunderstood shortcomings.
With that I will also say I am more than moderately passionate about the Star Wars films. These movies established a new genre of film. It was the beginning of the sci-fi action movie. We had sci-fi films like 2001: A Space Odyssey and The Day the Earth Stood Still, but nothing had been seen like Episode IV: A New Hope. George Lucas had created a stunning world full of both humans and aliens living together a long time ago in a supposed galaxy far, far away. His vision was accepted with open arms and has created a cult following rivaled only by Trekkies and newly rediscovered Hobbits.
I have always complained about wanting the original versions of the first three Star Wars movies (Episode IV, V and VI). I still want this. I am not giving up on the vision of owning the original masterpieces on DVD someday, however I have a new hope (see what I did there) that others will come to understand George Lucas' attitude about his films.
This is the first reason for my retraction. They are his films. He can do whatever he wants to them that he pleases. I recently read an interview concerning Lucas and his films at the following website: http://movies.yahoo.com/news/ap/20040915/109528362999.html. It basically says the originals were not perfect. He envisioned a much greater film with much more special effects and graphics. He now has the ability to transform his films to what he originally wanted. However, this is going to bother the majority of the public because we feel he is ruining a masterpiece. What he adds to the films are both impressive and cheesy. The scenes connecting small areas in a city to a grand aerial view of the metropolis are impressive. Yet, then he cancels it out by adding an abominable camel-like creature that looks as if an eight year old stumbled onto the computer and discovered Adobe Illustrator for the first time. George, a CG panoramic view of Mos Eisley, good. A CG Ton Ton, bad.
Although I am still a little bitter about the computer graphics, I really am glad the old movies are finally on DVD. Which leads me to the next reason for my retraction on George Lucas. I bought the four disc DVD pack at Fry's Electronics for $36.99. Best Buy had it for $41.99, as did Amazon.com. Most executives who owned the rights to the most anticipated trilogy DVD pack would list a retail price of at least $59.99. Lucas, however, has shown me he doesn't necessarily care about the money. He wants his vision to be perfect, not a jillion more dollars. He has shown a token of good faith and I will accept it as a peace offering.
George Lucas, I will bow out and let you live in peace. However, if Episode III sucks, like many think it will, I will strike back (I did it again, did you catch it). I hope to someday see the Star Wars originals on DVD, but I will settle for the tainted, but still visually stunning, releases I have recently purchased.

Monday, September 20, 2004

When Will Reality TV Be Realistic?

As a rule of thumb, I try not to watch reality television. I don't believe in it. Personally, I think Ed McMahon going to a person's door is more like reality tv than any survivor or Joe somebody show.
I never really got into The Real World either as a kid. I kind of liked Road Rules, but I still didn't glue myself to the television when it aired. I can never contribute any opinion in a conversation about how kicking Puck out of the house during the San Francisco season changed the show forever.
There are three reasons I don't believe any reality show. The first being they are very far from reality. In The Real World, they are given amazing jobs, an incredible home and no other responsibility. They don't pay rent or bills. They can screw up at their job and won't get fired. Where is this reality? I am close to living this good of a life, but I still have far to go to be like these guys and girls. I would need to move in with a gay guy, a troublemaker, an innocent girl next door who will get laid in the next three months, a girl who is experimenting with her sexuality and a can-do-no-wrong guy with dimples as deep as the Mariana Trench.
How about Survivor? The people who win those shows would never really survive on a deserted island in the South Pacific or the Outback. The winners should be the ex-Navy guys and outdoorsmen (by the way, women can fall under these guy and men examples). Also, when a team runs out of food, is it realistic that a crate of rice just happens to wash up on shore. Come on, where is the reality in this? Tom Hanks got a port-a-potty, not a crate with a gps satelite, flare gun and some food. Don't misundrstand me, I realize Cast Away is not realistic either, but it is much closer than this show.
The second reason I don't like reality television is because the producers lead you in the direction they want you to go. I've learned enough about film and broadcasting to know the editors of shows like Survivor and The Bachelor are cutting and splicing the show for the best possible ratings, not the most accurate display of reality.
In my opinion, a director is not needed for reality tv. A director's responsibility is to provide us with the vision we should see. He begins the cameras rolling and controls the environment for the audience. Reality television shouldn't need any of this. The editor splices the film to manipulate our attitude about Omarosa and her work ethic. In reality television, the cameras should be rolling constantly and the environment is supposed to be natural and not tampered with in any way.
The third and final reason I don't like reality television is because of The Donald. Yes, Mr. Donald Trump has pushed it too far. I haven't been totally honest so far. I have watched a full season of two different reality shows. The first was Joe Millionaire. I wanted to see what the reaction of these women would be when they found out he wasn't rich. I can admit, I was sucked in after the first few episodes, however I never watched the second season and will never watch another season if they ever try that gimmick again. The second show was The Apprentice. I was a huge fan of Troy. I still believe in my heart he should have been given the job.
With only two full seasons and a couple of forced viewings of other shows here and there like The Bachelor and American Idol, I can say with full confidence that Trump has pushed me to never watch reality tv ever again. If anyone watched last weeks task and firing, they will agree that Bradford being fired was the poorest decision making ever executed since Napoleon deciding not to rest for the winter of 1812 on his march through Russia.
Although Bradford did choose unwisely to renege on his exemption, he didn't belong in the board room. If he had been available to choose before the exemption, Ivana wouldn't have even considered the thought of taking him in to be criticized. He had done an exceptional job on both tasks. However, Ivana was stupid and chose him as a possible contestant for firing. Okay, so Ivana made a mistake and Bradford was put in the board room, forgivable. Trump should have given him a pass. He should have said, "Learn from your mistake and lead these women to a win next week." Instead, for ratings and money, he chose to make a spectacle of Bradford. Well, I'm not going to fall for it. I will not continue to watch the circus that Trump is leading and I hope others will join me in this peaceful boycott of The Apprentice.
Although I hate reality tv and will not watch anymore, I understand reality tv is where American television is headed. Everything will soon be reality tv. I would bet sitcoms become reality tv. When will we have great shows like I Love Lucy, Seinfeld, The Honeymooners and Alf again?

Thursday, September 16, 2004

I'm Back Baby!

It's official. I now work for the man again. Last Monday I started a three day subbing gig at Williams Elementary in Arlington. My first day was very overwhelming but it was because I had no time to prepare. The second and third days were great. I had everything ready to go and I had gone over the lesson plan in my head the day before.
Except for making one kid named Treyvon cry, I think I did a pretty good job. I am upset to be under the man's thumb again, but I am happy to be a part of society again. If I have learned anything in the last three days, it is this: show respect to those who deserve it, display obedience and ask permission to do certain activities.
I showed my newfound outlook at my home group last night. When my leader asked someone to read, I would raise my hand to get permission to do so. Brandy, a friend of mine who stayed in the singles home group even though she and Danny recently got married, was utterly speechless when she saw how behaved I was being. She couldn't believe what she was seeing.
I can't wait to get another sub job and mold the children's mind, head and brain. It was a great honor to be their teacher.

Saturday, September 11, 2004

News Flash: Matt Breaks Down For Dr. Pepper

We all knew I wouldn't make it a week. I was out to eat last night, a Dr. Pepper was ordered for me and I couldn't turn it down. After chugging half of the tall glass of sweet sugar cane, I was completely satisfied with my choice to break down and get back on the hard stuff.
On the up side, my headache is gone and my twitch has subsided. Just kidding about having a twitch. I'm not that bad. Oh well, it's good to be back where I was three days ago.

Thursday, September 09, 2004

I'm An Addict

As of yesterday, I decided to clean out the system and get off of Dr. Pepper for a week. I try doing this every so often. Usually it doesn't make it past three days. However, this time I am sticking to my plan. I can beat Dr. Pepper. I can kick the habit.
Yet, I am noticing small side-effects to my state of mind since I got off the hard stuff. I have become more grumpy than usually. I've had a headache and this morning I woke up with a sore throat. This could all be attributed to something else, yet it makes me think without Dr. Pepper, Matt gets angry. Should I break down and go back to the juice or stick to it and fight through the hard times? I hear the first 48 hours are the worst. If I can just make it through the next day I should be okay. We will see. I will let you know how I come out of this.
What I do know is the first sip of a Dr. Pepper on Wednesday will be the sweetest thing I have ever tasted.