“I’m a Marine, that’s all I can trust” – Mike Scotti’s film-ending declaration about the complications and mixed feelings he’s faced following his experience in Iraq (and Afghanistan)

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Following his words at the ending of the film, I don’t think Scotti has honestly asked himself what it means to be a Marine. It’s unfair of me to expect more, but I do anyway. In this film, which follows most contemplative and balanced war movies, killing and war are celebrated and rationalized, then later questioned, complicated beyond rationalization, and even regretted. I respect Scotti and the filmmaker for this approach, but, ultimately, a film that wants to ask questions wouldn’t rest on a declaration like the quote above, or the idea that being a Marine is mostly about brotherhood (as if it’s not about any of the behaviors Marines engage in, good or bad). Again, that’s an unfair thing to ask of this film especially, but I do anyway, mostly because of the way it ends.

This movie is a decent enough survey of the revolutionary period in Berkeley in the 60s, and is worth seeing if only for its positioning the movement in history, in the student activism that began in the early 60s, before there was a movement. It even attempts balance, which is nice, even when it fails. One glaring cause for alarm is the complete lack of women of color in this film and a lack of any awareness of people of color outside of black men.

first off, i like fawlty towers, and my tags describe it for my purposes – no need to get defensive at all.

secondly, and somewhat separately, what else besides pointing out racism is “super-pc” according to you? is any informed observation about race in films and on tv ever anything but pc, or something to be casually criticized?

suppressed homosexual desire in a lesbian + psychosis = alternate identity as an incredibly ugly male serial killer

and it all adds up to a boring and homophobic film

not the first time i’ve seen it, but it gets better every time

For whatever reason, Frank Sinatra does a better job of singing Cole Porter. I guess it’s the arrangements – they’re completely superior to what Fitzgerald had to work with here.

I hope Season 2 is better. Season One doesn’t compare to the British version.

i’ve got good news, christ has risen – sort of.

makes up for the traumatic decline of the simpsons, sort of.

the songs are taken from different periods in her career and the result is a very noticeable discrepancy, so the continuity of the album suffers. this is good, though.