9 posts tagged “video”

Sure people complain about their system, regardless of its comparable quality. But the Canadian system and the British system are purely humanitarian. The sickening fact that people are left to die and dumped on charity because they cannot pay for their hospital stay means that we favor other things above human life. Profit takes precedence, simply because we cannot look past the dollar signs and at people who need help. This isn't just the case with the medical system.

Higher education seems to be the best parallel to this situation. Why is it that we burden our young intelligent people with tens of thousands of dollars of debt simply to better themselves and better our nation? It's defeatist to tell kids they need an education to survive, simply because they may better themselves but they end up suffering for decades afterwards with debts. Many people who could get an education and better this nation for everyone simply refuse to do so because they cannot afford to.

I hear the argument time and time again that privatization is the only way to make a system or industry efficient. That's true. Focus on profits means that expenses, such as taking care of those who cannot meet the standards, are cut. People are treated as profits, and the expensive ones are cut. This means that dumping sick people in the street, denying the poor a future, and damning a poorer class of citizenry to a shitty life becomes part of the bottom line.

In his movie, Moore makes the point that America seems so scared of nationalized (or god forbid, socialized) industry. But the last time I checked, we have socialized police, firemen, primary and secondary educators, postal workers, transit workers, and so on. How would it be if the police refused to investigate a murder because you couldn't pay them? Or you had to get your homeowners insurance to pre-approve the charge of a fireman coming to put out your fire, only to find that you were denied because the faulty wiring was deemed a "pre-existing condition"? How about your kindergartener being left to tend for themselves at recess, because recess is deemed an unnecessary activity? All of these parallels, while absurd, are truth for the health care industry. An industry where a single pill can mean the difference between life and death, the focus is on keeping that pill away from those who cannot afford it.

America has a serious issue when it comes to admitting when they've failed. Ignoring the Iraqi elephant in the room, or the global warming issue for the moment, last I recalled, an American ideal was to pick one's self up after defeat and come back better and stronger. Why is it that we refuse, with such hubris, to accept what others have gotten right and admit what we've done wrong, pass around the apologies, and move on? Health care, like so many other issues with this great nation, may spell the death of Uncle Sam.

Why is Cheney hiding in the bushes?
Maybe he's preparing to 'surge' into the press conference.
I love his sneer....

Imagine Me & You, 2004
This movie was surprisingly decent. Let's just face facts - A movie that I hadn't heard of (doesn't mean anything given the fact that I was detached from US media for 3 months) just seemed to pull out okay. Granted it wasn't the best of movies I'd seen, it was a moderately amusing way to kill a night.






Requiem for a Dream, 2000
This movie is quite simply f**ked up. It's given an NC17 rating, and while I think the MPAAs rating system is a load of crap, this one is deserved. Most movies for NC17 are rated that way because of excessive gore or sexual content. This one is simply rated this way because it's psychologically twisted. With that said it's an excellent piece of film, a must for anyone who's psyche is built to endure the downward spiral ride that this movie takes you on.

Good Night, and Good Luck, 2005
George Clooney won best actor for this movie, and deservedly so. It's a wonderful insight into the media's attack on the McCarthy era politics that scared the country into getting their neighbors and others blacklisted. It's also frightening given that the same climate exists in America today but no media organization dares to question the authority for fear that the power would be turned against them. This movie does a wonderful job of transporting you back to that time, with a wonderful Jazz soundtrack by Dianne Reeves. Pick it up for a good time.




Thank You for Smoking, 2005
This is a wonderful comedy about the secret life of lobbyist Nick Naylor and how he can use argument to get his way with not only politicians, but with women, his family, and everyone around him. It has a wonderful human element to it too, given that by the climax of the movie you're hoping that the lobbyist for big tobacco pulls through and wins a victory in the senate.

This Film Is Not Yet Rated, 2006
This documentary shows a spotlight on the mysterious MPAA rating board, a secret committee that can destroy a film's chance of being seen in America. While this film has a definite Michael Moore style to it, it deviates from the subject matter with an attack on the rating board member's personally. I would have preferred this film to direct it's excellent efforts towards the MPAA itself instead of the individual board members. But alas, a final product it is. Watch it if you're interested, ignore it if you're not.
Another note of excitement - the MPAA is in some trouble lately for priating this video to show internally. Source



THX 1138, 1971
As George Lucas's first production piece, you can get a sense of his originality and growth as a producer over time. This is a mystical piece that focuses on a dystopian society where humans are no more than the means of production in a pointless existence. Similar to the Island, the society is unaware of their situation. Unlike the Island, we never see who is the puppet master of this society. Instead, we see the world THX lives in as eternal - it has always been like this, and forever will be. Humans purpose in this world is to create more humans and maintain life. There is no ultimate goal other than carrying on the species. THX becomes enlightened and therefore is outcast. This movie is filmed wonderfully and you'll wonder if it's a modern piece due to the realism. A must see for any futurist or fantasy/fiction geek.

As usual, I'll leave you to find the benefit in things on your own. But trust me. If you are looking for an amusing and enlightening way to brighten your day, make sure there's going to be a red envelope in your mailbox when you come home.

*Edit* - I should also have mentioned that I don't work for NetFlix and I don't gain anything for people who join. I just like their service and thought I'd share.