Truth or consequences??
When we sit down, be it in a theater or at home, to watch a documentary, we know what we are about to see is supposed to be the true story. Not inspired by, or based on. There should be no fiction on the screen. But what about when we go to see a movie that isn't a documentary but begins by showing one of these phrases:
Based on a True Story
Inspired by a True Story
The following is a True Story
This is a True Story
Based on actual events
Inspired by actual events
They have the same basic meaning at heart, that what we are about to see has some connection to something that really happened. But there are shades of meaning in there. If something *IS* a true story, or claims to be, should it be taking artistic license? Of course not.
As an example, the movie "21" about MIT students who under the supervision of one of their professors go to Las Vegas to count cards only claims to be "inspired" by a true story. Which is why the objections of some who point out that the majority of the students involved were of Asian descent, and should have been portrayed by Asians lack significant validity.
On the other hand, Michael Bay's "Pain & Gain" states quite clearly at the outset that "This is a true story", but it isn't. Large portions are fictionalized. Is that fair? Of course. It isn't claiming to be a documentary. It's a movie.
I just know that if I were going to write and/or direct a movie that involved a true story somewhere at its heart, I would not use those particular words at the opening. But because I've re-thought this issue, I'm not going to be overly critical of films I am reviewing when they claim only to be based on, or inspired by a true story. I've been too critical in the past.
* * *
U.S. Army Major Nidal Malik Hasan has been convicted by a court-martial board of 13 counts of murder. Many want to see him given the death penalty as his sentence. That is exactly what should not happen.
A death penalty means years of appeals. It means that Hasan will have hope that he may get his ultimate wish, to die by execution and in his mind, become a martyr on behalf of Islam. Is that really the worst punishment he can receive? I think not.
If he were to be given 13 sentences of life in prison without parole, to run consecutively, there might be some appeals but they wouldn't have much traction with the court system. Any claim he might make of ineffective counsel died when he insisted on defending himself and was found mentally competent to undertake his own defense. Let him rot for 13 lifetimes at Fort Leavenworth in his wheelchair. It's a much harsher sentence when you think it through.
If it is a good enough punishment for Army Staff Sergeant Robert Bales who pleaded guilty to murdering 16 Afghani civilians, it's good enough for Hasan.
* * *
This one is an interesting question. Does the current state law in Texas that prevents Tesla from selling its cars directly to consumers benefit those consumers by forcing automobile dealers to compete against one another for business?
It looks to me like there are less than 15 dealers selling new Chevrolets in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex area. That's an area larger than Rhode Island. Are they competing that much for business by driving prices lower? I don't think so. Considering how many dealers claim they will "meet or beat" the price quote of another dealer, I doubt that the law that prevents automakers from selling direct in Texas is based on consumer protection. It is based on protecting the interests of those people who own and operate car dealerships.
Are Ford, GM or any other major automaker making a big push to sell their cars directly to consumers? Not that I'm aware of. Texas should let Tesla sell direct.
* * *
Random Ponderings:
Is there some reason some men insist in using the commode rather than the urinal to urinate, but then don't bother to lift the seat so they don't piss on it?
Are people really starting petitions on Change.org to get Warner Brothers to recast the role of "Batman" in their next blockbuster film, so Ben Affleck won't be portraying the Caped Crusader? (yes)
Will the blogger who threatened to shave her head if the new trend of "splashlights" as a hairstyle takes off, actually follow through on her threat if it does? (probably not)
Is Ryan Braun ever going to pay off that bet, now that he's admitted to using PEDs?? (no)
Would you want your child's birth certificate to read "unspecified" in the gender block?
Did the producers of "American Idol" really think that offering Elton John $33 million would get him to say yes? (probably, although considering he's worth nearly $400 million and he would lose half of that salary in income taxes to the federal and state governments here, the money probably won't motivate him)
Sylvester Stallone as "Rambo, John J." on a television series bearing the character's name?? It would set a record for most people killed in a season (if it lasted a full season).
Normally I'm not much for vigilante justice, but the beating death of an 88 year old WWII veteran by two teens has me wishing to see a large group of other veterans take those two assholes out into a parking lot and give them the same treatment they gave their victim.
* * *
This Date In History:
On this date in 79, Mount Vesuvius began "stirring".
On this date in 1244, Jerusalem's Tower of David surrenders.
On this date in 1305, Sir William Wallace is executed for high treason, at Smithfield in London.
On this date in 1650, Colonel George Monck of the English Army forms Monck's Regiment of Foot, which will later become the Coldstream Guards.
On this date in 1839, England captures Hong Kong in what will be labeled as the First Opium War.
On this date in 1904, a patent is granted for the automobile tire chain.
On this date in 1914, Japan declares war on Germany.
On this date in 1939, Germany and the Soviet Union sign a pact of non-aggression that includes a secret provision where they divide up the Baltic States, Poland, Finland and Romania.
On this date in 1954, the first test flight of the C-130 aircraft takes place.
On this date in 1970, Cesar Chavez organizes the Salad Bowl Strike.
On this date in 1990, West Germany and East Germany announce they will reunite.
Famous Folk Born On This Date:
Oliver Hazard Perry
Edgar Lee Masters
Jonathan M. Wainwright
Harry Frank Guggenheim
Gene Kelly
Kenneth Arrow
Jean Darling
Vera Miles
Barbara Eden
Mark Russell
Pete Wilson
Sonny Jurgensen
Henry Lee Lucas
Nelson DeMille
Keith Moon
Rudy Ruettiger
Rick Springfield
Queen Noor of Jordan
Skipp Sudduth
Dean DeLeo
Rik Smits
Jay Mohr
River Phoenix
Bone Crusher
Scott Caan
Jeremy Lin
Movie quotes for today (which is now yesterday as I finish this) are from 1999's "Varsity Blues" which featured Scott Caan as a wise-cracking wide receiver:
Mox: In America, we have laws. Laws against killing, laws against stealing. And it is just accepted that as a member of American society, you will live by these laws. In West Canaan, Texas, there is another society which has it's own laws. Football is a way of life.
#2
Miss Davis: Can anyone tell me a common slang term for the male erection?
Student: Boner? Is boner one?
Miss Davis: Yes! Boner is good, boner is very good!
#3
Charlie Tweeder: Jonathan Moxon your are under arrest for not being naked with some sophomore chick who wants to bathe you with her tongue, now take off your god damn clothes and get in the car.
#4
Charlie Tweeder: [Mooning Mox and Billy Bob through the truck window] Good moonin, boys! Good moonin! I have been up since the crack of dawn and I had to *ass* you a question.
Based on a True Story
Inspired by a True Story
The following is a True Story
This is a True Story
Based on actual events
Inspired by actual events
They have the same basic meaning at heart, that what we are about to see has some connection to something that really happened. But there are shades of meaning in there. If something *IS* a true story, or claims to be, should it be taking artistic license? Of course not.
As an example, the movie "21" about MIT students who under the supervision of one of their professors go to Las Vegas to count cards only claims to be "inspired" by a true story. Which is why the objections of some who point out that the majority of the students involved were of Asian descent, and should have been portrayed by Asians lack significant validity.
On the other hand, Michael Bay's "Pain & Gain" states quite clearly at the outset that "This is a true story", but it isn't. Large portions are fictionalized. Is that fair? Of course. It isn't claiming to be a documentary. It's a movie.
I just know that if I were going to write and/or direct a movie that involved a true story somewhere at its heart, I would not use those particular words at the opening. But because I've re-thought this issue, I'm not going to be overly critical of films I am reviewing when they claim only to be based on, or inspired by a true story. I've been too critical in the past.
* * *
U.S. Army Major Nidal Malik Hasan has been convicted by a court-martial board of 13 counts of murder. Many want to see him given the death penalty as his sentence. That is exactly what should not happen.
A death penalty means years of appeals. It means that Hasan will have hope that he may get his ultimate wish, to die by execution and in his mind, become a martyr on behalf of Islam. Is that really the worst punishment he can receive? I think not.
If he were to be given 13 sentences of life in prison without parole, to run consecutively, there might be some appeals but they wouldn't have much traction with the court system. Any claim he might make of ineffective counsel died when he insisted on defending himself and was found mentally competent to undertake his own defense. Let him rot for 13 lifetimes at Fort Leavenworth in his wheelchair. It's a much harsher sentence when you think it through.
If it is a good enough punishment for Army Staff Sergeant Robert Bales who pleaded guilty to murdering 16 Afghani civilians, it's good enough for Hasan.
* * *
This one is an interesting question. Does the current state law in Texas that prevents Tesla from selling its cars directly to consumers benefit those consumers by forcing automobile dealers to compete against one another for business?
It looks to me like there are less than 15 dealers selling new Chevrolets in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex area. That's an area larger than Rhode Island. Are they competing that much for business by driving prices lower? I don't think so. Considering how many dealers claim they will "meet or beat" the price quote of another dealer, I doubt that the law that prevents automakers from selling direct in Texas is based on consumer protection. It is based on protecting the interests of those people who own and operate car dealerships.
Are Ford, GM or any other major automaker making a big push to sell their cars directly to consumers? Not that I'm aware of. Texas should let Tesla sell direct.
* * *
Random Ponderings:
Is there some reason some men insist in using the commode rather than the urinal to urinate, but then don't bother to lift the seat so they don't piss on it?
Are people really starting petitions on Change.org to get Warner Brothers to recast the role of "Batman" in their next blockbuster film, so Ben Affleck won't be portraying the Caped Crusader? (yes)
Will the blogger who threatened to shave her head if the new trend of "splashlights" as a hairstyle takes off, actually follow through on her threat if it does? (probably not)
Is Ryan Braun ever going to pay off that bet, now that he's admitted to using PEDs?? (no)
Would you want your child's birth certificate to read "unspecified" in the gender block?
Did the producers of "American Idol" really think that offering Elton John $33 million would get him to say yes? (probably, although considering he's worth nearly $400 million and he would lose half of that salary in income taxes to the federal and state governments here, the money probably won't motivate him)
Sylvester Stallone as "Rambo, John J." on a television series bearing the character's name?? It would set a record for most people killed in a season (if it lasted a full season).
Normally I'm not much for vigilante justice, but the beating death of an 88 year old WWII veteran by two teens has me wishing to see a large group of other veterans take those two assholes out into a parking lot and give them the same treatment they gave their victim.
* * *
This Date In History:
On this date in 79, Mount Vesuvius began "stirring".
On this date in 1244, Jerusalem's Tower of David surrenders.
On this date in 1305, Sir William Wallace is executed for high treason, at Smithfield in London.
On this date in 1650, Colonel George Monck of the English Army forms Monck's Regiment of Foot, which will later become the Coldstream Guards.
On this date in 1839, England captures Hong Kong in what will be labeled as the First Opium War.
On this date in 1904, a patent is granted for the automobile tire chain.
On this date in 1914, Japan declares war on Germany.
On this date in 1939, Germany and the Soviet Union sign a pact of non-aggression that includes a secret provision where they divide up the Baltic States, Poland, Finland and Romania.
On this date in 1954, the first test flight of the C-130 aircraft takes place.
On this date in 1970, Cesar Chavez organizes the Salad Bowl Strike.
On this date in 1990, West Germany and East Germany announce they will reunite.
Famous Folk Born On This Date:
Oliver Hazard Perry
Edgar Lee Masters
Jonathan M. Wainwright
Harry Frank Guggenheim
Gene Kelly
Kenneth Arrow
Jean Darling
Vera Miles
Barbara Eden
Mark Russell
Pete Wilson
Sonny Jurgensen
Henry Lee Lucas
Nelson DeMille
Keith Moon
Rudy Ruettiger
Rick Springfield
Queen Noor of Jordan
Skipp Sudduth
Dean DeLeo
Rik Smits
Jay Mohr
River Phoenix
Bone Crusher
Scott Caan
Jeremy Lin
Movie quotes for today (which is now yesterday as I finish this) are from 1999's "Varsity Blues" which featured Scott Caan as a wise-cracking wide receiver:
Mox: In America, we have laws. Laws against killing, laws against stealing. And it is just accepted that as a member of American society, you will live by these laws. In West Canaan, Texas, there is another society which has it's own laws. Football is a way of life.
#2
Miss Davis: Can anyone tell me a common slang term for the male erection?
Student: Boner? Is boner one?
Miss Davis: Yes! Boner is good, boner is very good!
#3
Charlie Tweeder: Jonathan Moxon your are under arrest for not being naked with some sophomore chick who wants to bathe you with her tongue, now take off your god damn clothes and get in the car.
#4
Charlie Tweeder: [Mooning Mox and Billy Bob through the truck window] Good moonin, boys! Good moonin! I have been up since the crack of dawn and I had to *ass* you a question.
posted by me at 6:20 AM
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