Raoul’s Two Cents: March 15, 2024
Hollywood Peacock Parade
“Good evening ladies and gentlemen. We’re here in Hollywood California to celebrate the biggest gathering of Narcissists and Prima Donnas in the world — Welcome to the Oscars! Yay!! I’m the one and only, Inigo Montoya de Los Angeles the Third, and I’m your host for tonight! Approaching the red carpet in her fuel efficient, recently rented, 20 foot long, 100 seat EV limousine is wanna-be Israeli-superstar Elizabeth Mephiboseth.”
“Tell me Miss Mephiboseth, who seth your hair to look like theth?”
“I would like to thank Theodoro Liberetho who spent three days concocting this spethial hair gel to make my dream come throo.”
“And what dream wath thet?”
“To look like a Fee-cock! Can’t you thell?”
“Hmmm …”
“Can’t you thell? Honestly, can’t you thell? … “
“Okay … moving right along, here comes Audrey Coca Cola dressed in a flaming, sparkling, red, evening gown with strategically placed slits that leave little to the imagination.”
“Such a daring attire Miss Audrey … tell me, who are you wearing tonight, Miss Audrey?”
“This gown was designed by Hanna Coco Banana and … and … excuse me … my face is up here, Inigo!“
“Sorry, Miss Audrey, I got lost in my imagination.”
“I thought you said there was little left for your imagination?”
“I guess I was wrong … imagine that?”
END OF THIS LIVE OSCAR COVERAGE
I don’t know about you, but I’ve stopped watching these silly extravagant award nights. Little wonder that their TV ratings have have tumbled year after year. It’s just a manufactured hedonistic event produced by self-important people. Their goal is to shock you — throw a little controversial statement … flaunt a little nudity — and be the talk of the town. Pulease! Who cares what they’re wearing? Who cares what they have to say about World Peace? These are actors and actresses who memorize unoriginal lines and play roles all the time. What could be more fake than that?
I see a lot of insecure faces begging for approval … hoping to grab the attention of directors and producers who will land them their next job. Honestly, these actors are always on the lookout for jobs. Do you realize that many of them spend a majority of their time jobless?! No surprise that there are a lot of politics, schmoozing and kissing that are necessary to land a role.
“Hello Mr. Epstein! Good evening Mr. Weinstein! I think you dropped your bathrobe, Mr. Frunkenstein.”
Except for a very few, would it be a stretch to say that many of them have no personal conviction? Don’t they just follow the leader? They remind me of a gang of hyenas where the top dog dictates when to laugh, who to attack, what to fear and who to idolize. Oh, but they do have power — but it is power based on subjective popularity that depends on the ever-changing winds of the season.
I’d like to send them my 11 year old grandson who speaks his mind. He tells you if your teeth are crooked or if you are fat. He has no filters; but boy, is he honest. I can see him at the red carpet and warning them: “Excuse me Mr. Emperor, you aren’t wearing any clothes.”
And how many times has the Academy given the awards to the wrong people? Historically, a lot of the winners struggled at the box office. (I still can’t believe John Wayne won best actor for True Grit in 1970). It’s almost like the Academy is pushing an agenda rather than rewarding artistic achievement. If Barbie can win an award, if Jimmy Kimmel is the best host they can get, you know there’s something amiss.
But there is hope. There is always hope. The technology has made it possible for several independent film makers to produce movies without the big Hollywood budget. Gather a good story, an original concept, true artists and a beautiful message to share — and I’m there. Indeed, every once in a while true gems emerge from the façade. As long as man enjoys a good story, there will be cinema.
But this is just me. Do you agree? TGIF people!
Raoul
BTW, in case you’re interested, TravelingBoy.com has their own list of award-winning movies. I respect this list more than politicized Hollywood.
“Hollywood is a place where they’ll pay you a thousand dollars for a kiss and fifty cents for your soul.” — Marilyn Monroe
“Truly I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city.” — Matthew 10:15
JOKE OF THE WEEK
Thanks to Ed of Studio City. CA
Original art by Raoul Pascual.
Parting Shots
Thanks to Maling of New Manila, Philippines
Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre, CA
Thanks to Drew of Anaheim, CA
Thanks to Tom of Pasadena, CA
I found these:
My good friend (and jokester) Terry and I came up with this.
Tom
March 15, 2024 at 11:36 am
Ha! Love the intro this week and your description is hilarious and correct. These people are in their own Fantasy World and think we should all be there watching them. Thinking you are a genius because you can act like one is a mistaken impression.
Tom
Ed
March 15, 2024 at 11:37 am
Great Friday rant. I can’t stomach watching these people slobber all over each other. It must be the largest self-admiration society in the world. There must be some psychological term for a person who spends his life pretending to be someone else. And they are not only delusional but they believe they are worth more money than the person they pretend to be. Let me summarize with the words of another character in The Princess Bride, “Inconceivable!”
Ed of Studio City
March 15, 2024 at 11:38 am
Nice MM line… and so very true!
Gary
March 15, 2024 at 11:39 am
Good morning Raoul,
Once again, you helped just start my day with a laugh. I am grateful for your honesty, Your creativity and your sense of humor. For many years, I have looked forward to Friday morning Emails because I was sure I would see yours there. I can’t tell you how many people I’ve forwarded your newsletter to. Not to mention how many screenshots I have made of your jokes and sent them out to friends and family. I have truly been blessed by your stories and encouraged by your thoughtfulness in your writing. I pray for you and your family that the Lord would continue to bless you and your newsletter would continue to bless others as you continue on your journey through this life.
I wish you all God’s blessings my friend,
Gary
Hilda
March 15, 2024 at 11:39 am
Haven’t watch that show in a very long time. Don’t care who they are or what they wear or what they say. Always someone else wins! And i still have schooled friends who are afraid to snooze for fear of missing it!
Drexal
March 15, 2024 at 11:40 am
Raoul…I especially like your Two-Cents this week….Yes, as a society our priorities and sense of value – and values…are really out of line to what is important.
I too am overwhelmed with the staggering rewards we give to movie stars and professional sports that is way out of proportion to the value they provide to our society as compared, for example, with teacher and nurses….wow….
Although never a big sports fan, I have really tuned-out any type of professional sport…I watch some football, but mostly as an excuse to drink ‘n snack while relaxing….
For many years, my wife and I really enjoyed going to the movies….our kids called us ‘Siskel & Ebert’….we often drove to boutique theatres playing foreign films and or documentaries…it was cheap/affordable entertainment (well if you avoid the popcorn & soda’) and provided a different perspective on many topics…then…for many years we hosted a big-deal Oscar party…replete with posters from movies playing, decorations, contests with awards and of course lots of food & booze….for years it was a big deal family w/friends event….regretfully even before COVID, we discovered NETFLIX and stopped enjoying going to the movies…way too loud, obnoxious people, too expensive and just not a good experience…we really prefer to watch at home – food is better also..
We no longer see all the movies up for awards, but do enjoy as we have time….
Yes, I must admit we still tune in to the Oscars….at the same time I strongly agree with your $0.02….
Enjoy St Patrick’s Day….and thanks for continuing to share your thoughts
Oscar
March 15, 2024 at 11:44 am
TGIF 😉
No happiness in hell. I think Hollywood is like any other organization. Some people are willing to sell their soul to move up in life. Others do the right thing and follow the rules and laws made by man and God.
It’s the children that are really screwed if their parents are the disappointment people.
Larry
March 15, 2024 at 11:47 am
And the Oscar goes to? Never the right person. Always a political agenda. John Wayne for True Grit was a lifetime achievement award. I haven’t watched in years. The only part I used to like was the in memorium. Maybe I am morbid? Anyway, TGIF!
Lois
March 16, 2024 at 9:25 pm
Clever newsletter today. I had a problem, though. I didn’t understand the biblical quote:
“Truly I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city.” — Matthew 10:15
Would you please explain it to me.
Raoul
March 17, 2024 at 5:55 am
Glad you enjoyed my 2 cents today.
12 As you enter the home, give it your greeting. 13 If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. 14 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet. 15 Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.
This is the passage where Jesus (after he had performed so many miracles) is training his disciples to spread the good news that the “kingdom of God” (ie. that salvation from the difficult and dark world they were living in) was drawing closer. Jesus gave the apostles authority to heal the sick and drive out demons (which they actually did). They were to knock at the doors of the Jews. If they were invited in, then great … there was hope for that household and its occupants. But if they are not welcomed, then too bad — because they were given a chance but they refused so they were instructed to “shake the dust off” (whether figuratively speaking or literally); the message was “I tried to share the good news but I am not responsible for what will happen if you refuse.”
The warning ends with a grim reminder that what happened in the legendary city of Sodom and Gomorrah (where God destroyed the whole city during the time of Abraham in Genesis 19) will be nothing compared to the destruction they were about to face.
Sometimes people think that they know all there is to know … content in their superficial understanding. And they die in that state. Many so-called Christians may not really be Christians and you can tell by their “fruits.” It would be wise to examine ourselves and see if we are just fooling ourselves into thinking and proclaiming we are Christians. Remember the passage in Matthew 7:
True and False Disciples
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
No one can truly say who is saved or not … only God knows. And this transition from unbelief to genuine belief can only happen via the intervention of the Holy Spirit. When you accept Christ the HS enters in you and his influence will grow. If you only go through the motions, the HS cannot enter. So no HS, no salvation, no way you can understand — it just makes sense.
I used to worry that the people I had shared the gospel to did not believe. But when I realized my role was simply to share the gospel and it wasn’t up to me to convince them to believe, I have learned to trust that God knows what’s best for that other person..At that point there are only 2 possibilities:1) I just plant the seed and pray someone else will nourish that seed or 2) that person was never meant to be saved in the first place.
Sorry for the long explanation.I got carried away.
Raoul
Lois
March 18, 2024 at 12:56 pm
Thanks for the lesson. I realize now that your readers needed to be familiar with the entire Bible verse in order to understand it. My problem was that I didn’t know what city/town the verse was speaking about.
Now I have another question. It’s regarding the following:
that person was never meant to be saved in the first place.
I didn’t realize that God’s messengers gave up so easily.
raoul
March 18, 2024 at 1:21 pm
I’m sure you’re being facetious about God’s messenger giving up easily. We both know that there’s enough evidence in scripture and more than enough chances for anyone to hear the gospel.
“If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead” (Luke 16:31).
ie. no matter how much evidence you submit, you can’t force people to believe. So there really is no excuse.
Again, some people will never believe. It’s their big loss.