To the Loyalists Among Us

Warning: Heavy political stuff. Move on to the jokes if this sickens you. I’ll try to be funny next time.

Can’t believe the price of gas in America. The average price is over $4 per gallon but in Los Angeles (where I live), it’s over $5.50. And I hear in San Francisco it’s over $7. The price has tripled since just a year ago. I’m worried that the regular minimum wage earner won’t be making enough to survive. When that happens, they will join the homeless. When that happens, crime will escalate even more. I believe this blunder is the straw that will break the camel’s back.

Who to blame? Have you noticed that so-called learned political debaters with all their social and moral theories have no defense against the stark disastrous realities of inflation, crime, terrorism, etc. that stare them in the face and hurt them in their wallet? It’s hard to admit one’s bad choices but honesty demands it. When we see gross incompetence (no matter what party), are we obliged to stay loyal to our politics? Why do we have to defend “those” people when their explanations make no sense? How dumb do they think we are?

I just saw the sentencing of disgraced actor Jesse Smolett (who planned his own mugging January 2019). Despite hard evidence and damning testimonies, he defiantly still claims his innocence. A poor actor and/or a classic narcissist … and there are many like him out there.

I hope you’re not one of them. Please don’t hate me if you are, because my war isn’t with you, friend. It’s against the well-paid fake news machinery. Shame on them for blinding intelligent, patriotic people like you. We all make mistakes and our goal shouldn’t be to shove those who have been misled down in disgrace but to help each other return to the truth. We should be fighting on the same side. I admire a few friends who had the guts to change loyalty when they figured out the deception.

The media and the late-night comedians are holding on to their precarious reputation. I’m surprised they still have an audience because the former don’t give out the real and important news while the latter haven’t been funny for a long time. They know the domino establishment their careers are built on has already started toppling down. The smart ones have already jumped ship. Who will be the last proud loyalist? Common sense has left the building and pride is their only friend.

Listen, if you disagree with all I’ve said. Write me. Let’s exchange ideas. I’d love to hear your side.

Let’s continue to pray for our family in Ukraine. So many senseless deaths because of one psychopath. I’m still praying for a miracle.

“For we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord’s sight but also in the sight of man.”
— 2 Corinthians 8:21

But this is just me. TGIF people!

Raoul

Joke of the Week

Thanks to Peter Paul of S. Pasadena, CA.

Videos of the week

FUNNY: Thanks to Peter Paul of South Pasadena for this collection of very funny commercials

FUNNY: SNL video from Art of Sierra Madre, CA about seniors and Alexa.

ENJOYABLE MUSIC: Tom of Pasadena,CA sent this video of legendary movie soundtrack composer, John Williams.

Tom of Pasadena, CA used to be part of the Rose Parade organization. He said: “I hosted John Williams when he was Grand Marshall.” When asked what kind of a person John was, Tom said he was a “very regular nice guy, no put on or stand offish ways. He had members of his family with him and was interesting to talk to, responding well to questions and inquiries. Very cooperative in doing what was required and cheerful. He seemed to be enjoying the experience. I had other Grand Marshalls that were great but had personal body guards to ward off people but none I could see for John.”
— Tom of Pasadena

Parting Shots

Thanks to Tom of Pasadena, CA

Thanks to Mike of New York City

Thanks to Peter Paul of South Pasadena, CA
Can you read this?

The post The Offender appeared first on Traveling Archive.

Based on Oscar nominated films, and a few not.

The Power of the Dog

Written & Directed by Jane Campion.

Ranch owner Phil Burbank (Benedict Cumberbatch) defiantly lights an artistically made paper flower by Peter Gordon (Kodi Smit-McPhee) before the young man’s eyes, setting a flame for the unbridled tension that will consume them both.

A presumed act of deep, life-long friendship, where Peter gently places a lit cigarette into the mouth of Phil Burbank, whose hands are occupied by creating a rope. Unknown to Phil, the strips of leather are contaminated with anthrax, which leads to his death, a death orchestrated by Peter.

Peter watching his mother Rose (Kirsten Dunst) and new stepfather George Burbank (Jesse Plemons) from a window upon their happy return from Phil’s funeral, illustrating a new positive chapter in their lives, devoid of Phil Burbank’s tyrannical harassment.

Belfast

Written & Directed by Kenneth Branagh.

Jude Hill’s Buddy playing with other children in his working-class street, using a garbage can lid for a game of pretend. Seconds later, the lid serves as protection from hailing rocks and debris as the street explodes with sectarian violence.

Two Belfast kids trying to determine how you can tell the difference between a Catholic and a Protestant.

The euphoric dance sequence where Pa (Jamie Dornan) and Ma (Caitríona Balfe) have a sublime moment of distraction, temporarily putting Belfast’s TROUBLES on the back burner.

Drive My Car

Co-Written & Directed by Ryusuke Hamaguchi, based on Haruki Murakami’s short story “Drive My Car.”

A 40-minute prologue appears before the credits open, indicating that we’re on a long journey of thought, fulfillment and artistry.

A rehearsal of ‘Uncle Vanya’ in Hiroshima with a cast of unlikely actors: one hearing impaired, who uses sign language, others who do not speak Japanese, which begins theatre director Yûsuke Kafuku’s (Hidetoshi Nishijima ) quest to a better understanding of his deceased wife and a better understanding of himself as well.

Yûsuke Kafuku’s final realization that his 20-something chauffeur driver Misaki (Tôko Miura) is not an insignificant prop, but a real person like himself.

Parallel Mothers

Written & Directed by Pedro Almodóvar.

Two pregnant women, one early forties named Janis (Penélope Cruz), the other, early twenties Jan, (Milena Smit), casually meet by chance in a Madrid maternity ward, unaware that their future will lead to a life-long bond of parallel mothers.

Arturo (Israel Elejalde), the assumed father of Janis’ infant child, informing her that he is not the father, leading to heart wrenching morale decisions.

Janis’ red sportscar, which reminds us that this primary color is frequently used throughout Pedro Almodóvar’s films.

Licorice Pizza

Written & Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson.

Jon Peter’s (Bradley Cooper) mile a minute rant that he and Gary (Cooper Hoffman) both understand the ‘way of the street.’

The exhilarating camera movements which illustrate Gary and Alana’s (Alana Haim) movement of their own lives in the San Fernando Valley of P.T. Anderson’s youth.

A Hero

Written, Produced & Directed by Asghar Farhadi.

Temporarily released from a debtor’s prison, Rahim Soltani’s (Amir Jadidi) discovers that his new-found fame has some very disturbing consequences.

Being the Ricardos

Written and Directed by Aaron Sorkin

Lucile Ball (Nicole Kidman) finally takes a tender moment from her career of stress to address her co-star and former adversary Vivian Vance (Nina Arianda) with the hand of human kindness.

Nightmare Alley

Written, Produced & Directed by Guillermo del Toro.

Stanton Carlisle’s (Bradley Cooper) slick carny conman’s realization that he himself has been conned by the cunning Dr. Lilith Ritter (Cate Blanchett).

The Hand of God

Written & Directed by Paolo Sorrentino.

Fabietto’s  (Filippo Scotti) sense of euphoria, a euphoria not realized earlier, upon learning that the world-famous footballer, Argentine Diego Maradona, will be playing for his hometown team in Naples.

Maradona on TV scoring his controversial ‘Hand of God’ goal to screaming Neapolitan fans in a game-winning match.

The Dig

Directed by Simon Stone; Screenplay by Moira Buffini.

Self-taught excavator, Basil Brown (Ralph Fiennes) brushing off Cambridge archaeologists’ demands for him to resume work at their own museum, preferring to remain in the tenure of kindred spirit Edith Pretty (Carey Mulligan), continuing with their own dig.

The return of the great Ben Chaplin in The Dig.

Don’t Look Up

Written & Directed by Adam McKay.

An almost unrecognizable Cate Blanchett playing a frivolous morning show talk hostess flirting with Leonardo DiCaprio’s Dr. Randall Mindy while live on TV

President Orlean’s (Meryl Streep) chief of staff Jason Orlean (Jonah Hill) lashing out with entitlement when scrubby, low-level astronomers’ Dr. Randall Mindy and Kate Dibiasky (Jennifer Lawrence) arrive in the oval office with the terrifying news that world may be destroyed. As it turns out, Jason Orlean REALLY IS the son of the president.

The Eyes of Tammy Faye

Directed by Michael Showalter.

The undercurrent of sexual tension when Tammy (Jessica Chastain) first sees Jim Bakker (Andrew Garfield) preaching at the pulpit.

Tammy Faye at rock bottom, stripped of all her treasures and influence among a certain ‘Christian’ sect, but not defeated as she reaches out in kindness to gossiping, disparaging neighbors in front of her modest apartment building.

West Side Story

Directed by Steven Spielberg; Screenplay by Tony Kushner, adapted from the 1957 musical.

Despite the powerhouse opening with a well-choregraphed cast, camera cranes moving every which way but loose, and sweeping tracking shots — some as low-angled as an Ozu tatami-style set-up — Steven Spielberg’s big Hollywood money remake of West Side Story could barely dance to the finish line.

The performances of singer/dancers’ Mike Faist as Riff and Ariana DeBose as Maria giving West Side Story some sort of honest context.

CODA

Written & Directed by Sian Heder.

Ruby (Emilia Jones) signs “I really love you” to her CODA (child of deaf adults) family as she, the only family member with hearing, begins her drive to a Boston college.

Ruby’s family (Marlee Matlin, Troy Kotsur, Daniel Durant; all three actors deaf in real life) attends her choir recital, and while they cannot hear her sing, they take pride upon noticing the positive reception from the audience around them.

The Tragedy of Macbeth

Written & Directed by Joel Coen, based on the play by William Shakespear.

Macbeth (Denzel Washington) and Banquo (Bertie Carvel) approached by witches, with one (Kathryn Hunter) displaying an otherworldliness in voice and appearance, setting the tone for the darkness of the film adaptation.

A guilt-ridden and much older version of Lady Macbeth (Francis McDormand) begins sleepwalking, gradually descending into madness in Joel Coens first time out as a solo film director in the well-photographed black & white film.

The Worst Person in the World

(Norwegian: Verdensverstemenneske)

Directed by by Joachim Trieris; Screenplay by Joachim Trier & Eskil Vogt.

The 30-year old Julie (Renate Reinsve) learns that her former boyfriend Aksel (Anders Danielsen Lie) has inoperable pancreatic cancer.

After an encounter with a reindeer on a camping trip, Maria Grazia Di Meo’s Sunniva researches her ancestry, which determines that she is 3% Sámi, leading her to become a climate-change and indigenous peoples’ rights activist.

Aksel, realizing that his life will soon end, takes Julie to the building where he grew up and was inspired to become an artist.

Upon hearing from the hospital that Aksel will probably not make it through the night, Julie walks the streets of Oslo and watches the sunrise the following morning.

Munich – The Edge of War

Directed by Christian Schwochow; screenplay by Ben Power.

British PM, Neville Chamberlin’s (Jeremy Irons) ambiguous expression of enthusiasm upon arriving back to London and cheering fanfare after securing the Munich Agreement; perhaps realizing that it is a very fragile agreement. The scene serves as the only saving grace in this poorly made film of fictional.

TV: Kate McKinnon on SNL

Kate McKinnon’s ‘s masterful impersonations on SNL added much-needed laughter in 2021.

PIG

Written & Directed by Michael Sarnoski.

Rob, a reclusive truffle forager, returning to his forest cabin to play a tape that his deceased wife recorded of herself singing Bruce Springsteen’s “I’m on Fire” for his birthday.

The Lost Daughter

Written & Directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal.

The annoyance felt by the troubled Leda (Olivia Colman) as a large band of rebel-rousing tourists invade her once quiet and spacious piece of beach.

The French Dispatch of the Liberty, Kansas Evening Sun

Written & Directed by Wes Anderson.

Are we finally wise to ‘auteur’ Wes Anderson’s hijacking of sound and images from Jean-Luc Godard, Jerry Lewis and Jacques Tati; is it all mere icing on the cake where he clutters his films with distractions to avoid focusing on the narrative. For Godard, it was only the beginning; for Wes, the end. Despite the artifice, done with a wink of the eye to his base of believers, the film’s only true moment of transcendence is a simple bluescreen shot of Lyna Khoudri’s  Juliette and  Timothée Chalamet’s  Zeffirelli riding together on a scooter into the sunset, a shot perhaps borrowed from Leos Carax.

Plaza Catedral

Written, Produced & Directed by Abner Benaim.

The transition of the guarded, deeply wounded Alicia (Mexican actress, Ilse Salas), finally embracing the Panamanian street kid named Chief, (Fernando Xavier de Casta) who’s been conning her.

The shocking chaos that closes Plaza Catedral, and perhaps Alicia’s life too.

Epilogue: In Remembrance of Fernando Xavier de Casta

Writer/Director Abner Benaim discussing his film Plaza Catedral and the savage death of Fernando Xavier de Casta.

The post 2021 Movie Moments We’ll Remember appeared first on Traveling Archive.

Endearing Friendship

During the heyday of cigarette advertising, one of the famous slogans was “I’d walk a mile for a camel.” My question to you is: “how far would you walk for a friend?”

When I went to the East Coast for a special wedding early this month, I invited my closest friends to join me. These were my college buddies who I’ve kept in touch with over the years. We were all part of a singing group. Somehow our paths crossed during an impressionable phase of all our lives and we needed each other to make sense of the world. Our friendship was so strong that even if the world came apart it wouldn’t have mattered because we had each other. This was our “Hangover” movie in real life. Our careers came, wives came, our children came but we never forgot those special years. Three of them have passed away and just a handful of us are left.

When I was given permission to invite people to the wedding, they were the only ones who I really wanted to invite. I didn’t know the details of the wedding — when and where it was going to be held. It was only later that I discovered that it was to be at upstate New York which is about 2 hours above New York City. What that meant was that guests had to drive 2 hours from the closest commercial airport. When I knew what my friends signed up for, I gave them permission to back out. But to my surprise they were determined to go. “No one pointed a gun at us when we accepted the invitation” was what one of them said. I was speechless.

During the wedding, I was getting anxious because my daughter and I were to sing a requested song. I never heard it before. I changed the words to make it more personal and I practiced everyday for 2 months. My friends kept on staring at me during dinner. Through their eyes, I knew they were there to support me. Despite all the good intentions, I still managed to mess things up. But the crowd loved it. Here’s a video of my moment with my daughter under the spotlight. Watch the video below.

One of the things I hate most in life is driving … in fact, I am allergic to city traffic. I avoid it like the plague. To be an Uber driver would be my worst nightmare. One of my friends traveled 10 hours from Michigan to Virginia. Then they and their wives carpooled for about 7 hours from Virginia to New York City and then another 2 hours upstate New York. That’s almost 20 hours on the road. Who would do a thing like that? Thinking about it even more, I realized my buddies were not doing it for the bride and the groom but for me. For the wedding couple, every single guest had to travel at least 2 hours to get there. Many of the guests flew in from the West coast. I guess the couple also have amazing friends.

Do you have friends who would walk a mile for you? If not, maybe you should take the first step. I am blessed I have friends who would. You know what makes this doubly hard to swallow? My friends had to travel the same way back. God bless my friends.

TGIF people!

“Friendship isn’t about who you’ve known the longest. It’s about who walked into your life, said ‘I’m here for you’ and proved it.”
— Anonymous

Joke of the Week

Thanks to Peter Paul of S Pasadena, CA for sending this joke.

Video of the Week

SNL: What Was Silly 9 Years Ago
Sent by Tom of Pasadena, CA

WARNING: This video is political in nature. Proceed with caution.

Not really into Saturday Night Live anymore. But this clip reminded me of real life in America 2019. Do you see what I see?

WATCH VIDEO

Don’s Puns

From Don’s collection of puns

Heavy Thought of the Week

Sent by Charlie of New Jersey

Parting Shot

Thanks to Charlie of New Jersey who shared this.

The post Office Romance appeared first on Traveling Archive.