Same Sh*t, Different Day-Another School Shooting In America

School used to be defined by the three R’s-reading, writing and arithmetic. Over the last twenty years or so, an SS need to be added to the three R’s- school shooting.

On Friday morning, Dimitrios Pagourtzis walked into a classroom at Santa Fe High School in Santa Fe, Texas and starting shooting at classmates. When the shooting finally stopped, eight students and two teacher were dead. 10 more are wounded.

According to news reports, the young man accused of the murders used the guns his father purchased legally.

Once again, the argument comes down to one thing: gun control, Now granted, the weapons belonged to the boy’s father and were purchased through proper legal channels. However, that does not condone that murder of 10 innocent people.

As usual, the message from our government will be the same lip service: thoughts, prayers and empty promises.

How many kids will die before those in power actually do something about gun control? Or will it take a future shooting close to home for our government to actually do something that will once and for all and stop the killing of children who have just begun to live?

 

Hurricane Harvey-We Are All Americans

The rally in Charlottesville two weeks ago was a shock to America. It revealed not only our differences, but the schisms that are keeping us apart. Unfortunately, sometimes it takes a disaster to bring us together. This weekend, that disaster is Hurricane Harvey.

Many of my regular readers know that I am a born and bred New Yorker. I lived through both 9/11 and Hurricane Sandy. The thing I remember about both is that we temporarily forgot our differences and remembered that we are all Americans. If we needed a kick in the behind to remind us of this, Hurricane Harvey is that kick.

Whatever our differences are, we need to put those aside and help our fellow citizens. Whether it is a donation to a reputable charity or volunteering to help the victims, please give. Our fellow citizens need us.

The Critics Were Wrong (Maybe)- Betwitched (2005) & The Stepford Wives (2004)

For every brand new idea that has come out of Hollywood, there are reboots and revivals that try to present an old idea in a new way. Sometimes, these reboots and revivals are successful.  But most of the time, these reboots and revivals fall flat on their faces. Such is the case with Bewitched (2005) and The Stepford Wives (2004).

Bewitched

Based on the 1960’s television series of the same name, this remake stars Nicole Kidman and Will Ferrell. Isabel Bigelow  (Nicole Kidman) is a witch who is determined to live her life without magic. Jack Wyatt (Will Ferrell) an actor with an ego bigger than the state of Texas,  is trying to revive his career. The vehicle to revive his career comes in a remake of Bewitched. Meeting Isabel randomly at a cafe, he offers her the part of Samantha opposite his Darrin. Isabel finds herself attracted to Jack, but Jack sees an unknown actress who can unknowingly play second fiddle to him.

Were the critics wrong? Nora Ephron was the director and co-writer on  this movie.  Nicole Kidman is an excellent performer, but not in this haphazard, sad attempt of a movie. Will Ferrell is one of the best actors Saturday Night Live has ever had on their stage, but he is not a rom-com leading man material. I will have to side with the critics on this movie.

The Stepford Wives

A modern reboot of the 1975 book and movie of the same name, Nicole Kidman and Matthew Broderick star as Joanna Eberhart and Walter Kresby, a couple whose marriage is on the rocks. Trying to revive their relationship, they move from Manhattan to the suburbs of Connecticut. But the town they move is very odd. The wives are oddly docile and submissive to their husbands. The husbands disappear behind the door of The Stepford Men’s Association.

Were the critics wrong? To be fair, I have never seen the original movie, nor have I read the book. Again, Nicole Kidman is an excellent performer. But she and Matthew Broderick are lacking in the chemistry department. The movie is trying to be a comedic thriller.  While the original movie was commenting on the then burgeoning feminist movement, this movie just tries too hard. For the second time, I will have to side with the critics on this movie.