John Stewart on Sarah Palin!!!

HILARIOUS!!! John Stewart on Sarah Palin:

http://perezhilton.com/2008-09-04-stewart-on-palin
It’s hilarious that McCain’s people are saying Palin is being attacked because she’s a woman–the same people who knocked Hillary a few months ago when her supporters believed she was experiencing sexist comments. These same people who said Hillary shouldn’t pull the woman card are now pulling the woman card in Palin’s defense. Hilarious. I’m glad John Stewart called them out!

Wednesday, September 03, 2008

I’ve had enough of the RNC.

I decided to watch the Republican National Convention this week against my better judgments in order to be fair; nonetheless, watching this nonsense has caused my blood pressure to raise past the roof.

Hearing the Republicans bash the democratic party principles really bother me. Is it so wrong that and morally irresponsible that Democrats believe in taking care of their own people first, that they believe that government is sometimes necessary to step in and aid Americans who cannot always help themselves? Not everyone can embody a rags to riches story with nothing to account for such success but their own determination and will.

Is it so wrong that democrats want progression instead of stagnation? That clearly after all these years in the White House, Americans firmly believe that the current government system is broken and in need of reform. Americans are now looking to government for assistance while Mike Huckabee is telling everyone we need less government. Keep in mind, Mike Huckabee is the same moron who opposed funding AIDS research in 1992 and that all patients suffering from AIDS should be quarantined despite knowing by this time that AIDS is not a contagious airborne disease.

What’s even funnier is that Huckabee accuses Obama of bringng European ideologies to America. Well if European ideologies favors taking care of our own people, bringing adequate, affordable, and universal healthcare to its citizens and treating all citizens equally regardless of race, economic and social standing, and sexual orientation, then I say we take a lesson learned from the Europeans.

Republicans have spent months attacking Obama’s experience or lack thereof. Then why did McCain choose Sarah Palin who has no experience in foreign policy? This man is over 70 years-old. For someone supposedly so concerned with the American people, why risk giving the VP slot to a woman who has virtually no real experience in foreign policy. If something happens to McCain and Palin becomes President of the United States, do we honestly believe she can protect us from foreign enemies moreso than Obama? Now more than ever, McCain has made this race about his age. And now Palin is on television praising Hillary and women voters. Sorry. Hillary and Palin may both be women, but that’s where their similiarties end.

Palin is not the woman or politician or public service figure that Hillary has been. Hillary’s values and support for progression far outweighs Palin’s social conservative stance. A woman who is running for VP of the UNITED STATES yet initially supported Alaska’s bid to become separate from the Union. Hillary’s passion is well known–her legacy has already began whereas Americans knew nothing of Palin a week ago. McCain simply chose her as a strategic move hoping to capitalize on young women voters and Hillary’s supporters. Most of Hillary’s supporters are far smarter than to extend their vote to such a woman who’s values are so far opposed to those of Hillary’s. If somehow McCain were to win this election, die in office, and Palin became the first female president of the United States, then I’ll simply be pissed.

Another thing that pisses me off is the Republican’s continued use of mentioning the September 11th World Trade Center attacks. They accuse Obama of not mentioning this or as if he’s pretending that this does not exist. I have been fucking sick of the Bush administration using September 11th time and time again as a scare tactic to win votes. Obama has not ignored the threat of terrorism, but our civil liberties should not come as a cost to combat terrorism.

We still have plenty of Americans that NEED help. Instead of funding meritless wars and using tax money to build weapons for Iraq, let’s USE our money to fund better education, bulid better schools, give ALL Americans, regardless of their economic standing, adequate health insurance so they’re not suffering from toothaches unable to see a dentist because they have no insurance. Let’s provide assistance for the AMERICAN people. Let’s concern ourselves first with our OWN people. That’s what Obama is talking about, and that’s what so many Americans have reacted so positively to.

Sure, I wanted Hillary to win. I still believe she would have been the best nomination and the best President for this country; however, that time has passed, and the issue now is McCain versus Obama. Hillary’s speech last week should tell every Hillary supporter why they have so much invested in this election–why Barack Obama more closely resembles her value system and political beliefs as compared to John McCain.

Also everyone keeps saying Sarah Palin is the most popular govenor in the United States. Ok? So? Shouldn’t that imply we should have known about her before? We haven’t.

The Republicans are saying that McCain/Palin have more executive experience than the entire Democratic ticket. Ok. So they’ve had experience. Fine. But Americans are fed up with the current government system. They want change. They want assistance and aid. McCain and Palin could have executive experience, but clearly Americans want something DIFFERENT than what’s already been!

And goddamnit, I am so SICK of the Republicans now pulling the WOMAN card. Shit, if any party is more about gender equality and equality of all Americans, it’s THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY. Republicans are just using this political strategy and because of Hillary’s 18 million votes when running for President this year. I am a HUGE woman’s rights activist. Sarah Palin is a feminist’s worst nightmare. They say they’re for change… BULL SHIT. BULL FUCKING SHIT.

I am so fucking sick of this convention. They’re so damn bogus. And every goddamn person at this convention is pretty old and decrepit. Sadly, they seem to be bigger in numbers than the rest of us.

My commentary of HRC at the DNC

Once again Hillary Clinton has moved me to tears of joy and hope. Her speech at the Democratic National Convention tonight reminded me why I’ve always been so invested in politics–because I care about everyone in this country from all social, racial, and economic groups. It was so easy to become bitter over my disappointment that she lost the nomination to Obama, but she made a very valid point tonight. Did I vote for her only because of Hillary or am I a democract because I support all Americans and their right of their pursuit of the American Dream and their basic right of adequate care?

Everytime I see people without health insurance on the news, my heart breaks. I’ve cried several times after watching 60 Minutes segments of Americans who can’t afford insurance; therefore, they’re left suffering from illnesses because no doctors/dentists will see them or provide them with adequate care. We’re the most powerful nation in the world yet we do not take care of our own people. Hillary made an excellent point tonight–so many people have felt utterly ignored by the Bush administration the last eight years, and we cannot continue that trend with McCain! I can’t let my bitterness and disappointment of Hillary’s loss cloud my vision of why I’m such a proud democract to begin with! This is the reason I chose to vote for Hillary in the beginning–because I noticed and was moved by her dedication to all American people regardless of their backgrounds–because she didn’t believe in rewarding only the priviledged few as so many Republicans do–because she genuinely cares about the American people and her country. That is why I’m a democract, and that is why I cannot afford to stay home in November. Every vote counts. If nothing else, it is my duty to fulfill my beliefs and values of a progressive American and reinforce a stagnant country with more Bush/McCain ideologies that only support a chosen few and not an all encompassing American culture.

Hillary did an excellent job of tying in the reasons why people voted for her into the reasons why we must vote for Obama in November. In this sense, I think Hillary has been the most gracious loser I’ve seen in recent history. She has gone above and beyond to try and motivate her supporters to vote for Obama. Many thought her concession speech was her trying out for the VP slot. Well, she already lost that, and she still came out tonight and delivered a kick ass speech in favor for Obama! She didn’t have to do this, but she realizes the importance of coming together–the livelihood and fate of our party depends on us mending our wounds and coming together to become a solid force to be reckoned with. If we want to change the world, we have to get over past defeats and move forward with a punch.

All of these reasons and more are why I am extremely proud to have been one of those eighteen million cracks in the glass ceiling. Hillary Clinton has shown the world that it is now possible for a female to become a viable candidate for becoming the President of the United States. The day a female finally clinches that spot, I believe I will cry tears of joy and that person, whomever she may be, will owe a lot to Mrs. Clinton. She has broken barriers and shattered misconceptions to become a female who 18 million Americans believed in. Again, this is why I’m proud to be an American and a true blue democrat.

I know so many people who are so ambivalent and simply don’t care about the world or the issues affecting our society of the people outside of their small, minute social circle. This frustrates me so much. Yes, many politicans may be frauds, but this does not mean everyone involved in politics doesn’t care about the people they’ve been elected to guide, protect, and provide for.

Take a few minutes, educate yourself, and become involved because you would not be enjoying those creature comforts you love so much without the sacrifices of those generations before you who dared to stand up against diversity in order to achieve the progression you take for granted today! We still have a long way to go. This is why I am so involved and why i chose to vote for Hillary. There simply is no excuse for people who say ‘well, I don’t know much about the issues’ especially when they have access to the information. They simply don’t care, but they sure do if it affects them directly!

The Bush administration has ignored so many people for so long. Millions of americans (both in the majority and the minorities) have felt neglected and overlooked by their government. It’s time to change that. The Bush administration has always been about the chosen few. He’s destroyed our reputation around the world, and he’s ruined the economy as well as prevented progressive movements such as stem cell research and adding protection to gays in hate crime legislation. The gaps between economic classes have steadily increased, and Bush simply keeps saying that he believes the economy is sound!

Enough is enough. Again, I am proud to say that I am a Hillary Clinton supporter. This woman has been very inspiring to millions of people from all cultues both in the majority and minority, and I believe she will go down in history as one hell of an inspirational politican. She’s not only one hell of a politician, but she’s one hell of a woman who cares about her country. She’s exhibited time and time again that she is a LEADER with passion and unyielding motivation with a “don’t quit” attitude.

She called upon the words of Harriet Tubman tonight: “If you are tired, keep going; if you are scared, keep going; if you are hungry, keep going; if you want to taste freedom, keep going.”

This one’s all over the place.

First, I must start by saying that “Ghost Rider” is one of the worst movies ever made. Nicholas Cage walks around the entire movie without an ounce of talent, and apparently his favorite past time is talking like he’s Elvis in every movie he’s in now. God, this movie was way worst than I thought it could be, and believe me, my expectations were pretty damn low. And who in hell scored this movie? I swear to God it sounds worse than the cheesiest of soap opera music. Jessica Alba has no talent, but I see why she’s famous. She’s hot. Nicholas Cage looks like warmed over death, espeically in high definition, and he clearly has no talent. Maybe he did at one time, but here clearly sucks in this movie. The only watchable part of this entire mess is when a hilarious girl gives her account of the Ghost Rider’s appearance to a news reporter. That’s the only scene that warranted a chuckle from me.

What a wasted experience. On the personal side of things, there have been a string of breakins at my apartment complex lately, which is leaving me pretty worried. I think there have been six in the last few days. I don’t want my shit stolen, and I don’t want anyone breaking in, especially when I’m here. We’re moving in December, and I absolutely can’t wait to leave here. I just hope no one breaks in here until then.

I finally finished Stephenie Meyer’s Breaking Dawn. What a complete waste of a book; she completely threw away the characters that I grew to love. The first three books kept my attention all throughout due to all the interesting conflicts and fascinating characters, but this book was literally a painful experience to me. Bella is no longer relatable; Edward is… well, more like a background character; Alice is pretty much non-existent; Jacob comes out as the most sympathetic character of all yet some of the relevations in the book make him pretty damn creepy. I don’t know what free will ever did to Stephenie Meyer, but I was pretty appalled by this book, which is so drastically different than the first three. The one thing I can say about her is that she has balls the size of cantaloupes. This book could never be made into a movie, though, unless it’s severely changed from the book. Ick. No thank you. I will not ever be reading this again. I prefer to pretend that the series ended after Eclipse. Thanks, but no thanks Stephenie.

I’m getting to that point where I’m starting to miss people in my life who aren’t around as much anymore, or those who are completely out of my life. Part of it would probably seem like my own doing, but part of it is because it’s simply best. And knowing that it’s what’s best doesn’t make it any less of a void. In fact, it’s harder to deal with because you can’t get angry if you know it’s what it should be.

I miss Brandi and Will. I got to talk to Brandi tonight, and I always love conversation with her. Our pop culture banter is one of a kind. I miss sitting around watching movies with them and laughing at how bad movies are or admiring how good others are. I miss getting into arguments about music with Will because we’d get pretty heated, and then the next day, we’d act as if we didn’t argue at all. At least we’re pretty much spot on when it comes to politics, though he was an Obama supporter from the beginning, and I was a Clintonite. I wish I lived closer to Columbia so I could see them more. Goddamn Gas and its raping effect on my bank account.

I’ve pretty much given up on finding a significant other. I know one is never supposed to look for this kind of thing, but it’s much harder after college to even make friends, let alone significant others. When I complain about being lonely or having that void, it’s mostly because I miss having close friends around–I miss the conversation; hanging out with people I have a lot in common with. I spend all of my time alone, and at times it gets unbearable, but I’m also not the type to club-hop every weekend because that’s just not my style. I’ve always been a homebody, and I always will be, and I’ll be damned to believe that there’s something wrong with that. In America, extraversion is valued while those who prefer to stay close to home are ridiculued. I don’t believe in that. I just wish it were easier to meet people despite being such a homebody. All of my close friends from college… well, I’ve either lost touch with them for one reason or another, or they’ve moved away (e.g. Brandi and Will). At least Sony loves me, and I do love Sony very dearly. Everyone’s like, “Gary you have to get out,” but it’s not that simple. I can feel completely alone in a crowd full of strangers. I need to hang with people who I have a lot in common with–people who love movies (and will watch them with me), have a somewhat vested interest in politics, people who share my same sense of humor. It’s not that I’m close-minded against others. I respect everyone even if they’re very different from me. It’s just that I haven’t been, nor will I ever be, someone who goes out constantly to plays, or dinner parties, or clubs, or bars. Those types of social interactions literally drain me of all energy, and I reserve them for special occasions only. Oh well. I have Transformers on Blu Ray being shipped to me soon, and that will get me pretty hot and heavy, lol. I wish I had another person who loved movies and liked to watch them with me.

One thing that does seem to be going well in the midst of every other not-so-good thing is work. I really do enjoy my job. Sure, it gets stressful, and sure there are days I want to scream, but I typically love my job and the people I see everyday. My boss is great and understanding and very motherly. I had a cavity filled today, and I came back into the office drinking a chocolate milkshake, and my boss was like “Gary, you should just had a cavity filled, and that has sugar in it.” LoL. Others said the same thing. I’m the young one in the department so I feel like everyone watches out for me. It kind of reminds you that even though you get lonely sometimes, people are still very genuine at heart. I’ve always gotten along with people a little older than me better anyway than people my own age. Maybe I’m an old soul. I don’t really know. My co-workers are great, and I laugh so hard with them everyday. Also, my job responsibilities themselves leave me feeling accomplished everyday. I feel like I’m valued by my peers. I feel like I have good responsibilities and at the same time, I’m able to learn something new each and everyday. I really couldn’t ask for a better environment. I’ve learned that not everyone will like you–you can only simply be yourself, professional, and kind to all and most people will respect you for it.

Wow, this is huge. I guess I felt like talking a lot, but didn’t really have that outlet. I need to get to bed now. I sure hope no one tries breaking in in the middle of the night, and I hope I don’t come home from work tomorow with all my shit stolen while I was gone. That’d be my luck… my only real significant others…. SONY and BLU RAY, stolen. I’d be truly all alone in this cold, cruel, world then lol.

Life stuff.

I haven’t updated this in almost a month mostly because either I don’t have anything to say or I choose not to say it. I used to be a person who rambled entirely too much, but lately over the course of the last year, I’ve felt more silent without the need to speak much unless having something relevant to say. I don’t have much relevant to say, but I’m going to try and write tonight mostly because I feel… well, I’m not sure how I feel right now.

Let’s start with the positive. I finally got my Blu-ray player. I could no longer stand my small 32″ inch tv with 720p resolution so I decided to upgrade to a 46″ Sony with 1080p resolution with a 120hz refresh rate–for those of you who don’t know what that is… it’s a new motion flow technology that eliminates blur that a lot of LCDs show in fast action movies. I decided to spend the extra money (a normal LCD has a 60hz refresh rate) for this technology, and wow, I’m so glad I did. Whenever you cut the option on, it looks almost 3D–as if the people are standing in front of you. It has startling depth, and I am amazed. It feels as if I am on the set with the actors. Spider Man 3 looked almost animated. And for those who enjoy HD but haven’t really experienced Blu-ray… well, get on it. Blu Ray is so absolutely amazing–the picture quality is much better than even the BROADCAST HD channels–mostly because Blu-ray picture doesn’t suffer from the compression that so many HD channels do due to bandwith issues. The only downside is that now I have credit card debt where I had none previously. The TV itself was about $2200 (worth every penny once you see the picture), but I was able to pay about 600 down ’cause that’s what I managed to sell my 32″ for. And there was a deal this week where any purchase over 1000 bucks could get you 36 months no interest. So I have 3 years to pay off 1600 without any interest, which is definitely manageable. I plan to spend all of next year’s tax refund paying this off, assuming nothing major happens (crosses fingers).

I watched Superman Returns tonight on Blu—very disappointing movie. I used to hate the original Supermans, but I rewatched the original Superman as well as Donner’s cut of Superman II, and I must admit that despite their inherent cheesiness, I’ve become a fan. The chemistry between Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder was clearly obvious, and the film had a nice sense of humor that didn’t take its cheesiness too seriously. Superman Returns is the exact opposite and boy was Kate Bosworth truly miscast. Margot Kidder’s original Lois L ane interpretation was spot-on (I LOVED her)–she was a spit-fire, vivacious, and spunky. Her and Reeve played off each other very well. In this film, Brandon Routh is bland and Kate Bosworth spends the whole movie sulking around being mopey without any of the edge of Kidder’s performance. Kevin Spacey also sucks as Lex Luthor. Lex has always been a very lame villain, but at least Gene Hackman portrayed him with a great sense of humor that made him enjoyable to watch. Spacey’s reincarnation is flat, and he takes himself way too seriously. The scene stealer was definitely Parker Posey who made me laugh out loud several times. She’s clearly an underrated actress. On the positive side, though, the picture quality of Superman Returns on Blu-ray is fucking top notch. I mean, wow. You could see the texture of Superman’s costume and on the S on his chest. This is beyond high definition and beyond anything you’d see on an HD channel on cable. Blu-ray is simply the best picture out there–even better than the theater if you ask me. So even though the film itself was a mass disappointment, it was a beauty to behold on the screen. I didn’t mind the 2 hrs and 20 minutes because I was salivating over the LOOK of the film on Blu-ray. I can’t wait for the Dark Knight to come out on Blu later this year.

As for my personal life… well, not much has changed. I haven’t met anyone new–dating wise or friendwise. My friends pretty much consist of Jonathan and my co-worker Colleen (who’s also a movie buff!).

Today, my cousin Lauren went to USC to take the pCAT, or whatever it’s called to gain acceptance into the pharmacy school. She’s extremely intelligent with As in all her scienes. She made President’s List at FMU last year–her first year of college. She’s gonna go to USC starting her junior year if she gets into the Pharmacy school. I hope she does. I’m very proud of her.

I saw a billboard today for the $55 million lottery prize. Man, if I could win that. I’d keep a lot for myself of course, but it got myself to thinking over how I’d spend some of the rest of the money. I’d like to give a lot of it to those who have stuck by me. So If I won the 55 million lottery, I’d get like… let’s say, half, at 25.

Parents — $5 million or so. More than enough they’ll ever need to get by the rest of their lives and for them to buy their beach house they’ve always wanted. I’d get mom the BMW she wants. I’d get Dad whatever he wants. I’d love to take care of them after they’ve looked out for me so long. They’ve been a solid foundation to me ALL my life, and there’s no amount of money I could give them to pay them back for what they’ve given me both physically and with how they’ve helped build my character.

Aunt Melody & Lauren – $2 million. They’ve supported me for so long, and they don’t have a lot so I’d make sure they were set too. I love them more than words.

Jonathan – $1 million. He’s been the one friend of mine who’s always been loyal and true to me, and he really does look out for me. He’s been the one friend who’s never hurt or abandoned me whether intentional or unintentional. I can tell he genuinely cares about my happiness and whenever I’m depressed and lonely as hell. Most importantly, I can be myself around him. I can be a complete mean bitch to him when I’m having a bad day, but he still doesn’t run away. He accepts me for who I am, both good and bad days.

Colleen – $1 million. I’ve only known her for a year and a half at work, but we jive so well. She is obsessed with movies just like me so I’d make sure she had some money to get her home theater system, pay off her house, etc. She’s an awesome woman. She has a good genuine heart as well despite her sarcastic mouth–another reason I like her. lol.

Others — This isn’t everyone of course. I’d give some money to other people too who have been strong influences in my life. I’d give Brandi and Will some to help them with whatever because I really do miss them and despite the distance, I still feel close to them. There are others too so this isn’t an all inclusive list. Of course I’d like to make sure I’d have enough to buy myself some nice things, pay off student loans, buy a house, etc, but I’d also like to save some and I wouldn’t be selfish. I’d give a lot away to help those who have helped me in my life. I wouldn’t be here without these people.

So that’s about it. That’s my rambling entry for the month at least. Not much has happened in my life lately. But I have found out that a huge screen television and a blu ray player will help ease off some of the loneliness, boredom, and what have you. The debt is worth it. And fantasizing about winning the lottery doesn’t help ANYTHING, but it’s nice to think about sometimes. We all do.

Blu Ray – Here I Come!

I went home this weekend to visit my parents.  It’s been nice thus far.  I sat on the porch for about an hour tonight with mom just having nice conversation. 

Anyway, I have super excellent news that’s making me very giddy.  For my birthday present (it’s next week, btw), my parents agreed to pay half on a blu ray player if I agreed to pay the other half.  Anyway, I haven’t had a chance to play with it yet since I won’t be back in Charlotte until tomorrow, but I’m rather very excited.  I can’t wait.  Seeing some of my favorite films in HD will be awesome.  Anyway, I’ve already bought 5 films in anticipation for when I get Blu Ray, and here’s the list.

Blu-Ray Titles Owned Thus Far:
Halloween ( 1978 )
Cruel Intentions
I Know What You Did Last Summer
Urban Legend
Batman Begins

Those are films I have always loved and will watch over and over again, which is why I purchased them. Most Blu-Ray titles are still too expensive for me so currently I’m only buying films I know I’ll appreciate. Plus, the quality of each Blu Ray release is different so I tend to check the reviews of the film transfer before deciding to purchase. Some Blu Ray releases look astounding while others only look moderately better than the dvd.

I also am thinking about getting Wrestlemania 24 on blu-ray. I hear it looks f’in amazing.

My Friends Worry About My Love of Horror Films

Note: I stumbled across this old essay I wrote during college in 2006 so I decided to post it; many people have always questioned why horror movies appeal to me so much as they can’t understand why they have such mass appeal so this was my attempt at explaining such. It could probably withstand some editing since it’s been a few years since I initially wrote it (though I received an A!; I love Dr. Smith), but I decided to leave it as is for now. You can read it after the intensely creepy Michael Myers pic!

My Friends Think I’m Crazy Because I Love Horror Films
By: Gary Caulder

I purchase my barrel of popcorn and super-sized Coke and head into the Cineplex eagerly awaiting scenes of double amputations and chainsaw chases; oh, the glorious sound of a chainsaw sends both chills and thrills up my spine! My friends wonder only one thing—how can he keep eating while watching this.  While I have become somewhat desensitized to the sight of gore on the silver screen, I am a normal, albeit slightly strange, individual who stops his car in the middle of the street to let squirrels and birds cross.

I attend college seeking my degree in journalism, and I even have a respectable job in my university’s writing center assisting students with their compositions. You won’t find me jabbing my pen in a student’s eye although the urge has occasionally struck me when the rare frustrated student decides to take his problems creating a thesis statement out on me; now that’s horror. Plus, I don’t fashion ruining my nice clothes with blood stains.

Yet, “bring on the gore!” is my motto regarding horror movies—we all have inner darkrooms that must be explored, our gloomiest thoughts must be developed, and horror movies can serve as that vehicle with a valid purpose. Horror films feature moral codes and the consequences of violating those while simultaneously introducing empowering female protagonists. These movies are supposed to be horrifying, but they often have a “moral” at the end of every story or present results that reveal justice when exploring the darker side of human nature.

Several defining “rules” have been apparent in horror films for decades; these “rules” were made explicit by a character in Scream . One must never have sex, dabble in drugs, or say “be right back” if they wish to survive a horror scenario. When closely examining horror films, those who survive usually abide by this moral code while those violating it meet very nasty consequences. Fans of this popular genre will always remember Drew Barrymore’s death in Scream; her character, the typical shallow popular blonde type, was stabbed excessively and hung from a tree with her “insides on the outside,” as uttered by one character. Many audience members were shocked to see Drew Barrymore, one of Hollywood’s leading ladies, meet the sharp end of a blade in the first fifteen minutes of a horror film; however, these movies are notorious for killing off popular actresses—Janet Leigh from Psycho, anyone?

I recall people cheering in the theater when Paris Hilton suffered a steel rod through her head in the 2005 remake of House of Wax. Only in a horror film can you see one of America’s most hated celebrities die a gruesome death. And it’s okay to rejoice because fans know this isn’t real. Ironically, Hilton was aware and seized upon the fact that she was one of the most controversial celebrities in Hollywood by selling t-shirts that said “On May 6th, watch Paris die.” Hilton’s character survived three fourths of the film until she violated the code when having sex with her boyfriend in the middle of the woods. So you see, she was asking for it!

Characters who exhibit poor decision making in horror movies must suffer the consequences, and it often involves gore—lots of it! In reality, a criminal arrested for heroin possession may be sent to prison; in a horror film, his or her punishment is much more severe. Simply sending a heroin possessor to prison isn’t enough! And if a character foolishly runs up the stairs instead of out the front door when being chased by a knife-wielding lunatic, perhaps that character deserves to die! We want nasty mangled body parts everywhere! The urge to witness such scenes, even if they are nonfiction, disturbs some. Why would anyone want to witness someone die?

Perhaps it is morbid, but there is an important reason—those who become impaled by machetes are often violators of the moral code. They are the bullies who tripped us in the school corridors; they are the arrogant cheerleaders who purposefully put gum in our hair to gleefully watch us squirm. In horror movies, the “big bad” bullies always meet a “bigger” and “badder” bully around the corner waiting to exact justice.

Those who die deserve to die in many cases, and those who survive are the intelligent and sensitive types we all adore. The lead character is usually the girl next door instead of the unattainable Hollywood pinup. Audiences can relate to the protagonist. The blonde, rail-thin supporting character almost always dies in a gruesome manner. Perhaps this serves as social commentary because who isn’t sick of seeing the Paris Hilton-types invade our television sets and magazine stands? She represents the Western ideal—an unattainable image of perfection that many Americans don’t fit and therefore resent—the fact that so many younger people still try to emulate her appearance is an entirely different matter. Moviegoers can watch a horror film to see Paris Hilton finally die with her looks not enough to pull her through. In the end, of course, her beauty is mangled by a sharp object. We cheer! Paris is dead—at least until we get home and turn on our television sets.

The sole survivor of these films is almost always a female. Hollywood is mostly dominated by the likes of Tom Cruise and Johnny Depp earning the largest paychecks. We’re accustomed to seeing James Bond and Indiana Jones possess the brute strength and necessary gadgets, of course, to save the damsels in distress. In a horror film, however, it is the relatable leading lady who outwits and outlasts. Those who survive the mayhem have abided the moral code and relied on wits rather than brute strength.

We root for the good to survive, and cheer for the villain when stalking the bullying jocks and arrogant cheerleaders! We need not feel guilty because we know it isn’t reality just as comic book fans know that there is no Superman who can reverse time simply by flying around the world at a rapid speed. Superman, however, allows comic book fans to entertain the idealistic notion of super-heroes saving the world. On the contrary, horror films allow audiences to explore the darker side of human nature from the safety of their theater seats. Most fans easily separate fiction from reality. No matter how frustrated I become with an angry tutee, in reality, I know it is never acceptable to stick a pen in anyone’s eye despite the occasional fantasy. I adore my gore strictly on the silver screen. Bring on the chainsaws!

Two Great Songs: “The World Should Revolve Around Me” & “I Decided”

Here are two great new(ish) and fresh songs that will make you move! The first is by Little Jackie name “The World Should Revolve Around Me,” with great lyrics such as “I bide my time with philisophical questions / Not for nothing / But what came first / the chicken nugget or the egg mcmuffin.” Second is Solange Knowles (yes, Beyonce’s sister) with “I Decided,” which is more inspired than mostly anything Beyonce has done, plus I’m loving the retro-infused beat and the visually appealing and both historically substantial video. Both are unlike anything else on radio at the moment, which probably will suggest they won’t gain mainstream success, but nevertheless, I’m feeling them! Click on the titles to be transferred to the videos.

Little Jackie – The World Should Revolve Around Me

Solange – I Decided

“I don’t have plans. I just do things.” – The Joker, “The Dark Knight”

I, along with the rest of civilization, experienced “The Dark Knight” in all its glory.  While Heath Ledger’s untimely death may have contributed a small amount to the buzz this film received leading up to its release, “The Dark Knight” is the rare gem that lives up to its hype and is ultimately the best “comic book superhero movie” ever made as it transcends the genre to become a film that has universal appeal outside of the “fan boy” realm.  Most importantly, the film’s philosophical message about good and evil and the blurred lines between the two substantiate the film as more of a crime drama than a superhero film. 

Much of the film’s buzz centers around Heath Ledger’s portrayal of The Joker.  Skeptics state that his performance is over-hyped due to his death, but I actually didn’t think of the actor’s death once while watching the film; he will undoubtedly go down as the defintive portrayal of The Joker, definitely deserving of an Oscar nomination.  The brillance of this representation of The Joker is that he is unlike any past portrayals–he truly is mad, with no rhyme or reason to his devilish antics.  Money doesn’t motivate him–his sheer joy of experiencing utter chaos without any rules is what drives him.  In reality, he has no motives, which makes him even scarier: “I’m a dog chasing cars.  I don’t have plans.  I just do things.  I’m not a schemer,” he laments at one point.  The movie doesn’t give him a real identity or a fleshed backstory to explain why he’s mad; it’s left to the viewer’s imagination, which is why some of film’s past villains (Michael Myers of the original “Halloween” and Hannibal Lecter pre-”Hannibal Rising”) are truly terrifying.  Giving The Joker a true motive or scarred backstory only makes him more human and relatable; in this film, the lack of motive or backstory is what makes him so spellbinding and utterly irresistible to watch.  He explains how he received his facial scars during multiple points throughout the film–each time he tells a different story so you never truly know how he got them.  The only aspect of The Joker that we are certain of is that he’s utterly insane and enjoys violence just for the fun of it–”I use a knife because guns are too quick.  Otherwise, you can’t savor all the emotions.  You know who people are in their last moments.”

Often, I am quite frustrated with mainstream movies because they lack substance and depth.  It seems usually that only mindless material that provokes no real thought is what dominates ticket sales while deep dramas that require sufficient attention spans only receive limited theater releases.  It’s very refreshing that this film is able to combine a big-budgeted special effects tour-de-force with real depth and a philosophical message of good and evil, and how strangely close the two are at times.  Aaron Eckhart plays Harvey Dent, a politican commited to cleaning up Gotham City’s criminals; his progression from good to evil is quite fascinating, and in the beginning he even states–”You either die the hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain.” 

It’s this message that operates at the center of “The Dark Knight.”  In the most traditional super hero films, it’s easy to establish who is the hero (good) and who is the villain (evil).  This film blurs those lines and show’s the real moral complexities of everyday life.  Batman himself is often faced with morally difficult decisions that he must choose to make throughout the film, as a result of The Joker’s madness, who is hellbent on bringing down the city’s finest to “his level.”  This film is truly disturbingly dark and very gritty, but this is why it works; this is why Batman is much more interesting than the annoyingly cheerful Superman. 

I must admit that the entire cast works very well together.  Maggie Gyllenhaal is a much improvement over Katie Holmes from “Batman Begins.”  In fact, “The Dark Knight” is a much better film than “Batman Begins.” 

The action scenes are nothing short of amazing–including an overwhelming and spectacular truck scene that left me giddy as a twelve year-old girl in my seat.  I was one of the lucky ones who got to experience the film in IMAX, though I believe I need to see it again in a regular theater to enjoy it fully.  I loved the experience, but the IMAX picture was a little too much at times, even though I felt like I was in the action myself.  There was one scene where Batman was standing on the edge of a skyscraper, and my only thought at that moment was “oh my god, if you jump, I am going to be sick.”  I felt like I was jumping off the building, myself!

For once, I can honestly say that a summer blockbuster lives up to its hype; finally, a blockbuster film that contains depth and operates with true intelligence that makes one truly think of what it means to be good and the moral ambiguities that come along with it.  This film will and should go down as a classic, and Heath Ledger definitely deserves an Oscar nod for his portrayal of The Joker–though the screenwriters (director Christopher Nolan and brother Jonathan Nolan) also deserves recognition for giving Heath such astounding material with which to work.  Last must not least, recognition must be given to James Newton Howard and Hans Zimmer for producing a genuinely chilling and effective musical score.  This is a must see film.