Well, the Oscar nominations are out, and like any good blogger, I’m gonna tell you what I think about them whether you like it or not. Reading through the list, I realize that I haven’t seen as many of these movies as I should have, so here’s some random thoughts :

I liked Ray alright, but I agree with the conventional wisdom that Jamie Foxx was brilliant in it. I think this movie is best summed up by what Slate movie critic David Edelstein wrote while defending his contention that biopics are almost always horrible :

One trend in the e-mails was a tendency to confuse great performances with great films. No one can dispute that there are a ton of great biopic performances. But I’m sorry: Chaplin is not a good movie, however amazing the performance of Robert Downey Jr.

The same is true with Ray. While Foxx completely immersed himself into the character (and probably deserves an Oscar for his performance), some of the scenes in the movie were hilariously awful. The one that still makes me laugh when I think about it is when Ray and his mistress/backup singer interrupt a heated argument to sing “Hit The Road Jack” at each other. It’s worth seeing for that scene alone.

How did Kate Winslet get a nomination for Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, but Jim Carrey wasn’t? I’m not the biggest fan of his or anything, but his performace really helped hold the movie together.

Goddamn, I haven’t seen the majority of the movies on this list. I really need to go to the multiplex.

Why didn’t A Very Long Engagement get a Best Foreign Language Film nomination?

If Shrek 2 beats The Incredibles for Best Animated Film, then I’m done. No more movies for me.

The Passion of the Bloody Jesus got an Achievement in Makeup nomination, but, to the chagrin of fundies everywhere, was denied a Best Documentary Feature nod. With the amount of gore in that movie, I halfway expect the sequel to be Wes Craven’s New Testament.

Okay, I really should see more of these movies before I comment any further. I still haven’t seen Sideways, The Aviator, Million Dollar Baby, or Finding Neverland. And those are just the Best Picture noms.

Speaking of Oscar, here’s a list I saw yesterday that should help keep all this Oscar stuff in perspective :

Alfred Hitchcock has topped a poll of directors who most deserved to win an Oscar but never did.

Despite six nominations for films including Psycho and Rear Window, Hitchcock was denied an Academy Award.

He was followed by Goodfellas director Martin Scorsese and A Clockwork Orange director Stanley Kubrick in a public vote for channel Turner Classic Movies.

DIRECTORS WHO MOST DESERVE OSCARS
1. Alfred Hitchcock
2. Martin Scorsese
3. Stanley Kubrick
4. Ridley Scott
5. Tim Burton
6. Ingmar Bergman
7. Spike Lee
8. Mike Leigh
9. Howard Hawks
10. Roberto Rossellini

If they weren’t smart enough to recognize Hitchcock or Kubrick while they were alive (or Scorsese in his prime), it’s a wonder that people still hold the Academy Awards in such high regard.

Robert Reich wrote an incredible article recently about medical tort reform that you all must read. I’m not gonna quote it here, because you really must read the whole thing. For those of you who refuse to click on links, here’s an abbreviated form of the same argument that he made for the show “Marketplace” :

The White House says the Food and Drug administration is doing a “spectacular” job. Really? The FDA didn?t respond to warning signs that block-buster painkillers like Celebrex and Vioxx increased the risk of heart attacks. Worse yet, its own drug-safety officer says the agency suppressed his research showing the apparent dangers of Vioxx. Belatedly, the FDA is now looking into the potential risks of Naproxin, an ingredient in many over-the-counter pain relievers. The FDA also failed to warn the public that antidepressants increase the risk of suicide among children who take them.
[. . .]
Meanwhile, new legislation is winding its way through Congress that would prevent people who are hurt by drugs approved by the FDA from winning large damage awards against companies that made them. FDA approval would shield drug makers from having to pay anything more than $250,000 even when it?s proven that they negligently caused someone more than $250,000 of harm. Congressional sponsors understand this cap on damages will end lawsuits against drug companies because personal-injury lawyers won?t want to take on the risks and costs of such cases. If this bill passes, companies like Pfizer and Merck, now facing a flood of lawsuits because of Celebrex and Vioxx, won?t have to worry.

So we?ve got an FDA that?s not protecting consumers from harm, and pending legislation that makes it almost impossible for people who are hurt by drugs approved by the FDA to sue for damages. The question must be asked: How is the public going to be protected if the FDA remains weak and if private lawsuits are cut off?

You might ask the same question all over government these days. Pick an agency ? not just the FDA, but the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Federal Trade Commission, and so on. They?re supposed to protect the public. But they?re all understaffed, their budgets have been whacked, and many of them are in the pockets of the very companies and industries they?re supposed to regulate.
[. . . ]
They can?t have it both ways. Either regulatory agencies have to be made tougher and more independent, and given the resources they need to protect the public, OR we?ve got to rely on courts and private lawsuits to make sure companies have every financial incentive to protect the public. Absent both ? tough regulators and the threat of private lawsuits ? the public is at serious risk. If you?re worried about Celebrex and Vioxx, you ain?t seen nothin? yet.

We wouldn’t allow the President to loosen violent crime laws while taking cops off the street, so why do we put up with this? Oh yeah…money.

I know it’s old news, but Michael Powell is leaving the FCC and all I can say is good riddance.

Michael K. Powell has tackled thorny issues involving media ownership rules, phone competition and the Internet as the nation’s top communications regulator, but a “wardrobe malfunction” got him the most attention.

Powell announced Friday that he will step down in March as chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, culminating a four-year tenure in which the Republican-controlled agency championed a generally pro-business agenda and dramatically stepped up enforcement of broadcast indecency standards.
. . .
The FCC received more than 1 million indecency complaints in 2004, most of them involving the exposure of Jackson’s breast during her performance. Fines for indecent programming exceeded $7.7 million last year, a huge increase from the $48,000 imposed the year before Powell became chairman.

As a result, programmers have become more skittish about what may or may not be construed as too racy. Some networks have started using a broadcast delay on live programs to catch any offensive material before it aired. Last year, 66 ABC affiliates decided not to air the movie “Saving Private Ryan” on Veterans Day over similar fears.

Now I’ve got no problem with protecting the public airwaves, keeping obscene material away from minors, and all that other mumbo-jumbo and I mostly agree that heavy fines are probably the best way to get the money-obsessed entertainment industry to pay attention.

That said, this isn’t what we’re looking at with the FCC. Their intentions may be noble, but the bloated government bureaucracy (Are liberals allowed to use words like these?) has become so inefficient that they’re levying multi-million dollar fines over the objections of a few prudes. Here’s an example of what I’m talking about that’s an embarrassment :

A clutch of complaints by U.S. viewers that the Athens Olympics opening ceremony featured lewd nudity has incensed the Games chief, who warned American regulators to back off from policing ancient Greek culture.

Gianna Angelopoulos warned the Federal Communications Commission watchdog, sensitive after a deluge of outrage when singer Janet Jackson’s breast was exposed at a Super Bowl game, not to punish NBC television that aired the Games.

Male nudity, a woman’s breast and simulated sex were the subjects of shrill complaints about the opening ceremony on August 13 which were posted by the FCC on its Web site.

“Far from being indecent, the opening ceremonies were beautiful, enlightening, uplifting and enjoyable,” Angelopoulos wrote in a weekend commentary in the Los Angeles Times titled “Since When is Greece’s Culture Obscene?”

“Greece does not wish to be drawn into an American culture war. Yet that is exactly what is happening,” she said.

Complaints focused on a parade of actors portraying naked statues. Among them were the Satyr and the nude Kouros male statues, both emblems of ancient Greece’s golden age.

This isn’t a talk show giggling at the term “salad tossing” here, but a celebration of Greek culture. Yet a few assholes (nine, to be exact) who are ignorant and sheltered enough to think any nudity is pornography are having their complaints taken seriously by the Federal Communications Commission. That’s Michael Powell’s FCC in action and that’s why I can’t wait for him to leave.

I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not the biggest rap fan in the world, but I’d like to thing I get it to a certain extent. That said, I was stunned to see The Grey Album show up on so many music critics’ Top Ten of 2004 lists. Am I the only one who thought the album was gimmicky crap? I’m convinced that most of the album’s appeal is due to DJ Dangermouse’s ability to market himself as some sort of martyr for the cause of artists’ rights (all the while ignoring the wishes of the artists who he sampled).

For those of you who fell under DM’s spell, you should check out The Kleptones’ brilliant A Night At The Hip-Hopera. The whole album is built around Queen backing-tracks, but unlike its more popular cousin, Hip-Hopera contains samples from a bunch of different rappers including De La Soul, Eminem, Vanilla Ice, and the Beastie Boys (all of whom I prefer to Jay-Z). The tracks “Stop” and “See” are better than anything on “The Grey Album”

Another key difference is that The Kleptones, unlike DM, didn’t rush their album into record stores (seriously, who sells 3000 copies of a “promo”?). They gave it away for free. Keep that in mind next time you hear a “Grey Album” supporter use cliches like “Information wants to be free”. That may be true, but that doesn’t mean DJ Dangermouse felt the same way. For “The Grey Album”, online distribution was an afterthought at best.

Just imagine how different today’s proceedings would be if we’d elected that French-looking liberal instead of a down-to-Earth dude like Dubya.

Amid all the patriotic pomp, military might, warbling celebrities and high-tech security on display here this inaugural week will be something less intangible called “the Bush style.”

“The Bushes definitely have one,” said longtime Women’s Wear Daily and W magazine Washington correspondent Susan Watters. Yet they’ve maintained one of the least social profiles of recent presidents and guarded their privacy religiously - behavior some here have criticized as un-Texan.

“I think he’s Texan,” said Watters, comparing George W. with his more Eastern Establishment father, former President George H. W. Bush.
[. . .]
Dallas-based fashion consultant Jan Strimple, longtime Bob Mackie model and author of the fashion advice column, “Ask Jan,” has a different word for the Bush style seldom associated with Texas: “Understated.”

Apparently “understated” is now synonymous with “extravagant” and “gaudy” :

The Texas State Society’s gala Wednesday is the first and arguably the most unconventional bash of inaugural week — at least in fashion terms.

It’s the only party in town where guests are not just encouraged but expected to pair elegant chiffon couture from the racks of top designers like Lela Rose and Badgley Mischka with down-home duds like Stetson hats and Tony Lamas kicks.

Whether it’s a giant silver belt buckle hanging from tuxedo trousers or a broken-in pair of cowboy boots peeking from under a sequined gown, anything seems to go — as long as it has a Lone Star State flair.

This year, first lady Laura Bush chose a raspberry silk taffeta Carolina Herrera ensemble with a Western touch — a full skirt and bodice resembling a button-down shirt — for her home state’s ball.

Four years ago at his first inauguration, the tuxedo-clad President Bush sported custom-made black leather and suede footwear embroidered with his initials and the presidential seal.

You can find more examples of the “understated” style of the Bush family on the first lady’s website.

I have little problem with rich assholes acting like rich assholes, but I’m tired of the double standard at play here. John Kerry spent the whole campaign fighting off accusations that he was an liberal elitist, yet George Bush is a spoiled rich kid from one of the nation’s most powerful political dynasties who’s never had to work hard for anything. Where are the pundits to complain that the Bush family’s extravagance makes them “effete” or “out of touch” with the American people?

Did anyone honestly think this one was gonna go anywhere?

Two U.S. Supreme Court members separately rejected on Wednesday an emergency request from a California atheist who sought to stop the recital of prayers at President Bush’s inauguration.
[. . .]
Newdow, a doctor-lawyer who is acting as his own attorney in the case, argued that clergy-led prayers at the inauguration on Thursday would violate his constitutional rights.

“As an atheist, he cannot in good conscience attend an exercise where his government forces him to endure religious dogma he finds highly disagreeable,” Newdow wrote in his motion filed with the Supreme Court. “Newdow’s rights of religious freedom should be protected.”

Newdow, who lives in Sacramento, California, said he would drop his plans to attend the inauguration if forced to confront the prayers by two Christian ministers.

I’m not that troubled by the inclusion of the prayers in the inaugural since these ceremonies are put together at the discretion of the President. With that aspect of it at least, I’m willing to give let Bush have his celebration the way he wants it. I agree with Newdow about the troublesome links between religion and government, but the dude seriously needs to pick his battles better. Decrying something like this just makes him look like a crybaby, especially when there are so many other places that deserve scrutiny (like the practice of the legal system utilizing the Bible for swearings-in).

So, having made peace with the idea that the inauguration is gonna come with an extra helping of Jesus, lemme make a couple suggestions for Bible passages that would really suit George’s self-congratulatory (while our soldiers are dying by the score overseas) $40 million party. For those reading along at home, here’s a passage from chapter 19 of the Gospel According to Matthew :

Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”

“Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments.”

“Which ones?” the man inquired.

Jesus replied, ” ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’”

[ed. note that Jesus left out the religious commandments. Somebody tell Judge Roy Moore]

“All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”

Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

Shorter Jesus : Rich people suck. I believe it was The Daily Show that once joked that Bush had set up a top secret department Pentagon to come up with an easy way for a camel to pass through a needle’s eye. I wonder how they’re doing on that?

Now if you’ll join me at Chapter 14 in Luke for this quote that ends on a similar note, but makes a few observations that are goddamned hilarious when looking back at the last four years :

“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, ?This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.’

“Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.

So that explains how Bush and Co. can call themselves “Christian” while rewarding the rich and screwing the poor.By undermining Jesus’s observation that a leader would naturally concern himself with troop strength and diplomacy prior to going to war, they can get away with being greedy bastards on a spiritual technicality.

Oh lord. Another “don’t buy stuff” day? It seems like every time there’s a progressive protest-worthy event, someone starts spreading the idea to strike a crippling blow against commercialism by not doing anything at all. In this case, the “Not One Damn Dime” movement is to protest the Bush inauguration and the Iraq war, because apparently the best way to show your disgust at the Bush Administration is to avoid Wal-Mart.

Sorry, did I say “best” way? I meant “laziest”.

This is one of my biggest gripes with the left, the tendency to throw issues together in a hodgepodge fashion. The Iraq war and rampant commercialism are two very important issues, but they have “not one damn” thing in common. Plus, the choice of Bush’s inauguration adds a special level of weirdness to it. I think protesting the war in conjunction with his coronation is perfectly legitimate, but to do so by boycotting Target and K-Mart is just dumb. Besides, avoiding the mall for a single day isn’t going to make a dent in the bottom line that pre- and post-boycott spending increases won’t help offset.

If you insist on protesting the inauguration, I suggest buying some pretzels and sending them as a gift to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Just make sure they’re extra salty. That’ll make them harder to swallow.

Google, LiveJournal, MovableType, Yahoo, Microsoft, WordPress, Haloscan, and a few other companies have joined together in an effort to kill (or at least, maim) comment spam :

If you’re a blogger (or a blog reader), you’re painfully familiar with people who try to raise their own websites’ search engine rankings by submitting linked blog comments like “Visit my discount pharmaceuticals site.” This is called comment spam, we don’t like it either, and we’ve been testing a new tag that blocks it. From now on, when Google sees the attribute (rel=”nofollow”) on hyperlinks, those links won’t get any credit when we rank websites in our search results. This isn’t a negative vote for the site where the comment was posted; it’s just a way to make sure that spammers get no benefit from abusing public areas like blog comments, trackbacks, and referrer lists.

For MovableType users, you can get more technical details here and the plugin to help support this new tag here. All you need to do to install the plugin is upload a single file to your webserver (you don’t even need to edit the file’s permissions), so if you’ve got a moment to spare, please add this critical update. This might not make spam disappear, but it’ll certainly take away a lot of the incentive for spammers to flood our sites.

Here’s some details on the increased security for tomorrow’s inaugural. (via Bob) :

Thousands of police officers and military personnel are being brought to Washington from around the country for the four-day event. Sharpshooters will be deployed on roofs, while bomb-sniffing dogs will work the streets. Electronic sensors will be used to detect chemical or biological weapons.

…Parade performers will have security escorts to the bathroom, and they’ve been ordered not to look directly at President Bush or make any sudden movements while passing the reviewing stand.

What they don’t mention is that the performers are allowed to see the President by looking at his reflection in their shields. You don’t wanna know what happens to those who accidentally make eye contact with the Prez.

By the way, I used ellipses in the quote above because the following sentence is so ridiculous that it deserves special attention :

Anti-abortion protesters have been warned to leave large crosses at home.

So , please folks, if your political protest requires you to imitate Jesus, make sure your hands and feet are nailed to a small cross-….what!? You only want to bring the cross so you can drag it behind you and show it off? Are you at least gonna get beaten to a bloody pulp in front of a crowd of evil Jews? I think somebody needs to re-rent The Passion, before they decide to use the inauguration of our lord leader to play martyr.

I will never, ever understand why people keep buying into the myth that George W. Bush has anything in common with average Americans :

Besides Bush’s swearing in on Thursday, the inaugural week festivities include a salute to America’s military and several lavish balls. Bush said he doesn’t think it’s excessive despite the war and last month’s devastating tsunami, although he told CBS, “I’ve never been much of a dancer, and the idea of going to 11 balls might be viewed as excessive.”

Bush said it’s important to celebrate a “peaceful transfer of power” and that he suspects inauguration guests have been generous in donating to tsunami victims. “You can be equally concerned about our troops in Iraq and those who suffered at the tsunamis with celebrating democracy,” he said.

Transfer of power?? Unless he’s talking about the GOP’s hopping back and forth from the back pockets of big business to the back pockets of the religious right, the President doesn’t know what the hell he’s talking about.

Why does “celebrating democracy” have to be so goddamned expensive? Is this really the image we want to send to the rest of the world? That we’re so proud of ourselves that we’ll spend millions of dollars just patting ourselves on the back? And don’t even get me started on the millions that the President is stealing from the District of Columbia’s homeland security funds in order to make sure he and his buddies can enjoy their parties in peace.