'Best of TBH Politoons'
Thanks, again, Tim!
Baron Dave Romm
Master and Commander
By Baron Dave Romm
Science fiction fans have an affinity for a well-plotted action story with knowledgeable, honest and resolute characters. Patrick O'Brian's books about the British Navy in Napoleaonic times (circa 1800 CE) are a great read. They are highly recommended (and make great presents...), and you should start in the beginning.
Master and Commander is the name of the first book in the Capt. Aubrey/Dr.Maturin books but the movie doesn't have much to do with it (except for the bit about the brain...). The couple of books are independent of each other. Starting with the 3rd book in the series, The HMS Suprise, they become one continuous story. Master and Commander: On The Far Side of the World takes up with the Surprise in the third book, combining the plots of the several of the subsequent novels until it winds up with the 10th, The Far Side of the World. I've only read the first 8 (out of 20), and most of the action was familiar. And for the film buff, new editions of the books are movie tie-ins.
For the most part, I liked the movie. I wasn't as blown away as some, but it's certainly a fine example of the genre, and possibly the best of the bunch so far. Peter Weir does a good, though not great, job of directing. Russell Crowe is good as the resolute but idiosyncratic Captain Jack Aubrey. The rest of the cast does a fine job of being British seamen. It's a man's movie, full of blood, gunpowder and testosterone. Life and death decisions are made with regret, but made anyway. Honor is upheld and merit rewarded. Friendships are forged in fire and bonds last a lifetime. Several of the officers have been with Aubrey from the first book (hinted at but not stated in the movie).
What the movie got right: The cannon fire sounds authentic. The sound is the best reason to see it in a theater with a decent sound system. The bloodiness of sea battles is well represented (I assume, never having been in one...). When you shoot a bunch of cannon balls at wooden ships, there will be lots of splinters and blood. Dr. Steven Maturin's love of nature is nicely laid out. He really does want to see everything, and urges Aubrey to go out of his way to collect specimens.
What the movie got wrong: The editing is odd. Great sets aren't used to effect. Pans are too short and the direction is needlessly jumpy. The time sense isn't presented well; the movie takes place over about a year and a half but that's mentioned in dialog. Shiptime is mostly boring, which is why you need the harsh discipline (and the grog). That's hard to get across, but not impossible. While the sounds of the cannon are well done, the battles aren't smokey enough. I mostly forgive them for this: A battle that's hard to see makes for a poor movie. Still, I feel it could have been better done.
What the movie changed that I don't mind: In the books, Aubrey and Maturin aren't good musicians, and the first time they play the two disparage their craftsmanship. But when they start taking bow to violin the music is pretty good. Well, I don't want to listen to mediocre music for two hours. Might as well hear some good tunes. They don't do a particularly good job of explaining just what a big advantage it is to having more cannon, and how brave Aubrey is for going up against a superior ship that has already bested him. But that kind of tactical detail is hard to explain without slowing down the action, and they cover the necessary points.
Overall rating: on the Shockwave scale of 9 to 23, I give Master and Commander about a 20. Reading the books isn't necessary to enjoy the movie, but does add to the experience. With luck, the DVD willgo into great detail and be more fun.
Baron Dave Romm is a conceptual artist and a noble of Ladonia with a radioshow, a very weird CD collection and an ever growing list of political links. He reviews things at random for obscure web sites. You can read all his music recommendations from Bartcop-E here, and you can hear the last two Shockwave broadcasts in Real Audio here (scroll down to Shockwave). Thanks to everyone who has sent me music to play on the air.
Reader Rapid Review
Re: 'Cat in the Hat'
We saw 'Cat in the Hat' last night, Marty.
It is HORRIBLE!
You must see it to see how truly bad, in poor taste, age inappropriate for kids it is....much anger, ghastly!
Barbara
Thanks, Barb!
Reader Suggestion
The Limbaugh Rehab Journals
Day 4:
There are spiders in my room folks. Weird Grotesque spiders. They're black, about 12" long, they're wearing blue sweaters and they have the faces of Ted Kopple. They've gone away right now so I only have a few seconds to write. I think I may have scared them off by throwing some cheese at them. I'm the maharishi, I can do this, and.......what's that?..........no............THE'RE BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH…..
NO!!! NO!!oo.,ddddddddddddddddddd
From Washing the Blog
~ Chris
Thanks, Chris!
from Mark
Wolfenheimer's Disease
Dr. Paul seems to be having some cognitive decline.
You've seen the signs ... more
Selected Readings
from that Mad Cat, JD
Reader Request
Petition
Please post link to my petition, Re: Joseph Lehman Jr.
I am the mother of 3 girls mentioned in this article:
http://www.kingcountyjournal.com/sited/story/html/149179
Related articles:
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/146146_lehman30.html
http://www.kingcountyjournal.com/sited/story/html/120932
http://apnews1.iwon.com/article/20031029/D7UG0K7G0.html
http://www.nwcn.com/statenews/washington/stories/NW_102803WABrape_babyPL.49e22b8a.html
****TO SIGN PETITION****
http://gopetition.com/info.php?petid=3140
Sherri
Thanks, Sherri!
There was a story about this Lehman creep on the Thursday, 30 October, 2003 E-page.
In The Chaos Household
Last Night
Sunny & breezy, again. Quite nice.
The kid is looking forward to his Thanksgiving break.
He's also starting to drop giant hints about what he'd like for Christmas.
Tonight, Monday, CBS starts the night with a FRESH 'Yes, Dear', followed by a FRESH 'Still Standing', then a FRESH 'Raymond', followed by a
FRESH '2½ Men', then a FRESH 'CSI: Miami'.
Scheduled on a FRESH Dave are Paul Newman and Clay Aiken. (RERUNs all next week)
Scheduled on a FRESH Craiggers are Billy Bob Thornton, Dakota Fanning, and Cyndi Lauper.
NBC opens the night with a FRESH 90-minute 'Fear Factor', followed by a FRESH 90-minute 'Average Joe'.
Scheduled on a FRESH Jay are Shaquille O'Neal, Kelly Preston, Nelly, and Ron Isley.
On a RERUN Conan are LL Cool J, Peter Gallagher, and Greg Behrendt. (RERUNs all this week - FRESH next week)
Scheduled on a FRESH Carson Daly are Deion Sanders, Nate Gebhard, Mike Marriner, and Static X.
ABC has 'MNF', and 'Primetime Monday' - east coast (& central time zone) have 'Primetime', then the game. Left coast has the game, then 'Primetime'.
On a RERUN Jimmy Kimmel are Jenna Elfman and Switchfoot, with guest co-host Mark Hoppus. (RERUNs all this week - FRESH next week)
The WB offers a FRESH '7th Heaven', followed by a FRESH 'Everwood'.
Faux has the 2-hour Season Finale of 'Joe Millionaire'.
UPN has a FRESH 'The Parkers', followed by a FRESH 'Eve', then a FRESH 'Girlfriends', followed by a
FRESH 'Half & Half'.
A&E has 'American Justice', 'Biography' (Richard Sears), 'Cold Case Files', and 'City Confidential'.
AMC offers the movie 'The Searchers', followed by the movie 'Shenandoah', then the movie 'Hombre'.
BBC -
[6pm] 'BBC World News';
[6:30pm] 'Cash in the Attic' - Ollier;
[7pm] 'Ground Force' - Nantwich;
[7:30pm] 'Changing Rooms' - St. Ives;
[8pm] 'Murder in Mind' - Disposal;
[9pm] 'The Vice' - Daughters;
[11pm] 'So Graham Norton' - Liza Minelli;
[11:30pm] 'So Graham Norton' - Kelly Osbourne;
[12am] 'The Vice' - Daughters;
[2am] 'Murder in Mind' - Disposal;
[3am] 'So Graham Norton' - Liza Minelli;
[3:30am] 'So Graham Norton' - Kelly Osbourne;
[4am] 'The Vice' - Daughters; and
[6am] 'BBC World News'. (ALL TIMES EST)
Bravo has 'West Wing', 'Cirque du Soleil: Alegria', 'Cirque du Soleil: Saltimbanco', and 'West Wing'.
On a RERUN Jon Stewart is "Who Are the Daily Show?" special. (RERUNs all this week - FRESH next week)
History has 'Modern Marvels', 'Mail Call', another 'Mail Call', 'Rommel', and another 'Rommel'.
SciFi is all 'Stargate SG-1' all night.
TCM -
[6am] 'I'll Cry Tomorrow' (1955);
[8:15am] 'Some Came Running' (1958);
[10:45am] 'The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance' (1962);
[1pm] 'Sweet Bird Of Youth' (1962);
[3:15pm] 'Two For The Seesaw' (1962);
[5:15pm] 'Paint Your Wagon' (1970);
[8pm] 'Fiddler on the Roof' (1971);
[11:15pm] 'Cabaret' (1972);
[1:30am] 'New York, New York' (1977); and
[4:15am] 'Annie Hall' (1977). (ALL TIMES EST)
Former U.S. President Bill Clinton waves to photographers after visiting the Taj Mahal in the northern Indian city of Agra November 22, 2003.
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The Information One-Stop
Moose & Squirrel
Marks 40th Birthday Online
Doctor Who
Fans are marking the 40th anniversary of science-fiction hero Doctor Who's first episode by logging onto a new online animated adventure.
The cartoon based on the ninth incarnation of the doctor, played by Richard E Grant, has been placed on the BBC's internet arm BBCi and can be downloaded for viewing.
The 85-minute cyberspace series, called "The Scream of the Shalka", is being released in six episodes over November and December.
The series can be viewed at www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho.
Doctor Who
Chantal Nashua of Americus, Ga., holds a banner protesting a Fort Benning, Ga., military school for Latin American soldiers during an protest Sunday, Nov. 23, 2003, in Columbus, Ga. As 10,000 demonstrators on Sunday chanted and waved signs to protest a military school for Latin American soldiers, the commander of Fort Benning said he was duty-bound to arrest those who trespass or damage military property.
Photo by Elliott Minor
Big Dog Walks Home
Taj Mahal Bus
Embarrassed Indian authorities ordered an inquiry after a special environmentally friendly bus broke down as it brought former US president Bill Clinton back from the Taj Mahal.
Clinton was returning from the 17th century monument Saturday on a battery-operated bus meant for dignitaries when the steering stalled and the driver slammed on the brakes, officials said.
As the driver failed repeatedly to restart the bus and Indian officials tried to find alternative transportation, Clinton and his Secret Service agents got off and returned to his hotel on foot.
Courts have banned the use of polluting vehicles near the marble Taj Mahal.
Taj Mahal Bus
Garden Problems
Queen Elizabeth
The Queen is furious with resident George W. Bush after his state visit caused thousands of pounds of damage to her gardens at Buckingham Palace.
Royal officials are now in touch with the Queen's insurers and Prime Minister Tony Blair to find out who will pick up the massive repair bill. Palace staff said they had never seen the Queen so angry as when she saw how her perfectly-mantained lawns had been churned up after being turned into helipads with three giant H landing markings for the Bush visit.
The rotors of the resident's Marine Force One helicopter and two support Black Hawks damaged trees and shrubs that had survived since Queen Victoria's reign.
"The lawns are used for royal garden parties and are beautifully kept. But 30,000 visitors did not do as much damage as the Americans did in three days.
For more, Queen Elizabeth
In The Kitchen With BartCop & Friends
Sir Ian, JK Rowling & The Poodle
The Simpsons
British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who only just finished entertaining his last American guest, plays the animated host to Homer Simpson in the US cartoon "The Simpsons."
Blair recorded three lines of dialogue for the show in April.
The episode also features the voice of Harry Potter author JK Rowling and actor Sir Ian McKellan.
The Simpsons
Battlefield heroes, explorers who traversed the uncharted West - including Lewis and Clark, seen on this 37-cent stamp - an author, who delighted generations of children, and legends from the arts and entertainment world are among those being honored with postage stamps next year.
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Broadway Show Set to Close
Jackie Mason
Comedian Jackie Mason will be joining Mark Hamill, Polly Bergen, Ellen Burstyn and Farrah Fawcett on the Broadway unemployment line.
Mason's latest show, "Laughing Room Only," closes Nov. 30 after a mere 14-performance run. The production opened Nov. 19 to negative reviews.
Jackie Mason
New Competition
Miss Digital World
A competition to find the most beautiful digital woman in the world may sound like a gimmick, but it masks a chance for serious artists to show off their programing skills.
Creators from video game companies, advertising agencies, universities and elsewhere have been invited to submit their own interpretation of Miss Digital World. She can't be a mere illustration, either. The 3-D presence has to come complete with a name, birthdate and vital statistics, and she can never have taken part "in any type of pornographic films, shows or plays" or have done anything else that might be considered immoral.
The first of four voting phases begins Dec. 1 at http://www.missdigitalworld.com. Miss Digital World, being promoted by Monumedia and Virtuality Conference, will be "crowned" at a real-world event in Turin, Italy, as part the of Virtuality 2004 event in October.
Miss Digital World
Formerly 'The Vidiot'
First Genetically Changed Pet
Glowing Fish
A little tropical fish that glows fluorescent red will be the first genetically engineered pet, a Texas-based company said on Friday.
The zebra fish were originally developed to detect environmental toxins, but Alan Blake and colleagues at Yorktown Technologies, L.P. licensed them to sell as pets.
Scientists have for decades used a gene called green fluorescent protein, taken from jellyfish, to help in research. The fish, sold under the trademarked name GloFish, carry a similar gene taken from a sea coral that makes it glow all the time.
Glowing Fish
The X-ray of a mummified cat is put on display at the National Taiwan University Hospital in Taipei November 16, 2003. The mummy is part of a collection borrowed from the Louvre Museum in Paris for the exhibition in Taiwan. The museum has agreed to such an examination in an attempt to unveil the mystery surrounding the mummies.
Photo by Richard Chung
Grateful Dead Show Hits DVD
Winterland
For the last 25 years, all an aging Grateful Dead fan had to do to win the instant admiration of a Gen-X or Gen-Y counterpart was to utter these eight words: "I was there the night they closed Winterland."
To those who were there for the last concert ever held at Winterland, a Hunter Thompson remembrance of the 1960s clearly applies to that night as well: it represented "the place where the wave finally broke and rolled back."
Now the rest of the world can learn what all the hoopla was about with the release this month of the two-disc DVD boxed set The Closing of Winterland.
For a lot more, Winterland
An Italian army explosive expert stands next to the 500-kilogram World War II bomb found during construction work in downtown Milan, Italy, Friday, Nov. 21, 2003. Tens of thousands of Milanese and tourists were evacuated from their homes and hotels Sunday, Nov. 23, 2003 so experts could defuse the bomb. Some 55,000 residents of 2,000 apartment buildings as well as guests in hotels in the neighborhood near Viale Brianza were ordered to leave Sunday starting at 8.30am. A few hours later, after the bomb was defused and removed for detonation, orders went out that it was safe to return home.
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Self-Assembly
Nano-Transistor
A functional electronic nano-device has been manufactured using biological self-assembly for the first time.
Israeli scientists harnessed the construction capabilities of DNA and the electronic properties of carbon nanotubes to create the self-assembling nano-transistor. The work has been greeted as "outstanding" and "spectacular" by nanotechnology experts.
The push to shrink electronic circuits to ever smaller dimensions is relentless. Carbon nanotubes, which have remarkable electronic properties and only about one nanometre in diameter, have been touted as a highly promising material to help drive miniaturisation. But manufacturing nano-scale transistors has proved both time-consuming and labour-intensive.
The team, at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, overcame these problems with a two step process. First they used proteins to allow carbon nanotubes to bind to specific sites on strands of DNA. They then turned the remainder of the DNA molecule into a conducting wire.
For the rest, Nano-Transistor
In Memory
Kellie Waymire
Kellie Waymire, whose frequent appearances on such shows as "Six Feet Under," "Friends" and "Ally McBeal" made her a familiar face to television fans, has died at age 36, apparently of a previously undetected medical condition.
Waymire died Nov. 13 at her home in Los Angeles, according to her agent, Billy Miller. He did not disclose what medical condition she had, noting final autopsy results were pending.
Although best known for several TV appearances, including a recurring role on "Six Feet Under" as Melissa the prostitute, Waymire had also gained acclaim for her work in regional theater.
The Los Angeles Times called her performance as the lead in A.R. Gurney's offbeat play "Sylvia," at San Diego's Old Globe Theatre in 1996, "utterly irresistible." The role, which she performed in San Francisco as well, won her a Drama-Logue Award.
Waymire also appeared in a revival of Noel Coward's "Present Laughter" at the Pasadena Playhouse in 1998 and in many other stage productions across the country.
She began her television career on the soap opera "One Life to Live," going on to appear on such shows as "Seinfeld," "The Practice," "Judging Amy," "Star Trek: Voyager," "Star Trek: Enterprise, "The X-Files" "NYPD Blue" and "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation."
The Columbus, Ohio, native attended Southern Methodist University, where she won the Greer Garson Award. Later, she earned a master of fine arts degree from the University of California, San Diego.
Kellie Waymire
A pair of beluga greets visitors during a show at Hakeijima Sea Paradise in Yokohama, south of Tokyo November 23, 2003.
Photo by Kimimasa Mayama
'The Osbournes'
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