United 93

Many of the reviews for 'United 93' indicated the movie was credible, thought-provoking, and well-made. Many of these same reviews wondered the same thing, though: "Why? What is the purpose of this movie?" Seeing this movie for the first time more than five years after 9/11, it's clear this movie is necessary, that it does serve a purpose.

The phrase '9/11' has been co-opted by so many groups for political or personal gain, it's often difficult to conjure the feelings evoked that terrible morning. The term '9/11' now means so much more than the events of that day. Politicians have used the phrase as an unjustified scare tactic for so long, it has lost its emotional pull. '9/11' is now just shorthand for an ambiguous, omnipresent threat used to justify losses of personal freedoms and exorbitant government spending.

All of which brings us back to the visceral emotions renewed while watching the brilliantly directed film 'United 93'. No one in the movie knows anything about all that came after that day. Pilots check pre-flight routines, passengers waste time waiting for boarding, and air traffic control is pleased the weather is clear. Events unfold at a pace simulating real time, and our vulnerability is exposed, as one plane after another is hijacked. It's impossible to watch this film and not feel the emotions of that day, emotions that have been buried in recent years by exploitation and politics as usual. To answer the reviewers of its original release, that is why this movie was made. Who could have suspected we might need the reminder already?

Cool Tool: ALL-ETT Billfold Wallet

Cool Tools has a review of a wallet I've been using for a few years now. How great is this wallet? Within a few weeks of picking this up for myself, nearly every other person I know had one. The wallet has proven to be incredibly durable and I still marvel at how much it holds while staying thinner than nearly any other empty wallet. If you're tired of the Costanza wallet, this is your solution.

Wherefore art thou, Dr. House?

This is nearly identical to the most recent episode of House. I guess there's never a doctor when you need one. What did they think that guy was doing in there all that time?

American Airlines sued over lavatory death | IndyStar.com: "Carolyn Watts' husband, Taisuke Matsuo, suffered a heart attack inside the airplane's lavatory while on a flight from Japan to Chicago.
Two years later, Watts says, she still is trying to find out what happened.
In-flight medical emergencies occur often enough that large U.S. commercial planes are required to carry defibrillators and train staff members in first aid. But in Matsuo's case, he apparently received no treatment because nobody knew he was in distress."

Is your car gay?

I'm shocked that the Dodge Durango isn't listed as one of the cars identified as 'gay.' Then again, how many people into male figure skating actually drive Dodge Durangos? Probably not many, but you never know. My aging Super Silver was not mentioned in the article, in case you were wondering. If you'd like to see if your car made the list, check out the full story:

Gay by Design, or a Lifestyle Choice? - New York Times: "At a time when car makers are marketing aggressively to gay consumers and mainstream culture has become more literate about stereotypically gay tastes through television shows like “Will & Grace” and “The L Word” (on which one of the main characters, Alice, drove a Mini Cooper), it may not be surprising that some people make such assumptions about motorists based on their cars."

24's Last Writer's Meeting

Writers Meeting:

Writer 1: Everyone's piling on about how this season sucks. We've pretty much painted ourselves into a corner with all these crappy plots. How do we get out of this?

Writer 2: I got nothing.

Writer 3: Me neither.

Writer 4: Alligators?

Writer 5: Ninjas?

Writer 6: Can Chinese people be ninjas? If so, we could just have Jack go badass on everyone, solve the country's crisis and then have him fight Chinese ninjas the last 8 hours.

Everyone: Awesome! Let's do it!

The baddest man on television?

Some people may argue, but anyone with a brain knows the conversation comes down to two people: Special Agent Jack Bauer of '24' and Detective Vic Mackey of 'The Shield.' Prior to Day 6, I'd have said Bauer in a heartbeat. However, Jack has been astonishingly ineffective in many ways this season, from allowing his father to make him weepy during crisis to constantly worrying about everyone's feelings. Vic, on the other hand, is more ruthless than ever. So, how do the two stack up?

Jack:

• Relies on technique and savvy
• Tortures suspects, then turns them over to authorities
• Risks everything for the woman he loves (whoever that is at the time)
• Repeatedly saves the world from contrived plots and implausible evil genius schemes
• Deals with the constant loss of his friends and family as they are killed off day by day
  

Vic:

• Utilizes brute force and intimidation
• Tortures suspects and then kills them before framing someone else for the murder
• Ignores the women he sleeps with, even if they bear his children
• Manages the LA gang scene just well enough to keep the city from tearing itself apart
• Deals with a constant assault from all sides of those who want him out

Jack clearly has the more important job, but that doesn't make him the baddest man in the box. No, I'm afraid Vic's intimidation, brutality, and lack of conscience earn him the gold star. Vic Mackey is currently the baddest man on television.

Pressure

Post #1 always has a lot of pressure. You have to be witty and inviting, hoping to give the people something incredible so they'll come back. Will they? I doubt it, but that's good. That leaves more quality posts for just us. If they skip out early, they'll miss the good stuff. So, I'm content to just let post #1 go, and let those of us who know the deal come back after we've weeded out the riff-raff. Deal? Post #1 is over. That wasn't so bad, right?