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Just for a laugh- July
Just for a laugh
What do you call a fish with no eyes?
A fsh
Patient: Doctor, Doctor – everyone keeps copying me!
Doctor: Doctor, Doctor – everyone keeps copying me!
A for Effort. C- for Results: Bad Teacher
Bad Teacher (Kasdan, 2011) is the latest in a line of 'Bad...' films. Bad Santa, Bad Boys 1 and 2, The Good, The Bad and the Ugly - It is in some pretty good, varied company. But does it stand up to them? Is Bad Teacher a story of resentment and lust, ending in redemption and love, with likeable characters, a solid story and a fitting message?
Unfortunately not.
Cameron Diaz is Elizabeth Halsey. A teacher who, funnily enough, is not very good at her job. She is also a pretty horrible human being - superficial, self indulgent, drug using, gold digging and not a good bone in her body - Louanne Johnson from Dangerous Minds she most certainly is not. After her fiance realises that his money is being taken for granted a tad later than most people with a decent IQ, she is forced back into her work as a teacher at a Junior High School.What follows is a year of bickering, competition, sexual advances and aspirations of breast implants.
Some good ingredients there for consistent comedy you would think? Well, kind of. The limitations on the characters certainly does not help matters. Because Halsey is so horrible, there is rarely room for compassion or signs of vulnerability. There appears to have been a brick wall built around her that no one can break down. Even the later scenes with Jason Segel as the laid back gym teacher seem added on at the last minute to at least show a glimpse of positive emotion.
Sometimes it feels that the rest of the film is just there to pad out the funnier scenes. The first conversation in the restaurant between Halsey and the wonderful Lynn Davies (Phyllis Smith) is one particular highlight, as is the band night scene - particularly the dialogue between Diaz, Smith and Segel. Two other characters in this scene highlight however both the positives and negatives of the film.
Scott Delacorte (Justin Timberlake) is a confusing character and because of this is not likeable. Are we supposed to fall for his charm and kindness? Are we meant to accept his failings? He is a rich substitute teacher who instantly draws the attention of Halsey, yet she discovers that he apparently only likes large breasted women. Is this the sign of a nice, sensitive approachable guy? We all have our preferences but his whole character is all over the place. One minute he is kind, singing over emotional songs. The next he is cheating on his girlfriend (in the most cringe worthy 'sex' scene ever put to screen) and admitting his lack of trustworthiness. He actually comes across as quite pathetic, and is more annoying than the lack of any interesting school children. Very disappointing, especially after Timberlake's performance in The Social Network. I did not see the need for this character as Segel's gym teacher, Russell Gettis could have fitted the role. He is much more likeable. He is honest about himself, is warm and is genuinely funny.
But from one disappointing character to arguably the highlight of the film. Lucy Punchs' Amy Squirrel is the best teacher in the school, winning the bonus every year. Her overtly happy and kind approach is the perfect yin to Halsey's yang. Of course as the film progresses we learn there are more layers to her, and this can only be a good thing. Three dimensional characters are rare in this film so to see one of the main protagonists (or is that antagonists?) have more to them is a sigh of relief when she is on screen. She even manages to get a reaction from the seemingly heavily sedated schoolchildren. Her sheer determination to outdo and show Halsey for what she really is, is entertaining and comical. Again, if she had more of a relationship with Gettis as opposed to Delacorte, we have had a much more entertaining film.
This leads me quite nicely to the plot. It is OK. Nothing groundbreaking or Earth shattering but it helps the film along nicely enough. Upon hearing about Delacorte's female preferences she decides to save and steal the money necessary for breast implants. This leads to a visually pleasing car wash scene that puts Jessica Simpson to shame and also helps her bag a few dollars. She also discovers the end of year bonus which leads to a change in attitude where we learn she can actually teach. I would not trust her with a wig, bottle of white wine or a camera though.
The ending of the film is possibly the most disappointing aspect of it. It just feels tagged on at the last minute, hoping to give us the happy ending that we apparently crave and tries to suddenly make us feel for this selfish, obnoxious and guilt free Miss Halsey. The thing is throughout the final few minutes she is still all of these things. And that is what makes it feel rushed. There was no time in the second act to start developing any frailties she may have. Cameron Diaz was the right actress for this role and to see her as a antagonist is a rare delight. She should definitely attempt it more. I just feel that the character she was given to work with was nowhere near deep enough and complex for her to really make her own. With Billy Bob Thornton's Bad Santa you felt sympathy for the hole his character was getting into. He had layers that could be peeled away. Diazs' Bad Teacher did not.
For what it is, and what it could have been, Bad Teacher unfortunately falls short. Entertaining to an extent, but maybe best to wait for the DVD rental release - 6.47/10
Next time I will be reviewing the recently released American comedy 'Bridesmaids'.
I hope you have enjoyed. Until the next time.
William Evans
http://will-writersblog.blogspot.com/
@willsfilmgig
@lifearcademag
Saint Herman of Alaska Orthodox Church
Fr. Lawrence’s Blog
St. John Chrysostom
We are blessed to have some of his relics in our parish, which we brought out in procession this Pascha during the singing of his tropar at Paschal Matins. I wanted to speak to you about the words he uttered as he lay dying. You can read them for yourself, for they are written on the ‘west’ wall of the church, under his icon. As you see, he said, “Glory to God for all things!”
St. John’s success had attracted envy in very high and powerful circles, and these powerful men set about to destroy him. He had been lied about, persecuted by bishops, condemned unjustly by church courts, and driven into exile far from his beloved Constantinopolitan flock by the Empress. He appealed to other leaders and bishops in the Church worldwide for justice, but to no avail. When he continued to exert a wide influence even from exile through his letters, he was driven even further out into more remote exile, and forced to travel in winter through terrible lands despite his advanced age and his frail health. Worn out, battered, sick and exhausted, he died far his native lands, disgraced and defeated. And his last words were, “Glory to God for all things!”
I deliberately chose St. John’s icon and his last words for our west wall, because I wanted his last words to be the last thing we see every time we leave the Church and go out into the world. For the world will batter us. It will treat us harshly and unjustly. It will knock us about and bruise us. And when we see evil apparently unjudged and triumphant, it is easy to become discouraged. But St. John Chrysostom and his life urge us to courage. For Christ will turn all that we endure for truth into glory for us. St. John knew well the words of St. Paul, who wrote that nothing—neither death nor life, nor anything else in all creation— will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. No suffering can separate us from Him, and so in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. Whatever the world has in store for us when we leave the Church, we can rely on God’s conquering love and be certain of our final victory. May St. John’s final words, written under his icon, be written over our life: “Glory to God for all things!”
all my love, Fr. Lawrence
Fr. Lawrence Farley
604-588-6166
frlawrence {at} shaw dot ca
Dn. Kurt Jordan
604-824-1214
kurtedwardjordan {at} gmail dot com
Dn. Gregory Wright
604-534-3994
fatherdeacongregory {at} gmail dot com
Services Sunday Matins: 9:30am
Sunday Divine Liturgy: 10:00am
Daily Vespers Wednesday at 7:00pm
Great Vespers Saturday at 6:30pm, followed by Bible study
Sunday, July 3
St. Herman's Orthodox Church Calendar
7221 198B St Langley, BC
Saint Herman of Alaska
Orthodox Church
The Ranger- Smiths Empire Watch
คาวบอยขี่ม้าต้อนวัว
Yeehaw
ดูหนังตัวอย่าง
นาฬิกาพกคารบอยควบม้าไล่ต้อนวัวกับแผ่นโฆษณาปีคศ.1954
Don't Follow The Stream.
The Truth Right There...
Fake Bitches Wear Masks
All fake bitches cut it out and wear it if you can't keep it real.
Cell Flicks Rock
Thank
Goodness
for Cell Flicks!
Hell Yeah...
New Jersey Fist Pump
Via: Yes-Butno.com
Punk Rock Patriotism - Happy 4th of July
HAPPY 4TH OF JULY
Here's some Punk Rock patriotism by Warzone. Everyone have a blast. Don't drink and drive...and eat a lot of BBQ and swim with your family and friends. Get a sun burn too!
THE SOUND OF REVOLUTION
We are all born Originals
We are all born originals,why is it so many of us die copies? - Edward Young
Bad B-Movies: The Video Dead Review
Bad B-Movies!
When the other B-Masters decided that this roundtable would be based off of a sort of "Secret Santa" idea I had some reservations. Not least was that the phrase "Tyrannical and Sadistic Santa" would have been more accurate. You see, the truth of the matter is that we all jumped at the opportunity to inflict something God awful on each other. Ken Begg was threatened with "The Trial of Billy Jack" and Dr. Freex had the poor luck of being given "Jonathan Livingston Seagull." So, when the latter gentleman informed me that my particular torment would be "The Video Dead," I was more than a little relieved.
The film begins when Mr. Jordan is roused by two deliverymen (who need new brakes for their van). They insist on him signing for a large crate, though the sender and contents are unknown. Okay, I'm paranoid anyway; plus watching movies like this for years doesn't help, but I would politely refuse the consignment. "No, I will not sign my death certificate. Now leave, before both myself and Mr. Twelve Gauge Mossberg get angry." Unfortunately for Mr. Jordan, he accepts the crate and unpacks the B&W television inside. The set has a worrisome peculiarity; there is only one movie on: "Zombie Blood Nightmare." After the writer goes to sleep the TV turns itself on and the main characters crawl out. When the deliverymen come back, because they delivered death to the wrong address, they make a gruesome discovery.
Three months pass before the Blairs purchase the home. Mom and dad are out of the country, so Zoe and Jeff take on the responsibility of moving in. I have no idea if the parents even visited the house before making a down payment. The important facts are that the TV is in the attic and the zombies are still loose in the nearby woods. Oh, Jeff also meets April and they seem to hit it off.
Jeff finds the television when he investigates a sound in the attic. The young man brings the infernal thing downstairs to his room and plugs it in. Immediately "Zombie Blood Nightmare" comes on (sort of odd, since the zombies are already out), but then the picture fuzzes over. What replaces the low budget horror film is a seductress who tantalizes Jeff's libido. Something about her features set off warning bells in my head; they are reminiscent of a woman who used to be a man! Telling Jeff wouldn't have done much good. At that age, most young males just look for the major landmarks of womanhood (boobs) and he was entranced, even moreso when she suddenly materialized in his room. A briefly embarrassing necking scene ensued, but then the woman reappeared inside the TV.
THE VIDEO
DEAD
Review
Via: Bad Movies
Kosheen :: To set the tone, sit back and wait
Kosheen, having been named after Japanese words for “old” and “new”, is a band that have always impressed me, even if they are only popular within their own genre. Sian Evans has a unique voice which can be haunting yet seductive and while their music may take a little getting used to, it has that uniqueness that is so rare yet very easily likeable, after a while. I’m proud to be a Kosheen fan since the beginning, after seeing Hide U on MTV one night many years ago. I’ve never seen Kosheen live or in a club venue, but it would be nice to, someday.
Their album Resist has so many songs that are singles it’s ridiculous. Every track is an anthem, each song on the album is awesome. Hide U of course is their biggest hit, while songs Catch, Cover, Harder, Slip & Slide Suicide, Empty Skies, Resist are all pretty memorable. Face In The Crowd, Cruelty, Let Go, Gone, are also great. It’s hard to find a song that doesn’t add up here, Kosheen’s knack for songwriting in the electronic genre never fails, at least for their debut album. It’s an amazing CD, definitely one for the history books, or at least the aspiring CD album reviewers.
When Kosheen released Kokopelli just a few years later in 2003, I had high hopes. Resist was so good, what could come next? Unfortunately, Kokopelli didn’t live up to my expectations, but it still holds its own after all these years. Blue Eyed Boy and Wish are my favorite tracks off their second album.
Damage is a great album that really gave Kosheen their sound. Released in 2007, Damage, Overkill, Chances, and the ballad Cruel Heart are my favorites. It’s definitely good, because it’s Kosheen.
Apparently Kosheen are releasing an album later this year called Independence. Fitting for choosing this band to review over July 4th weekend. Will it be more of the same Kosheen that we’ve been known to expect? Only time will tell. Let’s see what this band from Bristol, England will have to offer us soon!
- Dan Golden, July 2011 (as always, email any comments to [email protected])
Spy vs. Spy 50th Anniversary
2011 marks the 50th Anniversary of Spy vs. Spy. To celebrate this historic milestone, every day TheIdiotical will be devoting a post to Antonio Prohias’ classic strip. Today, it’s the very first Spy strip, from MAD #60 (January, 1961).
VS.
Via: Mad Magazine Blog
50th
Anniversary
The World with No Liars
Imagine that folks.
Now I am addicted! :)
Name: Ann Vincent Witoslavsky
I think all women have the right to feel sexy no matter their age and that is exactly what Below Your Belt intimate hair removal products makes me feel. After having shaved with BYB Woman I feel so smooth and it looks so pretty afterwards that I feel very sexy!
After my first try of BYB Woman I thought WOW and now I am addicted! :)
Kiki Valdes - Some Cartoon Expressionism or something.
Happy 4th of July
Happy 4th of July!!
Coldwell Banker Associated Brokers'
Would like to take a moment to wish you and your families a very happy and healthy Fourth of July!
Independence Day is a special time that allows us to take a well deserved mid-year break, spending time with friends and family, while celebrating the most important event in our history - the founding of our country.
From the moment our founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence, many freedoms and ideals evolved, including the idea of private property rights. The concept of “The American Dream” was established very early and remains integral to the well being of our great country and its people. Coldwell Banker knows that home ownership is and will continue to be the dream for most Americans and, through your efforts each and every day, we will continue to help fulfill this lofty goal for future generations to come. It is just one of the many reasons why we are the home of the free and the brave.
We wish you a great second half of the year and enjoy the holiday!
Sincerely,
Brent & Christy Bosanek
Coldwell Banker Associated Brokers
Q-Tip Beef Over Documentary with Rapaport.
Tags: MTV Shows
The stormy relationship between actor/director Michael Rapaport and rapper Q-Tip continued to develop Wednesday, when Rapaport told New York Daily News that he was "completely done" reasoning with the rapper and that they have no relationship. The pair's dispute arose from the portrayal of hip-hop group A Tribe Called Quest, which Q-Tip co-founded, in Rapaport's upcoming documentary "Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest."
The group's other three members have expressed support for the film, but Rapaport claims Q-Tip demanded more and more control of Tribe's sometimes unflattering portrayal. "The movie version Q-Tip thinks should be coming out would be going straight to DVD," Rapaport told New York Daily News.
In March, however, Q-Tip said that his major disagreement with Rapaport was that producers were plotting to deny the band members production credits. In an interview with MTV News, he claimed that one of the film's producers accidentally sent him an email discussing this plan:
Rapaport ,Q-Tip Feud Over Documentary
"Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest" is off to a shakey start. Q-Tip has discovered an e-mail that wants to rip them off. Also pumping heads with Rapaport, the director.