More on the Ever Changing Internet

Leonard Pitts' column yesterday mentions the video going around showing a 1994 clip of Katie Curic and Bryant Gumbel trying to explain what this new thing "The Internet" was. They couldn't do it because they didn't know.



Pitts says this:


...fundamental changes are occurring at unprecedented speed and you and I have not a clue where we're going, what we're going to be when we get there, or even much time to wonder. We are too busy bailing water from the sinking boats of former lives and professions.


Well, I certainly feel that way some of the time but I think younger people all over the world keep up pretty well. That's why things are happening at such a fast pace that some of our heads are spinning - and some of it is amazingly good.



The remarkable photo above, taken this past Friday and immediately posted on the Internet, shows Christians protecting Muslims as they say their prayers in Cairo's Tahrir Square. .




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Blue Valentine

We saw this highly acclaimed movie a couple of nights ago. Ryan Gosling is an amazing actor, as is Michelle Williams. As you most likely know, they play a couple who's marriage is falling apart.

OK, here are a couple of warnings. This movie is not easy to watch. It's painful and raw and then it's over. The explicit sex scenes are painful and raw and I thought they'd never be over.

The only sweet, funny scene is early on when they're on the street singing and tap dancing. But it's ominous.

You Always Hurt the One You Love.

I've read several reviews. Every one of them says it's an excellent movie about a marriage unraveling. And, of course, it is. One reviewer says they're just like you and me falling out of love.

But it's way more than that. It's about two decent but seriously wounded and scarred human beings. I don't see how either of their lives can move forward until they experience healing.

I say, no, they're not like you and me but I've known a few people like them. They're so individually scarred that they can't function well with anybody, including each other. They need a healthy community's comfort and healing.

But I guess in that sense they are like us.


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Social Media Power

After we saw "The Social Network" I wrote that I was amazed by the genius of Mark Zuckerberg but wished he'd invented something important.


But, of course, I was wrong about that.


As I write this we're in the midst of unrest in Cairo. A while back, during the elections, Iranian young people let their voices be heard around the world.


George Clooney and others have made the world aware of the conditions in the Sudan.


None of this could happen without the social media. We're seeing - and more importantly - experiencing -worldwide events in real time.


By contrast, the folks in North Korea put up with their miserable lifestyle because they're a closed society. They don't know what's out here.





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RED

I have a reputation for not being spontaneous. But yesterday afternoon, when Dave said "Let's jump in the car right now and go to the movies," I said "OK."

We saw RED. This is an acronym for Retired - but Extremely Dangerous.

The film is totally and completely silly. The cast is glorious.

What fun to see some of our favorite elderly movie stars as cold blooded C.I.A. assassins.

Bruce Willis, age 56, stars. He could do this movie in his sleep. His love interest: Mary Louise Parker, age 46.

John Malkovich, age 58 is hysterically funny. Morgan Freeman, age 73, plays a man 80 years old. He gets to wear a great turquoise and gold outfit. I'm guessing that's why he took the part.

Richard Dryfus, age 64, is evil. But he's never looked better. (My son used to call him "the Rat Man.")

Helen Mirrin, age 66 is a cold blooded killer and loves her work. Her lover, whom she shot three times (but he forgave her because it was all in the line of duty) is played by Brian Cox, age 65.

Ernest Borgnine, age 94, is the record keeper.

We didn't go on 75 cent Tuesday so had to pay the big money: $1.25. But it was worth it.

I wonder if people ever think of me as Retired - but Extremely Dangerous.


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One Picture Says It All

I've shared with you before my admiration for political cartoons in general and, specifically, the creations of Dana Summers.

Today is the actual 25th anniversary of the Challenger tragedy.

I remember well, the day after the event, this drawing appearing in the paper. It said everything we were feeling at the time.

It reappeared in this morning's paper along with the explanation from Dana Summers as to how he came up with it.

I think it was inspired.

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Academy Awards

The Academy Award nominations came out today. I applaud their choices.

Here are the top ten movies:

The King's Speech - a wonderful movie. But for those of you who love car chases - you're out of luck. It's slow and sweet. And a real life story of someone overcoming circumstances in order to make a difference in the world. The only reason this movie has an R rating is because the future king adopts a potty mouth as part of his therapy. I love Colin Firth.

True Grit - A wonderful, gritty, classic western. Far more realistic than the cartoony John Wayne version. This one is true to the book. I love Jeff Bridges and Matt Damon.

The Black Swan - Scary, tense, suspenseful with periods of beautiful dancing. If you see this movie you'll never want to be a ballerina. This movie deserves its R rating. It's not called a physio/sexual thriller for nothing. I love Natalie Portman.

The Kids Are All Right - If you're offended by homosexuality don't see it. Otherwise, it's a funny, romantic movie about family members trying to resolve issues. I love Annette Bening.

The Social Network - I reviewed on October 9th.

Inception - I reviewed on August 10th.

Toy Story 3 - It's cute, sweet and beautifully filmed - but I'm just not a fan of animation.

127 Hours - I don't want to see it because it's about that guy who's hiking and has to chop off his arm. But I'm sure it's about the triumph of the human spirit.

The Fighter - This is the next film on our list. I've heard nothing but good things about it - even from those like me who don't like fighting.

Winter's Bone - Haven't seen it and it's gone now. But maybe it will come back since it made the list.

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Challenger Anniversary

Hard to believe we're coming up on the 25th anniversary of the space shuttle Challenger tragedy.

Seven astronauts died, including teacher Christa McAuliffe, when the space shuttle blew up 73 seconds after takeoff.

I was living on the space coast at the time so the events were sered into my brain. But most everybody in Florida and in the country over the age of 40 remembers where they were and what they were doing when it happened.

I was on my way to the Chamber of Commerce in Melbourne when I heard it on the radio. I pulled into a parking lot, got out of the car and looked at the sky.

It was a mess.

I got back in the car. The announcer wasn't sure about if or when the astronauts died but, after looking at the sky, I knew. I sat in the car and prayed that they died instantly - with no suffering.

A few months later I was invited to do some consulting at a sub contracting company at the space center. It was a privilege but also stressful and hard. Because those left behind were still suffering in all kinds of ways from space shuttle Challenger tragedy.

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