1) Veep
I saw the premiere of Veep the other night and really liked it. Julia Louis-Dreyfus plays a similar character to Christine in the now cancelled show The New Adventures of Old Christine, but slightly less absurd. I've always liked New Adventures and would watch whenever I stumbled upon it. This show is a little like Parks & Recreation with higher production value. We are reminded that the Vice Presidency holds little power in America (no wonder no one wants to be Romney's running mate), but that's where Politics with a capital "P" stop. Office politics on the other hand is the central focus of the show, it seems. And interestingly, while I think "Girls" is a hilarious show, I can relate more to Veep these days. I've worked in an office for 12 years now so my world is no longer about figuring out who I am and dealing with scary entry-level interviews and dudes who are just not that into me, but navigating corporate life and all that it entails. Speaking of Veeps, I need to figure out how to get a VP in my title. I shall continue watching Veep.
2) New York Magazine Interview with Barney Frank
I enjoyed this frank conversation with Barney Frank in New York Mag. He's an intelligent guy who gives good insight into why the government is not working very well these days. One of the most interesting parts of the article is when they discuss the role of government in our lives. I for one believe in government. Our institutions are the only entities that hold our civilization together, without them, we're nothing. Without them, we have apocalyptic chaos. You can argue about the efficiency or inefficiency of the government these days, you can criticize the current paralysis in the House and Senate, but I don't think the argument should be around "government interference" like it's a bad thing. Look at the bail-outs. If the government had let the banks fail due to lack of responsibility and temporary insanity, we would have seen the greatest depression on a global scale that the world had ever seen (and probably apocalyptic chaos). Not even a free market advocate like Hank Paulson could have let the markets regulate themselves on that one. If this crisis taught us anything it's that humans are not rational and that acting on individual self-interest doesn't always ladder up to the greater good (got that Adam Smith?).
3) French Tourists Got Me Thinking
I saw a family of French tourists on the subway on way to work the other day. Inevitably, irrational thoughts come to my head, like shouldn't you be back home voting? Don't you people have jobs? You know, mean shit. This stems from my love-hate relationship with my country of origin. At the same time, one of the only reasons I would want to move back to France is for the generous vacation policies. But more than just "policies", their generous vacation culture. In France, vacation is your God-given right and everyone accepts les vacances as a non-negotiable thing. Hour long lunch breaks fall into the same category. In America, while you can negotiate for more vacation time than your two weeks, you're almost apologetic whenever you take a single personal day. You send the email to the team saying, hey, I'll be out of the office this day, but don't worry! I'll have access to email and cell phone! It's just because flights were less expensive on that day! Email me any time! Or something to that effect. This is why I like to take vacations out of the country; time-difference and roaming charges act as natural and digital barriers. I haven't figured out lunch though. In America, the fear of losing one's job is great, the fear of being replaced is huge. In France generous social laws make it virtually impossible to lose one's job. Of course this has also led to a stale economy, an unsustainable welfare state and high unemployment, pick your battles. But in America, people wear their inability to take vacations as a badge of honor, it is a reason to brag: look how hard I work, look how much I'm needed, just look at how so very employed I am. In France they would just look at you like you're insane (except for the employed part). Being both American and French, I feel tugged both ways and I'm a contrarian whenever it suits me. I am totally two-faced when it comes to these two very different cultures.
1) Crips and Bloods: Made in America
I always found this gang rivalry more fascinating than others. Perhaps because it is so intertwined with the history of the United States and what appears to be the reverse side of the American dream (read: American nightmare). This documentary goes back to the 40s, 50s and 60s to help explain the structural reasons behind the rise of gang warfare in South Central LA. Long story short, an oppressed minority, abused by cops, with no more role models to look up to (because we killed them all), take the hatred against them and turn it back unto themselves. What boggles my mind is the fact that gang warfare is pure and simple, war. There is a full-fledged civil war taking place right here in the United States and very little done to intervene. I mean, the UN peacekeeping forces should be all up in that business. Throughout the film you can't help but place the blame on ourselves, we have clearly failed them (and by we, I mean you). From slavery to segregation to racist undertones (and overtones), the Blacks of this country, more than any other minority, have had to trudge through one form of oppression after another for the last 250 years. And through it all, they've managed to make significant contributions to culture that the entire world has been quick to embrace. I mean, they invented rock n' roll for chrissakes. Your beloved Beatles would not have existed without the blues. I know some people take issue with blacks being racist against whites. Just get over it. But slavery and ensuing racism have left deep rooted scars that we have a tendency to overlook and trivialize. The ripple effects from that period are still felt today. Honestly, I'd be pissed too.
2) Street Fight
This is another one by my excellent friend's brother in law's brother. It's about the 2002 Mayoral race in Newark, NJ. A young brilliant visionary, Cory Booker, was up against the establishment, Sharpe James, the incumbent who had been in office for 32 years. Cory Booker runs a true grass roots campaign, living in housing projects and going door to door in the poorest neighborhoods to make his name and agenda known. His campaign says time and again, this race is going to be won in the streets. Booker seems incorruptible, fair and above all else, full of integrity. He has huge promise as a politician as long as he doesn't get caught up in all the political bullshit. The other interesting aspect of this campaign is when Sharpe James, a black man born and raised in Newark, starts saying that Cory Booker isn't black enough to understand "us" and that he is supported by Republican Neo Nazis (you can't make this stuff up). Cory Booker is certainly lighter skinned, but he is most definitely black. The fact that the James camp tried to, as Booker says, "racialize the campaign" instead of talking about issues is one thing (that many politicians do), but that he also brings in the argument "I am blacker than him, he is an outsider just trying to get ahead" is appalling and just shows how deep and sinuous the river of racism runs in this country. Because we have all heard that within Black communities (and, to be fair, Indian communities too), there is a perceived difference between light black and dark black. So instead of the community being proud of Cory Booker for achieving in life and giving back, they accuse him of being white. How ironic and sad is that. Booker is Newark's current mayor. You may have heard recently that he saved a neighbor from a fire. And that he's fine mayor.
3) Nas
Back in the late 90s and early 2000s, I started listening to my brother's hip hop albums. Nas' Illmatic was in my stereo and I listened to it once. And since it was the only CD in there and I was too lazy to get up, I listened to it again. And again. To the point where I had grown so attached to that sparse piano beat of New York State of Mind that it was all I listened to for months. Everyone who's anyone knows that Illmatic is a masterpiece. I became a Nas fan. I know most of his albums. I can rap songs you don't know. Except I'm not a good rapper, but I can pretend reaal good. So yeah, I'm a white chick who aspires to be a black male hip hop star sometimes. How's that for race relations? Hip Hop spawned a generation of white kids who wanted to be black. And that is just awesome for so many reasons.
"Born alone, die alone
No crew keep my crown or throne"
- Nas
4) Girls
Speaking of race relations, this post on Gawker discusses the issue of race on the HBO show "Girls". By that I mean that Girls is accused of lacking diversity. I'll be honest, I didn't really think of that while watching the show (uh oh! I am the problem, people). But if a Black or Asian person can't relate because there are only white people on the show, then I guess it's an issue? "Girls" is being held up to a higher standard than most shows, so it's getting double the scrutiny, it seems. Everyone wants to poke holes in it somehow. Critic after critic hails the show as something great, but can't help but point out weird flaws that are specific to that critic's world bias. For instance, the very fact that Lena Dunham says, jokingly I think, that she thinks she can be the voice of her generation, and then back peddles to say or a voice of a generation, means that she is actually saying that maybe she can be a voice. Just a voice. An original, thoughtful voice with which some people might identify. Remember, she is trying to sell herself as an artist to her parents to get money in order to live. Obviously she's going to exaggerate a bit (context, people). But critics pounced. They couldn't deal with this and all said, no, Dunham couldn't possibly be the voice of her generation. I swear to God, why are critics so dumb? Do I need to do their job for them? But if Lena Dunham's world only has white people in it, then, well, that's her problem that she's going have to deal with. Apparently, the Millenial generation has a hard time discussing race. I didn't know that. I think our generation has been taught that race shouldn't factor into our decisions about the content of someone's character and so therefore it doesn't. Because this generation grew up along side Blacks, Indians, Asians and Hispanics as true peers, I imagine that in their eyes all is hunky dory with the world since diversity to them/us is second nature. But as I've discussed previously, it clearly isn't to a large part of the world. So perhaps that is the problem.
Ok, I'm gonna go vote in the French election now. See y'all later.
Sidney Lumet. One of the greatest directors of all time. Recently deceased. Made some fucking incredible movies. So I thought it would be fun to do a little tribute to one of my favorites.
7) The Pawnbroker
This film about a holocaust survivor living in New York and managing a pawn shop in Harlem is not the easiest of viewings. It's not "Shindler's List" kind of entertainment. But, dare I say it, I think it's an important film to watch. There aren't many movies that allow the viewer to almost scratch the surface of what it feels like to survive the horrors of the holocaust, and to Lumet's credit, this is one of them. Another one is Shoah by French director Claude Lanzmann. In a 9 hour documentary film, he wears down his subjects so much that he gets to the core of their suffering. Tough to watch, but as he says to them "It's important." Rod Steiger gives an amazingly tortured performance as a man with intense survivor's guilt who tries hard to live his post-camp life repressing all emotions. But try as he might, he is just too traumatized.
6) Serpico
One of Lumet's most celebrated films and hailed as a classic, Al Pacino received an Oscar for his portrayal of Frank Serpico, a New York City cop who speaks against the corruption of the police force. In other words, he snitches. Given how lauded it is, it's actually not my favorite. Not because it's bad, but I know Sidney, he can do better. He doesn't seem to cover the nuances and gray areas of cop corruption like he did later. But that said, Pacino's performance is great and subtle and it's always awesome to see New York City in the 70s.
5) Night Falls over Manhattan
This movie didn't receive a whole lot of attention when it came out, but it's really good. It has an all star cast: Andy Garcia, Ian Holm, James Gandolfini, Richard Dreyfus, and plenty of family drama to go around. This is a story of politics and corruption in New York City. Lumet loves this stuff and he does it well. This movie is solid and entertaining.
4) Before the Devil Knows Your Dead
It is so incredibly good, but I don't think I can handle another viewing. Perhaps that's just me being a wuss. Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Ethan Hawk play brothers who decide, intelligently, to rob their parents jewelry store. It doesn't go well. And what ensues is a stressful, sweat-inducing tale of cover-up, drugs, money, infidelity all converging into one. I was exhausted when it ended. That said, I remember distinctly going to the movies in Sag Harbor that day looking for some "light entertainment." My mom was like, oh you just have to see Before the Devil Knows You're Dead, it's sooo good. So perhaps maybe I didn't go in with the proper frame of mind.
3) Dog Day Afternoon
Pacino does his best Pacino in this film about a bank robbery in Brooklyn gone very, very wrong. Based on a true story, Pacino plays Sonny, a Vietnam vet turned amateur bank robber who is plain out of luck. Sonny is one of those sympathetic anti-heroes (or is he a hero? I don't know) and you really root for him. He's not a bad guy, he just wants some money so his "wife", Leon, can get a sex change operation. He stages a bank robbery, the situation becomes almost absurd.
It's a perfect tragi-comedy.
2) Network
Television will do anything for a rating. This film is ahead of its time in a lot of ways. It paved the road for the Jerry Springers and Howard Sterns of the world, lucky us. Peter Finch plays Howard Beale, a news anchor who is told he's soon going off the air because of poor ratings. But when he starts ranting on national television, ratings spike and he is kept on. I haven't seen this is a long time, but I should because it certainly gets at the heart of exploiting human weakness for the sake of an audience, and the audience who is enthralled by it all.
1) Prince of The City
In my humble ass opinion, this film is a masterpiece. It's 3 hours + long but every minute of it is riveting. Lumet was really the guy for this job. Treat Williams plays Danny Ciello, a corrupt-ish cop who is approached by Internal Affairs to talk about corruption in the department. He decides to collaborate on the condition that he says nothing about his partners: "I sleep with my wife, but I live with my partners." But as he talks, stories become intertwined and he's faced with moral dilemmas that he didn't expect. This film was criminally overlooked when it was released in 1982, and it's still one of the most underrated films I know. Treat Williams was such a promising actor and it's a shame that his career derailed when he got mixed up in drugs. If you like cop stories, if you're interested in political corruption and if you love New York, you have to see this.
Now that Santorum is out, I don't want to hear about all his hidden qualities and brilliance all of a sudden.
I try not to get too political in this blog because, danger! But I think Rick Santorum is fair game because he SO INCREDIBLY RIDICULOUS that no one I know in my immediate and larger circle of friends is stupid enough to take him seriously. Right? Right, guys?
Anyway, there really is nothing I could say about him that would be any funnier than what John Stewart or Colbert say, so I'll just add to the fray with my opinions shared by all who have a minimum amount of common sense. It seems that social issues, and in particular his position on women, are what will be the cause of his imminent downfall. As John McCain rightly said (and I paraphrase), we need to stop talking about stuff that was resolved 30 years ago (because people are just gonna hate us more), and focus on stuff that matters now, and maybe let's just talk about the economy because that seems to be the only way we'll actually get votes. I actually like McCain, I was bummed he fucked up his candidacy with that lunatic Sarah Palin. Speaking of which, why are we still talking about her again? I actually donated $10 to Obama's campaign after all that shit about women went down, and I've been getting emails from the Obama people for a looong time. Yep, that is what pushed me over the edge.
The Republican party has become the party of fear. It seems that there are two sources of support -- the upper middle class and wealthy, who benefit financially from Republican policy, and the not-very- educated-class who fear the forces of change, diversity and the loss of their jobs. The top layer exploits the fears of the bottom layer to swell the numbers in their favor and in so doing, talk about social issues of yesteryear and the promise of their blue collar jobs. But it's difficult to stop progress, maybe you can delay it a bit, but you just can't stop the inevitable from happening and unfortunately, that's what a lot of fearful people want to do because, well, they're scared.
Now, I will more than likely vote for Obama, but that doesn't mean I think Mitt Romney sucks. In fact, nothing annoys me more than the fact that Americans seem to need a charismatic president, someone that can "connect" with them, to run the country. I don't want no robot in office, but I also don't need to be buddies with my president. In fact, I think it's best for all of us if we keep that line kind of distinct. I also think Romney has had pretty tough waters to navigate. After all, you can sense that he's a somewhat normal person playing against type for the "base." He might look a little uncomfortable, but wouldn't you? If you had to appeal to the Republican base?
The sad fact is that we want our president to be likable. Electability trumps effectiveness in office. So if we vote on electability, then it's no surprise that we end up with mediocre leaders. The skills required to win an election are not necessarily the same skills required to run an office. Sad to say but I don't think it will make much difference to me whether Romney or Obama is in office. I think both of them could do a pretty good job and let's face it, the president doesn't have the same kind of power here as say, a president in France where power is extremely centralized. So in in conclusion, I don't consider myself Democrat or Republican, I just want the right person for the job (for chrissakes).
