libs vs cons = urbans vs rurals

This is kind of a random entry, but I thought this article was interesting... and I also wanted to prove I'm still alive (just annoyingly preoccupied).

It may seem rather obvious already, but I think a lot of points it makes, especially for liberals, are spot on.

From Urban Archipelago

If Democrats and urban residents want to combat the rising tide of red that threatens to swamp and ruin this country, we need a new identity politics, an urban identity politics, one that argues for the cities, uses a rhetoric of urban values, and creates a tribal identity for liberals that's as powerful and attractive as the tribal identity Republicans have created for their constituents.

( My rambling response, mostly in regards to my home state. )

(no subject)

This is a totally random nerdy entry to balance out the other ranty one today... and I feel nerdy at the moment, so it all works out.

DARK WATER
I'm not sure how many of y'all have heard of this one, but it's another in the vein of Hollywood remaking Asian horror films a la "The Ring". Instead of Naomi Watts, we get Jennifer Connelly... which, for me, is an upgrade. Nothing against Naomi, but I've loved Jennifer since "Labyrinth". The fanboys at AICN were bitching that the "Dark Water" trailer looks too much like the original... but frankly, I can't see it. Of course, this only applies to those who've seen the original, but I swear... they seem only vaguely similar to me. Not just because the remake takes place in NYC (the original in Tokyo). It *looks* different... and I LIKE this look. Doesn't hurt the cast looks pretty strong too (besides Jennifer, John C. Reilly, Tim Roth, Camryn Manheim and Dougray Scott are also all in this).

"The Grudge"... now THAT was nearly a carbon copy of the original... and they did make a conscious effort to make the storylines different. Not that that helped at all. Nearly the entire feel of the film was exactly the same. I think this was probably 90% because the guy who directed the original also directed the remake. Which was a detriment to me. I just think if you're going to remake something... REMAKE it. Just don't do the same thing over again with white, English-speaking actors (in this case, most whom were subpar talents, at best) and a more (or overly) simplified / paltrier storyline. What's the point?

HOUSE OF FLYING DAGGERS
I'm still hearing a lot of mixed reviews on this one. Some folks love it, but others say the story is securely in the *meh* department. Overall, everyone seems to agree the movie *is* pretty to look at. Of course, on the totally shallow side, I was guaranteed to watch this for Takeshi... so damn pretty it hurts and if I suffered through "The Returner" for him, I can surely watch this. It's Zhang Yimou... although I still admit his last, "Hero", just doesn't do it for me (Lots of pretty, but the story left me dry). Speaking of pretty... posters like this one from Sony really do keep my interest peaked....
( Cutting because I'm too lazy to open up PS and size it down. )

I'd be happy if Andy Lau or Takeshi could break out in the States. Andy is the better actor IMO. He was in "Infernal Affairs" damn it! Which got almost zilch promotion from it's American distributing company and it's just beyond wrong. Although it's a bit more wrong Leo DiCaprio is going to be in the American remake. MEH! Anyway, Takeshi may just have a better shot at it. Call it a gut feeling. He is younger than Andy and he's got a bit of youth exposure from all those "Onimusha" games his face appears. If they ever made a live-action "Onimusha"... they'd better be getting Jean Reno and Takeshi. Also a director that can do the campy subject matter (time travelling mercenaries, samurais fighting demons / possessed by demons) without coming off too campy.

For the sake of being very nerdy and random.... here's the official site for LEMONY SNICKET'S A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS. I'm an admitted Potterphile of the most pathetic order and I read these sort of by default (hence they don't have the place HP does for me, but they're cute books). However, I adore the look of it all. Even though I'm still not digging Jim Carrey as Count Olaf. However, I "get" Jim Carrey in so very little, so I'm not surprised by that. The "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" goodness is few and far between with him. He's simply not Count Olaf to me. I also want to see this just to hear Jude say "Lemony Snicket". Speaking of Jude, he's apparently the "Sexiest Man Alive". I can't say I disagree with People, he certainly is very pretty. Although he's starting to meander into the area of over-exposed. "Alfie" was also terrible. I vote he makes "Sky Captain 2"... but this time with, you know, a story. Giovanni Ribisi can stay too.