"So, from the viewpoint of 'art,' shame on AMPAS for considering a movie’s popularity as a deficit. I never saw 'The Brutalist,' but I grew up within an hour of Boston, so I’m familiar with the topic. Have you seen Boston’s City Hall? Making a film about the guy who designed such Soviet paeans to dystopian efficiency, and doing it so beautifully, is, to my uncivilized mind, a waste of celluloid, or bytes, or paper folding money, which really is the only thing that matters in Hollywood."
You're letting your dislike of an architectural style keep you away from a great film. I'm no big fan of the Brutalist movement, but the story was more about rebuilding a life after having everything taken from you in a World War in a new nation that isn't sure it wants you around either, your talents and skills be damned.
Plus the film's main character (played by Brody) isn't an actual historical figure, but is a composite of figures from that time.
I'll also point out that within the story of "The Brutalist", the seeds and the justification for the nation of Israel is a BIG theme in the second half, as the displaced Hungarian Jews realize that America may not ever be a their place to live and excel.
I'll never understand the art of movie making. The last three movies I thoroughly enjoyed were "Cat Ballou", "Body Heat" (probably the last movie I attended in a theater) and Monty Python's "Search for the Holy Grail".
As an aside, I seem to remember you writing you were from New Mexico - not Boston - but I could be mistaken.
Steve, If I remember correctly in one of your articles a year or two ago you wrote that you welcome comments (feedback) about your writing style (not just the substance of your piece). So, am offering this feedback in a respectful way. When you (or any other writer) uses phrases like 'slobbering fools' to describe a group of people they don't like, it weakens and lessens the effect of the comments and critique in my opinion.
There are many ways to offer criticism that can hit hard, but stooping to the level of insults isn't one of them. In fact, a criticism that is fair and well written is much more effective in making one's point and can indeed cause the person or group being criticized (f they have a chance to read the criticism) to reflect a little and perhaps even teach them something.
This may seem like a minor point to make, but in my mind what is needed now more than ever (given the unprecedented level of division in society and the world) is for each of us to do our best to make sure we are not furthering the divisions by giving into our reactive level of mind and carelessly throwing around insults. If we do give into our reactions and emotions and give voice to that level of reactivity (however good in might feel to do so in the moment), we are part of the problem and not the solution.
In my mind, the teachings and example of Jesus is all about bringing peace and healing to ourselves, others and society at large, and this is what is needed now more than ever! Since you profess a belief in Jesus, I trust you can hear what I'm trying to say here.
Thank you Dean. Good words. I should be more circumspect in my writing. That being said, there are two groups which, when I refer to either, boil my blood. One is the starched poltroons and fabulists at Turtle Bay also known as the U.N. The other is the wine-sniffing, self-congratulatory club of fools with money to burn that inhabit the higher bat-infested attics of AMPAS. Sometimes my pen slips and the venom spills out.
I should not call people slobbering fools. Also, here is Jesus talking to people he disliked. He called them “whited sepulchers” if you care for the KJV. The Message Bible is even more explicit: “…hopeless…Frauds! You’re like manicured grave plots, grass clipped and the flowers bright, but six feet down it’s all rotting bones and worm-eaten flesh….”
Thanks for taking my comment the right way Steve. When an 'insult' is done in a humorous way (as you're doing here), then that is of course another story, and as you're displaying can be an effective way of communicating.
To tie the point in with politics a bit more, my observation is that Trump has brought the usual level of negativity that both sides regularly engage in to new lows in terms of meanness, venom, bullying, threats and follow through on the threats. Trump words and actions encourage and give 'permission' to others to break norms, flout laws and behave in the same crude way with little or no self restraint. This is extremely dangerous IMO and is contributing to the polarization and various levels of breakdown in society. It is the exact opposite of true leadership which would seek to unite and heal.
That is why I feel it is incumbent on all of us who engage in political discussion (regardless of which 'side' we may be on) to be vigilant at this time and not follow Trump's example in this regard. If we can express our points of view, and make our arguments with respect and without vitriol, then that is an important way to rebuild a strong society based on trust and respect. Thanks again for listening here.
The issue between Zelensky and Trump was triggered by VP Vance. Vance showed himself to have little grasp of the matter, and when corrected he blew up with that "thanking" line (note: Zelensky literally had thanked them and the US earlier in that same presser).
Yale Law produced a dramatically different Vance: Hillbilly Elegy Vance who wasn't afraid to tell folks that their problems aren't immigrants, but the inability to stay off the meth pipe.
The Vance we have right now is 100% the result of spending too much time in Peter Thiel's orbit, and adopting a "Masters of the Universe" mindset (Wall Street, not He-Man) where he thinks he's the smartest man in the room with all the answers (and none of the humility).
Yup. And a majority of people can also be wrong. Trump will not allow any peace for Ukraine until Zelensky is gone. And even then, Putin will be allowed to keep what he’s taken (who’s going to take it from him?)
I would like to see Trump sit Putin down and be equally as forceful in dressing him down as he was toward Zelensky. But what are the odds of that happening?
"So, from the viewpoint of 'art,' shame on AMPAS for considering a movie’s popularity as a deficit. I never saw 'The Brutalist,' but I grew up within an hour of Boston, so I’m familiar with the topic. Have you seen Boston’s City Hall? Making a film about the guy who designed such Soviet paeans to dystopian efficiency, and doing it so beautifully, is, to my uncivilized mind, a waste of celluloid, or bytes, or paper folding money, which really is the only thing that matters in Hollywood."
You're letting your dislike of an architectural style keep you away from a great film. I'm no big fan of the Brutalist movement, but the story was more about rebuilding a life after having everything taken from you in a World War in a new nation that isn't sure it wants you around either, your talents and skills be damned.
Plus the film's main character (played by Brody) isn't an actual historical figure, but is a composite of figures from that time.
https://screenrant.com/the-brutalist-true-story-explained/
I'll also point out that within the story of "The Brutalist", the seeds and the justification for the nation of Israel is a BIG theme in the second half, as the displaced Hungarian Jews realize that America may not ever be a their place to live and excel.
What can I say? I have an uncivilized mind. But now that you’ve brought up the Zionist angle, I may watch it.
I think you'll enjoy it. It is a LONG film, but one that moves pretty briskly, which is evidence of the moviemaking craftsmanship that goes into it.
I'll never understand the art of movie making. The last three movies I thoroughly enjoyed were "Cat Ballou", "Body Heat" (probably the last movie I attended in a theater) and Monty Python's "Search for the Holy Grail".
As an aside, I seem to remember you writing you were from New Mexico - not Boston - but I could be mistaken.
Your memory is correct. I am a proud New Mexican.
Just don't tell any dumb ICE agents.
Chris is quoting Steve in the first paragraph of the comment.
Correct. Sorry. Age really does take its toll on attention span.
Steve, If I remember correctly in one of your articles a year or two ago you wrote that you welcome comments (feedback) about your writing style (not just the substance of your piece). So, am offering this feedback in a respectful way. When you (or any other writer) uses phrases like 'slobbering fools' to describe a group of people they don't like, it weakens and lessens the effect of the comments and critique in my opinion.
There are many ways to offer criticism that can hit hard, but stooping to the level of insults isn't one of them. In fact, a criticism that is fair and well written is much more effective in making one's point and can indeed cause the person or group being criticized (f they have a chance to read the criticism) to reflect a little and perhaps even teach them something.
This may seem like a minor point to make, but in my mind what is needed now more than ever (given the unprecedented level of division in society and the world) is for each of us to do our best to make sure we are not furthering the divisions by giving into our reactive level of mind and carelessly throwing around insults. If we do give into our reactions and emotions and give voice to that level of reactivity (however good in might feel to do so in the moment), we are part of the problem and not the solution.
In my mind, the teachings and example of Jesus is all about bringing peace and healing to ourselves, others and society at large, and this is what is needed now more than ever! Since you profess a belief in Jesus, I trust you can hear what I'm trying to say here.
Thank you Dean. Good words. I should be more circumspect in my writing. That being said, there are two groups which, when I refer to either, boil my blood. One is the starched poltroons and fabulists at Turtle Bay also known as the U.N. The other is the wine-sniffing, self-congratulatory club of fools with money to burn that inhabit the higher bat-infested attics of AMPAS. Sometimes my pen slips and the venom spills out.
I should not call people slobbering fools. Also, here is Jesus talking to people he disliked. He called them “whited sepulchers” if you care for the KJV. The Message Bible is even more explicit: “…hopeless…Frauds! You’re like manicured grave plots, grass clipped and the flowers bright, but six feet down it’s all rotting bones and worm-eaten flesh….”
Thanks for taking my comment the right way Steve. When an 'insult' is done in a humorous way (as you're doing here), then that is of course another story, and as you're displaying can be an effective way of communicating.
To tie the point in with politics a bit more, my observation is that Trump has brought the usual level of negativity that both sides regularly engage in to new lows in terms of meanness, venom, bullying, threats and follow through on the threats. Trump words and actions encourage and give 'permission' to others to break norms, flout laws and behave in the same crude way with little or no self restraint. This is extremely dangerous IMO and is contributing to the polarization and various levels of breakdown in society. It is the exact opposite of true leadership which would seek to unite and heal.
That is why I feel it is incumbent on all of us who engage in political discussion (regardless of which 'side' we may be on) to be vigilant at this time and not follow Trump's example in this regard. If we can express our points of view, and make our arguments with respect and without vitriol, then that is an important way to rebuild a strong society based on trust and respect. Thanks again for listening here.
The issue between Zelensky and Trump was triggered by VP Vance. Vance showed himself to have little grasp of the matter, and when corrected he blew up with that "thanking" line (note: Zelensky literally had thanked them and the US earlier in that same presser).
Vance is the walking embodiment of the online "Where does X go to get his apology?" canard that's thrown around all the time.
Vance is MAGA’s ultimate smearing of Ivy League schools. Yale Law, home of Skull & Bones, Bush country, and it produced Vance.
Yale Law produced a dramatically different Vance: Hillbilly Elegy Vance who wasn't afraid to tell folks that their problems aren't immigrants, but the inability to stay off the meth pipe.
The Vance we have right now is 100% the result of spending too much time in Peter Thiel's orbit, and adopting a "Masters of the Universe" mindset (Wall Street, not He-Man) where he thinks he's the smartest man in the room with all the answers (and none of the humility).
The two men couldn't be more different.
(And don't take that as a defense of Yale Law School. I believe a lot of good in the world would be done if we just nuked it from orbit.)
Yet it's the same man. One of them is faking it.
Of interest...
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/03/04/zelenskyy-trump-ukraine-deal-00210230
https://redstate.com/nick-arama/2025/03/04/whoops-harry-enten-kills-another-dem-narrative-about-trump-and-ukraine-n2186252
Yup. And a majority of people can also be wrong. Trump will not allow any peace for Ukraine until Zelensky is gone. And even then, Putin will be allowed to keep what he’s taken (who’s going to take it from him?)
(I have done - in my latest one)
The silence on the topic of Ukraine was embarrassingly deafening too. I can’t believe no one seems to be writing about this
I would like to see Trump sit Putin down and be equally as forceful in dressing him down as he was toward Zelensky. But what are the odds of that happening?
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