Fascinating Exchange on the Concept of Addiction

Peter Hitchens is the brother of the more renowned Christopher Hitchens, though he is just as (if not more so) outspoken, witty and intelligent as his brother. Browsing through his blog I came across a link to this exchange he had with a blogger that took issue with his comments on addiction. I have to say, not only was it an interesting and enlightening read (I haven’t given much thought to the concept of addiction), Hitchens certainly makes a very good point and in the end convinces his opponent of his position and changes his mind – not something you see everyday on the internet. Hitchens has written a fair amount about drug use and the concept of addiction, which he claims is a logical fallacy. The initial blog post was about the initial Twitter exchange between the blogger and Hitchens; make sure you read through the comments in which the debate continues.

 

Peter Hitchens writes about ‘The “Myth” of Addiction’ – very interesting reading:

http://hitchensblog.mailonsunday.co.uk/2013/02/the-myth-of-addiction.html

 

Winter Movie Roundup

Due to school, work and laziness I’ve written far less than I’d like to recently. I have, however, managed to see a number of films over the past couple of months and unfortunately, unlike last year which featured some very high quality films (such as The Grey) released early in the year, this year’s offerings have been rather bland and abysmal. Here’s my take on the latest films I’ve seen:

Snitch ** (out of 4)
The Rock plays the owner of a small trucking company who is on his second marriage. His life is abruptly interrupted and thrown off the rails when his son knowingly accepts a package of drugs shipped to him by a friend, who then rats him out turning him into the victim of a DEA operation. In order to save his son from serving a lengthy mandatory prison sentence, he agree to infiltrate a network of drug dealers as a mole. Despite a solid cast including Barry Pepper, Susan Sarandon, Jon Bernthal, and Benjamin Bratt, the movie is a bit of a let down. It tries to be a serious drama while delivering a message about the US justice system and drug laws, but due to a very unbelievable plot, weak script, and poor character development, its difficult to take the film seriously. Rather than leaving the theater contemplating US drug and justice policy, I left it thinking about how utterly silly it is to try and run an 18 wheeler off the road with a sedan.

Safe Haven *
Yet another lame and hamfisted adaptation of a Nicholas Sparks book. The two leads in the film (Julianne Hough and Josh Duhamel) have zero chemistry and screen presence together. Cardboard cut outs of each actor could have potentially provided better performances and more chemistry than the two leads do in this dreck. The film starts out with a troubled young woman (Hough) fleeing from a couple of detectives – she narrowly gets on to a bus which leaves just in the nick of time, before the cops are able to find her. She eventually turns up in some perfect sleepy southern town in Georgia and is able to find a job at a local diner, catch the eyes of a widowed single father who owns the local general store (Duhamel), and find a cute little house that is in need of some tender love and care. Will she be able to leave her troubled past behind? Will she be able to move on and let a new man into her life? Will you even care by the end of the movie about the logic-defying plot twist? If you’re like me, you wont; you’ll laugh out loud as the credits roll and will quickly try to forget about this vapid and empty waste of time.

Broken City *1/2
This is one of those movies where you look at the cast and think “Hmmm, this cant possibly be that bad of a movie” – and then you watch it and wonder what well known actor/actress was thinking when he/she agreed to do said film. Mark Wahlberg and Russell Crowe star in a ludicrous film that resembles a prime time soap opera more than it does a major Hollywood movie with an A-list cast. Russell Crowe plays a sleazy mayor and Mark Wahlberg is an ex-cop with baggage turned private investigator (there’s an original character) who gets sucked into some dirty municipal politics. The mayor is running for re-election, so naturally in a film like this, his wife (Catherine Zeta-Jones) is sleeping with the mayor’s opponents campaign manager. There are also murder, sketchy backroom land deals, document shredding, oh, and Mark Wahlberg’s everyman of a character is having a tough time keeping his 2 person PI operation open. By the end of the film, it becomes rather difficult to keep track of everything that was going on. The film is one preposterous plot twist on top of another until you are simply sitting there rolling your eyes wishing the film showed some form of restraint which would have resulted in the movie keeping a tiny amount of plausibility. The only thing redeeming about the whole mess is Russell Crowe’s unrestrained performance of a unrepentant crooked mayor - I only wish it had been in a better film.

Ohhhh Colin Farrell

Dead Man Down **1/2
An intriguing film from the director of the original Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (not the Daniel Craig-David Fincher remake) that ultimately stalls towards the latter part of the film. The movie stars Colin Farrell and takes some time to get going; slowly the audience is able to piece together the plot as it slowly begins to emerge as the film unfolds. Farrell appears to be a gun for hire for a local crime syndicate, which is managed by Terrence Howard (who does a good job as the villain here). The film seems to get its wires crossed halfway through as it morphs from an intriguing crime drama into a romantic redemptive tale. Ultimately, it becomes a stalled anticlimactic affair that could have been a stronger film had the script gone through another rewrite and some polishing. I loved the opening of the film and the steady buildup, but was let down by the weak romantic subplot and third act of the film.

The Incredible Burt Wonderstone **
Jim Carrey, Steve Carell, Steve Buscemi, Alan Alda, and Jay Mohr in a comedy? I’ll definitely be seeing that…and I did….and I was rather underwhelmed. Carell and Buscemi star as lifelong friends who have had a successful magic act for years that is starting to falter. Jim Carrey plays an up and coming “magician” who undertakes stunts that resemble Jackass more than they do magic. Carell is in airhead mode, which he plays well -particularly opposite Carrey who is in zany mode. The film isn’t bad, but its not as funny as I’d hoped – the supporting cast is somewhat underutilized although Jay Mohr is particularly funny in his scene stealing role as a lousy lounge-act magician.

Identity Thief *1/2
Oh what a waste – what an utter waste this film was. Two very funny leads (Jason Bateman and Melissa McCartney) are wasted as this film attempts to be both a slapstick goofball comedy and a serious emotional drama at the same time – it fails. There are a few funny moments but those moments become less and less funny the more and more the film tries to be a serious drama. If anything, the film does show how talented the leads are - but their antics are spoiled by a movie that ironically has an identity crisis.

Yipee-Ki-Yay

A Good Day to Die Hard **1/2
I hope to goodness they keep making these movies; not because they’re good, but because the titles and how they incorporate Die Hard into them just amuses me to no end. Bruce Willis stars again (have to wonder how many more action films he has left in him) as John McClane, who heads over to Russia to get his son (who he hasn’t spoken with in years) out of jail. However, he ends of screwing up a CIA operation while on “vacation” to rescue his son and shenanigans, explosions, and one-liners ensue. A pretty typical Die Hard movie, which is a bad or good thing depending on your point of view. The only thing rather disappointing was a lack of a particularly snarky and devilish villain which, until now, had been a staple of the series.

Side Effects ***1/2
Steven Soderbergh is a very talented director and his habit of making extremely entertaining and high quality films continues with Side Effects.  Going into the film – based on the trailers – I was expecting yet another movie where the villain is some nameless, shadowy, nefarious corporation (in this case, a pharmaceutical); boy was I wrong. Instead, we are treated to a smart and sordid tale full of twists and turns that don’t push the realm of believability like the aforementioned Broken City. The film begins with the release of Channing Tatum from prison – he has just finished his sentence for insider trading. His wife (Rooney Mara, very stellar in a nuanced role) has waited very  faithfully and patiently and is wanting to get life back on track. However, she is depressed and after an event (which I won’t spoil), she seeks the help of psychiatrist (played by Jude Law). This film develops from there and is so well executed, there were times where I was questioning the motivations of all the main characters. Side Effects is a smart and skillful thriller well worth the time.

Random Observations

As someone in one of my classes said, “Idle No More should really be called Idle More, as all they seem to be doing is standing around blocking streets, bridges, and railways…”

Note to Idle No More protestors: I’m not sure pissing people off or costing businesses money is the best tactic to use in order to win converts to the cause. Or in other words, I’m not sure blocking roads, bridges, and railways is the most effective way of winning people over to the cause.

Is banning high capacity magazines really an effective measure of gun control? Its easy to make high capacity magazines (or modify and turn low capacity magazines into high capacity ones), its also easy to reload a weapon, and furthermore high capacity magazines tend to jam more than lower capacity magazines. I have to ask, what’s the point?

When the vast majority of gun crimes are committed by gang bangers using handguns, what exactly is the purpose of banning “assault weapons”? Last time I checked, rifles aren’t the first choice of weapon for drive-by’s.

If Obama’s proposals pass Congress, it would actually mean (likely for the first time) that you could legally buy certain guns (like the AR 15) in Canada, but not in the US.

Finally, for the love of all things holy, more guns does not necessarily mean more crime. Please see the following countries for examples: Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, Norway and a few others.

Top Films of 2012

We’ve just begun a new year so obviously its time to take a look at the films of 2012. While there were many solid films in 2012, a few stand above the rest in my mind. I have not seen all notable releases from 2012 as of yet, so with that in mind here is my initial list of the best films of 2012; all of which are worth seeing.

1. Flight
A powerful and blunt film centered around an exceptional performance by Denzel Washington. While Washington is a stand out, he certainly isn’t the only solid acting in the film as the supporting cast of John Goodman, Don Cheadle, Bruce  Greenwood, and Kelly Reilly all turn in solid performances themselves. Flight at times is a tough movie to watch; nothing is sugar coated throughout the movie and the films honest storytelling – devoid of plot devices or hallmark moments – makes it an exceptional film.

2. Lincoln
I’ve always been a fan of Spielberg’s films and Lincoln doesn’t disappoint. A fascinating movie that looks at elements of Lincoln’s Presidency, specifically the passage of the 13th Amendment. Daniel Day Lewis, as usual, turns in a fantastic performance as Lincoln. That said, Tommy Lee Jones was an absolute scene stealer in the film who should be a shoe-in for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination. A great film that breathes life into some very historic moments.

3. Argo
Ben Affleck is now 3 for 3 with his Directorial efforts with Argo being arguably the best of his efforts so far. Argo recreates a gripping true story set during the Iranian Revolution about the rescue of American embassy workers who fled the embassy after it was stormed by Iranian revolutionaries. The film also indirectly highlights some of the particular failings of Jimmy Carter’s foreign policy and puts the actions of some very brave Canadian diplomats on full display.  A tense and entertaining film – even people who think little of Affleck’s acting abilities (like my parents) are likely to enjoy the film.

4. The Grey
This was a truly haunting and emotional allegorical film centered around a stellar performance from Liam Neeson. The Grey could have been a stock ”man vs nature” film with cardboard characters and a plot-device ending, but due to a strong cast and equally strong writing, the film is much more than that. Leaving the theater I felt almost  numb; this is a movie that stuck with me for weeks after viewing. One of the best films of the year and unfortunately, likely one to go overlooked come awards time.

5. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
Peter Jackson does another fine job adapting Tolkien’s material to the big screen. After a somewhat sluggish start to the film, it quickly turns into an exciting and enjoyable film with memorable characters and a meaningful story. Jackson has become a master at pacing and does a great job balancing an assortment of characters, plot development and action sequences. Seeing The Hobbit on the big screen made me want to read the book again, which to me is a sign of a good adaptation.

6. Moonrise Kingdom
Oh Wes Anderson. Moonrise Kingdom is a typical Wes Anderson film (which is not in and of itself a bad thing)  with a little extra magic in it. Moonrise Kingdom is a cute, quirky, imaginative film full of colorful characters who are all immaculately cast (Whoever does the casting for Wes Anderson films is a genius). Watching Moonrise Kingdom was like reading a good book; brimming with life and color. Despite the odd awkward moment, Moonrise Kingdom is a wonderful film that, next to The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, stands as Wes Anderson’s best.

7. Prometheus
One of the best visual films I have ever seen, Promethues is a science fiction film about big ideas that immerses the viewer in its world. Prometheus brings up a lot of questions and rather than provide answers to them, it provides glimpses or hints of answers instead; this infuriates or increase the intrigue depending on who you ask. Myself, I found the film to be a visual masterpiece and a fascinating experience; a great science fiction film.

8. Looper
Rian Johnson has yet to make a bad film. The writer and director of Brick and The Brothers Bloom (both films worth seeing) strikes gold with his complex and mind bending thriller starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Bruce Willis. It is a clever film that, while containing action scenes and visuals that even Michael Bay would be jealous of, is by no means a brainless action movie.

9. End of Watch
A very raw, emotional and gripping film. I was skeptical going into the movie due to how it was shot (we see the events unfold through the cameras worn by the two lead actors), however this technique only adds to the rawness of the film, making it even more effective. The film follows two cops (Gyllenhaal and Pena) as they work their beat; however things quickly escalate when they but heads with a local cartel.

10. Skyfall
One of the best Bond films I’ve had the pleasure of watching (although Goldeneye will always be my favorite). A throwback to the older Bond films, with Javier Bardem turning in a wonderfully devilish performance that brings some of the classic villains in the series to mind. The film feels like a classic Bond outing yet at the same time is quite different from the typical Bond film. Craig further proves what an excellent choice he was to take over after Brosnan and the film acts to flesh out Bond’s character, setting the stage for the next Bond adventure.

Over-rated Films of 2012:

Life of Pi
A long and rambling film that, while possessing some interesting visuals and an eyebrow raising take on religion, falls flat. An interesting film, but certainly not deserving the critical praise being heaped upon it.

Django Unchained
It’s a Quentin Tarantino film; need I say more?

Arbitrage
While Richard Gere is effective portraying a total sleazeball (something he’s always been pretty good at), the movie itself is bland, unconvincing, and unbelievable. While Gere is interesting to watch, the film itself collapses under its increasingly preposterous plot.

Under-rated Films of 2012:

 Killing Them Softly
This film is a strange one, but one that I enjoyed. The film essentially examines the impact of the 2008 economic crisis through the eyes of gangsters and other unsavory characters. The film ends with a    deadly and unforgettable line which I will not spoil here.

 

Seeking a Friend for the End of the World
Hilarious offbeat comedy that has a lot of heart and many laugh out loud moments – one of the best comedies of the year.

Hit and Run
Another funny offbeat comedy which features probably Tom Arnold’s best comedic performance since True Lies. Good blend of action and comedy with great chemistry between the leads; worth seeing even with Dax Shephard being the star (as well as the writer and director) of the film.

Safety Not Guaranteed
A cute and quirky film full of memorable characters and an engaging story. The film centers around a writer and his interns at a magazine who investigate a classifieds ad requesting time travel applicants.