For Your Convenience

Why did this have to come out after Lord of the Rings? Pray tell?

http://runpee.com/#app=5c9d&e1bd-RunPeeID=0.0.0&225a-selectedIndex=0

Movie Review: The Great Dictator

I recently read some comments on a new movie made by Quentin Tarentino set during WWII. The comment had to do with the fact that while there's no shortage of evil villains in this world, the Nazis are always the only target of cinematic aggression. While I believe there's good reason for this, I can't condone torture of anyone, cinematic or otherwise. This is why an old classic proved a good alternative.



I looked up a few facts and found out this was controversial in its day, as the US was not yet at war with Nazi Germany. To be fair, Chaplin had reason to know a little extra on Hitler. The guy ripped off his mustache and claimed to be a fan of the Tramp. Chaplin's response, in movie form? "The Tramp's Jewish, and you're an idiot."

This movie has serious overtones and undertones obviously, but the satire, slapstick and verbal humor are brilliant. Chaplin proved himself, with his first talkie, to be an all around comic genious. He was mad, and this thinly veiled comic autobiographical rant doesn't try to hide it, but that doesn't overshadow the quality of the movie. Even the speech at the end seems to take Hitler's public speaking stlye and turn it on its head. And that's what works with the best Chaplin movies. In the midst of a lot of crazy antics, there's a lot of heart.

I'll part with my favorite line.

"I thought you were an Aryan."
"Actually, I'm a vegetarian."

All smells must come to an end

So, I asked when the dudes were coming to replace our stinky washer of doom and take it into oblivion or some other such place. I figured I should be home when they dealt with it as is the custom with such things.

I asked during the school day, and the answer surprised me a bit. They already took care of it. We officially have a new washer that should work and doesn't smell like sulfurous hell-water. Of death.

Where did the old one go? I'd like to think it found a good home. At the bottom of a cliff. Or a shooting range. Or the dump. That works, too.

Wanted: New Washer

You know it's time to get a new washer when the old one tries to kill you.

First, it refuses to work properly, threatening to stress us to death.

Next, my wife and I touched it at different times only to be shocked. Now it's trying to electrocute us.

In the meantime, it's still not working, so the water that refused to drain days ago is still there, not draining and smelling a lot like rotten eggs with a generous helping of evil. Now it's trying to stink us out.

Thankfully a repairman came to look at it the other day. He spoke a little English, so between that and my tiny sprinkling of Korean we were able to communicate. When he plugged in the washer, I warned "be careful" in both languages just to be safe. I half-watched and half-prayed I wouldn't end up an accessory to murder. Thankfully, the washer was in a good mood and only refused to drain. No Korean BBQ.

To make a long story epic, he told us we need a new motor. I'm grateful for his help and everything, but the cost of a new motor was a bit much. So, we're going another route.

In the meantime, we still had the old, stinky water. That's now a thing of the past, and all it took was a trash can, a pitcher, two cups and an hour's worth of unpleasant memories. I can still smell it. The horror.

Great, more ninjas

Integrity and Stuffs

So, this year I've decided (yeah, let's say that) to broaden my horizons and teach some middle school in addition to elementary ESL. I guess you could say it was decided for me, if you're into facts and accuracy and all that business, but I like my version better. The point is, I'm teaching a few middle school classes.

So far, I've done two days. Day one consisted of, among other things, defining plagiarism as a habit to avoid. We went over examples and definitions, and I thought it went rather well.

Today the same students noticed part of their reading assignment involved finding examples of idioms in a handout and writing them down on a piece of paper. A hand shot up and one young man addressed me quietly.

"Isn't that plagiarism?"

I explained that

a) Your teacher wouldn't ask you to plagiarize (while trying to look as offended as possible)

and

b) It doesn't fit the definition. We spent a few minutes explaining why.

The p word has been a problem in the past pretty much anywhere I've taught, so the fact a student asked is heartening. Still, come on guys. Give me some credit (offended face continues).

Speaking of Action Figures...

I haven't seen the movie yet, but this is based on the cartoons and action figures anyway, so it made me laugh a lot. The sequel to it is funny as well. There is a bit of language, so now you know. And knowing is half the battle.

http://www.mcsweeneys.net/2009/8/7pille.html

You know it's been a long week

when you hear a country song and almost sort of like it. It's okay. I'm better now. Won't happen again. I hope. (suspenseful music)

More Awesomeness

I'm not a cat person, but here's proof they can occasionally be useful. Also, they may or may not have superpowers. I'll have to check on that.

Dancing in the Aisles

There's something about this that's just...awesome. That's all I can say.

Movie Review: King of Kong

In my latest blatant attempt to review a movie without a license I will add insult to injury by reviewing a movie that's been on DVD for over a year. Ah, living overseas.

I waited to see this movie ever since I heard the premise--two gamers go head to head for the title of Donkey Kong champion. I wish it was Starcraft, because I would have seen it by now. Whatever the case, it seemed weird and compelling enough for me to want to see it. I watched clips on youtube, and I was hooked. I had to see it.



During the wait, I learned a lot of generalities about the story, just enough to ruin a movie for someone. So much for self control, but what can you do*. I finally bought it this summer, and I put it in yesterday ready for the letdown.

Here's the funny part. There was no letdown. It's funny, surprising,oddly touching and heartbreaking, and uplifting. I don't want to say too much, because I don't want to ruin it for others, but it's one of my all time favorites. Hollywood fiction has nothing on this one. Actually, I've never seen a documentary come close either. It's that good.

One more observation. The makers of King of Kong chased several possible stories as they followed gamers around, and this showdown emerged. They said wow, that's our story, and went with it. People have called it a story of good vs evil (you have a hero and villain in the film), and it works well on that level. I just think it's interesting because the showdown between these two continues to this day. Neither will rest until everything is settled once and for all. Hmmm.


*besides not looking up spoilers, as that obviously didn't work so well for me.

Meanwhile, Back in the Far East

We're home. No more complaining about over sized portions for me. Now it's back to complaining about other things, like how the portions are too small. Or not complaining. That could work, too. Blogwise, anyway.

Had to share this story. I had to laugh, because it vaguely reminds me of cable news, only without ridiculous people who would have no job if they were remotely unattractive. At least it's a bipartisan policy.

http://www.theonion.com/content/news/china_strong?utm_source=c-section