Demokrasy and Diktatorship

All democracies turn into dictatorships - but not by coup. The people give their democracy to a dictator, whether it's Julius Caesar or Napoleon or Adolf Hitler. Ultimately, the general population goes along with the idea... That's the issue that I've been exploring: How did the Republic turn into the Empire ... and how does a democracy become a dictatorship?

Star Wars filmmaker George Lucas

interesting... from http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/

listening to Nirvana : All Apologies

More Middle East Madness?

I recall many months before the invasion of Iraq starting to come across articles about how Iraq was on the military radar of the West (primarily the US).

Now I am discovering similar articles about Iran (I first noticed this several months ago).

I sincerely pray I am reporting the words of false prophets.

The Times Says bomb Iran

US Journalist says Pentagon Plotting to Bomb Iran
(just realised this one is from a year ago!)

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I've just came back from a very thought-provoking film: Paradise Now, about 2 Palestinians preparing to become suicide bombers in Tel Aviv. Highly recommended, I might review it later. Also out now, of course, is Spielberg's Munich.

listening to Tony Clifton : I've Got to Be Me

The Lying, the Weak and the War drones

Now i've seen The Lion The Witch and the Wardrobe. I expected to loathe the Pevensies as too Enid Blyton, but they weren't so bad. I don't think anyone said "beastly", at least.

I was surprised the special effects looked a bit dated in places, there was one blue screen that looked completely obvious. In their defence, they had a really difficult job. In LOTR there was a limited number of creatures to animate. Whereas In Narnia they had to create completely realistic leopards, beavers, birds, centaurs, rhinos, griffins, horses, fauns, humans, dwarves, minotaurs, cyclops, wolves, monsters, dogs, tigers, bears and many more.

They did the early scenes with Mr Tumnus well, and I thought the witch's nasty dwarf driver captured his role perfectly. Nicely vicious.

Before being too critical I think it's good to remember it's a children's movie. I kept wanting there to be more blood and darkness. Aslan was well done, but they should really have had James Earl Jones (Darth Vader) do the voice. Liam Neeson sounded too wimpy at times. (Would have loved to hear "Use the force, Edmund".) Perhaps instead of filming the others they could do the 'adult' version. My 7 year-old liked it.

Oh, and the surprise ending with Lucy and the professor a couple minutes after the credits began? Good idea, but half the cinema had left by then, there should have been more to keep us watching.

Overall, I liked it but "could try harder". Hoping they do the other films. I'm just reading the Magician's Nephew again and am reminded at how deep the books are, even for kids.

I hope there's stacks of extras on the DVD

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Sometimes I think I'm a grumpy bugger. Perhaps I am. Misanthropy rules. ;-) Feeling more "interest" than yesterday tho' – interviewing members of the little shared community I live with about what they want out of our experiment has piqued my nullness.

listening to: Butthole Surfers : Pepper

Concrete Gray

Flatmate Natasha asked me this evening what landscape describes my life at present. I said a flat featureless plain of concrete extending to the horizon, absolutely nothing. It's weird, although I've had directionless times in my life I've always had some interest or inspiration or passion that pops up from time to time. Right now, nothing. I feel isolated. Not depressed or sad, thank God.

listening to: Argyle Park 2 : Silhouette of Rage