The Movie Industry and 2021 Oscars ⋆ Politicrossing
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The Movie Industry and 2021 Oscars

There’s no business but woke business

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You’re not going to watch the Oscars telecast on Sunday night, and I don’t blame you: Leftist Doctrine has infiltrated the movie industry to the degree that there is no business but woke business. Nonetheless, I’ve briefly reviewed the eight nominated films, and some others:

The United States vs Billie Holiday

This film is captivating. On par with Renée Zellweger in Judy, singer Andra Day in the title role, is quite convincing. Along with Carrie Mulligan, in Promising Young Woman, I think she shares the lead for the best female actor award.

As with four of the other nominated movies for the April 25 telecast, in arguably the worst line-up of nominated films in Oscar history, the upshot is the same: All white men are bad, all black people are exploited.

Judas and the Black Messiah

Starring the British Daniel Kaluuya, and Lakeith Stanfield, both of whom who have excellent futures in the movies, Judas and the Black Messiah is a surprise despite the ultra-clunky title. I was expecting a heavy philosophical overlay of how the Black Panthers’ experience then, somehow translates to Black Lives Matter today.

Indeed, 300+ movie reviewers fervently want to connect the two experiences but they differ vastly: 50 to 55 years ago the FBI, Chicago Police, and other police departments were verifiably hostile to black people. Today, the FBI knowingly and blatantly shields Black Live Matters crimes, be it rioting, looting, mayhem, and even murder.

While a handful of regrettable “death by cop” cases arise each year, in general, police are not out to get black people, who are given more leeway and understanding than anyone from the 1960s could presume. And minority officers now represent 40% or more of many city police departments.

Of note: Martin Sheen hits a new low, not helped by the makeup director, playing an unconvincing J. Edgar Hoover.

The Trial of the Chicago Seven

Although it take liberties with the actual events, this is a reasonably good movie with many excellent supporting cast members, good pacing, and humor, and is worth viewing. Afterward, look up the fact and fiction within the film.

Minari

Set in the 1980s in rural Arkansas, Minari offers an endearing portrayal of what one generation does for the next, as viewed within a single family, in this case, Korean immigrants. This film is garnering rave reviews from every quarter. The ensemble cast performs well, led by Yuh-Jung Youn who adds spark and verve.

The Father

Starring Anthony Hopkins, Olivia Coleman, and Olivia Williams, The Father is a 93-minute movie that is 63 minutes too long. You could watch the first 15 minutes and the last 15 minutes and be no less informed.

We should all be thankful if our parents, or our future selves, do not suffer from the level of dementia portrayed here: He can’t recall what happened yesterday, sometimes an hour ago, and sometimes minutes ago.

The film shows reality from the father’s perspective, which is a constant jangle of dates, times, people, situations, and places; and the reality of those around him who have to deal with his constant ramblings, false assertions, obstinance, proud declarations, and outright inaccuracies. Save time, watch the trailer and read a long review.

Mank

Gary Oldman and Amanda Seyfried star in this biopic about Hollywood screenwriter Frank Mankiewicz. Strattling the 1930s and 40s, while penning Citizen Kane, ‘Mank’ has a fondness for alcohol and for saying whatever he thinks.

Charles Dance, as the preeminent but affable William Randolph Hearst is notable. This is an insider’s movie for the thankfully shrinking number of people who know or care about Hollywood.

Nomadland

Starring Frances McDormand, Nomadland offers a view of the American west and people who choose to no longer have permanent roots. The film presents one brief encounter after another, moving to the next scene, and the next.

It does impart the sense of loneliness and in some cases emptiness of the people who have chosen this lifestyle and so is somewhat engaging while watching it, but otherwise totally skippable.

McDormand has been nominated for an Oscar, however, this is not among her best. The film itself is regarded as profound by many reviewers, but then so was The Shape of Water and Roma (!)

Promising Young Woman

With Carey Mulligan, in an Oscar worthy turn, this movie represents a new step in her acting career. Without giving away any of the plot, it is both compelling and lingering.

Produced by Margot Robbie, who seems to have a knack for the zeitgiest, you really can’t forget this movie.

Sound of Metal

An inside and gripping portrayal of what it’s like to go deaf, as experienced by a drummer for a heavy metal band. Rapper and now actor, Riz Ahmed, in the lead role, offers moments of denial, rebellion, and poignancy.

 

Not nominated, fittingly, is this film:

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

This forgettable movie, nominated for several acting Oscars no less, is as revolting as its regrettable title, surprising for a film produced by Denzel Washington. The makeup and wardrobe to make Viola Davis look 40 pounds heavier and decades older is ridiculous.

The first 20 minutes of the film is nearly unwatchable, like a bad Eugene O’Neill play, all staged-dialogue, in one room. As the braggadocio horn player, the non-stop banter by the late Chaz Boseman, to whom the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will posthumously award an Oscar, is simply irritating.

The use of blatant stereotypes – black and white – in this ‘woke era’ is mindboggling: Ma’s white manager is a milquetoast, the recording studio owner is exploitative, the Klansmen (only referred to in a soliloquy by Bozeman) vicious, Ma’s niece is promiscuous, the black band members are accommodating, etc.

 

Finally, here is one movie that is an under-seen gem:

The Courier

Starring Benedict Cumberbatch, this is a Cold War era spy movie, par excellence, a bit reminiscent of the German film, The Lives of Others. Overlooked by the ridiculously woke AMPAS, and probably way too subtle, The Courier is a great movie, easily among the best five pictures of the year, if not the best.

A friend said, “Loved The Courier. It deserves consideration especially with the unpatriotic events unfolding.” And I replied, “but woke Hollywood would object to the less-than-vocal wives and to no minorities in the film. So it had no chance to be nominated for an Oscar.”

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Jeff Davidson is the world's only holder of the title "The Work-Life Balance Expert®" as awarded by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. He is the premier thought leader on work-life balance, integration, and harmony. Jeff speaks to organizations that seek to enhance their overall productivity by improving the effectiveness of their people. He is the author of Breathing Space, Simpler Living, Dial it Down, and Everyday Project Management. Visit www.BreathingSpace.com for more information on Jeff's keynote speeches and seminars, including: Managing the Pace with Grace® * Achieving Work-Life Balance™ * Managing Information and Communication Overload®



 
 
 

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Life

With Representatives Like Kelly Daughtry, We Can Take Back America

Daughtry is a soft-spoken woman who gets things done

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When President Trump takes office next January 20th, he’s going to need a cadre of strong-willed Congressional representatives. It’s not enough to simply retake the White House, we need the foot soldiers with the unshakeable resolve to restore America.

In North Carolina’s 13th district, one candidate is firmly rooted in the values that made this country great, and will make it great again. Her name is Kelly Daughtry and, quite frankly, the nation needs many others like her.

Raised in rural North Carolina and the daughter of a U.S. veteran, farmer, lawyer, and entrepreneur, Daughtry has been a practicing lawyer for the past 25 years in Johnston County, where she makes her home. She’s been in the trenches and is not skittish about the slings and arrows that come with taking bold, conservative positions for what is right.

Clear Positions on Vital Issues

Daughtry is exceedingly clear on where she stands and on what will improve the lives of American citizens. She is a vigorous supporter of law enforcement and decries ‘de-fund the police’ movements wherever they arise. She understands that, by and large, the men and women in law enforcement are dedicated, hardworking individuals who, in many instances, put their lives on the line.

Similarly, Daughtry supports the U.S. military and our veterans. She knows that nations around the world with rogue leadership wish to do us great harm, and that we must maintain a strong military at all times. Not coincidentally, a strong military is the best prescription for peace.

On the border issue, Daughtry recognizes that the Biden Administration is firmly committed to swamping our country with illegal aliens. Why? Because the U.S. Census count doesn’t focus on U.S. citizenship, only the number of residents per county and state.

Hence, Democrats can gain a 20-seat advantage in the U.S. House of Representatives by continuing to flood our nation. This ploy is precisely why Biden and company have brought lawsuits against border states seeking to protect themselves.

The drugs, the crime — the murders — and the bursting budgets of towns and states trying to cope with the onslaught of illegals should never have happened in the first place. Daughtry knows what needs to be done, and done immediately.

Reversing Biden’s Reckless Agenda

Daughtry will go to work on restoring our nation, dismantling Joe Biden’s reckless agenda for America. She understands that Biden’s policies towards China in particular, and the bribes he has taken, have been nothing less than devastating for hard-working Americans and for our national security.

Most notably, she is firmly opposed to the Chinese Communist Party and their representatives who are seeking to buy farmland throughout North Carolina as well as every other place in the United States.

Biden’s out-of-control spending has particularly hurt North Carolinians. Farmers have taken the brunt of the punishment. The unending inflation that we’ve faced for 38 months also has dealt a crushing blow to North Carolina small business owners and families in general. One of Daughtry’s first agenda items will be to help steer our country back towards fiscal sanity, which in turn will have a direct impact on the cost of groceries and gasoline.

Americans First

Like President Trump, Daughtry understands the importance of putting Americans first and of safeguarding or voting procedures, elections, and indeed what it means to be an American citizen. Of note, she has no misconceptions about the differences between men and women and will work to stop the malarkey that the Left imposes on us every day, with their “56” types of genders.

Daughtry is a soft-spoken woman and in her quiet way, gets things done. If Donald Trump had an army of Kelly Daughtrys, the country would be on firm footing in relatively short order. She knows what hard-working Americans want and need, and is exactly the type of politician that North Carolina must send to Washington D.C.

It is not an exaggeration to say that in Wake, Harnett, Johnson, and Wayne counties in North Carolina, as well as the entire state and entire country, the 2024 election will be the most important in our lifetimes. This has been said about other elections at other times, but considering the damage that the Democrats have wrought on America, the time is now to reclaim our great nation and, with the likes of Kelly Daughtry, we can.

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Society & Culture

Why East Coast Workers are Blurry Eyed on Monday Morning

Most major television events start at 8 p.m. or 9 p.m. in the eastern times zone and many end far later than 11 p.m.

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Take a good look at the list below. What do all these events, listed in reverse order of occurrence, have in common? The answer: they all occur on Sunday evening.

 

* Jan 07 Creative Arts Emmy Awards, Golden Globe Awards

* Jan 14 Miss America Finals, NFL Wildcard Playoffs

* Jan 21 NFL Divisional Playoffs

* Jan 28 NFL Playoffs Conference Championship

 

* Feb 04 Grammys, NFL Pro Bowl

* Feb 11 Superbowl

* Feb 18 NBA All-Star Game

* Mar 10 Academy Awards

 

* Mar 17 Selection Sunday

* Mar 24 March Madness, round two

* Mar 31 March Madness, round four

* Apr 07 NCAA Women’s Final Four

 

* Apr 14 Masters Golf Finale

* Apr 21 NBA first round playoffs

* May 05 NBA Conference Semi-finals

* May 19 NBA Conference season finals

 

* May 26 National Memorial Day Concert

* Jun 09 NBA Finals, 2nd game

* Jun 16 Tony Awards

* Nov 17 Billboard Music Awards

As much as we’d like to think that Sunday is the most relaxing day of the week, too often, for much of the U.S. population, some late-night television event captures our attention and renders us blurry eyed for the next day.

Some television networks, such as HBO (now “HBO Max”), have a predisposition to air new episodes of recurring shows on Sunday evenings. Sunday nights are also considered prime time for sports such as football and basketball.

Problematic?

If you live in the Pacific time zone, the vast array of specialized television events on Sunday evening is not problematic, as most events start at 5 p.m. or 6 p.m. and end between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Mountain time residents benefit nearly the same as Pacific time zone residents.

If you live in the Eastern time zone, you’re in trouble because most events start at 8 p.m. or 9 p.m. and many end far later than 11 p.m. Those in the Central time zone enjoy a one-hour earlier end to such events, which is often enough to avoid the issue addressed here.

The obvious solutions are to either rest up on Sunday with a long nap, so that you can stay up late to watch the shows to their conclusion and not head in to work the next day blurry-eyed, or limit yourself to watching half of a show, pause it, and finish watching it the next day.

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