Jeremy's World

I finally got around to seeing this movie.  I was pretty excited when it first came out.  Even though Oliver Stone is, well, Oliver Stone, as long as one keeps in perspective the liberal slant his movies take, they are enjoyable (to me anyway).  I am not a fan of former President George W. Bush, and I’m not ashamed to say that.  I think his presidency was absolutely miserable.  But this isn’t about that.  The movie…

I wasn’t expecting an action-packed thriller or anything, but it moved at too slow of a pace for me.  But, that’s typical Oliver Stone, so I’ll give it a pass on that part.  Overall I still wasn’t impressed by the film.

The biggest drawback was the caricature-like portrayal of some of the players.  The portrayal of Condoleezza Rice was something I would expect to see on SNL – forced and distracting.  Colin Powell, Karl Rove and Ari Fleischer fall into the same category.  Rumsfeld was kind of humorous, but it went too far on the “clueless” angle…at least one hopes it was too far.  It was almost as though the actors were doing impressions more than acting.  I think that actually detracted from otherwise solid performances with the W., Cheney, Barbara Bush and Laura Bush portrayals.

It’s too bad because I really did have high hopes for the movie.

Jennifer and I watched a movie called Thirteen last night.  This is definitely not just another teen movie.  It was written by one of the stars of the movie (who happens to only by 18 years old) and is very autobiographical in nature.  It’s the story of an innocent 13 year old who gets caught up in being one of the "cool kids" at school and spirals downward on a horrible ride.  This isn’t like an After School Special.  The stuff these kids get into – sex, drugs, self mutilation – is scary as hell.  I have a 5 year old daughter…I pray I don’t have that to look forward to!

If you’re looking for a drama that makes you say, "wow" check out Thirteen.  Meanwhile I’ll go look for a brainless Adam Sandler comedy to go watch.  That’s much more entertaining.

A friend of mine recently posted on his blog that he and his wife just got a minivan.  In writing about it, Fred points out how "conforming" (buying a minivan) actually is rebellion since today is the day of SUV’s for soccer mom’s.  Minivans are so 1998 and therefore, cool again in a non-conforming, rage against the machine kind of way.  Ok, Fred was kidding (sort of) with the post.  But it got me thinking…

Is "conforming" really an uncool, bad thing?

I’m not convinced it is, ’cause, well, if it is, then I’m way not cool.  I am proud to state the following about this average guy:

• I enjoy reality TV, particularly "American Idol."
• I don’t get the infatuation with bands like the Mildewed Oranges (or whatever they are called).  It’s acoustic guitar with a melody that is hardly impressive.  What’s the appeal?
• I love NFL football.  Not college, not European Football (soccer), not rugby…the regular old NFL.
• I watch and enjoy mainstream television.  "24" is pretty cool and "King of Queens" reruns can keep me entertained for hours.
• I watch and laugh my ass off at comedians like Larry the Cable Guy.
• I don’t like wine.  I guess I’m unsophisticated.
• I can spend the better part of the day watching VH-1 "Behind the Music" marathons on TV and not feel badly about it.
• Movies like "Vantage Point" (which my wife and I recently saw) entertain me.  Movies don’t have to be all deep and moving to be good.  See most any Sandra Bullock movie, which I usually also find entertaining.
• I like some contemporary country/rock music.  I’m a rocker, but I like me some non-twangy country (I’m looking at you Keith Urban and Little Big Town).
• I don’t get Twitter.  (Note: It’s the rage right now at work…maybe I’ll understand why someday).  Same goes for Second Life.
• I’ll read David Baldacci before poetry of any kind.
• Microsoft is not evil.
• I’m going to see Bon Jovi next month (that’s 2008, not 1988) and I can’t freakin’ wait.
• I prefer pleats in the front of my pants.
• King of the Hill > Family Guy.
• I prefer Leno to Letterman.

I’m sure there are a thousand more examples.  I guess what I’m saying is, I can like the same mainstream things that the majority of people like and not be a dork.  "Conforming" does not mean uncool.  If it does then, well, I’m proudly uncool.