Scrabble Dictionary

I just had my first "fight" with a good friend of mine.  She's upset.  I'm upset.  Sucks.  It was over Scrabble.  I was mean.  She was (in my opinion) overly competitive.  

Thinking it over (and it literarly just happened moments ago) it comes down to the mindset of winning taking precedent over anything else.  When I grew up we played Scrabble, and if someone put a word down on the board 9 times out of 10, he or she could tell you it's meaning.  If they had a grin on their face, you knew they didn't know the meaning, and likely no one else at the table did either.  I sounded like a word.  Doesn't that count?

In those cases we'd grab the dictionary.  A REAL dictionary.  This was before the days of Scrabble "dictionaries".  If it wasn't in Merriam-Webster, it wasn't a word.  The real fun was when you tried pulling a fast one with a word you didn't know, and it turned out that it was a word!  Not only did you score some points, but you learned a new word.   The challenge of Scrabble was to see who had the best vocabulary, and skill at unscrambling words from all those letters.  The person who was best at that won.  The entire concept of a Scrabble "dictionary" is so wrong to me I don't even think in those terms.  The idea behind a Scrabble "dictionary" is to allow as many questionable words be allowed in play.  But the rub is, there's no back up...a Scrabble "dictionary" has no definitions.  It's like the word of God...you just have to accept it without question.  This idea goes against everything I believe in...not just in games, but in life in general.  As was pointed out, I could very well have asked to play with a "real" dictionary when play began, but the "style" of play which would require the use of a Scrabble "dictionary" is so foreign to me, I honestly didn't even think to argue about it.  

These days it's all about winning.  Now, regardless of what game you're playing, it's not about who's best at that particular game, it's about who's best at winning.  Now 9 times out of 10 a person playing Scrabble has no idea if the letters they've put down are a word.  They just lay 'em down, and grab the Scrabble "dictionary" if anyone complains.  Even if your "word" is in the so-called "dictionary", you still have no idea what the hell it means.  What happened to plain old curiosity?  The desire to win prevails above all else...even a basic thirst for knowledge?

What happened?  I know I sound like an grumpy old fart, but what the hell has happened?  This isn't a phenomenon limited to Scrabble!  Businesses are started with the sole intention of making money...not a product.  Not offering a service.  Simply making money.  It's this exact mentality that has created the worst economic situation in the past 100 years!    

When did winning become the means, rather then the ends?  If the only part of the game that is fun is the winning, why bother playing?  Just declare yourself the winner from the start and save everyone else the pain of "playing".  

So...there you have it.  All of that frustration was layed out in a not so friendly manner towards a friend.  Not cool.  I'm sorry...hopefully you'll have at least some idea where I was coming from now.  

Barak and Chickens Win in California

As much as I'd love to celebrate this morning.  I cannot.  

For those of you who are married...think about waking up this morning next to your spouse.  Your clock radio announces the victory of Barak Obama over John McCain, a high-speed rail system has been approved, a cruelty to animals bill passed overwhelmingly, and you and your spouse are no longer legally married.  Your marriage is null and void.  That's right, the people of California (or more acurately UTAH) have decided that you and your spouse don't have the right to be married.  

That happened to friends of mine this morning.  

That's correct - it turns out that the rights of chickens is more important than the rights of Gay and Lesbians in California.  

That's fucked up.

Outsourced Oranges?

I just grabbed an orange from our breakroom and noticed it came from Australia.  Australia?  Really?  I live in Southern California, one of the largest Orange growing regions on Earth.  Why the hell am I eating an orange from Australia?  Even our poor oranges are getting outsourced?  Geesh...things are dire.  

The Last Nail?

Last Friday night I dragged myself out to go to the movies with friends.  I'd been sick all day, and didn't really feel like going out, but at the same time I do love going to the movies and I figured I could feel lousy at home, or I could feel lousy at a theatre and escape a little bit.  

As I'm sure anyone reading this already knows more and more people are staying at home to get their movie entertainment.  It explains the latest attempt at 3D.  The studios are trying whatever they can go get people off their couches.  Being in the industry myself and being a life-long movie buff, I've always enjoyed going out - but I'm becoming increasingly in the minority.  With long lines, expensive ticket prices and the utter rape you receive at the concession stand, it's no wonder people are staying home more and more.  BUT...a lot of us do still venture out.  The Dark Knight raked in over $500 million alone.  That's a lot of tickets.  Why?  It a combination of escaping our own dull lives and sharing that experience with friends and strangers in a large dark room.  It's just fun.  But it's becoming less and less fun all the time.  

This past Friday I did something I've only done one other time.  I left my seat and asked to speak with the theatre manager.  The last time I did this was at least a dozen years ago and it was to ask for the volume to be turned up.  This time it was for something far more serious.  Advertising.  I understand the need of the theater owners to sell ad spots prior to the films.  I get it.  It's a TOUGH business to make money in.  (Unless you're the studio or producer)  Theatre owners have it tough.  I personally try to visit theaters that don't abuse that policy though.  (Yeah, I'm talking to you AMC).  15-20 minutes of adverts (not including trailers) is just crazy.  But even THAT never got me to complain.  

This past Friday I was exposed to nothing less than government propaganda.  Plain and simple.  a three and a half minute music video featuring Kidd Rock and NASCAR.  Now before you start posting replies to this blog and flaming me for hating America and/or not supporting our troops, sit down, shut up and listen.  

I am totally OK with the military buying ad time.  In fact some of the ads for the Marines are kind of cool.  (at least they feature some hot guys on occasion).  This music video wasn't a recruitment ad for the National Guard.  It was plain and simply promoting the war in Iraq.  Countless times the words "Never Accept Defeat" flashed across the screen  while images of our soldiers playing with kids rolled.  

The ad riled up the sold out show immediately.  Some booed, others began chanting "Obama!  Obama!", while others simply screamed "Shut up!".  I myself kept quiet, but could feel the disbelief turning to anger.  How dare they?  A propaganda film?  Really?  Once the crowd started yelling at eachother I'd had enough.  I dragged my sick ass out to enjoy a film...not this b.s.  

So I find myself standing in front of the theater manager expressing my displeasure with the ad and I get a rote "the national guard is one of our advertisers, much like Coca-Cola or anyone else." response.  

Coca-Cola isn't promoting a war.

I think my days of visiting the cinema are coming to an end soon.  

Maine

I just spent a week in Maine and New Hampshire and it seems that every time I go back, I get a greater appreciation for nature and history - two things sorely lacking in Los Angeles. I snapped some photos and figured I'd share a few of them here.

The Visitor

I'll keep this short.

I saw "The Visitor", starring Richard Jenkins (one of those guys you've seen in a ton of stuff, but would likely never know his name).

The bottom line is, it's one of the finest movies I've seen in a long, long time. Yeah, I know I just raved about "The Dark Knight", but that was a big budget pop corn flick. The kind of movie you'll want to see over and over again. "The Visitor" is a small indie film that you'll see once, and keep thinking about over and over again.

I hate reviews that are full of spoilers, so I'll try to avoid ruining anything, but the basic premise is Richard Jenkins plays a Connecticut college professor widower. He seems to be sleepwalking through his life, not really putting much of an effort into anything he does, from his teaching to his piano lessons. His job forces him to attend a conference in NYC. While there he meets a young couple who reawaken him. I don't want to say any more than that regarding the story.

The movie is the second film directed by Thomas McCarthy, who's first flick was the superb "The Station Agent". (If you've not seen this wonderful film, rent it right now!) His work on this film is likely even better. In less capable hands this film could have been a real predictable yawner, but in McCarthy's hands it's so real, and so honest it really grips you. I caught myself on more than one occasion questioning the actions of the lead character only to realize I was expecting the typical Hollywood response from him, when what I was being given was so much more real than that.

It's also a refreshing change of pace to have a filmaker trust the intellegence of the moviegoer and not cram things down your throat. Every time you might expect hamhanded exposition, it's not there. The intellegent and subtle script has everything you need in it to tell the story and leading to one of the finest endings I've seen in a long, long time. It's the perfect ending to a perfect movie.

Two thumbs WAY up.

Holy Movie Batman!

Pardon the title of the post, I couldn't help myself.

We just saw The Dark Knight last night in a special preview screening. I can honestly say it was one of the most incredible movie going experiences I can remember. I don't know where to begin...so bear with me, this will likely ramble.

First off, nearly a quarter of the film's 2.5 hours was shot with IMAX cameras. This has NEVER been done before. All previous "hollywood" films that have been presented in IMAX had been digitally reformated for the IMAX theatres from the original 35mm photography. Not this time. Chris Nolan played around with our (I work for IMAX) cameras a bit with the previous Batman film, and even shot a couple of shots from The Prestige with our cameras. This time he pulled out all the stops. The scenes in IMAX draw you into the film like no other medium can. Is it a gimmick? Not really. It's the way Mr. Nolan wanted to shoot the film. He wanted the largest, highest quality image he could get - IMAX afforded him that, and he used it to perfection. The opening bank heist scene is so real it's like you're right there. Only IMAX can do that.

But that's not really what makes this movie so damn good. It's a true example of what happens when everything comes together. That amazing synergy that makes the work as a whole so much more than any of it's individual parts...and in this case those individual parts are pretty darn good as well. For example:

Heath Ledger...what you've heard isn't hype. To say he carried the film would be a put down to the rest of the show, but his scenes certainly kick things up another notch. With all the talk about his performance I was expecting something "bigger", but he smartly didn't play it that way. It's an astonishing performance, but it's much more internal. It's both exhilarating and disturbing to watch.

The score...the music in the film is a perfect match. It draws you in and leads you by the hand. It's never pushy trying to force emotion or thrills that aren't already there on the screen, it simply compliments the images or sets the tone. The joker has a sonic motif that is used to perfection and trains the viewer that once heard, you know something amazing is about to happen, and it never disappoints.

To quote Jon Lovitz...ACTING! Yeah, imagine that a big hollywood summer movie with ACTORS. There is a difference between a movie star and an actor. This film is wall to wall actors. Their performances are so good it makes the suspension of disbelief not only easy, but a pleasure. I've often said it, but I'll say it again. Gary Oldman is God.

Another often quoted statement is that a film is only as good as it's script. This one is razor sharp. There's not a wasted word in it. The dialog is precise and believable, and the scenes move from one to the next in such an easy and natural way it just flows perfectly. It doesn't feel like a bunch of great scenes cobbled together - which is as much a tribute to the deft editing as it is the brilliant script.

The entire length of the film feels like one perfect scene. The audience left the theatre in awe. It was eerily quiet as we left the theatre. It wasn't until everyone was congregating in the lobby that everyone started pouring out their favorite parts and scenes.

I don't remember the last time I've watched the final credit scroll by and immediately wanted them to play it again. This is film making like we've not seen in a long while. Hopefully it's the start of something good. There's a decent chance it is...both ******* and ******* attended last night's screening, and there's already been interest from others about filming in IMAX. (I realized as I typed those two names I could likely get in trouble for mentioning that....suffice it to say two big name directors attended.) We still need to hope they realize that the IMAX footage was only a tool and not the magic bullet that made a great film. Much like all the fuss over 3D lately. If you make a crappy movie, it's always going to be crappy, whether it's in 3D or IMAX - crap is crap.

The Dark Knight is NOT crap. Go see it in IMAX. You won't be disappointed.

One Nation Under God?

I'm sure many of you (who am I kidding...no one reads my blog), like me receive unsolicited "forwards" from friends and family. Every once in awhile I feel the need to write back - and CC everyone on the forward list. Here's one such response.

I'm a-ok with everyone believing what they want about God, but to suggest that our county is, and was, designed to be a Christian nation is not only offensive to people of other reasoning, but simply untrue.

Quoting the Constitution of the United States...in fact these are the very first words of the very first amendment....

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."

There is often debate about what exactly the First Amendment means, however, in an 1802 letter to the Danbury Baptists, Thomas Jefferson made very clear what it meant...

To messers. Nehemiah Dodge, Ephraim Robbins, & Stephen S. Nelson, a committee of the Danbury Baptist association in the state of Connecticut.

Gentlemen

The affectionate sentiments of esteem and approbation which you are so good as to express towards me, on behalf of the Danbury Baptist association, give me the highest satisfaction. my duties dictate a faithful and zealous pursuit of the interests of my constituents, & in proportion as they are persuaded of my fidelity to those duties, the discharge of them becomes more and more pleasing.

Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between Man & his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, & not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should "make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof," thus building a wall of separation between Church & State. Adhering to this expression of the supreme will of the nation in behalf of the rights of conscience, I shall see with sincere satisfaction the progress of those sentiments which tend to restore to man all his natural rights, convinced he has no natural right in opposition to his social duties.

I reciprocate your kind prayers for the protection & blessing of the common father and creator of man, and tender you for yourselves & your religious association, assurances of my high respect & esteem.

Th Jefferson
Jan. 1. 1802.

The above letter can be found on the Library of Congress website...here.

As far as "under God" being in our pledge to the flag, there's a full history of this found here. The basics are thusly...

It was originally written in 1892, and was worded...

"I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

In 1924 "my flag" was changed to "the flag of the United States of America".

It wasn't until 1954, that "under God" was added, and it was done so for political reasons dealing with the Cold War and fear of communism more than anything else.

Lastly, the notion that this song never received airplay because it was "politically incorrect" is also a complete falsehood. Snopes.com is a site which gets to the bottom of many of these email forwards, and lets you know which ones are actually true, and which ones are bunk. This one is complete bunk. You can read it all here.

OK...I guess this turned into a bit more of a rant then intended, but before people forward emails they should make dang sure what they're forwarding is true.

Open Letter to Barak Obama

I don't post often. Rarely in fact. Sometimes things just reach a point where I can't keep my trap shut any longer though...hence this rant.

Dear Sen. Obama,

I don't need to agree with you on 100% off the issues, but it's been a rough few weeks watching the man I had so much hope in, either caving in to the fear of losing, or "outing" himself as a "right wing" Democrat.

You may not be as "left" or "progressive" as many have pegged you, but you cannot deny you promised change, and a new way of doing things. Voting for the FISA bill in order to look tough on terrorism when you KNOW it's not the right thing to do is NOT change. You yourself said this was flawed legislation, yet you voted for it anyway. It's the same old politics as usual.

You had the progressive vote locked up. We were 100% behind you, and with us, you had solid leads in all the polls vs. Sen. McCain. You had leads in nearly all the swing states - Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Florida - all were leaning your way. Despite all this polling evidence, either you still don't believe you can win the Presidency as an openly progressive candidate, or you are indeed a "right wing" Democrat.

I was PROUD of the fact that you didn't end every speech with "God bless the United States of America". It showed respect for those of us who have different beliefs than you and a basic humility in understanding that the United States is no more blessed by God than any other country. If you believe such things, God created the entire universe. The United States is a tiny spec in comparison. It's rather arrogant to think that your God would bless our country over any other country - or any other world for that matter.

I was PROUD to support a man who didn't feel the need to wear a token lapel pin to know he was proud of his country. (Especially considering I bet those US flag lapel pins aren't even made in the U.S.!)

I was PROUD thinking my candidate was opposed to the death penalty and endorsed strong gun control laws.

I admit on these last two issues I should have educated myself better on your record, but as "the most progressive" member of the Senate, I didn't think for a second that you could possibly be in favor of the death penalty. Really? A self proclaimed progressive, Democratic, Christian is pro-death penalty? Please explain that one to me. As an atheist myself, I find the idea of killing another person so abhorrent, I cannot begin to understand how anyone could not only kill another person, but go so far as endorse the state sanctioning of such.

And lastly, touring the country with Sen. Clinton in order to help raise funds for a multi-millionaire's failed campaign debt is NOT the kind of change people were looking for. That $4600 you and your wife donated to Hillary Clinton's campaign could have gone to other progressive candidates who are in tight races against republicans running for congress. Rather than raising money for Sen. Clinton, why not encourage wealthy donors to give to these other very important races? Sen. Clinton could write a personal check and pay off her debt. She'll be fine. If we don't wrest the country back from the Republicans, WE won't be fine.

Hope is a delicate thing. I'd nearly lost all hope of our country turning around. John Edwards' campaign this year sparked some hope in me again. When he dropped out of the race I had to look closely at the rest of the field, and I decided...no YOU convinced me that you were the man I should entrust with that glimmer of hope that I was holding on to. Your primary campaign was a joy to watch. You stayed positive despite so many harsh attacks. You encouraged us to hope. You lead an uprising of tens of thousands of new voters. People who'd lost hope. People who'd given up. You inspired us to believe that things COULD change. That our voices DID matter. For awhile it seemed to be true. In March when the FISA bill seemed on the fast track for passage, we stopped it. Enough of us stood up and said NO! - and it worked!

Now just a few short months later, you have crushed us. Yes, you. Despite overwhelming opposition, even within your own party you voted in favor of what's been called by your colleague Sen. Russ Feingold "...one of the greatest assaults on the Constitution I think in the history of our country."

You revolutionized fund raising. You've taken it to the people, and we've responded. But just like money from big corporations, our money has the same strings. You may be clean of "big money", but that does not mean you have no one to answer to. You have to answer to US, and we said NO.

Your recent comments and especially your recent FISA vote require serious explanation - and I a five second sound bite on MSNBC won't cut it. The recent turn in your campaign is going to require another speech on the level of your "Jeremiah Wright/Race" speech. Unfortunately this time, it's your own words that need explaining - not a fired up reverend or an advisor who has misspoken. This time it's you.

If you hope to not see your leads versus McCain evaporate, you've got a lot of work ahead of you. Like I said, hope is a delicate thing, and you've broken it.



Sincerely,



Craig Rogers

Meeting A Hero

I grew up watching movies. That's all I cared about. If I wasn't going to the theatre, I was watching tapes at home (or laserdisc!) I was fascinated by everything about them. The acting, the cinematography, the dialog, the camera work. Everything - it all fascinated me. Two people in particular really effected me. Robert De Niro, and through him, Martin Scorsese. To me, they were the absolute best of what cinema could be. Together, as in Taxi Driver, and especially Raging Bull they created stories on screen that changed my life. I wanted to be able to create something that could effect people like they had effected me. So, I packed up from my little town of 5,000 in Maine, and moved to Los Angeles. I'd been accepted to film school.

14 years later I'm working at IMAX, helping to make the biggest, brightest, most amazing movies in the world. Over the past few years we've been remastering "Hollywood" films for our giant screens. I've been lucky enough to be a large part of that process. There have been a few real "pinch myself" moments sitting in a dark theater watching things like Spider-Man 2, and Batman Begins on our IMAX screens and knowing I helped put it up there.

This afternoon I stood in our lobby awaiting the arrival of Martin Scorsese to view his new Rolling Stones concert film, "Shine A Light". I shook his hand, and then sat in the theatre and watched the film with him. Looking up at the screen at a huge 50' tall image of Martin Scorsese, then turning my head and seeing him sitting just four seats from me smiling was surreal. The emotions were so strong, that my eyes welled up. (Thank god it was a dark theater!)

It seems foolish to have such strong feelings...he's just a man, but I can honestly say without his films, I'd probably never have moved from New England. I wouldn't have the friends I do, I would very likely not be working doing what I love. My entire life would be so different. The funny thing is he has no idea what an effect he's had on my life, and never will. If we met again tomorrow, he'd not remember quickly shaking my hand today. It's so bizarre.