Thursday, April 14, 2011

A Beautiful Movie About the End of the World

After reading the reviews, I decided not to see Lars von Trier's 2009 film, Antichrist; even though I admit to loving the darkness of Dogville and Dancer in the Dark, the prospect of watching a horror film that coheres around scenes of genital mutilation struck me as, well, not my cup of tea.


So I'm pleased to read that his new film takes him to a happier place (relatively speaking).  Melancholia will debut at Cannes in May.


Melancholia from Zentropa on Vimeo.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

This is America. This is our piggy bank.

Here's a little parable:

We have a family that is spending $38,200 per year. The family’s income is $21,700 per year. The family adds $16,500 in credit card debt every year in order to pay its bills. After a long and difficult debate among family members, keeping in mind that it was not going to be possible to borrow $16,500 every year forever, the parents and children agreed that a $380/year premium cable subscription could be terminated. So now the family will have to borrow only $16,120 per year.
So, what makes more sense: do you attempt to cut back your costs to offset your ever-increasing debts, or do you get a job that pays you better?


Via BB.

#NotIntendedToBeAFactualStatement

Steven Colbert almost makes me want to activate that Twitter account I started so long ago.


Friday, April 1, 2011

Weiner, on a roll

Anthony Weiner nails it at the Congressional Correspondents' Dinner: