Before and After

On the top you see a picture from Google Street View of an intersection in Joplin, MO from a few weeks back.

In the bottom you see a photograph of the same intersection taken after tornados ravaged Joplin on Sunday.

Two words come to mind. Holy. Shit.

Looking at that top picture it's nearly incomprehensible (at least for me) that the same area could ever possibly look like it does in the lower half. Apparently a few Joplin residents commented on the photos to confirm their authenticity, but I'm still trying to matchup landmarks between the two and I see some inconsistencies, e.g. no sign of that tree nearest the intersection and missing the concrete corner on the intersection where it meets the asphalt.

If this is legit, it's just incredible. Tornados are bad. Who knew?

The Rest of the World is F%^$ed Up

"Movies can use transgressive topics and imagery toward great artistic resonance. They can also just use them for pure shock/novelty/boundary-pushing."

Every few years, some artistic work comes under attack by the public for pushing boundaries a bit too far. Some famous works of art or exhibitions come to mind. Music is also another frequent method of artistic expression that frequently looks to push the boundaries. So it is no surprise that movies attempt to do the same. This isn't a new phenomenon in cinema, but something tells me we have turned some awful corner.

Two recent movies were released that were met with a high level of controversy. Not interested in seeing either, I read the plot synopsis to see what all the fuss was about. On both occasions, I was horrified. I have included the SAFE plot synopsis of each. Click the link to read the plot summary at your own risk.

Antichrist

This enormously controversial psychodrama-cum-horror film from Danish enfant terrible Lars von Trier charts the degeneration of a marriage into apocalyptic violence, chaos, and insanity following an unthinkable domestic tragedy. The film opens with a prologue. While they make love in their apartment on a snowy winter afternoon, a husband and wife known only as "He" and "She" (Willem Dafoe and Charlotte Gainsbourg) fail to keep an eye on their young toddler. In a horrific turn of events, the child wanders over to an open window, entranced by the snow cascading down, and falls two stories to his death. Von Trier then divides the remainder of the film into four chapters, beginning with "Grief." In that segment, the woman finishes a month's hospitalization, and accuses her husband of apathy over the child's death, but proceeds to take responsibility for it herself; he calmly and rationally guides her through this process. In the second segment, "Pain," she confesses to him that she's most terrified of their property in the forest, because she spent time with her son there over the preceding summer; as a form of therapy, he takes her to that locale on a wilderness retreat. She appears to grow more calm and rational over their first days in that milieu. Yet the recovery, it seems, was only illusory, and the subsequent two chapters, "Despair (Gynocide)" and "The Three Beggars," depict the woman's shocking and abrupt regression into unbridled insanity, culminating with grotesque sexual violence against herself, gruesome acts of destruction against her husband, and an apocalyptic climax.

A Serbian Film

Milos, a retired porn star, leads a normal family life with his wife Maria and six-year old son Petar in tumultuous Serbia, trying to make ends meet. A sudden call from his former colleague Layla will change everything. Aware of his financial problems, Layla introduces Milos to Vukmir - a mysterious, menacing and politically powerful figure in the pornographic business. A leading role in Vukmir's production will provide financial support to Milos and his family for the rest of their lives. A contract insists on his absolute unawareness of a script they will shoot. From then on, Milos is drawn into a maelstrom of unbelievable cruelty and mayhem devised by his employer, "the director" of his destiny. Vukmir and his cohorts will stop at nothing to complete his vision. In order to escape the living cinematic hell he's put into, and save his family's life, Milos will have to sacrifice everything - his pride, his morality, his sanity, and maybe even his own life.

This week in Cannes, another movie premiered with clear intention to shock it's audience.

The Skin I Live In

The film, which stars Antonio Banderas and budding actress Spanish actress Elena Anaya, focuses on a mad but brilliant surgeon (Banderas) who kidnaps a man who raped his daughter. The doctor's daughter killed herself from the grief and it drives him to take very drastic measures. This is where it gets complicated and disturbing. Banderas then gives the rapist a sex change and transplants his deceased daughter's face onto his body. He later has sex with the man he has brutally experimented on and turned into a woman. The movie also contained several disturbing rape scenes and nudity.

That half the the theater walked out (AT CANNES!!!) should tell you something. That the other half who stayed gave the director a 5-minute standing ovation should tell you more. This is getting out of control. What are these people thinking? What message requires a plot in which you rape a transgender, plastic surgery created, image of your own dead daughter. How do people even think of this crap?

The quote at the top is from Alison Willmore in reviewing A Serbian Film. She is 100% right when she says that movie falls into the latter category - as do the other examples above. Good luck as the favorite to win the Palme d'or, the highest honor at Cannes.

Official Preparaton Doctrine for Zombie Apocalypse

The CDC has put out some information on what to do if their is a zombie apocalypse. Pretty good stuff, and it can also be used if there's hurricanes, flooding, or other natural disasters. Just something to keep in mind.

Good for you, Muffet

In more Notre Dame news their tax filing form 990 was made public today and lists the highest paid ND employees. Some interesting notes...

• Ty Willingham is finally off the books, although he still earned a ridiculous $650,000 a full 6 years after being terminated - still good for 3rd highest earner in the athletic department behind Weis (also gone) and Swarbrick.
• Charlie Weis received the first of his termination payments - a whopping $6.6m. His payments will continue through 2015.
• Brian Kelly did not make the top paid list! Either the timeframe for reporting didn't align with his hiring or he didn't receive earn to require reporting to the IRS.
• In what was the biggest surprise for me, Muffet McGraw took home $643,913 compared to Mike Brey's $573,974. You see, Mike, getting past the second round in the tournament makes a difference!
• Swarbrick pulled in a cool $932,232. I want to be an athletic director.

So there you have it. Two of ND's top three paid employees in the athletic department don't work for Notre Dame and Weis is getting paid more in one year than I'll earn in my lifetime to not work there. FML...

Now Maybe Notre Dame Will Join a Conference

Announced today - Dick Ebersol is out as head of NBC Sports, resigning after 22 years in charge. Ebersol was responsible for giving Notre Dame football its own network, which in turn has allowed Notre Dame to consistently say no to potential conference suitors. Ebersol is also a huge ND guy, his oldest son is an alumnus, and was responsible for the current extension of the ND-NBC television contract.

With Ebersol out is there a chance that ND's television contract with NBC won't be renewed after 2015? Who knows. But if that were to happen that could be the nail in ND's coffin of independence. The best way for that contract to keep being a money wagon is to win.

Kiss This!

That's not a ring. This is a ring!

Tom Benson is the owner of the New Orleans Saints. As are 75% of NOLA residents, he is also Catholic. He and his wife generously contribute substantially to Catholic charities in the region. So during a recent business trip to Europe, he was able to score a brief meeting with Pope Benedict XVI, along with his wife.

The Times-Picayune describes what happened next. Benson and his wife kissed the papal ring, as is customary. Then, Benson said, "I'd like to show you my ring." A picture is worth a thousand words! Apparently, the Pope was very nice and took a good look at it. My favorite part is that a Cardinal standing next to the Pope started laughing!

Classic Yat!

Cinco de Mayo

Dad and I have finally made the Big Time!!! We went to El Coyote for dinner on Cinco de Mayo. We got there a little early to get a table before the rest of the family showed up. As we were waiting, two CityBeat photographers gave us Corona t-shirts, maracas, awesome shades for Dad and a beautiful artificial lei for me. I looked through the rest of the gallery. Two quick notes:

1) We are the oldest people in any photo, so we must look pretty awesome to make it!
2) Is Dad shrinking? We are standing right next to each other and I got him by at least 3 inches. No I didn't have my heels on!

2012 - Hollywood Goes Out with a Bang!

So 2012 is supposed to be the end of the world. If so, we will certainly be going out with a bang! I previously posted about the upcoming Alien prequel, Prometheus. I just read an article about the new Marvel flick, Thor. It indicated that Thor and the upcoming Captain America are both included in Marvel's master plan for an Avengers movie in 2012 featuring Iron Man, Hulk, Thor and Captain America among others. That will be an epic blockbuster with TONS of star power.

However, that got me thinking about some of the other 2012 movie releases. Take a look at this list in order by release date:

• Avengers
• Men In Black 3
• Prometheus
• Abraham Lincoln Vampire Killer (yes, it will be awesome)
• Star Trek (reboot sequel)
• The Amazing Spider Man (reboot)
• The Dark Knight Rises
  
• Total Recall (reboot)
  
• Twilight (final film)
• Superman: Man of Steel (reboot)
• The Hobbit

These are official with release dates. That doesn't even include several other blockbusters that don't have an official date yet but will be released:

• Godzilla (reboot with Toho involved)
• Ghostbusters 3 (planned)
• World War Z (a zombie movie that WILL win an Oscar)

I can't even believe this list. Every single movie on this list will make $100 million dollars easily. Several will certainly hit much, much higher. I would also say every single movie on the list is better than ANYTHING that is planned for 2011, with the exception of Super 8. Come on, a new LOTR movie, and Alien prequel, Superman, Batman AND Spider Man features??? This is ridiculous!!!

I may have to give up golf next year and spend my time in movie theaters!

Death to the BCS

In an article on ESPN.com, it is reported that the US Justice department has issued a letter to the NCAA questioning the anti-trust exemption that the BCS enjoys. The chief anti-trust attorney states:

"Serious questions continue to arise suggesting the current Bowl Championship Series system may not be conducted consistent with the competition principles expressed in the federal antitrust laws."

I ain't no lawyer, but I'm guessing some NCAA and BCS officials are getting very nervous. This in addition to an anti-trust lawsuit that is imminent from the attorney general of Utah, and likely other states. Don't forget the Fiesta Bowl disaster that is still undergoing investigation. All of this may force a dramatic change in the Bowl system that college football uses.

I'm not making a post to debate whether the NCAA should have a playoff (it should), or how many playoff teams should be included (clearly 16). I am posting because of my ABSOLUTE DISGUST with the response of Bill Hancock, the BCS director. I am so sick of the same argument that the NCAA, BCS and a lot of media keep throwing out there. This argument is summed up by Hancock himself:

"Goodness gracious, with all that's going on in the world right now and with national and state budgets being what they are, it seems like a waste of taxpayers' money to have the government looking into how college football games are played."

Look, there IS a lot going on in the world. Our government is very busy and faces challenges at the national, state and local levels. However, THAT DOESN'T GIVE THE BCS THE RIGHT TO BREAK THE LAW, SET UP UNFAIR COMPETITION, AND HOARD BILLIONS OF DOLLARS!!! You know what else is a waste of taxpayers' money Bill? How about millions of tax free dollars be filtered to politicians, benefactors and employees that support the Fiesta Bowl - ILLEGALLY!!! That's just the Fiesta Bowl, which got caught. You think the other BCS bowls are squeaky clean?

Do you think the anti-trust chief of the US Justice Department should be trying to solve the medicare crisis? Should she be formulating policy on Afghanistan? Maybe she should be helping out with the federal budget crisis. Heck, why can't she help out Cincinnati and figure out how to pay pensions to all the local police?

Of course, this is a ridiculous concept. Her job is to make sure that companies and entities don't break anti-trust laws. That's it! The government is very large and has many roles. Just because the world is a complex place, doesn't mean that we ignore the law and let things slide. She has every right to investigate the BCS, and I hope she nails them to the wall.

Brilliant

Every line from Private William Hudson in the movie Aliens. I could watch this all day...

Get Him a Bodybag - YEEEAAAAHHHHH!!!

I KNEW it would work!!! Mr. Miyagi is smiling down from heaven.
I saw this on Deadspin today and cannot believe my eyes. On Saturday night, Lyoto Machida landed "The Crane" to Randy Couture's jaw, dislodging a molar and sending Couture into retirement. I watched it 10 times in a row, and still think it's awesome. They are calling it the greatest knockout in UFC history. Since I've never watched a UFC event, I guess I'll take their word on that!

The link is quickly disappearing from YouTube. This is the best I could do. Check out the original Deadspin post for another video option.