Beltmann

My point was to challenge the assumption that Wright was preaching hate against white people, which I think is a false assumption. I might quibble with his provocative terminologies, tone, taste, or dips into anger, but in general I don't have a problem with a pastor preaching hate against institutional racism or corrupt government policies. In fact, confronting social ills is part of a long Christian tradition. (I'm not sure where character assassination fits into the Christian tradition, but I'm sure Rush Limbaugh will explain it to me.) There's the rub. You're talking not about Wrigh

The media-driven narrative assumes two things are beyond question: 1. Rev. Wright hates white people. 2. Rev. Wright preached hate every single Sunday. Are those assumptions a "fair and balanced" summary of Wright's ministry? I've actually listened to the full sermons in question, as well as a number of other sermons, and what I heard was this: 1. Rev. Wright does not hate white people, but hates institutional racism and said so from the pulpit using provocative terms and metaphors. He also doesn't hate America, but hates some of its foreign and domestic policies. 2. Rev. Wright also gave

Most critics dismissed it, but even though it stacks the deck I think Redacted is Brian De Palma's best work since 1989's Casualties of War, another unfairly maligned movie about war stories nobody wants to hear. This one, though, employs a multimedia strategy--the story is cobbled together from home videos, websites, YouTube, newscasts, security footage, etc.--that suggests true redaction might be impossible: In the age of high-tech information, the full truth about the Iraq War, good and bad, can be gleaned. Both movies are flawed, at times overwritten, poorly acted, and too didactic, but

Thing is, "relevance" is often determined by point-of-view.

I'm gonna keep beating the drum for director Anthony Mann... even his lesser-known B-movies, such as the mystery thriller The Great Flamarion, are the work of a visual master.

His AIDS comment is indefensible--and I agree with you that such rantings only drive the wedge deeper--but his so-called "defenders" are merely trying to counter, through context and balance, the character assassination taking place in the MSM. The reality of Rev. Wright is far different from the cartoon version being offered up nightly on Fox, CNN, MSNBC, etc.

Good read. Thanks, Mr. Rain!

To my eyes, Paranoid Park is by far the best of Van Sant's recent cycle of impressionistic "vibe" films (which also includes Gerry, Elephant, and Last Days). This time, the psyche of the main character feels fully explored, not merely hinted at with vague approximations.

I loved Once for being miniature, for being disheveled, and for containing zero artifice. Although the story charts the quavering, uncertain connection between a street busker and a Czech immigrant in Dublin, its real subject is not romance but the transporting power of song itself. Close your eyes and you'll hear two people who together fall in love with the possibilities of music.

Agreed on all counts, and I would add that its sense of place--its verisimilitude--is another major virtue. The movie has really stuck with me.

A few more useful links: Patriotism and Faith Obama at Snopes.com Does This Make George H. Bush Unpatriotic? Sliming Obama, at Factcheck.org Obama and the Patriot Police, at the Washington Post Defending the Facts on Obama's Faith, by evangelist Jim Wallis Video of Obama Speech on His Faith [39 min] Barack Obama: On My Faith and My Church Speech: A More Perfect Union Obama Speech In Full: A More Perfect Union A Thinking Man's Speech [by Peggy Noonan, conservative] Initial Reaction [by conservative Andrew Sullivan] Charles Murray at the National Review Defends Obama's Speech Jeremiah Wrig

I travel a broad at least once a week.

I'm very hopeful about Gagne, but the jury's still out...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Treehugger!

Yeah... although I have to concede I'm more curious than eager.

Mike Huckabee Defends Jeremiah Wright

In terms of relevance, accuracy, fairness, and context, I agree with you. Unfortunately, in the political arena perception counts for more than relevance, accuracy, fairness, and context, so I'm not quite as optimistic.

I think this embodies "Option 1" as described in Obama's speech.

I like the subject matter in Paste, but I'm not thrilled with the overall quality of writing. (No plans to cancel my sub, though.)

Asphalt / Joe May / Germany / 1929 A slow-burning German melodrama about a Berlin police officer being seduced by an elegant jewel thief. It

Nice comeback, Wisconsin!

That's up there for me, too!

Now that we have that on record, there go your presidential aspirations.

I didn't like Across the Universe--goofy, cloying, glib--but it does have some interesting visual ideas.