MerrySkeptic

joined 1 year ago
[–] MerrySkeptic@sh.itjust.works 104 points 1 day ago (5 children)

I think what Bernie is saying is that for decades Dems have paid lip service to working class concerns while not actually doing much. In reality Dems have been much more beholden to corporate interests.

By the time these plans came out, too many working class folk were already disenfranchised. They saw a party that was vocal about social issues that frankly were not high on the list of priorities for most of them. They were more concerned that inflation was out of control and they could not afford basic expenses. Sure Trump was racist but at least prices were lower when he was in office, or so they would conclude. If he could bring prices down, they would go with him.

Basically Dems were just out of touch with the most important part of their base until it was too late.

[–] MerrySkeptic@sh.itjust.works 154 points 4 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (16 children)

Audiences have always been interested in good storytelling. The reason the MCU took off was because it told good stories. The problem is that the stories have become too formulaic or half-baked.

People showed up for Deadpool and Wolverine, so the issue isn't about comic book movies.

EDIT: My comment about D&W isn't meant to hold it up as an example of good storytelling. As I said, the stories have become formulaic. My mentioning of it is meant to point out that many comic book movies succeed despite mediocre storytelling. You can't say "audiences are tired of comic book movies" when many are still clearly successful.

I'm not sure what difference it makes here that it was a volunteer position. There was a background check (two, actually) just like there would have been if it was a paid position. Schools often use volunteers too to read to kids or tutor after school, etc.

I'm not saying churches are always this responsible. I'm saying we should applaud the ones that take steps to prevent this and work with law enforcement when those steps fail

[–] MerrySkeptic@sh.itjust.works 30 points 1 week ago (2 children)

Not to defend churches in general, but the article headline here is pretty misleading in calling this guy a youth leader. He was a volunteer. And, to the church's credit, when this came out they immediately began cooperating with law enforcement and even referred anyone with more info to talk to the police.

I don't like churches in general, but this one did as well as any other organization that has volunteers working with kids. They had background checks in place and did not try to cover anything up.

[–] MerrySkeptic@sh.itjust.works 4 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Excellent movie!

The nonlinear style was actually done really well

Loved the use of color in certain scenes, really made them pop (fun fact, the actor Giovanni Ribisi was Director of Photography. Apparently he had a small role in the movie too but I don't recall it)

Willa Fitzgerald showed off huge acting range as The Lady. You know which scenes I'm talking about. Holy shit

Kyle Gallner didn't show off as much range but was totally convincing as The Demon

I hadn't seen either of them in anything before but I hope they get bigger projects after this. I think not having huge, well-known stars helped immerse me into the story though. In fact it was kind of jarring when Ed Begley Jr showed up because I actually recognized him in a movie full of people I had never seen before

[–] MerrySkeptic@sh.itjust.works 5 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Using Where Is My Mind if you know anything about Bob is just...<chef's kiss>

[–] MerrySkeptic@sh.itjust.works 12 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Señor Trump no es macho, solamente es un borracho...

[–] MerrySkeptic@sh.itjust.works 80 points 1 month ago

These are amazing parents. Protecting the legacy of their son, making sure it is never used to further a hateful agenda, even though I'm sure they are going to get hate back from all the MAGA cultists.

[–] MerrySkeptic@sh.itjust.works 11 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Is it too late to become a nurse practitioner?

6
submitted 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) by MerrySkeptic@sh.itjust.works to c/movies@lemmy.world
 

Not sure how to spoiler tag so if I need to do that please let me know how.

I really liked this movie. I didn't know much about it going in and highly recommend it that way for anyone else. However for anyone reading this that hasn't seen it (apparently you don't care about spoilers), know that this is graphically violent thriller, and there's a pretty intense scene that could be a sexual assault trigger for some.

Right off the bat when they started us off in Chapter 3, I knew that things were not as they seemed. I think most people will be able to guess fairly early on that the "victim" is actually the hunter and the "hunter" is actually the victim here simply because the nonsequential storytelling is a tipoff. In less capable hands, this would be a gimmick that cheapens the movie. But it was executed so well I don't even mind that I could see the twist coming.

The director, JT Mollner, wanted this to be a movie that was primarily felt, and he succeeded. I was viscerally uncomfortable in the rape scene that turned out to be consensual role play, and I wasn't even sure it was consensual because they faked us out with the mock disappointment with the choking early on! When she said her safe word I exhaled with relief. I felt angry at how the Lady played on the wounded female tropes, and especially angry at the female deputy for not listening to the older male cop. But then I realized I would have probably done the same thing she did, seeing a bleeding, handcuffed woman with her pants down, so I couldn't be too mad. Mollner does an excellent job creating tension between the story as it plays out challenging a lot of modern gender sensibilities.

The cinematography was fantastic, and I was surprised to learn that actor Giovanni Ribisi was Director of Principal Photography for this movie. Excellent use of color, contrast, and focus. It may not pay as much as acting, but he has talent and I hope he keeps this up.

Speaking of acting, the two leads were flawless. Willa Fitzgerald showed an incredible range, from victim, sexpot, insane killer, etc. Kyle Gallner has a believable, quiet intensity, with flashes of sexy charm but also murderous rage. I expect to see a lot more of both of them. Their characters are smart and the emotion-driven choices are pretty believable for the most part (I'm also factoring in the drugs).

There's little details that are fun to contemplate, like the juxtaposition between the scene of Chapters 1 and 2, the Blue Angel Motel, and Gallner's character's name, the Demon. This name, by the way, is another great misdirect, as it is prominent in the opening credits but only later do we learn that he's named so because the Lady is crazy and thinks she sees and is killing devils.

All in all, great movie, highly recommend and I can't wait to watch it again so I can have all the context when I watch the first half again.

[–] MerrySkeptic@sh.itjust.works 6 points 2 months ago

Easily moldable. Like a couch cushion.

[–] MerrySkeptic@sh.itjust.works 11 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

All I can find on Travis Kelce being a Trump supporter is a liked tweet where Trump was at a UFC event. His history suggests he is progressive, doing commercials for COVID vaccination, was one of the first to kneel for the anthem, etc. Why do you think he's a Trump supporter?

I think they probably fall short of endorsement because they recognize that their names are brands and don't want to alienate anyone who might belong to the opposite political party. This is nothing new among celebrities.

 
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