The Hurt Locker, aptly titled

Endlessly fascinated by great and not-so-great films, I like to watch a broad range of genres. I normally heed the critics and general buzz, but not always.

The Hurt Locker is a perfect example of why you can't always rely on critics' musings. Of course there was also the year Shakespeare In Love won the Oscar for best film, so there's another prime example of critics being crazy.

I know, I know. It's about the Iraq War and the stressful, terrifying daily duties of brave soldiers. Also let's not forget the young Iraqi boy (named Beckham) transformed into a bloody, body bomb. I don't know what exactly it was, but this movie made me fall asleep (not literally, but almost).

IT WAS SOOOOOOOOOOOOO BORING!!!! Forget the gunfire and explosions (or lack thereof thanks to Jeremy Renner's bomb dismantling skills), forget the screaming, wailing Iraqi women and the sort of (it's a stretch) rugged, war-weary good looks of Renner, this movie was a complete snore. To me the film lacked a cohesive plot line, other than the countdown to the end of the unit's rotation. Also, it seemed quite trite (drunken wrestling as a means of male bonding to name one example).

To be fair, I should reveal that I stopped the DVD player after an hour and a half. That was enough wasted lifetime. That in itself is quite a distinction, because I almost always finish a movie that I've invested more than 30 minutes in, but I saw no light at the end of that tunnel.

I wonder what makes ANYONE think The Hurt Locker is a good (and award-worthy) movie. It's beyond me, and I made it through the 2002 remake of Rollerball. Given the option, I'd rather watch Rollerball again. Seriously.

C'est la vie.

Haiti, not hating

Because I love to play devil's advocate, I can't resist this one.

Should America lend aid to earthquate-ravaged Haiti's suffering citizens? Yes. And no.

Yes, because it is the humanitarian thing to do and because it is an American tradition to provide foreign succor and foster positive global relations. No, because there are homeless, starving people living on streets across the USA with no access to health care or shelter. Where is their aid?

I do find it interesting that people are bemoaning the time it has taken to provide aid to the Haitian people. How easily forgotten are the multiple days that New Orleans citizens were left virtually abandoned in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. If we can't get food and fresh water to one of our own southern states, I don't find it too shocking that it would take days to get supplies and volunteers to an impoverished island nation in the Caribbean Sea.

Personally, yes, I do think we should help the Haitians, because it is the RIGHT thing to do. But, I do see the irony in it as well.

C'est la vie.

The ruination of our nation

Two words, "Jersey Whores, er, I mean "Jersey Shore."

This IS what's wrong with our country. Why oh why is a television show committed to upholding ridiculous stereotypes and boundless ignorance allowed to infect living rooms across America?

Freedom of speech, I suppose.

I'm all for freedom of speech, but I think this is more like freedom of idiocy. When plastered, hideously made-up bimbos tripping around in cheap stilettos and hair product-addicted meatheads pumping their fists in the air passes for entertainment, I think the Apocalypse can't be far away.

C'est la vie.