The Simpsons. There was a time when it was funny, and smart. This is not that time. I remember when I was a kid and the Simpsons made me laugh. There were jokes I didn't understand, and it made me want to research things. Pop culture jokes and history jokes that were fun for the adults, while still having dumb jokes for the kids. It was a cartoon version of a real family, and not the other way around. Homer would do something stupid, Marge would nag, Bart would screw up. But hidden in there was always a lesson. a moral to the story. On the off chance that they had a guest star you wouldnt know it, because they weren't playing themselves. There are exceptions to this, but for the most part stars would come on, play a character, and leave without needing to feed their ego by playing themselves. One of my favorite episodes is Titled "Lisa's substitute. Lisa falls for her substitute teacher played by Dustin Hoffman when Miss Hoover went on leave, thinking she'd contracted Lyme disease. As opposed to now. when every single episode is "what crazy adventure will the simpsons go on?" or "what crazy guest star will the simpsons meet?".
I remember trying to watch the Simpsons about six years ago, because my friends kept telling me "It's just as good as it used to be, it's just different." For some reason Tony Hawk was in it, as himself, and he introduced himself as "Skateboarding superstar Tony Hawk." It wasn't ironic, or funny, it was just stupid. Pretty sure blink 182 or some other band in their 40s who plays for tweens was in that episode too. they all blend together.
The biggest problem I have with it is that this is the simpsons that anyone under the age of 20 knows as THE Simpsons. They cant remember that once it was a smart funny show because they were too young. I'll save the rant about how all media is going that way for another time, but it really is all a symptom of the dumbing down of America.
It had a magic that most series never reach, and that I really don't think it will have again. The movie was slightly entertaining, but to everyone who thinks it's as good as the old simpsons, it's not. That's like comparing the original Starwars to Episode 1. Gross. Another rant I'll save for later. I find myself wondering if Matt Groening feels shame over what his creation has become every time he gets a check. I'm sure it's a passing thought while he's sitting in his mansion eating caviar. But I digress. I'll sum it up in a few words by simply saying, The Simpsons no longer has a heart...
On to better things
Street Fight (2005)
Starring Corey Booker and Sharpe James
Directed by Marshall Curry
I'll start by saying I'm a huge Documentary nerd. When I have free time to watch a movie, my vote is always for a documentary. The drama of real life generally is just a lot more interesting than anything that can be thought up. This movie is easily in my top five.
Corey Booker is a young democrat trying to challenge Sharpe James for the position of Mayor in Newark, a largely African American city in New Jersey. It's an uphill battle as James has been mayor for over 20 years, and the people seem to love him. As the story unfolds, you come to realize that there's more fear than love. Fear of the unknown mostly. Everyone seems to know that Sharpe is a theif, liar and thug, but he's the devil you know.
A lot of the movie ends up being racial politics, as Booker is an educated light skinned black man, who really seems to care about the people and the poverty of Newark. James uses this to attack him. sending out literature calling him white, or jewish, or just using his education to claim that he knows nothing of the struggle the people of the city face. Never bringing up that his parents were part of the civil rights movement and fought so there son wouldnt have to struggle. Meanwhile James, who in his defense did grow up in poverty, has lived in a mansion for years, and used taxpayer money to his own benefit over and over again. James is most definitely the villain, but even so steals the show, turning every negative into a possitive for his own campaign.
You see Booker struggle with smear campaigns, but Sharpe James doesn't have that problem. he will lie, steal, and even use city resources to make sure he keeps his position as mayor, at one point using the police to intimidate store owners with Booker signs in their windows, to tear down signs put up in public places, and attack camera men who get too close to the mayor.
I'd say this movie is a must see, and I won't give away the ending, but if you're into politics you'll know that Sharpe James faced several Federal charges, and this movie was part of the reason.
If you have netflix Street Fight is on instant watch, if not I'd suggest you track it down. definitely worth the time.
~Quantum
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment