Westside Steve

https://www.aol.com/trump-damages-trial-resumes-possibility-123000913.html Too ridiculous hoaxes wrapped up in the same tortilla. WSS

Well if you paid more attention or had more understanding of anything you'd be a more interesting conversation. But fuck Disney I don't care about them they can cut their own throats if they feel like it. And sorry to play the H word I doubt you'd have the sympathy for 3M Halliburton or Monsanto if the situation was with a Democrat governor. But who cares? Personally I think one of the main issues is the fact that he was right on covid and Gavin Newsom was wrong. Plus he selected the open border to be one of his mattress where Nikki Haley selected tick tock. And seriously I doubt whoever the Republicans put up is going to matter to you. So there's that. Cheers. WSS

I've said it all along he peeked way too early. WSS

Or Fuck the Po lice.... WSS

No it's not the national anthem. So why play the son of a bitch? WSS

Hey fuck them. Coming here with that screen name is an act of hostility so.. I could treat a Squealer fan with respect, well some respect, but that's about as far as it goes and they are going to get a raft of shit. WSS

Barbie Warner brothers PG 13. 111 min I really didn’t have much interest and seeing this one because I thought it was probably geared toward 12 year old girls and no more serious than a Super Mario film. As time went on it climbed up the charts to being one of the biggest grossing films of all time. As usual I didn’t read any reviews, preferring to do that after I’ve made-up my mind, but I did see some blurbs from political writers, left and right. Oddly enough no one commented on whether the film was any good just that it was extremely woke with a message either for good or bad, depending on the writer. That message seems to be twofold; first that men are bad and women are good and 2nd that human nature is guided bye a plastic doll. Someone here seems to believe that humans and women are attracted to people who look like Barbie (Margot Robbie) and Ken (Ryan Gosling) because Mattel sold a lot of toys. Personally I think that’s ridiculous and the body style of the toys was determined by what most normal humans find to be attractive. Of course beauty is in the eye of the beholder but there's a reason that movie stars news anchors swimsuit models and entertainers are attractive and that includes both men and women. Think about it do you think that if Playboy magazines centerfolds all looked like Lizzo she would be the American ideal of the perfect woman? Or do you think Playboy would just not sell anymore issues? Anyway that's what the movie is, a heavy-handed and shrill attack on what they consider to be patriarchy, a word that’s repeated over and over. I’ll let the political pundits deal with that. I’ve promised you that I won’t give a bad movie a good grade because I agree with the message or vice versa, but propaganda aside this is not a good movie though there are certainly some clever aspects involved, though they’re wasted. For instance the opening scene, a parody of Stanley Kubrick’s 2001 will probably be lost on the uninitiated. The sets and the look of Barbie world including her car house etcetera are pretty cool but again, like most special effects, it all becomes commonplace as the film rolls along. Because of some rift in the space slash time continuum Barbie finds herself in the real world of Los Angeles. While she’s away all the Kens turn feral and make Barbie world Into a man cave. When the executives at Mattel find out she’s escaped It turns into a stupid action film as they try to capture her and put her back in her box. Fortunately in the end she sees the light and the world is saved and the message is loud and clear. Men suck and women should rule the world as long as they are women of color and not very attractive. Meet the new boss; Same as the old boss. If the jokes had been funny, the action scenes exciting and the story complex and intriguing I’d have given BARBIE a better grade. But they weren’t and I didn’t. By the way if anyone thinks this is an important blow against the power structure and the people at Mattel who make plastic dolls in order to rule the world, keep in mind that they are raking in the prophets like never hi buddy hi little cat I love my little before. I actually checked the thesaurus to see if misogyny had a counterpart that dealt with men. Apparently not. But it should and this would be it. D WSs

Wonka Warner Brothers PG 13. 116 min Well, To be honest I’m not particularly choked up with another telling of the Willy Wonka saga. Didn’t really love the first couple even though I enjoyed Gene Wilders portrayal better than Johnny Depp, who based his quirky mannerisms on Michael Jackson, so he says. I just thought it was a little bit creepy. One thing I remember about the first two is that they were both darker than one might imagine from listening to the Anthony Newley Leslie Bricusse 1971 Academy Award nominated soundtrack. I personally love Pure Imagination though Sammy Davis Jr ‘s version of The Candy Man was the biggest hit. For the younger readers yes, it is a musical. On the other hand for the older readers it’s not the same story. This time it’s a prequel That harkins back to the day our hero arrives in the big city with the dream to be the world's most famous chocolate maker. Armed with nothing but a dream and his sainted mother's recipe. There are, however, evil forces standing between him and that dream; the giant corporate candy maker who will stop at nothing to drive out any competition aided and abetted by a corrupt Police Department , church and an unscrupulous innkeeper who holds Wonka and several others captive in the hotel basement forced into slave labor in the laundry. You may have guessed it’s a little bit surreal. This version contains a little more of an action mystery than the first two and it's not nearly as dark. Also star Timothy Chalamet was selected more for his musical theater, ie singing and dancing chops than his acting or star power. These songs, having been written for another story don’t necessarily fit the narrative but each are well done as individual presentations. The story becomes more interesting and enjoyable as the film rolls along And it gets more enjoyable as it goes along unlike another film we've touched on in this issue. A- WSs

The Color Purple Warner Brothers PG 13. 130 min Well gang welcome back to Oscar season. As you know every few days Variety magazine updates their predictions for best picture nominations. At the very least I like to see all 10 before the awards Whether they look appealing to me or not. Had it not been for the high-ranking on all of those lists I may not have seen the latest incarnation of Oprah Winfrey ‘s classic THE COLOR PURPLE. Not that I didn’t enjoy the original but it’s obvious from trailers the new version will be substantially changed And I feared it would be brought in line with today's uglier vision of race in which good and evil are based on skin color. Thankfully that was not the case! This, like the original, is a story of sorrow, joy, struggle and redemption; even good and evil during the early 20th century in the pre integration South. And beyond the bittersweet feel good story from the original as I said this is also a musical and the production numbers harken back to the bedrock influence that African Americans have had on dance, jazz and rhythm and blues. THE COLOR PURPLE will definitely be among the top three or four contenders for best picture. Like one of my fellow patrons said with a big smile to me after the film “Damn, Oprah did it again!” Bless her soul. A WSs

Leave The Earth Behind Netflix R. 141 min We’ve talked about this before; It’s the time of year that studios like to get their films out before the deadline for Academy Award nominations. Studios including Apple Amazon and Netflix have the opportunity to release in one or two brick and mortar theaters as well as online. One that has received at least a hint of Oscar participation is Netflix LEAVE THE WORLD BEHIND an end of the world science fiction piece starring award winners/nominees Mahershala Ali, Julia Roberts and Ethan Hawke. There’s even a small part for Kevin Bacon. The premise Is reasonably simple and focuses on a couple of social ills that will permeate the story. Amanda and Clay are planning a family retreat because, among other reasons, Amanda is just sick and tired of being around people. (Technology and social media have made us less and less, well, social; I get it.) While making preparations for the getaway we noticed that things are starting to go wrong back in the city, one of which is a series of unexpected blackout and other strange occurrences. Some of these include unexplained loud noises, animals acting in peculiar ways and God forbid, the loss of Internet connection. That’s warning number 2; we are way too reliant on technology. Soon after checking into the rental Clay and Amanda are surprised by a visit from an elegant black man and his sassy daughter who claim that the house is theirs and they were forced to return from the city . Just for the record he’s hiding something. uh I only mention race because it seems director / writer Ismail wants to make a secondary and unnecessary point later in the film. But iStill the revelation that technology is bad and people are less and less connected with each other Could probably be made about every generation since Humans were building the pyramids. I thought it started off creepy and ominous and A study rise to frenzy but the admittedly slow pace ground to a halt as it stumbled under its own weight. I’m not surprised that Denzel Washington bailed on the project but I am surprised that the Obamas, among the executive producers, didn’t know somebody among the Hollywood elite who could have added a little bit of Spark to this sociological sermon. D WSS

Maestro Netflix R. 129 min I’ll be honest most (but not al) of my knowledge of classical music comes from my friend Dennis Lewin’s show on AM 1420. Still, I am old enough to remember there was a controversy between some classical artists and the pop music world when I was a very young fan of The Beatles that even then I realized Leonard Bernstein was legendary in the classical field and we took pride in the fact that he said good things about the Fab Four. This film is by no means the typical biopic, as they usually set her on a handful of facets that everyone already knows and cobble them into a story. I’m not sure anyone knew much of this accept the participants and their families until the New York Times got hold of a lotl of Bernstein ‘s correspondence. This is more an inside look at the trials and tribulations of a musical genius and the bittersweet romance with wife actress Felicia Montealegro (Carey Mulligan). They had known each other before but didn't marry until after the death of her husband actor Richard Hart and against the wishes of Bernstein ‘s family. The marriage itself wasn’t one based on passion but more a mutual respect and affection. As we’ve come to learn from some of that correspondence, The legendary conductor was frequently unfaithful with women and men, Along with his obsessions paranoia and neuroses. I have a new found respect for Bradley Cooper who starred, directed and helped write the script add especially because of his betrayal which is, in my opinion, his best work to date as an actor. Every aspect of the film is brilliantly accomplished from the stunning mid 20th century cinematography, acting New York insider elite small talk as a constant audio bed. What it is not, however is 2 hours of entertainment or heartwarming ideals. It’s hard to watch. I Did little research and listened to some of Bernstein’s symphonic work and I relate this film to his second Symphony AKA the age of anxiety. Brilliantly written and challenging to a fault but to the untrained ear, which includes my own, almost an unpleasant cacophony. Oftentimes brilliant musicians are no longer able to be challenged by simple popular music which becomes the soundtrack of the average person. Again Bradley Cooper is wonderful as an actor and director and not to give him short shrift, but it would be hard to screw up under the watchful eye of fellow producers Steven Spielberg and Martin Scorsese. This is a great film, just don’t expect to be entertained or walk out singing a happy melody. A WSS

Well I'm going to need confirmation, I'll have to ask the kid that works at the grocery store. WSS

Let the rumors begin https://www.aol.com/england-patriots-coach-bill-belichick-124141057.html New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick is leaving the team, ending a decadeslong run that produced an unprecedented six Super Bowl victories, according to m...

Never thought of that woodrow. Hating that fucker might be automatic approval. 😄 WSS

For good reason. Same reason I don't get into the ring with a WBA champion. Furthermore you're a liar and hypocrite full of shit an idiot and don't have a fucking leg to stand on. With all due respect. ☀️ WSS

Woody I realize you don't have any sense of self awareness but as someone who blames Russian bots on every piece of news you dislike you guys, meaning Trump haters, erstwhile Biden supporters etc, are really never held to account for the crazy bullshit that they spew. Including the Hillary / pizza parlor / pedophile ring which was put up by one of her own supporters. But yes as easy as it is to fake a new story online with so much AI it's easy just to think that it's all bullshit. WSS

Just in case nobody's posted this yet. At this writing you can't fire owners. https://www.aol.com/nfl-black-monday-live-updates-135919693.html The NFL's annual day of reckoning for coaching staffs and front offices has arrived, with multiple key figures already having been fired.

Tom f sent me a couple pictures from the gippers visit to nashville. The first one I'm not sure where it's from but that's him and Hoorta. This last one is me wearing the shirt Tommy's would have gave me at the funeral, it was one of his. Go browns.

Happy Birthday. WSS

And for the Biden cult members 6 and 10 Americans believe he's middle and fit for the job. I'll admit that would be more important if I believed he was calling the shots. https://www.npr.org/2023/05/23/1177617666/more-than-6-in-10-say-bidens-mental-fitness-to-be-president-is-a-concern-poll-fi

I love you bud but that's kind of naive. That's the reason we are a republic and not a democracy. And as bitter a pill it is to swallow we're probably better off. People really are too stupid to govern themselves. Unfortunately these days the bad guys are in charge. WSS

Thank you. Congratulations on being illiterate like so many members of your party. I think there's a chance that he's gained respect for the Christian religion as he aged. So did George W Bush. Personally I too have respect for the views of many Christians even though I'm not a believer when push comes to shove. I honestly wish I was. WSS

Actually nobody here thinks Trump is a holy man or that his favorite book is the Bible. I suppose many believe that his policies might lean towards the things that they like. Like Joe Biden, nobody thinks that he gives shit number one Negroes homos, illegal aliens or ukraine. (They probably don't even think he knows who they are at this point.) Many, however, think that if there is some free shit to get tossed their way he'll be doing the tossing. WSS

I dont think we've ever had a choice. WSS