This n' That...Again

Kingdom of Heaven: Director's Cut

I reviewed the theatrical release when it came out last spring. What Scott has added is pretty much all character related and greatly enriches the fabric of the film. I’m not sure why it was not included in the theatrical release as it doesn’t slow the film down an iota IMO and actually clarifies much of what is going on for those unfamiliar with the period.

Plus: There’s more Liam Neeson, how can that not be an improvement?

He did return one storyline dealing with Baldwin the IV’s nephew who reigned briefly as a child as Baldwin V. Child mortality being what it as then, no one felt it noteworthy to mark down why he died, but there is no evidence to support the idea he was leprous. Certainly none to suggest his mother offed him as Scott depicts in the film. Which also leaves the audience with the same Anakin-Padme bewilderment: “Wait. Your S.O. just committed murder…and you’re o.k. with this?”

One of those “Too weird for Hollywood to make up” factoids that Scott didn’t portray: Balian carried Baldwin the V on his shoulder during the boy’s coronation as a symbol of support from the anti-de Lugsian faction that Balian spearheading on behalf of his step-daughter, Sibylla’s ½ sister: Isabella.

I told you truth is weirder than fiction.

I have only watched one of the extras which dealt with the “creative accuracy” of the film, which I have explained before. In this version the modern pluralistic attitudes do run stronger (though still not annoyingly so), but one historian makes the wonderful, universal point that few rulers throughout history have ever realized: Pluralism is pragmatic when is comes to ruling over disparate peoples.

But the rest of the DVD extra’s look good.

Anyway, the director’s cut is excellent, worth getting one hands on to watch.

So Long Mike Hammer

Mickey Spillane dies at 88

Violent, gritty, unabashedly mysoginistic and intolerant, continually cast in darkness of the seemier side of human nature, the Mike Hammer stories were the very essence of Noir. Many writers would try and never quite capture the raw black edge of a Spillane story. Spillane's contribution to American popular culture has yet to be appreciated. Despite not always being the most convoluted mysteries and Mike bearing no resembelance to the proverbeal knight on a white horse whatsoever, it was always an adventure to see how Hammer arrived at the end and what he would do once he got there.

Thanks for the ride Mick, it's been swell.

From the Daily Kos

Wow, does this not illustrate everything wrong with Bush's foriegn policy?

The Middle East going up in flames and he tries a move that is spelled out against in every sexual harassment pamphlet in the United States on the Chancellor of Germany.