There is a function lacking on my new DVD player that I’m going to miss. My old one had European Vista, which enlarged letter box by about two inches at the top and bottom without much loss of the action on the sides. The new one has other ratios, but involve several more moves with the remote. Fortunately, the picture is crystal clear, and that’s what really counts. Last night I watched the last 20 minutes of The East (2013), which was interrupted by the breakdown of my previous machine. It is the story of a radical underground group infiltrated by a young corporate spy, played by Brit Marling, who co-wrote the screenplay with director Zal Batmanglij. According to his bio at IMDb, in 2009 the penniless pair, hopped trains and hung out with anarchists. Some of their experiences were adapted into the film. The major flaw is that the companies attacked are egregiously guilty of crimes. Because of that, the issue is already decided. The only dramatic conflict rests with the heroine, who begins to sympathize with the ideas, and Marling acquits herself well. Since the group does not resort to killing, it places them on the moral high ground, which again diminishes the conflict that distinguishes outstanding drama from visceral entertainment. The issue was covered much more effectively in an episode of Law & Order. The opening shot is of animals struggling in an oil spill. This, of course, is tragic, but accidents happen and oil companies pay through the nose in reparations. There are certain drugs that adversely affect a handful but help thousands. I guess admiration of the movie will depend on where one stands on such issues. I believe the pluses of fossil fuels outweigh the minuses by a landslide, not by so much in the case of pharmaceuticals. I also believe that executives who knowingly poison people should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. There is no mention in the film of anger at the government for allowing obvious atrocities to take place. Nevertheless, it has many admirers at IMDb, where it is rated 6.9 of ten. On a scale of five, I rate it 2.5. Its strength is the acting by its young cast, and veterans Julia Ormond and Patricia Clarkson.
I received an email from All Things That Matter Press. A royalty for three electronic sales is on the way. It’s only pocket change, but a morale booster.
Comcast has purchased Time Warner’s cable action. I own stock in both companies. The former had been rallying lately on the rumor. It was down two after the acquisition, which is usually the case when the big fish absorbs the littler. I can’t help but be optimistic about its future, though. Then again, as long as I own it its results will be mediocre. That has been my investing history.
Thinking ahead to next week, I removed the large frozen mass that was sitting in my usual nook at the corner of E. 13th. I also pried up about ten yards of the sheet of ice along Avenue Z so that passersby wouldn't be blocked by anyone stopping at the book shop. The plastic shovel was a hell of a lot more effective than I'd expected. I hope it wasn't a fool's errand, as the forecast calls for one to three more inches of snow tomorrow. The streets are fine, as the day was bright and beautiful and there was a lot of melt. There's still a long way to go. Cars parked on the right hand side of the street are plowed in, which will make parking even more scarce than usual. We need about of week of above freezing temperatures.
Vic's 4th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic's Horror Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
Vic's Rom-Com Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/kny5llp
Vic’s Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
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