DIE HARD!

In my opinion, the original Die Hard is as close to a perfect action film as you can get, embodying much of what Hollywood does best. Almost every time I stumble across it on cable I end up sucked in, watching until the next commercial break. And I own a DVD copy. Still, it's a perfect storm of character (Willis does what he does best and Alan Rickman is a brilliant villain), setting (a claustrophic business tower) and over-the-top action. The script is reasonably smart, the direction (John McTiernan) is inventive and impeccably paced and even the humor works. Sure, we could have done without the Twinkie-snarfing beat cop, but it was the best popcorn flick to come along in some time.

The sequels have been... well, increasingly disappointing. Die Harder had an idiot storyline but Renny Harlin knows how to shoot action and has a wickedly sadistic streak, letting the film live up to its title. It never achieves the awesomeness of the first but gives it a noble try.

Die Harder With A Vengeance mostly just sucked. The set up had promise and I tend to love anything Jeremy Irons is in... but the film couldn't pull its shit together, crapping out big time in its final act.

Now comes the fourth Die Hard flick and with its PG-13 rating (no more "Yippeee-ki-yay, Motherfucker"), terrorist plotline and varied locales it looks like any of a dozen recent action flicks. Maybe I'll be proven wrong but I don't have high hopes. Unfortunately, I haven't been assigned to review it so if I want to see it I'll have to shell out $9 and see it with the hoi polloi.

So, why am I dedicating so much space to a mindless action film series? Because I came across this great music video that links footage from the films to one of the best fanboy rock tunes I've heard... well, maybe ever (not that I've heard much). It's worth it if only for the chorus. Enjoy!

ACTIONS HAVE CONSEQUENCES

You know, after presiding over an administration that is directly or indirectly responsible for the deaths of 2800 citizens on 9/11, another 1900 in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina, 3500 soldiers lost in Iraq and God knows how many Iraqis, it seems almost inconceivable that George W. Bush's government can claim to embrace a "culture of life."

Next time friends or family make this claim, point out that Mr. 'Culture Of Life' backed deregulations that increased chemical company profits while putting kids at risk... to rat poison. If you want to learn how much public policy can affect the everyday lives of others, read this.

"All it takes is one geek to do something stupid..."

Could be the mantra for my life.

I always wondered if those who advise cleaning your computer keyboard in the dishwasher were off their nut. Now I know the truth.

STUFF YOU NEED TO KNOW EDITION

• Countries ranked by booze consumption. Ireland comes in second but more than willing to kick some ass over it.


• Finnish clubgoers guilty of producing a "whiff of fermented raisins."


• Riot control Russian style!


• Daily cost of Paris Hilton's incarceration $1100. Cost of court proceedings that made her scream and cry: Priceless.


• The reason I don't use AT&T and neither should you!

BTW that's a real fortune cookie fortune.

JUST STUFF

• New Jersey shows the rest of the country how to do it. (Yeah, that New Jersey)


• US map with state renamed to show country's with similar GDPs. Now I need to go out an get an alpaca.


• Bush/Cheney slap forehead and say, "Why didn't we think of that?"


• Largest island in a lake on an island in a lake VS Largest island in a lake on an island in a lake on an island


• Bush Administration Declares Paris Hilton Enemy Combatant over Jailhouse Religious Conversion (shamless plug for my buddy's website)

How To Have A Secret Affair At Work

http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-have-a-secret-affair-at-work

Now wouldn't have High school been more interesting if they'd shown these in Sex Ed?

Other important video titles:

How To Seduce Your Boss
How To Be Lazy In The Office And Get Away With It

The History Of The Vietnam War ...Porn-style

Some people are just too damn funny.

LONG TIME NO SEE...

But I had to post this. Too good to pass up. "Do The Right Thing" ala' Sesame Street