gdp's Comments

Big Hollywood : Another Reason to Like Chris Isaak

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 16:31:36 +0000

Wow - didn't know these kinds of people - entertainers - knew how to abstain from anything. Good for him - I'll add him to my eclectic iPod mix as well. WarTip - did you steal my iPod by chance? Add in a dash of Boston, Linkin Park and Daughtry and that's me as well.

Big Hollywood : The Curious Case of Brad's Vacant Pit

Wed, 29 Jul 2009 20:28:32 +0000

Hate to be pedantic - but Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are not married. 2nd to last paragraph, 3rd sentence. Kind of an important point given the article...

Big Hollywood : Open Thread Tuesday

Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:22:08 +0000

Used to love watching this movie with my dad - one of his, and my, all time faves. What's not to love about early Jack Lemon and the great Henry Fonda. Incomparable film from a better time.

Big Hollywood : Other Than That, Professor Gates, How Was Your Trip?

Mon, 27 Jul 2009 21:55:07 +0000

What I said was in response to this comment above: If you don't commit crimes you can't be legitimately asked to produce ID. It's none of the police's business who you are if you are guilty of nothing. How would Sgt. Crowley have known that Gates lived in the house - without approaching him and asking for ID to verify it was indeed his house and that he belonged there. As stated already, the 911 call indicates that the color of the potential burglars was never stated by the caller; when Crowley got there it was a burglary call without any race attached to it. Being "black and in the same neighborhood" has nothing to do with it. All that being said - I find that if a copy wants my ID, I'm going to give it to them regardless of whether they have any probably cause or not. If they want to search my home without probable cause - that's a whole nuther kettle of fish. Each situation should dictate the response. Crowley's request for ID after identifying himself and his reason for being there - was enough reason for Gates to behave like a mature adult and just give the ID over. It's not rocket science.

Big Hollywood : Other Than That, Professor Gates, How Was Your Trip?

Mon, 27 Jul 2009 19:25:10 +0000

Would a neighbor have called the Cambridge police if two white men were forcing the door to a home open? Well there is one more thing Gates can't claim. Audiotapes of the 911 call released today reveal that in fact the woman who reported what she thought was a break-in - never mentioned race at all. She came forward today and indicated that in fact as she only saw the 2 men from behind she couldn't tell what race they were. So when Sgt. Crowley showed up at the house - it was on a report of 2 men trying to break into a house. No mention of race at all - until Gates brought it up. As for the law not requiring us to present ID to a police officer if we haven't committed a crime - I'm sure Gates thought that as well and look how it's gone for him so far. Common sense would dictate that if you haven't committed a crime and the police want to see your ID - why would you refuse if you have nothing to hide?

Big Hollywood : 'Public Enemies' Deserves a Second Look

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 15:06:55 +0000

Historically speaking it's not a very accurate film. But that aside I enjoyed it. Loved the cinematography - edgy and reflective of the times. Depp was - no surprise - incredible. I was afraid they'd make Dillinger into a matinee idol but Depp saved it from becoming that - he gave a nuanced and interesting performance. Played up the arrogance and played down the fact that the public loved Dillinger at the time. He was their hero. I also thought Bale was good - Purvis would have been a serious man for a very serious time and job. I also like the Texans - they didn't say much but boy did they fill the screen. Intense movie about an interesting part of our nation's history.

Big Hollywood : Hollywood Head Game

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 17:03:18 +0000

We used to be required to wear hats to church when I was growing up. My mom always had such gorgeous chapeaus - feathers, ribbons, huge brims - always dramatic. I've worn my share of gorgeous hats, especially in the 80s. I still wear a hot pink big brimmed hat to the beach...I look adorable (if I do say so myself) and I'll hopefully never have cancer.

Big Hollywood : Obama Takes Michelle Out For a Date and Us For a Ride

Thu, 9 Jul 2009 17:06:38 +0000

Does the President of the U.S. actually get a vacation? No he does not. Classifying Bush's trips back to his HOME as vacations - when the press flies with him and sets up shop - is disingenuous. Once at the house in Crawford - they stayed put. No glamorous flights for "date nights". I have no problem with my President taking time to spend with his family and his private residence and my tax dollars paying for it. I do have a problem with my President taking his wife on special date nights and taking his kids on shopping sprees to Paris and London, all on my dime (or should I say dollar, you know inflation and all).

Big Hollywood : Obama Takes Michelle Out For a Date and Us For a Ride

Thu, 9 Jul 2009 17:00:04 +0000

Same here. Grew up in the liberal conclave of MA and moved to CT after I got married. Stayed a liberal until 2001 - events of 9/11 made me grow up at the ripe old age of 38. Now I consider myself a conservative trapped in the New England liberal wasteland. Like you, if I can change - anyone can.

Big Hollywood : Where Offensive Speech is Prohibited, Tyranny Will Follow

Wed, 8 Jul 2009 15:36:30 +0000

Try being a conservative trapped in the liberal wasteland of New England. Tarred & feathered with the same brush that is applied to Teddy Kennedy and Christopher Dodd. They offend me by breathing - and I grew up in MA and currently live in CT. Can I write to someone to complain and get them to go away?

Big Hollywood : Where Offensive Speech is Prohibited, Tyranny Will Follow

Wed, 8 Jul 2009 15:34:52 +0000

Dear god that was awful. I need a brillo pad for my brain. Self-determination? When a kid can tell me what that actually means, then maybe I'd buy into the whole ball of crap. Kids need structure - period. They rebel against it and that's part of growing up.

Big Hollywood : Letter From Valley Forge

Mon, 6 Jul 2009 12:43:36 +0000

Descended from Pennacook Indians here. Originally part of the larger Iroquois tribe, which was divided by the colonists and the British. Which began their downfall. But I don't hold a grudge. I grew up in MA and currently live in CT. I love that we in New England "started it all" - I'm very proud of that, despite what it did to some of my ancestors. Fact is, if the colonists hadn't betrayed the Indians, the British certainly would have. They had already started to divide the tribe by the mid 1700's.

Big Hollywood : Gwyneth Paltrow in Another Touching 'America Sucks' Moment

Thu, 2 Jul 2009 13:06:11 +0000

So - America gives her the chance to become famous and ridiculously, obscenely wealthy. Then she kicks us to the curb. Kick her back - if she loves Europe so much then she should renounce her U.S. citizenship and start really living over there - paying the extremely high U.K. taxes on the wealthy and just shutting her mouth about America in the future. Europe and England wouldn't be what they are today without America. They'd be saying "all hail the fuhrer" and speaking in German. Just a small point that our poor vacuous Gwynnie can't ever grasp.

Big Hollywood : Lonewolf Diaries: Why 'Gayness' Can Be Funny

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:45:12 +0000

What is it that people are supposed to do around the man in the Starbucks? Confront him about what - how he's dressed and that it offends people. Contrast it with the guy on the street corner who talks to himself - at full volume. I don't think anyone finds these things funny or "normal" -- but in such specific circumstances what are people supposed to do? If you feel that strongly about the man in Starbucks, approach him yourself and offer him some help. You may find out why people leave these folks alone...

Big Hollywood : Success No Longer Cool, Says Hollywood

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 19:25:17 +0000

Oh yeah and in the book - the Hathaway character really does outfox everyone. She steals things from the office, keeps all the designer clothes and sells it all after she quits, to finance her efforts at writing.

Big Hollywood : Success No Longer Cool, Says Hollywood

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 19:24:24 +0000

The problem with the movie vs the book is they softened the ending for the movie. In the book, Anne Hathaway's character really tells the Meryl Streep character to f^%$ off - literally. They softened the Streep character as well. The reason for this is: the book is a roman a' clef about the author's tenure as an assistant for the Editor in Chief of Vogue Magazine - Anna Wintour. A woman so notorious for her bad temperament and worse temper that her nickname is "Nuclear Winter". I'm sure Ms. Wintour pushed incredible influence and pressure to make the character less of a snarling, prowling bitch.

Big Hollywood : We Need More Diversity!

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 15:12:34 +0000

Hey I live in CT - no fair! I'm a conservative trapped in a liberal wasteland. There are more of us "Americans" here than you think. We're trying, really we are, to remove the entrenched liberal idiots and get some new blood in there. We may never be a red state, but we may be purple. Someday. Even if it's only in my dreams.

Big Hollywood : Pop Culture vs. America: This Round Goes to Sarah Palin

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 16:49:47 +0000

...it was clear that he was referring to Bristol,... How was it clear? Sarah Palin was at the baseball game with Willow. Since Letterman never mentioned her name, nothing was clear. Except that he's way past his comedy prime. When they go into such offensive territory, it's time for them to sit down and be quiet.

Big Hollywood : Pop Culture vs. America: This Round Goes to Sarah Palin

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 16:41:54 +0000

Makes you almost feel bad for Letterman. Almost