Midwest Memories

I'm not a complete idiot; I realize that Mankato, MN, is still technically in the Midwest United States. It still seems like a good idea to reflect though, due to a lack of other things to blog about.

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In the days of years past, I would hike across sprawling pastoral fields, admiring the wonders of nature. Whether it was the aggressive competitions between birds over insignificant territory or the decaying flesh of cattle that died well past their prime, nature's message of the circle of life has never been more evident.

During one of these many walks, I spotted a flurry of activity in some nearby bushes. The immature rapscallion in me urged me to hoot and holler, trying to scare whatever was in the bushes out so that I would be able to know what it was and thus blog about it in the future.

The civilized aspect of my personality argued that patience was key when watching nature, convincing me to wait for the creature to expose its identity. Little did I know, I was well on my way to being a grown up.

Oh yeah, back to my friend in the bushes (and no, this isn't a story about college parties).

The animal didn't show itself, leaving me curious for a few moments before my overactive imagination kicked in and I continued on my walk while singing along with the voices in my head.

This story might not have had a point, but at least I'm blogging.

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If I ever recall anything else from my childhood on the farm, I'll post under Midwest Memories.

A small post for a petite week

Time to return to the world of blogging after a short sabbatical.

Top Nine Reasons To Listen To NPR:

9) There is nothing like the dreary tones of BBC radio to tire a weary insomniac.

8) Most programs still have their catchy pop-intros from the 90's.

7) The pledge drives are only once every six months, meaning twenty times more non-coercive coverage than PBS.

6) Since the people today are so ugly, it's nice to have news that doesn't require opening your eyes.

5) Monotony is key to a healthy ear.

4) You don't need famous people when you can hire people who sound like them for half the price

3) Commercials have never been so nonexistent before.

2) Who needs flashy images when a number of lengthy descriptive phrases would do?

1) Intelligence is currently in vogue.

My companion for many a quiet weekend...

As an avid listener of National Public Radio, hearing the many programs has become a way of life for me. Without the tomfoolery of the Car Talk brothers (mechanics who are known for their automotive honesty, their real scam being the fact that they make the subject seem interesting) or missing an episode of Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me (a news quiz that makes light of the troubling issues of the week's news) could send me into a funk until the next time I hear them. Those two shows are easy favorites of mine, both humorous and informative, leaving me fulfilled for the week in the matters of both being entertained and up to date in the workings of mechanics and politics. My relationship with these two shows differs greatly from my feelings about my favorite NPR program, Prairie Home Companion.

Using guest musicians and a troop of actors and writers who bring comedic sketches to life, it is a variety hour unequaled by few. An easy comparison would be to that of Saturday Night Live, though the obvious difference is that while SNL has no single star, Prairie Home Companion is the home of the idol and genius that is Garrison Keillor.

Keillor embodies both the cultural significance of the program and its self-effacing cynicism, both elevating and mocking the variety genre which is worthy of little respect in this day and age. While presumably a large factor in the behind-the-scenes creation of the show, Keillor's performances on the air are easily the most entertaining parts of the show. Whether it is the updates on the going-ons of small town Lake Wobegon or the dilemmas of a certain private eye, his unique voice and style pervades his parts of the show. A solemn speaker, the dry humor and effortless soliloquies he effuses not only require deft attention but would invariably fail if not followed with utter reverence.

I have no wish to cast a dark light upon the rest of the people behind Prairie Home Companion and must say that they all bring their own qualities to the show. The voice actors have a particular large responsibility (considering the fact that this show is over the radio), adding depth to the two-dimensional constructs they are required to perform as. Rounding out the sketches are the sound effects men who give the show a polished feel, skilled enough to even make their profession one of the ongoing gags over the years.

It surprises me that it took me four paragraphs to reach the musical guests as their presence is an integral part of the mechanics of the show. With over half of the span of each show given to their performances, these guests must match, in modest gravitas, Keillor's own bearing. Even though a few selections of the pieces played on the show don't fall within the usual genres of my repertoire, their presence only heightens the impact of the humorous interludes by the monotonous Keillor.

To quickly mention the excellent ongoing sketches is an important task that I will lend a few lines: commercials singing the praises of the therapeutic effects of ketchup, the tales of a few rustic cowboys attempting to remain true to their era in an ever changing landscape, and Guy Noir investigating both menial cases he finds and the nuances of this modern world.

As a variety show, it has the undeniable task of stimulating nostalgia for past days and being a satire of how those days really were, it is the perfect show to hear if one wishes to both be intellectually challenged and entertained. Simultaneously the sum of its parts and a vehicle for the mind of Garrison Keillor, Prairie Home Companion is my nomination for Best Variety Program of the Century (to save myself the cost of a statuette, I'll just give it a rating of 10 out of 10 stars).

A production worthy of the president's seal...

While on my many perusals through the blogosphere, I ran across a recommendation for a popular, Emmy-winning, television show known as The West Wing. I knew of this show through both its reputation for quality writing and as one of the many suggestions given to me by my mother (whose every word I studiously follow, of course). I am pleasantly surprised to find that my online and familial confidants have been correct in their own evaluation of The West Wing, to the point that I have been giddily watching the first season of this wonderful show.

If I wish to further examine my new found delight as I watch The West Wing, I’ve found that it is key to analyze the current political climate, since this is a show about politics.

With the ousting of a certain cabinet (that, in my honest opinion, had required a good carpenter's refurbishing for quite a while), the world is now in a more optimistic position. Obama and his like-minded allies have joined together to bring forth peace and prosperity out of a time of war and poverty. Gone now are the days of social commentary of likes of The Wire and Battlestar Galactica that did their best to offer optimism in a murky world, whose tough morality would no doubt be of little affect in our happy land.

All is not as it seems though, since the media has been quick to pounce on the faults of Obama and his 'Justice League' as they boringly work to reform our government correctly instead of in the stylized and spectacular way we all were eager for. Then comes The West Wing, tackling social issues and dramatic stories like they were one and the same, sprinkling intelligent and often immensely entertaining dialogue along the way. This show is what I personally want our government to look like, though I doubt it ever would.

The cast is a solid ensemble, from large movie stars to theatrical actors. Charlie Sheen's bravado performances as the president are scene-stealers in the greatest sense of the phrase. Since the show is really about the people advising the president though, the writers' judicial use of him as a character makes his few scenes even greater gems. As a fan of droll liberal characters running off on droll liberal diatribes, I must say that my favorite character is Josh Lyman, the guy involved in nearly all the plots and yet I am still unsure of what he exactly does. I also approve of the rest of the cast, each making their characters feel as though they really carry the burdens of being 'kings of the hill'. When comparing the writing of the show to what is actually seen, it is obvious that the cast are invested in their roles as many improvised lines and additions are present, creating the feel of both real speech and real people.

Nearly every episode is shot within the confines of the set of the White House, making it surprising that each scene is able to feel new and unique in a place that has been scoured by many directors before it. The direction must be commended for the way it flows smoothly, from the show's patented walk-and-talk scenes filled with fast flying plot exposition and even faster wit to the quiet emotional moments that teach us the human faults of both the people and their positions within the government. One of my greatest appreciations of the show is that it doesn't devolve into each character being Gerry-rigged into representing an issue that would be challenged or explored each episode, instead allowing the people in The West Wing natural feelings about the policies that make up our government and the right to exercise their opinions about their beliefs. While I have been accustomed to the preaching of rights of human beings and organizations (I've watched every Star Trek series, which is about as preachy television can get without having a time slot on Sunday mornings), this shows use of preaching is merely there to signify the passion of these characters rather than the aspects of the plot. As with Star Trek, I choose to look at the people making the speeches to get my drama, allowing the obvious content of their words to brush past (though, I must say, a few of the speeches have gotten past my Minnesotan-grown armor and made me teary eyed).

The inspiring urge both the characters and the show provide have made this program an already instant classic in my long career as a television viewer. Instead of going off on a droll liberal diatribe in the name of good shows being rewarded (they already have a few Emmys so I doubt my commendation will matter much), I will simply say this show passed my congress and is officially part of the Bill of Good Television.

The wait is over...

1) Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

I am not a person who easily emotes in giddy glee; it takes a special subject for me to get hyper-enthused, and Deep Space Nine is one of those few subjects.

It would take hours to describe the multitude of ways that I enjoy the series, so I will list all the things (in no specific order) that make this show special to me in a set of nouns and verbs: Sisko, cast, crew, stories, Promenade, war, politics, religion, Prophets, growth, death, Cardassians, intrigue, darkness, Defiant, credits, and Terok Nor.

Greatest Moment - The End of The Visitor - While the entire episode wrenches my heart like few other shows could, the final scenes in which Jake gives his parting advice to the young author, meets his father for the final time, and the last shot of a grieving Sisko still brings tears to my eyes today.

Within view is number two... (more bad rhyming below!)

2) The Apprentice

Trump's style of speech, hair, and capitalistic rudeness are all intriguingly entertaining. Every part of the show has fascinating insight into the way the real business world works...







...It is too painful to even pretend that I am interested in this show, so I can no longer go on with this charade. I should have known not to be involve myself in Pagan holidays.

2) The Wire

The most heavily serialized show I have ever seen, The Wire's five seasons were a wonderful treat for the soul. Even though the show analyzed the way bureaucracies worked, showing us the depressing side of so many influential organizations, the inspirational part was that there were a few who fought to change it (it was a bit of a downer than none succeeded, but I was still happy).

Best Season - Season Four - Each season had reasons to be included, but the story of the broken school system was easily the most riveting. My mother's own description of the school she works at was eerily similar, though thankfully not half-way as bad. It certainly put in perspective my plan to be a math teacher.

Star Trek: Many Uneventful Voyages

Star Trek has always been successful in the television medium (save for the lackluster series Enterprise); the movies though were a different story. Few installments in the film franchise were hits, most simply hoping to make a profit. While the movie's DVD sales to trekkies will continue on indefinitely, even the biggest star Trek fans agree that eighty percent of the films are crap (getting them to decide on which movies fall where is a tougher task). Like many historians say, "We must learn from our past in order to make a better future." Therefore, I believe an analysis of the past films will shine a new light on the strengths and weaknesses of Star Trek.

The Motion Picture
Strengths: The film's release proved Star Trek was a lucrative enough enterprise that further investments were wise. Good special effects were just starting to be made viable, making science fiction cost effective.
Weaknesses: Made shortly after 2001: A Space Odyssey, this feature contained probably some of most tedious scenes in all of Star Trek. Characters (except Kirk, Spock, and a few cameos) were not given anything remotely interesting to do.

The Wrath of Khan
Strengths: A solid plot compelled the audience to pay attention, filled to the brim with tension and excitement. An antagonist that virtually seethed animosity with every line, Khan was the villain that all other Star Trek bad guys aspired to be like. Continuity with what had come before took a back seat to good storytelling. Nearly every character had a solid story arc instead of simply being window dressing. The death of Spock.
Weaknesses: I doubt that I could think of something bad about this film.

The Search for Spock
Strengths: With solid direction and writing, the film was consistent in its quality. As a direct sequel to the last film, the plot plausibly continued the story it was in.
Weaknesses: The film was almost a rehash of themes from the last (larger than life villain, death of a major character, reliance on Kirk and Spock).

The Voyage Home
Strengths: Some of the best natural humor of Star Trek (funny episodes nearly all being flops on the different shows). The themes of the film were new and took the characters to new emotional territory.
Weaknesses: The film's message was rather obvious, not even concealed in a metaphor.

The Final Frontier
Strengths: I doubt that I could think of something good about this film. Well, there was one good scene involving the three main characters' past.
Weaknesses: Plot holes the width of a wormhole abound. All the terrible things about the Original Series were included (never mentioned before relative of main character shows up, needless special effects that were consistently bad, Klingon animosity forced into the plot, blatant disregard for continuity, an alien pretending to be a God, etc.).

The Undiscovered Country
Strengths: A good commentary on society. Good dialogue and effects. Action-adventure orientation missing from the rest of the films. Believable continuation of past story threads.
Weaknesses: The message might have been a little too topical. Small but noticeable continuity errors that could have been easily avoided (more egregious than those of The Wrath of Khan).

Generations
Strengths: The production values were high. A strong cast in both cameos and primary characters. Amazing crash sequence.
Weaknesses: Obvious writing errors made story points feel forced. Over reliance on a few characters while ignoring others. The rhythm of the film was off, making for an unpleasant viewing experience. Small but noticeable continuity errors that could have been easily avoided (more egregious than those of The Wrath of Khan and The Undiscovered Country). The death of Kirk.

First Contact
Strengths: New twist on past formula (tale of uncontrolled vengeance is provided for the protagonist instead of antagonist). Strongest antagonist since The Wrath of Khan's. A-plot and B-plot are smooth and create a natural rhythm.
Weaknesses: Some jokes are a tad flat.

Insurrection
Strengths: The effects are top notch. Its direction is solid.
Weaknesses: The story seems to have copied much of the designs of past films. More over reliance on certain characters while even greater ignorance of the rest of the cast. Needless and bloodless violence.

Nemesis
Strengths: A multitude of great action sequences.
Weaknesses: Though it is the end of The Next Generation's film series, the movie does not give justice to what made both the films and show great. It steals both the good (rival bent on extermination of Earth, dealing with the end of an era) and the bad (more rewriting of characters' back story with addition of previously unseen relatives, violence for the sake of fulfilling an action quota). The death of Data.

Hopefully, the people who made the new Star Trek feature were aware of these pros and cons.