Age of Corona: Movie Edition

The Hot Zone said this would happen

This pandemic has us all inside, with our televisions and take out. Joke's on it, we've been practicing for this for decades! What do we watch? Well, movies about how much worse it could be, or maybe a preview into our futures couldn't hurt, right? I'm talking about post apocalypse films. We all love 'em, and we've been making them since the the beginning of film. Everyone knows the Hunger Games, and Planet of the Apes, Dawn of the Dead, and Mad Max franchises. Those are the easy, most recognizable ones. Here's a bunch of other good ones probably lost in the shuffle.

After a robot-led mass extinction, nine dolls given sentience struggle to bring life back to a desolated earth. Not only is this post apocalypse, but also an alternate time-line story. Written and directed by Shane Acker, it was released in 2009.

Technically taking place in a post apocalyptic society that turned Manhattan into a penal colony, the plot is a basic escape and survive story. The basic premise is also used in the Batman Arkham City videogame. Released in 1981, written and directed by John Carpenter, this one has a real classic '80s action film feel and deserves its cult following.

Most post apocalypse stories explain the current state of the world as being due to nuclear war, zombies, disease, or robot overlords. Snowpiercer's endtimes catalyst is climate change. The film addresses social status systems even in times of crisis. Directed by Boon Joon-ho, also the director of Parasite, this one should be a new classic in the genre. Plus Captain America is the star. 

Another cult classic apparently in a long list of post apocalyptic themed cult films, this one was adapted from the 1988 indie comicbook of the same name by Alan Martin and James Hewlett. Tank Girl is exactly as advertised. Its about a girl, who owns a tank. The plot diverges from the comic, leaving out important characters like Booga the Kangaroo. The film should be experienced if only for the set design, style, and music. There are plans for a reboot/remake to be released in the next few years starring Margo Robbie, probably. 

Speaking of remakes, and stuff based on indie comicbooks, this movie is chronically underrated. The original Judge Dredd, starring Rambo, flopped in 1995. This film did better, and unlike its predecessor, it has the creator's approval. Comic writer John Wagner said it was "unlike the first film, a true representation of Judge Dredd [...] The character and storyline are pure Dredd". This storyline takes place after nuclear war, and the remaining world population lives within giant city sprawls called Mega-cities. Law and order are carried out by the Judge System, which uses Wild West Sheriff-style Judges that act as police, judge, jury, and executioner. This movie got the Judge Dredd character correct, and deserves a sequel that wont ever happen. 

Because I haven't featured a zombie film yet, here's this one. I'm a huge fan of horror-comedy. Since I saw Abbot and Costello Meet Frankenstein when I was a kid, this genre has been one of my favorites. Zombieland may be one of the best horror comedy films out there. Shaun of the Dead is very good too, but it isnt exactly a post-apocalypse film. That movie is about Shaun and his friends experiencing the apocalypse as it unfolds. Zombieland, in comparison, is about what happens to survivors after the monster making pandemic has hit its stride. We get to see the characters adapt to new life, and trying to solve problems like what to do about a twinkie craving in the midst of a food shortage. 

I saved the bestest for the lastest. 

Not only is this film a retro sci-fi masterpiece, its also an over the top action film, and a feel good story about friends. Set in the mid '90s in an alternate timeline where, presumably, the world ended in robot perpetuated nuclear holocaust, a teenager meets new friends and fights a despot hoarding water resources. Also, there is a power glove. Also it's a Canadian film, eh. 

Impeached Presidentially

Unless you're been living in a box in the middle of Nowhere for the last year, we've all had a very big share of impeachment news recently. Predictably, there has been a lot of misinformation and general confusion about the process, mostly because, Presidentially, we've only had 3.

Impeachment is the act of impeaching someone. Where does the word come from, and what does it mean? According to the Oxford English Dictionary, to impeach means, in law, at first in a broad sense, "to accuse, bring charges against"; more specifically, of the king or the House of Commons, "to bring formal accusation of treason or other high crime against (someone)". The word evolves from the broad term in the 14th century, to the more specific "accusing a public officer of misconduct" by the 1560s.

Breaking this definition down, impeachment then is the process by which a legislating body, the people's representation in government, can indict a sitting executive for abuses of the power of the office they hold. The US Constitution defines these abuses as "high crimes and misdemeanors". Impeachment, then, is not a trial that will remove a governing official from office, necessarily. Usually it is a first step in that process, and this is true in the United States. 

Speaking of the US Constitution, obviously the idea of impeachment predates the United States. The Constitution borrows this concept from the UK's parliamentary system. This idea of impeachment is also shared by several other sovereign governments. There are 29 other countries with impeachment as part of their constitutions. Both Brazil and South Korea impeached and removed their presidents recently, in 2016.

Impeachment in the United States is not only for presidents. In the Constitution, the president, vice president and "all civil officers" can be subject to impeachment and removal. Civil officers, in this case, means people in government not necessarily elected to office. This has basically meant justices, but also any executively appointed position. In addition to our three presidents, we have also impeached 1 senator (William Blount), 1 Secretary of War (William Belknap), and 15 federal judges. 15 of these 20 officials were then removed from office by the Senate. Both Bucchanen and Nixon had impeachment proceedings started, but not completed. Nixon resigned rather than face impeachment, and Bucchanen was found to not be responsible for the rampant corruption in his administration, and therefore not impeachable.

Our current president has a list of actions that could be deemed impeachable. Let's compare these accusations with historic charges that ended in impeachment.

1: Obstructing Justice

By blocking federal access to information important to an investigation into the president, firing federal prosecutors tasked with investigating the president, intimidating and influencing witnesses through speeches, press releases, and twitter.

Three other cases included obstruction of justice. Two were the presidents Nixon and Clinton, the third was Samuel Kent, a judge.

2: Ignoring the Emoluments Clause

Refusing to step away from businesses and business interests while in office, Trump had opened himself up to scrutiny whether he'd be able to govern in a fair and balanced manner without personal bias. There are many instances of Trump properties and business contacts getting preferential treatment.

There have been 5 impeachment cases due to corruption. Robert Woodrow Archibald was impeached specifically for accepting gifts in exchange for rulings.

3: Soliciting Foreign Interference in US Elections

This one is a bit specific, and as such unprecedented. However, there have been two impeachments that dealt with treason. William Blount was impeached for making deals to take Spanish territory on behalf of Britain. And the US judge West Hughes Humphries was impeached for supporting the Confederacy. In addition to the treasonous argument, this one is connected to the Obstruction of Justice charge.

4: Abuse of Power

This one seems to be a catch-all for just about everything else. In addition to the above charges, which can also be categorized as abusing power, Trump has called for violence and insurrection, engaged in reckless conduct as a diplomat, called for the prosecution and persecution of political opponents, attacked the free press, and violated campaign finance laws.

Four other impeachments were made using the Abuse of Power charge. Nixon was also accused of Abuse of Power.

Gathering No Moss

The second most influential (probably) band ever, and certainly the longest continuously working band we've ever seen, The Rolling Stones has been called the Greatest Rock and Roll Band in the World. Rolling Stone Magazine (no relation) listed this band at #4 on their Greatest (musical) Artists of All Time list, behind Elvis, Dylan, and the Beatles. That is pretty good company, but I think due to stage presence, song writing ability, and longevity, the Stones deserve that #3 spot, instead of Elvis. Here are the Stones records I own, just like in previous Music Project posts about Blues Traveler, Rage Against the Machine, Bad Religion, and the Grateful Dead.

Rolling Stones

Beggars Banquet

Decca, 1968

produced by Jimmy Miller

Mick Jagger - vocals, harmonica, percussion

Keith Richards - guitars, bass

Brian Jones - guitars, mellotron, sitar, tambura

Bill Wyman - bass, percussion

Charlie Watts - drums, percussion, 

Nicky Hopkins - piano, mellotron, organ

singles - 

• Street Fighting Man/No Expectations
• Sympathy for the Devil/Prodigal Son

Released in 1968, this album was delayed months due to a real life Spinal Tap moment. Decca refused to release the album with the original proposed cover art. Apparently a graffitied toilet was too much for 1960s sentiments. It is Brian Jone's last recording.

Critics called it a return to form, a record for "Left Bank heroes", a return to Rock and Roll, and the Stones "rawest, rudest, most arrogant, most savage record yet". It does feature the two singles above. Combined with Salt of the Earth, and Factory Girl, the album has a strong working class feel, moving the band away from previous psychedelic sounds and back into the blues. 

Rolling Stones

Let it Bleed

Decca, 1969

produced by Jimmy Miller

Mick Jagger - vocals, harmonica, guitar

Keith Richards - guitars, bass

Bill Wyman - bass

Charlie Watts - drums

Mick Taylor - guitars

Nicky Hopkins - piano, organ

singles-

• Live With Me
• Honky Tonk Women/You Cant Always get What you Want
• Let it Bleed/You got the Silver

This is Mick Taylor's first appearance as a band member. It charted top 4 in all UK/US/Australia charts. The band continues their journey into working class country and blues on this record. Jason McNeil of PopMatters stated Beggar's Banquet and Let it Bleed were the "greatest" albums the band (or anyone) ever made. 

Gimme Shelter is the most well known and popular song from this record and became a staple of their live show. Greil Marcus said it was their best song, and they "never did anything better". The Honky Tonk Women single was rewritten as a more country/bluegrass tune for the record, and renamed Country Tonk.

Rolling Stones

Exile on Main Street

Rolling Stones, 1972

produced by Jimmy Miller

Mick Jagger - vocals, harmonica, guitars, percussion

Keith Richards - guitars, bass, piano

Mick Taylor - guitars, bass

Bill Wyman - bass

Charlie Watts - drums, percussion

Nicky Hopkins - pianos

singles -

• Tumblin Dice/Sweet Black Angel
• Happy/All Done the Line
• Rocks Off

Exile is considered by many to be the greatest Rolling Stones record. Originally a double record, when vinyl could only fit so much music, Exile contributed greatly to the Stone's live sets throughout the rest of their performance career. It charted #1 in the US, UK, Spain, Canada, Norway, and the Netherlands, and was top five in four other countries, and has since been certified platinum in the US, UK, and Australia. Rolling Stone (no relation) ranked it 3rd in their 1987 100 Best Albums list, and ranked it 7th on their 2003 500 Best Albums list. Both Jagger and Richards cite the album as their favorite.

The 1972 tour for this record is legendary. Known as the American Tour 1972, They were supported by Stevie Wonder as an opening act, between the release of Music of My Mind and Talking Book. The setlists included tracks from the new record, Sticky Fingers, Beggars Banquet, and Let it Bleed, with virtually no pre-1968 songs performed at all. The tour has a laundry list of arrests, riots, fines, and cameos by Hugh Hefner, Tsa Tsa Gabor, Bob Dylan, Woody Allen, Andy Warhol, and Truman Capote.

Rolling Stones

Goats Head Soup

Rolling Stones, 1973

produced by Jimmy Miller

Mick Jagger - vocals, guitars, harmonica, piano

Keith Richards - guitars, bass

Mick Taylor - guitars, bass

Bill Wyman - bass

Charlie Watts - drums, percussion

Nicky Hopkins - piano

singles - 

• Angie/Silver Train
• Heartbreaker/Dancing with Mr. D

I'm not going to lie, I bought this record because of the Angie single. This is the first record since 1967 to feature all originals (no covers), and Jimmy Miller's last as producer. Critically, this record was a dud, but there are plenty of good songs on here that are not Angie. Heartbreaker, Silver Train and Star Star (Fuck a Star) are great, and Fuck a Star specifically seems to be chronically under rated. 

Rolling Stones

Tattoo You

Rolling Stones, 1981

produced by the Glimmer Twins and Chris Kimsey

Mick Jagger - vocals, guitar, harmonica, percussion

Keith Richards - guitar, bass

Ronnie Wood - guitar, bass

Bill Wyman - bass, guitar, synths

Charlie Watts - drums, percusion

Mick Taylor - guitars

Nicky Hopkins - pianos, organs

singles -

• Start Me Up/No Use in Cryin
• Waiting on a Friend/Little T&A
• Hang Fire/Neighbors

This record is basically a compilation of a bunch of previously recorded work that didn't make it onto other records, hence the participation of Mick Taylor, who had left the band in 1974. The producer credit is the Glimmer Twins, the nickname Jagger and Richards had given themselves, but really Chris Kimsey should have the credit, as the entire Frankenstein-like idea of cobbling together previous outtakes was all his, and the Jagger/Richards relationship was on the ropes. These tracks came from studio sessions for Goats Head Soup, Black and Blue, Some Girls, and Emotional Rescue. It would be the last Rolling Stones record to reach number 1 on the US charts. 

Flying Hippopotami!

Tom Morello

Atlas Underground

Mom+Pop Music, 2018

Tom Morello - guitars, bass, vocals
Carl Restivo - guitars, synths, drums, vocals
Dave Gibbs - bass
Eric Gardner - drums

Guest Appearances by:
Knife Party - production
Big Boi and Killer Mike - vocals
John Gourley - vocals
Whethan - poduction
Marcus Mumford and Miguel - vocals
Tim McIllrath - vocals
Steve Aoki - production
K. Flay - vocals
Pretty Lights - production
Gary Clark Jr - guitars, vocals
Nico Stadi - production
LeiKeli47 - vocals
RZA, and GZA - vocals
Herobust - production

This is not Tom Morello's first solo record. However, it is the first that bears his own name. Most of the record is made with his long time buddy Carl Restivo, who also worked on other Tom Morello projects The Nightwatchman, and Street Sweeper Social Club. As you can see by the huge list of collaborators, each track features a different guest, which contributes to a bunch of different sounds not previously heard from Tom Morello.

Although the guest list is pretty great, and the tracks produced are also similarly great, I was disappointed to not see Serg Tankian, Bootsy Riley, DJ Lord, or other familiar Tom Morello collaborators of the past.

The iconography is a rendering of the flying hippo stickers on Morello's Arm the Homeless guitar. The title likely is a reference to the resistance to Ayn Randist politics.

Thanks for the Memories

I posted about the State of Maine banning American Indian mascots entirely, in name and symbol. Apparently this is the first state to do so, following California's partial ban that targeted the name Redskins exclusively.

Following this event, a middle school in Ohio is also contemplating a name change. While this is not that eventful on its own, I think the coverage is interesting. The masthead above has the link (click it). Also, linked here....

The school appears to be moving in the right direction, but, like with all institutions fearing public backlash, they're being cautious and seeking public opinion first by survey. Apparently majority consensus determines wrong or right. Imagine Lincoln issuing a survey before signing the Emancipation Proclamation.

The story tries to show both sides of the issue. Predictably, the reasons for keeping the mascot are limited to tradition, keeping it "just for the memories". Nostalgia isn't a reason to even have a mascot to begin with. Keep in mind, this particular story involves a middle school, not a high school or university, or professional club.

There are younger people interviewed expressing need for change, and of course, older people who want the mascot to stay. All people interviewed are beyond Middle School age, by the way, and one woman is 71 years old. I wonder what actual middle school students think about the issue. I know, it's a crazy idea, asking the group most affected by this symbol (even if they're affected at all).

Hopefully, the White Oak middle school, and the City of Cincinnati will do the right thing.

Some ideas for the future....

Cincinnati has several nicknames, some more old school than others. But... Queen City, Blue Chip City, and Porkopolis can lend themselves to some pretty cool mascot ideas.

School Mascots derived from Porkopolis would be the most fun
https://www.designevo.com/create/logos/pig.html