Machete Film Review from Back-in-the-Day

 A Reprint From a More Innocent Time

A 13-year-old post from the days when I reviewed films I'd never seen.

 

A breathtaking film, Machete is director Robert Rodriguez homage to beloved children’s tale Charlotte’s Web. Set in the southwest, the film employs the subtle storytelling and layered characterizations that have built Rodriguez’s reputation as the David Lean of Texas. Teen heartthrob Danny Trejo portrays Machete, a blade-packing, Wilbur-like character. Forced to move about like a runt pig in order to remain alive, Machete lives on the allegorical chopping block. In a deft choice, Rodriguez crafts a web of racism and corruption that only Machete can slice. Rotten Senator McLaughlin (Robert DeNiro) is the anti-Charlotte. He is assisted by Michael Booth (Jeff Fahey), a hate-filled businessman who kills illegal immigrants and grinds their bones into bone powder. But Machete has his own Templeton the Rat—Shé (Rebecca Rodriguez). Shé is a taco-truck driving revolutionary who hopes to reclaim Texas for Mexico. Once back in the right hands, Texas will be transformed into a paradise, modeled after the Swiss-like order and civic honesty of Tijuana. Rich with themes of loyalty and undying friendship, Machete, not surprisingly, includes a scene at the Texas State Fair. There, Machete wins a blue ribbon for throwing knives at a spinning target on which is tied a pretty girl in tights (Lindsay Lohan). I believe E.B. White would heartily approve.

Reposted: Sept. 09, 2010

George Gascon as Doctor Evil

 After a promising start, the web channel is floundering. But nothing good will come of quitting. In the meantime, here's a video about crime in LA. 

 

John P. McCann Channel

A Day in the Life of Me

 Or so I claim.

 

John P. McCann Channel

Time Travel with John Wayne Video

John P. McCann Channel

This time, I've really gotten myself into a mess. I'm not sure exactly how, but if I don't figure it out, I'll remain trapped in an odd place.

 

AI Hjacks Health & Safety Video

John P. McCann

More from HR at Lumpkin-Krieg Int., makers of the Squeak Stopper Trench Shovel. Alas, the AI are playing a deep game and interfere with an important safety message.

 

Make a Million Dollars with ChatGPT

John P. McCann

 

Lumpkin-Krieg Onboarding Video

 More AI testing with AI voice and editing software via Fliki. 

John P. McCann

Lumpkin-Krieg Sustainability Plan Explained

 

Hats off to elai.io for the AI and editing software.

John P. McCann

I like the avatars at elai.io but their playback function freezes up on my computer. I don't see a clean version until I render. Flixi, by contrast, plays back well but offers only AI voices. There's something about avatars that cries out for humorous handling.

Squeak Stopper YouTube Short

Crafted with Canva props, and elai.io AI and video features.

The advantage of these various AI video sites over iMovie is their ability to supply actors who roughly look and sound human for a fraction of the effort. So far, they seem ripe for commercial and corporate parody. But more sites are coming online all the time. What will the next year bring in the field of artificial intelligence?

More AI Fun with Copy.AI and Synthesia

 

Copy AI provided the words and Synthesia supplied the video and artificial human. (I supplied the concept.) Watch the video first, then check out the other copy.ai suggestions. They needed trimming to fit the free, but meager, Synthesia space. (Check out the last one—wow!)

Our Squeak Stopper is a trench shovel with the power to kill rats, mice and other vermin. The Squeak Stopper comes in pastel colors, and has a comfortable grip so it won't slip out of hands during emergencies.

Kill rats with this safe, humane and effective method. The Squeak Stopper trench shovel is the most humane way to control your rat infestation. Made from high quality materials and tested for reliability, this shovel will not only kill rats but prevent them from coming back again. In addition, it is available in a variety of pastel colors and can be purchased in any hardware store nationwide.

For the squeamish, or those who just prefer to avoid bloodshed, a non-lethal option is available. This trench shovel has been modified to deliver rats and mice quickly and humanely. A single strike will kill the rodent instantly and with minimal suffering. Also provides excellent back support. This product is not recommended for commercial use or victims of Black Death.

Pitch Meeting for Velma

 Comic Ryan George strikes again as he presents the pitch meeting that gave us animated Velma.

Pitch Meeting

Ryan Long Offers Income-Boosting Hope

 

Here's a thought.

Ryan Long

Little Book Reviewed on Bookshine and Readbows

 

Available in many places.

A blast from back-in-the-day as book review blog Bookshine and Readbows passed judgement on my New Age satire, The Little Book of Big Enlightenment. Inside its electronic pages, gurus, marketers, and the author battle over the true meaning of the Eckhardt Tolle-like musings of visionary Lompoc Tollhaus. Or, as Bookshine and Readbows remarked:

"Don't expect to find any genuine enlightenment . . . but to instead be entertained by a rollicking riot of flim-flam, shicanery and bickery in-fighting . . . ."

Find the Little Book in most spots where fine ebooks are sold.

Comic Eleanor Morton Short Bit

 This video's been around a bit, but Scottish comic Eleanor Morton does a lot with a little in her Bob Newhart-style take on a woman's first day at work during the French Revolution.

Eleanor Morton

Criminal Flees the Big Apple

 New York City crime is way out of control. Listen to a bad guy tell it.

Ryan Long

Ryan Long on Adhesive Girlfriends

 Some times are simply meant to be guy times.

Ryan Long

Comic Zings Social Media Hawks

Sharp-eyed Ryan Long targets the sudden love of Ukraine

Ryan Long

Are there Homeless in the Metaverse?

Is the future of the Web LA seedy?

Cornerstone Media

Dating Advice From Adolph Hitler

 Out for awhile, this German film is an odd mash-up of Death of Stalin and Network. Hilarious scenes, but ultimately your main character is Hitler.

TelcPflege 2020

Canadian Trucker Limerick

 

goldennews

In Ottawa streets walk brutes,

Quite proud of their nice jackboots,

But while they high-five,

Their wives do connive,

With truckers in carnal pursuits.