George Aar

On National People's Radio I heard a film guru flogging the re-release of a classic French horror film "Eyes Without a Face". It's subtitled (bummer), but he (David Biencoulie?) seemed to think it was the best ever of the genre. Anybody seen it? geo.

Oh and BTW BOD members, When does Pawtucket get to post his letter on the WayWorld website? geo.

FM, "Again ~ how stupid do we think they are?" Well, personally, I think they are DAMNED stupid. Anyone who would hang around such a thoroughly discredited organization - for whatever reason - has got to be suspect. We only have one life to live, why would anyone sell out for such a pathetic mess of potage as TWI? Yes, all of us made that mistake at one time in our lives, but we grew up. We saw the putrid outfit for what it really was/is. And we moved on in our lives. It would seem that the luxurious lifestyle and perks of a leadership postion at WayWorld were enough for the BOD and co. to derail there lives in order to live out the fairytale/lie that is TWI doctrine. If that's not a blatant indication of stupidity, then at the very least (to quote Socks) they have some "issues"... I have no idea what the real situation is with Mrs. Wierwille, but like Linda and Socks, I DEFINITELY smell smoke... geo. [This message was edited by George Aar on October 25, 2003 at 13:29.]

Maybe someone from the BOD can help me understand something. How is it that there's no problem at all with their 501C3 status when it comes to having full-time maid/butler/chauffeur/housekeeper/babysitter/handyman service 24/7 for the BOD and their associates whilst living on grounds, but once one of them has to move into a nursing home, there's no way that TWI can help them. Their hands are tied. Government rules ya know. Our attorneys told us so. Huh? geo.

Goey, Although I may not be your most revered source, I heartily concur with everything you posted. I too remember the bit about the vagina being "ugly" and thinking at the time "compared to what?" I also remember probably the MOST hurtful (and really just plain stupid) statements made in the class that "any two believers can make it in a marriage if they just renew their minds". Yeah, that worked out swell for quite a number of us... geo.

I took this class in about '75 I think. The main thing I remember about it was the poor kid sitting in front of me (who I think was a little "slow" - to be charitable) turned bright crimson and coughed from embarassment throughout the whole class. I didn't think he'd make it through the photo segment. It really was sad to see the changes he went through just to be in that insipid "class". Did anyone REALLY learn anything of value? I sure didn't - unless you count finding out that "a head gasket for a hot rod" was slang for a condom. Boy, that info sure has come in handy... geo.

Hey Dale! Suzie and I made contact with Molly and her husband several times a couple of years ago or so. She was down this way to have some cancer treatments at U.W. (everything turned out fine). Suzie will have her contact info somewhere. I'll have her post it when she gets back home (she's out of town for the weekend), or just email us. geoaar@foxinternet.com geo.

I've noticed that the most sought-after demographic currently seems to be 15 to 19 year-old pimply-faced adolescent boys. Since when do THEY have a huge disposable income? Doesn't seem to matter though, radio, TV, cable, movies, everything is geared to teenaged-boy sensiblities. From "Don and Mike" to "Shallow Hal", all we seem to get is an endless stream of references to anatomical parts, urinating, defecating, flatulating, and various and sundry sexual practices. And occaisionally we hear about hot cars, drinking and drugs, and have the usual litany of things exploding. Doesn't this crap EVER get old? geo.

O.K., another one that HAS aged very well for me, "Body Heat" with William Hurt and Kathleen Turner (Mickey Rouke gives a GREAT supporting role performance and even Ted Danson's not too bad). I personally feel this is the ultimate "Noir" film. The screenwriting is first-rate. Hot, steamy, dark, intricate, and engrossing, it has it all. I just saw it again on cable after a couple of decades hiatus and I'm still impressed... geo.

Oh, and they billed this as a "comedy"?! Puhleeze! It's probably the most depressing movie I've EVER watched. An unbelieveable downer... geo.

I can't agree. I don't think the role was much of a stretch for Nicholson. It was basically a "one note" part (played over and over and over [and over]). O.K. Schmidt has lived an empty, pointless life. I get it. Now on with the show. Nope. We must roll around in the putrid rotting remains for 2 hours or so. Every character in the film was distasteful, one-dimensional, and a charicature. No real people need be shown. Over-blown stereotypes will do just fine. By the end of the movie the only thing I had really gained is a lasting dislike for the screenwriters. They must be an arrogant lot of effetes with an unbelieveably cynical view of people and life in general. I felt dirty after watching it. geo.

Mstar, You and Danny Mahar ("the Invisible Dan") have amazingly similars tastes in film. (Ask him about HIS film library) geo.

Sudo, "On the other hand, I never could see the big whoop over Citizen Kane." Two words "camera angle". I guess if you were never a "Film as Art" student (yeah, I did it THREE times,. What can I say, I'm a dedicated scholar), or never tried to make a film of your own, it would be hard to appreciate this flick. But if you don't dwell on the story so much and look at the construction of the film itself, it takes on a whole new light. Remember this is 1941, before all the glitzy "Star Wars" special effects and whatnot. Welles did a masterful job of putting it together - probably his finest work. Each scene is framed just so. The dark, moody lighting, sometimes the camera is right on the floor, sometimes in a upper corner of the room. Just the angle of the camera communicates more than the dialog itself. Some scenes are just brimming with power, and it's all from the mood set by the lighting and camera work. Sorry, I'm still amazed at the craft put into that flick. And it's held up extremely well over the sixty-odd years since it was made. Take a look at "The Maltese Falcon" or "The Big Sleep" or "Wuthering Heights" and see how cheesy they look now even though they're about the same age. Yet "Citizen Kane" still looks like it could have been made yesterday. What can I say? It's one of my favorites. (BTW, I still watch GWTW every now and then, too) geo.

Rafael, I have to second your vote on "Gladiator". Unimpressive to say the least. I can't say much good about "Titanic" though, either. A way over-budget chick flick. I couldn't manage to sit through the whole thing... Two movies (which I mentioned on Sudo's "nostalgia" thread) which didn't hold up over time for me were: 1. "Easy Rider" I thought this was the greatest story ever committed to film when it premiered. Then I saw it again a few years ago. Gawd, it looked like a failed high school "Film as Art" class project. Just awful. 2. "Midnight Cowboy" Again this film bowled me over when if first came out. I saw it again (a few minutes of it) a year or so ago. I couldn't believe it was the same movie. It was at least a well-made movie (camera angles, editing, score, etc.) But the point of it all was completely lost on me. Dark, depressing, and pointless to boot... I still love "Casablanca" though. And "Zelig" is a surprisingly fun movie despite it's director (Woody Allen). "Bambi Meets Godzilla" is still my favorite short subject... geo.

I watched this one on PpV last night. I normally like Jack Nicholson's stuff, but I dunno about this effort. What an unrelentingly depressing flick. While I think it is well-written and very insightful about the vapid nature of modern American life (most of the dialog is PAINFULLY familiar to anyone who's spent more than a minute talking to shirttail relatives or people with whom you share little common interests ). The overall net result was a movie as pointless and empty as the man's life it depicted. If you have a choice, pass on this one... geo.

Not too excited about this one, I already know how it ends. geo.

Diazbro, "It was basically a pyramid scheme. Take more clases which cost more money while pulling in others to take the same classes." Reality is a harsh taskmaster, isn't it? The realization that TWI was simply a religion-flavored Amway really took me up short for a while... geo.

Outin88, "I was always under the impression it meant material abundance. Health and Wealth!" Absotively. What's "Christians Should be Prosperous" talking about? Spiritual prosperity? I think not. Even when great material abundance wasn't directly taught, it was certainly insinuated. Herr Doktor with his shiney, new Harley, motorcoach, airplane, and all the freaking outlandish clothing the man wore. You think he emulated the life of humility and restraint? Please... Then all the anecdotes of the guy who "believed" for this or that thing - house, car, tuxedo, whatever to be given to him or somehow become his property without actually working for it. And I specifically remember LoyBoy promoting PFAL by telling about the former grad who made himself a millionaire by "applying the principles" in "The Class". Yeah, sure... In retrospect it amazes me how childish the appeal for "The Class" actually was - "Wishing will make it so". I'm glad we finally grew up a little. Well some of us, anyway... geo.

Let's see,. I learned that: the LAW OF BELIEVING doesn't work (anyway you slice it, it's still B.S.), God doesn't give me revelation (still, small voice or big booming one, it DOESN'T happen, [my fault? dunno]), miraculous healings DON'T happen (at least not in my life or of those I know), Jesus doesn't walk with me and talk with me along life's narrow way ("Oh, yes He does! You're just not listening!" - Bull$hit), prophecy or interpretation of tongues is bogus, and finally (fer now) The Bible DOES have contradictions - and they can't be explained away with a little convoluted Bullingerian logic, hence it CANNOT be trusted - Wait a minute, I've just discovered a tremendous truth from The Class! "If it's wrong anywhere, you can't trust it anywhere, so we might as well just chuck the whole thing!" Doktor was right all along! Why didn't I listen? geo.

Oooh, and how about some caster bean seeds to garnish your salad? ALL NATURAL! ORGANIC! geo.

How about "wake up and smell the decade"? Blind obeisance to a cult is so passe... geo.

I don't do fiction too much. If I'm going to spend the time, I want to learn something concrete. That being said, I did read "Memoirs of a Geisha", the first half or so being a really delightful window into a past I'd never considered, the last portion of the book turning into a cheap, trashy romance novel. My favorite book this year has got to be "Guns, Germs, and Steel" - an absolutely fascinating work. Well worth the effort. Currently I'm reading "Momoyama - Japanese Art in the Age of Grandeur" - basically it's just an exhibition catalog, but I do a lot of those. geo.

Danny, Do you have that record album, cir.1970, (I think it's called "Silver Throat" or somesuch) with a bunch of different actors (none singers) singing a bunch of pop tunes? The most notorious of those was William Shatner doing an absolutely bizarre rendition of "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds", the most offensive attempt at entertainment I've ever experienced... geo.

Say Danny, Do I notice a real propensity for true schlock entertainment? Some sort of Kitchy thing going on here? geo.

I remember watching a little of "Duel" but turning it off because the whole premise just seemed so absurd. Then I heard that it was based on an actual incident!? A trucker who was overly "beaned up" or something... Of course, the key words there might be "based on"... geo.