It is not often I find myself in a state of confusion after watching a movie. I would like to think that I am a pretty smart “cookie,” in this case, however, I am dumbfounded. I understood that the Will Smith character was “suppose” to be the last man on Earth except when he wasn’t, the viral zombies and dogs being the only vestiges of life left. I understood that he was supposed to be finding a cure. I even understood that the Will Smith was suppose to be kind of nuts, due to his loneliness, and the fact that he believed that “may” be some actual survivors left on Earth.  

However, after watching the performance of Will Smith carrying two-thirds of the movie, I am confused on why they chose so abruptly to end the movie. Why not show the development of the relationship between the new characters. Why not show the progress of the cure, or even, the establishment of the villain within movie, the zombie viral leader. I AM LEGEND has too many flaws for me to list or to go through without me getting a migraine. The movie overall was pretty good until the last third, therefore I cannot recommend it as a “go see,” but only as a “discounted” DVD recommend.  Hmmm, well, even my review seems to cut to the quick….

It has been quite apparent for some time now of the Goodwill Hunting team Matt Damon and Ben Affleck of who is the better actor. This is not to say, Ben does not have his moments, but Matt has that undeniable charisma that appeals across the board. In the same year that Bourne Indentity 2002, Matt’s comerad in arms, Ben, starred in a spy thriller himself, as Jack Ryan, in the Sum of All Fears. Ben was not up to the task, he effectively killed the series of movies that had become a franchise with Harrison Ford and Alec Baldwin.

In the case of Matt Damon, however, he showed himself as the capable action star and brought to the screen a post cold war spy scenario fitting the times. He is comfortable within himself doing the action, and his skill of portraying the Robert Ludlum character Jason Bourne brought back the genre that was on its last legs. And, if the Bourne Identity had not came out the same summer–Matt’s buddy would have killed it.

It is strange to say that a sequel is better than its original, but Bourne Ultimatum is very close. In the summer of the three peats, Pirate of the Caribbean: At World’s End, Shrek the Third, Spiderman 3 this is the best of them all. Although I enjoyed Spiderman 3 immensely, I have to admit that Bourne Ultimatum is far superior in pacing, in story, in action, and in acting.  Bourne Ultimatum deserves the accolades it is receiving.

If you want to see a great action movie, go see the Bourne Ultimatum, it is not often that a movie comes along and does better than its predecessors. It is not often that a series of movies bring together a character and genre that is timely and pertinent. And, it is not very often that they are told well.

Well, it has been an interesting few weeks of news. In the past few weeks, the president wrote an executive order that essentially says (see link here), “This policy establishes “National Essential Functions,” prescribes continuity requirements for all executive departments and agencies, and provides guidance for State, local, territorial, and tribal governments, and private sector organizations in order to ensure a comprehensive and integrated national continuity program that will enhance the credibility of our national security posture and enable a more rapid and effective response to and recovery from a national emergency” In other words, without the legalese the President has the authority to declare martial law in order to coordinate “national resources” both public and private to  stave off critical falls of the economy and to centralize authority…

It has been an interesting few weeks, a team of foreign nations planned to blow up the fuel line of JFK International Airport (see link here), and if that is not enough, we have an immigration bill (see link here) that looks like the best compromise, because both extremes of the political aisle hate it,. But, upon further review it has some major flaws that need to be addressed before its passage. For instance, the twenty-four background check should be expanded to ninety-six hours (four business work days) to verify a person’s identity and criminal history. This will enable official the opportunity to full assess an alien criminal history and status….

It has been an interesting few weeks, while the immigration bill is being debated more American soldiers are killed and Scooter Libby has been sentenced to 30 months to a federal prison for his part in “outing” Valerie Plame—a CIA operative. No matter how one spins it, he lied to investigators to cover not only his action but others (see link here)…

Yes, it has been an interesting few weeks, watching Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, and Britney Spears provide excellent examples of culture of relativity with our own society….

Yes, it has been an interesting few weeks, where “enemy combatants” are being released (see link here)…..

Yes, it has been interesting few weeks, with again Paris Hilton jailed—then released—then jailed once more in the matter of days (see link here)….

Yes, it has been interesting few weeks, where the National Right to Life (NRL) separated itself from the Colorado Right to Life (CRL). The NRL felt that the CRL has embarrassed of their major ambassadors—James Dobson of the Focus on the Family (FOF). The CRL felt betrayed because they believe that Dobson misrepresented the ruling, by the US Supreme Court, on partial-birth abortion. They, the CRL believe that alls abortions should be banned and the US Supreme Court ruling ought to have been ruled so. Thus, the CRL criticized Dobson, in print, saying that he was providing false hope by accepting incremental restrictions. Yes, the fractionalization of Christianity will get more severe before its correction (see link here)…..

Yes, it has been an interesting few weeks, the Colorado Rockies are above .500 for the first time since the beginning of the baseball season (see link here).And, the summer heat of Colorado has taken hold. After all, it just another day in paradise and life has been righted….

Today, I wanted a minty mud-pie shake. In fact, one of my favorite shakes is the green-minty-sugary ice-milk shakes made by McDonalds during March for St. Patrick day. However, in the past two years, when I am downtown, I will get a quick bite to eat. Yes, I understand the harbinger of doom that fast food places embody. Nevertheless, these places provide me with instant gratification that I sometimes succumb to–it fulfills a momentary desire.

Nor am I, necessarily looking for something healthy or “imaginatively healthy” meal such as the chicken grill sandwich or salad. No, when I go into McDonalds and Wendy’s I am going there to sin and treat myself. I know the next day I will have to workout an extra hour or two on the treadmill, but I am willing to suffer that consequence. Anyway, to return to my point at hand, I went to McDonalds on our local pedestrian mall here in Denver called interestingly enough The Sixteenth Mall, which is closest to the state capital, mall shuttle, and my credit union, In fact, it is right next store to my credit union.

Needless to say, the aroma of grease, fast food, and french-fries wafted in the air. So, I went in, but only on the mission for a minty-mud-pie Shrek shake. Did have they any? Meaning was the shake machine working? No! Normally, I would have order something and go-on my merry way. Not this time, I asked for the manager, expressed my dissatisfaction, and asked for the owner’s name, phone number, and email address.

Why? Because–for this particular McDonalds– over the past two years–this has been a regular occurrence, whether it is a special promotion shake for a movie or special event such as St. Patrick’s Day the machine is almost certainly not working. It does not matter what time of day, the product is unavailable. So, I reported my frustration, I did not ask for a refund–nor scream at the top of my lungs because this was not service issue by the staff, but of its franchise owner. And, after viewing the news report of the Taco Bell in Manhattan, I figured I should straight to the top, after I registered my complaint with the manager. After all, those on the front lines are as prepared as those who are providing support.

We have seen many examples of this, lack of proper support and of materials, haven’t we? Anywhere from poor strategic planning to providing flak jackets and armored vehicle for the troops to the lack of mud-pie ice cream shake machines not working. And,  as a whole, I guess what my real complaint is that, this is becoming systematic, whether in business or government, and it is taking away the better part of our culture-at-large. In so being that, poor planning and taking short-cuts is no way to run a business or no way to risk our troops lives on a daily basis. In the end, it cheats us our liberty, our choices, and our opportunities to do better.

But, I say with a heavy sigh, it’s just another day in paradise–what do we truly have to worry about, eh?