December 19, 2009 03:46 PMChristmas Build Up Part 2 (Or Why Tony was better than Andi yesterday ;)
Thanks to Tony's suggestions, I thought it appropriate to branch over into movies today. How many Christmas movies appear every year, begging for our attention with their little Lifetime-esque moral adventures? Of course, you also have those Christmas comedies: A family goes through whacky hijinx, ZOMG, only to find out the true meaning of Christmas is grandma's laugh or some such nonsense. But there are some movies that I do enjoy watching around this year.
The first is Elf. I go against the grain on this, but I don't always think Ferrel is hilarious. In fact, sometimes he irritates me. But Buddy.... man Buddy just makes me smile. This whole movie makes me smile, particularly the opening sequences in the North Pole with Bob Newhart. Sure it has those "family are important" messages, but it's wrapped up in so much cheer and actual funny, that I don't care. Plus, it perpetuates my love for Zoeey Deschanel.
Then there's Tony's suggestion of Home Alone, which I admit has it's charm (moreso than the sequels that would later follow). Sure Kevin's family is absolutely terrible to him in the beginning of the film (particularly his nasty uncle), but in the end love triumphs and what not. But specifically, there are some pretty good Christmasy elements, including the "faux" party he throws at one point... and when Kevin's mom comes home and hugs him, I admit to getting teary eyed.
Christmas, unlike any other holiday, has this gianormous build up that just keeps coming at you. It's an onslaught of X-Mas related movies, songs, images that now starts before Halloween and keeps coming until December 25th. But if you cut through the dreck, their is some glittering gold out there. I am going to attempt to identify some of the things I actually like about this great commercialized holiday.
Songs
I never saw "About a Boy." I know that is stars Hugh Grant and the kid who grew up to be a hottie while skinny dipping with Colin Firth and starring in a racy British television show.. There is something to the story about man discovering that he really likes kids or some such rubbish. More importantly, was the soundtrack that was performed by Badly Drawn Boy. It was rather good and the gem that I have always loved was "Donna and Blitzen," which can be described as a Christmas love song... for those reindeer. But seriously, the song is what gets me into the holiday mood almost every year.
Alternatively, how could one not appreciate the greatness that is embodied in Eartha Kitt? Besides playing one of the greatest Disney characters of all time and Catwoman in arguably one of the best Batman adaptations to ever hit the screen, her "Santa Baby" is just Christmas Gold. It totally represents the commercialized greed that centers around this holiday... but in a cheeky, fun, sexy way.
Any suggestions of your own for these holiday times?!
So I'm obviously on record at this point for being one of those people who are rather disappointed with what is happening in DC with this president. In general, the Democrats are proving to be rather... well lacking in their support of human civil rights and equality for ALL american citizens. Which sucks, considering that the Republicans have to contend with a Conservative base that wants nothing to do with the issues. So where does that leave us as 2009 winds down? While it's easy to become discouraged, I think there is something to be said for our victories this year.
Gay Couples won the right to marry in: Iowa. New Hampshire. Vermont. - Vermont's story is especially important. This was the state that granted Civil Unions first, almost nice years ago. It didn't work. So they took a stand and voted to legalize gay marriage, 94 - 52. And then the governor vetoed the law. And then... the legislatures came back and overrode his veto, with a 100-49 vote. They not only got the law passed, but somewhere three senators changed their mind and decided to support Equality. That's huge. Maine - Maine giveth, and Maine taketh away..
and let us not forget DC, who's council has voted twice! to legalize Gay Marriage in the District. Now the Mayor just needs to sign the bill and we have marriage in the capital. Of course, Congress could always intervene... and then Obama would have to sign that intervention. Wouldn't that be an interesting turn about, if we learned where he really stood on the issue?
So yeah... There were some defeats. But it's easy to overlook that we won big in three states this year. Things are moving forward. Even the opposition states "It's coming. It's inevitable." While it may suck and we may lose ground, we are going to win in the long run because bigotry and hatred is going to die and this next generation is a hell of a lot smarter.
I wonder when the news media will start really saying: "Hey, there's this bill in Uganda that's actually called "Kill the Gays". That's kinda fucked up." The White House came out against it on Friday... night. So that news media would be ready to cover it... never. Whatever, I am closer and closer to just throwing my hands up and saying, "Nice promises, thanks everyone for choosing him over Clinton."
Btw, Uganda gets a substansial amount of money from us every year. About $264 million. Your tax dollars now go to murdering gays and lesbians. What a great nation we live in.
