Weekend Update: Sicko, Borders, and BB8

Instead of rambling on, I will try some brief-ish commentary on a few things from the weekend.

On Saturday night, we caught Michael Moore's latest Sicko (thanks, Scott... and I will just leave it at that... hee hee!).  As always, Moore does a bang-up job, this time on the American health care system, that manages to be (and at times, simultaneously) entertaining, infuriating, funny, heart-breaking, and embarrassing.  I still think Moore is a master manipulator and a tad bit of a sensationalist... but, if you tend to agree with his politics, it is easier to swallow (though this is far less partisan than his past few films).  But whatever you think of Moore, it is clear that our country's health-care system is FUBAR.  I dare any (American) viewer not to have to pick their jaw up off the floor after seeing examples of evil socialized health care systems in other democratic (and even one quite autocratic) nations.

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We "rented" our first movie to our TiVo via Amazon Unbox.  It felt quite like "the future is now" moment, to be able to download a movie right from our TiVo box... and for only 99 cents.  Each weekend (Fri-Sun ony), Unbox gives you 5 of these "special deals"... so for under $1, it seemed worth a try/experiment.  We are curious to see what the picture quality will be... the 2 hour, 10 minute movie (ok, it's Dreamgirls... haha!) takes up less disk space than a 30 minute program in HD.... so this has us slightly concerned, especially since we have officially turned into HD snobs (official word is that it is better than "Best" TiVo quality).  Why haven't we checked it out?  In a Big-Brother-ish way, rentals are deleted off your TiVo after 30 days or 24 hours after you start watching... whichever comes first... so since we decided on Sicko this weekend, we'll catch this one some other time.

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On Saturday, we were also stereotypical gay Democrats... a trip to Borders to pick up a couple of new book.  Even though I have four recently purchased books sitting on my shelf, I had to finally get the latest Armistead Maupin book, Micheal Tolliver Lives... and Todd picked up Al Gore's The Assault on Reason.  Even at lunchtime ("the morning after"), the store was still in a Harry Potter frenzy.  I was the only person in the checkout line who did not have a Harry Potter book (and nearly everyone walking around the store seemed to have a copy in hand as well).  I asked the cashier if I would be able to leave the store without a Potter book... she laughed and said she wasn't sure about that...

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Finally, Big Brother 8!  I am having some movement in my unofficial favorite houseguest list.  Dick is on the slide for me.  As often happens, a player gets HoH and their head swells beyond recognition.  We watched some of the ShoToo BB After Dark  show this weekend, and Dick pretty much thinks he's the best player ever to be in the BB house.  We lapsed into a coma listening to Dick drone on to Kail telling her all the ways she's messed up... which granted she did... but shut the f&ck up already... and I don't know why they even talking to each other since Dick would tell Kail approximately every 10 minutes that she was not going to be in the house next week. 

I still like Eric, but his America's Choice shtick with the raised eyebrow and the rubbing hands in preparation  "okay, America!" is getting old... fast!  Though I realize, he is probably coached by BB to address the camera in that manner.

Jen is on the rise.  Now, I still don't like her... but I do recognize her entertainment value.  Her line last night over "being bad about feeling bad" for the folks on slop was classic.  She's no Janelle, but there is some of that sass that makes her preferable to some of those personality-challenged hamsters.

Oh, we finally had a Showtime moment. BB After Dark promises us uncensored feeds... it usually doesn't take long for the F-bombs to start dropping... but we saw our first case of "real" nudity... i.e. something other than Jen almost wearing her bikini.  We're innocently watching Kail, Mike, and Jen talking around the hot tub... when suddenly there's a full-monty frontal shot of Amber drying off in the HoH bathroom.  The nudity wasn't the shock per se... it was just the sudden camera switch and that we had yet to see Amber (bathing or otherwise) prior to that on this session of the televised feeds... and it really was a very quick flash as she wrapped a towel around herself... but they caught it and we got to see everything... and let's just say it appears Amber maintains her nether regions pretty darn well.  I'm guessing most of the camera people (and decision-making feed producers) are men... so I have my doubts we'd ever see equal treatment when it comes to the guys... but who knows!

Comments

[Scott-O-Rama]

I'm glad you enjoyed Sicko. I thought it was one of Michael Moore's best. It doesn't matter whether you agree with everything in the film, but you got to admit something is seriously wrong with health care in the USA. I hope this opens a national dialog on the subject during the 2008 elections.

As for the movie rental, congrats on popping your Unbox cherry (too crude?). Buckaroo and I have been downloading quite a few. While you miss out on DVD extras, the convenience as well as being able to do the TiVo 7-second rewind make it worth it. I haven't seen Dreamgirls and (take away my gay card) I'm not sure I want too. I do have Zodiac downloading though right now.

I only made it through 4 out of the 5(?) Tales of the City books, so I doubt I'll read the new one. The series began to depress me when Michael's boyfriend died of AIDS.

I do want to hear what Todd thinks of Al Gore's book. I thought it was brilliant and should be required reading for everyone in the USA.

[Scott-O-Rama]

P.S. Feel free to "share" Sicko with family or friends.