another interesting bloomberg editorial

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-08-31/warren-buffett-s-tax-proposal-withstands-write-a-check-critique-view.html

It's really interesting to see how belligerently simple-minded the republican rhetoric is against any call to consider raising more revenue from the rich. It's gotten to the point where even suggesting they they pay the same rate as the working class is received with outright hostility -- presumably asking them to pay a progressively higher rate is completely off the table. 

I'm reminded of the increasingly exasperated efforts of scientists to argue against the ridiculous claims of creationists. At some point, no matter how tolerant, reasonable, or carefully constructed your argument, you hit up against a solid bedrock of fundamentalist ideology that is as immutable as it is irrational.

Gainsbourg: Vie Heroique (2010)

I was fairly disappointed by this, the third film in a hat-trick of musical biopics that I've watched over this weekend (do I know how to party while the Missus is out of town, or WHAT?). It follows the life, music, and astounding litany of amorous conquests of Monsieur Cabbage-Head Serge Gainsbourg. As lives and careers go, his was certainly an interesting one, well worth telling. But I didn't enjoy the surreal, excessively romanticized Baz Luhrman-esque style -- it just didn't work for me.

Eric Elmosnino was excellent as Gainsbourg -- he had the mannerisms and voice down nailed, and the physical resemblance was uncanny. Laetitia Casta was ravishing as Brigitte Bardot, and Lucy Gordon (who, sadly, committed suicide before the film was released) was great as Jane Birkin (her exaggeratedly english-accented french was exactly as I've heard it described. 

Ray (2004)

Excellent bio-pic on the life of soul/R&B legend Ray Charles, featuring a career-defining performance from Jamie Foxx.

Sexy Beast (2000)

Nice little cockney gangster flick. Ex-crim "Gal" (Ray Winstone, looking like a post-BAFTAs Ricky Gervais) is retired and living the "Home in the Sun" dream in a Spanish villa with his wife Deedee. With fellow ex-eastenders "H" and Jackie living nearby, life is pretty idyllic. But things turn pear shaped when old boss Don (Ben Kingsley) turns up out of blue to recruit Gal for "one more job" back in London, and won't take no for an answer.

Bird (1988)

Enjoyed this biopic on the life of jazz great Charlie Parker, directed by Clint Eastwood and with the lead role played brilliantly by Forest Whitaker. The music is excellent throughout (the saxophone parts are taken from Parker recordings and mixed with re-recorded rhythm parts), with the jazz club scene vividly brought to life. The film is a little on the long and slow side, and is fairly depressing -- tracing Parker's unsuccessful struggle against heroin and alcohol addiction and tragically early death in 1955, at the age of 34.

Toy Story 3 (2010)

Another enjoyable instalment from Pixar's original, and best, franchise. I liked the numerous pokes at Ken's effeminate qualities, as well as Buzz in spanish mode. The screeching monkey sentinel was quite scary.

Catfish (2010)

Really enjoyed this documentary-film about a Facebook romance. Surprising and ultimately quite moving.