Obama's Speech on Race

After reading Barack Obama's speech today I am truly moved. As I read the speech I could not help but agree with everything Obama was saying. In his speech he managed to connect with everyone from every race, religion, age and gender. He managed to take the issue of race in the African-American community and the white community and tell how both were affected. This speech was a clear message to all Americans telling them that racism still exists in this great nation. Even though African-Americans have gained freedoms and rights over the past 50 years there is still a barrier. He called it a "racial stalemate" in which we have been stuck in for years. However, if together we work as one then there is no challenge or obstacle that the American people can not overcome. Obama, in his speech, calls for a unified America that works for equality not just for African-Americans, but for whites, Hispanics, Asians and Native Americans. This vision coming from a man who has a black father and a white mother. A man who lived in another country and has seen what America looks like from the other side. By conducting this speech Obama was able to say what most politicians dare not confront. He told America what they needed to know. This issue has been prevalent in this country since its founding. Obama is a man who has an optimistic view of this nations future and who understands what it takes to succeed. This is why he has my vote for President and why he is the only candidate who can lead America into a better and brighter future.

Chris Knight for President

Oh Val...what happened? Val Kilmer is the man. He really is. I mean...I liked Red Planet...no one else seemed to but I enjoyed it. It was completely ridiculous but come on it was like the third DVD I ever bought, give me a break (on an aside thinking about it, it was the second, Gone in Sixty Seconds, Red Planet, Heat, Analyze That) Looking back on it, I think I have Val to thank for my existence. Between Red Planet and The Saint I was a Val addict at a pretty young age. My parents let me watch The Saint before i was vaguely aware of the concepts of Cold Fusion, I think it might have been all the disguises or the soundtrack that hooked me.

Anyone who honestly says they didn't want to be Chris Knight from Real Genius is outright lying to you. Who doesn't want to be popular, slick, and well a genius? Real Genius came out before Val was even remotely famous, that little window in an actor's career where they curiously seem to do their best work.

Val has certainly taken some risks over the years and it's kind of hard to label him into a certain category. He's like the less successful Johnny Depp, even though dear Johnny Boy seems to be obsessed with contemporary pieces lately where he gets to dress up or hang out with Tim Burton for a couple of months. A good example of his willingness to take risks was the film The Salton Sea where Val plays a drugged out musician. There is some extensive fake tattoo work done, as well as an edgy performance. Personally I enjoyed most of it, Wasn't the best drug related movie I've seen (See: Trainspotting, Requiem for a Dream) but it wasn't the worst either.

Then their are the Val head scratchers. Honestly Val, At First a Sight? Really? Do I have to continue this paragraph? Let me just say...love in this case is blind..very blind indeed.

Basically for every awesome Val moment See: Doc Holliday in Tombstone also see "Ice Man" in Top Gun. There are the Top Secrets and Thunderhearts of the world.

Kilmer is such a good actor not because his roles are so powerful or his scripts well written. He is a good actor because his movies are generally pretty bad. You sit down and watch them, pick them apart piece by piece. "Oh the lighting is way off", "Hey, I can see the mike boom". But Val is ever present and shows flashes of brilliance in most roles that remind you how cool or good the movie could have been. Its like "28 Weeks Later," You want so much to like it, even though there is weak character development, streaky plot and script, and in all honesty could have used another 20 or so minutes of explanations. Yet you find yourself drawn to it, you don't know why, you know you shouldn't be but somehow you are. Maybe its because you know how good it could have been and know its potential, even though its already failed to live up to it.

I guess we all have a little Chris Knight in us. Maybe thats what keeps us going. That rebellious yet smart drive to have fun, but in the end do whats right.

Self Improvement is Masterbation. Now Self-Awarness...

Ahh yeah this is my first blog ever. This is my first post ever. Not quite sure where to begin here, especially since the first words you will have ever read by me are "Ahhh." I mean that hardly encompasses my capacity for speech and the written word. The title of this blog I will admit is rather dull and will give you the chance to write me off rather quickly. Because I mean honestly who the hell truly wants to listen to a newly turned 18-year-old "adult" (March 3 for those who care enough to take the time to inquire, I'll save you the time). As a generation I consider things at face value. I don't consider subtle underlying truths anymore than expected fact. The truth is the truth, the law is the law. I don't mine the challenge of authority but I do except the fact that this authority exists, and is and will be ever present (See: Big Brother, See: "Insert seemingly obscure book/movie reference here that will hopefully get me take seriously...). I believe that my opinion is just as relevant as a forty year old "seen it all" type. I think my first blog post is turning into a plea to be taken seriously. I think most people spend their lives doing what I am attempting to do in a single post. Right now Fight Club is flashing across my screen to the right of my computer. "Might make a good anti-smoking add...very modern art"...I could go on but I won't. I don't work for a major car company, I don't prey for a midair collision and I don't have life insurance. Does the fact that I discovered the wonder of Chuck Palahniuk after the release of Fight Club make me less of a person than someone who "knew that guy all along". Because I mean after all, "that one guy always knew that Chuck P...ahh whats his name doesn't matter was always going to be something". That one guy, those dozen guys knew before I did. They are superior. I am a mortal and they are trendy in their little clubs. My suitcase has never vibrated. I am going to write about the things that are important to me. I like movies. I like the movies more than most people. I mean I don't have to many genuine passions, I mean after all despite what the government claims I'm a kid. I am passionate about films. I love talking about them. I could talk all day about what I like, don't like. So maybe I'll talk and maybe you'll listen. I am that kid who will go to the movies without an entourage, I'll go because it looks good The movie keeps right on going and no one in the audience has any idea.
So maybe this blog is something I'll do with my spare time, something that will keep me busy. After all I am a senior in high school...there is nothing to do. Maybe you'll read it, maybe you won't, maybe I'll never tell anyone about this, and maybe I'll forget in a week. But hey, not all of us can have ascending bowl cancer.