There Will Be Blood

There Will Be Blood was one of my favorite films from last year. I think it stands as one of the great American films of all time, up there with Citizen Kane and The Grapes of Wrath. It deals with the same themes and on the same scope as those films and the performance of Daniel-Day Lewis is one of the best onscreen performances I've ever seen. It's iconic and the best work by director Paul Thomas Anderson who directed Boogie Nights, Magnolia, and Punch-Drunk Love. I've attached the theatrical trailer. Check it out on Blu-Ray DVD as this films deserves to be seen in the best quality HD available. Would you watch Dr. Zhivago or Lawrence of Arabia on a tiny screen? As far as the R rating is concerned, again the MPAA really messed this one up. There isn't one word of profanity in the entire film. There is no nudity or sex. The only violence occurs at the conclusion of the film, and even it doesn't compare to the violence seen on CSI or Heroes. So go figure for yourself why this film received an R rating. It doesn't even deserve a PG-13. I would've given it a PG. I'll guarantee that you will find nothing offensive in this film. Now, I won't guarantee you'll like the movie, but at least you won't be offended by it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3THVbr4hlY

The Pitiful End of the American Auto Industry

With the United States treasury being plundered by Wall Street, it was only a matter of time before the CEO's of the American automakers wanted to do the same. Once upon a time in this country, American built cars were the best in the world. Then came the 70's, with two major oil shortages and a sagging economy. Does anyone remember the Pinto? Or the Gremlin? These were America's answer to the new Japanese upstarts, Honda and Toyota, who were turning out little cars like the Civic that got 40 miles per gallon. Unfortunately, the American versions weren't as fuel efficient nor dependable. Since then, Ford, GM, and Chrysler have seen their market shares dwindle. Now that Honda and Toyota are selling more cars than the Big 3, the pinheads who manage these companies believe the American taxpayer should be obliged to bail them out. GM asks for $18 billion to keep the company alive, but will still have to let go of 20,000 employees. Can someone with a degree in economics explain to me the logic behind giving a company $18 billion of taxpayers' money? Instead of giving them money, should the government get into the auto business and just assume ownership of one of the Big 3? Invest some capital in developing cars that don't rely on fossil fuels, perhaps develop technology for better mass transit systems such as light rail? Or is that too radical of an idea? Should government have ownership of any company? We already have a huge interest in AIG, why not invest in ownership of something that manufactures something tangible. To all my friends and family out there, I know you have an opinion on this, I want to hear them. Please educate me.