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Reviews
Alternative Nation (1992)
I miss the cultural relevance of this show.
When you think about music and television, most would agree that there was a striking dynamic between the two right around the time this show became a fixture on MTV. Music was incredibly powerful then.
Music today is good, but very different; moreover, the method it is marketed is far changed from the days of Alternative Nation.
Alternative Nation was very important to its loyal viewers. It was about marketing the new "it" bands, but with less focus on pushing them on us as it is today. It was much like a book club - analyze the new subject matter, and discuss.
I miss this show and many others on MTV back it this time period. Others would include Beavis and Butthead, 120 Minutes (when it was in its hey-day), Liquid Television, Headbangers' Ball (right when the grunge scene was becoming known), and pretty much anything else before MTV moved to Times Square.
In case you didn't know, the move to Times Square marks the turning point in music culture. MTV lost its soul to money, marketing, and ambition. Much like a politician.
Anyways, I miss these years. And it's funny because I'm too young to really remember them. I was only about 10 when it really hit its stride. But I was a watcher, and I reveled in its cultural relevance.
Such a sad state of affairs today. Forever disappointing.
Daredevil (2003)
Beyond stupid
First of all, there is one aspect to this movie that is deeply upsetting: Daredevil, in real life, is a lawyer, who is so noble that, when he loses cases, he decides to kill the guy who beat the rap. And the guys he kills aren't even on trial for murder. I'm no liberal, but, I mean... isn't that pretty wrong? Arguments of capital punishment and "eye-for-an-eye" aside, doesn't this send a really warped message?
Relating more to the stupidity of the movie, this movie asks you to believe that having lost your sense of sight means that your body can withstand the tremendous force of falling twenty flights onto a window-washing platform. I don't care how much "give" the platform has - a leg has to be broken to be even plausible. The most likely scenario: You die.
Also, apparently we're to believe he can jump twice as far as the world Olympic record for long-jump... because he lost his sight. You heard me.
Stupid aspects of the movie such as this one are all justified by the notion that his other four senses have been "heightened" by the loss of his vision. Also, the loss of his father and vision have made him become obsessed to the athletic perfection of his body. Also, he sleeps in a water-chamber thing (I have no idea what you call it). So, naturally, that means he is now the greatest athlete in the history of the world. Doesn't that sound plausible to you?
I can understand how the movie wants us to say, "OK, I'll believe that even though I'm not a complete moron and know the things he is doing are impossible." I even like movies like that from time to time. But this movie goes so far and away beyond plausibility, that (for me) it's impossible to just accept it. It's like asking us to believe that dogs can talk (which is easy to do; see: "Babe"), while also believing that they have a knowledge of the cosmic universe that goes beyond anything human beings could ever comprehend. It's just asking for too much.
Vote: 3/10 (for Garner's attractiveness and Farrell's comedic parts)