Posts by Craig Ranapia
Last ←Newer Page 1 2 3 4 5 Older→ First
-
Hard News: Democracy Night, in reply to hamishm,
hamishm:
I know ritually flogging Matthew Hooten never gets tired around these parts, but did you actually bother listening to what he and Mike Williams actually said? Don’t have a lot of time for either man, but thought they were pretty astute, un-hacky and calm. Perhaps they were tired after a very long Saturday night?
Also, I'm not sure “propaganda” means what you think it does.
-
Hard News: When A City Falls, in reply to John Norman,
and a tad depressing..
Yeah, but some things are “depressing” … well, life’s like that. I’ll go out on a limb and say When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts was the most depressing four hours of dubiously legal viewing I’ve ever had. It's also, in my not at all humble opinion, the best thing Spike Lee’s ever done.
Patu! & Bastion Point:Day 507 aren't films you watch for the giggles either – if you’re not feeling sick, angry and downright despairing at multiple points during both Merita Mita failed in her unapologetic mission as a politically engaged (and enraged) documentary film-maker . Or you’re a sadistic bunghole.
-
Hard News: Democracy Night, in reply to BenWilson,
The question on my mind is how it will be seen by the long line of hui they have said they will be attending prior to making a firm decision.
Well, it might be useful if the diversity-challenged lamestream media went and found out, instead of the usual line up of (mostly) white middle-aged, middle-class men pontificating out of their privileged arses. Att least Maori Television includes some actual reporting and genuinely diverse Maori opinions among the editorializing.
-
Legal Beagle: Election '11: the special votes, in reply to Graeme Edgeler,
I’m still forming my view, but my initial thinking is not to ban the practice, but to prohibit the replacement of the successful list MP as a list MP (i.e. Parliament would reduce in size by one list MP for the remainder of the term). Very interested in alternate views.
But doesn't that further distort the proportionality of Parliament, however slightly?
-
Hard News: When A City Falls, in reply to Terry Baucher,
Yes, both are excellent films, particularly The Orator which uses film very well to tell its story.
If Leon Narbey is capable of shooting an ugly or dull frame, he's hidden the evidence very well. The production values on The Orator just prove that a big budget is no substitute for craft and creativity born out of limitations.
-
Hard News: Democracy Night, in reply to BenWilson,
When it’s as tight as it is, it’s no wonder the Right are desperately trying to negotiate a coalition before the votes are actually counted.
Oh, Ben... take a very deep breath and enhance your calm. I guess if Key had said he was off to the beach and would have a quick ring around in a couple of weeks you'd be cursing him as an arrogant twatcock. Unless I've really missed something, I don't see any great "desperation" in anything Key's said over the last 36 hours.
-
Hard News: Democracy Night, in reply to BenWilson,
Dude, iPredict. You can gamble on there to your heart’s content.
I've been loudly and publicly rude enough about iPredict that even my lack of shame stops at gambling the grocery money there... :)
-
Hard News: When A City Falls, in reply to Hebe,
I read the reviews and think “yeah that’s a valid quibble” but that’s an intellectual exercise; not really relevant to living through it all.
Completely get where you're coming from, Hebe - but I'd argue that it's more than an intellectual exercise to say that when we forget our history (or wrap it up in distortions, sentimental myths or flat out disaster-porn) we don't honour it. I'd like to think this movie will be around long after we're all dead and gone; and the respect we pay those who've gone before us is to do our very best to see them - and each other - with a clear eye.
-
Hard News: When A City Falls, in reply to Russell Brown,
That seems worth supporting in itself.
It does - and I'm probably going to have to haul arse and see it some time this week (before heading off to Taupo for a family wedding).
I'd also like to encourage people to go completely crazy and not only go see O Le Tulafale (The Orator) (if you haven't already - why not?) but buy the DVD, which is due out just in time for discerning Christmas shopping. (Also consider buying Roseanne Liang's wonderful My Wedding and Other Secrets__ -- this year's local rom-com that didn't suck a duck.)
If you want theatres and distributors to commit to films like this, you've got to show them the money (to coin a phrase)! :)
-
Hard News: Democracy Night, in reply to Hebe,
Craig didn’t know the seat any more than I know Auckland Central, so he didn’t pick it.
Oh, I always thought Christchurch Central wasn't as firmly on Team Phil (would that make Key a vampire or a werewolf?) as the conventional wisdom had it but damn... a dead heat? Shame the TAB doesn't take bets on the election, because anyone who called that would be my new best friend. :)
Auckland Central, I think, was easier to call as a real battleground even without the patronising "battling babes" media-swill.
Last ←Newer Page 1 … 213 214 215 216 217 … 1235 Older→ First