I’ll immediately “cut to the chase” regarding the newly-released remake of the classic 1951 science fiction film starring Michael Rennie: avoid the remake. It is terrible.

The original film is a science fiction classic; in my opinion easily one of the five best SF movies ever made. Director Robert Wise (1914 – 2005; editor, Citizen Kane, director, Run Silent, Run Deep; West Side Story; The Haunting; The Sound of Music; The Sand Pebbles; The Andromeda Strain; Star Trek: The Motion Picture to name but a few) incorporated some remarkable things in this film, to include Bernard Herrmann’s captivating score (first ever to use the theremin), its stark black-and-white aspect, simple but incredibly-convincing special effects (the shadow of Klaatu’s ship following perfectly underneath to its landing point in the park), and a robot that was and still is ominous and believeable.

Whereas Klaatu in the 1951 original came to warn Earth about the dangers of war, nuclear arms and spreading our planet’s violence into space — what do you suppose is the new theme of Klaatu’s warning?

Take a moment. Time’s up.

Yes: Global Warming.

Klaatu says the planet is not ours — though he fails to say quite precisely to whom it does belong if not its inhabitants.

I’m sorry, that’s just the final straw, folks. The producers have taken a wonderful tale, mashed it with over-the-top special effects, limp performances, a kid you’ll hate in an instant and, at the end of one hour and fifty minutes, you’ll ask yourself why you spent the $10+ dollars.

There is no one in this film in which to relate, least of all Klaatu. Perhaps the best I can say is that Keanu Reeves hit his marks; he is, after all, in focus. That is the best I can write of Mr. Reeves.

I am so tired of “alien space craft” being portrayed as balls of light. I am so tired of special effects trotted across the screen for little other meaning than their simple presence; the character of Gort was completely digitized and slaughtered — along with the “plot.” The panderingly-obvious “product placement” is even worse. And then this mangled, bleeding lump is plopped at the religious altar of Global Warming.

For those of you who are devotees of the original film: stay away, as you will be angered. For all others: save your money. Rent or purchase the original The Day The Earth Stood Still. Mr. Wise did so much more with so much less — and it is so much more enjoyable.

See videos of the original here and here, please.

You know that, during at least one occasion in the Obama presidency, domestic and unrepentant terrorist William Ayers will be invited to the White House at the behest of Barack Hussein Obama.

William Ayers, who said: ”I don’t regret setting bombs. I feel we didn’t do enough.” And: ”Kill all the rich people. Break up their cars and apartments. Bring the revolution home, kill your parents, that’s where it’s really at.” And: ”Everything was absolutely ideal on the day I bombed the Pentagon.”

William Ayers, the Victim: “It’s all guilt by association. They made me into a cartoon character—they threw me up onstage just to pummel me.”

Can you imagine being a Secret Service agent assigned to the presidential detail at that point?

Can you imagine that piece of filth walking in the same hallways upon which Ronald Wilson Reagan trod?

You can be guaranteed that William Ayers will expectorate on a presidential portrait or urinate on the carpet. Or worse. In my hallowed house. In your hallowed house.

And he and that act will be protected by not only Barack Hussein Obama but the DEM/MSM as well.

You just wait and see if I’m not proven correct.

From an e-mail that seems to be making its rounds on the internet (thanks, Steve!):

T. B. Bechtel, a part-time City Councilman from Newcastle, NSW (Australia) was asked on a local live radio talk show, just what he thought of the allegations of torture of some prisoners from the Middle East.

His reply prompted an ejection from the studio, but to thunderous applause from the audience.

HIS STATEMENT:

If hooking up an Iraqi prisoner’s nuts to a car’s battery cables will save just one Australian’s life, then I have just three things to say: red is positive, black is negative, and make sure his nuts are wet.”

P.S.

1. Snopes the crap out of me here; I couldn’t care less. This is a post for affect and the rest of you defeatists can go to Hell.

2. Yes, the bailout passed the House and a some Senators are throwing a few mackerels. This Big 3 excrement will eventually pass, given time. Shame on you, President Bush, you ignoramus, and shame on those who “pretended” to carry the Conservative label.

After more than 7 years since 9/11, we can now issue a verdict: Islamic terrorists have won our hearts and minds. Let’s thank those who made it happen: the U.S. government, European governments and the mainstream media. It’s time to stop placating or being intimidated by Islamic front groups who masquerade as civil rights groups. In 2007, the perversity of [this] was demonstrated when the FBI released its annual 2007 hate crime reports. Of the total 1,628 victims of anti-religious hate crimes, 69.2% were Jewish and 8.7% were Muslim. Yet by my still unfinished account, there were at least 40 times more stories last year about Islamophobia than about anti-Semitism. The Mumbai massacre was a heavily planned plot carried out by Islamic terrorists. Period. Memo to Obama: Until the onus of responsibility is put on Islamic ‘civil rights’ groups that want to ban free speech and claim that anyone who uses the term Islamic terrorist is a racist, there is no hope of winning the battle.”
–Executive Director of The Investigative Project on Terrorism Steven Emerson

Please note that “Steven Emerson is an internationally recognized expert on terrorism and national security and a best-selling author. Mr. Emerson serves as the Executive Director of The Investigative Project on Terrorism (IPT), an organization he founded in 1995 following the PBS broadcast of his documentary film Jihad in America. Since 9-11, Emerson has testified before and briefed Congress dozens of times on terrorist financing and operational networks of Al Qaeda, Hamas, Hezbollah, Islamic Jihad, and the rest of the worldwide Islamic militant spectrum.”

Again, Historical Alzheimers, anyone? Bueller?

P.S.

Books I recommend by Mr. Emerson: