Monthly Archives: December 2024

 

 

If you recognize the above shot from the opening scene of a Christmas classic, then we can possibly be friends.

 

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Holiday Harangues

 

 

 

Ramaswamy’s take on foreign workers vs. American workers might be correct. He feels that too many of us are unmotivated. I’m just a stupid American, so what do I know?

But I do know this: Ramaswamy’s timing is terrible.

We need to focus first on worker IDs, and on illegal immigration. Only then should we discuss these visas. Trump supporters are not in the mood to talk about special exceptions to immigration — yet.

Also, Ramaswamy’s and Musk’s take is music to the ears of big corporations, and that can’t be good for the rest of us.

 

 

Stop sending money and weapons to Ukraine. Only then can we discuss other ways to help Ukrainians.

 

I have nothing against Kentucky, South Carolina, or California (well, nothing against the first two), but until the awful politicians pictured below are gone and forgotten (and possibly prosecuted), I don’t want to forgive anyone from those states who imposed them on the rest of us.

 

 

 

 

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I used to think that young women were probably the best thing about America. Young men went to war and died for “the girl back home.”

Now I think too many Western females are entitled brats: selfish, promiscuous and possibly the worst thing about America.

This woman’s YouTube video addresses the situation well — to me, anyway.

It’s no longer about “women’s rights.” It’s about “women’s privileges.”

 

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Ricky Gervais liked my reply to his post:

 

 

It’s nice to be recognized by a comic genius.

 

 

Twice.

 

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Quiet Before the Storm

 

Twas the week before Christmas

and all through the land,

Redsters and Bluesters

were taking a stand …

Before all hell breaks loose

 

Enjoy the holidays, because next year could make 2024 feel like a bridge tournament.

The election was merely a battle; the war begins next month, methinks.

 

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Season two of Wednesday will premiere sometime next year. I did a search for information and this photo popped up:

 

 

Turns out there is a whole industry dedicated to deep-faking our favorite movies and TV shows. For example, I’ve seen Crocodile Dundee and Alien, but I don’t recall these two scenes:

 

 

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Conclave

 

Story: When the pope dies, cardinals are sequestered in Vatican City to elect a new one. The man in charge of this process (Ralph Fiennes) must navigate competing factions and secrets kept by the deceased pope.

 

Pros:

A.  It’s refreshing to watch an intellectual drama, as opposed to an emotional drama or, God help us, another comic-book flick or sequel.

There are scenes in Conclave that might appear dull on paper but are gripping on the screen. It’s why I love good chess movies like The Queen’s Gambit and Searching for Bobby Fischer. You don’t need chase scenes or explosions to generate suspense. Conclave uses great acting to convey a dramatic power struggle.

B.  The sets look gorgeous. The atmosphere is suitably claustrophobic.

C.  It’s educational for non-Catholics. Aside from the famous smoke signal when a new pope is elected, I knew nothing of the selection process.

 

Cons:

A.  The ending.

I am not referring to the big twist, which has been criticized as being “woke.” I thought the twist was more thought-provoking than virtue signaling. What I disliked was the scene preceding the big reveal, in which the conclave of cardinals, having listened to a stirring speech by a colleague, make a major, about-face decision about their vote. I didn’t buy it.

Release: 2024  Grade: B+

 

Would I watch it again? If I get thirsty for a brainy thriller, yes.

 

© 2010-2025 grouchyeditor.com (text only)

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by Gypsy Rose Lee

 

I was in the mood for a curiosity, so I read Mother Finds a Body, by Gypsy Rose Lee. What and Who? you might ask.

Lee was America’s most famous burlesque-and-striptease star of the mid-20th century. She penned a memoir titled Gypsy, which became a musical play and a 1962 movie with Natalie Wood and Rosalind Russell. Oh, and she wrote two murder mysteries, including this one.

I consider murder-mystery novels written by famous strippers to be a “curiosity.”

The plot:  A handful of comics and dancers traveling east with a trailer make a pit stop in Ysleta, Texas, and discover a body under the bed in their mobile home.

If you’ve watched any screwball comedies from the 1930s, what ensues is very much like those. Lots of tough talk, quaint jargon, and quirky characters.

Like one of Lee’s costumes during her act, there’s not a lot of material here — but it’s an enjoyable watch.

 

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This guy Kirby is a great government spokesman for the mysterious-drones issue.

I am being sarcastic.

I mean, at this point does anyone believe a single word out of his mouth?

 

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If I had to cite a movie that these bizarre drone sightings remind me of, I’d say Netflix’s Leave the World Behind.

That movie was produced by the Obamas.

Just a coincidence?

(Cue Twilight Zone music.)

 

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I recently got back on Twitter and was quickly bombarded by two types of followers: AI-generated attractive “girls,” and real-life hookers.

Occasionally one of these chicks has an amusing post. Like this one:

 

 

Overall, I am happy to be back on the X:

 

 

As for the people I reply to, I couldn’t say.

 

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Lots of nasty rumors about Tom Hanks floating around the Internet. I hope they are just that: rumors.

But this is 2024, so who knows?

 

We need to rip off the Band-Aid, find out who’s on the Epstein and Diddy lists, and get it over with.

 

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With these pardons, Biden seems hellbent on cementing his legacy as one of the worst presidents in American history.

 

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I’ve been watching a lot of horror movies lately.

Pretty Good:  Speak No Evil

Average:  Afraid

 

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Look out, world. Guess who’s back on Twitter (X)?

 

 

 

© 2010-2025 grouchyeditor.com (text only)

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