Whew…this is just not the day for quality films. What Works: Egyptian mythology is a great jumping off point for a movie. We know too little about it and that should give it the thrill of the new if done right. Sadly, this is not an example of it being “done right.” I will say that every now…
Movie Review: The Brothers Grimsby
This movie is horrible. What Works…In Name Only: The magic of Sacha Baron Cohen mostly involves tricking unsuspecting people into revealing their prejudices (Borat, Bruno), and it actually works really well. But his scripted movies? Not so much. “The Dictator” was underwhelming but still worthy of your time. However, this spy comedy is nearly unwatchable. Most…
Hollywood Can Absolutely Do Something About Georgia’s Anti-LGBT Law
Since The Supreme Court has decided that marriage equality can be the law of the land, and anti-gay voices also lost their biggest advocate when Antonin Scalia died, it was only a matter of time before the Southeast decided to give up a losing battle and allow gay people to live equally right? Hell no!…
Bentley is Embarrassing but Not Nearly as Much as Other Republican Governors
What’s it like to be from a state where you might occasionally get mentioned in the national news for something positive? Other people probably see their home state trending on twitter and think “Cool, I can’t wait to see what it’s about!” But Alabamians know all too well it won’t be for something positive, and…
Episode 14–Are Doomed Campaigns Ponzi Schemes? Plus, “Election Industrial Complex”
We explore the growing “Election Industrial Complex” and how our elections have become a big business. And discuss some big questions like: are doomed political campaigns the new ponzi schemes? Is it wrong for politicians on a losing mission (cough, Bernie and Kasich, cough) to keep getting money for campaigns that can’t win? Is their…
Choosing Merrick Garland is a Brilliant Move on Obama’s Part
In the face of historically bull-headed Republican opposition, President Obama had one of two ways he could go: one was choosing the furthest, wackadoodle leftist judge you could ever imagine since he has no hope of getting any justice confirmed. It would be a triumphiant bone thrown to the restless base, but would really not…
Kasich Should Quit Now and Go Out on a High Note
John Kasich should quit. No, really, he’s done. Now that’s probably not an opener to an article you would expect about Kasich on a night when he won his first state of the primary season. But it’s exactly the kind-of thing you should expect and should be hearing, but probably haven’t heard since the media is desperate to keep…
Clinton and Trump are the Nominees, Get Over It
In an article written a few days ago, I said March 15th would definitively tell us who would win the primaries. People scoffed, and I’m not one to say “I told you so” but Alabama Liberal’s election predictions are usually better than the ones people are paying big money to get on other media outlets,…
Rubio’s Campaign: An Autopsy
Surprising exactly no one, Marco Rubio lost his home state of Florida. And you have to wonder if even Rubio was surprised at his loss, despite “Little Marco” being hellbent to turn Miami into his Little Big Horn. Only a few days before he was desperately reaching out to Governor Kasich’s Florida supporters (all three…
Episode 13–Is Trump the New Hitler, Reagan, or–Gasp–Obama?!
In our unlucky 13 episode, we profile a suitable ghost/goblin type figure: probable Republican nominee and occasional steak salesman Donald J. Trump. This is perhaps the deepest analysis yet of how Trump is winning, what everyone else is missing about his candidacy, and what–if anything–Trump truly believes in besides Trump. We dive deep into his…
“House of Cards” Season 4 is Its Best Yet
I’ve been very vocal about my disappointment in season 3 of “House of Cards.” [I said the entire season was tied for a specific episode of “The Strain” for the most disappointing TV moment of 2015.] Boring characters took center stage, interesting ones were completely marginalized (Doug was off angrily staring at his kitchen for much of…
Movie Review: Whisky Tango Foxtrot
A movie I wanted to like more than I did, but still a really noble effort in a time when anything marketed “War Comedy” is likely to be an instant skip-it from a major studio. While other reviewers have chosen to pull out a magnifying glass and scrutinize the film’s every politically incorrect sin, I…
Movie Review: Triple 9
It comes pretty close to being a halfway watchable heist noir, but something just never quite comes together. It has all the lyrics right, but you can’t feel the music. Prime example: the movie has a great cast, but never really does anything with them. What Works: Any movie that stars Chiwetel Ejiofor, Woody Harrelson, Anthony…