TubaGuy's Blog

No rational being watching the Olympic opening can dispute the amazing majesty of China's efforts to put their best foot forward. I believe we see before us the next economic engine to threaten the US dominance of commerce in the world. Perhaps we need the competition to awaken us from our long slow decline into an importing nation.

The signs of capitalism are everywhere in the two places where I have been. The government encourages individual achievement in business and the newly rich work harder and longer to achieve it. Those who do not share in the dream* seem to be disoriented in the wake of the western style success of their brethren. Cadillac, Buick, Mercedes, and Volkswagen are big names in the auto industry. Oh yes, they have domestic producers. One I noted offered the cutest three wheeled car. While another offers a truly "mini" van. Cargo bicycles still deliver household goods. But more and more are going by motorbike with a box on the back.

Like the west, their government spends, often to keep up appearances. Such spending keeps the population working. Perhaps Roosevelt's new deal is not finished-just spreading to China. They are climbing out of their inward-facing isolation to stand ever higher in  world commerce. To the moon Alice! They are going to the moon within the next two decades.

They do not yet have the approval to speak their mind or oppose government decisions like we do. But the leaders in charge seem to be following the lead of Deng Xiaoping who took small but western friendly liberalizations in his time. They no longer prohibit observance of religious activities. But don't pass out bibles on the street or lecture the crowds outside. The government may think it a bit too much and put a stop to it.

Those i've met are friendly, eager to please, and ready to work. Turn over the electonics in your pocket, purse or on your desk. It's nearly impossible to find something without some if not all China-made components.  The available cheap goods are like a drug to our domestic consumer spending.  Can we recover?

So behold and beware the giant across the sea. Let's hope it doesn't awaken the giant still asleep in India.

TubaGuy



*Would that be an American Dream in China?

What has happened to our Fox Friday morning film critic?

This last Friday was the premier of the biggest film of the summer and no critic. Plus, The Dark Knight wasn't the only film starting its run. This Friday is going to be even more important in terms of movie releases. Will Fox bring back Nick Nicholson?

I'd also like to see him do his reviews without taking distracting questions from the morning anchors. I'm sure they want to help but their comments and questions should occur at the end of the segment where there may be time to fill, if any.

Unless there's a major news story to report, like the fall of the Crane last week, Fridays should be fun. The morning show is the last stop for many of us who may leave from work to meet our significant other at the movies.

Sometimes it has to be the "date" movie. Sometimes I need help with that. This weekend begins Step Brothers with Will Ferrell and John C. Reiley. I'll bet it's not a date movie. Then the X-files Movie. I understand the romance angle may be a little more explored. That may be a possibility. The rest of them I know nothing about.

So where's my Fox Friday morning Film Critic???? Will he be appearing on Thursday instead? Please don't make me look elsewhere. I like the rest of the Fox morning lineup. How about it Fox News?

TubaGuy

Is it just me or does anyone else feel ripped off by watching television commercials in a movie theatre? You pay 6-9 dollars and here are the ads that you left home to avoid, projected on the big screen.

It's apparently not enough that the movie companies extract all the ticket price for the opening weeks of a run. So you get your $4.00 drinks and your snacks that require a credit card to cover the total. I can't blame the theatre owners for trying to recover their costs. I think that it may be time to send the movie companies a message about runaway ticket prices.

When the public stops coming to the theatre, everyone in the chain will have to reduce prices. Supply and demand is the only way we can vote for lower prices. Unfortunately, we will miss the epics on the big screen. Is it worth it? Perhaps not but the theatre owners are not the only ones we have to blame for the current situation. Is any actor worth $20 million? Are there movies worth watching without rampant special effects? Are there any original ideas for movies? Perhaps I am being reactionary...

TubaGuy

A few notes from the TubaGuy...

Just saw the new movie guy on July 4th. He was a little stiff at first, growing more comfortable as it went along. I hope they allow him a few weeks to develop his on-air persona for Fox News. It's a crowded series of segments even on a relatively quiet news day. With a few more appearances, I think he will deliver more in the style of the newscast. It's clear he has a passion for movies.

I think it takes courage to disagree with the prevailing sentiment concerning the Pixar release Wall-E, giving it a B+. I see his point. I think the average viewer will not have the knowledge of film past to draw the Chaplin and silent film references that Time magazine refers to.  As in each successive Pixar release, it's a new level of technical achievement. The kids in the audience spoke Wall-E! out loud the first few times the robot appeared on screen. They loved him and there were things that the parents in the audience could enjoy that their children will not understand until they watch it years later on video. If the new movie guy had a little more time, and a little more experience, he might have laid out his case more completely like he did for the Abigail Breslin film.

Good luck new movie guy--may the ratings be with you!

TubaGuy