Movie Review: X-Men Origins: Wolverine

I saw "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" in the theater this afternoon. I was slightly apprehensive going in, as Ebert really ripped this movie, and rottentomatoes.com has it at a 36% favorable rating. However, the 2 real people I talked to that had seen it, said they loved it, so I was hopeful. And, I wasn't disappointed. I would put "Wolverine" somewhere between the 2nd and 3rd X-Men movies for coolness factor. Overall, it's a 4 star film.

The movie opens with a really well done montage of Wolverine's life, which began in the mid 19th century. The montage then follows through all the wars that Wolverine had been a part of. It appears to me that the movie finally settles on taking place during the mid to late 1970's, so about 20 years before the first X-Men movie. Through the movie, we learn how Wolverine comes to have an Adamantium Skeleton, we see the birth of his rivalry with Victor Creed (a.k.a. Sabretooth), and we learn how he loses his memory.

Hugh Jackman reprises the role of Logan (a.k.a. Wolverine), and I think he's excellent in the role. But, I'm a Jackman fan, so I'm biased. Liev Schreiber plays the Victor Creed, and does it very well. He and Jackman really complement each other. The rest of the cast is good, but not stellar.

The effects in the movie were a little disappointing. There were times when Wolverine's claws look pretty obviously CGI. There were also a few times when you just have to roll with some of the things that are said. But, those detraction's are not enough to take away from the overall goodness of the film. It's a definite popcorn movie, and a must see for action movie fans.

Obama at Notre Dame

I saw this from Archbishop Raymond Burke today and find that it almost perfectly echos my sentiments on President Obama being invited to speak at Notre Dame's commencement.

Notre Dame is first, and foremost a Catholic University, and the Catholic Church is very clear on it's teaching regarding abortion. The church's teaching is that we protect life from CONCEPTION to NATURAL DEATH.

I know the Catholic Church also says we shouldn't be single issue voters, but rather we should look at the broader picture. However, I recall reading an opinion from a Catholic Bishop during the election that stated it perfectly. No war or social issue has caused the deaths of 50 million people. Abortion has caused 50 million deaths in this country and therefore trumps all other issues. Very well said in my opinion.

So, back to Notre Dame. I think it's shameful what they are doing. President Obama is the most pro-choice President we have ever had. His voting record while in Illinois tells us this, no matter what he says publicly. Notre Dame should have put their faith over tradition and not invited Obama. I have been a fan of Notre Dame athletics since I was about 10 years old. After I converted to Catholicism, I took more pride in Notre Dame as the National Catholic University. After this, I'm not sure I'll ever look at Notre Dame the same way again.

This Makes Me Angry!

School vouchers are apparently a huge controversy in this country. This is demonstrated by a controversy currently taking place in Washington D.C.. In 2005, the Republicans approved a modest government program, giving a $7,500 grant to students who qualify, that allows them to go to a school of their choice. This was done because the Washington D.C. public schools are poor, at best.

This federal program, which will cost $12.2 million next school year, is on the chopping block this year. I think this Wall Street Journal Article, "Arne Duncan's Choice" sums this up well. To be fair, Obama is trying to preserve the program for students already in the program, but will not allow new students to enter the program.

This causes so much anger in me for a number of reasons:

1. This program is relatively inexpensive, and it works. The federal budget plans for over $300 million in Welfare fraud, and no one talks about cutting that. But, we're going to cut a $12.2 million dollar program that works? That doesn't pass the smell test.
2. Parents should have a choice in where they send their kids to school. We are home schoolers, and I think that's the best way to go, however it's not for everyone. If you live in an area with terrible schools, you should be able to send your kids to better schools. We, as Americans should demand better from our public schools. We should demand that they teach our kids, not just pass them along. We should hold them accountable for results. No Child Left Behind has major flaws, but the premise behind it, improving our schools for our kids is a good one.
3. The same Democrats who are trying to axe this program either send their kids to private school (the Obama kids go to private school), or they move to a public district that is a good one (Arne Duncan). If they believe so strongly in the public school system, then they should put their kids where their beliefs are. Their actions betray the lies that they tell us.

So, why are Congressional Democrats, Obama, Duncan and others trying so hard to axe this program. Because it's a threat to them! If parents are given a choice, the Democrats lose control of the education system. When people see the success of the Washington D.C. program, they'll want it for their area, and when that happens, Democrats lose control. The schools are where they teach our kids to become liberals. Public Schools are where they can attempt to cut God out of our kid's lives. Public Schools are where they teach our kids that America is the source of all that is bad in our world. Public Schools are where they increase their membership!

Finally, we can't overlook the teacher's union in all this. If parents are given a choice for their kids, the deadbeat union members who masquerade as teachers in inner city schools will be out of kids to "teach". I don't know anybody who went through the public school system without a deadbeat teacher. But those deadbeat teachers are loyal, due paying members of the union, and most likely democratic voters, so they must be protected because of their role in preserving the Democrats power!

Book Review: "Caddy For Life"

Yes, "Caddy for Life" by John Feinstein is technically a golf book. It's the biography of Bruce Edwards, who caddied for Tom Watson for 27 years between 1973 and 2003 (he caddied for Greg Norman from 1989-1992). For those of you who don't know, Tom Watson is one of the top 10 golfers of all time. He won 39 PGA Tour events and 8 major championships. He's known as a great "bad weather" golfer, having won the British Open 5 times (for more information, click the link earlier this paragraph to get to wikipedia...same for Edwards).

I loved this book. This is more than a story about a great caddy/player relationship. This is a story of one of the great friendships and partnerships, that was tragically cut short when Edwards was stricken with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) early in 2003. He died of the disease in April of 2004, but not before lending a public voice to this deadly disease through participating in one of the most stirring rounds of US Open golf in recent history. At the age of 53, Watson, playing his heart out for Edwards shot a 5 under par 65 to take the lead of the 2003 US Open. While he ended up finishing outside the top 20, for 1 day at least, the pair was on top of the golf world. Edwards would later say that he was so touched, because he knew Watson played that round for him.

But the book is more than just a sad ending. It chronicles Edwards' career from a high school caddy at his local club, to becoming a favorite of players and caddies alike on the PGA Tour, to his crowning achievement...helping Watson with the 1982 US Open. Feinstein does a wonderful job telling Edwards' story, through interviews with Edwards himself, his wife, parents, siblings, and of course Watson. Even if you aren't a golf fan, I think you'll really enjoy this book.