April 2026
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Bombshell: Hard Hitting Effort Using Nimble Footwork

Bombshell is a movie that presents the end of the reign for Rogers Ailes the creator of Fox News. But that is not what the film is about.

Bombshell is about the dilemma of harassment in the work place as it relates to a number of females who work under Ailes – including but not limited to Gretchen Carlson, and Megyn Kelly.

However, let’s backup a moment.

In 2016 the (self) important Leads of Fox News – Roger Ailes, Bill Shine, & Bill O’Reilly are safe and sound on the chessboard the is National Cable T.V.  They have occupied this position for years and in some cases decades.  By the mid 2010s they are protected from any challenge – especially if it involves sexual harassment.

Bombshell is all about what is right, wrong, and in-between in Television News in 2016.  However, it should be kept in mind that Bombshell is being presented and portrayed by Hollywood which does not have a terrific record on this front either. 

In short, Bombshell is much about beautiful T.V. people who feel forced [sic. to be sexually] compromised in order to advance their careers being portrayed by beautiful movie people.

While Bombshell is easy on the eyes, given the viewer is watching beautiful people wearing perfectly tailored outfits that highlight the best aspects of their physic – it is not the best part of the film – not even close.

Bombshell is at its best when things get serious.  Bombshell evolves into a much, much better film as human frailty is presented.

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Jeff’s Worthless Trivia & Other Thoughts.

Bombshell is worth viewing if only to see the performance of John Lithgow in role of Roger Ailes. In my eyes, it is an Academy Award winning performance.  I am not surprised with the Hollywood establishment nominating Al Pacino and Joe Pesci.  However, both are playing a version of their movie-selves we have seen in many other films.  Lithgow deserves better.

Parasite is One of a Kind


A film that contains comedy, drama, crime, and conventions of a thriller is a winning combination for Hollywood and its audiences.  Usually any film that attempts to provide all four of these aspects succeeds on some and less so on others.  The vast majority of the films utilizing combinations of these genres – over the past 20 years – have been produced and distributed by franchise brand driven studios.  While proving to be popular, with many even being enjoyable, all by their very nature – are serials devoid of much if any originality.

And then Parasite comes along.  Parasite is Produced, Directed, & Written by Bong Joon Ho (Snowpiercer, Okja).  Parasite is as original and compelling in its story-line as any film I have ever witnessed.  Parasite provides top level comedy, drama, and crime – all wrapped up in a thrilling finish.

Accompanied by terrific performances by each and every Cast Member and superior cinematography, production, music, and film editing Parasite is as good a movie as can be seen in a motion picture theater today.

Me & [Likely] You Are Leading America To Ruin – Politics is for Power Not Consumption


Partway through the book Politics is for Power Not Consumption, Author and Political Science Professor Eitan Hersh brought home his point that I and other college educated voters are ruining American politics and therefore America.

Why?  According to Hersh; me and, (if accompanying under the bus) you are political hobbyists.  The implication? According to Hersh, political hobbyism is to public affairs what watching SportsCenter is to playing football.

Da-da-dunt, da-da-dunt!

Whoah! I thought I was a good patriotic American,  However, if Hersh is correct, in the game of Evaluating My Standing in America he just threw the winning Touchdown Pass via a Post Route with no time left on the clock for the opposition. There also looks to be no flags on the field of play.  Really?  Was not the Offensive Guard\Speaker of the House holding on the play? Surely the Tight End\Senate Majority Leader set an illegal pick?

Before I begin any rebuttal accompanied by total indignation, let me offer the following:

  1. Hersh knows history.
  2. Hersh knows politics.
  3. Hersh knows sports.

Gosh, I respect any guy, or girl, that can carry those kinds of credentials – even if they are trashing me and my ways in the court of public opinion. As I progressed through each section and chapter, my favorability ranking in American society appeared to be at risk of falling below that of U.S. Congress and any Cable Network News Channel that nowadays provides an opposing political bent 365/24/7.

At 288 pages (about 230 not counting notations) Politics is for Power Not Consumption is a one or two sitting read for us political hobbyists. In it, Hersh identifies and articulates the problem, and offers a hypothesis to solve the issue at-hand.  During the reading journey, Hersh provides facts, and supporting context.

I highly recommend Politics is for Power Not Consumption regardless of political affiliation or persuasion. However be forewarned – if you take none of Hersh’s advice, you are nothing more than a political hobbyist and must own it.

If you read the book, tell me what you think?  In the meantime I am trying to decide if taking action is included in my next steps.