J. Robert Godbout's Open Salon Blog

Weekly 10: 10 Classic Movies You Must See

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 22:08:38 -0400

For this week's Weekly 10 I thought I would switch gears and bring you an opinion based list, rather than the fact based lists I have been doing.

One of my interests is classic/vintage movies. There seems to be an artistry that is part of these movies that you don't see in current movies. Artistry in the writing, and acting that sadly is hard to find today.

So if you are new to the classics, or just like a good movie, consider one of these 10 when thinking about which movie to see next.

These movies are in no particular order.

1. Ace In The Hole - 1951:

Chuck Tatum (Kirk Douglas) is a driven and talented news reporter whose short temper and contempt for authority has gotten him fired from many of Americas best newspapers. Tatum finds himself broken down in Albuquerque and appeals to the local news paper editor Jacob Q. Boot (Porter Hall) for a job until he can scrape up enough money to get back to New York, or Chicago or some other big newspaper. Boot hires him but after a year Tatum roams around the newspaper office ranting over the lack of any news in the town.
Boot sends him and Photographer Herbie Cook (Robert Arthur) to Los Brios to cover the annual rattlesnake roundup, but on the way Tatum happens upon a real human interest story.

2. The Graduate - 1967:

Ben has recently graduated college, with his parents now expecting great things from him. At his "Homecoming" party, Mrs. Robinson, the wife of his father's business partner, has Ben drive her home, which leads to an affair between the two. The affair eventually ends, but comes back to haunt him when he finds himself falling for Elaine, Mrs. Robinson's daughter.

3. In The Heat Of The Night - 1967:

Virgil Tibbs is a Philadelphia Homicide detective home to see his mother in the rural south. He is arrested on general principles when a rich white man is found dead, and Tibbs' being Black is enough reason. When his identity is established, his boss offers his services to the small town sheriff who has little experience with murder investigations. As the two policemen learn how to work together, they begin to make progress on the crime

4. China Syndrome - 1979:

While doing a series of reports on alternative energy sources, an opportunistic reporter Kimberly Wells witnesses an accident at a nuclear power plant. Wells is determined to publicise the incident but soon finds herself entangled in a sinister conspiracy to keep the full impact of the incident a secret.

5. The Great Escape - 1963:

Based on a true story, a group of allied escape artist type prisoners of war are all put in an 'escape proof' camp. Their leader decides to try to take out several hundred all at once. The first half of the film is played for comedy as the prisoners mostly outwit their jailers to dig the escape tunnel. The second half is high adventure as they use boats and trains and planes to get out of occupied Europe.

6. Psycho - 1960:

Phoenix officeworker Marion Crane is fed up with the way life has treated her. She has to meet her lover Sam in lunch breaks and they cannot get married because Sam has to give most of his money away in alimony. One Friday Marion is trusted to bank $40,000 by her employer. Seeing the opportunity to take the money and start a new life, Marion leaves town and heads towards Sam's California store. Tired after the long drive and caught in a storm, she gets off the main highway and pulls into The Bates Motel. The motel is managed by a quiet young man called Norman who seems to be dominated by his mother.

7. In Cold Blood - 1967:

Two young men are ineffectual individually, but when together become violent criminals. They break into a wealthy farmer's home only to find that there is nearly no money at the home and murder the entire family to avoid identification. The first part of the film details the search for them, the second, their trial and execution. Taken from the actual events chronicled by Truman Capote in his book.

8. On Golden Pond - 1981:

An aging couple Ethel and Norman Thayer ("Ethel Thayer, I almost didn't marry you cause it sounded like a lisp."), who spend each summer at their home on Golden Pond. They are visited by daughter Chelsea with her fiancé, where they drop off his rebelious son. The story explores the relationship, among other things the relationship that she had with her father growing up, as well as what can happen to a couple in the later years of a long marriage. Along the way, was a touching bond between the young boy and the old man.

9. East of Eden - 1955:

Cal Trask is a particularly unhappy young man. He sees himself as the black sheep of the family and is always competing with his brother Aron, who seems to be perfect in almost every way. Aron is also their father's favorite and Cal desperately wants his father's love and affection. It's the period leading up to America's entry into World War I and these are tumultuous times. After his father loses most of his fortune trying to ship refrigerated lettuce to New York, Cal decides to speculate on a crop of beans and makes a small fortune but he soon realizes that he can't buy his father's loves either. Cal's discovery that his mother is alive - he and Aron were told that she had died - and that she is a madam leads to a final, tragic result for all three of the Trask men.

10. Guess Who's Coming To Dinner - 1967:

Joey Drayton brings her fiancé, Dr. John Prentice, home to sunny San Francisco to meet her affluent parents. Their liberal persuasions are now put to the test, for although the young man is an ideal choice (he's highly and internationally respected in the medical field, and he's impeccably mannered, handsome, well dressed and of a respectable California family), he's black. The film, which covers one busy day in the Drayton home, is essentially a drawing-room comedy, a series of cross-conversations between the young doctor and the girl's parents, and finally between all sets of parents and offspring. A simple dinner is extended to include the doctor's parents, who fly up from Los Angeles for the evening, and the crusty but benevolent old Irish priest, a friend of the family. Thus, the title of the film.

So make some popcorn, cuddle up with your significant other or pet, and get lost in the world of fine films.

What Are OS'ers Reading?

Sat, 1 Aug 2009 21:08:00 -0400

Greetings All!

I thought it would be interesting to see what many of you are reading. Since OS is a place with all kinds of interesting writers, thinkers, and people who love to offer their opinions - I thought it would be interesting to see what everyone was reading.

Right now I have 2 books going from the library. Hemingway's For Whom The Bell Tolls and P.J. O'Pourke's Driving Like Crazy.

I am also a big supporter of the library. I don't believe enough people take advantage of the wonderful reseources our libraries have.

So what are you currently reading?

Weekly 10: Top 10 Countries For Life Expectancy At Birth

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 16:07:39 -0400

With all the recent talk about healthcare in the news, I thought it would be interesting to take a look at what countries have the longest life expectancy.

The CIA World Factbook rates all countries with the following disclaimer: "this entry contains the average number of years to be lived by a group of people born in the same year, if mortality at each age remains constant in the future. The entry includes total population as well as the male and female components. Life expectancy at birth is also a measure of overall quality of life in a country and summarizes the mortality at all ages. It can also be thought of as indicating the potential return on investment in human capital and is necessary for the calculation of various actuarial measures."

The age estimates on this list are for people born in 2009. Age estimates and country information come directly from the CIA factbook. For more information on worldwide life expectancy, or CIA publications, please visit their website at www.cia.gov.

1. Macau (People's Republic of China) - 84.36 years: Colonized by the Portuguese in the 16th century, Macau was the first European settlement in the Far East. Pursuant to an agreement signed by China and Portugal on 13 April 1987, Macau became the Macau Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People's Republic of China on 20 December 1999. In this agreement, China promised that, under its "one country, two systems" formula, China's socialist economic system would not be practiced in Macau, and that Macau would enjoy a high degree of autonomy in all matters except foreign and defense affairs for the next 50 years.

2. Andorra - 82.51 years: For 715 years, from 1278 to 1993, Andorrans lived under a unique co-principality, ruled by French and Spanish leaders (from 1607 onward, the French chief of state and the Spanish bishop of Urgel). In 1993, this feudal system was modified with the titular heads of state retained, but the government transformed into a parliamentary democracy. Long isolated and impoverished, mountainous Andorra achieved considerable prosperity since World War II through its tourist industry. Many immigrants (legal and illegal) are attracted to the thriving economy with its lack of income taxes.

3. Japan - 82.12 years: Japan attacked US forces in 1941 - triggering America's entry into World War II - and soon occupied much of East and Southeast Asia. After its defeat in World War II, Japan recovered to become an economic power and a staunch ally of the US. While the emperor retains his throne as a symbol of national unity, elected politicians - with heavy input from bureaucrats and business executives - wield actual decisionmaking power. The economy experienced a major slowdown starting in the 1990s following three decades of unprecedented growth, but Japan still remains a major economic power, both in Asia and globally. In January 2009, Japan assumed a nonpermanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2009-10 term.

4. Singapore - 81.98 years: Singapore was founded as a British trading colony in 1819. It joined the Malaysian Federation in 1963 but separated two years later and became independent. Singapore subsequently became one of the world's most prosperous countries with strong international trading links (its port is one of the world's busiest in terms of tonnage handled) and with per capita GDP equal to that of the leading nations of Western Europe.

5. San Marino - 81.97 years: The third smallest state in Europe (after the Holy See and Monaco), San Marino also claims to be the world's oldest republic. According to tradition, it was founded by a Christian stonemason named Marinus in A.D. 301. San Marino's foreign policy is aligned with that of Italy; social and political trends in the republic also track closely with those of its larger neighbor.

6. Hong Kong (People's Republic of China) - 81.86 years: Occupied by the UK in 1841, Hong Kong was formally ceded by China the following year; various adjacent lands were added later in the 19th century. Pursuant to an agreement signed by China and the UK on 19 December 1984, Hong Kong became the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People's Republic of China on 1 July 1997. In this agreement, China promised that, under its "one country, two systems" formula, China's socialist economic system would not be imposed on Hong Kong and that Hong Kong would enjoy a high degree of autonomy in all matters except foreign and defense affairs for the next 50 years.

7. Australia - 81.63 years: Aboriginal settlers arrived on the continent from Southeast Asia about 40,000 years before the first Europeans began exploration in the 17th century. No formal territorial claims were made until 1770, when Capt. James COOK took possession in the name of Great Britain. Six colonies were created in the late 18th and 19th centuries; they federated and became the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901. The new country took advantage of its natural resources to rapidly develop agricultural and manufacturing industries and to make a major contribution to the British effort in World Wars I and II. In recent decades, Australia has transformed itself into an internationally competitive, advanced market economy. It boasted one of the OECD's fastest growing economies during the 1990s, a performance due in large part to economic reforms adopted in the 1980s. Long-term concerns include climate-change issues such as the depletion of the ozone layer and more frequent droughts, and management and conservation of coastal areas, especially the Great Barrier Reef.

8. Canada - 81.23 years: A land of vast distances and rich natural resources, Canada became a self-governing dominion in 1867 while retaining ties to the British crown. Economically and technologically the nation has developed in parallel with the US, its neighbor to the south across an unfortified border. Canada faces the political challenges of meeting public demands for quality improvements in health care and education services, as well as responding to separatist concerns in predominantly francophone Quebec. Canada also aims to develop its diverse energy resources while maintaining its commitment to the environment.

9. France - 80.98 years: Although ultimately a victor in World Wars I and II, France suffered extensive losses in its empire, wealth, manpower, and rank as a dominant nation-state. Nevertheless, France today is one of the most modern countries in the world and is a leader among European nations. Since 1958, it has constructed a hybrid presidential-parliamentary governing system resistant to the instabilities experienced in earlier more purely parliamentary administrations. In recent years, its reconciliation and cooperation with Germany have proved central to the economic integration of Europe, including the introduction of a common exchange currency, the euro, in January 1999. At present, France is at the forefront of efforts to develop the EU's military capabilities to supplement progress toward an EU foreign policy.

10: Sweden - 80.86 years: A military power during the 17th century, Sweden has not participated in any war in almost two centuries. An armed neutrality was preserved in both World Wars. Sweden's long-successful economic formula of a capitalist system interlarded with substantial welfare elements was challenged in the 1990s by high unemployment and in 2000-02 by the global economic downturn, but fiscal discipline over the past several years has allowed the country to weather economic vagaries. Sweden joined the EU in 1995, but the public rejected the introduction of the euro in a 2003 referendum.

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The United States a.k.a. the country with the "best healthcare in the world," as many healthcare non-reformers call it, placed 50^thon the list. As a country that is supposed to have the "best healthcare in the world" - why are our citizens not living as long as the other 49 countries ahead of it?

I hope you found this little list enjoyable and as always I welcome your comments. -JRG

Gravestone (A Poem)

Wed, 29 Jul 2009 15:07:45 -0400

I have a secret I would like to share - I like poetry.

The more time I spend at OS the more I feel at home. To me poetry is an intimate look into the heart/mind of someone.

As I become more and more comfortable here at OS I will share more of my writings.

I don't claim to be any good - just enjoy it. I humbly submit this poem for your review.

Comments/thoughts are always welcome. Thanks!

The Gravestone (A Poem)

Solemn, weathered, alone you stand

Life's finite reminder

Numbers and letters etched

like the wrinkles of time imparted

on the person you honor

You are the everlasting voice

echoing a life's journey

Placed at the site of eternal slumber -

the destined sleep of all life

Generations will pass, neglect will befall you,

yet silently you will stand

whispering your song of life

Weekly 10: The 10 Largest Public Libraries In The U.S.

Fri, 7 Aug 2009 16:08:45 -0400

Greetings everyone!

States are facing tough decisions about which programs to cut as they scamble to make up budget deficits. Often public libraries are the target of cuts. Book aquisitions, hours, staffing, and the general public all suffer as a result.

I can't say enough about the importance of supporting your local libraries as there is a world of items available to us - and the best part is it's all free!

So for this week's weekly 10 I thought it would be interesting to look at the countries 10 largest public libraries (by volumes held) as reported by the American Library Association.

For more information on library advocacy, or just interesting library news, please visit their website at: www.ala.org.

1. Boston Public Library - 15,760,879 volumes: Founded in 1848, by an act of the Great and General Court of Massachusetts, the Boston Public Library was the first large free municipal library in the United States.

2. Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County - 9,154,039 volumes: The Main Library serves as the hub of the entire Library system as well as the “neighborhood library” for thousands of downtown workers and residents. With one of the finest collections of materials among public libraries in the U.S., the Main Library attracts more than one million users annually.

3. County of Los Angeles Public Library - 7,838,277 Volumes: The County of Los Angeles Public Library was established in 1912 under authority of the County Free Library Act. It is one of the major libraries of our nation, and provides library service to over 3.5 million residents living in unincorporated areas and to residents of 51 of the 88 incorporated cities of Los Angeles County.

4. Detroit Public Library - 7,459,353 Volumes: The Detroit Public Library is the largest library system in the state of Michigan. The Main Library and its 23 neighborhood branches make it one of the most valuable and accessible public institutions in metropolitan Detroit. Currently, the Detroit Public Library consists of a Main Library with 10 subject departments and a number of collections. There are 23 branch libraries, and LOW, a bookmobile service for the community.

5. Queens Borough Public Library - 6,488,198 Volumes: The Queens Library serves 2.2 million people from 62 locations plus seven Adult Learning Centers and two Family Literacy Centers. It has circulated among the highest number of books and other library materials in the country since 1994.

6. Free Library of Philadelphia - 6,410,841 Volumes: Initiated by the efforts of Dr. William Pepper, the Free Library of Philadelphia was chartered in 1891 as "a general library which shall be free to all." Pepper received initial funding for the Library through a $225,000 bequest from his wealthy uncle, George S. Pepper. However, litigation arose as several existing libraries claimed the bequest. The Free Library finally opened in March of 1894 after the courts decided the money was intended to found a new public library.

7. Los Angeles Public Library - 6,285,760 Volumes: The Richard Riordan Central Library, originally constructed in 1926, is a downtown Los Angeles landmark. Originally simply the Central Library, the building was renamed in honor of the longtime president of the Board of Library Commissioners and President of the University of Southern California, Rufus B. von KleinSmid. The building was subsequently renamed in 2001 after Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan.

8. Chicago Public Library - 5,891,306 Volumes: Since first opening its doors to the public in 1873, the Chicago Public Library has maintained its status of one of the City's most democratic of institutions — providing all Chicagoans with a free and open place to gather, learn, connect, read and be transformed. Although the Chicago Public Library has changed dramatically since its beginnings in an abandoned water tower after the Great Chicago Fire, its mission has remained constant:
"We welcome and support all people in their enjoyment of reading and lifelong learning. Working together, we strive to provide equal access to information, ideas and knowledge through books, programs and other resources. We believe in the freedom to read, to learn, to discover."

9. New York Public Library - 5,169,953 Volumes: The New York Public Library comprises simultaneously a set of scholarly research collections and a network of community libraries, and its intellectual and cultural range is both global and local, while singularly attuned to New York City. That combination lends to the Library an extraordinary richness. It is special also in being historically a privately managed, nonprofit corporation with a public mission, operating with both private and public financing in a century-old, still evolving private-public partnership.

10. Brooklyn Public Library - 5,120,690 Volumes: As an independent system, separate from the New York City and Queens libraries, Brooklyn Public Library serves the borough's 2.5 million residents, offering thousands of public programs, millions of books and use of more than 850 free Internet-accessible computers.

Looking at how grand some of these old building are it sort of speaks to the importance our elders placed on the written word and knowledge. An importance that I fear is lost on many of the young today.