Greg Mitchell's Blog, page 162

Outside 'Inside Llewyn Davis'

Yes, they've said the film was based partly on Dave Van Ronk's memoir, but also much of the music.  Key song on soundtrack is "Fare Thee Well" by actor Oscar Isaac and Marcus Mumford, but Dave did it best:

Peter O'Toole Dies at 81

The great actor has passed away.  Many memorable roles, though one must admit he did partly squander his life and career on drink.  I first dug him half a century ago in "Beckett."  Much later, great turn playing an egomaniac director in the underrated "The Stunt Man."  And after, more or less playing his sodden self, in comedy "My Favorite Year."  Here, as Lawrence, on taking Damascus.  Below that, entering "Letterman" on a camel.  Then now-forgotten great tole in "The Stunt Man" (believe he got one of his eight Oscar nods).

Also, the great Gay Talese profiles O'Toole--in 1963.  "All his life, he said, his right hand has been a kind of violent weapon. He has smashed it through glass, into concrete, against other people."

This Really Sphinx?

Battling the rare snow in Egypt?  Sadly, no, just another fake viral photo--from Japan.

Counting on Crows

This video from last year just now going viral.  I hope you'll never shoot at crow again.  Here our fine feathered friend skis or toboggans down a roof, on the lid off a jar,  then does it again. (h/t @bbedway)

Updates on Colorado Shooting

Local sheriff in Colorado at presser just now said the school shooter bought the shotgun, legally, on Dec. 6.   Also, he did not know the girl who got shot (her  name now released) and she was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.  And he shot himself less than 90 seconds from first shot.  More:  Shooter intended to kill many more than the librarian, for he came with shotgun, machete and three explosive devices.

Oh, Deer: Incident on Townsend Avenue

From the last storm, much like today:  Zoe about to get very interested in our visitor when she bounded off graciously.  The deer, that is. 

Short-changing 'Short Term'

Shocked to see the annual lists of best films of the year from the top three NYT critics today and not a single one mentions Short Term 12, even though they go beyond the Top Ten conceit to add many honorable mentions.  For me it's in the Top Five.  Last year I campaigned for Beasts of the Southern Wild, and it ended up with an Oscar nod, so it's time to get to work again.  Also, Brie Larson for Best Actress nomination.  Trailer:

Another School Shooting: Colorado

Friday night update: Gunman IDed as Karl Pierson.  Reportedly had been kicked off his beloved debate team.  Family known to attend Bible classes.  NY Daily News with alleged photo of him--and others online.  One photo of him with debate team (going for a national tourney spot)  on a Littleton schools site, found in Google search, is no longer there, I've found, but don't know when removed. 

Also from the Daily News:  "Joe Redmond, 18, a senior captain on the speech and debate team and friend of Pierson, said the gunman was upset with Murphy after the school librarian kicked him off the team.  Karl half-jokingly threatened to kill Mr. Murphy, and Mr. Murphy got him suspended for saying that. Karl wanted to go to the Air Force Academy and they don’t look positively on suspensions so (Karl) felt like Mr. Murphy had ruined his life.”


Harrowing new details--in case you thought this was not that big a deal because just one kid seriously hurt (beyond the shooter).   Terror at the school, the usual scenario of locking down rooms,  students huddled and terrified, a targeted teacher flees, shooter with shotgun roaming.

More:  Even two or more Molotov cocktails found, one detonated.  Shooter asked for one teacher by name, so he fled.  The seriously hurt student is a girl.  Police: No info yet that student had been suspended, though that is rumor. Another unconfirmed report: the fleeing teacher was actually librarian.

Student on AC's CNN show just now:  knew shooter, was "sweet" and intelligent kid, ran track, had bright future.   Denver Post talks to students who claim shooter was very "opinionated" on politics but mixed picture--outspoken against gun laws, "outside mainstream," maybe a "Socialist." 

Good Amy Davidson piece at The New Yorker. 

Earlier:

Developing story, as Newtown anniversary nears: at least two wounded, one critically.   Another report has the shootings in school cafeteria, police swarming, perhaps even a fire.  Return here for more in  a minute.  NBC says local hospital alert to possible "mass injury" crisis but that might just be precuation, and:  "The school is part of the Littleton public school systems, based in Arapahoe County — the same county where James Eagan Holmes is accused of having killed 12 people in a movie theater in the town of Aurora."  UPDATE: Pete Williams on NBC says "danger is past."  Shooter, referred to as a "he,"  in custody or dead.  One or two others wounded, no more. UPDATE #2:  Press conference--shooter, a student, is dead, with self-inflicted wound.  One student critical, another with minor injury.   A teacher had been informed that he was to be target and he exited school beforehand. 

In the 'Cards'

Trailer just out for upcoming season of "House of Cards."  And a plug for our acclaimed new film about the amazing cultural and political influence of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony.  Plus:  for your Christmas shopping needs, some of my many books on politics, media, hot issues, Hollywood and The Bomb. 

'Treme' Justice?

If you're a fan of the HBO show you know that it has been following, almost from the start, corruption in the New Orleans police department and cover-up of post-Katrina police shootings.  An acclaimed article in The Nation played a role and the reporter is a character in the series.  The feds seemed to produce some justice, and convictions, not long ago but now that's being reversed.   NYT today covers the latest, which includes the main bad acting officer (one resident was killed and torched in his car) spotlighted in the series getting acquitted last night.