Archive for the ‘Media’ Category

Tuesday, July 13th, 2010 at 7:37pm

The Passing of Two Yankees Legends

Posted by Tom Skypek in American Culture, Current Events, Media

A terrific piece from the NRO’s Daniel Foster on the passing of George Steinbrenner and Bob Sheppard, the legendary voice of the New York Yankees from 1951 – 2007.

It has been a tough week for the Yankee faithful.  First, legendary Stadium announcer Bob “the Voice of God” Sheppard passed over the weekend (I’ll always remember his wonderful palindromes:  ”Now batting, numbah 2, the shortstop, Derek Jee-tuh, the shortstop, numbah 2, now batting.”).  And now the news that The Boss, George Steinbrenner, has died at age 80.

That’s exactly how Sheppard used to introduce the players.  Here’s a great tribute.  I went to my first Yankee game in 1989.  I can’t say that I remember his voice that very first game;…

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010 at 2:39pm

Red Dawn Remake with People’s Liberation Army!

So it looks like the classic 1984 war film Red Dawn, starring Patrick Swayzee and Charlie Sheen, is being remade.  This time, though, the Chinese will be the invaders.  If you haven’t seen the original, you should definitely check it out. Red Dawn was listed as #15 on National Review Online’s list of the Best Conservative Movies.

I’m really fired up for this film.  While I’ll miss Swayzee and Sheen, I have high hopes for Connor Cruise, Tom Cruise’s son. More specifically, though, I’m glad that China’s growing military power is starting to get some attention in the popular media. Defense analysts and a handful of policymakers have been watching China’s…

Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010 at 10:27am

Book Review: “Rush Limbaugh: An Army of One” by Zev Chafets

Posted by Tom Skypek in American Politics, Conservatism, Media

Rush Limbaugh:  An Army of One

By Zev Chafets

Sentinel.  229 pp.  $25.95

The good folks at Sentinel were kind enough to send me a copy of the recently published book, Rush Limbaugh:  An Army of One, by Zev Chafets.  I first started listening to El Rushbo about nine years ago when I was still an undergraduate.  So, as you might have guessed, I’m a big fan–a “Dittohead,” as Rush’s fans are known.  I tend to agree with 99.9% of what Rush says and I find his delivery and on-air persona hilarious.  This is in stark contrast to many including my wife who actually agrees with much of Rush says but finds his delivery obnoxious.  I find it endearing.

Wednesday, January 6th, 2010 at 5:24pm

Obama’s Bogus Health Care “Transparency”

Posted by Tom Skypek in American Politics, Media

It looks as though President Obama is on the record–on eight different occasions–proclaiming that all health care negotiations would be televised on C-SPAN.  This was part of his promise to make government more “transparent” and we all know how that’s turned out.


Thursday, December 31st, 2009 at 10:36am

The Dirty Dozen Meets the Reservoir Dogs: A Review of Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds

Posted by Tom Skypek in Media
[caption id="attachment_1322" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Christoph Waltz as SS Colonel Hans Landa"][/caption]

What a film!  Inglourious Basterds has it all:  superb acting, a compelling storyline, great scenery, intriguing counterfactual history, outstanding music and just enough subtitles to convey a high degree of authenticity.  The film definitely has a nice Spaghetti Western feel to it.  A more apt description might be:  The Dirty Dozen meets the Reservoir Dogs meets The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

The film was much different than the commercial trailer lets on.  This was probably due to marketing strategy and was part of an effort to market Brad Pitt, who masterfully portrayed Lt. Aldo Raine, the commanding officer of the Basterds.  The trailer…

Monday, November 2nd, 2009 at 10:47pm

Top Ten Foreign Policy Movies

Posted by Tom Skypek in American Foreign Policy, Media
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="356" caption="Sean Connery as Captain Marko Ramius, The Hunt for Red October"][/caption]

Hollywood isn’t exactly a bastion of truth and enlightenment but they’ve churned out some pretty entertaining foreign policy films over the years. I’ve compiled a list of my favorites.  The trailer for each film is provided below, along with a brief snippit detailing why it made the list.  Please note that this list does not include the best war films of all time–that top ten list is forthcoming.  Stephen Walt and Daniel Drezner generated their own lists in the spring but both seem to be missing a few classics. 

10.  Charlie Wilson’s War (2007)

Charlie Wilson’s…

Wednesday, October 28th, 2009 at 5:47pm

“Marines in Berkeley” with Rob Riggle

Posted by Tom Skypek in American Foreign Policy, Media

While a bit dated, this video is both hilarious and tragic–hilarious because it exposes the absolute lunacy of the fringe left.  It is tragic because it exposes their unbridled antipathy toward the military.  (hat tip:  WB)   

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart Mon – Thurs 11p / 10c
Marines in Berkeley
www.thedailyshow.com
Tuesday, October 27th, 2009 at 12:26pm

Conservative Renaissance Man: An Interview with Charles Krauthammer

Posted by Tom Skypek in Conservatism, Media

Charles Krauthammer is a modern-day renaissance man who has worn many hats and enjoyed tremendous success first as a psychiatrist, then journalist, international relations theorist, and now a commentator.  With the passing of William F. Buckley and Samuel Huntington last year, Krauthammer is arguably the finest conservative thinker around (Newt Gingrich certainly deserves honorable mention).  Cable news is filled with hollow talking heads who do little more than regurgitate liberal and conservative talking points–both sides are guilty of this.  You know, they’re the ones on TV with labels like “Democratic Strategist.”  Hosts, like Keith Olbermann, are the worst.  So insecure is Keith Olbermann in his ability to debate that he never has guests with opposing views on his program.  Krauthammer’s ability to provide valuable…

Monday, October 26th, 2009 at 10:23am

Obama Hits Links for 24th Time, Still No Decision on Afghanistan

Posted by Tom Skypek in Afghanistan, American Foreign Policy, Media

Hopefully President Obama also budgeted some of his time on Sunday to thinking about Afghanistan.  President Obama went golfing for the 24th time since taking office yesterday.  Former President George W. Bush was in office almost three years before reaching the same milestone.  Maybe a little less golf and a little more decision-making is in order for the Commander in Chief.  What’s the big story for the media?  President Obama went golfing with his Domestic Policy Advisor, Melody Barnes.  Glad to see the media has their priorities straight.

Sunday, October 18th, 2009 at 8:03pm

Rush Limbaugh, the St. Louis Rams, and the NFL

Posted by Tom Skypek in Media

What is there to say?  Rush Limbaugh got sandbagged by both the mainstream media and his business partners.  Whether you’re a liberal or a conservative, you should care about the St. Louis Rams debacle and what happened to Rush.  Rush was discriminated against just because he’s an outspoken conservative.  In America, anyone should be able to purchase whatever they want, regardless of political ideology.  I’m not a fan of Michael Moore, but if he wanted to buy the Detroit Lions he certainly has the right.  There is a double-standard for conservative and liberals.  You can read Rush’s recent article in The Wall Street Journal; he chronicles some of the more memorable remarks of the Revs. Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson.  Of course,…

© 2009 Hope is Not a Foreign Policy: Conservative commentary on foreign policy, American politics, and current events