Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 9-8-2021: Tom Hanks.

9th July, 2021.

Right then … it’s a Friday.

So, inevitably, I’ll doing my Follow Friday’s on Twitter, later.

Just as inevitably?

I’ve another meeting: or, at least, Zoom lesson on my course.

Which reminds me, I’ll have to do another section of the associated Health and Safety Course!

Busy, busy, busy!

~≈fi≈~

Do you follow the Technology news?

I do: or, at least I try to … if I can understand it!

At any rate?   Something I noticed, this morning, is Sainsbury’s big decision: to stop selling CDs and DVDs.

Basically … ?   Because people are shifting from optical media, to subscribing to streaming services like Netflix and Apple Music.

That’s … 

Well, I’ve mixed feelings about it.

On the one hand … ?   I’ve bought from iTunes, and listen to Spotify as much as anyone.

And rented movies from various VOD services.

On the other hand … ?

There are times when buying the CD is cheaper than buying the album from iTunes: or the thing’s not on Spotify.

The same applies to DVDs.

It’s … 

Well, it’s sad.

But there you go … 

~≈fi≈~

Charlie Wilson’s War: Sex and Drugs and Mujahideen …

You know, I think I’ve had an entertaining evening …

Think … ?

No, I’m positive I did … !

Now, as you’ve probably guessed, every so often I and some friends usually get together to catch a DVD.

To the point where I’m thinking that I should maybe start calling these little get-togethers a salon …

Or maybe not: I think those had more French people involved, didn’t they … ?

Kevin, Adrian … ?

At any rate, you’d’ve worked out, by now, that Kevin D, Movie Night Adrian and I — joined, tonight by Kay and her partner, Rob — were all at mine, for a film.

Tonight’s … ?

Was the 2007, Mike Nichols directed film, Charlie Wilson’s War.

And, at the risk of sounding even more stumped than a very stumped person indeed, I’ve got to admit, I’m blowed if I know where to put Charlie Wilson’s War, genre-wise.

I really don’t …

Because, whilst it’s a biopic of Representative Charles Wilson’s efforts to fund a covert operation to repel the USSR from Afghanistan, it’s also a very wry piece of comedy.

With extra wryness.

And maybe a mild Satire sauce …

The film follows Representative Wilson — party guy and all round Good Ol’ Texan womaniser — on his own personal road to Damascus.

After he sees a news article on Afghan refugees fleeing their homeland in the aftermath of the Soviet invasion, he becomes determined to try and help.

Mostly, as a member of the relevant sub-commitees, by making sure that the various mujahadeen groups in the region getting both arms and funding: mostly through General Zia-ul-Haq.

‹‹‹•›››

Now, others have summed up both the film and the events it shows us.

But Charlie Wilson’s War … ?

I think I’m going to recommend this one to you.

It’s a film that, although showing us events that have been endless discussed, it does so with a sense of humour that I found keep all of us laughing out loud.

Several times.

And, in one of its closing scenes, shows Wilson asking the relevant sub-commitee why they’re only fund an Afghan school to the tune of $1, 000, 000.

When they’ve spent $100, 000, 000 on the covert war …

There’s probably a lot a body could make of that, isn’t there … ?

Several people have.

But all I can do is quote you the congressman, himself …

“These things happened. They were glorious and they changed the world …

and then we fucked up the end game.”

The Da Vinci Code: Codes, Signs and Entertaining Hokum

Hmmm. Now there’s a thing of debate …

I managed to have another get together, with Adrian and Allison, rather than our usual co-watcher, Paul^, over an entertaining – albeit largely hokie – flick, last night.

Ron Howard’s film from Dan Brown’s book of the same name, The Da Vinci Code.

And I’m fairly convinced it’s hokum, in the sense of being fairly informal nonsense. But it was entertaining, and an enjoyable way to spend a couple of hours, and something that should be seen with that in mind. And worth watching for dear, dear Sir Ian’s only slightly overdone performance as Sir Leigh Teabing.

But I do realize that it’s a film and book that comes with quite a bit of baggage.

If nothing else, one or two … issues

Now, I’ve always seen myself as agnostic, rather than either believer, or non-believer. I think I, like many others who’ve had some form of helpful contact with twelve step groups will find prayer to be of help – whether or if there’s a Higher Power listening is another matter, but but something I’ve found helpful to assume there is, when needed. And I’ve always viewed organized religion* as much like anything we make for ourselves: capable of both good and ill, at the same time.

So, for me, one of The Da Vinci Code’s central ideas – that Jesus Christ was married, and had descendants – isn’t one that I found myself disagreeing with, upsetting though I realize it is for many. I’ve always found myself agreeing with the authors of The Holy Blood and The Holy Grail that, if God became manifest as human, his story would be incomplete, somehow, if he didn’t share the full range of human experience,

Although I realize perfectly well that this, and other aspects of the story – the accuracy of Dan Brown’s research is a start point, here, along with the credibility of the Priory of Sion, along with whatever views one may have about Opus Dei – will present problems for people. I know perfectly well we’re looking at a film and book that – however well or badly ones thinks it does it – has a central concept that does strike a bit near the bone, for many.

All I can suggest is making ones own mind up, according to ones own beliefs and experiences.

And at least enjoy the film as the hokum that it is.

* Please note, I should stress that I’m not trying, here, to either talk down or talk up any one religious group or belief, here. I’ve always felt that whatever works for you, is fine by me, however strange I may find it. And hope you think the same, for whatever works for me.

^ Paul, bless him, had some old friends over