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We’ve got some little prizes to give out from Al Gore’s new documentary An Inconvenient Truth (read the review)which looks at the issue of Global Warming.  Seen the film?  Have an opinion on the issue?  Know who Al Gore is?  How about Al Capone?  Gore Vidal?  Hell, do you know how to type?  Let us know and win a chance for a free goodie!

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For our fans in Kansas City we’ve got a couple of free passes (each good for 2 people) for a special advance screening tonight (Tuesday, June 20th).  The film won’t be released in theaters until next month, so here’s your chance to be one of the first to see the latest from Kevin Smith and View Askew.  Tell us why you’re a Kevin Smith fan and give us a reason to send the pass your way.

Congrats to the Winners!  We’ll see you tonight.

Clerks II
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“It ain’t what you know that gets you into trouble.  It’s what you know for sure that just ain’t so.”  Are you so sure Global Warming isn’t real that you’re missing the signs all around us?  Global Warming has been an issue in this country for decades but always pushed to the sidelines for “more important” issues.  Al Gore has been working with scientists and studying the data since his early college days (roughly half his life) and when no one else championed the cause it fell to him to get the message out.  Now in a new book and film Gore goes slowly through the mounting evidence of humans effect on the environment and looks into the future to a world that if changes aren’t made could be catastrophic for all mankind.

An Inconvenient Truth: The Planetary Emergency of Global Warming and What We Can Do About It
4 Stars

I like Al Gore.  I didn’t really understand him as the VP in Clinton’s shadow and the campaign he ran in 2000 didn’t really show us about the type of man he was and how strongly and passionately he will fight for issues he believes in.  The book’s (and film’s) main subject is Global Warming, but it’s also about Gore and his life and how this issue has become so important to him.  Because of Gore’s political affiliations I’m sure more Democrats than Republicans will pick up the book and take a look but I’d urge everyone out there if they’ve got twenty bucks to spend to spend it here.  Gore’s book looks at those studying the issue for decades and the data (not all of which has been available until Gore pushed for it to be released and much more has been suppressed by the current administration) and looks to a future that demands we take this issue seriously or face dire consequences.

First let me say that the book is the companion piece to the movie (check back on Friday for the review) and while it is made to be easily accessible and very visual I would recommend, though it is not necessary to do so, to see the movie first.  Both the book and the film are structured around the presentation that Gore gives about the subject.  While both are highly informative the book lacks some of the warmth and humanity that comes across in Gore’s presentation of the issue in the film.

We know now that the Earth is not an indestructible ball but instead is a combination of infinite fragile components and the most vulnerable of these is the atmosphere.  As he examines this the book also looks at the disinformation campaign that with the help of some influential people in Washington and the oil industry has worked to confuse Americans about the issue.

I could go into detail of the information covered in the book (shrinking ice-caps and glaciers, rising ocean temperatures, increasing frequency and strength of storms such as hurricanes, tsunamis and tornadoes, rising temperatures and CO2 levels, drought and flooding, the rise of disease vectors such as mosquitoes to higher altitudes, deforestation, and the loss of coral reefs) but it’s easier to just outline how the book is put together and allow you to investigate the information for yourself.

The book begins by explaining the science of Global Warming and the (wrong) idea that humans don’t effect their environment.  If you are under 35 you’ve probably heard these basic principles of how CO2 is trapped and what that means to the environment in junior or high school science but its good to have a quick refresher and for those that don’t quite understand how it works this will be a necessary first step (sadly though the comedic alternative explanation from the film isn’t presented here).  After the basic lesson Gore moves into showing the effects of rising CO2 levels.

From there the book goes on to show examples of effects of Global Warming worldwide that include the graphs and data and several pictures that show climate and temperature shifts in various areas of the world.  Some of these include loss of snow on mountaintops, the disintegration of the Larsen-B ice shelf in Antarctica (and how similar processes may have begun in Greenland),  and the near total disappearance of Lake Chad. 

Through these examples Gore goes on to explain the different types of research being done and how CO2 and Global Warming can be measured today and based on that information how the further effects can be plotted on a scale to help predict future consequences.

The book is well put together and organized in a way that’s easy to follow if it is a bit oversimplified in parts to help bring the attention of the issue to a mass audience that would have trouble reading directly from scientific research manuals.  The information is based on scientific data, facts, and common sense and although Gore’s emotional tie to the issue helps carry the argument it never gets in the way or tries to ignore information just to prove its point.

The book goes on and on and it might seem a little scary and terrifying, and it is.  At the same time however Gore balances that growing sense of unease with a hopeful message.  What we are seeing is a result of our own negligence and by becoming active we can halt the harmful effects and even begin to make headway into reducing such effects in the future.  We have the technology today to do so we just need the will to get it done.  In fact the last sections of the book detail ways every citizen of the planet can do their part to help end global warming.

“The era of procrastination, of half-measures, of soothing and baffling expedients, of delays, is coming to its close.  In its place we are entering a period of consequences.”  We need to stop sidestepping the issue and deal with the consequences of our actions now while there is still an opportunity to undo the damage.  We need to listen to the same scientists who told us of the hole in the ozone layer while politicians were still ignoring and debating the problem.  We need to continue to research the issue to weed out the disinformation and deal with the data.  The argument Gore makes in the film and in this book is compelling and I urge everyone to take the time to verse themselves in the issue.  What’s at stake is our very existence on this planet – that’s kinda’ significant and worth some time and serious thought wouldn’t you say?  The issue is neither too big nor too complicated for us to solve, but it will take effort and time and Gore has given us a resounding call to arms to begin now its up to us to answer by providing the will needed to make the necessary changes for our future.

Good news for fans of Asian cinema as there’s a place to go to see stars like Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Michelle Yeoh, Stephen Chow, Donnie Yen and others.  Bob and Harvey Weinstein (formerly of Miramax, now The Weinstein Company) have made deals to create what they are calling “the largest library of Asian cinema in North America.”  The new label, Dragon Dynasty, will release all the studio’s Asian titles including Ong Bak 2, The Protector, Born to Fight, Seven Swords and many more.  The company will start out with 43 films from Fortune Star (Asia’s leading media and entertainment company) as well as 50 classic Shaw Brothers’ films and adding independent projects from filmmakers like John Woo (The Killer, Bullet in the Head) as well.  Expect repackaged two-disc special editions of films like Fist of Legend and others that have not been available in the US market.

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We’re here to keep you informed on hot choices for renting or buying new DVD releases. Released this week: Underworld – Evolution, Firewall, Running Scared, Glory Road, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (2-Disc Collector’s Edition), Dazed & Confused – Criterion Collection, Charmed – The Complete Fifth Season, The Wild Wild West – The Complete First Season, Entourage – The Complete Second Season

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Here’s what is getting released today on DVD:

Film:

Underworld – Evolution – They’re back, the vampire and the werewolf hybrid, and this time they are in love. Underworld Evolution tries a little too hard to make a short romance in a horror film and loses sight of the original ideas behind Underworld, it gets confusing. It’s great that the producers of the film got past actors to return (let us not forget one of them is married to the director), but the story is pretty far fetched. Then again, we are talking about the mysterious world of vampires and werewolves, of course it’s going to be out there, but who suspected a complete loss and total confusion for what should have been a fun and simple horror flick. The directors got off track with the CGI and costuming, originally they were so proud at costuming the first film, just like An American Werewolf in London, but in part two they depended on some pretty crappy CGI and some of the costumes don’t match up. The DVD does boast a few fun extras and the film itself is a brainless popcorn flick. It’s good times if you don’t look too far into the story and just enjoy the fun of monster gore. Check out Alan’s past review on Underworld – Evolution.

Firewall – Here is a more than needed complex film with Harrison Ford trying to pull off a hi-tech security geek, an “Average Joe” out to save his family from a group of kidnapping bad guys. Truly not the least bit convincing and boring at times; surprising to see actors like Harrison Ford and Award Winning (after Sideways) Virginia Madsen in a film as lame and typical as Firewall. This film has been done multiple times in many different equations, lets put it to rest and move on to more inventing storylines. Check out Alan’s past review on Firewall.

Running Scared – In all fairness, I have not seen this film and have yet to hear one good thing about it. Somewhere along the lines of mobsters, gunfire, drugs, pedophile child abuse, rape, all done in the most distasteful way, just doesn’t interest me and shouldn’t most. But don’t just believe me; check out Alan’s past review on Running Scared.

Glory Road -A true inspiring story about a basketball coach and his team competing in the southern university lineup for a championship against all odds. The true story is their battle with racism and discrimination; the coach recruits seven black players from the Bronx and starts up to three at a time. During the 60’s teams very seldom had more than three black players and seldom started more than two at a time. Not only do the players have to standup to other teams and their white players, but their own team and university. A typical underdog story that rises to the occasion with wit and humor to soothe some of the more tense moments in the film. The team went on to compete in the NCAA Championships with the first ever all black team lineup.

Special Editions:

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (2-Disc Collector’s Edition) – One of the best, if not the best, westerns of all times. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid with Robert Redford and Paul Newman should go down in history books, good old fashion filmmaking with heroes and bad guys, train and bank robberies, horseback chase scenes through sweeping landscapes all mixed together with good looks, romance, chivalry and old fashion comradery. The two cowboys travel across country committing petty robbery and laying back at the local saloons and bordellos, all along being chased by the law and some of the best trackers money can hire. Through the mountains and across the plains holding up in Bolivia and returning to their no good ways, causing trouble with the South American law and possibly biting the bullet in the end. Good times to be had here and it’s a 2-disc set, hell yes, with alternate scenes, the making of, a documentary of “The Wild Bunch: The True Tale of Butch & Sundance” and interviews. Don’t miss out!

Dazed & Confused – Criterion Collection – Don’t Bogart the remote, dude. Really, what explanation is needed for this comedic cult weed-loving classic? Rottentomatoes gave it a thumbs up. Dazed & Confused the Criterion Collection comes with a whole 50-minute documentary, booklet and poster, groovy now you can giggle along with the stoners and see how it all works.

TV:

Charmed – The Complete Fifth Season – I can’t believe this WB series has made it as far as 5 seasons; what are they up to now, like 10 seasons? Just goes to show how far 3 cute asses in tight leather with low cut shirts can get you. No seriously, when the show first started out with the 3 sister witches going through their new powers and learning how to keep themselves protected from all that is evil and keep the world safe too, it was okay, but when one sister dropped out and another showed up and shortly after a baby, things went south. Season 5 still has Cole the sexy evil demon who use to date Phoebe and the two still have it for each other, but Cole can’t get his act straight, I think he bites it somewhere in Season 5, but I’m not for sure. Leo and Piper have the baby and goes through baby safety problems and marital issues. And Paige does her basic flailing around looking for Mr. Right and her place in the circle.

The Wild Wild West – The Complete First Season – Does anybody remember Wild Wild West? I do, it was an awesome little 007 type TV show, but with cowboys instead. Started in the mid 60’s and ran for 4 seasons with 24-28 episodes per season. Two cowboys, debonair James West and gadget geek Artemus Gordon, work as secret agents for President Grant. The two sweep through the western side in their highly technical train saving the day and shutting down crime in a gentlemanly way. James West is the handsome lighthearted rouge that saves the day and takes all the physical risk, while Artemus Gordon is the overly cautious sidekick who creates all the wonderful gadgets to help James along. Fun and easygoing adventure show with all kinds of cool technical gadgets that would put any of our new 007 films to shame.

Entourage – The Complete Second Season – Read details about the rising stardom here at HBO.