The Stones, Scorsese & IMAX

A movie/concert/life experience almost beyond imagining, 'Shine A Light' is a must-see cinematic experience, a time-capsule contribution from a superb movie director of what surely is the greatest rock band EVER.

Jagger most certainly dominates the film, but every Stone gets a fair roll, and guest artists, side band members and historic Stones newsreel footage seamlessly add pace and even surprise; in an interview with Dick Cavett almost half a century ago, a prescient Jagger appears to talk right through the decades, and Christina Aguilera shows us what she could have been had she a teaspoon of Jagger's artistic discipline.

But as stunning as the documentary in IMAX is visually, it is upstaged by its sound system -- clear, crisp, separated, flawless, you hear, well, everything... even your heart beating. If you don't see this, St. Peter might not let you into heaven!

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Dinner afterwards at Acme on Great Jones St. Bertha's meatloaf, double order of mashed potatoes, pitcher of Blue Moon, all shared with good friends. Just a great day!

Acme

Shine A Light

Valentine: From baseball star to movie star

By RONALD BLUM, AP Baseball Writer May 1, 5:21 am EDT

NEW YORK (AP)�Bobby Valentine has transformed from baseball manager to movie star.
The former New York Mets and Texas Rangers manager is featured in the documentary "The Zen of Bobby V," which is being screened at the Tribeca Film Festival and will be televised by ESPN2 on May 13�the manager�s 58th birthday.
Valentine was a contentious figure while managing the Texas Rangers (1985-92) and New York Mets (1996-02). In Japan, where he began his second stint as the manager of Japan�s Chiba Lotte Marines in the 2004, Valentine is more revered.
He is shown riding his bike around Tokyo during the 90-minute movie. He climbs Mt. Fuji and skis. The filmmakers show that a burger, a beer and a street have been named after him.
"And I eat the food and ride the trains and enjoy the culture immensely and even try to speak the language a little," he added, "and that�s probably picked up here and there."
Because he�s "across the pond"�as he termed the Pacific Ocean�it�s hard for him to keep track of what�s going on in the major leagues.
"I do know the Diamondbacks are off to a great start, but I can�t tell you who�s hurt on the Mets," he said. "I�m sure that the New York teams, playing the last year in their respective stadiums, are going to give their fans more than their money�s worth this year, and I think they�ll be at the top before it�s all said and done. But that�s just a gut feeling, it�s not based on any knowledge of the teams or the competition."
He said about 500 hours of video were shot for the movie. Scenes of Valentine�s karaoke singing were cut.
What did he sing?
"�My Way��what else would I sing?"

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Bobby V is the only player to have managed a team in both the Japan Series and the World Series. He is also one of only five Americans who have managed in Japan. +jak

Global Warming -- Why are we still debating this?

Let's get religious, here. In every known faith, humans are God's chosen. Since the beginning of time, they have been given stewardship over planet Earth. If God handed out report cards, what do you think our planet-keeping grade is?

It is what it's always been, 'F.' We have polluted our home since we first stood upright -- without thought, hesitation or morals. The present generation is the FIRST to ponder the results of our planetary ignorance, but the question is: How much pondering time do we have?

Climate change and global warming, while potentially cataclysmic, cannot be accurately assayed by scientific observation of a mere decade or two, or even a century. Does that even matter? We have, and continue almost unabated, to desecrate and defile the biggest gift God gave us.

We have to stop, right now!

The November Election

I'm working on writing something, but the insanity of the media, the intransigence of Democrats and the evil smugness of the GOP gives me pause. As each day passes the specter of Karl Rove manipulating yet another right-wing victory seems more real. What should be a slam dunk is morphing into the kind of sleazy-sound bite, Willie Horton/Swift Boat campaign that Rove is a genius at orchestrating.

An Obama/Clinton ticket (all right, even a Clinton/Obama ticket!) is so painfully obvious to me, but I see nothing on the horizon that even hints at it. Anyway, stay tuned.