While we don't know much about Against All Enemies, just based on the subject matter alone, this has the potential to be the most Oscar-baity film that Kristen has ever had a starring role in. So it will be interesting to see which production company picks it up. Hopefully, IFC will not handle its US theatrical distribution if this is a role which could garner her an Oscar nod.
I've got to add that I always thought it cool that Bruce admitted that he used a Rhyming Dictionary to write that song.
That's why I posted a video of it which contains the lyrics.
Till this day I can never understand why some consider all songwriters who use rhyming dictionaries or novelists who use thesauruses as akin to using a cheat sheet. While using words that rhyme and high sounding words just for the sake of it without conveying any original thought or profound meaning is one thing.
For example, while we were still in high school, my brother and I would do just that--write rap lyrics using a rhyming dictionary and perform them during a talent show during a church gathering. Sure the words rhymed--yet no one even hinted at wanting to get an audio copy of any of our songs. Not sure if it was because most in the church we attend dislike rap music in general or because our lyrics didn't flow smoothly enough and failed to make an emotional connection with the audience or simply because we sucked at it. But at least we had fun doing it which was its own reward. And the pained looks on some of their faces, that was priceless.
In stark contrast, using a rhyming dictionary or a thesaurus to further enhance and intensify an already artistic and creative lyrical and literary work, as is true in the case of Bruce Springsteen's masterful use of wordplay, I consider it to be perfectly appropriate and would wholeheartedly encourage it.
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Ron2011 (907)
6 years ago
Another of Kristen's films with a strong and challenging character role. It'll be interesting to see what the critics say about this film and her role. She usually gets very positive critiques on these kinds of roles.
LL, I agree with you on using rhyming dictionaries as a non issue. I would think they'd use whatever good available item or tool in their work, just as anyone else does.
LL, I hope that volcano eruption is nowhere near you in Hawaii. It's probably on another island from you anyway. It's one of the world's most active volcanos. I see reports of people evacuating but hopefully little or no damage to people or property.
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LLOwens (983)
6 years ago
While I truly appreciate your concern Ron, this will most likely turn out to be one of those natural disasters which aren't as bad as it sounds in terms of lives lost, although there will be substantial damage to homes built on and near this volcano. The increased volcanic activity from this particular volcano is limited to a remote region on Hawaii island. The ones directly affected by the lava flowing out of vents and various fissures are those who built or purchased homes on the active Kilauea volcano, although it should also be stated that the underground lava tubes can possibly carry lava miles from its source. This is similar to those who live on or near the San Andreas fault line in California. Of course one of the main reasons why people decide to live there is cheaper land/housing and are willing to take such a risk. And yes, you are also right about it being one of the most active volcanoes in the world as it has been erupting almost continuously since 1983. There was also a magnitude-6.9 earthquake which geologists believe is linked to the eruption, although there have been no reports of fatalities from either the eruption or the earthquake.
That being said, perhaps the biggest potential widespread threat to health and life caused by this volcano is the volcanic gas which it is emitting which contains high levels of sulfur dioxide which can lead to headaches, irritation of the throat and eyes along with sinus and upper respiratory infections. For example, I live over 200 miles away from Kilauea volcano and yet if I'm downwind from this volcanic gas--we in the islands refer to it as vog as the atmosphere above us looks hazy almost like fog--I sometimes experience some of these symptoms, almost as if I'm experiencing the early stages of a cold. So I can only imagine how I would be adversely affected if I lived much closer. While these symptoms are relatively minor, for those with underlying lung disease like COPD or emphysema this poses a heightened risk and this is where such an incident could turn deadly if people don't take precautions.
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Ron2011 (907)
6 years ago
I figured you were well away, I think on Honolulu. Reports I read also seemed to show that the immediate area is quite remote and sparsely populated. As you say the gas and fumes from it are likely the worst aspect. A huge eruption from a volcano can put enough material into the atmosphere that it can affect weather. That happened in 1883 with volcano Krakatoa, a huge volcanic eruption in Indonesia. Caused much damage and los of life in the local region. It put up so much debris that it altered climate, rainfall and more. Summer weather was much cooler in some areas such as in parts of the US. Check it out on Wiki, it was a pretty amazing event.
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LLOwens (983)
6 years ago
The volcanic eruptions which caused the largest death tolls on record were both located in Indonesia--Krakatoa like you referred to which killed over 36,000 and Mount Tambora which killed over 71,000. And the effects of some of these volcanic eruptions are so profound like you mentioned it sometimes affects the climate of the entire Earth. For example, the Mount Tambora eruption in 1816 caused global temperatures to decrease by 0.7 to 1.3 degrees Fahrenheit and was thus called the Year Without a Summer. In parts of the eastern United States where you live Ron, a persistent dry fog characterized as a "stratospheric sulfate aerosol veil", which I'm guessing appears like the vog we witness in Hawaii on occasion, hovered over these cities, partially blocking out the sun and making already cold areas like Massachusettes even colder. One negative impact was frost killing off most of the agricultural crops in higher elevations of this state. More recently, the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines which killed 847 people, led to unusual weather patterns including cooling in the United States, showing its far-reaching effects considering Boston is almost 8,400 miles away from where the eruption occurred.
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Ron2011 (907)
6 years ago
Yes, I'm familiar with the "year without a summer". Areas saw some snow during the summer.
An interesting note. During that time the founder of the Famer's Almanac was sick for a time so had one of his writers do the weather write-ups. The writer, for some reason, put down snow for summer of that year! The owner was so worried at that prediction that he asked that all the copies be pulled back, but some made it into circulation. Well, that was the "year of no summer", with summer snow. So instead of the outlandish prediction being a negative, it had the opposite affect of cementing the Farmer's Almanac's reputation for reputable weather forecasting. Fun stuff. :) I get the Almanac every year and read that item in one of their issues.
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Ron2011 (907)
6 years ago
The volcano continues to intensify, some homes being lost. It's in a more remote area but I saw on the news a long line of traffic of people being allowed back into the area to their homes. Probably allowed in temporarily to take out what they can as it looks like scientists are expecting an eruption, maybe a fairly large one.
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LLOwens (983)
6 years ago
While it's tragic that some have lost their homes due to the ongoing volcanic eruption, as of today a total of 37 structures have been destroyed, the good news is, so far no lives have been lost as a result. I read a news article which interviewed a man who refuses to leave his home as he claims he has nowhere else to go and he mentioned that there are several others who are staying put despite all the warning signs. If there is an eventual death toll from this natural disaster, it will most likely be as a result of those not heeding the warning to evacuate the areas near the erupting vents and fissures of this active volcano. There is still time to evacuate and would advise them to do so as failing to comply may turn out to be akin to playing Russian roulette.
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Ron2011 (907)
6 years ago
Good to hear that no loss of life so far. I've seen at a few overhead views showing lava flows quite close to neighborhoods. Hopefully those homes will be spared but sadly some have already been lost to this event. This is getting quite a bit more serious especially as they expect minor and larger eruptions to go on for a while. Those staying behind are taking serious risks. I think this is worse than even an approaching forest fire with those eruptions spewing out large amounts of debris and fumes and likely more lava.
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LLOwens (983)
6 years ago
Virtually all volcanic activity affecting residential neighborhoods is occurring in or near the Leilani Subdivision located along the East Rift Zone. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, Leilani Estates sits right in the middle of Zone 1, considered the highest volcanic threat area on Hawaii island. To my understanding, private mortgage companies will not approve a loan to build a home in any of the subdivisions located in this rift zone, while home insurance premiums issued by private insurers are either very high or not offered for newly built homes and understandably so because we're talking about homes situated on a slope of an active volcano. I believe many of the ones who have lost their homes won't have any financial recourse as they most likely bought their homes with cash and did not insure them. So without question, those living here took on a huge financial risk and as a result, some have lost their homes. Hopefully, they are quick to learn from this unfortunate experience and don't put what's infinitely more important, their very lives, at risk by refusing to evacuate.
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Ron2011 (907)
6 years ago
That's amazing to hear about how people moved to that area, no mortgages and extremely high insurance premiums. A very dangerous place to have a home and risk losing so much. I assume many must be wealthy so at least the financial impact is lessened, but losing a home and belongings is the worst thing aside from losing loved ones.
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LLOwens (983)
6 years ago
I read a local news article that mentioned how uninsured homeowners who are unable to purchase insurance that will cover lava damage to their homes in the private market may apply for coverage from the Hawaii Property Insurance Association, although there is a six-month wait period. It also mentioned how some homeowners mistakenly believe fire coverage will cover the cost of their home if it's burned down as a direct result of a lava flow, which isn't the case for policies excluding lava damage.
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