|
IMDB rating: 6.80 Plot: Oddball cop and tough guy, Jack Cates is the only survivor of a cop shooting and in hunting down the murderer collects Reggie Hammond from jail for 48 hours. Hammond is oddly motivated to help. The killer is searching for his stash of cash. Cates and Hammond who have the Black-white, cop-crook thing to work out make surprisingly good partners as they navigate through the city looking for their suspect. |
Available versions:
DVD (Good Quality)
Actors: Murphy Eddie,Nolte Nick,McRae Frank,Remar James,Kelly David Patrick,Landham Sonny,James Brion,Banks Jonathan,Keane James,Action,Comedy,Crime,Drama,Thriller,
What music would you choose, to depict the current state of human society, and as a portent for its future?
I awoke and got up a little after 4:00 a.m. this morning. Performed my usual toiletries, have had two cups of fairly decent coffee(but still feel like crap); and now while composing this question, am intermittently watching the news on the tube.
More people slaughtered in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan during the past 24-48 hrs. Washington D.C. is floundering in its usual moral morass. Some kids are smoking "Hankah(?)" now – claim that it’s less harmful than regular cigs. (Ha!)
Watched a "2012" documentary on the Natl. Geographic channel last night. Am now 75 – and wondering if I’ll see my 76th birthday(but do I really care?). Recently learnt that I have cancer on the left side of my jaw; have cataracts that should have already been removed(keep procrastinating). Wondering if I’ll have enough money to purchase the necessary cigs. for the rest of the month. And it’s a cold, gloomy day here in Nevada.
But trying(not terribly hard) to look at my life’s glass of water as half-full; but no matter what/how which way I turn it, still looks half-empty to me.
Am I just wallowing in self-pity? How about you? What’s your outlook on life today: your status as you see it, the current state of human society, and its future?
What piece of music would you choose to best depict it?
Me?: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmX9N8C8n ko
Alberich
You have broached a very interesting question — but I don’t think that piece has yet been created.
Fundamentally, human society is built on organized chaos and fractals. There are parameters and themes to human existence and these themes often reflect themselves in the individual, the organizations and the state (hence the fractal nature).
You also have societal evolution and competition. Groups and ideas wax and wane. Great countries topple and are rebuilt. We learn and grow.
I’d create a piece that starts with some of high pitched "buzzing" around (individual chaos). Slowly some african polyrythms are introduced (group chaos but also order), and then I’d start blending it a variety of competing orchestral pieces ranging form the dark, the ominous and the sorrowful to the hopeful and the sublime. These would compete against each other coming in waves (ala 1812), but there would be no ultimately triumphant melody. Such is the curse of human existence.
There are, of course, plenty of pieces that mimic parts of human society from Also Spracht Zarathruster, to your choice of the Rings, to the Sorcerer’s Apprentice, to the New World Symphony, to Ode de Joy. But I don’t know of any piece in of itself that truly captures human society.
Frst Grade Rocks! ? | Nov 16, 2009
Sorry you’re having a bad day, Alberich.
Your question is too intriguing to ignore…
There are several pieces that I feel are reflective of the world as it stands today. I will do nothing more than list them, in order that you can listen to them and see if you can agree.
1) Prokofiev Piano Concerto No.4 (for the left hand). The "andante" in particular.
2) Scriabin – Prometheus – The poem of fire.
3) Vaughan Williams – Symphony No.4 (esp. opening movement).
Malcolm D | Nov 16, 2009
Forgive me but are you in the mood for a bit of Pierrot Lunaire?
Michaelup | Nov 16, 2009
Dearest Alberich,
cordial greetings as always,it grieves me to hear you are feeling down.
Today except for my general demeanor of loathing towards most things,
especially when I’m stuck here at work and feeling like crap in the morning
(always a given for me) things are pretty chipper.
I often have days when the reverse feelings are true though.
I hope this beautiful final movement to Mahler’s 3rd Symphony helps to lift your soul just a little:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPmN5wtAQ 8U&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Dvo8kWGW bY&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gg3nBc57L Ms&feature=related
As for music depicting the current state of society.
Ye Gods! Probably Marilyn Manson’s "Irresponsible Hate Anthem" would sum things up:
"There’s no time to discriminate, hate every <expletive removed> that’s in your way." Ha ha,I go too far as usual but you get the gist.
I won’t post a clip,I think ignorance on your part for this one may be desirous.
Alas the future is something way too disturbing for me to contemplate so I choose not to, so wish I’d been born in the 1940s, er seriously of course.
stammi bene
mephistopheles
mephistopheles | Nov 16, 2009
Close, however I think we will come out on the other side whatever it is. I am still hopeful. I chose this not only for the music but the visuals. Best wishes.
Evas | Nov 16, 2009
I am in too bad a mood to care about anything outside of my immediate surroundings. I have hurt myself so much over the last two weeks, that I am beginning to wonder if it really is "them" or if I was wrong all along? But I do not wish to go into that – it will only make me feel worse. I am soo full of angst, and wishing that this would all end, but it wont. I cannot sleep at night, but when I eventually do, I dont want to wake up. I do not want to get out of bed ever… worse still I have school, and yet another detention (for not wearing long socks.).
Its 5.40am here now, and I woke up an hour ago (as I usually do) to begin piano practice… then realised that that is totally futile. I cannot even play at the moment, unless the piece in question is for right hand only, or only uses one finger of the left hand…. stupid arm/hand.
I should be so happy – I have so many people who love me, and a healthy baby on the way…. but that doesnt make up for all the shit.
As for war – there has always been war, and at least in my lifetime, there always will be. So, while it is terrible, and I wish it would end, I know it wont.
We’re already killing the planet… and soon the whole planet will be one big hot, humid, stinking mess… maybe the dinosaurs will reappear?
My song/piece? It is the song that I was referring to in the "emotion in singing question."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-O-qg7_v 6w
But of course you dont speak Italian. Perhaps that is a good thing: as you wont be able to understand exactly what it is that I am going on about.
MissLimLam | Nov 16, 2009
Anything involving rap and hip hop. Those "songs" "discuss" sad issues such as gun violence, rape, etc and yet people dance to it. That alone tells you how stupid average has become.
So that’s life. It sucks, but our sucking threshold has been raised. We can put up with crap that would make our parents cringe. What could I say? Dance to it anyway.
And stop trying so hard to see the glass half full. It is not. Just stop. It’s half empty and leaking fast. Pessimism is underrated. Pessimists are rarely taken by surprise and rarely disappointed. Join the club.
Dr D | Nov 16, 2009
How about Gotterdammerung.
suhwahaksaeng | Nov 16, 2009
Sounds like somebody’s got a case of the Mondays.
Sinfonia Concertante de Mozart
2nd Movt.Part 1 Violino e Viola
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wJTQSo-N Dk&feature=related
whack47 | Nov 16, 2009
I want you to see your next birthday, and more to come. Your observations struck a chord with me. I had my first cancer surgery when I was eight years old. From a early age, my perspective on life was different than those around me.
I belong to a generation who thought for sure that we would help put things right in the world, and it’s disappointing to now see that very little was changed for the better. On my own personal journey, I learned what made my life seem to have more meaning. I do volunteer work for persons dealing with cancer and other illness. I’ve dedicated the remainder of my life to that goal. I have a possibly unrealistic goal of doing everything I can to help find a cure for cancer. I will die trying, but since I’m going to die anyway, it seems logical to persevere.
Wallow in the self-pity for a while. Sometimes that actually helps a person sort out thoughts and reach conclusions. We don’t have to be happy every minute of every day. I am currently dealing with the same cancer issue that you describe (mine are medullary thyroid cancer, pheochromocytoma, parathyroid tumors in the jaw area). I don’t have the answers you seek, but I know what might help, and if you ever need a friend, I have a listening ear.
Music for the current state of human society?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oepXF2B5N K4
And this is for you:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBqo7Yr2H Gk
iris | Nov 16, 2009
I don’t know of any classical that would describe my opinion of what’s going on. Isn’t it great that we have music to help us get through each day and night?
The only one I can think of is not classical in the sense you want. In case you haven’t heard it….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPFdbKLUm Qk
Robrecht | Nov 16, 2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1ul0_87f 2c
Aaron | Nov 16, 2009
Alberich, I’m sorry you’re going through such a rough time. It’s times like this where I feel frustrated by the fact that I live half a world away from you…if I lived in Nevada, I’d pop around and cheer you up!
I’ve been experiencing a bit of a roller-coaster journey myself lately, up and down, up and down…mainly business woes, exacerbated by Adelaide’s first ever November heatwave – over a week of 35C+ temperatures – including a string of 39C days URGHHHHHHHHHHH…
I despair over the world, too – there’s little else but human tragedy all over the news, as well as disturbing environmental issues. I, too, despair for humanity. Crime is escalating – we have a pathetic local government who care about burning issues such as the water crisis, homelessness, mental health crisis, etc. – instead, they think nothing of spending megabucks on stupid car races that dominate our little city every year with their noise and stinking fumes.
But I try and focus on the bright points in my life – my wonderful daughter, my friends…music, art, books, animals…and the down periods (like meteorological anomalies) always pass.
I always find the music of Vaughan Williams depressing, often unbearably sad. For me, his "Tallis Fantasia" epitomises the current gloom of the world…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5y7nJL1hp UU&feature=related
Tallis’s original hymn appeared in a 1567 psalter, and here are the composer’s accompanying words:
"Why fum’th in fight the Gentiles spite, in fury raging stout?
Why tak’th in hand the people fond, vain things to bring about?
The Kings arise, the Lords devise, in counsels met thereto,
against the Lord with false accord, against His Christ they go."
It pretty well sums it all up, don’t you think?
Please take care my friend,
Hafwen xoxox
hafwen | Nov 16, 2009
Dr D pretty much summed up my feelings already. When I listen to classical music, even that funeral song that someone linked, it uplifts my spirit. Rock and rap songs more explicitly describe what is going on with society.
I’m sorry you’re going through these difficulties. I think you’ve earned the right to feel sorry for yourself, in my humble opinion. You are dealing with serious problems, and you don’t have your head buried in the sand the way most people do about the world situation.
I