RetroVision Media

Remembering Another Day Another Time

Archive for July, 2007

27
Jul

RetroVision Media Closes for August Recess But We Leave You With Some Great Vintage Programming Until Our Return Labor Day

Thank God it’s Friday, thank God this is the last show of the week, thank God it’s my birthday weekend, and thank God this is our annual August break. We will not be pod casting, video casting, commentating, providing alternative news or theater reviews for the entire month of August.

We are taking sometime off to write a long over due book, do some light traveling within the contiguous United States (the light weight dollar prevents otherwise) retooling our methods of operation, while tuning up our website for easier access, better download speeds and quality of the video and audio files made available daily to our loyal visitors.

With an added infusion of operating funds, we intend to bring you a much improved product when we return from our break after Labor Day. We would like to say thanks for your attention and support over the last year of our operation and we hope to meet and or exceed your expectations as we move into the final quarter of this, so far exciting news year.

That being said, we got a great podcast for you today to closeout this quarter, so click here for that show, or on air to stream.

No, we are not going to make it easy for you as per usual by providing corresponding copy, as it is the last day of school sort to speak and that’s how life is with immature, juvenile, irresponsible, fly by night, can’t wait to get the fuck outta here, natures such as ours. But we will give you a hint, Saudi Arabia really hates us and Condoleezza Rice is the wrong “man” for the job!

Today’s double feature will star Lloyd Bridges in The 1953 B&W thriller Limping Man and his 1949 classic B&W Trapped. While both of these vintage film noir gems runs less than 90 min. they are two great golden age Hollywood tales that will always be relevant for future audiences to enjoy. So Enjoy! Click on titles to download or on photos to stream

C-YA in September
Lee The Cool Guy!
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26
Jul

RetroVision Media’s Issue Under Fire: The White House’s Contempt For Congress

The White House apparently has nothing but contempt for congress as they will now be forced to fight off contempt of congress citations for White House staffers, both current and former, since the House Judiciary Committee voted 22-17 to cite White House chief of staff Josh Bolten and ex- Bush counsel Harriet Miers for failing to come forward with evidence in the investigation of the fired U.S. attorneys.
When issued a subpoena to appear before the committee to answer questions regarding the White House’s role in the politically tainted summarial dismissals, Ms. Miers was a no show without an adequate explanation.

The Bush administration is flailing the executive privilege card at any and everyone attempting to question inconsistencies or possible improprieties in their methods of running and protecting the nation. Having little else to fallback on as pressure mounts with the Democratic majority continuing to play their assigned role of oversight, the Bush White House’s only hope of getting through the last throes of this administration without a total collapse and avoid censure and possible outright impeachment is to cling to executive privilege with dear life.

With Russ Feingold clamoring for censorship, Pat Leahy leading the charge against Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, John Conyers having it in for Karl Rove and crew and Cindy Sheehan starting some big-time shit against Nancy Pelosi for not going for Bush and Cheney’s political jugulars asap, it is clear the administration is up the preverbal creek without a paddle.

Since the Republican minority in the House failed to make their limp prick case for bending over to White House stonewalling, by asserting congress’ powers could be diminished should they lose the constitutional battle in court, the Democrats should move forward to force the White House rat bastards out into the open for a complete airing of events that led up to and including the carnage occurring in Iraq and the rest of the mid east. Did I not promise their would be fireworks this summer. Click here to download or on air to stream

Today’s film noir classic is The Pay-Off, starring Lowell Sherman. This 1930 vintage B&W runs a mere 72 min. but the tale of a young couple about to get married, being jacked by a gang, only to have the gang’s leader have a heart and give them a break at his expense is one not to be missed. If the tale ended there, it would be a good film, but of course the good hearted gangster has ulterior motives. Enjoy! Click here to download or on photo to stream
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25
Jul

The Nightshade Family: Reviewed and Recommended

The Nightshade Family, written by Ruth McKee and directed by Shelley Butler is currently garnering fans and appreciative theatergoers in midtown Manhattan as it runs now through the 29th of this month as part of the NYC Summer Play Festival.
Making its debut among 15 other new works this year in the festival’s four year history, Ms. McKee’s tightly written comedy about the brother of a pseudo Seventh Day Adventist dentist on her way to Hungry to do missionary work while taking her first steps into real life is imposed upon by her irresponsible sibling returning with a mouth full of dental horrors and no dough to boot.

A story told with extremely well developed characters with rich dialog that not only draws its audience willingly into the plot, but also allows the viewer to connect with said characters’ plight and maintain a sense of caring and concern for their outcomes.

The somewhat dark comedy dealing with the death of a mother from cancer, after a father decides to take his act on the road, leaving without explanation, the inevitable heartbreak, blaming, hard feelings and grappling over the division of inheritance takes center stage in the lives of the two siblings. This sets the stage for a tension filled reunion that draws an innocent friend into the turmoil of their lives.

With a cast that melded together through a creative script calling for the antics of interpretive comedic dance routines to transition from one well paced scene to another, we are treated to added talents this crew brought to the production, enhancing the experience all the more.

The Cast: Julie Jesneck (Hanna), Creighton James (Kevin), Laura Heisler (Emily) and Rodney Hicks (Henry)

For a mere $10.00, a great Black Box/independent theater experience awaits you at the Theatre Row theater complex @ 410 W. 42nd street between 9th and 10th avenues. Click here for details.
This is a must see!
Lee

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25
Jul

RetroVision Media’s Issue Under Fire: Attorney General May Be Slimy, But Not Smart Enough To Be Slick

A slick and slimy Alberto Gonzales met his intellectual Waterloo yesterday while failing to alleviate his detractor’s and skeptic’s concerns during a most contentious inquisition, headed up by Sen. Pat Leahy chairmen of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Appearing evasive, disingenuous and ill prepared, the often nervous and agitated attorney general refused to vary from his rehearsed responses to vicious no holds barred questioning by the likes of Chuck Schumer and Arlen Specter.
Gonzales tried in vain to battle the tough minded committee members, hell bent on getting to the bottom of the controversially fired U.S. attorneys, the issue of his intrusion into the hospital room of then Attorney General John Ashcroft, allegedly to undermine acting A.G. Comey’s efforts to dissuade the White House from going forward with the domestic spying policies despite it’s lack of confirmed constitutional legality.

When pushed to the limit, Gonzales simply refused to answer direct questions, citing he was not sure if he’d been cleared by the White House to comply. In what seemed tantamount to outright stonewalling, the embattled Gonzales left the impression of a man completely overwhelmed, outclassed, out of place and incompetent for the job of this magnitude. The nation was treated to a front row seat to witness, via c-span cameras, the incremental meltdown of a man desperately trying to keep a job he never should have been selected for.

The provable charge of cronyism was never more evident, while watching Gonzales vainly attempt to project an air of confidence when fending off a barrage of hardnosed questions designed to trip up, display inconsistencies and misstatements during the session. If Mr. Gonzales’ performance is any indication of how the rest of the White House crew will do under intense scrutiny, it is easy to see why they refuse to let anyone speak under oath with cameras rolling in a public forum.

Overall, when evaluating the president’s performance to date and those he has relied upon to get the nation’s business done, one could see the adage; incompetence begets incompetence or garbage in garbage out is clearly appropriate here. Click here to download or on air to stream
God help us all
Lee the Cool Guy!

Today’s movie, A life at stake, starring Angela Lansbury, made in 1954 runs 76 min. and is a classic film noir gem. In this dark crime drama, a man begins to suspect a recent series of mysterious accidents that have come his way is no accident. This film is testament to the fact that just because your are paranoid, doesn’t mean somebody is not out to get you. Enjoy! Click here to download or on air to stream

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24
Jul

RetroVision Media’s Issues Under Fire: Reparations For Slavery And The YouTube Debate

CNN’s You Tube debate for the Democratic candidates for president could be described as a success by all accounts, even if some of the questions obtained from the public at large may have qualified as questionable. One such question sent in by an African American man concerning the possibility of receiving reparations for slavery, in my view, was one such questionable question that made me feel as uncomfortable as it must have made the candidates that had to answer it.
I felt so uncomfortable; I actually flipped channels until that uncomfortable moment was over. This is a topic that has gotten me in more trouble than I care to recount, however since I have rarely shied away from controversy for the purpose of stimulating open, honest, politically incorrect, diverse dialog, I will venture to share my opinion on this issue. And as such, this is our issue under fire today.
Some African Americans have spent an inordinate amount of energy pushing the reparations issue to the fore for consideration for quite some time now with little if any serious attention being paid thereto.

I my view, African Americans have all ready received reparations for slavery and other past racial transgressions perpetrated against them in many forms, albeit well disguised as government programs, such as welfare, set asides, affirmative action, the repudiation of the Jim Crow laws, the right to vote, civil rights movement and the civil service jobs that followed, Brown-vs- Board of Ed. public schools, a partial realization of Martin Luther King’s dream, libraries in every community, subsidized healthcare and childcare, head-start, free breakfast and lunch programs etc.

That my friends is tantamount to reparations by many accounts; you merely were not paying attention. It was a government gravy train that has simply slowed to a halt. While all is not equal and probably never will be, recognition of all of the above was sufficient enough for the smartest among us to get an adequate start in life.

With far more to build upon in an effort to attain the so called American dream than many in under and developing nations can even dream of, it’s difficult to fathom why many African Americans would lack the pride of their forefathers, to continue to beg a nation for something that nation has no stomach to give.
It’s time for the African American community to take stock of its self and make the necessary adjustments to climb to the next level and set the stage for the next generation’s prospects.

This is something that can only begin with the individual, with basic guidance from wise mentors, concerned educators and involved parenting. It is time for new leadership, more positive role models and a clear view of the future from the windshield of life instead of languishing in the times of yore while reliving the pains of history through the rearview mirror.

Simply put, until African Americans get over the past and find a way to exploit the fruits of the present, they will never enjoy a prosperous future. Click here to download or on air to stream

Today’s film noir flick is Please Murder Me, starring Raymond Burr. In this 1956 B&W, 78 min. classic, an attorney successfully defends a woman accused of murdering her husband only to find out she really did it. Feeling used and a sense of guilt, he sets up a sting to trap the bitch. Enjoy! Click here to download or on photo to stream.
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23
Jul

RetroVision Media’s Issue Under Fire Reviews And Recommends Josh Rushing’s Mission Al Jazeera

Staying true to our primary goal and mission to provide alternative points of view from the mainstream media, RetroVision Media’s Issues Under Fire, focuses on and recommends Josh Rushing’s book, Mission Al Jazeera.

Speaking at a C-Span televised book signing/talk session, we found the former Marine public-affairs officer, now reporter for the English version Al Jazeera network providing a rare look into news coverage afforded to many outside the U.S. that is overlooked, sidestepped, denied attention or outright censored by traditional media outlets for the purpose of ratings, commercialism, and sponsor retention.

He prominently drives home a significant point of how one’s belief system can be changed radically when allowed to see how others gather and report the news and document stories without the constraints of corporate controls.

Mr. Rushing fairly and graciously grants the American mainstream media the reasons for the schlock presented as journalism, Americans are forced fed as intelligent informative coverage, indicating corporate produced coverage is bound by a moral responsibility to their shareholders to make a profit. Carrying that heavy responsibility, the mainstream media has to generate material that will attract the largest audiences to attract the all important advertisers, to maintain a positive bottom-line.

Caving to the cravings of a dummy downed American intellect that has been info-tainted so long, they/we have little tolerance and or attention span for anything more grey matter, consuming stimulation, than Fox News, MSNBC, or to a lesser extent CNN’s coverage of celebrity scandals, car crashes, family killings and sexual predators caught on camera.

I don’t mean to infer this is all what Mr. Rushing’s book is about, but his interview/Q&A session spent a lot of time highlighting the vast differences of the coverage we get as opposed to what we are denied from seeing, as Al Jazeera News is very difficult to get if at all possible in the U.S. For that reason, we recommend, the dwindling thinking population give his book look see to perhaps see what you are not seeing. (BTW) we cite examples for your review in the podcast. Click here to download or on air to stream.

Our movie of the day, is the film noir; Hoodlum starring Lawrence Tierney. A career criminal is finally released from the big house and moves back home with his family. Getting a gig with his brother at a gas station, the former bad guy puts the arm on the customers while scheming to rob the local bank. Some scum bags never change. Enjoy! Click here to download or on photo to stream.

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20
Jul

RetroVision Media’s Issue Under Fire: This Is Guy’s A Weekend, So Ladies May Be Offended

Thank God it’s Friday folks as the weekend in the tri-state area is predicted to have some of the best weather in the country, providing us all the chance to get into the garage and clean it up, get to the overgrown weeds in the yard, wash the cars, fix that sagging water gutter, patch this or change that… or perhaps, simply spend some time with the family. Yeah, me too, Fuck that!
This is a weekend of cooler temperatures, clearer skies and low humidity. A weekend of do whatever the fuck you want, within the legal confines of then law. I am talking to the guys in the audience today, so ladies and lasses, you might want to tune in Monday.

Hey Guys, especially those lucky enough to reside in the northeaster states of New York New Jersey or Connecticut; this is our weekend to escape the traps of so called marital bliss, bust out from our pain in the ass kids who don’t listen or take advantage of our direction, wisdom, experience or sage advice, any damn way and head off to Mans world for the next two days or so.

Mans world; that nearly imaginary fantasy zone where a cold beer/margarita, salsa and chips, Buffalo wings with gorgeous gals in g-strings are awaiting us with bated breath to bequeath our every wish. Not your dream? Then how about fishing a quiet stream, with cell phone off, blackberry disabled, and kids tied up in a closet so they can’t find you or spend any money on goofy dreams of their own. Still not you, you say?

Well how about a round or two of golf, a hard match of tennis or handball with your boys while googling the most googlable fillies the tri-state has to offer. Not there yet?

Well try this one on for size; catch a ball game on the boob tube, or better yet at the park, later dining on cold pizza, some Chinese takeout and of course, more cold beer/margaritas, while making plans to attend an impromptu wet tee shirt contest starring Beyonce J Lo and Pamela Anderson. Sounds like a weekend of heaven to me and I dare say, most of the guys I know.

But perhaps, I am being presumptuous and have missed other more imaginative activities that should be included in Mans world; but I submit I am of a simple mind and have simple needs, so anything beyond the aforementioned may be beyond me.

On the other hand, if none of the above appeals to your sense of maleness and the need to quench the occasional thrust for guy time, doing guy stuff, to have guy fun without hearing that dreaded phrase as you exit the front door to the happily married home, “Honey, be careful and stay out of trouble,” then I submit you are a pussy assed metro-sexual that should just take the kids to the mall while your wife goes shopping. Or better yet, go cut the fucking grass.

Lee The Cool Guy
C-YA Monday, maybe

Did I for get to mention we got a political podcast for you today? Click here for the download or on air to stream

The kennel Murder Case is the movie of the day, starring William Powell. In this classic, Detective Philo Vance has to solve the case of two brothers knocked off at a prestigious Long Island kennel club. Click here to stream or on photo to stream
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19
Jul

Issues Under Fire Today: New York’s Chicken Little News Coverage, Congress’ Artificially Low Poll Numbers & The Dollar-vs-The Euro

Those thinking of visiting the Big Apple this weekend should not let the news of the explosion in midtown dissuade you because of the theater/drama portrayed by our local cub reporters and their yellow journalistic natures. The boring truth is; they merely over reported a simple FART in the cities aging infrastructure, causing it to blow off a little steam.
We know you awoke to dramatic pictures of Chicken littlies running amok, screaming “save me” “save me,” with NYC’s bravest and finest cordoning off streets and rerouting traffic, while piling up a ton of overtime, but the bottom line is this, it was nothing to get all steamed up about; life goes on.
So, come on down, come on over or come on in from wherever your coming from and have a good safe time. And no, this is not a comment from the NYC Tourist Bureau.

BTW, for those coming to the city or to the states, for that matter, from across the big bay or up north of the border, you will find the U.S. is having a fire sale on everything from theatre tickets to Real Estate, as the U.S. dollar has sunk to historic lows. If you are planning to shop here with Canadian dollars, euros, or British pounds, make sure you bring several extra large bags to fill up with our bargain basement products and services. Unfortunately, we can’t reciprocate, as a trip to Europe using our peso like cash would translate into an unaffordable king’s ransom.

Despite the DOW Jones flirting with 14000, most regular guy and regular gal Americans that can still contemplate a few days of get away, they’d better think local, real local. The only way the Cool Guy is going to see the Eiffel Tower this year is if one can be found on the Vegas strip.

In other news, and the primary topic of today’s podcast, is the job congress is doing and their artificially low approval ratings. For those that may think I have lost my mind by questioning the House and Senate’s recent evaluations, think again, those 14% approval ratings are extremely questionable as few are paying attention to the way the questions those being polled are being asked.

If you broadly ask the average Joe and Jane what do you think of the job congress is doing and have only the surface facts in front of you, its easy to get the “they suck” response. But if you take the time to see what the Democratic majority is doing, not (democratically controlled) is doing, I think you’d get a vastly different response. The terms majority and controlled are not interchangeable.

If the Democrats we’re truly in control, they’d have veto proof legislation flying through congress left and right. But the truth of the matter is; they are simply a majority and a slim one at that. This is not an excuse, but an explanation for these White House backed and inspired tales being spun, giving the false impression that the people are just as unsatisfied with congress as they are weary with this administration. Sort of, a misery loves company thing.

Consequently, congress’ democratic majority’s options to combating an out of controlled executive branch are limited to continuing to shame and expose the “circle the wagons” mindset of the fence sitting Republicans that continue to follow blind loyalty and a deranged decider, instead of logic and common sense. More in today’s podcast! Click here to download or on air to stream
Hey, we got a great special premier to launch at RetroVision Theater today, as we are video-casting the animated classic, Gulliver’s Travel. In case you missed this as a kid, it is a fun tale of a regular sized guy shipwrecked and awakening in a land of little people, real little people, falls in love and fights a war and a lot more crazy stuff you’ll have fun watching. Enjoy! Click here to download or on photo to stream.
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18
Jul

Half of Plenty: Reviewed And Recommended

While Half of Plenty, written by Lisa Dillman and directed by Meredith Mc Donough is our pick of the week for an excellent performance in front of a pack house at the Lions Theatre on Theatre Row, it must be noted, this well told story of a young couple moving to the suburbs, eking out a middleclass life while caring for a precociously senile parent with all the problems related thereto, is merely one of sixteen black box theatre type productions being offered through the SFP (Summer Play Festival). A mouthful, I know!

Dillman’s tale of a young struggling ex alcoholic factory worker married to a carpal tunnel syndrome suffering transcriber, working at home to care for her loving yet ever insecure hubby’s “out to lunch” father meets and are forced to deal with their ever present, small town, small minded keep America American, neighborhood watch/homeowners association maniacs.

Told in dark comedy style, this well paced and well developed, storyline moved smoothly, with rich, well delivered dialog, ripe with emotion and energy that last for the entire duration of the two hour w/one ten min. intermission production.

Ms. Dillman and Ms. McDonough had a fabulous crew to work with as Bill Buel (Jack, the irrepressible & nutty dad) Ian Brennan (Marty, the goodhearted but overanxious easily manipulated husband) Alexis McGuinness (Holly, the loving, forgiving, stand by her man no matter what type wife), did a yeoman’s job with this work, with special mention going out to Elizabeth Canavan and Barrett O’ Brien as the Zooks, a single minded, suburban couple intent on keeping American traditions and family values safe and well guarded at any cost to say nothing of personal freedoms and privacy.

Click here for a link to this show and all the others plays scheduled in this festival. The 4th annual Summer Play Festival.
(BTW) You can see Half of Plenty for a mere pittance, as this and all the others carry the ridiculously small fee of $10.00 for admission. Enjoy!
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18
Jul

RetroVision Media’s Issue Under Fire: Al Qaeda Returns Like A Bad Movie Sequel

Like a horrible sequel to a bad movie released six years ago, Al Qaeda has returned, reconstituted, and reveling in our inability to stop them. Despite hundreds of billions spent to bring the terrorist organization to world wide justice; they are reported to be gaining strength, recruits and leadership replacements to pose even greater threats to American interest than the dreaded attacks of 911.
Congress, feeling the pressure, burned the midnight oil to debate future strategies for fighting in Iraq while trying to put the newly revealed intelligence on Al Qaeda’s strength surge in perspective. With Pakistan’s Gen. Musharraf losing ground, or giving ground (depending on your viewpoint) Al Qaeda apparently has all the safe havens they need to train, arm, and plan attacks against Nato and U.S. forces in the region without having to worry about any significant retaliation.

The Brits are reporting that Nato efforts in Afghanistan are virtually useless as they simply don’t have the numbers in military personnel or equipment to be effective; adding that the Germans and the French have a physical presence but are not allowing their forces engage the enemy militarily.

The needs and resources that should have been focused on in Afghanistan from the onset, has largely been ignored while the so called war ( some say sectarian civil war) has the U.S. military pinned down in Baghdad and surrounding provinces. Not only has the born again Al Qaeda movement reared it’s head once more in Afghanistan and the mountainous regions bordering Pakistan, but the son of Al Qaeda has been born in Iraq and taking the fight to the American military there while doing all they can to keep the weak and ineffective Iraqi government in shambles.

This is tough stuff as Donald Rumsfeld used to say, but there is a solution. However be warned, you are going to have to hear all about theater in New York first as we have a full show today Click here to download podcast or on air to stream.

Today’s feature film stars Robert Newton in Long John Silver. This unrated classic tells the tale of an incorrigible scoundrel of a pirate Long John Silver arriving in the British Caribbean territory and discovering that another pirate has captured the fair daughter of the governor along with his trusted companion Jim Hawkins. He embarks on a rescue to not only retrieve the fair madden and kid, but breaks himself off a little something’ something’ for the trip. Enjoy!
Click here to download or on photo to stream
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