The Real Reason Trump Won

Since we're rapidly approaching inauguration day, and we've spent the last two and a half months being buried under analysis about how and why Donald Trump pulled off his presidential victory, now might be a good time to mention the one thing that--as yet, in all the coverage I've read on the subject--has yet to be mentioned. That would be the real reason that Trump won. Namely, this:

Trump won because he was the one with the hot blonde chick standing next to him.

Reel Reviews

Straight Outta Compton -- Entertaining and accessible enough that this movie could probably make some rap fans--or at least N.W.A. fans--out of people who really aren’t all that into rap music. The only real complaint about this flick is that the story is too big for one movie; there’s no way the whole tale has been covered in full in this treatment. Nevertheless, this movie makes the case that these young guys deserve even more respect than they ultimately got, not just making cool music, but for being brave, sharp, and for seeing the big picture, too. Definitely worth a look, and a listen.

Reel Reviews

On Her Majesty’s Secret Service -- Not bad. Given the absence of Connery and the presence of George Lazenby, this film has a negative reputation for a piece of the Bond canon, but it’s actually an enjoyable bit of work. There’s good humor, plenty of well-done action sequences, hot girls, wonderful scenery, and nothing too ridiculous in terms of the plot. The tone is a bit uneven; Lazenby’s Bond gets a little too sensitive now and then, and 007 is really not meant to be that kind of animal. All in all, a better movie than its immediate predecessor, and one that proved the concept that someone else could step into the role--thus ensuring the future of filmdom’s most durable franchise.

Reel Reviews

The Big Short -- I don’t think this movie makes a good case that any of the investors depicted is the hero of this story. Perhaps that’s the point: there were no heroes, and couldn’t be, given the nature and scope of the crimes being committed. It’s entertaining, almost to a fault. A few of the scenes--particularly the expository interludes--are a little too clever; they actually undermine the seriousness of the message of the movie (if any). Will anyone learn anything from this tale? Of course not; the same swinishness is already happening again. But, at the very least, next time no one will be able to claim that no one saw it coming.

Reel Reviews

Concussion -- Solid, earnest, and convincing in its premise that the NFL knew and didn’t care. Will Smith really does give a tremendous performance; if you remember back to some of his earlier works, it can be hard to reconcile those performances with the portrayal presented here. And that’s a good thing. As for the moral, maybe some of the viewers will have reservations about watching football in the future; I suspect, however, that it won’t change anything, or at least not that much. You should still see this film anyway, just so you know what you’re supporting.