Deaf Anthology # 88: "Swing Vote"

Insight Cinema now have no insight in Hollywood, we Deaf left in the dark, not knowing the title and when the next open-captioned film will be released, and we are all at the mercy of Fondi.

FILM CRITIC: If there is any kind of job in the world that I will like to have, perhaps the role of a film critic will fit me, love watching those two Chicago newspaper critics, Roger and Ebert, giving their thumbs up and down, it's great being paid to watch the silver screen, and gulping them all that popcorn (I wondered if that caused his throat cancer, any research on that to back it up, none that I know of) , those two expressed their opinions straightforward, not what they think the audience (or even the studios, for that matter) may think. Oftentimes, in the local newspaper, there is an ad for a free movie preview, we gotten go to a local business to pick up the free pass for two, or send an e-mail, first come, first serve. I wish we Deaf have our own Open-captioned version free movie premiere, that doesn't happen unless it is a foreign film at a Landmark theatre. In a preview, a row is often reserved for film critics from the various publications, they get their free passes from the studios directly, or the regional marketing agency. Heck, if they can do it, why can't I, maybe the studios will see my blog and take note of it, and perhaps add me to their roster. Not only that, they give away free promotional items such as t-shirts, caps, buttons, (not just posters) , etc. They have someone present to gauge the audience reaction, maybe even go back do a reshoot, or the editing room, to make a few revisions before its wide release. I join the American Film Institute so as part of membership, get complimentary tickets to Landmark theatres, they preserved old theatres from the silent era.

Today I will take a crack on Kevin Costner's new film, "Swing Vote." This is a first for Deaf Anthology going in a new field, where Smokey is the film critic, taking seriously his role, rather than just creating all these fictional stories (with an exception of a few commentary), a trademark, now let's get down to business.

"If we are the richest nation in the world, why we can't afford to live in it?"

This was a question that was randomly selected from the mailings to Bud, to ask the Presidential candidates in the final debate, good point, have we ever thought about that for a second.

Anyway, Kevin Costner, play the role of Bud Johnson, drunkard and unemployed egg factory worker, living in a trailer park in Texico, New Mexico (wherever that is, probably a gas station in a middle of no where). The only thing he have in his life that is worth anything is his daughter, Molly, who have to dragged his father out of bed to take her to school. Bud Johnson doesn't care about his rights as a citizen to vote, as he doesn't want to get drafted into jury duty. His daughter, Molly mailed in the registration. Bud promised he will show up to vote, but he was caught up drinking with his buddies and playing pool, only to be reminded after seeing his daughter, making a presentation to class, on local news. Molly waited and waited, his father never showed up, and the polling place was about to be closed. The polling workers was either asleep or away for the moment, so Molly got in unnoticed and cast a vote, but the voting machine malfunctioned as a result of a plug being accidentally pulled from its outlet by a janitor. Nevertheless, it was a close race (remember Florida guys) and the final count came in, a tied. Wait a minute, there is one vote uncounted because of a malpractice, they traced it down to one man, that's Bud Johnson, unaware that his daughter cast a vote in his place, a felony. Took the oath, and was told that state law requires him to recast his vote within ten days. The world is watching this one man and his single vote which can be our fate which is in his hand (if you didn't vote, that's your problem) , it has become a media circus (second only to Favre), a mockery of our democracy. The politicians will go out of their way to patronized and unearthed this guy. The candidates are making a fool out of themselves, changing their platform, just to get that damn vote to get in the White House, they listen in his mindset on various issues, as a result the Republicans supported Gay Rights, the Democrats became Pro-Life, and even take on the environmental issues (global warming anyone, how about a fishing spot, a can of beer will do), and all kinds of gimmicks, being a guest on Air Force One, being acknowledge by Willie Nelson, his idol, whatever it takes. The film ends with a final Presidential debate that will help determine his decision one way or another. "Why should I vote, it wouldn't make much differences anyway," that is a myth we have to tackled.

Smokey: THUMBS UP!

revised 8/06/08

This is Smokey, stay tuned for the next episode of Deaf Anthology. Good night, Deaf America!