12 Angry Men and Spiderman 3

It seems as though "12 Angry Men" is on PBS quite a lot, but last night is the first time I've watched it since I was either 12 or 13 years old. When it ended, all I could think is that it should be required viewing for anyone who ever sits on a jury, actually it should probably be required viewing for everyone. Now not all aspects have aged well, and it is somewhat cheesy, but it makes it point very clearly. For those who haven't seen it, the story is about a jury of 12 men who must come to a verdict in a murder case. As the jury first enters the jury room, the initial vote is 11 to 1, most for guilty. The sole dissenter makes his case, and the movie is about everything American, from freedom of speech, right to a fair trial, faith in God, responsibility and so on. One thing I noticed this time is unlike most courtroom dramas, there are only a few seconds of footage in which the defendant is visible, and there are no flashbacks to the scene of the crime. It is all about the jury. With the advent of digital cameras, with the saturation of the news media, and with a population that is so fickle, how can we expect anyone to get a fair trial? Innocent until proven guilty (emphasis on "proven"). Found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Are these things possible? I was reminded of this little line from years ago "click me", would we rather have murderers walking the streets or innocent people in jail. Would we give up our freedom to be a little safer? I say let people take their toenail clippers on airplanes. Doesn't that answer kind of say it all?

Alright, now we're on to something not so deep... "Spiderman 3". I saw it today in IMAX, IMAX makes almost anything watchable (except last years "Superman") "Spiderman 3" was way better than part 2, and I think even better than the first. Now of course there was a lot of stuff that I shouldn't have known about (like Venom) but did because of the trailers, but what's you gonna do, right? I hate movies that put characters in situations that make me feel uncomfortable, like when the girl and boy have a misunderstanding that keeps them apart. Seriously, learn how to communicate just a little better. Fortunately, in "Spiderman 3" these moments weren't as bad as the past movies, it's almost a relief that Mary Jane knows that Peter Parker is Spiderman. The campy humor wasn't as obnoxious as the last installment, I actually laghed at the jokes instead of at the movie this time. The inclusion of three bad guys worked really well. Sam Rami did a great job of balancing the meat of the story with the overshadowing danger. At any moment one of three bad guys (or all of them, or any combination of two) could be causing havoc or waiting in the shadows. The action scenes were super sweet, they just keep getting better and better at the transitions from computer to real (and visa versa). All I have to say is this, directly to Spiderman: If you have Mary Jane, I don't care what reason you might have, even if it's to save your life or end world hunger; DON'T KISS OTHER GIRLS!!!
Stupid Spiderman! One day people will realize that Batman is the one and only true superhero, and these punks like Spiderman will fade quietly from our memory.