Author Archives: Blowhard, Esq.

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About Blowhard, Esq.

Amateur, dilettante, wannabe.

The Spirit of Marcuse

Posted on August 18, 2017 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: Yesterday, in the comments to this post, I linked to a progressive’s call for censoring “intolerant” speech, something I’ve been hearing increasingly over the past year or so. Although the post quotes Karl Popper, it reminded me of … Continue reading →

Posted in Philosophy and Religion, Politics and Economics | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Quote Du Jour: On Nazi Marches

Posted on August 16, 2017 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: It is useful to consider the three primary arguments set forth by Skokie in support of its effort to forbid the march. First, the village argued that the display of the swastika promoted “hatred against persons of Jewish … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Economics | Tagged , , , , | 12 Comments

Juxtaposin’: The Civil War

Posted on August 16, 2017 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes:

Posted in History, Politics and Economics | Tagged | Leave a comment

More on the Decline of Free Speech

Posted on August 15, 2017 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: “KEVIN SYSTROM, THE CEO of Instagram, was at Disneyland last June when he decided the internet was a cesspool that he had to clean up.” Oh goodie. I’m sure he’ll only use his powers for good. Telling Zuckerberg to … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Economics | Tagged | 2 Comments

Free Speech Under Attack

Posted on August 9, 2017 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: Do people care about free speech? Did they ever really? A recent spate of stories has me wondering. INB4 some lawyer or lawyer wannabe notes that three of these stories don’t involve state action, therefore the First Amendment … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Economics | Tagged | 5 Comments

“Border Incident” (1949)

Posted on July 24, 2017 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: A notable movie if only for the attitudes and assumptions it embodies. Released in the late 40s, it’s a social problem film about illegal immigration shot like a Mexican noir by cinematographer John Alton. Director Anthony Mann, who … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Happy Fourth of July!

Posted on July 4, 2017 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: Via Wikipedia: Oliver was one of three judges during the trials held after the Boston Massacre. Thomas Hutchinson was pleased with the work that Peter Oliver did, and made him chief justice of the Superior Court in 1772. Oliver complained often … Continue reading →

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21st Century Movies: The NYT v. Us

Posted on June 23, 2017 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: Manohla Dargis and A.O. Scott, the two main film critics at The New York Times, have released their list of the best movies of the 21st century so far: 1. There Will Be Blood 2. Spirited Away 3. … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged | 8 Comments

The Art of the Opening Title: The Americans, Season 4

Posted on June 22, 2017 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: An interview with an animator who created it. He also worked on the opening titles for TRUE DETECTIVE.

Posted in Art, Movies, Television | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Juxtaposin’: Italian Midlife Crisis Death

Posted on June 21, 2017 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: https://youtu.be/GgZQsHV0Z58?t=1h31m56s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnT7nYbCSvM The ending of David Chase’s THE SOPRANOS seems too similar to the ending of Elio Petri’s I GIORNI CONTATI to be a coincidence. Petri’s film was never released in the United States, but given that it’s an … Continue reading →

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