Refugee

I've beena bit startled by the reaction to the use of the word "refugee" in the wake of Katrina. It's as though people consider it an insult, or a word holding an inherent viewpoint. Those fleeing the hurricane are seeking refuge. They are, therefore, refugees. These doesn't mean that they are somehow inadequate. It means that -- for whatever reason -- their homes are no longer inhabitable and they need help. We all need it sometimes.

Beyond the Sea

About a year late, I gave this movie a viewing. I was impressed with Kevin Spacey's singing, but there wasn't a whole lot else that thrilled me. There were a lot of interesting elements, but I dont' think they combined into a cohesive whole. Told from the perspective of a Bobby Darin biography as made by Darin and his young self, the movie moves beyond performance segments into movie-musical style production numbers. These, however, have a dark tone that is reminiscent of All That Jazz, but fails to achieve that films beautiful-but-eerie nature.