This is in place of anything original which I should be writing. It will be a series of mini-reviews interspersed with recent findings on various topics which I have negotiated recently. Mainly they tread along the line of TRUTH. As I write this I may be able to adequately mop the various thoughts spilling from my brain jar into the cohesive waste material which is MrHummels staple. Indulge me, oh empty page!

The Irishman
I will begin with Irishman as I recently watched it (over several sittings). I have chosen to write about the Irishman particularly as I beleive there may be a slight chance of more views. And that is what it’s all about.

The immense world building is nothing new from Scorsese and the world he builds is equally nothing new. I let out a sigh as the camera drifts through the first scene, partly out of respect, partly as I feel myself being wooed into a comfortable old place and partly out of tired disdain. I was left confused and let down at times by the CGI which I feel is an unnecessary addition that took away from the film. I suppose I didn’t watch the film on the correct screen as the super HD, ULED or whatever it was rendered the film into a game-like experience at times. As I watched it over several sittings I perhaps didn’t get the full effect but I also didn’t suffer the full effect of what would have been inevitable boredom. There are aspects of the film which didn’t really hit the modern netflixz mark; car fetishism being an especial bugbear of mine. I did read that there was some controversy over the film but didn’t follow up why. You can bet it wasn’t car fetishism. I can’t help but think that this film and what you think of it will be so dependent on the circumstance in which you watch it. It’s essentially Goodfellas, just a really fucking long Goodfellas.

Anyway, as the main moral dilemma heats up I was drawn in and despite some moments and cut scenes which left me flat, I was completely enthralled as the Irishman almost found himself saying exactly what his Elder henchman (Pesci) says to his chagrin. In the end the character is full and hard to watch – but after 209 minutes you’d expect so. It’s a solid 7/10.

TRUTH

Who am I to criticize Scorsese’s choice of material. He’s laying down the truth. I’m not an Italian-American gang member. Would I know anything about Italian-American gangs without Scorsese? Probably not. Has he contributed to a strange over-representation and glorification of what are essentially morally reprehensible people? Probably. Does that stop me watching the film? No. Did he portray the complexity and ambiguity of morals? I think he did. Do I like films which offer alternate histories (Hoffa story)? No. Will I stop this asking myself questions now? Yes.

NORSEMEN

Funny Norwegian Viking drama. I like the irreverent post-modern humour but it does affect the plot for the worse. Something to stick on if you want to watch something a little silly and easy to follow. Still a little hard to follow though. 6.5/10

TRUTH

What do you say to people who you know to be wrong? Another question which sounds like it should be sung by a gang of Umpalumpas but a serious point nonetheless. As Scorsese makes clear, morality is ambiguous, however science isn’t. What I know to be true through scientific methods which are reliable, verifiable, replicable etc. have recently been counter poised by feelings. Where to go? In the case of politics for example, arguing against brainwashed parents is a thankless task. Arguing for MSG useage against someone who has experienced a headache – and attributed it to MSG, is equally thankless. Attempting to question dogmatic and unsubstantiated beliefs is hard when your only armed with the facts. I sound like a proper wanker, but at least I’m right.

PODCASTS

This leads quite neatly to a podcast which I listened to recently about “Too Much Democracy” (On New Philosophy Books – I think). It was though provoking and interesting, suggesting that the adoption of identity politics into everyday life is a question of democracy gone wrong. This is seemingly the reverse of the colonisation of democracy by market forces argument and though it doesn’t stand up to that scrutiny for me, it is an interesting way of thinking through problems of polarisation. The conclusion to the argument would appear to be a gatekeeper of some description. Sometimes the thrust of the argument seemed to be that at times to be that life is too easy for us and this is why it’s all going wrong so fractious and that is not something I agree with.

Podcasts generally are too numerous. They’re beginning to stress me out as I can’t keep up. There are far too many moderately interesting conversations between people that I might be forced to give up and go and talk to other people first hand.

TRUTH

There is no Planet B.

King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard (various) and Live at the Barrowlands

I was lucky enough to see King Giz at the Barrowlands a few months ago. They were excellent. Their music is excellent. 10/10

TRUTH

For all I’ve extolled the virtues of cycling and not travelling to anyone who will listen, I have taken several holidays since finishing my degree. I have also been eating meat intermittently. Though I feel bad about it, I also really do not. See below.

SKYE

One of said breaks was to the Scottish island of Skye which I’d set foot on briefly once upon a time but never gone over the first hill. This time The Hummels were lucky enough to stay nearby in an undisclosed location and fully explore the island as well as much of the North West including Applecross and Toridon. Scotland is truly magnificent and look forward to returning to explore more. Plus the patter is decent. Dangerous Nationalism! 10/10

TRUTH

Mexico

I’m writing this from Mexico City. The other break which I’ve been fortunate enough to take. I’m in the process of learning some Spanish and I’ve been able to explore some of the city and will later be travelling around more of the country. Exciting! I was dramatically ill with the shits. Less exciting! I’m not going to put a score here as it’s still in the offing. Perhaps I will get a lightening bolt of inspiration and it will make its way to MrHummels.com, however so far I’ve reverted to being a lazy stick of butter. Case and point.

FINAL TRUTH

The cynical use of the Irishman probably won’t work in bringing in the crowds but I don’t really care. I’d certainly rather sit and witter away here than actually attempt something substantive. I’m currently reading V. by Thomas Pynchon and I’m the type that “if he goes into management, he writes. If he is an engineer or architect why he paints of  sculpts. He will straddle the line, aware up to the point of knowing he is getting the worst of both worlds, but never stopping to wonder why there should ever be a line, or even if there is a line at all. He will learn to be a twinned man and will go…”
Cor blimey.
And yet he’s only 99% right. It’s my brothers who are twins. 😉

The final truth is one you may have seen coming; HIBERNIAN FC.

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Briefly here are some which didn’t make the cut this lonely Mexican night;

The Hitchhikers’ Guide to the Galaxy – 6/10 – Doesn’t compare to the magic of Vonnegut in my humble opinion.
Dan Brown – Origin – 4/10 – I told you I’d gotten lazy. It was pretty poor but a little inspiring, as he’s so rich.
George Orwell – The road to Wigan Pier – 6.75/10 My least favorite Orwell book thus far, large chunks are about the price of domestic goods in the 1930’s or so. Unsurprising.
Election 2019 – 0/10 – Very bad.
Completing Masters Degree Successfully –  66/100 – Now what?

Mr Hummels tells the truth and nothing but the truth, please help me determine exactly what it is. x