Yeah, because everyone everywhere ever has complete control over the environment in which they come in to existence. Gah.

I'm sure quite a few people got shot in what-now where these guys grew up.

I've never understood the people who flat out refuse to sympathize with the kids in this movie. How are they any different from the street kids on The Wire? Institutions and circumstances breed codes of conduct in people growing up in those environments, it's not that hard of a concept to wrap your head around. Frankly, not having squeaky clean protagonists is one of the best things this movie has going for it and gives it a unique edge that you wouldn't expect going in. They're forced to face the consequences of their actions, while still getting to be heroes to the neighborhood. I'm sorry the fun throwback B-sci-fi movie doesn't end with a sentencing hearing for 30 minutes so we can see them punished for all their bad behavior 

It's as if I said, "This sandwich is okay, but it's a little dry. Not enough mayo for me." And some are hearing, "Not only do I hate this sandwich like I hate Hitler, but I hate every and all sandwiches that aren't made exactly the same way I want." So, folks just come back at me with, "Well, I'm sorry your sandwich isn't soaked in greasy, high fat mayonnaise, Buddy! But of course it's not. A sandwich slathered in that shit would be disgusting, especially if they were all like that."

I'm simply saying the movie tried to have its cake and eat it, too and that didn't work for me. If it's possible for a movie to have it both ways, I just don't feel this one did that successfully. And besides, I already said I LIKE the movie.

It's not that I refuse to sympathize with these kids, it's that I tried to and ultimately can't, especially when the movie shows me some stuff near the end and goes, "See? Sad, right? Don't you just feel bad for them and like them?" My answer is, "Sorry, but no. It's not enough for me." But as I said before, my bigger issue is that the movie seems to be saying, "It's okay to aspire to be a thug. Look how cute these kids are and yay, they get to be in a gang! That's a good thing!"

And no, I wouldn't want a 30-minute court-room scene where the kids are punished, either. That would be too "After School Special." I'm asking for some kind of balance. I've not seen The Wire, so I don't know if the street kids there are different from the ones here. My view on this applies to this movie, not all movies like this because it's not the same. Not all movies are created equal. Presentation and execution count for a lot.

I can sympathize with an "unlikable" character or an "antagonizing" character or one that isn't squeaky clean (Dr. House and Walter White, for example). It's when the characters don't take any responsibility for the bad choices they make and try to pass themselves off as a victim of circumstance or a product of environment, that they've lost my interest or sympathy. Yes, these things are important and do play a role, but they're not the only thing going on. At some point, it falls to you and your decisions on which path to take, when more than one path becomes available.

For example, I had to stop watching Weeds because once Nancy leaves that expensive neighborhood, the show should be over. There's no good reason for her to continue to produce and sell pot and put herself and her family in danger. After that, I checked out because I knew any sympathy I had for that character was going to go away and I would start to resent her, dislike her and I would no longer get enjoyment out of the show anymore. At least, not enough to keep committing to it.

You probably did - however, googlinating the statistics of this taught me that we have WAY more guns in Sweden than I knew of, and that we actually rank in the top 10 (or top 5, depending on who's counting!!) of gun ownership. Tefuk!? I thought we were the "no guns anywhere pacifist laid back people"?

Yes, lots and lots and lots and lots of hunting rifles. But still. Damn.

We gots that much gunses?

Dayum.

/Z

Half an hour in. Can't believe Americans are dissin European food. Coming from the country tourists have to de-toxify from after they leave. Not all food has to be injection-moulded high fructose corn syrup.

That's true, but the statistics normally do show that people raised in socioeconomically depressed areas have lower social mobility, shorter longevity, fewer job prospects, and higher crime rates and other dysfunctionalities, compared to comfortable middle class households.

Environment clearly plays a factor if you zoom out and look at crime nation-wide over decades. It doesn't excuse any individual crimes towards victims, and everyone's still responsible for their actions. The correlation of class and antisocial behaviour helps illuminate the issues if you really want to do something about it. If you truly care about the victims and want to stop the cycle of violence perpetuating itself, then taking the environment into account for the big picture/long game is  necessary. The ultra-libertarian "just deal with it" is not a very sophisticated response.

For the record, last year I went on vacation -- er, holiday -- to Ireland and I was all about the full breakfast.

Replaced the file with a normal-quality one, now. 150 megs or so.

As someone who iphone downloads and doesn't always have access to wifi when on the road, smaller file sizes
are very welcome.