"GUY" films

"You have to ask yourself one question: Do I feel lucky? Well, do ya punk?" (flixster)

What are “guy" films? For one thing they are not made for the sushi eating, lily liver, liberal guys that we have to put up with today. You know who I mean: they are the ones who would never eat Tabasco Sauce, chicken wings, or drive a car that gets less than 30 miles per gallon. They get squeamish when guns are mentioned and they can’t wait to get one of those tiny Volt electric toy cars with the 100 mile range. Wow! That sounds exciting and they only cost $41,000!

For that crew I suggest they buy a ticket to see “The Devil Wears Prada”, "Beaches”, “The Women” or “Sex in the City” so they can wring the tears out of their hankies with their white wine drinking girlfriends (or boyfriends).

Guy movies are for guys who drive real cars or trucks, love burgers and fries, hot sauce, and don’t necessarily shave every day. And, if they did, it wouldn’t be with a fancy electric razor. These guys love sports and sports bars with plenty of TVs and would never wear lavender.

For them, movies with Paul Newman, Steve McQueen, and Clint Eastwood top their list of favorites. If the film is about war, cops, or loners they fit in nicely. It helps to have as much political incorrectness as possible as that movement has strangled our country and we need these guys to destroy it.

Unfortunately, Newman and McQueen are deceased but their films live on taking us back to an era when men were men, not imitation guys carrying European shoulder bags (purses!) and drinking light beer.

Eastwood is 80 but is still hanging on either through occasional acting gigs or directing films. What guy would ever get tired of him in “Dirty Harry” or “Unforgiven”?

Eastwood’s lines in “Dirty Harry” (1972) about the 44 Magnum being “the most powerful handgun in the world” and “You have to ask yourself one question: Do I feel lucky? Well, do ya punk?” are still memorable to guys. How about “Make my day” from “Sudden Impact”? Classic stuff.

Like “Dirty Harry”, “Bullitt” (1968), starring Steve McQueen, was filmed in San Francisco. The first thing guys think of from this film is Steve chasing the guys in the ’67 Dodge Charger while driving his Mustang 390GT. It’s great action but McQueen’s coolness rules the film; nothing can disturb that.

“Cool Hand Luke” (1967) shows Paul Newman at his best. In “Luke” he is a loser but has a never give up attitude toward escaping from a southern chain gang. Although he is always captured, he holds the respect of the other prisoners; especially after he eats all those hard boiled eggs!

I have to go now. Some of the guys are coming over to watch “The Magnificent Seven”, one of the all time great guy films. Not only does it have Steve McQueen but also Charles Bronson!

For those who don’t like that fare, I believe “Thelma and Louise” is showing just for you on another channel.

To leave a comment or to read the 60 other comments, click "Jim's azcentral blog" in the right column under links. You will not receive a virus. Jim McAllister writes for The Arizona Republic in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Holiday grocery shopping, part 2

Here is a display of Libby's food products from the 1950's. Notice the loose cans in the front. That was a gimmick to entice more sales as customers were likely to pick them up than disturb a perfect display. It's all about merchandising. (Flickr)
A year has passed and we are again into the holiday grocery shopping season. Last December 21 (see archives) I did a column with some advice for shoppers about pitfalls to avoid. I mentioned the importance of keeping a hand written list at home of necessities for your shopping trip and to be sure you know the stores ad for that week. Clip as many manufacturer’s coupons as possible from magazines, newspapers, or anywhere else you see them.

Be sure you have the store’s card, buy in bulk when possible, buy private label, be careful of peripheral departments, leave your cell phone at home, and NEVER shop when you are hungry! If you followed that advice you saved some money.

Here are a few more ways to save a buck at the grocery store. You have to keep in mind that the stores are in business to make money and the only way they can do that is with the customer’s permission. That is why stores spend a lot of money on research to find ways for you to spend more than you intended. That may seem devious and in a way it is, but they are not putting a gun to your head. It is up to you to use common sense while shopping, especially if you are on a budget.

Watch out for “end cap” displays at the end of aisles. If an item from your list is on the cap, go ahead and buy it, then proceed. Otherwise, pass it up. End cap items are usually high profit stuff or tie in with other products. Also, watch out for “shippers” which are usually full of high profit items and placed in the aisles with like items.

Be careful with free samples. Stores usually have kindly old ladies cooking up stuff for you to sample and they are usually in a high volume area of the store like the meat department. Usually the item is high fat or sweet but tastes really good. Try and avoid this stuff as it is unhealthy, expensive, a high profit item. You shouldn’t be hungry anyway since I told you to eat before shopping.

Okay, let’s assume you have made it this far and have dutifully followed this blog and the one from last December. In your mind you are thinking about what a genius I am and for that I say, “Thank you.” However, you have one more hurdle to jump. That involves going through the check stand without succumbing to the lure of picking up a couple candy bars or a magazine. I know it’s hard; I love those Snickers too but we must be strong. And, do you really care about that magazine describing Lindsay Lohan’s latest drunk escapade? Of course not, you are a mature adult, right? Let the kid bag your items in the cloth bags you brought with you, pay the cashier with a credit card that racks up points, and be on your way.

As you go to your car, hold your head high. You have resisted temptation, saved money, helped support a business, and shopped sensibly.

To leave a comment or to read the other 60 comments, click "Jim's azcentral blog" in the right column under links. You will not receive a virus. Jim McAllister writes for The Arizona Republic in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Politically correct nonsense

If you read my blog post of 3-30-09 on azcentral (http://www.azcentral.com/members/Blog/Jim8413/49617) you know how stupid I think political correctness is. Since the holidays are coming, be ready for more nonsense from the weenies (that’s right, weenies!) who will be making sure that no public place has “Merry Christmas” signs posted.

Be sure you say “Happy Holidays” and if you go to a concert in December, be sure it’s a “Winter Concert” and not a “Christmas Concert”. Also, if you have the audacity to put up a tree in your house with lights and ornaments, be sure you refer to it as a “holiday tree” and not a “Christmas tree”.

Somewhere, Jesus must be looking down and either shaking his head in disgust or laughing his butt off. What’s it been, 2000 years since he was around? Apparently, that’s not long enough for him to stop intimidating some people!

It never ends in our ever increasing PC silly society. No wonder the terrorists have their way with us. How did that guy get on the plane headed to Detroit with that bomb up his rear end last Christmas? We are fortunate that these dummies don’t know how to set off their explosive devices or 300 people would have missed Christmas (Oops! I mean the holiday Christians celebrate on 12-25, sorry!). That would have been an effective use of terrorism (Darn! There I go again. I mean “man caused disaster”). I guess the important thing is that he wasn’t offended by airport security while boarding the plane.

One guy on the Urban Dictionary blog asks if black people really want to be called “African American”. Good point. Come to think of it, I don’t remember them ever demanding that. I think the PCers were probably trying to “save” them like they do everything else that their little minds consider improper. So far in my lifetime I have seen them referred to as “colored”, “negro”, “black”, and now, “African American”.

“Black” makes the most sense to me. I’m a white guy and I think it would be silly to refer to me and other whites constantly as “Caucasian”. But, the PC people would probably call you a racist if you said “black” because that differentiates them by color. I’m telling ya, you have to be careful.

It’s like some of the left leaners on these blogs who chastise those who are against illegal immigration as racist. That’s crazy, but try to convince them. Paranoia is not easy to overcome.

Until we tell them to “shove it” (as Mr. Caprio of Rhode Island told Obama) be prepared to refer to bums as “displaced homeowners” and alcoholics as “anti-sobriety activists” among other similar definitions. I have a definition of “political correctness” from the urban dictionary that also seems very appropriate: “It’s a way we talk in America so we don’t offend whining pussies.” How’s that?

To leave a comment or to read the other 77 comments, click "Jim's azcentral blog" in the right column under links. You will not receive a virus. Jim McAllister writes for The Arizona Republic in Scottsdale Arizona.

Election facts and stats

Setting the record straight….Liberal op-ed writer for the Washington Post, Dana Milbank, says in his November 3 column that on election night, Fox News, “to be fair and balanced, brought in a nominal Democrat, pollster Doug Schoen.” I guess that is his attempt at making a wisecrack about Fox not being fair and balanced as though liberal networks like MSNBC and the over the air channels are.

Anyway, Milbank is wrong and his envy of Fox’s success is showing as it does with other networks who can’t measure up. Fox was fair and balanced in their coverage and, if anything, leaned to the left with Democrat contributors Juan Williams, Kirsten Powers, Joe Trippi, Geraldine Ferraro, Pat Caddell, and Bob Beckel. Oh, yes, let’s don’t forget Doug Schoen.

As far as ratings, Fox walloped both their major cable competitors MSNBC and CNN by a large percentage. That was expected but the amazing thing was Fox also beat the over the air networks of ABC, NBC, and CBS. Did I just say that a cable network beat three major networks at something?

Great line by Dennis Miller last night on Bill O’Reilly’s Fox show. Commenting on John Boehner’s tearful speech during the Republican onslaught, Miller said, “Who is this, Tammy Faye Boehner?”

Have you seen the commercial with disgraced ex-Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich? He is pushing nuts. Only in America can guys who lose wind up winning, at least for now. He is being re-tried on 24 counts this spring. Too bad he couldn’t sell Obama’s former Senate seat when he had the chance. Mr. Kirk, a Republican, will now be occupying it.

Lock your bedroom door, mom…A 12 year old kid in Surprise, AZ wanted to go trick or treating on Halloween as a “Gay Justin Bieber”. His mother said no way and that it was inappropriate for the kid to do so. The kid went into a tantrum and threatened to kill his mom with a knife. Fortunately, she was able to disarm the kid.

Are you shaking your head in disbelief over this sort of thing? When I was 12, I was afraid to usurp the authority of my parents. My old man would have gotten out the razor strap and I wouldn’t be able to sit down for a few days. If this kid’s father tried that, The ACLU would probably sue.

A kid in Oklahoma was given a zero on his Spanish test because he refused to recite the Pledge of Allegiance in Spanish. Do you think this is appropriate? My feeling is that with the strained illegal immigration situation in Oklahoma in particular and many other states in general, why not eliminate possible problems and let them translate something else?

If you want to leave a comment or read the other 52 comments, click "Jim's azcentral blog" in the right coliumn under links. You will not receive a virus. Jim McAllister writes for the Arizona Republic in Scottsdale, Arizona.