“The Dictator” a One-Joke Movie
May 26th
“One-Joke Movie”
“Hotshots” looks at a movie!
The Dictator is Sacha Baron Cohen’s latest film and is not to be confused with the 1940 Charles Chaplin film, The Great Dictator, nor any of the many other films based on Mark Twain’s 1881 story, “The Prince and the Pauper.”
Yes, the story is about a leader of a country who tries to pass himself off as a commoner, either by choice or force, and in this case, force.
Admiral General Aladeen is the dictator of the North African nation of Wadiya, and he has the extravagantly long beard to prove it. He is also so egotistical that he changes the names of many words to “Aladeen” to honor his glory.
He is also so stupid that he doesn’t see the problem in changing the Wadiyan words of both “positive” and “negative” to “Aladeen,” especially when a doctor asks his patient, “Do you want the Aladeen news or the Aladeen news?”
Ben Kingsley plays Tamir, Admiral General Aladeen’s second in command, and your first question should be “What is Academy Award winner Ben Kingsley doing in this piece of crap movie?
Apparently, just as there are no small parts, only small actors, there are no big actors who aren’t willing to prostitute themselves for a small paycheck.
Tamir finds a double for Admiral General Aladeen whose only real job is to be shot in the head, because the people of Wadiya want to live in a democracy, not a dictatorship.
The job requirement for being the double of Admiral General Aladeen is to be stupid, and because Cohen also plays the role of the double, he can act even more stupid than he usually does.
Of course, the story moves to New York City, where Admiral General Aladeen is to give a speech at the United Nations, of course there is a kidnaping plot, of course the admiral general’s beard is cut off while he is being tortured, of course he escapes the kidnaper, and of course the rest of the movie is about the beardless Aladeen trying to exist on his own in New York City.
However, not of course, the movie takes a turn of events when Aladeen meets Zoe, a radical socialist played by Anna Faris, and he takes a job working for her.
The Dictator is a one-joke movie worth two chuckles, tops.
I’m Dan Culberson and this is “Hotshots.”
Attleboro, Massachusetts Council Bites on White Alligator
May 23rd
Exclusive to St. Augustine Channel 1
by Jonathan Friedman, Local Editor, Attleboro-Seekonk Patch
In an effort to bring more attention to Capron Park Zoo, the Attleboro, Massachusetts City Council on Tuesday voted 10-0 to spend $8,000 to bring a rare white alligator from a St. Augustine, Fla. farm to the Attleboro attraction for four months. The reptile is expected to arrive in mid-May and be ready for public view by Memorial Day.
by Jonathan Friedman, Local Editor, Attleboro-Seekonk Patch
In an effort to bring more attention to Capron Park Zoo, the Attleboro, Massachusetts City Council on Tuesday voted 10-0 to spend $8,000 to bring a rare white alligator from a St. Augustine, Fla. farm to the Attleboro attraction for four months. The reptile is expected to arrive in mid-May and be ready for public view by Memorial Day.
Councilor Jay DiLisio said there is already buzz about the white alligator, which he said should pay for itself with the extra visitors it will attract. The possibility of the reptile coming to the zoo has been reported in media throughout the East Coast and Councilor Mark Cooper said it is the talk of local school children, including his six-year-old.
The white alligator, DiLisio said, will help the local zoo as it competes with nearby larger facilities to remain relevant.
“When the zoo has the opportunity to bring in such a great attraction such as this white alligator … I think it’s something that we need to support 100 percent,” DiLisio said.
The councilor said director Jean Benchimol had assured him that Capron Zoo is “fiscally sound at this stage.” Recently, the city had agreed to pay upfront for an extra zookeeper. This was needed for Capron Zoo to retain its accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, which is up for renewal in the fall.
AZA accreditation “means official recognition and approval of a zoo or aquarium by a group of experts” based on “high standards,” according to the nonprofit organization’s website. Capron Zoo is one of 224 accredited zoos or aquariums in the nation as of March, the website states. DiLisio said accreditation is needed for the zoo to have the chance to bring in attractions like the white alligator.
“I think it’s really rare for a city of our size to have an accredited zoo,” Councilor Jeremy Denlea said. “That’s something I’m really prideful of. And if [bringing in the white alligator] would help bring a little more limelight to the zoo and a little more attraction, I think that’s great.”
Benchimol told Attleboro-Seekonk Patch earlier this month that the farm would also send a regular-colored hatchling. The zoo’s education department staff will walk around with the newborn alligator, showing it to visitors who will be able to compare the green baby with the white adult.
Note: There are only 200 albino alligators in the world.
St. Augustine’s Oldest Wooden School House
May 20th
Located near the City Gates, The Old School House is a 
surviving expression of another time. Built over 200 years ago, while Florida was under the rule of Imperial Spain, it was constructed of red cedar and cypress and put together with wooden pegs and handmade nails.
surviving expression of another time. Built over 200 years ago, while Florida was under the rule of Imperial Spain, it was constructed of red cedar and cypress and put together with wooden pegs and handmade nails.
The schoolmaster and his wife lived upstairs, above the small classroom. Their kitchen was separated from the main building, because of the threat of fire and to spare the house of any excess heat during the long summers. Several of the cooking utensils used in those days are displayed here for the visitor. In the schoolhouse, related artifacts and copies of the books the pupils studied from are exhibited.
For more information call 888-653-7245
