Rise To Offend

Can a film attacking the modern day media actually benefit from it? After the release of the film on August 26th, 1994 filmmaker Oliver Stone’s satire on the media sensationalizing murder and mayhem never got past the film’s use of brutal violence, within weeks copycat crimes are linked to the central characters and film, lawsuits the would put Stone in court over product liability and an evil legacy would generate through its initial run, but the film’s message and meaning was prophetic and stands as a time when if the world demanded more from the media could have changed our modern day landscape and culture.

Can the glorification of violence be satire? Is there a danger to making murderers have the “cool” factor? Who is ultimately responsible for that message? The origin of that question started with a young Quentin Tarantino as he worked behind the counter of a Video Archives, writing a screenplay based on Spree Killer Charles Starkweather, but soon after the words found a page the visuals become so much more controversial in the hands of Oliver Stone. This week we tackle the origin and true foundation of a satire that became an evil artistic icon that changed many lives throughout the years. Part 1 of 2

The comeback the fans all want after the heart wrenching death of Dimebag Darrell and its aftermath happened with the most honest record of Phil’s career, touring the world and being the engaging and positive frontman with Down would show everyone that Phil was reformed and defeated his demons, becoming an open book to educate the world of his past mistakes he embodies the lessons of a life that truly lived in extreme ups and downs. However after the rebuild Phil’s actions once again don’t match his words in a public forum and the modern world crumbles his legacy again.

Tragedy will change everything forever, after Pantera’s “Far Beyond Driven” tops the Billboard Charts the world truly belonged to heavy metal vocalist Phil Anselmo, but behind the superman persona that was packaged and sold to the masses, drug addiction redefined him and controlled everything that was, and time would compound the regret when a tragedy no one saw coming leaves him without expressing an apology to one of his dearest friends. Part 2 of 3

Anger is a gift for few and to voice that rage and have the masses consider it genuine and true comes from honesty. Phil Anselmo did just that in the early 90’s as the frontman of the iconic legendary band Pantera. Born in New Orleans, LA on June 30th, 1968 his native land, upbringing, and underground scene would lay the groundworks for confidence and strength in full form, with no time to be humble, the legacy of an underdog climbing a mountain would leave many questions in it’s path. Part 1 of 3

James Randi created hoaxes in order to educated the masses on the power of deception, but the masses never wanted the lessons or the truth. No matter the approach or the exposure of villainous characters using magic Randi always seemed to never truly defeat the con man. Regardless his lessons have resonated with every generation and his legend behind exposing the truth continues, as the world grasped to his way of thinking without giving him credit.

Conjurer, Magician, Escapologist, Skeptic. James Randi a.k.a The Amazing Randi has earned the moniker An Honest Liar by protecting the public from frauds and con man selling illusions and tricks as reality. He exposes everything from faith healers, spirit channelers, psychics, telekneitics, and palm readers. Regardless of his knowledge in deception and protecting those uneducated to these tricks, a public unwilling to listen has always been his hardest trick despite the goal of helping and protecting the world from those with evil, and on occasion deadly actions.

NFL franchise the Cleveland Browns has issues with management, front office, bad drafts, bad trades, and just bad luck continue to surface at first Energy Stadium in Cleveland Ohio, the circus that followed potential marquee players like Johnny Manziel and Josh Gordon only added to the dysfunction, but after almost 20 years of losing and the shameful 0-16 parade the Dawg Pound finally have hope and the tide turns with Baker Mayfield.

Every sports team has a story full of ups and downs… not the Cleveland Browns of the NFL, a story full of heartbreaking lows, including have the team taken to another city in 1996, parades for losing every game in a season, having 30 different quarterbacks play in less than 20 years, and lose games in the most inventive ways professional football has ever seen, despite all this there’s no fanbase more devoted to pain and sadness with hope that never fades.

Stanley Kubrick’s film version of A Clockwork Orange changed society, the style created a counter culture showing a new fear of the youth, and a moral panic followed, causing a backlash on the film and its creators that showed how dangerous art can be, especially to those who let the media speculation lead them instead of the film itself.