Five-and-a-half years following the successful release of the fourth movie in the DIE HARD movie franchise – 2007’s “LIVE FREE OR DIE HARD”, 20th Century Fox Studios release a fifth movie about the adventures of New York Police detective John McClane called “A GOOD DAY TO DIE HARD”.
A high-ranking, yet corrupt official in Moscow, Russia named Viktor Chagarin plans on incriminating political prisoner/government whistleblower and former billionaire Yuri Komarov without a fair trial when Komarov refuses to hand over a secret file believed to have convicting evidence against Chagarin. A young man assassinates a colleague of Chagarin’s and agrees to testify against Komarov for a shorter sentence. He turns out to be John “Jack” McClane Jr., Detective McClane’s estranged only son. The NYPD police officer, who has not been in touch with his son for years, learns of Jack’s situation and travels to Russia to help.
But when John arrives and approaches the courthouse that holds Jack and Komarov on trial, an explosion orchestrated by Chagarin and his henchmen disrupts the courthouse, and Jack breaks free with Komarov. After spotting Jack, John confronts him, but their dispute is cut short when Chagarin’s henchmen, led by main enforcer Alik, chase them throughout the streets of Moscow. John learns that Jack is a CIA agent and has been on a three-year mission to rescue Komarov from Chagarin’s clutches and retrieve a file that can link Chagarin and Komarov to the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. The file will enable the U.S. government to bring down Chagarin, who has proven to be an obstacle to U.S.-Russian relations. But the McClane men not only learn to heal long-standing family rifts, but also discover there is more to this mission than evidence against Chagarin.
“A GOOD DAY TO DIE HARD” received negative reviews from movie critics. In fact, their response to the movie strongly reminded me of the negative press that the James Bond movie, “QUANTUM OF SOLACE” had received in 2008. In a way, I could see why. Both movies share two negative traits that prevented them from becoming even better films. “A GOOD DAY TO DIE HARD”, like the Bond film, suffered from what I liked to call the “Paul Greengrass film editing style”. I realize that this editing style has been popular with recent filmmakers who use it to trim a movie’s running time. But I can do without it. I disliked it in the second, third and fifth JASON BOURNE movies. I disliked it in “QUANTUM OF SOLACE”. And I also disliked it in “A GOOD DAY TO DIE HARD”. Director John Moore and editor Dan Zimmerman used it with strong effect during the Moscow car chase, making the latter one of the most confusing car chases since the one featured in 2007’s “THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM”.
Moore and Zimmerman’s use of this fast speed editing style also enabled them to give “A GOOD DAY TO DIE HARD” the shortest running time in the franchise’s fifteen-year history . . . one of 97 minutes. The idea of a DIE HARD movie running slightly over 90 minutes makes me shake my head in disbelief. Also, the plot for this latest film, penned by Skip Woods, is too complicated and quite frankly, too good to be wasted on 90-something minutes running time. If “A GOOD DAY TO DIE HARD” had possessed a longer running time, Woods story could have been told with greater detail. For instance, the movie could have revealed how John learned of Jack’s arrest with greater detail. And the situation regarding Chagarin, Komarov and Jack could have been told with greater detail with a longer running time. Also, Cole Hauser could have enjoyed more screen time as Jack’s CIA partner, Mike Collins. Instead, Hauser was barely on screen for five minutes tops.
Before one begins to think I share the critics’ dislike of “A GOOD DAY TO DIE”, you will be mistaken. Because I do not share their opinion. Despite the Paul Greengrass editing style and the shorter running time, I still enjoyed the movie very much . . . in fact, more than I thought possible. As I had stated earlier, Skip Woods penned a very strong story for the movie. Yes, it featured the usual over-the-top action that has been a hallmark of the franchise for years. One of my favorite scenes proved to be John, Jack and Komarov’s escape from the CIA safe house in Moscow. It not only gave Bruce Willis (or his stunt man) another chance to prove how great he can be as on-screen badass, but it also gave Jai Courtney, who portrayed Jack McClane, a chance to show that his character is a badass, as well. In fact, another scene provided more great moments for both Willis and Courtney – namely the McClane men’s escape from death after they and Komarov were captured by Alix.
One of the best aspects of Woods’ screenplay proved to be the complicated story surrounding the strained relationship between Chagarin and Komarov. This storyline provided audiences an interesting peek into Russian politics – if it is somewhat accurate. I suspect that it is not completely accurate, but this is a work of fiction we are talking about, not a documentary. More importantly, Woods’ story added the Chernobyl disaster as a catalyst to the former colleagues’ estrangement . . . enabling audiences a chilling peek at the infamous Chernobyl site in the Ukraine, during the movie’s final action scene. This sequence also provided a plot twist that brought back a memories of the 1990 film, “DIE HARD 2”. The best aspect of “A GOOD DAY TO DIE HARD” is that the movie allowed a more satisfying portrayal of the relationship between John and Jack than “LIVE FREE AND DIE HARD” did for John and Lucy, five-and-a-half years earlier.
Speaking of the relationship between the two McClane men, it would not have worked without the chemistry between Bruce Willis and Jai Courtney. I understand that the movie’s casting director considered a good number of actors – including Liam Hemsworth and James Badge Dale – before Australian actor Jai Courtney was chosen. Willis was in top form, as usual. I found Willis very effective in portraying McClane’s desire to reconcile with his son in conflict with the NYPD cop’s penchant for butting into situations where he is not wanted. And he formed a top-notch chemistry with Courtney. The latter did an excellent job in portraying Jack’s initial resentment toward John, his growing regard for the latter and intense fixation on his mission. German actor Sebastian Koch (whom I have seen in 2011’s “UNKNOWN” and 2015’s “BRIDGE OF SPIES”. gave a subtle, yet complex portrayal of Yuri Komarov, the former billionaire and criminal who found a conscious and exposed his former partner. Sergei Kolesnikov gave a solid performance as the corrupt politician Viktor Chagarin. But I found Yuliya Snigir very impressive as Komarov’s daughter Irina, who proved to be more than meets the eye. I wish I could say the same about Radivoje Bukvić, who portrayed Chagarin’s main henchman. But I found his performance a little over-the-top. It was nice to see Mary Elizabeth Winstead reprise her portrayal of Lucy McClane, and she proved to be as spunky as ever. But Cole Hauser was really effective as Mike Collins, Jack’s CIA partner. He was subtle, brutal and slightly scary. And his performance made me wish he had more scenes.
I can understand the critics’ disappointment with the shorter running time and quick flash editing in “A GOOD DAY TO DIE HARD”. But despite these flaws, the movie still proved to be very entertaining, thanks to solid, yet slightly flawed direction by John Moore, an interesting story penned by Skip Woods and a first- rate cast led by Bruce Willis and Jai Courtney.
THE IMAGE MADE BY ANGELS, VALENCIA, SPAIN According to tradition, the image of Our Lady of Pucha, or Nuestra Senora del Puche, was fashioned by the angels, and made of the very stone of the sacred sepulcher, where the most holy body of the Mother of God lay hidden for three days.
After the assumption of the great Queen into Heaven, the holy angels took the statue they had created from Gethsemani to Pucha, placing it in a church dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. The statue of Our Lady of Pucha remained there until it was buried, beneath a large bell, by the religious who lived at that first monastery at Pucha, when the Moors entered into Spain at the time of the Goths.
This statue remained in the earth for well over 500 years, until Divine providence facilitated the happy discovery by the great servant of God, Saint Peter Nolasco, founder and patriarch of the Royal Order of Mercy, in the year 1237. Saint Peter Nolasco witnessed, on four consecutive Saturdays, that seven strange lights, looking like seven stars, were observed at night over the same place. They would seem to drop from Heaven seven times, and disappear into the earth, always in the same place. Saint Peter felt certain that this strange phenomenon had a meaning and purpose; so he commanded men to dig about the spot. They had not gone far into the earth when they came upon a bell of prodigious size, beneath which was a beautiful image of the Virgin Mary. Saint Peter took it up in his arms, recognizing it as a valuable gift from Heaven, and built an altar upon the very spot where it was buried. This altar became very celebrated for the number of miracles performed there.
The discovery of the sacred image of Our Lady of Pucha was a powerful encouragement to King James I of Aragon, who was resolved to finish the conquest of Valencia at that time. He credited Our Lady of Pucha, and the prayers of Saint Peter Nolasco for his conquest, when he received, into his hands, the keys to the city of Valencia from the Moors. He acclaimed Our Lady of Pucha the Patroness of Valencia, and of his entire kingdom.
The holy image was always considered miraculous, and was universally revered throughout Christendom. Popes and kings, and very many people of the greatest holiness and nobility came on pilgrimage to Our Lady of Pucha. The powerful protection of Our Lady of Puche was confirmed through many long years, for, whenever there was a dangerous storm threatening, the bells in the church bell tower would ring and people would again witness the wonder of the seven stars.
The angels could also often be heard singing soft melodies and sweetest chants in the choir of the church that were heard by the religious, filling their hearts with heavenly rejoicing.
It is recorded that a boy named Jose Carbonell, the son of Agustin Carbonell, was pushed by another boy and fell with his arm landing in the path of a heavy cart. The boy’s arm was crushed so severely, that it was soon considered necessary for a surgeon to cut-off the arm to save the child’s life.
The following morning the boy’s father went to work at his brother’s farm, from which he could see the church of Our Lady of Pucha. He prayed, as he worked, with humble supplication and many tears. At the end of the day the father returned home to find the surgeon had just arrived and was undoing the bandages over the boy’s injured arm. Once it was unwrapped, the surgeon cried out, “Gentlemen, what is this? This arm is good and healthy!” In recognition of the favor, the boy eventually took the habit of the Religious of Our Lady of Mercy.
The heavenly image of Our Lady of Pucha was eventually taken from Pucha to Valencia, at the request of the Catholic monarch Philip II. The people followed the venerable Patriarch Don Juan de Ribera, Archbishop of Valencia, on foot in solemn procession on Sunday, 17 July, 1588. All was done with the same solemnity with which the procession of the Blessed Sacrament occurred in this famous city.
The praises of the angels could be heard for sixteen nights in the holy church of Valencia, and the wonder of the seven stars was frequently seen, filling with inexpressible joy the witnesses, both inside and outside of Valencia. It is known that the stars have appeared many times on the bell tower of the church of Our Lady of Pucha since then, and, not only in ancient times, but they were especially noted between the years 1723 to 1758.
I am really excited to share the first single off of my upcoming full-length LP and film for Kill Rock Stars, each titled SOFTCORE. Find me at the intersection of masculinity and femininity, of hard and soft.
This first song — out today — is the album opener, and it’s a cover of an old Bill Callahan SMOG jam, To Be Of Use. This track is one of my all-time favorites from my youth and, for me, it has always been about wanting to feel useful in a relationship, and in the world.
Stream the single: https://pocp.co/to-be-of-use
Watch the first scene from the SOFTCORE film: https://youtu.be/9z4NY_u5BJ0
SOFTCORE is out June 7th on Kill Rock Stars. Pre-order now on vinyl, CD, or digital.
Pre-order the album: https://pocp.co/softcore
— Tracklist —
1. To Be Of Use
2. I’m Just A Hole, Sir
3. I Feel Alone When I’m With You
4. Where The Sun Don’t Shine
5. Bet It All
6. We Will Try To Bring The Sun
7. Send Your Army
8. I Get High (featuring Capital B)
9. SOFTCORE
10. Giant
11. Kill For Love
Album Produced by Gino Mari and Logan Lynn. Recorded by Gino Mari at The Country Club Studios in Portland, OR and Jesse Rundle at Mixed Metaphor in Boise, ID. Mixed and Mastered by Gino Mari and Stephan Hawkes at The Breakroom Studio in Los Angeles, CA.
Film produced by Interval Films. Directed by Joshua Emara. Edited by Mario Nolasco.
Photo + Creative direction by Casey M. Dudley. Artwork + layout by Jealous Butcher. Wardrobe by Marrakshi LIFE with custom looks by Dimaz.
Big thanks to the team at Charm School Media, Redeye, Terrorbird, The Planetary Group, Duchamp Inc, Cravedog, and everybody at KRS and Exceleration Music for making all of this possible! I love y’all.
Martyrology to be read (after the hour of Prime) on the morning of Christmas Eve
—
(December 25th 2023 being) The eighth day before the Kalends of January and the 13th day of the lunar month
In the year 5199th from the creation of the world, when in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth, in the year 2957th from the flood, in the year 2015th from the birth of Abraham, in the year 1510th from the going forth of the people of Israel out of Egypt under Moses, in the year 1032nd from the anointing of David as King, in the 65th week according to the prophecy of Daniel, in the 194th Olympiad, in the 752nd from the foundation of the city of Rome, in the 42nd year of the reign of the Emperor Octavian Augustus, in the 6th age of the world, while the whole earth was at peace, Jesus Christ, Himself Eternal God and Son of the Eternal Father, being pleased to hallow the world by His most gracious coming, having been conceived of the Holy Ghost and made Man, when nine months were passed after His conception, (All kneel.) Our Lord Jesus Christ was born according to the flesh of the Virgin Mary, at Bethlehem of Judah. (All rise.)
Upon the same 25th day of December were born into the better life:
St. Anastasia, who, in the reign of Diocletian, first of all suffered hard and cruel imprisonment at the hands of her husband Publius, during which, however, she was much consoled and comforted by Chrysogonus, a confessor of Christ. Then she was enfeebled by lengthy detention by Florus, prefect of Illyria, and at last was bound to stakes with her hands and feet stretched out and fire kindled about her. Thus she achieved her martyrdom in the island of Palmaria, to which she had been deported with 200 men and 70 women, who celebrated their martyrdom by being slain in different ways.
At Rome, in the Apronian cemetery, the holy virgin Eugenia, who in the time of the Emperor Gallienus, after many works of power, and after enlisting bands of sacred virgins for Christ, suffered long under Nicetius, Prefect of the city, and at length was slain with the sword (about 258).
At Nicomedia, many thousand holy martyrs. Upon the feast of Christ's birth they had come together unto the Lord's house, and the Emperor Diocletian ordered the doors of the church to be shut, and all things made ready for fire round about it then he set a tripod and incense in front of the door, and sent an herald to proclaim in a loud voice that whosoever would escape burning should come forth and offer incense unto Jupiter. Whereunto they all replied with one voice, that they would far rather die for Christ's sake, whereupon he kindled the fire and they were consumed, and were born in heaven upon that same day whereupon it had pleased Christ to be born into this world to save it.
At Barcelona, in Spain (in the year 1256), the holy confessor Peter Nolasco, founder of the Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Ransom for the redemption of captives. He was famous for his graces and miracles.
℣. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
℟. Thanks be to God.
℣. Precious in the sight of the Lord
℟. Is the death of his saints.
May Holy Mary and all the Saints intercede for us to the Lord, our God, that we may merit His help and salvation, who liveth and reigneth, world without end.
℟. Amen.
—
Photo of today's Martyrology as published by the Capella Gregoriana Sanctæ Cæciliæ
THE DESCRIPTION OF SAINT RAYMOND NONNATUS
The Patron of Childbirth
Feast Day: August 31
"For many hours you did not die in the womb of your dead mother, and you were successfully delivered from her side to be the joy of the world."
St. Raymond is universally known as Nonnatus ('not born') due to his Caesarean birth. He is the Mercedarian saint who achieved the greatest popularity among Christians in the places, kingdoms, and nations where the Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy became established.
According to the most reliable tradition, Saint Raymond was born in the town of Portello, situated in the Segarra region of the Province of Lérida at the dawn of the thirteenth century. He was given the surname of Nonnatus (not born) because he came into the world through an inspired and urgent incision which the Viscount of Cardona made with a dagger in the abdomen of the dead mother. In his adolescence and early youth, Raymond devoted himself to pasturing a flock of sheep in the vicinity of a Romanesque hermitage dedicated to Saint Nicholas where an image of the Virgin Mary was venerated. His devotion to the Holy Mother of Jesus started there.
He joined the Order of Mercy at a very early age and a student of the watchful first brother and Master of the Order, Peter Nolasco, and thus Raymond became a redeemer of Christian captives in Moorish lands. In a redemption which took place in Algiers, he had to stay behind as a hostage. It was then that he endured the torment of having his lips sealed with an iron padlock to prevent him from addressing consoling words to Christian captives and from preaching the liberating good news of the Gospel.
After he had been rescued by his Mercedarian brothers, Pope Gregory IX appointed him Cardinal of the Church of San Eustaquio. Summoned by the Supreme Pontiff, Raymond was on his way to Rome when he met death in the strong and rocky castle of Cardona in 1240. The Order of Mercy, the viscount and the city of Cardona were all arguing over his dead body, and where it should be buried, it was entrusted to Divine Providence on the harness of a blind mule. Without anyone leading it, the mule accompanied by a crowd trotted to Saint Nicholas hermitage where the venerable body was buried.