Rating:
(5 stars out of 5) Audience Rating: R Cast: Christian Bale (Dick Cheney), Amy Adams (Lynne Cheney),Steve Carell (Donald Rumsfeld), Sam Rockwell (George W. Bush), Eddie Marsan (Paul Wolfowitz), George Tenet
Tyler Perry (Colin Powell) Director: Adam McKay Writer: Adam McKay Awards: Winner, Oscar Academy Awards, USA 2019, Best Achievement in Makeup and Hairstyling: Greg Cannom / Kate Biscoe / Patricia Dehaney Genre: biography, drama, true story, politics, power Run Time: 2h 12m Premiere Date: Dec 25, 2018 Country: USA
Synopsis Vice is a frightening true story about Dick Cheney's rise to power from a blue-collar high-tension wire worker to the vice presidency of the most powerful country on the planet. Cheney exploited the loopholes in the law that would enable the vice-president with powers unheard of and unused by anyone who preceded him. Hundreds and thousands of lives were collateral damage to his cold-blooded political maneuverings.
Lynne Cheney to Dick Cheney, "Look at them, half envy us and the other half fear us."
Engagement The movie was rather slow and you have to be quick to the dialogue or miss the whole thing. But as events took shape, you'd be glued, even though the events actually took place already in reality.
Make-up Everyone who appeared in the movie didn't just play their role, they also took great effort in looking the part. Christian Bale gained 45 lbs, shaved and whitened his hair, moved and talked sluggishly. This could have been unnoticed, but if you have seen him in Ford v Ferrari, he played a wiry, jumpy, lean maverick - almost the exact opposite.
Ending Thoughts
Disturbing This is a chilling account of one man's greed for power that cost hundreds of thousands of innocent lives. Cheney is the quintessence of a sociopath - one who has no empathy, one who sees human lives as pawn pieces in a chess game. This movie is troubling, unsettling and disturbing for the following reasons:
true story - if it were fiction, it would be unsettling. But it's a true story. Countless innocent lives were actually lost because of shady decisions made by people in closed doors - not in defense of democracy but to ingrain themselves in power and wealth. We are talking narcissism and vanity here...not political ideology
public indifference - now that this kind of thing has been documented and exposed, you would think there would be a public outcry and outrage. But no! The public is complacent and indifferent
same people in power - sure, W. Bush and his political machinery are no longer in power, but the same system exists. It only means this same thing will happen again...and again. These people will keep doing this unabated
Pandora's Box - with the exposed usage of this once-obscure legal prerogatives, Pandora's Box is now open for other VPs to exploit this loophole. Moreover, this also serves as a call-to-action to anyone in public office to hire smart constitutional lawyers who can dig deep into outdated, obscure, historical laws that are still in effect, in order to leverage power unused before.
Not Alone This movie somehow suggests that Dick Cheney single-handedly orchestrated all the shady moves behind a green and stupid president. I don't think the Washington establishment would have turned a blind eye if it's really that simple. I've read enough of Paul Wolfowitz and other hawks to conclude that there is a shadow government in Washington, run by higher powers (call them the cabal, the globalists, the New World Order, World Economic Forum, etc.) who make decisions on big issues - what country to bomb next, what country suffers famine, who should be ousted, etc. Dick Cheney is obviously just one of them.
(Aug 31, 2022) Slice of life in Chiang Mai. Life reveals itself in our day-to-day surroundings - the poetry, the abundance, the grace, etc. But only if you're mindful enough to capture the moment in pixels....more »»
(Sep 16, 2022) Captain Fantastic is about a family who lived off-the-grid until they were constrained to come back to the default world for the mother's burial. The kids are introduced to this seemingly contrasting world...more »»
Chiang Mai INFORMATION
Chiang Mai Map
Chiang Mai, Thailand
IMPORTANT PLACES
Bus Station Train Station Chiang Mai International Airport Nong Buak Hard Park - free yoga classes daily
HOTEL
Arun Dara Villa - 7 exclusive rooms, 1 swimming pool for every room, grand opening
Nawa Sheeva Hotel - big rooms, high ceiling, salt-water pool, restaurant, cafe
Nawa Saraan Hotel - low density (4 spacious rooms), stone garden setting, Koi fish pond, Old City location
Arun Suite - 3 bedrooms in a 3-storie guesthouse within Old City, ideal for families
MOTORBIKE RENTAL
Tawan Bike - motorcycle rental | +66 91 635 2863 | Si Phum, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200
Chiang Mai FYI / Tips
crop-burning season in Chiang Mai is between late Feb to early April. But laws change everytime. This year, 2019, there is a 61-day ban on burning so the farmers started burning early. When my plane was approaching Chiang Mai on Jan 24, 2019, there was already a thick blanket of smog covering the entire city (and beyond). But within the city itself, you won't feel it (but that doesn't mean the air is healthy). To monitor air conditions in real time, refer to site: Chiang Mai Air Pollution: Real-time Air Quality Index (AQI)
hot season begins March and lasts until June
wet season begins July and lasts until September
best time to visit Chiang Mai is mid-September to mid-February - after the monsoon and before the burning
you have to try Khao Soi, this is north Thailand's culinary staple
the tourist area where most of the hotels, restaurants, ticket offices, tour operators are, is located in the Old City
to exchange your dollars to Thai Baht, the Super Rich Money Exchange give the best rates. There are many branches scattered around Chiang Mai
get a red cab (songthao) outside the train station for Baht 50 (instead of paying B100 if inside the train station) to Old City - if you haggle nicely enough...I did!
shared red taxi (songthao) - B30 standard fare plying all over Old City
for only B50/day, best to rent a bike to go around the Old City - it's a 2.5km2 with lots to discover
FREE daily yoga classes from 9:00am to 10:15am at Nong Buak Hard Park (southwest corner of Old City). Resident and passing-through teachers take turns conducting yoga classes.
Blues/Jazz Bars in Chiang Mai
North Gate Jazz Coop - at Chang Phueg Gate, great Tuesday jam session, Blues on Sundays at 11pm by the Chiang Mai Blues band
Boy Blues Bar - at the Night Bazaar. Mondays at 9:30pm is open mic
My Secret Cafe - near Wat Phra Singh. Tuesdays at 7:30pm for the changing front-act and 9:00pm for the Panic Band
Taphae East - 88 Thapae Rd. (just north of Night Bazaar). Fridays at 9:30pm by Chiang Mai Blues Band
Chiang Mai Cost Index
B60 Chiang beer
B250 1 hour drop-in yoga session
B200 one hour Thai body massage at WAYA Massage(highly recommended)
B50 noodle soup with meat
B50 coffee
B40 pad thai
B30/kilo wash-only laundry
B50/kilo wash+iron laundry
B100-150 dorm bed/night
B250 fan room/night
B30 internet cafe/hour
B170-190 Movies Sat-Sun and public holidays
B130-150 Movies weekdays
B100 Movies Wednesdays (movie discount day)
B750 1/2 day Thai cooking lessons
B900-1000 1 full day Thai cooking lessons
B400 Muay Thai boxing ticket
B2500 starting room rate at the luxury hotel, Nawa Sheeva(highly recommended)
Transportation
B450 bus, Chiang Mai to Bangkok
B160-180 bus, Chiang Mai to Pai
B1250 bus, Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang
B1650 slow boat, Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang
B210 bus, Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, 3-4 hours
B360 Green VIP bus, Chiang Mai to Mae Sai (Thai border town for visa run to Tachileik, Myanmar)
B50 bicycle rental, 24 hours
B200 motorbike rental, 24 hours
B273 #51 sleeping train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
Book Online - direct booking with State Railway of Thailand. Best to register first. If going to BKK from CNX, click "Northern Line".
note -- big difference between booking direct with the State Railway and booking with an online 3rd party agent. 12GO was charging B1330 for the same trip that only cost me B941 with the State Railway.
note -- Oct 2022, I took the #10 Train from CNX to BKK, upper berth, 2nd class, a/c, sleeper, B941. The train was clean, fast, comfortable and modern. If you have heavy luggage that will cost more money in flight checkin, I would suggest this train. Otherwise, the flight now is so much cheaper it doesn't even make sense to take the bus or train.
Bangkok to Chiang Mai by Train from Bang Sue Train Station
10:22pm - #51 Train, arrive Chiang Mai 12:10pm, sleeper, 3rd class B270 (non sleeper), 2nd class B438, B728 upper deck, B798 lower deck
Loei to Chiang Mai by Bus
From Loei town center, take a tuk-tuk ride to the bus station, B30. There is only one bus station.
As of June 28, 2020 (still on Covid schedule), there are only 3 night trips: 8:30pm, 9:30pm and 12 midnight. 9 hours, B470.
The bus makes the following stops at the following times from a 9pm Loei departure: Phu Ruea (9:50pm), Phitsanulok (12:40am), Uttradit (2:20am), Lampang (4:35am)
Final bus stop is at the Red Bus Arcade, Chiang Mai, 9 hour-trip, arriving 6am (from 9pm Loei departure).
Take a red songthaew to Old City, B50. They'll try to charge you B100, but they'll take B50 (just assure the driver you won't tell the other passengers).
How to Get a 60-Day Thai Tourist Visa and then Extend by another 30 Days
This process is BEFORE Covid 19. Not sure what it is now.
60-Day Thai Tourist Visa
NOTE: There is no need to go back to your country to get the Thai tourist visa. Any major city with a Thai Embassy will do. Apparently there is also no need to have an invitation from a Thai establishment to justify the visa.
Bring the following to the Thai embassy:
a) proof of money (bank statement will suffice)
b) flight booking to Thailand
c) onward flight back to your country from Thailand
d) filled-in tourist visa form
e) 2 passport pictures
f) hotel booking in Thailand (they didn't ask me for this but better be safe)
g) passport with at least 6 months validity
After handing over all the documents, they will ask you to come pick your passport with the visa the following day from 4 to 5pm. That's it!
NOTE: after 2 successful attempts, I was already questioned the 3rd time.
30-Day Extension
NOTE: When your 60-day visa is close to expiry and you want to extend your stay. No need to leave Thailand.
bring the following to the Immigration Office:
a) passport (make sure your Tourist Visa hasn't expired yet)
b) Baht 1900
c) photocopy of your passport + visa duration date stamp + TM6 card (white immigration card) and sign all the copies
d) completed TM7 visa extension form (available at the Immigration Office)
e) one 4cmx6cm passport picture
submit the above to the Front Desk. They will give you a stub with your number on it. Take a seat and wait for your number to be called
when your number is called, your picture will be taken. Then go back to your seat. They will call you again.
when they call you again, they'll give you your passport with your extended visa. That's it!
when there are no lines, the whole process can take only 10 minutes