....So it turned into a two week event, thanks to this lousy Georgia spring weather (read: pollen, and lots of it). Spent the end of last week knocked out by allergy meds.
To start things off, I found this review of the GN 10, published by Boom! awhile back, but I don't recall ever posting it, so here ya go:
10
Written by Keith Giffen, Drawn by Andy Kuhn
Everyone’s heard the old saying “Never judge a book by its cover.” Well, never judge a comic by its solicitation either. Before I opened this book to the first page I’d already written it off as just a clone of 100 Bullets. Of course with Giffen and Kuhn’s name on it I knew it would be well written and probably gorgeous, but I had almost no interest in the story.
I didn’t read it so much as devour it. Plot wise it may seem very similar to Brian Azzarello’s 100 Bullets, but the action and pacing make it more akin to an episode of 24. Ten people are given ten guns with ten bullets, nine of them are given the name of one other person with a gun, and the tenth is given a list of all the contestants. The last man standing wins.
The claustrophobic plot lends a lot to its success. Instead of having a story stretched out over dozens of issues we’ve got just this one. The fat has been trimmed; you don’t know anything you don’t need to know. And what you need to know is never what you want to know. The only character that gets any kind of development is Graham Meachum, the book’s main character. Even then we’re only given a small window into his life before everything comes crashing in on him.
Much of the story is told in the art, and Kuhn is well up to the task. The violence is very stylized, but no overly glamorous. Most books would fall into the trap of wanting it to feel real, ending up with more of a gross appeal, but here it is what it is. It all moves so quick that you have little time to think about the blood. And he does a great job of pulling the focus in, adding to the claustrophobia.
Giffen’s dialogue is great, and almost seems like an afterthought. He knows that Kuhn is capable of telling the story and allows him to do so. There’s no need for explanations or long speeches, often it’s just short and to the point. There are occasional bits of humor here too. It’s definitely darker than Giffen’s more recent output.
It’s a menacing look at humanity in the face of adversity. It’s not as twisted and disturbing as it could have been, or maybe even should have been, and leaves more questions than it answers. Still though, 10 is an interesting look into what people are capable of under the most extreme circumstance.
X Isle #1-3
Written by Andrew Cosby & Michael Alan Nelson, Drawn by Greg Scott
Yet another instance of a Boom! team taking an old idea (stranded on an island) and turning it on its head. The character development is pretty swift, and with the exception of one instance (a forced racism remark, felt awkward and unnecessary in this type of story) it all seems natural. I mentioned before about Talent being compared to Lost, funny that this one wasn't. The island here seems far mor dangerous however, with plants that will eat you alive and bugs bigger than your head. But, the story has been primarily focused on the characters (much like Lost), only here you never really care where they are, just about they're survival. I can't wait to see how they wrap this up.
Pirate Tales #1
Written and Drawn by a hell of a lot of people.
Of all the books I've read by Boom!, these Tales books have been among my favorites, and this one was no different. They make for excellent on-the-go reading, the art here is excellent in every story, suiting the tales nicely. The writing is what really shines for me, ranging from the excitingly goofy to the surprisingly romantic, with a few standards thrown in for good measure. As with most Tales books though it comes down to the source material, which makes them almost review proof. So, if you like pirates, then why the hell haven't you read this yet?
Stick around, there's more to come!
-L
Monday, March 26, 2007
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Here Comes the Boom!- Part Two
Part Two of this week long look at all things Boom! falls on a book that I was really sad to find out was a miniseries:
Talent #1-4
Written by Christopher Golden & Tom Sniegoski with art by Azaceta.
If I remember correctly this was originally billed as being similar to 'Lost', or 'Lost' meets...whatever. Anyway, this is NOTHING like 'Lost'. Well, there is a plane crash. It's infinitely more similar to Unbreakable.
Talent is the story of a teacher, Nicholas Dane, the lone survivor of a plane crash. Dane was found twelve hours after the plane crashed into the ocean, drowning. When he wakes up in the hospital he's hailed as both a miracle and a terrorist, and when a man tries to kill him he goes on the run. Dane finds himself engulfed in a bizarre conspiracy involving a force called The Balance. Dane also finds himself in possession of the talents of the many people that died in the plane crash. Boxing, origami, even deadlier arts; he's also taken on (unwillingly of course) the unfinished business of those people.
If Talent was a TV show it would make for damn fine viewing. Of course, it would probably have been canceled six weeks in. Thank God for comics.
The writing here is top notch. Once again Boom! produces a book that's more than the sum of its parts, a mish-mash of ideas from The Bourne Identity, Unbreakable, The DaVinci Code, and so many more. The art is great, though it did take some getting used to, but it fits the tone of the story nicely.
Like I said, I was pretty shocked to see it come to an end in issue four, Dane's story looks to be far from over with so many loose ends to tie up. Not to mention the mystery of the people after him.
I can only hope that it has one more similarity to 'Lost', this is just one of many seasons to come, and that unlike 'Lost' the story doesn't become so damn mundane that I can't be bothered to tune in anymore. But based on what I've read the latter isn't likely to happen, I'll keep hoping for the former.
There ya go, short and sweet.
-L
Talent #1-4
Written by Christopher Golden & Tom Sniegoski with art by Azaceta.
If I remember correctly this was originally billed as being similar to 'Lost', or 'Lost' meets...whatever. Anyway, this is NOTHING like 'Lost'. Well, there is a plane crash. It's infinitely more similar to Unbreakable.
Talent is the story of a teacher, Nicholas Dane, the lone survivor of a plane crash. Dane was found twelve hours after the plane crashed into the ocean, drowning. When he wakes up in the hospital he's hailed as both a miracle and a terrorist, and when a man tries to kill him he goes on the run. Dane finds himself engulfed in a bizarre conspiracy involving a force called The Balance. Dane also finds himself in possession of the talents of the many people that died in the plane crash. Boxing, origami, even deadlier arts; he's also taken on (unwillingly of course) the unfinished business of those people.
If Talent was a TV show it would make for damn fine viewing. Of course, it would probably have been canceled six weeks in. Thank God for comics.
The writing here is top notch. Once again Boom! produces a book that's more than the sum of its parts, a mish-mash of ideas from The Bourne Identity, Unbreakable, The DaVinci Code, and so many more. The art is great, though it did take some getting used to, but it fits the tone of the story nicely.
Like I said, I was pretty shocked to see it come to an end in issue four, Dane's story looks to be far from over with so many loose ends to tie up. Not to mention the mystery of the people after him.
I can only hope that it has one more similarity to 'Lost', this is just one of many seasons to come, and that unlike 'Lost' the story doesn't become so damn mundane that I can't be bothered to tune in anymore. But based on what I've read the latter isn't likely to happen, I'll keep hoping for the former.
There ya go, short and sweet.
-L
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Here Comes the Boom!- Part One
In what will likely be a weeklong event, I'm going to discuss comics I've read in the last seven months or so, all provided by Boom! Studios. So, here it is:
The Savage Bros. #1-2
Written by Andrew Cosby & Johanna Stokes, with art by Rafael Albuquerque, The Savage Bros. is the story of, well, two brothers, who, in a post apocalyptic world hunt down the zombified remains of anyone, as long as the price is right. When they're sent into Atlanta to find a pretty important zombie, they stumble across a virgin stripper about to be sacrificed by a disembodied head. Action and hilarity ensue.
The writing is pretty good, and the art is great, even if it occasionally looks a little fuzzy. What makes it all work is the fact that it's not a high concept book with a message, but just a high concept book that will give you quite a few chuckles.
The Stardust Kid #3-4
Written by J.M. DeMatteis with art by Mike Ploog, The Stardus kid is the story of a group of kids who must rescue a fantasy realm from the clutches of an evil witch. It has a very "been-there-done-that" feel to it plot wise, but what it lacks in originality Ploog's art more than makes up for.
Probably the best thing I can say about this book is that even after reading the final two issues of the story I want to track down the first two. The characters feel very realistic and grounded, even though, as I said, I missed all the introductions. The narration is pretty hokey, but no more than, say, the narration of The Princess Bride (well, maybe a little hokier than that).
It's pretty hard to come up with any originality when it comes to fantasy tales. This book is a good example of that, but it also shows why and how illustration can (and usually is, even if it's only in your head) a very important part of establishing great fantasy.
Warhammer 40,000: Damnation Crusade #1-2
Written by Dan Abnett and Ian Edgington, art by Lui Atonio (#1) and Greg Boychuck (#2).
I wouldn't even know where to begin describing the story here. The books have a little Warhammer history lesson and dictionary in the back, and thankfully so. Not that it was a confusing read, not at all, there's just so much you need to know. It's a pretty great hodgepodge of tons of sci-fi elements. The switch on art is a little jarring, but the styles are somewhat similar. I'd have liked to seen a little bit more of Raclaw's journey, but I suppose it needed to be shortned to get to the bigger battles. Great story, great art, but it can be confusing for anyone not already heavily into sci-fi.
So, there you go, Part One of my big Boom! review project. Short, for sure, but none of these books are the type to entice any soul searching, just books that are fun to read.
-L
The Savage Bros. #1-2
Written by Andrew Cosby & Johanna Stokes, with art by Rafael Albuquerque, The Savage Bros. is the story of, well, two brothers, who, in a post apocalyptic world hunt down the zombified remains of anyone, as long as the price is right. When they're sent into Atlanta to find a pretty important zombie, they stumble across a virgin stripper about to be sacrificed by a disembodied head. Action and hilarity ensue.
The writing is pretty good, and the art is great, even if it occasionally looks a little fuzzy. What makes it all work is the fact that it's not a high concept book with a message, but just a high concept book that will give you quite a few chuckles.
The Stardust Kid #3-4
Written by J.M. DeMatteis with art by Mike Ploog, The Stardus kid is the story of a group of kids who must rescue a fantasy realm from the clutches of an evil witch. It has a very "been-there-done-that" feel to it plot wise, but what it lacks in originality Ploog's art more than makes up for.
Probably the best thing I can say about this book is that even after reading the final two issues of the story I want to track down the first two. The characters feel very realistic and grounded, even though, as I said, I missed all the introductions. The narration is pretty hokey, but no more than, say, the narration of The Princess Bride (well, maybe a little hokier than that).
It's pretty hard to come up with any originality when it comes to fantasy tales. This book is a good example of that, but it also shows why and how illustration can (and usually is, even if it's only in your head) a very important part of establishing great fantasy.
Warhammer 40,000: Damnation Crusade #1-2
Written by Dan Abnett and Ian Edgington, art by Lui Atonio (#1) and Greg Boychuck (#2).
I wouldn't even know where to begin describing the story here. The books have a little Warhammer history lesson and dictionary in the back, and thankfully so. Not that it was a confusing read, not at all, there's just so much you need to know. It's a pretty great hodgepodge of tons of sci-fi elements. The switch on art is a little jarring, but the styles are somewhat similar. I'd have liked to seen a little bit more of Raclaw's journey, but I suppose it needed to be shortned to get to the bigger battles. Great story, great art, but it can be confusing for anyone not already heavily into sci-fi.
So, there you go, Part One of my big Boom! review project. Short, for sure, but none of these books are the type to entice any soul searching, just books that are fun to read.
-L
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
In the Meantime...
Since I'm still reading/ re-reading a few Boom Comics, and since I just watched this, I figured I'd go ahead and talk about it first, excuse me if I'm a little rusty, it HAS been awhile-
Hollywoodland
One of the things that has always irked me about biopics like this are the liberties they take with the truth. But, while Hollywoodland did stretch some of the facts it didn't draw its own conclusions.
It reminded me a little of Auto Focus, and much more recently (actually, I think they came out at about the same time) The Black Dahlia. The exception being that Auto Focus and Hollywoodland are pretty good films, despite their liberties, and that The Black Dahlia was about as entertaining as a pile of manure, probably because of its liberties.
For those who don't know, Hollywoodland is the story of George Reeves' supposed suicide. The story is told in flashbacks, most of which come from the mind of Louis Simo (played by Adrienne Brody), a private detective who was hired by Reeves' mother to investigate the suicide. Simo collects facts about the case, and as he uncovers more pieces he begins to imagine scenarios that may or may not have happened.
Reeves is played by Ben Affleck, a man who takes a lot of abuse over his acting, something he and Reeves had in common. Affleck got a Golden Globe nomination for Supporting Actor for the film, a well deserved one I think. Diane Lane stars as Toni Mannix, Reeves' lover and wife of studio exec Eddie Mannix (Bob Hoskins). The scenes between the two of them play very much like a love story straight out of the '50s, sometimes stiff and awkward, and most assuredly melodramatic. But, when you consider that these snippets aren't being presented as fact, but as the conclusions Simo has drawn from his investigation it's easy to see why they play out that way.
Going back to Simo; a large portion of the film is spent examining his life, parralelling it to Reeves. It seems the more he uncovers about the actor the more truthfully he begins to see his situation. They are both men who desperately want to succeed, but they measure they're success by how much exposure they have, both find comfort in the arms of younger women and alcohol. For them fame equals happiness, and in the end, when it doesn't come, both are left sitting alone, looking back at the pieces.
The movie captures the feel of the era perfectly, right down to Reeves pinky ring and automobile. Occasionally the dialogue can be a little punchy, sounding like something out of The Maltese Falcon, but it never takes you out of the movie. The music, on the other hand gets to be a bit too much, especially in the more dramatic scenes. I remember reading once, the best musical scores are the ones that evoke emotion without ever making you awarre of it, but here the music is predictable and mostly uninspired.
Overall, it's at least an entertaining film, but those who know the story of Reeves' death certainly won't find anything new here.
-L
Hollywoodland
One of the things that has always irked me about biopics like this are the liberties they take with the truth. But, while Hollywoodland did stretch some of the facts it didn't draw its own conclusions.
It reminded me a little of Auto Focus, and much more recently (actually, I think they came out at about the same time) The Black Dahlia. The exception being that Auto Focus and Hollywoodland are pretty good films, despite their liberties, and that The Black Dahlia was about as entertaining as a pile of manure, probably because of its liberties.
For those who don't know, Hollywoodland is the story of George Reeves' supposed suicide. The story is told in flashbacks, most of which come from the mind of Louis Simo (played by Adrienne Brody), a private detective who was hired by Reeves' mother to investigate the suicide. Simo collects facts about the case, and as he uncovers more pieces he begins to imagine scenarios that may or may not have happened.
Reeves is played by Ben Affleck, a man who takes a lot of abuse over his acting, something he and Reeves had in common. Affleck got a Golden Globe nomination for Supporting Actor for the film, a well deserved one I think. Diane Lane stars as Toni Mannix, Reeves' lover and wife of studio exec Eddie Mannix (Bob Hoskins). The scenes between the two of them play very much like a love story straight out of the '50s, sometimes stiff and awkward, and most assuredly melodramatic. But, when you consider that these snippets aren't being presented as fact, but as the conclusions Simo has drawn from his investigation it's easy to see why they play out that way.
Going back to Simo; a large portion of the film is spent examining his life, parralelling it to Reeves. It seems the more he uncovers about the actor the more truthfully he begins to see his situation. They are both men who desperately want to succeed, but they measure they're success by how much exposure they have, both find comfort in the arms of younger women and alcohol. For them fame equals happiness, and in the end, when it doesn't come, both are left sitting alone, looking back at the pieces.
The movie captures the feel of the era perfectly, right down to Reeves pinky ring and automobile. Occasionally the dialogue can be a little punchy, sounding like something out of The Maltese Falcon, but it never takes you out of the movie. The music, on the other hand gets to be a bit too much, especially in the more dramatic scenes. I remember reading once, the best musical scores are the ones that evoke emotion without ever making you awarre of it, but here the music is predictable and mostly uninspired.
Overall, it's at least an entertaining film, but those who know the story of Reeves' death certainly won't find anything new here.
-L
Sunday, March 11, 2007
What the Hell
Just because I recently stumbled on this and decided to make it my background, here's a shiny pic to enjoy:
Not Dead Yet
I'm still alive and kicking...well alive at least.
Almost seven months since my last post, and one week from gloriously depressing birthday #28, today marks my official return into the blogging universe. If there still is such a thing. Sadly, I've neglected just about everything web related in the last seven months. I've occasionally checked my email, but when I have it's been so full of junk that I just delete it all. So, apologies to all those sites out there I've shunned. I'll try and make it up to you.
So, what's the first order of business? I'm thinking, get The House in order, just in case I actually do get some people stopping by. I'm gonna check the blogroll, clean up the side bar, test out some of the new Blogger features...
Coming up after that- The Gigantic Boom Studios Review Session.
Keep your eyes peeled.
-L
Almost seven months since my last post, and one week from gloriously depressing birthday #28, today marks my official return into the blogging universe. If there still is such a thing. Sadly, I've neglected just about everything web related in the last seven months. I've occasionally checked my email, but when I have it's been so full of junk that I just delete it all. So, apologies to all those sites out there I've shunned. I'll try and make it up to you.
So, what's the first order of business? I'm thinking, get The House in order, just in case I actually do get some people stopping by. I'm gonna check the blogroll, clean up the side bar, test out some of the new Blogger features...
Coming up after that- The Gigantic Boom Studios Review Session.
Keep your eyes peeled.
-L
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Banged Up, But Alive (and, finally, DragonCon)
Pretty banged up from the accident, but I guess the important thing is that I'm here.
DragonCon '06
It was a weird four days. I saw plenty of celebs: Tasha Yar, Philip J. Frye, Hercules, Catwoman, Batgirl, Wash, River, C-3PO, Darth Vader, Chewbacca, another Catwoman, Zorak, Brak, Georgia Lass, The Iron Sheik, Space Ghost, Jordan Radcliffe, Dr. Girlfriend & Hank Vanture, Master Shake, Joanie Cunnigham & Ralph Malph, Santa Claus, Church, Sulu and Sheldon the Sea Genie. Saw a few comic pro's as well, and a few of both that I didn't recognize at all I'm sure.
No autographs though, for me it was enough to see 'em, I didn't want to go broke getting crap signed.
Tons of folks in costume of course, my favorite being Galactus (complete with little Earth in the palm of his hand).
I brought a ton o books home, the best of the haul being the Earth X HC, Absolute Watchmen (for retail no less, no markup, surprised me), and Ult. Spidey Vol. 1-3. Haven't read a single one yet.
So that was my DragonCon report...or at leastas much as I can comfortably type right now, gonna go stretch the knee out a bit.
-L
DragonCon '06
It was a weird four days. I saw plenty of celebs: Tasha Yar, Philip J. Frye, Hercules, Catwoman, Batgirl, Wash, River, C-3PO, Darth Vader, Chewbacca, another Catwoman, Zorak, Brak, Georgia Lass, The Iron Sheik, Space Ghost, Jordan Radcliffe, Dr. Girlfriend & Hank Vanture, Master Shake, Joanie Cunnigham & Ralph Malph, Santa Claus, Church, Sulu and Sheldon the Sea Genie. Saw a few comic pro's as well, and a few of both that I didn't recognize at all I'm sure.
No autographs though, for me it was enough to see 'em, I didn't want to go broke getting crap signed.
Tons of folks in costume of course, my favorite being Galactus (complete with little Earth in the palm of his hand).
I brought a ton o books home, the best of the haul being the Earth X HC, Absolute Watchmen (for retail no less, no markup, surprised me), and Ult. Spidey Vol. 1-3. Haven't read a single one yet.
So that was my DragonCon report...or at leastas much as I can comfortably type right now, gonna go stretch the knee out a bit.
-L
Friday, September 15, 2006
Honestly, I Could Feel it Coming On
Longtime blog readers know how awful the fall/winter season has been to me (yet, it is still my favorite time of year). Well, it's not even got here yet and already I'm taking hits. Literally.
Got banged up in a car accident just yesterday, so I might be out of comission for a little while. My car was totaled and thankfully the other driver was okay. I've got several stiches in my knee, apparently it was a deep gash, and my right arm is burned pretty bad from the air bag deployment. So, to fall and winter I say: Bring it on! I'll be back, hopefully sooner rather than later.
-L
Got banged up in a car accident just yesterday, so I might be out of comission for a little while. My car was totaled and thankfully the other driver was okay. I've got several stiches in my knee, apparently it was a deep gash, and my right arm is burned pretty bad from the air bag deployment. So, to fall and winter I say: Bring it on! I'll be back, hopefully sooner rather than later.
-L
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Shoot Your TV. Read Comics.
That's the slogan for Lost in the Dark Press, publisher of the Fragile Prophet GN. Which I recently read. And am now going to discuss. So, here goes:
Fragile Prophet
Written by Jeff Davidson
Drawn by Stephen R. Buell
The plot: Jacob has Fragile X syndrome, a disorder that not only causes autism, but grants him prophetic abilities. When he makes a prophecy that doesn't bode well for his future, nor that of his brother Esau, Esau does everything he can to prevent it from coming true.
I'd read the book's first issue last year when it debuted and absolutely loved it. I was extremely disappointed when I learned that it was canned and would later be published as a GN. Mostly because that usually means I'll never get to read it, but I was extremely excied to see it show up in Previews a few months back, and even moreso when I opened up a box of comics I recently recieved and found it inside (I had pre-ordered it, of course, but it still made me happy). I read it in one sitting, probably the first non-floppy I've read in over a month, and I loved it.
Davidson's plot is a breath of fresh air for me after reading nothing but 32 page capes books for so long (my own fault, I admit). Yeah, he does have some sort of "power", but the book is less about Jake's gift and more about the love he shares with his brother and addresses the eternal question of fate; can that love change the fate Jake has forseen? Buell's art is fantastic, though the "horseface" look of the characters originally took a bit of getting used to, but it's never distracting. I was amazed at the amont of character devlopment Davidson crams into a relatively small book, and without slowing the overall story down at all. In fact, if anything, it's too quick a read.
In his introduction Davidson says he'd originally invisioned it as a film, not a comic (and it does have a bit of a Rain Man vibe too it, something I hadn't thought about until now, and a bit of Dreamcatcher as well...the book, which was only slightly better than the shitty film...), and it does read like a movie. The art has a cinematic feel, the dialogue is crisp (despite one annoyance of a left out word).
As I said, my one complaint about the book is it's short length. We get very little background on Jake and Esau; about their life before the death of their parents, about how they came to the circus or even how Jake got his own TV show. But, it is a story that can be read and re-read; each time you see a little deeper into Jakes confusing world, picking up pieces of the puzzle you might have missed previously. A bittersweet read that looks into the mind and life of an autistic child without the kid gloves, a book that works on many levels, and definitely one of the best comics of the last year.
You can read the first few pages at the LitD website and decide for yourself.
And for anyone interested in Fragile X (yes it is a very real disorder), you can discover more about it here, including characteristics, theories on the cause, and ways to support awareness as well as donate to the cause.
-L
Fragile Prophet
Written by Jeff Davidson
Drawn by Stephen R. Buell
The plot: Jacob has Fragile X syndrome, a disorder that not only causes autism, but grants him prophetic abilities. When he makes a prophecy that doesn't bode well for his future, nor that of his brother Esau, Esau does everything he can to prevent it from coming true.
I'd read the book's first issue last year when it debuted and absolutely loved it. I was extremely disappointed when I learned that it was canned and would later be published as a GN. Mostly because that usually means I'll never get to read it, but I was extremely excied to see it show up in Previews a few months back, and even moreso when I opened up a box of comics I recently recieved and found it inside (I had pre-ordered it, of course, but it still made me happy). I read it in one sitting, probably the first non-floppy I've read in over a month, and I loved it.
Davidson's plot is a breath of fresh air for me after reading nothing but 32 page capes books for so long (my own fault, I admit). Yeah, he does have some sort of "power", but the book is less about Jake's gift and more about the love he shares with his brother and addresses the eternal question of fate; can that love change the fate Jake has forseen? Buell's art is fantastic, though the "horseface" look of the characters originally took a bit of getting used to, but it's never distracting. I was amazed at the amont of character devlopment Davidson crams into a relatively small book, and without slowing the overall story down at all. In fact, if anything, it's too quick a read.
In his introduction Davidson says he'd originally invisioned it as a film, not a comic (and it does have a bit of a Rain Man vibe too it, something I hadn't thought about until now, and a bit of Dreamcatcher as well...the book, which was only slightly better than the shitty film...), and it does read like a movie. The art has a cinematic feel, the dialogue is crisp (despite one annoyance of a left out word).
As I said, my one complaint about the book is it's short length. We get very little background on Jake and Esau; about their life before the death of their parents, about how they came to the circus or even how Jake got his own TV show. But, it is a story that can be read and re-read; each time you see a little deeper into Jakes confusing world, picking up pieces of the puzzle you might have missed previously. A bittersweet read that looks into the mind and life of an autistic child without the kid gloves, a book that works on many levels, and definitely one of the best comics of the last year.
You can read the first few pages at the LitD website and decide for yourself.
And for anyone interested in Fragile X (yes it is a very real disorder), you can discover more about it here, including characteristics, theories on the cause, and ways to support awareness as well as donate to the cause.
-L
Friday, September 08, 2006
Are You Ready?
Tonight marked the season opener for the NFL. It was the Steelers vs. the Dolphins in Pittsburg. The Steelers trounced the Fish, despite a few stumbles by interim QB Charlie Batch. The Dolphins didn't look terrible though, and it was a great game. Personally I find it insulting that the opener was on a Thursday, but, whatever. Also, I don't see Thursday faring much better than Monday.
So, my Falcons start their season this Sunday...and I'm not holding my breath. A winning season would be a major victory at this point, a trip to the playoffs would be Heaven. After last years 2-6 finish I just want the team to be fuctional and wind up 10-6. Opening against the Panthers might put the team on the downward spiral early. Yeah, I sound like a bandwagoner, I prefer to be called a realist. I do think they'll have a decent season though.
More speculating to come, and eventually my recount of Dragoncon!
-L
So, my Falcons start their season this Sunday...and I'm not holding my breath. A winning season would be a major victory at this point, a trip to the playoffs would be Heaven. After last years 2-6 finish I just want the team to be fuctional and wind up 10-6. Opening against the Panthers might put the team on the downward spiral early. Yeah, I sound like a bandwagoner, I prefer to be called a realist. I do think they'll have a decent season though.
More speculating to come, and eventually my recount of Dragoncon!
-L
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
A Brick, Andre and a Brave New World
How about my man Andre Agassi? I'm gonna start calling him the Comeback Kid.
Brave New World
Just to show you how behind I am on my comic book reading, I just read this. The series it promotes are already a few months old I think, a bit late for me to be jumping on probably. All for the better I think though. The only story that was even slightly appealing was Winnick's take on Shazam. I just couldn't muster any enthusiasm for the new Atom, the OMAC series looks like so much other crap that has come before. The Creeper seemed like a decent start, but that character just does nothing for me. Martian Manhunter...I just don't like the guy outside of the cartoons, and Uncle Sam felt like a re-hash of what they did with the JSA years back, and I just don't care. So, it wasn't a terrible wast of a dollar, but not a very good one.
Brick
Brick is a movie that defies modern description. I can take 99% of the movies made in the last 10 years and say "This is ____ meets ____ ." For instance? Jason Statham's new flick Crank- Speed meets Innerspace. See, pretty simple. The only movie I can point to for comparison with Brick is The Maltese Falcon, and that really is unfair to both films. Other than the crime-noir aspects they don't have too much in common. Except after watching Brick I can only think that this is what the people must have felt like walking out of the theatre in 1941. But, MF had been adapted once before in 1931, and it's based on a novel. Brick is a completely original work by writer/director Rian Johnson. His only other credited work is a short film titled Evil Demon Golfball from Hell, so I guess Brick is his debut feature film. And, as debuts go, it has to rank among the top.
The film is a throwback to those classics noir films like Maltese Falcon. The character speak in a very distinct dialogue and the movie doesn't have a single swear in it, but there are some pretty violent scenes, which I'd imagine is where the R rating comes from. The greatest thing about the movie may be that Johnson is able to...downsize? That might be the best way I can put it. Downsize the atmosphere of a city like Chicago or New York (or, at least the '30s stylizations of them) and bottle it up into a high school setting. And if that might not make sense right now, after watching the film, it will
Joseph Gordon-Levitt turns in a (surprisingly) stellar performance as Brendan, a high school loner who investigates the disappearance of his ex-girlfriend after a mysterious phone call. He soon discovers her involvement in some shady dealings and gets himself further and further into a mess he may not be able to get out of alive.
Lukas Haas plays The Pin, the local pusher and possible cause of all the trouble, and you can just feel him channeling Sydney Greenstreet. It's an inspired performance and he almost steals the movie away from Gordon-Levitt. The rest of the cast is filled out nicely, most of the actors are unknown's to me, but I recognized a few faces from the teen dramedy scene. Narah Zehetner is excellent as Laura, and the two Noah's (Fleiss and Segan) as Tugger and Dode (respectively) are brilliant. Richard Roundtree plays one of the few adults in the film (the only other I can recall right now is The Pin's mom). Roundtree is the film's lone voice of authority, only instead of being a cop he's the assistant vice principle. And since Hollywood is so keen on nominations and awards for excellent, but extremely short performances, I'm crossing my fingers that Roundtree gets nominated for at least a Golden Globe this year (the movie might have fallen under last year's awards, but I'm never sure of those things. I can still hope!).
Though the movie is largely serious, it's not without its moments of brevity. The absolute best of which comes in a meeting between Brendan and The Pin. As the two stare at eachother across a dining room table, with Pin's goon looking on, Pin's mother repeatedly attempts to offer Brendan juice. It's not only hysterical (trust me, it is), but it grounds the story back in reality. It's one of the best scenes in any film I've seen this year.
From beginning to end Brick is a masterpiece of modern cinema.
Go Agassi!!!!
-L
Brave New World
Just to show you how behind I am on my comic book reading, I just read this. The series it promotes are already a few months old I think, a bit late for me to be jumping on probably. All for the better I think though. The only story that was even slightly appealing was Winnick's take on Shazam. I just couldn't muster any enthusiasm for the new Atom, the OMAC series looks like so much other crap that has come before. The Creeper seemed like a decent start, but that character just does nothing for me. Martian Manhunter...I just don't like the guy outside of the cartoons, and Uncle Sam felt like a re-hash of what they did with the JSA years back, and I just don't care. So, it wasn't a terrible wast of a dollar, but not a very good one.
Brick
Brick is a movie that defies modern description. I can take 99% of the movies made in the last 10 years and say "This is ____ meets ____ ." For instance? Jason Statham's new flick Crank- Speed meets Innerspace. See, pretty simple. The only movie I can point to for comparison with Brick is The Maltese Falcon, and that really is unfair to both films. Other than the crime-noir aspects they don't have too much in common. Except after watching Brick I can only think that this is what the people must have felt like walking out of the theatre in 1941. But, MF had been adapted once before in 1931, and it's based on a novel. Brick is a completely original work by writer/director Rian Johnson. His only other credited work is a short film titled Evil Demon Golfball from Hell, so I guess Brick is his debut feature film. And, as debuts go, it has to rank among the top.
The film is a throwback to those classics noir films like Maltese Falcon. The character speak in a very distinct dialogue and the movie doesn't have a single swear in it, but there are some pretty violent scenes, which I'd imagine is where the R rating comes from. The greatest thing about the movie may be that Johnson is able to...downsize? That might be the best way I can put it. Downsize the atmosphere of a city like Chicago or New York (or, at least the '30s stylizations of them) and bottle it up into a high school setting. And if that might not make sense right now, after watching the film, it will
Joseph Gordon-Levitt turns in a (surprisingly) stellar performance as Brendan, a high school loner who investigates the disappearance of his ex-girlfriend after a mysterious phone call. He soon discovers her involvement in some shady dealings and gets himself further and further into a mess he may not be able to get out of alive.
Lukas Haas plays The Pin, the local pusher and possible cause of all the trouble, and you can just feel him channeling Sydney Greenstreet. It's an inspired performance and he almost steals the movie away from Gordon-Levitt. The rest of the cast is filled out nicely, most of the actors are unknown's to me, but I recognized a few faces from the teen dramedy scene. Narah Zehetner is excellent as Laura, and the two Noah's (Fleiss and Segan) as Tugger and Dode (respectively) are brilliant. Richard Roundtree plays one of the few adults in the film (the only other I can recall right now is The Pin's mom). Roundtree is the film's lone voice of authority, only instead of being a cop he's the assistant vice principle. And since Hollywood is so keen on nominations and awards for excellent, but extremely short performances, I'm crossing my fingers that Roundtree gets nominated for at least a Golden Globe this year (the movie might have fallen under last year's awards, but I'm never sure of those things. I can still hope!).
Though the movie is largely serious, it's not without its moments of brevity. The absolute best of which comes in a meeting between Brendan and The Pin. As the two stare at eachother across a dining room table, with Pin's goon looking on, Pin's mother repeatedly attempts to offer Brendan juice. It's not only hysterical (trust me, it is), but it grounds the story back in reality. It's one of the best scenes in any film I've seen this year.
From beginning to end Brick is a masterpiece of modern cinema.
Go Agassi!!!!
-L
Monday, August 28, 2006
The Kids from Columbus, Ga.
Earlier today the team from Columbus, Ga. (that's my town folks) beat the team from Kawaguchi City, Japan to win the Little League World Series. It's arguably the greatest game of Baseball I've seen since before the strike oh so many years ago. The only game that could have been better was Boston's win in the World Series. But, considering I had no emotional investment in Boston's win, this one was far more satisfying.
Japan's pitcher, Go Matsumoto (seriously, what an awesome name) put up one hell of a show. He struck out nine and seemed almost unhittable at times. But Columbus' pitcher proved to be even more impressive. Ryan Carter struck out eleven batters (keep in mind that there are only 18 possible outs in the game) and became the only pitcher in the history of the LL World Series to win four games. Both pitchers put up showings that would put some Major Leaguers to shame.
It was a truly amazing game to watch. These kids played with a passion and intensity that is sorely lacking in the Majors. They played with talent, no allegations of drug abuse tainted the purity of the sport. It was just pure baseball, and when it's pure there really is no better sport.
So, congrats to the boys from my hometown, we're all very proud of you.
Right now I'm watching Andre Agassi possibly play the last match of his career. He's struggling, , here's hoping he pulls it out. Maybe I'll actually get some posts in this week!
-L
Japan's pitcher, Go Matsumoto (seriously, what an awesome name) put up one hell of a show. He struck out nine and seemed almost unhittable at times. But Columbus' pitcher proved to be even more impressive. Ryan Carter struck out eleven batters (keep in mind that there are only 18 possible outs in the game) and became the only pitcher in the history of the LL World Series to win four games. Both pitchers put up showings that would put some Major Leaguers to shame.
It was a truly amazing game to watch. These kids played with a passion and intensity that is sorely lacking in the Majors. They played with talent, no allegations of drug abuse tainted the purity of the sport. It was just pure baseball, and when it's pure there really is no better sport.
So, congrats to the boys from my hometown, we're all very proud of you.
Right now I'm watching Andre Agassi possibly play the last match of his career. He's struggling, , here's hoping he pulls it out. Maybe I'll actually get some posts in this week!
-L
Friday, August 18, 2006
Motorcycle Hero
Well...not so much.
In an attempt to get my comics reading to a manageable state (Currently over 75 GN's and Trades line my room and well over 150 floppy issues are stacked in a pile, all unread, not all recent material of course) I am going to monthly shipping from my online retailer for a while. Maybe.
So, yeah, I read Ennis' Ghost Rider: The Road to Damnation hardcover as well as the first issue of Daniel Way's new GR monthly book. As unimpressed as I was with Ennis' first issue when it first debuted, the story reads decently as a collection. GR gets out of Hell with some help an
must track down some demon. Nothing is what is seems and it's violent as all get out, exactly what you want in an Ennis book. But the art is atrocious. It looks like stills from an abandoned CGI heavy flik, with some dialogue added in word baloons, awkwardly worked into the panels. It all but makes the story unreadable. And it pretty much spits in the face of much of GR's established continuity. Not that I care, but it didn't much work that the last shityy GR mini a few years ago did it? Doesn't work here either.
Then we get Way's first issue. I've already decided to wait for the trades on both this and his Wolvie book, but damn he never fails to hook me. First, the immediately noticeable difference in art, here by Javier Saltares on breakdowns andfinishes by the always fantastic Mark Texiera. That alone makes all the difference in the world. Add to that Way's knack for acknowledging the recent past of characters he takes on and incorporating it into the overall continuity and it's just an awesome start to what I hope will be a fantastic run on the character.
Picking up where Ennis left off, Way has Ghosty successfully breaking out of hell, but discovers he's being played by Satan. It's filled with humour, action and so-so horror stuff. It's the humour that really pulled me in. Way out Ennis' Ennis here, and it just blows my mind. There's plenty of questions to be answered as well, hopefully ones that will drive the series for a while. I can't wait to see Way bring GR back into the regular MU, and I hope we get some definite nods to the history of the character, if not the out and out return of Danny Ketch.
So, avoid the Ennis version unless you're just a completist, or at least opt for the inevitable (and cheaper I hope) softcover. Instead, all you flameheads run out and pick up Ghost Rider #1. Then pray that the movie will at least be pretty good.
-L
In an attempt to get my comics reading to a manageable state (Currently over 75 GN's and Trades line my room and well over 150 floppy issues are stacked in a pile, all unread, not all recent material of course) I am going to monthly shipping from my online retailer for a while. Maybe.
So, yeah, I read Ennis' Ghost Rider: The Road to Damnation hardcover as well as the first issue of Daniel Way's new GR monthly book. As unimpressed as I was with Ennis' first issue when it first debuted, the story reads decently as a collection. GR gets out of Hell with some help an
must track down some demon. Nothing is what is seems and it's violent as all get out, exactly what you want in an Ennis book. But the art is atrocious. It looks like stills from an abandoned CGI heavy flik, with some dialogue added in word baloons, awkwardly worked into the panels. It all but makes the story unreadable. And it pretty much spits in the face of much of GR's established continuity. Not that I care, but it didn't much work that the last shityy GR mini a few years ago did it? Doesn't work here either.
Then we get Way's first issue. I've already decided to wait for the trades on both this and his Wolvie book, but damn he never fails to hook me. First, the immediately noticeable difference in art, here by Javier Saltares on breakdowns andfinishes by the always fantastic Mark Texiera. That alone makes all the difference in the world. Add to that Way's knack for acknowledging the recent past of characters he takes on and incorporating it into the overall continuity and it's just an awesome start to what I hope will be a fantastic run on the character.
Picking up where Ennis left off, Way has Ghosty successfully breaking out of hell, but discovers he's being played by Satan. It's filled with humour, action and so-so horror stuff. It's the humour that really pulled me in. Way out Ennis' Ennis here, and it just blows my mind. There's plenty of questions to be answered as well, hopefully ones that will drive the series for a while. I can't wait to see Way bring GR back into the regular MU, and I hope we get some definite nods to the history of the character, if not the out and out return of Danny Ketch.
So, avoid the Ennis version unless you're just a completist, or at least opt for the inevitable (and cheaper I hope) softcover. Instead, all you flameheads run out and pick up Ghost Rider #1. Then pray that the movie will at least be pretty good.
-L
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Life, Death, Murder, Collectors, Kids, Dogs, Romance, the Handicapped and a Little Science
Everything is Illuminated
The directorial debut of Liev Schrieber, and it turns out he's a far better director than an actor, and he was/is a pretty good actor. Illuminated is the story of a man looking for the woman who saved his grandfather's life by helping him escape the Ukraine at the start of WW2. On the way he befriends a Ukranian man and his grandfather...and their dog Sammy Davis Jr Jr. Based on the novel of the same name, it's one of the most interesting looks at the Holocaust I think I've ever seen. The flashbacks can be confusing, at least until the end of the film. Elijah Wood gives an unusual, but excellent performance. However the real star of the film is Eugene Hutz, Wood's guide through the Ukraine on his search, and essentially our guide into the weirdness that is Wood's character Johnathan. His blunt nature provides both laughs answers, and the honesty Hutz plays him with is just moving. I really can't recommend this movie enough.
Grilled
Seeing Kevin James and Ray Romano as the film's stars was enough to pique my interest, reading the premise was enough to get me to bite. Two door-to-door meat salesmen get entangled in the world of organized crime. Wacky and not exactly original, but certainly intriguing enough to warrant checking out. I was pleaseantly surprised at the supporting cast (Juliet Lewis, Burt Reynolds and the always great Michael Rappaport), and even moreso at James' and Romano's ability to shed theor TV personas. That the two are close friends in real life certainly plays a part in their on-screen charisma. The script is very Tarantino-esque, stylized violence, snappy dialogue. It has that neo-noir feel, entertaining but been-there-done-that. Worth probably a rent at least.
High Tension
This movie sucks. It had me on the edge of my seat, eyes glued to the screen and then they go and drop in an inexplicable "twist" to the story. I shrugged my shoulders and cursed M. Night Shamalamamamama-whatever for re-popularizing the damn twist ending. If you insist on watching it turn it off about an hour into it and just assume everything comes out okay, otherwise, don't say I didn't warn you.
In America
I repeatedly put off seeing this flick. I originally thought it might be some America-bashing story, though I'm not sure why I thought that. Then I read a few reviews and thought it might be some overly patriotic drivel. Apparently I walk a fine line when it comes to films about the U.S. Don't ask me why, I haven't a clue. But, man was I ever wrong. In America is the type of story you'd expect to hear someone's great grandfather tell, something that touches your heart and makes you remember exactly what the hell it means to live in this country. Patriotic, yes, but it never crosses that line into pushing an agenda. It's a story, not one of politics or religion, but of love, loss and having the freedom to succeed or fail on your own merits. The performances warranted the two nominations they recieved (Actress and Supporting Actor), and probably deserved another for Best Actor, if not wins in all three categories.
Intermission
Another Tarantino-ish (maybe more Guy Ritchie-ish in this case) story that centers around a group of people in Dublin. It's got a stellar cast and some great writing, but it comes too close to Lock, Stock for me to really get behind it. Colm Meany is just absolutely fantastic though and it will be interesting to see if director John Crowly can make his next film more his own and less like and Irish Pulp Fiction.
The Life and Death pf Peter Sellers
This was an incredibly hard film to watch. On one hand Geoffry Rush is as believable as Sellers as one could ever hope to be, and Stanley Tucci actually makes me want to like Stanley Kubrick, Charlize Theron is a knockout and John Lithgow is brilliant as Blake Edwards. But, it takes away severely from my enjoyment of Sellers' films. It's easy to understand and even sympathize with what he goes through, but there are times where he comes out looking like such an asshole that you really want to hate him.It was definitely worth watching the once, but I'll never be able to watch a Sellers film the same way again.
Little Manhattan
It's not often I can get behind a sweet" film, usually they make my teeth hurt. But, Manhattan is so well written, and the angst of young Gabe seem so real that you just get so wound up in the story. It's such an accurate portrayal of not only first-love but of the innocence of childhood, it sends you reflecting on your own life, remembering those very same moments from your life. Josh Hutcherson and Charlie Ray are fantastic as the two children in love and Mark Levin is almost flawless in his first directing gig (I noticed a very "Wonder Years" vibe in the film early on, and see that Levin was a producer on that show, not sure if that speaks good of me or bad of Levin, well, not bad...you know what I mean). It's a romantic comedy almost unlike any ever made, and while the cuteness often threatens to suffocate the performances, it thankfully never does.
Must Love Dogs
Despite my unabashed love for all things both Diane Lane and John Cusack, I really didn't like this film. Parts of it are okay, and with a little more screen time Cusack could have rocketed the movie past it's very thin premise. There were a few chuckles, and I really can't hate anything with the always beautiful Lane, but this is probably best avoided by anyone who wants some meaning behind their romance. Watch Little Manhattan instead.
The Ringer
The third in the Farrely "sweet" trilogy (what's with all the sweets?), oddly enough not directed by them. I'm not sure why they chose to not direct, but it actually pays off I think. There are far fewer silly gags here than in all their other films, focusing more on the heart of the story, that the mentally handicapped are oftentimes better (and in some cases no worse) than anyone else. Knoxville wisely sees that the film's true stars are those he's somewhat mocking and steps back, allowing them to take over the film and in turn mock him. It's certainly not the most PC film you're ever gonna see, and it shouldn't be, in most cases it's very blunt. It's probably the most honest and entertaining flik the Farrelly's have ever been involved in.
Stuck on You
Ah, and another Farrelly film. Only, I seem to be moving backwards. This was their second "sweet" film, about conjoined twins. It's full of visual gags and little jokes. I laughed for sure, and it really has a heart to it, same as The Ringer, but mostly it's just a film full of jokes, some morality thrown in for good measure. Not bad at all, just not gonna shatter any perceptions. That they would go a step further in The Ringer and actually cast those with the handicaps they were addressing showed a step in the right direction. Here Kinnear and Damon can never make you forget who they are, actors playing the part and making you laugh. Top notch effects though.
What the Bleep Do We Know!?
Man, this one blew my mind. Anyone interested in examining not only the origins of life, but the purpose of humanity and the effect our minds can have not only on our bodies but of everything we see. This must be what it feels like to drop acid.
-L
The directorial debut of Liev Schrieber, and it turns out he's a far better director than an actor, and he was/is a pretty good actor. Illuminated is the story of a man looking for the woman who saved his grandfather's life by helping him escape the Ukraine at the start of WW2. On the way he befriends a Ukranian man and his grandfather...and their dog Sammy Davis Jr Jr. Based on the novel of the same name, it's one of the most interesting looks at the Holocaust I think I've ever seen. The flashbacks can be confusing, at least until the end of the film. Elijah Wood gives an unusual, but excellent performance. However the real star of the film is Eugene Hutz, Wood's guide through the Ukraine on his search, and essentially our guide into the weirdness that is Wood's character Johnathan. His blunt nature provides both laughs answers, and the honesty Hutz plays him with is just moving. I really can't recommend this movie enough.
Grilled
Seeing Kevin James and Ray Romano as the film's stars was enough to pique my interest, reading the premise was enough to get me to bite. Two door-to-door meat salesmen get entangled in the world of organized crime. Wacky and not exactly original, but certainly intriguing enough to warrant checking out. I was pleaseantly surprised at the supporting cast (Juliet Lewis, Burt Reynolds and the always great Michael Rappaport), and even moreso at James' and Romano's ability to shed theor TV personas. That the two are close friends in real life certainly plays a part in their on-screen charisma. The script is very Tarantino-esque, stylized violence, snappy dialogue. It has that neo-noir feel, entertaining but been-there-done-that. Worth probably a rent at least.
High Tension
This movie sucks. It had me on the edge of my seat, eyes glued to the screen and then they go and drop in an inexplicable "twist" to the story. I shrugged my shoulders and cursed M. Night Shamalamamamama-whatever for re-popularizing the damn twist ending. If you insist on watching it turn it off about an hour into it and just assume everything comes out okay, otherwise, don't say I didn't warn you.
In America
I repeatedly put off seeing this flick. I originally thought it might be some America-bashing story, though I'm not sure why I thought that. Then I read a few reviews and thought it might be some overly patriotic drivel. Apparently I walk a fine line when it comes to films about the U.S. Don't ask me why, I haven't a clue. But, man was I ever wrong. In America is the type of story you'd expect to hear someone's great grandfather tell, something that touches your heart and makes you remember exactly what the hell it means to live in this country. Patriotic, yes, but it never crosses that line into pushing an agenda. It's a story, not one of politics or religion, but of love, loss and having the freedom to succeed or fail on your own merits. The performances warranted the two nominations they recieved (Actress and Supporting Actor), and probably deserved another for Best Actor, if not wins in all three categories.
Intermission
Another Tarantino-ish (maybe more Guy Ritchie-ish in this case) story that centers around a group of people in Dublin. It's got a stellar cast and some great writing, but it comes too close to Lock, Stock for me to really get behind it. Colm Meany is just absolutely fantastic though and it will be interesting to see if director John Crowly can make his next film more his own and less like and Irish Pulp Fiction.
The Life and Death pf Peter Sellers
This was an incredibly hard film to watch. On one hand Geoffry Rush is as believable as Sellers as one could ever hope to be, and Stanley Tucci actually makes me want to like Stanley Kubrick, Charlize Theron is a knockout and John Lithgow is brilliant as Blake Edwards. But, it takes away severely from my enjoyment of Sellers' films. It's easy to understand and even sympathize with what he goes through, but there are times where he comes out looking like such an asshole that you really want to hate him.It was definitely worth watching the once, but I'll never be able to watch a Sellers film the same way again.
Little Manhattan
It's not often I can get behind a sweet" film, usually they make my teeth hurt. But, Manhattan is so well written, and the angst of young Gabe seem so real that you just get so wound up in the story. It's such an accurate portrayal of not only first-love but of the innocence of childhood, it sends you reflecting on your own life, remembering those very same moments from your life. Josh Hutcherson and Charlie Ray are fantastic as the two children in love and Mark Levin is almost flawless in his first directing gig (I noticed a very "Wonder Years" vibe in the film early on, and see that Levin was a producer on that show, not sure if that speaks good of me or bad of Levin, well, not bad...you know what I mean). It's a romantic comedy almost unlike any ever made, and while the cuteness often threatens to suffocate the performances, it thankfully never does.
Must Love Dogs
Despite my unabashed love for all things both Diane Lane and John Cusack, I really didn't like this film. Parts of it are okay, and with a little more screen time Cusack could have rocketed the movie past it's very thin premise. There were a few chuckles, and I really can't hate anything with the always beautiful Lane, but this is probably best avoided by anyone who wants some meaning behind their romance. Watch Little Manhattan instead.
The Ringer
The third in the Farrely "sweet" trilogy (what's with all the sweets?), oddly enough not directed by them. I'm not sure why they chose to not direct, but it actually pays off I think. There are far fewer silly gags here than in all their other films, focusing more on the heart of the story, that the mentally handicapped are oftentimes better (and in some cases no worse) than anyone else. Knoxville wisely sees that the film's true stars are those he's somewhat mocking and steps back, allowing them to take over the film and in turn mock him. It's certainly not the most PC film you're ever gonna see, and it shouldn't be, in most cases it's very blunt. It's probably the most honest and entertaining flik the Farrelly's have ever been involved in.
Stuck on You
Ah, and another Farrelly film. Only, I seem to be moving backwards. This was their second "sweet" film, about conjoined twins. It's full of visual gags and little jokes. I laughed for sure, and it really has a heart to it, same as The Ringer, but mostly it's just a film full of jokes, some morality thrown in for good measure. Not bad at all, just not gonna shatter any perceptions. That they would go a step further in The Ringer and actually cast those with the handicaps they were addressing showed a step in the right direction. Here Kinnear and Damon can never make you forget who they are, actors playing the part and making you laugh. Top notch effects though.
What the Bleep Do We Know!?
Man, this one blew my mind. Anyone interested in examining not only the origins of life, but the purpose of humanity and the effect our minds can have not only on our bodies but of everything we see. This must be what it feels like to drop acid.
-L
Sunday, August 06, 2006
No Excuses That I Know
Okay, let's get to it!
Cable & Deadpool #30
Deadpool decides to hire himself out to the government to nab unregistered heroes. To demonstrate his usefulness at this he takes on the Great Lakes Avengers...err, Champions? Hell I don't know. Turns out they're already registered, hilarity ensues. This book has been a constant roller coaster of good and bad, but if there's one thing it handles well it's those damn cross over plotlines. Fabes takes a potential disaster and at least makes it funny and entertaining, which is all I ask of this book. Dear God how awful are thos Civil War covers though?
X-Factor #9
This marks the end of my monthly X-Factor reading, I'm hopping on the trades/HCs. I enjoy the hell out of it, and like Fabes, Peter David has a knack for handling the cross over junk brilliantly, I just can't keep up with what all is going on in the book. Quicksilver made a return this ish and the gang kicked the X-Men out of Mutant Town, which was cool as hell, but the overall plot has felt convoluted as of late, especially with Layla. Here's to one cohesive story, cheers.
X-Men #188-189
I haven't bought a regular X-Men title since Morrison left. (No, Astonishing doesn't really count.) What the hell have I missed? Seeing Mike Carey and Chris Bachalo as the creative team perked my interest, but only after I saw that my very favorite mutie was making an appearence (Ahem, Cable...). So I picked up the first part of this Supernovas arc. No Cable and some villains I apparently don't know. Second ish, still no Cable and even more confusing plot elements. What the hell man? Bachalo has not gotten greater with age, his art seems more confusing now than when he was on a regular X-book. Of course the shitty coloring job could have something to do with that too. Carey isn't bad, but the story reminds me of whe Calremont returned and brought those new bad guys with him. It was confusing as hell when it wasn't downright boring. Sabretooth was cool though.
Eternals #1
This seemed like a no brainer. Gaiman and Romita Jr, shoudl be a winner. And really, it's got potential, but this ish required so much exposition that there's no room at all for the character development. Understandable really, because how many people are boned up on their Celestial knowledge? Not me. Romit invokes Kirby while still keeping the book his own and Gaiman seems to have a solid story to tell if he can get past all the explaining. I'll be waiting patiently for the collection.
Batman #655
I really hoped that picking up another DC book after the whole Crisis thing wouldn't leave a bad taste in my mouth. Looks like I picked a good one this time. Been awhile since I picked up a book starring Bats. At least a book set in continuity. The multi-issue, multi-book million part plot lines became a huge headache, not just Crisis, which I didn't even read. I'm talking about the Hush story, the Bruse Wayne Murderer arc, the Cataclysm, I could go back for years. It was just all too much and I sincerely hope DC's done with that, at least until Morrison leaves. Maybe one of the best Batman stories I've read ever...or at least a great beginning to what I hope will be such. Kubert is fine on the art chores, one need look no further than the second page spread to see how great he can be, but what really made the book stand out was how expertly Morrison captured the characters. It's not All-Star Superman, and it is a multi-issue storyline, but it looks to be a damn good one.
Detective Comics #821-822
Haven't bought a Bat book in years and I've picked up three in less than a month.With #821 Paul dini of Batman:The Animated Series fame takes over writing chores with what I suppose is a rotating art team, telling stories that are essentially one-offs, no multi issue arcs here! Both issues have Bats going up against knew villians, so to speak. Dini focus is mostly on the detective aspect of the character, something very, very few writers have been able to pull off. He does it possibly better than anyone. The firs issue he faces down a costumed creep named Facade. Nothing major or character altering, just a good old-fashioned mysterythat ends in a good old-fashioned ass whooping. The second issue is definitely the best of the two. Apparently Riddler has decided to become a detective himself, and evolution of character that makes so much damn sense I can't for the life of me figure out why it hasn't happened sooner. Riddler and Bats end up investigating the same murder, and while Riddler seems contempt to settle for the obvious solution, Bats digs deeper and finds out the truth, one-upping his former nemesis. It's ingenious and I hope they keep him on this track, he makes a much better foil this way. Add to it the beautiful covers of Simone Bianchi and you've got two excellent Bat-tales.
American Virgin #5
I really hope that this doesn't turn into Y, the Last Man, teasing us with the real reason behind Cassie's death until the book's conclusion. This issue feels like filler, holding the story between major plot twists. The funeral sex scene was downright creepy thanks to the uber-talented BeckyCcloonan. Here's hoping the story picks up a bit next ish.
Sidekick #1
I generally enjoy Paul Jenkins work. Or, I thought I did. Apparently when left to his own devices he's pretty humdrum. Sidekick is the story of a sidekick, pretty inventive, huh? Think The Tick told from Arthur's POV, only with vulgarit galore. No, it's not horrible, but Jenkins is, I think, a much better writer than this.
Elephantmen #1
If you're unfamiliar with the world of Hip Flask then this book would be likely wasted on you. Well, outside of the great art. I was hoping for something a bit more focused on the world that Starkings has created, but the stories here are mainly character pieces meant to give you an every day look into life in Mystery City. Good stuff though.
X Isle #1
Forced to abandon their boat, a group of people wash ashore an island apparently inhabited by monsters. None of that is exactly an original concept, but it's such a great mish-mash of concepts, on top of being well written and illustrated, that I was hooked by issue's end. What the hell are those Tremor-looking things and is anyone gonna die? Can't wait for the next one.
Jeremiah Harm #4
Jeremiah and the gang take care of one of Dak's thugs while he opens a portal to another realm. Not much I can say about this book that I haven't been saying. It really makes me want a new Lobo series though.
The Black Plague
Not really sure why they went with a one-shot that leads into a series, but it's a damn good read. A retired superhero and his former archenemy play chess in the park while someone else takes on the mantle of said villain, the Black Plague. Can't wait to see where this leads. It's like Batman Beyond for the villainous crowd. Plus it'll be nice to be reading a Joe Casey capes book again.
Second Wave #5
The group barely survives an encounter with some crazy townfolk as a pod lands nearby. Eh, not ever a bad read, there's just not much going on.
Dark Horse: 20 Years
Brilliant idea: Gather your talent, assign them to work on characters someone other than they created. Result: Hellboy by Adam Hughes, Aliens by Cary Nord, Conan by Sergio Aragones, The Goon by Matt Wagner, Groo by Paul Chadwick, Star Wars by Eric Powell, Sin City by Stan Sakai, Emily the Strange by Joss Whedon and Usagi Yojimbo by Frank Miller. There's more, and yeah it's just a pin-up book. But, damn does it rok. And dig that Mignola cover too!
Tales of Leonardo #2
Splinter leaves a blind Leo in the woods to find his way home, hallucinations ensue, important character traits are learned. Nice, just nothing worth writing home about.
Virgin Comics #0
Points for trying some originality, and I'm definitely checking out the Garth Ennis/John Woo project, but I couldn't make heads or tales of the two stories here. Glad it was free.
Whew...maybe you'll get some movies tomorrow!
-L
Cable & Deadpool #30
Deadpool decides to hire himself out to the government to nab unregistered heroes. To demonstrate his usefulness at this he takes on the Great Lakes Avengers...err, Champions? Hell I don't know. Turns out they're already registered, hilarity ensues. This book has been a constant roller coaster of good and bad, but if there's one thing it handles well it's those damn cross over plotlines. Fabes takes a potential disaster and at least makes it funny and entertaining, which is all I ask of this book. Dear God how awful are thos Civil War covers though?
X-Factor #9
This marks the end of my monthly X-Factor reading, I'm hopping on the trades/HCs. I enjoy the hell out of it, and like Fabes, Peter David has a knack for handling the cross over junk brilliantly, I just can't keep up with what all is going on in the book. Quicksilver made a return this ish and the gang kicked the X-Men out of Mutant Town, which was cool as hell, but the overall plot has felt convoluted as of late, especially with Layla. Here's to one cohesive story, cheers.
X-Men #188-189
I haven't bought a regular X-Men title since Morrison left. (No, Astonishing doesn't really count.) What the hell have I missed? Seeing Mike Carey and Chris Bachalo as the creative team perked my interest, but only after I saw that my very favorite mutie was making an appearence (Ahem, Cable...). So I picked up the first part of this Supernovas arc. No Cable and some villains I apparently don't know. Second ish, still no Cable and even more confusing plot elements. What the hell man? Bachalo has not gotten greater with age, his art seems more confusing now than when he was on a regular X-book. Of course the shitty coloring job could have something to do with that too. Carey isn't bad, but the story reminds me of whe Calremont returned and brought those new bad guys with him. It was confusing as hell when it wasn't downright boring. Sabretooth was cool though.
Eternals #1
This seemed like a no brainer. Gaiman and Romita Jr, shoudl be a winner. And really, it's got potential, but this ish required so much exposition that there's no room at all for the character development. Understandable really, because how many people are boned up on their Celestial knowledge? Not me. Romit invokes Kirby while still keeping the book his own and Gaiman seems to have a solid story to tell if he can get past all the explaining. I'll be waiting patiently for the collection.
Batman #655
I really hoped that picking up another DC book after the whole Crisis thing wouldn't leave a bad taste in my mouth. Looks like I picked a good one this time. Been awhile since I picked up a book starring Bats. At least a book set in continuity. The multi-issue, multi-book million part plot lines became a huge headache, not just Crisis, which I didn't even read. I'm talking about the Hush story, the Bruse Wayne Murderer arc, the Cataclysm, I could go back for years. It was just all too much and I sincerely hope DC's done with that, at least until Morrison leaves. Maybe one of the best Batman stories I've read ever...or at least a great beginning to what I hope will be such. Kubert is fine on the art chores, one need look no further than the second page spread to see how great he can be, but what really made the book stand out was how expertly Morrison captured the characters. It's not All-Star Superman, and it is a multi-issue storyline, but it looks to be a damn good one.
Detective Comics #821-822
Haven't bought a Bat book in years and I've picked up three in less than a month.With #821 Paul dini of Batman:The Animated Series fame takes over writing chores with what I suppose is a rotating art team, telling stories that are essentially one-offs, no multi issue arcs here! Both issues have Bats going up against knew villians, so to speak. Dini focus is mostly on the detective aspect of the character, something very, very few writers have been able to pull off. He does it possibly better than anyone. The firs issue he faces down a costumed creep named Facade. Nothing major or character altering, just a good old-fashioned mysterythat ends in a good old-fashioned ass whooping. The second issue is definitely the best of the two. Apparently Riddler has decided to become a detective himself, and evolution of character that makes so much damn sense I can't for the life of me figure out why it hasn't happened sooner. Riddler and Bats end up investigating the same murder, and while Riddler seems contempt to settle for the obvious solution, Bats digs deeper and finds out the truth, one-upping his former nemesis. It's ingenious and I hope they keep him on this track, he makes a much better foil this way. Add to it the beautiful covers of Simone Bianchi and you've got two excellent Bat-tales.
American Virgin #5
I really hope that this doesn't turn into Y, the Last Man, teasing us with the real reason behind Cassie's death until the book's conclusion. This issue feels like filler, holding the story between major plot twists. The funeral sex scene was downright creepy thanks to the uber-talented BeckyCcloonan. Here's hoping the story picks up a bit next ish.
Sidekick #1
I generally enjoy Paul Jenkins work. Or, I thought I did. Apparently when left to his own devices he's pretty humdrum. Sidekick is the story of a sidekick, pretty inventive, huh? Think The Tick told from Arthur's POV, only with vulgarit galore. No, it's not horrible, but Jenkins is, I think, a much better writer than this.
Elephantmen #1
If you're unfamiliar with the world of Hip Flask then this book would be likely wasted on you. Well, outside of the great art. I was hoping for something a bit more focused on the world that Starkings has created, but the stories here are mainly character pieces meant to give you an every day look into life in Mystery City. Good stuff though.
X Isle #1
Forced to abandon their boat, a group of people wash ashore an island apparently inhabited by monsters. None of that is exactly an original concept, but it's such a great mish-mash of concepts, on top of being well written and illustrated, that I was hooked by issue's end. What the hell are those Tremor-looking things and is anyone gonna die? Can't wait for the next one.
Jeremiah Harm #4
Jeremiah and the gang take care of one of Dak's thugs while he opens a portal to another realm. Not much I can say about this book that I haven't been saying. It really makes me want a new Lobo series though.
The Black Plague
Not really sure why they went with a one-shot that leads into a series, but it's a damn good read. A retired superhero and his former archenemy play chess in the park while someone else takes on the mantle of said villain, the Black Plague. Can't wait to see where this leads. It's like Batman Beyond for the villainous crowd. Plus it'll be nice to be reading a Joe Casey capes book again.
Second Wave #5
The group barely survives an encounter with some crazy townfolk as a pod lands nearby. Eh, not ever a bad read, there's just not much going on.
Dark Horse: 20 Years
Brilliant idea: Gather your talent, assign them to work on characters someone other than they created. Result: Hellboy by Adam Hughes, Aliens by Cary Nord, Conan by Sergio Aragones, The Goon by Matt Wagner, Groo by Paul Chadwick, Star Wars by Eric Powell, Sin City by Stan Sakai, Emily the Strange by Joss Whedon and Usagi Yojimbo by Frank Miller. There's more, and yeah it's just a pin-up book. But, damn does it rok. And dig that Mignola cover too!
Tales of Leonardo #2
Splinter leaves a blind Leo in the woods to find his way home, hallucinations ensue, important character traits are learned. Nice, just nothing worth writing home about.
Virgin Comics #0
Points for trying some originality, and I'm definitely checking out the Garth Ennis/John Woo project, but I couldn't make heads or tales of the two stories here. Glad it was free.
Whew...maybe you'll get some movies tomorrow!
-L
Monday, July 31, 2006
Scoop
When I saw that the local theatre was showing Woody allen's newest flick I couldn't pass up the chance to see it. Their track record with movies like this isn't exactly excellent, they're usually gone by week's end.
Scoop, like Allen's last few films, seems much more an experiment in moviemaking and genre-bending than an actual film. Match Point being the only real success there. The plot is pretty thin and just downright goofy, much like Melinda and Melinda, but Allen can always infuse his brand of humor into anything he makes, so it is damn funny. Having a fantastic cast on board didn't hurt either. It was nice to see him avoid one of the major problems I've had with a lot of his films, and that's making himself the hero/love interest of the story. Thankfully that seems to have ended with Hollywood Ending, which I'll admit to loving the hell out of despite that nitpick. Scarlett Johansson makes a good foil for Allen's neurosis, and the two play off each other surprisingly well. It's kind of startling to see her go from sultry seductress in Match Point to such a plain jane type of character she plays here. Not bad, I assure you, it just shows the lady has some acting chops and does not need to rely on her looks. Hugh Jackman though is almost a waste here. He enhabits the character just fine but there's not much for him to do other than meet his marks. The real moments in the movie come from the Allen/Scarlett chemistry. It's very Monk-ish, routine but oh so hilarious. Speaking of wastes, Ian McShane serves less of a purpose than Jackman, in fact his involvement in the story could have easily been written out. Which leads me back to my point about experimenting. Allen made a ghost story and a muder mystery and wrapped it up in a comedy.
It's not a bad film, not at all. In fact if you've liked any of his fliks from the last several years I'd recommend it. It has a very Abbott & Costello feel to it, only without the slapstick. It's certainly funny, it just doesn't have the genre-defining feel to it that Match Point had. But, in all fairness, how many films like that can one man make during his career?
Oh, and interesting little side note: Allen has directed 41 films in 40 years. I've probably only seen 10 of those, but geez, is there any more productive director in Hollywood?
-L
Scoop, like Allen's last few films, seems much more an experiment in moviemaking and genre-bending than an actual film. Match Point being the only real success there. The plot is pretty thin and just downright goofy, much like Melinda and Melinda, but Allen can always infuse his brand of humor into anything he makes, so it is damn funny. Having a fantastic cast on board didn't hurt either. It was nice to see him avoid one of the major problems I've had with a lot of his films, and that's making himself the hero/love interest of the story. Thankfully that seems to have ended with Hollywood Ending, which I'll admit to loving the hell out of despite that nitpick. Scarlett Johansson makes a good foil for Allen's neurosis, and the two play off each other surprisingly well. It's kind of startling to see her go from sultry seductress in Match Point to such a plain jane type of character she plays here. Not bad, I assure you, it just shows the lady has some acting chops and does not need to rely on her looks. Hugh Jackman though is almost a waste here. He enhabits the character just fine but there's not much for him to do other than meet his marks. The real moments in the movie come from the Allen/Scarlett chemistry. It's very Monk-ish, routine but oh so hilarious. Speaking of wastes, Ian McShane serves less of a purpose than Jackman, in fact his involvement in the story could have easily been written out. Which leads me back to my point about experimenting. Allen made a ghost story and a muder mystery and wrapped it up in a comedy.
It's not a bad film, not at all. In fact if you've liked any of his fliks from the last several years I'd recommend it. It has a very Abbott & Costello feel to it, only without the slapstick. It's certainly funny, it just doesn't have the genre-defining feel to it that Match Point had. But, in all fairness, how many films like that can one man make during his career?
Oh, and interesting little side note: Allen has directed 41 films in 40 years. I've probably only seen 10 of those, but geez, is there any more productive director in Hollywood?
-L
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Some Tales, some Talent, some Aliens, some Roomates, a Boy Genius and Wolverine
Franklin Richards, Son of a Genius: Super Summer Spectacular
Yeah, these strips are basically "Marvelized" Calvin & Hobbes tales, but they're still amusing and often hilarious. I've enjoyed every collection they've released so far, and right now it's the only Sumerak i've been following. For some reason I dropped the Power Pack books he'd been writing, even though I was enjoying them. I think I was planning on buying the trades.
Wolverine: Origins #4
I (heart) Steve Dillon and Daniel Way. But, I've decided to drop this book for the sure-to-come hardcovers. This issue Cap and Wolvie go at it and it really is a hell of a brawl. I think Cap was slightly out of character, but I really don't give a crap, the whole MU is off it's rocker right now anyway. I still can't get over the use of the brown costume, definitely my favorite suite he's ever worn, I thought we'd seen the end of it for sure.My only problem with the issue? Who the heck is Hellion?
Tales of the TMNT #24
Wow, fantastic issue, mostly because of Hawthorne's excellent art. The plot's good too though, two "aliens" are uncovered amd begin wreaking havoc on the city. Tirns out it's only self defense and the duo unlock some interesting history of this world. I'd definitely like to see this story followed up on, but with this books history of that it might take a year or more.
Tales of Leonardo: Blind Sight #1
Case in point, this is a conclusion to a story I don't even remember. But, it's still a good one. Leo has lost his sight and begins pondering his purpose on Earth. The "What if? " nature had me scratching my head for a few minutes, but in the end it turns out to be an excellent tale. Can't wait for issue #2.
Archenemies #4
Well, while I really dug the first issue everything sort of whimpered out with the story. Nothing really gets resolved and the hero and villain learn to basically tolerate eachother. There's even a few dangling plotlines. And the art really suffered the last two issues, feeling very rushed. Probably not the worst first-eefort by a comic creator, but it never lived up to its concept.
Talent #1-2
But this, this is exceeded any expectations I had for it. The sole miracle survivor of a plane crash must help those who died with their unfinished business on Earth. Meanwhile the government and some religious sect is out to kill him. I remember it being touted as "Lost"-like, but I never made that connection, I assume it was only to try and bring in readers. Extremely well written with pretty good art, looks like Boom! Studios has another excellent product on its hands.
War of the Worlds: Second Wave #3-4
I've read a few complaints about the art, but it really hasn't bothered me that much. In four issues it's proven to be a better effort than Spielberg's film. After the group confronts an alien in the sewer they seek shelter at a farm house, only to find more survivors. When they make it to a nearby town, with even more, they find the natives are a bit hostile. I'm liking it so far, but I guess it's not for everyone.
-L
Yeah, these strips are basically "Marvelized" Calvin & Hobbes tales, but they're still amusing and often hilarious. I've enjoyed every collection they've released so far, and right now it's the only Sumerak i've been following. For some reason I dropped the Power Pack books he'd been writing, even though I was enjoying them. I think I was planning on buying the trades.
Wolverine: Origins #4
I (heart) Steve Dillon and Daniel Way. But, I've decided to drop this book for the sure-to-come hardcovers. This issue Cap and Wolvie go at it and it really is a hell of a brawl. I think Cap was slightly out of character, but I really don't give a crap, the whole MU is off it's rocker right now anyway. I still can't get over the use of the brown costume, definitely my favorite suite he's ever worn, I thought we'd seen the end of it for sure.My only problem with the issue? Who the heck is Hellion?
Tales of the TMNT #24
Wow, fantastic issue, mostly because of Hawthorne's excellent art. The plot's good too though, two "aliens" are uncovered amd begin wreaking havoc on the city. Tirns out it's only self defense and the duo unlock some interesting history of this world. I'd definitely like to see this story followed up on, but with this books history of that it might take a year or more.
Tales of Leonardo: Blind Sight #1
Case in point, this is a conclusion to a story I don't even remember. But, it's still a good one. Leo has lost his sight and begins pondering his purpose on Earth. The "What if? " nature had me scratching my head for a few minutes, but in the end it turns out to be an excellent tale. Can't wait for issue #2.
Archenemies #4
Well, while I really dug the first issue everything sort of whimpered out with the story. Nothing really gets resolved and the hero and villain learn to basically tolerate eachother. There's even a few dangling plotlines. And the art really suffered the last two issues, feeling very rushed. Probably not the worst first-eefort by a comic creator, but it never lived up to its concept.
Talent #1-2
But this, this is exceeded any expectations I had for it. The sole miracle survivor of a plane crash must help those who died with their unfinished business on Earth. Meanwhile the government and some religious sect is out to kill him. I remember it being touted as "Lost"-like, but I never made that connection, I assume it was only to try and bring in readers. Extremely well written with pretty good art, looks like Boom! Studios has another excellent product on its hands.
War of the Worlds: Second Wave #3-4
I've read a few complaints about the art, but it really hasn't bothered me that much. In four issues it's proven to be a better effort than Spielberg's film. After the group confronts an alien in the sewer they seek shelter at a farm house, only to find more survivors. When they make it to a nearby town, with even more, they find the natives are a bit hostile. I'm liking it so far, but I guess it's not for everyone.
-L
Monday, July 17, 2006
TV, We Talk TV
So, Tom made up a list. His Top 10 Sitcoms. I haven't talked much TV lately, and it got my brain going about a list of my own. He says no animation, so I'm going with that as well. So here goes...
10. That 70's Show
Probably a head-scratcher for most of you, but I love it. Now, I didn't watch the final season, but the first seven years, for my money, are great. Two words: Red Forman.
9. Sports Night
I'm fairly certain this was the first TV DVD set I ever bought. I never got to see the show in its original airing, catching it only when Comedy Central picked it up. But from episode one I was hooked. I wish Sorkin had continued with this show instead of West Wing (sue me, I hate it, it bores the hell out of me). I don't think I found a show I loved as much until Scrubs and Arrested came along.
8. Wings
I think part of the appeal for this show, for me, was the brother's aspect. Their relationship is so off and on, especially during the first few seasons, that it's sometimes like watching pieces of my life. Only without the airplane. It also introduced the world to two people who finally seem to be getting their due as actors; Tony Shaloub and thomas Hayden Church. I will always wonder how the hell someone living up north manged to have that thick of a southern accent (Helen). Yeah, I know it's not really thick, but it's still there.
7. All in the Family
Much like Andy Griffith (which I'll get to soon), it lost something after about five years. Only here it wasn't a character it was the situation. When Mike and Gloria moved out of the house the show really lost what made it so great. Even then it had its moments. But, yeah, those first five years or so are just great television. Who could ever forget Sammy Davis planting one on lovable bigot Archie Bunker's cheek? It'll always be one of the funniest moments in TV history.
6. Soap
"I'm the piece of chelief." Future WKRP chief, Gordon Jump said that in one of the first episodes I remember watching. I think it was around the middle of season one. But, for me, it stands as one of the funniest deliveries of any line in any show ever (oddly, he has another one of those to his credit, as Tom pointed out: "As God as my witness I thought tureys could fly"). And that doesn't even touch on the insane, goofy brilliance that was Soap. Mocking the daytime dramas, the show got away with things that few comedies could. Murders, prison sentences, alien abductions, demon posession, the first openly gay (regular) character ever on American television, cults...you name it they did it. And somehow it worked.
5. Cheers
I remember when this show went off the air. I was only 14, but I still cried. It really was like saying goodbye to your friends of the last eleven years. It also produced the longest running character in TV history, Frasier Crane. And, as Tom also points out, it survived, no, thrived, even after a major casting change. Maybe one of the only shows to do so. Also, the episode where Sam loses his lucky bottle cap: maybe the greatest, tensest moment in any sitcom ever.
4. Arrested Development
Three years, 53 episodes. The funniest show since Seinfeld ended its run, it didn't get many (read: enough) episodes, so they had to make every one of them count. And they do. There isn't a single one that doesn't get me roaring with laughter.
3. Scrubs
This is a tough call. It's easily a top five on my list, I wasn't sure about top three. But here it is. And it deserves to be here. Very few shows have the ability to me me laugh and cry, but to be able to do it in a single episode, that takes some serious writing chops. I've admittedly fallen behind with watching the show in the last few years, mostly because of scheduling rotations, but the first three years are three of the best any show has ever had.
2. The Andy Griffith Show
Even the episodes without Barney, after the show went to color, have the occasional laugh. But, for the first five years Andy and Don are arguably the greatest comedy duo ever on television. It boasts some of the greatest, funniest TV moments of all time (Barney pretending to be a mannequin, Barney reciting the preamble, any damn time he locked himself in the cell, teaching Otis how to drive...), and the list of spin-offs as well as the number of careers it launched is just astounding.
1. Seinfeld
It's simply the funniest show ever on television. Has any show EVER influenced culture as much as this one? Certainly no half hour comedy ever has. I can watch any episode and laugh, I don't think any other sitcom can do that. Not much I can say beyond that.
Yeah, there are probably a few that deserve mention, and there are definitely some that I haven't seen enough episodes to get them on the list. But, hey, that's where it stands.
And if I'd included animated programs? Well, that's be a different list altogether. Futurama, the Simpsons, Family Guy, King of the Hill, ATHF, Venture Bros. They might have knocked a few out of the top ten.
-L
10. That 70's Show
Probably a head-scratcher for most of you, but I love it. Now, I didn't watch the final season, but the first seven years, for my money, are great. Two words: Red Forman.
9. Sports Night
I'm fairly certain this was the first TV DVD set I ever bought. I never got to see the show in its original airing, catching it only when Comedy Central picked it up. But from episode one I was hooked. I wish Sorkin had continued with this show instead of West Wing (sue me, I hate it, it bores the hell out of me). I don't think I found a show I loved as much until Scrubs and Arrested came along.
8. Wings
I think part of the appeal for this show, for me, was the brother's aspect. Their relationship is so off and on, especially during the first few seasons, that it's sometimes like watching pieces of my life. Only without the airplane. It also introduced the world to two people who finally seem to be getting their due as actors; Tony Shaloub and thomas Hayden Church. I will always wonder how the hell someone living up north manged to have that thick of a southern accent (Helen). Yeah, I know it's not really thick, but it's still there.
7. All in the Family
Much like Andy Griffith (which I'll get to soon), it lost something after about five years. Only here it wasn't a character it was the situation. When Mike and Gloria moved out of the house the show really lost what made it so great. Even then it had its moments. But, yeah, those first five years or so are just great television. Who could ever forget Sammy Davis planting one on lovable bigot Archie Bunker's cheek? It'll always be one of the funniest moments in TV history.
6. Soap
"I'm the piece of chelief." Future WKRP chief, Gordon Jump said that in one of the first episodes I remember watching. I think it was around the middle of season one. But, for me, it stands as one of the funniest deliveries of any line in any show ever (oddly, he has another one of those to his credit, as Tom pointed out: "As God as my witness I thought tureys could fly"). And that doesn't even touch on the insane, goofy brilliance that was Soap. Mocking the daytime dramas, the show got away with things that few comedies could. Murders, prison sentences, alien abductions, demon posession, the first openly gay (regular) character ever on American television, cults...you name it they did it. And somehow it worked.
5. Cheers
I remember when this show went off the air. I was only 14, but I still cried. It really was like saying goodbye to your friends of the last eleven years. It also produced the longest running character in TV history, Frasier Crane. And, as Tom also points out, it survived, no, thrived, even after a major casting change. Maybe one of the only shows to do so. Also, the episode where Sam loses his lucky bottle cap: maybe the greatest, tensest moment in any sitcom ever.
4. Arrested Development
Three years, 53 episodes. The funniest show since Seinfeld ended its run, it didn't get many (read: enough) episodes, so they had to make every one of them count. And they do. There isn't a single one that doesn't get me roaring with laughter.
3. Scrubs
This is a tough call. It's easily a top five on my list, I wasn't sure about top three. But here it is. And it deserves to be here. Very few shows have the ability to me me laugh and cry, but to be able to do it in a single episode, that takes some serious writing chops. I've admittedly fallen behind with watching the show in the last few years, mostly because of scheduling rotations, but the first three years are three of the best any show has ever had.
2. The Andy Griffith Show
Even the episodes without Barney, after the show went to color, have the occasional laugh. But, for the first five years Andy and Don are arguably the greatest comedy duo ever on television. It boasts some of the greatest, funniest TV moments of all time (Barney pretending to be a mannequin, Barney reciting the preamble, any damn time he locked himself in the cell, teaching Otis how to drive...), and the list of spin-offs as well as the number of careers it launched is just astounding.
1. Seinfeld
It's simply the funniest show ever on television. Has any show EVER influenced culture as much as this one? Certainly no half hour comedy ever has. I can watch any episode and laugh, I don't think any other sitcom can do that. Not much I can say beyond that.
Yeah, there are probably a few that deserve mention, and there are definitely some that I haven't seen enough episodes to get them on the list. But, hey, that's where it stands.
And if I'd included animated programs? Well, that's be a different list altogether. Futurama, the Simpsons, Family Guy, King of the Hill, ATHF, Venture Bros. They might have knocked a few out of the top ten.
-L
Friday, July 14, 2006
Comics...Lots and Lotsa Comics
Ultimate Wolverine Vs Hulk #2
This came out a while back, and still no sign of #3. I love Yu's art, and I'm surprisingly intrigued by the story. I think Lindeloff really gives a sense of sporadicness (is that a word?) to the Banner/Hulk transformation. I love Hulk's inner thoughts, and I got a kick out of the nod to Bill Bixby. Also digging the mystical approach to the Hulk/Banner entity. Hopefully we'll get a new issue here soon.
Jonah Hex #9
Hex hires some men to find him for a woman that thinks he murdered her daughter, then they let him go...If that confuses the hell out of you then welcome to the club. The art is almost unbearable and the plot really doesn't make any sense until the end of the story. That's not always a bad thing, but here it just gave me a headache. Guess they can't all be winners, but if the next issue doesn't impress I'll likely drop the book.
The Flash #1
Well, since I didn't follow Crisis, I have no effing clue what is going on here. That's about the best way I can put it. I did like the art though.
All-Star Superman #4
These need to be coming out faster! Easily the greatest superhero book on the stands right now, Morrison taps into what used to make Supes comics so enjoyable (or so I'm told, I've never read one before 1980) and he makes Jimmy Olsen a character that you can really enjoy. AND he adds a little 90's flavor to the book, with great success. Seeing Olsen as Doomsday, one of the greatest things I've ever sen in a comic. Then seeing him go toe-to-toe with his idol? Priceless. Oh, and it's drawn by the always-excellent Frank Quitely.
Justice #6
I think I'm done with this book as a monthly. I can't remember what happens because the span between issues is so big, though I'm still enjoying it, I just get tired of rereading the last issue. Seeing Red Tornado strewn about in so many parts was gruesome, even if he is a robot, and the last image of Flash unable to stop running was haunting, as was Hal's discussion with his power ring. Shazam throwing Supes into the son kicked ass, but I wasn't impressed with the Bats/Wonder Woman stuff.
Y, the Last Man #47
The secret origin of Dr. Mann. I read this series would be coming to an end here soon, which means the group may be reaching the last leg of their little journey. As much as I do like the book, I'm glad. Vaughan has a bad abit of stretching everything out to an insane degree. This issue was good, it's about time we got to see a different side of the Doc, and the guest pencils by Sudzuku were excellent.
Tales of the TMNT #22-23
#22: The Turtles team up with Hatori (an old friend I guess) to take down his father's evil company. #23: The Turtles rescue Leatherhead from a prison in space and find out a startling secret about their origin. The Hatori issue was a good but forgettable read, but the Leatherhead issue really stands out as one of the best of the series so far. Hell it's one of the few issues that really addresses any real changes to the mythos of the Turtles.
TMNT #27-28
Mostly these two issues deal with Mikey escaping from prison only to be captured by another group of people (in space, of course) and Leo fighting in the Battle Nexus. Oh, and the return of Shredder...kind of. There;s really nothing I can say about this book that I haven't already. It's consistently excellent, Laird is determined to keep the Turtles moving forward, and the art is great. I did notice a logo change for #28, which I thought was odd, especially since it isn't really addressed in the letters/editorial page. I just hope we get to see the boys back together this year, it's been awhile since Mikey's seen his brothers.
Tomorrow (maybe): more comics!
This came out a while back, and still no sign of #3. I love Yu's art, and I'm surprisingly intrigued by the story. I think Lindeloff really gives a sense of sporadicness (is that a word?) to the Banner/Hulk transformation. I love Hulk's inner thoughts, and I got a kick out of the nod to Bill Bixby. Also digging the mystical approach to the Hulk/Banner entity. Hopefully we'll get a new issue here soon.
Jonah Hex #9
Hex hires some men to find him for a woman that thinks he murdered her daughter, then they let him go...If that confuses the hell out of you then welcome to the club. The art is almost unbearable and the plot really doesn't make any sense until the end of the story. That's not always a bad thing, but here it just gave me a headache. Guess they can't all be winners, but if the next issue doesn't impress I'll likely drop the book.
The Flash #1
Well, since I didn't follow Crisis, I have no effing clue what is going on here. That's about the best way I can put it. I did like the art though.
All-Star Superman #4
These need to be coming out faster! Easily the greatest superhero book on the stands right now, Morrison taps into what used to make Supes comics so enjoyable (or so I'm told, I've never read one before 1980) and he makes Jimmy Olsen a character that you can really enjoy. AND he adds a little 90's flavor to the book, with great success. Seeing Olsen as Doomsday, one of the greatest things I've ever sen in a comic. Then seeing him go toe-to-toe with his idol? Priceless. Oh, and it's drawn by the always-excellent Frank Quitely.
Justice #6
I think I'm done with this book as a monthly. I can't remember what happens because the span between issues is so big, though I'm still enjoying it, I just get tired of rereading the last issue. Seeing Red Tornado strewn about in so many parts was gruesome, even if he is a robot, and the last image of Flash unable to stop running was haunting, as was Hal's discussion with his power ring. Shazam throwing Supes into the son kicked ass, but I wasn't impressed with the Bats/Wonder Woman stuff.
Y, the Last Man #47
The secret origin of Dr. Mann. I read this series would be coming to an end here soon, which means the group may be reaching the last leg of their little journey. As much as I do like the book, I'm glad. Vaughan has a bad abit of stretching everything out to an insane degree. This issue was good, it's about time we got to see a different side of the Doc, and the guest pencils by Sudzuku were excellent.
Tales of the TMNT #22-23
#22: The Turtles team up with Hatori (an old friend I guess) to take down his father's evil company. #23: The Turtles rescue Leatherhead from a prison in space and find out a startling secret about their origin. The Hatori issue was a good but forgettable read, but the Leatherhead issue really stands out as one of the best of the series so far. Hell it's one of the few issues that really addresses any real changes to the mythos of the Turtles.
TMNT #27-28
Mostly these two issues deal with Mikey escaping from prison only to be captured by another group of people (in space, of course) and Leo fighting in the Battle Nexus. Oh, and the return of Shredder...kind of. There;s really nothing I can say about this book that I haven't already. It's consistently excellent, Laird is determined to keep the Turtles moving forward, and the art is great. I did notice a logo change for #28, which I thought was odd, especially since it isn't really addressed in the letters/editorial page. I just hope we get to see the boys back together this year, it's been awhile since Mikey's seen his brothers.
Tomorrow (maybe): more comics!
Thursday, July 13, 2006
I Bought a New TV
Which required the complete re-arrangement of my room, which only took three or four days to do, so I have no excuse for the last seven days of non-posting. Except for the working two jobs thing. I am enjoying my now-massive 32 inch TV/computer monitor though. The words I'm typing righ are bigger than my head.
Not really, but damn this thing is huge.
Okay, so, yes, I saw Superman. Yes I loved it. No, I don't understand what the hell is wrong with the rest of the country. No I haven't see Pirates, and I'm kind of pissed and the gawd-awful amount of money it's made. No Bruckheimer-produced picture should be that damn huge. But, hey, Jack Sparrow kicks ass, does he not?
Other movies I've watched:
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
I remember the stage play fondly. I never saw it performed by anyone other than a local theatre group, but I loved it. I liked the movie, but it just left so much out. Great performances by all, I could have done without the "wacky" chase scene. Buster Keaton was good, not great, in his last movie role. He definitely could have used more screen time. Gotta love Zero though, I bet he killed the role live.
The Family Stone
I still cannot explain my hatred of Mrs Matthew Broderick, but she's at least tolerable in her performance here. Sometimes even good, like the scene where she gets plastered at a local bar. As far as "screwy" family comedies go, it's actually a great movie. Smart, funny, and the plot only has a few mild annoyances. Diane Keaton and Craig T Nelson give stellar performaces as the heads of this screwed up bunch of people. Hell the whole cast is good, including Claire Daines. It's not The Royal Tennanbaums, not even close, but from beginning to end it's an enjoyable film.
Chicken Little
I was fully prepared to hate this film. A non-Pixar CGI Disney flik? Probably crap. Nope. Hand it to the house of Mouse, they were finally able to produce a great, in-house (well, I guess it's all in-house now, huh?) animated flik, the first (good) one since Lilo & Stich I think. The voice cast is excellent (Zach Braff and Steve Zahn are hilarious) , even the annoying Joan Cusak is lovable as the ugly duckling, Abby. Not to mention bit players like Don Knotts' Mayor Turkey Lurky (maybe his last performance? have to check on that) and surprise appearences by Catherine O'Hara and Fred Willard, Adam West and Patrick Warburton. But, above all else, Fish Out of Water steals the movie. Easily the best character brought to life since the aforementioned Stitch.
Daltry Calhoun
Props to Johnny Knoxville. He's managed to shake up his acting career, doing idiotic films like The Dukes of Hazard as well as little indy pictures like this and Grand Theft Parsons. Here he's easily the best thing in the movie. He plays loser-turned-millionaire-turned-loser Daltry Calhoun, who's just learned he has a 14 yr old daughter, one who's mother is dying. The movie stumbles in a few places, but where the script fails the cast usually saves the day. Juliette Lewis surprised the hell out of me, as did newcomer Sophie Traub. I wish Knoxville would stick to films like this that actually show off his acting chops, as opposed to the dumber-than-dirt films he winds up in. Yes I think Johnny Knoxville can act, laugh away.
Hoodwinked
Well, I didn't hate it as much as Tom did. Hell, I kind of liked it. But, it's got plenty of flaws. Two rather glaring ones: Anne Hathaway and Glenn Close. I like both of them, I do, but the suck, suck, suck-didly-uck as voice overs, so does Belushi. The CGI isn't great. It really isn't even good. But it's watchable. And the plot? Yeah I figured it out from the get-go. And I mean that as soon as the bad guy reared his cute little head, I figured the damn movie out. Yeah, yeah, how smart am I to have figured out a movie geared to five year olds? On the flip side, there's Patrick Warburton. He's the best. There's no arguing it, he is. Also, Xzbit does a good job, and David Ogden Stiers is great, but they're performances are too brief. The squirrel is funny as hell too. Not a bad movie, just not a great one.
The Assassination of Richard Nixon
Kind-of based on a true story. A man goes slightly mad and attempts to hijack a plane and fly it into the White House, killing Nixon. I hate a lot of actors. I know I do. And I hate Sean Penn. Mostly because I hate people who try to use they're celebrity to influence the way they're fans think. Can't I just enjoy you as an actor? Do I really have to turn on the news and see you acting like an ass. Even if you're a justified ass. So, yeah, Tim Robbins, Sean Penn, Tom Cruise, Susan Sarandon, Alec Baldwin, all of you shut the hell up and just act dammit. If you want to be in politics, be in politics. The Terminator can do it, I'd bet you could too. So, anyway...This is easily the greatest performance Penn has ever given. He's able to do something so few people can here. He takes a man, a crazy man, and makes him sane. I want Sam to succeed. I want him to win back his ex, I want him to start his business and be profitable, but most of all I want him to fly that damn plane into the White House. Seriously. By the end of the movie i was hoping he would succeed. Crazy? Yes. That just how brilliant his acting is here. Yeah, the rest of the cast is good too, but Penn got robbed, this should've gotten him at least a nod, if not a win.
George Lucas in Love
When a handful of student filmmakers can take a small budget and produce a film better than the last three Star Wars fliks combined, and have it last under ten minutes, you know you're doing something wrong. I can see why this got all the buzz it did, it's friggin brilliant.
X-Men: Darktide
Ditto, except without the buzz. This came packed with some minimates at Target and it beats the pants off X3. Seriously.
Hollywood North
Hey, look, it's Matthew Modine. This is a mostly forgettable flik about Canada becoming the next Hollywood. A guy sets out to make a film out of a classic Canadian novel, but the investors want American actors, who in turn want to rewrite the script, making it unrecognizable. This might as well say "based on a true story" at the opening. Deborah Kara Unger is the single best part of the film. Well, unless you count Jennifer Tilly's breasts. I did, there's two of them, and they're great.
Doom
When the best part of your movie is the cgi-heavy scene where you duplicate a videogame, you're not doing so good. This movie both sucks and blows. If it sucked any harder it would be a fucking black hole. Do not watch it, I have saved you the trouble of wanting to gouge out your eyes with rusty nails. Seriously, there's not even any nudity to save the day.
Beyond the Sea
Lex Luthor re-enact the life of Bobby Darin, Lois Lane plays his wife. Decent flik, I'm just oh so tired of the biopics.
Domino
Kiera Knightly plays Domino, a woman for which things seem to just fall into place. Micky Rourke plays Cable, mysterious man from the future, out to save the world.Edgar Ramirez plays....Rictor? Sure, why not! It's the X-men spin0ff you just don't want to miss!
Kidding aside, good movie. Not Man on Fire, but good nonetheless.
I watched some TV shows too:
Tripping the Rift: Season One
Futurama it ain't, but it'll do until we get thos new episodes and movies. I could do without some of the more perverse humour the show inflicts, but I suffered through it because Darth Bobo is the greatest TV character since Bender.
Soap: Season Three
You could say this was the season they jumped the shark, but I like to think that happened in the very first episode. Burt Campbell is one of the greatest TV characters of all time. Seriously, I rank him right up there with Barney Fife. His stoooooopid, goofy antics never fail to get a laugh from me. The only thing missing from the season was, of course, Benson, who'd gotten his own show. But he does stop by for a few episodes. Only one season left to go. Oddly enough I've never seen a single episode of season 4. so nobody spoil it for me dammit! also, I've got a major crush on the actress that played Corrinne, Diana Canova.
Wings: Season 1&2
It irks the hell out of me that Tony shaloub is shown as being a main cast member. He didn't sign on until Season 3 I think, though he did make one guest spot on the show in Season 2. He's even mentioned on the back cover as Antonio the cab driver. Grrr. That aside, I love this show. It's hands down one of my all time favorite sitcoms. I hope they keep the sets coming, I'd really like to have all these episodes. It's just great, great television.
Tomorrow: comics.!
-L
Not really, but damn this thing is huge.
Okay, so, yes, I saw Superman. Yes I loved it. No, I don't understand what the hell is wrong with the rest of the country. No I haven't see Pirates, and I'm kind of pissed and the gawd-awful amount of money it's made. No Bruckheimer-produced picture should be that damn huge. But, hey, Jack Sparrow kicks ass, does he not?
Other movies I've watched:
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
I remember the stage play fondly. I never saw it performed by anyone other than a local theatre group, but I loved it. I liked the movie, but it just left so much out. Great performances by all, I could have done without the "wacky" chase scene. Buster Keaton was good, not great, in his last movie role. He definitely could have used more screen time. Gotta love Zero though, I bet he killed the role live.
The Family Stone
I still cannot explain my hatred of Mrs Matthew Broderick, but she's at least tolerable in her performance here. Sometimes even good, like the scene where she gets plastered at a local bar. As far as "screwy" family comedies go, it's actually a great movie. Smart, funny, and the plot only has a few mild annoyances. Diane Keaton and Craig T Nelson give stellar performaces as the heads of this screwed up bunch of people. Hell the whole cast is good, including Claire Daines. It's not The Royal Tennanbaums, not even close, but from beginning to end it's an enjoyable film.
Chicken Little
I was fully prepared to hate this film. A non-Pixar CGI Disney flik? Probably crap. Nope. Hand it to the house of Mouse, they were finally able to produce a great, in-house (well, I guess it's all in-house now, huh?) animated flik, the first (good) one since Lilo & Stich I think. The voice cast is excellent (Zach Braff and Steve Zahn are hilarious) , even the annoying Joan Cusak is lovable as the ugly duckling, Abby. Not to mention bit players like Don Knotts' Mayor Turkey Lurky (maybe his last performance? have to check on that) and surprise appearences by Catherine O'Hara and Fred Willard, Adam West and Patrick Warburton. But, above all else, Fish Out of Water steals the movie. Easily the best character brought to life since the aforementioned Stitch.
Daltry Calhoun
Props to Johnny Knoxville. He's managed to shake up his acting career, doing idiotic films like The Dukes of Hazard as well as little indy pictures like this and Grand Theft Parsons. Here he's easily the best thing in the movie. He plays loser-turned-millionaire-turned-loser Daltry Calhoun, who's just learned he has a 14 yr old daughter, one who's mother is dying. The movie stumbles in a few places, but where the script fails the cast usually saves the day. Juliette Lewis surprised the hell out of me, as did newcomer Sophie Traub. I wish Knoxville would stick to films like this that actually show off his acting chops, as opposed to the dumber-than-dirt films he winds up in. Yes I think Johnny Knoxville can act, laugh away.
Hoodwinked
Well, I didn't hate it as much as Tom did. Hell, I kind of liked it. But, it's got plenty of flaws. Two rather glaring ones: Anne Hathaway and Glenn Close. I like both of them, I do, but the suck, suck, suck-didly-uck as voice overs, so does Belushi. The CGI isn't great. It really isn't even good. But it's watchable. And the plot? Yeah I figured it out from the get-go. And I mean that as soon as the bad guy reared his cute little head, I figured the damn movie out. Yeah, yeah, how smart am I to have figured out a movie geared to five year olds? On the flip side, there's Patrick Warburton. He's the best. There's no arguing it, he is. Also, Xzbit does a good job, and David Ogden Stiers is great, but they're performances are too brief. The squirrel is funny as hell too. Not a bad movie, just not a great one.
The Assassination of Richard Nixon
Kind-of based on a true story. A man goes slightly mad and attempts to hijack a plane and fly it into the White House, killing Nixon. I hate a lot of actors. I know I do. And I hate Sean Penn. Mostly because I hate people who try to use they're celebrity to influence the way they're fans think. Can't I just enjoy you as an actor? Do I really have to turn on the news and see you acting like an ass. Even if you're a justified ass. So, yeah, Tim Robbins, Sean Penn, Tom Cruise, Susan Sarandon, Alec Baldwin, all of you shut the hell up and just act dammit. If you want to be in politics, be in politics. The Terminator can do it, I'd bet you could too. So, anyway...This is easily the greatest performance Penn has ever given. He's able to do something so few people can here. He takes a man, a crazy man, and makes him sane. I want Sam to succeed. I want him to win back his ex, I want him to start his business and be profitable, but most of all I want him to fly that damn plane into the White House. Seriously. By the end of the movie i was hoping he would succeed. Crazy? Yes. That just how brilliant his acting is here. Yeah, the rest of the cast is good too, but Penn got robbed, this should've gotten him at least a nod, if not a win.
George Lucas in Love
When a handful of student filmmakers can take a small budget and produce a film better than the last three Star Wars fliks combined, and have it last under ten minutes, you know you're doing something wrong. I can see why this got all the buzz it did, it's friggin brilliant.
X-Men: Darktide
Ditto, except without the buzz. This came packed with some minimates at Target and it beats the pants off X3. Seriously.
Hollywood North
Hey, look, it's Matthew Modine. This is a mostly forgettable flik about Canada becoming the next Hollywood. A guy sets out to make a film out of a classic Canadian novel, but the investors want American actors, who in turn want to rewrite the script, making it unrecognizable. This might as well say "based on a true story" at the opening. Deborah Kara Unger is the single best part of the film. Well, unless you count Jennifer Tilly's breasts. I did, there's two of them, and they're great.
Doom
When the best part of your movie is the cgi-heavy scene where you duplicate a videogame, you're not doing so good. This movie both sucks and blows. If it sucked any harder it would be a fucking black hole. Do not watch it, I have saved you the trouble of wanting to gouge out your eyes with rusty nails. Seriously, there's not even any nudity to save the day.
Beyond the Sea
Lex Luthor re-enact the life of Bobby Darin, Lois Lane plays his wife. Decent flik, I'm just oh so tired of the biopics.
Domino
Kiera Knightly plays Domino, a woman for which things seem to just fall into place. Micky Rourke plays Cable, mysterious man from the future, out to save the world.Edgar Ramirez plays....Rictor? Sure, why not! It's the X-men spin0ff you just don't want to miss!
Kidding aside, good movie. Not Man on Fire, but good nonetheless.
I watched some TV shows too:
Tripping the Rift: Season One
Futurama it ain't, but it'll do until we get thos new episodes and movies. I could do without some of the more perverse humour the show inflicts, but I suffered through it because Darth Bobo is the greatest TV character since Bender.
Soap: Season Three
You could say this was the season they jumped the shark, but I like to think that happened in the very first episode. Burt Campbell is one of the greatest TV characters of all time. Seriously, I rank him right up there with Barney Fife. His stoooooopid, goofy antics never fail to get a laugh from me. The only thing missing from the season was, of course, Benson, who'd gotten his own show. But he does stop by for a few episodes. Only one season left to go. Oddly enough I've never seen a single episode of season 4. so nobody spoil it for me dammit! also, I've got a major crush on the actress that played Corrinne, Diana Canova.
Wings: Season 1&2
It irks the hell out of me that Tony shaloub is shown as being a main cast member. He didn't sign on until Season 3 I think, though he did make one guest spot on the show in Season 2. He's even mentioned on the back cover as Antonio the cab driver. Grrr. That aside, I love this show. It's hands down one of my all time favorite sitcoms. I hope they keep the sets coming, I'd really like to have all these episodes. It's just great, great television.
Tomorrow: comics.!
-L
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