Allergic to Hype

"How can you say that?!?" Pete exploded. Pete explodes in surprise on a pretty regular basis but this particular explosion was about a month ago after I had declared my belief that the upcoming 'The Dark Knight' movie would suck.

His explosion was not unsurprising and was not the first time I'd received a reaction of shock or surprise to my declaration that I disbelieved in the positive quality of this film. It's not the first time I've said this sort of thing about a film nor do I expect it to be the last. You see, I'm allergic to hype.

I learned as a child to fight the urge to get too excited over things. My imagination is such that I can generally imagine something more exciting than the reality. If I spend too much time pondering how awesome something is to be, chances are that the version I've 'seen' in my head will be better than anything on screen and I'll be disappointed. The lower I set my expectations and the less I think about it, the more likely I am to enjoy myself. If I don't end up enjoying myself, I know something is wrong. Heck, I set my expectations so low for 'Electra' that I managed to enjoy myself. Not by much, but I think my point is made.

Now, being a comic book geek, I've been hearing about how 'awesome' this 'The Dark Knight' movie is for about six months straight now, apart from a few weeks when we enjoyed 'Iron Man' and 'Hulk'. There is no way I can build my expectations that high for that long and have it pay off with anything but disappointment. Even if it is a great film, as many of my friends have already said it is, and I go in expecting a great film, then it'll be hard to be excited. I got what I expected. If I expect crap and get great film, I'll be happy.

Yes, 'The Dark Knight' sucks and I'll continue to believe that until I see it. After that, I can have a real opinion.

Watched the new Gong Show last night

I have memories of the original Gong Show, more I think from its recycled syndicated life than its original run. This new Gong Show felt very much the same in general: weird acts doing weird things in front of a panel of 'D' list (no offense meant to them) celebrities. I did laugh rather enthusiastically a couple times, oddly with the proceedings rather than at them, so the show succeeded in that regard.

I also came to the conclusion that Andy Dick is this generation's Charles Nelson Reilly, insomuch that, in thirty years when they replay these shows, the young people of that day will be more familiar with his game show work than anything else. And they both have a weird vibe to them. Andy Dick is just more of a ... well more of a dick about it I suppose.

Sorry Chuck.

A Moment of Silly

So then I told Billy 'If you continue to do that, there's a good chance that your arm will fall off.' He continued to do it and his arm fell off.

Zombies shouldn't do jumping jacks.

Torn

Part of me is fascinated by history, is interested in baseball, and, therefore, wishes to protect baseball history such as Yankee Stadium.

Part of me wants to help destroy the place, with a bazooka preferably. I don't care for New York in general.

Wanna drop someone's IQ by 90%?

Put a steering wheel in front of them. Geez!