Faithful readers, all two of you, I'm sure you are aware that I work to keep this as spoiler free a zone as possible. In order to discuss these episodes properly, there will be details reviewed. If you've not seen these episodes, then these comments will be spoilers. You have been warned.
'The Pandorica Opens' makes no sense. At all.
The trouble is started by a Vincent Van Gogh painting that gets collected by Winston Churchill. who ends up getting in contact with River Song on accident. She then breaks out of jail and steals the painting from the Queen of Spaceship UK in order to take it to the Doctor. Complicated much? Lucky that painting survived 3000 years. Are we to understand now that Vincent Van Gogh's suicide was brought on by visions of the TARDIS exploding and fearing his friends were inside? Dark beginning.
This leads to 100AD and a Roman Legion around Stonehenge. The Pandorica is here and is opening. Why now of all times?
Around the Pandorica itself are the remains of a Cyberman, broken into sections. This creature is considered the remnants of a scout destroyed in the battles over the Pandorica and its contents. Indeed, the ships of multiple races are in the night sky, jockeying for position. Wait. How did they get here? Daleks have long had time travel capabilities but no one else, traditionally at least. There was talk that time travel technology slipped out to the greater universe as part of the Time War but is it this out and about now? Any everyone knows to show up now?
Amy's fiance Rory reappears with the Roman Legion but it turns out that they are all Nestene duplicates. The situation is a trap, built out of the interests of Amy. How did they get an imprint of Rory's mind? If they took it before Rory was erased from history, it would have been erased with him. If they scanned Amy's mind after he was erased from history, and since he knows he was erased from history this seems likely, he wouldn't have appeared as an important figure as she can't remember him. Even when she sees him, it takes time for her to remember him. So why copy Rory then?
The big payoff to the episode is that the Pandorica is empty. Its meant as a prison for the Doctor as the assembled creatures have projected that the TARDIS will explode, destroying the universe. Since 'the Doctor is the only one that can pilot the TARDIS', they will cage the Doctor and fix things themselves. So they don't know about River Song then? If they were setting up the Doctor, then where does the damaged Cyberman that almost killed the Doctor and Amy come from then? It wouldn't have been from infighting. And why almost kill the Doctor if you're planning to cage him? For that matter, why cage him at all? Why don't the Daleks just kill him? Do they think he can't be killed? It's not like they haven't tried before.
And why are the Silurians there? When Earth becomes the only planet left in the universe, why do they disappear? They're from Earth!
It makes no sense!!!
Wait. It makes no sense.
When Replica Rory first makes himself known to the Doctor, he goes unnoticed as the Doctor mutters that he's missing something obvious. Rory, and the viewer, knows it's his presence and we laugh at the Doctor's absentmindedness.
What if Rory isn't what the Doctor was thinking about? What if the Doctor was realizing that this situation isn't making sense and Rory is a distraction from that realization? What if all this is a distraction? I mean, once the Doctor is safely caged, the universe disappears immediately. It's not long after that that the Doctor's free again. It can't be that great a prison if the Doctor can get free that quickly. As it turns out, the Pandorica holds the tools to 'reboot' the universe as it was, with some modifications. Handy that.
By the end of the episode, the universe is restored, Amy brings back her 'lost' parents, Rory is human again, and the Doctor is returned from the Void. While the universe is restored, Time can be rewritten, allowing these changes to be made. Hmm.
At the end of the episode, we still don't know who caused the TARDIS to explode or why. There's more to come, it isn't a forgotten point.
That's the key. It's not 'what' caused the TARDIS to explode but 'who'. Some one did this and this is why it makes so little sense. This mastermind's plot is designed to destroy the universe knowing that the Doctor will restore it successfully. To what end? To bring someone or something back, to rewrite history, as Amy did. The Pandorica plot is designed to distract the Doctor, keep him off guard, but keep him from preventing the destruction of the universe so that he'll have to fix it.
Who would do this? Visibly we have two likely options: the Doctor's 'dark' subconscious from 'Amy's Choice' and River Song. The Doctor remembered Rory and could have replicated him. River's appearance at Amy and Rory's wedding is odd, a bit suspect. It's almost implied that she knows to drop the diary off to trigger Amy to remember the Doctor but that would mean she might remember the Doctor. If River remembers the Doctor, then why does Amy have to remember him? Tricky.
But to what end? What might be restored? Well there is something currently missing from the mythos.
Perhaps this 'reboot' erased the Time War from happening. Perhaps Gallifrey is back.
Or perhaps not.
29 June 2010
28 June 2010
Music Monday - Husker Du
Remember Night Flight? Anyone? I didn't have cable as a kid but they'd repeat the show in the middle of the night on NBC and I'd tape it once (a) I got a VCR and (2) I figured out it was a weird show that needed taping. The musical acts I picked up on from that show! Before I had access to 120 Minutes on MTV, when MTV played music videos back when dinosaurs roamed the Earth, I had Night Flight. One night they did a piece on Minneapolis and there was Husker Du!
The band was so janglely I didn't even realize that they were thrash punk. I mean, Night Flight said they were thrash but I was all 'am I gonna trust my ears or this late night show clearly assembled by drunks?' Trust the ears!
I bought what turned out to be their last studio album 'Warehouse: Songs and Stories' at the Camelot that used to be up by what used to be Northridge Mall. The store's a Half Price Books now so I still love the place. 20 tracks and I don't think there's a clunker in the lot. As time went on, I picked up older albums here and there but none of them entranced me the same way that 'Warehouse' did.
Punk rock needs more guys with handlebar mustaches. That's what'll revitalize the genre! More punk bands with mustaches! Doing covers of television theme songs!
You know how punk rock Bob Mould is? He was a writer for WCW for awhile. Sure that's when WCW was spending money on all sorts of crazy things but having a college rock icon write for wrestling is just full of awesome.
Warehouse: Songs & Stories
Metal Circus
Living End (Jewl)
The band was so janglely I didn't even realize that they were thrash punk. I mean, Night Flight said they were thrash but I was all 'am I gonna trust my ears or this late night show clearly assembled by drunks?' Trust the ears!
I bought what turned out to be their last studio album 'Warehouse: Songs and Stories' at the Camelot that used to be up by what used to be Northridge Mall. The store's a Half Price Books now so I still love the place. 20 tracks and I don't think there's a clunker in the lot. As time went on, I picked up older albums here and there but none of them entranced me the same way that 'Warehouse' did.
Punk rock needs more guys with handlebar mustaches. That's what'll revitalize the genre! More punk bands with mustaches! Doing covers of television theme songs!
You know how punk rock Bob Mould is? He was a writer for WCW for awhile. Sure that's when WCW was spending money on all sorts of crazy things but having a college rock icon write for wrestling is just full of awesome.
Warehouse: Songs & Stories
Metal Circus Living End (Jewl)
22 June 2010
For the Record...
Yes, I am caught up on Doctor Who. No, I will not be discussing this week's episode until I've had a chance to see next week's episode. At all. There's too much lingering out there at the moment to treat this episode on its own.
21 June 2010
Music Monday - Johnny Cash
I'm wearing one of my Johnny Cash t-shirts and my deluxe edition of the 'Cash - The Legend' box set showed up in the mail today. Hmm, who should I feature today?
Johnny Cash was Johnny Cash. He's not really country, but he was for awhile. He's not really Western, but he was for awhile. He's not really folk, but you could argue he was for awhile. Johnny Cash made people happy being Johnny Cash, expressing himself in the way he enjoyed expressing himself and, like him or not, you've got to admire someone that can accomplish that in their life. I surely do.
'I liked those hotels in Europe where they had the beautiful paintings on the walls. This one painting, this woman had this beautiful cleavage and I tried to throw my Bowie knife in between her breasts. Sometimes I made it, sometimes I'd miss a little bit. That cost me a thousand dollars.' - Johnny Cash
'CBS were laying their money on the young people. If you were over a certain age and your body didn't look just right, the record companies wouldn't put money on you. Problem was, there are a lot of beautiful people, and a lot of talented people, but there aren't that many that are both.' - Johnny Cash
'Don't break your tap root, or you'll die. That's the root that's tapped in to the divine -- into the sacred, the holy, the power. Into life.' - Johnny Cash
Forever the Man in Black.
The Essential Johnny Cash
At Folsom Prison
The Johnny Cash Show: The Best of Johnny Cash 1969-1971
Johnny Cash was Johnny Cash. He's not really country, but he was for awhile. He's not really Western, but he was for awhile. He's not really folk, but you could argue he was for awhile. Johnny Cash made people happy being Johnny Cash, expressing himself in the way he enjoyed expressing himself and, like him or not, you've got to admire someone that can accomplish that in their life. I surely do.
'I liked those hotels in Europe where they had the beautiful paintings on the walls. This one painting, this woman had this beautiful cleavage and I tried to throw my Bowie knife in between her breasts. Sometimes I made it, sometimes I'd miss a little bit. That cost me a thousand dollars.' - Johnny Cash
'CBS were laying their money on the young people. If you were over a certain age and your body didn't look just right, the record companies wouldn't put money on you. Problem was, there are a lot of beautiful people, and a lot of talented people, but there aren't that many that are both.' - Johnny Cash
'Don't break your tap root, or you'll die. That's the root that's tapped in to the divine -- into the sacred, the holy, the power. Into life.' - Johnny Cash
Forever the Man in Black.
The Essential Johnny Cash
At Folsom Prison The Johnny Cash Show: The Best of Johnny Cash 1969-1971
16 June 2010
Doctor Who - Pocket Reviews (aka Catching Up)
'The Vampires of Venice' in which the TARDIS crew go back in time and deal with some creatures that are feeding on humans. Not a bad episode, some good running about. some good explanations, some good character building, but I wasn't completely happy with the Doctor's reaction to the creatures. He seemed to jump to 'realistic but hopeless' too quickly for me but that's just me. Not bad not not really great either.
'Amy's Choice' in which the TARDIS crew exist in two realities at once, not knowing which is the true reality they should try to stay in. Great episode, funny, kept you on your toes as to what was going on, some really strong character moments. Very solid and very enjoyable. I think this may have something to do with the finale but that's just a thought.
'The Hungry Earth' and 'Cold Blood' in which the TARDIS crew encounter creatures that sleep below the Earth. Good story with excellent effects (I want a theme park ride that lets you walk through the underground city as part of the queue as it was beautiful) but was let down ever so slightly by my familiarity with the show's history. The very basic plot felt like 'Inferno' connected with 'Doctor Who and the Silurians'. There's even the young creature that wants to wipe out the apes while the older creatures are willing to talk things over. Good scares, well put together, but a bit familiar.
'Vincent and the Doctor' in which the TARDIS crew meet Vincent Van Gogh. Wow. Sensitive, moving, sad, depressing, invigorating. The Doctor does something that I've dreamed of doing for a creator. This is a high point for the season in my book.
'The Lodger' in which the TARDIS gets stuck and the Doctor gets bored. The Doctor has to pretend to be a 'normal' human while investigating roommate Craig's upstairs flat. Funny, a bit clever, a little scary, and heartwarming. A fun buffer episode before the finale hits us.
All in all, it's been a great season so far. Moffat has been clicking on all cylinders as far as I'm concerned. Two episodes left. Can't wait until Saturday...
'Amy's Choice' in which the TARDIS crew exist in two realities at once, not knowing which is the true reality they should try to stay in. Great episode, funny, kept you on your toes as to what was going on, some really strong character moments. Very solid and very enjoyable. I think this may have something to do with the finale but that's just a thought.
'The Hungry Earth' and 'Cold Blood' in which the TARDIS crew encounter creatures that sleep below the Earth. Good story with excellent effects (I want a theme park ride that lets you walk through the underground city as part of the queue as it was beautiful) but was let down ever so slightly by my familiarity with the show's history. The very basic plot felt like 'Inferno' connected with 'Doctor Who and the Silurians'. There's even the young creature that wants to wipe out the apes while the older creatures are willing to talk things over. Good scares, well put together, but a bit familiar.
'Vincent and the Doctor' in which the TARDIS crew meet Vincent Van Gogh. Wow. Sensitive, moving, sad, depressing, invigorating. The Doctor does something that I've dreamed of doing for a creator. This is a high point for the season in my book.
'The Lodger' in which the TARDIS gets stuck and the Doctor gets bored. The Doctor has to pretend to be a 'normal' human while investigating roommate Craig's upstairs flat. Funny, a bit clever, a little scary, and heartwarming. A fun buffer episode before the finale hits us.
All in all, it's been a great season so far. Moffat has been clicking on all cylinders as far as I'm concerned. Two episodes left. Can't wait until Saturday...
14 June 2010
Music Monday - Strange Land
Last Saturday I attended what is expected to be the last time that Strange Land will play together live. It was a great time. Of course I didn't think to do this last week when it could have been an encouragement to attend so, well, sorry for that Chad.
Strange Land proudly identified itself as a prog-metal band. They played loud, inventive music that sought to sound different but not at the expensive of harmonies and hooks. As such, it has the ability to get stuck in your head.
I'm working with live recordings this week and the quality here will vary from normal due to the recording. Our first song, 'Asinine', is even incomplete. Not only is it a great song but I just adore the 'spend your time, wasting mine' lyric. It's so cutting and clear. Of course now I've probably misunderstood it and the entire song so you'd better check it out yourself.
Lament. Wailing. Pain. All on display while the music soars.
'Evolve' is part of the epic song 'Catharsis' from the album of the same name. I love this song for many reasons. I mean, listen to all the expensive learning words Chad spits out. He's had some learnin'! Somewhat more seriously, this song strikes me as the band's mission statement. They were eagerly doing what they did, not so much for any personal gain (not that it would have been a bad thing as such) but it was for the music in general. Music deserves better than the wasteland that is radio. Stretch out a bit. It's not easy and supporting new things can be difficult (I claim no great skill in this regard either) but it's rewarding.
I need to get out more. Good times.
http://www.strange-land.net/
Anomaly
Blaming Season
Catharsis
Strange Land proudly identified itself as a prog-metal band. They played loud, inventive music that sought to sound different but not at the expensive of harmonies and hooks. As such, it has the ability to get stuck in your head.
I'm working with live recordings this week and the quality here will vary from normal due to the recording. Our first song, 'Asinine', is even incomplete. Not only is it a great song but I just adore the 'spend your time, wasting mine' lyric. It's so cutting and clear. Of course now I've probably misunderstood it and the entire song so you'd better check it out yourself.
Lament. Wailing. Pain. All on display while the music soars.
'Evolve' is part of the epic song 'Catharsis' from the album of the same name. I love this song for many reasons. I mean, listen to all the expensive learning words Chad spits out. He's had some learnin'! Somewhat more seriously, this song strikes me as the band's mission statement. They were eagerly doing what they did, not so much for any personal gain (not that it would have been a bad thing as such) but it was for the music in general. Music deserves better than the wasteland that is radio. Stretch out a bit. It's not easy and supporting new things can be difficult (I claim no great skill in this regard either) but it's rewarding.
I need to get out more. Good times.
http://www.strange-land.net/
Anomaly
Blaming Season Catharsis
09 June 2010
Stream of Consciousness YouTube Playtime
i did this awhile ago and mentioned it today and thought I'd do it again. 'Caddyshack: The Inside Story' is on so I'm thinking of RODNEY!
Rodney was on 'What's My Line?' Great!
That led me to George Carlin on 'What's My Line?' Before he grew his hair out. Wow!
That led me to this, honestly, no cheating. Clarence Nash on 'What's My Line?' during an earlier time period.
Having played that, I HAVE to play this then. Uncle Walt!
Rodney was on 'What's My Line?' Great!
That led me to George Carlin on 'What's My Line?' Before he grew his hair out. Wow!
That led me to this, honestly, no cheating. Clarence Nash on 'What's My Line?' during an earlier time period.
Having played that, I HAVE to play this then. Uncle Walt!
07 June 2010
Music Monday - Manfred Mann
'Manfred Mann' you may be thinking. 'The band that did Do Wah Diddy?' Well, yes, but they were so much more than that. It's a shame that radio plays only this song from that era of the band or that 'Chapter Two' is represented by 'Quinn the Eskimo', if it's represented at all. That's part of the reason I like doing this sort of thing, trying to break people out of their boxes of song a bit.
Manfred Mann is a jazz/blues band that becomes a pop band. The influence never really leaves them, making their songs, as silly as they might be at times, layered musically. They didn't want to be just another British band during the 'British Invasion' and man did they try. For the record, Manfred Mann is the keyboardist with the glasses and the beard that looks like a chinstrap. Our first song, 'Come Tomorrow', is still from 'Chapter One', with original singer Paul Jones.
By 1966, Paul Jones had left the band for a solo career and Mike d'Abo took over as lead singer. The band also changed labels around this time. While the band was still called 'Manfred Mann', this period is referred to as 'Chapter Two' of the band. One of my favorite songs from this period is 'Fox on the Run'.
There's something about the imagery that gets me. It's summery, warm, sunny, running in the fields. Yet there's a warning in the sounds of this sweet song. It's not a love song as much as a song about things that didn't go so well. It's wistful in a way. I really like it.
And then some songs are just kinda silly.
In 1969, 'Chapter Two' breaks up. 'Chapter Three' followed for a brief period of time and then there was the 'Earth Band' where everyone knows 'Blinded By the Light'. This band still exists.
How do you make a goofy song even goofier? Have a Japanese pop band cover it! Go Pizzicato Five Go!
Manfred Mann is a jazz/blues band that becomes a pop band. The influence never really leaves them, making their songs, as silly as they might be at times, layered musically. They didn't want to be just another British band during the 'British Invasion' and man did they try. For the record, Manfred Mann is the keyboardist with the glasses and the beard that looks like a chinstrap. Our first song, 'Come Tomorrow', is still from 'Chapter One', with original singer Paul Jones.
By 1966, Paul Jones had left the band for a solo career and Mike d'Abo took over as lead singer. The band also changed labels around this time. While the band was still called 'Manfred Mann', this period is referred to as 'Chapter Two' of the band. One of my favorite songs from this period is 'Fox on the Run'.
There's something about the imagery that gets me. It's summery, warm, sunny, running in the fields. Yet there's a warning in the sounds of this sweet song. It's not a love song as much as a song about things that didn't go so well. It's wistful in a way. I really like it.
And then some songs are just kinda silly.
In 1969, 'Chapter Two' breaks up. 'Chapter Three' followed for a brief period of time and then there was the 'Earth Band' where everyone knows 'Blinded By the Light'. This band still exists.
How do you make a goofy song even goofier? Have a Japanese pop band cover it! Go Pizzicato Five Go!
06 June 2010
Trying
In a way, it's funny. I had all this free time on my hands up until about a month ago. I went and found myself some temporary employment and, boom!, now I've almost no free time. A lot of the time when I do have free time, I end up using it to rest. Like today. I had to take one of those 'if I lay down this headache might go away' naps today. It worked so that was good but that's the situation I tend to find myself in at the moment. Adjusting. Busy. Tired.
So this is my apology. I'm sorry that content has been sporadic of late. All I can say is that I'm trying and my limited energy tends to go more into my fiction at the moment.
Thank you for your patience.
So this is my apology. I'm sorry that content has been sporadic of late. All I can say is that I'm trying and my limited energy tends to go more into my fiction at the moment.
Thank you for your patience.
26 May 2010
A Few Thoughts on Comics from Last Week
I'm catching up! Sorta...
Avengers #1. The book gets relaunched yet again. Bendis and JR JR. Bendis has been criticized over the years for being whatever with the Avengers but this issue just FEELS big time. The building of the teams. The joy the characters feel for being in their 'proper' place again. Thor not hesitating to smack Kang around. Great art, good subplots, it feels like an old school Avengers comic and updated at the same time. I hope this is how it stays for awhile. Loved this.
Invincible Iron Man #26 continues the 'reboot' of Tony's life. 'Captain America doesn't do razzle-dazzle on my schedule.' Honestly, I can't beat that line.
Transformers - Last Stand of the Wreckers #5 is the end of the series. I can't say much without giving away the story but will point out that 'last stand' is in the title for a reason. Lots of things go boom.
Simpsons Comics #166 in which the Simpson men decide to join forces and cheat to win a local bike race. It's a reasonably well done plot, more character based than gag based. It actually could have used a few more gags. It was good but not as funny as I felt it should have been somehow. There should be a couple of really good lines in the story and there's maybe one. Homer breaks a bike during training and notes he needs a beer. Bart states 'I think what you need is a tetanus shot.' Combined with the visual it's amusing but it lacks a certain 'I ate all my caps.' repeatability.
Muppet Snow White #1 just wasn't coming together for me. Art that was a little too wacky, a story that was too close to the style of King Arthur rather than Peter Pan, I just wasn't feeling it... until we meet the Dwarves. It's the Electric Mayhem and they sing their song in the mine over a two page spread. I read it, got near the end of the pages, it clicked, I got shivers and reread it. The song is apparently titled 'Seven Dwarf Hop' and it's clearly meant to be to the beat of the Ramones' 'Blitzkreig Bop'. Animal yelling 'Heigh! Ho! Go! Go!' You have my attention again. Please continue. Oh yes and I need this song as a single. Now.
Avengers #1. The book gets relaunched yet again. Bendis and JR JR. Bendis has been criticized over the years for being whatever with the Avengers but this issue just FEELS big time. The building of the teams. The joy the characters feel for being in their 'proper' place again. Thor not hesitating to smack Kang around. Great art, good subplots, it feels like an old school Avengers comic and updated at the same time. I hope this is how it stays for awhile. Loved this.
Invincible Iron Man #26 continues the 'reboot' of Tony's life. 'Captain America doesn't do razzle-dazzle on my schedule.' Honestly, I can't beat that line.
Transformers - Last Stand of the Wreckers #5 is the end of the series. I can't say much without giving away the story but will point out that 'last stand' is in the title for a reason. Lots of things go boom.
Simpsons Comics #166 in which the Simpson men decide to join forces and cheat to win a local bike race. It's a reasonably well done plot, more character based than gag based. It actually could have used a few more gags. It was good but not as funny as I felt it should have been somehow. There should be a couple of really good lines in the story and there's maybe one. Homer breaks a bike during training and notes he needs a beer. Bart states 'I think what you need is a tetanus shot.' Combined with the visual it's amusing but it lacks a certain 'I ate all my caps.' repeatability.
Muppet Snow White #1 just wasn't coming together for me. Art that was a little too wacky, a story that was too close to the style of King Arthur rather than Peter Pan, I just wasn't feeling it... until we meet the Dwarves. It's the Electric Mayhem and they sing their song in the mine over a two page spread. I read it, got near the end of the pages, it clicked, I got shivers and reread it. The song is apparently titled 'Seven Dwarf Hop' and it's clearly meant to be to the beat of the Ramones' 'Blitzkreig Bop'. Animal yelling 'Heigh! Ho! Go! Go!' You have my attention again. Please continue. Oh yes and I need this song as a single. Now.
24 May 2010
Music Monday - 'The Phantom of the Paradise'
You ever forget things? I do. I forgot that I had a lot of music in lossless format on my external hard drive. I started going through it the other day, putting it onto CD so I could travel with some of it. Amongst these things I found the soundtrack to 'The Phantom of the Paradise' and I'd forgotten how much I love that movie. Basically, it's a rock update of the Phantom of the Opera story with a heavy dose of the Faust tale thrown in. It's better than it has any right to be because the music is by Paul Williams who also plays the bad guy in the film.
...yes, that Paul Williams. Here's the trailer.
Talented writer Winslow takes his songs to publisher Swan and signs away his life's work. When Swan butchers those songs to maximize their commercial potential, Winslow freaks and attacks the record pressing plant (it was 1974 afterall), becoming badly injured but is believed dead. He resurfaces under a mask, haunting the concert hall, and demanding only Phoenix, whom he loves from afar, sing his songs. Swan talks him into rearranging the songs for her and, of course, gets screwed by the publisher yet again. It all get problematic from there.
Yes that was Archie Hahn.
The songs range from wickedly satirical, like the first song, to heartfelt love songs to mean spirited attacks. It's a musical and the music is good. Sometimes it's GREAT Music.
'If I could live my life half as worthlessly as you, I'm convinced that I'd wind up burning too.' Wow! That's a lyric!
Where's my DVD? I need to watch this again.
Phantom of the Paradise (Ultimate Edition) [Blu-ray]
Phantom of the Paradise
Phantom Of The Paradise: Original Soundtrack Recording
...yes, that Paul Williams. Here's the trailer.
Talented writer Winslow takes his songs to publisher Swan and signs away his life's work. When Swan butchers those songs to maximize their commercial potential, Winslow freaks and attacks the record pressing plant (it was 1974 afterall), becoming badly injured but is believed dead. He resurfaces under a mask, haunting the concert hall, and demanding only Phoenix, whom he loves from afar, sing his songs. Swan talks him into rearranging the songs for her and, of course, gets screwed by the publisher yet again. It all get problematic from there.
Yes that was Archie Hahn.
The songs range from wickedly satirical, like the first song, to heartfelt love songs to mean spirited attacks. It's a musical and the music is good. Sometimes it's GREAT Music.
'If I could live my life half as worthlessly as you, I'm convinced that I'd wind up burning too.' Wow! That's a lyric!
Where's my DVD? I need to watch this again.
Phantom of the Paradise (Ultimate Edition) [Blu-ray]
Phantom of the Paradise Phantom Of The Paradise: Original Soundtrack Recording
23 May 2010
A Few Thoughts on Comics from Last Week or So
Siege #4! Finally the wrap-up to the storyline! Years in the making! Nothing can live up to all that and this didn't. It wasn't actively bad but the way the main villain is dealt with is meant to be a desperation move and a cool action moment but it comes across as a Russell T. Davies moment. Russell was the showrunner of Doctor Who, bringing the show back, but he had a few stories, 'The Sound of Drums' springs to mind, where the villain gets the upperhand and things are Very Serious Indeed and suddenly you get the impression he doesn't have a good way for the good guys to resolve the situation so it sort of fixes itself. I'd be more condemning of this but I have the bad feeling I just did it myself. This issue plays out as big action moments and excitement but there are a few 'really? that was the plan?' parts and apparently things are so serious that it's okay for Spidey to swear. I'm happy that we are where we are now in general. This wasn't awful but it wasn't as awesome as it might have been.
Dark Avengers #16 ends the book, wrapping up what happens to the team post-Siege. I rather liked this. It could have been two pages at the end of Siege #4 but it would have been rushed and not as effective. Good wrap-up.
Avengers: The Initiative #35 ends this book as well. The main characters are wrapped up before the book gets relaunched with a new title. Not as exciting as Dark Avengers but solid.
The New Avengers Finale wraps up the last of the storyline elements from Siege and lets the characters have a happy before this Avengers title also gets relaunched. It's a double sized issue and was a bit on the long side but, you know, this title has been known for stretching out its storylines so, really, why should the last issue be any different? Not sure Bryan Hitch knows how to drawn Wolverine out of his costume though. Besides all that, it was a good ending.
Web of Spider-Man #8 made me laugh out loud. While trying to flush out a bad guy, Pete creates a picture blog with Spidey 'bloopers'. At the bottom of the page is a panel with JJJ announcing it as the best web-site he's ever seen, written as if in a hushed tone. The main story was actually a good combination of funny, mysterious, and character based. Just as I was wondering how Pete had figured out how to do internet stuff as he's been portrayed as clueless in the past in this regard, we get a conversation with Betty when he thanks her for helping him set it up. Thank you Mr. Writer! Thumbs up.
Savage Dragon #160 is the final part of the Dragon War. Many Bad Things happen. Lots of characters die. I'm really wondering what's next.
The Marvels Project #8 was grand. In the Marvel Universe, the Axis attacked the Allied on a secret front the same day as Pearl Harbor. Somehow this works. The original Human Torch and Toro aren't enough to stop Pearl Harbor. The main characters are all but in a 'place' as they should be at the beginning of WWII. I really enjoyed the art and story in this miniseries. I would recommend getting it in trade paperback.
Prince of Power #1 begins a quest to bring back Hercules. That's all you need. Standard but fun storyline and clear crisp art. Solid comic.
Transformers - Ironhide #1 has, well, Ironhide in it. Except he's dead. Or not. There's a lot of flashback in this issue and it's not clear what's going on at this point. This would be bad if I didn't think that was the writer's goal. More solid robot art.
The Amazing Spider-Man #631... did the Lizard just do what I think he did? Oh my. That's not right.
Vincent Price Presents #17 has a great CGI cover picture of Vincent Price done by Pixar artist Bill Zahn. The story inside has scraggy art and a story that has more build than payoff. Not awful but not impressive either.
Iron Man Legacy #2 confuses me a bit. The story is fun and the art is good but is this set in the movie continuity or what? It's not quite clear and I don't know. Maybe I shouldn't worry about it. That would be wisest.
Dark Avengers #16 ends the book, wrapping up what happens to the team post-Siege. I rather liked this. It could have been two pages at the end of Siege #4 but it would have been rushed and not as effective. Good wrap-up.
Avengers: The Initiative #35 ends this book as well. The main characters are wrapped up before the book gets relaunched with a new title. Not as exciting as Dark Avengers but solid.
The New Avengers Finale wraps up the last of the storyline elements from Siege and lets the characters have a happy before this Avengers title also gets relaunched. It's a double sized issue and was a bit on the long side but, you know, this title has been known for stretching out its storylines so, really, why should the last issue be any different? Not sure Bryan Hitch knows how to drawn Wolverine out of his costume though. Besides all that, it was a good ending.
Web of Spider-Man #8 made me laugh out loud. While trying to flush out a bad guy, Pete creates a picture blog with Spidey 'bloopers'. At the bottom of the page is a panel with JJJ announcing it as the best web-site he's ever seen, written as if in a hushed tone. The main story was actually a good combination of funny, mysterious, and character based. Just as I was wondering how Pete had figured out how to do internet stuff as he's been portrayed as clueless in the past in this regard, we get a conversation with Betty when he thanks her for helping him set it up. Thank you Mr. Writer! Thumbs up.
Savage Dragon #160 is the final part of the Dragon War. Many Bad Things happen. Lots of characters die. I'm really wondering what's next.
The Marvels Project #8 was grand. In the Marvel Universe, the Axis attacked the Allied on a secret front the same day as Pearl Harbor. Somehow this works. The original Human Torch and Toro aren't enough to stop Pearl Harbor. The main characters are all but in a 'place' as they should be at the beginning of WWII. I really enjoyed the art and story in this miniseries. I would recommend getting it in trade paperback.
Prince of Power #1 begins a quest to bring back Hercules. That's all you need. Standard but fun storyline and clear crisp art. Solid comic.
Transformers - Ironhide #1 has, well, Ironhide in it. Except he's dead. Or not. There's a lot of flashback in this issue and it's not clear what's going on at this point. This would be bad if I didn't think that was the writer's goal. More solid robot art.
The Amazing Spider-Man #631... did the Lizard just do what I think he did? Oh my. That's not right.
Vincent Price Presents #17 has a great CGI cover picture of Vincent Price done by Pixar artist Bill Zahn. The story inside has scraggy art and a story that has more build than payoff. Not awful but not impressive either.
Iron Man Legacy #2 confuses me a bit. The story is fun and the art is good but is this set in the movie continuity or what? It's not quite clear and I don't know. Maybe I shouldn't worry about it. That would be wisest.
19 May 2010
A Few Thoughts on Comics from a Couple Weeks Ago
Yes I'm behind, yes time is limited, yes let's get to this!
Amazing Spider-Man #630 continues the Gauntlet storyline with the return of the Lizard. Long term storylines get nudged forward. The Lizard seems bigger and less human than ever before. Nice creepy start to this part of the story.
The Spectacular Spider-Girl returns in a new number 1! Yay! Since soliciting the book, it's gone from a series to a four part limited series. Boo! The gang war that's been heating up in the various Spider-Girl appearances of late is hitting a pinnacle here as a retired 'player' returns to the game in this issue: the Punisher. Even as a white haired older man, Frank Castle still kicks butt. This should get messy very fast.
Uncanny X-Men #524 deals with the fallout of the issue previous in the 'Second Coming' storyline. It seems to be a breather issue to build importance around the tragic event that just occurred, to give it depth. I thought it succeeded in that but am forced to wonder how long it'll be before this tragic event gets reversed.
Walt Disney Comic #706 features the fourth and final part of the 'World to Come' storyline. Will Mickey and Minnie be able to stop the Rhyming Man from reshaping the world to his liking? Well, it's a Disney comic so an unhappy ending is unlikely. This was a good, solid storyline and I really enjoyed it. It was clever, it had action, it brought up some complicated thoughts in a simple way. It was a good story told in a sweet but not sugary way.
Muppet King Arthur ends with issue #4. While I wasn't completely on-board with this story, the end 'battle' where Kermit and Robin fight with bad puns is funny and very Muppety. Kermit gets a good Kingly speech and everything turns out okay, even if it's because the script demands it. A certain Scottish gargoyle that gargles Gershwin makes a brief appearance at the end. I think the ending was good enough to raise the series up a notch. Still no Muppet Peter Pan but this was okay.
The Muppet Show Comic Book #5 continues the Family Reunion storyline (there's even more? Yay!) with the reappearance of Randy and Andy Pig from Muppets Tonight. The 'Genius' (aka Scooter's 'unnamed' twin sister) is still around and helping out. Unsurprisingly, the dimwitted Randy and Andy mess things up, annoy their aunt Piggy, and get into trouble. They try to make up for everything and succeed at failing. This job is too hard! Classic. Hilarious. Get this.
Amazing Spider-Man #630 continues the Gauntlet storyline with the return of the Lizard. Long term storylines get nudged forward. The Lizard seems bigger and less human than ever before. Nice creepy start to this part of the story.
The Spectacular Spider-Girl returns in a new number 1! Yay! Since soliciting the book, it's gone from a series to a four part limited series. Boo! The gang war that's been heating up in the various Spider-Girl appearances of late is hitting a pinnacle here as a retired 'player' returns to the game in this issue: the Punisher. Even as a white haired older man, Frank Castle still kicks butt. This should get messy very fast.
Uncanny X-Men #524 deals with the fallout of the issue previous in the 'Second Coming' storyline. It seems to be a breather issue to build importance around the tragic event that just occurred, to give it depth. I thought it succeeded in that but am forced to wonder how long it'll be before this tragic event gets reversed.
Walt Disney Comic #706 features the fourth and final part of the 'World to Come' storyline. Will Mickey and Minnie be able to stop the Rhyming Man from reshaping the world to his liking? Well, it's a Disney comic so an unhappy ending is unlikely. This was a good, solid storyline and I really enjoyed it. It was clever, it had action, it brought up some complicated thoughts in a simple way. It was a good story told in a sweet but not sugary way.
Muppet King Arthur ends with issue #4. While I wasn't completely on-board with this story, the end 'battle' where Kermit and Robin fight with bad puns is funny and very Muppety. Kermit gets a good Kingly speech and everything turns out okay, even if it's because the script demands it. A certain Scottish gargoyle that gargles Gershwin makes a brief appearance at the end. I think the ending was good enough to raise the series up a notch. Still no Muppet Peter Pan but this was okay.
The Muppet Show Comic Book #5 continues the Family Reunion storyline (there's even more? Yay!) with the reappearance of Randy and Andy Pig from Muppets Tonight. The 'Genius' (aka Scooter's 'unnamed' twin sister) is still around and helping out. Unsurprisingly, the dimwitted Randy and Andy mess things up, annoy their aunt Piggy, and get into trouble. They try to make up for everything and succeed at failing. This job is too hard! Classic. Hilarious. Get this.
17 May 2010
Music Monday - Jim Henson
Yes, I'm aware that we had Music Monday with the Muppets not too long ago but yesterday, May 16th, was the 20th anniversary of Jim's death and, well, I can't let that pass completely without saying something. I mean, MuppetVision 3D just reopened from its refurb in time for this past weekend. That just can't be a total accident. If they can do a nod, we should too.
Much of Jim's work was tied to music. Early sketches on 'Sam and Friends' involved puppets miming to records. This no doubt made it easier for him to perform along to a recorded track later during the Muppet Show for things like this:
Those guys look familiar at all? Take another look to be sure. Yup, the Muppets are caricatures of the performers: Jim Henson, Frank Oz, and Jerry Nelson. Neat way to 'appear' on your own show, huh?
Musically the Muppet Show was also educational as I heard many different types of music that I wouldn't otherwise have been exposed to on my own. Was I drawn to Gilbert and Sullivan? Only so much that one of my favorite records had one of their songs on it. Sure it's Rowlf and Sam singing it but that's still cultural, right? Why is it Rowlf the Dog, Sam the Eagle, Kermit the Frog, but not Fozzie the Bear? Hmm.
I softened you up with silly songs for this moment. At least the intro sequence is trimmed back because the couple minutes leading up to this are the Saddest Thing Ever.
One more silly song? Yes, I think that sounds like a good plan.
Once again, thanks Jim. That was swell.
Much of Jim's work was tied to music. Early sketches on 'Sam and Friends' involved puppets miming to records. This no doubt made it easier for him to perform along to a recorded track later during the Muppet Show for things like this:
Those guys look familiar at all? Take another look to be sure. Yup, the Muppets are caricatures of the performers: Jim Henson, Frank Oz, and Jerry Nelson. Neat way to 'appear' on your own show, huh?
Musically the Muppet Show was also educational as I heard many different types of music that I wouldn't otherwise have been exposed to on my own. Was I drawn to Gilbert and Sullivan? Only so much that one of my favorite records had one of their songs on it. Sure it's Rowlf and Sam singing it but that's still cultural, right? Why is it Rowlf the Dog, Sam the Eagle, Kermit the Frog, but not Fozzie the Bear? Hmm.
I softened you up with silly songs for this moment. At least the intro sequence is trimmed back because the couple minutes leading up to this are the Saddest Thing Ever.
One more silly song? Yes, I think that sounds like a good plan.
Once again, thanks Jim. That was swell.
11 May 2010
Getting there
Yup, still tired and worn out from New Things. Also from being stuck at work until 6pm. I hope this is not a trend. On the plus side, I get an hour for lunch and have gotten some nice progress done on Patrick's story. It just needs the time and energy to get it typed up.
A pick-me up is required. The Leprechan Brothers will surely lend a hand.
Not to say this is the inspiration for the late 80s/early 90s sketches from SNL, but it reminds me a lot of Tarzan, Tonto, and Frankenstein 'singing'.
I miss Phil Hartman. Maybe some Rocket Fuel Malt Liquor will cheer me up.
It has!
A pick-me up is required. The Leprechan Brothers will surely lend a hand.
Not to say this is the inspiration for the late 80s/early 90s sketches from SNL, but it reminds me a lot of Tarzan, Tonto, and Frankenstein 'singing'.
I miss Phil Hartman. Maybe some Rocket Fuel Malt Liquor will cheer me up.
It has!
10 May 2010
Music Monday
Here's the deal folks. I started a new (temp) job today and am just beat tired from all the new learning and thinking and such. The reason for the lack of entries here of late has been related to this new (temp) position as I had a lot of paperwork to print, scan, and email as well as just being busy these past few days. They got filled up. When days get filled up, you need a piece of something to relax you, let you ease back on track a piece. The Man in Black poking fun at his friend the King seems pretty perfect for that to me.
Enjoy. We'll get back to 'normal' soon enough.
Enjoy. We'll get back to 'normal' soon enough.
04 May 2010
Doctor Who - 'Flesh and Stone' review
Synopsis:
The Angels are coming. Amy Pond has something in her eye. There is a crack in the wall and it's getting wider...
Thoughts:
The story keeps motoring along, moving forward not only in location, but also in explanations. We get to find out more about River Song. We get to find out more about the cracks in reality. The Doctor thinks aloud through most of the episode, feeding us information as he goes along.
The fate of Octavian and his men is quite sad indeed. There are a couple of great sequences surrounding Amy's affliction. The ending comes to us logically with the pieces fitting together nicely as you suddenly realize that you'd forgotten all about one of those pieces for the bulk of the episode despite it being right there. At least I forgot.
The post story wrap-up or coda or whatever you want to call it gets very interesting indeed. It was one of those things I should have suspected but had seen reason to not think that way but yes. If that helps because it won't. The Doctor gets to be very Doctorly and lies about his age yet again. Unless something's happened there, which it might have done.
This was an exciting episode and the feeling that we're building to something big is strong. I rather like that.
A spoiler-less review is difficult but there you go. Good stuff.
The Angels are coming. Amy Pond has something in her eye. There is a crack in the wall and it's getting wider...
Thoughts:
The story keeps motoring along, moving forward not only in location, but also in explanations. We get to find out more about River Song. We get to find out more about the cracks in reality. The Doctor thinks aloud through most of the episode, feeding us information as he goes along.
The fate of Octavian and his men is quite sad indeed. There are a couple of great sequences surrounding Amy's affliction. The ending comes to us logically with the pieces fitting together nicely as you suddenly realize that you'd forgotten all about one of those pieces for the bulk of the episode despite it being right there. At least I forgot.
The post story wrap-up or coda or whatever you want to call it gets very interesting indeed. It was one of those things I should have suspected but had seen reason to not think that way but yes. If that helps because it won't. The Doctor gets to be very Doctorly and lies about his age yet again. Unless something's happened there, which it might have done.
This was an exciting episode and the feeling that we're building to something big is strong. I rather like that.
A spoiler-less review is difficult but there you go. Good stuff.
03 May 2010
Music Monday - Social Distortion
I forget what came first. Was it the print ad that showed the album cover, featuring a jumping guitarist? Was it the description of the band's sound, that they were like good ol' straightforward rock n' roll? Was it the WARP?
I bet it was the WARP. The AM radio version of Laser 103, broadcasting a string of 'alternative' radio. 'Cold Feelings' got played a lot.
As I mentioned a couple weeks ago, I saw them open for the Ramones. I believe this was after I already owned the album with the jumping guitarist on it ('Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell') as I knew many of their songs. What I remember most about their performance was lead singer Mike Ness yelling at us to get out of our seats and mosh a bit, within the incredibly limited parameters that the Riverside security allowed us.
Years later the following song became popular again. Something about being in a video game? Please note: if this is the only song you know by Social D, expand your knowledge! They are too awesome to be ignored.
There was a cover song then did during that concert. I couldn't say that I'd ever hear a cover of that performer before, not done that well anyway. I wonder what had ever happened to him...
Social Distortion
Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell
Greatest Hits
I bet it was the WARP. The AM radio version of Laser 103, broadcasting a string of 'alternative' radio. 'Cold Feelings' got played a lot.
As I mentioned a couple weeks ago, I saw them open for the Ramones. I believe this was after I already owned the album with the jumping guitarist on it ('Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell') as I knew many of their songs. What I remember most about their performance was lead singer Mike Ness yelling at us to get out of our seats and mosh a bit, within the incredibly limited parameters that the Riverside security allowed us.
Years later the following song became popular again. Something about being in a video game? Please note: if this is the only song you know by Social D, expand your knowledge! They are too awesome to be ignored.
There was a cover song then did during that concert. I couldn't say that I'd ever hear a cover of that performer before, not done that well anyway. I wonder what had ever happened to him...
Social Distortion
Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell Greatest Hits
02 May 2010
'A Nightmare on Elm Street' (2010) review
Synopsis:
A bunch of 'kids' are stalked in their dreams by a mysterious burned figure in a red and green sweater.
Thoughts:
Remakes are just going to happen. They've been around since the early days of cinema. They happen. Sometimes they work out well, providing a different perspective on a familiar story. Sometimes they're a waste of time.
This movie was the latter.
Now, I'm not trying to argue that the original Nightmare from 1984 was the Best Movie Ever. I don't have it memorized or anything like that. I do enjoy Robert Englund's performance as Freddy in general and going into the film, that was my biggest concern regarding it. As it happens, Jackie Earle Haley's spin on Fred Krueger is a solid one. He's a little too quiet and a little too sane for my tastes, but he works well as the type of Freddy he's playing.
It's the rest of the movie that's the problem.
Now, I understand the concept of the formula. Certain types of movies tend to follow a pattern because the pattern works. This remake starts out acceptably, following the standard horror pattern, and then it just gets in a rut. It fails from the beginning by both following the standard pattern too closely, trying to be itself, and trying to reflect the original source material too strongly. It doesn't get the mix correct. It doesn't seem to know if it should be a movie that stands on its own or something that will only be watched by existing Freddy fans that will want to cut to the chase, so to speak.
As the original, the movie starts with a dream attack but the remake goes further. Instead of establishing the weird world we're getting into, it goes right for the throat, literally. It blunts the impact of the moment because it happens to a character we don't know and, therefore, don't care about.
This process continues for most of the film. We have characters that are just there, ever so loosely sketched in, and their eventual demises lack impact. While we meet the main characters in the first scene of the film, they rarely appear on screen until about halfway through the film. As a result, it's difficult to like them. The characters aren't built up together, giving the film a certain 'Psycho' reference point as well. It feels like two stories slightly connected instead of one arc.
The casting is poor as well. One of the main characters is supposed to be 17 but looks over 30. Most of the characters are that 'I'm 25 playing a teenager' look and that's fine. None of them fit together. Even the adults are a rough bunch. No one's too awful but no one really clicks. Our two main characters do a little by the end of the film but it's too little too late.
Being unable to care about the characters made the story that much more obviously muddled. There's an attempt to add more backstory to Freddy but that just made it more complicated. The premise is that Freddy was a groundskeeper (like Willie, who played him in that Simpsons Treehouse of Horror?) at a pre-school. He was accused of being a child molester and the parents hunted him down and burned him alive.
So, why does Freddy wait 12 years or so to get his revenge on these people? Just because the adults all stopped talking about Freddy, how does that mean that 20 or so kids in the class forgot all about this as well? Not only that, but it turns out that all the main characters forgot they went to pre-school together. I understand that they wouldn't all remember, I mean who remembers everyone they hung out with at age 5, but one of them doesn't? Why is the preschool still standing all these years later? If the adults were that bothered by the events and wanted to blot Freddy out, wouldn't they have the building torn down? In Milwaukee, we had a situation with an individual that killed a bunch of people and the apartment building he lived in was torn down within a year. The kids spoke about Fred's 'secret cave' but the adults couldn't find it. Once the main characters visit the pre-school basement, they find it in two minutes. In their defense, they've been there before, not that they remember it, but it's not exactly well hidden. Did the adults just not look? If they've tried to blot these memories out, then why did Nancy's mom keep a copy of their pre-school class picture? It's hidden but looks brand-new. It also conveniently has a list of everyone's names on the back. In typewritter. It looks like it's from the 1970s, not the 1990s.
One of the dream sequences explains much of Freddy's backstory. It starts as a dream attack sequence but then the character being attacked disappears. In theory he's supposed to be watching all this happen but he's not around to see anything. We see him briefly, the flashback starts, and he disappears. It looks like it was supposed to be just a flashback sequence and they tried to edit it into a dream sequence.
To wrap up, the movie is a mess.
There are bright spots. One attack in a pharmacy works well, being both stylish and creepy. There's another excellent effect near the end involving a hallway that works well. There's a haunting moment involving floating and a white dress as well. There's a neat moment when Freddy's voice floats around the speakers like the Ghost Host in the Haunted Mansion. These moments are too far and few between. The remake does try to reflect the original but the original version of those references are generally scarier and more solidly performed. In fact, after seeing the remake, we returned to my buddy's house and watched the original. It was better all around. The characters are developed. The attacks are creepier. The story fits together a bit better.
Honestly, skip this in the theatre. If you're really curious, wait until you can see it cheap. That way you're wasting more time than money.
Recommendation to avoid.
A bunch of 'kids' are stalked in their dreams by a mysterious burned figure in a red and green sweater.
Thoughts:
Remakes are just going to happen. They've been around since the early days of cinema. They happen. Sometimes they work out well, providing a different perspective on a familiar story. Sometimes they're a waste of time.
This movie was the latter.
Now, I'm not trying to argue that the original Nightmare from 1984 was the Best Movie Ever. I don't have it memorized or anything like that. I do enjoy Robert Englund's performance as Freddy in general and going into the film, that was my biggest concern regarding it. As it happens, Jackie Earle Haley's spin on Fred Krueger is a solid one. He's a little too quiet and a little too sane for my tastes, but he works well as the type of Freddy he's playing.
It's the rest of the movie that's the problem.
Now, I understand the concept of the formula. Certain types of movies tend to follow a pattern because the pattern works. This remake starts out acceptably, following the standard horror pattern, and then it just gets in a rut. It fails from the beginning by both following the standard pattern too closely, trying to be itself, and trying to reflect the original source material too strongly. It doesn't get the mix correct. It doesn't seem to know if it should be a movie that stands on its own or something that will only be watched by existing Freddy fans that will want to cut to the chase, so to speak.
As the original, the movie starts with a dream attack but the remake goes further. Instead of establishing the weird world we're getting into, it goes right for the throat, literally. It blunts the impact of the moment because it happens to a character we don't know and, therefore, don't care about.
This process continues for most of the film. We have characters that are just there, ever so loosely sketched in, and their eventual demises lack impact. While we meet the main characters in the first scene of the film, they rarely appear on screen until about halfway through the film. As a result, it's difficult to like them. The characters aren't built up together, giving the film a certain 'Psycho' reference point as well. It feels like two stories slightly connected instead of one arc.
The casting is poor as well. One of the main characters is supposed to be 17 but looks over 30. Most of the characters are that 'I'm 25 playing a teenager' look and that's fine. None of them fit together. Even the adults are a rough bunch. No one's too awful but no one really clicks. Our two main characters do a little by the end of the film but it's too little too late.
Being unable to care about the characters made the story that much more obviously muddled. There's an attempt to add more backstory to Freddy but that just made it more complicated. The premise is that Freddy was a groundskeeper (like Willie, who played him in that Simpsons Treehouse of Horror?) at a pre-school. He was accused of being a child molester and the parents hunted him down and burned him alive.
So, why does Freddy wait 12 years or so to get his revenge on these people? Just because the adults all stopped talking about Freddy, how does that mean that 20 or so kids in the class forgot all about this as well? Not only that, but it turns out that all the main characters forgot they went to pre-school together. I understand that they wouldn't all remember, I mean who remembers everyone they hung out with at age 5, but one of them doesn't? Why is the preschool still standing all these years later? If the adults were that bothered by the events and wanted to blot Freddy out, wouldn't they have the building torn down? In Milwaukee, we had a situation with an individual that killed a bunch of people and the apartment building he lived in was torn down within a year. The kids spoke about Fred's 'secret cave' but the adults couldn't find it. Once the main characters visit the pre-school basement, they find it in two minutes. In their defense, they've been there before, not that they remember it, but it's not exactly well hidden. Did the adults just not look? If they've tried to blot these memories out, then why did Nancy's mom keep a copy of their pre-school class picture? It's hidden but looks brand-new. It also conveniently has a list of everyone's names on the back. In typewritter. It looks like it's from the 1970s, not the 1990s.
One of the dream sequences explains much of Freddy's backstory. It starts as a dream attack sequence but then the character being attacked disappears. In theory he's supposed to be watching all this happen but he's not around to see anything. We see him briefly, the flashback starts, and he disappears. It looks like it was supposed to be just a flashback sequence and they tried to edit it into a dream sequence.
To wrap up, the movie is a mess.
There are bright spots. One attack in a pharmacy works well, being both stylish and creepy. There's another excellent effect near the end involving a hallway that works well. There's a haunting moment involving floating and a white dress as well. There's a neat moment when Freddy's voice floats around the speakers like the Ghost Host in the Haunted Mansion. These moments are too far and few between. The remake does try to reflect the original but the original version of those references are generally scarier and more solidly performed. In fact, after seeing the remake, we returned to my buddy's house and watched the original. It was better all around. The characters are developed. The attacks are creepier. The story fits together a bit better.
Honestly, skip this in the theatre. If you're really curious, wait until you can see it cheap. That way you're wasting more time than money.
Recommendation to avoid.
29 April 2010
A Few Thoughts on Comics from This Week
This was a rather sizable week for books so I'll be focusing my attention on a few rather than trying to touch on everything. The 'everything' way is fun though. Well, we'll see.
I believe the book of the week for me was Invincible Iron Man #25. One of a number of books to feature at least a scene set after the events of 'Siege' (which is awkward as that series is not yet complete), this issue seeks to set up Tony Stark's post-Siege status. He admits to some stupid mistakes (just because he's one of the world's smartest men doesn't mean he's perfect), works to restore his company, and starts restoring some of his good-will amongst his older friends that haven't trusted him in awhile. The book also features a new suit of Iron Man armor as well as a tie-in of sorts to the upcoming 'Iron Man 2' movie. I found it to be an excellent starting point for the upcoming future, one part remembrance, one part starting anew, without flushing away the stories we'd been reading of late. Very excellent.
Transformers #6 features a Combiner that can't quite get it's head together and Optimus Prime stomping some tail. The overall situation of the Autobots changes but things still aren't rosy and happy. This is good stuff. Every issue makes that live-action Transformers movie more of a distant memory.
Secret Warriors #15 pushes things forward on a number of different fronts. One of the early complains of the book was that the shock ending of issue #1 changing everything we knew about certain spy agencies that had existed in the MU for years. As the book has gone on, the details (the 'true' details if you will) have been fed out so that the 'shock ending' seems more and more fleshed out and reasonable. The change may still be annoying (like the erasing of Peter and Mary Jane's wedding in Spider-Man) to some but the stories we've gotten from the change have been solid and entertaining. I'll admit I'm surprised that i'm still enjoying this and that the book has managed to survive this long.
Hack/Slash #32 is the end of the 'superhero' storyline. The twists are good and the ending is, well, not bad, not impossible given the story, but just kinda 'whoa'. I think part of my increasing ambivalence towards the title is the main character's attitude. She's dark and brooding and has every right to be so but her 'tough-gal' style is getting a little old.
The Mighty Avengers ends with issue #36. The Ultron storyline is wrapped up in a clever manner, different from earlier encounters with the robot consciousness. There are some additional 'wow!' ideas to be explained and it still feels full of concepts. A scene near the end of the book seems to give away a twist from Siege #4. Boo to that. Otherwise very enjoyable.
Fantastic Four #578 does a few things. It explains the text endings of late. It re-introduces another classic concept, fleshing it out for future use. It also starts to move forward some of the concepts from recent issues, moving them towards the 'epic' mode I've been expecting. Love it.
I believe the book of the week for me was Invincible Iron Man #25. One of a number of books to feature at least a scene set after the events of 'Siege' (which is awkward as that series is not yet complete), this issue seeks to set up Tony Stark's post-Siege status. He admits to some stupid mistakes (just because he's one of the world's smartest men doesn't mean he's perfect), works to restore his company, and starts restoring some of his good-will amongst his older friends that haven't trusted him in awhile. The book also features a new suit of Iron Man armor as well as a tie-in of sorts to the upcoming 'Iron Man 2' movie. I found it to be an excellent starting point for the upcoming future, one part remembrance, one part starting anew, without flushing away the stories we'd been reading of late. Very excellent.
Transformers #6 features a Combiner that can't quite get it's head together and Optimus Prime stomping some tail. The overall situation of the Autobots changes but things still aren't rosy and happy. This is good stuff. Every issue makes that live-action Transformers movie more of a distant memory.
Secret Warriors #15 pushes things forward on a number of different fronts. One of the early complains of the book was that the shock ending of issue #1 changing everything we knew about certain spy agencies that had existed in the MU for years. As the book has gone on, the details (the 'true' details if you will) have been fed out so that the 'shock ending' seems more and more fleshed out and reasonable. The change may still be annoying (like the erasing of Peter and Mary Jane's wedding in Spider-Man) to some but the stories we've gotten from the change have been solid and entertaining. I'll admit I'm surprised that i'm still enjoying this and that the book has managed to survive this long.
Hack/Slash #32 is the end of the 'superhero' storyline. The twists are good and the ending is, well, not bad, not impossible given the story, but just kinda 'whoa'. I think part of my increasing ambivalence towards the title is the main character's attitude. She's dark and brooding and has every right to be so but her 'tough-gal' style is getting a little old.
The Mighty Avengers ends with issue #36. The Ultron storyline is wrapped up in a clever manner, different from earlier encounters with the robot consciousness. There are some additional 'wow!' ideas to be explained and it still feels full of concepts. A scene near the end of the book seems to give away a twist from Siege #4. Boo to that. Otherwise very enjoyable.
Fantastic Four #578 does a few things. It explains the text endings of late. It re-introduces another classic concept, fleshing it out for future use. It also starts to move forward some of the concepts from recent issues, moving them towards the 'epic' mode I've been expecting. Love it.
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