Blog THIS, Pal!

Lamest. Blog. Pause. Ever.

2008-07-17T22:02:00.002-05:00

I know, I know, I've been away from a blog a bit too long....mostly engaging in "lazy blogger's syndrome" and depending on other material to keep current. (Plus, I have to admit - I've been neglecting the comic reading, and have to play catchup). Luckily, this weekend will bring some new content...but in a semi-regular tradition, I'll be posting some small bits to help you catch up. Stuff that I could post tons about...but these little diversions help me gear up for major league blogging.

And now, some small items of interest:

There's a new TV Party column up at Comic Related, and I really have to thank Chuck for getting me a press pass. Now, if there's anyone who's on the planning committee for Gallifrey 2009 who wants to shell out for me live blogging (and a friend or two to be disclosed later), please let me know.
For my employers and fellow co-workers: despite the fact that one of the top 5 search phrases for this blog is "ways to kill time at work", I would never condone using the Internet for personal reasons. And yes, I am watching episodes of Ironside on Hulu for professional research purposes.
After reading Sebastian Faulks' Devil May Care, I'm unsure if it's just an uneven pastiche of Ian Fleming...or a step above fan fiction.
Some think the upcoming Watchmen movie will be awesome - some will be just ok with it. Watch the trailer and judge for yourself.
Speaking of which...I came under some slight criticism (if you can call being called an "idiot" and accused of parroting a film instructor slight) on another Internet forum due to this post on His Girl Friday. I say this just to provide some perspective - this is definitely not an academic or scholarly view of film. If you want to insult me, either do it via e-mail, or the comments section of this blog....or even to my face. If you respect me, I won't make some snide remark about how it's nice that the Ain't It Cool forum denizens now have some "book larnin" under their belt. Seriously. Get over it.
Does anyone know if there's a list of comic-related non-profits like the Hero Initiative and the Hero Foundry? I have a blog-related idea to help such organizations, and would appreciate any help.
New favorite online toy. Click on "timeline" and watch what happens.
Be sure to catch the next installment of Radio Free Skaro, as episode 92 of the plucky little podcast will discuss my second favorite Doctor Who story, quite by accident.
Finally...next week there'll be a post previewing August's Record You Should Own (which will, hopefully, be on a new podcast host). Here's a video previewing October, because you can never have too much Captain Sensible:

Obligatory Political Post

2008-07-16T06:10:00.001-05:00

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Your Monday Moment of Insanity

2008-07-14T01:48:00.001-05:00

Not a dream! Not a hoax! Not an imaginary story! Not a Photoshopped picture! Not taken from another blog and translated into Portugese! Not a dessert topping!

(Yes, that is who you think it is, and pictures are screen grabs from this video. Just wanted to start your week off goofy).

July's Record You Should Own (and other news)

2008-07-13T01:57:00.000-05:00

First, if you haven't noticed in the sidebar, I've made a few modifications to the blog. Mostly, I'm adding last year's Simpsons photos and this year's Wizard World Photos and eliminating some non-functioning widgets.

Also, my apologies in advance for what happens three seconds into the podcast. You have been warned.

Season Four Saturdays: Prelude to Journey's End

2008-07-12T02:03:00.001-05:00

Recently, a commenter had asked why my reviews were being shown out of sync, and I had to admit - I was kind of off-kilter with the Sci-Fi Channel's schedule. So, in an effort to help redress the balance, build suspense, and more importantly - help spread the gospel of classic Who.

Much like fellow bloggers/Whophiles Siskoid and Rich, I sometimes think new Who is enjoyed at the expense of classic Who. For me, classic Who is to new Who what a good stout is to American beer - you can enjoy both, but one is meant to be savored.

This season has seen a more conscious effort to integrate classic Who mythology (and just in time for the 45th anniversary!) - with its focus on moral choices, on paths not taken, this season draws very heavily from two classic Who stories.

The first is my personal favorite story - the one that got me hooked on Who in the first place (and quite frankly, the one where RTD is pulling most of this series' themes). Genesis of the Daleks is a story that is steeped in morality and ethics - in fact, at the very beginning, the Doctor is given a mission by the Time Lords: stop the Daleks before they become a threat. (Or, to use the old chestnut which is quoted, "If you could go back in time and kill a ruthless, evil person while they were a child - would you do it?") Characters spend time discussing choices - from removing emotions that would make the Mark 4 Travel machines more efficient, to hating someone because they're attractive - and somehow, it makes for thrilling drama. When the crucial time comes for a choice, the Doctor asks himself, "Have I the right?" - for many of us, it would seem an easy choice, but the ramifications (only hinted at in this season's "The Fires of Pompeii" seem monumental.)

However, a much earlier examination the Doctor's morality - and a crackling good story - can be found in 1973's Doctor Who and the Silurans. (Available both by itself as well as part of the Beneath the Surface boxed set). Set during the "UNIT era", this story tells the tale about a lost race of reptiles who evolved long before man...and who want their planet back. (The What Lies Beneath featurette helps place this story in a historical perspective). Throughout the course of seven (!) episodes, we see both sides - Silurian and human - debate whether they can coexist, or whether there needs to be wholesale genocide of another race.

I know, some of you are saying to yourself, "Gee, Gordon, these are long episodes - new Who fans won't want to watch these really long stories." But one of the advantages of these - the one which gives classic Who its edge - is that the Doctor serves as an absolute moral force. Granted, you can argue that the Time War made the Doctor's life ethically more complicated...but these are both stories where the Doctor seems to stand for value. Plus, at their extended pace (Genesis' six episodes, the Silurians' seven episodes), they allow for a much more thorough style of storytelling, and don't feel the need to cram a ton of detail into 45 or 90 minutes. (Yes, I'm talking to you, Stephen Greenhorn!). Plus, watching these shows is like enjoying a fine gourmet meal - you can like McDonalds, but sometimes, you want a nice, well-cooked steak. Or chicken).

But enough of that - I know, I know, you're all waiting for the season finale, unless you were smart enough to legally obtain it early. Since you have until Christmas for new Who - and only four specials in 2009 - this is your chance to help your new Who loving fans play catch up.

You'll thank me later. Honest.

Genesis of the Daleks: Highly Recommended
Doctor Who And the Silurians: Highly Recommended

Your Mandatory Jason Beghe Moment

2008-07-11T04:35:00.000-05:00

This is what the world needs....

...a man who starred in one of the most underrated horror films of all time....

...to a guy standing up and calling it like it is.

Jason Beghe speaks to Today Tonight from GrahamS on Vimeo.

Public Domain Drive-In: His Girl Friday

2008-07-09T21:49:00.000-05:00

Howard Hawks, in my not-so-humble-opinion, is the greatest director you have never heard of.

Unlike modern times, where a director's defined by genre, Hawks pretty much mastered many - the romantic comedy, noir mysteries, Westerns, and...well, made them his own. I could name multiple masterpieces which Hawks has directed, but I'd like to call your attention to a film that, although really isn't a "masterpiece", is one of my favorite films.

I'm talking, of course, about His Girl Friday.

Much like The Third Man, this film captured my attention - and love - when I viewed it for a film study class in college. It has rapid fire dialogue, some great snarky in-jokes (including a character played by Ralph Bellamy as...well, looking like Ralph Bellamy), and an almost knowingly anachronistic feel to it. (There was a long discussion about whether His Girl Friday deserved its reputation on Tom the Dog's blog some time ago - admittedly, I don't think the film has aged well, and on some levels, there's a huge leap of faith to be taken...but, in my opinion, it is a pretty enjoyable film)

All this for a movie that was - ostensibly - a remake of The Front Page with the gender of one of the characters changed. The plot surrounds two reporters - one of whom is soon to be married - and an impending execution, with a slightly tyrannical editor hoping to have his soon-to-be wed employee come in and save the day.

I can admit that, well, in the film, Cary Grant's character does not come off too well...however, his is the kind of performance that Bill Murray might have pulled off in his 1980s heyday. Yes, Grant's Walter Hill is kind of a jerk...but he's a slightly lovable jerk.

But the unsung heroine of the film is Rosalind Russell - oh, gosh, I wish I could find a woman half as smart, sexy, and witty as her...oh, I'm sorry, forgot I was blogging for a moment. But her Hildy Johnson isn't just another poor victim, or even some clueless ingenue - she's someone who tends to be slightly one step ahead of Walter. The only real problem with the movie is that...well, in order for it to work, she has to be "worn down" by Walter's relentlessness.

But in a way, this film works maybe not as a classic comedy...but as a really sharp, fine example of a director who mastered many genres, working on many of the themes and practices that would serve him later.

And...it's in the National Film Registry.

Thanks to the power of public domain, it's also yours to download and watch at your pleasure.

Torrent - His Girl Friday

Internet Archive - His Girl Friday

I Got Yer "Goddamn Batman" Right Here

2008-07-08T04:36:00.000-05:00

The Game's Afoot (Or Something Like That)

2008-07-06T10:54:00.000-05:00

If you want to point the finger at some of the more outrageous aspects of comic and other fandom - continuity, whether a story is "official"...blame Sherlock Holmes.

It was through initial discussions of what was considered "canon" for Holmes (basically, anything Doyle wrote) that seems to lead to the inevitable discussion of some aspect of pop culture. In fact, I write this because, well, I couldn't think of a decent way to introduce this blog.

Whilst on Twitter, fellow comics blogger/bovine genius Bully had mentioned two news items about two new Holmes films - one of them a comedhy - claiming that these would somehow "change" Holmes' image, and give us a brand new look.

(And for the record, my only quibble with these is the casting of Cohen - I ended up quitting Borat after watching for a half-hour. To be honest, it was smug, arrogant, and beating the same joke about how narrow we Americans are to death. My fervent hope when Greg becomes dictator is that Mr. Cohen is blacklisted from the film and tv industry. Yes, I'm serious, why do you ask?)

But anyway, part of my reaction is that there are two very good comedies based on Holmes that really deserve your love, and more importantly - your attention.

First, Billy Wilder's The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes...well, it's Billy Wilder, so it's got to be good. Originally intended to be a much longer movie, the films works as a way of both demystifying the Holmes mystique...and sending it up just a bit. Although it was originally conceived of as four "stories", only two made it to the screen. One is a nice little riff on a ballerina's attempt to seduce Holmes, with a joke that seems a little blase today...but in the 1970s, must have been slightly shocking. But it's the second half, with a slightly steampunk tone, that really lifts the film and gives it a great narrative thrust.

(This is one of those DVDs where watching the special features is mandatory - there's a 12 minute silent clip of Watson attempting to "solve" the case. Why it wasn't included in the movie - with sound - is beyond me).

But my personal favorite comedy would have to be Without a Clue, which asks the question, "What if Watson were the brains, and Holmes was the front?" (Or, in other words, an 19th century version of Remington Steele). Actually, I kid - this movie is a total hoot from start to finish. Yes, it does have some of that early '90s gloss, but let's face it - wouldn't you like to see a movie where Ben Kingsley and Michael Caine seem to be having a ton of fun playing these characters?

Of course, I am being something of a Holmes fanboy. But quite frankly, I would rather watch either of these two movies...than some producer's attempt to make Holmes palatable to the masses.

But then again, I may not be following canon.

Season Four Saturdays: The Stolen Earth

2008-07-05T00:11:00.002-05:00

(I don't have to remind you that this is spoiler free, right? This is also post # 949 overall for the blog, for those of you counting)

In many ways, "The Stolen Earth" follows a similar formula to last season's "The Sound of Drums" - one immediate moment after another, building frenetically to a climax that has one wondering "how are they going to top this one?" In addition, there are many moments that are highlights from Davies' past run on Who, and that show Davies' love for the series...

....and therein lies the problem.

Yes, Davies pulls in The Sarah Jane Adventures, and Torchwood, and brings in Martha and Rose. He manages to build upon several themes from this past season, moving slightly effortlessly towards explaining-what-it-all-meant. We even get a slightly soppy reunion...but there's something about this episode that feels more like fan-fiction that total Who.

My frustration with this episode won't lead into a multi-page scribe like, oh, I don't know, a certain disgruntle d Who writer with nothing better to do than complain. (Note to Mr. Miles - please come down from the cross; we really could use the wood). But the episode really lacks a solid heart - it's almost like Davies is attempting to get in every last idea he has about Who before allowing Stephen Moffat to take over. It even repeats a similar "If you believe in the Doctor, clap your hands!" moment from last time.

And Rose...I was disappointed. You would think that, after two years heading up Torchwood in an alternate universe, her character would be written as much more solid & mature. But that's just me.

However, there were some nice touches - Caan, the nutty Dalek. Captain Jack flirting with Sarah Jane. And, of course, Richard Dawkins.

I'll be watching, hoping to see how it all pans out. I only hope that Davies, in his haste to give Moffatt "a clean slate", doesn't throw out the Time Lord with the bathwater, to mix metaphors.

Happy Fourth of July Memeing!

2008-07-04T01:56:00.003-05:00

I wanted to wish everyone a very happy Fourth of July - and to remind everyone in Chicago about how they can engage locally online.

A Blogging Pal's Milestone & Meme

2008-07-02T20:48:00.003-05:00

Recently, fellow comics blogger/classic Doctor Who fan/all around well guy Rich celebrated his 1,000th post - a milestone which I am slowly, but surely, approaching. However, I wanted to not only congratulate him, but to also follow up on his tagging me on a zombie meme.

The rules of the meme are simple:

You are in a mall when zombies attack. You have:

1.) One weapon.

2.) One song blasting on the speakers.

3.) One famous person to fight along side you (Historical or Fictional).

What are you choices?

Since I am a long time reader of Zombie Killer's blog, I am well aware of the challenges of fighting the undead. So here, in no uncertain terms are my choices.

Weapon of Choice: Medieval Mace. No worries about reloading, combines the ease-of-use of a baseball bat with the pure destructive power of spikes. It's like two weapons in one!
Song selection: gotta be Search & Destroy by the Stooges. Just give it a listen:

I don't think any other song says, "Good to kill zombies by" any more articulately than this one.

3. Person - Brock Samson of Venture Brothers, He's deadpan, droll, and will mess you up. Plus, he probably knows cool tricks on how to get rid of the undead:

Wizard World: The Aftermath

2008-06-30T22:50:00.001-05:00

I have to be honest, it's been awhile since I've been to a comics show of any kind.

Two years, in fact. So when I had decided to volunteer for Wizard World, it was less about finding that rare book or piece of memorabilia...and more about finding something to blog about. One of my usual snarky, hello-pot-this-is-kettle posts.

What I found, ironically, was that it wasn't as bad as I thought.

Granted, arriving at the Stephens Convention Center and seeing the crowds gather at 7:30 am was....rather daunting. But eventually, I made my way inside...and was given my orange staff t-shirt (Note one to organizers: if you're going to hand out colored t-shirts, make sure you put pictures of lanterns on them. Makes them cooler). Of course, it was then that several of us formed the "thin orange line" (or, given my size, "thin orange line with slightly doughy middle), preventing people from entering too early. After about two hours on our feet, we were able to sit...and ate a lovely breakfast of junk food.

It wasn't looking good, folks. In fact, I made a slightly quick call to Chuck, from Comic Related, to arrange to meet.

Luckily, after a fool's errand being sent to a "snack bar" (and granted, there are three in the entire area), who should I meet? Chuck, who gave me a magic pass....I would like to claim that he gave me a green ring and power battery, but he gave me something better - a press pass. He had arranged for it so that I could check out the premiere of Batman: Gotham Knight.

He also informed me of the sad news about Michael Turner....and to be honest, I was not a fan of his artwork. However, I'm also not a fan of anyone passing on too young. But after a brief discussion, Chuck and I went out separate ways. Cool guy, and you'll read more about Gotham Knight in this month's TV Party.

But with that, I decided to ditch the volunteer gig...and start checking out the show.

Of course, being Wizard, there was a ton of loud, boisterous stuff...but fortunately, there were plenty of comics. (For a much better retrospective, please read this piece from Scott of Wednesday's Haul - and Scott, sorry we missed each other). It would be easy for me to say, "Oh, man, it was totally cool!"...but there were some really nice moments (for me, at least) that made it worthwhile.

While looking for the Hero Initiative booth, I came across a group called the Hero Foundry. They're an organization that buys comics, graphic novels, and other books for libraries, hospitals, and places that can't afford them. Fortunately, I had enough cash for a raffle ticket, and won a nice little indie graphic novel. If you would like more information about them, click here - I am, however, considering offering "free" ad space to comic-related non-profits. ("Free" as in "hey, I have the space in my sidebar, so I may as well use it for a good cause").

And, of course, there was getting to meet Bruce Timm and asking him a question I've always wanted to ask. Talking about an old Batman story with screenwriter Josh Olson. Finding Dan DiDio an absolute hoot. But, of course, I got to meet my third favorite red head, and first, favorite comic writer, Gail Simone. (Ms. Simone - I apologize for stammering. I'm normally not that goofy. Honest.)...

...oh, and if you ask, my first favorite redhead is my godson, and the second is someone whose identity will never be revealed on this blog. Honestly. I mean it. But this person knows who they are, and that's enough for me.

What also struck me about this convention - the number of couples who attended. It would be easy to make a joke about women at a comics convention, but it was really refreshing to see couples of every permutation attend the event. Now granted, it doesn't necessarily mean that the big companies will see the error of their ways...mostly, I think it means that we may see more female creators/writers/editors in the future.

(I know I sound a little disjointed, but between this and this Saturday's Doctor Who episode, I've been in fannish glee).

But there's one thing that Wizard World, ironically, has me wanting to do more of...and that is checking out other, smaller conventions. Recently, there was a Pulp and Paper convention here in Chicago that I missed (and I regret it, if only because I could have told Ron Fortier in person how much I enjoyed his run on Green Hornet), and I really regret it.

Big shows like Wizard and ComicCon have their place...but I'm also thinking that there are smaller shows that do not get their due. They slip under the cracks, and quite frankly, I know there's a difference between the big roadshows like Wizard and the "sausage factory" of two years ago.

Recently, I had wondered privately if I should shift this blog's emphasis - nothing in comics was really thrilling me, or giving me that same thrill as I had when I was a youth, but then I realized something that I keep talking about, but never doing: going out and finding cool stuff, regardless of company.

In other words, "Hello pot, this is kettle, calling collect".

Wizard World Wackiness

2008-06-28T23:08:00.001-05:00

First, a hearty "hello' to everyone - yes, I know it's late, but I have some news. Good news.

Although I was initially going to just blog about volunteering at Wizard World, thanks to Chuck at Comic Related, I acquired a press pass.

Which means all sorts of goodies - some for the blog, others for this month's TV Party.

Anyway, before I retire for the night, I promise - pictures, commentary, news.

But just two things that I want to blog about before I head off to dreamland and prepare to schmooze, I mean, meet my second (or is it third?) favorite redhead:

For the organizers of Wizard World - if you're going to make volunteers wear dorky orange t-shirts, make sure you put a picture of the lantern on the front. It makes it look much cooler.
To the person wearing a full Nazi uniform this morning - unless you're filming a movie set in World War 2, dressing up like a Nazi isn't cool. Especially in front of a guy with the letters "-ski" in his last name. Just sayin'.

For those at Wizard World, I'll be wearing a wrinkly off-white shirt (with black t-shirt), jeans, and with a semi-realistic cowhide "man-bag".

(I don't think it's real cowhide - just looks awfully close, so PETA, please don't protest me).

Season Four Saturdays: Turn Left

2008-06-28T01:20:00.003-05:00

(This is going to be a spoiler-free review...and it's going to be the toughest review I've written so far. Keep reading for details...)

First, my overall review - I'm glad that, this season, Mr. Davies has disproven my "he-only-writes-two-good-scripts-per-year" theory.

I can't really discuss what goes on within the episode without spoilers...but I don't like spoiling episodes. I'm aware there are fan sites that do precisely that - and provide tons of speculation. I personally believe that it's much smarter - and helps make the case more strongly - to allude, to suggest, to tease the happenings in this episode. So, without further adieu, here's my take on "Turn Left."

Structurally, "Turn Left" is similar to last season's "Utopia" - great beginning, slightly muddled middle, and then a killer conclusion, setting the pace for the final two episodes of the season. It also builds on themes introduced early on in this season, picks up a meme that was recently introduced (actually several memes from recent episodes)...and, as Davies has promised, brings it all together, building a new narrative momentum. It also provides a great "recap" of events of the past three years to date.

And, also, it brings back Rose Tyler, which...I thought she was handled quite cleverly. Personally, I thought she was a better Ninth Doctor companion than Tenth. With the Ninth Doctor, this former shop girl brought a humanizing element to the character. With the Tenth, it was more of a "conventional" relationship. (Last night, I caught "The Idiot's Lantern" on Channel 11; although I liked a friendly Doctor/companion relationship, it seemed to verge dangerously into Baker/Ward territory).

But my favorite thing about this episode - Bernard Cribbins. He owns this episode, and quite frankly...I wish we'd seen more of ol' Wilf. Unlike the Tyler or Jones families, the Nobles seem to be one of the least dysfunctional (at least, as portrayed in this series - this episode, well, shows a different side). But much of it is due to (as Frank Miller might write) "the goddamn Bernard Cribbins". Yes, I'm aware he was in the 1960s Who films...but why can't Wilf be a companion? Come on, Moffatt!

But anyway...last season, "Utopia" gave way to "The Sound of Drums"...and fell flat with "The Last of the Time Lords".

I'm really looking forward to this season's end...but please don't be too upset if I'm a little cautious about it.

Saturday! Me! Live At Wizard World!

2008-06-26T07:19:00.003-05:00

If you're planning on heading to Wizard World Chicago this Saturday, I'll be volunteering, and basically wandering out like a crazy person. Look for the big doofus wearing a red t-shirt, with a man bag, and the shaggy brown hair.

For everyone else, here are some videos for you to watch. First, here's the highlights from last year's conventions in Chicago:

And secondly, I've heard that Warren Ellis and Dan Didio will be singing this song as a duet Saturday night:

Editorial Drama

2008-06-24T00:44:00.000-05:00

It must really stink being Dan DiDio right now.

Various sources are hinting that he may soon be unemployed, especially in light of Final Crisis # 1's relative "failure to perform". Various factors, including the success of the Iron Man movie, the Secret Invasion crossover, are all pointing to DC's folding as a company, justifying Mr. DiDio's depature, and of course, leading to catastrophes of Biblical proportions in the comic book world of course, (as Shakespeare - or was it Mike Sterling - once said) is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.

I have come neither to bury nor praise Mr. DiDio - mostly, I'm here to stick in my two cents and talk about how both companies have been failing. I'm talking, of course, about failing creatively.

Everyone knows that I have made a general overall case - that DC tends to cater for the more hardcore, continuity obsessed, slightly older fan (like, er, myself, quite sadly); and that Marvel sees itself as a much "hipper" company, catering to the Maxim magazine young male demographic. (And no, I will not link to Maxim - even I have standards). There's nothing wrong with catering to that demographic...but both companies have seen unpopular editorial decisions openly (yet tactfully) criticized by writers which were then jumped upon by the blogosphere. (Yes, I'm willing to compare "One More Day" to "Countdown/Death of the New Gods."

Ultimately, however, both companies have been gradually painting themselves into a corner, focusing on the past without a really strong sense of building upon it to the future. Dan DiDio has been open about his tendency to focus on past successes, and as a result, has brought back one of the cornerstones of DC mythology. (Of course, whether it needed to be brought back is another argument). Marvel's current Secret Invasion series is another kettle of fish - although it had some potential as a great story of paranoia and distrust in a post-Civil War universe, really seems to be an excuse to introduce (or reintroduce) 1970's Marvel characters back into a contemporary Marvel Universe.

(Yes, I initiall gave Secret Invasion a negative review. I've kept an open mind, and although I enjoy some touches - most notably the Agents of Atlas story in Secret Invasion: Who Do You Trust? - all I see is a continuity nightmare that Marvel will probably need to paint itself out of...it's a crisis of infinite proportions. Although some previous plot threads come together well, others...there may be a reboot switch in there somewhere).

Amongst many blogs and message boards, there is the issue of "fan entitlement" - of fans wanting what they want, regardless of the creative consequences or even making a character more accessible. Both Marvel & DC have engaged in a kind of "editorial entitlement" - writing stories that they enjoyed, based on their own nostalgia, but missing that the reason the past is remembered so well isn't the concepts, but the imagination and creativity behind it.

After all, as a wise man once said, the first story you tell as a fan is the last one you do as a writer.

I believe that was a man by the name of Dan DiDio, speaking at the 2008 New York Comic Con.

And in that, a kernel of truth for both companies.

A Place For His Stuff

2008-06-23T05:49:00.002-05:00

(Warning: video NSFW)

Like many a blogger, I woke up this morning, fed the cat, and headed straight for the laptop, and read several Twitter posts and Facebook entries.

Then, I did a quick search, and it was true - George Carlin had passed away.

It's hard to see how, at one time, Carlin was considered cutting edge - most of his later material (presented on HBO) seemed to present him as a grouchy old man. (Consider this video focusing on language versus his "classic" routine on stuff). Ironically, Carlin started off as a relatively "mainstream" comic, much like the Smothers Brothers...and like them, he made a radical shift. Only where theirs was slight, Carlin embraced a Lenny Bruce-esque persona, and ran with it.

But ultimately, what Carlin did (in my view) was bring a sharper, smarter approach to comedy, allowing the "smart kids" to tap into their anger. Wit became a weapon with which to bring down big targets - on one side, you have Bill Hicks, and Bill Maher's Real Time...on the other side, Dennis Miller's obnoxious pop-culture-referenced rants.

However, we'll no longer have George to serve as our "cranky old man", often pointing out our hypocrisies...or even for those fake e-mails that get forwarded in his name.

Goodbye, George. We'll miss you.

LOST in a Good Book

2008-06-22T13:29:00.003-05:00

In all honesty, there are two shows that I enjoy but that, quite honestly, I rarely - if ever - blog about.

Battlestar Galactica and Lost.

It's not that I don't enjoy both of them - part of it is that, so much is said, I would only be adding noise to the discussion. Plus, pal Rich does it so much better than I could, I'll leave it to him.

(Although I think I could drink him - and Warren Ellis - under the table).

But when I read an interview with one of the Lost writers, stating that The Third Policeman was going to be referenced - for a key reason - and that viewers would have "more ammunition" to analyze and understand the series - I knew that I had to read it.

I'm not going to do a comparison between the two, because that would be kind of spoiler-ish, but I can say that, even for those who do not watch Lost, The Third Policeman is a very enjoyable, absurdist novel.

A man fails at a robbery, and finds himself in a unique situation. A famous theorist named de Selby postulates all sorts of interesting things, like how people are turning into bicycles, and that night is simply the accumulation of "dark air".

What's remarkable about The Third Policeman is that, if it were published tomorrow, would be cited as having a great Douglas Adams/Terry Pratchett wit...and much like its current television descendant, there's a great sense of "what's-going-on-here". It's not an easy read, by any means (in one chapter, the footnotes seem longer than the actual chapters)...but in a way, it is one of the book's strengths.

Would anyone read this book if it wasn't mentioned in discussions about one of the best shows on televisions? I don't know...but I'd like to think so.

Highly recommended.

Season Four Saturdays: Midnight

2008-06-21T00:16:00.002-05:00

(As always, a spoiler-free review. Nothing to look at here if you’re seeking plot points.)

I happen to admit that I have very mixed feelings about Russell T. Davies.

I’m grateful for his work in bringing back the series, and for some of his ideas…but in all honesty, he comes up with one or two really good script ideas per season.

First season, it was “Rose” and “Boom Town.” Then, “Army of Ghosts” and “Doomsday”. Last year, it was “Utopia” and “The Sound of Drums.”

Allow me to eat some crow this week, as after the charming “Partners In Crime”, Davies comes up with another out-of-the-ballpark hit with “Midnight”.

Amongst my Twitter pals, I had openly asked about why previous Doctor’s offspring had guest appearances, and I realized that this is the show’s 45^th anniversary. Starting with last year’s “Time Crash”, this season has been steeped in Who mythology without being overly slavish about it. The Doctor without a companion is straight out of “The Deadly Assassin” with Tom Baker. The single locale for the episode is reminiscent of – William Hartnell-era “The Edge of Destruction.” Yes, there are elements of past stories…but one Doctor – an unexpected one – pokes his eager little head…

…if anything, “Midnight” could have easily been a Patrick Troughton/Second Doctor era story (albeit with a 21^st Century Twist). Like many of Troughton’s stories, it is a self-contained “base under siege” story (usually done because most of 1960’s Who was filmed in Lime Grove Studios, and the effects were on the cheap)...contains some obviously chilling moments, and shows some of the darkness behind the Doctor’s seeming joviality. It even has Troughton’s son David in a supporting performance (which is, just vocally, chilling – it’s like the Second Doctor is in the room). And the director – no relation – is Alice Troughton, who directed several episodes of Torchwood.

The one performance that I want to highlight is Lesley Sharp. (She's the blonde on the left in the following photograph.It’s hard to talk about what she does without giving away the store…but as I watched, she looked familiar, and I didn’t know where I had seen her before. Thankfully…well, let’s just say that she’s worked with Davies before…and I blogged about it. The supporting cast does a quite splendid job in a story that asks more questions than it answers…and is probably one of the scariest Who stories of the new season.

(And considering how much I loved Moffatt’s two-parter, that’s saying quite a bit)

But ultimately, the one thing that is striking about this story is that, for the first time, the Doctor is not automatically “accepted”…in fact, in many ways, his usual behavior works against him. It’s hard to describe without spoiling the story (and you know what? I don’t mind seeking spoilers out for my own entertainment, but respect other’s wishes), but given the amount of foreshadowing from previous episodes (and the preview for next time)…things may not be looking good for the Doctor.

Keep watching.

Cutting Edge Intellectual Content

2008-06-19T18:06:00.002-05:00

Although many of you have publicly enjoyed this piece on eDemocracy, I wanted to continue the tradition with these videos. I think that, after you watch these short subjects, you will begin to believe in the fundamental goodness of humanity, and the power of the Internet.

No One Escapes Reading Manhunter

2008-06-17T05:02:00.001-05:00

Say the name "Manhunter" as it relates to DC Comics...and it's a loaded term.

Several heroes have been named "Manhunter". The most recent series has been canceled...and revived...and delayed...and the latest issue has just come out.

(The period between issue 30 and 31 was so great, this issue has a nice, 3 page "introduction" for new readers). It's a series with great word-of-mouth...yet, very few people actually seem to be purchasing and reading this book.

Which is a shame, because this is probably one of the most original, unique books being released by a major comics publisher. It is a very textured, very unique book that combines the best of many strains while retaining a sense of individuality.

In many ways, like James Robinson's Starman, this is a book that is deeply steeped in DC mythology. Kate Spencer (the title character) is the grandchild of two Golden Age-era heroes, a single mother, and an attorney who becomes disenchanted with the justice system. Taking the law into her own hands, she "borrows" some technology from an evidence locker, and becomes a superhero.

Manhunter has been described as "Law & Order with superheroes"...but I don't think that's entirely accurate. Yes, there are some traditional courtroom heroics, but for a DC book, there is an unusual amount of grittiness. (I'm thinking the Ed McBain school of police procedurals). This is not a typical female superhero who is incredibly powerful, has a very stress-free home life, and is "incredibly hawt". It's about a woman dealing with an incredibly complicated world, and there's a great matter-of-factness to this book - so much so that it's hard to believe it takes place in the rather optimistic DC Universe.

The only equivalent comic I can think of is Brian Bendis' Alias series for Marvel. Both dealt with women on the "fringes" of super-heroic society. Both series did not provide easy answers, or smoothly running lives. Things get complicated. Issues are often muddy.

But that's the strength of Manhunter - in a world where a strange visitor from another planet, a self-made detective dealing with childhood trauma, and a princess from a remote civilization all work for the common good, the trials and tribulations of one particular person seem irrelevant. But issue # 31 is a well-written comeback for a series that deserves your attention.

And quite frankly, without spoiling, the final page - that character and that line of dialog are worth it.

You may not think Manhunter is worth your attention, but if you haven't checked it out before, you're missing one of the better series out there.

Highly recommended.

Blogging About Blogging

2008-06-15T23:17:00.002-05:00

Every once in awhile, I like to go through all the sticky notes that are on my ancient monitor, which is nothing more than a reconstituted Zenith Color TV from the 1970s.

Anyway, here are various items of interest, and are mostly posted...for self-promotion, primarily. Just a few matters about the blog that I wanted to bring to your attention, before the usual caffeine-driven rantings and ravings.

When the current season of Doctor Who finishes, I'll take a break, but I'm looking for feedback on the next TV series/DVD watching and blogging feature. If you look at the sidebar on the right (past the Hypno Kitty), and scroll down to the bottom the gray area, there's a Blogger poll for you to take. Yes, I take requests, and like hearing from people who read this blog.
In addition, I'm also thinking of starting a "Five Questions" feature, where every so often, I e-mail one of my fellow bloggers and ask five seemingly random questions, and give an appropriate amount of turnaround time for answers. (The things I do for content...). Anyway, if you're interested, please feel free to e-mail me at blogspot (at) gmail (dot) com or leave a comment.
If you're planning on being at Wizard World Chicago on June 28th (that Saturday), please let me know - I'll swing by and visit your booth/meet you for a beverage/whatever you wish.
Wow, it's the first TV Party/Public Domain Drive-In Crossover! Worlds will live! Worlds will die! Roger will eat Oreos! Exclamation points will be used gratuitously!
And on that note, I would like to apologize for the layout of the column - I used Google Docs to write it, and it seemed to have been garbled in translation. Please do not hold it against myself or Chuck. But nonetheless, it's a fun read.
Speaking of word processing, new Open Office is Out!
I was going to post about Cloverfield, but didn't think it was worth the effort. Short form - Cloverfield is a movie in love with its own cleverness. It's a traditional monster movie script done with shaky cam. A real disappointment.
Finally, I don't like doing this because it smacks too much of PBS Pledge Drives - that, and I know we're all hurting financially. If you'd like to support this blog, please feel free to purchase an item from the Amazon.com store. In addition, one piece of web software I use is Backpackit - it's a company out of Chicago, and it's kind of like a mini-wiki. Fortunately, there is a free version (so you can try it before you buy it), and I use it to organize work and blog related stuff. If you'd like to check it out, click here.

Thanks for reading, and be sure to check out the blog this Saturday, where I not only review the latest Who episode...but I bash a Who author at the same time!

Season Four Saturdays: Forest of the Dead

2008-06-14T10:03:00.000-05:00

(As always, no spoilers. If you came here as the result of a Google search for "Doctor Who Spoilers", shame on you. Honestly. Why not just watch and enjoy it in real time?)

All I can - and will say - about this episode is that this is probably the best resolution to a two-part episode since the "Army of Ghosts/Doomsday" Season 2 finale.

It's a difficult episode to write about without spoiling, because one of the strengths of the episode is that it takes several set-ups from last week's "Silence in the Library" and flips them around. There's one clever use of television conventions to help convince the viewer that, yes, something is going on. A character who seems set up to be the "villain" of the piece is shown to have much more noble intentions than expected. Much is said by not being said at all...but is subtly spelled out in hints, in insinuations, and in the small details that may or may not be said.

However - and this is the only way I can talk about the episode - is that, in many ways, it resembles Moffatt's Series One two-parter, "The Empty Child/The Doctor Dances" thematically, if not structurally. In many ways, the Ninth and Tenth Doctors are mirror images of each other - the Ninth severely traumatized by his past, and aggressively acting it out; the Tenth burying impenetrable levels of melancholy beneath a jovial, almost manic exterior. But one of the key themes of the "Child/Doctor" is that, despite severe trauma, life and - and will - prevail. The Ninth Doctor's joy at exclaiming "Everyone lives - just this once!" is palpable, and the viewer feels it.

With "Silence/Forest", it gets flipped and turned into "Everyone dies....but not every day." Given the huge amount of foreshadowing about choices, about knowing the future, it would be easy to postulate about where the season is heading. (Of course, we could all be wrong about it). But in this story, the Doctor faces severe trauma - the kind of trauma that was only suggested by the Ninth Doctor's history. And a fake-out ending - an ending which has played fair with the viewer - reinforces what is probably the Doctor's main raison d'etre...that deep inside, the Doctor is a man who does not want to see people die...and who fights for life at almost any cost. And the final interchange between the Doctor and Donna is probably one of the most endearingly human - and honest - interchange between a Doctor and a companion.

There have always been turning points in the Doctor's history - many of which have been seen in the classic series. In many ways, this story shows another turning point in the Doctor's history...and is, thankfully, severely and delicately underplayed.

Good move, Mr. Moffatt, good move.

The franchise will be in good hands come 2010.

(Note - Episode 12's title has not been officially released. When I get around to reviewing it, I will - in the spirit of non-spoiling - make up a title for it. And again - shame on you for seeking spoilers)

Worth 1,000 Words

2008-06-12T21:05:00.003-05:00

(If it weren't already a comic strip, this would be a perfect summary of my blog. Enjoy!)

P.S. Not to be confused with pal Brian's blog.