Okay, readers, I’m starting something new this week. I got the idea from another site (I’m waiting to link to it, until I have the guy’s permission.), and the fact that I can’t afford actual comics. So I thought I’d review the next best thing: Heroes.
For those uninitiated folks who have no idea what I’m talking about, Heroes is a show on NBC about “ordinary people with extraordinary abilities.” (I’m pretty sure that’s a quote…if not, it’s a paraphrase.) It really is a live action comic and achieves, I think, what most comic book-based movies do not. I was going to do an episode summary, but when my original post got up to five pages, and still had a lot of episode left, I figured I’d skip that part. For an EXCELLENT summary, go HERE. Even better, I’d recommend actually watching it HERE.
Instead, I’m just going to get into some of the clichés they use. And, boy, are there a lot of them in Heroes.
First thing this episode goes into is the whole “Scientist experimenting on themselves/injecting the experimental, untested serum into themselves.” This has been a staple of literature, not only comics, since The Invisible Man and Jekyl & Hyde. Sticking to comics, however, there’s a whole pantheon of characters that have done similar things. Hank Pym, for instance, took the “Pym particles,” both to shrink and then to grow, becoming two separate heroes, Ant-Man and Giant-Man.
There’s also Henry McCoy, who is obviously who they’re trying to mold Mohinder after, to a certain extent. A scientist, who injects a completely untested serum into himself, who then undergoes a frightening, unforeseen physical transformation, as well? Yeah…
THIS has a good list of comic book scientists…most of whom have experimented on themselves.
Next big cliché that Heroes uses…a LOT…is the dystopian future, which must be avoided at all costs. Typically, this starts with someone from that time getting the brilliant idea that, if I just go back and change this one little thing, this will all be different and better. Obviously, they never heard of the butterfly effect.
Frankly, yeah, dystopian futures work well. But not when they’re used for every story line. In my opinion, there needs to be more immediate concerns…for instance the 9 (By my count.) remaining Level 5 prisoners. One of Heroes' failings is, for me, how slow it can be sometimes. I think that a more action packed season would be good. Of course, they could be saving it for the second half of the season. Here’s hoping.
Some episode specifics:
I loved the scene with Nathan and Tracy after the bridge scene.
Tracy: So you can fly?
Nathan: Yup.
This show has lots of little moments like that, especially this season.
The Costa Verde fight scene had me literally dropping my jaw. That was a very hard scene to watch.
I also like the very last scene, with Hiro & Ando at the graveyard. Repercussions are not something that Hiro often thinks about, it seems.
That’s it for this week’s episode. Next week’s looks to be pretty good, with meeting Papa Petrelli and all. Of course, knowing Heroes, it’ll be in the last 15 seconds of the show.
Chris
October 11, 2008
September 17, 2008
Does whatever a spider can...
Okay, I'm going to do this a bit differently: This is going to be mostly cut and pasted from a discussion with a buddy of mine.
The other day, Green Bandit and I got into a discussion about the Spider-Man movies by Sam Raimi, with Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, et al. I'll be honest. I watch them, not because I like them, but because I'm a nerd/geek. I know, that's only contributing to them being made, so I really have only myself to blame...well...myself, and bajillions of my fellow nerds and/or geeks.
My biggest problem with the series lies in the casting of the leads. I think that Aunt May, JJJ and even Norman are spot on. (Yeah, yeah...GG's costume was kinda lame, but it wasn't horrible.) Pete/Spidey, MJ, Harry and Gwen? Not so much.
Anyway...what follows is what I told him, slightly edited (You won't even notice if you aren't he or I.)...I'll get into a bit more depth about my comments in red:
Okay, to be fair, Tobey's okay as Pete...it's Spidey I don't like him as. He's far too laconic for the role, and I know that has more to do with the script (That is, they didn't write in the witty one liners.) than with him, but here's the thing: Those witty one liners cover up just how f'ing scared he is. The way Tobey delivers them is just too slow, like he doesn't have a care in the world, almost like he prepared them...now that is a personal thing, I know. In the comics, the only times he doesn't make with the funny is when he's fighting someone so scary, so vile, so much bigger than anything he's ever faced (He does this with surprising regularity...makes me wonder where all of these guys are hiding.). Check out JMS's first Amazing Spider-Man collection, "Coming Home."
The other problem is a body type one: Tobey's is wrong. Pete is supposed to be scrawny, a prototypical nerd. Tobey is, if I had to choose, average. Not big and muscle-y, but not the nerd he's supposed to be. Interestingly...I wanted Topher Grace as Pete/Spidey: Perfect body type, perfect delivery. GB pointed out that, in Hollywood, "average," especially nowadays, is scrawny. Even so, Tobey is still too...I dunno, not buff, but big to be Pete. The guy from Juno would make a good Pete/Spidey, too.
I heard that when Tobey thought he may not be back after Seabiscuit, Jake Gyllenhall was suggested for the role. Again, great actor...wrong body type.
Kirsten...man, they screwed the pooch on that one. First off...there are PLENTY of natural redheads who can act. Why not cast one of them? Like Alicia Witt...who was considered for the role, coincidentally enough. And, in an irony only to be found in Hollywood, Bryce Dallas Howard is a natural redhead who dyed her hair blonde to play Gwen. The other thing they messed up is making MJ the first love. Now how're they gonna kill Gwen in a way that will make Pete feel as bad about it. Gwen was the very first love of his life. Gwen's death shaped all the decisions that came later. I know that MJ is who most of the fans are familiar with, but still...
There's just so much wrong with doing MJ first, I don't even know where to begin. The role are now just about reversed so that MJ has to die, and Pete ends up with Gwen.
That's about the extent of our conversation, but I've got some additional thoughts:
People have a problem with roles being recast for movies. I've got no problem, in certain cases. On going series, which don't tell a complete story? Sure. It's no different from a new artist taking over a run on a comic. If the movie series, like Harry Potter, tells a complete story, then, yeah, recasting isn't a good idea, except, like in Harry Potter, when someone dies.
As much as I'm disappointed with the movies, I do give Raimi's Spider-Man series credit for re-popularizing comic book movies. Since then, we've had X-Men, Superman Returns (Even though that wasn't as good as it should have been...but I'll give Singer another chance...he did create House, after all.), Batman Begins (The BEST reboot ever!), and lots more comic book movies I haven't seen yet.
Chris
The other day, Green Bandit and I got into a discussion about the Spider-Man movies by Sam Raimi, with Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, et al. I'll be honest. I watch them, not because I like them, but because I'm a nerd/geek. I know, that's only contributing to them being made, so I really have only myself to blame...well...myself, and bajillions of my fellow nerds and/or geeks.
My biggest problem with the series lies in the casting of the leads. I think that Aunt May, JJJ and even Norman are spot on. (Yeah, yeah...GG's costume was kinda lame, but it wasn't horrible.) Pete/Spidey, MJ, Harry and Gwen? Not so much.
Anyway...what follows is what I told him, slightly edited (You won't even notice if you aren't he or I.)...I'll get into a bit more depth about my comments in red:
Okay, to be fair, Tobey's okay as Pete...it's Spidey I don't like him as. He's far too laconic for the role, and I know that has more to do with the script (That is, they didn't write in the witty one liners.) than with him, but here's the thing: Those witty one liners cover up just how f'ing scared he is. The way Tobey delivers them is just too slow, like he doesn't have a care in the world, almost like he prepared them...now that is a personal thing, I know. In the comics, the only times he doesn't make with the funny is when he's fighting someone so scary, so vile, so much bigger than anything he's ever faced (He does this with surprising regularity...makes me wonder where all of these guys are hiding.). Check out JMS's first Amazing Spider-Man collection, "Coming Home."
The other problem is a body type one: Tobey's is wrong. Pete is supposed to be scrawny, a prototypical nerd. Tobey is, if I had to choose, average. Not big and muscle-y, but not the nerd he's supposed to be. Interestingly...I wanted Topher Grace as Pete/Spidey: Perfect body type, perfect delivery. GB pointed out that, in Hollywood, "average," especially nowadays, is scrawny. Even so, Tobey is still too...I dunno, not buff, but big to be Pete. The guy from Juno would make a good Pete/Spidey, too.
I heard that when Tobey thought he may not be back after Seabiscuit, Jake Gyllenhall was suggested for the role. Again, great actor...wrong body type.
Kirsten...man, they screwed the pooch on that one. First off...there are PLENTY of natural redheads who can act. Why not cast one of them? Like Alicia Witt...who was considered for the role, coincidentally enough. And, in an irony only to be found in Hollywood, Bryce Dallas Howard is a natural redhead who dyed her hair blonde to play Gwen. The other thing they messed up is making MJ the first love. Now how're they gonna kill Gwen in a way that will make Pete feel as bad about it. Gwen was the very first love of his life. Gwen's death shaped all the decisions that came later. I know that MJ is who most of the fans are familiar with, but still...
There's just so much wrong with doing MJ first, I don't even know where to begin. The role are now just about reversed so that MJ has to die, and Pete ends up with Gwen.
That's about the extent of our conversation, but I've got some additional thoughts:
People have a problem with roles being recast for movies. I've got no problem, in certain cases. On going series, which don't tell a complete story? Sure. It's no different from a new artist taking over a run on a comic. If the movie series, like Harry Potter, tells a complete story, then, yeah, recasting isn't a good idea, except, like in Harry Potter, when someone dies.
As much as I'm disappointed with the movies, I do give Raimi's Spider-Man series credit for re-popularizing comic book movies. Since then, we've had X-Men, Superman Returns (Even though that wasn't as good as it should have been...but I'll give Singer another chance...he did create House, after all.), Batman Begins (The BEST reboot ever!), and lots more comic book movies I haven't seen yet.
Chris
September 6, 2008
Remember, remember the fifth of November...
I recently re-read V for Vendetta by Alan Moore for the third time, so I thought I'd make that my first review.
Obligatory summary: Someone has been killing off and terrorizing the upper echelons of those who worked at a resettlement camp. The masked terrorist (Oh, how that word has become something else in this day and age...), known only as V, then wrecks havoc on post-unnamed war England, which has become a totalitarian, fascist state.
As much as I want to go more into detail about the plot...you should really read it yourself. Like all good books, there are subplots galore, and even my summary doesn't do the main line justice.
This is Moore at the top of his game, adroitly going between social commentary and action. I've always been a fan of dystopian literature, society gone wrong, etc. This ranks right up there with 1984, Brave New World, and is more than a little reminiscent of both.
Perhaps my favorite scene is toward the end, after V has turned off the Eye and the Ear, England's version of Big Brother, and a little girl...okay, maybe pre-teen, whatever...is trying out her first swear word.
For as much as I love about V, there's a few things I don't like. I'm not, and never really have been, a big fan of 80s-style comic art. This, in particular, seems a little more sketch-like than most types.
Another, mind you minor, quibble is the accent he puts in for Alister. There's only so long one can read a phonetic Scottish (God, I hope it's Scottish, if it's Irish, I'ma look like an idiot.) accent without getting a headache. Of course, that particular accent, wherever it's from, actually can be kinda hard, so I see what he's doing...he just took it further than I've ever seen.
V for Vendetta is a good introduction for anyone who thinks that comics are, ahem, for kids. Try reading this and telling me that comics can't be literature. Really, it's just plain one of the best pieces of literature out there.
Oh, and if anyone could get that song from the start of the third part recorded...I'd appreciate it.
I guess I can't really end this without talking about the movie. The movie was pretty good. It left out a lot of the subplots, but adaptations have to, just to fit into the 2 hours alotted to them. I really don't have any problem with the movie, aside from one thing: the Wachowskis knock you over the head (I'm not giving anythign away here, so don't worry about spoilers.) with it being from "America's War." Hm...wonder which one they mean? (Sarcasm filter off.) I'm not sure, but I don't think that they like Bush very much. (Sarcasm filter on.) Look, we get it...but art of what made the book work for me, was that after England basically destroyed itself in war, that's when Norsefire took over, and started things down the path that led to V's shenanigans. You also never find out, much like in 1984, who they were at war with. Anyway...good movie, better book. Check them both out, see for yourself.
Chris
Obligatory summary: Someone has been killing off and terrorizing the upper echelons of those who worked at a resettlement camp. The masked terrorist (Oh, how that word has become something else in this day and age...), known only as V, then wrecks havoc on post-unnamed war England, which has become a totalitarian, fascist state.
As much as I want to go more into detail about the plot...you should really read it yourself. Like all good books, there are subplots galore, and even my summary doesn't do the main line justice.
This is Moore at the top of his game, adroitly going between social commentary and action. I've always been a fan of dystopian literature, society gone wrong, etc. This ranks right up there with 1984, Brave New World, and is more than a little reminiscent of both.
Perhaps my favorite scene is toward the end, after V has turned off the Eye and the Ear, England's version of Big Brother, and a little girl...okay, maybe pre-teen, whatever...is trying out her first swear word.
For as much as I love about V, there's a few things I don't like. I'm not, and never really have been, a big fan of 80s-style comic art. This, in particular, seems a little more sketch-like than most types.
Another, mind you minor, quibble is the accent he puts in for Alister. There's only so long one can read a phonetic Scottish (God, I hope it's Scottish, if it's Irish, I'ma look like an idiot.) accent without getting a headache. Of course, that particular accent, wherever it's from, actually can be kinda hard, so I see what he's doing...he just took it further than I've ever seen.
V for Vendetta is a good introduction for anyone who thinks that comics are, ahem, for kids. Try reading this and telling me that comics can't be literature. Really, it's just plain one of the best pieces of literature out there.
Oh, and if anyone could get that song from the start of the third part recorded...I'd appreciate it.
I guess I can't really end this without talking about the movie. The movie was pretty good. It left out a lot of the subplots, but adaptations have to, just to fit into the 2 hours alotted to them. I really don't have any problem with the movie, aside from one thing: the Wachowskis knock you over the head (I'm not giving anythign away here, so don't worry about spoilers.) with it being from "America's War." Hm...wonder which one they mean? (Sarcasm filter off.) I'm not sure, but I don't think that they like Bush very much. (Sarcasm filter on.) Look, we get it...but art of what made the book work for me, was that after England basically destroyed itself in war, that's when Norsefire took over, and started things down the path that led to V's shenanigans. You also never find out, much like in 1984, who they were at war with. Anyway...good movie, better book. Check them both out, see for yourself.
Chris
September 2, 2008
A little classical reference...
Heh...my title is a reference to a reference to a rock song.
I may need to explain that: It's a reference to this conversation from The Stand:
Randall Flagg: Pleased to meet you, Lloyd. Hope you guessed my name.
Lloyd Henreid: Huh?
Randall Flagg: Oh. Nothing. Just a little classical reference.
Heh...anyhoo...
Howdy do, all! My name is Chris, and if you stumbled upon this, you're interested in comics. Nothing wrong with that. Comics can be for everyone. That is my philosophy, and the point of this, my very first post!
I fall pretty much squarely into the, ahem, "target demographic;" that is, I'm a guy who likes science fiction and fantasy, reads a lot, watches a lot of movies. I got hooked right at about the age they wanted me to, my pre-pubescent years. I don't remember what my first comic was, but really, who can? That's a level of dedication WAY above me. I do remember, however, a 12 year old's fantasy: Opening my own comic store. I'll get there one of these days.
So I've pretty much been a lifelong comics reader. I've got my favorites, Green Lantern, Green Arrow, Spider-Man, Batman...lots more. I'll get to those in other posts.
Here's the thing, though...the phrase "target demographic" is a bunch of malarky. Focusing on one group for your product may lead to a focused customer base, but appealing to a wider audience will always pay off.
For instance, I got my wife reading comics. She's even got one she really likes, Meridian. True, it's been cancelled...okay, not so much cancelled as CrossGen went under...but still, she likes it. In fact, I've bought her all of the collections I could find. I've gotten her to read a lot of the "big" comics, Watchmen, V for Vendetta, etc. She enjoyed them, too.
I've even got one of my daughters, the Princess, able to recognize Spider-Man, Superman, Batman and the Joker. She even seems to prefer the Joker...which worries me a mite, but I won't be too worked up until she starts wearing white makeup, bright red lipstick, dyes her hair green and wears purple.
Comics can be for everyone. There's a comic out there for every one. There's that one character who just reaches past all rational thought and flips on your fun switch.
Oh, and another thing: All of those snobs who say that comic books are for kids...can take a flying leap. There are several books which are adult content, or you have to have read a LOT in order to get. I will probably come back to him again and again in this regard, but Alan Moore's League of Extraordinary Gentlemen books, for instance. You have to have at least heard of Dracula, The Invisible Man, Dr. Jekyl & Mr. Hyde, as well as several other stories, like Poe's "Murder at the Rue Morgue," in order to get half of the story and characters' motivations.
There's also Grant Morrison's We3, about three pets used by the government to become weapons. Give that to your 7 year old, see what happens. (Likely, they'll get it quicker than the critics would, kids being, in general, smarter.)
Anyway...this blog will be about things like that, me ranting and raving about comics, letting you know what I think about things. I doubt it will be regularly updated, at least not at first, but keep your eyes open. I'll be back.
Chris
I may need to explain that: It's a reference to this conversation from The Stand:
Randall Flagg: Pleased to meet you, Lloyd. Hope you guessed my name.
Lloyd Henreid: Huh?
Randall Flagg: Oh. Nothing. Just a little classical reference.
Heh...anyhoo...
Howdy do, all! My name is Chris, and if you stumbled upon this, you're interested in comics. Nothing wrong with that. Comics can be for everyone. That is my philosophy, and the point of this, my very first post!
I fall pretty much squarely into the, ahem, "target demographic;" that is, I'm a guy who likes science fiction and fantasy, reads a lot, watches a lot of movies. I got hooked right at about the age they wanted me to, my pre-pubescent years. I don't remember what my first comic was, but really, who can? That's a level of dedication WAY above me. I do remember, however, a 12 year old's fantasy: Opening my own comic store. I'll get there one of these days.
So I've pretty much been a lifelong comics reader. I've got my favorites, Green Lantern, Green Arrow, Spider-Man, Batman...lots more. I'll get to those in other posts.
Here's the thing, though...the phrase "target demographic" is a bunch of malarky. Focusing on one group for your product may lead to a focused customer base, but appealing to a wider audience will always pay off.
For instance, I got my wife reading comics. She's even got one she really likes, Meridian. True, it's been cancelled...okay, not so much cancelled as CrossGen went under...but still, she likes it. In fact, I've bought her all of the collections I could find. I've gotten her to read a lot of the "big" comics, Watchmen, V for Vendetta, etc. She enjoyed them, too.
I've even got one of my daughters, the Princess, able to recognize Spider-Man, Superman, Batman and the Joker. She even seems to prefer the Joker...which worries me a mite, but I won't be too worked up until she starts wearing white makeup, bright red lipstick, dyes her hair green and wears purple.
Comics can be for everyone. There's a comic out there for every one. There's that one character who just reaches past all rational thought and flips on your fun switch.
Oh, and another thing: All of those snobs who say that comic books are for kids...can take a flying leap. There are several books which are adult content, or you have to have read a LOT in order to get. I will probably come back to him again and again in this regard, but Alan Moore's League of Extraordinary Gentlemen books, for instance. You have to have at least heard of Dracula, The Invisible Man, Dr. Jekyl & Mr. Hyde, as well as several other stories, like Poe's "Murder at the Rue Morgue," in order to get half of the story and characters' motivations.
There's also Grant Morrison's We3, about three pets used by the government to become weapons. Give that to your 7 year old, see what happens. (Likely, they'll get it quicker than the critics would, kids being, in general, smarter.)
Anyway...this blog will be about things like that, me ranting and raving about comics, letting you know what I think about things. I doubt it will be regularly updated, at least not at first, but keep your eyes open. I'll be back.
Chris
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