Music new releases June 16, 2017: Big Star; Can; Bowie
Click the links to order items from Amazon.
Best of Big Star
Pop Picks: "Colossal"
"Colossal" is one of the most unusual, thought-provoking films I've seen in a while.
In fact, I agree with my wife, who said a day after we watched it: "The more I think about it, the more I like it."
And there's plenty to think about. Like "WTF? This is a movie about a woman who learns that she's controlling the actions of a gigantic, Godzilla-like monster that's attacking the buildings and citizens of Seoul, South Korea. How do you come up with an idea like that?"
But screenwriter Nacho Vigalondo did come up with such an idea, and it's pretty danged cool.
The woman/monster is Gloria (Anne Hathaway), a hard-drinking writer who loses her job and boyfriend and returns to her small hometown to maybe get her life together. There, she meets up with an old friend, Oscar, (Jason Sudeikis), who hires her to work at his divey bar. Then monster troubles ensue and all sorts of questions arise.
Is Gloria really a monster, or does she just feel like a monster? Or is it that people are treating her like a monster, when she isn't? Are the men in her life more monstrous than she is? Is she treating herself too monstrously, and shouldn't she just cut herself some slack?
Lots to think about. Viewed in terms of gender, self-image an expectations we/others place on ourselves, it's a fascinating, many nuanced story. It's also quite funny and moving at times. Plus, it has giant monsters. Well worth a look.
In fact, I agree with my wife, who said a day after we watched it: "The more I think about it, the more I like it."
And there's plenty to think about. Like "WTF? This is a movie about a woman who learns that she's controlling the actions of a gigantic, Godzilla-like monster that's attacking the buildings and citizens of Seoul, South Korea. How do you come up with an idea like that?"
But screenwriter Nacho Vigalondo did come up with such an idea, and it's pretty danged cool.
The woman/monster is Gloria (Anne Hathaway), a hard-drinking writer who loses her job and boyfriend and returns to her small hometown to maybe get her life together. There, she meets up with an old friend, Oscar, (Jason Sudeikis), who hires her to work at his divey bar. Then monster troubles ensue and all sorts of questions arise.
Is Gloria really a monster, or does she just feel like a monster? Or is it that people are treating her like a monster, when she isn't? Are the men in her life more monstrous than she is? Is she treating herself too monstrously, and shouldn't she just cut herself some slack?
Lots to think about. Viewed in terms of gender, self-image an expectations we/others place on ourselves, it's a fascinating, many nuanced story. It's also quite funny and moving at times. Plus, it has giant monsters. Well worth a look.
They made this: Bob Ross "Joy of Painting" figure
I generally use these "They made this" post to ridicult stupid things that people make, but I must admit to liking this. Mainly because Bob was awesome and so relaxing to watch and he deserves to be celebrated as an action figure and perhaps even a minor saint. We don't deserve this, but now we can buy it!
New comics June 14, 2017: EC Archives: Crime Suspenstories; Teen Titans Bronze Age Omnibus; Amazing Spider-Man Masterworks Vol 19; Valerian Complete Collection
Click the links to order items from Amazon.
The EC Archives: Crime Suspenstories Volume 3
Teen Titans: The Bronze Age Omnibus
Marvel Masterworks: The Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 19
Valerian: Complete Collection Vol. 1
The EC Archives: Crime Suspenstories Volume 3
Teen Titans: The Bronze Age Omnibus
Marvel Masterworks: The Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 19
Valerian: Complete Collection Vol. 1
New on video June 13, 2017: The Lego Batman Movie; They Live By Night Criterion Edition
Click the links to order DVDs or Blu-Rays from Amazon.
The Lego Batman Movie
They Live By Night - Criterion Edition
The Lego Batman Movie
They Live By Night - Criterion Edition
So long, Adam West
Like the rest of pop culture world, I was saddened to hear of Adam West's passing, at age 88, yesterday.
There are hundreds of Batman-related posts on this blog, and most of them feature West and the rest of the 1966 "Batman" TV cast. This was my show as a little kid. I suspect the same is true for many regular visitors here.
I interviewed West briefly back in the early 1990s during my days as a newspaper reporter and found him hilarious, friendly and charming.
I couldn't help being a little nervous and gushing when I met him - this was my childhood idol, after all. When I told him I was a lifelong Batfan, he said "I could tell that about you, John." I suspect he'd said the same to many reporters of a certain age.
West was a class act and after some years of frustration over being typecast as the Caped Crusader, seemed to accept his fate with grace and good humor. I was a fan of his frequently hilarious Facebook page, where he posted pictures of "Moose Wayne," a wild visitor to his backyard in Idaho and a fantastic video of him playing Wii boxing with one of his grandchildren. The only thing missing was the Bat-music and "Zap!" and "Pow!" sound effects on the screen. Over at BoingBoing, there's a great post about a brilliant Bat-prank he played in his local telephone book.
Goodbye, sadly, to another part of our childhood.
There are hundreds of Batman-related posts on this blog, and most of them feature West and the rest of the 1966 "Batman" TV cast. This was my show as a little kid. I suspect the same is true for many regular visitors here.
I interviewed West briefly back in the early 1990s during my days as a newspaper reporter and found him hilarious, friendly and charming.
I couldn't help being a little nervous and gushing when I met him - this was my childhood idol, after all. When I told him I was a lifelong Batfan, he said "I could tell that about you, John." I suspect he'd said the same to many reporters of a certain age.
West was a class act and after some years of frustration over being typecast as the Caped Crusader, seemed to accept his fate with grace and good humor. I was a fan of his frequently hilarious Facebook page, where he posted pictures of "Moose Wayne," a wild visitor to his backyard in Idaho and a fantastic video of him playing Wii boxing with one of his grandchildren. The only thing missing was the Bat-music and "Zap!" and "Pow!" sound effects on the screen. Over at BoingBoing, there's a great post about a brilliant Bat-prank he played in his local telephone book.
Goodbye, sadly, to another part of our childhood.
New "Duck Tales" short celebrates Donald's birthday
The new "Duck Tales" series debuts on Disney XD in August.
Eisner 100: Kitchen Sink's Spirit comic series pt. 4
Concluding our celebration of Will Eisner's centenary, here's the remainder of his covers for the 1990s Spirit reprint series.
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