Intro
Outro
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Friday, January 30, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Hey kids!
The newest issue of Freezerburn is out now so do your cul-de-sac a favor and pick it up. Also, head to the official FB Zine Myspace page and drop Mister Ben a line.
Geek Out
A favorite series from my youth is finally coming out on DVD: the X-Men animated series. You can check out more info on the release at newsarama.com.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Friday, January 23, 2009
Geek Out
Below is a solicitation for the next two waves of DC Direct Green Lantern series figures. Both waves figure prominently into the huge GL event sweeping DC this summer, "Blackest Night."
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Monday, January 19, 2009
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Friday, January 16, 2009
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Monday, January 12, 2009
Debating the Dark Knight
Now that it is awards season in and around Hollywood, people are expecting the best for "The Dark Knight." While I am a fan of the film, I feel that it certainly has its flaws. I am preparing a post which will list those flaws and examine a few of them. Some of them may be continuity errors, which are moderately harmless, others are structural or plot issues, which bug me. Stay tuned...
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Friday, January 9, 2009
Let's All Go to the Lobby!
On Tuesday, my dad and I went to a screening of "Gran Torino," the new film from Clint Eastwood. Eastwood plays the main character, a war-hardened, isolated man with an affinity for the titular car, which he helped build during his time at a Ford plant. Here Eastwood plays the anti-hero as hero. His character is so racist, so hateful, his actions and comments come off as altruistic or even funny. Some of the things he said would make my grandma blush but the audience laughs as if he's being clownish.
I thought portions of the film were unbearable: the script was atrocious in parts and the use of non-professional actors didn't help the dialogue. The whole, however, is better than just the sum of its parts. The film looks at the differences in cultures, foreign and domestic, how those cultures comingle and create something new. It was interesting to watch the dynamic of the neighborhood fixture, Eastwood, interact and adapt to the new Hmong residents.
There were parts of the film I didn't like (writing, acting, warmly accepted racism). But like I said, the film is stronger than just those parts alone. The story is interesting, if not redundant, in that Eastwood takes up for his neighbors and they welcome with praise and gifts. It shows the true need for people to be more open minded and that you may not hate someone as much as you think based on what you take from first impressions.
I would say my biggest disappointment in the film comes from the climatic scene. The posing alone was enough to make me laugh outloud. I won't spoil it here, but it reminded a lot of the climatic scene of "The Omega Man."
I thought portions of the film were unbearable: the script was atrocious in parts and the use of non-professional actors didn't help the dialogue. The whole, however, is better than just the sum of its parts. The film looks at the differences in cultures, foreign and domestic, how those cultures comingle and create something new. It was interesting to watch the dynamic of the neighborhood fixture, Eastwood, interact and adapt to the new Hmong residents.
There were parts of the film I didn't like (writing, acting, warmly accepted racism). But like I said, the film is stronger than just those parts alone. The story is interesting, if not redundant, in that Eastwood takes up for his neighbors and they welcome with praise and gifts. It shows the true need for people to be more open minded and that you may not hate someone as much as you think based on what you take from first impressions.
I would say my biggest disappointment in the film comes from the climatic scene. The posing alone was enough to make me laugh outloud. I won't spoil it here, but it reminded a lot of the climatic scene of "The Omega Man."
Let's All Go to the Lobby!
2009 is quickly steamrolling its way along, smoothly replacing all that was 2008. I've been thinking about a top ten 'movies of the year' list, but I found it difficult to remember all the movies I saw (thankfully I have this blog). At first, I felt 2007 had so many great films it was easy to fill up a list of 10 or more top choices. Initially I felt 2008, however, has been something of a let down. I found it quite easy to create a top ten list of the films I saw in 2007, even with some spill over. After going through old posts, I soon realized there were a lot of great films in '08.
One aspect of crafting this list is keeping it limited to films I saw in the theatre. The turn around from theatre to DVD is so short now, but home viewing doesn't retain the same luster going to the movies possesses. By my estimate, I went to the theatre over 30 times to see a movie. In addition to the films that came out this year which I watched at home, that's close to 50 flicks.
Wow. That actually makes it a tough list this year.
My "Top Films" goes a little something like this...
1. Be Kind, Rewind
2. The Day The Earth Stood Still
3. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
4. The Happening
5. The Incredible Hulk
6. The Spirit
And those are my top six worst movies of the year.
Top Ten Best films....
1. Slumdog Millionaire
2. The Wrestler
3. Iron Man
4. The Dark Knight
5. Happy Go Lucky
6. Speed Racer
7. Wall*E
8. 4 Months, 3 Weeks, and 2 Days
9. The Wackness
10. Billy the Kid
Other notable films: Milk, Synecdoche, New York, Persepolis, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Funny Games, Standard Operating Procedure, Wanted, The Reader, Changeling
This list is compiled exclusively of films I saw at the theatre during the 2008 calendar year.
One aspect of crafting this list is keeping it limited to films I saw in the theatre. The turn around from theatre to DVD is so short now, but home viewing doesn't retain the same luster going to the movies possesses. By my estimate, I went to the theatre over 30 times to see a movie. In addition to the films that came out this year which I watched at home, that's close to 50 flicks.
Wow. That actually makes it a tough list this year.
My "Top Films" goes a little something like this...
1. Be Kind, Rewind
2. The Day The Earth Stood Still
3. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
4. The Happening
5. The Incredible Hulk
6. The Spirit
And those are my top six worst movies of the year.
Top Ten Best films....
1. Slumdog Millionaire
2. The Wrestler
3. Iron Man
4. The Dark Knight
5. Happy Go Lucky
6. Speed Racer
7. Wall*E
8. 4 Months, 3 Weeks, and 2 Days
9. The Wackness
10. Billy the Kid
Other notable films: Milk, Synecdoche, New York, Persepolis, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Funny Games, Standard Operating Procedure, Wanted, The Reader, Changeling
This list is compiled exclusively of films I saw at the theatre during the 2008 calendar year.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Optimal Geekdom!
Last night, Jeff, Shaun, and I participated in the first ever Star Clipper trivia night. The competition was fierce: eight teams of three dorks each (though one chap was brave enough to face the challenge alone). The categories were varied: four rounds of 15 questions (DC, Marvel, Indie, and Manga {well, as varied as a comic book trivia night could be}). The outcome was unexpected: 3rd place out of the eight teams. And to top it all off, our team name came in 2nd place: The Green Lantards (we lost out to Saggin' Ball Z). Though we went home empty handed, we had a fun time and were pleasantly surprised at our 3rd place finish. Star Clipper plans to hold another trivia night soon and you can bet we'll be there!
Monday, January 5, 2009
Friday, January 2, 2009
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