Williams at the Bowl
Sep 02
Thanks to good geek pals John Charles and Katherine (they, along with the mighty Chris Stewart, are responsible for my introduction to Spaced), I got to spend Saturday night the way every Saturday night should be spent: at the Hollywood Bowl, watching John Williams conduct the Los Angeles Philharmonic. There was a sweet little tribute to filmmaker Stanley Donen (he of Singin’ in the Rain/Funny Face/that clip where Fred Astaire dances on the walls that was later used to sell vacuum cleaners fame), but what really makes Williams’ annual jaunt to the Bowl special is the utter joy that ripples through the crowd when he conducts his own compositions. Hearing those soaring scores float over the summer-drenched greenery of the Bowl is enough to remind you of why you liked Star Wars in the first place, before it was a hotbed of geek controversy and disappointment. Indiana Jones, Superman, E.T. — all in there as well, all reminding you of iconic moments in your childhood.
And as soon as the opening notes of The Imperial March rang out, clumps of lightsabers lit up the crowd, bopping along in time to the beat. It was a great moment — geekily enthusiastic, yet respectful. A fitting tribute to a guy who keeps showing us just how much more powerful music can make a moving picture.
On Being a Character Loyalist
Aug 29I don’t really think of myself as the kind of fan who makes sweeping, “If [property I like] does [plot twist that sounds dumb/shark jumpy/whatever], then it is dead to me!!!” I’m more of a last gasp hanger-on-er. It takes a lot for me to break up with something.
It just struck me, however, that there have been a couple instances wherein I’ve sort of drifted away after swearing to “give [property I like] a chance and see where it goes” when said property killed off one of my favorite characters. In both cases, I kind of knew it was coming and I prepared myself, even though I wasn’t happy about it. And in both cases, I don’t think said property suddenly got shitty just because the people behind it killed off a key figure. I just sort of…lost interest. Does that mean that I am, above all things, a character loyalist? Without even trying to be, really?
Yakety Sax
Aug 28Courtesy of an e-mail from my friend Melinda, here’s a fine way to spend ten minutes on a Thursday afternoon:
The Spielberg War of the Worlds…BENNY HILL STYLE!
Star Wars…BENNY HILL STYLE!
And Lord of the Rings…BENNY HILL STYLE!
Thanks, Benny.
Happy Birthday, Jack Kirby
Aug 28Many other fine bloggers are taking a moment today to celebrate what would have been Jack Kirby’s 91st birthday.
I’m a relatively recent Kirby Konvert; I think what pushed me over the edge was the Fourth World Omnibus Volume 1. Now I’m insatiable in consuming whatever Kirby I can get my hands on, especially his seventies work.
There is no other creator–in comics or otherwise–who literally blows my mind every time I am exposed to any of their work. Only Kirby does that for me.
Anyway, this is my favorite Kirby page. I love everything about it–the expression on Avia’s face, the dialogue (yes, I happen to love Kirby’s dialogue–it’s beat poetry for nerds), this moment of brief calm before battle tears this perfect world to shreds and leads ultimately to the battle against ultimate good and ultimate evil that is the Fourth World saga.
Thanks for everything, Jack.
My Latest Black Glove Theory
Aug 27I guess I’ll put a jump in for “spoilers,” although the chances I’ve managed to ferret out Grant Morrison’s mental machinations before he’s chosen to reveal them to us is indeed slim…
