Trailer Made
Jul 18We fankids get so invested in trailers. They present a lot of different issues for us to…decide on. Are we pants-pissingly excited for this film or are we just…pissed? Does this actor look like a good match for such-and-such comic book role? Does Mulder look too old? Does Nite Owl look fat enough? The judgments start from the very first frame.
And yet, sometimes trailers aren’t a very accurate gauge. The Phantom Menace had a fantastic trailer, and we all know how that turned out. So, you know, just to give a hypothetical, is it really worth our time to get into an IM argument with someone over exactly how kick-ass/un-kick-ass the Watchmen trailer is?
Apparently, it is, because that’s what I spent yesterday doing! (For the record: I think it looks cool, Husband Jeff not convinced.)
Things got a little dicey, though, because my opponent tried to present The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen as an example of a “good” trailer that made for a shitty movie. I was so offended by this, I went and looked up said trailer, because in my opinion? This is one case where the trailer told you EXACTLY how shitty the movie would be.
Every bad call, every wrong decision pulsates through its 1:26 running time. The muggy quips that fall flat, the clunky CG, the hamminess of The Connery. It’s all there, right down to the part where the name is too long for them to say out loud, so they shorten it to “The League.”
Here’s hoping that the Watchmen clip (which I still think is super-swell) is an equally accurate barometer of the film’s ultimate quality.
(On a semi-related note: did you know you can follow Rorschach on Twitter? Get to it!)
D&D Diary: Character Creation
Jul 17
Inspired by the super-streamlined 4th edition rules, my husband and our good pal Seth decided it was time for a new Dungeons & Dragons game. I was initially not interested. Like, at all. I’ve been around D&D-ers all my life, I’ve watched the game in action…but to be perfectly honest, I’ve never actually played. Somehow, it always seemed to end in tears or people fighting or whatever, and that did not appeal to me (kind of surprising, considering all the Trekkie fan club drama I got into in high school…but that’s another post).
Have some comics journalism (NO REALLY!)
Jul 15Those bemoaning the lack of serious, investigative journalism in the comics industry should read Van Jensen’s piece for this week’s edition of PW Comics Week, the Publishers Weekly comics-centric e-mail newsletter. It covers the situation at Platinum, and it’s a great piece of reporting.
The Lonesome Cowboy Wears Jams
Jul 14When the Takashi Murakami show hit LA last year, one of the most common reactions while touring the premises went something like this:
“Parental advisory? Whaaaaaat? All these little animals and flowers are so cute and pop art-y and HOLY MOTHERFUCKING SHIT NEVER MIND.”
That moment right there is when most folks rounded the corner and spotted The Lonesome Cowboy, a gigantic statue who is very talented in a way I can’t really describe without blushing (don’t worry, you’ll be able to figure it out in a second). Anyway, the exhibit just wrapped up a stint in Brooklyn, and Heidi MacDonald attended and posted a nice essay with some very insightful points, but I have to admit that before I even read said essay, I laughed for 10 minutes over the little outfit she gave Mr. Cowboy. I just love that. He is digging the tasteful hibiscus-themed pattern — you can tell.
As for the answer to Heidi’s final question, I think the cowboy looks fucking elated. Wouldn’t you be? I mean, if you could do that?
Batman vs. ABBA
Jul 14If you’re reading this site, chances are you realize that a certain big blockbuster film starring a certain crusader what is caped opens on Friday.
You may not realize, however, that it is not the only movie releasing to theaters. In a stunning bit of counterprogramming, the ABBA musical adaptation Mamma Mia also hits screens on Friday.
There’s no question that The Dark Knight will trounce all competition and reign supreme over the July 18-20 frame…or is there???
