A Query for the Fans #1

So anywho, I moved out of my cambridge residence this morning. Before lifting heavy boxes though, I powered up, eating homefries and watching the 1990s "Mortal Kombat" film. I must say, it is quite enjoyable and for the small section I watched, I caught a great segment. This segment consisted of Lu Kang, some girl (I assume Sonia) walking around until Sub Zero shows up. He lets them know that he doesn't hate them and wants to be friends and help them. THEN, Scorpion shows up, launches some snakes out of his hands (which doesn't really make sense) while saying his oh-so-classic line "Get Over Here!" A fight ensues.

This got me thinking:

Why aren't there more nerd arguments about who would win in a fight between Sub Zero, Scorpion and/or Reptile? For something so relevant to our generation, you would think people would have more opinions.

I personally like Sub Zero. The whole ice thing can get overplayed but I think Sub Zero was one of the pioneers of the ability.

Discuss!

Space Wedding or a Marriage made in the Stars

During one of Adult Swims many cuts, there was a story featuring a couple that was married in Zero-G. For those of you who don’t know what Zero-G is,

“The ZERO-G Experience is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience true weightlessness. On our specially modified Boeing 727, parabolic arcs are performed to create a weightless environment allowing you to float, flip and soar as if you were in space.

A ZERO-G Experience is available starting at $4,950 per person. Your ZERO-G Experience includes 12-15 parabolas, your own ZERO-G flight suit, ZERO-G merchandise, a Regravitation Celebration, certificate of weightless completion, photos and video of your unique experience. Read more about how it works.”

Adrien and I were stunned by the concept. There was something different about this though. Names were mentioned though, Erin and Noah. I don’t know many people that go by that name, but I do specifically know two, whom I did a panel with this Spring at Anime Boston.

Following my intuition, I scowered my memory and the internet only to find that I was right. I know them. Not on a very personal level, however, I know people who got married in space. This is relevant and bloggable on two levels:

1. It’s a really cool idea. Space Wedding!

2. I am unsure about how I feel about marriage. Though it has importance on a societal level, I sometimes wonder if I am one of those people needs/wants to be married. This is somewhat caused by the enormity of people in my generation who are getting married at a fairly young age. I just don’t understand how someone could get married so early on, right after High School. This example however, certainly makes me lean toward the concept of it. It is a nice to see some people in my generation who really take time to think out their wedding, focusing on their individuality and love for each other.

Either way, here is the website about their experience, as well as the Adult Swim Spot:

http://www.zerogravitywedding.com/



Congrats, Erin and Noah!

June, or why things have been so slow lately.

Actually, I wouldn't say slow, per say, but maybe you've noticed we've been posting more news stories than original content lately. The main reason being Sam and I haven't been able to do anything together for about 2 weeks now. Starting the second week of July things around here will start to pick up; this is what I'm aiming for, at least. We have a few video ideas and if I twist Sam's arm enough I think we'll post some of our comics. I don't mean the entire thing, just some samples for your consideration.

Either way, June was an impressive month for us. We are getting closer to 100 posts and I think we'll have something special planned for that... if we can think of anything.

We're becoming a real blog! HURRAY! Oh, you like us, you really like us! I just can't believe it! You like us!

I have planned a Public Enemies review when I get the time to see that movie, so look out for that.

Besides that; unless something really dire, or ridiculously awesome, comes up; this will probably be my last post until after the 4th.


Oh, I realise I should probably mention this. Yes, I have been editing the layout quite a bit lately. There are a few more things I want to do but I run the risk of looking silly. If the other Sig Bot member agree with my choices, then a drastic change can be expected. I am really happy with the look of the blog right now. If you think so, let me know. If you don't then I hate you.

Darkseid Minus New Gods: A Hilariously Good Idea.

If you've read Garfield minus Garfield then you'll understand what this is all about. If you don't know who Darkseid, or the New Gods are, then you should probably watch this video. It covers their origin and whenever I can send people over to Linkara, I generally take the chance.

Anyways, here is a sample.


Darkseid Minus New Gods.

Watching the details, not the Watchmen.

I don't know about this.

On the blu-ray edition of the Watchmen director's cut there will be this feature called "Maximum Movie Mode". I'm not even going to bother describing it seeing as the video below will do that for me. As far as I can tell it's something of a Director's commentary, but you can see him, as if HE is watching the movie with you! Also, he can pause and rewind as he likes! So it's a scene-by-scene dissection with the director.

I want to make it clear that I do think this is really interesting feature. Given the right movie; lets say Ken Russell's The Devils, and the right host; Mark Kermode, this could be amazing.

However, this is Watchmen; ZACK SNYDER'S Watchmen. A nearly 3 hour movie that almost completely missed the point of it's original source material.

Now the director's cut, I believe, is well over 3 hours. I'm not sure if I want to sit down with this guy, watch this movie, and give him complete control over the viewing experience. Seriously, am I going to have to sit there for 4 hours listening to Snyder fall over himself about how "brilliant" he thinks this movie is? Or suffer through him constantly pick out all the great "attention to detail"?

Because really, that's all this movie was. It got the details to a tee. It completely missed the big picture.

Breaking the Day, Breaking the Day

So Daybreakers...

Why we haven't talked about it, I can't tell you.

A film that looks like a cross between the Matrix, Brick and Alien. Apparently in the future, Vampires are the best thing ever to be. So they take over, with everyone wanting to go vamp and gather up the remaining humans as a blood supply. So the age old question that much of America is facing right now: What happens when our food source, what keeps us alive, runs out? We'll find out.

To be honest, it looks fairly good. Sam Neil and Willem Dafoe are enjoyable, especially when they reverse roles (I am refering to Sam Neil's daring escapades in Jurassic Park and the suits that I've seen Dafoe wear) Ethan Hawke is a good main lead also. Anywho, its nice to see something redeemable in the awful vampire era we are facing currently.

Yea, I meant Twilight

Something Sam and I should watch sometime: Troll 2

Wow.

Japan has built another giant robot.

Hooray, our imminent deaths-by-giant-robots-most-likely-from-Japan are upon us.

It was fun.

Michael Bay should be the dead Michael!

A little too harsh?

Anyways, if you didn't know, Michael Bay is not only the Devil but he is also insane and stupid and evil.

I can assure this will be the last Transformers related post for a while. That is unless the IMDB goofs page for the movie becomes the longest in the history of that site.

My on going campaign.

I'm starting to get the feeling that all my Transformers hate is starting to annoy some people: I don't care.

Here are 2 articles over at Topless Robot to enjoy.

A lengthy review of the movie.

A fake interview Rob at TR had with himself to further explain the movies terribleness.

Because others do it better.

So, if you read my Revenge of the Fallen review and you want more Bay bashing, watch Spoony and his brother tear this movie apart. Keep in mind this review covers largely the same ground I did but is filled with such vile it's worth a watch.

Warning: This is almost an hour long.

On Recent Deaths

I know Scott mentioned the recent death in the most recent posts (Michael Jackson, Farah Fawcett, Ed McMahon)

Here's a thought (and a nerdy one at that, in the tradition of the blog):

The Blackest Night is coming out, which features the ever-popular Black Hand, a diabolical villain who has been granted the ability to raise the dead, or more specifically dead famous and/or super-powered people. I'm probably the only one who thought about this but who else thinks its weird and creepy that so many famous people are dying?

They might just come back to life :P

(I kind of miss home already)

Michael Jackson is dead.

And Sam is away, so today is pretty terrible.

With my partner away, I'm going to try to write a few stories in his absence. Maybe I'll actually get somewhere.

Anyways, everyone is dying, you could be next. Watch out for snakes.


*DISCLAIMER*
I thought it would be amiss if I didn't say SOMETHING about Jackson. To be honest, it kinda sucks. On the other hand, it has no real affect on me. Maybe I'll download Thriller and cry. Most likely, I won't.

Today took years off my life.


EDIT:
Yeah, I know. Farrah Fawcett and Ed McMahon have parted from the mortal coil with our brother Michael.

Shitty week.

NEW JAPANESE CUTE FILM GO!

I like his work, particularly his older stuff but this looks like it has promise.

My Revenge on the Fallen

Movie: "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen"
Year: 2009
Rated: PG-13
Genre: Action / Stupid Giant Fighting Robots
Directed by: Michael "The Anti-Christ" Bay
Written by: Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman, Ehren Kruger

You can probably already tell where this review is going. Before we get into the meat of the bone I'll TRY to explain the plot. Wish me luck!

After the events of the first movie The Autobots have been helping the US and UK military to rid the world of the remanding Decepticons. However, we soon find out; after a lengthy and confusing action scene, that more and more Deceptos are coming to Earth each day. But why? What could the Decepticons possibly be looking for?

Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf), the first movie's "hero" is packing his stuff for college - You see, Sam; who has befriended giant alien robots; his car being one of them, wants to have a "normal" life - when he finds a shard from the Allspark. Upon touching the shard his mind fills with an entire library of information. But what is it that he now holds in his brain?

The information that has come to inhabit Sam is a map. This is about the time the movie stops caring for the plot and everything converges in on it's self and goes batshit crazy. Or maybe it was just me.

Anyways, there is this Transformer called "The Fallen", the original Decepticons and Magatron's master. The map leads to a MacGuffin called the Matrix of Leadership. The Matrix of Leadership powers devices called Sun Harvesters. Sun Harvesters were installed all over the galaxy thousands of years ago by the Dynasty of Primes; the original 13 Transformers, The Fallen being the 13th. Sun Harvesters, well, harvest suns; thus killing all life in that planetary system, to power the Allspark. The Fallen, being a Decepticons and an overall dick wanted to use all the Sun Harvesters regardless of other life in the galaxy and now he is back to finish the job. More or less.

Confused?

First off, I want to say this: This is NOT a kids movie. I don't mean that in the sense that its too dark or too serious/mature. I mean that in the sense that, well... Remember the scene in the first movie about masturbation? Multiply that by 10 and you'll be close to how crude this movie gets. It's leering, it's sexist, it's gross. This is a movie about giant fighting robots, do I NEED to see John Turturro ass? Do I NEED Rainn Wilson as an over-sexual College professor? And why the fuck are those actors in this movie? You can do any better than this?

Now, I've decided to just not review this with some labored review (this movie doesn't deserve that). So here are my 3 biggest complaints, or the the 3 things I think boil this movie down and define it.

One, when Sam first arrives to his dorm room there are two movie posters on the wall: Cloverfield and Bad Boys 2. Now, I'm not going to rag on either of these movies; I liked one and haven't seen the other. However, I think this personifies the movie: 2 and a half hours of The Anti-Christ (Michael Bay) and the other makers of this movie jerking themselves off all over the audiences face.

Two, the humor. I honestly, even though I have said I don't usually like comedy films (that's a discussion for another day), enjoy when any film injects some humor into its self. Life is funny, movies are hyper-reality, so they can be funny too. However, every 5 minutes; regardless of scene, there is a joke. Now, the situation of giant fighting robots can certainly present many opportunities for humor. You must remember that Lucifer (Bay) has the mind of a 12 year old and none of the jokes are any funnier or smarter than your average dick or fart joke. Puerile to say the least.

Lastly, and rage and depression inducing; the twins. There are two new robot characters, Mudflap and Skids. One is a red Chevrolet Trax and one is a green Chevrolet Beat. I don't know which, to be honest; not only do both robots look the same, but both cars are almost identical. Now, here's where things get down right offensive. Both characters speak in an urban dialect (Ebonics). Skids, the "smarter" of the two, has a gold tooth. Worst of all: Neither character can read. One of them, Skids? Proclaims; "Nah, man, that just ain't our thing." This is racist. Okay, Bay, you asshole. Now, you may ask, "Why blame Bay for this, it wasn't written by him?" Well, you're wrong. Due to the writers strike the original script had to be turned in before the beginning of the strike, which it was. Bay then took it upon himself to re-write a majority of the script; adding humor, more action and more personality to the characters. This leads me to believe that personality to Bay means obvious racial stereotypes.

Now, there are other problems with this movie: It's almost a carbon copy of the first movie. The action scenes are nauseating. The editing is non-existent. The movie runs about 40 minutes too long. The second half is giant clusterfuck. You could tell in the theater that the audience was losing patience with the convoluted garbled mess the last 3rd of the movie became. When you establish several plot lines you gradually pull them together so at the end they become one. You don't have all them jump on top of each other in the last 30 minutes.

One of the funnier line... funny in an ironic way. When in the desert with an old defected Decepticons, Turturro and LaBeouf are trying to figure out what the fuck is going on - oh, but aren't we all? LaBeouf asks, "Give us some plot, some semblance" and Turturro futhers this questioning by saying, "Don't get episodic on us, we want the beginning, middle and end."
How I feel like these are things this movie will never deliver.