I've stopped blogging on SG because I blog at my own site Kirst Graphics. You can also find me at
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and a few other places if you know where to look
DeviantArt
and a few other places if you know where to look
BITE MY SHINY, METAL AIR!
I had today off. I had a doctor's appointment and way back when decided that I'd just take the whole day off. It was a long week because I had taken a few days off before the fourth weekend and was just not getting back into the groove.
The weekend of the fourth was a lot of fun. My college bud, Pam, was in town for a choral function and I met with her and hung out and talked for a while. Saturday, I did nothing. If I had I might have hung out with Pam on Sunday but ended up going to Chris and Sarah's 4th cookout. They filled water balloons and we played in their park/open lot area. It was also Tracy's birthday -- not my sister, Traci, who's birthday is literally on the 4th but Kevin and Tracy, Tracy who's birthday is around then.
Back to today. My appointment was at 1:30 and I had timed my movie-ing perfectly. Despicable Me started at 11:30 and with trailers would get me out at 1:15-1:20. Then to the doc's (just a block away from the theater) from 1:30 - 2 and then Airbender at 2:20. Perfect, right?
Despicable Me
I did not see it in 3D and there were a few scenes where you had a good POV (cookie robots and roller coaster) where it would be put to good effect. The movie is about a super villain, Gru (voiced by Steve Carell), down on his luck -- trying to compete with the new, younger, more dynamic super villain, Vector (voiced by How I Met Your Mother's Jason Segel). Thwarted in gaining access to Vector's lair Gru notices 3 orphan girls selling cookies (see, cookie robots was not a typo) easily gain access. So... he adopts them. The relationship between Gru the girls is the heart of this movie and it does not disappoint. Gru has family issues with his mother and Gru and her relationship affects his viewpoint towards the girls. Overall, the emotional range isn't explored as deeply as it could but then again it is a kid's movie. It's not Pixar weepy but it's definitely a step in the right direction.
The opening scenes have some very slapstick, Roadrunner/Coyote style scene but this is not the norm for the rest of the movies. At least not the norm for the human characters. Gru has minions, tiny yellow humanoids that speak in their own language, who are seemingly indestructible. The most surprising scene with the minions involved one breaking another's back and then shaking him like a glow-stick until he, yes, glowed!
After, a quick trip down the block to my diabetes doctor. I've become hella lax with my 'betes because my blood glucose is very much under control. So much so that I don't really try now. Anyway, my doc was 25 minutes late but only talked with me for 15 minutes. I've rescheduled but I'm not sure that I'm going back. There's nothing he can tell me that I don't know. The only thing he can really do is prescribe metformin. I know what I need to do, it's a matter of whether I do them. Anyway got out at 2:18 and did I go home? No! I was in theater by 2:23 for Last Airbender.
(Avatar,) The Last Airbender
I've seen most of the first 2 seasons Nickelodeon animated series and enjoyed them. M. Night did a good job of adapting and I thought it was good, not great. I have no problem with the racial recasting but the big problem was I didn't really care about anyone. The actor playing Aang was not able to express the crazy, carefree joy of his animated counterpart. Dev Patel as Zuko did the best job but his one-note "I must regain my honor" might have worked for a Hong Kong Kung-fu film but not a major theatrical release. The effects and the stuntwork was fun and one of the early scenes where Aang escapes from a fire nation ship really made me happy. The movie's fun if a little simple but certainly not worth the rating it got on rotten tomatoes.
Tomorrow a signing with Jill Thompson at Challengers and then next week the Grease sing-a-long!
Places to find me:
Deviant Art
facebook
Kirst Graphics
twitter
I had today off. I had a doctor's appointment and way back when decided that I'd just take the whole day off. It was a long week because I had taken a few days off before the fourth weekend and was just not getting back into the groove.
The weekend of the fourth was a lot of fun. My college bud, Pam, was in town for a choral function and I met with her and hung out and talked for a while. Saturday, I did nothing. If I had I might have hung out with Pam on Sunday but ended up going to Chris and Sarah's 4th cookout. They filled water balloons and we played in their park/open lot area. It was also Tracy's birthday -- not my sister, Traci, who's birthday is literally on the 4th but Kevin and Tracy, Tracy who's birthday is around then.
Back to today. My appointment was at 1:30 and I had timed my movie-ing perfectly. Despicable Me started at 11:30 and with trailers would get me out at 1:15-1:20. Then to the doc's (just a block away from the theater) from 1:30 - 2 and then Airbender at 2:20. Perfect, right?
Despicable Me
I did not see it in 3D and there were a few scenes where you had a good POV (cookie robots and roller coaster) where it would be put to good effect. The movie is about a super villain, Gru (voiced by Steve Carell), down on his luck -- trying to compete with the new, younger, more dynamic super villain, Vector (voiced by How I Met Your Mother's Jason Segel). Thwarted in gaining access to Vector's lair Gru notices 3 orphan girls selling cookies (see, cookie robots was not a typo) easily gain access. So... he adopts them. The relationship between Gru the girls is the heart of this movie and it does not disappoint. Gru has family issues with his mother and Gru and her relationship affects his viewpoint towards the girls. Overall, the emotional range isn't explored as deeply as it could but then again it is a kid's movie. It's not Pixar weepy but it's definitely a step in the right direction.
The opening scenes have some very slapstick, Roadrunner/Coyote style scene but this is not the norm for the rest of the movies. At least not the norm for the human characters. Gru has minions, tiny yellow humanoids that speak in their own language, who are seemingly indestructible. The most surprising scene with the minions involved one breaking another's back and then shaking him like a glow-stick until he, yes, glowed!
After, a quick trip down the block to my diabetes doctor. I've become hella lax with my 'betes because my blood glucose is very much under control. So much so that I don't really try now. Anyway, my doc was 25 minutes late but only talked with me for 15 minutes. I've rescheduled but I'm not sure that I'm going back. There's nothing he can tell me that I don't know. The only thing he can really do is prescribe metformin. I know what I need to do, it's a matter of whether I do them. Anyway got out at 2:18 and did I go home? No! I was in theater by 2:23 for Last Airbender.
(Avatar,) The Last Airbender
I've seen most of the first 2 seasons Nickelodeon animated series and enjoyed them. M. Night did a good job of adapting and I thought it was good, not great. I have no problem with the racial recasting but the big problem was I didn't really care about anyone. The actor playing Aang was not able to express the crazy, carefree joy of his animated counterpart. Dev Patel as Zuko did the best job but his one-note "I must regain my honor" might have worked for a Hong Kong Kung-fu film but not a major theatrical release. The effects and the stuntwork was fun and one of the early scenes where Aang escapes from a fire nation ship really made me happy. The movie's fun if a little simple but certainly not worth the rating it got on rotten tomatoes.
Tomorrow a signing with Jill Thompson at Challengers and then next week the Grease sing-a-long!
Places to find me:
Deviant Art
Kirst Graphics
Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything
Ah, another birthday has come and almost gone. On today, the twenty-first of April, 2010, I am 42 which I have declared my “Double Golden Birthday.” Instead of celebrating I worked, bought a 250 mil lottery ticket (the lottery, my ticket isn’t worth anything) and Popeye’s decided to have an 8 pieces for $5.99 sale to try and kill me. (Worth EVERY penny.)
This past weekend I went to a new comic convention: C2E2. I had quite the good time. There was a girl, no – woman, in a Black Widow costume who literally took my breath away. This is Miracole Burns.
She is a pro cosplayer and I never had a chance. The rest of the con was spent purchasing sketchbooks and getting autographs. Saturday evening saw “An Evening with Neil Gaiman” presented by the CBLDF.
Hung out lots with Kevin and Dr Popp who even stayed at Matt and my appartment (Matt was out and we actually cleaned!) As well as Marty and Jade who got a hotel room downtown. I spent much of Saturday with Rick from Hazel Crest days who I haven’t really hung out with for about 5 years.
C2E2 total expenses: $439
Tickets
——————————-
C2E2 $50
An Evening with Neil Gaiman $20
Sketchbooks
——————————-
Ryan Benjamin: Pancratia $20
J. Scott Campbell: More Gray Area $20
Jim Cheung: Sketchbook $15
Frank Cho: Sketches and Scribbles $20
Tom Fowler: Commissioned Art + Don’t Ruin This… $20
Josh Howard: C2E2 $20
Ant Lucia: Spookshow Pinups Card Set $30
Mike Mignola: From the Vault 2 $25
Vincent Proce: Art of Midway $10
Stephane Roux: Con Boy $15
Doug Sneyd: Playboy Preliminaries $15
Jason Seiler: Caricature $20
Retailer Purchases
——————————-
Dead Romeo TPB $5
James Robinson’s Complete WildC.A.T.S. TPB $5
Madame Xanadu 2 TPB: Exodus Noir $5
Mouse Guard RPG $18
One-Chanbara DVD $10
Titans 1 TPB: Old Friends $5
Vengenace DVD $14
Food
——————————-
Friday
- Bennigans $17 (Irish Dip and Iced tea w/Bacon Cheeseburger Chips)
Saturday
- Connie’s Pizza $11 (1.5 slices of sausage and drink)
- Baker’s Square $10 (Square Breakfast over easy/hash browns/english muffin)
Parking
——————————-
Friday $20
Sunday $19
Ah, another birthday has come and almost gone. On today, the twenty-first of April, 2010, I am 42 which I have declared my “Double Golden Birthday.” Instead of celebrating I worked, bought a 250 mil lottery ticket (the lottery, my ticket isn’t worth anything) and Popeye’s decided to have an 8 pieces for $5.99 sale to try and kill me. (Worth EVERY penny.)
This past weekend I went to a new comic convention: C2E2. I had quite the good time. There was a girl, no – woman, in a Black Widow costume who literally took my breath away. This is Miracole Burns.
She is a pro cosplayer and I never had a chance. The rest of the con was spent purchasing sketchbooks and getting autographs. Saturday evening saw “An Evening with Neil Gaiman” presented by the CBLDF.
Hung out lots with Kevin and Dr Popp who even stayed at Matt and my appartment (Matt was out and we actually cleaned!) As well as Marty and Jade who got a hotel room downtown. I spent much of Saturday with Rick from Hazel Crest days who I haven’t really hung out with for about 5 years.
C2E2 total expenses: $439
Tickets
——————————-
C2E2 $50
An Evening with Neil Gaiman $20
Sketchbooks
——————————-
Ryan Benjamin: Pancratia $20
J. Scott Campbell: More Gray Area $20
Jim Cheung: Sketchbook $15
Frank Cho: Sketches and Scribbles $20
Tom Fowler: Commissioned Art + Don’t Ruin This… $20
Josh Howard: C2E2 $20
Ant Lucia: Spookshow Pinups Card Set $30
Mike Mignola: From the Vault 2 $25
Vincent Proce: Art of Midway $10
Stephane Roux: Con Boy $15
Doug Sneyd: Playboy Preliminaries $15
Jason Seiler: Caricature $20
Retailer Purchases
——————————-
Dead Romeo TPB $5
James Robinson’s Complete WildC.A.T.S. TPB $5
Madame Xanadu 2 TPB: Exodus Noir $5
Mouse Guard RPG $18
One-Chanbara DVD $10
Titans 1 TPB: Old Friends $5
Vengenace DVD $14
Food
——————————-
Friday
- Bennigans $17 (Irish Dip and Iced tea w/Bacon Cheeseburger Chips)
Saturday
- Connie’s Pizza $11 (1.5 slices of sausage and drink)
- Baker’s Square $10 (Square Breakfast over easy/hash browns/english muffin)
Parking
——————————-
Friday $20
Sunday $19
Jury Duty
I had jury duty Friday. When I received the summons months ago, I informed work, got the day off and that was it. I had been summoned several times before but never had to serve. Show up and get released almost immediately or even call the night before and discover you were excused. My room mate brought up the latter and I realized I hadn't called. I checked my summons and discovered I was not a standby juror who could be excused but a proper juror. I had planned to bring a lunch and drinks but was unsure of the overall process. Was it like an airport where I would have to drink some of my drink? Would food even be allowed? Eventually I decided to carry as little as possible. I packed changed into a little case that once held mints and tossed that in my backpack. I was told to bring change for vending machines but that I would also be going through metal detectors. I also brought my laptop (specifically called out as permitted on the summons) and a couple of books and some cough drops.
I tossed my back-up hard drive in my trunk along with my camera (specifically called out as not being allowed) which disappointed me as I like taking pictures while downtown and it was to be a beautiful day. I left at 6:55 planning to get downtown and park by 8:00 at the latest. As I drove in I considered how I thought the day was like a holiday from work. I like variety and while what I do provides tremendous variety within my field it's still very the same. This was a true change of pace and one that I looked forward to. I even had fantasies about a month long trial that would keep me out of work. A month would just long enough for me to get bored with it and be happy to go back to work - though I'd miss C2E2. And if I was excused early I'd do some touristy stuff and go see the Runaways (the Joan Jett thing staring Kristin Stewart and Dakota Fanning) which is opening but not wide today.
Traffic was not bad. I guessed traffic might be light due to NCAA tourney interest though every time I saw a posted time to downtown it was 22 minutes. Still, the last 22 minutes was relatively accurate. I parked in the Grant Park lot, lower level right by the Washington street lobby, leisurly walked the few blocks west and was at the Daley center by 8:00.
Inside I went through the metal detector --no issues but they did pause on my backpack and up to the 17th floor. I turned in my summons and in exchange received a juror badge -- a sticker which stated "Cook County Circuit Court Juror", a jury pool number (forty one) and a sheet which had mostly the same information on the summons. I noted others had brought water and food and wished I had. I picked a seat by the window and finished up Amber Benson's "Cat's Claw" which I had read all but 20 pages the day it came out but then put it down and was unsure if I'd ever return. I started "Loose Girl: A memoir of promiscuity" by Kerry Cohen and got a few pages in when, at 9:00 I got to watch a video narrated by Lester Holt explaining the Juror's role in the legal system. Shortly after they summoned a couple jury pools but not mine
Around 9:45 they summoned the remaining groups. My group was last to be called. We were escorted by a deputy sherrif to a courtroom and promptly moved to the courtroom next door for reasons I missed. Fourteen of us were selected as potential jurors and then we had a break. When the break was over the Judge arrived and court was in session. A few people were excused for similarities in the case, one of those being a potential juror who was replaced. Four more names were called including mine and by 10:30 I was back in the room I started and part of another pool of potential jurors. The lady at the desk exclaimed as she passed out my new pool number (seven) they were light and the four who were sent back realized we might be in this for the long haul.
From 10:30 to 12:00 I didn't do much of anything. I read a little of my book, looked at some D&D stuff I had on the computer and kind of napped. People who were here earlier filtered back in and it seemed for certain this was an all day event. At noon they let us out for lunch and I picked up my camera and dropped of a few things from the backpack. Grabbed a quick McDs because I was in the mood for a Shamrock Shake and headed over to Blick Art Supplies. I wanted to see if they had the larger Pitt Pens which I though I saw there but realized they were at Utrecht. They were going to be too far for me to make in the time I had because I had a conference call at 1:00. I didn't have to make it but decided to do it anyways but once I dialed in I realized I shouldn't have pushed myself. Nothing directly involving me was discussed so waste of time.
The rest of the day was incredibly boring. Around 3 they told us there were two judges who might still need juries but had not canceled. We had to be there until that happened. Jury duty waiting around is like waiting at the airport except not as fancy. The seats aren't as comfortable and all have arms so you can't lay out and sleep. There are no concourse stores just a few vending machines and the bathrooms are old and kinda small. All the rest I tried to get was not very restful and just left me kind of groggy. At 3:30 they canceled. I originally was going to spend the evening downtown - grab some dinner and a movie, take in some of the sights but was so tired after all that I just stopped off at Challengers and then went home. I regret it now but really don't know if I could do it without a power nap in there somewhere.
I had jury duty Friday. When I received the summons months ago, I informed work, got the day off and that was it. I had been summoned several times before but never had to serve. Show up and get released almost immediately or even call the night before and discover you were excused. My room mate brought up the latter and I realized I hadn't called. I checked my summons and discovered I was not a standby juror who could be excused but a proper juror. I had planned to bring a lunch and drinks but was unsure of the overall process. Was it like an airport where I would have to drink some of my drink? Would food even be allowed? Eventually I decided to carry as little as possible. I packed changed into a little case that once held mints and tossed that in my backpack. I was told to bring change for vending machines but that I would also be going through metal detectors. I also brought my laptop (specifically called out as permitted on the summons) and a couple of books and some cough drops.
I tossed my back-up hard drive in my trunk along with my camera (specifically called out as not being allowed) which disappointed me as I like taking pictures while downtown and it was to be a beautiful day. I left at 6:55 planning to get downtown and park by 8:00 at the latest. As I drove in I considered how I thought the day was like a holiday from work. I like variety and while what I do provides tremendous variety within my field it's still very the same. This was a true change of pace and one that I looked forward to. I even had fantasies about a month long trial that would keep me out of work. A month would just long enough for me to get bored with it and be happy to go back to work - though I'd miss C2E2. And if I was excused early I'd do some touristy stuff and go see the Runaways (the Joan Jett thing staring Kristin Stewart and Dakota Fanning) which is opening but not wide today.
Traffic was not bad. I guessed traffic might be light due to NCAA tourney interest though every time I saw a posted time to downtown it was 22 minutes. Still, the last 22 minutes was relatively accurate. I parked in the Grant Park lot, lower level right by the Washington street lobby, leisurly walked the few blocks west and was at the Daley center by 8:00.
Inside I went through the metal detector --no issues but they did pause on my backpack and up to the 17th floor. I turned in my summons and in exchange received a juror badge -- a sticker which stated "Cook County Circuit Court Juror", a jury pool number (forty one) and a sheet which had mostly the same information on the summons. I noted others had brought water and food and wished I had. I picked a seat by the window and finished up Amber Benson's "Cat's Claw" which I had read all but 20 pages the day it came out but then put it down and was unsure if I'd ever return. I started "Loose Girl: A memoir of promiscuity" by Kerry Cohen and got a few pages in when, at 9:00 I got to watch a video narrated by Lester Holt explaining the Juror's role in the legal system. Shortly after they summoned a couple jury pools but not mine
Around 9:45 they summoned the remaining groups. My group was last to be called. We were escorted by a deputy sherrif to a courtroom and promptly moved to the courtroom next door for reasons I missed. Fourteen of us were selected as potential jurors and then we had a break. When the break was over the Judge arrived and court was in session. A few people were excused for similarities in the case, one of those being a potential juror who was replaced. Four more names were called including mine and by 10:30 I was back in the room I started and part of another pool of potential jurors. The lady at the desk exclaimed as she passed out my new pool number (seven) they were light and the four who were sent back realized we might be in this for the long haul.
From 10:30 to 12:00 I didn't do much of anything. I read a little of my book, looked at some D&D stuff I had on the computer and kind of napped. People who were here earlier filtered back in and it seemed for certain this was an all day event. At noon they let us out for lunch and I picked up my camera and dropped of a few things from the backpack. Grabbed a quick McDs because I was in the mood for a Shamrock Shake and headed over to Blick Art Supplies. I wanted to see if they had the larger Pitt Pens which I though I saw there but realized they were at Utrecht. They were going to be too far for me to make in the time I had because I had a conference call at 1:00. I didn't have to make it but decided to do it anyways but once I dialed in I realized I shouldn't have pushed myself. Nothing directly involving me was discussed so waste of time.
The rest of the day was incredibly boring. Around 3 they told us there were two judges who might still need juries but had not canceled. We had to be there until that happened. Jury duty waiting around is like waiting at the airport except not as fancy. The seats aren't as comfortable and all have arms so you can't lay out and sleep. There are no concourse stores just a few vending machines and the bathrooms are old and kinda small. All the rest I tried to get was not very restful and just left me kind of groggy. At 3:30 they canceled. I originally was going to spend the evening downtown - grab some dinner and a movie, take in some of the sights but was so tired after all that I just stopped off at Challengers and then went home. I regret it now but really don't know if I could do it without a power nap in there somewhere.
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
The first in-theater movie I saw this year was "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus." Now I rarely like any Terry Gilliam film I see the first time. Even my favorite, Munchaussen wore on me a little the first time I saw it. But that was a long time ago and I've matured a bit and understand Gilliam a little better now.
Imaginarium is a pretty straightforward story (for Gilliam) involving Doctor Parnassus and his daughter, Valentina , who is about to turn 16. The rub is the Doctor is immortal (sounds like I'm reviewing a Doctor Who episode) but his immortality came from a deal with the Devil and when Valentina turns 16 he gets to claim her. Tony (played by Heath Ledger) shows up and may be the Doctor's last hope to save his daughter. There are several interesting sub plots involving Tony's past, the Doctor's past, how Tony's arrival affects the group's dynamic and what the Devil really wants.
I'm a sucker for deals with the devil and the Devil in this one is a very interesting character. He seemed most interested in keeping the game with the Doctor going eternally, like he was looking for that longtime companion. It's early on but I'm somewhat lost at Tony's motivation. Apart from greed and possibly attaining his own version immortality.
The Spy Next Door
I love Jackie Chan. Still, there are movies of his that I have not seen in the theater (Tuxedo) and some I've still never seen (The Medalion, The Myth, Gorgeous) and I expected "The Spy Next Door" to be at least among the former. Still as I was leaving Parnassus, it was just starting up, so I saw it. And you know what, I liked it.
It's not a good movie. It's intended for kids without anything for adults. If you're a fan of Disney Channel movies (the ones made just for Disney Channel) or Nickelodeon films you may enjoy this. Characters and characterizations are one-dimensional and even Jackie's action isn't that spectacular (he is getting old) but it's still fun.
The story involves Jackie, agent Bob Ho on loan from Chinese Intelligence to the CIA, retiring to be with his next door neighbor, Gillian played by former uber-goddess, Super Model Amber Valetta. The thing is she is a divorcee and her 3 kids hate Jackie. Her father has an accident and she has to leave town to be with him so Jackie volunteers to watch them and try to win them over. Unfortunately the target of his last case escapes and ends up targeting Jackie putting him and the kids in danger. Hilarity ensues. The whole thing is very by the numbers and targets the kid audience.
So what did I like? I'm not sure. Perhaps coming out of Parnassus my mind was just looking for something that I wouldn't have to think about. Something simple. Still, I enjoyed it.
The first in-theater movie I saw this year was "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus." Now I rarely like any Terry Gilliam film I see the first time. Even my favorite, Munchaussen wore on me a little the first time I saw it. But that was a long time ago and I've matured a bit and understand Gilliam a little better now.
Imaginarium is a pretty straightforward story (for Gilliam) involving Doctor Parnassus and his daughter, Valentina , who is about to turn 16. The rub is the Doctor is immortal (sounds like I'm reviewing a Doctor Who episode) but his immortality came from a deal with the Devil and when Valentina turns 16 he gets to claim her. Tony (played by Heath Ledger) shows up and may be the Doctor's last hope to save his daughter. There are several interesting sub plots involving Tony's past, the Doctor's past, how Tony's arrival affects the group's dynamic and what the Devil really wants.
I'm a sucker for deals with the devil and the Devil in this one is a very interesting character. He seemed most interested in keeping the game with the Doctor going eternally, like he was looking for that longtime companion. It's early on but I'm somewhat lost at Tony's motivation. Apart from greed and possibly attaining his own version immortality.
The Spy Next Door
I love Jackie Chan. Still, there are movies of his that I have not seen in the theater (Tuxedo) and some I've still never seen (The Medalion, The Myth, Gorgeous) and I expected "The Spy Next Door" to be at least among the former. Still as I was leaving Parnassus, it was just starting up, so I saw it. And you know what, I liked it.
It's not a good movie. It's intended for kids without anything for adults. If you're a fan of Disney Channel movies (the ones made just for Disney Channel) or Nickelodeon films you may enjoy this. Characters and characterizations are one-dimensional and even Jackie's action isn't that spectacular (he is getting old) but it's still fun.
The story involves Jackie, agent Bob Ho on loan from Chinese Intelligence to the CIA, retiring to be with his next door neighbor, Gillian played by former uber-goddess, Super Model Amber Valetta. The thing is she is a divorcee and her 3 kids hate Jackie. Her father has an accident and she has to leave town to be with him so Jackie volunteers to watch them and try to win them over. Unfortunately the target of his last case escapes and ends up targeting Jackie putting him and the kids in danger. Hilarity ensues. The whole thing is very by the numbers and targets the kid audience.
So what did I like? I'm not sure. Perhaps coming out of Parnassus my mind was just looking for something that I wouldn't have to think about. Something simple. Still, I enjoyed it.
These are the movies seen in theater and books read in 2009.
2009 In-Theater Movies
Let the Right One In (2008 movie but I didn't see it in theater until Jan.)
My Bloody Valentine
Coraline
Push
Street Fighter:LoC-L
Watchmen
StarTrek
Mirrormask (Yes, it's old but it was in a theater and introduced by director Dave McKean)
Up
GI Joe
(500)Days of Summer
The Hangover
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
2012
Princess and the Frog
Avatar 3-D
Sherlock Holmes
2009 Books
Prince of Stories (Wagner/Golden/Bissette)
Waiter Rant (Steve Dublanica)
Death’s Daughter (Amber Benson)
Doomsday Key (James Rollins)
New Spring (Robert Jordan)
Heat Wave (Richard Castle)
2009 In-Theater Movies
Let the Right One In (2008 movie but I didn't see it in theater until Jan.)
My Bloody Valentine
Coraline
Push
Street Fighter:LoC-L
Watchmen
StarTrek
Mirrormask (Yes, it's old but it was in a theater and introduced by director Dave McKean)
Up
GI Joe
(500)Days of Summer
The Hangover
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
2012
Princess and the Frog
Avatar 3-D
Sherlock Holmes
2009 Books
Prince of Stories (Wagner/Golden/Bissette)
Waiter Rant (Steve Dublanica)
Death’s Daughter (Amber Benson)
Doomsday Key (James Rollins)
New Spring (Robert Jordan)
Heat Wave (Richard Castle)
Movies
Seen a few things the last few weeks
Sherlock Holmes
Preface: I am quite the Holmes fan. I've read all of Conan-Doyle and a few from others (Nicholas Meyer's "Seven Percent Solution" is fun -- the same Nicholas Meyer directed Star Trek II: the Wrath of Khan) and have seen a good many tv/film adaptations with Jeremy Brett's BBC 80's run being the best. I have seen plays which adapted Conan-Doyle and immediately picked up that the movie "Zero Effect" was a very close adaptation of the first Holmes short story "A Scandal in Bohemia."
Guy Ritchie's "Sherlock Holmes" is exactly that. Sherlock Holmes dropped into a Guy Ritchie film and the two are not as exclusive as you'd think. If you're a fan of Guy's kinetic, working class films you'll like this. If you're a Holmes fan you'll probably like this as well. While the overall plot could have used some help, Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law portrayed an excellent Holmes and Watson. Even Rachel McAdams as love interest was acceptable because her role was that of Irene Adler, the only woman Holmes ever respected. Conan-Doyle wrote Holmes not necessarily as a misogynist (though maybe) but clearly had no respect for women. In the movie Dr. Watson is getting married and his fiance, finally having her first meeting with the detective at a posh restaurant, asks Holmes (over Watson's protests) to tell her about herself. Holmes crushes her with his scrutiny causing her run off and Watson to follow. Holmes' entree is served just as they leave -- he knew he would be dining solo but it feels true to character. They avoid discussion Holmes' drug use (the seven percent solution is 7% cocaine) but they do not deny it either. Holmes is often discovered in such a state that a reference to his habit would not be out of place.
There is a story involving a dastardly plot to take over the world, magic, and Holmes coming to terms with being alone with Watson getting married. Holmes also has to expand his horizons because magic is beyond logic. The technology looks a bit steampunky but it was kept relatively toned down. At least there were no giant Wild, Wild West spiders which I feared going in. (I lie! There can never be too many Wild, Wild West steampunk spiders!) So good, not great. Story is OK. Characterization from writing and acting are both excellent.
They took a few too many liberties with Irene Adler's post "A Scandal in Bohemia" life (as everyone must to include her) but I'm always thrilled with an appearance. One last nerd note: Irene (EE-RAY-NAH) was originally the Mina Murray/Harker role in Alan Moore's League of Extraordinary Gentlemen but even Moore thought not enough people would know her.
The Princess and the Frog
"Disney's triumphant return to 2D animation!" I had fun but lets pick on a few things. Our first Black Disney Princess spends much more screen time as a frog than as a black woman. The songs are only OK - two weeks have passed and I can not remember a single one. I still have Little Mermaid songs running around in my head. OK that's it. The rest of it is a good movie, I think if there were more memorable songs, it'd be great. The story is set in New Orleans 100 or so years ago. It's about Tiana, a girl who's dream is to fulfill her deceased father's dream of owning a great restaurant. She works very hard at this, sacrificing her social life to earn enough money. All work - no play. Charlotte, her childhood friend, dreams of marrying a prince (Tiana's mom worked for Charlotte's very rich father making dresses for Charlotte) and one day Indian Prince Naveen arrives. Naveen is all play, no work - you can see where this is going. But Naveen ends up in the machinations of Dr. Facilier who voodoo's Naveen into a frog while Naveen's disrespected and abused servant Lawrence is voodoo'ed up to become Naveen. Eventually frog Naveen escapes, meets Tiana and convinces her to kiss him which (oops!) changes her into a frog. The movie is their adventures in trying to return to human and stop Dr. Facilier and Lawrence from marrying Charlotte and killing Charlotte's dad. There is a good blend of funny, action/thriller and romance. I saw it opening day and there was a group of high-school girls who sat a few rows in front of me who giggled (appropriately) throughout.
Avatar
Somehow I now hear the Beastie Boys Sabotage whenever I see something about Avatar. "Listen All O' Y'All, This is Avatar! Listen All O' Y'All, This is Avatar!"
So believe the tech hype. Despite the commercials showing clearly computer generated beings the 3D is so well done that you don't realize they're CG anymore. I know. I was skeptic too. And while I'm not the one to go to fully critique HD, 3D, CGI I felt immersed in the world. They didn't play the "paddle ball" trick where things come out of the screen at you and thus didn't exploit the technology. James Cameron shot the film as if it was a 2D film and maybe his 3D tech was better.
The movie is two movies. Movie One is a discover the an alien world and Movie Two is an adventure movie about primitive natives fighting off invaders who want their "oil" and have modern technology. Both movies are fun if a bit simple. The "oil" is "unobtanium" which is a different unobtanium from one of my favorite bad movies, "The Core" with Aaron Eckhart and Hilary Swank. It is the future and all of Earth's resources are gone. Unobtanium will somehow help and this planet (moon?) is rich in the resource. The atmosphere is toxic to humans so the natives DNA has been mixed with human DNA to make a body called an Avatar that a human can put their consciousness into and thus interact with the natives. The main character, Jake Sully - played by T4's and Clash of the Titan's Sam Worthington, had a brother who was going to be an Avatar rider but was killed. Avatars cost lots so the government gets Jake to take over his contract. Jake agrees, he is former military but lost use of his legs. Once on planet, he is pulled at from the military who want Jake to do recon for them. The scientists are unwilling because they won't abide conflict between the two races. Amazingly the natives accept Jake because he is a warrior, a respected role among them, unlike the others who are all scientists. That's the setup.
None of the three are great stories but all are enjoyable.
Seen a few things the last few weeks
Sherlock Holmes
Preface: I am quite the Holmes fan. I've read all of Conan-Doyle and a few from others (Nicholas Meyer's "Seven Percent Solution" is fun -- the same Nicholas Meyer directed Star Trek II: the Wrath of Khan) and have seen a good many tv/film adaptations with Jeremy Brett's BBC 80's run being the best. I have seen plays which adapted Conan-Doyle and immediately picked up that the movie "Zero Effect" was a very close adaptation of the first Holmes short story "A Scandal in Bohemia."
Guy Ritchie's "Sherlock Holmes" is exactly that. Sherlock Holmes dropped into a Guy Ritchie film and the two are not as exclusive as you'd think. If you're a fan of Guy's kinetic, working class films you'll like this. If you're a Holmes fan you'll probably like this as well. While the overall plot could have used some help, Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law portrayed an excellent Holmes and Watson. Even Rachel McAdams as love interest was acceptable because her role was that of Irene Adler, the only woman Holmes ever respected. Conan-Doyle wrote Holmes not necessarily as a misogynist (though maybe) but clearly had no respect for women. In the movie Dr. Watson is getting married and his fiance, finally having her first meeting with the detective at a posh restaurant, asks Holmes (over Watson's protests) to tell her about herself. Holmes crushes her with his scrutiny causing her run off and Watson to follow. Holmes' entree is served just as they leave -- he knew he would be dining solo but it feels true to character. They avoid discussion Holmes' drug use (the seven percent solution is 7% cocaine) but they do not deny it either. Holmes is often discovered in such a state that a reference to his habit would not be out of place.
There is a story involving a dastardly plot to take over the world, magic, and Holmes coming to terms with being alone with Watson getting married. Holmes also has to expand his horizons because magic is beyond logic. The technology looks a bit steampunky but it was kept relatively toned down. At least there were no giant Wild, Wild West spiders which I feared going in. (I lie! There can never be too many Wild, Wild West steampunk spiders!) So good, not great. Story is OK. Characterization from writing and acting are both excellent.
They took a few too many liberties with Irene Adler's post "A Scandal in Bohemia" life (as everyone must to include her) but I'm always thrilled with an appearance. One last nerd note: Irene (EE-RAY-NAH) was originally the Mina Murray/Harker role in Alan Moore's League of Extraordinary Gentlemen but even Moore thought not enough people would know her.
The Princess and the Frog
"Disney's triumphant return to 2D animation!" I had fun but lets pick on a few things. Our first Black Disney Princess spends much more screen time as a frog than as a black woman. The songs are only OK - two weeks have passed and I can not remember a single one. I still have Little Mermaid songs running around in my head. OK that's it. The rest of it is a good movie, I think if there were more memorable songs, it'd be great. The story is set in New Orleans 100 or so years ago. It's about Tiana, a girl who's dream is to fulfill her deceased father's dream of owning a great restaurant. She works very hard at this, sacrificing her social life to earn enough money. All work - no play. Charlotte, her childhood friend, dreams of marrying a prince (Tiana's mom worked for Charlotte's very rich father making dresses for Charlotte) and one day Indian Prince Naveen arrives. Naveen is all play, no work - you can see where this is going. But Naveen ends up in the machinations of Dr. Facilier who voodoo's Naveen into a frog while Naveen's disrespected and abused servant Lawrence is voodoo'ed up to become Naveen. Eventually frog Naveen escapes, meets Tiana and convinces her to kiss him which (oops!) changes her into a frog. The movie is their adventures in trying to return to human and stop Dr. Facilier and Lawrence from marrying Charlotte and killing Charlotte's dad. There is a good blend of funny, action/thriller and romance. I saw it opening day and there was a group of high-school girls who sat a few rows in front of me who giggled (appropriately) throughout.
Avatar
Somehow I now hear the Beastie Boys Sabotage whenever I see something about Avatar. "Listen All O' Y'All, This is Avatar! Listen All O' Y'All, This is Avatar!"
So believe the tech hype. Despite the commercials showing clearly computer generated beings the 3D is so well done that you don't realize they're CG anymore. I know. I was skeptic too. And while I'm not the one to go to fully critique HD, 3D, CGI I felt immersed in the world. They didn't play the "paddle ball" trick where things come out of the screen at you and thus didn't exploit the technology. James Cameron shot the film as if it was a 2D film and maybe his 3D tech was better.
The movie is two movies. Movie One is a discover the an alien world and Movie Two is an adventure movie about primitive natives fighting off invaders who want their "oil" and have modern technology. Both movies are fun if a bit simple. The "oil" is "unobtanium" which is a different unobtanium from one of my favorite bad movies, "The Core" with Aaron Eckhart and Hilary Swank. It is the future and all of Earth's resources are gone. Unobtanium will somehow help and this planet (moon?) is rich in the resource. The atmosphere is toxic to humans so the natives DNA has been mixed with human DNA to make a body called an Avatar that a human can put their consciousness into and thus interact with the natives. The main character, Jake Sully - played by T4's and Clash of the Titan's Sam Worthington, had a brother who was going to be an Avatar rider but was killed. Avatars cost lots so the government gets Jake to take over his contract. Jake agrees, he is former military but lost use of his legs. Once on planet, he is pulled at from the military who want Jake to do recon for them. The scientists are unwilling because they won't abide conflict between the two races. Amazingly the natives accept Jake because he is a warrior, a respected role among them, unlike the others who are all scientists. That's the setup.
None of the three are great stories but all are enjoyable.
The Joseph Gordon-Levitt Weekend?
[Note: Haven't posted here as often as I'd like. the BB code conversion often makes it a hassle. I still blog semi regularly at my website kirstgraphics.com]
So JG-L was in 2 movies this weekend: G.I. Joe and (500) Days of Summer, which opened wide(r).
G.I. Joe tried to be your typical summer popcorn movie but failed on most levels. The story involves Duke (Channing Tatum) and Ripcord (Marlon Wayans in a comic relief role) in the US armed service and assigned to protect new nanobot warheads capable of destroying all metal radiating out from ground zero until they receive a kill signal. They are attacked by an unknown military group with advanced weaponry but saved by the international military unit, G.I. Joe, and they join. We discover Duke and the Baroness (Sienna Miller) had a relationship which went sour when Duke failed to protect the Baroness' brother Rex (Gordon-Levitt). Rex survived to work on nanotech research for Destro (Christopher Eccleson). Both teams attack each other's bases which are pure 60s Bond Villain style bases in an effort to gain control of the warheads.
The Baroness and Scarlett (Rachel Nichols) are hot but you'd have to work pretty hard to make them not hot. They did have my favorite fight because it was a fight guys could have had but it was done by hot chicks.
Storm Shadow (Byung-hun Lee) and Snake Eyes (Ray Park) were good adaptations and their fights were well done but the problem was there was their character arc. Even in the flashbacks Snake Eyes always got the better of Storm Shadow so when they fought in the end it was no surprise as to who the victor was.
Channing Tatum has somehow stolen WWE's John Cena's genes. He sounds exactly like him and even looks a lot like him. So much so, that I wonder why Cena wasn't cast in the role. Duke is the character who we follow in the movie. His story arc is the most developed but the real issue is the movie relies too much on flashbacks to try and involve us in the back stories of the characters and villains and in the end it's too dense and it feels like they're trying to dumb it down. Or maybe I just didn't care.
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500 Days of Summer is not a summer popcorn blockbuster. It is a wonderful slice of life movie about Tom's (Gordon-Levitt) relationship with a girl named Summer (Zooey Deschanel). The movie is not told in a linear fashion. There are 500 days to their relationship and we are shown the specific day we are watching. The first scene we see is day 390 - just after they break-up we then jump earlier seeing day 1 where the first met and then get to see their relationship develop.
Tom and Summer go through interesting and believable character arcs. In one of their first real social interactions, Summer explains she doesn't have a boyfriend because she doesn't believe in love. Tom believes in love and argues she just hasn't found the right person. They start dating soon after. As the movie starts with a break-up Tom goes through some highs and lows and we see how love can inspire and bring one to despair.
One thing I'd like to mention is the soundtrack. The title sequence is to Regina Spektor's Us and had me from there. Music is used to define characters similar to Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist. Of particular note is the musical number as Tom, after spending his first night with Summer, is so happy it appropriately spreads to those around him.
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Oh yeah, Wizard World: Chicago Comic-con happened this weekend as well.
I went Thursday night, checked out everything and bought enough stuff to not go Friday. On Saturday I met up with Jason and looked around the show with him.
G.I. Joe (more accurate than the movie)
more cosplay
Green Lantern Corpswomen
It's a freaking Sentinel and there ARE people in there.
Pastels
We went to dinner at the Embassy Suites restaurant, saw G.I. Joe, and hung out in the Hyatt bar with Pat, Luke and Jenny to later be joined by Steve and his friends.
On Sunday we met up with Kevin, Tracy, Chris and Sarah. Kevin bought toys Chris got a picture with Lou Ferigno, Sarah got t-shirts and Tracy got a balloon.
We had lunch at the Hyatt and saw Ray Park and TNA's Christy Hemme there. Then I met up with Ashly to see 500 Days but first she had to give the old man a hug. That's not a euphemism. So say we all.
Final Talley:
TRADES:
Amazing Spider-Man 7: The Book of Ezekiel ($5)
@thena Inc. ($5)
Batman: Fortunate Son ($5)
Death Jr. 2 ($5)
The Devil’s Panties vol 2 HC ($5)
Fantastic Four Omnibus 1 ($50)
Fantastic Four Visionaries: George Perez Vol 1 ($5)
Incredible Hulk Vol 1 HC (Jones/Azzarello/Romita Jr./Weeks/Corben) ($5)
Kilroy Is Here ($5)
Lloyd Kaufman Presents: The Toxic Avenger and Other Tromatic Tales ($5)
New Universal ($5)
Pathfinder: An American Saga ($5)
Scarlett’s Curse: Born From Hell ($5)
Spawn: New Flesh Collection ($5)
Spider-man and the Fantastic Four: Sivler Rage ($5)
Spider-man’s Tangled Web 3 ($5)
Stagger Lee ($5)
The Trouble With Girls 2 ($5)
WildC.A.T.S:Gang War ($5)
Wolverine and Black Cat: Claws HC ($5)
X-Men: Phoenix – Warsong HC ($5)
SKETCHBOOKS:
Agnes Grobowska: You, Me, and Zombie ($20)
Christina Strain: Coloring Book ($10?)
J. Scott Campbell: Tall Sketchbook ($20)
J. Scott Campbell: Shades of Gray Sketchbook ($20)
J. Scott Campbell: Monster Green – the Wicked Files ($30)
Jenny Frison: Judge books by their COVERS ($15)
Keron Grant: Sublime ($25)
Luke Smarto: Pillow Fight ($15)
Mark Texerira: Babes & Brawn ($10)
Scott Hepburn: Welcome to The Port ($10)
Talent Caldwell: Interim Part One ($10)
DVDs:
Kung-Fu Chefs ($10)
The Best of ECW ($25)
TOYS:
Doctor Who Mini 2-pack: Slytheen and Weeping Angel ($10)
BOOKS:
Memoirs of an Antihero ($8)
CARDS:
HP6 ($8)
Firefly ($8)
FOOD:
G2 ($3) Bought cuz I forgot my water in the car and I could refill it.
Embassy Dinner (treated to by Jason – Thanks!)
Hyatt Drinks: ($25)
Hyatt Lunch ($20)
MOVIES:
G.I.Joe ($19 – treated Jason)
(500) Days of Summer ($7.50)
PARKING
$5+$13+$13=$31 total)TOTAL: $439.50
Add to that tickets were $50 and I think Christina Strain’s sketchbook may have been $20 I spent a good $500 this weekend. GAH! So very broke. Next year it may be cheaper to get a table and do the art thing.
ACEN 2009
So I took Friday off to go to Anime Central (ACEN) but didn't go. That evening co-worker Diana had an art opening at the 4ART Inc gallery, one of the many galleries in Pilsen. She was part of a group showing and exhibited stained glass work. Most of the other work was also traditional modern. Paintings, typography, a lot of mixed media. There was a very polished digital artist who I liked mostly because I'm less about art and more about technique. Anyone who does what I do but can do it better technique wise I appreciate. It was unbelievably hot in the 4ART gallery. It was because of the the lighting. Interestingly I visited 4 other showings on that block and all of them were temperature cool.
Saturday I went to ACEN. I went last year because Halcali was a musical guest. This year not so much but I had bought an advance weekend ticket which was the cost of a single day ticket bought at the door. So I had to go. It was fun. I could have spent a lot of money on things but ended up buying a My Neighbor Totoro hoodie and a sketchbook in newspaper journal size. But the one thing ACEN is good for is cosplay. Lots of people in really cool costumes. (I'm so out of touch with anime I have no idea who most of these people are supposed to be.)
I hate Illinois Nazis!
Okami's Issun being mauled by a bear.
6 swords Link?
Vanya from UMBRELLA ACADEMY. My favorite costume!
The convention center taken after a lunch at Gibson's.
Is everyone here a guy?
The lobby of the Hyatt.
Sailors Venus, Moon, Mars and Jupiter. (Mercury has really let herself go.)
No idea on the next 4
Non-anime chicks.
Today is Mother's Day. I joined my mother at a North Central College production of Romeo and Juliet and took her out for ribs!
So I took Friday off to go to Anime Central (ACEN) but didn't go. That evening co-worker Diana had an art opening at the 4ART Inc gallery, one of the many galleries in Pilsen. She was part of a group showing and exhibited stained glass work. Most of the other work was also traditional modern. Paintings, typography, a lot of mixed media. There was a very polished digital artist who I liked mostly because I'm less about art and more about technique. Anyone who does what I do but can do it better technique wise I appreciate. It was unbelievably hot in the 4ART gallery. It was because of the the lighting. Interestingly I visited 4 other showings on that block and all of them were temperature cool.
Saturday I went to ACEN. I went last year because Halcali was a musical guest. This year not so much but I had bought an advance weekend ticket which was the cost of a single day ticket bought at the door. So I had to go. It was fun. I could have spent a lot of money on things but ended up buying a My Neighbor Totoro hoodie and a sketchbook in newspaper journal size. But the one thing ACEN is good for is cosplay. Lots of people in really cool costumes. (I'm so out of touch with anime I have no idea who most of these people are supposed to be.)
I hate Illinois Nazis!
Okami's Issun being mauled by a bear.
6 swords Link?
Vanya from UMBRELLA ACADEMY. My favorite costume!
The convention center taken after a lunch at Gibson's.
Is everyone here a guy?
The lobby of the Hyatt.
Sailors Venus, Moon, Mars and Jupiter. (Mercury has really let herself go.)
No idea on the next 4
Non-anime chicks.
Today is Mother's Day. I joined my mother at a North Central College production of Romeo and Juliet and took her out for ribs!
I Have No Comment On The Matter
So the second Challengers movie outing was a 10PM Thursday showing the J.J. Abrams' Star Trek. Now I am a Trekkie/Trekker and have seen every movie, every episode (classic, tng, ds9, voyager, and enterprise) and even read a few books (the Peter David 'Imzadi' books are quite good) so when I say I liked it lots you know where I'm coming from.
It's a very action oriented Star Trek. Combat is quick and flashy. Even the ship-to-ship combat is fast. The story, as you'd expect, focuses on Kirk and Spock solving a threat to the galaxy but it's a Star Trek relaunch so character interaction is the main focus. The story is fun but nothing to make you think. There's time travel and old Leonard Nimoy Spocks and it really doesn't make that much sense plotwise but there's a sense of that you're along on a fun ride so enjoy it. Hmm, sounds a bit like how I describe Michael Bay movies.
There are many inside references: some almost anyone who has even a peripheral knowledge will get and a few just for Trekkies (nothing hella obscure though a repeat viewing may be in order to doublecheck.) The actors all do a good job of channeling their characters with Karl Urban brilliantly capturing the crotchety "Bones" McCoy. There's a wonderful slapstick sequence between him an Kirk just as they get on the Enterprise which is the funniest thing in the movie. Well, either that or when Spock replies to Kirk's inquiry about Uhura's name.
One last thing. Kirk ends up in the arctic tundra being chased by a creature which I initially thought was Cloverfield but wasn't. In the short afterdiscussion friends thought it may have been an early design for Cloverfield or a modified Cloverfield. The head is clearly different but if you've got the computer model for a good monster why not use it?
TV Ugly
So my roommate and I were watching Fringe and I asked if he thought Olivia Dunham was TV Ugly. Unfortunately he didn't understand the reference.
There was a Simpson's episode (Pygmoelian) where a tv producer wanted someone ugly for her soap opera and the director tracked down Moe. When she saw him she was shocked. The director said, "Well, you said you wanted 'gritty', in other words, 'ugly.'"
The producer replied "I wanted Mary Anne from Gilligan's Island ugly, not Cornelius from Planet of the Apes ugly. TV-ugly, not ugly-ugly."
So is Anna Torv (Dunham) TV ugly? I mean she's clearly good looking but they downplay her beauty by going for a no-make-up look. She's never going to look like Yvonne Strahovski (Sarah Walker from Chuck - though Yvonne does have British teeth) but Sarah Walker is clearly meant to be gorgeous and Olivia Dunham (I think) is meant to be average.
BTW when Moe heard the producer's tirade on ugly he said, "I've been called ugly, pug-ugly, fugly, pug-fugly ... but never no ugly-ugly" He then went and got plastic surgery, became beautiful and the star of that producer's soap, and then had an accident which somehow reverted him back to ugly-ugly Moe.
So the second Challengers movie outing was a 10PM Thursday showing the J.J. Abrams' Star Trek. Now I am a Trekkie/Trekker and have seen every movie, every episode (classic, tng, ds9, voyager, and enterprise) and even read a few books (the Peter David 'Imzadi' books are quite good) so when I say I liked it lots you know where I'm coming from.
It's a very action oriented Star Trek. Combat is quick and flashy. Even the ship-to-ship combat is fast. The story, as you'd expect, focuses on Kirk and Spock solving a threat to the galaxy but it's a Star Trek relaunch so character interaction is the main focus. The story is fun but nothing to make you think. There's time travel and old Leonard Nimoy Spocks and it really doesn't make that much sense plotwise but there's a sense of that you're along on a fun ride so enjoy it. Hmm, sounds a bit like how I describe Michael Bay movies.
There are many inside references: some almost anyone who has even a peripheral knowledge will get and a few just for Trekkies (nothing hella obscure though a repeat viewing may be in order to doublecheck.) The actors all do a good job of channeling their characters with Karl Urban brilliantly capturing the crotchety "Bones" McCoy. There's a wonderful slapstick sequence between him an Kirk just as they get on the Enterprise which is the funniest thing in the movie. Well, either that or when Spock replies to Kirk's inquiry about Uhura's name.
One last thing. Kirk ends up in the arctic tundra being chased by a creature which I initially thought was Cloverfield but wasn't. In the short afterdiscussion friends thought it may have been an early design for Cloverfield or a modified Cloverfield. The head is clearly different but if you've got the computer model for a good monster why not use it?
TV Ugly
So my roommate and I were watching Fringe and I asked if he thought Olivia Dunham was TV Ugly. Unfortunately he didn't understand the reference.
There was a Simpson's episode (Pygmoelian) where a tv producer wanted someone ugly for her soap opera and the director tracked down Moe. When she saw him she was shocked. The director said, "Well, you said you wanted 'gritty', in other words, 'ugly.'"
The producer replied "I wanted Mary Anne from Gilligan's Island ugly, not Cornelius from Planet of the Apes ugly. TV-ugly, not ugly-ugly."
So is Anna Torv (Dunham) TV ugly? I mean she's clearly good looking but they downplay her beauty by going for a no-make-up look. She's never going to look like Yvonne Strahovski (Sarah Walker from Chuck - though Yvonne does have British teeth) but Sarah Walker is clearly meant to be gorgeous and Olivia Dunham (I think) is meant to be average.
BTW when Moe heard the producer's tirade on ugly he said, "I've been called ugly, pug-ugly, fugly, pug-fugly ... but never no ugly-ugly" He then went and got plastic surgery, became beautiful and the star of that producer's soap, and then had an accident which somehow reverted him back to ugly-ugly Moe.
JUNE 2011
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