TRON, beeyotch.

December 20, 2010

Yesterday afternoon, I went and saw TRON: Legacy. I thought I was seeing the movie in 2D, but lo and behold, I got the 3D version (ticket prices here are pretty much the same, and 3D gives me a headache). While I wasn’t thrilled with the idea of having to sit through another 3D movie (Avatar was enough!), I still went.

The plot is pretty basic. Sam Flynn finds out his father might still be alive, so he goes into the world of the computer in order to save him. Some stuff happens, he see’s his father after something like 15 years or whatever, and all is good. Until he has to get his dad home. If you’re really looking for a good plot with good dialogue, this is not the movie for you. Much like Transformers, I am confused by the people who are upset that this movie had a lack luster story. You don’t see this movie for the story. You see it for the visuals. Of course you say that to any fanboy/fangirl, and they get their panties in a twist. And to that I say, untwist them and get over it. The first TRON, not that great. In fact, I fell asleep through it.

This movie is a feast for the eyes. The 3D is done superbly, and frankly almost the whole cast is really good-looking. At times it did have really sweet moments, but all in all, I didn’t care. The movie could have just had the music as the sound and it would have been heaven for me. The music, all by Daft Punk, is great. It pays homage to the original soundtrack, but still manages to be current and frankly, really awesome.

The other thing I really, REALLY like, was the character Quorra. Played by Olivia Wilde, Quorra is one bad ass motherfucker. She saves Sam a bunch of times, and can really handle herself. She is a great strong female protagonist. Perhaps the movie should have been about her. I would have enjoyed it more.

So go out, see TRON: Legacy, and leave all of your fangirl/boy notions at the door. They are not welcome here.

-Lauren

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Saving the world, in a dress.

December 19, 2010

For my final Literary Theory paper, I wrote about sexism in Watchmen. I won’t be posting the whole paper (after all, who wants to read 10 pages of me trying to woo my teacher into giving me an A?), but I would to share my favorite part out of it.

“As Eddie puts it, “C’mon baby. I know what you need. You gotta have some reason for wearin’ an outfit like this, huh?” We can’t ignore that she dresses up as a sexy super hero to fight crime, a stereotype largely dominated by men. Her sexy costume is a way to show that yes, she is female. She’s not afraid of showing some skin, after all, she could beat you to a pulp. The other female fighter in the Minutemen, Silhouette prefers to cover up her body, and is later revealed to be a lesbian. Perhaps Sally’s sexuality is where her power really lay. As Gayle Rubin points out, “Women are oppressed in societies which can by no stretch of the imagination be described as capitalist.” I won’t get into an argument on capitalism and America, but I feel women are oppressed everywhere. Sally’s costume was a way for her to show that she could not be oppressed in their male driven society, while Silhouette chose to show her anger against oppression by instead sleeping with women.

 By the Comedian raping Sally he is also oppressing her, showing that she can never be anything more than a weak woman. Gayle Rubin notes that in the Amazon valley and New Guinea Highlands, men gang rape women.

““We tame our women with the banana.” Said one Mundurucu man. The ethnographic record is littered with practices whose effect is to keep women “in their place.”” When Sally is eventually saved, Eddie says “Hey wait! She wanted me to do it! She…” Perhaps Eddie thought this would tame her, or ultimately put her in her place, which is not with men fighting crime.”

-Lauren

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King Of Kong

December 12, 2010

I finally got around to watching what all my friends have been calling an amazing work of art. A work of art so amazing my eyes will cry unicorn blood while pixies dance around my living room, having sex and leaving poop everywhere. Poop that cured asthma, even.

This isn’t a review about the documentary, though. As great as it was (it really was), it opened up my young eyes to a nerdy evil more evil than…I dunno, something evil.

Billy Mitchell.

If your skin isn’t crawling after that, then thanks for reading, Bruce Campbell. Please note, that everything stops when he enters an arcade. I only wish that when I grow up, that I can command so much power, that I too can make people stop playing video games/reading comic books/having glorious amounts of sex in order to stare at the glory that is me.

Except not. He was (as of September of this year, he is not) the highest record holder in the game Donkey Kong. That is why he’s famous. Because he’s really fucking good at a video game. He didn’t cure cancer, he didn’t save a group of children from a burning building. No. He was just really good at playing Donkey Kong. I am aware that much of what he said was probably taken out of context (seriously, it’s pretty clear-cut who the bad guy and the good guy are), but some of it you really have to think. I mean, one of his buddies was calling him with score updates. As a girl who does a fair amount of gabbing, this is a sign that Billy/his friend are jealous/angry/PMSing/acting like twats over someone else possibly beating the score.

I will give props that he owns his own hot sauce company. That is bad ass, as I do enjoy hot sauce a great deal. However, some of the way he acted in this movie (especially the scene where he see’s his rival in the arcade!) is just downright childish.

-Lauren

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Brief talk with Gail Simone

December 10, 2010

So remember that con back in October? New York Comic Con aka clusterfuckcon? Yeah I remember it too.

I never really got to do an entry on it, but Lauren did and really I don’t have too much to say on it. My goal for that con was to try and get footage for the TV station I work for (which did not get used…oh well) but I did manage to snag a couple minutes of Gail Simone’s time. So as not to have made her time (and mine) a complete waste I will share that interview here. Gail Simone currently writes Birds of Prey (I, personally, am SO GLAD this series is back and has her as the author) and Secret Six (which is highly entertaining).

Q: In the recent issues of Birds of Prey, Savant betrayed the Birds and caused a plot twist that surprised fans. Was this something you had planned when you were last on Birds of Prey or was this a new plot you came up with?
A: It was a new plot that I created for this storyline.

Q: In Secret Six you write a believable lesbian character. How did you go about create that character?
A: Make layers and make sure they are well-rounded characters. There are very few minority characters, so I take really good care of them.

Q: Do you listen to any music to inspire you to write certain characters? If so, what songs?
A: I have to have absolute silence. Sometimes during brainstorming there can be background noise. Rest of the time, I need silence.

Q: How was it writing the Birds of Prey episode for cartoon series like Justice League Unlimited and Batman: Brave and the Bold?
A: It was really fun! It was so exciting. I loved it.

Q: If DC ever made a Birds of Prey movie do you think they would ask you to write the script and would you want to do it?
A: Yes.
(Hint: DC, GET THE FUCK ON THIS. RIGHT NOW.  FORGET GREEN LANTERN.  GIVE ME BIRDS OF PREY.)

Q: Do you feel the advances in technology will hurt or help the comic industry?
A: It gives us a new set of tools. Trick is not to stay in the past. Move forward and accommodate with the changing times. People will still want it on paper but will reach a wider audience reaching it digitally.

Q: What words of advice would you give to someone trying to break into the comic industry?
A: Write as much as you can. Decide what to listen to and what not to listen to and find your own voice.

That was all the questions that I asked, because the con is a busy time for everyone so I wanted to keep it short and sweet.  Believe me, I could’ve just stayed there all day and asked questions.  And then she would’ve had to shoo me away with a broom.

Next year I do plan to return to NYCC and hopefully will have my own video equipment to get footage with audio and do a couple on-site interviews!

For my next post on here, you guys can expect my thoughts on what has been going on with DC and J. Michael Straczynski’s future game plan for Superman: Earth One graphic novel series and him dropping two books, but we still get his storyline? Wow DC, we get to have our cake and eat it too!

-Julie

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XxX Holic

December 8, 2010

When I was younger, so much younger than today, I ate up everything CLAMP put out. X/1999 came out while I was in elementary school, and I thought it was brilliant. But I was like 9, and I thought lots of stupid things when I was 9.

However, XxX Holic is borderline brilliant, if only for the art. Much like everything else CLAMP draws, the art is painstakingly detailed, and a real feast for the eyes. The story is pretty good. Not life shatteringly good, but still good to make you want to read the whole series. The story revolves around a young man named Watanuki who is followed, and generally annoyed, by ghosts. While coming home from school one day, he is lured by his legs to enter a very Japanese style looking house. There he meets the beautiful, long haired Yuko, who says she can get rid of these spirits, but for a price. Thus, Watanuki becomes her part-time helper, and his spirit problems seem to vanish.

The plot is honestly much more involved, and even crosses over with another CLAMP title., Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle. Both are really excellent manga. Would you be lost throughout XxX without reading Tsubasa? Maybe. I wasn’t. But it doesn’t hurt to pick up the other series either. I probably would not suggest this series if you’re not into manga. While CLAMP is good, if you’re used to reading Batman, you probably won’t get into anything CLAMP does. (However, if you do, then that’s awesome.)

-Lauren

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Perfect for the girl in your life.

December 6, 2010

Or guy, whichever.

nOir Jewelry has released a line of DC comics inspired stuff; rings, earings, and more. The items are really pretty (or downright stunning, like the Gotham City ring) are pretty reasonable. My favorite (which was oh so hard to do!) has to be this ring here: http://noirjewelry.com/Rings/BatGirlDome/568. Not only does it match my car (black) it also matches the tattoo on my shoulder (Batman).

Seriously, perfection.

If nOir is still out of your price range, never fear! Hot Topic is here. http://www.hottopic.com/hottopic/PopCulture/Superheroes/All.jsp Some of the items are pretty neat (oooh! A Spider-Man bathroom rug!), but if your lady (or guy) has an eye for the bling, getting them a plush Iron Man may seem silly. But it is the thought that counts, right?

-Lauren

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The Ugly Truth

December 1, 2010

At long last, the newest Diary Of A Wimpy Kid book is out. I picked it up at my local Costco and read it within a half hour. My first impression, not as funny as the others. It still had its moments, but the real heart of the book is that the reader can relate to this. Greg is at that age where kids around him are starting to hit puberty. However, Greg himself has yet to hit it (both his mom and dad were late as well, so no biggie). He is also dealing with new responsibilities, a boy-girl sleepover at school, and dealing with not having Riley as his best friend, over something that happened during the summer break.

Greg really hasn’t changed that much. He’s still a bit of an asshole to everyone, but he is obviously growing up. One scene in particular stood out, because it happened to me, and to everyone else who was in middle/high school the last 10 years. I had to go through sex ed around 7th grade (and again at 10th). The boys and girls had to be in different classes. Now, granted the boys and girls essentially learned about the same thing, but you know, boys learned about what they go through, and girls got to watch a video of a woman giving birth (which solidified in my then 12-year-old mind that I would be adopting my kids). We also learned about the boring stuff, such as chromosomes and that. Much like Greg, there were no “good” parts, and I felt bad for the three kids that couldn’t take the class.

But enough about me! The book is still great, and again, this is a wonderful series for any kid to read, especially those kids who don’t like to read. Also, the movie is out on DVD, as well as a few new board games to go along with the series! I’m really glad this series is as popular as it is. Maybe there is hope for our youth after all.

-Lauren

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Soul Eater Om Nom

November 28, 2010

Soul Eater, a newish anime series to come out of Japan, has been running on Netflix Insta-Que. I love the Insta-Que because I can watch so much crap without waiting for a DVD to show up. And no, I don’t download stuff either.

To keep it simple, Death is trying to maintain peace and order in the world from zombie demon things who are eating human souls. Death has a special school where they train kids to be fighters. Maka, is one of those fighters. She works with a weapon called Soul, who is fighting these zombie demon things. If he eats 99 of these bad souls, and one witch soul (meaning 100 in total) he will become a super weapon for death to use. In the first episode they come close, but the “witch” they were hunting was really a cat with magic powers.

The other characters, Black Star and Death The Kid (as well as their respective weapons) are enjoyable. Black Star reminds of Naruto, only more obnoxious. Death The Kid (Death’s son) is pretty funny, and slightly OCD. They’re all not one-dimensional either, as they do grow and progress through the series. However, they are pretty typical characters for an anime. They’re all trying to find themselves, and in the long run they just might.

The animation is what I really want to talk about. It’s pretty awesome. It’s a wonderful blend of 2D and 3D, and they work together very well. The show, despite how morbid it is, is surprisingly colorful and a nice feast for the eyes. It’s no Princess Mononoke, but it’s still good.

-Lauren

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The Last Suckbender

November 22, 2010

Oh my God why did someone say M Night Shamalamalama could make an Avatar: The Last Airbender movie. Why did someone think he doing it would be a good idea?

Ok, so basically the first movie (oh God we have to endure more of this shit) follows book one, I guess. We meet the two main “kids”, Katara and Sokka. Katara is a water bender, and Sokka is not. Sokka also has the bad luck of being played by one of those fucking glittery Twilight vampires, so his suck level increased by that much. The two find Aang and Appa under the ice, and free him. Somehow they take him back to their village, and neglect to tell him that the Fire Nation has taken over and is being bad and evil and stuff. Eventually Prince Zuko, played by the kid from Slumdog Millionaire (how the hell do you go from THAT, to THIS, is beyond me), who kidnaps Aang.

Beyond that, there’s really no use going into the detail of what happens. The pacing in this movie is fucking terrible. Katara narrates through most of the film, which means M. Night rolled out of actually showing pacing, plot, a story, anything that wasn’t this. They skimmed over a few details, ignored some, and called Aang Ung through the whole film. Ung rhymes with dung, which is what this movie was: a steaming pile of dung.

The CG was hit or miss. When the elements were being used, they looked pretty awesome. But then when you saw Appa fly, it looked stupid. The costumes were also pretty sweet, but reminded me of some cosplay level stuff. Not saying cosplay can’t be good, but there’s a difference between cosplay and theater quality.

Overall, please avoid this movie. A dinner date to Red Lobster with Aquaman would be more exciting, and we all know Aquaman is as exciting as a dead fish.

-Lauren

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December is almost here!

November 18, 2010

And the holiday spirit has hit me hard. Like it does every year. Despite the fact that I am Jewish, I bought a small Christmas tree and put decorations on it. My dad thinks I’m nuts, but my mom think’s I’m the shit.

Anyhow, every year I give to one of my favorite charities, Child’s Play! As it states on the website, since 2003 gamers from all over had come together to give to those children who are in hospitals from all over. They are a real class act, and I urge you to take some time to check them out.

http://www.childsplaycharity.org/

Later on, I’ll be reviewing the Spirit movie! The old one, not the shitty new one!

-Lauren

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