Bringing the Fun

Now, I’m really going to have to update my list. This summer, they keep coming out with GREAT super hero movies. And the Dark Knight is the best of the bunch.
C&C and our friend went to see it today.

Here are the reasons why it is my new favorite super hero movie. (Warning: Spoilers Alert.)

1. It had depth. Both C&C were impressed with the psychology of the many characters. While Batman Begins delved into the transformation of Bruce Wayne into Batman, Dark Knight asks the question, “What does this transformation mean? How far will it go?” Heady stuff to us–considering our vocations.

2. The story was quite good. Bad story=bad movie. Every time. Good story=good movie. Most of the time. We were surprised a couple of times but not in a cheating sort of way.

3. The characters were all interesting and the actors playing them did a great job of selling them.
I don’t think Heath Ledger deserves an Oscar, but his portrayal of the Joker is pure genius. Creepiest villain I’ve seen since Hannibal Lecter. Worse than Darth Vader, really.

4. Joker’s multiple-choice origin story. Just like the comic books, the Joker keeps giving a different origin for who he is and why. Nice touch.

5. They did deviate from the origin of Two-Face, but not enough to cause me a problem. I thought the update made sense. (I wish they would have gotten his hand, too. Wouldn’t have cost them much. Maybe they ran out of make-up budget.)

6. Speaking of Make Up… The Joker was different than anything I’ve ever seen– but believable for the first time in a long time. And Two-Face? OMG. C&C could only look at it on the screen by saying out loud, “That? That’s nothing. Our friend could do better.” I honestly don’t know if he could. It was an almost perfect rendition of the comic book face.

7. Batman did not reveal his identity to anyone. OMG! OMG! OMG! Praise be to the Comic Gods! They’ve made a masked super hero movie where the hero doesn’t take off his mask or reveal his identity to anyone. (There is the tool who discovers Batman’s identity– but that is accurate to the comic books and it makes sense and it was funny. Big Tool…) In fact, Batman actually takes measures to make sure no one will take off his cowl and discover his identity. Brilliant!

8. Speaking of secret identities… they corrected an error from the first movie.
Remember when Batman gave away his secret identity to that made-up, not-in-the-mythos love interest poorly played by that cult member? Well, she isn’t a problem anymore. Granted, this will justifiably upset some people– but it was the right thing to do. There are a few women who do know Bruce Wayne is Batman. This female figment was not one of them. (Kudos to the new actress, though. I thought she did a fantastic job with the character she was given. I’ve always liked her. I hear she wasn’t too keen on the hype this movie brought to her. Guess she doesn’t have to worry about that again.)

9. Oh, and speaking of problems from the first movie. I know, I know– I’m the only one only one of a couple of people in the whole world who hated that stupid modernized assault vehicle they sold us as the batmobile. Does it look like a batmobile? No. Know any other cars that can race across roof tops? No. Any viable reason why the batman’s seat has to slide down and forward to fire the weapons? No Maybe. (”It’s cool” is not a good enough answer. Sorry.) Anyway, that abominable ATV on steroids is no longer a problem either. Thank you Mr. Joker, sir. I haven’t been this grateful for your mayhem since you killed that annoying 2nd Robin.

10. The Bat Cycle Batpod on the other hand? Cool. It still doesn’t look like a bat gadget–but was frackin’ cool. And I was surprised when and how it arrived on the scene. Like a beautiful techno-phoenix rising from the ashes of an old turkey. Poetry, I tell you, pure poetry.

Best Super Hero Move Ever! C&C will be seeing it again. (Preferably not from the 3rd row this time. Gosh, that was close. Too close. I think Batman kicked me in the face during one of the fight scenes.)

Why yes, C&C did go and see Hellboy II. Thanks for asking.

What did we think? We both enjoyed the movie.
I enjoyed it because it is a very good, very comic-booky movie. I was never into Hellboy before the first movie (I’m almost ashamed to admit it), but I’ve very much enjoyed the character in the comic books, the cartoons, and the movies.

C enjoyed the movie because of the karaoke scene. (Hey, she knows what she likes.)

Another two thumbs up from us.

Spoiler –>C: So, what do you think the kid will look like.
C: Red.
C: Good Guess.

Last Friday night, C&C went with a friend and another friend to see Kung Fu Panda.
(Everyone else was there to see a different movie.)

First– if you go see Kung Fu Panda, be prepared for a younger demographic in the seats surrounding you.

If you are actually able to hear and watch the movie, we think you will probably enjoy it.

The animation is sharp with a rich color palette. The characters are enjoyable and well voiced. It is an excellent homage to the Saturday morning Kung Fu theater I used to watch when I was kid. They even did the “stop motion” I remember from those old fights.
Jack Black wasn’t nearly as annoying as we thought he might be.

And, it was kinda cool to see a fat character as the hero for a change.
(No reason, why do you ask?) OK, I admit, there have been a few heroes like that.

Four thumbs up from us.

So, I went to see Wanted the other week.
C was not interested in the movie, so I was forced to scare up some fellow geeks to go with.
(C is not interested in assassins, secret societies, or Angelina Jolie’s tattooed backside, so her reluctance to see the movie is understandable.)

Since I am: fascinated by assassins, obsessed with comic book movies, and not at all opposed to Ms. Jolie’s inked backside, I felt obligated to go.

First, the movie deviated from the comic book. Not a little. Not somewhat. Almost completely. Boo.

Second, the story (the new story) wasn’t too bad, but it wasn’t great.

Third, they didn’t justify or explain their mythos in a way that I could buy into. (I’m a comic book geek, folks– I’ll buy almost any story if you make it somewhat consistent or coherent.) Curving bullets I can buy. Curving bullets because you snap your wrist as you fire the gun (as if this will put a spin on the bullet) is ridiculous. BOO!

Fourth, the Loom of Fate was … I don’t know. I’m torn. Could be OK. Seemed lame.

Fifth, the rat plan— again, could have been OK. Seemed ultra lame in its execution.

All in all– a waste of my time.
I should have stayed home with C.

Good Job: Working with things you love (e.g. toys, comic books, cupcakes…)
Bad Job: Working with things you hate (e.g. tobacco worms, snot-nosed kids…)

Good Job: Swanky office space (e.g. big windows, new furniture, cool stuff…)
Bad Job: Personal spot in Dilbert country (e.g. beige on beige, cloth walls…)

Good Job: An extraordinary personal secretary/assistant (e.g. Della Street, Pepper Potts, Charlie Young…)
Bad Job: A saboteur in the front office (e.g. Mimi Bobeck, Crystal Smith…)

Good Job: Flexible, free, and valued (e.g. Thomas Banacek, Angus MacGyver…)
Bad Job: Treated like an indenture servant (e.g. Milton Waddams…)

Good Job: Supportive Boss (e.g. Pete Thornton, Kermit the Frog…)
Bad Job: Clueless, Hurtful Boss (e.g. Bill Lumbergh, Wilhelm Klink…)

That is all.

Conversation the other day at our poker game.

T: I’ve never heard anyone else use that phrase like they do in my home town.
C: What phrase?
T: You suck.
C: You’ve never heard anyone say “You suck?”
T: Sure, but never with that meaning.
C: What meaning?
T: You’re lucky.
…
..
.
C: Excuse me?
T: You know, “you’re really lucky– you suck.”
C: That’s not what that phrase means.
T: Sure it does. You just used it that way.
C: I did not.
T: Sure you did. He beat your hand and you said, “You suck.”
C: Yeah, because he sucks. You’re lucky in poker is denoted by saying “he sucked out.”
T: Really?
C: Yeah.
T: Wow. That explains why everyone always got so upset with me.

C&C went with a friend to a double feature today.

First, to The Incredible Hulk. (C’s second time seeing it.)
C was a little skeptical but a good sport. They both thought it was very good.

Upon second viewing, it still holds up–though there are few holes that are noticeable.
1. What time of day is it exactly in the first chase scene?
2. Where, exactly, did she carry her purse? (Maybe he carried it?)
3. How did they not notice her renting that room?

Then we went to Hancock.
Excellent! Not the greatest film we’ve ever seen, but definitely a winner in the Superhero genre.
* Will Smith was excellent in the role. Very good acting.
* The idea was well done and creative.
(One reviewer ripped it for being “not superheroey” Well, that’s the point really. Let’s not fault hollywood for getting creative, OK? Don’t want to discourage that. And he is quite the superhero at the end.)
* Like the mythos they alluded to.

C actually figured out the plot twist. (C was, oddly, gobsmacked by it.) She’s smart– what can I say.

We’ll be adding it to our DVD collection.

C is not superstitious. Not really.
C does, however, like rituals.
We both do, really.

So it should come as no surprise that we have a ritual for traveling by flight.
(And when I say “we” I really mean “me” actually.)

1. Touch the outside of the plane as you board the plane. (My cousin taught me that one.)
2. During take-off and landing, you must “help” the airplane by “flapping your wings.” (In the interest of decorum and limited space, you may define “flapping your wings” as something as simple as moving your fingers back and forth in a vaguely vertical fashion.)
3. If available, one should drink tomato juice or bloody mary mix. If that isn’t available or you can’t handle that, then Ginger Ale may be substituted. (This is in honor of Zeke and our trip to the coast.)

That is all.
Yes. I’m serious. We do flap our wings when we fly. How do you do it?

Today, I finally got a chance to see The Incredible Hulk.
(I went with Occam’s Rev.)

I had a great time. We both enjoyed the movie.
I believe, and I’ve been thinking about this all day, that it is my new favorite super hero movie.
I’ve been trying to think of one that was better. I’ve looked at my list. I think there are plenty on that list that are equal to it– but none I’d place higher on the list.

So, here’s my take on it.
Why: Sticks to the mythos. (It does replace the comic book origin with the TV-show origin, but it does it with such grace and style that I didn’t mind. Plus, I admit, I was a big fan of the TV show.) The story was good. The acting (with one minor exception) was very good (especially Ed Norton.) It only had one major villain and it was good one. The CGI was acceptable and actually quite good in some scenes. It was also chock full of Easter Eggs for the fans/geeks. It answers a question I’ve had for over two decades. (That, alone, makes it worthwhile.)
Why Not: It does make use of the POV, shaky cam a little too much. There are some small reality snags. (From Occam’s Rev, “How did she still have her purse? Why didn’t they get her when she paid for the hotel room?” Hmm. Good questions. Not hugely important, but O.R. is a very detail oriented person.)

Spoiler Alert
Below, I shall post the Easter Eggs and Geek Gifts. (The ones I remember anyway.)

1. Homage to Bill Bixby, David Banner in the TV series. Bruce Banner watches The Courtship of Eddie’s Father at one point.

2. Lou Ferrigno, the Hulk in the tv series, as the security guard at the lab.

3. Stan Lee cameo (he has one in every major Marvel movie) as the old man in Wisconsin.

4. The many homage moments to the TV series. (”You wouldn’t like me when I’m hungry.” The theme music sprinkled throughout the soundtrack. Even the shot of him hitchhiking in the rain.)

5. The other characters or groups that show up. (Tony Stark, S.H.I.E.L.D., The Leader –though to be honest, I thought he was Doc Samson at first, I completely missed him when he did show up–, McGee, Doc Samson, and of course, The Abomination.)

6. The purple shorts.

7. The secret of the non-ripping shorts. (see above)

Some of you might be planning a regular trip in the very near future.
C has just finished planning for that regular trip. (C isn’t coming this year. We are very sad.)
Anyway, just because she wasn’t traveling, doesn’t mean C was going to stop planning.

So, together, with some help from some friends, we have a RAFT ready to go.

If you want a copy, just let us know. (We’re not posting it this year.)

Also, for those who are wondering about that other event– it’ll be Friday at 8 pm.
(oops, misread our own secret plans…)
Location, as usual, to be determined. Invite only, again, as usual.
Want an invite, see C or contact him.

Secretive enough?