Kong is King (DVD)

I've been watching the supplements to what was supposed to have been the big film of last winter. It's primarily consisting of post-production stuff. I find the work put into the film to be astonishing and almost incomprehensible with the staggering effort it took to make this particular film. I'm not sure I'm quite up to seeing the movie again. It clocks in at a Kong-sized 3 hours and 8 minutes. I have seen parts though and it looks and sounds amazing. If any film is worth a home theater set-up, this certainly qualifies.

I've known some people to have a problem with the film (aside from it's indulgent length) and it's what lies at the heart of the film. For this film to truly work and be effective, you have to believe Naomi Watts and Kong fall in love and understand why. Without this leap of faith, the film does not work at all. The only change I would have made is to make more clear Naomi and Adrian Broody are in love and her eyes are only for him with Kong being an unwanted third wheel in this complex (bizarre?) love triangle. As it stands, it feels Naomi would rather be with Kong. I don't know what future they could possibly hope to have with one another.

Rumor has it the director, Peter jackson, wants more money to add additional special effects to make the film even longer!?! The film already clocks in at twice the length of the 1933 original. I know this film is the inspiration for Mr. Jackson, but I question adding more material. The film now takes an hour to get to the island, an hour on the island, and an additional hour in New York. While I appreciate the technical artistry and filmmaking, this film either could have been shortened by a good 45 minutes or had a stronger storyline. Ah well, my thoughts could change after seeing this film a second time. It's been known to happen.

Beating my chest and sitting in the aisle.

A name by any other...

I've gotten a lot of positive feedback and wanted to publicly thank everyone for reading. The number questions that seems to be cropping up is where the heck did I get the title for this blog from anyway? Well Sherman, let's fire up the way back machine and take a gander.

In my senior year of high school, I was lucking enough to get my very own column in the school paper. It was supposed to be about movies, but I ended up writing about whatever struck my fancy. Eventually enough controversy was stirred up that my column was effectively yanked and I missed being expelled by a hair and was let off relatively lightly by way of a public apology to all those I offended as well as a public offering during both prom and graduation. I learned plenty about who my friends were and more importantly the power printed words have. Just because it's in print, doesn't neccessarily make it true.

During college, I, along with a close group of conspirators, decided to create a fanzine. I came up with the name. Can you guess? In time we all decided print was getting too expensive and thought the web might be the way to go. We became popular enough to gain attraction from the big boys with deep pockets. I got greedy and decided to cut everyone out. I made it out that I was the brains and creative muscle behind the operations (mostly true *wink*) and cut a deal. In exchange for this particular internet 'zine, I would be granted stock options I could not sell for at least 12 months and full creative control with the power to fire and hire anyone I please. This was the height of the internet stock bubble and I was going to walk away rich beyond measure and burn everyone who got in my way. I ended up torching bridges and became a super-@$$hole. But I didn't care. I had money. Granted it was stocks, but money's money right? Wrong. The company went belly up and so did my net worth. The bubble had burst. Non-disclosure aggreements prevent me from going into more detail.

So, where did that leave me? Well, for one thing all my buddies, whom I fired, from the 'zine refused to speak to me. I was left without money and friends. The complex aggreement to buy out the 'zine allows me to gain control of the name after a period of time following the bankrupcy. In the meantime, I've decided to try and keep the spirit alive in the form of these blogs. Getting back to the roots, so to speak. I've got a lot of ground to cover and some goals I want to try and hit.

Bear with me and join me while I'm sitting in the aisle.

Robot Chicken and Northern Exposure (DVD)

Here's what I'm currently have in the DVD player. It's two very different tv shows.

The first is a show on Cartoon Network shown during Adult Swim called Robot Chicken. One of the creators is Seth Green, a fellow I ran into while visiting a comic book store out in Los Angeles. The creators initially didn't know what to call their show and thus named it after a menu item from their favorite Chinese restaurant. I wonder what Robot Chicken tastes like. Perhaps it has a aluminum foil taste to it. Any hoo, the show comes on two DVDs with ten episodes each. The episodes don't run long and with credits and all, I'd say the show itself is about 10 minutes long. And they pack those ten minutes with as much stop motion action figure action as possible. It's like they cracked my head open like an egg, scrambled it, and served it up stop motion style.

For example, the first episode is a spoof on the MTV show the Real World, but with superheroes, called Real World: Metropolis. Characters include Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Hulk, Catwoman, Aquaman, and their token black cast member, Falcon. Pretty amusing stuff. I don't know if I'm more impressed with how they did it or wonder where they're getting those classic action figures their animating from.

The other show I have on tap is the fourth season of Northern Exposure. The character Mike Monroe, played by ER's Anthony Edwards, is a lawyer who's allergic to everything. I think the show really hit it's stride during this fourth year. It's one of my all time favorite shows. I like it because it's a place I wouldn't mind living in and it makes me feel good after each episode. What more can you ask for?

Show Your Bones (Music)

Thought I'd share what I'm currently listening to. It's the latest album from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs called Show Your Bones. It's gotten really positive reviews from Entertainment Weekly and Rolling Stone. I absolutely loved one particular track off their last and first album, Maps. If you haven't heard it, e-mail me and the first ten might get something back.

I've only picked up the album yesterday. It's going to take a while before it sinks in. Generally I like to listen to the album over and over again until it becomes just background noise. This will take a week or so. I only listen to CDs in the car. Then I'll stop listening to it and listen to smething else. If I find myself humming some of the songs or I just miss hearing it, I know it's a keeper. Rarely will I like an album on a first go. Sometimes I feel myself having to get used to it, especially if it's new sound or type of music I'm not accustomed to.

I'll keep listening while I'm sitting in the aisle.

Spider-Man 3 (Film)

This movie won't be even out until Summer 2007, but these images certainly have me jazzed already. I know Thomas Hayden Church from the movie Sideways is playing the Sandman and Byrce Howard, Ron Howard's daughter and the gal from the Village, is playing Gwen Stacy. The real mystery is which villian Topher Grace is playing. I've heard he might be Venom or maybe the Chameleon.

I thought the first Spidey was good. I was most impressed with how fast he swung around on his webs. I've been reading the comics forever and never considered how fast he must be moving. He's essentially in freefall and with the webs, he must be accelerating at tremendous speeds, like bungee cords.

I really thought the second was just gang busters. Has some of the best superhero action I've ever seen. My expectations are high for this third one.

Keep swinging and I'll watch while sitting in the aisle.

April Movies

Back again with our regular feature on upcoming movies for the next month. April has some interesting selections, but no real stand outs.

April 7

• Thank You for Smoking -- A black comedy starring an Aisle favorite, Aaron Eckhart. It's based on a book I may end up reading. It's actually one of the ways I find books to read. Let's see how the movie fares first. This movie has already opened in a few theaters, but opens wide on this day.

April 21

• The Sentiel -- It does appear Kiefer is channeling his Jack Bauer from 24, but that may not be a bad thing. Douglas looks good and spiced with Eva Longoria.
  
• Silent Hill -- A scary movie based on the videogame of the same name. I don't hold out much hope for this one, but the trailer looks good.

April 28

• United 93 --First major film about 9/11 directed by the guy who did the last Bourne film.

Munching on popcorn and sitting in the aisle.

Inside man (Film)

Inside Man is about a clever bank robber, played by Clive Owen, who has taken hostages while robbing bank and the attempts of police negotiator, played by Denzel Washingtion, to defuse the situation. Circled into the mix is Jodie Foster, playing problem solver, working for the bank president who very badly wants his safety deposit box untouched. This film is directed by Spike Lee in his most commercially made film and marks his fourth collaboration with Denzel. The others being:

Inside Man (2006)
He Got Game (1998)
Malcolm X (1992)
Mo' Better Blues (1990)

I liked it. The plot kept me guessing, but I felt the ending was rushed and wrapped up a little too neatly with some head scratching plot twists. It's the kind of film you go along with, but at the end, when you're thinking about it, it doesn't really make too much sense. I did feel it would have been nice if things didn't quite go so smoothly for the clever bank robber and he had to improvise. You do end up rooting for both Clive Owen and Denzel Washington. Both are likeable and do a good job sympathizing with wanting them to come out on top. I didn't guess the ending and I liked that. Too often in these type of films the ending's all too obvious.

Spike Lee does a solid job and is able to sprinkle some racially charged dialogue here and there. Jodie Foster's great, but hardly in it and I wonder, since she does so few films, why someone of her star power has taken such a small role. I'd say it's a solid matinee and you'll see me sitting in the aisle.

Sex: Movies or T.V.?

I've gotten a few requests to repeat my thoughts on how people view sex like the movies or t.v.

Some people see sex like some people view movies. There's a specific time and place to see a movie. You don't just go to the movies whenever or wherever. You have to check the time and go to the movie theater. You don't see a movie everyday either. Some people think of sex in the same manner. There's a place and time, usually the bedroom and usually at night.

Some people see sex like people watch t.v. You can watch t.v. anywhere, anyplace. There's even t.v. watches. You can put t.v.s in the kitchen, bathroom, and even cars. Some people are like that.

Which are you? While you're munching on that food for thought, you can catch me sitting in the aisle.

Boob Tube (TV)

I've gotten a smattering of interest in what I'm currently watching on TV. I've got a few cateogories and will list them thusly:

When I can
These are shows I try to watch when I can. No big deal if I miss them but, it's nice to catch them.

• Desperate Housewives -- Haven't seen this in quite awhile and certainly not as good as the first season, but it's still the only nighttime soap worth checking out.
  
• Bones -- Like CSI crossed with the chemistry of the X-Files' Mulder and Scully.
  
• CSI: Vegas -- The first and the best.

Gotta Tape
Shows I gotta tape.

• Prison Break
  
• 24
  
• Survivor

DVD
A new category I thought about a year ago. These are shows I think are worth getting on DVD. It's just easier that way. Lost was actually the first show I thought I wouldn't even see, but knew I would get on DVD.

• Grey's Anatomy
  
• Gilmore Girls
  
• Smallville
  
• Lost
  
• Veronica Mars
  
• Alias
  
• Battlestar Galactica

If I'm not sitting on the couch, then you'll catch me sitting in the aisle.

Finally Woken (Music)

I get a lot of requests asking how I get the music I listen to since I don't actually listen to radio. It's been asked enough that I'd thought I'd share where I got the inspiration to listen to the latest, greatest, can't get enough of, record on my iPod and in my car CD player from. The album is Finally Woken by Jem.

I was watching the newly downloaded trailer to Ultraviolet with Mila Jovich-something and directed by the guy who did Equilibrium with Christian Bale and unleashed the martial art, Gunkata to the world. The trailer featured bright, primary, over-saturated colors and Matrix-inspired kung-fu with a really killer song. A quick search on the internet yielded the song, 24, by Jem on the album, Finally Woken. I went to my local library's website and held a copy in reserve. Turns out I've actually heard a few songs on the album before, but it was this song that turned the tide. I made a copy with some additional songs. The track listings are as follows:

They 3:16 Finally Woken Jem
Come On Closer 3:47 Finally Woken Jem
Finally Woken 3:58 Finally Woken Jem
Save Me 3:33 Finally Woken Jem
24 3:54 Finally Woken Jem
Missing You 4:01 Finally Woken Jem
Wish I 3:56 Finally Woken Jem
Just A Ride 3:20 Finally Woken Jem
Falling For You 4:17 Finally Woken Jem
Stay Now 3:43 Finally Woken Jem
Flying High 4:08 Finally Woken Jem
Maybe I'm Amazed 4:44 Music from the O.C.: Mix 2 Jem
Caribbean Blue 3:59 Shepherd Moons Enya
Breathe (2 AM) 4:39 Wreck Of The Day Anna Nalick
One More Night 3:37 Space Channel 5 Planet Dance [The... Amber
Check On It 3:31 #1's: Destiny's Child Beyonce Feat. Slim Thug
Shake It Off 3:52 The Emancipation Of Mimi [Repack... Mariah Carey
Disappear 4:10 X INXS
Since You've Been Gone 3:09 Breakaway Kelly Clarkson

Sometimes I'll read an article in a magazine that sounds interesting and will check out the album or I'll see a video or even a commercial. Whatever strikes my fancy. I think people start aging when they they stop listening to the current music or new music. Most people I know stop listening to anything new past whatever they were listening to in college. Anyhoo just a theory. Bopping along in my headphones and sitting in the aisle.

Psst...want to see something really scary?

I've gotten a greater than expected response to my initial post of my review for The Hills Have Eyes. In particular, I've gotten some flack on my thoughts of The Ring being a scary movie. Some kind folks have given me suggestions on what they think is a better scary movie. Thank you for all the suggestions. I did notice that most scary movies are broken down into categories.

1. Boogey Man
2. Ghosts
3. Demon Possesion

While one type of movie may not elicit thrills from one person, another type may be the stuff of nightmare. I know people who will watch anything except demon possesion films because, you know, that could actually happen. Thank you for all the kind feedback and please keep reading. And as always, you'll find me sitting in the aisle.

Guy Fawkes (Film)

V for Vendetta (Film)

Remember, remember the fifth of November
The gunpowder treason and plot
I see no reason why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot

I saw V for Vendetta last night. I admit I went with lowered expectations. My sister had seen it before I and she had a lukewarm response. I figured the film might be too preachy and it's a comic book adaptation, an Alan Moore comic no less.

While Mr. Moore may be considered one of the true undisputed geniuses of comic authors, his work has not suffered well being translated to the cinema. His ground breaking work on the Swamp Thing became the basis of The Return of the Swamp Thing starring Heather Locklear. Other films based on his work has been From Hell and League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. Constantine while not based on a story of Moore's, he created the character as a Sting look-a-like, not Keanu Reeves. His greatest work is, of course, The Watchmen and has thus eluded translation for now.

I also wanted to see this film because of the Wachowski Brothers. I like 'em because they're from Chicago and they're comic book geeks. Clearly evident by they're work on the Matrix films. This is the only project I know they're doing except for their work on the comic book Doc Frankenstein and the Matrix online game. I fear after reading reports of Larry's lifestyle choices and the ensuing press coverage, they may either opt to never work again or work separately. It'll be interesting to see what happens.

I liked this film, I like it a lot. I thought they did the best job possible translating the work and more importantly preserved the tone and intent of the original graphic series. While Natlie Portman pulled one of her best performances ever, the man behind the mask, Hugo Weaving was even better. He did more with his voice and body language then most actors can do with a whole package. He was absolutely hypnotic. When he was on screen, he completely commanded attention. The film is beautifully shot and gorgeous to look at. The film ran 132 minutes and did not feel long at all. I definitely plan on getting the DVD.

The film reminded me of Fight Club in that a film made by a big studio, marketed a certain way, and contains subversive elements. Like Fight Club, I see this dividing people. Either you get it and go along with it or you don't. Fight Club's initial exposure had shots of a shirtless Brad Pitt fighting. Going in, you might think it's some sort of action picture, not aware of it's true intent. I feel V is being set up for the same thing. I can see this film being quite big when it hits home video.

My favorite films based on comics (in no particular order):

1. X-Men 2
2. Spider-Man 2
3. Superman
4. Blade 2
5. The Incredibles (not actually based on a comic, but easily could have been)

Throwing on my cape and tights and, of course, sitting in the aisle.

The Hills Have Eyes (Film)

The last movie I saw at my favorite local theater was The Hills Have Eyes, it's a remake. The original was made in 1977 and directed by Wes Craven (also directed Nightmare on Elm Street and the Scream trilogy). They seem to be doing that a lot these days, remaking horror films for a new generation. A remake of the Friday the 13th films is currently in the planning stages.

The main reason I saw this particular film was based on a review on the Ain't It Cool site.

Moriarty's Review

Sometimes, even though I sometimes scare quite easily, I'm in the mood for a good scary movie. The operative good being good. A good scary film properly demonstrates the visceral power the cinema can have. It's a primal feeling to be scared. It really gets the heart pumping in a way no other film can do. But. And this is a big butt, it really throws me out of the loop when characters start acting dumb. This is especially true in a scary movie. It sucks when the film's terror is dependent on the stupidity of the people in the film.

For example, I saw the remake of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre. A really nice looking movie, but the female lead is being hunted down by the chainsaw welding Leatherface. He drops his chainsaw multiple times near the end of the movie. Instead of her picking up the chainsaw and going after him, she instead runs away screaming. I don't like how typical horror films are in their treatment of female characters. I like it when they flip the script and go in the opposite direction.

One of my favorite horror films, maybe my most favorite, is the Ring, itself a remake of a Japanese film. The lead does everything I would have done. I don't she makes a single misstep. It was a while prior to seeing this film that I last saw a scary movie, might have been the Scream films. Ring was a rental for me and after seeing that movie, I was troubled enough not to keep it in the house. I placed it in the garage. Even that felt too close to home, So I decided to return it to Blockbuster that night. I had trouble looking in the rearview mirror, thinking I might see something that shouldn't be there. It was actually a little fun feeling that scared. It's what made me see the Chainsaw remake. Bad move. I even ended up seeing the sequel, Ring 2. Naomi Watts started acting stupid and the film lost it's power on me.

I think it's good to be scared once in a while. Which bring us to this movie, The Hills Have Eyes. I also wished it had a mouth and could speak for itself. My sister saw the original and the biggest difference I can discern is the origin for the people in the hills. In the original, the people are the result of inbreeding. Loving your family can bear rotten fruit. In the new spiffy version, the people are miners mutated by the fallout radiation resulting from nuclear testing in the 40's and 50's out in the desert. Otherwise the films are remarkably similar. I think it would have been much more interesting if the mutants were not white people, but Native Americans. These mutants are understandably upset at the long mistreatment by the white man and now want to get revenge. I'd make it more political and have these mutants much more articulate about their current plight and the rage they feel. Perhaps even go so far as to have them leave a ethnic family alone. Could be interesting. As for this movie, it was just *shrugs shoulder*. Haven't seen it? Didn't miss much. It's a rental at best.

Hiding behind a seat and sitting in the aisle.

A Purpose

hi all--

Thank you for coming. I've decided to create this blog as a repository of the media I consume. I read a fair amount (this includes books, magazines, and comics) and see a bit of tv, dvds, and movies. I thought instead of feeling like I'm doing this in a vacuum, I would post my thoughts and feelings on what I've just seen or read. These postings will strictly be about my media consumption and nothing more. Ideally, one would read what I've posted and have a clear sense of how I've been occupying some of my time and maybe even come to a better understanding of me. Time will see how successful I am.

One Small Step...

testing...1...2...3...

The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy bunny.