1. I've been re-watching some of Batman: The Animated Series lately, reminding myself of just how good it really was. Those gorgeous black-paper backgrounds, that wonderful Fleischer-style animation (the creators said they wanted it to look as though it had been made in the 1940s. I think they succeeded both in look and feel), those … Continue reading Flotsam: Mostly Batman
RE-POST: Why I Love ‘Independence Day’
I missed this 4th of July's 'Independence Day' rewatch due to being sicker than paint, but here's my yearly post on why it's among my personal favorites. When Independence Day came out, it was a huge hit, but ever since then it’s kind of become the poster-child for the big, dumb, CGI-fueled blockbusters of … Continue reading RE-POST: Why I Love ‘Independence Day’
Flotsam: Snobbery, Revolutions, and the Fourth of July
1. Still in the 'awkward transition' phase regarding my new job, where I haven't even begun to do the actual job I've been hired for (which itself is a trainee position), and I'm still getting used to the new schedule and what is and is not an option now. I'm at least keeping regular writing … Continue reading Flotsam: Snobbery, Revolutions, and the Fourth of July
Thought of the Day: Another Suggestion
Once again, Mickey Mouse's copyright is due to expire before too much longer (which would mean Uncle Walt's spirit would finally be able to rest). I'm sure Disney will try to get copyright laws extended again, but they can't keep that up for ever. I'd recommend they get ahead of things and select a new … Continue reading Thought of the Day: Another Suggestion
‘Mythopoeia’
To one [C.S. Lewis] who said that myths were lies and therefore worthless, even though 'breathed through silver'. Philomythus to Misomythus You look at trees and label them just so,(for trees are 'trees', and growing is 'to grow');you walk the earth and tread with solemn paceone of the many minor globes of Space:a star's a … Continue reading ‘Mythopoeia’
Friday Flotsam: Tribalism and Boomers
1. I started my new job this week, which was pretty much just all orientation. A little irksome, but if they want to pay me to sit in a room and listen to someone talk for eight hours, I'll take it. No idea how my actual job will work out, since I've not done anything … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: Tribalism and Boomers
Compare – Contrast: ‘Street Fighter’ vs. ‘Mortal Kombat’
The two biggest fighting game franchises of their time (and ours) were adapted into feature films one after another: first Street Fighter in 1994, then Mortal Kombat in 1995. The question is, why did one work and the other didn’t? The Structure: The first and, I think, the most important factor is how the two … Continue reading Compare – Contrast: ‘Street Fighter’ vs. ‘Mortal Kombat’
Friday Flotsam: On Professor Tolkien and Related(?) Matters
1. I have been reading the letters of Professor Tolkien lately, mostly straight through, though sometimes jumping about when I want to find his views on something specific. Mostly I read it because I enjoy his company, as it were, and I feel as though I am getting to know him personally as a man. … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: On Professor Tolkien and Related(?) Matters
Thought of the Day: Blaming Audiences
I notice that audiences always seem to get blamed for Hollywood's attitudes: people say things like "audiences wouldn't have accepted an actor like this in a lead role before such-and-such, but the country was more mature now." I remember seeing a clip from a Film Noir documentary where someone was saying: "The Bogarts and the … Continue reading Thought of the Day: Blaming Audiences
Thoughts on ‘Street Fighter’
Last week we looked at a video game movie that worked. This time we're tackling one that...doesn't. At least, not in the way the filmmakers probably intended. 1991’s Street Fighter II was one of the most popular and influential fighting games ever made, laying foundations that the genre has built upon to this day. As … Continue reading Thoughts on ‘Street Fighter’
Serpent's Den 