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’
Friday Flotsam: Mundane Thoughts of Last Week
1. Been a fairly busy week. Got my latest appreciation video up and running, been working on tomorrow's entry in the 'compare / contrast' series, as well as working on my current book and doing stuff around the house. Also had to do some research / testing for another project, but that seems all in … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: Mundane Thoughts of Last Week
Kaiju Appreciation: Sanda & Gaira
For those who don't know, one of my hobbies is editing together music videos, particularly ones celebrating the various Godzilla and other Toho characters. My latest one (first in nearly a year for one reason or another) is for Sanda & Gaira, the gargantua brothers from War of the Gargantuas. For those unfamiliar with Kaiju … Continue reading Kaiju Appreciation: Sanda & Gaira
Thought of the Day: A Suggestion
You know those lawn signs? Those are really much too wordy. You can convey the exact same message much more concisely using this one:
Thoughts on ‘Mortal Kombat'(1995)
Video Game movies seem to be going through a bit of a renaissance at the moment. Which is rather ironic, given the state of the film industry in general. 2019 gave us Detective Pikachu, a light-hearted, fun, and generally well-received take on one of the biggest gaming franchises out there, being essentially a family adventure-comedy … Continue reading Thoughts on ‘Mortal Kombat'(1995)
Friday Flotsam: Rights, Duties, and Cruella de Vil
1. Regarding gun control, my judgment is this: a man has a duty to defend his home, family, and community. He cannot do this unless he is able to bear arms. Since 'ought' implies 'can', he therefore has the right to bear arms. No amount of statistics, no amount of misuse of this right abrogates … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: Rights, Duties, and Cruella de Vil
Serpent's Den 