Tuesday, June 21, 2005
NANANANANANANANANANANA….. BATMAN!!!!!!
Hello everybody out there in cyberland. Hope you are enjoying the summer and are avoiding the sun like the low-velocity deathray it is. I know I have.
If, like me, you detest listening to the opinions of others on a topic that you yourself haven’t had time to develop your own on, then avoid the review of Batman Begins below in the asterisks.
**************************************************************************SPOILERS
So Batman Begins very well indeedy. They are happy to hint at what is to come rather than get stuck right into it for the first hour or so, getting closer to the heart of Bruce Wayne than any of the previous films knew how to. For me this is the best element of the film. Inevitably, however, the third act brings with it the typical comic-book movie villain’s plan to hold the country/planet/city to ransom using a big deathray of some kind like the one described above (I’m deliberately being non-specific for those who haven’t seen it yet) and this element is no better or worse than, say, the Joker’s parade in Burton’s Batman. This is the weakest element of the film; they clearly wanted something spectacular and overblown (like Spiderman) to justify their no doubt gargantuan budget and old-fashioned noir-tinged detective mysteries (like the better Batman comics) just wasnae gonna cut it. So much for the plot.
The action is a bit of a letdown too. Frankly, I had been expecting this since I saw it was a 12a, and to be fair it doesn’t sidestep the issue of violence like the ‘other’ franchise; Bats is violent and people get really hurt; but the impact of the violence is TOTALLY FUCKING LOST in the editing. It’s as if they choreographed and filmed some really elaborate fights and proceeded to remove five second chunks from every six seconds of footage. Go figure. (The first swordfight between Wayne and Al Ghul is a doozy though; probably because it’s a swordfight where no blood is drawn). So much for the action.
The real strength of the film, however, is in the cast and the script, and I’m relieved to say, places it head and shoulders above any Batman film and any comicbook film with the possible exceptions of Spiderman 2 and Superman 2. If there is a problem in this area it’s that there are so many character to be introduced, and so many superb actors to play them that none of them really get a chance to shine. I was overjoyed at the casting of Jonathan Crane and Jim Gordon- both of whom where adequate with inadequate screen time, but the real revelation for me at least was with Alfred (again, I’ll not name names in case you ain’t heard who’s playing who yet) who consistently pilfered scenes from the main man. While it over-reaches in terms of plot twists the script is tight and witty when it needs to be.
The ‘look’ of the film is nice. Gotham’s faithful without being slavishly adherent to the source material and doesn’t look as gay as it did in the other films. The ‘Scare-o-vision’ bits when we see things through the eyes of people under the influence of Scarecrows fear toxin are particularly memorable, but there was a slight over-reliance on CG for my tastes (though nothing like as much as Spiderman/Hellboy/Pantastic Four) but yeah, in general, they got the visuals right (again, particularly in the earlier scenes).
So, overall I’m very glad I avoided seeing anything of this before seeing it in the cinema, and I came out whooping and cheering to myself, but it suffers in the same way the first Spiderman and X-men did; taking what should be a simplistic origin story and trying to cram too much in. A very noble effort and more than enough to get me all wet thinking about the sequels. Well done Mr Nolan.
Onto other news now, lets see. Counting down the days to going home. The city is so sweaty and clammy at the minute I’m relishing some country air. Myself and Jonathan have struck a deal of sorts whereby we give each other deadlines (me for the artwork on the comic and he for pages in his novel) and if we meet them, then the drinks are on the other guy when we meet up. My current deadline is 3 pages inked and mounted for Thursday week. Those of you who are thinking this sounds simple enough should take into consideration that I have been working on and off (mostly off) on this comic for the guts of four years and to date I have produced 7 finished pages, so if this deadline-giving idea has any legs, we may even see a finished comic before we both shuffle off our mortal coils.
Still hooked on Devil May Cry 3. I’ve finished it twice now, but, elitist that I am, I’m going back through all the levels seeking those elusive S-ranks. I’ve made the mistake of getting au fait with the folks on the message boards at gamefaqs.com , all of whom, it seems, don’t consider a game worth playing if you’re not going to dedicate your life to it to the exclusion of all others. I’m not quite as bad as these people yet; but watch this space.
No, not that one, this one.
Until next time, Aido ‘Nude for Good’ Potato.
Hello everybody out there in cyberland. Hope you are enjoying the summer and are avoiding the sun like the low-velocity deathray it is. I know I have.
If, like me, you detest listening to the opinions of others on a topic that you yourself haven’t had time to develop your own on, then avoid the review of Batman Begins below in the asterisks.
**************************************************************************SPOILERS
So Batman Begins very well indeedy. They are happy to hint at what is to come rather than get stuck right into it for the first hour or so, getting closer to the heart of Bruce Wayne than any of the previous films knew how to. For me this is the best element of the film. Inevitably, however, the third act brings with it the typical comic-book movie villain’s plan to hold the country/planet/city to ransom using a big deathray of some kind like the one described above (I’m deliberately being non-specific for those who haven’t seen it yet) and this element is no better or worse than, say, the Joker’s parade in Burton’s Batman. This is the weakest element of the film; they clearly wanted something spectacular and overblown (like Spiderman) to justify their no doubt gargantuan budget and old-fashioned noir-tinged detective mysteries (like the better Batman comics) just wasnae gonna cut it. So much for the plot.
The action is a bit of a letdown too. Frankly, I had been expecting this since I saw it was a 12a, and to be fair it doesn’t sidestep the issue of violence like the ‘other’ franchise; Bats is violent and people get really hurt; but the impact of the violence is TOTALLY FUCKING LOST in the editing. It’s as if they choreographed and filmed some really elaborate fights and proceeded to remove five second chunks from every six seconds of footage. Go figure. (The first swordfight between Wayne and Al Ghul is a doozy though; probably because it’s a swordfight where no blood is drawn). So much for the action.
The real strength of the film, however, is in the cast and the script, and I’m relieved to say, places it head and shoulders above any Batman film and any comicbook film with the possible exceptions of Spiderman 2 and Superman 2. If there is a problem in this area it’s that there are so many character to be introduced, and so many superb actors to play them that none of them really get a chance to shine. I was overjoyed at the casting of Jonathan Crane and Jim Gordon- both of whom where adequate with inadequate screen time, but the real revelation for me at least was with Alfred (again, I’ll not name names in case you ain’t heard who’s playing who yet) who consistently pilfered scenes from the main man. While it over-reaches in terms of plot twists the script is tight and witty when it needs to be.
The ‘look’ of the film is nice. Gotham’s faithful without being slavishly adherent to the source material and doesn’t look as gay as it did in the other films. The ‘Scare-o-vision’ bits when we see things through the eyes of people under the influence of Scarecrows fear toxin are particularly memorable, but there was a slight over-reliance on CG for my tastes (though nothing like as much as Spiderman/Hellboy/Pantastic Four) but yeah, in general, they got the visuals right (again, particularly in the earlier scenes).
So, overall I’m very glad I avoided seeing anything of this before seeing it in the cinema, and I came out whooping and cheering to myself, but it suffers in the same way the first Spiderman and X-men did; taking what should be a simplistic origin story and trying to cram too much in. A very noble effort and more than enough to get me all wet thinking about the sequels. Well done Mr Nolan.
Onto other news now, lets see. Counting down the days to going home. The city is so sweaty and clammy at the minute I’m relishing some country air. Myself and Jonathan have struck a deal of sorts whereby we give each other deadlines (me for the artwork on the comic and he for pages in his novel) and if we meet them, then the drinks are on the other guy when we meet up. My current deadline is 3 pages inked and mounted for Thursday week. Those of you who are thinking this sounds simple enough should take into consideration that I have been working on and off (mostly off) on this comic for the guts of four years and to date I have produced 7 finished pages, so if this deadline-giving idea has any legs, we may even see a finished comic before we both shuffle off our mortal coils.
Still hooked on Devil May Cry 3. I’ve finished it twice now, but, elitist that I am, I’m going back through all the levels seeking those elusive S-ranks. I’ve made the mistake of getting au fait with the folks on the message boards at gamefaqs.com , all of whom, it seems, don’t consider a game worth playing if you’re not going to dedicate your life to it to the exclusion of all others. I’m not quite as bad as these people yet; but watch this space.
No, not that one, this one.
Until next time, Aido ‘Nude for Good’ Potato.
Monday, June 13, 2005
Hello.
I’m getting fed up with the library service.
A few of you will know that I set up a videogamers club in Hillsborough library before I left there, but have been carrying on with it since I left for Broomhill. The understanding was that Broomhill would spare me as often as they could (meetings are on a Monday evening which are traditionally dead) so long as Hillsborough would provide the cover in the event of Broomhill being shorthanded. To date Hillsborough have provided cover exactly no times, which results in me frequently having to call all the kids in the group and postpone the meeting. Every time I do this is costs me a few members and I am pissed off with it. I would cheerfully round the people responsible and slap them about like a ginger piñata if only anyone would accept responsibility for it. Everyone is eager to see this club succeed (I think) and have been pleased with the results to date, but not one of them is willing to actually physically help me achieve that, and so I am peeved.
Anyways.
Still haven’t been to see Star Wars of Sin City, though I will in the not too distant future, but right now I am creaming my jeans about the new Batman. I have been actively avoiding seeing any of it (save the odd screenshot), and history dictates that I am building to an inevitable disappointment, but I just can’t help being excited. I may even go on opening night.
Been watching ‘The Slayers’ anime TV series, which is really daft and simplistic, but not altogether bad; I haven’t watched enough of it to know for sure whether it’s a keeper or not.
Big Brother continues to plumb the depths. This week mardy lard-bomb les (or fat les and she’s unaffectionately known in our house) was evicted to a cacophony of jeering. I honestly don’t think she understood what was going on and would wager good money that if you asked her she would say “all the men thought I was gaaaageous and the women were just jealous. Jealous of what, exactly? Your udders? Perhaps your strangely absent eyebrows? Your Buoyancy? Or the fact that Craig was your only friend in the house? I should point out that Craig is to entertainment what cream eggs are to a successful diet. Seemingly inoffensive at first, but before you realise what’s afoot, the whole enterprise banjaxed. Charlie Brooker described listening to his voice like lying in your own coffin, listening to the sound of rain seeping in through the cracks; to which I can only add my envy that I didn’t make the comparison first.
Can’t wait for our holiday. Really looking forward to the wedding, just hoping that we can squeeze in all the things I’d like to do since I haven’t been home since Enda’s birthday last October.
PS. What are people making of the new Doctor Who? I’ll share my thoughts on the next post.
Aido p-noid potato
I’m getting fed up with the library service.
A few of you will know that I set up a videogamers club in Hillsborough library before I left there, but have been carrying on with it since I left for Broomhill. The understanding was that Broomhill would spare me as often as they could (meetings are on a Monday evening which are traditionally dead) so long as Hillsborough would provide the cover in the event of Broomhill being shorthanded. To date Hillsborough have provided cover exactly no times, which results in me frequently having to call all the kids in the group and postpone the meeting. Every time I do this is costs me a few members and I am pissed off with it. I would cheerfully round the people responsible and slap them about like a ginger piñata if only anyone would accept responsibility for it. Everyone is eager to see this club succeed (I think) and have been pleased with the results to date, but not one of them is willing to actually physically help me achieve that, and so I am peeved.
Anyways.
Still haven’t been to see Star Wars of Sin City, though I will in the not too distant future, but right now I am creaming my jeans about the new Batman. I have been actively avoiding seeing any of it (save the odd screenshot), and history dictates that I am building to an inevitable disappointment, but I just can’t help being excited. I may even go on opening night.
Been watching ‘The Slayers’ anime TV series, which is really daft and simplistic, but not altogether bad; I haven’t watched enough of it to know for sure whether it’s a keeper or not.
Big Brother continues to plumb the depths. This week mardy lard-bomb les (or fat les and she’s unaffectionately known in our house) was evicted to a cacophony of jeering. I honestly don’t think she understood what was going on and would wager good money that if you asked her she would say “all the men thought I was gaaaageous and the women were just jealous. Jealous of what, exactly? Your udders? Perhaps your strangely absent eyebrows? Your Buoyancy? Or the fact that Craig was your only friend in the house? I should point out that Craig is to entertainment what cream eggs are to a successful diet. Seemingly inoffensive at first, but before you realise what’s afoot, the whole enterprise banjaxed. Charlie Brooker described listening to his voice like lying in your own coffin, listening to the sound of rain seeping in through the cracks; to which I can only add my envy that I didn’t make the comparison first.
Can’t wait for our holiday. Really looking forward to the wedding, just hoping that we can squeeze in all the things I’d like to do since I haven’t been home since Enda’s birthday last October.
PS. What are people making of the new Doctor Who? I’ll share my thoughts on the next post.
Aido p-noid potato
Wednesday, June 01, 2005
Greetings, fellow wanderers of the night.
Its that time again when the standards of entertainment are systematically lowered in a bid to keep the underclasses from rioting because 'Coronation Street' is too bloody hard to follow. Yes, it's big brother time again and yes, I have been watching it and yes I feel dirty and cheap but I can't seem to stop myself. I'm trying to offset my guilt by drawing while it is on, but this, I'm sure you'll agree, is but a drop in the ocean of shame. The only people I like this time are Science- because he's called science, and Mary who is an irish wiccan dwarf. Most of the others should be given an agent orange shampoo and placed in a deep deep hole with broken hypodermics on the floor and something that clicks. Televised, of course.
I have finished Devil May Cry 3 after 2 weeks of sustained arse-kicking. God I love that game. Everything else seems tedious and bereft of style after playing it. I love Dante's cheesy quips, I love that you have to play through entire levels to get your teeth kicked in 40-50 times before you can even hope to defeat the boss. I love that guitar. I'll stop talking about Devil May Cry now...
Went to see Seed of Chucky on Sunday. It's superbly trashy. Probably not as good per se as Bride of... but easily as funny, and hey it's got John Waters having his face melted with sulphuric acid- thats worth the entry fee alone. Glen/Glenda (the seed in question) just looks fucking weird though- not strangely psychotic/lovable like Chucky and Tiffany, just fucking weird. Jennifer Tilly is a goddess and Hannah (S-club) Sperritt crops up in a surprisingly large role for someone who's other film was 'Agent Cody Banks 2: Operation London' with little Frankie Munitz. Very Badass.
We spent our bank holiday shopping for a new lamp for the front room. This was because the existing light, while serviceable, was a little glary and gave us headaches. I'm in love with our new lamp though. It's very swish- looks a little like a treble-clef with pointy icicles going up. The bulbs are only 10w but they give out a shed load of light. Especially when you take the icicles off. Thats enough for today I think. I'm off to think about my lamp some more.
Aido 'The pandas are laughing at us' Potato.
ps. Cheers for the cosplay link gareth. You only defend Milton because thats who you aspire to be.
Its that time again when the standards of entertainment are systematically lowered in a bid to keep the underclasses from rioting because 'Coronation Street' is too bloody hard to follow. Yes, it's big brother time again and yes, I have been watching it and yes I feel dirty and cheap but I can't seem to stop myself. I'm trying to offset my guilt by drawing while it is on, but this, I'm sure you'll agree, is but a drop in the ocean of shame. The only people I like this time are Science- because he's called science, and Mary who is an irish wiccan dwarf. Most of the others should be given an agent orange shampoo and placed in a deep deep hole with broken hypodermics on the floor and something that clicks. Televised, of course.
I have finished Devil May Cry 3 after 2 weeks of sustained arse-kicking. God I love that game. Everything else seems tedious and bereft of style after playing it. I love Dante's cheesy quips, I love that you have to play through entire levels to get your teeth kicked in 40-50 times before you can even hope to defeat the boss. I love that guitar. I'll stop talking about Devil May Cry now...
Went to see Seed of Chucky on Sunday. It's superbly trashy. Probably not as good per se as Bride of... but easily as funny, and hey it's got John Waters having his face melted with sulphuric acid- thats worth the entry fee alone. Glen/Glenda (the seed in question) just looks fucking weird though- not strangely psychotic/lovable like Chucky and Tiffany, just fucking weird. Jennifer Tilly is a goddess and Hannah (S-club) Sperritt crops up in a surprisingly large role for someone who's other film was 'Agent Cody Banks 2: Operation London' with little Frankie Munitz. Very Badass.
We spent our bank holiday shopping for a new lamp for the front room. This was because the existing light, while serviceable, was a little glary and gave us headaches. I'm in love with our new lamp though. It's very swish- looks a little like a treble-clef with pointy icicles going up. The bulbs are only 10w but they give out a shed load of light. Especially when you take the icicles off. Thats enough for today I think. I'm off to think about my lamp some more.
Aido 'The pandas are laughing at us' Potato.
ps. Cheers for the cosplay link gareth. You only defend Milton because thats who you aspire to be.
