Nice review and congratulations on getting your first critical gig! I think your distinction between the character as written and the performance of the character is interesting. Too often it's easy to blame an actor for a poorly written character (or poor direction in performing that character). It's nice to see recognition of an actor's fine work with negligible material. So thanks for giving me something to ponder.
I hope to see more reviews from you and I applaud both KPBS and Beth for seeking out new and different perspectives on film.
"We had participants all over the world: The US, Germany, Australia, India—our Indian tweeters actually had to watch the film before breakfast because of the time difference, yet there they were!...If the mission of MOSS is to increase the attention to and appreciation for disreputable, hard-to-love pop culture, then I would chalk this one up as a major victory."
You've really managed to articulate the inarticulate pride I felt at being part of this. It's just amazing to be able to watch a movie with people all over the world, all at the same time. And to have some kind of noticeable effect--trending--while it seems like I'm just watching a silly movie with friends and new friends, helped to drive that home for me.
Don't forget his incredibly complex thigh-high sandals, with extra buckles for greater security during drinking and fighting Nemean lions and the Hulk.
Yeah, I think it totally reflects cultural perspectives. Zeus is rarely raping anyone and often shiny and more helpful than the other gods, who are portrayed as petty and selfish. And that's part of why it's so entertaining when the Greek or Norse gods appear in comics, because they are so different.
The Classical worldview was a lot more pessimistic/less optimistic. So many of the stories are about not getting the gods attention. Meanwhile, in Metropolis, a young girl shouts, "Help, Superman, my kitten is stuck in a tree!"
Your review and your brief discussion of Castle's gimmicks reminds me of a PT Barnum quote from the introduction to Herman Melville's The Confidence Man:
"The greatest humbug of all is the man who believes--or pretends to believe--that everything and everybody are humbugs. We sometimes meet a person who professes that there is no virtue; that every man has his price, and every woman hers; that any statement from anybody is just as likely to be false as true and the only way to decide which, is to consider whether the truth or a lie was likely to have paid best in that particular case. Religion, he thinks one of the smartest dodges extant, a first rate investment, and by all odds the most respectable disguise that a lying or swindling business man can wear. Honor he thinks is a sham. Honesty he considers a plausible word to flourish in the eyes of the greener portion of our race... Poor fellow! he has exposed his own nakedness. Instead of showing that others are rotten inside, he has proved that he is."
From Barnum's Great Buffalo hunt to Castle's Percepto and Coward's Corner, a clever gimmick is its own reward (as is a clever humbug).
60° Mostly Cloudy
Review: 'Room 237'
I enjoyed Room 237 as a kind of ethnographic film about online film fan culture. And, damn, if I don't want the floor plans described in the film.
April 17, 2013 at 5:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Teen Critic: 'Zero Dark Thirty'
Hi, Robert--
Nice review and congratulations on getting your first critical gig! I think your distinction between the character as written and the performance of the character is interesting. Too often it's easy to blame an actor for a poorly written character (or poor direction in performing that character). It's nice to see recognition of an actor's fine work with negligible material. So thanks for giving me something to ponder.
I hope to see more reviews from you and I applaud both KPBS and Beth for seeking out new and different perspectives on film.
January 11, 2013 at 11:34 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Midday Movies: Horrible Imaginings
really interesting conversation. thanks!
October 18, 2012 at 9:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Rants and Raves: The Power of Geek
"We had participants all over the world: The US, Germany, Australia, India—our Indian tweeters actually had to watch the film before breakfast because of the time difference, yet there they were!...If the mission of MOSS is to increase the attention to and appreciation for disreputable, hard-to-love pop culture, then I would chalk this one up as a major victory."
You've really managed to articulate the inarticulate pride I felt at being part of this. It's just amazing to be able to watch a movie with people all over the world, all at the same time. And to have some kind of noticeable effect--trending--while it seems like I'm just watching a silly movie with friends and new friends, helped to drive that home for me.
Thanks!
July 5, 2012 at 2:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Guest Review: 'The Avengers'
Don't forget his incredibly complex thigh-high sandals, with extra buckles for greater security during drinking and fighting Nemean lions and the Hulk.
May 3, 2012 at 11:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Guest Review: 'The Avengers'
Yeah, I think it totally reflects cultural perspectives. Zeus is rarely raping anyone and often shiny and more helpful than the other gods, who are portrayed as petty and selfish. And that's part of why it's so entertaining when the Greek or Norse gods appear in comics, because they are so different.
May 3, 2012 at 11:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Guest Review: 'The Avengers'
The Classical worldview was a lot more pessimistic/less optimistic. So many of the stories are about not getting the gods attention. Meanwhile, in Metropolis, a young girl shouts, "Help, Superman, my kitten is stuck in a tree!"
May 3, 2012 at 11:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Guest Review: 'The Avengers'
I like how you tie comics to Classical mythology. They are contemporary myths--but with a sense of fun.
May 3, 2012 at 11:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Interview: Joe Hill
I really enjoyed this interview--especially the parts about how Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez work together.
And that image of the open head and the child's total innocence around how disturbing it is, has stuck with me since I first read, Head Games.
Thanks for a great interview!
March 20, 2012 at 2:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Book Review: 'Step Right Up: I'm Gonna Scare the Pants Off America'
Your review and your brief discussion of Castle's gimmicks reminds me of a PT Barnum quote from the introduction to Herman Melville's The Confidence Man:
"The greatest humbug of all is the man who believes--or pretends to believe--that everything and everybody are humbugs. We sometimes meet a person who professes that there is no virtue; that every man has his price, and every woman hers; that any statement from anybody is just as likely to be false as true and the only way to decide which, is to consider whether the truth or a lie was likely to have paid best in that particular case. Religion, he thinks one of the smartest dodges extant, a first rate investment, and by all odds the most respectable disguise that a lying or swindling business man can wear. Honor he thinks is a sham. Honesty he considers a plausible word to flourish in the eyes of the greener portion of our race... Poor fellow! he has exposed his own nakedness. Instead of showing that others are rotten inside, he has proved that he is."
From Barnum's Great Buffalo hunt to Castle's Percepto and Coward's Corner, a clever gimmick is its own reward (as is a clever humbug).
October 25, 2011 at 1:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )