G.I. Joe: Retaliation: Or as it was titled internationally, "G.I. Joe: Unprovoked Imperilaist Aggression."
Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox: If you read Monday's post, you won't be surprised to learn I am really excited about this latest DC Comics animated feature. Oh, I'm not so excited that I can't wait 6 months for it to show up on Netflix, but I'm still excited!
Black Rock: I saw this Kate Bosworth movie described as a "female-driven Deliverance-esque thriller." OK, even the "female-driven" part can't erase unpleasant images of Ned Beatty.
Wanted Season 1/Banshee Season 1: It's really unfair of me to think this, but I don't think I could sit through a Cinemax original series without being anxious the whole time waiting for Shannon Whirry to go topless.
Nope, still got Ned Beatty in my head.
Between Us: An exploration of the issues couples face, this one might actually be decent. It stars familiar names like Julia Stiles, Taye Diggs, and Ned--DAMN!
Going Hollywood: A lot of people are gonna be excited about this vintage offering from Warner Archive. I say forget Bing Crosby and Marion Davies, the real story here is more Ned Beatty on DVD. I mean Ned SPARKS! Ned Sparks. I hate "Black Rock" already.
And in streaming...
There is very little going on this week. I imagine the monthly catalog dump coming tomorrow will bring something interesting. Meanwhile, I discovered this week that "The Fresh Beat Band" is now on Amazon prime, which tempts me to sign up just so I can give my son his favorite show on demand.
Also, have you noticed how great Hulu Plus' main page is in the summer? When there are no big network hits to tout, the service highlights these weird random shows you never knew were even on there. Maybe it's based on my viewing patterns somehow, but it's still kind of odd to see a spotlight on "Care Bears." Uh, thanks, Hulu!
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Monday, July 29, 2013
ClassicFlix: Check out more of my writing on classic TV and movies...
I will have more to say about this in the near future, but I'm proud to be a contributor to the revamped ClassicFlix website. This company sells and rents DVDs of classic movies and TV shows, and I am writing a regular column (appearing soon) and reviews for the website. My first piece, a look at Abbott and Costello in "It Ain't Hay," is today's featured review:
http://classicflix.com/beta/It-Aint-Hay-Sit-Back-and-Enjoy-r-808.html
There are more articles and reviews popping up all the time, so if you have any interest in what I do here, particularly my coverage of the classics, please check it out!
http://classicflix.com/beta/It-Aint-Hay-Sit-Back-and-Enjoy-r-808.html
There are more articles and reviews popping up all the time, so if you have any interest in what I do here, particularly my coverage of the classics, please check it out!
Instant Gratification Theater: Superhero Time!
In general, I find DC Comics animated movies much, much better than Marvel Comics animated movies. The DC efforts are almost always livelier, more character driven, and feature more entertaining voice work. Perhaps most important, while most Marvel animated movies disappear from my consciousness a half-hour after I see them, the DC ones linger, and that's because they tend to be ABOUT something.
The only issue lately is that so many seem to be about the same thing: the limits of power, or the need to put checks on the power that heroes have. I loved "Batman: Under the Red Hood," but two other recent DC efforts cover similar territory. You know what, though? They're still exceptional movies. Both of them are based on comic book storylines, and both of them are currently available for your streaming pleasure on Netflix.
Justice League: Doom: It's yet another incarnation of the Legion of Doom, this time led by Vandal Savage, but you will never read me griping about a Legion of Doom. Even though he was a familiar presence in the "Justice League" cartoon, the use of Vandal Savage here, as opposed to, say, Lex Luthor, is a bit of fresh air. The Doomers infiltrate Batman's lair and his files and take the secret blueprints he has developed to take down the other JLA'ers...you know, a contingency plan just in case anything happens.
So the League must combat the villains, who are incorporating Batman's tactical genius, and then they must also combat their own feelings of resentment that the Caped Crusader devised strategies to take them out. You get action and the usual sharp characterization of the heroes, but you also get a provocative exploration of ethics as the heroes debate the issue. Without giving away too much of the discussion, I'll just say one of the funniest (in a not really meant to be but not necessarily not meant to be, and either way it's not a knock kind of way) aspects of this movie is the utterly unrepentant attitude of Bats when confronted with the indignation of his teammates.
Speaking of familiar presences, the casting has an air of getting the band back together, with Kevin Conroy returning as Batman, Tim Daly as Superman, Susan Eisenberg as Wonder Woman, Michael Rosenbaum as Flash (Barry Allen, not Wally West, though there is little apparent difference)...these are all excellent performers who have mastered the roles.
"Doom" is an intriguing movie that will draw you in and make you ponder the righteousness of Batman's actions. To its credit, it avoids a pat ending but still provides a satisfying, if not altogether "happy" ending. And it's also a fun movie. Highly recommended.
Superman vs. The Elite is especially relevant given the controversy over the live-action "Man of Steel" film in theaters this summer. Supes first teams with a group of young British "punk rock" heroes but then confronts them when they refusal to check their brand of brutal vigilantism.
This movie has a fun 1980s punk-ish opening credits sequence that distinguishes it from other DC cartoons, but it ultimately resembles its brethren. Yet it also feels fresh and innovative. Part of this is the Elite, an interesting group of antagonists who offer something new. It's a riot hearing a young snotty superpowered punk pepper his conversation with Superman with "innit" and "wankers" and the like. There's also some borderline edgy sexual tension from the female member of the group.
What makes the story standout, though, is its attention to tradition; that is, its emphasis of the Man of Steel I grew up knowing and loving: the guy who is always determined to do the right thing in a way that avoids killing and pure vigilante justice at all costs. At first Metropolis is enchanted by the Elite's no-holds-barred approach to law enforcement, but when things turn scary, Superman is there to remind humanity of...well, its own humanity. His struggle against The Elite is not just a dynamic bit of action, but a moral one. The tone is just right throughout, too, staying upright and true to the character without ever being pretentious or preachy. THIS is the Superman I want to see.
George Newbern returns as Kal-El in this one, and like Daly, he's mastered the role and does his usual fine job. The rest of the cast is also fine, though once again I wonder why Lois Lane has such brownish hair when she is being portrayed by quintessential brunette Pauley Perrette. This one gets more and more absorbing as it goes on and is also highly recommended.
Doc Savage, Man of Bronze: I watched about one minute of this on Warner Instant Archive before I had to turn it off. Oh, I still intend to watch it, but after seeing those excellent DC movies, something about the cheesiness of the music and the camp approach of "Doc," even in the first minute or so, turned me off. I realized I had to be in a different mood to view that one.
The only issue lately is that so many seem to be about the same thing: the limits of power, or the need to put checks on the power that heroes have. I loved "Batman: Under the Red Hood," but two other recent DC efforts cover similar territory. You know what, though? They're still exceptional movies. Both of them are based on comic book storylines, and both of them are currently available for your streaming pleasure on Netflix.
Justice League: Doom: It's yet another incarnation of the Legion of Doom, this time led by Vandal Savage, but you will never read me griping about a Legion of Doom. Even though he was a familiar presence in the "Justice League" cartoon, the use of Vandal Savage here, as opposed to, say, Lex Luthor, is a bit of fresh air. The Doomers infiltrate Batman's lair and his files and take the secret blueprints he has developed to take down the other JLA'ers...you know, a contingency plan just in case anything happens.
So the League must combat the villains, who are incorporating Batman's tactical genius, and then they must also combat their own feelings of resentment that the Caped Crusader devised strategies to take them out. You get action and the usual sharp characterization of the heroes, but you also get a provocative exploration of ethics as the heroes debate the issue. Without giving away too much of the discussion, I'll just say one of the funniest (in a not really meant to be but not necessarily not meant to be, and either way it's not a knock kind of way) aspects of this movie is the utterly unrepentant attitude of Bats when confronted with the indignation of his teammates.
Speaking of familiar presences, the casting has an air of getting the band back together, with Kevin Conroy returning as Batman, Tim Daly as Superman, Susan Eisenberg as Wonder Woman, Michael Rosenbaum as Flash (Barry Allen, not Wally West, though there is little apparent difference)...these are all excellent performers who have mastered the roles.
"Doom" is an intriguing movie that will draw you in and make you ponder the righteousness of Batman's actions. To its credit, it avoids a pat ending but still provides a satisfying, if not altogether "happy" ending. And it's also a fun movie. Highly recommended.
Superman vs. The Elite is especially relevant given the controversy over the live-action "Man of Steel" film in theaters this summer. Supes first teams with a group of young British "punk rock" heroes but then confronts them when they refusal to check their brand of brutal vigilantism.
This movie has a fun 1980s punk-ish opening credits sequence that distinguishes it from other DC cartoons, but it ultimately resembles its brethren. Yet it also feels fresh and innovative. Part of this is the Elite, an interesting group of antagonists who offer something new. It's a riot hearing a young snotty superpowered punk pepper his conversation with Superman with "innit" and "wankers" and the like. There's also some borderline edgy sexual tension from the female member of the group.
What makes the story standout, though, is its attention to tradition; that is, its emphasis of the Man of Steel I grew up knowing and loving: the guy who is always determined to do the right thing in a way that avoids killing and pure vigilante justice at all costs. At first Metropolis is enchanted by the Elite's no-holds-barred approach to law enforcement, but when things turn scary, Superman is there to remind humanity of...well, its own humanity. His struggle against The Elite is not just a dynamic bit of action, but a moral one. The tone is just right throughout, too, staying upright and true to the character without ever being pretentious or preachy. THIS is the Superman I want to see.
George Newbern returns as Kal-El in this one, and like Daly, he's mastered the role and does his usual fine job. The rest of the cast is also fine, though once again I wonder why Lois Lane has such brownish hair when she is being portrayed by quintessential brunette Pauley Perrette. This one gets more and more absorbing as it goes on and is also highly recommended.
Doc Savage, Man of Bronze: I watched about one minute of this on Warner Instant Archive before I had to turn it off. Oh, I still intend to watch it, but after seeing those excellent DC movies, something about the cheesiness of the music and the camp approach of "Doc," even in the first minute or so, turned me off. I realized I had to be in a different mood to view that one.
Friday, July 26, 2013
Vault of Coolness: Marvel Fun and Games Part 2
Here's another fun page from Fun and Games #1:
What a wonderfully random assortment of characters! One thing I love about this comic (you know there are many, many more than just one thing) is that it doesn't showcase only the big guns at the expense of other characters in the Marvel Universe. That makes it even more FUN!
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
This Week in DVD and Instant Watching
The good news there isn't anything akin to last week's "42" fiasco that will rile me up. I needn't worry about having my heart broken again because Redbox has been denied a hot new release.
The bad news is that there aren't any hot new releases this week. I'd like to think it's because all the studios are getting out of the way of "The Jack Benny Program," they aren't on that big Mill Creek collection, they're not part of those few dozen episodes in syndication on Antenna TV, and they weren't in the package that was sold to PBS stations a few years ago. Presumably they also weren't on CBN back in the 1980s. I think that about covers it.
It's Jack Benny, ergo it's worth getting. I could try to say more about this one, but I don't have the set yet, and I happen to know someone who wrote a fine review.
Really, I'm almost glad nothing else interesting is coming to DVD or streaming this week because I want to focus on that set. But I have to admit even though there is already way more on Netflix than I can watch, I still get disappointed when I look at the new releases and don't see anything that interests me.
Company head honcho Reed Hastings specifically mentioned long-form documentaries and stand-up comedy as areas Netflix is looking to explore as it expands its original programming slate. Hmm, sounds like it's getting more blatant about challenging HBO. I'll say again that I admire many of Netflix's moves so far, but honestly I wish they could just go back to trying acquire everything that's already been made.
In Hulu news, I tried to watch it today, and it crashed my Roku as it does every other time I try to watch it. So I put Netflix on again and had a good laugh at Hulu's expense...until I remembered I'm paying for Hulu, too.
(NOTE: Edited to include the link to that "fine review" I mentioned. Oh, that must have seemed like such a tease until I actually linked to it...)
The bad news is that there aren't any hot new releases this week. I'd like to think it's because all the studios are getting out of the way of "The Jack Benny Program," they aren't on that big Mill Creek collection, they're not part of those few dozen episodes in syndication on Antenna TV, and they weren't in the package that was sold to PBS stations a few years ago. Presumably they also weren't on CBN back in the 1980s. I think that about covers it.
It's Jack Benny, ergo it's worth getting. I could try to say more about this one, but I don't have the set yet, and I happen to know someone who wrote a fine review.
Really, I'm almost glad nothing else interesting is coming to DVD or streaming this week because I want to focus on that set. But I have to admit even though there is already way more on Netflix than I can watch, I still get disappointed when I look at the new releases and don't see anything that interests me.
Company head honcho Reed Hastings specifically mentioned long-form documentaries and stand-up comedy as areas Netflix is looking to explore as it expands its original programming slate. Hmm, sounds like it's getting more blatant about challenging HBO. I'll say again that I admire many of Netflix's moves so far, but honestly I wish they could just go back to trying acquire everything that's already been made.
In Hulu news, I tried to watch it today, and it crashed my Roku as it does every other time I try to watch it. So I put Netflix on again and had a good laugh at Hulu's expense...until I remembered I'm paying for Hulu, too.
(NOTE: Edited to include the link to that "fine review" I mentioned. Oh, that must have seemed like such a tease until I actually linked to it...)
Monday, July 22, 2013
On the radio: It's hard out there
I'm having problems with my car stereo again, and so I am forced to listen to the radio while driving around. This makes me rather cranky considering that virtually all terrestrial radio in my area is unlistenable (may not be an actual word, but it should be) for more than 10 minutes at a time.
There are some bright spots, though: I discovered that vintage episodes of "American Top 40" are syndicated and run in many markets on weekends. What a joy it was hearing someone talk about Prince, thinking, "That sounds like Casey Kasem," and realizing, hey, it IS! Songs just sound better when accompanied by a factoid or two from Casey. "Raspberry Beret" sounds just as fresh and joyous today as it did then, by the way, and it sounds great in a car.
The episodes are chosen at random, I guess; last week I heard a little bit of an installment from 1980, and all I can say is the chart was full of music that does NOT sound as fresh today as it did then. Other than hearing my gal Olivia Newton-John, I wasn't feeling that episode. Still, any old episode of "American Top 40" beats two hours of today's hit music.
It seems every time I'm forced to listen to radio for an extended period, it's my double misfortune that Justin Timberlake has an album out at the time. I don't care how much I'm supposed to like the guy, I can't get into his music. Same for Bruno Mars. While flipping the dial (I am constantly flipping the dial trying to find something worthwhile), I keep hearing some song that sounds like a weak imitation of early Sting with a less reggae-fied beat.
One of the worst gimmicks to hit classic rock radio is "Two-for Tuesday." If a station used the concept of two songs in a row by the same artist to play deep cuts with that second track, well, I might get behind it. Instead, you hear the opening of "Born to be Wild," and you know, well, next up is gonna be "Magic Carpet Ride," because this station plays only the same couple hundred songs over and over and over again (Hey., I'd leave to hear "Over and Over" by the DC5 on the radio).
I've said it before, and I'll say it again: John Mellencamp deserves at least a small measure of respect. Twice last week I heard his early John Cougar-era hit "I Need a Lover," on two different stations--each time without the extended instrumental opening. Clipped versions of old Mellencamp songs may not bother some people, but they bug this old crank.
Talk radio is no better. The local right-wing rant station seems never to be actually talking about an issue itself, but rather whining about how the "mainstream media" is covering the issue. Why not cover the topic yourself instead of trying to be ombudsman for MSNBC or whatever? It amazes me how many of these talking heads and their callers spend time consuming media sources that clearly make them ill. I mean, when I come across a Justin Timberlake or a Bruno Mars song, I don't listen to it, take notes, and call a radio show. I turn it off.
I tried listening to some sports radio, but this past week was brutal. Usually on weeknights, I have my choice of several different baseball games. But with the All-Star break, options were limited. Even during the daytime hours, the lack of games apparently made many of the hosts desperate to talk about something other than sports, even though they rarely dissect in-game strategies in detail, anyway.
The other day, one station had its own localized version of Espy awards for various sports achievements, complete with listener discussion and voting. great idea, I thought. On its competitor, the two guys were asking callers to give them movies that are popular but that stink. It wasn't even sports movies, but just movies. You really can't think of anything sports-related to talk about? I think the All-Star break just gives some of these guys an excuse to go to the "pop culture" well because, well, everybody can talk about that, right? Everybody thinks he knows enough about "pop culture" to start an argument at the barbershop, go on the radio, or write a blog--
Oh. Well, you get my drift.
There are some bright spots, though: I discovered that vintage episodes of "American Top 40" are syndicated and run in many markets on weekends. What a joy it was hearing someone talk about Prince, thinking, "That sounds like Casey Kasem," and realizing, hey, it IS! Songs just sound better when accompanied by a factoid or two from Casey. "Raspberry Beret" sounds just as fresh and joyous today as it did then, by the way, and it sounds great in a car.
The episodes are chosen at random, I guess; last week I heard a little bit of an installment from 1980, and all I can say is the chart was full of music that does NOT sound as fresh today as it did then. Other than hearing my gal Olivia Newton-John, I wasn't feeling that episode. Still, any old episode of "American Top 40" beats two hours of today's hit music.
It seems every time I'm forced to listen to radio for an extended period, it's my double misfortune that Justin Timberlake has an album out at the time. I don't care how much I'm supposed to like the guy, I can't get into his music. Same for Bruno Mars. While flipping the dial (I am constantly flipping the dial trying to find something worthwhile), I keep hearing some song that sounds like a weak imitation of early Sting with a less reggae-fied beat.
One of the worst gimmicks to hit classic rock radio is "Two-for Tuesday." If a station used the concept of two songs in a row by the same artist to play deep cuts with that second track, well, I might get behind it. Instead, you hear the opening of "Born to be Wild," and you know, well, next up is gonna be "Magic Carpet Ride," because this station plays only the same couple hundred songs over and over and over again (Hey., I'd leave to hear "Over and Over" by the DC5 on the radio).
I've said it before, and I'll say it again: John Mellencamp deserves at least a small measure of respect. Twice last week I heard his early John Cougar-era hit "I Need a Lover," on two different stations--each time without the extended instrumental opening. Clipped versions of old Mellencamp songs may not bother some people, but they bug this old crank.
Talk radio is no better. The local right-wing rant station seems never to be actually talking about an issue itself, but rather whining about how the "mainstream media" is covering the issue. Why not cover the topic yourself instead of trying to be ombudsman for MSNBC or whatever? It amazes me how many of these talking heads and their callers spend time consuming media sources that clearly make them ill. I mean, when I come across a Justin Timberlake or a Bruno Mars song, I don't listen to it, take notes, and call a radio show. I turn it off.
I tried listening to some sports radio, but this past week was brutal. Usually on weeknights, I have my choice of several different baseball games. But with the All-Star break, options were limited. Even during the daytime hours, the lack of games apparently made many of the hosts desperate to talk about something other than sports, even though they rarely dissect in-game strategies in detail, anyway.
The other day, one station had its own localized version of Espy awards for various sports achievements, complete with listener discussion and voting. great idea, I thought. On its competitor, the two guys were asking callers to give them movies that are popular but that stink. It wasn't even sports movies, but just movies. You really can't think of anything sports-related to talk about? I think the All-Star break just gives some of these guys an excuse to go to the "pop culture" well because, well, everybody can talk about that, right? Everybody thinks he knows enough about "pop culture" to start an argument at the barbershop, go on the radio, or write a blog--
Oh. Well, you get my drift.
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