The artist was born this day in 1881. He lived to the age of 93. He is famed for his bullheaded nature.
Film. Comics. Sci-Fi. Superheroes. Pulp. Noir. History. Superman. 20th Century Archaeology.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Happy Birthday, Pablo Picasso!
The artist was born this day in 1881. He lived to the age of 93. He is famed for his bullheaded nature.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
October Watch: Frankenstein (1931) and Bride (1935) Double-Bill!
I don't really keep a list around of "what is my favorite movie?" (I mean, go ahead and check out my recommendations at the tab above, but...) but the first two James Whale directed, Karloff-starring Frankenstein films are in the mix somewhere.
It's one of those things that is difficult to explain. And it's funny, because I am absolutely not alone in my admiration of these two films - but the folks who like these movies also seem to have a hard time putting feelings into words. Even the eloquent Neil Gaiman seems at a bit of loss, but I think he does as good of a job explaining the appeal of The Bride of Frankenstein (1935) as you're likely to see.
Octoberama! Once Again with Ann Miller!
Let us head on toward Halloween with Ann Miller, black cats and pumpkins!
The Honest Truth About Why No Post and Mondo Gallery
I've already pre-loaded a number of October posts, and you'll get those for several days.
Sadly, now is one of those times that I'm terribly busy at work, and things like AWS going down don't make my job any easier. Especially when I'm flying to Denver in a week and a half to talk about why my organization uses AWS.
So, the bottom line is that I've been super busy. I worked Sunday night and I worked tonight when I got home. I'll be taking tomorrow night off, but then I'll be working again on Thursday, and then on Saturday and Sunday. Because: deadlines.
In the meantime, I'll try to provide some content, but I'm pretty busy, y'all, so bear with me for a couple of weeks.
I did make a trip during my lunch hour today to the Mondo Gallery in Austin. They're doing a show on the theme of Universal Horror Movies, focusing on Dracula, Frankenstein, Bride of Frankenstein, The Wolfman, The Invisible Man, Creature from The Black Lagoon and Phantom of the Opera. As you may know, it is Universal Studio's 100th Anniversary, and, historically, their most enduring franchise includes those creature features, even if they haven't known what to do with them for quite a while.*
Sadly, now is one of those times that I'm terribly busy at work, and things like AWS going down don't make my job any easier. Especially when I'm flying to Denver in a week and a half to talk about why my organization uses AWS.
So, the bottom line is that I've been super busy. I worked Sunday night and I worked tonight when I got home. I'll be taking tomorrow night off, but then I'll be working again on Thursday, and then on Saturday and Sunday. Because: deadlines.
In the meantime, I'll try to provide some content, but I'm pretty busy, y'all, so bear with me for a couple of weeks.
I did make a trip during my lunch hour today to the Mondo Gallery in Austin. They're doing a show on the theme of Universal Horror Movies, focusing on Dracula, Frankenstein, Bride of Frankenstein, The Wolfman, The Invisible Man, Creature from The Black Lagoon and Phantom of the Opera. As you may know, it is Universal Studio's 100th Anniversary, and, historically, their most enduring franchise includes those creature features, even if they haven't known what to do with them for quite a while.*
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Clark Kent Quits the Daily Planet - Just as I Quit Reading "Superman"
I'll be honest with you.
I wasn't going to pick up issue #13 of DC's recently relaunched Superman title, anyway. I really didn't believe DC could flail about any worse with the character than it seemed they were doing during periods of the Eddie Berganza editorship of the Superman Family of books in the 00's - back when continuity changed with every writer - or when DC seemed to be forcing year-long, family-wide, editorial directed stories upon the Superman books prior to the New 52.
A few months back I read Scott Lobdell was coming on Superman, and at the time I decided that would mark the end of my readership on the title. I'm not even worried about having a hole in my collection as comics from this era depreciate in value by 75% the minute you walk out the door, anyway, so it doesn't really matter for my collection. If I want to eventually read the comics or just fill the gap, I'll buy them in a bin at Half Price Books where someone will dump them a few months from now and it'll still be cheaper than buying them digitally.
In case you can't tell, I'm not just not a fan of Mr. Lobdell's work, but DC's direction - particularly around Superman - the character - which has been reflected largely in Superman - the comic.
Today it became news for some reason that Superman was going to quit working at The Daily Planet and start his own website or something. I guess. Something social media-y that the kids will relate to. Apparently he makes some speech about how the news business isn't just about sensationalism, its supposed to be about Truth, Justice and The American Way and then runs out the door crying.
I wasn't going to pick up issue #13 of DC's recently relaunched Superman title, anyway. I really didn't believe DC could flail about any worse with the character than it seemed they were doing during periods of the Eddie Berganza editorship of the Superman Family of books in the 00's - back when continuity changed with every writer - or when DC seemed to be forcing year-long, family-wide, editorial directed stories upon the Superman books prior to the New 52.
A few months back I read Scott Lobdell was coming on Superman, and at the time I decided that would mark the end of my readership on the title. I'm not even worried about having a hole in my collection as comics from this era depreciate in value by 75% the minute you walk out the door, anyway, so it doesn't really matter for my collection. If I want to eventually read the comics or just fill the gap, I'll buy them in a bin at Half Price Books where someone will dump them a few months from now and it'll still be cheaper than buying them digitally.
In case you can't tell, I'm not just not a fan of Mr. Lobdell's work, but DC's direction - particularly around Superman - the character - which has been reflected largely in Superman - the comic.
Today it became news for some reason that Superman was going to quit working at The Daily Planet and start his own website or something. I guess. Something social media-y that the kids will relate to. Apparently he makes some speech about how the news business isn't just about sensationalism, its supposed to be about Truth, Justice and The American Way and then runs out the door crying.
Monday, October 22, 2012
October Watch: An American Werewolf in London
I cannot begin to come to An American Werewolf in London (1981) objectively. I had to leave work fifteen minutes early or so to make the picture, and someone said "I've never seen it. Is it good?" (my co-workers are well aware of my love of movies like The Room, so my interest in a movie is not a sign of my belief in the film's quality).
I paused and said "You know, I don't really know. I've seen this movie a half dozen times since I was sixteen or seventeen, and I know I like it." And I suspect that's true for a lot of us who saw the movie when we were the right age to enjoy the horror, the comedy (it is a wickedly funny movie), the sex, and the rather pragmatic ending to the film. Like the better horror films, you don't really worry about the bad science, the faults in the make-up or effects (and this is Rick Baker so the effects were completely groundbreaking for 1982 and still look mostly terrific. @#$% CGI.) because its not about whether you can see the string on the bats or the seam in the creature's suit. In a weird way, as expensive as a creature feature could be to produce, it really is about the story.
I paused and said "You know, I don't really know. I've seen this movie a half dozen times since I was sixteen or seventeen, and I know I like it." And I suspect that's true for a lot of us who saw the movie when we were the right age to enjoy the horror, the comedy (it is a wickedly funny movie), the sex, and the rather pragmatic ending to the film. Like the better horror films, you don't really worry about the bad science, the faults in the make-up or effects (and this is Rick Baker so the effects were completely groundbreaking for 1982 and still look mostly terrific. @#$% CGI.) because its not about whether you can see the string on the bats or the seam in the creature's suit. In a weird way, as expensive as a creature feature could be to produce, it really is about the story.
Octoberama! Veronica Lake!
When its Veronica Lake, we really don't know what else we could possibly ad.
Sunday, October 21, 2012
The Execution of Lady Jane Grey
I do not travel much in a non-work-related capacity, but I hit London about a year and a half ago with The Admiral and my brother.
Jason and I were on a mad dash through the National Gallery, trying to see a Greatest Hits of the museum, and as we darted into one gallery I stopped cold in my tracks.
The picture at the far end of the gallery was The Execution of Lady Jane Grey (1833, Paul Delaroche).
When I considered doing a post, I was shocked to read that the painting is only 3 metres wide. In my mind, it seemed twice that large. Perhaps that's the impact of surprise. Perhaps the website of the National Gallery is incorrect (it is not). No matter the case, when I've tried to describe the painting, I am certain I have told people "that thing must have been 20 feet across".
Jason and I were on a mad dash through the National Gallery, trying to see a Greatest Hits of the museum, and as we darted into one gallery I stopped cold in my tracks.
The picture at the far end of the gallery was The Execution of Lady Jane Grey (1833, Paul Delaroche).
When I considered doing a post, I was shocked to read that the painting is only 3 metres wide. In my mind, it seemed twice that large. Perhaps that's the impact of surprise. Perhaps the website of the National Gallery is incorrect (it is not). No matter the case, when I've tried to describe the painting, I am certain I have told people "that thing must have been 20 feet across".
Octoberama! Sundays with The Bride!
Here's a bevy of posters used to promote screenings of The Bride.
FYI - you can see The Bride of Frankenstein and Frankenstein on the the BIG SCREEN on October 24th!
Get tickets now at Fathom Events. These are two of my favorite films of all time. If you're in Austin and want to go, let me know!
FYI - you can see The Bride of Frankenstein and Frankenstein on the the BIG SCREEN on October 24th!
Get tickets now at Fathom Events. These are two of my favorite films of all time. If you're in Austin and want to go, let me know!
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