Misc. Thoughts

[thehefner]

1.) Saw "Less Than Zero" for two reasons: first, it's adapted from the Brett Easton Ellis novel which I couldn't get through, but I love the movie of "Rules of Attraction" and am at least intrigued by "American Psycho." Secondly, apparently there's a kid in a walk-on role who looks just like I did pre-weight loss and haircut.

The movie was pretty good by and large, but not without its flaws. Being an Ellis novel first, I somehow got the feeling it was meant to be more cynical and less dripping with sentimentality in parts (the 80's synth music swelling during the whole movie gave it a wanna-be sincerity that really took away from the story). Secondly, it felt a bit too "Drugs are bad, mmmkay?" for my tastes. And remember, this is me talking. I just don't think these characters were the sort who ever would get clean and be saved. Or if they would, it wouldn't happen so quickly.

And what is it about James Spader always playing sleazebags and showing off his ass? Maybe that's why he's the only member of the Brat Pack to get continuous work over the years.

2.) "Muppet Wizard of Oz." Starring... Ashanti as Dorothy. Ooookay. Natalie Portman may be a stuck-up ice-queen poor-man's Kiera Knightly, but she would have been an appropriate choice. Apparently she's too big a star now to act alongside pieces of felt. Then again, the Muppets, by and large, have kinda sucked ever since Jim died and Frank Oz stopped taking part (Moulin Scrooge, anyone? Cage-dancing raver Scooter? Yarr, that's replaced the whale in me nightmares.)

3.) I've been watching myself in the tapes (my ma snuck a camera in) of "Good," and all I can say is: Jesus, do I really sound like that? I sound like Mickey fucking Mouse!!! Also, I'm a shitty singer. Why wasn't I warned? I mean, with training I could be good, but Jesus, why didn't my director at least make the effort to hone me or something? Yipes.

4.) Watched Mark Hamill's opus "Comic Book: The Movie" an attempt to do a Christopher Guest-style mockumentary on the San Diego Comic-Con. While not especially funny and many of the actors not really knowing how to play improv (keeping a straight face during the absurd moments is half the joke, people!), it's still a very fun love letter to comic books and comic fans in general.

Plus, the movie stars Kevin Smith, Bruce Campbell, Stan Lee, Peter David, and even Cousin Hef, all playing themselves. As the fictional characters (and this is the really cool part) Hamill got together the very best voice-over actors in the business, including Billy West (Stimpy and Fry from Futurama), Rob Paulsen (Yakko and Pinky), Jess Harnell (Wakko and Captain Hero), Tom Kenny (Spongebob), and Jim Cummings (Winnie the Pooh, Darkwing Duck, and Taz!) These people are some of the greatest actors no one's ever heard of.

5.) No one but Dave is going to know what the hell I'm talking about when I say the following: "Green Lantern: Rebirth" number 3 came out yesterday, finally revealing the truth about Hal's madness, Parallax, and the one who's been pulling the strings this whole time, done in a manner that resulted in a last page splashpage. "Who could? Who would? WHO ELSE?" GAH!!! That final page just beat issue #2's return of Guy Gardner as one of the greatest squee moments in comics.

6.) People. PERICLES. I'm serious. You need to do this. Ya gots till Januray 2nd. If you're serious about Shakespeare, then this is an absolute must. Go without me if you must, but SEE IT.

Comments

[ortugatay.livejournal.com]

I *love* Jim Cummings!! He provided the voice for so many of my favorite childhood cartoons :-D

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

You should rent the movie to see what he's like in real life, it's pretty surreal.

[ortugatay.livejournal.com]

Perhaps I shall! Also, Merry Christmas to you :-)

[irish-caffeine.livejournal.com]

I'm surprised you never finished the book. As for the movie, I was generally disappointed. I suppose that they needed to make Clay's character a tab more likeable for the film, but please believe me when I say that the whole 'drugs are bad' message was NOT taken from the original text. The characters in the book are as devoid of emotion as the main character in 'The Stranger.' Someone does a line of coke on every page, and everyone is overwhelmingly cynical, depraved, hopeless, and stoic. There is no resolution, no epiphany at the end, just the continuence of their lifestyle of mindless self-indulgence.

I was thinking of contacting you about Pericles, but it looks like I'll still be in New York. Even if I do manage to get back before the 2nd, I'll be flat broke.

Anyway man, I hope your Christmas is a great one!

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I figured, because that sounds like "Rules of Attraction," which I was more expecting. At least in that version, it left it open for the possibility of the characters having hope, but that was the only glimmer in the whole film. Too bad LT0 didn't seem to have the guts to have the same edge.

[fiveseconddelay.livejournal.com]

Your singing voice was happening inside of your head. That was the charm of it.

[surrealname.livejournal.com]

something that could surpass Guy's return, nay i say, tis not possible.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Well, Guy's return was "YAYY!" squee, this one was a "OH SHIT!" squee. Difference.