Category Archives: Miscellaneous
When Fairy Tales Became the New Hollywood
I’m not entirely sure how this started, but Hollywood is absolutely in love with making gritty, realistic versions of fairy tales and other fantasy stories. There was that Red Riding Hood movie a few years ago, but I never saw it. I don’t think it even succeeded at the box office. I know the Alice in Wonderland movie did well, but that was relying on 3D and Johnny Depp-style, not really the gritty retelling. So what is possibly driving these movies? Did someone have an idea and now they just can’t stop the momentum?
First up, we have Snow White and the Huntsman:
So…uh…what?
Snow White re-imagined as some kind of epic war movie? Snow White was definitely wearing armor and wielding a sword at one point. And clearly the Huntsman is supposed to be some kind of action hero now. What did he do in the original fairy tale? Just wussed out on killing Snow White, right? I gotta say, that looked kinda badass. Who doesn’t love a good sword and sorcery tale? And if you can cling to a known entity like ‘Snow White’, why the hell not?
I can understand the ‘why’, I’m just not sure I understand the hopes of success. When she wasn’t in armor, Snow White seemed to do a lot of wandering around some random forest. And I’m pretty sure the love story aspect is written in stone. So…I guess grit and badassery are all its got going for it.
Because they sure as hell downplayed the Seven Dwarves! They were barely in one frame of that trailer at the 1:13 mark! That’s the real travesty.
Another new movie coming out in Neverland, a prequel to Peter Pan:
If you didn’t notice Anthony Hopkins in the trailer, he plays Smee. So I believe that means we can consider this a prequel to Hook.
Everybody loves prequels, right? They’re still very popular. The origins of Captain Hook and Peter Pan could be a nifty idea. I suppose all those hundreds of other Peter Pan stories left us wondering where Neverland and everybody came from, right? Because it’s always a good idea to reveal the secrets and mysteries of magical and mysterious things. Pulling back the curtain was the best thing that ever happened to the Wizard of Oz.
As is the case with most trailers, those two actually make the movies look good. Trailers are an art form these days, and I’m definitely falling for those two. But I just can’t help but feel that they’re not going to be very good movies. What do you all think?
Also, I’m pretty sure there are a half-dozen other Snow White and Peter Pan movies coming out alongside these two…
John Q. Public and the Suspension of Disbelief
Contrary to popular belief, people are not stupid. Or I should say, audiences are not stupid.
Though I lament the fact that shows like Jersey Shore and Dancing with the Stars are incredibly popular, and audiences can embrace The Voice or The X-Factor after a million seasons of American Idol, there will always be a place on television for scripted shows. Fiction-based dramas and comedies about created characters and their adventures will always be at the forefront of entertainment, and they will always be my favorite kind of show.
That being said, I sometimes find it difficult to get into a new show. So in an effort to broaden my viewing options, I sat down to watch the first three episodes of the new show Once Upon a Time on ABC.
Don't let their pleasant, perfectly posed appearances fool you - it's a bad show
I watched the first episode and half of the second episode before stopping. I just couldn’t stand it anymore. Once Upon a Time, at least as much as I saw, seems to lack all subtlety in its premise of Fairy Tale characters living in the present day. Its characters lack depth, its story is overly complicated and it takes incredible leaps in logic to fit those complications into place. But perhaps worst of all, Once Upon a Time violates storytelling rule No. 1 – Show, Don’t Tell.
That’s why audiences are not stupid. If writers and producers treat their stories with respect and skill, then the average audience will gladly suspend their disbelief for even the wildest of ideas.
A Public Service Announcement about Zombies
As I work on my review of the zombie video game Dead Island, I thought I’d turn things over to The Goon to remind you all of the proper response when encountering a member of the undead!
Cool Cosplay
Didn’t have much to post today, so I think I’ll end the night with a couple cool costume pictures I’ve found on the Internet. These are people are conventions, mostly, who made their own costumes. And they look pretty awesome. Having been a cosplayer before, I can tell you that it’s a blast. It’s very a geeky, but it’s a ton of fun. And these people look great.
First up, is the new and improved Henchman #21. In Season 3 of The Venture Bros, 21 got all buff and tough.
I love the exaggerated eyebrows drawn onto the mask!
Say hello to the Vision and Scarlet Witch. He’s a robot, she’s a mutant, and they are in loooooove.
That's right, a robot and a mutant have all manner of sex. Comics, people!
Here is an amazing Catman costume. He’s this badass DC bad guy who’s fought Batman now and again. He used to be a loser, but he remade himself into the ultimate noble badass and this costume is beautiful.
Grrrrr!
And for the gentlemen in the audience…
To hell with Superman. Save me, Supergirl!
The Delightful Joy of a Farmer and His Sheep
Here’s a quirky little cartoon that Alyssa found online. The animation is delightful, the story is quirky fun and it’s just an all around blast. This is Henchman-4-Hire, bringing you really cool things from the Internet.
Henchman-4-Hire 