The Good, The Bad, and The Depressing
The Good
There's an interesting experiment taking place under our very noses, ladies and gents. A group of lovely and talented young women whom have frequently lamented about the sad and unfortunate misrepresentation of people of color and members of the GLBT community in sci-fi/fantasy literature have decided to do something that many of us probably wouldn't. They've decided to stop talking about what needs to change and are actually putting their minds, energy, and talent together to affect change. Well, I'll be damned. These ladies are doers. Let's send them money.
No. Seriously. Let's send them money.
karnythia and thewayoftheid have started a little (for now) independent press geared entirely toward helping authors publish works of fiction (science fiction/fantasy/mystery/romance) that feature a central character(s) who is either a POC or GLBT. Book manuscripts, poetry, personal and critical essays are all welcome. There are also plans in the works to include animation and film as well. If you're interested in submitting a piece, please check out their submission requirements in the LJ comm: verb_noire. And if you're feeling generous, please toss a couple fins in the start-up bucket below.
Just so I'm clear, folks. I'm not getting anything out of this. I'm just helping spread the word.
Oh, and the mods would like everyone to know that authors don't have to be POC and/or GLBT, but at least one of the central characters of your piece should be. :-)
The Bad
Okay, it's not that bad. It's just not very good either. I'm talking about Watchmen, folks. I, like millions of others this weekend, took in the show at a local cinema despite the number of bad reviews and rumors of yuck. Hell, bad reviews and rumors have never stopped me before, so why would it now?
To be fair, I wanted this film to work. I really did. I'm not a fan of the graphic novel, but I hadn't read any Hellboy comics either and I enjoyed those films. Well, I enjoyed the second one, anyway. Moving on. In short, I think the film was too unfocused and about 40 minutes too long. There were definitely good parts, good scenes, and good characters, but overall, it wasn't enough to save the film from being too bogged down in its own slavish attempt to keep die-hard fans happy and make the director feel important.
I enjoyed Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Billy Crudup, and Jackie Earle Haley's performances immensely. It was a delight to watch them work, and for those actors who didn't quite deliver, it was obvious that they paled drastically in comparison with this trio. I thought Matthew Goode's performance as Ozymandias was pretty good, but I have no idea if the character was supposed to remind me of Xandir Whifflebottom from Comedy Central's Drawn Together cartoon. I'm guessing he wasn't, but he did. So take from that what you will.
Now, Watchmen is supposed to be dark and political and deep and cerebral and [insert another euphemism that you would use to assume the Average Joe wouldn't get it]. But that's not a get-out-of-jail-free-card for making a subpar film. Yes, you can argue that Watchmen is not a comic book, graphic novel for the masses, but again, that's not an excuse to ignore poor execution and clunky writing. Based on what I've heard over the years, Watchmen offers a feast of wonderful characters and storylines, but this film suffers from trying to do too much at once and forgetting that this is an ADAPTATION of the novel. And like all adaptations, what works for one medium doesn't necessarily work for another. And it looks like the director, Zack Snyder, forgot that.
From what I've read out and about on the internets, I see a clear dividing line between those who loved it and those who wanted their money back. I fall firmly in between the two (which should shock no one), but I do think it's a shame when those who loved it are falling all over themselves to deride and dismiss those who didn't care for the film. Really, you're getting snarky because some folks found Dr. Manhattan's schlong giggle worthy? Dude, listen, I'm a feminist. And I'm not a feminist who's against the exploitation of women; I'm a feminist who's for more exploitation of men. I say bring on the full frontal male nudity. Hell, I welcome it. Honestly, it pisses me off that Hollywood treats male gentalia like it's sacred and holy. F@!k that shit!
However, Dr. Manhattan's blue peen is not a normal sight in film and television (here or abroad), so expecting people to not say anything like it's a bad rug or hairy mole on a dinner guest at the world's worst cocktail party is a bit disingenous. Also, I don't think commenting on it had anything to do with nationality. Negative reviews from overseas found it annoyingly silly as well. Personally, I think it would've worked fine if they had shown Dr. Manhattan either completely nude at all times or wearing underwear at all times. By showing him in skivvies from time to time, you're begging the average audience member to question what happened between now and then that made him say, "Fuck it. Modesty is for those who think time is a linear concept." I honestly had moments during those long and dusty stretches of labored exposition where I thought, "Did Pres. Nixon insist that he wear combat draws while he was in the field? It's not like bullets or land mines could hurt him. How did that conversation go? Oh look, Rorshach is hacking into a man's face."
Other things that definitely could've been improved upon: casting, soundtrack, sex. Specifically:
Oh well. They tried. The movie wasn't horrible. Not in the least, but I gave it a C. Maybe a C+ if I keep in mind that JDM's performance will probably earn him even more roles in major motion pictures. So yay! Plus, I got to see the new Star Trek trailer. Even though they just showed it during tonight's Heroes episode. :-P
The Depressing
Setting aside personal circumstances (my stepfather was let go from his job this past Friday), I'm actually focusing on something with a more international impact for a moment and I'm wondering if anyone has heard about the terrible (well, even more terrible than usual) news concerning Zimbabwe. Last Friday, Prime Minister Tsvangirai's wife was killed in a car crash. It's not like the poor nation hasn't been through enough in the last 2, 3, 55 years, now the wife of the one man millions had hoped would establish peace and equality throughout the nation has been killed. I have no words.
The PM himself is badly injured and the MDC will supposedly investigate the accident further. As of now, Tsvangirai's office is denying any foul play, but the information detailing the events of the car crash and Mrs. Tsvangirai's death are dubious, to say the least.
Hmmm, maybe I should've started with the depressing stuff and ended with the good. Now, I have to go find something to cheer me up.
There's an interesting experiment taking place under our very noses, ladies and gents. A group of lovely and talented young women whom have frequently lamented about the sad and unfortunate misrepresentation of people of color and members of the GLBT community in sci-fi/fantasy literature have decided to do something that many of us probably wouldn't. They've decided to stop talking about what needs to change and are actually putting their minds, energy, and talent together to affect change. Well, I'll be damned. These ladies are doers. Let's send them money.
No. Seriously. Let's send them money.
karnythia and thewayoftheid have started a little (for now) independent press geared entirely toward helping authors publish works of fiction (science fiction/fantasy/mystery/romance) that feature a central character(s) who is either a POC or GLBT. Book manuscripts, poetry, personal and critical essays are all welcome. There are also plans in the works to include animation and film as well. If you're interested in submitting a piece, please check out their submission requirements in the LJ comm: verb_noire. And if you're feeling generous, please toss a couple fins in the start-up bucket below.
Just so I'm clear, folks. I'm not getting anything out of this. I'm just helping spread the word.
Oh, and the mods would like everyone to know that authors don't have to be POC and/or GLBT, but at least one of the central characters of your piece should be. :-)
The Bad
Okay, it's not that bad. It's just not very good either. I'm talking about Watchmen, folks. I, like millions of others this weekend, took in the show at a local cinema despite the number of bad reviews and rumors of yuck. Hell, bad reviews and rumors have never stopped me before, so why would it now?
To be fair, I wanted this film to work. I really did. I'm not a fan of the graphic novel, but I hadn't read any Hellboy comics either and I enjoyed those films. Well, I enjoyed the second one, anyway. Moving on. In short, I think the film was too unfocused and about 40 minutes too long. There were definitely good parts, good scenes, and good characters, but overall, it wasn't enough to save the film from being too bogged down in its own slavish attempt to keep die-hard fans happy and make the director feel important.
I enjoyed Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Billy Crudup, and Jackie Earle Haley's performances immensely. It was a delight to watch them work, and for those actors who didn't quite deliver, it was obvious that they paled drastically in comparison with this trio. I thought Matthew Goode's performance as Ozymandias was pretty good, but I have no idea if the character was supposed to remind me of Xandir Whifflebottom from Comedy Central's Drawn Together cartoon. I'm guessing he wasn't, but he did. So take from that what you will.
Now, Watchmen is supposed to be dark and political and deep and cerebral and [insert another euphemism that you would use to assume the Average Joe wouldn't get it]. But that's not a get-out-of-jail-free-card for making a subpar film. Yes, you can argue that Watchmen is not a comic book, graphic novel for the masses, but again, that's not an excuse to ignore poor execution and clunky writing. Based on what I've heard over the years, Watchmen offers a feast of wonderful characters and storylines, but this film suffers from trying to do too much at once and forgetting that this is an ADAPTATION of the novel. And like all adaptations, what works for one medium doesn't necessarily work for another. And it looks like the director, Zack Snyder, forgot that.
From what I've read out and about on the internets, I see a clear dividing line between those who loved it and those who wanted their money back. I fall firmly in between the two (which should shock no one), but I do think it's a shame when those who loved it are falling all over themselves to deride and dismiss those who didn't care for the film. Really, you're getting snarky because some folks found Dr. Manhattan's schlong giggle worthy? Dude, listen, I'm a feminist. And I'm not a feminist who's against the exploitation of women; I'm a feminist who's for more exploitation of men. I say bring on the full frontal male nudity. Hell, I welcome it. Honestly, it pisses me off that Hollywood treats male gentalia like it's sacred and holy. F@!k that shit!
However, Dr. Manhattan's blue peen is not a normal sight in film and television (here or abroad), so expecting people to not say anything like it's a bad rug or hairy mole on a dinner guest at the world's worst cocktail party is a bit disingenous. Also, I don't think commenting on it had anything to do with nationality. Negative reviews from overseas found it annoyingly silly as well. Personally, I think it would've worked fine if they had shown Dr. Manhattan either completely nude at all times or wearing underwear at all times. By showing him in skivvies from time to time, you're begging the average audience member to question what happened between now and then that made him say, "Fuck it. Modesty is for those who think time is a linear concept." I honestly had moments during those long and dusty stretches of labored exposition where I thought, "Did Pres. Nixon insist that he wear combat draws while he was in the field? It's not like bullets or land mines could hurt him. How did that conversation go? Oh look, Rorshach is hacking into a man's face."
Other things that definitely could've been improved upon: casting, soundtrack, sex. Specifically:
- Malin Akerman's performance was the suckiest suck that ever sucked. It felt like she didn't even belong in this movie. It was as if everyone else in the cast was starring in Watchmen, and she was starring in a 1986 afterschool special for ABC. I won't say she's a bad actress, but she was possibly -- and I'm being extra nice here -- horribly, horribly miscast.
- I think the film clearly spent at least half its budget on the soundtrack. I'm not kidding. Do you have any idea how much it costs to include Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix and every other climactic '70s-cliched ditty in your major motion pictiure? And what was with Wagner's "Ride of the Valkyries" during the Vietnam War scene? Did Snyder honestly feel that that was the best choice for that scene? Keep in mind, I'm talking about the soundtrack here, not the score. The score was fine; I liked it enough, but the soundtrack felt very amateurish. Your movie soundtrack shouldn't resemble a fanboy's last.fm subscription. I'm just saying.
- As uncomfortable as I may be watching sex scenes while sitting next to my mother and stepfather in a movie theater, I don't think the response the director was going for was incredulous laughter and a quick glance at my watch ... twice. Damn Zack, that sex scene went from ostentatious to graphic to ridiculous in about 30 seconds. Do I really need to be able to count Dan Dreiberg's thrusts? Really? I understand, this movie is not a family film. And after watching the first Fantastic Four movie, I thank you for that. But this attempt to match the dark tone and excessive violence with a fanboy's idea of erotic, yet gratuitious sex scene was churlish and childish. And the music you played on top of it? Dude, I came thisclose to seriously cracking a rib trying to hold back laughter.
Oh well. They tried. The movie wasn't horrible. Not in the least, but I gave it a C. Maybe a C+ if I keep in mind that JDM's performance will probably earn him even more roles in major motion pictures. So yay! Plus, I got to see the new Star Trek trailer. Even though they just showed it during tonight's Heroes episode. :-P
The Depressing
Setting aside personal circumstances (my stepfather was let go from his job this past Friday), I'm actually focusing on something with a more international impact for a moment and I'm wondering if anyone has heard about the terrible (well, even more terrible than usual) news concerning Zimbabwe. Last Friday, Prime Minister Tsvangirai's wife was killed in a car crash. It's not like the poor nation hasn't been through enough in the last 2, 3, 55 years, now the wife of the one man millions had hoped would establish peace and equality throughout the nation has been killed. I have no words.
The PM himself is badly injured and the MDC will supposedly investigate the accident further. As of now, Tsvangirai's office is denying any foul play, but the information detailing the events of the car crash and Mrs. Tsvangirai's death are dubious, to say the least.
Hmmm, maybe I should've started with the depressing stuff and ended with the good. Now, I have to go find something to cheer me up.