There's a rash of very "summer movie" movies coming out and it got me thinking. We, as a pop-culture people, feel way too much pop-cultural obligation. That's my new term, watch it catch on. Those underlined words are a real meme. Read it and then go look up what a meme actually is.
Pop-cultural obligation
noun
An act necessitated not by the actual subject at hand, but by acknowledgment of a referenced or legacy concept.
Example: Why people went to see Star Wars episodes 2 and 3.
With episode 1 there was hope. Not a new hope, but a tired, used up hope. We all had our doubts after the special editions of the actual Star Wars movies. But who knew? Then we saw it and it was painful. No? Jar-Jar. Still not remembering the pain? Then it's probably because you blocked it from your memory. It's a defense mechanism. And you did see the next two, didn't you? Yes. Why? Pop-cultural obligation. You knew they would be bad and they were. You might have told yourself it was just to get the plot, have the whole story in your head. But that's a lie. If they randomly released only episode 2 with nothing to fill in before or after, you wouldn't care. Even if they did that and told you how bad it would be, you would still see it. Why? Because it's Star Wars. And I'm not blaming you. I saw them all too. But that's why we all saw them; not based on movies but based on the legacy behind the movies.
Why was I thinking about this? Transformers set me off. Normally I wouldn't consider doing anything to a Michael Bay movie other than urinating on it but perhaps I'll see Transformers. Why? I figure it will suck if only because of the director, but it is Transformers. Rather, it represents the Transformers of old that I like. It's not what it is, it's what it's standing on.
Spiderman 3. I walked out of the theatre hating Spiderman 2. The dialog was more than awkward (less than good) and all the cute "inside joke" Evil Dead shots really just reminded me of how far Raimi can fall when standing on a high enough budget. I knew that the 3rd was going to be bad. I didn't expect worse but it was. Why did I see it? See the subject of this post.
Here's my thesis: I don't think that pop-cultural obligation (pop cob, I shall be calling it) is always a good thing. I love the thrill of seeing something you remember being brought back just as much as anyone. If Hollywood was to make a big screen version of Dinosaucers I would be first in line to get a ticket. But when it extends to sequels and series I think it may be time to step back and think before you buy. It's getting to the point (and the producers know it) that they can pull anything from the nostalgia vaults and we'll all go see it. Did you like Terminator? Yeah. Terminator 2? Hell yeah. Terminator 3? No. Well guess what, just think about the first 2 and then go see the TV show they're working on.
So consumers, please please please heed these words! You might love what you've seen but that doesn't mean that you'll love what you will see. Stop going to shitty sequels. I'm sick of having them shoved in front of me, and I feel the pop-cob just as much as you. So when Speed Racer (and Speed Racer) come out, THINK!
Can you guys think up any more examples?
Post Script
X3 does not call into pop-cob. 1 was good. 2 was better. It was supposed to follow suit but didn't. Sometimes sequels are bad because they're built on cheese. Sometimes they are just bad sequels.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Books. In your face!
At my job I get to listen to my MP3 player all day. I figured that this would be a great time to delve into the world of Audio books. And I have. I work at a library so I can rip what I want, request what we don't have and I have accounts on 2 major library audio book repositories. ListenNJ and NetLibrary. See if your library accounts covers you there. It's well worth it. Side note: I've also delved into the world of fair use and rights management, but that's a whole other story. Anyway, I thought that this would let me turn that Twain quote on its head and take a lot of books from my "want to have already read it" list to my "read it" list.
And I find myself listening to crap. I realized this on Monday, when a patron asked for a good book. She wanted A Confederacy of Dunces. We didn't have it, which is a crime, so she asked what good books I had read recently. I froze. Then I thought of one. Then she said she didn't like sci-fi, so I shut up again. Then I figured I could just tell her what I have recently read, but she told me that she didn't like westerns. I had nothing to say.
And I realized how depressing that really is. I try to keep 3 books open at all times. Not literally, but I tend to have an audio book, a good book and a crappy 'before bed' book. Recently they have all been crap. Let me run through the list of what I've last listened to. Remember, I can listen all day at work, so that's damn near 7 hours of multi-tasking uber-productivity and redundant-hyphens.
Harry Potter, book 5 - Already read it. Just wanted to catch up before the movie.
Harry Potter, book 6 - Already read it. Almost couldn't make it through. Don't get me wrong; I love the stories. Her style, however, has not progressed nearly as fast as her plots or the actors pubescent development. I think the movies have started surpassing the books definitely with movie 4, possibly with movie 3.
Angels and Demons - Oh dear lord. I thought the Da Vinci Code was bad. It was, but it was nothing compared to this. SPOILER ALERT: the secret killer is really the new pope-to-be, and the super twist is that his dad... was the old pope whom he killed! Wow! Honestly, I've found better reading material inside positive reviews of Battlefield Earth. Really.
The Stainless Steele Rat - Good, light faire. Oh, yeah, I read this already. I was actually surprised at how much good material there was about crime mentality. It's got a lot more actual cyberpunk in it than the movie Hackers. Of course, so does my brief case that I take to work every day. I mean, sure it's 60s science fiction. sure, punch card technology hasn't come that far. I just needed to not listen to any more Dan Brown.
The Gunslinger - When I get into a really good audio book, sometimes I zone out of my work for a minute. I kept forgetting I was listening to an audio book with this one. Honestly, Steven, not every physical of emotional sensation is felt through the groin. Really.
Some novelization of Torchwood, the Dr. Who spin-off - Oh god, that's sad! Please, someone, take my headphones away.
Drawing of the Three - Sweet Jesus, why do I do this to myself? I'm a reasonably good person! I don't deserve this! I'm asking for help!
Yes, it dawned on me at the library that Monday that I've been filling my brain with crap. That's like watching nothing but Fox, to clear you mind from watching Fox News. No one should do that! Hunter S. Thompson would cringe at the thought of putting all that into his body. I ended up giving the patron a really good list. I can post it later, if anyone wants. The problem was, just like A Confederacy of Dunces, nearly every item on the list was on my To Read shelf, and not my Already Read shelf. I've been 1/3 finished with my book on sting theory for a month now. I've read some really terrible Star Wars novels. Why have I stopped with the good? Why can't I focus enough to put something worthwhile in my brain-hole? I've got tons of non-fiction and classics. Twain, Heller, BBC radio lecture series. Do I want to spend an hour or so listening to a programme about a single number? Hell yes, I do. But I can't. I've been recently conditioned for literary fast food. But I want out!
So that's it. I'm going to finish the book I'm currently on and then forcing something good into my head. This has to stop. How many of you out there would love the ability to knock back a book a week without losing any time? It's a dream, no? So why am I compulsively pissing it away? Because it's easy. I got into the habit. Just like I've had problems stopping other things once I get started: sleeping pills, Super Mario World, arguing with proselytizing christians on street corners. And now crap-fiction. No longer. I'm taking a stand. Joseph Heller, here I come!
P.S. Hi Mom.
And I find myself listening to crap. I realized this on Monday, when a patron asked for a good book. She wanted A Confederacy of Dunces. We didn't have it, which is a crime, so she asked what good books I had read recently. I froze. Then I thought of one. Then she said she didn't like sci-fi, so I shut up again. Then I figured I could just tell her what I have recently read, but she told me that she didn't like westerns. I had nothing to say.
And I realized how depressing that really is. I try to keep 3 books open at all times. Not literally, but I tend to have an audio book, a good book and a crappy 'before bed' book. Recently they have all been crap. Let me run through the list of what I've last listened to. Remember, I can listen all day at work, so that's damn near 7 hours of multi-tasking uber-productivity and redundant-hyphens.
Harry Potter, book 5 - Already read it. Just wanted to catch up before the movie.
Harry Potter, book 6 - Already read it. Almost couldn't make it through. Don't get me wrong; I love the stories. Her style, however, has not progressed nearly as fast as her plots or the actors pubescent development. I think the movies have started surpassing the books definitely with movie 4, possibly with movie 3.
Angels and Demons - Oh dear lord. I thought the Da Vinci Code was bad. It was, but it was nothing compared to this. SPOILER ALERT: the secret killer is really the new pope-to-be, and the super twist is that his dad... was the old pope whom he killed! Wow! Honestly, I've found better reading material inside positive reviews of Battlefield Earth. Really.
The Stainless Steele Rat - Good, light faire. Oh, yeah, I read this already. I was actually surprised at how much good material there was about crime mentality. It's got a lot more actual cyberpunk in it than the movie Hackers. Of course, so does my brief case that I take to work every day. I mean, sure it's 60s science fiction. sure, punch card technology hasn't come that far. I just needed to not listen to any more Dan Brown.
The Gunslinger - When I get into a really good audio book, sometimes I zone out of my work for a minute. I kept forgetting I was listening to an audio book with this one. Honestly, Steven, not every physical of emotional sensation is felt through the groin. Really.
Some novelization of Torchwood, the Dr. Who spin-off - Oh god, that's sad! Please, someone, take my headphones away.
Drawing of the Three - Sweet Jesus, why do I do this to myself? I'm a reasonably good person! I don't deserve this! I'm asking for help!
Yes, it dawned on me at the library that Monday that I've been filling my brain with crap. That's like watching nothing but Fox, to clear you mind from watching Fox News. No one should do that! Hunter S. Thompson would cringe at the thought of putting all that into his body. I ended up giving the patron a really good list. I can post it later, if anyone wants. The problem was, just like A Confederacy of Dunces, nearly every item on the list was on my To Read shelf, and not my Already Read shelf. I've been 1/3 finished with my book on sting theory for a month now. I've read some really terrible Star Wars novels. Why have I stopped with the good? Why can't I focus enough to put something worthwhile in my brain-hole? I've got tons of non-fiction and classics. Twain, Heller, BBC radio lecture series. Do I want to spend an hour or so listening to a programme about a single number? Hell yes, I do. But I can't. I've been recently conditioned for literary fast food. But I want out!
So that's it. I'm going to finish the book I'm currently on and then forcing something good into my head. This has to stop. How many of you out there would love the ability to knock back a book a week without losing any time? It's a dream, no? So why am I compulsively pissing it away? Because it's easy. I got into the habit. Just like I've had problems stopping other things once I get started: sleeping pills, Super Mario World, arguing with proselytizing christians on street corners. And now crap-fiction. No longer. I'm taking a stand. Joseph Heller, here I come!
P.S. Hi Mom.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Crazy weekend
Oh dear lord. There was much craziness. I feel I must post here just so I can stop telling the story again and again. Most of you have heard this/been there, but I need to get this out. This past weekend was defined by 2 events. Here is the first.
Breakfast Club
A bunch of us went out (Me, Al, Leigh, Chad, Kim, Katie) to the Breakfast Club. It's an 80's themed club in the area. We showed up early, got large drinks and waited for the place to fill up. It did. After a while on the dance floor I feel someone grinding behind me. This didn't shock me as it was crowded. Suddenly a pair of arms wrap around me and start touching me. This bothered me.
The girl in question stumbles around and stops before me, still grinding all the while. She is drunk. She is wearing a pin that says "Slut". I think she was with a bachelorette party. And she really wants to dance with me. I hold up my hand and point to my ring. "I'm taken," I shout, still smiling. She doesn't take this to mean 'I'm taken' but rather that I want her to come closer. She moves her face right up to mine. Very drunk. "What?" she says, not asking. "Let's dance."
Allison, at this point, is cracking up. At first everyone thought that I knew her. I run into people everywhere. Allison is starting to catch on. I think Leigh gets it at this point as well. Everyone else is wondering who she is. I manage to work my way into our circle and away from her. Leigh gets between us and she's back to her group. Katie and Kim look at me, wondering what that was all about. I lean in and shout the truth, "I'm too hot."
A while later and she's back. This girl is now drunker and more insistent than ever. "Hey! Dance with me!" She's pulling at me and (I've seen the picture) I have a disgusted look on my face. Everyone is now cracking up, knowing that she's just some stranger. I'm looking around desperately. I do the ring thing again and nothing. I try to pull Allison between us but she's so close I end up just tugging on Allison's wrist. Finally Leigh comes over and literally pulls her away. She says something to her, which I assume to be, "He's taken. With her. Do not touch!" The drunk girl's friend comes over (we shall call her 'not as drunk girl'), apologizes and they both leave. We continue to dance, and I find out my favourite Bon Jovi song is Uptown Girl. A good night was had by all.
Coney Island
There was an entire day of rediculosity at and around Coney Island. I could spend pages on the Russian Sushi That Almost Wasn't, but I won't. That story needs to be told in person. And probably by Allison. This part of the storey isn't about the rides. Or the people. Or even the food. Or getting lost in the subway. Or the great chicken fingers and kiwi margarita. No, this is a storey about sideshow freaks and me.
At one point during the day a few of us (Jamie, Sarah, Allison and me) ended up at the Coney Island Sideshow. I've never been to one of these in person before. Everyone else had. I swear, I was sitting on the bleachers with my elbows on my knees and my chin in my hands. Rapt attention. I cringed when the human blockhead hammered nails into his nose. I shifted uncomfortably when he used a power drill. The snake dance and the electric chair were fun, but I don't fear snakes and I've read way too much on Tesla to be freaked out by setting a torch on fire with your tongue. The fire eater was flat out amazing. Going beyond the simple act of eating fire, she'd hold it in her mouth for extended periods of time as well as simply set her mouth on fire. All to the beat of the music. Lovely.
The pinnacle for me was the sword swallower, Heather Holiday, simply because I was called up as a volunteer. After she swallowed a short sword (2 feet), she pulled out a 3 foot. She then chose me from the audience to come up and inspect the sword, as to confirm that it was not collapsible. I can assure you all that it was not. I was ready to get down from the stage when she tells the audience that I will then stay to prove that the act is real. I get nervous. She tells them what I am to do and then makes sure I feel comfortable with it. Comfortable isn't the right word but I sure as hell was up for the experience.
The act happened as follows: I stand next to her as she tilts her head back and swallows the sword. She then bends at the waist, keeping her back straight, and leans forward. She turns to me and winks. I then grab the handle of the sword and slowly pull it straight back. I can now check pulling a sword out of a woman's mouth from my list of things to do before I die.
The feeling was bizarre. You know how you can fell texture and resistance when you run an object along another object? Yeah, that all translated right up the sword. It was... completely different than anything I have ever done. I can't even image what it was like for her. Later, Sarah said that had she been called up, she wouldn't have done that part. I just find it hard to believe that Heather Holiday would trust a good number of strangers to pull swords out of her mouth each day.
Dear Diary,
Best weekend ever!
Breakfast Club
A bunch of us went out (Me, Al, Leigh, Chad, Kim, Katie) to the Breakfast Club. It's an 80's themed club in the area. We showed up early, got large drinks and waited for the place to fill up. It did. After a while on the dance floor I feel someone grinding behind me. This didn't shock me as it was crowded. Suddenly a pair of arms wrap around me and start touching me. This bothered me.
The girl in question stumbles around and stops before me, still grinding all the while. She is drunk. She is wearing a pin that says "Slut". I think she was with a bachelorette party. And she really wants to dance with me. I hold up my hand and point to my ring. "I'm taken," I shout, still smiling. She doesn't take this to mean 'I'm taken' but rather that I want her to come closer. She moves her face right up to mine. Very drunk. "What?" she says, not asking. "Let's dance."
Allison, at this point, is cracking up. At first everyone thought that I knew her. I run into people everywhere. Allison is starting to catch on. I think Leigh gets it at this point as well. Everyone else is wondering who she is. I manage to work my way into our circle and away from her. Leigh gets between us and she's back to her group. Katie and Kim look at me, wondering what that was all about. I lean in and shout the truth, "I'm too hot."
A while later and she's back. This girl is now drunker and more insistent than ever. "Hey! Dance with me!" She's pulling at me and (I've seen the picture) I have a disgusted look on my face. Everyone is now cracking up, knowing that she's just some stranger. I'm looking around desperately. I do the ring thing again and nothing. I try to pull Allison between us but she's so close I end up just tugging on Allison's wrist. Finally Leigh comes over and literally pulls her away. She says something to her, which I assume to be, "He's taken. With her. Do not touch!" The drunk girl's friend comes over (we shall call her 'not as drunk girl'), apologizes and they both leave. We continue to dance, and I find out my favourite Bon Jovi song is Uptown Girl. A good night was had by all.
Coney Island
There was an entire day of rediculosity at and around Coney Island. I could spend pages on the Russian Sushi That Almost Wasn't, but I won't. That story needs to be told in person. And probably by Allison. This part of the storey isn't about the rides. Or the people. Or even the food. Or getting lost in the subway. Or the great chicken fingers and kiwi margarita. No, this is a storey about sideshow freaks and me.
At one point during the day a few of us (Jamie, Sarah, Allison and me) ended up at the Coney Island Sideshow. I've never been to one of these in person before. Everyone else had. I swear, I was sitting on the bleachers with my elbows on my knees and my chin in my hands. Rapt attention. I cringed when the human blockhead hammered nails into his nose. I shifted uncomfortably when he used a power drill. The snake dance and the electric chair were fun, but I don't fear snakes and I've read way too much on Tesla to be freaked out by setting a torch on fire with your tongue. The fire eater was flat out amazing. Going beyond the simple act of eating fire, she'd hold it in her mouth for extended periods of time as well as simply set her mouth on fire. All to the beat of the music. Lovely.
The pinnacle for me was the sword swallower, Heather Holiday, simply because I was called up as a volunteer. After she swallowed a short sword (2 feet), she pulled out a 3 foot. She then chose me from the audience to come up and inspect the sword, as to confirm that it was not collapsible. I can assure you all that it was not. I was ready to get down from the stage when she tells the audience that I will then stay to prove that the act is real. I get nervous. She tells them what I am to do and then makes sure I feel comfortable with it. Comfortable isn't the right word but I sure as hell was up for the experience.
The act happened as follows: I stand next to her as she tilts her head back and swallows the sword. She then bends at the waist, keeping her back straight, and leans forward. She turns to me and winks. I then grab the handle of the sword and slowly pull it straight back. I can now check pulling a sword out of a woman's mouth from my list of things to do before I die.
The feeling was bizarre. You know how you can fell texture and resistance when you run an object along another object? Yeah, that all translated right up the sword. It was... completely different than anything I have ever done. I can't even image what it was like for her. Later, Sarah said that had she been called up, she wouldn't have done that part. I just find it hard to believe that Heather Holiday would trust a good number of strangers to pull swords out of her mouth each day.
Dear Diary,
Best weekend ever!
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