All Treats No Trick

Since I'll be spending Halloween night with my new favorite movie ever, here are some videos for you.







Bonus points to the person who spots the song included in my Halloween mix last year. (If you got the mix last year, you don't get the points).

Turning Rebellion Into Money

So I'm browsing the blogosphere at work, trying desperately to avoid some assignment with an immediate deadline, when I come across Lefty's post about seeking some punk rock tunes. It ended with Mr. Brown encouraging me to move this movie up on my Netflix queue.

Thankfully, it was already up on top, and I am happy to say that Punk: Attitude is now one of my top 10 rock and roll movies of all time. Ladies and gentlemen, you simply must see this movie. Now.

Directed by Don Letts (who was as much a participant in the scene in London as observer), this is probably one of the most comprehensive documentaries - an hour and a half feature with two hours of bonus features, this encompasses punk in all of its incarnations - the garage punk/Nuggets movement; bands like the MC5, Stooges, and New York Dolls - as well as the American & British scenes, as well as the underground and "no wave" movements. Plus, it has Henry Rollins providing context, and that guy can hurt you. Seriously.

If you like rock and roll - if you hate the current teeny-bopper-punk bands as much as I do - hell, if you want to blow off your top - see this movie. Plus, it will encourage you to seek out a compilation of punk tunes much like this one. Trust me, if you do anything before the November 7th election, see this film.

(And Lefty - your punky mix CD is on its way)

Five Reasons To Read Gail Simone's Work

I'm totally ripping off this productivity blog, but welcome to a new feature - five reasons that I'll give for about anything. (Aka, my personal cure for writer's block).

So to inaugurate this new feature (and, if Mike's correct, the urban legend states that she will come if I mention her name several times), I am going to give you, the Blog THIS, Pal! reader, five reasons why you should pick up Ms. Simone's work and read it.

1. Her characters - whether they be hero or villain, Ms. Simone is able to flesh out motivations, to create well-rounded individuals that are worth revisiting. From the Birds of Prey to making Catman cool, she gives the reader full-blooded people to read about, and not the usual cliches.
2. Stylistically, she's diverse - her work ranges from the more solid action of Secret Six to the Silver Age-meets-X-Files-meets-Lovecraft of All-New Atom, she never stops suprising, and even when you think you see a fake-out, she comes back. Look at the ending of Secret Six # 2 (with Dr. Psycho visiting Ragdoll), and then reread Secret Six # 3, for a should-have-seen-it-coming twist that seems somehow fresh.
3. She also is a mistress of dialogue - her characters actually sound like human beings talking to one another, yet is able to balance that with macho action. I think that Kevin Smith could probably use a lesson or two from her (especially in terms of deadlines).
4. Online, both at her blog and in various other forums, Ms. Simone demonstrates a strong degree of patience and tact in interacting with fans. (She was able to survive working with both John Byrne and Rob Liefeld, and has also sought professional advice on her reading. Don't believe me? Just ask Polite Scott).
5. She's a redhead. (The only major slightly sexist thing I'll say in this entire post).

And, in order to give it that Sleestak-y goodness, here is my official WFA Pandering Seal:

Review: Action Figure # 1

If you're a consistent reader of this blog, you know that I'm the kind of guy who listens to every commentary on DVDs, who pores over those "Behind the Scenes" featurettes, and who considers the Biography Channel must-see tv. So when I received the first issue of Action Figure from Baboon Books, I thought it would be a pretty accurate behind-the-scenes at a toy company in the 80's.

I'm glad that this is a book that, on the basis of its first issue, possesses a charm and style that is easily engaging.

The premise is simple: in the future, someone purchases (and reads) the journals of a man who worked in the 80s at a major toy company. This first issue contains what would be the prequisites for a sit-com; initial fake-out, followed by introductions of the cast and setting forth of initial plotlines. Of course, the set-up seems a little too familiar, but that may come more from watching this done poorly - Action Figure's challenge will be in the execution.

I really enjoyed this issue as a great first issue - things are quickly set in motion, and I found myself hoping there's an issue 2. (Hopefully, news will be announced on this blog). The artwork compliments the story - it's a mixture of realism and cartooniness that is a degree removed from, say, Barry Ween. The black-and-white artwork (with occasional red shadings) hits the right spot, and red is used sparingly for emphasis. All in all, this is a pleasurable read - one which hopefully will continue.

If you're looking for classic literature, this is not it - it is a fun, unpretentious, yet thoroughly enjoyable comic. After the sturm-und-drang of dealing with the majors, it's nice to have some good, solid storytelling.

Try this book. You won't be disappointed.

October's Record You Should Own

When I first heard this album, I was a student at the University of Chicago, where I majored mostly in indecision and heavy drinking. (With my grades at the wrong end of the alphabet, I ended up transferring here, but that's another story) There are those who argue for Let It Be as the Replacements' greatest...or even the later Pleased to Meet Me, but for me, Tim is my I'm-ticked-off-and-need-to-rock-out album of choice, and it's this month's Record You Should Own.

This is where Paul Westerberg's songwriting began hitting its peak, and combined with Tommy Erdelyi's (aka "Tommy Ramone's") big 80s production, this album is a wall-to-wall masterpiece. It begins with "Hold My Life", which contains the Replacements' philosophy in two lines: "Time for a decision to be made/crack up in the sun, lose it in the shade.". Be sure to enjoy "Kiss Me on the Bus" - a nice, poppy Spector-ish number about finding affection on public transportation. "Dose of Thunder" serves as a blueprint for Pleased To Meet Me's "Shootin' Dirty Pool", and "Waitress in the Sky" cops a riff from Johnny Rivers' "Mountain of Love, reflecting the Replacements' reputation as "radio brats."

However, it's the first side closer of "Swingin' Party" that shows how Westerberg has raised the stakes - a moody, low-key piece, listen to the way he sings "If bein' afraid is a crime/we hang side by side", and that was always part of the Replacements' appeal - finding the common humanity in everyone, and dealing with the growing pains of adulthood, capturing the ambiguity of increased confidence and insecurity.

Side two (OK, it's on CD, but hey, I'm still a vinyl guy) begins with "Bastards of Young" - the closest that Generation X has come to a "Satisfaction" or "My Generation." There are too many quotable lines from that song - but check out these lyrics. Then, of course, there's "Left of the Dial" - another anthem, encouraging (maybe metaphorically, maybe literally) for listeners to keep "playin' makeup, wearin' guitar". "Little Mascara" is a rollicking number, a poignant slice-of-life about a single mother. But the album proper closes with "Here Comes a Regular", a bittersweet number that (allegedly) was posed to Frank Sinatra. Full of fatalistic, accepting-yet-pessimistic lines ("Used to live at home, now I stay in the house...Opportunity knocks once and the door slams shut"), this is a chilling closer. No big finishes for the Replacements, just the simple acceptance that life goes on.

This is an album that I've been drawing a lot of strength from - it's always helped me through troubled times, and is a continual reminder that the best art allows us to accept our situation...and transcend it. And that's why you need to own this album.

Coming soon to Blog This, Pal!: comic book reviews; a new feature on the blog; a look at nostalgia; posts that I keep putting off...and, as always, the kind of thing that you're used to, and that we're good at.

Thanks for reading.

My Cheesecake Brings All the Girls To The Yard

Well, since I'm flooded at work (the least manic - preparing for a trip to Seattle in mid-November), and am preparing some of my usual good things, here's an entry for beefcake/cheesecake week. Enjoy!

Stressed Out? Me? Nooooooo......

Sorry for the absence from the blogosphere, everyone - things at work have me *really* wound up. That, plus some physical symptoms (including a really bad cluster headache Sunday night) have meant less time for online schmoozing and writing.

Let's see...still digging 52, still avoiding Civil War like the plague....after reading The Boys # 3, am wondering what possessed me to buy that comic....Rhino's Replacements best-of is ok, but those final two tracks show how far the boys have fallen....the third season of Penn & Teller's B******* is pure genius....but all in all, I'm a little shagged out.

Enjoy the rest of the blogosphere for awhile - I'll be back before you know it.

EDIT: Since I'll be gone, here's a cheap pander to Random Panels:

They Do Anything, Anywhere

So it's been a hellish week at work (don't ask), I'm in the lousiest of moods, and so what do I do in order to get back into a positive frame of mind? Revisit an old childhood friend.

Thanks to Netflix, I became reacquainted with the Goodies - admittedly, the disc they sent is now "Unavailable" according to Amazon, and they haven't seen in this country since.

OK, public television and BBC, what gives?

This is a series of almost pure genius, melding the intellectual silliness of Monty Python with the visual whimsy of Benny Hill, with a little bit of Tex Avery thrown in. The three episodes on the DVD - "Kitten Kong" (which provides the iconic image above), "Scoutrageous" (in which Tim Brooke-Taylor, who worked with other members of Python, reveals his secret life), and "Scatty Safari" (which name-checks several British comedians) may not be the best ("Kitten Kong" is probably the most solid), but this show needs to be seen.

Oh, I know, the DVDs are available in England, and the Goodies don't get as much press as, say, Monty Python...but if BBC America can release a show like Bottom (which, to the best of my knowledge, hasn't been seen on these shores - and which I love to death), why not release the DVDs? Is the show that incredibly funny? Are the rumors true that someone laughed himself to death while watching the Goodies, and his wife thanked them for making his last moments bearable?

The formula is simple - three guys: one a conservative, one a liberal, the other a rather stuffy middle-of-the-road guy, do funny stuff. You couldn't do that if you threw these three bloggers in front of a television camera. It's simple, but the show melds plot-driven sitcom with sketch comedy in a pretty cool brew.

Ok, the big news now is that Saturday Night Live's first season is coming out on DVD. If video companies really loved us, they'd release the Goodies.

So please, that's all I want for Christmas - the Goodies on DVD. And a girlfriend, but not necessarily in that order.

Truth, Justice, and...Whatever

A few months ago, several of you begged and pleaded for me not to watch Catwoman on DVD, citing that it was a bad film. In that spirit, I would like to recommend a film to avoid...even the guy who wanted me to see the Halle Berry film in the first place.

I really wanted to like Hollywoodland, the movie that focused on the career and mysterious death of George Reeves, aka television's first Superman. Part cautionary tale, part docudrama, this movie should have had all the makings of a good movie - not a classic, but an insightful examination of the dangers of typecasting.

So what went wrong? Why was this film ultimately disappointing?

Part of it is the screenplay, which all too often goes for cliche...or at the very least, by-the-numbers writing. We get that the main protagonist - a down-and-out private investigator (Adrian Brody) is just as ambitious and willing to do anything as George Reeves (Ben Afflect) was in acquiring acting jobs. Instead of being tight, this film looks like part noir thriller, part E! The True Hollywood Story. It actually takes interesting material and managers to make it seem, well, dull.

In addition, none of the characters are likeable - the men all seem to be portrayed as ambitious and power-hungry; the women (except for the detective's ex-wife) seem shrewish and manipulative. I'm not asking for everyone to be sweet, and maybe this group was unlikeable, but when you're making a movie, you want to pull the audience in, not alienate them.

Maybe it's my current mood, but I found this film to be a little too depressing, even with all the various theories surrounding Reeves' death. My advice is to watch this documentary on Superman - it provides an excellent, even moving account of how people were affected by Reeves' death. It's truly what he deserves.

Live from Bridgeview Illinois: Psychic Predictions

First, if you're ever in Chicago, check out the Bongo Room, located at 1470 N. Milwaukee Avenue. Not only is the food great, but I went to high school with the owner. Take that, St. Louis! (And when STL comes up with a place as cool, I'll be impressed).

Anyway, as I promised in an earlier post, I am offering free psychic predictions. Since only two people formally requested predictions, I will provide some insight for my fellow bloggers. Here we go:

Eddie asks quite simply, How many fingers am I holding up? Answer: two...and it's a peace sign. Cool, bro!

Roger, feeling ambitious, asks several questions, including:

Will we have more children? Answer: not if you keep leaving the seat up.

What the future of my job? Answer: books. Lots of books.

Where will I be living in 10 years? Relevant because Lydia will be going to middle school. Answer: you will be living...in paradise.

And now, some gratuitous predictions, because I can:

• Note to Mike Sterling - please do not sell "The Progressive Ruin Story" to Lifetime Television. You will regret it later on, and lose a ton of money.
  
• The next "King of All Media": believe it or not, Andy Martello.
• Tom the Dog will enjoy some beer
• You will enjoy these new additions to the blogroll.
  

So, again, until next time, folks, remember - paint chips do not make a good between-meal snack.

Halloween Comes Early This Year

So I'm browsing in my local library, and I come across the Tales of Supernatural Law trade paperback. After checking it out, I read it several times, and I have a question for the comics blogosphere. Yeah, I mean you. And you. And especially you.

Why has no one told me how good this book is? (With apologies and royalties to Greg)

This book is a reprint of the earliest stories of Wolff & Byrd, two lawyers who deal with the "macabre". Clients include a couple dealing with the magical return of their dog through a monkey's paw; a swamp-based creature who dangerously defies copyright law; a model suing her agent who used supernatural means to...but that would be telling. This is, however, one of the more naturally humorous books I've read in awhile.

There's a freshness here that I haven't seen in awhile - a slightly off-kilter sense of humor (which I suspect may have had an influence on Boston Legal) balanced by a slightly cartoony art style. (For a series like this, anything else would jar horribly, pun fully intended). The way certain stories are told range from cleverly-titled to mimicing key styles (For example, a "Tales From the Crypt"-esque host's story is presented as an EC-style comic). It's not the second coming of Will Eisner, but is an entertaining, very pleasant package.

What's also refreshing are the lead characters, Wolff & Byrd - you would expect to see semi-cliches (pudgy guy partnered with attractive woman), but the obvious cliches are not met - they are "just friends" (and no romantic tension is present, although I haven't read the later trades). Their secretary, Mavis, is more than just a gal-for-hire.,and is given her own little mini-saga. (A Tales From the Crypt style host's tale is told EC-Style). In a world of scantily-clad-in-spandex uberwomen, this book's handling of relationships is refreshing, and is not quite as soap operatic as one might expect.

All in all, a great Halloween night's read.

Live from the St. Louis Bread Company

Yes, this post is coming to you through the magic of Wi-Fi on my new Hewlett-Packard laptop after enjoying some broccoli cheese soup in a sourdough bread bowl. Hopefully, I can become a shill and earn some schwag.

Anyway, just a brief sojourn into the various thoughts that are floating in my head, including

• Lefty's contribution to the Burn THIS, Pal exchange totally rocks, and thanks to him, I am going to have to get more Robbie Williams DVDs. Now,just have to listen to mixes from Eddie, Tosy & Cosh, and the Zombie Killer.
  
• Nothing says "Veteran's Day" more than "Battle of the Sexes" trivia - help the Young Friends of Boys and Girls town by attending our upcoming trivia night on November 11th at the Heights - click here for more info.
• One final reminder - psychic requests should be made by today, where I can predict the future with awesome power. Here's an example:
  

  In 2008, Greg will become dictator, assuming power after a computer glitch makes Larry Storch President of the United States. Greg will rule benevolently, except for certain people. A new golden age will arise!

More postings to follow!

If There's No Future, How Can There Be Sin?

To be honest, I did it...because I was curious. Except for a somewhat scholarly interest in the Tarot, I'm not at all what you'd call a New Age guy. I'm spiritual, but to a point - I'm spiritual because it's the most logical choice of action. So when my local Meetup group sponsored a psychic party, I decided to move forward. After all, who wouldn't want a glance at the future?

Now, I've watched enough Penn and Teller to know that there's what's known as a "cold reading" - that often, psychics (or those who proclaim psychic abilities) often throw out clues and generalities that people often adapt for themselves. (Or, as I learned in grad school, the Barnum effect). So I went in expecting little...and received some rather dead-on feedback.

Much of it was stuff that, admittedly, they had thrown out randomly, but also, some of it was extremely accurate, involving family members. I'm not talking about "you have a mother and a father" information, but information that was (and is) not public knowledge. (So my overidentification with Bob Newhart was never acknowledged). Much of it was mixed - a person at work who bugs me but "they bug everybody" was misidentified as a woman, when it's really a man.

But the important parts - the stuff that I was given advice on - was interesting, to say the least. Judge for yourself, dear reader.

• I have a lot of good ideas for my agency, and I should write them down. As a result, I may end up getting a promotion after the first of the year because of my ideas.
• I should seriously consider writing, because it's something that appeals to me.
• In terms of a serious relationship, I'm "putting myself out there" more, and something should happen after the first of the year. However, I need to decide if I want kids or just a companion, because I treasure my independence.
• Jobwise, there may be a change/promotion after the first of the year.
  
• Most importantly: I am the Lizard King, and I can do anything.

Now, what's the point, you may be asking? In the rush after the party, I felt somewhat elated and validated, that my gut instincts (on several levels) were correct in terms of what I need to be doing. Now, I'm still convinced - not because someone else told me to, but because deep in my heart, I know what's right.

Still, I can see the attraction of psychics, Miss Cleo and Dionne Warwick notwithstanding - it provides an easy comfort for the future, giving simple snapshots of what may be. As a one-off, it was fine; as a way of life, not my cup of tea.

So it's in that spirit that I am going to attempt my own psychic predictions - please feel free to ask me your questions, and I, using my own innate psychic abilities (and, if all else fails, my magic 8 ball) to tell your future. You have until this Thursday to post your questions, and then, I shall help you determine your life's course...or, at the very least, make a snarky comment.

And it won't cost you a cent.

October Blogaround

I'm kind of tired - been moving things around the house in order to make way for more stuff from Chicago (I'm driving up there next weekend to help sort out some of Dad's affairs). So, in that spirit, I'm bringing you the best of my bookmarks - like a place where you can make your own McDonald's sign.

And so let's begin!

• Be sure to enter Lefty's contest where you get to create a caption for a picture involving Dorian (who looks quite cuddly) and Mike. I believe it's a promotional still from their only movie together, Weekend At Bernie's 3: Bernie Buys Comics.
• Would you believe....it's affordable?
• WD - 40: more useful than duct tape.
  
• Thanks to Big Lots, I now have a hopeless addiction to drinking this beverage.
  
• Here's a new comics blog- check it out!
• Speaking of which, if like Mike you enjoy checking out comic message boards, but you are the sane, rational type - here are some tips on how to act crazy.
  
• Speaking of Big Lots, a note to the Pop Culture Gadabout - yes, you can buy At Last the 1948 Show there for three bucks.
• A funny video from Andy (probably safe for work, but be warned - you'll laugh yourself sick)
• Beaucoup Kevin: Man of exquisite taste.
• You have to love Lifehacker - they have tips on everything, from online methods of creating PDF files to getting accurate weather forecasts. They'll even tell you how to get a free college education.
• Finally, the Redhead Fangirl gives us some comics terms that sound dirty.
  

Coming up on the blog: Gordon visits a psychic, a critical reevaluation of Terrance Dicks, and of course, the same obscure pop culture references that keep you coming back for more.