First things first. We’re trying out a new little voting incentive program that will hopefully generate more consistent voting habits from the readership. I know it’s lame to keep asking for your support by voting for Theater Hopper at BuzzComix over and over without getting anything in return, so I decided to change how we do things around here.

When you vote for Theater Hopper every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, you’ll get the opportunity to look at a freshly-drawn sketch depicting the Theater Hopper characters dressed up as icons of the movies and pop culture. The incentive has seemingly helped. We jumped up 3 or 4 spots since Friday and we’re within spitting distance of the Top 10! If we keep this up, we might find a respectable spot in the Top 5 by the end of the month!

What’s today’s offering? Vote to find out! I *can* say that today’s sketch is a special treat because it’s colored in, too!

With that said, I’m taking another swing at Cuba Gooding Jr. in today’s strip. He seems like a nice enough guy, but I take issue with an actor who signs on for crap like Snow Dogs, Boat Trip and Radio and then complains all of the good roles for black actors are going to Will Smith. Wasn’t Cuba in Boyz N the Hood? He needs to line himself up with better directors. And now that I think about it, I don’t hear Taye Diggs or Don Cheadle complaining. Food for thought.

The comic also has fun with the idea of storytelling – the conflict between what is real and what isn’t – while playfully brushing up against the fourth wall. I don’t do this often, but sometimes it can be a gas to play the “self-awareness” card. Of course, this development was inspired by Big Fish, which I got to see this weekend.

I thought the film was wonderful. An incredibly touching story. A couple of comments that keep popping up in my mind I sadly not take credit for.

Someone in the forums said Big Fish was the least Burton-esque movie Tim Burton has ever directed. I have to agree. Still gothic in nature, it’s almost as if Burton has removed some kind of Edgar Allen Poe-inspired death shroud from his visuals and cranked up the color dial to 11. It looks gorgeous.

My good friend Nick said Big Fish is the kind of movie that will give you a headache at the end if you don’t want to cry in front of a packed audience. He was right on the money with that statement and I will admit to a case of the sniffles watching it.

I don’t know what it is, but whenever a movie starts tinkering around with loss in the father/son dynamic, it becomes very difficult to watch. I know other men who feel the same way. I don’t know if that’s cultural influence or if it’s more of a human condition. I’m curious as to your thoughts.

I wanted to write a full blown review of the movie for the site, but I think I’m still digesting it. Now I’m thinking it wouldn’t be a bad idea to see it a second time. The movie is so rich in metaphors, it deserves a more serious examination.

I will say this: If you’re anything like me – if you believe that the art of storytelling is fundamental in terms of feeding the imagination and essential to developing stronger relationships, this movie will speak to you in a resounding chorus. The idea of finding magic in the everyday, mundane exploits of life resonates with me on a very personal level.

Beauty exists if you look for it. A story will unfold to you if you’re receptive to it.

How ironic that such a film would come along just as I was juggling my thoughts on the narrative arc of this comic… Yes, more time should be given to exploring Big Fish… Please go see it. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.