Sincere apologies for the comic being late this week. As I explained on the Theater Hopper Facebook page, last week was… not the best. I pretty much spent the entirty of last week preparing for a presentation in my Leadership and Human Capital Development course as part of my Masters in Communication Leadership. I was in class all of Friday night and most of Saturday.
Then, on Sunday, we were out of the house nearly all day showing it to prospective buyers. One couple was traveling from Dallas, Texas to look at our house and was supposed to be there at 5:00 PM. We got a call at 5:30 saying that they were still on the runway in Dallas.
But they loved the photos of our house online and really, really wanted to see our home that evening before they interviewed for some hospital positions the next day. We had been hanging out at my in-laws and said we would wait. So we waited. And waited. By the time 7:30 rolled around we said, “You know what? We have two small children. It’s way past their bedtime and we have work tomorrow. You’ll have to come look another time.”
By the time we got home and got both kids to bed it was past 9:00 PM and I was wiped out. There was no way I was going to get a comic done that evening. So I ended up working on Monday’s comic last night instead. I appreciate your patience and understanding.
So let’s talk about this comic, huh?
I’ve been giving Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World static since June when the first trailer came out. A bunch of my contemporaries were wetting their pants and I couldn’t understand what all the hub-bub was about. My opinion at the time (and to this day) is that the trailers don’t do a good job of communicating why the uninitiated should even care.
Then I read the books.
It was a long time coming. People have been telling me for (what seemed like years) that I should be reading the Scott Pilgrim books. But I’m generally very bad about taking advice from others when it comes to movies, TV, music or books.
That’s not to say I’m not receptive to suggestion. I just don’t assign a lot of priority to it.
For example, I had friends telling me for years that I should watch Arrested Development, that it’s humor was right up my alley. But I could never get into it when it was on TV. I felt like I couldn’t understand the long-form narrative and all of the inside jokes. It wasn’t until I bought all three seasons on DVD that I came to the light.
People told me for years to listen to Death Cab For Cutie, that I would really enjoy the songs and melodies and that it was right up my alley. It wasn’t until after I heard “Transatlantacism” in the series finale of Six Feet Under that I dove into the band’s catalog and really started to enjoy their music. Now I own all of their albums.
Anyway, the same was true with Scott Pilgrim. People told me for years to buy the books, that I would enjoy the video game references and irreverent, innocent and kinetic art style of Brian Lee O’Malley. I put it off and put it off until I noticed that Amazon was selling the first 5 books for $9.00 a piece and I decided to jump in with both feet.
While I found the first book to be a little laborious, I eventually fell in love with the Scott Pilgrim universe as I eagerly anticipated the release of the 6th book in advance of the movie. The wait was almost unbearable. I had to know how the story ended! I was completely hooked.
Rewatching the trailer, I now understand what everyone was so excited about. I think director Edgar Wright has done an expert job of capturing all of the little comic book flourishes that make the books feel so alive without delivering the film into caricature. I’m hoping that the fight sequences are significant enough to move Michael Cera out of his “adorable dork” phase and into something more substantial. If nothing else, the soundtrack should be pretty good, right?
One thing that bugs me about the movie, though, is that Ramona Flowers doesn’t really look like someone who is worth fighting seven evil exes over. In fact, she looks kind of dirty. Maybe it’s because I’m not really attracted to girls with day-glo hairstyles, but do you have any idea what Mary Elizabeth Winstead – the actress who plays Flowers – looks like?
She looks like this:
Look at that picture and then look at this picture of Winstead as Ramona Flowers:
SHE LOOKS LIKE A DAMN MUPPET!
Seriously, folks. That stupid wig is like putting a Rollie Fingers mustache on the Mona Lisa. You took an attractive girl and screwed her up. YOU MANIACS! YOU SCREWED IT UP! DAMN YOU! DAMN YOU ALL TO HELL!
*ahem*
…but I’m sure I’ll get over it.
Anyway, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World hits theaters this Friday. Be sure to check back later this week for some exciting news related to the movie. I don’t want to jinx it, but there may be a contest in the near future that you might want to participate in.
Since I’m only updating once a week now, it would benefit you to follow me on Twitter or Facebook. That’s probably where I’ll announce the big news just before driving everyone back here for the details. So stay tuned!
What about you guys? Excited at all for Scott Pilgrim. I’ve talked to the die-hards, I’ve talked to a few converts and I’ve talked to some hold-outs. If you’re still on the outs with Scott Pilgrim and his crew, what gives? No interest in reading the books? Think the movie looks too much like a cartoon? Leave your comments below!
If you're going to be a smart-ass about the movie, I at least want you to know what you're making fun of.
LATER.
Why is everything in black and white?
A LITTLE MORE LATER.
POIT!
DING!
Dammit.
It's awesome.
I’m very excited to see this, even though I haven’t read the sixth book. I’m going to buy it on Friday when I get paid and see the movie Monday, if my wife doesn’t work.
The original trailer might not have been very explanatory, I’ll give you that. I’d read about it either late last year or early this year and bought the books because the plot sounded cool. I like the new trailers that focus on one character rather than try to tell you the concept and plot. It’s spanning six books–albeit, short books–and that’s kind of hard to get across in a short trailer.
I’m actually a little concerned about what they’re going to omit from the books to tell the whole story. Seems like they could easily breeze past some important details and back-story just to cram in fights with the Exes.
Again I’ve already sen the movie and it’s definitely awesome, if some times a little rushed. Towards the end though they drop most of the 5th and 6th Book to work in they’re own unique ending but it’s the same story just told a different way, and awesomely. Even still Scott Pilgrim, to me, was one the best movies of the year. :3
I’m not too keen on the wigs, either. They don’t even remotely look like real (dyed) hair.
I dunno, some guys click more with quirky girls like that ones with the glamourous (albeit girl-next-door) look she has in the first pic. And though I haven’t read the books, just from the trailer, the quirky look seems much more in keeping with the feel of the story.
But then, what do I know… I’m a girl, and I admire quirky chicks (not that I have anything against glamourous ones, mind). :)~
I like quirky, don’t get my wrong. Aubrey Plaza? Yes!
But there’s a difference between quirky and looking like you’re wearing a hairpiece made out of a skinner Care Bear.
I want Scott Pilgrim to succeed but I’m pretty sure the Box Office for this weekend will be like:
1. Eat Pray Love
2. The Expendables
3. The Other Guys / Scott Pilgrim
4. Step Up 3-D / Scott Pilgrim
Shameful as it is to admit, you’re probably right. Scott Pilgrim has an uphill climb if it’s going to break through with anyone that doesn’t already love video games or comic books.
I see it holding steady in it’s second week, though. Julia Roberts and Sylvester Stallone? Not as much.
I love the library background that Tom’s reading in.
Tom hates to read but he has a FABULOUS library!
Yea that library was a great idea.
Since BO has been brought up, is anybody else concerned that Universal put this film’s release in the middle of August, a sign that they might have screened it and said “Meh”? Don’t know if they know something we don’t or just don’t get it as far as the core audience is concerned and decided it was a safe window for them…
I want to see it but at the same time I don’t. It’s because of Michael Cera. I don’t know about anyone else but to me it just seems like Cera plays the same guy in each movie and I’m not in a mood for a repeat. I think I’ll wait it out a bit.
I agree that Cera is a forgettable actor. He always seems to play the role of the “nice, meek boy” and never makes much of an impact on screen.
I totally disagree with what other people are saying about the trailer. For me, at least, the trailer totally wet my appetite for the film. I’m really excited to see it.
I do agree on the hair though, a little subtlety would have been nice.
Nope, I’d go for the purple over the normal…..
In that case, I’ve got a sock puppet I’d like to introduce to you. 😉
Hey guys, Tom is finally…
ONE OF US! ONE OF US! GOOBLE GOBLE GOOBLE GOBLE!
ONE OF US! ONE OF US! GOOBLE GOBLE GOOBLE GOBLE!
Yeah, Tom, gotta disagree with you. Especially with the two pictures you posted, I think she’s much better looking in her movie form than her (um, i guess for lack of a better term) “real” form. Though I grew up on Muppet movies, so maybe that’s why.
Hey Tom, been enjoying your TH for a couple of years now, thanks!
1. Girls who look like they have a personality will ALWAYS win over boring “picture perfect” girls (even if the hair does look fake)
2. Annoying video ads (and a trailer for a movie that seems sub-par to say the least), really??? C’mon man, I understand you need to make a living, but this is seriously off-putting
with respect and regards
Astor
1. I agree that girls with a personality are always more attractive than “picture perfect” girls. But seeing as I only have pictures to draw from for reference… well.
2. What video ads are you running into and where are they appearing on the site. I don’t want them on the site any more than you do. Help me track them down and I’ll turn them off!
I’ve seen the video ads on Theater Hopper, too. They generally appear in the lower left-hand corner.
I cannot tell you how excited I am for this movie – and I didn’t start reading the books until I saw the first trailer. Even if it doesn’t turn out to be a *great* movie (though I really, really hope it does), I’m just hoping that it’s a *fun* movie, which we’ve had few of this year – I’d say How to Train Your Dragon and Iron Man 2 have been the only two films this season that have been truly fun, you know?
I love the colored hairstyles. She looks a bit forgettable as a brunette. Hollywood has too many skinny brunettes. It’s hard to keep track. Anyhoo, I saw a sneak peek and It was exceptional. One thing to consider is that the movie was finished before the last book. So there are definite differences between the two, but the movie does the book justice and then some. So yeah!
Truthfully, I wouldn’t have a problem with the colored hair if it didn’t look like a mop sitting on top of her head.
There’s a way to be idiosyncratic and still well-kept, y’know.
I’ve tried twice already to get through the first Scott Pilgrim book with no success (it’s just so very very boring). But I’m willing to give it one more shot. Maybe if I pick up from where I left off, instead of starting at the beginning again….
i kid you not this is exactly what happened with my friend.
she wanted to kill time while we were at a comic book store last year, read 5 minutes of the first one to see what all the fuss was about.
then later asked to borrow all my books.
and is in love with it as much as i am and is going to see it with us tonight.
she seems more upset than i am that we missed a special screening last night that edgar wright and some of the cast attended while they were in town.
Cera is all of 130 lbs and maybe 5’5″? I’ve never met him I am just gauging him by comparison in movies and interviews. In Hollywood he really is undersized and maybe with age will get that magic spread that will turn him into something more resembling a human rather than a creepy over sized man-child. So mocking him for being a one-note actor is kind of mean, I did it in the past but I realize he is physically limited by his appearance more than anything. He is effectively a grown child actor, not in the Punky Brewster awesome way but in that he is playing a child’s role as a grown adult and he will never escape that role. Jesse Eisenburg the cera twin will eventually age like Ron Howard and if he doesn’t bald probably pick up more consistent less-geek roles simply because he is taller, heavier, and generally less emasculated than Cera.
That being said, I think the second photo is much more beautiful. I find that faux tan pushing to look like everybody else look both disturbing and unattractive. Her wig (once seen still in the photo) does look terrible. The quick cuts I’ve seen kept me from getting a good look, but yes, that wig is awful and having dabbled in my youth with a myriad of colors I can tell you a simple dye job wouldn’t have hurt. I would much rather be with somebody who looks natural and normal than somebody pushing to be princess orange from the crab nebula.
I’m going to have to see this movie next friday. Hopefully it will still be running strong and not knocked out by a money grab from aging action stars or just another Julia Roberts mess.
hay very funny article i want to get it
thank
Everyone comes around to Scott Pilgrim eventually.
For the record, I’m going as Ramona for Halloween, but I actually have blue (permanent) highlights in my hair and plan to get more before the 31st. No wig for me!
I don’t get it.
I don’t want it.
Your piece is irrelevant.