Archive for August, 2003
26 items.
Aug11
I’VE GOT THE FEELING FOR THE FLAVOR OF BRINE
August 11th, 2003 |
(10 votes, average: 7.50 out of 10)
I’m continuing my experiment with creating actual backgrounds for the characters to stand in front of. This, as opposed to a sheet of color with a wacky pattern on it. I was beginning to feel like the characters inhabited a Jackson Pollock painting!
If you feel like rewarding the extra effort, send me a little vote love.
I don’t know how well toady’s comic is going to register with you guys. I sometimes get in trouble when I do more regional jokes – as evident by the crack I made about lacrosse in this strip. Apparently, it’s very popular in many schools.
That being said, there is a theater in my zip code that sells pickles on a stick at their concession stands. This is very odd to me because pickles are not commonly associated as a movie-going snack time option. For that matter, I know very few people who snack on pickles within the comfort of their own homes.
Perhaps somewhere there is a Grand Poo-bah of marketing that can explain this odd culinary choice – implemented in an attempt to reach out to the often ignored brine loving demographic.
Personally, I believe this phenomenon is more representative of theaters trying to be all things to all people. While offering every conceivable food item under the sun, movie houses are trying to remove the “dinner” quotient from “dinner and a movie”. They want you not only to be entertained by their films, but to dine in their theaters as well. In fact, if you would eat, sleep, breathe and die in theaters (while paying a nominal charge, of course) it would probably be okay with them.
Do you think I’m over reaching when I try to provide examples of theaters trying to tighten their grip around your disposable income? Tell me then why there are VIDEO GAMES, A CLAW MACHINE and GUMBALL DISPENSERS in my movie theater?
Maybe I’m a traditionalist, but I think theaters should be free from these trappings? They appeal to the sensibilities of cattle and not the serious movie goer.
I have more thoughts on this, but I’m eager to hear yours.
While you’re trolling about the forums, here’s another thought for your breadbasket.
I plan on selling advertising on the site very soon. I’ve recently acquired a very handy script that will allow those who purchase ads from me to view the effectiveness of their product placement. Impressions, click throughs and the like.
For the rest of you, don’t worry. I’m not selling to giant conglomos. Most likely purchasers will be other web comics and small businesses.
Regardless, I’ve hit a snag.
Right now, the site design does not allow for 468×60 banners at the top of the page. To compound problems, there is also a lack of real estate to place more than one ad.
This has me thinking that I need to redesign the site to accommodate these ads.
What I want from you is feedback. Do you like the look of the site? Is the navigation effective? There’s already a thread about this in the forum.
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I have been delaying a major blog. I have watched several movies and have had various other real life experiences I feel compelled to mention, but those things will have to wait. I need to cover a few basics first.
Congratulations are in order.
I’d like to give a shout out to my friend Eric, for becoming engaged to his girl Stacey. Eric is an Officer in the Navy and lives in New York. Eric apparently could not resist the marriage bug after hanging out with me and my wife* for a short time. *(This probably had nothing to do with it.)
Apparently, there is an outbreak, because…
I just found out that my friend Mark also needs a word up for becoming engaged to his girl Erin. This is contingent on Mark surviving a hiking trip this fall. I have been on two hiking trips with Mark and am certain that Mark will survive much better with Erin around.
Word up to all of you! Now you will be happily married like me!
(suckers.)
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It just dawned on me that when I asked for some help with PHP a few days ago on the site, that I didn’t give credit to those of you who stepped forward to lend a hand.
There were several of you – More than I expected. And as such, I didn’t get an opportunity to respond to everyone who wrote it. If you sent a letter my way, thank you for your time and support.
Many thanks to Comrade F who figured out that the script in question was poorly written and not worth my time. Thanks also Jason Reid who turned me on to an even better script that I already have up and running and plan on implementing with a redesign of the site.
If I could only be as smart as the rest of you…
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I hate bugging you guys to vote over at Top Web Comics, but all day yesterday I watched our placement on the list at a robust #11 stagnate just a few votes shy of being back in the top 10. I’m serious – at any point in the day, we would be 15 to 20 votes behind Instant Classic.
Let’s see if we can correct this situation.
Much like Jared in today’s strip, I’m surprised that Freddy VS. Jason is making it to the big screen this Friday. I don’t know how many of you follow the behind-the-scenes stuff like I do, but this has been a journey almost a decade in the making.
New Line Cinema accquired the rights to the Friday the 13th franchise sometime in the early 90’s and immediately set out to match up their two horror powerhouses. But script delays, draft revisions and flip-flops on who would direct put the project in development hell entirely too long.
I don’t know if I’ll see the showdown when it opens this Friday. I’ve always been a causual fan of both characters. I’m not much of a horror fan, or rather, excessive gore. But if one of their movies is on television (17 between them makes it likely), I’ll sit down and watch it.
A part of me feels like I would be turning my back on a part of the culture if I didn’t belly up to the ring mat and cheer on my favorite ghoul. This is an event fanboys have salivated over for years. Why aren’t I more excited?
Again, letting Jared have all the best lines, I think it’s a distraction until Aliens VS. Predator comes along. There is already an excellent template laid down by the Dark Horse comics series. And if this guy can make it happen (and throw in Batman to boot!) why can Fox get off their cans and do it right?
I guess a fanboy can dream.
Lastly, Happy Birthday to Sir Alfred Hitchcock, who would have been 104 today. Go out and rent Vertigo and raise a glass to The Master of Suspense.
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I grew up on Elm Street, literally. That’s why I didn’t watch the series until just a few years ago. I once had to drag my brothers out of the neighbor’s house because they were watching Freddy’s fourth installment. I knew they would have nightmares, so I made them go home. Well, they had nightmares anyway and I still got in trouble. Stupid fire urinating hound from hell.
I have now watched the entire series of A Nightmare on Elm Street, but only really like the first and last installments. I can’t decide who I want to win. Probably Freddy since I haven’t bothered to watch much of Jason. I have only seen the first Friday the 13th movie.
Who do you think will win? Let us know in the forums. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to join you there quite yet. For that, I would like to thank the MSblast worm. Yeah, thanks for messing up my computer. Hopefully Jason and Freddy will get you and your beloved San.
A shout out is needed to my long lost friend Tanner. He has regained contact with me due to this web site. I knew semi-fame was good for something!
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Even though you have to reach a little bit for the punchline, I think today’s strip is one of the better pieces I’ve completed. I don’t mean to toot my own horn, but in terms of art, a kind of cinematic pacing, the coloring – I couldn’t be more pleased. 🙂
/gushing
Even though this is my second strip in regard to Freddy Vs. Jason, I won’t be seeing the title bout this weekend. Instead, I think Cami and I are going to see Open Range.
Despite my hatred of all things Kevin Costner, I think Open Range looks pretty good. I think we’re in the mood for something with more adult sensabilities – A movie that doesn’t involve pie-humping or explosions. Something a little more mature. Besides, it has Robert Duvall and Annette Benning in it, which more than makes up for the “Costner factor”.
I’m zeroing in on a new site design. If I can get it to work, you might have to say goodbye to the curtians. It’s a much more modular and less graphic-intensive design. The version in my head looks spectaculr. Now I have to see if I can translate it to the screen.
This has been a pretty good week site-wise. I have you guys to thank for it. Every one of you I speak to is so cool, I wish I could meet you in person. Reading Absath’s Oktagon recap over at Ctrl+Alt+Del got me thinking I should be attending more conventions.
I might be back later in the day. I have a couple of stray thoughts bouncing around in my head…
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I’m not a very big fan of Kevin Costner. Ever since he won all those awards for Dances With Wolves, I view him as a self-important gas bag. See Waterworld and The Postman for proof. Better yet, don’t.
That said, I really wouldn’t be surprised if the above is how he picks his projects. These are the only three genres where he seems to be of any use.
But every once in a while, there are flashes of brilliance and I’m reminded why he won all those awards in the first place.
Cami and I went to see Open Range on Friday and it is easily one of the best movies I’ve seen all year.
The film is a little slow going at first, but it establishes the vastness of the American West with panoramic views you can positively drink in.
The performances aren’t half bad, either. For once, Costner plays someone a little shadier. Robert Duvall delivers a great turn as an old salt cowboy with a trouble-making streak.
I was particularly amazed by the final gun battle. It’s not choreographed like so many other shoot-outs. Men stumble, the miss, they scatter like cockroaches. And the blast of those revolvers sounds like a thunderclap. The violence in those scenes is jaw-dropping in their brutality and realism.
The romance between Costner’s character and that of Annette Bening’s seemed a little forced, but you kind of go along with it. Also, there were two farewell scenes between the two characters when the first one would have worked just fine. The second one is tacked on for that “ride into the sunset” finale.
All in all, it was a great film. It may not look like your cup of tea, but it comes highly recommended by yours truly. Check it out.
Posters are continuing to be shipped out. I’ve had two orders this week with a third payment by mail all lined up.
Don’t miss your opportunity to order one before they’re gone. Once the stock is depleated, I’m not making any more!
Just a friendly reminder from me to you!..
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Aug20
I don’t know if I’m going to get a negative reaction from today’s punchline or not. But there it is. Tossed out into the universe. We reap what we sow.
So it’s understood, blackface is a particularly shameful episode in American entertainment. The barrier of racism that prevented black actors from playing black characters – opting instead to put white actors in “blackface” makeup – is a concept I find disgusting.
Of course, the practice existed long before Al Jolson starred in Mammy back in 1930. Shakespear had male actors perform the parts of female characters in the late 1500’s. Greek performers were doing the same thing 500 B.C.!
I personally believe making fun of these kind of things helps break down the thought process that made them acceptable. Mel Brooks once spoke of making fun of Hitler in the same way. If you’re laughing AT him, his brand of ignorance and hatred is much less potent.
That said, Tara Reid really needs to lay off the eye-liner. It’s getting a little out of control, don’t you think?
Personally, I hope her latest film, My Boss’s Daughter lands with a colossal THUD. Since Ashton Kutcher is in the lead, he could stand to be taken down a few pegs. I’m getting a little tired of seeing his contorted face everywhere I turn – Iowa native or not.
I can see the headlines now: “My Boss’s Daughter stunk – Ashton Kutcher Punk’d!”
Goodness, I’m clever!… not.
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I thought today’s strip was especially well done. Let’s give a hand to Tom for his increasingly detailed art.
:: drops severed hand into envelope ::
Last week, I watched Pootie Tang and Johnny Suede. The former was an okay Chris Rock movie and the later was an odd Brad Pitt flick. I liked Johnny Suede more after my wife explained the ending to me. I don’t know if I’d recommend it, but if you take a peek, you can catch Sam Jackson as a bass player.
“What are you guys doing after the show? Nothing? Okay.”
This week I have watched Following and White Heat. Following is a film by the makers of Memento. I really liked it. White Heat is also a winner. James Cagney rules!
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This is my prediction for Sunday night. Dan Rather, Peter Jennings, and Tom Brokaw will interrupt our scheduled programs to tell us, “Millions of Americans found themselves Punk’d this weekend after shelling out 8 bucks to see My Boss’ Daughter. Ashton Kutcher and Frankie Muniz plan on using the proceeds for a weekend getaway.”
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