Lari the Leper

Though I further recommend you don't start in the first place.

Haven't been this emotional, paranoid and irrational since puberty.

EVIL FILM SCHOOL

If anyone reads this before Fri. Dec. 16 go to the Blim on 17th and Main (On 17th just west of Main on the North side). Why? Well Mariko and I are putting on our first public movie showing (though those who would read this probably also read Mariko's blog so why I am doing this?). Since it's Christ's supposed birthday soon (which I'm thinking of boycotting next year due to not liking or want anything to do with the Cult of Christ. heh.) we've programmed something with a whole Christmas thing with Santa and Satan. It's produced by K. Gordon Murray, the same guy who made some of the Santos movie from the 60s. It's all colorful and lovely. Very much made for the kiddies and is a joy to watch (if you can stand convoluted plots)...I guess. We haven't watched it yet but we have it on good authority it is all the things I said it was. Either we're very excited to see it, especially with an audience so you should come.

DEN OF SIN

As for right now just finished our second Verhoeven night (If you don't know what I'm talking about why are you reading this [besides the fact this writing is on a public space]) with Keetje Tippel and the first half of Soldier of Orange. Keetje Tippel is now one of my fave fem movies (Flavia the Heretic being my first. MEN SUCK! They have dirty penises and the diseased mind to use them.). I've now seen every Verhoeven film available on Home Video in North America and I can safely say with the exception of his first feature he has not made a bad movie (I'm including Hollow Man because of Kevin Bacon and see through Gorilla. Jerry Goldsmith's score is really good too. He knew how to write a good thriller [See also Basic Instinct].)

The movie itself is a nice Moral Tale about not selling out for cash, cash turns you a whore or pimp. It's basically about a girl's rise in society and consciousness from dirt dirt poor (think background characters from Monty Python and the Holy Grail except their 19th Century Dutch conterparts. fuck) to worker, to whore, to rich guy's girlfriend to well, I guess her own lady. She's got class in the end what I can say? Well if I was a better writer a lot more.

See the movie, I feel I haven't done it near justice except maybe when I remarked while watching it, "If I had a choice between being running off with a rich Rutger Hauer or whoring my body in order to feed my family. I'm running off Hauer." Pretty chill night with just enough people showing up to fill the couch and chair, no more (I'm always pleased when it's not packed with people). Note of interest Mariko was the KO of the night quarter of the way through Soldier of Orange. Everyone left pretty much when it was revealed it was 2 and a half hours long. Pussies. They may try to excuse themselves with "It was 11:30. It was late.". Are we that old that 11:30 is late. Damn.

ONE OF THE BIG TWO COMICS ON THE WEB

Weird thing Joe Quesada (Editor in Chief at Marvel Comics) said last friday;

"Right. For the longest time I've been an advocate that fans will always want the tangible book in their hands, and I came to that feeling because of what I saw as the reading habits of most folks on the net. But recently I've been a convert, I'm watching a very young generation of kids who are born into today's computers and I realized that my take on this was completely selfish and was coming from a point of all that I knew and not what was really happening out there. My generation and those before me found comics on racks, we found them at stores, we found them as marked up collectables or as mylared treasures. So as I discovered them, that is how I prefer them. But there is a time coming, when for some kids the very first time they read a comic they'll be reading it on their computer or their phone or PDA. That's what comics will be to them and that number of kids will grow rapidly. Fans ask how we can bring the price of comics down; this is how it may happen."

"While much of the existing and aging fanbase is uncomfortable reading off the screen, that's not the case with new readers. For younger audiences, more used to getting everything they want off a close, bright-lit screen, reading comics online is as valid and acceptable an experience as reading them off the page. Plus, the colours are brighter, the lines sharper, there's no dulling brought on by a printing process.

"Some people have wondered why the industry has not been attracting new readers, even as the Hollywood machine goes to work. The reality appears that they have been, it's just the new readers haven't been paying. They have bypassed the inconvenient, expensive and often non-existent comic shop and have gone directly to their peers, who upload comics in return for respect and admiration.

"Comic companies, especially the big two, need to think about how they can make their product available at a cheap price, for download."

Eep. So I guess I'm one of the older generation (I'm only 25 dammit!) 'cause I HATE reading comics on a computer monitor. Panel structure is totally shot. Try following a conversation spread over a two page splash page. Ick. Of the four passions in my life I can really only do two of them on the computer, masturbating and watching TV. Movies and comics, I must be a backwards freak, but I need those enjoyed on the couch. The couch is coincidentally the only place in the house I don't like to masturbate. Note to reader; never eat my baked goods. Back to point this is encouraging news, this whole get it at a pretty decent price on the internet is a good idea. I actually WANT to pay for episodes of LOST just so I can support an already hit show. The price is just right. Apparently cheap encourages spending who knew.

MOVIE EXHIBITION

I may have a few comments about the soon demise of the current Theatrical Exhibition business but it's probably obvious to everyone now. I love movies. See on average 6 a week (had it my way it'd be more like 14+ a week). I hardly see anything in the theatre anymore. Chronicles of Narnia? Haven't seen it. Harry Potter? Nope. Capote. I have a free pass, haven't got around to it. How did this happen? What used to be my absolute favorite activity, even more than the intimate company of a lady* is now just a huge depressing drag. I feel like a culture warrior trying to fight off the bombardment of ads and crap music. This are common bitches but valid ones that are driving away movie lovers as they now watch movies on DVD with better picture quality than a few week old film print. The theatre owners response to this growing threat to their business? More ads, higher prices. Awesome idiocy. In the end only the modest festival theatres and rep theatres will survive (as barely as they are now).

I POSTED?

Don't think just 'cause I rambled here I'll be posting more. Just strangely acted on the whim. Besides no one commented on the photo-shopped thing I did below. It was for a noise (project or band? [What do you call it if it's just one guy]) thing this guy at work does. THE RITA. I think it's rad so ummm fuck you guys for not caring.

See yez later

*like how I said "intimate company of a lady" instead of "pussy". It's cause I'm gentlemen dammit.