I’ve fixed a bug in the comment system where, when you hit “Post,” the main page reloaded in the popup window. Now the window will reload just the comment listing. If you have any problems, let me know. Eventually I’ll suck it up and take the time to upgrade to MovableType 3.2–that, or pay someone more experienced to do it for me.
Of course, it now falls to me to produce content worth commenting on.
Some weeks ago I promised a review of V for Vendetta, but I’ve decided I’d rather not do full-length reviews. I don’t feel particularly qualified to provide the sort of movie reviews I’d like to–that would require a master’s degree in film and at least one viewing of The Godfather. So instead, I’ll just offer a few pithy comments on the various movies, books, and games I encounter.
Today I finally started reading The Da Vinci Code. I reached page seventeen before deciding it was time to fix the commenting system. Perhaps the book’s overexposure has made reading it seem like less of a pleasure and more of a formality to be observed prior to seeing the movie. That said, the book does seem interesting already; I just find my attention tends to wander in the late afternoon and early evening.
More to come soon, including, perhaps, some new fiction.
Well said. I too will leave the movie reviews to The Ed Zone. While Mr. Humphries may not have a master’s degree in film, I believe he has at least seen The Godfather, or at the very least, he’s writing another screenplay entitled: MookieFish 2: The Codfather.
I’m in your boat…er, your biggerboat(?), and also have not seen The Godfather. I figure, at this point, it’s a badge of honor to look down my nose at a great film rather than force myself to sit thru it just because most folks say it is so. And, what the heck, I’m going to do the same with The Da Vinci Code for that same reason, but also because I can’t read a big-boy book anymore. I’m lucky if I can make it thru a comic book or two every so often.
What I will add to the V for Vendetta subject is that it has inspired me to go out and pick up the book for myself. I think I can work thru that GN just to try and figure out why Moore has another stick up his arse.
Alan Moore is just a grumpy old man who happens to be a literary genius (of course, there have been many grumpy old literary geniuses, so he’s just part of a fine tradition).
I highly recommend Watchmen and From Hell, though the latter is not for the faint-hearted, being something of the comic equivalent of a Pynchon novel. Also League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. Hell and League were bad movies, but they were based on some of the best comics out there.
As for The Godfather, I do intend to see the films at some point, if for no other reason than to be able to understand the new videogame. I did the same for The Warriors…
I’ve never seen The Godfather – and haven’t sought it out. Personally, I feel we’re all qualified to critique – as the level of education nor the breadth of reference sources matters not. In your gutt, you know a good film from a bad one. Whether the review comes from Salon, Ebert, Pauline Kael or Maxim – it’s all just one person’s opinion – not one more important than my own.
I think it’s really just a question of comfort. I’m not comfortable reviewing films for a few reasons, but the main one is probably that I feel there are people who do a better job out there (by the way, do you read Walter Chaw? He’s very good). You’re one of those people, Ed.
Now, as for reviewing toys–that’s an arena I feel comfortable in.
Eh, my (albeit unsolicited) advice? If you’re this close to the movie anyway, skip reading ‘DaVinci Code’. Cause…yeah, it’s not like you’re going to be missing out on one of the most important pieces of American prose since John Updike wrote the Rabbit novels. And while I have not read said Rabbit novels, I have seen The Godfather. And it’s awesome. “Take the cannoli,” heh heh.
Yes, The Watchmen is certainly on my list. It has been for some time and I never get to it. If you are a fan of comics, then that is one you have to read and I just have not yet done so. It will be interesting to see if it can take the mantle now held by The Dark Knight Returns as the greatest GN written.
As for League, I won’t say that the poor filmmovie would sour me on reading it in as much as I don’t generally dig on things with horror character types. Yeah, it’s likely not like From Hell, but it gets a pass unless I am convinced otherwise. I remember thumbing thru it when the movie came out and putting it down.
I’ve never read the Rabbit novels, either…
I’m already halfway through Da Vinci Code, so I’ll go ahead and finish it. Then it’s on to The Anubis Gates, another novel by my new favorite author, Tim Powers…