Thoughts at One AM

I spent last night watching Stand by Me. The movie is a classic by any standards, that’s why it’s repeated on television as much as Forrest Gump (this may be an overstatement, nothing gets played even half as much as Forrest Gump).


TBS Superstation. All Gump, all the time

 Never the less, Stand by Me is a movie icon, with great acting by the main cast, which brings me to my point. Where are all the movies starring kids? Specifically groups of kids. Sure there are movies that star the little rap scallions, but in recent times it seems that any movies starring kids is likely aimed towards kids. Movies like Stand by Me and E.T are ones that can be appreciated by kids older than twelve. The Spy Next Door is not.
Hollywood spouts out movies on anything. Board games, talking animals, childhood memories that should not be touched, the list goes on and on, and yet they seem hesitant on the PG-13 rated, kid heavy front. I know there has to be movies that feature children, I’m sure I’m missing out on some indie and foreign films, but even if you calculate my obvious oversights, the kid industry is not as ripe as it once was.

Kids have been able to handle themselves in movies for decades. Watching Stand by Me tonight for the first time since I was the protagonist’s age reminded me that their acting can be more powerful and raw then their adult equivalent. Kids are innocent and blunt, and as annoying as that may be in real life, in movies it can make some of the best experiences. I remember back in the early 90’s almost every movie starred a kid. These kids were misfit or orphan, or both, and they were always smarter than the adults that surrounded them. If you switched the main characters in two classic Christmas movies Kevin McCallister still probably could have taken down Hans Gruber. He was that smart and resourceful. Not to mention the lessons sports coaches like Danny Glover and Emilio Estevez learned from young Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s and certain Mighty Ducks. These kids were the best. Sometimes they said taboo words, sometimes they lead a team of downtrodden losers to win the championship, but there was always a quality in these kids that made them something to look up to. I can’t really think of a modern equivalent for my ten year old brother to idolize.

But what would a group of intelligent, capable, misfit kids look like in the ‘10’s? (Side note: seriously what are we calling this decade?) We will finally get to see a candidate with Super 8. The catch is Super 8 is an homage to the Steven Spielberg sci-fi movies of the late 70’s and early 80’s. So the Elliot from E.T vibe is totally intentional, and even with the groups of kids starring there still seems to be an adult cop that will steal a good amount of screen time. So is the general consensus that kids can’t hold their own movie? It’s not that there’s a lack of fantastic child actors. Hailee Steinfield proved that kids can be pretty fricken amazing when she starred in True Grit (sorry Melissa Leo, but your Oscar belongs in smaller hands). What is it? Hell if I know. I’m only a 20 year old girl making an observation at 1:30 on a Monday morning. 


Aside from Super 8, we probably won't see a resurfacing of groups of kids running the show. These types of movies are classics, and maybe they belong in the 80's and early 90's with mesh crop tops and tie-dye. That is unless Super 8 makes a billion dollars, then every 2nd movie will be a poor mans Goonies. 

Truffle Shuffle!



Bye Bye Smallville

Last Friday marked the end of Smallville

I spent said Friday night sitting in one(okay two) Superman shirts quietly singing along to Save Me for the last time. It was an emotional night, and with good reason. Even though Smallville probably could fill two entire seasons with its horrible episodes, it was an awesome show that proved you could take Superman, WB him up, and still not suck ass.

When Smallville started I was 11 years old. I was listening to B44, I though Aaron Carter was the coolest, and I was in love with 12 year old Gohan from Dragon Ball Z. A lot has changed since then. I'm pretty sure both Aaron Carter and the members of B44 are sharing the same needle in some ally somewhere, and Gohan went from being an awesome 12 year old who destroyed Cell, to some whiny adult who loved learning. Boo. But Smallville somehow managed not only to stay afloat for a decade, but somehow end on top as well.

Sure, the finale could have had more full frontal costume action, and Darkseid could have been a little more menacing and a little less cloudy, but overall it was a solid finish. A solid finish to a fantastic season. Because anyone who knows Smallville knows that this show was at its best in its last few seasons. It featured way more superheroes, way more action, and way less Lana.

Ah Lana, one last chance to rag on her and I'll take it. Although I feel like watching Booster Gold and Stargirl on screen was worth the seasons of stupidity she filled. I, like many thought she was the worst, but being the loyal fan I am, I watched every moment with her, refused to change the channel, complained about her for years, and paid good money for the seasons she was prominent in. Because that my friends. is how geeks rock shit out.

Worst Comic Wars Ever. I will only see it three more times. Today

So this is my quick little goodbye. Thank you WB. For Smallville. For not cancelling it after two seasons like Fox loves doing. For letting the show continue when the worn out producers and 1/3rd of the cast left, and finally, for giving me the chance to see Clark Kent drunk on television.

Now please don't ever try to make Aquaman again.

Whosoever Holds This Hammer

Thor came out this weekend, earning a respectable 66 million dollars. I was, as always, at the midnight screening, and even though I got about 4 hours of sleep afterwards I did quite enjoy it. So here's some pictures I took of the event. And by that I mean four pictures most of them showing off my cool Mjolnir replica.

One word: Excellent

Whoever decided to put this in Comic Sans is a cruel person

Not worthy. This is worse than the time I couldn't get into the Blue Lantern Corp 

Best character ever

Nintendo 3DS Blues

As you may or may not have heard, the Nintendo 3DS is NOT selling very well. So what's the reason?. Is it the threat of phones taking away casual gamers? Is the cost too much? Is it the fear that 3D rots your brain?

No

It's the god damned launch titles

          

          Yeah, I'm gonna wait all night in line for Steeldiver

This is ultimately why the 3DS isn't selling. Sure you can say it's because of the large price tag, but gamers have been more than willing to pay almost double that for the XBOX or PS3, and Nintendo's handheld games are as good, if not better than some XBOX games and definitely a good portion of the PS3 games. (Leisure Suit Larry anyone?)

Nintendo is holding back on some of the major releases because they want third party games to sell well. Unfortunately most people buy Nintendo products to play Nintendo games on them. Who knew? The reason you even get games like Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 is because you're senile aunt doesn't understand that soccer is boring. 

So this turns into a pretty vicious cycle. Nintendo holds back on releasing their games so third party games will sell well, but then no one buys the console to play the games on. Okay maybe it isn't very cycle-y but it's still frustrating.

Hopefully Nintendo will see this point soon, because there is a glimmer of hope for the 3DS. Ocarina of Time 3DS pre-order sales are booming, and why is that? It's a guaranteed excellent game, put out by the company we all know and love. People will buy the 3DS just for this game and then they'll get the new Mario game, and the new Starfox game, and if you're me(you're not)  the new Kingdom Hearts game. Once Nintendo starts putting out the games worth buying, consumers won't be able to help but buy the Nintendo 3DS.

It would also be more convenient for me if they release it in pink. Just saying.

Talia in DKR

When Marion Cotillard was cast in Dark Knight Returns, many Batman fans thought she would be playing the daughter of everyone's favorite Demon Head, Talia al Ghul. Apparently this is not the case. Officially Cotillard will be playing Miranda Tate, a board member of Wayne Enterprises.

Another original Christoper Nolan love interest.

...

yay.


Do I think Bruce needs another love interest like Rachel Dawes? Not at all. The fans don't feel loyal to her because she's an original character, and everyone else dislikes her because, well Rachel was a pretty damn mediocre character for such an awesome franchise.Also she slapped Batman. You do not slap Batman.

But if you ask me (and unfortunately if you continue reading this you are technically asking me), I think this Miranda Tate dame will end up being a cover for Talia al Ghul. If you were trying to infiltrate a company owned by Bruce Wayne, al Ghul isn't exactly a great name to go with.

Though this may be just the wishful hopes of a Talia fan. I mean, I did name my cat after her.

A little more clever than naming a cat Selina