[scifinoir2] Are You Ready For The Avatar (Cameron) Backlash? [1 Attachment]
James Cameron http://io9.com/tag/james-cameron/ 's Avatar http://io9.com/tag/avatar/ is as unknown to most Americans as the distant planet Pandora, but among the people who've obsessed about this space epic for a decade, there's talk of a backlash. And Avatar fans now have a nickname: Avatards. We've had a few conversations in the past few days with Comic Con http://io9.com/tag/comic-con/ -goers who professed to be a tad disappointed with the footage that was screened on Thursday - but only because expectations were jacked up so high. Blame Cameron, who's been saying for a year that his footage would revolutionize 3-D filmmaking, to the point where movies would be divided into Before Avatar and After Avatar. Or blame the Time Magazine reporter who saw similar footage in March, and wrote http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1886541-3,00.html : I couldn't tell what was real and what was animated-even knowing that the 9-ft.-tall blue, dappled dude couldn't possibly be real. The scenes were so startling and absorbing that the following morning, I had the peculiar sensation of wanting to return there, as if Pandora were real. Cameron wasn't surprised. One theory, he says, is that 3-D viewing is so close to a real experience that it actually triggers memory creation in a way that 2-D viewing doesn't. His own theory is that stereoscopic viewing uses more neurons. That's possible. After watching all that 3-D, I was a bit wiped out. I was also totally entertained. The consensus among the people who saw Thursday night's footage was that it was glorious and eye-popping - but they had no trouble telling the CG animation from reality, especially in the scene where live actors are interacting with the CG animated avatars. And the 3-D didn't seem to add all that much to the viewing experience. The footage was great, but not quite photorealistic. At the same time, as my colleague Lauren puts it to me, There was no uncanny valley. The criticisms boiled down to saying that the Avatar footage was better than the CG people had seen in the past - but not the massive world-shattering change we'd been promised. Even the people we talked to who professed to be let down slightly by the Avatar footage prefaced their remarks with I'm sure it'll be a great movie, but - or I still think it'll be a huge hit, but - So as backlashes go, this one is relatively mild - and probably healthy, since the movie should be building buzz this fall, and it's best to get any hype correction out of the way this summer. But still, there was a noticeable move to get people to downgrade their Avatar expectations after the footage was shown. Over at Aintitcool, Quint wrote http://aintitcool.com/node/41793 : What I saw were glimpses at a fantastic bit of storytelling, a rich fantasy tale, by a master of the artform, but the CGI creatures and characters are just that. They're amazingly executed, no doubt, but it's not like when you saw your first CG dinosaur and you said, This is a game changer to yourself. CHUD was even harsher http://chud.com/articles/articles/20257/1/COMIC-CON-09-AN-AVATAR-CREW-MEMBE R-CAN039T-TAKE-CRITICISM/Page1.html : It's not that Avatar wasn't a hit, it just wasn't the grand slam everyone expected. I've talked to a number of people - fans and people in the industry - who were a little underwhelmed by the 24 minutes of footage. No one disliked it, but the weight of expectations kept the film from really taking off. And that, frankly, is no excuse. You either walk out of San Diego with major buzz or you don't. Avatar may be walking out of San Diego with fourth place. The word hype has been bandied about on some blogs and message boards. For example, Latino Review wrote yesterday: http://www.latinoreview.com/news/comic-con-2009-iron-man-2-panel-7504 Despite the Avatar hype, most people I've talked to think Iron Man 2 is going to steal the show. My favorite online Avatar discussion, though, comes from the comment thread at Awards Daily, where everyone pretty much agrees the movie's been overhyped somewhat (not visually, since we've seen so little imagery up till now, but in some of Cameron's hyperbole.) And they coin the term Avatards to describe the movie's staunch supporters - with some people happy identifying themselves by that title. Writes one person named Bambi: http://www.awardsdaily.com/?p=11172 I'm an Avatard, but lets lower expectations here because overhype is always undoing. So far, I haven`t seen a single design that is never-seen-before, story sounds rehashed and it seems that advanced 3D is the only thing that makes it a spectacle above anything else this year... I rememeber how excited Internet geeks were over The Watchmen trailer attached to TDK while it was obvious from crowd`s indifferent reaction that they didn`t know what to make of it. We know how that one turned out. And don`t get me started on bar is raised so high that there is no bar Joel Silver`s hype for Matrix:Reloaded and Revolutions (plus
Re: [scifinoir2] EXCLUSIVE: Disney's The Princess and the Frog Directors Address Racial Concerns
I think that I would call black comedy movies dramadies. That is a mix of comedy and drama. Some of them have so much drama that you can forget that they are supposed to be a comedy. On Sun, Jul 26, 2009 at 10:51 PM, Omari Confer clockwork...@gmail.comwrote: Keith, Love the comments on the subject. As I was reading your post I was itching to respond. By the end I just have to clap and give you a pat on the back saying.its ok man. Here is another perspective. It is altruistic to think that an all black romantic cast will play to all audiences. Black movies consist of the following: 'Comin up' stories/Hood to Good Black Love mixed with comedy (This excludes Spike Lee movies of course) So creating a movie with two black leads clearly fits within this paradigm, thus seemingly excluding white audiences. Be honest.most white audiences see an all black or partly black cast and they think either hood movie or a tyler perry flick. The transition to truly racially fluid entertainment has to be gradual. The key demographic, just by numbers alone has been all white and is transitioning to a blended look. Not only should we be happy that there is a black princess but we should rejoice. This means that the math and the money was right enough to make it happen...translation- Executives with big bucks accept that black characters have universal appeal and can be human..not just black. This is progressRome was not built overnight. c w m On Sun, Jul 26, 2009 at 1:04 AM, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.netwrote: They can explain all they want, but the truth of this is the Hitch effect: H'wood refusing to back a big romance with a man and woman of clearly African-American roots. Will Smith himself said the folks behind Hitch didn't want a black female lead, as they feared it wouldn't draw whites. A white female lead--not a goal in my book to be sought--was of course right out. So it is here. It makes no sense that for the first African-American female lead, the male is not also African-American--or at least African. Why couldn't he be a rich brother from New Orleans? Why can't his family be wealthy? Why can't he be an African prince of purely African heritage? All this talk of diversity is interesting, as it only comes up when blacks are involved. i don't recall Snow White, Cinderalla, Belle, Mu Lan, or any of the other Disney heroines being paired with a guy of an obviously different racial background. Oh: let me correct myself. Disney did pair one lady with a guy from another race. It was the story of Pochahantas and her love for a European. It troubles me, not because I'm against diversity, multi-culturalism, or marriages between people of different ethnicities. It troubles me simply because once again, when other cultures--especially whites--are allowed to love their own on screen, we're being told that black-on-black love just won't play at the cinemaplex. And saddest of all is that we are so happy just ot have *one* black person on screen, we'll just take this as a sign of progress. I got into a long debate with a black female friend on this, and her summary statement was, You're right, it's unfortunate both leads aren't African Amerians. But you have to be realistic, keith, this is a good first step, and we can't force Disney to meet our needs. Besides, she said, her young daughter is so happy to have a princess look like her on screen. I asked, how were her two sons feeling about the movie, and she said, they were disappointed and confused the male lead wasn't just like them, but better something than nothing. sigh... - Original Message - From: brent wodehouse brent_wodeho...@thefence.us To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Saturday, July 25, 2009 2:09:09 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: [scifinoir2] EXCLUSIVE: Disney's The Princess and the Frog Directors Address Racial Concerns http://www.movieline.com/2009/07/disneys-the-princess-and-the-frog-directors-address-charges-of-racism.php Comic-Con 09 EXCLUSIVE: Disney's The Princess and the Frog Directors Address Racial Concerns Written by Seth Abramovitch | 24 Jul 2009 Disney’s The Princess and the Frog marks the studio’s long-overdue return to hand-drawn animation, and those hands belong to Ron Clements and John Musker - two animation veterans responsible for later-era classics like The Little Mermaid and Aladdin. From the beginning, Disney proudly trumpeted that Frog would feature their first African-American princess with Tiana, a gesture that would go a small way towards righting the wrongs of all the yarn-spinning uncles, jive-talking crows and Neverland savages that came before her. But as scenes trickled out, there were murmurs of concern. Princess Tiana would be paired with Prince Naveen - a royal of seemingly South American lineage, voiced by Brazilian-born actor Bruno Campos - raising eyebrows and ire among a
Re: [scifinoir2] EXCLUSIVE: Disney's The Princess and the Frog Directors Address Racial Concerns
Isnt that the truth!! c w m On Mon, Jul 27, 2009 at 2:11 AM, Mr. Worf hellomahog...@gmail.com wrote: I think that I would call black comedy movies dramadies. That is a mix of comedy and drama. Some of them have so much drama that you can forget that they are supposed to be a comedy. On Sun, Jul 26, 2009 at 10:51 PM, Omari Confer clockwork...@gmail.comwrote: Keith, Love the comments on the subject. As I was reading your post I was itching to respond. By the end I just have to clap and give you a pat on the back saying.its ok man. Here is another perspective. It is altruistic to think that an all black romantic cast will play to all audiences. Black movies consist of the following: 'Comin up' stories/Hood to Good Black Love mixed with comedy (This excludes Spike Lee movies of course) So creating a movie with two black leads clearly fits within this paradigm, thus seemingly excluding white audiences. Be honest.most white audiences see an all black or partly black cast and they think either hood movie or a tyler perry flick. The transition to truly racially fluid entertainment has to be gradual. The key demographic, just by numbers alone has been all white and is transitioning to a blended look. Not only should we be happy that there is a black princess but we should rejoice. This means that the math and the money was right enough to make it happen...translation- Executives with big bucks accept that black characters have universal appeal and can be human..not just black. This is progressRome was not built overnight. c w m On Sun, Jul 26, 2009 at 1:04 AM, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.net wrote: They can explain all they want, but the truth of this is the Hitch effect: H'wood refusing to back a big romance with a man and woman of clearly African-American roots. Will Smith himself said the folks behind Hitch didn't want a black female lead, as they feared it wouldn't draw whites. A white female lead--not a goal in my book to be sought--was of course right out. So it is here. It makes no sense that for the first African-American female lead, the male is not also African-American--or at least African. Why couldn't he be a rich brother from New Orleans? Why can't his family be wealthy? Why can't he be an African prince of purely African heritage? All this talk of diversity is interesting, as it only comes up when blacks are involved. i don't recall Snow White, Cinderalla, Belle, Mu Lan, or any of the other Disney heroines being paired with a guy of an obviously different racial background. Oh: let me correct myself. Disney did pair one lady with a guy from another race. It was the story of Pochahantas and her love for a European. It troubles me, not because I'm against diversity, multi-culturalism, or marriages between people of different ethnicities. It troubles me simply because once again, when other cultures--especially whites--are allowed to love their own on screen, we're being told that black-on-black love just won't play at the cinemaplex. And saddest of all is that we are so happy just ot have *one* black person on screen, we'll just take this as a sign of progress. I got into a long debate with a black female friend on this, and her summary statement was, You're right, it's unfortunate both leads aren't African Amerians. But you have to be realistic, keith, this is a good first step, and we can't force Disney to meet our needs. Besides, she said, her young daughter is so happy to have a princess look like her on screen. I asked, how were her two sons feeling about the movie, and she said, they were disappointed and confused the male lead wasn't just like them, but better something than nothing. sigh... - Original Message - From: brent wodehouse brent_wodeho...@thefence.us To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Saturday, July 25, 2009 2:09:09 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: [scifinoir2] EXCLUSIVE: Disney's The Princess and the Frog Directors Address Racial Concerns http://www.movieline.com/2009/07/disneys-the-princess-and-the-frog-directors-address-charges-of-racism.php Comic-Con 09 EXCLUSIVE: Disney's The Princess and the Frog Directors Address Racial Concerns Written by Seth Abramovitch | 24 Jul 2009 Disney’s The Princess and the Frog marks the studio’s long-overdue return to hand-drawn animation, and those hands belong to Ron Clements and John Musker - two animation veterans responsible for later-era classics like The Little Mermaid and Aladdin. From the beginning, Disney proudly trumpeted that Frog would feature their first African-American princess with Tiana, a gesture that would go a small way towards righting the wrongs of all the yarn-spinning uncles, jive-talking crows and Neverland savages that came before her. But as scenes trickled out, there were murmurs of concern. Princess Tiana would be paired with Prince Naveen - a royal of
Re: [RE][scifinoir2] The Book of Eli (Denzel + the Hughes Bros = SCORE!)
Yup, I'm there! Actually heard abou this on..i'm sorry...Entertainment Tonight. --- On Sun, 7/26/09, Mr. Worf hellomahog...@gmail.com wrote: From: Mr. Worf hellomahog...@gmail.com Subject: Re: [RE][scifinoir2] The Book of Eli (Denzel + the Hughes Bros = SCORE!) To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Date: Sunday, July 26, 2009, 9:31 PM I'm buying my ticket now. :) On Sun, Jul 26, 2009 at 9:23 AM, Martin Baxter truthseeker013@ lycos.com wrote: I was there the minute I first heard about this. -[ Received Mail Content ]-- Subject : [scifinoir2] The Book of Eli (Denzel + the Hughes Bros = SCORE!) Date : Sun, 26 Jul 2009 14:51:32 - From : ravenadal ravena...@yahoo. com To : scifino...@yahoogro ups.com http://io9.com/ 5314032/denzel- washingtons- bloody-comic- cover-for- the-book- of-eli http://en.wikipedia .org/wiki/ The_Book_ of_Eli http://www.apple. com/trailers/ wb/thebookofeli/ http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=JQdwk8Yntds -- Bringing diversity to perversity for 9 years! Mahogany at: http://groups. yahoo.com/ group/mahogany_ pleasures_ of_darkness/
[RE][scifinoir2] Are You Ready For The Avatar (Cameron) Backlash?
Of course it didn't fool anyone. They were expecting it. Knowing that the effects were coming, their minds subconsciously were looking for the tell-tale signs. -[ Received Mail Content ]-- Subject : [scifinoir2] Are You Ready For The Avatar (Cameron) Backlash? [1 Attachment] Date : Sun, 26 Jul 2009 23:27:42 -0700 From : Tracey de Morsella tdli...@multiculturaladvantage.com To : scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, cinque3...@verizon.net, ggs...@yahoo.com James Cameron 's Avatar is as unknown to most Americans as the distant planet Pandora, but among the people who've obsessed about this space epic for a decade, there's talk of a backlash. And Avatar fans now have a nickname: Avatards. We've had a few conversations in the past few days with Comic Con -goers who professed to be a tad disappointed with the footage that was screened on Thursday - but only because expectations were jacked up so high. Blame Cameron, who's been saying for a year that his footage would revolutionize 3-D filmmaking, to the point where movies would be divided into Before Avatar and After Avatar. Or blame the Time Magazine reporter who saw similar footage in March, and wrote : I couldn't tell what was real and what was animated-even knowing that the 9-ft.-tall blue, dappled dude couldn't possibly be real. The scenes were so startling and absorbing that the following morning, I had the peculiar sensation of wanting to return there, as if Pandora were real. Cameron wasn't surprised. One theory, he says, is that 3-D viewing is so close to a real experience that it actually triggers memory creation in a way that 2-D viewing doesn't. His own theory is that stereoscopic viewing uses more neurons. That's possible. After watching all that 3-D, I was a bit wiped out. I was also totally entertained. The consensus among the people who saw Thursday night's footage was that it was glorious and eye-popping - but they had no trouble telling the CG animation from reality, especially in the scene where live actors are interacting with the CG animated avatars. And the 3-D didn't seem to add all that much to the viewing experience. The footage was great, but not quite photorealistic. At the same time, as my colleague Lauren puts it to me, There was no uncanny valley. The criticisms boiled down to saying that the Avatar footage was better than the CG people had seen in the past - but not the massive world-shattering change we'd been promised. Even the people we talked to who professed to be let down slightly by the Avatar footage prefaced their remarks with I'm sure it'll be a great movie, but - or I still think it'll be a huge hit, but - So as backlashes go, this one is relatively mild - and probably healthy, since the movie should be building buzz this fall, and it's best to get any hype correction out of the way this summer. But still, there was a noticeable move to get people to downgrade their Avatar expectations after the footage was shown. Over at Aintitcool, Quint wrote : What I saw were glimpses at a fantastic bit of storytelling, a rich fantasy tale, by a master of the artform, but the CGI creatures and characters are just that. They're amazingly executed, no doubt, but it's not like when you saw your first CG dinosaur and you said, This is a game changer to yourself. CHUD was even harsher R-CAN039T-TAKE-CRITICISM/Page1.html : It's not that Avatar wasn't a hit, it just wasn't the grand slam everyone expected. I've talked to a number of people - fans and people in the industry - who were a little underwhelmed by the 24 minutes of footage. No one disliked it, but the weight of expectations kept the film from really taking off. And that, frankly, is no excuse. You either walk out of San Diego with major buzz or you don't. Avatar may be walking out of San Diego with fourth place. The word hype has been bandied about on some blogs and message boards. For example, Latino Review wrote yesterday: Despite the Avatar hype, most people I've talked to think Iron Man 2 is going to steal the show. My favorite online Avatar discussion, though, comes from the comment thread at Awards Daily, where everyone pretty much agrees the movie's been overhyped somewhat (not visually, since we've seen so little imagery up till now, but in some of Cameron's hyperbole.) And they coin the term Avatards to describe the movie's staunch supporters - with some people happy identifying themselves by that title. Writes one person named Bambi: I'm an Avatard, but lets lower expectations here because overhype is always undoing. So far, I haven`t seen a single design that is never-seen-before, story sounds rehashed and it seems that advanced 3D is the only thing that makes it a spectacle above anything else this year... I rememeber how excited Internet geeks were over The Watchmen trailer attached to TDK while it was obvious from crowd`s indifferent reaction that they didn`t know what to make of it. We know how that one turned out. And
Re: [RE][scifinoir2] The Book of Eli (Denzel + the Hughes Bros = SCORE!)
Seems like a remake of I Am Legend/Mad Max. --- On Mon, 7/27/09, Milton Davis mv_media_...@yahoo.com wrote: From: Milton Davis mv_media_...@yahoo.com Subject: Re: [RE][scifinoir2] The Book of Eli (Denzel + the Hughes Bros = SCORE!) To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Date: Monday, July 27, 2009, 8:27 AM Yup, I'm there! Actually heard abou this on..i'm sorry...Entertainme nt Tonight. --- On Sun, 7/26/09, Mr. Worf HelloMahogany@ gmail.com wrote: From: Mr. Worf HelloMahogany@ gmail.com Subject: Re: [RE][scifinoir2] The Book of Eli (Denzel + the Hughes Bros = SCORE!) To: scifino...@yahoogro ups.com Date: Sunday, July 26, 2009, 9:31 PM I'm buying my ticket now. :) On Sun, Jul 26, 2009 at 9:23 AM, Martin Baxter truthseeker013@ lycos.com wrote: I was there the minute I first heard about this. -[ Received Mail Content ]-- Subject : [scifinoir2] The Book of Eli (Denzel + the Hughes Bros = SCORE!) Date : Sun, 26 Jul 2009 14:51:32 - From : ravenadal ravena...@yahoo. com To : scifino...@yahoogro ups.com http://io9.com/ 5314032/denzel- washingtons- bloody-comic- cover-for- the-book- of-eli http://en.wikipedia .org/wiki/ The_Book_ of_Eli http://www.apple. com/trailers/ wb/thebookofeli/ http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=JQdwk8Yntds -- Bringing diversity to perversity for 9 years! Mahogany at: http://groups. yahoo.com/ group/mahogany_ pleasures_ of_darkness/
[scifinoir2] The Doctor is In (Planet of the Dead)
I enjoyed the Dr. Who episode Planet of the Dead. The episode was influenced by several works: a little bit Indiana Jones, a little bit Flight of the Phoenix, a little bit Pitch Black, and sixties' films such as Charade and Topkapi, which included Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn being witty and sophisticated together, and then running for their lives. Michelle Ryan (late of the Bionic Woman) is bright, perky and evanescent as Lady Christina de Souza, a totally British cross between tomb raider Lara Croft and Harry Potter's Hermione Granger. Headstrong and willing to dive headlong into any situation, Christina is,ironically, the perfect companion for the expiring and suddenly companion-adverse Doctor. Her cat burglar's kit bag was a perfect match for the Doctor's all-purpose sonic screw driver. Also, British stand-up comedian Lee Evans is a hoot as the Doctor obsessive Professor Malcolm Taylor. To beat my personal drum, let me give shout-outs to Noma Kumezweni as the pragmatic and by-the-book Unified Intelligence Task (UNIT) force leader, Capt. Erisa Magambo, Daniel Kuluuya (as Barclay) and Reginald Tsiboe (as Lou). As people in their fifth decade drop dead all around me, I am pleased to have lived long enough to see names like Kumezweni, Kuluuya and Tsiboe in the credits of an episodic television program, albeit a British one. Planet of the Dead is supposed to be the last time the Doctor gets to have any fun. If so, I enjoyed the ride. ~rave! http://twitter.com/ravenadal http://blackplush.blogspot.com
Re: [RE][scifinoir2] The Book of Eli (Denzel + the Hughes Bros = SCORE!)
You say that like its a bad thing. ~rave! --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, George Arterberry brotherfromhow...@... wrote: Seems like a remake of I Am Legend/Mad Max. --- On Mon, 7/27/09, Milton Davis mv_media_...@... wrote: From: Milton Davis mv_media_...@... Subject: Re: [RE][scifinoir2] The Book of Eli (Denzel + the Hughes Bros = SCORE!) To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Date: Monday, July 27, 2009, 8:27 AM Yup, I'm there! Actually heard abou this on..i'm sorry...Entertainme nt Tonight. --- On Sun, 7/26/09, Mr. Worf HelloMahogany@ gmail.com wrote: From: Mr. Worf HelloMahogany@ gmail.com Subject: Re: [RE][scifinoir2] The Book of Eli (Denzel + the Hughes Bros = SCORE!) To: scifino...@yahoogro ups.com Date: Sunday, July 26, 2009, 9:31 PM I'm buying my ticket now. :) On Sun, Jul 26, 2009 at 9:23 AM, Martin Baxter truthseeker013@ lycos.com wrote: I was there the minute I first heard about this. -[ Received Mail Content ]-- Subject : [scifinoir2] The Book of Eli (Denzel + the Hughes Bros = SCORE!) Date : Sun, 26 Jul 2009 14:51:32 - From : ravenadal ravena...@yahoo. com To : scifino...@yahoogro ups.com http://io9.com/ 5314032/denzel- washingtons- bloody-comic- cover-for- the-book- of-eli http://en.wikipedia .org/wiki/ The_Book_ of_Eli http://www.apple. com/trailers/ wb/thebookofeli/ http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=JQdwk8Yntds -- Bringing diversity to perversity for 9 years! Mahogany at: http://groups. yahoo.com/ group/mahogany_ pleasures_ of_darkness/
Re: [scifinoir2] Google's Cool DC Comics Logo
interesting interpretation of Hal Jordan that makes him sound more nuanced than in days of old. I confess that, since I was never a GL fan, I haven't read the books in years. My only real time of reading GL was back when Hal was more of a straight out whitebread hero. I didn't catch the whole fall from grace, when he turned nuts and killed his GL fellows, and only sporadically followed the saga after that, when he became a cosmic being, redeemed himself, and finally regained humanity. A hint of what you're talking about can be found in one book I read where Batman was giving the recently returned Hal a problem. Hal was having none of Bat's judgemental nature, was more irritated than intimidated, and ultimately ending up slugging Batman. The other Leaguers were impressed that Hal had the nerve to do that, and that he was able to catch Batman unawares. - Original Message - From: Omari Confer clockwork...@gmail.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, July 27, 2009 12:29:36 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Google's Cool DC Comics Logo I think John Stewart in the cartoon is representing all GL in the cartoons; thus he is part Hal part Kyleno Guy thank god. I accept John's role in the GL panthenon due to the fact that he might be the second best Lantern ever...Kyle might have him beat. Keith, I honestly think that having a JLA without Hal Jordan is wrong.He is basically a suicidal fighter pilot given ultimate power, and he let it drive him insane. This alone makes him the perfect hero- Sacrificial and flawed. Maybe not the perfect DC hero (because he has flaws) but the perfect Marvel hero. c w m On Sun, Jul 26, 2009 at 10:52 PM, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.net wrote: Good luck. In the comics, at least, it appears Hal Jordan is the pre-eminent Lantern once again. I read the first issue of this Black Lantern saga, and there's a scene where Hal appears in the rebuilt Coast Ciy, flanked by John Stewart, Kyle Rayner, and Guy Gardner. Hal called them his wingmen. And, never having been a faithful GL fan, i am struck by how much less tough and commanding John Stewart seems to be in the comic, compared to his portrayal in the Justice League cartoons. And that's saying something, since the cartoon GL had an extremely limited pallet of constructs he made with the Ring. - Original Message - From: Mike Street streetfor...@gmail.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Friday, July 24, 2009 8:17:05 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Google's Cool DC Comics Logo I know I know...they could have thrown John Stewart up in there. On Fri, Jul 24, 2009 at 8:08 AM, Augustus Augustus jazzynupe_...@yahoo.com wrote: Mike, where are the Black Superheroes? Fate. --- On Fri, 7/24/09, Mike Street streetfor...@gmail.com wrote: From: Mike Street streetfor...@gmail.com Subject: [scifinoir2] Google's Cool DC Comics Logo To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Date: Friday, July 24, 2009, 8:03 AM Check outs Google's logo today. Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, and Batman designed by Jim Lee. -- Get Social: Facebook: http://facebook. com/greasyguide http://facebook. com/mikestreet Twitter: http://www.twitter. com/streetforce1 My Sites: Now72.com - GreasyGuide. com - HarlemFoodie. com -- Get Social: Facebook: http://facebook.com/greasyguide http://facebook.com/mikestreet Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/streetforce1 My Sites: Now72.com - GreasyGuide.com - HarlemFoodie.com -- clockworkman blog http://centralheatingblog.blogspot.com STRING THEORY http://www.stringtheory.mypodcast.com Netflix Friends http://www.netflix.com/BeMyFriend/P5Vr384ukvNnY78xUJOT
Re: [scifinoir2] EXCLUSIVE: Disney's The Princess and the Frog Directors Address Racial Concerns
See, I hear that, but I disagree with this little by little method. You mention Tyler perry, well he's become a multi-millionaire by doing black movies. Granted, the vast majority of his audience is black people, but that's alright by me. I guess I'm just tired of my people's stories and perceptions and presentations all being filtered and reworked to please another group's desires and likes. I grew up in a home with two black parents, my wife is a black woman, I know lots of black couples who are in love and doing it well. You're really telling me I should just be grateful and patient because someone sees fit to only tell half the story, that I shouldn't find it offensive that in a country where most black people marry black people, the story is shifted just so whites will show up? Sorry, that bothers me. and it really bothers me because the cliche is still the same: black woman gets handed off to men of other races, as has been done for centuries. Do you think white Americans would have been okay had all the early Disney cartoons put Snow White, Cinderella, etc., with non-white men? Nope. At the end of the day, though, it's back to FUBU: For Us, By Us. I guess until more black people pool money and resources and continue to make our own projects, we can't expect truly diverse presentation of our life on the big--or small--screen. - Original Message - From: Omari Confer clockwork...@gmail.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, July 27, 2009 1:51:26 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] EXCLUSIVE: Disney's The Princess and the Frog Directors Address Racial Concerns Keith, Love the comments on the subject. As I was reading your post I was itching to respond. By the end I just have to clap and give you a pat on the back saying.its ok man. Here is another perspective. It is altruistic to think that an all black romantic cast will play to all audiences. Black movies consist of the following: 'Comin up' stories/Hood to Good Black Love mixed with comedy (This excludes Spike Lee movies of course) So creating a movie with two black leads clearly fits within this paradigm, thus seemingly excluding white audiences. Be honest.most white audiences see an all black or partly black cast and they think either hood movie or a tyler perry flick. The transition to truly racially fluid entertainment has to be gradual. The key demographic, just by numbers alone has been all white and is transitioning to a blended look. Not only should we be happy that there is a black princess but we should rejoice. This means that the math and the money was right enough to make it happen...translation- Executives with big bucks accept that black characters have universal appeal and can be human..not just black. This is progressRome was not built overnight. c w m On Sun, Jul 26, 2009 at 1:04 AM, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.net wrote: They can explain all they want, but the truth of this is the Hitch effect: H'wood refusing to back a big romance with a man and woman of clearly African-American roots. Will Smith himself said the folks behind Hitch didn't want a black female lead, as they feared it wouldn't draw whites. A white female lead--not a goal in my book to be sought--was of course right out. So it is here. It makes no sense that for the first African-American female lead, the male is not also African-American--or at least African. Why couldn't he be a rich brother from New Orleans? Why can't his family be wealthy? Why can't he be an African prince of purely African heritage? All this talk of diversity is interesting, as it only comes up when blacks are involved. i don't recall Snow White, Cinderalla, Belle, Mu Lan, or any of the other Disney heroines being paired with a guy of an obviously different racial background. Oh: let me correct myself. Disney did pair one lady with a guy from another race. It was the story of Pochahantas and her love for a European. It troubles me, not because I'm against diversity, multi-culturalism, or marriages between people of different ethnicities. It troubles me simply because once again, when other cultures--especially whites--are allowed to love their own on screen, we're being told that black-on-black love just won't play at the cinemaplex. And saddest of all is that we are so happy just ot have *one* black person on screen, we'll just take this as a sign of progress. I got into a long debate with a black female friend on this, and her summary statement was, You're right, it's unfortunate both leads aren't African Amerians. But you have to be realistic, keith, this is a good first step, and we can't force Disney to meet our needs. Besides, she said, her young daughter is so happy to have a princess look like her on screen. I asked, how were her two sons feeling about the movie, and she said, they were disappointed and
Re: [scifinoir2] EXCLUSIVE: Disney's The Princess and the Frog Directors Address Racial Concerns
thanks for the compliment, by the way. But you know, your statement put me in mind of the movie The Ugly Truth, which i saw to please my wife yesterday. (We typically take turns with movies, a scifi/action one for me, a rom-com for her, interspersed with movies we both like). Starring katherine Grey's Anatomy Heigel and Gerard 300 Butler, it was supposed to be a funny, sardonic look at love. Instead, it was an unfunny, wretched, cliched mess that played exactly like one of the less-funny scenes of Desperate Housewives stretched out to ninety minutes. As I sat there suffering through a film full of dirty jokes and groan-inducing lines, I kept thinking, this gets greenlit because H'Wood thinks Heigel is a funny, beautiful blonde. How many more talented actors and writers of color get turned down because they're deemed unprofitable?. And H'Wood expects a decent number of black folk to show up to movies with all-white casts--and we do. I'm okay with that, but I really should have the right to expect reciprocity: that my stories are just as interesting as the reverse. Why shouldn't I expect whites to support and enjoy the far superiour likes of Love Jones and Brown Sugar when i pay for dreck like The Ugly Truth or Must Love Dogs? No, i get the reality of what you say, but as MLK said How long...? I'm to the point where i could care less about big blockbusters from the House of the Mouse or others doling out carefully tested pieces of our culture, allowing the masses to dip their toes in the pool of Blackness. It's too much to me like begging, or standing bowed with my hat in my hand waiting for Massuh to pay attention to me. No, I prefer the Tyler Perry model, even the Spike Lee model: make our own fare, do it for less money, say and do and employ who and what you want, and let the diminished but hopefully still positive box office speak for itself. I would rather see a dozen small, genuine, well-done flicks like Akeelah and the Bee, Once Upon a Time When We Were Colored, and Sankofah, than worldwide smashes like Hitch and this film that remind me that a lot of people don't fully appreciate blacks as equals in all facets of life. Dang--who put that soapbox in here? - Original Message - From: Omari Confer clockwork...@gmail.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, July 27, 2009 1:51:26 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] EXCLUSIVE: Disney's The Princess and the Frog Directors Address Racial Concerns Keith, Love the comments on the subject. As I was reading your post I was itching to respond. By the end I just have to clap and give you a pat on the back saying.its ok man. Here is another perspective. It is altruistic to think that an all black romantic cast will play to all audiences. Black movies consist of the following: 'Comin up' stories/Hood to Good Black Love mixed with comedy (This excludes Spike Lee movies of course) So creating a movie with two black leads clearly fits within this paradigm, thus seemingly excluding white audiences. Be honest.most white audiences see an all black or partly black cast and they think either hood movie or a tyler perry flick. The transition to truly racially fluid entertainment has to be gradual. The key demographic, just by numbers alone has been all white and is transitioning to a blended look. Not only should we be happy that there is a black princess but we should rejoice. This means that the math and the money was right enough to make it happen...translation- Executives with big bucks accept that black characters have universal appeal and can be human..not just black. This is progressRome was not built overnight. c w m On Sun, Jul 26, 2009 at 1:04 AM, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.net wrote: They can explain all they want, but the truth of this is the Hitch effect: H'wood refusing to back a big romance with a man and woman of clearly African-American roots. Will Smith himself said the folks behind Hitch didn't want a black female lead, as they feared it wouldn't draw whites. A white female lead--not a goal in my book to be sought--was of course right out. So it is here. It makes no sense that for the first African-American female lead, the male is not also African-American--or at least African. Why couldn't he be a rich brother from New Orleans? Why can't his family be wealthy? Why can't he be an African prince of purely African heritage? All this talk of diversity is interesting, as it only comes up when blacks are involved. i don't recall Snow White, Cinderalla, Belle, Mu Lan, or any of the other Disney heroines being paired with a guy of an obviously different racial background. Oh: let me correct myself. Disney did pair one lady with a guy from another race. It was the story of Pochahantas and her love for a European. It troubles me, not because I'm against diversity, multi-culturalism, or
Re: [scifinoir2] EXCLUSIVE: Disney's The Princess and the Frog Directors Address Racial Concerns
There have been lots of good, dramatic black movies that aren't urban, hip-hop flavored, or even dramedies. I think it's a matter of us being sure to seek them out... - Original Message - From: Omari Confer clockwork...@gmail.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, July 27, 2009 4:00:17 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] EXCLUSIVE: Disney's The Princess and the Frog Directors Address Racial Concerns Isnt that the truth!! c w m On Mon, Jul 27, 2009 at 2:11 AM, Mr. Worf hellomahog...@gmail.com wrote: I think that I would call black comedy movies dramadies. That is a mix of comedy and drama. Some of them have so much drama that you can forget that they are supposed to be a comedy. On Sun, Jul 26, 2009 at 10:51 PM, Omari Confer clockwork...@gmail.com wrote: Keith, Love the comments on the subject. As I was reading your post I was itching to respond. By the end I just have to clap and give you a pat on the back saying.its ok man. Here is another perspective. It is altruistic to think that an all black romantic cast will play to all audiences. Black movies consist of the following: 'Comin up' stories/Hood to Good Black Love mixed with comedy (This excludes Spike Lee movies of course) So creating a movie with two black leads clearly fits within this paradigm, thus seemingly excluding white audiences. Be honest.most white audiences see an all black or partly black cast and they think either hood movie or a tyler perry flick. The transition to truly racially fluid entertainment has to be gradual. The key demographic, just by numbers alone has been all white and is transitioning to a blended look. Not only should we be happy that there is a black princess but we should rejoice. This means that the math and the money was right enough to make it happen...translation- Executives with big bucks accept that black characters have universal appeal and can be human..not just black. This is progressRome was not built overnight. c w m On Sun, Jul 26, 2009 at 1:04 AM, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.net wrote: They can explain all they want, but the truth of this is the Hitch effect: H'wood refusing to back a big romance with a man and woman of clearly African-American roots. Will Smith himself said the folks behind Hitch didn't want a black female lead, as they feared it wouldn't draw whites. A white female lead--not a goal in my book to be sought--was of course right out. So it is here. It makes no sense that for the first African-American female lead, the male is not also African-American--or at least African. Why couldn't he be a rich brother from New Orleans? Why can't his family be wealthy? Why can't he be an African prince of purely African heritage? All this talk of diversity is interesting, as it only comes up when blacks are involved. i don't recall Snow White, Cinderalla, Belle, Mu Lan, or any of the other Disney heroines being paired with a guy of an obviously different racial background. Oh: let me correct myself. Disney did pair one lady with a guy from another race. It was the story of Pochahantas and her love for a European. It troubles me, not because I'm against diversity, multi-culturalism, or marriages between people of different ethnicities. It troubles me simply because once again, when other cultures--especially whites--are allowed to love their own on screen, we're being told that black-on-black love just won't play at the cinemaplex. And saddest of all is that we are so happy just ot have *one* black person on screen, we'll just take this as a sign of progress. I got into a long debate with a black female friend on this, and her summary statement was, You're right, it's unfortunate both leads aren't African Amerians. But you have to be realistic, keith, this is a good first step, and we can't force Disney to meet our needs. Besides, she said, her young daughter is so happy to have a princess look like her on screen. I asked, how were her two sons feeling about the movie, and she said, they were disappointed and confused the male lead wasn't just like them, but better something than nothing. sigh... - Original Message - From: brent wodehouse brent_wodeho...@thefence.us To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Saturday, July 25, 2009 2:09:09 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: [scifinoir2] EXCLUSIVE: Disney's The Princess and the Frog Directors Address Racial Concerns http://www.movieline.com/2009/07/disneys-the-princess-and-the-frog-directors-address-charges-of-racism.php Comic-Con 09 EXCLUSIVE: Disney's The Princess and the Frog Directors Address Racial Concerns Written by Seth Abramovitch | 24 Jul 2009 Disney’s The Princess and the Frog marks the studio’s long-overdue return to hand-drawn animation, and those hands belong to Ron Clements and John Musker - two animation
Re: [scifinoir2] EXCLUSIVE: Disney's The Princess and the Frog Directors Address Racial Concerns
(standing ovation) -[ Received Mail Content ]-- Subject : Re: [scifinoir2] EXCLUSIVE: Disney's The Princess and the Frog Directors Address Racial Concerns Date : Mon, 27 Jul 2009 20:47:33 + (UTC) From : Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.net To : scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com thanks for the compliment, by the way. But you know, your statement put me in mind of the movie The Ugly Truth, which i saw to please my wife yesterday. (We typically take turns with movies, a scifi/action one for me, a rom-com for her, interspersed with movies we both like). Starring katherine Grey's Anatomy Heigel and Gerard 300 Butler, it was supposed to be a funny, sardonic look at love. Instead, it was an unfunny, wretched, cliched mess that played exactly like one of the less-funny scenes of Desperate Housewives stretched out to ninety minutes. As I sat there suffering through a film full of dirty jokes and groan-inducing lines, I kept thinking, this gets greenlit because H'Wood thinks Heigel is a funny, beautiful blonde. How many more talented actors and writers of color get turned down because they're deemed unprofitable?. And H'Wood expects a decent number of black folk to show up to movies with all-white casts--and we do. I'm okay with that, but I really should have the right to expect reciprocity: that my stories are just as interesting as the reverse. Why shouldn't I expect whites to support and enjoy the far superiour likes of Love Jones and Brown Sugar when i pay for dreck like The Ugly Truth or Must Love Dogs? No, i get the reality of what you say, but as MLK said How long...? I'm to the point where i could care less about big blockbusters from the House of the Mouse or others doling out carefully tested pieces of our culture, allowing the masses to dip their toes in the pool of Blackness. It's too much to me like begging, or standing bowed with my hat in my hand waiting for Massuh to pay attention to me. No, I prefer the Tyler Perry model, even the Spike Lee model: make our own fare, do it for less money, say and do and employ who and what you want, and let the diminished but hopefully still positive box office speak for itself. I would rather see a dozen small, genuine, well-done flicks like Akeelah and the Bee, Once Upon a Time When We Were Colored, and Sankofah, than worldwide smashes like Hitch and this film that remind me that a lot of people don't fully appreciate blacks as equals in all facets of life. Dang--who put that soapbox in here? - Original Message - From: Omari Confer To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, July 27, 2009 1:51:26 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] EXCLUSIVE: Disney's The Princess and the Frog Directors Address Racial Concerns Keith, Love the comments on the subject. As I was reading your post I was itching to respond. By the end I just have to clap and give you a pat on the back saying.its ok man. Here is another perspective. It is altruistic to think that an all black romantic cast will play to all audiences. Black movies consist of the following: 'Comin up' stories/Hood to Good Black Love mixed with comedy (This excludes Spike Lee movies of course) So creating a movie with two black leads clearly fits within this paradigm, thus seemingly excluding white audiences. Be honest.most white audiences see an all black or partly black cast and they think either hood movie or a tyler perry flick. The transition to truly racially fluid entertainment has to be gradual. The key demographic, just by numbers alone has been all white and is transitioning to a blended look. Not only should we be happy that there is a black princess but we should rejoice. This means that the math and the money was right enough to make it happen...translation- Executives with big bucks accept that black characters have universal appeal and can be human..not just black. This is progressRome was not built overnight. c w m On Sun, Jul 26, 2009 at 1:04 AM, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.net wrote: They can explain all they want, but the truth of this is the Hitch effect: H'wood refusing to back a big romance with a man and woman of clearly African-American roots. Will Smith himself said the folks behind Hitch didn't want a black female lead, as they feared it wouldn't draw whites. A white female lead--not a goal in my book to be sought--was of course right out. So it is here. It makes no sense that for the first African-American female lead, the male is not also African-American--or at least African. Why couldn't he be a rich brother from New Orleans? Why can't his family be wealthy? Why can't he be an African prince of purely African heritage? All this talk of diversity is interesting, as it only comes up when blacks are involved. i don't recall Snow White, Cinderalla, Belle, Mu Lan, or any of the other Disney heroines
Re: [scifinoir2] Google's Cool DC Comics Logo
just picked up the newest GL book, 'Blackest Night' it is the newest mini-series starring the entire GL Corps..not just the greens, but the blacks, blues, reds, and yellows. book 1 was pretty good. waiting on book 2 now. Fate. --- On Mon, 7/27/09, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.net wrote: From: Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.net Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Google's Cool DC Comics Logo To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Date: Monday, July 27, 2009, 4:23 PM interesting interpretation of Hal Jordan that makes him sound more nuanced than in days of old. I confess that, since I was never a GL fan, I haven't read the books in years. My only real time of reading GL was back when Hal was more of a straight out whitebread hero. I didn't catch the whole fall from grace, when he turned nuts and killed his GL fellows, and only sporadically followed the saga after that, when he became a cosmic being, redeemed himself, and finally regained humanity. A hint of what you're talking about can be found in one book I read where Batman was giving the recently returned Hal a problem. Hal was having none of Bat's judgemental nature, was more irritated than intimidated, and ultimately ending up slugging Batman. The other Leaguers were impressed that Hal had the nerve to do that, and that he was able to catch Batman unawares. - Original Message - From: Omari Confer clockworkman@ gmail.com To: scifino...@yahoogro ups.com Sent: Monday, July 27, 2009 12:29:36 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Google's Cool DC Comics Logo I think John Stewart in the cartoon is representing all GL in the cartoons; thus he is part Hal part Kyleno Guy thank god. I accept John's role in the GL panthenon due to the fact that he might be the second best Lantern ever...Kyle might have him beat. Keith, I honestly think that having a JLA without Hal Jordan is wrong.He is basically a suicidal fighter pilot given ultimate power, and he let it drive him insane. This alone makes him the perfect hero- Sacrificial and flawed. Maybe not the perfect DC hero (because he has flaws) but the perfect Marvel hero. c w m On Sun, Jul 26, 2009 at 10:52 PM, Keith Johnson KeithBJohnson@ comcast.net wrote: Good luck. In the comics, at least, it appears Hal Jordan is the pre-eminent Lantern once again. I read the first issue of this Black Lantern saga, and there's a scene where Hal appears in the rebuilt Coast Ciy, flanked by John Stewart, Kyle Rayner, and Guy Gardner. Hal called them his wingmen. And, never having been a faithful GL fan, i am struck by how much less tough and commanding John Stewart seems to be in the comic, compared to his portrayal in the Justice League cartoons. And that's saying something, since the cartoon GL had an extremely limited pallet of constructs he made with the Ring. - Original Message - From: Mike Street streetforce1@ gmail.com To: scifino...@yahoogro ups.com Sent: Friday, July 24, 2009 8:17:05 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Google's Cool DC Comics Logo I know I know...they could have thrown John Stewart up in there. On Fri, Jul 24, 2009 at 8:08 AM, Augustus Augustusjazzynupe_007@ yahoo.com wrote: Mike, where are the Black Superheroes? Fate. --- On Fri, 7/24/09, Mike Street streetforce1@ gmail.com wrote: From: Mike Street streetforce1@ gmail.com Subject: [scifinoir2] Google's Cool DC Comics Logo To: scifino...@yahoogro ups.com Date: Friday, July 24, 2009, 8:03 AM Check outs Google's logo today. Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, and Batman designed by Jim Lee. -- Get Social: Facebook: http://facebook. com/greasyguide http://facebook. com/mikestreet Twitter: http://www.twitter. com/streetforce1 My Sites: Now72.com - GreasyGuide. com - HarlemFoodie. com -- Get Social: Facebook: http://facebook. com/greasyguide http://facebook. com/mikestreet Twitter: http://www.twitter. com/streetforce1 My Sites: Now72.com - GreasyGuide. com - HarlemFoodie. com -- clockworkman blog http://centralheati ngblog.blogspot. com STRING THEORY http://www.stringth eory.mypodcast. com Netflix Friends http://www.netflix. com/BeMyFriend/ P5Vr384ukvNnY78x UJOT
[RE][scifinoir2] The Doctor is In (Planet of the Dead)
Hopefully, in a week's time, I'll be able to comment further on this, as I hope to be Comcrap-free. Martin (*everything* crossed) -[ Received Mail Content ]-- Subject : [scifinoir2] The Doctor is In (Planet of the Dead) Date : Mon, 27 Jul 2009 14:33:03 - From : ravenadal ravena...@yahoo.com To : scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com I enjoyed the Dr. Who episode Planet of the Dead. The episode was influenced by several works: a little bit Indiana Jones, a little bit Flight of the Phoenix, a little bit Pitch Black, and sixties' films such as Charade and Topkapi, which included Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn being witty and sophisticated together, and then running for their lives. Michelle Ryan (late of the Bionic Woman) is bright, perky and evanescent as Lady Christina de Souza, a totally British cross between tomb raider Lara Croft and Harry Potter's Hermione Granger. Headstrong and willing to dive headlong into any situation, Christina is,ironically, the perfect companion for the expiring and suddenly companion-adverse Doctor. Her cat burglar's kit bag was a perfect match for the Doctor's all-purpose sonic screw driver. Also, British stand-up comedian Lee Evans is a hoot as the Doctor obsessive Professor Malcolm Taylor. To beat my personal drum, let me give shout-outs to Noma Kumezweni as the pragmatic and by-the-book Unified Intelligence Task (UNIT) force leader, Capt. Erisa Magambo, Daniel Kuluuya (as Barclay) and Reginald Tsiboe (as Lou). As people in their fifth decade drop dead all around me, I am pleased to have lived long enough to see names like Kumezweni, Kuluuya and Tsiboe in the credits of an episodic television program, albeit a British one. Planet of the Dead is supposed to be the last time the Doctor gets to have any fun. If so, I enjoyed the ride. ~rave! http://twitter.com/ravenadal http://blackplush.blogspot.com http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQdwk8Yntds
Re: [scifinoir2] Google's Cool DC Comics Logo
I intend to check it out, if I ever get a chance to make it into town. -[ Received Mail Content ]-- Subject : Re: [scifinoir2] Google's Cool DC Comics Logo Date : Mon, 27 Jul 2009 14:26:05 -0700 (PDT) From : Augustus Augustus jazzynupe_...@yahoo.com To : scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com just picked up the newest GL book, 'Blackest Night' it is the newest mini-series starring the entire GL Corps..not just the greens, but the blacks, blues, reds, and yellows. book 1 was pretty good. waiting on book 2 now. Fate. --- On Mon, 7/27/09, Keith Johnson wrote: From: Keith Johnson Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Google's Cool DC Comics Logo To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Date: Monday, July 27, 2009, 4:23 PM interesting interpretation of Hal Jordan that makes him sound more nuanced than in days of old. I confess that, since I was never a GL fan, I haven't read the books in years. My only real time of reading GL was back when Hal was more of a straight out whitebread hero. I didn't catch the whole fall from grace, when he turned nuts and killed his GL fellows, and only sporadically followed the saga after that, when he became a cosmic being, redeemed himself, and finally regained humanity. A hint of what you're talking about can be found in one book I read where Batman was giving the recently returned Hal a problem. Hal was having none of Bat's judgemental nature, was more irritated than intimidated, and ultimately ending up slugging Batman. The other Leaguers were impressed that Hal had the nerve to do that, and that he was able to catch Batman unawares. - Original Message - From: Omari Confer To: scifino...@yahoogro ups.com Sent: Monday, July 27, 2009 12:29:36 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Google's Cool DC Comics Logo I think John Stewart in the cartoon is representing all GL in the cartoons; thus he is part Hal part Kyleno Guy thank god. I accept John's role in the GL panthenon due to the fact that he might be the second best Lantern ever...Kyle might have him beat. Keith, I honestly think that having a JLA without Hal Jordan is wrong.He is basically a suicidal fighter pilot given ultimate power, and he let it drive him insane. This alone makes him the perfect hero- Sacrificial and flawed. Maybe not the perfect DC hero (because he has flaws) but the perfect Marvel hero. c w m On Sun, Jul 26, 2009 at 10:52 PM, Keith Johnson wrote: Good luck. In the comics, at least, it appears Hal Jordan is the pre-eminent Lantern once again. I read the first issue of this Black Lantern saga, and there's a scene where Hal appears in the rebuilt Coast Ciy, flanked by John Stewart, Kyle Rayner, and Guy Gardner. Hal called them his wingmen. And, never having been a faithful GL fan, i am struck by how much less tough and commanding John Stewart seems to be in the comic, compared to his portrayal in the Justice League cartoons. And that's saying something, since the cartoon GL had an extremely limited pallet of constructs he made with the Ring. - Original Message - From: Mike Street To: scifino...@yahoogro ups.com Sent: Friday, July 24, 2009 8:17:05 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Google's Cool DC Comics Logo I know I know...they could have thrown John Stewart up in there. On Fri, Jul 24, 2009 at 8:08 AM, Augustus Augustus wrote: Mike, where are the Black Superheroes? Fate. --- On Fri, 7/24/09, Mike Street wrote: From: Mike Street Subject: [scifinoir2] Google's Cool DC Comics Logo To: scifino...@yahoogro ups.com Date: Friday, July 24, 2009, 8:03 AM Check outs Google's logo today. Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, and Batman designed by Jim Lee. -- Get Social: Facebook: http://facebook. com/greasyguide http://facebook. com/mikestreet Twitter: http://www.twitter. com/streetforce1 My Sites: Now72.com - GreasyGuide. com - HarlemFoodie. com -- Get Social: Facebook: http://facebook. com/greasyguide http://facebook. com/mikestreet Twitter: http://www.twitter. com/streetforce1 My Sites: Now72.com - GreasyGuide. com - HarlemFoodie. com -- clockworkman blog http://centralheati ngblog.blogspot. com STRING THEORY http://www.stringth eory.mypodcast. com Netflix Friends http://www.netflix. com/BeMyFriend/ P5Vr384ukvNnY78x UJOT http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQdwk8Yntds
[scifinoir2] The Affair
I ended up with an older woman at a club last night She looked pretty good for a 60 year old, in fact, she wasn't too bad at all! I found myself thinking she probably had a really hot daughter. We drank a bit (well more than a bit), we had a snuggle, and she asked me If I had ever had a 'sportsman's double'? What's that I asked? It's a mother and daughter 3some said replied. Oh, I said as my mind began 2 race and embrace the idea, No I haven't as I started 2 wonder what this daughter of her's may look like. We drank a little more, then she says with a wink, Tonight's your lucky night as we went back to her place. We walked in, and she turned on the hall light. She went to the base of the stairs and yelled up stairs, Mom, you still awake? Fate.
Re: [scifinoir2] Google's Cool DC Comics Logo
I picked it up too. Interesting, and I must say I at least like the idea of a new GL storyline that I haven't heard of before. And with all the other crazy colors of ring magick over the years, at least the idea of the nullifying/anti-life black magick makes a kind of sense. - Original Message - From: Augustus Augustus jazzynupe_...@yahoo.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, July 27, 2009 5:26:05 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Google's Cool DC Comics Logo just picked up the newest GL book, 'Blackest Night' it is the newest mini-series starring the entire GL Corps..not just the greens, but the blacks, blues, reds, and yellows. book 1 was pretty good. waiting on book 2 now. Fate. --- On Mon, 7/27/09, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.net wrote: From: Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.net Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Google's Cool DC Comics Logo To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Date: Monday, July 27, 2009, 4:23 PM interesting interpretation of Hal Jordan that makes him sound more nuanced than in days of old. I confess that, since I was never a GL fan, I haven't read the books in years. My only real time of reading GL was back when Hal was more of a straight out whitebread hero. I didn't catch the whole fall from grace, when he turned nuts and killed his GL fellows, and only sporadically followed the saga after that, when he became a cosmic being, redeemed himself, and finally regained humanity. A hint of what you're talking about can be found in one book I read where Batman was giving the recently returned Hal a problem. Hal was having none of Bat's judgemental nature, was more irritated than intimidated, and ultimately ending up slugging Batman. The other Leaguers were impressed that Hal had the nerve to do that, and that he was able to catch Batman unawares. - Original Message - From: Omari Confer clockworkman@ gmail.com To: scifino...@yahoogro ups.com Sent: Monday, July 27, 2009 12:29:36 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Google's Cool DC Comics Logo I think John Stewart in the cartoon is representing all GL in the cartoons; thus he is part Hal part Kyleno Guy thank god. I accept John's role in the GL panthenon due to the fact that he might be the second best Lantern ever...Kyle might have him beat. Keith, I honestly think that having a JLA without Hal Jordan is wrong.He is basically a suicidal fighter pilot given ultimate power, and he let it drive him insane. This alone makes him the perfect hero- Sacrificial and flawed. Maybe not the perfect DC hero (because he has flaws) but the perfect Marvel hero. c w m On Sun, Jul 26, 2009 at 10:52 PM, Keith Johnson KeithBJohnson@ comcast.net wrote: Good luck. In the comics, at least, it appears Hal Jordan is the pre-eminent Lantern once again. I read the first issue of this Black Lantern saga, and there's a scene where Hal appears in the rebuilt Coast Ciy, flanked by John Stewart, Kyle Rayner, and Guy Gardner. Hal called them his wingmen. And, never having been a faithful GL fan, i am struck by how much less tough and commanding John Stewart seems to be in the comic, compared to his portrayal in the Justice League cartoons. And that's saying something, since the cartoon GL had an extremely limited pallet of constructs he made with the Ring. - Original Message - From: Mike Street streetforce1@ gmail.com To: scifino...@yahoogro ups.com Sent: Friday, July 24, 2009 8:17:05 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Google's Cool DC Comics Logo I know I know...they could have thrown John Stewart up in there. On Fri, Jul 24, 2009 at 8:08 AM, Augustus Augustus jazzynupe_007@ yahoo.com wrote: Mike, where are the Black Superheroes? Fate. --- On Fri, 7/24/09, Mike Street streetforce1@ gmail.com wrote: From: Mike Street streetforce1@ gmail.com Subject: [scifinoir2] Google's Cool DC Comics Logo To: scifino...@yahoogro ups.com Date: Friday, July 24, 2009, 8:03 AM Check outs Google's logo today. Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, and Batman designed by Jim Lee. -- Get Social: Facebook: http://facebook. com/greasyguide http://facebook. com/mikestreet Twitter: http://www.twitter. com/streetforce1 My Sites: Now72.com - GreasyGuide. com - HarlemFoodie. com -- Get Social: Facebook: http://facebook. com/greasyguide http://facebook. com/mikestreet Twitter: http://www.twitter. com/streetforce1 My Sites: Now72.com - GreasyGuide. com - HarlemFoodie. com -- clockworkman blog http://centralheati ngblog.blogspot. com STRING THEORY http://www.stringth eory.mypodcast. com Netflix Friends http://www.netflix. com/BeMyFriend/ P5Vr384ukvNnY78x UJOT
[scifinoir2] EA blasted over questionable marketing stunt
http://videogames.yahoo.com/events/plugged-in/ea-blasted-over-questionable-marketing-stunt/1338121 EA blasted over questionable marketing stunt by Ben Silverman Buzz up! July 24 6:15 P.M. Comic Con Games maker EA has incited a wave of backlash over the latest marketing ploy for their upcoming action game, Dante's Inferno. In an effort to promote the title at last week's San Diego Comic-Con event, EA decided to run a contest asking showgoers to commit acts of lust with any models working at the convention's myriad booths. They were then instructed to submit photos via social networking sites like Twitter or Facebook. The winner would receive dinner and a sinful night with two hot girls, a limo service, paparazzi and a chest full of booty, while five runners-up would have to make do with a copy of the game, a $240 gift card and assorted game merchandise. Of course, EA gave themselves an out, noting on the official rules page that ...judges reserve the right, in their sole and absolute discretion, to disqualify any Submissions that are inappropriate for any reason, including without limitation, for depicting or mentioning sex, violence, drugs, alcohol and/or inappropriate language. In other words, don't get crazy while you commit your acts of lust. Unfortunately for EA, the gaming community hasn’t responded well. Twitter posts about the marketing effort have been largely negative; tweets to #EAfail have spiked, with many accusing the company of being tasteless, immature and sexist. In turn, those responsible have issued a respectful if unapologetic tweet right back: 'Commit acts of lust' is simply a tongue-in-cheek way to say take pictures with costumed reps, it reads. Also, a ‘Night of Lust’ means only that the winner will receive a chaperoned VIP night on the town with the Dante's Inferno reps, all expenses paid, as well as other prizes. It's just the latest EA marketing stunt to go awry. Back in April, the company got in hot water for sending journalists illegal brass knuckles to promote their game based on The Godfather II. And at the E3 trade show in early June, EA angered Christian groups after making waves with a viral marketing campaign for -- you guessed it -- Dante's Inferno, this time featuring fake protesters. Dante himself never had this much trouble.
[scifinoir2] Re: Black officer at scholar's home supports arrest
I see that the Blue community is still covering for each other. --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, Tracey de Morsella tdli...@... wrote: I read the police report on smoking gun and was left with many questions. But one that stands out is this. The police office said that he asked Gates to step out of the house because he could not here over his yelling. So, could he hear him over the yelling any better outside, or was it the only way he would have been legitimately able to arrest him on the ground of making a disturbance in public? I think the whole purpose of asking him to step outside was to trick him into being legitimately arrested. From: Albert Fields [mailto:cbilmarket...@...] Sent: Monday, July 27, 2009 4:28 PM To: Keith Johnson; kalpub...@... Cc: ravena...@...; beta...@...; williamsf...@...; sonofafieldne...@...; wendellsmit...@...; valeryjea...@...; rs...@...; michael v w gordon; mmb1...@...; truthseeker...@...; logic1...@...; seriousnup...@...; imke...@...; killa...@...; fis...@...; duva...@...; dorothyh...@...; afrikanm...@...; dar...@...; tdemorse...@...; bettil...@...; jeffreypbal...@...; cinque3...@...; everything...@... Subject: Re: Black officer at scholar's home supports arrest Keith I think you have given a good example for what happens (and not even in a drug zone but in any zone) of what has happened to many of us that have been profiled. There is no recourse for it and the biggest lie told today is YOUR PLATES WERE REPORTED.. Yeah, right. lies and alibis. albert El mundo es tuyo _ From: Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@... To: kalpub...@... Cc: ravena...@...; beta...@...; williamsf...@...; sonofafieldne...@...; wendellsmit...@...; valeryjea...@...; rs...@...; michael v w gordon michael.v.w.gor...@...; mmb1...@...; truthseeker...@...; logic1...@...; seriousnup...@...; imke...@...; killa...@...; fis...@...; duva...@...; dorothyh...@...; afrikanm...@...; dar...@...; tdemorse...@...; bettil...@...; jeffreypbal...@...; cinque3...@...; everything...@...; cbilmarket...@... Sent: Saturday, July 25, 2009 5:47:33 AM Subject: Re: Black officer at scholar's home supports arrest Like my wife said today, sometimes the brotherhood of the badge supercedes even race. A couple of my worst encounters with law enforcement have come at the hands of black officers. And no: I'm not saying all cops are bad. Far from it. I just know that some have the attitude of we're the law, you do what we say and shut up. Two years ago, while in Dallas visiting family, my wife and I were pulled over by a cop while returning to her mom's with a carload of burgers and shakes for the family. It was a Friday night, and I was extremely curious why we were pulled over. We were driving through a well-known drug dealing corridor, but here we were, a man and woman, driving a rented Toyota Corolla--hardly the picture of criminals. I was extremely upset and asked the officer why he pulled me officer. The officer (who was white), refused to answer, just giving me the rote license and registration, please. I started complaining about how my wife and I could possibly fit any profile, how I could (literally) see suspicious characters doing their deals across the street while i was being accosted, and how I could see white folk driving into the area to buy drugs, but not be harassed. I was very upset, didn't raise my voice, but voiced my anger. I kept going until seeing his partner walk up to my wife's side of the car, with his hand on his gun. He was black, by the way. I toned it then, but was still upset. Once done, the white cop thanked me and then said that the plates on our rental had been reported as belonging to a stolen car, but they confirmed the error.. I did ask, How would you have known there was even such a report unless you ran my plates? and I go back to asking, why did you feel a need to run my plates in the first place? He just ignored me, told us to have a nice, safe evening, and drove off. My point here is threefold. One, i feel that simply because I was a black man in that area, they decided to run my plates. Despite the fact I had a woman in the car and wasn't acting suspiciously, that was enough for them. So racial profiling, welcome. Two, there was a black cop involved, and he was the one with his hand on a gun--on my wife's side of the car. So much for the racial solidarity. And third, to his credit, the white cop ignored my anger. He could have said shut up, could have threatened to take me in, could have made me get out of my car and sit in his (a racist white Austin cop did that to me once). But no, he let me rant, stayed cool and professional, and then let me go. i did *not* like what he did to me, but i will at least acknowledge that he let me express my anger without making an issue of that. I took that as being equal
