Seis Manos

Posted on October 22, 2019 by Steve

We’re at 20 days before Disney+ tries to grab the streaming service crown off Netflix’s head and I have to say, it might be harder than the Mouse thinks. Seis Manos is a great example of how the reigning champ might defend its title…by rolling the dice on more daring programming than Disney’s safer properties.

When it comes to Anime, I’m really indifferent. I was a huge fan as a kid/teen/college student but there wasn’t much available in the States and what little we did receive tended to be the stronger titles. Thanks to cable, streaming, the Internet, DVDs, etc…we are flooded with a ton more and honestly, not everything the Japanese produce is worth the electrons on my TV.

I do think the partnerships Netflix and others shepherd do make better shows as per this. You get the style and action the Japanese are known for with the more cohesive narrative a Western audience will understand without heavy editing; trust me, as much as I love Starblazers (aka Space Battleship Yamato), they’re practically two different shows after translation and modifications for cultural expectations.

I’ve digressed long enough…

Seis is an awesome hybridization of the Shaw Brothers (major Kung Fu film makers) and Robert Rodriguez (Dusk Til Dawn, el Mariachi) but animated and set in the Seventies. It’s a tale featuring three Mexican orphans avenging their adopted Chinese father/sensei while discovering some freaky secrets he kept from them. An American agent, a fortune teller and a Mexican constable join the fight in helping the orphans take down the main villain (Danny Trejo!), a local drug lord backed by his witch mother.

I highly recommend Seis if you love all the elements the show combines. There were a few surprises too: other enemies of enemies, the mixing of different cultures’ magic/myths and it ends on a cliffhanger. I think Netflix will be bring this back for a second season and they must get Bruce Campbell to do a voice!

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It Chapter Two: Worth Seeing

Posted on October 21, 2019 by Steve

Horror movie number three for October, the conclusion to Stephen King’s rather long It which got updated. If you forgot, the original story took place in the Fifties and concludes in the Eighties. In this take, the first part was in the Eighties and the story wraps up close the present time (for those reading this in the future, around 2017-19).

Again, we all know how the story goes thanks to King fans complaining about every adaptation made and ABC’s mini-series attempt in the early Nineties.

I did like how there were flashbacks to the past to fill in the gaps on what happened after the protagonists’ memorable Summer. The kid actors were pretty impressive given the material and how they had to grow up quickly in order to confront a monster. The adult versions were alright as half of them were just older dysfunctional versions. It was sad to see how the only female character fell into the same pattern of abuse by replacing her awful dad with a horrendous (yet wealthy) husband.

Here’s what I was bummed over. The sequel didn’t scare me much or get my heart racing as the first did. Am I numb to this? Or did the director dial it back? Who knows. Chapter Two felt too long. I found myself thinking, OK, I get it, we found the monster’s weakness, we know who loves whom, etc. End the movie already!

Still, I found Chapter Two to be a good film and a solid book end to what It started. With a little editing, this could be re-shown over two evenings on cable. The Hobbit proved how three parts was too much. Both don’t have enough material to justify a third act.

Alamo Extras: Bosko cartoon; a clown (Kracko) plugging cereal; some snippet of Spanish TV with a clown; a Japanese version of Candid Camera showing people being chased by killer clowns in a parking garage (pretty funny given how calm their society is); trailer for Blood Harvest and It, the Terror Beyond Outer Space; a Leo Sayer video (another under appreciated singer from the Seventies); a terrible clown/mime thing; Mini Bio about Stephen King; some Musov Shoko thing called “Clowns,” which is a toy going to a song I think; Stephen King plugging your local library; a History of Pennywise; and a clown montage.

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My rebuttal to a Trumpkin’s idiocy

Posted on October 20, 2019 by Steve

An asshole’s bumper sticker demonstrating bully worship.

To those who lament the “death of civility” in our era, they can stick it and they’re pretty ignorant about America’s past. Matters were much, much worse before the Civil War. South Carolina still worships the congressman responsible for putting a Massachusetts senator into the hospital via a physical beating.

So when I saw this asinine bumper sticker, I couldn’t resist leaving a response in light of all the evidence regarding Orange Foolius. No one died. No violence occurred because the owner was still at the game. Even if they were in front of me, I’d remind the dumbass that he supports a Russian dupe, making him a dupe.

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There’s a starrrrrrrr girl…

Posted on October 19, 2019 by Steve

…waiting in the sky!
She’d like to come and meet us
But she thinks she’d blow our minds

My little friend Robin there sporting the cool LEGO spaceman logo shirt I scored from the last Brick Fiesta in Austin. The original recipient was supposed to be her younger brother Aaron but I suck at picking out children’s clothing. The dude isn’t big enough yet it fits his big sister perfectly. When Aaron gets old enough, he can wear it. Don’t let a cool shirt go to waste and we all know, little kids are always growing so I know it’s not long for Robin.

Originally slated for : October 19, 2019 – 8:49 CDT

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RIP Bill Macy

Posted on October 18, 2019 by Steve

This “William” Macy hit the scene with roles years before William H Macy but I never recalled him until Maude in which he played the titled character’s husband. After the controversial SitCom (it covered abortion for starters, quite the third rail in the Seventies), I often saw him in small parts in movies I loved: The Jerk (the guy who patented Navin’s opti-grab glasses solution) and the head writer for King Kaiser in My Favorite Year. Bill was often funny as the temperamental, high-strung guy prone to outbursts.

Thanks for the bit parts you did Bill. It’s people like you who help make the stars funnier and better.

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1974: Ford explains why he pardoned Tricky Dick to Congress

Posted on October 17, 2019 by Steve

Despite the Mueller Report being spun as vindication for Orange Foolius (it isn’t, it’s pretty damning), a POTUS who is proving to be worse than Dubious (and should retain this moniker) can’t stop being the dumb asshole he’s been since birth. I think it will lead to impeachment as it should. Using Ukraine to find dirt on a possible political rival is a tin-pot dictator move from the Third World, this is unacceptable. He’s also surrounded by notorious shitbags who all deserve to be in prison.

Meanwhile, 45 years ago, a different shitbag escaped justice thanks to the clumsiest man to ever reside in the White House. On this day he defended his corrupt decision.

In short, Ford claimed that he wanted to spare America from the trial and all the negative things which would follow. Other experts say the POTUS nobody elected (soon to be one of many Republicans), didn’t want his presidency overshadowed by such an event. Ford wanted to be the center of attention. Some think this pardoning cost him the 1976 election. I have my doubts. St. Reagan wounded him in the primaries leading up to the convention, Ford wasn’t ‘conservative enough’ (code for racist, classist, sexist and cruel) and if this truly mattered to the electorate, Carter should’ve beaten him easily. Nope. The 1976 race would be the closest until the 2000 Restoration selection by SCOTUS.

Ford’s presidency was a short-lived mess too. He was his own worst enemy, namely his strategy for inflation. It went like this, “Everybody, stop spending! That will keep prices level!” Ummm. No. People have to spend to keep the economy moving or else you get a recession. 

To circle back on the pardon. I’m with the theory involving Tricky Dick going through the GOP leadership position by position, working his way down until he got someone willing to risk their future; more prominent Republicans knew there’d be a quid pro quo. Think about it, before he was veep, Ford was the House Minority Whip, not a powerful gig given the Democratic majority would continue for another two decades. Name one member of the House who went straight to the White House in the Twentieth Century too? None. Orange Foolius may have to do the same as Cotton Pence will be going down with him.

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New temporary assignment at work

Posted on October 15, 2019 by Steve

Recently, I got told I would be loaned to another department to help out and it’s something I’m actually looking forward to. I can’t remember if it will last three or six months. Either way, it’s pretty exciting because it involves newer things to expand my skills. Is it a secret? Not exactly. It probably just isn’t very interesting to discuss through my Web site. If you want to know, you can ask me in person, otherwise, you may have dodge a rather boring read.

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Child’s Play (2019): Disappointment

Posted on October 14, 2019 by Steve

Horror movie number two for October and on schedule since Midsommar should’ve been written/posted before or during the weekend.

I saw the original Child’s Play on cable while I was home from university (1989). I thought it was OK then because I wasn’t into Slasher movies but it presented a new twist on the tired Jason-dominated theme: a Cabbage Patch-like doll possessed by the spirit of an unrepentant killer. Obviously it was successful for it spawned over five sequels and its star Chuckie had a cameo in this Spring’s horrendous Ready Player One.

When I read about Mark Hamill taking over as Chuckie’s voice, I was curious. When I saw the trailer, showing how the doll had been upgraded to join what’s known as “The Internet of Things,” aka thermostats, appliances, TVs, etc; I was sold. I figured, this is a new twist, Chuckie can now create mayhem through his BlueTooth or WiFi connectivity and given he is really a horrible person, some creative murders.

NOPE.

Instead, Chuckie is just a doll you set up like an Apple TV and it murders people in order to protect the child it first imprinted on. Ergo, this Chuckie isn’t evil, it’s another piece of tech gone amuck through human error; taking a child’s statements literally when the poor kid is angry at his mother’s married boyfriend.

Do people get killed creatively? Slightly. A driverless car, which has happened in real life, and drones, again, this isn’t new, especially in America’s endless conflicts. But I’m not aware of any remote controlled snow blowers/wood chippers or thermostats capable of cranking water to any temperature higher than 45° C.

It’s a pity to see Mark Hamill and Aubrey Plaza’s talents wasted on a disappointing attempt to update the terror Chuckie could bring. Maybe next time they’ll do a soft reboot by continuing with the original psychopathic nature while combining Chuckie’s new ability to mess up his victim’s iPhone!

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Raven (maybe) using the building acoustics to warn others?

Posted on October 13, 2019 by Steve

Heard this weird cawing on my way into the gym. Thankfully, I got a repeat instead of the bird clamming up like animals often do when they know they’re being recorded!

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RIP Robert Forster

Posted on October 12, 2019 by Steve

A shame to see Robert go but at least the last 22 years of his career were amazing after spending the previous 18 or so in the movie-making ghetto (direct-to-video, craptacular horror stuff, etc.). Giving underrated actors a second act is one of the few good things Quentin Tarantino does with his cliche-ridden flicks.

Robert did go out on a good note. Last night was the world premiere of El Camino which was the sequel or epilog to Breaking Bad, letting us know what happened to the beloved Jesse Pinkman. It’s not a spoiler to say Robert returned as the vacuum-cleaner repairman who operates the private disappearance/new identity service. His character was still alive when Walter met his Macbeth-esque end.

Before Jackie Brown though, I only remembered him as Captain Dallas from The Black Hole which I think was his last good role until QT cast him as Max Cherry. However, the gang at MST3K recently riffed Avalanche in which Robert was the scientist-like character warning Rock Hudson about the danger coming thanks to clear cutting the mountain’s forrest for Rock’s ski resort. While he did this, his hero seduced Mia Farrow.

Thanks for everything Robert. The Black Hole remains a favorite to this day, even though we seem to know more about the real stellar objects and I’m glad you were rescued from obscurity. Your acting in Jackie Brown was so amazing! I remember genuinely hoping throughout the movie’s second half that QT would surprise me and not have Samuel L. Jackson kill Max; altruistic people often die in Elmore Leonard stories.

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Behind on timeliness…again

Posted on October 11, 2019 by Steve

Profuse apologies again. I got sidetracked by life, the divorce and just general fatigue. Now I’m beating down another cold thanks to the temperature plummeting 10° C (2o° F) over last weekend. Thus, I contract a sore throat and fever. No luck on beating back the congestion and allergies everyone in Austin fights. If I can avoid missing out on the cool things I have planned and work, I’m winning!

The Ric Ocasek obituary I wanted to complete was another bottleneck on my thoughts. His music and band were a huge part of my upbringing so I wanted to do the story justice. My brother wrote something pretty good too for he was the bigger fan.

So get ready for another tidal of wave involving stories from September while I push forward, celebrating my favorite writing month, October! More on what makes it special later or would that be paster?

I thank you all for hanging in there and start using an RSS Feed application on your damned phones. Then you’ll never be behind! Trust me, I’m getting all the condolences on the divorce lately.

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My avatar met avatar Gritty! Hockey season is in full swing!

Posted on October 10, 2019 by Steve

Thank you Citizen Brick, a customized LEGO minifigure and accessory site based in Chicago for creating the Gritty toy!

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It’s Pizza Time!

Posted on October 9, 2019 by Steve

A cute chalk drawing at the Domino’s Pizza near my house.

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RIP: Rip Taylor

Posted on October 8, 2019 by Steve

Thankfully Rip was appreciated again before he passed, namely his appearance on Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. He had a few laughs this year as people mistakenly thought he died when Rip Torn did.

Regardless of the decade, I loved watching him. Unlike other prop comics (Gallagher, Carrot Top), Rip was genuinely funny alongside his trademark confetti throwing. He was hilariously self-effacing too. He’d pull his toupee off to make a funny situation funnier be it John Oliver, Password or the Jerry Lewis telethon.

My favorite joke involving him was a Paul Provenza short in which certain tough realities were hitting his sidekick. The best one was…hard reality, the world doesn’t revolve around you…followed by, even worse reality…Rip Taylor revolves around you! There he was, circling the sidekick, throwing that confetti!

Thanks for everything Rip Taylor! Whenever you were on The Mike Douglas Show or The Tonight Show, you brought something for us Seventies kids to laugh at while the adults watched. I’m also glad, the comedians of my era helped bring you back to attention alongside Don Rickles. I have a feeling in person, you were a very sweet person who loved to bring people joy.

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RIP: Ginger Baker

Posted on October 7, 2019 by Steve

I may be rather critical of Classic Rock and its icons but Ginger Baker is one of the few who ever received my wrath. Without his incredible drumming skills, Cream wouldn’t have been as impressive and thus, launched that racist asshole Eric Clapton’s overrated career (he’s a proud member of UKip, yet lives in the States, fancy that).

Ginger went on to play in numerous genres besides Rock. Hawkwind (Space Rock) and PiL (with Johnny Rotten!) plus he had a great interest in African music. Unlike Eric, he never coasted on his past accomplishments and continued to learn, reinvent. He wasn’t a saint neither but at least Ginger wasn’t lazy musically.

Thanks for all the great solos and work, especially on “Rise” from PiL’s Album.

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