Due to hitting the busy season at work, I basically took a week off from reviewing. With the Thanksgiving holiday, I’ve had a chance to catch up a bit. As usual, these are mini/”capsule” reviews of books I picked up but am not writing out a full review for. This post is double-sized due to covering TWO weeks’ worth of books.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Color Special #1
This issue’s a real treat. For the same price as a black-and-white issue of Tales of the TMNT, the issue is full-color. Best of all, it’s the classic #1 issue, now in color for the first time as a comic. (It’s been colorized at least once before, in the First graphic novel Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Book I). The coloring looks quite natural, and it would have been awesome to see the original series re-issued in color…or at least, the first ten issues, the one-shots for each turtle, and Return to New York. For that matter, City at War as well. As-is, at the very least, this is a nice version of #1 to add to one’s collection without breaking the bank. Highly recommended for any TMNT fan, or anyone curious as to how the turtles’ story got started.

Deadpool: Merc With a Mouth #5
This issue continues the story of Deadpool, Zombie-head Deadpool and Dr. Betty facing Hydra agents trying to kill them to get the head themselves. A bit of cheesecake art to the issue, but that can be overlooked for an excellent scene in which Deadpool and Bill (not Bob–he insists he’s Bill, though Deadpool can’t seem to really tell the difference from his old buddy) have an exchange over the Star Wars series of movies. Suffice to say that reading this, one knows exactly where Deadpool stands regarding the trilogies. Overall another fun issue. I’m pretty sure the story wraps with issue 6, so at this point if you aren’t already following the book or able to get the first few issues, you’re probably just as well to wait for a collected edition. The story so far definitely seems well worthwhile for Deadpool fans, whichever way the story’s read.

Supergirl #47
This issue provides a good deal of backstory to Alura, and her courtship by Zor-El. We also see the character FINALLY acting out of real motivation that can be understood, instead of just coming off as a near-villainous witch of a character. Reactron is put on trial, and Alura is determined that he will be tried justly and not simply killed out of vengeance-seeking. Unfortunately, her fellow New Kryptonians don’t all share the sentiment, leading to some interesting character development. Though Supergirl is present in these pages, this is very much Alura’s story, with her daughter playing a minor role. The end of the issue has an interesting (in a way) revelation that does seem par for the course. Not a bad issue, but not wonderful. If you’re already following the title and/or the over-arching story in the Super-books, this’ll be just fine. It’s not really an issue to entice new readers, I don’t think. Not sure if it’s significant or just an oversight on someone’s part, but the cover lacks the “World Against Superman” banner the titles have been carrying lately, though this retains the red-shield numbering begun with August’s Codename: Patriot arc.

Flash: Rebirth #5
I’m pretty sure this started out as a 5-issue mini-series…I recall it seeming slightly “off” as I recalled Green Lantern: Rebirth being 6, and thinking the two ought to be pretty much the same length. This issue sees all the various speedsters team up, as well as a development that presumably “solves” whatever issue it was Wally’s kids were having with their powers…and we seem to have a new Impulse (given Bart gave up the identity to become Kid Flash back in 2003). This continues the “legacy” aspect of the Flash line. There’s a revelation that affects Barry’s past…as well as a very specific threat to his past. This is a sorta interesting issue, but on the whole, continues to be more “miss” than “hit” for me. GL: Rebirth dispelled my unease toward returning a long-dead character to an old status quo and really set up a great new status quo that worked everyone into the mix. This Flash: Rebirth has not at all sold me on any “WHY” Barry needs to be back, and simply puts things logically into place to ALLOW for the character being back, and incorporating pretty much everything else involving the Flash family of characters. Recommended if you’ve already invested in the first 4 issues of the series.

Uncle Scrooge #385
It’s great to be able to pick up this series now. I’d bought maybe 3 issues several years ago while it was being put out by Gemstone, but simply could not justify the $8 per issue, even if it was squarebound and double-ish-sized. This issue is fairly low-key, picking up from the previous issue. Scrooge, Donald, and the nephews continue to deal with Magica as she tries for Scrooge’s Number One Dime. Once things are wrapped up at the mine, Scrooge & Co. wind up looking for sunken treasure, and dealing with Magica AND the Beagle Boys. While not the greatest of comics, this is still a good, fun issue, and well worth getting if you’ve any interest in these characters.

Archie #603
The “Wedding Story” has taken a twist I didn’t expect: rather than being a 6-part exploration of Archie marrying Veronica, after 3 issues of that the story has switched to give us the story of what would happen if Archie married Betty instead. I’m really enjoying this “longform” story that not only takes more than a page to tell, but multiple issues. I’ve picked up the occasional Archie book through the years…but with stories like this, I might just stick around on a monthly basis.

Superman #694
This issue sees Mon-El’s “official” return to action as he re-reveals himself to the people who’ve thought him dead for awhile. This also debuts the “new” costume…which honestly seems a non-issue to me, despite the big deal being made of it. On the whole, it looks to me like the only difference is that Mon-El is now sporting a small “S-shield,” as he’s holding Superman’s place…and Blue shorts to contrast with the red costume (sort of a reverse-Superman color scheme). Probably the best part of the issue is the interaction with Connor and Ma, showing that Mon has a place within the Superman family of characters.

Image United #1
I have mixed feelings on this book. For one thing, something of this scale ought to have a huge multi-panel fold-out cover, such that all the primary characters are spotlighted…instead of one having to choose one of six segments of the picture as the cover to purchase. I chose the Savage Dragon segment, that character long being one of my favorite characters that I rarely read, though the Spawn cover was cool, too. The “jam session” of having each character’s creator doing that character’s visuals is a very cool thing, and a different take on doing a crossover project. The story itself seems to be a slow build and full of little but action (presumably to show off the blending of the different art styles). Being familiar with these characters for the past 16-17 years, the blended style worked well, and nothing really seemed all that jarring. Since this will surely be collected into a single volume eventually and my proclivity toward this type of variant/alternate covers…I’ll probably pass on the subsequent issues and snag the collected volume when that comes out, if I still have enough interest.

Son of Marvel Reading Chronology
This is one of those freebies that Marvel puts out on occasion, to try to hook one on buying more product. While I prefer the “Saga” issues (they’re free, and take far, far longer to read than any other single comics, and fill me in on stuff so I know what’s up overall without having to keep up on Marvel’s output in general), this guide is rather informative, showing what volumes are out there, in-print…and what they collect. As well as, of course, the order to read them for a chronological reading experience in-continuity. If nothing else, this has informed me that there are currently 10 hardcovers collecting Ultimate Spider-Man, so I know there are only 5 left that I want to try to track down. This is definitely a worthwhile guide if you can find it and not have to pay for it…or at least, please don’t pay much for it, as It is SUPPOSED to be FREE.

Escrito por Michael Uslan, Lápices de Stan Goldberg, Tintas a cargo de Bob Smith, Colores por Glenn Whitmore, Publicado por Archie Comics.

Como ya sabíamos al leer el final del número anterior de Archie, en Archie #603 comenzaba la miniserie de tres partes donde veríamos el “otro” futuro alterno, su boda con Betty. Y quedé (de nuevo) bastante decepcionado. Y no es porque el cómic sea malo, porque no lo es, sino que me dejó confundido y a continuación explico las razones.

No es secreto (creo que lo he dicho antes) que, yo prefería por mucho que Archie se case con Betty que con Veronica. Por esta razón, esperaba con gran anticipación esta historia y EL momento cuando Archie le pediría su mano a Betty. Sin embargo, por cómo se desarrollaron las primeras tres partes de la historia, ya de antemano sabía, que la situación de la pobreza de Betty iba a ser un factor tocado de manera salvaje por Michael Uslan… y por desgracia, no me equivoqué (y fervientemente espero que Uslan cambie el rumbo del barco ¡ahora!).

En este número ocurren cosas bastantes distintas a el #600. Porque, a pesar de que Archie (al principio de la historia) sale confundido a “revivir” su graduación de la Universidad, al menos a mi, me dió la impresión de que el tiene pleno conocimiento de su “futuro” anterior (con Veronica), eso se me hizo totalmente injusto, porque cuando Veronica no quiere hablar con Archie, dá la impresión de que él quiere pedirle su mano, y cuando Veronica dice que se ira a trabajar fuera de Riverdale, Archie se fija en Betty y le pide matrimonio. Personalmente, no sé si lo que yo creo es verdad o no, pero en una segunda leída, yo ya estaba “contaminado” y mi opinión fue la misma. Y precisamente, en la boda y la luna de miel es donde sale el tema del dinero, Archie y Betty son incapaces de costear una boda cara y con muchos invitados, así que optan por algo más “intimo” y, la luna de miel no será un paseo por el mundo, será en Riverdale. No sé, hasta donde va a llegar el tema del dinero en esta parte de la historia, pero espero que Uslan no abuse en ese tema.

Como en los capítulos anteriores, Stan Goldberg se luce en los lápices y hace un gran trabajo, constante y muy bien ejecutado. No hay mucho que decir en este tema que no haya dicho en las ocasiones anteriores.

Aunque el número fue divertido de leer, como dije arriba, mi primera impresión marcó mi lectura y por ende, la apreciasión del cómic. Sin embargo, el cómic es muy bueno, divertido y sobre todo original.

he is 0-0 and is 10 years old

.

Not much to report from this week’s omnibus, other than that there’s all sorts of romantic shenanigans going on:

the Osbornes

Now we rated this couple the moment they got hitched and so are very happy to report that Hannah and Darren are turning into something rather sweet: Hannah, all hair, eyes and borderline alcoholism is intent on preventing Darren from sliding into a yet another gambling flavoured disaster; whilst Darren is wooing his missus with unbranded loo roll, economy burgers and Jaws 4 on DVD (swoon) – and even turned down the chance of some illicit hate sex with Cindy! Cuter that a basket of kittens, we love them!

Jacqui and Des

Yeah, so Des is a bit annoying at times but we like the way he seems to have tamed Jacqui and her scally ways. Having said that, knowing Jacqui’s luck with men we give it a month before her new man has slept with/impregnated one (if not all) of her sisters. And her mum too.

Newt-Rae-Gaz

Scallified Newt’s tedious obsession with chav princess Rae has been given a certain triangular je ne sais quoi now that Gaz is also sniffing around. Its all very sullen and angsty. Meh.

Amy and Ste

The flighty 2×2 returned to the village and tried to make amends with her psycho chav-turned-burger entrepreneur ex boyf. Ste was having none of it. Aww.

Lydia and Charlotte

Our fave Myra Hindley lookalike, dismayed at the less than positive write up she got in Sarah’s diary, has managed to creep her way back into Charlotte’s good books (and other places). Run away Charlotte! Run awaaaaaay!

in other news

Archie sits around the village for an entire episode holding a twig

Click here for the latest news from the ASPCA, including companion animals catching swine flu and the Dog of the Year unexpectedly passing away. RIP, Archie.

I’m pleased to report I’ve finished a scarf for DH (aka my Patron of the Arts).  He chose the yarn color some time ago.  No surprise, it is Knit Picks Swish DK in Garnet Heather.  It looks very similar to the yarn he chose for his sweater last year. 

The pattern is called Toyboy Scarf, but I choose to call it Bob’s Cabled Scarf.  We’re both more than a few years past the Toyboy designation.

I was very pleased that even though we are both retired, and he is around my knitting all the time I was able to keep this one low-key enough to surprise him at the end.  I finally brought it to his attention when I had almost finished the fourth skein to get his approval on the length. ” One more cable twist, please” was the verdict. I had less than a yard left of the last skein when I finished the scarf.  Oh, there was more in the closet, but it certainly seemed a shame to have to add on more yarn in the closing rounds.  Didn’t have to go there – heh!

Yes, he is modeling his new scarf with a short-sleeved shirt.  It was about 70 degrees at 10 am when I took the picture.  Louisiana will be cold enough to enjoy wearing a scarf in another month or two…but I’m ready!

It’s time for an Archie update.  At his first vet assessment at the end of August he weighed 5 lb. 4 oz.  This week he weighs 11 lb., and has most of a year to grow!  He has calmed down just a bit, at least enough to enjoy his first kitty nap time in a lap. Here then, is photo evidence of “two white-footed gentlemen” enjoying a good read.

Hey Cazmos,

I just wanted to remind you that Toys for Tots is coming soon! Personally, I think it will rock. Tell me what you guys think!!

Hey Cazmos,

I just wanted to remind you that Toys for Tots is coming soon! Personally, I think it will rock. Tell me what you guys think!!

Hey Cazmonauts!

The Caz Rox Cafe was updated with a sign for the concerts and lots of pictures!

Gonna be a great time!! I can’t wait to see you all there.

Hey Cazmonauts!

The Caz Rox Cafe was updated with a sign for the concerts and lots of pictures!

Gonna be a great time!! I can’t wait to see you all there.

Getting a feel for this style guide. I think I’m finally getting it. The figures are getting looser and more animated.

Hmm.. it’s been a while since i last updated my blog, when first started i promised my self not to neglect it because i easily get distracted, once i stop updating even for a lil’ while, it’s easily for me to lose interest , so for the past weeks i’ve been forcing my self to update it but due to  few obstacles (work+family+sickness+errands+laziness) i failed to do so, until now.

Here’s are some things i did during my missing not so in action periods.

I went back to Malacca for a short holiday, no i’m not a Malaccan i’m a pure K.L  town girl born and grew up in K.L but since i know Cary shes have been the bestest friend in the universe for me (like i have any alien category friends) we’re very close, i basically know her entire family from her mom, grand parents, uncle, aunties, cousins, even her neighbours and most of them know me too, cary is very blessed with a caring and loving Peranakan family, they were all very kind-hearted to this Malay girl, and i feel very lucky to know them, each times when i joined her relatives for makan session they will choose a halal joint just because they wanted me to join them, they are really sweet people, that’s why i mentioned “i went back to Malacca” instead of “i went to Malacca” the place have been like a home to me it doesn’t feel strange anymore whenever i’m there.

I came down Malacca specially to celebrate Nancy’s Kitchen 10 years Anniversary birthday bash, like i mentioned on my previous post, Aunty Nancy (Cary’s mum) is a proud owner of a well-known Peranakan restaurant in Malacca, i have a chance to make my short trip as a memorable ones by helping aunt Nancy to do some preparation and became the unofficial photographer for the function, i pretended to look busy snapping tons of photos, yes i’ll definitely update it on a specific post later.

Cary, Vera and me taking a break from our duty to camwhoring inside the restaurant, posing like an ad models holding a bakosia (peranakan basket) i'm a such a peranakan wannabe.

It’s was such a wonderful event so many people coming to congratulate aunt Nancy for her achievements, there is some unknown people crashing the function for the free food and beer but aunt Nancy was really cool about it. Check out my new nyonya kebaya i was forced to buy this specifically for the function, but well it’s about time for me to own one, cost me whooping Rm180 just for the top.

Aunt Nancy (owner of Nancy's Kitchen) with her good friend Miss Tay

i wouldn’t miss taking advantage of the cheap and incredibly delicious food in Malacca, so indulging and pampering my tummy is always my main mission in Malacca.

nyonya kuehs from Baba Charlie stall, halal dim sum fare at Renaissance Hotel, and chinese food fare at dragon deluxe yummy all memang best!!

I  gained 2 kg just from that trip, can a person really gained that much weight from all that eating trip in just 3 days?

oh before that trip i was forced by jenny to come up with a Halloween decoration at work and we made this gory looking mummy on just less that an hour using only limited office supplies, plastic, loads of news paper, and rolled tissue paper.

it looked more like a pocong than a mummy, huh i wished i have more time to add some ageing effect colouring to that mummy but that was good enough, thanx jenny for helping me.

Went back to my parents and spend time with my family, i had a great lunch at the new restaurant called Cozy Place located at Mangsa Maju,  great food with an english theme ambiance, very posh place to dine in. we opt for local dish really delicious you gotta try this place, thanx to my aunt Mak Tam for the treat.

one of the best butter prawns that i've had.

Refreshing lemon sorbet, gotta try the pina colada for my next visit, such a smooth texture for a sorbet.

 started work as usual, back to the hard reality another week to go by and cant wait for my next off day.

Went to Pavillion, BSC and Sunway Pyramid on the weekends to do some light shopping, stumble in some funny and interesting stuff,

Sunawy Pyramid

Took this photo from Xixili display window, notice the middle mannequin, looks like she smelling her underarm, hmm… doesn’t look sexy at all to me?

Giordano was my fave brand during my teenage years, it was colourful, simple and affordable brand, well like i said “it was”, looking at their latest design campaign, does that smiley icon looked “cheer up” to you? wasn’t that supposed to be a “dead icon”, that lame design cost RM40!! seriously, so unoriginal ok!!

This is a proper “dead” icon even if you put a smile on it doesn’t change the message of the icon, because X on the eye means R.I.P got it.

This is rather interesting and a  lil bit funny, me and cary looking for a place to chill and have a light bite, i spotted this place and very excited to try, hoping for a nice dessert or cakes, from afar it does looked like a cafe’ but man we got duped, nothing there is edible it’s all just an illusion to tricked us to go there.

turns out that it was a cosmetic store, selling of course cosmetics, decorated candles and decorated towels that looked like food. shop called BLOOP. we totally got punked!!!, where’s Ashton hiding???

Pavilion KL

I spotted this Maybank ad, stare at it and got me thinking…..

Banks came out with more creative debt and flexible payments plans  now days, is it to benefit us or them? if we are not on debt, banks will call us to take one or more? are we working our asses off every month for ourself or for the bank? how much portions of our paycheck goes to pay debts than savings??? 30% 50% 80% sheesh!!! i really gotta cut back on my spending habit. Dear, bank seriously stop call me, i don’t want anymore debts with you guys, leave me alone, if i want debt i’ll look for you, ok!!

BTW i added that “pay forever” to be more dramatic, Maybank don’t sue me ok!!! 

Bangsar Shopping Centre. 

went to Espressamente Illy to try their espresso drinks, OMG this place is great, cool and posh ambience, skill full barista, i will write a full review about it soon together with the coffee art video demonstrated by their friendly good-looking baristas, thanx guys, for the great time, err… i mean for the great coffee experience.

Archie trying to play a piano, he noticed me staring at him giggling, he gives up and decided to sleep it off, oh how i wish my cat can play a piano, eh, help me pay, some bills lah freeloader!! Bubble waiting for a phone call?? that damn phone is not working lah.

Have a chillax session at home during my off days,a ccompanied by dozens of dvds and my furry friends, too tired to socialize, skipped cinema, still hasitated about Inglorious Basterd, should i watch it in cinema?? or should i wait for a better “option”, being patients usually paid off, so i’ll just wait lah.

I slept more than usual, preparing my self for hectic overtime weeks for end year, i hate working long hours, i already hate my job, i just doing it for the money, how long can i last doing things that i hate?? seriously i don’t know i wish i can just walk away from it but the world just dont work that way ok, in the mean time i just want to laze around sleeping on my lovely bed mistakenly my fluffy cat as a big soft comfortable pillow. Trouble, please just fade away, leave me alone jut for a lil while.

There have been only a few television shows that strike at my core. As my family will attest, one of them (actually multiple series) has been annoying to the entire family - Star Trek (Kirk, Picard, Sisko, Janeway, Archer) – but then they only needed to get beyond the amateurness of acting and become one with the story line to truly appreciate the brilliance of the series.

Another favorite of mine is All in the Family. I love Archie. He reminds me of today’s right-wing Republicans that can never say a good or positive thing about…well, anything unless it deals with the increasing size of their wallet. One can only laugh in agreement or at the absurdity of the claims – there’s no middle ground with Archie.

But perhaps my all time favorite is The Andy Griffith Show. Even though I much-prefer the black & white, Don Knotts shows, never was an episode (black & white or color) aired that didn’t tell a life story or give a life lesson. And when Andy was doing the talking, it was golden…espicially if a very young Opie was at the receiving end of his lessons. Andy, the pillar of the community, the rock of reason, the class of the class, the good ‘ol boy that can relate to the bubba, is always bringing common-sense justice to the lives and purpose to the day’s events of Mayberry citizens .

See if you agree. Andy makes quick explanation and sense of a convoluted play, and re-tells a story of human nature and suggests a reasonable alternative to the problem. (probably not exactly what the playwright had in mind) 

Oh yeah, BTW for those still moaning about my Star Trek watching, remember this (this isn’t mine, I only repeat the insight of someone I certainly agree with):

All I Need To Know About Life I Learned From Star Trek

• Seek out new life and new civilizations.
• Non-interference is the Prime Directive.
• Keep your phaser set on stun.
• Humans are highly illogical.
• There’s no such thing as a Vulcan death grip.
• Live long and prosper.
• Having is not so pleasing a thing as wanting; it is not logical but it is often true.
• Infinite diversity in infinite combinations (IDIC).
• Tribbles hate Klingons (and Klingons hate Tribbles).
• Enemies are often invisible – like Klingons, they can be cloaked.
• Don’t put all your ranking officers in one shuttle craft.
• When your logic fails, trust a hunch.
• Insufficient data does not compute.
• If it can’t be fixed, just ask Scotty.
• Even in our own world, sometimes we are aliens.
• When going out into the Universe, remember: “Boldly go where no man has gone before!”

(comentarios para escrituraletoria.blogspot.com de la genial y polémica Miriam Jerade)

I

Considero “Bastardos sin gloria” como la mejor película del año y una de mis favoritas de todos los tiempos.

La vi con emoción, y la podría ver varias veces más. Tarantino es uno de mis directores consentidos, aunque me decepcionó con “Jackie Brown” y “Death proof”.

Las cintas de Tarantino me han dejado una marca: como el silbido de “Kill Bill”, en estos días retumba recurrentemente en mi cabeza el “au revoir Shoshana!!”.

Hay otras películas con la temática de la Segunda Guerra Mundial que, por el contrario, quiero olvidar para siempre; por ejemplo “La vida es bella” del abominable Roberto Benigni, que provocó que cada que escucho “buon giorno principessa” me dan náuseas de tanta cursilería.

Este año también vi el filme mexicano “Corazón del tiempo”, una fábula de propaganda del EZLN; los diálogos son inverosímiles, la historia absurda, y principalmente, ostenta una clara, abierta y beligerante postura política. Es una ficción con “compromiso” y “mensaje” sobre un hecho real y actual. No comparto casi nada con los postulados de los zapatistas (creo en la justicia social, pero no en la vía armada) y menos con los del guionista/productor de la cinta (Hermann Bellinghausen) más sin embargo, la película me encantó: los actores son formidables (y entrañables), la historia de amor es conmovedora, la realización es buena, sin dejar de mencionar que la banda sonora es bellísima.

Puedes estar de acuerdo o no con la ideología del realizador, o con los intereses que enarbola, pero el valor del cine, y del arte en general, pertenece a otro ámbito. Una película como obra, no vale por su ideología sino por otros elementos. Por ejemplo, considero que el “Acorazado Potemkin” es propaganda estalinista, pero es una magnífica película.

No coincido con los postulados básicos de “Bastardos sin gloria”, es decir la venganza, el ojo por ojo, el militarismo, crueldad, etc., pero no me preocupa, porque se trata de una ficción, sátira de humor negro y parodia cruda. Tampoco comparto la discriminación racial en “Memín Pinguin”, ni la violencia familiar que ejerce su mamá -pegándole con un palo con clavo cuando se porta mal- pero realmente disfruto releer de vez en cuando mi colección. El “Memín Pinguin” es, para muchos pensadores, un clásico de la cultura popular mexicana.

Y si me pusiera riguroso, pues varias películas que me parecen maravillosas, están plagadas de postulados reprobables (traición, violencia, intriga, venganza, etc.).

II

Hay quienes afirman que cuando Tarantino vino a Morelia, dijo en una entrevista que tiene “origen judío” (aunque luego corrigen y dicen “remoto origen judío”).

No dudo que Tarantino tenga ancestros judíos, al igual que un gran porcentaje de mexicanos que provenimos de mezclas con judíos españoles conversos (por la buena o por la mala), yo hasta hace poco me sentía purhépecha “puro”, pero eso no existe. No creo que su “parte judía” haya influido mucho en la idea de la película, pero sí su intima amistad con Eli Roth, quien interpreta a Donny Donowitz, el “Oso judío” y que además dirigió el filme ficticio del ficticio Goebbels, “El orgullo de la nación” que se proyecta en el cine en llamas (o sea una película dentro de otra película). Este actor y director judío también realizó la famosa violenta cinta “Hostel” (con postulados muy “reprobables”, por cierto).

Creo que Tarantino es muy claro en este tema: “los judíos siempre salen como jodidos, ahora van a salir de cabrones”, punto. Cuando vi “Eréndira Ikikunari” (no confundir con la otra “Eréndira” de R. Guerra 1982) la verdad es que sí disfruté cuando mis antiguos purhépechas se echaron algunos conquistadores.

Algo con lo que nunca voy a estar de acuerdo es con algunos críticos de la película que plantean directa o indirectamente la idea del “complot judío”. Incluso hay quienes relacionan la venganza de Shoshana con la “venganza judía”, hablar de un poder judío en Hollywood y las bombas de racimo en los campos de refugiados palestinos es tan entrampado como cuando un articulista acusó una extraña relación Madoff-Mossad-Israel-Bancos judíos-bombazo en la India. Cuando leo “complot judío de Hollywood” me viene a la mente Mel Gibson, y bueno, Mel Gibson es el antisemita Mel Gibson,

Afirmar que “Bastardos sin gloria” es parte de una estrategia de “propaganda judía” de Hollywood es absurdo; con Tarantino, todos son objeto de burla, todos son parodiados:

 -           Los ingleses: (curiosamente la única parte donde habla Churchill es sobre los judíos y Hollywood), ¿qué tal el inglés cliché hablando sobre el whisky antes de morir?

-           Los gringos: Pitt hace de antihéroe, una parodia de Lee Marvin, un ignorante soldado.

-           Los judíos: ¿qué tal los ridículos integrantes de la pandilla de Bastardos sin gloria? No son precisamente guapos, inteligentes ni heroicos.

-           Los franceses: me encanta cuando se muestra que no todos fueron partisanos, que hubieron muchos colaboracionistas, muchas chavas que se ligaron invasores, muchos que entregaron a sus compañeritos de clase; eso es algo que los franceses todavía no terminan de digerir.

-           Obviamente los alemanes: donde Landa es el personaje principal, refinado y brutal. Interesante es el tema de la insubordinación y resistencia al régimen. Por supuesto que prefiero a “Hugo Stiglitz” que a Tom Cruise en “Valkiria”.

Un punto muy interesante es la estrategia de Landa de querer quedar en el lado de los ganadores: muchos nazis vivieron como reyes en Estados Unidos y otros países occidentales, y murieron de viejos, a pesar de haber sido unos ojetes. Me viene a la mente Von Braun, que fue el principal precursor de la carrera al espacio y la llegada a la Luna.

Me gusta esta perspectiva, de algún modo, que no hay blanco y negro, sino muchos grises. He visto muchas películas acerca de mexicanos indocumentados que sufren violencia y discriminación en Estados Unidos, pero ninguna sobre indocumentados centroamericanos en México, que la pasan incluso peor.

Y qué mejor si se presenta de manera fresca, vi hace tiempo un documental llamado “Sobibor” sobre unos presos de un campo de concentración que se organizaron para darle en la madre a los alemanes, pero la película es larga y tediosa.

III

“Bastardos sin gloria” es un homenaje al cine desde el cine, tan bien lograda como “La rosa púrpura del Cairo” de Woody Allen.

 Tarantino homenajea:

-nombrando a un personaje como un director mexicano, Hugo Stiglitz;

-citando a directores como Leni Riefenstahl (por cierto, excelente cineasta más allá de ser una nazi, que hizo la película oficial de las Olimpiadas de Berlín, el “Triunfo de la voluntad”);

-colocando escenas de la película ficticia de propaganda “El orgullo de la Nación”,

-exaltando a Shoshana y su sala de cine como vehículo de venganza,

-todo el cine del Espaguetti western

-parafraseando, como se ha mencionado, a la italiana “Quel maledetto treno blindato” (“Inglorious bastards” en inglés).

IV

Me parecen graciosos los videos musicales de raperos gringos, donde los negros son millonarios, y donde los blancos son el chofer, el jardinero y el mayordomo. Después me imagino que los raperos no leen Archie o Richie Rich, sino un “Memín Pinguín” modificado, que se madrea a los blancos.

 Me gustaría que el “aparato” maléfico michoacano utilizara al cine “como herramienta de manipulación” y se realizaran filmes donde los purhépechas le ganan a los españoles. Y por fin, los purhépechas “dominen” el mundo.

Fuera de broma, creo que hablando del Medio Oriente y el cine, hay muchos temas que casi se nos pasan por desapercibidos. Si pudiera pedir una película, sería una que muestre cómo Siria, Jordania y Líbano han tratado tan mal a sus hermanos palestinos; que nos cuente las historias donde árabes han matado árabes; que descubra el pecado cometieron los palestinos para ser rechazados por quienes deberían ser sus principales aliados.

America Ferrera faz de tudo por sua personagem em “Ugly Betty”, até mesmo se vestir de cachorro-quente como parte de uma coreografia totalmente Bollywoodiana que envolve até Mark (Michael Urie).

A cena foi ao ar no último dia 30.10.2009, no quarto episódio da quarta temporada da série, que continua contando no elenco com seus personagens tradicionais, com Daniel (Eric Mabius) e Hilda (Ana Ortiz) — que namora Archie (Ralph Macchio) — apenas alguns entre os mais queridos do público.

Ugly-hot-dog Betty

the title says it all. what was everyone for Halloween? i hope everyone had as much fun as myself and friends did this year. we ended up celebrating in Athens, Ohio for their insane bazillion people Halloween extravaganza. people were running a muck in costumes throughout the streets. below is a vid someone took and put on youtube to show how many people were there.

i’m interested in what YOU were for Halloween. we saw some amazing costumes this past weekend, but we were WAY too sloppy to carry around my friends expensive DSLR and not let it get destroyed.

ZOMGROB & MeatWhistle as the famous Italian DJs: The Bloody Beetroots. Thanks to our friend Mike P for the picture.

one thing that i’ve been having SO much fun doing is going through random “Halloween 09″ albums that my friends are tagged in on Facebook. i’m going to use this post to show a few costumes that i personally enjoyed and found very awesome.

SEE THE OTHER SWEET COSTUMES AFTER THE JUMP!!

Zach as none other than a California Raisin! Let’s just say he heard the idea for this costume through the grape vine. (or from me.)

Colin & Laura as Marv and Harry from Home Alone. THE STICKY BANDITS, BRO.

Perry as PaRappa the Rapper! SUCH a good idea. I expect nothing less from good ole’ Perry. That sly dog.

Kenny as Bowser. LOL, this made me laugh so hard. His Bro DK is awesome too!

One more pic for good measure, LOL.

Dana as the Pringles Man! if only you could see where the actual Pringles can WAS. This was

no costume folks. Dana doesn’t fuck around. His dick is THAT big.

Dylan and his Artie costume from Pete & Pete. SO awesome. Strongest mannnnnn IN THE WORLD. great idea.

JoJo as a Smurph. I love this. Hours of excruciating work were put into the making of these.

Lastly, but not least, we have Chris as an Albanian. if you lived in Westchester, NY, you’d understand.

there were many other amazingly awesome costumes we saw this past weekend that we didn’t get a chance to find a picture of. great work everyone! <3

]]> http://theduhfiles.wordpress.com/2009/11/02/archie-is-fng-mr-weatherbee/ Tue, 03 Nov 2009 04:57:10 +0000 theduhfiles http://theduhfiles.wordpress.com/2009/11/02/archie-is-fng-mr-weatherbee/

So I’ve been reading a shitload of Archie books lately and I’ve come across some things that strike me as unusal to say the least.