Posts Tagged ‘shock’

6 items.

TOO INTENSE FOR THE NORMALS

by Tom on April 20th, 2009
20 votes, average: 7.85 out of 10
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TOO INTENSE FOR THE NORMALS

If nothing else, Jimmy is very responsive to matters concerning customer service. To figure out exactly what I'm talking about vote for Theater Hopper at Top Web Comics.

I didn't realize it until I had finished inking and scanned today's comic into the computer, but I think I may have inadvertently stole the set up for this joke from a recent Joe Loves Crappy Movies. Sorry about that, Joe. Totally unintentional, I swear. I guess there are just a lot of movies leaving people stunned walking out of the theater!

I suppose one could accuse me of plagiarizing myself in this comic as well. Anyone who is following my Twitter account already read the punchline Friday night after I posted my 140 character or less review of Crank: High Voltage on Twitter as soon as the credits started to roll. But what can I say? I thought it was a good off-the-cuff zinger that could be used in the comic.

I saw Crank: High Voltage at a late showing on Friday night and there's really no other reaction but slack-jawed silence.

The movie is 1 hour and 25 minutes of pure kinetic "eff you." I didn't have attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder before watching this movie, but now I fear I might. Now I know how an 8 year-old on a Ritalin fit must see the world.

Crank: High Voltage is an unusual film in the respect that the filmmakers are basically daring you to hate it. And if you do hate, they make it perfectly clear they don't care what you think.

You know how critics complain that action movies are like giant video games? Crank: High Voltage takes that literally, and there are several references to the digital pastime littered throughout the film. Everywhere from the 8-bit opening credit sequence to Dwight Yokum's girlfriend Chocolate playing Atari on the couch to the topographical map of Los Angeles tracing the hero's journey from location to location. There's even a giant boss battle at an electrical sub-station!

The film is none to subtle about letting you know that Jason Statham's Chev Chelios is basically a character inside a giant video game running around Los Angels, creating all kinds of mayhem with barely any interference from the authorities. Watching Crank: High Voltage, you realize how pointless a film adaptation of Grand Theft Auto would be. This movie beat them to the punch.

There's not a lot to celebrate in the film. It's a highly cynical, hateful affair. But at the same time, it's cathartic fun. Much like a video game, I can easily see someone watching this film, working out their aggression and then going about their day a little less wound up.

Regarding the performances, Statham does a good job kicking ass and chewing bubble gum. Oh, but look! He's all out of bubble gum! I like Statham's willingness to go along with something that is completely ridiculous. Outtakes during the credits reveal his good nature. Whereas other action stars might look at the role of Chev Chelios and roll their eyes, Statham seems to be licking his chops to get at the character. His sincerity is communicated clearly and it makes the intensity of the character easier to stomach.

Beyond that, I kept trying to figure out what Amy Smart was doing in this picture (beyond the fact that she appeared in the original) and Bai Ling basically played to type as a hysterical, gibbering psycho bitch who wears too much eyeliner.

I'm trying to think of more critical angles to examine the film from. But, in truth, the whole episode feels like a fever dream. It's very difficult to remember details because the film zips from location to location, scene to scene so fast, nothing really sticks with you except the feeling of momentum.

In that respect, I suppose the film is successful in communicating the sensation of a man running out of time. Chelios and his artificial heart placed under strenuous use keeps things moving at a brisk pace. But beyond that? Um... a stripper chest shot in the chest and her implants ooze out all over her body as she screams? Yeah, that sticks out to me.

I think most of you already know whether or not Crank: High Voltage is the movie for you. There's very little about this film that aims for acceptance from the popular majority. It is what it is and either your along for the ride or not. Hang on, if you dare.

For more discussion around Crank: High Voltage, be sure to tune in to The Triple Feature tonight at 9PM CST at Talkshoe.com. I know for a fact that all three of us saw the film and certainly with a movie as provocative as this one, we should have a lot to say about it.

If you have any questions you would like us to answer during the show, please feel free to send them to us at group@thetriplefeature.com. We'll be happy to answer them on-air!

See you then!

6 Comments

POPCORN DROP

by Tom on February 20th, 2009
9 votes, average: 5.56 out of 10
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POPCORN DROP

In order for there to be some kind of progression to the story, I knew Jimmy's checkered past would have to come back into play. But I was having trouble succinctly interjecting a scenario that wasn't basically a simple misunderstanding that would have felt at home on an episode of Three's Company.

That's why I upped the stakes emotionally by revealing Jimmy and Charlie to have been briefly engaged. I didn't want to make it easy for him to explain it away.

It's no so much the betrayal of this one kiss. It boils down to the difference between saying you're cool with your loved one's past indiscretions and being confronted with it face to face. It's going to be too much for Charlie to handle and you're going to see that in the upcoming strips.

I don't want to get too much more into it. I want the story to reveal itself in it's own time. But I think you guys are going to be pleased not only with how this situation is resolved, but how it continues to play into past events within the Theater Hopper universe.

Switching gears... I wanted to announce that I am at home this morning. Don't worry, I'm not sick. I'm taking the day off! But it's not a day off in the traditional sense.

No. Today is still a work day!

I presume you guys remember my hard drive crash last fall and how I staged a donation drive to help aid in the data recovery? As part of that donation drive, I promised to those that donated original art of various sizes and complexity. Some of those people have received their art, but the majority have not. Between my job, Henry, night school, the holidays and everything else... it was all too overwhelming.

I was feeling pretty bad about myself for making people wait this long when they were so quick to help me in my time of need. So I decided to commit to taking a major chunk out of my artistic responsibility "to do" list and am taking a day off work to get things done!

I'm not saying I'll be able to get all the artwork done that I need to. But I should be able to get a sizable chunk out of the door. This will help not only to take some of the burden off my back, but help me more easily communicate with those of you still waiting for your commissioned pieces.

Please accept my sincere apologies for the delay. I will do right by you and your generosity. You WILL get what you paid for.

That's it for me today. Time to belly-up to the artist table and get to work!

With thanks...

4 Comments

BOY PARTS

by Tom on July 1st, 2008
6 votes, average: 6.83 out of 10
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BOY PARTS

So this was the comic that I conceived over a week okay in coordination with last Monday's comic. Admittedly, it would have worked better as the one-two punch I envisioned it to be, but real life just got in the way.

Man, I gotta build up a buffer of some kind. I feel like I've squandered the good will built up from that Monday comic. People really seemed to like it.

*sigh*

The good news, however, is that I found some great new light-effect brushes for Photoshop last night! See the light coming from behind Tom's head? Nice, huh? Thanks, Internet!

I guess since I'm in the mood for full disclosure, I have to fess up to some Mike Myers level self-plagiarism. I stole the last panel of today's comic from one of my previous comics. I suppose I could call it an "homage" but I don't know if that would be entirely truthful. I actually tried drawing something different, but it came out too disturbing. Originally, it was going to be an overhead shot, almost behind the shower head. You were going to see Tom's side butt - or haunch - entirely. Believe me, I'm saving you a lot of trauma. The panel from the previous comic was just too choice not to reuse. So, there you have it.

Don't worry. Tomorrow's comic will have completely original art. I'm finally starting to level out a little bit after coming home from Wizard World Chicago. Seriously - you almost need a day or two just to recover from these things. A lot of talking with people, loosing your voice, heavy lifting and extended driving. I'm always glad to do it. I'm just not as young as I used to be!

Be sure to check back on the site tomorrow. I have a great comic on Wanted ready for you. Followed by a comic about Hancock on Friday.

See you then!

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A LIFE-CHANGING MOVIE

by Tom on October 22nd, 2007
9 votes, average: 8.22 out of 10
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A LIFE-CHANGING MOVIE

So today’s comic is a continuation of the story arc I kicked off last Friday in which Jared has a crisis of faith in the wake of Ben Affleck’s directorial debut of Gone Baby Gone. Lest you think I’m pumping up the quality of this picture to service the needs of my story, check out the 93% positive rating over at Rotten Tomatoes. It’s got to count for something.

I know today’s comic doesn’t exactly deliver the funny. But sometimes you have to sacrifice a day for the greater good of the story. Jimmy getting thrown out of his house (lo, those many years ago) didn’t exactly illicit chortles, either.

Exposition, folks. Exposition.

As to why I’m going back to storylines, if you didn’t read last Friday’s blog, I strongly encourage you to do so. I posted it a little last week and it explains a lot. Including stuff going on behind the scenes that prevented me from doing what I’m doing now.

Back to movie talk (sort of), I didn’t get a chance to see Gone Baby Gone this weekend. I mostly spent my time catching up on household duties after being in Chicago last week. I had kind of let the grass grow in our yard a little too long before I left and then we got a full week of rain. So I spent about 2 hours mowing, re-mowing, raking up clippings and fertilizing the front yard and another 3 hours the next day doing the same in the backyard. Plus, I had to clean out the garage and, well… isn’t the minutia of suburban living interesting?

At any rate, if you want to see some photos of a walkabout I took in The Windy City, I posted them to my Flickr account. I was bitching and moaning about it in my personal LiveJournal about it all last week, if that interests you. It might give you some context, especially about the crap-tastic Congress Hotel, where I stayed.

Incidentally, while I was in Chicago last week, I hung out with Gordon McAlpin from Multiplex and we tried to get our weekly installment of The Triple Feature talkcast off the ground with our good friend Joe Dunn from Joe Loves Crappy Movies. Talkshoe was broken, or something, so we had to abandon the show. But we’re giving it another try tonight! So be sure to participate this evening at 9:00 PM CST. Hopefully we won’t have any problems!

That’s about it on my end. See you Wednesday!

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REWARD FOR A HARD DAYS WORK

by Tom on September 10th, 2004
7 votes, average: 8.00 out of 10
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REWARD FOR A HARD DAYS WORK

So since today's comic was about unemployment and also since the season premier of The Apprentice 2 was broadcast last night, I decided to do a little homage to that narcissist we all love to hate - Donald Trump! It's today's buzzComix incentive sketch. Click here to view it.

So Jimmy has lost his job. This is part three of the potentially 9 part story. Depends how well it's being received I suppose. It'll go on at least until next Friday. If you have thoughts about it, you can always share them in the THorum.

Jimmy's always been the optimistic one of the bunch. You can see it reflected in Monday's strip and the third panel of today's comic. Kinda sucks that he's getting the short end of the stick, don't you think? All he wanted to do was work hard!

Where will Jimmy go? What will he do next? Check back on Monday for the exciting... continuation!

Still not much to talk about movie-wise. The theaters aren't serving up much that I'm interested in. Pretty much the only new films of interest this weekend are Resident Evil: Apocalypse and Cellular.

I know a lot of people are probably going to hate me for this, but I think the RE franchise looks pretty stupid. I haven't seen the first one all the way through. I caught part of it on cable and had to turn it off because it was so dumb. The sequel doesn't look that much better to me. I'm not bolstered by the fact that the original's director and writer Paul W.S. Anderson came back and wrote the sequel (it's being lensed by first-time director Alexander Witt). Anderson should just have the work "HACK" tattooed across his forehead and be done with it.

I don't really care much for star Milla Jovovich, either. Model-turned-actress isn't one of the more inspiring job transitions in my book. I think she's pretty effective in comedies like Zoolander and Dazed and Confused. Maybe because her screen time is limited to a few minutes.

But for most of you, it won't matter. She's hot, right? And it's all about hot babes killing zombies with big explosions. I've never been a fan of zombie flicks (Romero's Night of the Living Dead notwithstanding, of course) and the whole Eastern Block, sunken-eyed model look of Jovovich doesn't light my fire, either.

The only other new movie to mention this week is Cellular. I think the advertisements for this flick make it look incredibly dumb, but I guess it's been getting good reviews. Both Ebert & Roeper seemed to like it, although I don't know how much faith to put in them. Supposedly they keep that action moving at a fast enough clip that you don't stop to think about the glaring plot holes.

I just find it funny that writer Larry Cohen's last writing credit was the Colin Farrell thriller Phone Booth. I'm beginning to think this guy must be on the payroll of the telecommunications industry…

So, anyway. That's what the weekend looks like. I'm probably going to avoid the theaters altogether this weekend. I'm just pretending that the same world-ending zombie virus has infected all the movie houses in town. It makes them easier to avoid and dulls the heartache just a little bit.

See you here on Monday!

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SHOCKING

by Tom on February 12th, 2003
7 votes, average: 7.71 out of 10
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SHOCKING

If you didn't have a chance to stop by the site yesterday, be sure to hit the "Previous" button under today's strip. There's a treat waiting for you! An extra comic!

Kind of on a whim I decided to do a full week of strips, so I want to be sure everyone is caught up. Be sure to visit again tomorrow for another thrilling installment!

Well, on Tuesday the Oscar nominations were announced. You can go here to read the full list of nominees.

I don't know how far into things I want to go. Certainly there will be a lot of media hoopla until the ceremony telecast in March.

I guess I can say that I was more than a little disappointed that Chicago walked away with the most nominations. Although I haven't seen the movie yet, I just get this sinking feeling that everyone has resigned themselves to the fact it will win Best Picture. They're treating it like some consolation prize for Moulin Rouge not winning last year. I'm not a big fan of musicals to begin with and I think the film will coast to the finish more on the merits of Miramax's marketing power than the artistic effort of the film itself.

The Best Animated Feature category saw its nominees expand from three to five films this year. Among the chosen were Ice Age, Lilo & Stitch, Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron, Spirited Away and Treasure Planet. Regrettably, I've only seen the two Disney flicks. If I had to choose between them Lilo & Stitch would have to get my vote. Of course I've heard great things about Spirited Away, but I'll have to wait for it on video.

I guess I was pretty shocked to learn that Treasure Planet was even considered for this award. For starters, it wasn't that great of a movie. Just a "re-imaging" of a classic book - Treasure Island - with futuristic gadgets and cyborgs. It was executed well, but not nearly as inventive of heart-warming as Lilo & Stitch.

Secondly, Treasure Planet took about an $80 million dollar loss at the box office. Reportedly it cost over $120M to make, but only raked in $40M at ticket booths. The impact of its failure was so severe, Disney actually had to scale back their animation department this year. And they're rewarding it with a nomination?!

I have to say I'm most happy for Jullianne Moore and her double nominations - Best Actress for Far From Heaven and Best Supporting for The Hours. I saw both films. I didn't care much for Far From Heaven, but I wasn't really in the mood for it at the time. I can appreciate what it was doing, but I need a fresh head to see it again. Regardless, certainly the fact that Moore received two nominations tells you she's doing something right. I certainly hope she gets it for Best Actress and not Supporting. That one will probably go to Meryl Streep in Adaptation (her 13th, I might add - beating Katharine Hepburn's record).

I was happy to see Daniel Day Lewis nominated for Best Actor in Gangs of New York. I cannot think of another performance this year more deserving. Of course, voters will probably hand it over to Jack Nicholson for About Schmidt because everyone loves to watch him do his "cool thing" when he's up on stage. This is his 12th nomination, by the way -- matchin Heapburn's record.

If anything, Martin Scorsese should win Best Director for Gangs. The Academy has been jerking him around for too long. They should give him the award now before he dries up and they're forced to give him one of those gold watch "Lifetime Achievement" awards.

I would have liked to have seen Marty win for Goodfellas or The Last Temptation of Christ, but Gangs was an epic in every sense. A win could serve double duty recognizing the efforts of that film as well as giving the nod to the immeasurable contribution he's given to American cinema over the last 40 years.

I think that about does it for my opinions on the Oscars. Cami and I plan on seeing the two Best Picture nominees we didn't get to yet - Chicago and The Pianist. If we can get to it, we'll probably see all the films with Best Actor and Actress nominees as well. A few of them like Frida and The Quiet American we probably won't see. But Adaptation and About Schmidt are definitely on our list.

What do you think of the nominations this year? Drop me a line and we can chat about it. I don't get a lot of e-mails, so I'm usually pretty good about responding. Just wait. Now I'll get a ton of mail and won't be able to get to them all. Oh, well.

Be sure to come back tomorrow for another new comic!

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