fstorm1

Kat, I get the feeling that alot of your comments/criticisms are directed at me. I want to and tried to make it perfectly clear that I understand comics, and that I wholeheartedly agree that there are and have been a large number of great writers in that field. But let me make a couple points:-if I were a betting man, and I'm not (gotta have money to gamble), I'd bet a plum nickel that the vast majority of moviegoers have no, have zero idea that Batman is a detective; -you mention that if the public's perception of comics is poor, then they have alot of work to do to change that. They've been trying to do that for years. I'm guessing you know that as well as any; -there are many, many comics with "deep", or difficult themes. But how many of them have actually had their themes carried over (successfully) into movie? The X-Men regularly has and always will be a comic about segregation, racism, and coexisting. But in the films, that aspect isn't given nearly enough attention. Instead, it's action scene after action scene. Because that's what the filmgoing public wants, particularily those that want superheroes, but not the "baggage". Sam Raimi put a lot into the difficulty in being a hero, especially a young one, into his three films. But really, how many people who very much enjoyed those movies remember the "angst" portions? Was there a mention of Tony Starks' alcohol problem in Iron Man? That is (or was) a huge theme in his life. Ang Lee tried to make a movie about a "comic book" character with huge pychological problems (among other themes), and the movie going public liked it so much...they remade nearly the same movie, only with more action and more unrealistic CGI (for the record, I prefer the Lee version to the Ed Norton version). Batman Begins and The Dark Knight are films based on the idea that humans are flawed, ignorant, and basically evil. That if human beings are not already evil, at some point, they'll show they are. "You either die a hero, or live long enough to see yourself become the villian". That's a big theme in the Batman titles (IMO). And in how many of those films I mentioned, or just about any other "comic book" superhero based movie, is the death or potential death of a character really believable? Was Cyclops' or Prof. X's deaths believable? Did they ellicit a feel of sorrow or dread? How about Green Goblin? I like these types of films', but really, the only two with any real sense of dread or despair are Superman and the Nolan's Batmans. They carry a different weight. I agree with pretty much everything RoCo said. I don't need anything to justify why I like a movie either. But being a fan of comics and movies, I can appreciate a movie which is truer to it's comic than just "mindless drivel". It bums me out to no end that it really took until Batman Begins for there to be a "mainstream superhero" to get a solid, smart movie that makes one think rather than just say "Oh, cool!" (except Superman). I did a quick search of "comic book adaptations", and here's a bunch that I found: Iron Man, Spiderman x3, Hulk x2, Hellboy x2, MIB x2, Fantastic Four x2, X-Men x3, Superman x5, and Batman x6. Now these are just mainly "mainstream" characters, so it doesn't include the likes of 300, The Crow, Sin City or even Swamp Thing. Now, how many of the one's I listed were really as good as TDK? Or even Begins? I see 4 of the 26 as being more than just "smash and bang": Superman, Ang Lee's Hulk, and Nolan's Batman's. The others listed, IMO, are some pretty good films (most of them anyway), but they're good for what reason? Action, and FX. The other four are great because they have more to offer than the others. Deeper. Realistic. Sadness. Elation. They're, IMO, not written so much as "super human" films, but more as "human" films. I probably (probably?) rambled a bit there. My point is, the depth of TDK and Begins is much, much deeper than your "standard" comic book adaptation.

Friday night, my nice lady friend and I visited one of new (new to us at least) favorite place, Stone Cellar Pub in Appleton. They have a great all-you-can-eat fish fry for only $9.99, and they make a handful of good beers (I went with their Scottish and the lady grabbed up their awesome Vanilla Cream Ale, their two best). Anyhoo, on the way out I snatched up some reading material, "Ale Street News", a monthly periodical that's based out of New Jersey, which means the vast majority of the stuff pertained to the East Coast. But they had a couple of interesting things (too me, I hadn't heard of any of these): Sam Adams has a glass "specially" designed for their Lager (I can list specs if anyone cares); Leinie's has a "Classic Amber", and this periodical had the first ad I'd seen of it anywhere (couldn't find anything on their own website about it, but did find a story here; and finally, from the "only-in-Wisconsin-and-that's-why-I-love-it-here": Rob LoBreglio of The Great Dane and Kirby Nelson of Capital are teaming up to "attempt not only a high alcohol beer, but in fact to break the record for the strongest all-malt beer ever brewed". Goes on to say that Dogfish Head and Sam Adams both have set previous records for brews measuring over 20% (!), those brews did so using sugar, fruit and/or maple syrup, and that the boys from Madison will try to use only the 3 ingredients set by the German Reinheitsgebot beer purity law, those being water, barley and hops. The record for that is currently 15%, and thy're aiming for 17%.

Voted. And they're back to even.

I've had an on again off again affair with comics as well. I can remember where, when, and which comic I bought as a youngster that turned me on to them (still have it). At the height of their popularity, in the early to mid nineties, I was making 2 trips per week to Belich's Nostalgia World on Lincoln in Milwaukee, spending $50 per trip. But I became disenchanted with them about the same time everyone else did, when the market was over saturated with X-Men knockoffs, etc. Over the past 10+ years, I've had streaks of buying and reading alot, then nothing for months. Comic books were to be my career, and although I had some minor success in the art field, my passion comes and goes (a former classmate of mine now enjoys a healthy popularity as a writer in the business, although I've never thought of his work as anything spectacular...probably 'cause we never got along). As much as I love comics and films based on them, the ones which always resonated the best with me were the ones that felt real. Like these characters could exist in my world. This has as much to do with writing as it does the character. To that end, Richard Donner's Superman, and more recently, Nolan's Batman(s) are 3 of my all time favorite films. Those, to me, had everything clicking. And despite the fact that one is about a guy from another planet, I, just like the film's tag line read,"Will believe a man can fly". And I did. Just like I believe that a millionaire with a serious grudge can put on a goofy suit and beat up bad guys. I like the Spiderman films. I love the Hellboy films, and Iron Man. The Incredibles and Iron Giant are two of my all time favorite animated films (used to have Iron Giant in my sig here at BF). I thoroughly enjoyed the first 2 X-Men films. I don't need everything to click to like the film. But my point about TDK is that it's more than those other films. It has a different weight, a different feel. Call it reality. Maybe it's so dark and depressing, or the losses in the films feel more painful. I don't know. I was not shocked how good they were. I respected the folks that wrote and nurtured them in paper form. I wholeheartedly agree there's great writing in comics, absolutely. Maybe it's just that we've gotten to the point where our expectations are for the Michael Bay's and Paul W.S. Anderson's to ruin their "adaptations"...and ruin our (often) childhood loves. I wish they'd allow comic writers to work more in films. Del Toro and Mignola have mixed together so beautifully. I'd love to see Matt Wagner get a shot at bringing Grendel (in Hunter Rose form) to the big screen. The Batman/Grendel crossovers were great (particularily Devil's Riddle/Devil's Masque). That would be a fun movie. No lasers, no flying, no super strength. Just two guys, both a little messed in the head, goin' at it. Argh, sorry. A little off track with my babble. And for the record, RoCo, I didn't like Sin City either. Like Frank Miller, though.

Over the past few weeks, had some very good (and often very lucky) fortune to catch a number of the bigger award type films. I can say that I completely understand all the pub that The Wrestler, Slumdog Millionaire, Frost/Nixon, and Gran Torino have received. All excellent films, with only Torino being a step below the others. Rourke in Wrestler, and Langella in F/N are unbelievable. I could very easily see (and support) either of them for the trophy. Both Wrestler and Slumdog took me by surprise by how good they were. Just amazing. But I still honestly believe that Dark Knight was the best film of the year. They took a super hero, a comic book, and turned it into a gritty, powerful, and completely engrossing crime thriller. Movie making at it's finest. At the very least, bare minimum, it should have gotten a best picture nom, or best director. Once again, the Academy proves it's almost (almost) as inept as the Grammy idiots. Oh, well. Same old, same old. I'll be rooting for Slumdog (third best picture of the year behind TDK and Wrestler) for the big prizes. And for the record, as much as I enjoy Robert Downey Jr., his performance in Tropic Thunder, albeit the only good part of that movie, wasn't even as enjoyable as his Stark. Just my opinions, of course. Whatta I know? Nothing. I'm just part of the movie going public. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif

Rats. I was going hunting tomorrow. Ah, well. On a side note, and this may be old news to some, but Hacker Pschorr brats are awesome. Boil in it for awhile, then crank up the heat and fry until the beer caramelizes into a sticky, gooey, uh, mess. Add kraut and secret stadium sauce. Oh my. Hoping there's some early (real early) spring beers available for perusing on the morrow. Could use some cheering up from the cold, and snow, and the Badgers, and J.P. leaving, and...ugh. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/frown.gif

Stopped at Woodman's last night and they didn't have the Cracked either. Bummer. It'll pop up somewhere. Also tried the Agave Wheat several weeks ago. I agree with your "review" and that there's nothing overly exciting about it. Okay, but nothing to make it stand out. Actually I haven't really had anything overly exciting lately. Lot's of average or slightly above (Capital Rustic Ale, Lagunitas Rich Copper Ale, Pyramid Snowcap Winter Warmer, Atlantic Brewing Mount Desert Island Ginger, Big Sky Powder Hound Winter). But the Lost Coast Brewing Winterbraun Ale is good stuff. Darker, but the chocolate eased as it warmed to a nice balance. And Newfield, the Capital Maibock is my favorite maibock. Cool you saw it out already, usually doesn't pop up until Spring.

Ha! Classic! Wonder if my nice lady friend will let me install one of those in our bathroom... BTW- was anyone watching you as you took that pic?!? That might require a heckuva response.

Last week on (I believe) Modern Marvels (History Channel), they did a lengthy story on those suits. There's a number of different "styles", all having different effects, some that make "tricks" better, some for strictly speed (faster and slower), and so on. The biggest change among the suits was the cut of the "wings", some longer than the arms, some shorter, and the same deal on the one between the legs. Also fabric(s), and whether or not the "wings" were filled with air or not. Interesting... But I still don't want to do it. 'Cause I'm a wuss. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/tongue.gif

Had the Rustic tonight, not as good as I'd hoped, but the Baltic was very good. Didn't see the Eisphyre at Festival, but I'll definitely keep an eye out. TLB, how where the beers? Worth the hoopla and the wait? Edit: I notice the Eisphyre is listed as retired at BA. Bummer, duuuuude.

Sure, why not (notables, not all): Classic- Dark Knight Iron Man Wall-E Great- Cloverfield Kung Fu Panda Traitor Good- Eagle Eye Appaloosa Ghost Town Okay- Burn After Reading Inc. Hulk Q. Of Solace Journey to Center of Earth Jumper Forgetting Sarah Marshall I Am Legend Rambo Death Race Poor- Hancock Wanted Get Smart Tropic Thunder Zohan 10,00 B.C. Vantage Point The Happening Max Payne X-Files 2 The Ruins Max payne Painfully disappointing- Indy 4 Righteous Kill

Ooohh, I completely agree on the Autumnal Fire. Excellent stuff, but I hadn't seen any anywhere around me (Fox Valley) for a couple months, then this past weekend I saw it in the Chippewa Valley.

Not to hijack the thread, but, ironically, we had to take the old lady to the vet tonight, as she was peeing or pooping blood. I'm no vet, but I'm pretty sure that's a bad thing. She's always been a thin cat, but she's actually lost 2 pounds in the last 8 months...that's alot. As the vet was explaining the potential courses of action, there was only one option, as far as my nice lady friend and I were concerned: pay the $300 or so to have them keep her overnight, get some fluids and hopefully food into her, and make all the necessary tests. I realize and understand the hatred of cats, but pets, no matter what, are a part of family. My nice lady friend has known this cat longer than she's known me. I've had plenty of angry moments with this cat...she can and has been the epitomy of "[expletive deleted] cat". And there's no way we're just gonna give up on the old goat. (edit: language --1992)

My nice lady friend and I have three cats, one old lady who's 13 (my lady friends'), and two kittens (sisters) that are 3 (one my daughters' the other my lady friends'). The old bird has had a real digestive problem for quite some time, and she'll go in spurts where she vomits and then is unable to control her bowel, and spends the next half hour or so pooping in various rooms. Delightful, indeed. Then, one of the kittens apparently got the idea in her head that if the oldest can crap wherever, so can she. And the other kitten? Well, she just likes peeing on rugs and clothes, if they're on the floor. I just love them to pieces, I tell ya. The old bird, well, she does have a digestive problem. Took her to the vet and they, naturally, recommended the most expensive food on the market, and a rather pricey medication that we have to somehow plow down her throat everyday. We've tried various new foods, each boasting something good for the cats' digestive system, but it really seems like she just goes in phases. We've passed on the medication, and are now pretty well resigned to just a)cleaning up after her and b)getting the wood floors in A.S.A.P (easier to clean). The kittens? Well, it could be anything. Which is the only moral I can pass along. Cats are, duh, finicky. Any little thing can set them off, any little change, even if it seems minute to us. There are various items that can be bought to curb such behavior, and some work (see above posts), but more often than not, in my experience, if a cat's unhappy, they'll find a way to make you unhappy. Geez, hard to tell from my post that I actually like cats. But I do. 'Course, I also like Ned Yost. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/ohwell.gif

Did they ever find out what Butler was chewing on? I was flipping back and forth between Mythbusters and the game, and missed if they ever found out what it was.

Make it so. http://www.maninchair.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/patrick-stewart-oberon.jpg Actually, never seen that picture before. Kinda creepy. http://web.wm.edu/news/images/tpjone/patrickstewart.jpg That's better. And my #2: http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0cmu1gYf3LdJL/610x.jpg #3 is Bridges' hair.

The "Rest" I agree with...the "In Peace", not so much. I knew they still made it, but I can't imagine there were too many who still drank it. Last time I saw someone put this to their mouth was about...1995.

Luke's Sports Spectacular on Water Street and Sneaker's on 76th. Wait, what year is this? Crap, I'm 15 years too late. How about the Safe House and Harp's?

Missed this post. Wright was tremendous. If you get a chance, pick up David Gilmour's "Remember That Night" or "Live in Gdansk". Wright played and sang as well as ever. "Remember" also features David Crosby and Graham Nash, as well as David Bowie on a kickin' version of "Comfortably Numb". Rest in peace, good sir.

Definitely a bummer. All I ever read or saw about him was that he was a kind and (extraordinarily) generous man. Direct from "Newman's Own" website: Good bye, kind sir. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/frown.gif

My nice lady friend and I have watched both episodes...and we still can't decide if we like it. I'm already disliking the whole "I can do this weird, unbelievable thing that will work and solve the case", "No, that's weird and unbelievable, won't work, we'll never solve the case"..."See, it worked". Both episodes followed that same formula. We'll proally give it another go, however.

If anyone ever gets a chance to take HWY 53 north (way north) up towards Duluth, you drive right through Minong, Jack Link's hometown. Right on 53, there's a gas station where they have tons of Link's stuff, all at huge discounts, including like 25lb. bags of jerky, etc. Always a fun stop. My #1 jerky-type meats come from Nueske's in Wittenberg off HWY 29. Heaven on earth.

Me and my nice lady friend spent last weekend up there. Stayed in Sister's Bay. Few years ago we stayed north of there. Anyhoo, two things to mention: 1)there was only one place we stopped at both times, Shipwrecked Brew Pub in Egg Harbor. Pretty decent eats, but some very good home brews (particularly the Summer Wheat-went home with a 1/2 gallon). And 2) we finally took the dive and had a fish boil, unlike last time when we watched but couldn't bring ourselves to try. And despite our apprehension, it was pretty good. White fish, whole buttered potatoes, cole slaw, bread, and a slice of genuine Door County cherry pie. Viking Grill in Ellison Bay. Oughta at least give it a try. Like I said, it was pretty good, even though we don't prefer white fish, nor any fish boiled. Awful sad about the cherry crops this year. Shocking, really.

I don't think it too much to ask that all movie lovers shed a tear for this talent. Much the same way Ray Harryhausen was the litmus which all others used to be measured, Winston is the current genius others try, and fail, to reach. I'll never forget the the first time I saw dinosaurs walk. Thank you, good sir, for sharing your brilliance. I'm sure others more eloquent can lay out a proper memorial. First Russert, now Winston. Been a rough week or so. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/frown.gif

Yahoooo!