karl.tsakos.us/blog

What hasn’t already been said about “The Watchmen” that I can add? Nothing. But, that won’t stop me from chiming in. I saw the movie adaptation last night (3/7/09) and was right well pleased with it.

Of all the movies I have ever seen adapted from a novel or graphic novel, this was by far the most faithful. (Of course I’ve never seen “Sin City” nor “300,” both of which I am told are faithful to the story and the illustrations.) This is an important topic for me. Nothing irks me more then a motion picture author or director who feels they can improve on the story they are transferring to screen. There is always room for interpretation when going from printed media to screen, but it doesn’t mean one should feel free to rewrite, append, or change the source material if the intention is to bring the story to the screen. Peter Jackson, while producing some impressive films, took way too many liberties in his take on the “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy. I don’t take issue with someone if they say they are making a film based on a certain story. But when you say you are making a movie of the same story, then make a movie from the same story. I’m pleased to say director Zack Snyder did just that with “The Watchmen.”

Honestly, there is no way to ever fully take a graphic novel and make a movie directly from it. They are two completely different media and each has it’s strengths and weaknesses. For one thing, movie going audiences will only sit through a movie for so long no matter how good it is. Of course in the old days, if a movie needed to be long, they would make it long and throw an intermission in the middle as was done with my all time favorite movie “Lawrence of Arabia.” That aside, compromises have to be made. Some subplots need to be removed as they don’t drive the overall plot. “The Tales of the Black Freighter,” a comic book within the “Watchmen” comic book, was a story that paralleled the main story and was removed completely from the movie without harming it. Additionally, some adjustments were made for flow of the movie that made sense and did not change the overall story. Some parts were missed, but it was clear why the decisions were made. Zack Snyder was a skilled surgeon as he adapted the story to screen leaving minimal visible scars.

Without spoiling the story for those who have and those who haven’t read the books, there is a very major change in the story. The funny thing is, when the movie was over and I started explaining the original story to my friend who hadn’t read the book, it became perfectly clear that what worked in the comic would not work as well on the screen. While it was a major change, it made perfect sense, didn’t significantly change the story and worked well on the screen. More to the point, the results were the same. I may be contradicting my original argument here, but I’m a realist; I know what I want and I know what I’ll get.

Back to the items left out of the movie. Zack Snyder, again, made good by fans of the book. He included references to items left out of the movie. For instance, “The Tales of the Black Freighter” always were told at a news stand while being read by a young man as the news stand owner tries to talk to him. Those characters showed up in the movie but did not have any involvement in the story. Another nice touch was the inclusion of shots throughout the movie which recreated the covers of the various issues of the comics. Overall, it was visually true to the comics and was transfered to the screen respectfully.

I actually look forward to the DVD release for all the extras I am sure will come along with it. For instance, it is already known that “The Tales of the Black Freighter” will be released on DVD as an animated feature. Hopefully it will be included with the film’s DVD as well.`

I do have some negative critiques however. Fortunately they have nothing to do with the comics or the movie. They have to do with parents. More particularly, parents of young children who they brought to see the movie. The comic and the movie are not for children. The advertisements do not say it is for children and the movie is rated ‘R’; a very strong ‘R’ for violence, sexual content, and nudity. This is a tale of troubled and violent people. Just because it’s about “super heros” does not mean it’s a fun movie for kids.

My friends and I were appalled to see a family sitting next to use with several children who appeared to be under the age of twelve. During some of the more ‘R’ rated scenes, the children could be seen covering their eyes while the parents watched the movie and made no notice their children. Those people’s judgment should be questioned. On coming out of the movie, several of us were on the phone with friends who saw the movie in other towns. We were pleased to hear one theater (in Baltimore) was not letting families with children under twelve into the theater at all. I applaud that theater for their choice. In my opinion they did the right thing.

I now plan to go back and read the books again as it’s clear there was a lot of nuance I missed the first time.

The fourth and final planned “Futurama” DVD, “Into the Wild Green Yonder,” was released last week (February 23, 2009) and my friends and I got together to watch it last Saturday night. If you don’t know, I am and always have been (since it originally aired in March 1999) a huge fan of “Futurama.” It ranks in the top echelon of my favorite television shows. It is within this context I will be reviewing the latest installment of the series. If I come across as saying something negative about the show, know it is because I hold it to a higher standard. What might be a negative when talking about Futurama would be praise for a lesser show. “Futurama” is like the animated form of sex, even a bad episode is good.

Why all the defense of the show before I even say anything? Because, I want to start by saying I found it to be the weakest of the four movie DVDs released. Now, it could have been the circumstances of the viewing, it could have been my mental state at the time, but it didn’t seem to be as cohesive to me. The story made sense, but it didn’t engage me as the other stories have thus far. Of course, it could have just been the subject matter. At it’s simplest the story was about big business not caring about the environment, and more to the point, about animal extinction. Such a story is automatically a turnoff to me. The story instantly had an uphill battle to win me over. I do not like to preached to through the shows I watch for entertainment.

With some time to digest the movie, I don’t feel now that I was preached too. It made great strides to not be preachy, and I can’t say it didn’t win me over in the end. For one thing, it treated everyone and everything with equal cynicism. The obvious characterization of Mr. Wong as a developer who is only interested in making money, all critters who stand in his way be damned. But, on the other side of the coin is the all female group of protesters (femanistas) who are completely inept and useless in their methods (unil Leela takes them over of course). Even the creature who is the motivation of the first protest, an unattractive and aggressive form of martian leech, has no arguable reason for existing other than the fact that it already does.

The story then sets itself up with the characters taking sides in a very black and white manner with either the protesters or with the developers. I should amend that with, “seemingly take sides.” As is so often the case with Futurama, nothing is black or white. When the authors want to write a story with some depth, they certainly can, and in this case, did. It stands as a testament to Ken Keeler and David X. Cohen that they can take a slapstick cast and still tell a story with relevant content.

The story is also not just about environment versus development. Actually, that is just the context in which the real stories take place. The ever evolving relationship between Fry and Leela is the main focus. The relationship between Amy and her father (Mr. Wong) as well as the relations between men and women as a whole are explored.

As I started by saying, comparatively, it is a good story and maybe worth a second viewing to really solidify my opinion. Of course, I will also watch it with the commentaries which tell what the storytellers were thinking. The commentary can always sway my opinion. In a similar situation, my negative on “Wall•E” was that it was preachy about the environment and global warming. The commentary from writer/director Andrew Stanton was very revealing. He never thought of it nor intended it as an environmental story. It was the notion of a lone robot on a deserted planet performing a thankless and repetitive task for hundreds of years that he was fascinated with. Cleaning up trash for seven hundred years fit the bill.

Back to “Futurama”. While it’s future is still unclear, I believe this was not the last we will see of it. Voice actor Billy West said Fox Television is in talks for a sixth season of the show as a result of the excellent DVD sales. I for one will be waiting eagerly for any movies or television shows.

I recently purchased the cookbook, “Jamie at Home: Cook Your Way to the Good Life” by Jamie Oliver. It’s the companion volume to his television series, “Jamie at Home.” of which I am a big fan. I’ve replicated a couple of the recipes from watching the television show, always with good results. I can’t say that of other recipes I’ve copied from other television shows.

The book is as good as the television show. In both, his cooking is inspired by his home garden and what he grows in it as well as what is available to him locally. The recipes are broken down by season and designed to highlight the specific vegetables available at those time. Of course, it’s not just vegetables, he raises chickens and has several recipes based on eggs. Keeping with the local inspiration, he also focuses on wild game. He has a rabbit recipe I look forward to trying.

Tonight, however, I tried a very simple recipe, Crispy Asparagus Soldiers with Soft Boiled Eggs. It’s a unique name for a very simple and delicious dish. Jamie’s recipe calls for asparagus spears wrapped in pancetta (or bacon if you can’t find pancetta or if you prefer the flavor) served with hard boiled eggs for dipping the “soldiers” in.

First, my impression of the dish. Bacon and egg is a classic combination, but the addition of the asparagus adds a new dimension. The earthiness of the asparagus melds perfectly with the eggs and bacon while each flavor maintains it’s own identity. I will certainly be making this dish again.

Some quick comments on the ingredients. First, the eggs. This is what I have to say about eggs; I hate the modern news media. When looking for news to cover, they will take a story and blow it all out of proportion. More specifically, the idea of eggs having salmonella. I’d have to say it’s probably a fairly rare thing to get from undercooked eggs. Buy organic eggs and eat them when they’re fresh and you shouldn’t have an issue. I say this because I can’t enjoy a soft boiled egg (which I did enjoy) without the specter of later discomfort in the back of my mind. I’ve never had a problem with eggs, even had them raw in milkshakes as a kid. My point is buy wisely and maintain clean kitchen practices and you should be fine.

The other ingredient I wanted to discuss is pancetta. Pancetta is an Italian cured and dried pork product. While you can substitute bacon for pancetta, the bacon has a smoky flavor the pancetta doesn’t have. I’ve tried the pancetta from my local supermarket, but I was not impressed with it. While the brand is one I usually trust for cold cuts, I don’t think they are known for their cured and dried meats. I will have to seek out another supplier and try again.

Anyhow, I recommend, the book, the television show, and any recipes you want to try from both.

Yes, I did it. Something for which I know some will look down upon me and for which I make no apologies. I went to the 2009 New York Comicon at the Jacob Javits convention center in Manhattan. An event which in four short years has grown to become the second largest comic convention after San Diego. And, a large convention it was. I have been to Jacob Javits before to attend other conventions including Mac World (while they were still held in New York). This convention was as large as I recall Mac World being. For comparison, at the same time as Comicon, the New York Times Travel Show was being held in a hall almost half the size as the Comicon’s.

The Comicon is a place first and for most for comic book collectors and fans. It is an opportunity to meet some of their favorite authors and writers from the genre. From the elderly statesmen who helped mold comics into the widely appreciated art form it has become to the independent writers and publishers of today. There is a giant section of the hall dedicated to the artists where the loyal can try to commission drawings of their favorite characters from their favorite artists. I would have said, “where they can commission,” but due to the sheer number of attendees, the artists were backlogged by the second day. That didn’t stop them from chatting with their fans or autographing a drawing or book.

Among my favorite autographs was one my friend Jim received. Jim brought the cover from the DVD for the movie Mystery Men based on the comic by Bob Burden. Even though the movie was live action, Bob signed the front cover. He then proceeded to flip the paper over and, while balancing the paper on the edge of a box, drew the head of Casanova Frankenstein, the villain from the books and movie. He then handed it back to Jim saying, “secret drawing,” because of course you’ll never see it unless you take the cover out of the DVD’s case.

Other attractions included acre upon acre of comic book sellers where you could buy everything from one dollar back issues of your favorite series to tens of thousands of dollar collectables. They also sold paraphernalia including figurines, games, and costumes.

There were other attractions such as the video game companies which occupied almost half the floor. I didn’t really spend much time in that area. There were also celebrities from the television and film industries. Although I didn’t see him, Joss Whedon was there. I did see Lou Ferrigno and Marina Sirtis who were there to sign autographs.

Other then meeting your comic and occasional film idols, the draw was the community. As with any gathering of fans, you had a great sense of fellowship despite the thousands of people on hand. You could stop anyone and strike up a conversation and have a common background from which to proceed.

That wasn’t the case for me. To be honest, I’ve never been a very big comic book fan. I’ve read a few in my time and enjoyed them. My friends often will recommend something I should read and I do and I enjoy it. But, I never seem to go and seek out new material on my own. I could name maybe four or five comic artists or authors and that’s it. More exposure than many, much less than the real fans.

So why did I go? Three reasons really. First, Jim invited me. Second, Having never been to such a convention I thought it would be fun. And third, and most importantly, for the fans. And what I mean by that is the fans who like to go dressed in costume.

It’s not like you think. These people aren’t crazy. These people are showing their devotion to their favorite pastime. They are sharing their favorite fantasies with the other attendees. There is a knowledge of what they are doing and that it’s silly and funny at times. Ultimately, they are doing it because it’s fun.

I thought it would be a great photographic opportunity to go and get some shots of people in costume and I wasn’t mistaken. There was everything from the serious, to the ridiculous, to the sexy. You can see the photos I took at the convention and see what I mean. Enjoy.

No, I’m not talking about the current weather and it’s disastrous consequences. I’m talking about the book Snow Crash by Neil Stephenson.

This book takes place current day, but not in the world we know now. In this universe, the world economies have collapsed and so has the US government. Military, law enforcement and even the highway systems have been taken over by private enterprise. Functions of society have been taken over by franchises such as the pizza delivery service run by the Mafia. Computer technology is leaps and bounds ahead of our current technology. The Internet is replaced by a place called “the Street, ” which is a virtual world where people interact via their avatars.

As with Mr. Stephenson’s other books (of which I have read one, Cryptonomicon) the action takes place in parallel stories or timelines. In this case, the story is mostly linear but takes place between the real world and the metaverse (the Street).

The stories main characters are the professional computer hacker and aptly named Hiro Protagonist and, a fifteen year old, female skateboard courier named Y.T. After a chance meeting, they become partners collecting intelligence and selling it to the C.I.C. which evolved out of the C.I.A. The intelligence they wind up pursuing and which drives the story is about something called Snow Crash. Snow Crash derives it name from a catastrophic computer system crash that just leave static on the computer display. Snow Crash is a mysterious virtual drug in the metaverse and a drug being sold on the streets of the real world at the same time. I will not ruin the story by telling you any more about what SNow Crash is and it’s implications. Suffice it to say, depending on your mood, it is either a really wild idea or something with an enormous “yeah? right,” factor. If you go with the first option, you are in for a good ride.

You’ll especially enjoy this book if you are a tech head and interested in computer programing. That and history. It is fair to say the Mr. Stephenson tells a very complex story covering many topics and managing to make them relate to one another in unexpected ways. Very much in the way James Burke did with his television series Connections.

One theme that I have noticed caries through in Mr. Stephenson’s books (at least the two I’ve read) is a fascination with World War II. In this story, events from family member’s military experiences during the war help define and drive some of the characters. In Cryptonomicon two parallel stories run throughout the book. One taking place today and the other during the war.

Originally, I was going to compare Niel Stephenson’s writing to sex, starting slowly and building to a climax. But the comparison wouldn’t do justice to the lingering pleasure of sex. No, his story telling is more like an intelligent adult regressing to the mind of a six year old while telling a story. It starts slowly as he establishes the circumstances and creates a rich world for his story to take place. It even progresses well as the stories develop and intermingle. But then, the conclusion is like the six year old who is so excited to tell you the punchline to a joke he skips the whole middle section and blurts it out. And then the story is over.

To be fair, this story did not suffer from that effect as much as Cryptonomicon did. Cryptonomicon was nine hundred of the best pages I’ve ever read. That was followed by Mr. Stephenson’s realization that he could have kept writing forever if he wasn’t careful. The remaining eighteen pages were dissatisfying to say the least. Snow Crash doesn’t suffer that exact problem. In fact, aside from some exposition at times (sort of necessary to explain how the pieces fit together even if the circumstances are a little suspect) the story reaches a climax that makes sense and is in itself, satisfying. But again, it felt like there were loose ends even though every story line was concluded. Just, not concluded satisfactorily.

Perhaps it is that his stories are so complex and involving that they are difficult to concluded. Perhaps as the reader I don’t want them to end and any ending will therefore be a disappointment. I think the truth lies somewhere in between. Either way, I will definitely be reading more of Neil Staphenson’s work in the future and I suggest you do as well.

Where to begin? Well, let me start at the origins of this tale…

I finally decided to sign up for a Twitter account. You can follow me at http://twitter.com/ktsakos. I signed up because I wanted to follow a few of the pundits I hear talking about it on some of my favorite podcasts. Twitter in itself is kind of amazing. It allows you to post what are basically micro blogs. Anything you post must be 140 characters or less. There are numerous applications which allow you to access it directly and also track the people whose twits you are watching. It’s a fascinating way to see what is going on around the world with the people who interest you (and who twitter).

Oddly, Twitter is not the subject of this entry. It is in fact a site called Flickrvision. Now we all have heard of Flickr (no, it’s not a typo, it’s the cool web 2.0 way of dropping the ‘e’ in site names) which is a social networking site oriented around photography. I myself have always been a person who wanted to post my images myself on my own site. This feeling is changing after finding Flickrvision.

Filckrvision combines two web sites for an amazing experience. It basically watches the recent post feed from Flickr and then looks at the location of the poster. It then uses an API (programing interface) for Google Maps to pinpoint those poster’s locations. Then it shows you the picture as in reference to the location.

Wow Karl, that’s really neat. Well yes, it actually is. It is updated every couple of seconds. So you are quickly transported across the globe from the southern US where there is a picture of a large dog following a smaller dog to China where you see a young girl walking down a dirt road in a small village. Then to France where two ladies are talking in a cafe (what else would you expect in France). And then it’s up the former Eastern Block states where there are several twenty somethings reading a bulletin board in a boring blue hallway.

The point is it is in incredibly captivating. We’ve all seen those books that chronicle a city or country photographically for a 24 hour period. This is the entire world in real time. Just staggeringly amazing. If you want to see how important you are and give yourself a sense of proportion, then watch Flickrvision for 5 minutes. It has a similar effect to the Total Perspective Vortex except on a global scale, not universal. And yet, it doesn’t have the effect of turning your mind to mush.

For me, it is a moving experience to see a quick, voyeuristic glimpse into all these people’s lives. A glimpse, I might add, that they invited us to take. Since Flickr uses open source licensing, everything posted there is free for use as long as it isn’t for commercial gain.

I highly recommend you take a look. I think you will stay for a while.

Oh, you may be wondering why I started with the whole conversation about Twitter at the beginning there. Quite simple really. David Troy, the same guy who created Flickrvision also created Twittervision which does the same thing with tweets.

You know, trying Flock for posting on my blog got me to thinking, I know I’ve heard of blog editors before. I just never payed them much heed as I never needed one before. Until now; I don’t know if you’ve noticed but I now have a blog.

I did some research and came across the program I think I heard of, MarsEdit by Red Sweater Software. As a matter of fact I am writing this very review in a demo copy of the program. What I see so far is pretty nice. I like the interface which is simple and well laid out.

The main window has a list of your blogs on the left as well as a local drafts folder for when you are working off line. Well, not just for working off line, this way you could have several entries you are working on that you want to post only when complete. A nice feature really. On the upper-right is a list of the entries in the selected blog or drafts on the left. Below that list is a preview of the selected blog entry. Along the top of the window is an icon bar which provides several common options such as New Post, Delete Post, and Edit Post

Editing or creating a new post brings up a new edit window. The window is a very straight forward text editor with an interesting twist. Since you are writing content for the web, the program allows embedding of html code, rather standard really. However, if you use a standard key combination for formatting, such as command-b for bold, instead of bolding your text on screen, the html code for bolding text is inserted. There is also a drop-down menu with common web formatting options.

There is also a scripting menu with some handy scripts already available. One I find useful is the Add Paragraph Tags script. For some reason, returns aren’t automatically interpreted as paragraphs in this program or WordPress, so this script does so for you.

Back in the edit window, you can display a pane with options for the blog entry on the right. These options include selecting categories or creating a new one. You can also toggle some of the server options including Commenting and TrackBacks.

While MarsEdit doesn’t have the webclipings feature of Flock, it is well integrated with the clipboard and Safari. I suppose now is as good a time as any to point out the program is Mac only as are all the programs from Red Sweater Software. With that in mind, they are all Universal Binaries, so will work with both Intel and PPC based Macs running Mac OS X 10.4 or 10.5. As noted earlier, there is a 30 day free trial and the software costs $29.95 to purchase.

Already, I like this editor better then Flock’s. Not that there is anything wrong with that editor, just that this one is only an editor and focusses on doing that well. I will most likely purchase this after the 30 days is up unless I come across anything better. As I said, I will probably buy this one.