alexsarll | The Empire never ended

It's a week since I updated - well, except to have an IT spasm* - and I'm not entirely sure why, because it's not like I've been short of things to report. I've seen my first of the new generation of 3D films, Coraline, and been impressed with how well the technology works, and how it doesn't just feel like a gimmick - whichever industry suit it was who said that if it wasn't quite the new sound, it was maybe the new colour, was for once not talking hype crap. I've finally been in a boat on Finsbury Park lake, and am glad to know that I can still just about row. I've found an opportunity to take direct action against Mahmoud Ahmadinejad while en route to Richmond of all places, where I then received an eye-opening tour of the local attractions. I've played Necrons. I went to a revivalist goth club where my trousers melted - not that I was wearing them at the time - and it became clear that apparently all female goth vocals of the Batcave period either were, or sounded like, Siouxsie. I've discovered a splendid little venue within walking distance which seems to have a full programme of rockabilly-type stuff, because the Deptford Beach Babes were doing their surftastic thing there. And I've started the new Glen David Gold, which is thus far every bit as thrilling and beautiful and capacious as Carter Beats The Devil, itself one of the very few books I'm happy to recommend to pretty much anyone.

Further to recent discussions of SF writer Alfred Bester, I was surprised to learn while looking up something totally different that not only had he written for comics back in the 'Golden Age', but he created immortal supervillain Vandal Savage, something of a role model of mine. And the only other comics note which springs to mind is that while I don't think Garth Ennis' Boys spin-off Herogasm merits quite the appalled reception it got at yesterday's picnic, it does put one of my reservations about the parent series at centre stage. This is a world where superheroes are, almost without exception, utter bastards behind closed doors - degnerates, pawns of corporate interests, murderers, the lot. Our protagonists are the shady squad who keep them in check. Well, that's a good premise. But these heroes never seem to do anything useful - there are no real threats against which they serve. All we've seen so far is a rather cackhanded attempt to intervene on September 11th 2001. And I think that goes a little too far, and detracts from the strength of the story. If all the alien invasions and such are wholly fraud, spin and cover-up, it becomes rather one-note. I'd be more interested in the story of superpowered individuals who really are Earth's last line of defence, and also complete bastards. More dramatic tension than if they're solely and entirely tossers.

*Speaking of which, I was watching some early Buffy yesterday, for the first time in ages (and don't they all look so young?), and there was a terribly sad bit where Buffy asks Giles whether life gets easier, and he asks if she wants the truth and she replies, as per the episode title, '"Lie to me". And we were discussing this and I concluded that it doesn't get easier per se, but it's a bit like getting used to a horribly buggy piece of software - you gradually learn more of the tricks and workarounds, and get more adept, but of course this just makes it even more jarring when some new glitch arises.

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We saw Monsters vs Aliens (J has seen it 3 times, actually) and was expecting the 3D to be a bit rubbish but it was actually rilly gud, without the whole OMG THINGS FLYING AT ME I JUMP OUT OF MY SEAT NOW nastiness, as it was more subtle and stuff. J was a bit worried that it would be scary (as we didn't know how jumping out it would be) but held the glasses over her eyes (so she could drop them quickly if needed) and very quickly decided to put them on properly.

The stuff coming out of the screen didn't happen too much until the end credits, it more seemed to be about depth behind the screen, which I liked. I did briefly try wearing my old-school 3D specs under the cinema ones, to see if I would be sucked into the screen or something, but no joy.

Yes, exactly, it just made everything look BETTER, which can only be a good thing. Also I really hate the old school ones because the colours make my head hurt (I also can't use binoculars because one of my eyes is a bit weak and doesn't go as far in as it should, I'm not sure if that's in any way relevant to 3d specs, probably not)

Ooh, Ashes to Ashes, eh?

The recent comics ones have been the old-fashioned specs, and those have worked really well but are meant to be messing with your mind, as opposed to just more real.

I liked this episode as straight crime drama more than as something which advanced the story behind it all. That seems to be coming next week...

There was a bit with the needles and with her scary claw-y hands that jumped out a bit. I still wish my life could be like the pretty mice at the end.

Also: I am not sure I am very good at fixing buggy software. ;)

Maybe you need the mice to help you?

Do they have parcetamol?

Yes, I have been re-watching Buffy from the beginning and I remember that bit. I've just started season 4 and I hate it compared to the high school ones. Riley can do one.

I thought Season 4 was pretty abysmal until I later reviewed it in the light of Seasons 6 and 7, at which point it started to appear amazingly coherent and witty.

What's all this about a Buffy "reboot" without involvement from Whedon or the original cast, anyway?

I saw people going on about that on Twitter. Sounds ridiculous, just the director of the original film and his wife involved... I don't think it will come to anything.

I know only what has been said here about the reboot - it sounds as doomed as it is abysmal.

Season 4 was a good concept, it was just a shame about Riley - who admittedly was meant to be a bit rubbish, but who just did that too effectively. S6 starts brilliantly, ends intriguingly, but sadly has a longeur in the middle which includes the single worst episode of the series. And 7...I don't know, the pacing is off (Caleb eventually arrives, is invincible for a couple of eps, then dead) but that aside, I think it's judged too harshly.

In the Buffy Top Trumps, Riley is smarter than Willow and tougher than most anyone but Buffy. I have never met anyone who does not think this an abomination, and if I did, I would probably never speak to them again.

Also herogasm: I was being SUCH a cow yesterday, I also took the micky out of bec's drawing skills AND clairey's knitting skills.

I said sorry to them, however, I will not say sorry about herogasm. Comics about hedgehogs and bunnies are where it's at!

The Boys has a cute dog. Though he has yet to show up in Herogasm.

The Empire never ended

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