This one’s going to be quick, so bear with me. I’m SUPPOSED to be packing for Cancun right now. By the time you read this, I’ll at least be in the air.
It’s hard to believe SWO Productions is already coming up on ten months’ of existence! Ten months so far of articles and podcasts and just general futzing around. Wow. Will I do something special for our anniversary? Who knows! Not I. I should really figure something out.
I’m always very appreciative over at my Twitter account, but I don’t take enough time to thank everyone that doesn’t frequent there as much. Let’s knock out some big thank you’s before we get into this month’s recommendations!
First and foremost, a big shout out to my most constant collaborator, Jabroniville! Your articles are usually funnier than mine, and your never-ending supply of stuff you write about is beyond appreciated. You’ve been an awesome dude in the… Jesus… twenty-plus years I’ve known you!
Next up, I can never not thank John from Pint O’ Comics. Another great friend, and without him and his motivation and inspiration, SWO Productions might never have come into existence. He gave me encouragement and keeps me busy doing video reviews for bad movies. And Jason movies, which are NEVER bad! And while I’m thanking my chums at the Pint, mucho gracias to Lloyd, as well, for all of the snazzy art!
Much longer than I’ve been doing my own thing, I’ve been a contributor over at 411mania, and everyone there is fantastic. From the other contributors, to Jeremy Thomas, to the commenters always keeping me humble, to the late, great Larry Csonka, that place in a blast, and I’m honored they let me share my nonsense there.
Finally, I knew my podcast would have some supporters, but I’m overwhelmed that people enjoy the writing I churn out here. From folks like sopantooth and Ben Herman and Paul Bowler who always have such great comments for me to check out, to those that just take the time to read and “Like” this drivel, I’m honored you enjoy what we have to offer.
All right. That’s enough being sappy. Let’s get into it!
MOVIES
I have not seen any of the Back To The Future movies since I was a kid, so… since the late 80’s to very early 90’s. I decided to remedy that by knocking out the first two (so far). I actually thought part two was a somewhat substantial step down from the original, though it’s still plenty good. The first act of the sequel–the 2015 stuff–just didn’t really work for me at all. But it got better.
The original is the classic it’s always heralded as. It’s hard to grade that movies thirty-plus years out of its inception, but I still really enjoyed it.
I finished up the Naked Gun trilogy, and I almost wish I hadn’t. The third part has NOT aged well at all. While parts one and two are somewhat of their time–but mostly just all-purpose funny–33 1/3 is essentially “Early 90’s: The Jokes”. Almost everything is a topical reference. Thank goodness the third act salvages enough of the movie to go with an average rating. “Let’s not invite Phil Donahue back next year”… that’s still good stuff.
The Fear Street conclusion really worked for me, and I am WOW’ed at how much I dug that trilogy. I really thought it would be okay trash at best, but it was really well done for its budget. I hope they leave that particularly story alone, but I’d really like another Fear Street series.
If you can’t believe I’ve never watched a Studio Ghibli movie before, it’s actually true. I finally rectified that with Spirited Away, which makes Labyrinth and The Never Ending Story look dull and unimaginative in comparison. I thought there were some plot elements that weren’t followed through on as well as they should have been, but god damn that film is gorgeous.
Nacho Libre was the movie that made me start adoring Jack Black back in 2006, and while it isn’t that great on a technical level… man, there are so many iconic moments here. I will never not laugh my butt off at this. “Get that corn outta my face!”
READING
People had been pressuring me to do it, and I finally did: I started in on Fullmetal Alchemist.
I’ve read about half of the first Three-In-One collection that I bought. The funny thing is, I have watched a chunk of the Fullmetal Alchemist anime back in the day, and I didn’t remember ANY of this. I know the anime has some typical filler episode stuff, but maybe I didn’t start at the beginning of the anime as much as I thought I did.
Anyway, this is fun enough. I do like Edward and Alphonse, but it really doesn’t feel like Al has much of a character at all yet. Edward is proud and honorable and short-tempered, and the book goes out of its way to give me a feel for him. Al is just… there. I’m not getting much on him yet. Hopefully that ends up changing.
The series throws you right into the middle of this world and these characters’ careers, so it’s a little sink-or-swim to start, but I’m starting to put the world together in my head a bit. I’m still not sure how “alchemy” means “magically pulling swords out of the ground”, but… I’m sure I’ll get there.
I’m also still pushing through the Wizard Top 100 list I started last month, too! So I’ve been reading that. And I’ll take my Kindle to Cancun with me. I may lose a week+ of movie watching, but I’ll try to get more reading in.
All right, I told you it was going to be short. I gave my cat enough of a nap on my suitcase, and now I gotta shoo him elsewhere and finish putting stuff together. I somehow ALWAYS underestimate how much clothes I need on trips, even when I meticulously count out the days.
Until next time… take care!
(Oh, also I am going to make a liar of myself and post this tonight instead of scheduling it for tomorrow)
SWO Productions 