The Watchmen: A Book and Movie Review

Book: The Watchmen
Author: Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons
Type: Graphic Novel
Rating: 4.7/5

Movie Director: Zack Snyder
Rating: 4.5/5

Reading The Watchmen is a commitment. I don't mean that you have to stop everything on the spot to read it, but it definitely is a novel that you can't be watching TV or listening to music while reading. Its characters are flawed. The situations they are in are very specific and daunting. You have to read past the asshole-ishness of the characters to enjoy the book, and that takes commitment. It is what makes this book and movie a great philosophical study.

The year is 1985 and Richard Nixon has been reelected to the Presidential seat for the 5th time.

The novel opens up with Rorschach (played by Jackie Earle Haley) documenting the death of the Comedian (played by Jeffrey Dean Morgan), a man who is hard to sympathize with. The Comedian was a bastard by everyone's standard: he killed pregnant women, he torched villages, he attempted rape on one of his fellow "superhero". So his shocking death was one Rorschach found disturbing. As he documented the deaths of his comrades, he found it his duty to warn the last of the living: Ozymandias (Matthew Goode), Dr Manhattan (Billy Crudup), his girlfriend Silk Spectre II (Malin Akerman), and former buddy, Nite Owl II (Patrick Wilson).

Rorsach contacts Oz, and tells him the troubling news. Panic stricken, Oz promises to look into the case. Rorsach, on his own, tries to find the Comedian's nemesis, Moloch the Mystic (Matt Frewer), to see if he has any connection to the former superhero's death.

Along the way, we find out that Jon Manhattan and Laurie are not getting along well as Jon becomes more separated from the human race after his plasmic change, and Laurie was wanting human bonding that Dr Manhattan cannot provide. Silk Spectre II finally takes off and seeks middle aged and balding friend, Nite Owl II.

As Laurie and Dan meet, Dr Manhattan heads to a TV studio where he gets interviewed. He finds out that his former friend, and girlfriend, and a few people he associated with have cancer and that their conditions were linked to him and his change of state.

Its story, as individual characters, and as a group, shows that everyone, with the exception of Manhattan, has a fear of aging, death, and leaving a legacy. Will that legacy be about birth? Or friendship? Or a trademark of peace? Or revealing that the peace that was formed was a farce?

Alan Moore has layers upon layers of anger, grief, and disillusion written in the story that makes you wonder why at this current day and age, we still suffer from the same ill fate these characters suffer.

The movie was well directed by Zack Snyder. Almost frame by frame, line by line (with a few switches here and there for continuity's sake, and I guess a change of script lines to avoid complete plagarism or offending people who would be offended by the word-- sperm), it was an homage to the novel.

The gore in the movie was akin to that of 300. It was essential, but comic-bookish enough not to make you squirm. I could have done with less shots of the anatomically correct Dr Manhattan as he swings in the breeze, but I like the fact that Snyder had the cojones to keep it in (heehee) the movie to silence the purists. The V-shaped codpiece when he's in his gigantic form was enough tasteful... I was relieved.

I am glad that "Tales of the Black Freighter" and "Under the Hood" are separate from the almost 3-hour movie. Although they are essential (and a great read in the novel itself), it would have made the movie more of a bloaty piece of work rather than a sturdy film. Later to be released as a separate DVD, it definitely would be a great companion to The Watchmen DVD.

If there was one thing I wasn't too thrilled about the movie was the person who played President Nixon. The make-up was horrendous, and the character was very hard to understand. Was he supposed to really represent a former skeleton of himself? Or was that the best the casting crew can do since Frank Langella was already taken?

Overall, you really can't say anything bad about the movie or the book. However, it would be wise to read the novel first before visiting the theater. It surely will take out the Church giggle you'd want to squeak out the moment you see Manhattan, or the rage when you see the Comedian, or the, "Oh dear" statement when you see Nite Owl II or other "why" questions you may have if you decide to see the movie without the book.

Terminator 4 Scoopage

Can't wait to thaw myself in a movie theater this spring, and the one movie I thought I'd lose myself in is Terminator 4: Salvation.

But May 10 is too far for now, so I give you spoilers.

I found this article through Wired Magazine, featuring McG's vision of the future that would be featuring none other than hottie, Christian Bale, who's sole purpose in living is saving the world as John Connor. If that's not creepy/cool enough, how about learning that University of PA may be the next Skynet? And if that's not enough drama for you, how about listening to Christian Bale/John Connor tear a DP a new one? Can you hear an F-Bomb dropping every 6 seconds? I don't know about you, but hearing it made me want to watch a movie with a lot of cussing all of a sudden.

Maybe Ah-nuld can wrap this puppy up and give John a good mouth soaping...

Monty Python Channel- Hurrah!

My life isn't that interesting, and maybe that's one of the reasons why I really never committed to journals. Even with a journal prompter, it is hard to find something I (and in this case, you, my friend, who's reading this posting) relevant.

Amy posted her latest chapter in her story, Peer Pressure, and I remember fondly an incident that involves The Lumberjack Song-- a song that has become legendary thanks to the love-it-or-hate-it Monty Python.

Don't know what I am talking about? Or you want to hear the song? Well, search no more. Apparently, there is a Monty Python Channel. Visit it, and stay tuned. You just don't know what you're missing.

Dawning of a New Day

My thoughts on the Obama inauguration...

Getting Back on TV

Being a mom has definitely taken me away from the idiot box known as the TV. I am currently suffering from Chuck and Supernatural withdrawal but I still keep tabs on shows either currently on, or about to be canceled.

Let's stick with what's on, shall we?

Scrubs- used to watch this show religiously until the Jman was born, and other shows started piling up on my VCR (yes, I don't TiVo or DVR) or my computer. Since it's on The Comedy Central and other channels as fillers, I wasn't really searching for it, per se. With it moving to ABC, however, I caught up with the current batch. I still love the main cast. Hate the new residents, hate Courtney Cox. Can't wait to watch tonight's set of episodes.

How I Met Your Mother- Seriously? Barney crushing? It was too much! Love NPH and the gang. Can't believe Kim Kardashian is getting so much TV time. Ugh.

Ugly Betty- I think that this season's sucky. I can't believe I am still watching it when I cannot stand Whillie. The fact that I love Betty's "You go, girl!" attitude, I would admit that I would eventually step up and ask someone for some fashion advice, even if it means her nephew puts her clothes together. It's better than watching her look so frumpy every time. Amanda and Marc are the two that keep me glued especially now that Gio is gone. I still think Freddy Rodriguez should've stayed, but with him constantly playing second fiddle, I would've done the same thing: bounce. Apparently, Christina (Ashley Jensen) wants out of her contract. Same thing-- I would bail if I was given such a crappy gig.

I don't know if TV is better since the writer's strike, but I can admit that Tina Fey's rant at the Golden Globes is one of the better writings I've heard since her Sarah Palin parodies-- which I really don't consider "being written" since SP had said the same words herself-- before the skits have been taped!

On the canning front, Prison Break is ending! Good riddance!

Alright, show's over. Get working!

I Won!!!

Never thought I'd reach the finish line.

Ellie's Trouble with the Awesomes

If you thought Chuck had issues with being a spy, try being Ellie who has to deal with Awesome's parents. Scary!

Cancelations: Are Jericho Peanuts THAT Good?

November 12, NBC canceled Lipstick Jungle and My Own Worst Enemy. Not ever watching LJ, I don't know whether the show was even worth keeping to start out with.  MOWE? I thought the premise had promise. I watched it a few times, and I myself got lost through the plot. It tries very hard to be a JJ Abrams show, and alas, it failed.  Really, someone can retool this show and it would be a hit. For now, I guess it will get shelved.  The other good thing MOWE had proven, though, is that Christian Slater IS a good actor. Employ him. He's bankable.

Scrubs' swan season is coming on air, much to several shows' dismay.  DirtySexyMoney, Eli Stone and Pushing Daisies are getting the ax. DSM was baaad. I wanted to like this show so much when it premiered last year but even this soap opera cannot even float as bubbles.  I knew that several people said Eli Stone was good but I never gave it a look-see.  Pushing Daisies, which I've watched all season last year, I am sad to see this one go.  It was very promising and really touching. Ned, Charlie and Olive are strange in their own ways but it was touching at the same time.  I hope NBC does it justice when its last episode airs.

Now, the CW. The only show I get to watch on this channel is Supernatural so I really am not versed about their current shows.  However, it' was strange to find out that Jericho is back! (?) 

Valentine is getting the ax. I knew one person that watched this show. She said she liked it. However, the show's supposed to be good but now it's getting canceled. Leave it to CW to screw things up.

But not everything isn't lost. With good shows leaving and some that are bad and are still on, Stephen Colbert wants to share the Christmas love with everyone.  On Nov 23, Colbert's Christmas special will be on. It promises to be the new Muppets special minus the muppets. If you're like me who doesn't want to see anything Christmas related before Thanksgiving, tape the show or buy the DVD the Tuesday after its air date. 

Happy Holidays!

What Ever Happened to the Separation of Church and State?

This pissed me off.

I am glad that I am not part of this parish. 

Someone might say that I am not a real Caltholic, or that I should be kicked out of the church for saying sentiments against this priest. But the way I see it, being denied the Sacrament of Communion based on the fact that a man that's leading the country is going to uphold the constitution on the decision of Roe V Wade is criminal.

Is President-Elect Obama doing the abortions himself? No.

Is President-Elect Obama saying that girls that get pregnant and don't want their unborn child go to abortion clinics? No.

He is the man of the law, and has to uphold said law, it is his constitutional duty to make sure the law is upheld.

It is kind of funny that this priest says that McCain would have been a better president because he SAYS he's anti-abortion. Apparently, the lives of soldiers constantly dying for wars that shouldn't be the US' problems have less value compared to the lives of the aborted, especially in the cases of women who got pregnant because they were raped by people of their own family or by men who have no conscience, raping and pillaging women against their will... Let alone be raped and carry a child when they are children themselves!

I do not advocate abortion but I am glad that I don't have to be faced with the decision whether to have one or not. However, as much as I don't want to be denied medical assistance in a stressful situation, my vote should not be the reason that I would be ex-communicated, if not, denied a sacrament because I choose a leader based on his ability to lead and save lives.

I am not going to be repentant because I have made a choice for someone who I think could lead. So where does that lead me with the Sacrament of Reconciliation?

Definitely Smells Like a Teen-- Where's the Spirit?

The baby on Nirvana's album, Nevermind, is now seventeen.

Where and what happened to the music that inspired a whole generation?

Chugging Along

8,218 / 50,000 (16.4%)

Here's why I've not been here in a while. I've participated in NaNoWriMo and I am schlepping. Trying to make up a story from scratch is simple in concept but hard in execution. These people's lives are in my hands, so to speak.


Last night was so busy at work that even if my characters wanted me to continue plot, my hands are tied performing my bread and butter duties. Tonight won't be any better. Actually, it's going to be busier. However, I am determined to make up for the 8.6% word count necessary for last week. Pray I find time to write the next 25% this coming week. Oi vei!

Halloween Carvings!

Been a while since I've posted. Well, here's the latest from the Shopkeep's home. The advent of Halloween!

Guess which pumpkin belongs to the Nilly, the Shopkeep and the J-man. It's not that hard to predict.


The Bad Cat
Sally
The Freak Out


'

Great Scot! He's a Patriot

Who would have thunk that Craig Ferguson, newly minted naturalized US citizen could eloquently put together words that would say to the American viewer, "Think about the issues, not the brouhaha media feeds you" about the election?

He's got more heart than staunch Democrats and Republicans alike.

If anything else, listen to his rant. Maybe it will make you believe that your vote counts in the upcoming election.

Vocab 101, Please

For Kat--

My girlfriend and I have made the word "Phelpsed" a catchphrase at work. It means someone has done something quicker or faster and better than you.

Example: I can't believe Roddy gave the same report as I did and got credit for it!
Dude, sorry to hear that you got Phelpsed.

Other words:

What is the plural for doofus? Doofuses? Doofi?
Is there a superlative word than STAT? Someone at work said, "The doctor said the test should be ran stater." So, is STATER acceptable?
Should bootilicious be taken out as a vocabulary word? I know I think it should. So as the vocab word "air quotes".

Check out a new favorite vocabulary website of mine. You'll be impressed.

Last but not the least, Keith Olberman contributing to the urban dictionary.

Niagara Falls

Starting this blog entry is hard. I mean, how do you talk about Niagara Falls without sounding like a cliche? Niagara Falls-- a place for lovers? The best thing across the boarder? Niagara- a naturalist's delight?

NF for me was a long-deserved getaway. Nilly and I anguished over where we were supposed to go this year to celebrate our 6th wedding anniversary or the 10th year commemoration of the day we started dating. So, choosing between the falls and spending a wad of cash at the Hershey Lodge became a no-brainer.

The 6-1/2 hour drive from Podunk Town to the Canadian Boarder was a little more stressful than I thought, thanks to the Little League Baseball event taking place at the Pennsylvania boarder. Once we made through the slow-crawling traffic, the trip was really a breeze.

Our first stop was our hotel called the Sterling Inn and Spa.



A recent addition to the hotels at the Tourist District, Sterling Inn and Spa is located in a part of town that is being revived. Imagine our surprise when we saw how "strange" the hotel looked from the outside! Later on, we've learned that the building used to be a Borden cheese manufacturing site.



Our room was on the first floor. We had a huge king-sized bed, a wonderful fireplace (which sadly, we can't use since it was warm), sliding windows from the 2-person whirlpool tub, a glass sink, and a rainhead shower with water body massagers. ****AWESOME**** is an understatement. Not to mention that they had Bath and Body hair products and body gels. Okay, so I am easily impressed. Leave me alone.

We also had hardwood floors, an empty refrigerator to put cold cuts and water in without constantly buying $2 water bottles.

The Inn also had an in-house spa. Nilly and I took advantage of their services the day we hiked 8 miles to and from the rapids. For $120 per person, we got a 60-minute Swedish massage where our masseuse did not speak to us except to give us instructions to roll over and how to prepare ourselves for the steam room. Definitely money well spent.

Same night, we experienced the most wonderful dining experience at the Falls. The AG (which is the chemical symbol for Silver-- get it? Sterling Silver? I know, geeky chemistry joke) was not just a meal. It was a moment to savor. Our bartender, who looked a lot like Deputy Leo, was an easy going guy who made the most wonderful amaretto sour drinks--yum! He gave us our menus, served our meals (Nilly got a Wellington Beef that was to die for while I had the salmon-- a real mouth melting treat!) and helped us choose desserts (Nilly had a baked on the spot pie and peach sorbet while I had the cheesecake with candied ginger and cherry--ecstatic!). Superlatives cannot justify the meal we got.

Throughout the couple of days, unfortunately, we've not been able to experience the same culinary greatness. Mediocre was a definite staple. We ate lunch once at Wolfgang Puck. The meal was above average. We returned for dessert a day later and the service was horrible. So horrible that after waiting for 10 minutes to be acknowledged, we finally left. We also dined at a place called Carpaccio which was voted best place to dine for a succession of years. We were disappointed!!! We spent almost as much money as we did at the AG for fare that is up to par, if not sub par to The Olive Garden. We vowed that the next time we return, we will try eating at The Waterfront. We're skipping the pubs and whatnots. Another place to skip for breakfast? AlMac's. Other than the fact that it's a buffet place, they are overpriced and almost inedible. Go ahead and just have a meal at Denny's or Perkins. At least, you'll know what you're getting. You'll thank me for the suggestion later.


Things We Got To Do

1. The Maid of the Mist- of course you have to do it. Getting thisclose to the falls was a breath taking moment.










2. Behind the Falls- I was a little disappointed with this but I may try to walk behind the falls on the American side.










3. The Rapids- It's a nice 3 mile walk from the Bridalveil falls. It's another 1/4 mile walking close to the Stage 5 white water rapids.











4. The Buddhist Temple- Right across from the rapids, it was a nice quiet break.










5. The Whirlpool- Nilly did the ride. At this point, I was "watered" out. It was another 2 miles from the rapids.

We didn't do Marineland, the Butterfly Museum or the Aviary. We also opted out of the numerous haunted houses, wax museums, and the ferris wheel located at Victoria Rd. When the brochures said that Clifton Heights was tourist trap hell, believe it. It took us forever to get through the throngs of people.

We went to the Outlet Mall because our camera died. It's such a shame. Now, we have a small snapshot camera-- you tell me what you think about it-- the photos should speak for themselves.

On the last night of our vacation, we watched the fireworks. It was a nice way to end an evening. Having missed fireworks this past 4th of July, the pyrotechnic show was a nice change. Having it over the waters was magical.

Anyway, after 4 days and walking about 20 miles, our vacation had to end. At first, we decided on taking our time driving back home. 20 minutes into the trip, we decided to drive as quickly as we could to see the J-man before he falls asleep. Seeing his face light up when we pulled into the driveway was a sight to see.

We're planning another visit to the falls maybe 5 years from now. Hopefully the boy will be big enough to experience the falls for himself!

Dr Horrible's Act II Is Up!

Act II of Dr. Horrible is up. Watch it now before it gets pulled off the internet. Nathan Fallon is getting nastier and NPH is getting more desperate. Who's going to win?

What I've Been Watching On the Net

Because I have nothing better to do...

Awaiting the second act:

Dr Horrible's Sing-Along Blog- It goes without saying that I have learned to love all things Joss Whedon (when he fell in love with VM, and I started liking Firefly and the soon to be shown The Dollhouse), Neil Patrick Harris, et al. Singing about doing something horrible had never felt so right.... Especially while doing laundry.

And a throwback: seeing Daria live the Y2K generation in her own dPod (a version of the iPod) commercial (version Jerk It Out) or another version (Maneater) for your entertainment.

What has been your current web obsession?

George Carlin, RIP

Call him acerbic. Call him misogynistic. But he called a lot of things as what they present themselves.

In the 71 years he lived in this earth, George Carlin had said some of the most prolific things such as “Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television.” You know them... I don't have to recite them. However, his delivery is so great I cannot do it justice.

Instead, I leave you this in his memory:

George Carlin's Views on Aging

Do you realize that the only time in our lives when we like to get old is when we're kids? If you're less than 10 years old, you're so excited about aging that you think in fractions.

"How old are you?" "I'm four and a half!" You're never thirty-six and a half. You're four and a half, going on five! That's the key. You get into your teens, now they can't hold you back. You jump to the next number, or even a few ahead.

"How old are you?" "I'm gonna be 16!" You could be 13, but hey, you're gonna be 16! And then the greatest day of your life . . you become 21. Even the words sound like a ceremony . YOU BECOME 21. YESSSS!!!

But then you turn 30. Oooohh, what happened there? Makes you sound like bad milk! He TURNED; we had to throw him out. There's no fun now, you're just a sour-dumpling. What's wrong? What's changed?

You BECOME 21, you TURN 30, then you're PUSHING 40. Whoa! Put on the brakes, it's all slipping away. Before you know it, you REACH 50 and your
dreams are gone.

But wait!!! You MAKE it to 60. You didn't think you would!

So you BECOME 21, TURN 30, PUSH 40, REACH 50 and MAKE it to 60.

You've built up so much speed that you HIT 70! After that it's a day-by-day thing; you HIT Wednesday!

You get into your 80's and every day is a complete cycle; you HIT lunch; you TURN 4:30; you REACH bedtime. And it doesn't end there. Into the 90s, you start going backwards; "I Was JUST 92."

Then a strange thing happens. If you make it over 100, you become a little kid again. "I'm 100 and a half!" May you all make it to a healthy 100 and a half!!


HOW TO STAY YOUNG

1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay "them."

2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.

3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain idle. "An idle mind is the devil's workshop." And the devil's name is Alzheimer's.

4. Enjoy the simple things.

5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.

6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person, who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.

7. Surround yourself with what you love, whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.

8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.

9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county; to a foreign country but NOT to where the guilt is.

10.Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.


AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

Live the Carlin way. Enjoy life. Cheers, George. Now, ask Jesus what he thought of Catholicism WOW.

Caprica

A Battle Star Galactica spinoff?

Zach Quinto on Star Trek

I may not be a trekkie but he definitely would be a reason for watching. Here's a little vid about him talking a bit about his stint on the Starship Enterprise and what may be in for him on Heroes' Season 3.