It's a Bullet Sunday Holiday! Well, not really... I'm still catching up on piles and piles of work over Memorial Day weekend. But at least it's quiet.
• DaveToons. While I was on vacation, I worked on one of the many animated sequences for my video. I'm guessing that I'm about 25%-30% finished now. The cool thing about the project is that I am trying really hard to put Lil' Dave and Bad Monkey in places and situations I've never drawn before. It helps to keep things interesting to me so I don't get bored. Outer-space seemed to be a natural, but since I had already done Star Wars and Star Trek stuff before, I decided to take a more "reality-based" approach this time, choosing instead to make them astronaut heroes...
• Robin. One of my favorite Disney toons when I was a kid was Robin Hood. Growing up, I continued to enjoy the character, and was glad that there were plenty of books and movies to explore. Unfortunately, the movies were dated and crappy, but in the mid-80's there was a British television series called Robin of Sherwood which is probably the best interpretation of the character I've ever seen (even when Jason Connery took over for the amazing Michael Praed after series two). The show was tough and gritty, filled with brilliant acting and an almost spiritual reverence for the characters.I've re-watched the episodes many times, and purchased the DVD set a while back. Then in 1991 disaster struck. The Kevin Costner movie Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves was unleashed. This steaming pile of shit was beyond bad, and killed Robin to me for years. Flash forward a decade-and-a-half, and the BBC has taken another stab at Robin Hood with a 13-episode series which has also been airing on BBC America. This time they've attempted to modernize the story a bit, with mixed results...
On one hand, they did try to do away with Robin as some kind of poser prancing through the forest in tights and blow-dry hair. This Robin is a mangy scavenger which seems more realistic to me. In addition, they've done a fairly good job of casting the roles, and have filmed the show beautifully, with lush photography and some nice cinematography. Where the show falls flat is that it's a bit boring and drawn-out. Robin starts out as a kind of wimpy pacifist, and there's not a lot of action to be had. In the end I'd have to say I liked it okay, but it still pales in comparison to Robin of Sherwood, which is a real shame. It's my understanding that they have started filming a second series, so I can only hope that the show will improve as it moves forward... the world needs Robin Hood now more than ever.
• Fuzz. Finally got to see Hot Fuzz this weekend and absolutely loved it. Coming from the creators of the fantastic comedy-horror film Shaun of the Dead, this is a tongue-in-cheek look at all those quaint English countryside tele-dramas... but nicely blended with comedy, action, violence, and occasional gory situations. As if that wasn't enough, there's actually a really good mystery story to build upon, and all the acting is top-notch. Much of the humor and situations will be lost on American audiences, but I think that's why it's so amazing... they dumbed it down for nobody. Brilliant writer/star Simon Pegg was not afraid to start the film out slow, gradually building to a violent and action-packed finale that will have Shaun of the Dead fans cheering.
In the movie, London police officer Nicholas Angel is so good at his job that he's making everybody else on the force look bad. The solution? Ship him off to the boring English countryside where he won't have the opportunity to show up anybody. But things are never quite what they seem, even in the sleepy village of Sandford, where everybody has secrets and a shocking mystery is waiting to be uncovered. Five stars from me.
• Fascism. When I made my Blogography Political Sanity Chart last Wednesday, a couple of people asked why I didn't have Ann Coulter on it representing the Nut-Job Right. The reason is that such a hateful, fascist, moronic, lying bitch would throw off the entire balance, causing the chart to be completely messed up like this...
Ann Coulter goes beyond "dangerous" and skates right up to "total fucking destruction." Her never-ending parade of hate and lies is so horrendously bad for this country that the damage she's done is incalculable. She professes to love America, but preaches against everything this country stands for. She's nothing but a skanky whore that will say anything, anything... regardless of consequences... to sell her piece of shit books. The fact that people even listen to what she has to say is surely a sign of the Apocalypse. Ann Coulter is representative of everything that is wrong with the USA, and indicative of all we must triumph over before we can come together and start rebuilding the America we once were.
"I take the Biblical idea. God gave us the earth. We have dominion over the plants, the animals, the trees... God says, 'Earth is yours. Take it. Rape it. It's yours.'" — Ann Coulter (obviously living up to her really fucked-up interpretation of The Bible).
Ugh. Time to get back to work. And I had better think of washing clothes too, because my pile of dirty vacation clothes is starting to smell funny...
I love the way people (myself included) tend to procrastinate the laundry. Seriously, it is about five minutes of work here and there and the rest of the time...we can do whatever we want while it cycles. I wonder what it is about that damned laundry that is just so unappealing?
I'm anxiously awaiting your Dave-mation, btw.
The video stills look AWESOME!!!
I can't wait to see it!
Posted by Gary LaPointe on May 27, 2007 | Reply
Thanks for the movie review. Can't wait to see Hot Fuzz. I loved Shawn of the Dead.
Ann scares me more than cottage cheese in lasagna.
Posted by Mad William on May 27, 2007 | Reply
I'm never behind on my laundry. :D I have a system.
~ahem~ Anyway, I have been watching the Robin Hood on BBCAmerica, too. It is a bit slow in places, but there is so much to look at in each scene (people's clothes, sets, sceneryy, etc.) that it really doesn't bother me.
Posted by Kentucky Girl on May 27, 2007 | Reply
This makes a change... I can say to you. Yes, stick with Robin Hood. The first series is amazing... the new series starts here in September and sould be just as good.
I love Keith Allen as the Sheriff - although sometimes I get a nuance of Alan Rickman in Prince of Thieves. Most people here complained that Marian wasn't a twig but I like the fac that she's more English Rose than stick insect.
If I've already said this bit I'm sorry... If you liked Hot Fizz try and see the series Spaced (same people, different situation). If you already have... Colour me embarrassed!
Hilly... Laundry is just no fun. I don't know anybody who enjoys doing it, so I can only guess that means we're normal?
Gary... Truth to tell, I can't wait to see it either!
Laurence... I think everybody loves Robin Hood!
Claire... The show may have had low production values, but they did an amazing job with the series. They did really well with the mythic aspects of the character, which was just another level of cool on an already good show.
William... They put cottage cheese in lasagna?? I've never heard of that before. Does it even melt? Gross!
KG... Great! If my system were to have you handle my laundry for me, then I guess we'd all be happy!
Avitable... Some reviewers said it wasn't very funny, which I guess could be the case if you didn't understand the more subtle aspects of British reservist humor. I, on the other hand, was laughing most all the way through. Too many years of BBC America and PBS, I guess. :-)
Bec... I've seen the entire first series of "Robin Hood" and am looking forward to the next series... except I heard that the lead actor has been hurt and filming suspended? That's too bad. Seen "Spaced" a couple of times, but no need to be embarrassed, it's a great show!
Adena... If you like Shaun of the Dead, then Hot Fuzz is going to be a treat!
None of my friends have the same humour as myself so they wouldn't come and see it at the pictures with me so I can't wait to see it on DVD.
And I honestly don't know anything about this Ann Coulter that you speak of. Which is surprising as most of the nut jobs and their views make it over here. I would google her but am too scared of what the results will be. I will just take your word for it.
Posted by Jacki on May 27, 2007 | Reply
Dave, Please tell me who that actor is in the pic as Robin. He's so hot! Is that Michael Praed ? I'll have to get that series if that's him. mmm
Posted by Anonymous on May 27, 2007 | Reply
Jacki... If you truly don't know anything about Ann Coulter, I envy you. She's one person I wish I had never heard of myself.
Anonymous... Kind of difficult to tell you anything when you didn't give me an email address, but no, that's not Michael Praed. I've never seen him before. He's the star of the latest Robin Hood series. IMDB says his name is Jonas Armstrong.
I know what you mean about laundry. The only thing is the Chinese people around the corner are REALLY good at it... and they'll deliver. Now THAT'S service.
Posted by NYC Watchdog on May 27, 2007 | Reply
Calling Ann Coulter a "bitch" is an insult to bitches everywhere. I think we need a new word for her. I suggest "cuntwat."
Posted by Theo on May 27, 2007 | Reply
Thanks for the pics of your Davetoon video. I'm looking forward to seeing the video.
Ann Coulter is evil personified. Just reading her name makes my blood pressure rise to dangerous levels.
Posted by Geeky Tai-Tai on May 27, 2007 | Reply
Any thoughts on the version of Robin Hood called "When Things Were Rotten"?
You may have never had a chance to see it. It looks like it lasted a mere 12 episodes, back in 1975. I was a mere 15 but I could tell it was bad even at that tender age.
I saw Hot Fuzz back, wait, it's when the rude bitches sat behind me.
your Political Sanity Chart is official 'complete' now. :D
Posted by webmiztris on May 27, 2007 | Reply
Hot Fuzz..woo!
Anne Coulter...if I were a boy even the mere mention of her name would make my balls crawl up into my insides so fast I would think they fell off. As I am a girl, her name sort of gives me cramps. Bad butt cramps.
Laundry: Dave you really should do your laundry soon or all that ice cream from the cruise will NEVER come out.....
If the 80s Robin Hood TV show you're talking about is the same one I'm thinking of (with a very young Clannad doing the musical score), then I love it growing up. It was one of the few shows I tried to watch religiously (well, that the animated Dungeons and Dragons series) Personally I far preferred the original dark haired dude as Robin). Never thought of looking for the DVD set however - where did you find it?
Ann Coulter spoke at a church near my hometown recently and 300 fools showed up to listen. It makes me quite sad and ashamed for my religion and the town where I was born.
Posted by Caffeinated Librarian on May 28, 2007 | Reply
Just as with Shaun of the Dead, I walked out of Hot Fuzz exclaiming, "When does it come out on DVD?? I want it!!"
Ahh, these little animated Dave teasers are killing us! Love it.
Posted by diane on May 29, 2007 | Reply
Hi Dave,
So I'm totally not a fan of commenting on old posts from forever ago because it makes me look like a stalker, and Dave, I'm not stalking you, well...at least not this week. But I just had to say that your assessment of Hot Fuzz was perfect.
Ever fired your gun in the air and yelled, 'Aaaaaaah?'
And thats all I have to say about that.
Dave, if you get a kick out of how whiney Luke is/was, then you should watch Thumb Wars. Preferably with a friend. A couple of times. And then you can quote it out with that friend like an inside joke that NEVER gets old.
You can actually rent it now - I was able to see it combined with Thumbtanic at my local Blockbuster. Thumbtanic is not as good as Thumb Wars.
Posted by Wayne Hall on June 08, 2007 | Reply
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