A Future Past and a Missing Link

We're being spoiled by the new trend in Hollywood to create "Cinematic Universes." Though, the trend is mainly spawning from each studio's desire to have a franchise mint that guarantees it will print money at least once a year, the creative teams behind films are having to find ways to connect everything and start looking outside of just one film for how they tell their stories.

Point in case, the release of X-Men: Days of Future Past, which I finally got to catch on Wednesday night. Admittedly, I was on the fence about the film based on the trailers and promotional material that had led up to its release. While I had enjoyed X-Men First Class, I was curious how this retelling of one of my favorite comic arcs was going to fit into the whole world. And, let's be completely honest, Fox as a studio wanting to maintain control over their Marvel properties is still cause for hesitation sometimes (see: Sony and Spider-Man and the troubles brewing over there). 

But X-Men: Days of Future Past was brilliant.

The film had to serve so many purposes: it had to be a direct sequel to First Class, it had to retell a very known and beloved story from the comics but had to shoehorn that into the characters that had been established from First Class and had to focus on the bankable movie stars as the "leads" (hey there, Wolverine and Mystique). And, unknown to myself until after viewing, the film also served as a soft reboot of the previous X-Men films in a style very similarly to J.J. Abrams' 2009 Star Trek film, which acknowledged the existence of the films that had preceded it, but made very clear that the future with the characters that we're now following is very much not set.

The structural changes to the story were seamless and the essence of the Chris Claremont/John Byrne run were essentially in place, but the alterations felt welcome and weren't all that jarring. Right off the bat, Kitty Pride's consciousness isn't the device we follow back through time, it obviously has to be Wolverine because Ol' Logan sells lots of tickets. Mystique and the assassination attempt from the comics get to carry over (again, thankfully for Fox so that they can put Jennifer Lawrence right next to Hugh Jackman on the art campaign) and setting the plot in the First Class universe allows for a great dynamic between the 1970s characters and the future characters. In fact, the film gets to play in the sandbox of themes established in First Class (Mystique's relationship with Xavier, Beast's desire to be more human) and they all also fit seamlessly into the two hour story as well.

Essentially the film boils down to one big advocate for writers to use the crap out of their note cards. To weave elements and character developments into the story so well that it all keeps the audience moving forward rather than tying them up in the minutia. As I was watching, I couldn't help but continue thinking how damn clever things were constantly. 

And it all adds up to an amazing experience that sets up a few more films that I can't wait to see. Even if there was a baffled movie-goer in front of us that didn't understand the end tag sequence that sets up the Apocalypse.

2014 NBA Finals Recap

The NBA season has come to an end, and probably not the ending that LeBron and Co. were looking forward to closing out their tenure with the Miami Heat. But don't worry LBJ, there's always Space Jam 2. Here's guest writer Tony Garcia with his recap on the series...

Ding, dong the witch is dead. LeBron James and the Miami Heat were obliterated in the NBA Finals by the San Antonio Spurs 4 games to 1. Most of the national headlines were written the same way: HEAT LOSE, HEAT CHOKE, HEAT THIS, HEAT THAT. Very few outlets are giving credit where credit is due. The Heat didn’t choke. LeBron James didn’t lose his wizardry. A champion was crowned the other day and all the talk leading up to now has all been about the Miami Heat. Never before has a 2nd place finisher been so overhyped in the media. 

I know this is going to come off like I’m a crazy person, but maybe we should be giving credit where credit is due? I mean, it’s not like the Heat were out there playing alone and throwing up bricks left and right. Basketball is the one sport I admittedly can’t go over the Xs and Os and know exactly what I’m talking about. I’m not exactly Tony Roundball but I know what good basketball looks like. I did live through the Bulls dynasty of the 90s. So I always use those squads as a reference point. 

There was a reason the Heat looked like hot trash. The San Antonio Spurs happened and happened in a big way. The hyped up Heat were no match for the team game of the Spurs. Let’s emphasize that team concept here, especially in the last 3 games of the series. The first thing that jumped out at me was the ball movement by San Antonio. It seemed like there was always an open man somewhere on the court. Miami had no answer for it. But ball movement is only the first part of the equation. You have to hit your shots when called upon. The Spurs did just that, finishing with the highest shooting percentage of any NBA Finals champion. There was a stretch in the series where I didn’t think the Spurs would miss a shot. It didn’t matter if it was Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, Boris Diaw or Patty Mills…shots were raining down. Combine that with a hall of fame coach and a willingness to accept your role on the team and you have a championship formula. Congrats to the Spurs on their incredible run.

Personally I find pleasure in watching a group like the Heat lose. Nothing feels more artificial than the way that team was built. From “The Decision” of LeBron James to the championship parade before they even played a game together, everything about that team felt so fake. I think they were damned from the beginning and in the end got what they deserved. Sure, they won two championships but that has to seem like a failure. It sure seems like a failure to me. When Wade, Bosh and LeBron all got together and decided to do this I’m sure they didn’t envision only winning two championships. And now there’s talk of that team being dismantled and going their separate ways. The team that America loves to hate could be finished. That will be the big story of the offseason in the NBA. What will the Heat big 3 do?

Meanwhile in San Antonio they will be gearing up for another championship. The ageless Tim Duncan has a player option in his contract for paltry $10 million. That will leave the Spurs with enough cap space to still contend for yet another championship. Kawhi Leonard is a budding star. If the Heat were the most artificial team in existence, the Spurs have to be considered the opposite. They’re more organic than Whole Foods. Most of their team was drafted and developed to play in their very specific team system. Putting together a sports team is a puzzle. The Spurs have the right formula and have found the right pieces. 

What amazes me most about both the Heat and the Spurs is the makeup of each team. The Heat are mostly comprised of Americans that play the schoolyard, flashy, me-first game. The Spurs are really the opposite. They come via France, Argentina, Italy, Brazil and Australia. Even their biggest “homegrown” star, Tim Duncan, grew up in the US Virgin Islands. It is widely known that the international game is much different than the American game. The international game stresses fundamentals and team play. Who better to showcase that to the world than actual international players. I guess we here in the states call them foreigners. Or you can just call them smart. Or winners. 

Good on the Spurs for dispatching America’s Most Hated Team. Let’s pump the brakes on the LeBron vs Jordan debate. There is no debate. There can only be one king and it’s not LeBron James. Not today, not tomorrow, not ever. Michael never tried to join forces with Barkley and Malone. He went out and did things on his own. If LeBron were smart, he’d go back home to Cleveland and play the rest of his days trying to earn the love back from the people. He can win a championship in Cleveland and if he did, I believe a lot of people would respect that. It’s been said LeBron cares about public perception. Time to do some right and go back home to the city you burned, LeBron. Then lose to the Bulls once we get Carmelo.

Slink Back to the Shadows Before Someone Notices

First, some disclaimers. I've adored the TMNT since all those Saturday mornings ago and have absolutely bought into the new animated Nickelodeon series and its style. It's irreverence but also respect for the source material is incredibly admirable. So when I heard that there was an old-school beat 'em up style TMNT game based on the animated series on its way, I couldn't help be giddy.

But the game, TMNT: Out of the Shadows is a strange amalgamation of the Nickelodeon cartoon with elements from the classic 80s and 90s shows and films… with the character designs from Michael Bay's soon to be released film (which I don't exactly love). The storyline is set within the Nickelodeon show, but why do the characters have the grotesque nostril-present design from Bay's "remagining?" It's all very confusing.

I gave the trial download a spin, which I know is never indicative of the final version of the game, but I think that's where my play of TMNT: OOTS will come to an end. The game is a relatively cheap buy at $14.99 and a few minutes in, you realize why this isn't a AAA title. The cutscenes are a strange comic art reminiscent of those created for Ghostbusters: Sanctum of Slime (interestingly the game is developed by Red Fly Studios, the company behind the PS2 and Wii versions of Ghostbusters: The Video Game). The voice actors are a strange soundalike crew of the Nickelodeon show, which feels like a missed opportunity.

It's a shame because you can tell that the developers wanted to put their heart and souls into this game. Added touches like the "Turtle Power" song from the original New Line live-action film to greet you and fun added bonus around the Turtle Lair give hints and nods to what could have been. In fact, a great interview that I tracked down with the lead designer Chris Frechette at the Turtlepedia attests to the fact that they wanted to pour their love of the series into the game.

But the end result is a cheap feeling beat 'em up with essentially the same mechanics as the GameCube game that I enjoyed the crap out of ten plus years ago… but had the same issues with then: a lot of button mashing and combos aren't enough to keep you entertained for more than a few minutes. But given the $15 price tag, maybe that's what this identity confused game was cobbled together to be.

IDW Ghostbusters On-Going (Volume 2) Issue 16 Review

Fritz Baugh has been kind enough to continue providing his reviews for the excellent Ghostbusters on-going series from IDW for SPT. I've been loving this series from issue one and their "Mass Hysteria" storyline hasn't disappointed. This issue features fun nods to Ghostbusters' past for us die-hard fans as always without distracting from the narrative. The creative team behind this book has truly harnessed the spirit (no pun intended, I swear) of the Ghostbusters franchise and it's going to be sad to see it come to an end. More on that in an article later today. In the meantime, here's Fritz...

SPOILERS AHEAD - YOU'VE BEEN WARNED, JR. GHOSTBUSTERS!

No real dilemma on the cover this time-- a Tristan Jones Real Ghostbusters cover without having to get rooked on the "retail incentive" price?  And no Louis on it?  And I'm a subscriber at the comic shop I buy at?  Sign me up.

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As the story starts, every Ghostbuster original, new, and others, have to take the stairs up Dana’s apartment building because Tiamat's shut down the elevators (editor's note: Tiamat being the big bad introduced at the beginning of the run, Gozer's mischievous sister). This seems familiar, and it won't be the last time this issue. They're stopped by the ghost of Judge Valkenheiser, but Winston files a "Motion to Dismiss" in the form of a ghost trap.  

As they continue to climb the stairs, Venkman starts talking to himself. But not in the way you expect: standing in the way are aged versions of the original Ghostbusters, all decked out in the Fright Features uniforms familiar from the Real Ghostbusters Kenner action figure line, spouting all sorts of cryptic dialog and warnings. Ray tries to be optimistic and says, "Well, this proves we survive!" while Fright Feature Ray counters that they, "could just be temporal anomalies."

Fright Feature Egon, who has put on a little weight (Venkman later implores Egon to "knock off the Twinkies" to not end up like that), tells them Tiamat is more powerful that Gozer, but she's addicted to chaos, which is apparently some kind of clue. I normally roll my eyes when a Ghostbusters writer tries to one-up Gozer, but I make exceptions when a figure of real myth is involved (or HP Lovecraft). It makes Tiamat seem pretty frightening, which makes some of what happens later… well, I'm getting ahead of myself. I kept sorta hoping Janine would point out to Egon, "And why in the world does your older self have the same haircut I saw pictures of Roger sporting back in the 1980's?" Because Fright Feature Egon doesn't just have the white and red outfit (similar colors to Janine's uniform in "Mister Sandman Dream Me A Dream" interestingly enough) but even the Real Ghostbusters Egon swirl and rat tail.

Fright Feature Winston tells his younger self that he's the one who's gonna pull them through, but of course doesn't give any more details other than, "You'll figure it out when the time is right".  After this, the Fright Feature Ghostbusters fade away.

The Ghostbusters mob reaches the top of the building and, lo and behold, it's a ziggarut. Dana and Louis, still possessed by Tiamat's goons (let's just call them "Vuul" and "Zinz Clortho") start trying to tease them, Louis/Zins first.

Ron: Can I shoot him?
Venkman: Yes
Janine: No.
Me: I'm with Ron and Venkman on this one.

And then Dana/Vuul starts trying to brain-screw Venkman, but just like with the Manitou a while back, he's having none of it. I almost wonder what it would be like if a monster starts threatening Venkman? Venkman thinks the monster is just pulling a trick or a brain-screw, and then the monster does exactly what it threatens some time.

So then Vuul and Zinz turn into bird-things instead of dogs, but still have Dana and Louis's faces, and the main event starts: Tiamat strides in. The Ghostbusters mob starts shooting her, but she shrugs if off and gets serious: she adopts a new form, the same kind of five-headed dragon Tiamat as seen in "I Am The City." But in Dan Schoening's artistic hands nevertheless ten-times more badass looking than in that somewhat spottily animated episode.

Unfortunately for our heroes, they don't have Marduk or Bahamut on speed dial.

Fortunately for our heroes, once dragon Tiamat appears… she doesn't really do anything. I start to wonder if M. Thunder, who has posted on the IDW message board criticizing Tiamat's lack of menace, has a point? I mean, I've seen the numbers on this one. Level 35 Solo Brute. 1610 HP.  AC 51. I realize we don't want our heroes fireballed, ice-blasted, poison-gassed, acid-burned, and electrocuted out of existence, but there comes a point where a villain starts to look like all roar and no bite. I mean, c'mon, we have a horde of Ghostbusters, surely we could have her vaporize (insert your two or three least favorite characters in the series here. For example:  Ron, the Rookie, and Louis) just to prove how badass she is while still leaving enough heroes to defeat her?  I mean, Geoff Johns does stuff like that all the time… oh, now I see why not, then.

And what happens next? After the Ghostbusters climb the building, see Dana and Louis turned into animals, and the villain changes from a female humanoid to a giant monster, guess what?  You won't believe it, they cross the streams!!!

Oh, why not?  It all works, Tiamat is defeated.  Dana and Louis are back to normal (well, except Louis still has Zinz's Freakazoid hair).  Candy and teddy bears fall from the sky.  

Except...

It's not candy and teddy bears.  It's blood.

It ain't over yet, kiddies.  In fact… it's only half time.  

Erik Burnham hasn't lead us wrong yet; the last four issues were Tiamat jerking everyone around. Why not pull the ultimate headfake by letting the Ghostbusters think they'd defeated her?

Next issue:  Since we hit #16, it must be time for Ghostbusters Vol. 3 #1.  Strange that they'd do this right in the middle of a story, but… wait, it will be #17?  Well all right then!