So they’re talking about making a live-action Transformers movie. Nerdy fan-boys, commence pants-wetting.
I’m going to run the risk of pissing off some of my readership by saying: the treasured cartoons of your childhood? They’re shit. Crapulous drivel, devoid of redeeming value. Even as “camp” they suck. Transformers? Voltron? GI-Joe? Ninja Turtles? All crap. And your preciously geeky action figure collection? Grow up.
I don’t just say this because I had no TV growing up, and my dad forbade me to watch Transformers at friend’s houses because it was “demonic”. If those shows were on today I’d ban them in my household on purely esthetic grounds, just as I would their modern equivalents. The fact that children are able to watch such programming without being distracted by nearby potted plants astounds me. Granted, I used to watch disney’s wretched after-school offerings when I stayed at my grandparent’s house, but in my defense, there wasn’t much to do. I’m still ashamed I wasted those hours though.
I’m continually amazed at the ability of the entertainment industry to capitalize on nostalgia for programming best forgotten. I guess it’s true what they say about the twixters, a generation in their twenties or older who refuse to move on from their childhood. And I’m not talking about hanging on to the wonder and innocence of childhood, but rather clinging to the stultifying banality of pre-packaged fads and inane entertainment and of having nothing more pressing to argue about then whether Superman can beat up Spider-man.
Growing up doesn’t mean giving up your imagination. It means re-engaging it to tackle it’s greatest challenge: re-imagining the world. Maybe if my generation weren’t safely wrapped up in the corporate-sponsored dreamlands of their youth, they’d be more effective at changing that world.
lol well I am not offended but I stand unashamed of still having discussions about comic book characters in my adulthood. so nyahhh and pbbbbt 😛
lol well I am not offended but I stand unashamed of still having discussions about comic book characters in my adulthood. so nyahhh and pbbbbt 😛
whether Superman can beat up Spider-man
Doesn’t matter; Batman could crush them both.
You tell ’em
You tell ’em
ever notice that when the justice league gets in trouble, its always Batman who figures out what the hell to do and saves everyone’s asses? 😛
Yeah, and yet they STILL never want to let him out of the space station.
because they need him there to get the pleas for help when they get themselves in trouble!
Can’t they give him a cell phone or something??
*giggle* nah for as much trouble as they get in, they need him near the JLA computer to do it!
*giggle* nah for as much trouble as they get in, they need him near the JLA computer to do it!
Can’t they give him a cell phone or something??
because they need him there to get the pleas for help when they get themselves in trouble!
Yeah, and yet they STILL never want to let him out of the space station.
Some JLA episode I cannot recall, or was only informed about.
Someone in the JLA: Hey, we all have powers, except Batman. What’s your power?
Batman: I never give up.
Some JLA episode I cannot recall, or was only informed about.
Someone in the JLA: Hey, we all have powers, except Batman. What’s your power?
Batman: I never give up.
ever notice that when the justice league gets in trouble, its always Batman who figures out what the hell to do and saves everyone’s asses? 😛
whether Superman can beat up Spider-man
Doesn’t matter; Batman could crush them both.
I don’t really get it, and I have obviously been far more devoted to my potted plants lately, but Gregg really seems to enjoy watching transformers on TV. He records it on his Tivo like thing. He isn’t just watching it for nostalgia, he actually really likes it, a lot.
I’ve got friends who love DragonBallZ (and spinoffs) and watch it all the time. All I see is half an hour of people talking shit and powering up, and then making one stupid attack.
Then again, I can watch Hamtaro forever 😉
Everybody’s got their flavor. Some like big robots, others like shit talking sayens, and others like cute little hamster adventures.
As for comic books, there’s way more to them than whether superman could beat up spiderman. I have this awesome one called Red Son; it’s a Superman comic about what would have come to pass if Superman had landed in the Soviet Union instead of the US. It provides a really interesting and in depth look at international politics and human nature. There are a lot of really soul-searching batman comics where batman/bruce wayne deals with his truckload full of mental health issues. Comics are awesome, and I’m a big fan. I think you would be too if you gave them a shot. (Note to self, make Avdi read Transmetropolitan. . a comic about truth and justice, the power of the written word, and the most likable bastard of a drugged up hero ever)
I enjoyed Red Son, and found the touch of Batman being a villian in such a society a very interesting twist.
I enjoyed Red Son, and found the touch of Batman being a villian in such a society a very interesting twist.
Call me old-fashioned, but I like books.
I’ve tried reading comic books, but I find I forget to look at the pictures.
yo! its not either or. in fact i am almost done with snow crash 😉
yo! its not either or. in fact i am almost done with snow crash 😉
Yes, well, if you’re going to subscribe to a particular medium, don’t expect that medium to do you any good if you don’t utilize it properly.
Yes, well, if you’re going to subscribe to a particular medium, don’t expect that medium to do you any good if you don’t utilize it properly.
Call me old-fashioned, but I like books.
I’ve tried reading comic books, but I find I forget to look at the pictures.
Oh, but don’t take all that to mean that I missed your ultimate point.
Growing up doesn’t mean giving up your imagination. It means re-engaging it to tackle it’s greatest challenge: re-imagining the world. Maybe if my generation weren’t safely wrapped up in the corporate-sponsored dreamlands of their youth, they’d be more effective at changing that world.
Which I agree with wholeheartedly.
Oh, but don’t take all that to mean that I missed your ultimate point.
Growing up doesn’t mean giving up your imagination. It means re-engaging it to tackle it’s greatest challenge: re-imagining the world. Maybe if my generation weren’t safely wrapped up in the corporate-sponsored dreamlands of their youth, they’d be more effective at changing that world.
Which I agree with wholeheartedly.
I don’t really get it, and I have obviously been far more devoted to my potted plants lately, but Gregg really seems to enjoy watching transformers on TV. He records it on his Tivo like thing. He isn’t just watching it for nostalgia, he actually really likes it, a lot.
I’ve got friends who love DragonBallZ (and spinoffs) and watch it all the time. All I see is half an hour of people talking shit and powering up, and then making one stupid attack.
Then again, I can watch Hamtaro forever 😉
Everybody’s got their flavor. Some like big robots, others like shit talking sayens, and others like cute little hamster adventures.
As for comic books, there’s way more to them than whether superman could beat up spiderman. I have this awesome one called Red Son; it’s a Superman comic about what would have come to pass if Superman had landed in the Soviet Union instead of the US. It provides a really interesting and in depth look at international politics and human nature. There are a lot of really soul-searching batman comics where batman/bruce wayne deals with his truckload full of mental health issues. Comics are awesome, and I’m a big fan. I think you would be too if you gave them a shot. (Note to self, make Avdi read Transmetropolitan. . a comic about truth and justice, the power of the written word, and the most likable bastard of a drugged up hero ever)
Hey G.I. Joe was actually half-decent…better stories than most.
Transformers, well hey…they were the bomb. Sure i bought the first season and only got half-way thru. That’s why we want a movie done right. We want our beloved Transformers and our adult jollies too.
*lol*
Hey G.I. Joe was actually half-decent…better stories than most.
Transformers, well hey…they were the bomb. Sure i bought the first season and only got half-way thru. That’s why we want a movie done right. We want our beloved Transformers and our adult jollies too.
*lol*
Superman wouldn’t have a chance if Spiderman had…like…kryptonite…web…stuff.
Superman wouldn’t have a chance if Spiderman had…like…kryptonite…web…stuff.
I guess I mostly missed out, cause I was farmore fascinated with live action scenarios, like the Six Million Dollar Man and the live action Hulk series.
Unless Marvin the Martian was involved, of course.
I guess I mostly missed out, cause I was farmore fascinated with live action scenarios, like the Six Million Dollar Man and the live action Hulk series.
Unless Marvin the Martian was involved, of course.
And how many episodes of Transformers did you watch, exactly?
Tell me how the storyline progresses, if you know, without looking it up or being facetious.
What about TMNT, particularly the new one?
You’re in a pretty strange place to be passing judgment on people for being “nerdy social rejects”.
I’m not passing judgement on anyone for being a nerdy social reject. I have no problem with that.
I’m passing judgement on them for being nerdy social rejects with lousy taste! 😉
And yes, my definition of taste is entirely subjective 😛
Anyway, I accomplished my REAL objective of starting a conversation. As a cartoon villain would say, mwahahahaha.
Preferring not to look into a subject after a cursory evaluation that doesn’t please them is not only every individual’s right but also, after a fashion, their responsibility.
Speaking harshly of others for their positive opinions while belittling them for the happiness and enjoyment they find in a subject.. all from a position of relative ignorance, well that’s another issue entirely.
Frankly, I think you crossed a line.
My only conclusion is that this is all a manifestation of anger on your part for not being allowed to watch these shows as a child. You aren’t tuned in to the enjoyment they get out of it, so you lash out.
I could read into your defensiveness the same way. Frankly, I think you’re taking this WAY too seriously.
I could read into your defensiveness the same way. Frankly, I think you’re taking this WAY too seriously.
To elaborate… what I wrote is no different from what the self-appointed arbiters of art and culture do in our newspapers and magazines every day. To wit, hork up a big glob of bile all over works that some subset of the population holds dear. That I find 95% of american children’s cartoons to be insulting to my intelligence should be no cause for offense. That I choose to season my opinions with a dash of tongue-in-cheek abuse should rouse no more than a good-natured “fuck you!” in all but the least secure of my readers.
I tried to post an opinion last night.
Not defensive or offensive…just thoughts on the subject in general.
The lack of dependable DSL service prevented that.
(or maybe it was just the volume of alcohol in my system?)
Either way, are we arguing about a cartoon? WTF?
I tried to post an opinion last night.
Not defensive or offensive…just thoughts on the subject in general.
The lack of dependable DSL service prevented that.
(or maybe it was just the volume of alcohol in my system?)
Either way, are we arguing about a cartoon? WTF?
I find it interesting how, whenever anyone bothers to respond to any insult, accusations of insecurity almost always follow.
“Good natured abuse”? Hmm.
I said “tongue-in-cheek” abuse, not “good-natured”.
I said “tongue-in-cheek” abuse, not “good-natured”.
I find it interesting how, whenever anyone bothers to respond to any insult, accusations of insecurity almost always follow.
“Good natured abuse”? Hmm.
To elaborate… what I wrote is no different from what the self-appointed arbiters of art and culture do in our newspapers and magazines every day. To wit, hork up a big glob of bile all over works that some subset of the population holds dear. That I find 95% of american children’s cartoons to be insulting to my intelligence should be no cause for offense. That I choose to season my opinions with a dash of tongue-in-cheek abuse should rouse no more than a good-natured “fuck you!” in all but the least secure of my readers.
Preferring not to look into a subject after a cursory evaluation that doesn’t please them is not only every individual’s right but also, after a fashion, their responsibility.
Speaking harshly of others for their positive opinions while belittling them for the happiness and enjoyment they find in a subject.. all from a position of relative ignorance, well that’s another issue entirely.
Frankly, I think you crossed a line.
My only conclusion is that this is all a manifestation of anger on your part for not being allowed to watch these shows as a child. You aren’t tuned in to the enjoyment they get out of it, so you lash out.
I’m not passing judgement on anyone for being a nerdy social reject. I have no problem with that.
I’m passing judgement on them for being nerdy social rejects with lousy taste! 😉
And yes, my definition of taste is entirely subjective 😛
Anyway, I accomplished my REAL objective of starting a conversation. As a cartoon villain would say, mwahahahaha.
And how many episodes of Transformers did you watch, exactly?
Tell me how the storyline progresses, if you know, without looking it up or being facetious.
What about TMNT, particularly the new one?
You’re in a pretty strange place to be passing judgment on people for being “nerdy social rejects”.
I think it would do everyone well to remember Sturgeon’s law.
Yes, 90% of 80s cartoons are crud. So what? So are 90% of books.
I only remember transformers dimly — it’s been a long time since I watched them. I recall severe credibility issues (why does a race of machines that evolved/self-designed on another planet so closely resemble earth technology? It’s worse than Superman or Star Trek!) but I don’t recall any deep flaws. Admittedly, it wasn’t very deep to begin with, but we all need shallow entertainment sometimes. It certainly didn’t glorify vapidity and petty cruelty as many modern sitcoms seem to (admittedly, I’ve only seen a few episodes here and there, so this may be overstated).
Is transformers great art? Probably not. Is it more entertaining than half of the movies currently playing? I think so.
I think it would do everyone well to remember Sturgeon’s law.
Yes, 90% of 80s cartoons are crud. So what? So are 90% of books.
I only remember transformers dimly — it’s been a long time since I watched them. I recall severe credibility issues (why does a race of machines that evolved/self-designed on another planet so closely resemble earth technology? It’s worse than Superman or Star Trek!) but I don’t recall any deep flaws. Admittedly, it wasn’t very deep to begin with, but we all need shallow entertainment sometimes. It certainly didn’t glorify vapidity and petty cruelty as many modern sitcoms seem to (admittedly, I’ve only seen a few episodes here and there, so this may be overstated).
Is transformers great art? Probably not. Is it more entertaining than half of the movies currently playing? I think so.