LA FLORIDIANA Book Review: "Welcome to Paradise"  by Will Moriaty
THIS WEEK'S MOVIE REVIEW "Monster"  by Mike Smith
ODDSERVATIONS Music News...Letter Re: Missing Persons  by Andy Lalino
THE DIGITAL DIVIDE 30 Bands That Made The '80s NOT Suck, PART II  by Terence Nuzum
CREATURE'S CORNER The Return of "Horror"....R.I.P., Julius Schwartz  by John Lewis
BLACK DOG Hate Groups in America  by Joshua Montgomery
SPLASH PAGE Super Commercial Sunday – Follow up....More on Why EW is Full of Idiots....A Night Out with Uncle Creepy....Slushpile  by Brandon Jones
MATT'S RAIL Masters Of Horror Axed....The Monster Classics Are Back!  by Matt Drinnenberg
MIKE'S RANT In Defense....Movie News....The Brits Award Show....A Plug....Mel's Movie....Oscar Time....Meet The Beatles, Part 5  by Mike Smith
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I'm Back.

A couple of e-mails and some kind words from Andy Lalino motivated me to dip into the fanboy pool for a few quick comments. My recent absences have been caused by the overwelming demands of the “day job” and the strenuous efforts to get other film aspirations off the grounds. I don’t want to repeat the disappointments of 2003. So, with that said…

Super Commercial Sunday – Follow up
I guess my argument of the game’s meaning was proven once again. Possibly the greatest Super Bowl ever played, with raging excitement and a game-winning kick, was overshadowed by “Boobgate”. How do think the NFL feels about that?

I know my conservative nature rears its ugly head as I most outraged over the antics of the halftime show. Beside the crotch grabby antics of Nelly and the gyrating dancers, my family didn’t need to bare witness to the climatic nudity at the end. To make it worse is the Justin Timberlake’s attitude and dismissal of the incident when confronted by Pat O’Brien. Of course, he has since back-peddled to please the masses.

I don’t want to debate the debacle, but I want to negate the argument that I CANNOT be offended. Radio and TV hosts want to dismiss this, making comparisons to European mass media while Entertainment Weekly makes moronic comparisons to nudity and behavior by various celebs.

First off, there is a HUGE difference between the audience of the Grammy’s or MTV awards and the Super Bowl. Shall we say apples and oranges – or better yet, grapefruit and watermelons. The content on these awards shows are not on delay (hence the F-word getting used repeatedly) and I know the stars want to showcase their wares. I shouldn’t have to fear the content of the world’s largest showcase on network television during the early evening hours.

Freedom of this, freedom of that….I know. Don’t start the cable television argument or the “just change the channel” speech.

When is there an end? Does every barrier need to be breached? Will I need to monitor Nickelodeon for my grandkids?

We already have a lack morality and integrity in this country as it is, so shouldn’t the Super Bowl be held at a higher standard. All I know is that CBS didn’t use delay, zoomed in and therefore, KNEW this was going to happen and should face financial penalty. Expected little Powell to push the issue for the conservative agenda.

Maybe next year we’ll talk about the game or, oh yeah, the commercials, instead of this garbage.

More on why EW is full of idiots

The analysis of the Super Bowl bashed the Charmin commercial. While it wasn’t among my top five, I used the actual product in the gag. No one sat around and said “What about that paper tissue ad?” An ad that gets us to use the product name is TEN TIMES more powerful. I don’t use facial tissue, I use KLEENEX. I don’t use cotton swabs, I use Q-TIPS. And dammit, that was a CHARMIN commerical, not a toilet paper ad. Great job at the ad agency.

A Night Out with Uncle Creepy

Sixty-plus people turned out at Romeo’s Studio 1515 Coffeehouse in Ybor City for networking meet and greet of aspiring local filmmakers. Plenty of networking and conversation, but the biggest surprise was some progress towards improved planning and communications! The possible construction of a local web site that can provide a central conversation center for filmmaker’s needs, opportunities available and a means to generate interest.

Walter Romeo was a gracious host and the crowd equally as enjoyable. The “Unearthed” trailer was shown and several eager new faces joined in the swelling pool of excitement from the local filmmakers.

Hope to see a repeat turnout. Thanks again to Steve Barton, aka “Uncle Creepy”, for hosting the event.

Slushpile

I was flattered at the response to my absence seeking more comic info and updates. I’m sure the editors over at DC and Marvel would be happy to hear from these eager fans. So, all of you Indy Filmmaking enthusiasts – when’s the last time you picked up an Indy comic? How about an Indy comic that broke into the mainstream at least to some degree? (And no, “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” no longer counts.) Okay, two of my favorites:

Bone, the first couple of issues will entrance you. The black and white artwork blends an innocent style of humor that will hook you into buying more. Three Bones are driven out of Boneville after the “richest Bone” (Phoney Bone) screws up another one of his schemes. With cousins Fone Bone and Smiley Bone, these three end up in an enchanted land with talking leaves or is he really a bug on a leaf, a dragon that befriends Fone Bone, ignorant rat-like creatures and of course, a beautiful maiden. Did I mention Granny that races cows? No, this isn’t like cock-fighting, she out runs the cows.

A ton of fun with a wonderful lighthearted tone and fantastic B&W art.

Concrete, the brainchild of Paul Chadwick, is also B&W, but offers the dark, somber tones for an adult audience. This is an emotional tale that deals with fame, the seduction of fame, love, and idea that contributing to society is still a good thing. Our main character is an alien, or is that just the tabloid bullspit, and discovers the huge responsibility and burden of being a public figure. There are supervillains attacking the city and the notion that saving a life may not bring public praise is an ample replacement.

Chadwick takes an uncomplicated speech writer and puts him in this incredible body and explores so many angles and questions. A truly great series.

So, more next time, I’d like to discuss how baseball is dead to me and why karate is good for kids.