Holy mother of dragons! Do you see that? Do you see that? 91 genre trivia citations? All on a single day? What a great day to be a fan of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror ... am I right?
Well, well, well ... good morning, gentle readers, and welcome to February 8th, presently the home for an astonishing 91 different genre trivia citations to behold ... oh, what a world it would be if every day were like this, eh? I know, I know, I know. I can do it. I can, if I just set my mind to it. Sure, but it still takes a helluva lotta work, folks, so gimme time. Each day will get to over 100 different items. It just takes time.
For those of you wondering, yes, I just checked my archives for this day, and -- you guessed it -- I have an awful lot more just waiting in the wings to get up in this space. There's easily over 50 more birthdays, movies, TV show airings, etc. that are in transition. Were this my full-time gig, then maybe you'd be truly amazed. Until they get up there, however, these 91 will have to suffice. Trust me: it's a good 91 items. Just check 'em out.
Now ... folks, listen up:
Yes, yes, and yes: I'm well aware of the whole Gina Carano suing Walt Disney and the Disney earnings call from yesterday, and all that jazz. But for those of you who don't come here regularly, let me again clarify my stance on such breaking news: generally speaking, I have very little to say on them. Of course, I have an opinion, but as that isn't what I do here -- I don't often opine on news blurbs -- I tend to keep a stiff upper lip about them. I may -- repeat MAY -- offer up some observations on the Carano situation for posterity's sake; but so many other folks have already sounded off on that topic I just don't feel I'd have all that much to add. While I do appreciate your asking, let me mull it all over. If I have something of substance to offer, then it'll be on the MainPage. If not, then consider me pretty much in agreement with the majority.
Also, might I remind you: I don't have -- nor have I ever -- nor have I made any attempt -- to cultivate spies within the industry. I have been contacted a time or two, but I respectfully declined, actually encouraging those folks elsewhere because I'm hesitant to get into that line of work. I've not the resources to verify said spies in the first place, so the contacting folks could've been hoaxes to begin with. Not every fanboy outlet lives to serve such internal gossip -- not that there's anything wrong with that -- but it's just not in my wheelhouse, as they say. More power to those who did it, because many of them do it quite well.
Well, well, well ... good morning, gentle readers, and welcome to February 8th, presently the home for an astonishing 91 different genre trivia citations to behold ... oh, what a world it would be if every day were like this, eh? I know, I know, I know. I can do it. I can, if I just set my mind to it. Sure, but it still takes a helluva lotta work, folks, so gimme time. Each day will get to over 100 different items. It just takes time.
For those of you wondering, yes, I just checked my archives for this day, and -- you guessed it -- I have an awful lot more just waiting in the wings to get up in this space. There's easily over 50 more birthdays, movies, TV show airings, etc. that are in transition. Were this my full-time gig, then maybe you'd be truly amazed. Until they get up there, however, these 91 will have to suffice. Trust me: it's a good 91 items. Just check 'em out.
Now ... folks, listen up:
Yes, yes, and yes: I'm well aware of the whole Gina Carano suing Walt Disney and the Disney earnings call from yesterday, and all that jazz. But for those of you who don't come here regularly, let me again clarify my stance on such breaking news: generally speaking, I have very little to say on them. Of course, I have an opinion, but as that isn't what I do here -- I don't often opine on news blurbs -- I tend to keep a stiff upper lip about them. I may -- repeat MAY -- offer up some observations on the Carano situation for posterity's sake; but so many other folks have already sounded off on that topic I just don't feel I'd have all that much to add. While I do appreciate your asking, let me mull it all over. If I have something of substance to offer, then it'll be on the MainPage. If not, then consider me pretty much in agreement with the majority.
Also, might I remind you: I don't have -- nor have I ever -- nor have I made any attempt -- to cultivate spies within the industry. I have been contacted a time or two, but I respectfully declined, actually encouraging those folks elsewhere because I'm hesitant to get into that line of work. I've not the resources to verify said spies in the first place, so the contacting folks could've been hoaxes to begin with. Not every fanboy outlet lives to serve such internal gossip -- not that there's anything wrong with that -- but it's just not in my wheelhouse, as they say. More power to those who did it, because many of them do it quite well.
As good as those modern CGI-Apes movies are, they still just can't hold a candle to the power of the original, if you ask me.
I've mentioned before that I knew when I was very young that Science Fiction and Fantasy were always going to 'be my thing,' and -- without a doubt -- this groundbreaking film will always be one of my first major influences. No, I didn't see it in theaters, but I did see it when it premiered on television; and I was hooked right away with the whole idea of turning mankind on its head. Like Star Trek had done, this Planet Of The Apes used allegory masterfully at casting our world in cultural and evolutionary turnabout; and nothing has ever truly even come close to surpassing the genius of its ape-level make-up work. Nothing. N-O-T-H-I-N-G. (Really, debaters, don't even try.) It's rare for characters in genre entries to rise up so easily off the screen and insert themselves into our collective consciousness, but that's precisely what happened with this franchise. And, yes, I have it tucked away in its very own soft spot in my heart.
I will say that the flick's opening sequence -- astronaut Taylor (as played by Charlton Heston) chomping on a cigar in his spacecraft's command capsule -- does produce some laughter when its screened today. While I suspect we knew way back then the obvious dangers of "lighting up" inside a pressurized environment, I think it was a sequence that softly tried to underscore just how far we'd come in the future ... that even smoking in the distant reaches of space was possible ... but, as I said, it's a moment in filmdom that could benefit from a do-over. I think I even laughed at it when I watched the picture on the silver screen not all that long ago in celebration of its 55th anniversary. (Yes, I'm usually in the audience for such events, especially when it's a film of this magnitude.) It just struck me a so bizarre.
Also, I've always been a bit puzzled that the film didn't garner as much attention and/or critical praise in that original release in theaters. In fact, the flick seemed to have been a bit scoffed at by the celluloid mafia (to a degree), garnering only two Academy Award nominations (but lost) and only took home a 1969 Honorary Oscar for John Chambers' make-up effects. Clearly, these critical oversights can be forgiven, but how did so many miss the boat the first time they had a chance to come onboard? I'll never make sense of that.
I've mentioned before that I knew when I was very young that Science Fiction and Fantasy were always going to 'be my thing,' and -- without a doubt -- this groundbreaking film will always be one of my first major influences. No, I didn't see it in theaters, but I did see it when it premiered on television; and I was hooked right away with the whole idea of turning mankind on its head. Like Star Trek had done, this Planet Of The Apes used allegory masterfully at casting our world in cultural and evolutionary turnabout; and nothing has ever truly even come close to surpassing the genius of its ape-level make-up work. Nothing. N-O-T-H-I-N-G. (Really, debaters, don't even try.) It's rare for characters in genre entries to rise up so easily off the screen and insert themselves into our collective consciousness, but that's precisely what happened with this franchise. And, yes, I have it tucked away in its very own soft spot in my heart.
I will say that the flick's opening sequence -- astronaut Taylor (as played by Charlton Heston) chomping on a cigar in his spacecraft's command capsule -- does produce some laughter when its screened today. While I suspect we knew way back then the obvious dangers of "lighting up" inside a pressurized environment, I think it was a sequence that softly tried to underscore just how far we'd come in the future ... that even smoking in the distant reaches of space was possible ... but, as I said, it's a moment in filmdom that could benefit from a do-over. I think I even laughed at it when I watched the picture on the silver screen not all that long ago in celebration of its 55th anniversary. (Yes, I'm usually in the audience for such events, especially when it's a film of this magnitude.) It just struck me a so bizarre.
Also, I've always been a bit puzzled that the film didn't garner as much attention and/or critical praise in that original release in theaters. In fact, the flick seemed to have been a bit scoffed at by the celluloid mafia (to a degree), garnering only two Academy Award nominations (but lost) and only took home a 1969 Honorary Oscar for John Chambers' make-up effects. Clearly, these critical oversights can be forgiven, but how did so many miss the boat the first time they had a chance to come onboard? I'll never make sense of that.
Now, haters, don't take this the wrong way when I suggest that I'm not as rabid a fan of John Williams' work as you are.
Stop it! Stop it! Stop it!
Of course, his work and contribution to film is a legacy no one else comes near. My point in the above confession is that I think he's written a lot of stuff that just isn't all that memorable for lesser flicks. His genre stuff? Top notch. His work in Star Wars is without parallel. His Indiana Jones stuff? As legendary as the character was. His scores for E.T., Superman, and Jurassic Park? Nothing short of incredible and heartfelt in just the right ways. I'm just also saying that -- as one who has listened to hundreds if not thousands of scores -- there are other composers who've done some incredible work in the realms of the Fantastic, too, and they get overlooked a lot as producers always clamor for Williams' compositions. That's all I'm going to say on that.
Williams' stuff has aged so well that it's hard to separate some of the images from the music. In an almost effortless way, these tracks merge to become one with the theatrical experience; and his tunes have elevated a great many works in ways few ever come close to achieving. With an unbelievable five Oscars to his name -- along with, literally, hundreds of other accolades and citations -- his is a record no one will likely ever match ... and that's certainly saying something.
Happy Birthday, Mr. Williams! And here's to many more!
Stop it! Stop it! Stop it!
Of course, his work and contribution to film is a legacy no one else comes near. My point in the above confession is that I think he's written a lot of stuff that just isn't all that memorable for lesser flicks. His genre stuff? Top notch. His work in Star Wars is without parallel. His Indiana Jones stuff? As legendary as the character was. His scores for E.T., Superman, and Jurassic Park? Nothing short of incredible and heartfelt in just the right ways. I'm just also saying that -- as one who has listened to hundreds if not thousands of scores -- there are other composers who've done some incredible work in the realms of the Fantastic, too, and they get overlooked a lot as producers always clamor for Williams' compositions. That's all I'm going to say on that.
Williams' stuff has aged so well that it's hard to separate some of the images from the music. In an almost effortless way, these tracks merge to become one with the theatrical experience; and his tunes have elevated a great many works in ways few ever come close to achieving. With an unbelievable five Oscars to his name -- along with, literally, hundreds of other accolades and citations -- his is a record no one will likely ever match ... and that's certainly saying something.
Happy Birthday, Mr. Williams! And here's to many more!
According to Google.com, the late Jules Verne retains the title of being the second-most translated author in the entire world ... and that's definitely saying something!
It goes without saying that Verne is in very good company, as well, when it comes to serving as one of the chief founders of Science Fiction in literature. While a good many gives that nod to either Mary Shelley or H.G. Wells, Verne's catalogue gets tossed into that debate probably as often as they do, but I honestly wonder how well regarded his prose is with today's audiences. While I come across folks who've cracked open something from Wells, I rarely find those who've read anything from Verne; and I've often thought this was the case (in part) because literary scholars kinda/sorta see the man's works as being a bit beneath others. Plus, it's always easier to garner attention by claiming someone else's works are more influential, so these academics do like to push the envelope away from known commodities instead of just 'bending the knee' when the knee truly deserves to be bent.
However, there's no escaping the fondness storytellers have for Verne's library. Why, it seems like a decade can't go by without a new adaptation or derivation of Journey To The Center Of The Earth finds its way to screens. Likewise, Around The World In 80 Days may not see a remake or reboot every 80 days, but they're probably attempted almost as much as Journey hits the drawing board as well. One of Verne's lesser ideas -- Mysterious Island -- is a personal favorite of mine; and I can usually be wooed into watching any of the iterations that show up on television, even if it's one that's about as passable as anything else on Syfy. And 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea? That's another staple in Hollywood that gets thrown into the hopper whenever some new studio suit thinks it's high time such a yarn was attempted again ... and, yes, we're a better people for embracing subsequent attempts.
Happy birthday, Mr. Verne! And did you ever imagine what your written words would inspire?
It goes without saying that Verne is in very good company, as well, when it comes to serving as one of the chief founders of Science Fiction in literature. While a good many gives that nod to either Mary Shelley or H.G. Wells, Verne's catalogue gets tossed into that debate probably as often as they do, but I honestly wonder how well regarded his prose is with today's audiences. While I come across folks who've cracked open something from Wells, I rarely find those who've read anything from Verne; and I've often thought this was the case (in part) because literary scholars kinda/sorta see the man's works as being a bit beneath others. Plus, it's always easier to garner attention by claiming someone else's works are more influential, so these academics do like to push the envelope away from known commodities instead of just 'bending the knee' when the knee truly deserves to be bent.
However, there's no escaping the fondness storytellers have for Verne's library. Why, it seems like a decade can't go by without a new adaptation or derivation of Journey To The Center Of The Earth finds its way to screens. Likewise, Around The World In 80 Days may not see a remake or reboot every 80 days, but they're probably attempted almost as much as Journey hits the drawing board as well. One of Verne's lesser ideas -- Mysterious Island -- is a personal favorite of mine; and I can usually be wooed into watching any of the iterations that show up on television, even if it's one that's about as passable as anything else on Syfy. And 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea? That's another staple in Hollywood that gets thrown into the hopper whenever some new studio suit thinks it's high time such a yarn was attempted again ... and, yes, we're a better people for embracing subsequent attempts.
Happy birthday, Mr. Verne! And did you ever imagine what your written words would inspire?
It goes without saying that -- with the aforementioned astonishing 91 different trivia citations -- there's an awful lot more for you to discover. This is definitely a day for the history books, and this is the part of the blog post wherein I encourage you to head on over, do your own deep dive into such fascinations, and relish what vast riches bring Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror to life for each of us.
As always, thank you for reading ... thank you for sharing ... thank you for being a fan ... and live long and prosper!
-- EZ
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