Umami Burger

Aaaaaaand, we’re back.

In the sixth episode of Pop Element, John and Alex:

• Delve further into the rabbit hole that is Frank Darabont’s departure from The Walking Dead, finally.
• Give their reviews of Rise of the Planet of The Apes.
• Geek out over Dark Matters, the new Science Channel show starring John Noble, on fringe science.
• Express their feelings over the new Superman costume.
• Discuss World War Z, and the details regarding casting, release date, and budget.
• Capture a live reaction to the new Catwoman costume.
• Lay down this weeks Pop Requisite: John’s Pick: Critters
• Review the red band trailer for Kevin Smith’s film, Red State.
• Rant about the emerging structure of television, and a pay-per-episode format.
• A double dose of Push The Button.

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Hit us up at @popelement on Twitter or feel free to leave a comment in this post.

Oh, and:

The AMC Blues

A new week means a new Pop Element.

In the fifth episode of Pop Element, John and Alex:

• Theorize on the recent run of negative happenings at AMC, including Frank Darabont’s resignation from The Walking Dead, tensions during the recent Breaking Bad negotiations, and Mad Men‘s potential role in this.
• Ponder the format of the Tales From the Crypt reboot.
• Try to determine why Cowboys and Aliens underperformed at the box office.
• Review the UI mockups starting in Firefox 9.
• The beginning of our new segment, STFU, GTFO: on Netflix
• The beginning of another new segment, Pop Requisites: on Rhett and Link
• And finally, another round of Push the Button.

Subscribe to the RSS feed here, subscribe on iTunes, or download the mp3 directly.

Hit us up at @popelement on Twitter or feel free to leave a comment in this post.

San Diego Comic Con 2011 Lament

After a two year (!) hiatus, Pop Element is back with a brand new episode and a brand new format. The new episodes will be more casual, less topic oriented (most of the time), and most importantly, more frequent. Ducks are now in rows and the Pop Element engine is firing on all cylinders. We have some cool things in store so keep it tuned to Pop Element.

In the fourth episode of Pop Element, John and Alex:

• Mourn the passing of San Diego Comic Con 2011
• Discuss The Dark Knight Rises teaser trailer
• Talk about the preview and future of The Walking Dead Season 2
• Debate the reception of Rise of The Planet of The Apes
• Question the validity of The Amazing Spider-Man
• Give their critique of the Beavis and Butt-Head relaunch preview
• Consider the Evil Dead reboot and the names attached.

Subscribe to the RSS feed here, subscribe on iTunes, or download the mp3 directly.

Hit us up at @popelement on Twitter or feel free to leave a comment in this post.

Preservation Teaser

Hudson Teaser

The Art of Violence: A Review of Kick-Ass

There is an art to violence. Some violence is avant-garde, such as a mugging; out of left field, and fleeting. Some violence is symphonic, such as a war strategy; strategized and bombastic. Some violence is poetic, such as martial arts; a rhythmic flow of movements designed to characterize expression. If art is defined as “human expression,” would not violence be expression through aggression? I believe it is, and Kick-Ass captures poetry-in-motion.

This is what I knew about Kick-Ass going in: it was violent, it was gory, it was absurd, and it was funny. All of these adjectives are understatements. I felt Kick-Ass after I left the theater, and I wanted to feel it again.

To be clear, I consider myself a comic-book fan and I knew little to nothing about Mark Millar’s series, of which the movie is adapted from. What I have found out since seeing it is that both a script for the film and the books themselves were written simultaneously (a trend that I’m sure will continue due to the popularity of the genre), and that the movie is very closely adapted from the books, only diverting in some places to keep the movie a unique experience. Honestly, I’m glad I knew barely anything going in. Kick-Ass is a film that relies heavily on shock value and needless to say, there were times when I was absolutely flabbergasted by what I was seeing. This was largely in part to the show-stealer, Hit-Girl, played by Chloë Moretz.

You may be familiar with that name by now, and the waves she and the film have been making over the past month. Yes, in this film you will witness an eleven year old girl brazenly say “the c word” and proceed to mercilessly and in no small words slaughter a room full of people. People are upset by this. To that I say, “open your eyes to reality.” Without getting on a horse of any kind, I just want to say this movie has a (much deserved) R rating, and the Moretz’s parents agreed to let her act in the film. That is their jurisdiction, no one else’s, and I’m glad they made the right choice. She killed it…pun intended.

Aaron Johnson plays the title character, Kick-Ass. He can pull of the now archetypal role of dweeby high-school alter-ego fairly well. He’s amusing in it, and I could believe him as someone thrown into a world he wasn’t quite prepared for. That said, he falls kind of flat compared to the other characters, but maybe that juxtaposition is the point. Nicholas Cage is better than usual. He’s been catching a lot of flak lately for his less than stellar performances, but I’m going to give this one to him. As Hit-Girl’s father and trainer, he seems very at home in his costume, which is a make or break thing in a role like this. If it didn’t seem like he believed in who he was playing, there’s no way the audience would buy it. Finally, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, widely known as “McLovin,” plays Red Mist. Unfortunately, I feel like it’s going to be very difficult for him to shake “McLovin” from his resume. I can’t say he’s bad at all, and he serves as a great foil to the character of Kick-Ass, but in the end it doesn’t seem like he’s pushing himself.

Kick-Ass was directed by Matthew Vaughn, and very well I might add. In a comic-book way, the movie is very “splash-y”. Bright, crisp, colorful images dominate the film. Your eyes practically soak them up. The soundtrack is brilliant as well. It’s easy to see that the songs were carefully picked, and they heighten the action. The surefire standout is “Banana Splits” by The Dickies. I won’t tell you why, or maybe I already have.

The most important thing about Kick-Ass is that it serves as a deconstruction of our notions of hero and superhero. It raises questions about vigilantism and what the meaning of true heroism is. Do you become a hero by saving a cat? Do you become a hero by dressing up like Batman and setting a quest for revenge? Why do people sit by and let bad things happen? Under its very shiny and perhaps even gaudy exterior, Kick-Ass is a very smart film. It’s like the intelligent friend you have that revels in their twisted sense of humor. You can either laugh with them, or give them a dirty look. Either way, they’re still laughing.

Grade: A-

Local Actors Wanted!

Been Bad Productions is going to begin filming for a short project, but an important piece of the puzzle is missing: actors.

We need both a male and a female lead currently. If you live in the Central Jersey area and are interested, please get in touch with us.

Our email address is beenbadproductions@gmail.com

My Top 8 Favorite Scenes from “Lost”, Season 1 (Part 2)

As I mentioned yesterday, I tried to do a quick Top 8 for Lost altogether, but after reviewing the seasons I realized there was no way that was going to be enough. I made a judgment call: I could either try to cut it down, which would be about as hard for me as cutting off my own hand, or I could just do it for each season. Obviously my hands were tied.

Season 1 of Lost is largely regarded as the best, which is understandable. All of the characters were fresh. Everyone was dying to know what was inside the hatch. Watching the Pilot, it was easy to see how large the scope of the show would be, and how it would continue to deliver excellent entertainment on a cinematic level week after week. Personally, I love them all, but Season 1 stands out as a landmark in television history.

#8-#5 can be found here.

#4 – The Raft Sets Sail (Exodus, Part 1)

What Happened: After spending half of the season building and rebuilding the raft that would hopefully get them rescued, Michael, Walt, Sawyer, and Jin finally set sail in the first part of the season finale. There is an emotional goodbye from everyone and even Vincent, the yellow lab, chases after the raft as it floats towards salvation. If only they knew.

Why It’s Great: Lost is an awfully dark show, and even though we kind of had a feeling that the raft wasn’t going to get them rescued, it was a highlight of the season to have such a happy moment between all the characters that had been fighting all season long. As with #5, Giacchino’s score elevated this scene greatly. Vincent doggy paddling towards the raft with Walt telling him to go back was sappy, but it totally worked. The aerial shots of the island coast and the raft were also quite beautiful.

#3 – The Hatch Is Opened (Exodus, Part 2)

What Happened: After Locke, Jack, Kate, and Hurley return with the dynamite they gathered from the Black Rock they return to the hatch to try to finally blast it open. After setting the dynamite, Hurley trips and sees that The Numbers are engraved in the hatch and begs them not to light the fuse. Locke ignores his pleas and lights it. Hurley runs towards the dynamite trying to stomp out the fuse, but Jack tackles him. After the explosion Locke and Jack approach, move the demolish hatch door out of the way, and peer down into the seemingly endless abyss. The numbers are bad.

Why It’s Great: This was the moment audiences were waiting the entire season for. Everyone was asking “What’s in the hatch?” In fact, I remember hearing about this before I had any interest in the show, if that’s any indication. The fact that John lit the fuse despite Hurley’s  vehement requests not to foreshadows how far Locke would go to do what the Island asks of him. This is also the birth of the rivalry between Locke and Jack that would follow through the rest of the show. This scene qualifies as one of the best cliffhangers ever, in my opinion. Sure we didn’t truly find out was was in the hatch until the next season, but anyone watching knew that this was the next chapter in the Lost saga, and they couldn’t wait for Season 2.

#2 – “Don’t Tell Me What I Can’t Do” (Walkabout)

What Happened: While attempting to go on a walkabout tour in Australia (at the suggestion of Abbadon!), Locke is rejected by the tour guide because of his “condition”. Locke gets angry and screams, “Don’t ever tell me what I can’t do, ever,” which would become a mantra for the character and the show. As the camera pulls around we see that John Locke is wheelchair bound, and that he took his first steps in 4 years after the crash of Flight 815. “A miracle happened to him.”

Why It’s Great: Oh, wow. What isn’t great about this? I still get chills every time I see it. Locke’s theme, called “Locke’d Out Again,” carries the emotional weight of this reveal, which was also used in #5. It gives such a fantastic depth to the character. So much of the episode is built on making you feel sympathetic for John, but in the closing shot as John smiles looking at his vacant wheelchair, you can’t help but feel proud. We realize that the island isn’t a place where weird things occur. It’s the vertex of destiny.

#1 – Crash Chaos (Pilot, Part 1)

What Happened: A man in a suit wakes up in a jungle. He runs towards the beach and the sounds of screaming and whirring engines. He arrives and he understands: he’s the survivor of a plane crash. He follows his instincts and helps as many people as possible, though it is no easy task. His name is Jack, and he will become the leader of the castaways.

Why It’s Great: The very first scene of Lost is also one of the most exciting scenes in the show’s history, and it’s a great example of Murphy’s Law. We are introduced to most of our main characters, most notably Jack, who puts his doctor muscles into full action. This scene is great because it really showed that there were no limits as to how far this show would go. It would have been so easy (and cheaper) for the show to avoid using a crash site, or use computer animation, but it didn’t, and that was a major benefit. The subtlety as Jack walks past the engine, before we see the crash site, is a testament to the show’s brilliant writing and direction. There are movies that don’t look this good.

Hope you all enjoyed Season 1. Season 2 will be up sometime in the next few days.

My Top 8 Favorite Scenes from “Lost”, Season 1 (Part 1)

I’m not a Skater, or a Jater. I don’t care about who Kate finally decides to end up with. I don’t gush about how adorable Charlie and Claire were as a couple (they were…)

What I do care about are sentient smoke clouds. I care about time travel. I care about how they get back.

It’s not news to anyone who knows me that I’m a huge Lost addict. It has become a huge influence and inspiration for me as a writer. I started watching at the conclusion of the third season and I haven’t looked back. I started listening to fan podcasts (Jay and Jack are essential), I started reading analysis books, and Lostpedia became my new home. While I do regret not being there for the early years, I think most would agree that it’s never been a better time to be a fan of Lost, and it’s never too late to start.

In exactly two weeks Lost will be making its long awaited return. In anticipation of this event, I decided I would like to do something fun for both myself and people who enjoy this kind of thing. Because 4 seemed too few, and 15 seemed like too much, I decided I would go over my top 8 favorite scenes in each season of Lost. I tried to do 8 total, but it just wasn’t enough. First up, Season 1. Enjoy.

#8 – Charlie Hangs Around (All The Best Cowboys Have Daddy Issues)

What Happened: After Charlie and Claire are kidnapped by the unspeakably eerie Other, Ethan Rom, Jack, Kate, Boone and Locke attempt to track Ethan in order to save their friends. The trail splits and the group decides to separate. Kate and Jack eventually find Charlie hanging by his neck from the surrounding trees. The two frantically attempt to cut him down as he’s dying, and eventually succeed. Jack desperately attempts CPR, but it seems to be no use. After almost giving up, he attempts one more time and Charlie springs back to life in what appears to be a miracle. Talk about tension.

Why It’s Great: Not only do we see how truly brutal and powerful the Others are for the first time, we’re also completely convinced that Charlie has bitten the dust. Before this, The Others were simply a mysterious presence. After, it’s clear that they are not only hostile, but merciless as well. The cinematography of this scene is also noteworthy. This shot (above) is a striking example of how Lost can blend beauty and horror, a quality that has become a trademark of the series.

#7 – “It’s a….polar bear?” (Pilot, Part 2)

What Happened: Kate and Sayid initiate a hike up a mountain so that they might be able to use the tranciever to signal for rescue. They enlist Boone, Shannon, Sawyer, and Charlie. On the way, they hear a rustling in the jungle and suspect it might be the same thing that “killed the pilot.” They run, but Sawyer stays behind and waits for the unknown to approach. He pulls out a concealed pistol and unloads into the beast, which jumps and dies at his feet. Thank god for con-men.

Why It’s Great: Aside from the monster, which was kind of a given, this was the first major mindfuck of the entire series. In addition, it’s also what hooked me for good. Everyone in the world who saw this either said “OMG WTF”, or changed the channel, though I guess it’s possible you did both. If you were the former, I salute you. You knew you were in for a ride. This was the official moment the internet exploded with theories. We eventually found out why the polar bears were there (mostly), but the wonderment this delivered is iconic, without a doubt.

#6 – “Iteration 17294530” (Pilot, Part 2)

What Happened: When the aformentioned group reaches the summit of the mountain, they attempt to use the tranceiver. It is then they find there is an interference. Another signal is broadcasting from the island. They pick up the frequency and hear a french woman say, “Si qui que ce soit puisse entendre ceci, ils sont morts. Veuillez nous aider,” followed by a robotic counter saying, “Iteration 17294530.” Translation: “If anybody can hear this, they are dead. Please help us,” and it’s been on a loop for 16 years… “Guys…where are we?”

Why it’s Great: This scene set the momentum for the rest of the series. Everything about it is just plain creepy, there is really no other way to put it. The looks on the castaways’s faces as they realize they’re going to be on this island longer than planned sets a perfect tone. It also set up so many questions. There are/were others on the island? Who are “they”? How did they die? Why has no one come? And then everyone realized: This isn’t Gilligan’s Island. This is hell.

#5 – A Sign From Below (Deus Ex Machina)

What Happened: At the end of this phenomenal episode, we see a broken John Locke, after the mortal wounding of his only friend on the island, Boone. “I’ve done everything you’ve wanted me to do! So why did you do this? Why!?” he cries to the island while pounding on the hatch door. Just as it seems as though John’s faith in the island is lost, on comes a light from inside of the hatch. This sign restored Locke’s faith and assured him he was doing the right thing. What he saw “was beautiful.”

Why It’s Great: Thanks to Michael Giacchino’s amazing score, and the flashbacks featured in this episode, this is easily one of the most powerful scenes in Lost. The truly brilliant thing about this is that John Locke wasn’t the only person who was saved when this occured, as we would find out in season 2. Not only did it give Locke the assurance he needed to continue, it established him as one of the most important characters of the series, and my personal favorite.

Part 2 of Season 1 will be up tomorrow. EDIT: Part 2 is now up.

Forgotten, but not gone.

Yeah, things have been slow on the western front. Everyone is back in school, getting owned by exams and the like. The blog is not finished, however. There are going to be a few articles coming up that I feel should be pretty interesting…I just have to get writing them. For those of you who do keep checking back, thank you.