http://www.eisley.com/laughingcity/viewforum.php?f=7 A special kind of message board... is for you. http://www.eisley.com/laughingcity/viewtopic.php?t=39043
Now that the comic book industry has truly become the brill building for Hollywood, why not start a discussion thread?

Since the only semi-current things I've read have been Sam Keith graphic novels, I'll start with something from back in my hey day when I was loving super hero comics.

Walt Simonson is awesome. He just is. He made the Fantastic Four one of my favorite comics during his run, where he did just about everything, all the writing, all the art. In particular, there was a 2 part story that featured one of the coolest executions of a premise that I ever experienced in a comic, Fantastic Four Vol. 1 350 & 352, especially 352, that's the one with the premise. Just EPIC. Who else have ever made Mr. Fantastic look so wicked (and live up to it in character appropriate action)?




What are some of your favorite titles, moments, story arcs. What are you looking forward to? This can broach comics being turned into movies too. Share and share alike.]]> Wed, 16 May 2012 09:20:38 GMT http://www.eisley.com/laughingcity/viewtopic.php?t=39043 http://www.eisley.com/laughingcity/viewtopic.php?t=39034 http://fullbloom.tumblr.com/

However, I'm always willing to cast my beady eyes further afield. So, I was wondering if any of you frequent a particular tumblr or other art blog? YNC, I'm reckoning you might have some good suggestions! ]]> Sat, 28 Apr 2012 17:50:42 GMT http://www.eisley.com/laughingcity/viewtopic.php?t=39034 http://www.eisley.com/laughingcity/viewtopic.php?t=39029 Wed, 25 Apr 2012 03:08:37 GMT http://www.eisley.com/laughingcity/viewtopic.php?t=39029 http://www.eisley.com/laughingcity/viewtopic.php?t=39015
Anyway... have y'all watched Werner Herzog's new Death Row documentaries? The TV episodes were on Investigation Discovery over where most of you are and on Channel 4 here in Britain. Herzog makes it clear from the start that he's against the death penalty, but doesn't use the programmes as a platform to preach. I've watched the film and the first two episodes and even from these I have a strong sense that some of those perpetrators involved are incurably sociopathic and some are not. The bloke who is interviewed in the first episode seems like a man who acted mosntrously due to his weakness for alcohol. When his alcohol intake was combined with cough mixture he became psychotic. I have no doubt that chemicals like DXM found in over-the-counter cough mixture have psychotic effects, considering how often they have been associated with seemingly 'out of the blue' murder cases and the robotic state they seem to reduce people to. The remorse this guy expressed seemed genuine and he'll certainly see out his life in prison, which will likely end upon a gurney. He seemed to possess the self-awareness and regret to change, but I wonder if his inevitable self-loathing would just drive him back into alcoholism and addiction if released to the outside.

By contrast, the second man who was interviewed was a sociopath. Despite superficial regret, he clearly relished waxing poetical about his crimes and playing to the camera. He was all ego and id. I do not believe he could change without surgical intervention.

Two different men; similar crimes. One could certainly see them as both the victims of Bad Chemicals (for one, induced through addiction; for the other, childhood abuse and possible brain deformity) but they are also guilty of monstrous crimes. I don't know how to reconcile that. I don't trust the state with the power to kill; especially as the upper-echalons of the state are merely individuals with their own faults and grudges, after all. Throughout history and today in countries like China and North Korea, political prisoners are tortured and executed. Those innocent of the crimes they have been convicted for will also sometimes be killed. Moreover, I don't believe that every human being has the same degree of free will. Free will isn't some mystical, external force like 'destiny' - it resides within the brain. Through having OCD I know that my free will to resist washing my hands or taking a shower is more limited than those without the condition. From knowing drug addicts, I have seen the way that addiction can dominate the mind and cloud judgement. Moreover, how far can we trace back guilt? The second murderer was, according to his sister, regularly abused as a child. Their father would put him in a sack and all the children would be forced to whip him with a belt. We don't identify the father as a "criminal" - indeed, Herzog seems to have a respectable meeting with him. However, I can't say that I rank a man who forces his children to whip one of their own, significantly higher on an ethical scale than a murderer.

Anyway, just some musings. One Goh should doubtlessly be locked away for a long time, but I don't know whether he should be executed. If he is, I think America (Britain too!) should also focus upon the illegalisation of bullying and treating it more seriously. I have never been arrested and am a better man than any of Herzog's interviewed perpetrators, but I have done some things in my life I am surely not proud of. I absolutely take responsbility for these things and feel proud to have made good with anyone I have hurt in my life. Though I know I have considerable free will, I also know that I wouldn't have been such a deeply unhappy person when I was younger if I hadn't been bullied - especially in ways that used rubbish/ trash to abuse the fact of my OCD. If the adolescents who did these things had done so in the street rather than in the school hall, they would likely have been considered assault. Likewise, if I had treated those I treated badly, in public, I would have met with more punishment. Obviously, the crimes of One Goh are on a different scale, but in short, he's still a human being like you or I - just a really, really, really terrible one. I'm with Herzog. When he meets these murderers he tells them that he recognises they are human beings, is against the state being allowed to kill them, but this doesn't mean that he has to like them.

I AM OPEN TO OPINIONS DIFFERING FROM MY OWN!]]> Mon, 09 Apr 2012 11:17:04 GMT http://www.eisley.com/laughingcity/viewtopic.php?t=39015 http://www.eisley.com/laughingcity/viewtopic.php?t=39013
I know we got a lot of east texas people here, but not sure how far into dallas you all go.

for those that don't know, two major tornados hit there today.

I just texted my friend who used to live here, and now lives there, he said he was ok. Minimal damage to his place.

So, hope you are all well.]]> Tue, 03 Apr 2012 18:09:50 GMT http://www.eisley.com/laughingcity/viewtopic.php?t=39013 http://www.eisley.com/laughingcity/viewtopic.php?t=39004 Tue, 27 Mar 2012 00:29:22 GMT http://www.eisley.com/laughingcity/viewtopic.php?t=39004 http://www.eisley.com/laughingcity/viewtopic.php?t=39003
Today, I went running with my sister and I did the entire thing barefoot. (Really barefoot, not wearing those fun looking feet gloves.)

Anyone else try it before? It felt fantastic except for the little pebbles and things I kept landing on when we went through an industrial park.]]> Mon, 26 Mar 2012 16:33:28 GMT http://www.eisley.com/laughingcity/viewtopic.php?t=39003 http://www.eisley.com/laughingcity/viewtopic.php?t=39002
]]> Sun, 25 Mar 2012 13:07:23 GMT http://www.eisley.com/laughingcity/viewtopic.php?t=39002 http://www.eisley.com/laughingcity/viewtopic.php?t=39001
I'll start with a green smoothie recipe.

Apple Pie A La Mode Green Smoothie

2 c. ice
1 c. raw baby spinach
1 c. raw green cabbage
2 small apples
1 1/2 c. almond milk
1 tbsp. honey
1/2 tbsp. raw blue agave
2 tsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 tbsp. chia seeds (optional)

Mix all ingredients in a blender until smooth.

It's better to use a Blendtec or a Vitamix blender cause they're the best. Seriously, I'm not even kidding. Also, If you have or use one of those, you can leave the core and the seeds in tact and just blend it on up. 75% of the nutrition in an apple is found in the seeds and core, so if you can throw it in, do it. It's so worth it.]]> Thu, 22 Mar 2012 10:20:46 GMT http://www.eisley.com/laughingcity/viewtopic.php?t=39001 http://www.eisley.com/laughingcity/viewtopic.php?t=39000 The Hunger Games
http://www.thehungergamesmovie.com/


Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%
(as of 3/21/12 8:11pm)
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_hunger_games/



---

Who here is seeing a midnight showing or otherwise plans on seeing the movie this weekend?

I am seeing it at Lincoln Center tomorrow night with a friend, and I wouldn't be surprised if I go see it again either this weekend or next week. I read two reviews last night, which were thankfully not spoilery at all, and I am now more hyped up for this movie than any other in a long, long time. I've already spoken multiple times about my love for Jennifer Lawrence, so I'll save more gushing about her for a later post.

The only thing that makes me somewhat nervous --- don't read the tiny text if you want to stay spoiler free, although this is based off of assumptions made from watching the trailer --- is that it seems like Madge, the mayor's daughter, won't be included in the movie. It's not a huge thing, but it does affect some minor plot points/character emotions throughout the series. I'd heard that they changed three or four things for the movie story-wise, so I'm wondering now what the others are.

I am currently re-reading the book. I have all day tomorrow before the movie to finish. I cannot friggin' wait!! Ugh. I am so excited. Haha.

Below is a link to an interview with the director, Gary Ross, that I read yesterday if anyone wants to read it. I found it interesting. I know some people were skeptical of him directing this, but he sounds like he treated the movie with extreme care.

Interview here: http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=88147]]> Wed, 21 Mar 2012 20:21:49 GMT http://www.eisley.com/laughingcity/viewtopic.php?t=39000