Wonder Woman...brining sexy back?

The picture to the right is from the latest issue (Feb. 2008) of Playboy Magazine. The cover depicts 2005 playmate of the year, Tiffany Fallon, as Wonder Woman...sans costume (except for the boots)...its body paint. The cover stirred up some controversy...especially among feminists...for depicting one of their cultural icons in such a sleazy fashion. (Of note...there is not a Wonder Woman pictorial in the magazine...Playboy is using her image to promote their "Sex in America" cover story.)

I for one was not overly offended mainly because it takes something quite seismic in nature to offend me. To be honest Wonder Woman is generally portrayed by contemporary artists in a sexy manner....exhibit 1 and exhibit 2....which shouldn't be too surprising considering the male dominance of the comic book world. But on the other hand I can perfectly see why some people were up in arms over the cover.

Wonder Woman is a strong feminist symbol. Her intention from the beginning (1940's) was to be a role model to girls. It shouldn't be too surprising that the 1970's Wonder Woman TV show coincided with the feminist movement. Thereby casting Wonder Woman as well as Lynda Carter as heroes to both little girls and woman alike.

Part of being an icon is having sensibilities that people relate to in different ways. While Wonder Woman is a feminist hero/role model to some people she is also a sex symbol (and possible even a fetish) to others. While those ideas seem to have a parallel projectory (thus leading to the reality of a Playboy cover)...the essence of Wonder Woman character is an intersection of those notions. She embodies both of those traits of being strong and sexy. She rises above the generic stereotypes of pop culture in that a female character is either pretty and dumb or smart and unattractive. The true strength of her character is that she is both powerful and beautiful and that those ideas do not have to be in conflict with one another.

Ultimately Playboy Magazine is not going to portray a balanced take on the Wonder Woman myth. Their desire and motivation is obvious. I just thought it was interesting to see how relevant Wonder Woman still is in that she can stir so much passion in the media (or blogosphere). Really...she is more than a feminist symbol...she is an American symbol. It is intriguing to see how that symbol gets played out from time to time. Also of note...DC Comics has just hired Gail Simone to be the regular writer of the Wonder Woman comic book...the first time that a woman will be an "on-going" writer in the series history.

A Second Look at "3:10 to Yuma"

The other weeknight I re-watched 3:10 to Yuma. As many as you know when Andy and I originally reviewed the movie last year we gave it a positive review...even giving it an A- (which for us is about as good as it gets).

There's no question now that I would say that 3:10 to Yuma (with apologies to some of the other 2007 releases that I haven't seen yet) is my top film of the year. With "top" being a combination of critical analysis and favoritism. I consider it to be one of the best films of the year as well as being my favorite movie of the year.

The movie is not only a stupendous western but a superb film. Without getting overly spoilerly for those that haven't seen the movie I just absolutely love how the movie ends both from an action standpoint and thematically. There's a famous line in the immortal John Ford western The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence that never stops being relevant in my eyes. . ."This is the west, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend." To me that perfectly captures the myth versus reality of the American West. The climax of 3:10 to Yuma really plays with that idea of mythmaking and showcases how crucial it is to the characters involved. From a cinematic standpoint that notion is hardly new to the genre but it is always worth revisiting. Since the western is such a part of Americana...I think that as a genre picture there's nothing better than a good western and 3:10 to Yuma is definitely that.

Something Positive From the WGA Strike

I was pretty apprehensive about this live action Justice League of America movie. I guess I didn't quite understand the immediacy to rush out a JLA picture just for the sake of it. The whole project (from the director to the cast) didn't sit well with me. Due to the ongoing writer's strike the current JLA project is indefinitely on hold.

Via Variety magazine...

"Justice League" is no longer moving faster than a speeding bullet.

Warner Bros. let the options lapse on the young cast that director George Miller chose to play DC superhero staples. The studio, which had set Tuesday as its greenlight deadline for the pic, confirmed Wednesday the project is on indefinite hold.

Project now most likely won't get under way until late summer or fall at the earliest.

Cast members were informed late Tuesday their options would not be exercised, but they were also assured the studio is determined to make the film with them in it. But before that can happen, there are several problems to be resolved.

The studio's reasons included not getting the official response it needed on tax breaks from shooting in Australia. And while WB execs like the script they got from Kieran and Michele Mulroney, it would benefit from a little more work, something that isn't possible because of the writers' strike.

Some were surprised the studio didn't exercise cast options anyway. The deals gave WB the flexibility to exercise the deals immediately, or in July, and the actors will be making salaries in the low six-figure range. While Adam Brody, cast as the Flash, has a track record, most of the cast comprises such newcomers as Armie Hammer Jr., who plays Batman, and Megan Gale, who will play Wonder Woman.

The studio risks losing them to other film jobs. But it is likely most if not all the cast will make sure to be available starting late summer and fall, just in case. That's because of the starmaking potential of "Justice League."

Studio had set this week as the deadline to greenlight the superhero tentpole, which it was racing to get into production for 2009 release. That was always considered a dicey proposition, particularly when the writers went on strike, and because the film needs to be completed before the SAG deal expires in June.

With "Justice League" on indefinite hold, the studio has a superhero gap on its 2009 slate; status of the next "Superman" pic is also uncertain.

Newsflash...ESPN Loves The Patriots

ESPN continues to try to be in the business of creating stories than reporting (or commenting on) news. After the Chargers's victory over the Colts, Charger Igor Olshanky made the following ( I think tongue and cheek) comment about the Patriots.

Notice this wasn't a story on Monday...but come Tuesday it became the lead story with ESPN and it's given outlets. Why is this?

ESPN wants the Patriots to win the Super Bowl. This is obvious. Some of it has to be do with their east coast bias but mainly it has to do with ESPN's constant banging of the drums that anything present is the best ever. Nothing would suit their argument more than an undefeated Patriots team.

The Patriots get off on getting revenge on opposing players who talk trash leading up to the game. Just look what they did to Pittsburgh and Anthony Smith. They embarrassed them (and him). It's hard for me to see how some no name player can inspire the Patriots to play better but ultimately that seems to be the case...at least to a small degree.

Thus ESPN fuels the Patriot's fury by hyping (what should be) not event stories. The Olshansky's quotes led off PTI on Tuesday evening and was part of the opening montage for the 6:00 Sportscenter. I'm sure there was a segment about it but I didn't stick around to see it. It was also bantered about on ESPN 2's First Take and I would be willing to bet that it made the rounds on ESPN's radio shows as well. They did the same thing last week with Paul Spicer of Jacksonville Jaguars. He made a despairing (yet it was his opinion) comment around week 2 about the Patriots and spygate and lo and behold it was front page news with ESPN.

I realize that ESPN hyping a story to motivate a football team to win a game is not a guarantee that that team will win the game. I'm not that naive. But what bothers is the fact that ESPN is nonetheless trying. In their estimation they have nothing to lose. They're ESPN they can pretty much to whatever they want. They've been frustrating me a lot lately but it sure isn't stopping me from watching (or listening) to their programs.

Nonetheless...It's just ridiculous and unprofessional for ESPN...a journalistic institution...to manipulate their coverage in a way to help (maybe not the right word...) out another team to meet their own desires. Look at what Olshanky said...it was nothing...it was almost like he was just being sarcastic. But boy did ESPN run with the story.

I'm not kidding about this...but as I type this...Sportscenter just replayed Olshanky's quote....and now they are having Sean Salisbury and John Clayton discuss it.

Please.

I'm done.

"Sweeney Todd" movie review

This week we take a look at Hollywood's latest musical: Sweeny Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (R). Johnny Depp and Tim Burton team up for the screen adaptation of one of the darker mainstream musicals ever to grace Broadway. Depp plays the title character, who, in an attempt to avenge his slain wife, changes his identity and becomes a murdering barber. Helena Bonham Carter, Alan Rickman, and Sasha Baron Cohen costar.

Ryan: If there was ever a musical suited for the taste of Tim Burton, it would be Sweeney Todd. The Gothic flair and macabre elements are perfect for the eccentric director. Granted this is nothing new for Burton, in terms of the film's morbid themes but for the most part his direction in the film is in tune with a lot of his past works. Sweeney Todd didn't impress me to the high degree that I thought it might but the fault lies elsewhere than with Burton's work.

Andy: I have to completely disagree. The problem with this film lies squarely at Burton's feet. First of all, this is a watered, down, recycled version of tricks Burton has been using for decades. It is almost like a lesser director was making a movie in the style of Tim Burton. Everything is darkly lit, several of the characters have Edward Scissorhands hair, and the visual macabre rarely holds the subtle humor that Burton's best work has.

Ryan: My biggest issue with the movie is the films music. Since this is a musical thats a significant concern. For instance, when I normally leave a film musical at least one song is dancing around in my head. With Sweeney Todd that wasn't the case. Now after a few days, the music completely escapes me. It just wasn't impressionable. I know Stephen Sondheim is well respected, perhaps even an icon in the musical world but, the music in film did not do it for me. Like I said earlier that is very problematic for a cinematic musical.

Andy: Sometimes Sondheim's music is a bit of a slow burn, and perhaps Sweeny Todd is no exception to that. A couple of the songs stuck with me when I left the theatre. However, it must be noted that Burton chose to cut one of the most beloved songs, “The Ballad of Sweeny Todd,” from the movie entirely. One also has to question some of the singing in the film. Helena Bonham Carter was questionable at times with her singing, and as great as Johnny Depp is, I would describe his vocal performance as adequate.

Ryan: Everybody knows that Johnny Depp is a fantastic actor. But even I was a little apprehensive with him being in a musical. I would say that hes not going to win any awards for his singing but he just scored a Golden Globe award for best performance in a musical or comedy. I'm not really sure how to take that (considering how dysfunctional the Golden Globes are this year) but I wouldn't categorize his performance as award worthy. It is definitely a noteworthy performance for his personal catalog but it certainly isn't the best work of his career either.

Andy: For all of the trash I've talked about this movie, I was very entertained. There is a stretch in the middle of the film where it is all falling into place and seems like a fantastic film. Unfortunately, it has a slow start and an ending that is inexplicably non-captivating considering the action that is going on. Ultimately, it does have a lot going for it, but it is a little disappointing to see great source material being put to screen by some of the most talented people in movies with results that are less than great.

Other than some questionable choices and music, Sweeney Todd is dark delight of a film. Final grade: B.

Blue Monday

I'm watcing PTI...I really didn't want to because I'm still recovering from the Colts game from yesterday.

But then...Tony Kornheiser, when talking about the game, uttered this..."Peyton Manning at some point becomes Greg Maddux. That he's one of the greatest regular season pitchers of all-time but you get to the postseason and the magic just isn't there."

As many as you can guess...I was literally screaming at the TV. It's bad enough that I have to relive the Colts loss but when Greg Maddux gets thrown into the discussion...well...I just couldn't let that pass.

I don't even know where to start. Manning can be blamed for some of the Colts pass playoffs disappointments but I don't think Sunday's game was entirely Manning's fault. The bottom line...is that the Colts defense played their worst game of the season. It was like the reverse of last year when the Colts defense went from zero to hero...seemingly over night. In this case it went from great to crappy. Granted the Manning led offense did have three gut-wrenching turnovers while in or around the red zone but only one of those could be attributed to a poor play by Manning. The bottom line is that the Colts made too many mistakes and that is why they and why deserve to lose...but to insinuate that the Colts loss was do to Manning' s poor play is simply untrue.

But let's get to the rest of what Kornheiser said...because really...if I had a beer bottle in my head it might have been launched at the TV.

There is the perception that in the playoffs Greg Maddux is not Greg Maddux. This is mainly due to the fact that his career postseason record is a lackluster 11-14. Admittingly that is zippy. But let's look at some other numbers. Maddux's postseason ERA is 3.34...slightly higher than his career ERA of 3.11. Let's see how that stacks up against Maddux's peers. Off the top of my head I've compared Maddux's postseason ERA to eight other contemporary pitchers (and their postseason ERA's) who have pitched multiple post season games. Here is how they rank:

1. Curt Schilling 2.23
2. John Smoltz 2.65
3. Greg Maddux 3.34
4. Pedro Martinez 3.40
5. Mike Mussina 3.42
Tom Glavine 3.42
7. Randy Johnson 3.50
8. Roger Clemens 3.75
9. Andy Petite 3.96

Not surprisingly...perceived big game pitchers, Schilling and Smoltz, lead the way. But wait...who's second...oh yeah...Mr. Choke Artist, Greg Maddux. Sometimes perception is right...like with Schilling and Smoltz...and sometimes it isn't.

But let's take it one step further. There's no bigger stage than the World Series. Let's see how ERA stacks up. I've only included those pitchers who have pitched in multiple World Series's (this eliminated Johnson and Martinez).

1. Schilling 2.06
2. Maddux 2.09
3. Clemens 2.37
4. Smotlz 2.47
5. Glavine 2.47
6. Mussina 3.00
7. Petitte 3.96

Mmmm...Maddux is only three-hundredth of a point behind Schilling, who is regarded as possibly the best big game pitcher of his generation. Whereas Schilling's record is 4-1 all time in the World Series...Maddux's is a mediocre 2-3. I'm not suggesting that Maddux has been better than Schilling or really anybody on the list. My point is the perception that Maddux does not carry his regular season success or "magic" to the postseason is complete bull crap. Here's a novel concept...other factors like not being able to hit the ball...not being able to field the ball...or not being able to hold a lead...influence the outcome of games. In my estimation Maddux has pitched pretty darn good in the postseason and certainly does not deserve the label of being a great regular season player who can't get it done in the post season.

I have another political post brewing in my head...but I thought I lighten the mood by posting a couple of humorous videos from funnyordie.com.


This first is one is suitable for all ages.




The second one is more of PG-13 rating. And also features a Zach Galifianakais sighting.