The Home of the Creative Mind

Welcome to PooBahSpiel, the online voice and home of the creative mind of Mark Monlux, Illustrator Extraordinaire. Prepare yourself for an endless regaling of art directly from the hand of this stellar artist. And brace yourself against his mighty wind of pontification. Updates are kinda weekly and show daily sketches, current projects, and other really nifty stuff.

Monday, December 12, 2011

The Comic Critic Reviews Aeon Flux



I’m behind the eight ball this week as I finish off a deadline. But I don’t want to leave you hanging with nothing, so I’m digging into the archives to bring you my review of Aeon Flux.

There are many obvious movie genres: horror, comedy, action, drama, etc. And naturally you are aware that there are movies that mix genres: romance-comedy, horror-comedy, etc. You are even aware of the genres that have developed specific names: silent, grindhouse, exploitation, etc. But then there are those film genres whose names have yet to be formalized. Aeon Flux falls completely into a category I’m calling Sexy-Violent-Babe.

Sexy-Violent-Babe movies always have a beautiful female lead, usually featured on the movie poster wearing skintight clothing, often in an exotic pose. Her strong presence, usually featured in a slightly futuristic and or fantasy setting, is augmented with weaponry, often as exotic as her poses, along with a high tendency to use them. On top of everything she is smart, and it is her wiles, along with her graceful strength, that wins the day against “the man.” The man can take as many forms as her weaponry as long it is linked to a visage of female oppression, of which there is an endless selection. The description, Sexy-Violent-Babe, might be a bit wordy. With all the leather, straps, spandex, skin and definite promise of violence,Dominatrix has a far more wonderful simplicity to it. Too bad the term Dominatrix doesn’t lend itself to a PG-13 rating, so I’ll settle for Sexy-Violent-Babe.

Now that I’ve defined this genre for you, I’m betting that you can easily think of a number of movies that fit this description. I know I have a list that ranges from poorly done schlock to international blockbusters. Here’s a few I can name just off the top of my head:

Aeon Flux
BloodRayne
Catwoman
Resident Evil
Ultraviolet
Underworld