The Comic Critic Reviews Little Otik

This movie was recommended to me as a zombie movie, so it was a bit of a surprise to discover instead this kooky and weird modern telling of an old Czech folk tale. I’ve seen and easily accepted modern spins on well-known tales like Sleeping Beauty and Little Red Riding Hood, but I was unfamiliar with this story. I found that to be both beneficial and awkward at the same time. I tried to figure out why I wasn’t completely drawn to it. My thoughts keep circling back to it not being in my memory bank. Or it could be my lingering disappointment that it wasn’t a zombie film. Still, if you are into kooky, odd, offbeat films – with subtitles - this just might hit the spot.

The Comic Critic Reviews RED (2010)

RED is another one of those movies whose source was a graphic novel. I didn’t want to prejudice myself in any way by reading it before watching the movie. Now I’m curious to read both of the graphic novels. Yes, both the original novel and the one in which the likenesses of the characters were changed to match the actors in the film, published after the movie’s release. The big question is, “Do you smell a franchise in the works?” My inspiration for this strip’s review came from my friend John Draper, whose email to me was along the lines of “tasty, but no nutritional value.” Still, franchises have been built on far less than the yummy offerings this movie brings.

The Return of Stickman #1221

If you 'hide' acorns in condoms and hand them out, people are going to think you're a little weird, even if it is part of a gag. And you are just asking for all sorts of condemnation if you are a judge to boot. Certainly you would know that you might face disorderly conduct charges.

The Return of Stickman #1220

When I got on a plane to San Francisco last Friday I didn’t think I would end up later that day in a Western themed gay bar. Nor did I imagine that I would later be in a sex novelty shop called Good Vibrations. And I certainly didn’t think I would be hearing the words, “Get the butt plugs sign in the photo.” Yes, my trip to APE with Kevin Boze held many firsts for me.

The Return of Stickman #1219

While returning together from APE, Kevin Boze wrote the script for today's strip. Thank you, Kevin. I guess Kevin should've shipped more of his book down to the event as he sold out. Check out his book The Virgin Project, volume 1 & 2.

The Comic Critic Reviews Let Me In (2010) and Let the Right One In (2008)

Let Me In is just one of many foreign films that undergo a Hollywood makeover for the American audience. Sometimes they meet with great success, like 1987’s Three Men and a Baby (France: Three Men and a Cradle-1985); sometimes they fare sort of middle-of-the-road, like 2001’s Tortilla Soup (Taiwan: Eat Drink Man Woman-1994); and sometimes, even with star power behind them, they never make a big splash, like 2004’s Shall We Dance (Japan: Shall We Dance-1996). Let Me In is a good example of how a small change (an alteration to the storyline to consider the cultural setting) can also open the door to other changes made to satisfy American tastes. Too heavy a hand with these changes can push a film away from its original atmosphere, resulting in a disappointing, cliché-filled movie-going experience. I would like to think that we Americans don’t need every movie to be chatty, noisy, or require a car chase. It would be great when Let Me In comes out on DVD to include both the Swedish and American versions so that everyone could enjoy pointing out what they see as a good or bad change.

The Comic Critic Head to the Alternative Press Expo

No cartoon today as I've packed my bags and I'm heading off to APE. This will be my first time at APE, but with a few comic conventions under my belts I think I will do okay. If you're going to be around San Francisco this weekend click on the link above and drop on by. I will be sitting at table 333A, right next to Kevin Boze at table 333B. You might remember Kevin Boze as the artists who tied with me in 2009 and also won The Golden Toonie - presented by Cartoonists Northwest. With any luck I might be able to send in a report from the road.