I was leafing through the latest gossip and rags at lunch and came across some good news – Harold Ramis is working on Ghost Busters 3. It’s hard to believe that after close to twenty years since we’ve seen the last installment that we would get another chance to visit the very odd and supernatural world of the Ghost Buster’s New York but it seems Ramis is trying to put the project together.

There exists a special fondness in my heart for Dr. Peter Venkman and the rest of his merry band of nether-world crusaders. To paraphrase Joe Fox from You’ve Got Mail - Ghost Busters is the I Ching, the sum of all wisdom. For example, we observe that backing geeks into a financial corner is a recipe for creative thinking and might lead to the first paranormal containment agency. We learn when someone asks you if you’re a god the correct answer is – YES. Of course we also learn the most important lesson of all – if the customer doesn’t pay then simply put the ghost back in the room.

I will also admit that Bill Murray’s portrayal of the smart-assed Venkman and the way he delivered his cracks in a quick, unassuming manner still follows me to this day. It’s also the archetype for how I react to the world in my everyday existence – which incidentally is met with about the same level of tolerance he receives in the series.

Laugh at the hokey songs and catch phrases all you want. They are a bit on the corny side even then much less now. However, the truth is if you’ve never wanted to slide down a fire pole into a tricked out, 1959 Cadillac Hearse right before you scream around town with sirens blearing - you just wouldn’t understand where I’m coming from.

Ramis Plans ‘Ghostbusters 3’ [Hollywood.com]

We wrap up our month-long Matrix arc with a discussion of the Animatrix and the tiny Matrix EU. Highlights: we explore the dark nature of the Animatrix, discuss humanity’s culpability in starting the war with AI, ponder the results of man “playing God,” question whether man learns primarily through pain and suffering, debate whether free will is dependent on reality or only perception, note the machine’s use of economic warfare (and recognize some real-world examples of this), enjoy Sean’s excellent commentary on the Animatrix’s various art styles, and note the similarities (and differences) between the Matrix and our next arc: the Terminator franchise.

 GWC Podcast #116 [125:32m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

“In the beginning, there was man. And for a time, it was good. But humanity’s so-called civil societies soon fell victim to vanity and corruption. Then man made the machine in his own likeness. Thus did man become the architect of his own demise”

We’ve finally reached the end of the Matrix road, and what an interesting journey it’s been. Animatrix helps fill in some of the gaps and expands the story. No matter what your feelings are about the second and third films, Animatrix is an excellent group of varied animation styles and stories that you’ll enjoy.

Don’t forget to join us here in the forum for the Animatrix discussion thread!

Up this week: Matrix Revolutions. Highlights: we get down on the concept of man and machine living together, considering Neo as Christ figure (complete with choir), talk religion vs. spirituality, discuss programmatic “limitations” (like Lionel Ritchie in the coat room) and what makes them important, note the tremendous bravery of soldiers who volunteer to enter harm’s way when they can’t shoot back, ponder the importance of the dock defense, question (with the help of a caller) how children are born in the Matrix. Next week we wrap up the Matrix arc with a discussion of the Animatrix and the rest of the Matrix EU.

 GWC Podcast #115 [130:21m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

It’s often difficult to be a Science Fiction fan. We must endure much. The disdain of our fellow man for our geekness and the outright fury of our own geekly kind for holding contrary views to their contrary views - oh yes it is quite a complicated existence. As rabid fans of all things sci-fi we tend to become instant critic and often executioner to any questionable media set in our path. I’ll admit to doing it myself a time or two. However being a true sci-fi geek means you must try to hold yourself to a different standard - or perhaps a more tolerant one.

I spied a movie poster for a remake of The Day The Earth Stood Still recently which happens to be one of my favorite classic sci-fi flicks of all time. I was immediately excited that to see the idea getting some play again because let’s face it, Gort is frakken cool. My joy was sort lived. No sooner had I called my gaggle of geeks over to converse about this latest hotness than they started much whining and pot-shotting about how crappy it was going to be.

Respected members of the media also caved to the allure of negativity about the upcoming release. I value the right of sci-fi enthusiasts to blow raspberries at the finest of flicks in protest but I felt certain judging it after having seen ninety seconds of the film four months in advance is a trifle premature. They are of course entitled to their learned opinions but I must shake my head in shame at the collective reactions of my geeky brethren.

I agree that the 1950’s version of this movie is a timeless classic that everyone should witness. Its stern warning of bleak futures and what we might aspire to should we answer the call to greatness was imprinted into my brain at an early age. The six year old version of me, a very young (very annoying) blond-headed boy who walked about with limbs frozen, answered only to Gort and repeated the words “Klaatu barada nikto” in response to every question anyone asked him loved this movie. Nothing has changed that love for it since then.

Oh yes, I feel the very real danger of Klaatu and Gort falling into the same level of despair that Tom Cruise brought to War of The Worlds. I know Keanu Reeves and Jaden Smith will most definitely give the movie a different vibe than the Michael Rennie and Billy Gray did fifty years ago. There will be more action scenes and most likely some of the suspense created by black and white mood lighting will be replaced by special effects.

However, the one thing that upsets me more than any of that could ever hope to is the knowledge that many young people couldn’t tell me who Gort is if I stuck a gun to their head and denied them access to google. The message is lost in time - and that’s a fate worse than anything modern Hollywood could do to it.

I find I don’t always share the vehement contempt for remakes that many pros and geeks alike have voiced so eloquently. Remakes can often be good things that add to the depth and understanding of the viewer as well as being works of art onto themselves such as the re-imagined Battlestar Galactica or Batman to name a few recent ones.

Just because a story was told before doesn’t make it the final and only possible word on the subject. Humans tell stories - it’s what we do and how we learn. It’s been this way for thousands of years. Countless stories have been told, changed, retold and changed again with each generation making their stab at telling their vision of it. Undeniably, some retellings are superior to others and it’s not always better the next time around.

Somewhere along the way the sci-fi geek arose to stand amongst the bleating herd and crave something different and new. Though no two geeks will agree on which ‘Trek is best or how light speed might actually be achieved there is one constant that remains true - we can see past what is real and imagine what could be. This is the beating heart of sci-fi and what we must remember to channel when a new piece of media is presented to us.

There is an excellent scene in the Pixar movie Ratatouille where the longtime cynic Anton Ego explains the nature of being a critic.

In many ways, the work of a critic is easy. We risk very little yet enjoy a position over those who offer up their work and their selves to our judgment. We thrive on negative criticism, which is fun to write and to read. But the bitter truth we critics must face, is that in the grand scheme of things, the average piece of junk is more meaningful than our criticism designating it so.

To sum that up, the view is good from the cheap seats.

Simply being a naysayer and habitually blasting any piece of creative work takes little effort or thought. Value and enjoyment can be found in many works both great and shameful and it begins with our own imagination and openness to the ideas and concepts put forward. Still, sometimes after careful viewing loathing is indeed warranted but reserving that wrath until after you’ve seen the film is to be recommended.

“Why, Mr. Anderson? Why do you do it? Why get up? Why keep fighting? Do you believe you’re fighting for something? For more than your survival? Can you tell me what it is? Do you even know? Is it freedom? Or truth? Perhaps peace? Yes? No? Could it be for love? Illusions, Mr. Anderson. Vagaries of perception.”

Friends, Romans, Watercooleans…lend me your earbuds. It is time to wrap up the Matrix re-watch with Revolutions. If you have not seen this in a few years be sure to give it a watch prior to the podcast as Chuck, Sean and Audra are sure to open your eyes to aspects and layers you may have missed the first time around.

The Revolutions discussion thread is here

The Reloaded discussion is here. (my bad, no individual blog post for Reloaded…sorry all)

The GWC crew spends some time this week with Matrix Reloaded. Highlights: we discuss Matrix diversity and the struggle against conformity, marvel at how love, spirituality, and sexuality blend into one amazing life-affirming rave (and why, therefore, humanity is worth more than a good steak), ponder the architect’s very important speech, enjoy seeing the “humanity” of the machines (and the necessity of human/machine interdependence), and note that Monica Bellucci wears a rubber dress like no other.

 GWC Podcast #114 [126:25m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

I’m a prequel hater. No, not those prequels or even prequels in general, but rather the fact that for years “prequel” has been the buzzword that’s grabbed hold of seemingly every major franchise in existence and twisted it to ask “what came before?”

Sometimes it’s great to know what came before. But sometimes I just really want to see what’s going to happen next instead of an introspective look back. When I heard the new Star Trek flick would be a “prequel,” I almost cried. (Yes, grown men can cry. Especially when the only Star Trek they’re going to get in years is going to be a goddamn “prequel.”) “Can no one think of any way at all to move the Star Trek universe forward?” I thought. “Has the Star Trek universe (technobabble) expanded to the point where it’s experiencing entropic ‘heat death,’ contracting back in on its past self on the way to total annihilation?”

Then I heard that Trek XI won’t be a “prequel.” It’ll be a “reboot.”

“Ah, reboot!” I think. “Awesome.” Then today I saw this piece by SyFy scribe Michael Hinman. According to Hinman, while the Superman franchise has avoided the IP challenges of Watchmen, it faces its own “bump in the road:”

The studio apparently has called the 2006 Bryan Singer version of the film a “misfire,” mirroring earlier reports, and couple be looking at doing a reboot similar to what Marvel did with “The Incredible Hulk,” according to Dark Horizons.

A “misfire?” Sure, it wasn’t an incredible movie. But doesn’t it occur to these highly-paid and experienced folk that mabye it’s not their take on Superman’s story that’s the problem but rather Superman himself? Even comic n00bs can point to the real problem: Superman is freakin’ omnipotent save for the (relatively lame) Kryptonite. This limits Superman plot selection — regardless how talented an auteur you snag to do the choosing — to bad guys show up, bad guys get their asses kicked by Superman, bad guys pull Kryptonite, Superman almost dies, Superman escapes Kryptonite and kicks bad guys’ asses. Wash, rinse, repeat.

You could “reboot” Superman so that he’s a drunk, womanizing, man-whore with a penchant for young nookie and not giving a damn. But that won’t work because then he’s not Superman.

Wait, what am I saying? Maybe the studio should slam Superman back in the hands of Kevin Smith — or better yet Seth Rogen. Just think: A weed-updated Superman III with Christopher Mintz-Plasse as Superman. Rogen himself as the post-toking Man of Steel. The comely Emma Stone could play his ubiquitous moll.

And on a related note, holy crap! Does Stone look just like a young Jodie Foster — say in this flick made the year Stone was born (!) — or what?

Anyway, my point is this: “reboot” is the new “prequel.” As far as I can tell, “reboot” is now the new universal answer as to why a film or franchise isn’t making dumptrucks full of cash. Sadly, there is no universal answer to this question. Sometimes it’s because your previous “prequel” sucked ass. Sometimes it’s because the main character just isn’t that interesting. And sometimes it’s because Superman’s just a tad bit lame.

Accept it. Work around it.

BTW, if by some reason you haven’t already heard about it let me be the first to tell you: SciFi canned Atlantis this week to make way for the franchise’s next series: Stargate Universe. I’ll admit that this woke me up to a few facts:

1. Atlantis probably won’t be the series that finally draws me into the Stargate “universe.”
2. Five years is probably too long to wait to check out a “new” series.
3. Jewel Staite is enough to convince me to watch a show, but apparently not quickly enough to keep it on the air.

At least Atlantis isn’t disappearing forever; it’ll follow SG-1 down the direct-to-DVD path, which is suspect will keep both producers’ pockets full and viewers’ need for ‘Gate sated for years to come. Direct-to-DVD solves many of the problems that plague successful “cult” faves — shows that draw a small but dedicated fan base. DVD flicks require less overall time commitment of actors and production staff and less air-time commitment — and long-term cash — from broadcasters. Considering the financial success of SG-1’s DVD movies — and soon Atlantis’, too, we hope — maybe this could catch on as the perfect exit strategy for the next Firefly.

It’s too bad it’s not catching on quickly enough to save BSG. Though I’ve remained mosty (if not entirely) spoiler-free, I do know that all of Galactica season 4.5 is in the can, which means that the story is likely locked down. It’d be a pretty big stretch to imagine Moore and crew leaving a movie-sized gap in the final countdown.

I heard a great deal about Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog in the last few weeks and it came heavily recommended from people I respect so I decided to check it out. After about 10 minutes in I couldn’t watch anymore, I turned it off it was – horrible. I wondered why folks had been making a fuss over it but went about my merry way.

A few days later I tried again figuring I was perhaps in a bad mood and I needed to give it a second shot. Nope, it was still bad. I moved on again.
Read the rest of this entry »

Time to dive into the Matrix with the GWC crew! Highlights: we take a few last-minute Star Wars calls, discuss the “reality” of the Matrix, learn that Chuck (and a caller) would totally throw humanity under the bus for a good steak, marvel at Matrix cookies that crisp instantly without turning into hockey pucks, recognize that PVC can indeed be sexier than nudity, debate whether Neo is specifically the one (or just the one who took the job), enjoy the film’s techno soundtrack goodness, and compare the marble lobby security guards to the Death Star’s independent contractors.

 GWC Podcast #113 [121:19m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Please join the the GWC community in the Book Club select for August, Heir to the Empire by Timothy Zahn here

“You take the blue pill - the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill - you stay in Wonderland and I show you how deep the rabbit-hole goes.”

Time to dust off your DVD and get ready for the Watercooler crüe to tackle, The Matrix Trilogy. If you would like to join the discussion in the forum you can find the thread here

ps: If you want to earn a gold star and earn some extra credit be sure to download the bonus “Very Jerry” Galactica Watercooler podcast #22.