OK, so that title's deceptive—nothing here will be extra random. It's all right in line with my other "Random Thoughts": Nerdy things, whether TV, movies, comics, books, etc. This time, it might be a tidbit less nerdy. No, scratch that, I've got The Avengers trailer to discuss. It'll be pretty nerdy.
—The oft dreamt of movie follow-up to the incredible TV series Arrested Development may be happening. When I first heard about the Bluth family reunion, I was understandably enthused. Here we have every major character from the show saying they are on-board and want it to happen. We have creator Mitchell Hurwitz telling us he has a story for not just a movie, but also 9 or so additional episodes that would lead into the movie, each focusing on where a different character has been (smart). But then I talked to a more tempered friend, who's been burned before. Every 6 months or so, we do get new rumors about this movie, ever since it went off the air. It was apparently a sure thing that the show would move to Showtime. Clearly, none of this has happened. And even after the reunion, we're still at that phase where a schedule needs to be set, a studio needs to greenlight it, etc. There is no guarantee. As much as I want to freak out and be overjoyed, I realize the tempered approach is the way to go here. Hopefully it happens, and we get another 9 episodes and a 2ish hour long movie.
—Aaaaand just because I like to group similar things together (or split them up by one random entry—seriously, go back and check my other "Random Thoughts," I do this all the time), my ladyfriend and I are working our way through Arrested Development. To say the writing of this show makes me feel small isn't saying enough. The layering, the referencing, the foreshadowing...I would take a class on the writing of Arrested Development that started at 6 a.m. and went for 3 hours with no break every morning. But it's not just the writing, it's also the set design—an episode after the whole lesson teaching (where George teaches the kids a lesson about leaving a note when they use the last of the milk), we see hanging on the fridge a note from George-Michael about using the last of the milk. COME ON! These people knew what the hell they were doing and it makes for multiple, enjoyable rewatches.
—Keeping with TV, I just started watching Breaking Bad last week. As of today, I just finished season 3. More than anything, I'm embarrassed it took me this long to start watching. I'm loving every moment of the transformation of Walter White and Jesse Pinkman into different people. More than anything, I want to like Walt and Jesse and Skylar and Hank and Marie, but I can't. They're all bad people! They do a lot to make me like them, but then go and flush all that goodwill away. Me, I'm liking Gus and Mike. Those guys are badass. There's genuine tension, and for that, I'm glad I have it all on Netflix and don't have to wait a week for the next episode. One of my favorite aspects, from a technique/craft standpoint, is the up from underneath shot. Now, that's not a good description, but they've been doing it since season 1. It can be from up through the bottom of a pot, a tray, a vat, whatever. It's awesome. What I really appreciate is how they don't even attempt to glorify drug dealing or manufacturing. The show is brutal about it, in fact, whether the consequences, the struggle to sell, or even just making crystal meth, this is not a pretty show.
—Have you seen Drive yet? No? Then do it. Now. Go to moviefone, or wherever, find the next showtime, and go watch one of the best movies of the last several years. Don't be fooled by the trailers; this is NOT a fast cars, crazy chases, lots of heists kind of movie. It's wonderfully quiet, a subtle, beautifully crafted character study. Ryan Gosling astonishes as the Driver (a man with no name...) who gets tangled in some dangerous stuffs. Honestly, if you are a fan of film (i.e. don't believe the Transformer films are worth their weight in box office profits), if you enjoy subtlety, and quiet, compelling characters, check this out. Buy it on blu-ray or laserdisk or whatever. Just go and support it, because movies like this, nowadays, are rare and wonderful little gems. And keep in mind the story of the scorpion and the frog.
—I finally decided on my Halloween costume: Nurse Joker. Yup, I'll be wearing a cute little nurse's dress. Now, I'm a nerdy nerdnerd, so I'm slightly bothered that it won't be screen accurate (my dress will be a button-up instead of zipper-up, and the belt he has on in the movie is only made in the UK), but nerds like me are few and far between. I've been wanting to do this costume since 2008, when The Dark Knight came out, so I'm pumped to get around to it. Trust, blog-reading amigos, there will be pictures. From the application of the scars, to each layer of makeup. It'll rival my Wolverine costume, I promise.
—Saturday, I'm going to the New York Comic Con. Expect a whole blog all about it. Picture heavy. Maybe video heavy, too, if I can manage to get into The Avengers panel. I managed to sneak onto the floor Thursday, but was sans camera. Needless to say, it looks awesome down there. Can't wait to harass some favorite artists and writers. AMC's The Walking Dead panel looks informative, too, but I'm still going to be apprehensive about the new season, with the dumping of Frank Darabont. New footage will be shown, along with the cast and remaining creators. It'll be pretty rad just to be there, even if the season doesn't turn out as well as the first. Which reminds me! I realize we dropped the ball in a most dramatic fashion, but with the new season kicking off Sunday, expect to see a revival of Among the Walking Dead.
—And now, friends, behold, the trailer for The Avengers! Watch it now if you haven't, because I'm about to dive into it, nerd-like.
First off, YESYESYES. That scene with Cap giving Tony Stark hell? That's the dynamic I wanted to see. That's the dynamic that needs to be there, between the greatest hero America has ever seen and the biggest playboy in the Marvel universe. What I wanted to see more of was Thor with those two. But it was just a trailer so there's no reason to be worried just yet. You know what did get me even more pumped about the movie? Seeing Iron Man flying through the skyscrapers of New York City. I understand the reason Jon Favreau moved Tony Stark to Los Angeles, but there's still something supremely, nerdly satisfying about seeing Iron Man in his city. On top of that, we get a shot of the Quinjet, Loki being a d-bag, lots of explosions, Black Widow looking supremely hot, a brief bit of Hawkeye, and at long last, the Hulk. Another dynamic I really look forward to seeing is that of Bruce Banner and Tony Stark, two geniuses of the Marvel universe. So overall, I'm excited. I'm stoked. Joss Whedon is a master of ensembles, and I'm hoping to see a bit more come the panel tomorrow night.
All right! I've got a busy rest of the month ahead of me, but I'll get to stepping on the NYCC post, and some video game reviews (Gears of War 3 and Batman: Arkham City). Until then, amigos!
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