Muzman on 15/3/2007 at 14:02
Quote Posted by Thirith
P.S.: Perhaps this is where I can ask for an explanation: Why exactly is The Dark Knight Returns often hailed as one of the shining lights of the comic book renaissance, together with Watchmen? I honestly don't get what's so special about it, in addition to which I think it's aged pretty badly. (I only read it roughly five years ago.)
I agree but it is one of the first instances where you get that left-of-field approach (probably a poor term where Miller is concerned) to a character who is just about an institution. It's got some social commentary and satire running through it as well and got the attention of a wider audience. Both it and Watchmen explore the Superhero concept and its influence on a wider society that's more like our own than comics generally do (or did), as well. It did seem to me that Miller was having a laugh, even though its hard boiled stuff seems to inspire a lot of love, it seems more like parody to me. This is not to say Miller actually was joking, but its all so over the top I can't take it seriously. Same with all of his glamour projects actually(where he's not working in an existing series).
As far as art goes; Miller does say he's a cartoonist, not an illustrator, but the increasingly outlandish proportions of DKR wore me out by the end as well.
Scots Taffer on 15/3/2007 at 14:03
That's so bizarre, I was engaged in a full-on raging nerdfest about 80s action movies just this afternoon. Commando featured heavily.
LET OFF SOME STEAM, BENNET.
Lady Taffer on 15/3/2007 at 15:59
Quote Posted by Hidden_7
Maybe I just miss my youth (he says at the ripe old age of 20; yeah I know I'm still a baby), where things were simple enough as fighting for abstract ideals. Maybe that's a "masculine" idea or something? I've read in a few places that boys are more about hard and fast concrete rules, and girls are more about context and personal consequences? But you know how bullshit "studies" like those can be. Maybe this is why this really doesn't resonate with women, or men who have matured past 16, which I evidentally haven't.
Actually, your whole post here sounds pretty mature to me, I mean, the fact that you even recognize these things is awesome. :D
It might just be a maturity thing, 'cause I know when I was 11-12 I couldn't get enough Ahhhnold action flicks. (Predator and T2 being my favorites)
But I don't think there's really anything wrong with enjoying a big budget action-fest as long as you recognize that that IS all that it's about.
Starrfall on 15/3/2007 at 16:47
Quote Posted by Scots_Taffer
That said, 300 looks like a load of homoerotic shouty awesome.
u no u want dis
Scots Taffer on 15/3/2007 at 23:52
I think you should be apologising anyway.
Tocky on 16/3/2007 at 01:37
Quote Posted by Muzman
Both it and Watchmen explore the Superhero concept and its influence on a wider society that's more like our own than comics generally do (or did), as well. It did seem to me that Miller was having a laugh, even though its hard boiled stuff seems to inspire a lot of love, it seems more like parody to me. This is not to say Miller actually was joking, but its all so over the top I can't take it seriously. .
Exactly. I haven't read any of these comics but Sin City (the movie) had me laughing. I don't think many of todays audience gets what noir was really about. It wasn't superhuman tough guy catches bullets in his teeth and tears building down on baddies. It was average guy gets hell beat out of him for sticking up for the way things ought to be and gets up again. That was why I liked Spiderman as a kid, he was late with the rent, had woman trouble not receptacle trouble, and sewed his own costume. He didn't want to be a hero but he had to step up.
I think a lot of that concept came from WWII or at least that generation. Mygod the movies that could be made if you took just one of Stephen Ambrose books and followed one soldiers life. The battles were amazing in thier execution and sacrifice. Then after they came home Hollywood totally missed any kind of realistic portrayal of these soft spoken guys. John Wayne my ass.
I might watch 300 but I'm fantasizing a brothers in arms movie.
Shug on 16/3/2007 at 04:51
Quote Posted by Scots_Taffer
I should also point out that I thought Sin City was fantastic. The whole mysognistic viewpoint was raised by my wife, who found the film very uncomfortable and sadistic to watch. That said, 300 looks like a load of homoerotic shouty crap.
what would a wench know about what makes a movie good :mad:
Scots Taffer on 16/3/2007 at 05:10
She's seen more movies than you, boyo, so shut it.
Matthew on 16/3/2007 at 09:54
Quote Posted by Scots_Taffer
I think you should be apologising anyway.
Aw c'mon, who doesn't like Hunter S Thompson parodies?
Everyone but me, then?
Sorry, all right?
