I’m going to ramble a bit about an annual phenomenon. In many important ways, New York City and San Diego are about to trade places.
Even with DC Comics having moved its flat drawers and some of its staff from the Right Coast to the Left, New York City remains inundated with comics people. Marvel, Archie, Dynamite, and Valiant remain in the Baked Apple, as does King Features Syndicate and sundry Internet outfits such as comiXology and ComicMix. We’ve still got the only weekly magazine venerable enough to publish single-panel cartoons, The New Yorker. You’d be familiar with this publication if you went to the doctor more often. Overall, the Greater Comics Racket continues to dance to the beat of east coast drummers.
Except for next week.
Next week, New York goes to San Diego to participate in the annual “how many college freshmen can you stuff in a phone booth” contest,...
Even with DC Comics having moved its flat drawers and some of its staff from the Right Coast to the Left, New York City remains inundated with comics people. Marvel, Archie, Dynamite, and Valiant remain in the Baked Apple, as does King Features Syndicate and sundry Internet outfits such as comiXology and ComicMix. We’ve still got the only weekly magazine venerable enough to publish single-panel cartoons, The New Yorker. You’d be familiar with this publication if you went to the doctor more often. Overall, the Greater Comics Racket continues to dance to the beat of east coast drummers.
Except for next week.
Next week, New York goes to San Diego to participate in the annual “how many college freshmen can you stuff in a phone booth” contest,...
- 7/12/2017
- by Mike Gold
- Comicmix.com
ComicMix’s crack legal columnist Bob Ingersoll is more than just a lawyer with a great wit, although that would be enough. For decades, Bob has been my go-to guy on the subject of television minutiae. So, it came as no surprise when he was the first to tell me and a group of our friends that Adam West died.
Yep, that sucks. Last week at this time, it would have been difficult to find a nicer guy in show business. Most of us are well aware of West’s résumé and I won’t bore you with it at this late date. Here’s the IMDb link – be sure to come back now, y’hear? But there’s one fun fact we tend to overlook.
Adam West saved the American comic book industry.
It was not a great time for the comic book racket. The founding families still owned...
Yep, that sucks. Last week at this time, it would have been difficult to find a nicer guy in show business. Most of us are well aware of West’s résumé and I won’t bore you with it at this late date. Here’s the IMDb link – be sure to come back now, y’hear? But there’s one fun fact we tend to overlook.
Adam West saved the American comic book industry.
It was not a great time for the comic book racket. The founding families still owned...
- 6/14/2017
- by Mike Gold
- Comicmix.com
I must admit, I agree with Roy Thomas and Larry Hama.
Unfortunately, this puts me in opposition to at least three of my ComicMix fellow travelers – Martha Thomases, Joe Corallo and Adriane Nash. And, probably, many others who occupy these premises. That should make our next staff meeting amusing.
Iron Fist – I’m talking about the Marvel/Netflix series – most certainly is not The Prisoner of 21st Century. It’s not even as good as Daredevil, Jessica Jones and Luke Cage. But from reading the reactions of the aforementioned critics and many others, I do not find it to be the You’re In The Picture of the 21st Century, a show so obscure and godawfullousy that only Bob Ingersoll remembers it.
To be fair, I’ve only seen the first four episodes. Then again, Martha’s only seen the first four as well. But those critics who have been...
Unfortunately, this puts me in opposition to at least three of my ComicMix fellow travelers – Martha Thomases, Joe Corallo and Adriane Nash. And, probably, many others who occupy these premises. That should make our next staff meeting amusing.
Iron Fist – I’m talking about the Marvel/Netflix series – most certainly is not The Prisoner of 21st Century. It’s not even as good as Daredevil, Jessica Jones and Luke Cage. But from reading the reactions of the aforementioned critics and many others, I do not find it to be the You’re In The Picture of the 21st Century, a show so obscure and godawfullousy that only Bob Ingersoll remembers it.
To be fair, I’ve only seen the first four episodes. Then again, Martha’s only seen the first four as well. But those critics who have been...
- 3/29/2017
- by Mike Gold
- Comicmix.com
While watching the baseball game Saturday night, it occurred to me that the difference between pop culture and geek culture is sports. Sports are part of our pop culture but not generally thought of as a component of geek culture.
Our cohort Martha Thomases might say (I haven’t asked, but this seems to follow her logic) this is because when we were in high school the cool kids were into sports and the uncool kids were into comic books and science-fiction stuff, and we, the latter, were the ones who were called geeks. In recent years that line has been blurred significantly.
For example, take the ComicMix crew. Adriane Nash and I are hockey fans. Adriane and Robert Greenberger are New York Mets fans. Mindy Newell is a fan of the New York Giants football team and she is tired of my proselytizing that since they play in the...
Our cohort Martha Thomases might say (I haven’t asked, but this seems to follow her logic) this is because when we were in high school the cool kids were into sports and the uncool kids were into comic books and science-fiction stuff, and we, the latter, were the ones who were called geeks. In recent years that line has been blurred significantly.
For example, take the ComicMix crew. Adriane Nash and I are hockey fans. Adriane and Robert Greenberger are New York Mets fans. Mindy Newell is a fan of the New York Giants football team and she is tired of my proselytizing that since they play in the...
- 10/26/2016
- by Mike Gold
- Comicmix.com
“This computer will soon stop receiving Google Chrome updates because Mac Os X 10.6, 10.7, and 10.8 will not longer be supported.” – Message on My Computer when I Open Google Chrome
“Justice Scalia was a hero. We owe to him, & the Nation, to ensure that the next President names his replacement.” – Tweet from Ted Cruz, 2016 Presidential Campaign
“The other candidates – they went in, they didn’t know the air conditioning didn’t work. They sweated like dogs… How are they gonna beat Isis? I don’t think it’s gonna happen… You know, it really doesn’t matter what the media write as long as you’ve got a young, and beautiful, piece of ass… My Iq is one of the highest – and you all know it! Please don’t feel so stupid or insecure; it’s not your fault… You’re disgusting.” – Donald Trump, 2016 Presidential Campaign
“At DC we believe in superheroes and what makes them great.
“Justice Scalia was a hero. We owe to him, & the Nation, to ensure that the next President names his replacement.” – Tweet from Ted Cruz, 2016 Presidential Campaign
“The other candidates – they went in, they didn’t know the air conditioning didn’t work. They sweated like dogs… How are they gonna beat Isis? I don’t think it’s gonna happen… You know, it really doesn’t matter what the media write as long as you’ve got a young, and beautiful, piece of ass… My Iq is one of the highest – and you all know it! Please don’t feel so stupid or insecure; it’s not your fault… You’re disgusting.” – Donald Trump, 2016 Presidential Campaign
“At DC we believe in superheroes and what makes them great.
- 2/22/2016
- by Mindy Newell
- Comicmix.com
George Bailey: I’m shakin’ the dust of this crummy little town off my feet and I’m gonna see the world. Italy, Greece, the Parthenon, the Coliseum. Then, I’m comin’ back here to go to college and see what they know. And then I’m gonna build things. I’m gonna build airfields, I’m gonna build skyscrapers a hundred stories high, I’m gonna build bridges a mile long…
Uncle Billy: They did, they did it, George, they voted Potter down. And they only had one condition, and that’s the best part. They want you to run the Building and Loan.
George Bailey: No, no, this is my last chance to get away from here. Harry Bailey is your man, he will run the Building and Loan.
Uncle Billy: But George, they’ll vote with Potter otherwise…
Mary Bailey: George Bailey lassos stork.
George Bailey: Mary…...
Uncle Billy: They did, they did it, George, they voted Potter down. And they only had one condition, and that’s the best part. They want you to run the Building and Loan.
George Bailey: No, no, this is my last chance to get away from here. Harry Bailey is your man, he will run the Building and Loan.
Uncle Billy: But George, they’ll vote with Potter otherwise…
Mary Bailey: George Bailey lassos stork.
George Bailey: Mary…...
- 12/28/2015
- by Mindy Newell
- Comicmix.com
Yeah, yeah. Another major convention, a huge mother called the “New York Comic Con.” Emily wrote about some of it yesterday and Martha will be talking about it on Friday and maybe Marc will do the same on Saturday – yep, Marc actually went to New York City while the Chicago Cubs were working their way towards the pennant. He’s a southsider, so I’ll give him a pass. Not sure John Ostrander will.
Ergo, there is no need for me to write about the show. All those folks, as well as ComicMix Utility Infielder Glenn Hauman and columnists Ed Catto, Molly Jackson and Bob Ingersoll, were there and I think all or most were actually on the Javits Center floor more than I was. Besides, if you’ve read my deathless prose long enough you could probably write my review yourself. All I’ll say is, the major difference...
Ergo, there is no need for me to write about the show. All those folks, as well as ComicMix Utility Infielder Glenn Hauman and columnists Ed Catto, Molly Jackson and Bob Ingersoll, were there and I think all or most were actually on the Javits Center floor more than I was. Besides, if you’ve read my deathless prose long enough you could probably write my review yourself. All I’ll say is, the major difference...
- 10/14/2015
- by Mike Gold
- Comicmix.com
You probably read Emily’s column yesterday. It was all about the Baltimore Comic-Con. You’ll probably read Martha’s column Friday. It is all about the Baltimore Comic-Con. And, damn, I wouldn’t be surprised if John’s Sunday column is all about the Baltimore Comic-Con as well. This is because ComicMix invaded the place.
Emily, Martha, John and I were joined by fellow ComicMixers Glenn Hauman, Ed Catto, Bob Ingersoll, Robert Greenberger and Evelyn Kriete, all in a combined effort to make Adriane Nash feel bad that she missed a big one. I believe Nelson Muntz said it best: Ha-ha!
But I’m not here today to talk about the Baltimore Comic-Con. I’m here to talk about something that happened at the Baltimore Comic-Con. Something that Hilarie Staton captured in the photograph that (hopefully) appears above. Something that Baltimore Comic-Con’s official photog, Bruce Guthrie, also captured but,...
Emily, Martha, John and I were joined by fellow ComicMixers Glenn Hauman, Ed Catto, Bob Ingersoll, Robert Greenberger and Evelyn Kriete, all in a combined effort to make Adriane Nash feel bad that she missed a big one. I believe Nelson Muntz said it best: Ha-ha!
But I’m not here today to talk about the Baltimore Comic-Con. I’m here to talk about something that happened at the Baltimore Comic-Con. Something that Hilarie Staton captured in the photograph that (hopefully) appears above. Something that Baltimore Comic-Con’s official photog, Bruce Guthrie, also captured but,...
- 9/30/2015
- by Mike Gold
- Comicmix.com
Yesterday I had a thought – which I do have on occasion.
I have always considered myself a “socially conscious” comics writer. This means that, if you look over my body of work, you will notice that I have told stories that, in one way or another, reflect “real world” events and the consequences of those events on my characters. Notably, of course, in my 1986 Lois Lane mini-series about child abduction and abuse, “When It Rains, God is Crying” (coincidentally edited by ComicMix’s Robert Greenberger when we were both working for DC, he an editor and me a freelancer), but also as far back as “Moon River,” my first story in New Talent Showcase, an admittedly tyro effort to portray the outcome of a closed, dictatorial society on an individual. And of course there was “Chalk Drawings,” which I co-wrote with George Pérez for Wonder Woman, which was a story about suicide.
I have always considered myself a “socially conscious” comics writer. This means that, if you look over my body of work, you will notice that I have told stories that, in one way or another, reflect “real world” events and the consequences of those events on my characters. Notably, of course, in my 1986 Lois Lane mini-series about child abduction and abuse, “When It Rains, God is Crying” (coincidentally edited by ComicMix’s Robert Greenberger when we were both working for DC, he an editor and me a freelancer), but also as far back as “Moon River,” my first story in New Talent Showcase, an admittedly tyro effort to portray the outcome of a closed, dictatorial society on an individual. And of course there was “Chalk Drawings,” which I co-wrote with George Pérez for Wonder Woman, which was a story about suicide.
- 1/12/2015
- by Mindy Newell
- Comicmix.com
My geek overdrive continues to overwhelm me. But I’m not the only one.
Less than a week away from this year’s San Diego ComicCon (which opens its doors this Thursday, July 24th, and closes them on Sunday, July 27th) Entertainment Weekly joins the national geek fest that is summertime with a bang-up double-size issue featuring a cover shot of Robert Downey, Jr. as Iron Man and Chris Evans as Captain America with Ultron looming behind them. The issue is a stuffed-to-the-gills San Diego Comic Con preview…
And I read every single page. Including the adverts.
Now I know how those fans at the 1976 Sdcc felt when Charles Lippincott (then head of Lucasfilm’s marketing, advertising and publicity department) showed some of the first production slides of Star Wars, and (writer) Roy Thomas and (artist) Howard Chaykin previewed their Marvel Comics adaptation of the film, because the cover story,...
Less than a week away from this year’s San Diego ComicCon (which opens its doors this Thursday, July 24th, and closes them on Sunday, July 27th) Entertainment Weekly joins the national geek fest that is summertime with a bang-up double-size issue featuring a cover shot of Robert Downey, Jr. as Iron Man and Chris Evans as Captain America with Ultron looming behind them. The issue is a stuffed-to-the-gills San Diego Comic Con preview…
And I read every single page. Including the adverts.
Now I know how those fans at the 1976 Sdcc felt when Charles Lippincott (then head of Lucasfilm’s marketing, advertising and publicity department) showed some of the first production slides of Star Wars, and (writer) Roy Thomas and (artist) Howard Chaykin previewed their Marvel Comics adaptation of the film, because the cover story,...
- 7/21/2014
- by Mindy Newell
- Comicmix.com
Well, the big day is finally here! After leading the Avengers in stopping an alien invasion Summer before last, our favorite shield-slinger returns to the multiplexes in an all new solo adventure (well, he’s got some help from the Black Widow and the high-flyin’ Falcon)! Before you head out, you may want to brush up on all things Steve Rogers (don’t worry, this won’t be on the final!)! Have fun and buy bonds!
Read my original review of Captain America Here.
Here’s my original article that ran on Wamg before Captain America: The First Avenger was released in 2011.
The very first appearance of the sentinel of liberty.
Okay fellow movie geeks! Ready for a bit of pop culture history? Before you head out to the multiplex this weekend to see Paramount’s Captain America: The First Avenger, let’s get better acquainted with the story of this star-spangled superhero.
Read my original review of Captain America Here.
Here’s my original article that ran on Wamg before Captain America: The First Avenger was released in 2011.
The very first appearance of the sentinel of liberty.
Okay fellow movie geeks! Ready for a bit of pop culture history? Before you head out to the multiplex this weekend to see Paramount’s Captain America: The First Avenger, let’s get better acquainted with the story of this star-spangled superhero.
- 4/4/2014
- by Jim Batts
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Producer Simon Chinn may not be the man who takes all the plaudits as such, but his meticulous eye for a good story has seen him behind some of the finest documentaries in recent years.
He has worked on Man on Wire, The Imposter and Searching for Sugarman – and it’s his brilliant feature length film Project Nim that makes its British television premiere, airing on BBC2 this Saturday evening.
Project Nim tells the story of a chimpanzee who is raised like a human by a family in the 1970′s, in what is truly a poignant yet compelling piece of cinema. Chinn discusses what first inspired him to get involved in this project, as well as pondering what makes a documentary work on the big screen.
He also talks about the recent closure of distribution company Revolver, as well as commenting on his recent Oscar success with Searching for Sugarman.
He has worked on Man on Wire, The Imposter and Searching for Sugarman – and it’s his brilliant feature length film Project Nim that makes its British television premiere, airing on BBC2 this Saturday evening.
Project Nim tells the story of a chimpanzee who is raised like a human by a family in the 1970′s, in what is truly a poignant yet compelling piece of cinema. Chinn discusses what first inspired him to get involved in this project, as well as pondering what makes a documentary work on the big screen.
He also talks about the recent closure of distribution company Revolver, as well as commenting on his recent Oscar success with Searching for Sugarman.
- 3/22/2013
- by Stefan Pape
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Chicago – James Marsh’s much talked-about documentary, “Project Nim,” is one of the saddest films of 2011, charting the mishandling of a chimpanzee by well-meaning but misguided humans. Nim Chimpsky was the simian subject of a widely publicized ’70s-era experiment created by Professor Herbert Terrace. His goal was to discover if a chimp could speak in complete sentences via sign language.
Just as Marsh’s 2008 Oscar-winner, “Man on Wire,” seamlessly blended archival footage and interviews with reenactments to create a narrative with the tone and pace of a thriller, the director applies the same cinematic style to “Nim.” The chimp’s life was so complicated that a linear plot line certainly makes the most sense. We meet the human subjects in the order that they came and went in Nim’s life and their on-camera testimonials are admirably honest but often infuriating.
DVD Rating: 4.5/5.0
After shooting his mother with a tranquilizer,...
Just as Marsh’s 2008 Oscar-winner, “Man on Wire,” seamlessly blended archival footage and interviews with reenactments to create a narrative with the tone and pace of a thriller, the director applies the same cinematic style to “Nim.” The chimp’s life was so complicated that a linear plot line certainly makes the most sense. We meet the human subjects in the order that they came and went in Nim’s life and their on-camera testimonials are admirably honest but often infuriating.
DVD Rating: 4.5/5.0
After shooting his mother with a tranquilizer,...
- 2/20/2012
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Last summer, a genius feat of cinema programming meant that the surprisingly impressive Rise of the Planet of the Apes wasn’t the only film making comment about mankind’s capacity to overstep its reach with regard to how it treats animals. James Marsh’s heartbreaking documentary, Project Nim, about an exceptional animal who was categorically failed by overzealous humans at almost every turn, piggy-backed on the very same release date, making for a thought-provoking and unique double-bill. Despite the more inherently accessible nature of a big-budget tentpole, this stunning doc probes in a manner no less engaging and just as arresting as the very best Hollywood film. This is an important and devastating work about the fascinating interplay between human beings and animals.
Nim is a chimp and the unfortunate star of a compelling though ethically questionable 1970s scientific study in which, at 2 weeks old,...
Last summer, a genius feat of cinema programming meant that the surprisingly impressive Rise of the Planet of the Apes wasn’t the only film making comment about mankind’s capacity to overstep its reach with regard to how it treats animals. James Marsh’s heartbreaking documentary, Project Nim, about an exceptional animal who was categorically failed by overzealous humans at almost every turn, piggy-backed on the very same release date, making for a thought-provoking and unique double-bill. Despite the more inherently accessible nature of a big-budget tentpole, this stunning doc probes in a manner no less engaging and just as arresting as the very best Hollywood film. This is an important and devastating work about the fascinating interplay between human beings and animals.
Nim is a chimp and the unfortunate star of a compelling though ethically questionable 1970s scientific study in which, at 2 weeks old,...
- 1/9/2012
- by Shaun Munro
- Obsessed with Film
On Saturday, Alamo Kids Club is playing Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas on Saturday. It's free, but first come first seated so get there early.
Tuesday night is the night of Something For Everyone Who Likes Watching Movies. Austin Public Library's Polish Film Series is showing Borys Lankosz' The Reverse (Rewers) at the Howson Branch, and over at Twin Oaks Branch you can see Kung Fu Panda 2 (why yes that is a 2011 title). You can find out more about these films on the Apl website. Austin Film Society members (and those who are lucky enough to get tickets for the remaining seats) can see Two for the Road starring Audrey Hepburn and Albert Finney.
Movies We've Seen:
Project Nim -- Afs Selects returns with an encore limited engagement of James Marsh's Oscar-shortlisted documentary about a chimpanzee raised as a human. I found the occasional re-enactments melodramatic and diminishing.
Tuesday night is the night of Something For Everyone Who Likes Watching Movies. Austin Public Library's Polish Film Series is showing Borys Lankosz' The Reverse (Rewers) at the Howson Branch, and over at Twin Oaks Branch you can see Kung Fu Panda 2 (why yes that is a 2011 title). You can find out more about these films on the Apl website. Austin Film Society members (and those who are lucky enough to get tickets for the remaining seats) can see Two for the Road starring Audrey Hepburn and Albert Finney.
Movies We've Seen:
Project Nim -- Afs Selects returns with an encore limited engagement of James Marsh's Oscar-shortlisted documentary about a chimpanzee raised as a human. I found the occasional re-enactments melodramatic and diminishing.
- 12/9/2011
- by Jenn Brown
- Slackerwood
I have started digging through the pile of screeners I've been receiving and I started with one of the short-listed Oscar docs I had not seen, James Marsh's Project Nim, a film that essentially documents the real-life version of what you saw in Rise of the Planet of the Apes, only Nim never actually starts talking and the apes never "rise" against their human oppressors. However, you do end up hating the people and their treatment of these animals and only begin to feel good when you hear them tell stories of how they were scratched and/or bitten. Project Nim began in the early '70s as a young chimpanzee is the seventh of his mother's children to be taken from her, this stat alone is enough to rip at your heart and it happens inside the film's first three minutes. From there we watch as Columbia professor...
- 11/22/2011
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
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