Not Quite Fantastic

Tonight I re-watched “The Fantastic Four” movie / DVD.  The movie came out back in 2005 and was not a particularly big hit.  Back then, I thought it was just okay.  I watched it a couple of times after the DVD came out, but kind of stopped for no particular reason.  I think maybe it was because the sequel was not better than the original – even though I personally really liked the Silver Surfer character when I was a child.
Anyway, like I said, I watched it tonight and was very pleasantly surprised with how the movie seems to have aged well.  I think I actually enjoyed it more with perspective than I did in my initial viewings.  For one thing, the characters seemed more “comic-ie” than I remembered them.  That is, more faithful to the comic books than I remembered.  What can I say?  I enjoyed the movie…
On a bad note, I originally bought both copies in widescreen DVD format.  Somehow, they seemed to have grown feet and walked out of the house.  So….. my daughter picked me up a used copy of the first movie for last Father’s Day.  (Yes, it’s taken me this long to watch it.)  The downer was that it is in full screen instead of widescreen.  After you get into it, you can get used to it, but in the back of my head I’m still thinking, I wonder what else I’m missing because they’ve trimmed off the sides.
Another strange thought is that I kept looking at the actor who plays the Human Torch (Chris Evans) and thinking, “I’m not sure he makes a better Captain America or Torch”.  I think Evans is better as “Cap”, but only because he’s older now.
So, an enjoyable movie, but not great…
.

Read Full Post »

That Kid Is Back

“Hey, Joe.  Looks like I got my work cut out for me.  That kid is back.”
“What kid?”
“That crazy kid who swims under water all the time.  Hey, kid – you bring yer trunk and handcuffs?”
“Surely you’re being facetious, sir.”
“Oh, yeah?  How come yer back here?  I can’t teach you anymore underwater routines.  You’ll be wastin’ yer time, kid.”
“Well, you don’t really have to teach me anything.  My parents just want to make sure I get proper exercise here in Swim and Gym.  You see, I don’t get physical education at school anymore.”
“Why not?”
“Because I don’t go to school anymore.  I’m attending Michigan State University.”
“Like I said, Joe…  with this kid I got my work cut out for me…”
—    Audrey Grost (Mike’s mother)
From her book:  “Genius In Residence“
.

Read Full Post »