http://armzrace.com/v-web/b2/index.php babblings ! en armzrace@armzrace.com Copyright 2005 2010-07-31T11:17:36 hourly 1 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00 http://armzrace.com/v-web/b2/index.php?p=343&c=1 2005-09-19T13:44:52 admin (mailto:xxx@armzrace.com) General 343@http://armzrace.com/v-web/b2/index.php This blog is going away. Post no more rants, reviews, images, or ideas here lest they be lost. Go here: The new AR blog You have been warned....
Go here: The new AR blog

You have been warned....]]> http://armzrace.com/v-web/b2/index.php?p=342&c=1 2005-09-17T09:43:50 steven (mailto:stevenfischer2001@yahoo.com) Book Review 342@http://armzrace.com/v-web/b2/index.php A Moment of Clarity mini-collection volume 1 collects the first 5 episodes of John Bintz's series. Each episode is short (about 12 pages) yet is filled with heart felt emotion befitting an awkward 6th grader trying to survive the social struggles in life. For instance, in episode two, Johnny (whom we’ve come to know as a sweet and meek youngster -- a target for exploitation by the those inferior troglodytes: the ignorant, the insensitive, and the immature) decides to rent his bicycle to earn some spending cash. His first (and only) customer is a neighborhood brat who after considerable time joyriding refuses to relinquish her rental. Since, unwisely, there was no time limit specified at the beginning of the rental, the rider apparently has decided to set the limit herself, which by the looks of things is indefinite. Here is a common theme in Bintz's stories: little Johnny is confronted, as we all are, with a test of character. How do you react to someone who takes advantage of you? What do you do? This type of conflict is universal, and attractive, because it’s what makes A Moment of Clarity identifiable. Most humans can relate to Johnny’s insecurities. But as it is with real life, these moments are really tests that reveal character and enlighten, moments that define who we are, moments of ... clarity. www.claritycomic.com
This type of conflict is universal, and attractive, because it’s what makes A Moment of Clarity identifiable. Most humans can relate to Johnny’s insecurities. But as it is with real life, these moments are really tests that reveal character and enlighten, moments that define who we are, moments of ... clarity. www.claritycomic.com]]> http://armzrace.com/v-web/b2/index.php?p=341&c=1 2005-09-13T11:18:11 Jo (mailto:jtakasaki@gmail.com) Book Review 341@http://armzrace.com/v-web/b2/index.php I saw the movie with Hugh Grant a while ago. He's not my favorite actor. But after reading the book, I think he was well cast. He does well as a flat character stirred out of his complacency by another seemingly flat, 12 year old misfit. I guess if you look at anything and anyone long enough, they start to take on three dimensions. It's just harder to discern in some. I liked the awkward conversations and the characters all had a sort of honesty about themselves (honestly not really understanding what their own point is and whether that's important or not) that was very appealing. http://armzrace.com/v-web/b2/index.php?p=340&c=1 2005-09-13T11:10:15 Jo (mailto:jtakasaki@gmail.com) Book Review 340@http://armzrace.com/v-web/b2/index.php I wouldn't say I have a new belief in God because of this book. I did find the discussion about God, Catholicism, Hindu, Islam, agnosticism and aetheism interesting without it being pedantic and preachy. I would also say that it was surprisingly entertaining for a book that primarily takes place for (227) endless days on the ocean. Martel manages to make the mundane things interesting and the exotic, unusual things...well, you come to accept them as normal. I did struggle, at times, with visualizing some of his descriptions. http://armzrace.com/v-web/b2/index.php?p=339&c=1 2005-08-16T09:55:43 mark (mailto:xxx@armzrace.com) Comics Review 339@http://armzrace.com/v-web/b2/index.php The first cartoon I remember from this on-line strip is the one where the main character/stand in for the author, Davan, sends an ex-girlfriend a baby shower gift of a wire coat hanger. This should tell you all you need to know about this comic. Just in case it isn't, it's about a group of artistic, misanthropic, alcoholics in Boston who take great pleasure--and go to great pains--to torment friends and foes alike. I really enjoy the self-deprecating characters in this foul-mouthed strip. And I'm not alone. You can tell that success has hurt the comic somewhat, however, as too many characters who were either heinously stupid, pathetic losers, or complete jerks have been turned into the likeable but misunderstood sort. I still read and like it; I just liked the grittier days better. ]]> http://armzrace.com/v-web/b2/index.php?p=338&c=1 2005-08-16T09:52:53 mark (mailto:xxx@armzrace.com) Comics Review 338@http://armzrace.com/v-web/b2/index.php I haven't read Spider-Man in a long time. Too many stupid story lines about alien costumes and clones. If only there was a way to cut out all the past nonsense. Well, starting the series over with a modern twist is an extreme way of doing that, but sure, OK. Bendis retells the story of Peter Parker, the nerdy kid who gets super spider powers and how it changes his life as he explores what it means to be saddled with both great power and great responsibility. There is a lot to like in the forty or so issues I read of this series: catchy dialogue, modern references, good art, and interesting takes on some classic villains. My problems are that the traditionally loser Parker is one of the coolest lady killers around, the dialogue is unrealistically snappy, the emphasis on modern references makes the comic dated all the faster (as opposed to the generic original), and some of the changes Bendis made to the villains (Green Goblin, I'm looking at you) are ridiculous. For all my complaints, I enjoyed Spider-Man as I haven't in years. Spider-Man in a long time. Too many stupid story lines about alien costumes and clones. If only there was a way to cut out all the past nonsense. Well, starting the series over with a modern twist is an extreme way of doing that, but sure, OK. Bendis retells the story of Peter Parker, the nerdy kid who gets super spider powers and how it changes his life as he explores what it means to be saddled with both great power and great responsibility. There is a lot to like in the forty or so issues I read of this series: catchy dialogue, modern references, good art, and interesting takes on some classic villains. My problems are that the traditionally loser Parker is one of the coolest lady killers around, the dialogue is unrealistically snappy, the emphasis on modern references makes the comic dated all the faster (as opposed to the generic original), and some of the changes Bendis made to the villains (Green Goblin, I’m looking at you) are ridiculous. For all my complaints, I enjoyed Spider-Man as I haven’t in years.
]]> http://armzrace.com/v-web/b2/index.php?p=337&c=1 2005-08-16T09:50:11 mark (mailto:xxx@armzrace.com) Movie Review 337@http://armzrace.com/v-web/b2/index.php Computer enhancement made this film of rebel intrigue and doomed love visually marvelous. Still, a half hour before the movie was done, I was. ]]> http://armzrace.com/v-web/b2/index.php?p=336&c=1 2005-08-16T09:49:22 mark (mailto:xxx@armzrace.com) Movie Review 336@http://armzrace.com/v-web/b2/index.php A teenage cheerleader is sent to a rehab camp for homosexuals in this view of the plight of those trying pointlessly to fit in. It's silly, over the top and not a great movie, yet it makes me happy every time I watch it. ]]> http://armzrace.com/v-web/b2/index.php?p=335&c=1 2005-08-16T09:48:37 mark (mailto:xxx@armzrace.com) Movie Review 335@http://armzrace.com/v-web/b2/index.php This is a laugh out loud film about a foul mouthed, alcoholic, perverted thief (who wears a Santa disguise to commit crimes) who slowly develops an affinity for a nerdy kid. ]]> http://armzrace.com/v-web/b2/index.php?p=334&c=1 2005-08-16T09:47:37 mark (mailto:xxx@armzrace.com) Book Review 334@http://armzrace.com/v-web/b2/index.php Someone is impersonating Myth Adventures hero Skeeve the Magnificent and racking up quite a debt and it is up to his ex-partner/mentor Aahz to settle the situation--involving a pack of shape changing mall rats and a would be world conqueror--any way he can. This second collaboration of the two authors is a good deal of fun and excitement. Nye seems to lend a higher level of prose and longer stories, yet I recall the earlier books as funnier and--being that they had Skeeve and Aahz together, playing nicely off each other--somewhat sweeter. Perhaps that exact magic can't be reinstated, even if the old team is resembled; at least give me the faux quotes introducing each chapter. Is that so much to demand? Myth Adventures hero Skeeve the Magnificent and racking up quite a debt and it is up to his ex-partner/mentor Aahz to settle the situation–involving a pack of shape changing mall rats and a would be world conqueror–any way he can. This second collaboration of the two authors is a good deal of fun and excitement. Nye seems to lend a higher level of prose and longer stories, yet I recall the earlier books as funnier and–being that they had Skeeve and Aahz together, playing nicely off each other–somewhat sweeter. Perhaps that exact magic can’t be reinstated, even if the old team is resembled; at least give me the faux quotes introducing each chapter. Is that so much to demand?
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