• I’m officially making March Love-Your-Small-Bookstore Month. It’s shitty out there right now and I know a lot of folks are hurting, but if you can spare a few bucks, pop into your local small bookstore and pick up a mass market paperback. A little support at this particular moment would go a long way.
• There’s a pleasant appreciation of the Alan Moore-Steve Bissette-Rick Veitch Swamp Things over on Salon. I’m always glad to read any commentary/consideration of the Moore Swamp Thing run; they are, for me, among my very favorite comics, and had a profound influence on how I think about character.
• I was gonna say something about the upcoming Watchmen movie, but first I have to make a point about Nate Silver. If you aren’t familiar with fivethirtyeight.com‘s Nate Silver, he’s a statistical gunslinger, a guy who used regressive statistical analysis to correctly call the election months in advance, and who also (with help from his buds at Baseball Prospectus) accurately fingered the Rays as the team most likely to win the ’08 World Series, before the season even started. Furthermore, he’s quite an entertaining writer (I want to establish I’m a fan here, before I say anything else).
In a recent piece for New York Magazine on the subject of the Academy Awards, however, Silver finally showed that he’s human too. He used his standard approach to try and pick who was going to win Oscar, and only went 4 for 6. I, uh, went 8 for 8 with my own predictions, using no statistical analysis whatsoever. I don’t say this to preen, but only to make a point (about Watchmen – wait, we’re getting there). See, I had an unfair advantage over Nate Silver. I actually saw the movies and based my vote on that.
I say all this because I have told several people that I’ll probably skip Watchmen, because the numbers are against it. Check it out. Here’s the ratio of good-to-bad movies made from Alan Moore comic books: 0 – 4. Not one good one in the bunch. 300: both the title of Zack Snyder’s last film, and the number of times I’d have to hit myself in the head with a hammer to forget how awful it was. 157: the running time on Watchmen, which is both way too fucking long, and way too fucking short. For me all these numbers add up to 0 interest in seeing the thing. But I realized just yesterday that it’s important not to prejudge the Watchmen movie; I don’t want to make the Nate Silver mistake of thinking the numbers are meaningful in this situation. Because in art, they aren’t. What matters is the film itself, and until you see it, you don’t know anything about it.
So will I see Watchmen? Probably at some point (although I managed to avoid ever seeing the League of Extraordinary Gentleman picture) Am I excited for it? No. But I hope when and if I finally do see it, I walk out excited to see it again.
Ohhh, I hope you’re wrong! We’re going to see it Friday night as day one of our big Universal Studios trip. I’m so excited….
I hope it’s worth it!
Aww, man; don’t say that! I am stoked about the upcoming film. They have to get one right after a while, right? Right?!
The trailer is awesome. (I’m obsessed with trailers.) I want to do an article on my site about how a trailer can make you think a film is opposite in feel than it turns out to actually be. Sometimes a trailer is, quite literally, the best part of the film.
Uhh, but I digress … Anyway, I’m going to see it with hope in my heart that this is the ONE good one.
-Blue
My expectations are so low with this movie, that I’ll probably enjoy it. I’ll go this Saturday. And please, please, PLEEEEASE, don’t you EVER see The League Of Extraordianry Gentlemen movie…. I thought it was a horrible film BEFORE reading the graphic novels… and after reading them, my nightmares about the movie just increased…
Best,
G-
Let’s be honest here, ’300′ the graphic novel wasn’t a classic to start with. It’s one of those rare comics that I couldn’t force myself to read past the first few pages.
What I’ve heard about ‘Watchmen’ has been mixed, but even if it hadn’t been I would have gone to see it just to witness the level of train-wreckery it displayed.
Will
I’m a big supporter of small bookstores. I do most of my book buying at the small bookstore right down the road from me. It’s been there for 20+ years and it would be a crying shame if it went belly-up now.
Oh, and I’m going to go see Watchmen this weekend anyway, because I’m an eternal optimist.
Small bookstores are my favorite kind. It’s sad that they’re harder and harder to find. My favorite independent is actually huge, too — Chester County Books in West Chester, PA, but it’s still got that independent bookstore vibe, with a staff that can tell you anything about any book ever written.
I’m one of those people who catch on to comics only after they make it to the big screen — I was off reading angsty YA and Stephen King as a teen — and even I thought League was a nightmare. But I’m fascinated with the idea of Watchmen. It looks worth seeing on the big screen to me, just for the boom! flash! factor.
I hardly ever get to see movies in the theater because I have three kids and the youngest is one, but the last two movies I saw at the movies were Coraline and Hellboy II (we went to see Dark Knight but there were no seats so we switched to that). Both were really good and I enjoyed them.
Our favorite bookstore here in Arizona is Changing Hands – they were Independent Bookseller of the year I think last year, which is awesome. New and used, you can always find something good there. Maybe some time you could go there on one of your book tours, hint hint! (hint!)
Well, Even though im partial to the original for obvious reasons. THe first 10 minutes of Snyder’s remake of DAWN OF THE DEAD was pretty damn good. Im going to check out WATCHMEN because of one reviewer( KEVIN F#$KIN SMITH) gave it the thumbs up.
Well, if you didn’t enjoy 300, don’t put yourself in a cinema for Watchmen. After all the reviews I’ve read during the last couple of days (loved Will Wheaton’s), there’s no way for me to miss it. I’m scared though about the ending. Snyder admitted a change, but I’m curious if it’ll be satisfying.
And for the running time: Would you prefer to smell popcorn, coke and beer for 190 minutes instead
And a word for the league: Leave it as it is today. You won’t miss anything. But, well, if you hated 300 … maybe there would be a fair chance you like Sean Connery in Cowboy Boots
You didn’t see “League of Extraordinary Gentlemen”? The movie that added Tom Sawyer to the cast so Americans wouldn’t feel slighted? You’re a lucky man. My scorched retinas are still healing.
And I hear you about “Watchmen”, too. I’ve got a bad feeling about it. I haven’t read the comic (yes, it’s a comic) since it came out in 1985, so I should probably go back to it soon.
And thanks for plugging the local bookstores. Mine’s struggling right now. I’ll stop on my way home tonight.
I just want to say that I love 300 and we should fist fight over our differences.
Although, we both have an appreciation for small bookstores, so maybe that cancels it out?
;o)
-Ray
Thanks for the small bookstore shout-out–from a small indie bookstore in Brooklyn that loves your work and handsells it whenever possible!
I’m going to buy a book tomorrow from a small book store in Halifax just because….
Oh, to my surprise, ULTIMATE WOLVERINE VS. HULK #3 finally came out.
WAIT A MINUTE…I must have accidently sniffed some paint. I just received an email claiming that GRAVE TAILS #6 JUST SHIPPED..This is 2 much for one day.
I ordered a copy of Grave Tales #6 as well but didn’t get an email about it. Great news, Mark & Mary.
I’ll see what I can find in the ol’ purse for the small bookstore. I don’t want to see the few around here close…but with a B&N or Borders right around the corner from them – I am still happy & shocked they’re here. *hope* they make it through THIS.
Hey Joe funny you metioned that, I stopped in a non profit book store todaycalled the book bag. I could tell there hurting because all the books were REALLY reduced. I picked up a gn I would highly reccommend. Its called Orbiter by Waren Ellis and Colleen Doran. Stunning! As for Watchman I totally get where you coming from. I’m mostly optimistic due to the great footage I saw at Comic con last summer but it’s still 50/50. If anything it will probably spur alot of people to buy the gn which is a good thing.
Does a used book store count as an independant bookstore? I hope so because the Book barn is Amazing! The owner has tons of great stories about authors hes met or events hes gone to and he manages to get his hands on alot of first editions but doesnt charge an arm and a leg for them! if anyones in the latham NY area you should check him out. He gets most of the new stuff too.
Dont even get me started on the league of extraordinary Gentlemen! I had to quit watching in the middle just so I wouldnt ruin my love for the story. I’m excited for watchmen nontheless, hopefully the previews arnt the best part.
Ive heard rumours that theyre going to make Y: the last man into a movie. Anyone know if this is true? or read the comic? Its pretty Great.
I second Stephanie’s gratitude, especially after reading LitPark’s current discussion on “Amazon, B&N or Indies” (http://litpark.com/2009/03/02/question-of-the-month-amazon-bn-or-indie). Very encouraging to read how many folks here appreciate a good bookstore. It’s so satisfying to engage with customers and handsell your work.
From a small, indie, secondhand bookshop in Dublin.
Got the WATCHMEN-motion comic yesterday.
Wow, never thought of statistical analysis as justification for skipping a movie. But I’ve got to appreciate the brain work and the explanation of what is involved in the thought process. I relate to it for sure because I find myself doing that kind of thing all the damn time. But, I am afraid that I probably take it too far sometimes, discussing with my wife how the battle between faith versus science on Lost should inform upon our decision to order a particular pizza topping last Friday. We ended up with plain cheese. And that’s just crazy on my part and I’ll admit it. But Joe, my hat is off to you if you have the willpower to resist seeing Watchmen, even though it could very well be terrible. For me, it is not a choice. Not at all. There is no possible way that I can resist going to see Rorschach and company on the big screen. Its like popping those plastic packaging bubbles. I just can’t stop myself. Dirty Harry (I think) said that every man has his limitations. I am powerless against the movie theater for this one. And when the time comes, I guess I’ll have to do my pennance, but hopefully not.
Heh, funnily enough, my last small bookstore purchase was last week, and it was the new vertigo hardcover Saga of Swamp Thing.
Hey Rake…LOL! Great post! I wish I could get Hubby to watch “LOST” so we could have those kind of discussions!
I have searched in vain for an independent bookstore here…it seems they are all either used bookstores or religious. But I’ll keep searching. I have a friend who wants to open one but who can risk it in this economy?
Its true, I am stupidly in love with Lost. Betsy, when the series is over (in a year or so, I think) maybe you can get him to watch it in order on DVD. That would probably be the best way since the commercials could make a person want to strangle himself.
I just read that the directors cut for Watchmen is set for June and its is significantly longer, at 30 minutes. Is that true? If so, maybe waiting to see the finished product would be the way to go.
Still, I have to go today, its that powerless thing…
Dear, dear Rake…I love your optimism, but unfortunately when Hubby found out that the series starts with a plane crash he said “no way”. He’s a white knuckle flyer and he has to go on business trips about once a month. There’s no way I’m gonna get him to watch “LOST”, but I gotta say it would be nice. I ADORE “LOST”!!! In fact, there isn’t alot of entertainment that we have in common, except for the occasional book. However, he did promise to go with me to see “Pop Art” at the River Run Film Festival. He even read the story on my rec and LOVED it. So all is not “lost”.
Let us know what you think of “Watchmen”. I didn’t read it, but I will watch the movie if you think it’s worthwhile.
I have been waiting for Watchmen to come out in theaters forever now. And guess what… i can finally go and see a fucking R movie because the “rules” have changed. haha in my favor if i do say so myself
. It’s going to be a kickass film! get to see it tomorrow!
Man, you didn’t like 300? Hm. I saw Watchmen. It’s easily better than the other Moore adaptations. Not bad. Alan’s Swamp Thing is amazing though.
Here is a taste
http://www.cinemablend.com/new.php?id=12264
OK I must challenge you on your 0-4 Alan Moore adaptations.
First 300 was not by Alan Moore it was by Frank Miller which you may have meant to say but in the context of your post you imply it was Alan Moore. Is it a great movie? No in fact it is pretty much a straight forward action movie that looks really good on the screen and is a thrill to watch.
OK imdb.com lists these 3 movies as Alan Moore adaptations:
Watchmen
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen
From Hell
Add to this list (strangely imdb does not credit Moore):
V for Vendetta
I saw Watchmen yesterday and unlike “300″ this movie is loaded with story, action, and characters. Somehow Snyder pulled it off. He took a very dense 12 part comic book and kept most of the essence intact to present a very good film. The violence at times is over the top and he did change the ending (a little) but in this case (like Frank Darabont’s adaptation of “The Mist”) the new ending improves the story! See this movie and if you can see it in IMAX.
OK I like all of the other posters so far thought that “League” stunk and it is no wonder Sean Connery decided to retire after making it. It smells of movie by committee.
It has been awhile since I have seen “From Hell” but I enjoyed as a dark murder mystery with an expected level of violence due to the subject matter. And it has Johnny Depp in the title role who almost always improves a film with his acting.
That leaves V for Vendetta. Only seen it once but wow. A good story with great acting by both Natalie Portman and Hugo Weaving who manages to express a wide gamut of emotions without ever taking off his mask. I do have a bias in that the use of the 1812 Overture does effect my opinion as it is my favorite classical music piece and I loved playing it when I was in concert band and orchestra. It is used to great effect in the film.
OK by my accounting that is 3 Good and 1 Bad. What do the other posters think?
I do have to make this disclaimer. I have only read “Watchmen” of all of the Alan Moore adaptations so in 3 of the 4 I only have the movies to base my opinions on. I do believe that yes I need to read the books but I believe that in each case each of the 3 good movies ended up that way because they were based on good Alan Moore stories that were adapted mostly unchanged.
THe only one that I truly can not watch is League. Its terrible.
I am going to see Watchmen tonight, so will let you know…..but, I liked 300, so my opinion may not matter
I went with low expectations, having absolutely hated “V for Vendetta”, however, I have to say that its a brilliant adaption. Yes, the ending has changed (sort off), but it works really well. This will be a must buy when it comes out on DVD and I may even go and see it again in the cinema, its that good!
Go and see it!
I agree. I will probably see Watchmen on DVD, out of curiosity, or maybe at a second-run theater. I also couldn’t stand 300. I have no idea what anybody sees in that movie.
As for the 0-4, Mike Miles, I believe he may be counting Constantine, which a film based on a character created by Alan Moore, and which was terrible. If that’s the case, I second the 0-4 ranking.
First of all V for Vendetta is one of the best movies of the decade if Alan Moore takes his name of the writing credits or not. Check this out too the Watchmen movie is very good too. David Hayter and Alex Tse had a strong understanding of the graphical novel and did a screenplay that was almost word for word.