Comic Years |
- The Comic Years Podcast: Are Spoilers Good Or Bad?
- Who Is Doug Chiang? A Celebration Of AAPI Heritage Month
- We All Need the New Miles Morales Bodega Cat Figure
- Who Is George Takei? A Celebration of AAPI Heritage Month
- Cruella Spoiler Review – Do We Ever Hear Her Roar?
| The Comic Years Podcast: Are Spoilers Good Or Bad? Posted: 31 May 2021 12:17 PM PDT It's getting harder and harder to keep surprises form movie and TV fans. We are living in a culture where every nuance of a movie and TV production is hotly awaited, leaked and scrutinized to the point where fan theories dominate the experience. Sometimes, more so than the actual content it self. So given that content creators want to surprise audiences with their works, the rise of spoiler culture has also taken a hold of our world. Most people see the word as a very negative thing. But on this episode of the Comic Years Podcast, I'm joined by Joshua M. Patton and Meghan Hale in this are spoilers good podcast discussion. Should Movies Or TV Be Reliant On Spoilers? Image via Disney Joshua M. Patton, as always, begins the are spoilers good podcast discussion by contextualizing the concept for all of us. While spoilers may be a part of our everyday lives right now, there absolutely was a time before this, where seeking out spoilers was actually one of the fun things about film and TV. The word and idea may have taken a negative turn nowadays, but Meghan Hale explains why she actively seeks out spoilers sometimes. I try to hold back my anxiety and despair about my colleagues' haphazard ways when it comes to spoilers, but the discussion is definitely interesting. Are Spoilers Good Podcast Discussion Goes DeepWe even talk about why spoilers are even a thing. Does the specific revelation of one aspect of a movie or TV show really ruin the experiences? Is the thing on its own valid if it does? Should it be reliant on just that one surprise or twist to make it successful? These are just a few of the topics we touch upon in the are spoilers good podcast disussion. While we all split on just how to enjoy something with or without spoilers, all perspectives are understood. The three of us even refer our own specific experiences with certain spoilers about recent massive franchises that we love, and how the spoiler specifically impacted our perspectives. Or if it did at all? So check out this episode of the Comic Years Podcast to hear all our thoughts. Be sure to follow our show on Apple Podcasts and all the major podcasting apps. Let us know your thoughts on when it comes to Spoilers: do you enjoy or abhor them? Or do you not really mind at all? Let us know in the comments below. Featured image via Warner Bros. The Comic Years Podcast: Are Spoilers Good Or Bad?  |
| Who Is Doug Chiang? A Celebration Of AAPI Heritage Month Posted: 31 May 2021 08:08 AM PDT May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month so Comic Years is highlighting some of our favorite actors, actresses, writers, and illustrators from the AAPI community (check out our DC Festival of Heroes review, our profile of Gene Luen Yang, and an interview with Kelly Marie Tran via Collider). In today’s post, we’re asking: who is Doug Chiang? Chiang was born on February 16, 1962, in Taiwan. When he was five, his family moved to Dearborn, Michigan where he stayed until he moved to Detroit to attend the College for Creative Studies. He was inspired by the original Star Wars films and the accompanying art design book, which is how he decided to study industrial design. He later studied film production at UCLA and graduated in 1986, where he worked at various production studios. He eventually joined Industrial Light & Magic as a creative director, where he worked on films such as Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) and Forrest Gump (1994). What Is Doug Chiang Known For? Image via screengrab Chiang is best known for being part of George Lucas’s entertainment company, Lucasfilm. He currently serves as vice president and executive creative director and oversees designs for the all-new Star Wars franchise developments (films, theme parks, games, and new media). Chiang started at Lucasfilm in 1995, when he was hired to lead Lucasfilm’s art department. He was the design director for Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace and Episode II – Attack of the Clones. He took some time to focus on personal projects (a sci-fi book called Robota and co-founding Ice Blink Studios, which closed in 2007), but ended up going back to the Star Wars franchise as the concept artist for The Force Awakens as well as production designer for Rogue One. He continues to work at Industrial Light & Magic on Star Wars movies such as Solo and The Rise of Skywalker, and he’s delved into the world of TV series with The Mandalorian. Check out this behind-the-scenes video where Chiang looks back on his work with George Lucas and the Star Wars franchise: Doug Chiang On How Cultural Experience Shaped The Star Wars WorldThe worlds seen in Star Wars are so rich and Chiang says that’s in thanks to his upbringing and Lucas’s vision for diverse representation. In an interview with Starwars.com, he said:
He went on to say that it’s wonderful to have a diverse workplace and that when he first began, he was one of a few people of color. He realized that he had to speak up, despite being on the more introverted side. He remains hopeful and believes that things are getting better, not only for Asian Americans, but for other marginalized groups:
You can also check out this presentation he gave a Star Wars Celebration, focused on his process for helping to design the look and feel of various elements of the galaxy far, far away. As exciting as it is for Star Wars fans, it’s also a very useful talk for those themselves interested in art and concept design. We look forward to seeing more of Chiang’s work with Lucasfilm. What are you excited about? Let us know in the comments below! Featured image via screengrab Who Is Doug Chiang? A Celebration Of AAPI Heritage Month  |
| We All Need the New Miles Morales Bodega Cat Figure Posted: 31 May 2021 04:07 AM PDT Here’s the thing; I’ve tried hard to cut myself off from buying new figures and statues. I’m a big Pokémon fan, and The Pokémon Company is all about merch and figures. Top that with a few other lines of figures I collect, and you sort of run out of room faster than you’d expect. When new things come out that I’m interested in, I can usually talk myself out of it. The rare occasion, however, leaves me unable to convince myself that a new statue will give me joy. Well, here we are, all out of serotonin and staring a Bodega Cat in the face. The brand new Miles Morales Bodega Cat figure from Spider-Man Miles Morales won’t ship until this summer, but it’s already hot on everyone’s minds. Pre-Orders are Live for the Miles Morales Bodega Cat Figure Image Credit: Sideshow Miles Morales’ Spider-Cat sidekick was a huge hit for fans who played the recent PS5 launch title. It’s not that it’s just adorable; it also happens to be one of many fun suits in the game. Alongside the Miles Morales Spider-Verse Suit, it was certainly a contender for fan-favorite. While anime and comics get a lot of love in the figurine world, gaming figures are growing in popularity. Sideshow is taking pre-orders now for what will certainly be one of the most popular in 2021: Bodega Cat and Spider-Man himself. The sixth scale figure is incredibly detailed and highlights the gorgeous art of Spider-Man Miles Morales. At 29.5 cm tall, the figure is perfect for fans of the game and toy collectors. A bunch of facial expressions and handpieces allow you to recreate great poses as well. If you’re not a huge toy collector, then this might seem a bit silly or trivial. That said, I can say that this figure looks up there with some of my favorite in recent memory. The $275 price tag seems fair given the market and let’s face it: Bodega Cat is priceless. Featured Image Credit: Sideshow We All Need the New Miles Morales Bodega Cat Figure  |
| Who Is George Takei? A Celebration of AAPI Heritage Month Posted: 30 May 2021 05:03 PM PDT May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month so Comic Years is highlighting some of our favorite actors, actresses, writers, and illustrators from the AAPI community (check out our DC Festival of Heroes review, who is Gene Luen Yang, and an interview with Kelly Marie Tran via Collider). In today’s post, we’re looking at one of the most influential Asian American actors today: who is George Takei? George Takei was born April 20, 1937 in Los Angeles, California. His father named him after King George VI, whose coronation took place shortly after Takei was born. In 1942, the family was forced to live in the converted horse stables of Santa Anita Park before being sent to an internment camp in Rohwer, Arkansas. They were later transferred to another internment camp in northern California, where they were forced to stay until the end of World War II in 1945. Due to the lack of government help post-war, Takei’s family had no bank accounts or housing, so they lived on Skid Row in Los Angeles for five years. He graduated from Los Angeles High School and went to college at UC Berkeley, where he studied architecture. Later, he transferred to UC Los Angeles, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in theater in 1960 and a Master of Arts in theater in 1964. What Is George Takei Known For? Image via screengrab Takei is probably best known as Hikaru Sulu, helmsman of the USS Enterprise in the TV series Star Trek: The Original Series, which ran from 1966-1969 on NBC. He also lent his voice as Sulu for Star Trek: The Animated Series from 1973 to 1974, and he appeared in the first six Star Trek films. Star Trek: The Original Series was quite progressive for a 1960s TV series, even by today’s standards (it featured the first interracial kiss for a major TV network). Takei talks about how Gene Roddenberry, creator of the series, told him about his vision for the show:
As the years have passed, Takei has made a variety of guest appearances, both physically and with voice acting, including Mulan, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and The Big Bang Theory. On Breaking Stereotypes And The Continued Fight For Social JusticeWhile many people often think back on their “prime” years, Takei only seems to be getting better and more popular with age. He came out as gay at age 70 and continues to be an outspoken advocate for the LGBTQ community. He’s talked extensively about how being closeted could’ve affected his career and why he will continue to fight for civil rights:
At 74, Takei started his own Facebook account, becoming a social media sensation within hours. Today he has over 9 million followers on Facebook, 3.2 million Twitter followers, and 1.4 million Instagram followers. His signature catchphrase, "Oh Myyy!" has become the title of a book, podcast, and website he created. His posts are rich mixture of adorable, political, and just plain silliness.
Takei has also taken from his experience being in an internment camp and turned them into a commentary on the injustice that the country put the Japanese American community through. From 2015-2016 Takei starred in a Broadway musical called Allegiance, and in 2019, he published a graphic novel titled They Called Us Enemy. Both of these works were set during the Japanese internment of World War II. Just for fun, here’s another adorable George Takei moment, this time with Stephen Colbert: Who is George Takei to you? What is your favorite movie or TV show moment with? Let us know in the comments below! Featured image via Gage Skidmore/Wikimedia Commons Who Is George Takei? A Celebration of AAPI Heritage Month  |
| Cruella Spoiler Review – Do We Ever Hear Her Roar? Posted: 30 May 2021 01:03 PM PDT What is your favorite older Disney movie? We hear this question a lot. Answers often end up being The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, or, if you’ve got great taste, Hercules. Has anyone ever claimed that 1961’s One Hundred and One Dalmations is their favorite? While the film is pretty innovative and led to the exciting 1996 live-action adaptation, it was hardly the first movie we consider when wondering what Disney will re-adapt next. We’ll be taking a look at whether this new adaptation is necessary or if it’s just another fun way to spend a few hours in this spoiler review of Cruella. If you haven’t seen the movie, we recommend bookmarking this page and heading over to our spoiler-free review of Disney’s Cruella first. We’ll see you after you’ve streamed it with Disney+ Premier Access! Our Spoiler Filled Cruella Review – What Did We Expect?I probably watched one of the two pre-2000s 101 Dalmations films as a child. And by that, I mean that it may have come on the television while I was stuck at home and sick on the couch, or maybe my parents put it on to keep me distracted. But if you asked me to explain the plot, I couldn’t say more than that there are at least 101 dogs in it. Oh, and there’s an eccentric-looking woman who wants to take those dogs for some questionable reasons. Suffice to say, it’s not a Disney film with a lot of rewatchability. So, why did Disney choose to adapt this one? First of all, as our spoiler-free review explains, the film is less of an adaptation and more of an alternate take. As the title of the film would suggest, we’ve ditched the dogs (well, 98 of them) for a coming-of-badness tale about Estella, a.k.a. Cruella de Vil. 2014’s Maleficent proved that audiences are equally excited about seeing the point of view of film antagonists as they are about watching the happy and hopeful Disney content that we all know and love. This, mixed with the fact that people seem to love the bad guys (and gals) and antiheroes even more than the heroes (#ThanosDidNothingWrong, amirite?), has inspired Disney to keep telling us all about why their presence as a villain is justified. Does it work for Cruella?  Image via Disney+. What Cruella Does Instead Of Skinning PuppiesThe Craig Gillespie-directed Cruella begins by introducing us to our rebel-without-a-cause, Estella (Emma Stone.) She’s clearly creative and more than a little bit spunky, which quickly leads her to be booted from her fancy school. She heads towards London with her mom, Catherine, who makes a quick stop on the way to ask for some financial help. As it turns out, rich people don’t like to be asked for money on the night of a big party, and they hate it even more when a child shows up to cause a ruckus. Estella, who we clearly know as a girl who doesn’t follow directions, promptly enters the party and causes a scene. She is chased by a trio of dalmatians, who seemingly accidentally end up targeting Estella’s mom, pushing her off a cliff to her death. What a party! This leaves poor Estella to blame herself for her mother’s death, and she quietly escapes to London on her own. Here she meets Jasper and Horace (Joel Fry and Paul Walter Hauser), two similarly rebellious kids that go from adventurous to conniving to get by.  Image via Disney+. From Disguises To DressesA decade later, Estella is now a young woman who has never given up on her creativity. She uses her skills as a fashion designer to create disguises for her and her pals to play out small-scale heists until one of them graciously finds her a job at a swanky department store. She starts cleaning bathrooms until she gets tired of her lack of fashionable input, where she drunkenly rearranges a store window. To the shopkeepers’ dismay, she impresses one of the biggest fashion designers in 1970’s London: The Baroness (Emma Thompson.) We all love watching people reach their full potential. However, for Estella, this journey meant coming across a boss in the fashion world who can only be compared to The Devil Wears Prada‘s Miranda Priestly in terms of her cold, get-it-done demeanor. While our titular character may have promised herself and her late mother that she would keep her head down, audiences knew enough to know it wouldn’t last for long. As expected, it doesn’t. Things Get Wild Quickly In This Spoiler Filled Cruella ReviewIn a shocking turn of events, we find out that the Baroness actually killed her mother. Catherine had been asking the Baroness for a bit of financial help, as she was a former employee of the designer. Put off by her insistence, the Baroness uses a dog whistle to sic them on Catherine. This revelation inspires Estella to escape inside her alter-ego, Cruella, and get revenge on the Baroness. This is done by upstaging her at all of her events and later ruining her latest fashion collection. The next reveal of the film is even bigger and comes as a surprise that I would never have anticipated. The Baroness is actually Estella’s mother. A true narcissist who couldn’t handle the idea of sharing her life, the Baroness gives her baby to Mark Strong’s John with the intention of killing her. As one would hope, John can’t just kill an infant. He gives her to Catherine, and the Baroness moves on peacefully, thinking that her child is no longer. Yes, you are correct. We all just watched as a new mom begged her one-day-old daughter to be murdered in a Disney movie. Times are changing, folks.  Image via Disney+. An Emma -Versus-Emma Showdown EnsuesNaturally, the Baroness isn’t too fond of watching a young designer trying to take over the fashion scene. She sets Estella’s home on fire, putting the blame on Horace and Jasper. Though, John comes to the rescue once more, saving Estella and helping house her as she hatches a plan to get back at the Baroness. We anticipate a cold-blooded murder but are fine with what happens instead. The Baroness is taken to prison for murdering Estella, giving Cruella the chance to truly take over. Now the inheritor of the ginormous estate, Cruella is free to work in fashion and plan schemes for the rest of her dog-filled life. Our Spoiler Review Of Cruella Clearly Sees A Film With The Potential To ShineAt its core, Cruella truly has an opportunity to be something great. The 70s aesthetics, beautiful set design, and costumes are always at the top of their game. Additionally, the musical score of the film is more impressive than it has any right to be. It feels both chaotic and calming simultaneously, perfectly matching the tone of Cruella’s every move. The true power of this film comes from one of its leads. We all anticipated falling in love with Emma Stone’s performance as Cruella in the film. After all, she’s the clear leading woman. She has shown her ability to stand out and take command of a scene in her Academy Award-winning performance as Mia Dolan in La La Land and blew us away with the under-appreciated Maniac where she plays Annie Landsberg, a woman with borderline personality disorder. And while she is perfectly competent and fun as Cruella, she doesn’t manage to steal any scenes from the clear standout: Emma Thompson.  Image via Disney+. There are few folks out there who are as impressive as Emma Thompson. She has done it all. From acting in stage productions to winning Oscars for both acting and screenwriting, we thought we knew just how good she is on screen. Yet her role as the Baroness is something that we see her completely transform for. She is cold, calculating, and completely believable as a baby-killing, fun-hating, design-stealing powerful player in the fashion industry. Disney, I’d like to put in a request that Emma Thompson’s Baroness von Hellman be your next villain origin story, please. And if Emma Thompson can work her way around the script as she did with 1995’s Sense and Sensibility, we’d pay far more than the already-hefty Disney+ Premier Access fee. Not Everything Is Perfect In Cruella’s WorldOverall, our spoiler review of Cruella is pretty positive. The film is fun and has genuine twists while also being pretty daring for a Disney film. But like any great adaptation, it is not without its faults. Its 134-minute runtime almost feels as if the filmmakers behind Cruella had to keep reminding themselves that this is still, at the end of the day, a Disney movie. The definitely unnecessary clips of dogs doing their business, Cruella’s side-kicks having unfunny dialogue designed to be comedic moments, and setting up characters like Anita Darling or Artie, whose potential is never lived up to, all feel like a waste of time that distracts us from the scenes that we really want to get to; the ones with one of the Emmas.  Image via Disney+. Our second piece of criticism is that we’re never really rooting for anybody. Sure, we want Estella to get revenge for the death of her mother. Otherwise, the design of her character has a rocky foundation at best. Her passion for fashion isn’t fully explored, and we don’t have a sense of understanding for what goals she would like to accomplish are beyond kicking the Baroness to the curb. The film’s ending has enough of a set-up for a sequel, but it’s not something that feels compelling enough to want to see. Finally, Cruella isn’t that bad. She’s chaotic, sure. But when will a villain origin story truly lean into the madness of a Disney baddie? We’re more than ready. A Film Worth Watching If You’re After Some FunThis film cost me $34.99 to stream in Canada. For a solo movie watcher, that’s a steep price to pay for two hours of a film and is an even bigger reminder of how much I miss the movie theater. But for those streaming at home with a family full of Disney fans, this is clearly worth the price tag. It’s an enjoyable way to spend a Saturday night and filled with enough fun to make any viewer come away with something positive to say. Readers, do you agree with our spoiler review of Cruella? Let us know what you loved (or hated) about the film in the comments below! Featured image via Disney+. Cruella Spoiler Review – Do We Ever Hear Her Roar?  |
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