Analyzing Blog of Doom

Ms. Adventure's blog

2007-03-19T15:29:00.000-07:00

Um. Hi? Remember me? I used to post blogs here. I know, I'm deadbeat. Anyway, I just wanted to plug another person's blog (w/out permission! *squeal*). It's the blog of comedian Rachel Reenstra, the host of Animal Planet's series "Ms. Adventure". Just follow this link: http://reenstra.blogspot.com/

I've recently watched some of her episodes (I watch Animal Planet all the time). I think she's a good animal show host. Bare in mind though, I think Jeff Corwin's series is the best (yes, better than the deceased Steve Irwin! Sue me why don't you! Bah!) I've taped a couple of episodes to watch. One episode is where Reenstra shows how animals protect themselves, and she (along with some bear expert; definetly not Stephen Colbert) demonstrated how to trap a bear. But, first, she (stupidly?) climbed into the bear trap and got herself stuck. Haha! Yeah, yeah I know it was staged. In another show she talks about animal "cliques" (yes she uses the word "clique", a word that hasn't been used since the 80s), and how they group together. In the episode, she views a zebra trainer attempt to feed a femal zebra only to get mowed down by the dominate male. Ha-Ha! Reenstra is a comedian that works at clubs in L.A. She's the voice over for Pier One Imports commercials. I think she's kinda funny. Her show is interesting, and worth investigating. I hope her show lasts.

But, I still think Jeff Corwin has the best animal show.

"The Little Match Girl" a review

2007-02-02T16:15:00.000-08:00

My god, has it really been 3 months since I posted here?

Well, anyway, I'm back here to post my review on the Columbia short The Little Match Girl, released in 1937. I have always wanted to see this short, and thanks to Jerry Beck, I finally got a copy.

Wow. This is such a well made short. I'm not quite sure what to say, that others haven't said about it yet, so I'm going to be very repetitive here. The cartoon starts with loud obnoxious, revelers with nothing better to do but run around the streets throwing confetti and yelling (surely that would get old after awhile. Just parading around going "Happy New Year" a lot. I'm partial to the fireworks display myself). Among this happy mob is a short, young girl trying to sell matches on the street (left unexplained however is she where got the matches from, or even what their base price is). But the rowdy people either don't see her, or just flat out ignore her. At least one careless sucker trips over her and she spills her matchbox. Another drifter steps on her box, and kicks it away (that HAD to have been deliberate).

When she recovers her box, some freak blows a horn in her face (???) sending her scrambling into the streets and nearly getting steamrollared by a horse and carriage. The girl rushes to a warm bakery (?) and eyes the pancakes being made. Then the same creep earlier blows his horn in her face again (!), which results in fits of laughter from nearby spectators (????). The match girl leaves town to a secluded neighborhood, and rests under some old-looking gate or balconey.

The girl is cold, the winds are blowing, so she immediately goes for the matches (you see, cause no one else wanted the profits). She lights the match, but the wind blows it out. This keeps happening until the third match where she dreams of entering a heavenly place filled with cherubs, gift-giving doves, christmas trees, and looped chorus music (that get's annoying after awhile). The girl tries out the angels' swing, and swings on it, in what has to be one of the earliest recordings of a 3D-esque shot in a 2D cartoon.

The girl's rags becomes a pretty party dress, and with a new doll. The cherubs give her a throne, and flowers, and such. The kindness is so much that the girl actually gets teary-eyed here. Unfortunetly she gets a GOOD reason to leak her eyelids when a storm approaches, and the angels immediatly scramble and ditch the poor girl (they are not the best hosts, really), and the strong winds blows everything to pieces.

Next, all the girl sees is a candle that is still lit, and she meekly tries to crawl her way to the candle, but very quickly it goes out, and the girl collapses. We pan back to the real world, and the girl is dead in the snow, and her match box empty, and burnt matches everywhere. The angel appears and takes her soul into the starry heavens. The cartoon ends with the chorus singing a highly inappropriate "Happy New Year" as the cartoon irises out to the end Columbia title card. Wow.

If you don't have a copy of this short, you must seek it out. It is possibly Columbia's best. It was niminated for an Oscar, but lost to Disney's The Old Mill (you, see cause it's Disney. Therefore they should have won anyway, right?). But, this short is so well made, lots of great percpective shots, layouts, and a dreadful ending, it's enough to make you feel uncomfortable at the end. My review is officially done.

MST3K Trouble!

2006-10-14T10:04:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite shows is the cult comedy series: Mystery Science Theater 3000. This show has been off the air for two years because financing the rights to the b-movies is a big hassel, especially for Rhino Home Video who has been distributing the show on VHS and DVD since 1997.

But, now we've encountered a problem. In 1999, Rhino lost the rights to season 3's "Amazing Colossal Man", and it has never been released to DVD nor was used in any of the MST3K boxsets. In 2005, Rhino lost The Begining of the End (although that movie was released to DVD, but never added to any boxsets). This year, the good MSTie gods of Satellite News (www.mst3k.com) have informed us this:

GRAB VOLUMES 1 AND 3 WHILE YOU CAN!

Our source at Rhino Home Video informs us that it has lost the rights to all four films featured on The Mystery Science Theater 3000 Collection: Volume 1 (Catalina Caper, The Creeping Terror, Bloodlust and The Sky Divers), and will, in March, lose the rights to The Sidehackers, featured in The Mystery Science Theater 3000 Collection: Volume 3.So, if you haven't bought 'em yet, scoop 'em up now.Our source also says they are working on what to do about the two other movies on Volume 3, The Unearthly and The Atomic Brain (the fourth disc in that set is a shorts collection). Stay tuned.

(crap)

But, you know WE the MSTies can do something about this. We need to make sure we tell RHINO that we don't want to lose any MST3K episodes. We want RHINO to re-purchase the rights to these movies (and why is it that the owners don't want to budge? Do they think they can make money else where with these turdbombs? MST3K is the only thing these flicks have going for them! I wish these penny-suckers would realize that).

So, here's what we can do. Contact Rhino Home Video through this site: http://rhino.com/about/about_drrhino.lasso (the email address is in there) and tell them we want these movies' rights repurchased. We don't want to have to lose TWO whole boxsets! Let your voice be heard. Rhino has been known to answer email. ARE YOU BLOKES WITH ME?! And let us thank Satellite News for the heads up.

Looney Tunes GC Vol. 3, disc 3

2006-10-12T14:28:00.000-07:00

Here's what's on Disc three, and they're summaries.

NOTE: Because, I'm in a hurry, I didn't post the plot summaries. I basically cut-and-paste info taken from goldenagecartoons.com My apologies.

Ahem...

1. "Cat-tails For Two" (Speedy Gonzales, Benny & George; 1953)

2. "Tabasco Road" (Speedy Gonzales; 1957)

3. "Tortilla Flaps" (Speedy Gonzales, El Vulturo; 1958)

4. "Mexicali Shmoes" (Speedy Gonzales, Slowpoke Rodriguez; 1959)

5. "Here Today, Gone Tamale" (Speedy Gonzales, Sylvester; 1959)

6. "West Of The Pesos" (Speedy Gonzales, Sylvester; 1960)

7. "Cannery Woe" (Speedy Gonzales, Sylvester; 1961)

8. "Pied Piper Of Guadalupe" (Speedy Gonzales, Sylvester; 1961)

9. "Mexican Boarders" (Speedy Gonzales, Sylvester, Slowpoke Rodriguez; 1962)

10. "Chili Weather" (Speedy Gonzales, Sylvester; 1963)

11. "A Message To Gracias" (Speedy Gonzales; Sylvester; 1964)

12. "Nuts And Volts" (Speedy Gonzales; Sylvester; 1964)

13. "Panchos Hideway" (Speedy Gonzales; 1964)

14. "The Wild Chase" (Speedy Gonzales, Sylvester, Road Runner, Wile E. Coyote; 1965)

15. "A-Haunting We Will Go" (Speedy Gonzales, Daffy Duck, Witch Hazel; 1966)

I just want to say something to Emma Watson

2006-09-30T14:01:00.000-07:00

PLEASE DON'T LEAVE THE HARRY POTTER FILMS! I'm sure that you know that AOL and Internet Movie Database have both been announcing that you are considering leaving the Harry Potter cinematography genre. Now, bare in mind, I understand that no one should force someone to do something they don't want to do, but I think it builds character (okay, I don't I'm just thinking up excuses).

Seriously, Miss Watson, what can us, the fans do to reinstate your thoughts of staying with the HP crew? Here are some ideas I have thought up.

Send threatening letters and emails to various UK networks, a la BBC, and ransom-bribe them into giving you your own daytime talkshow.
Have Dan and Rupert been mean? Tell ya what. We shall hire hitman to stalk them whenever they open their snide mouths (actually, this is not to say Dan or Rupert are foulmouths. I just think seeing them get beat up would be comical. So discard this offer entirely).
If you don't re-sign for the last 2 HP films, we will hunt you down, kidnap you, shove you in a satellite, blast you into outer space, and force you to watch the worst movies ever made. *cue MST3K theme*
The "Emma Watson Reconsider Fund" will be opening, with various Watson fans donating money, strictly to go into Emma's pocket (and if she has a hole, whatever pounds fall out are fair game for citizens).
When fans approach you, they will always address you by your full name: Emma Charlotte Duerre Watson
Jabs will be taken at you for attending Oxford (there's nothing wrong with that, mind you, but it sounded like a good plan in my head).
Smuggled video recordings of your old school play performances will be uploaded to YouTube (and really, who wants to be associated with YouTube?)
Rumors will be spread that your hair is not naturally blonde, and that you are a British worm baby, cloned from American actress Kerri Green.
Your two cats Dominos and Bubbles, will have a white stripe added to their backs, in our hopes that a French skunk gets attracted to them.
You will be strapped to a wooden chair and forced to watch "The Little Match Girl" over and over, and over again, until you die from dehydration.

Okay-dokay, Emma. Do these idle threats stir any fear? Makin' you change your mind about quitting Harry Potter? Okay, I have one more spear to throw. Picture this. You quit HP, and WB decides to replace you with...

HILLARY DUFF OR LINDSEY LOHAN!!!! AAAAAAAAHHH!!!! The horror!

Okay, Emma, I'm through ranting. Now keep in mind. Whatever you decide is ALL UP TO YOU. Do not let this blog entry intimidate you. It was written to give you, and other HP fans a laugh. And if you do change your mind, well I'll be expecting a check in the mail (not really), acknowledging that I helped you. Good Day.

-Brandon "predicts to be murdered by Emma Watson soon" Pierce

Looney Tunes GC: Volume 4

2006-09-07T12:51:00.000-07:00

Contents, and discriptions of the cartoons on Disc 2.

Frank Tashlin cartoons!

Case of the Stuttering Pig: Porky's family gets terrorized by a greedy lawyer who transforms himself into a monster.

Little Pancho Villa: A short mexican boy dreams of becoming the greatest bullfighter ever. He doesn't get exactly what he wished for however.

Little Beau Porky: Porky is a roman legion guard ordered to keep out a Roman villian.

Now That Summer is Gone: A small rodent, with a weakness for gambling, challenges other forest animals to various bets.

Porky in the Northwoods: Porky protects the animals of the forest from game wardens.

You're an Education: Another one of Tashlin's "Books Come to Life" cartoons, much like Have You Got Any Castles? available on Volume 2.

Porky's Railroad: Porky races a streamlined Silver Fish train against his own old beat-up train. One of the first cartoons with Mel Blanc as the voice of Porky.

Plane Daffy: Daffy Duck is a message courier bird delivering a military secret that a femme fatale Nazi spy is determined to get.

Porky the Fireman: The title pretty much says it all. Porky working as a fireman. Moving on...

Cracked Ice: An ice skater (a caricature of W.C. Fields) tries to steal some wine from a saint bernard rescue dog.

Puss N' Booty: A cat named Rudolph goes after his owner's newest pet canary bird. This was the last Looney Tunes cartoon produced in Black and White.

I Got Plenty of Mutton: A hungry wolf tries to snatch a few sheeps for breakfast. A guard goat outsmarts him.

Booby Hatched: A newborn duckling can't stand the cold and runs off to find warmth, only to run into a hungry wolf.

Porky's Poultry Plant: Tashlin's debut cartoon at Warner Bros. Porky tries to keep some hungry buzzards away from his barnyard animals, and crops.

The Stupid Cupid: One of Tashlin's final shorts. Cupid Elmer Fudd strikes Daffy Duck with an arrow, and the duck falls in love with an already-spoken-for chicken.

R.I.P. Crocodile Hunter.

2006-09-05T11:12:00.000-07:00

Please don't do this in heaven.

February 1962 - September 2006

2006-09-04T11:31:00.000-07:00

Eye of the Tiger

Here is a music video by my friend who posts at YouTube (celestialhorse). It contains clips from Angry Beavers episodes including "Enter the Daggett." Enjoy!

Looney Tunes Volume 4 Guide

2006-08-12T15:28:00.000-07:00

Well, it's been announced what will be on Looney Tunes Golden Collection Volume 4. If you're not firmiliar with all the cartoons or titles, allow me to disect the titles and plot outlines for you. Just try and stop me. Here's what on Disc 1, various Bugs Bunny cartoons

Roman-Legion Hare (Freleng, 1955)- Bugs battles Sam in a Roman colossium.

The Grey Hounded Hare (McKimson, 1949)- Bugs tries to protect a mechanical female rabbit (he thinks its real) from a pack of race dogs.

Rabbit Hood (Jones, 1949)- Bugs is pursued by the sheriff of Nottingham. In the end, the rabbit meets the real Robin Hood.

Operation: Rabbit (Jones, 1952)- Wile E. Coyote (Genius) attempts to intelligently capture Bugs and eat him. Bugs has other ideas.

Knighty Knight Bugs (Freleng, 1958)- Bugs must find the Singing Sword, and outsmart Sam. This is the only Bugs Bunny cartoon to win an Academy Award.

Southern Fried Rabbit (Freleng, 1953)- Bugs heads toward the record carrot crop in Alabama but runs into Colonel (Yosemite) Sam who is under orders to let no Yankee cross the Mason-Dixon line.

Mississippi Hare (Jones, 1949)- Farmers mistake Bugs' tail for a ball of cotton and toss him in with the rest of the haul. On the riverboat Bugs takes on the gambler Colonel Shuffle.

Hurdy-Gurdy Hare (McKimson, 1950)- Hurdy gurdy operator Bugs must get rid of his Chimp when the ape steals the take from him. The replacement ape is is a Gorrilla.

Forward March Hare (Jones, 1953)- Bugs in inadvertly drafted into the Vietnam War, a place that has no use for rabbits... or do they?

Sahara Hare (Freleng, 1955)- Bugs thinks he's made it to the beach, but after taking a wrong turn somewhere, he's in the desert, that seems to be owned by Yosemite Sam, and an unruly camel.

Barbary Coast Bunny (Jones, 1956)- Bugs' gold findings are stollen by a gambler named Nasty Conasta. Bugs tries to win his gold back.

To Hare Is Human (Jones, 1956)- The Coyote attemps, again to capture Bugs Bunny. This time, taking advice from a machine that has "only one moving part."

8 Ball Bunny (Jones, 1950)- Bugs helps a young penguin (the same penguin from "Frigid Hare" actually) return home in Antarctica.

Kightmare Hare (Jones, 1955)- An apple falls on Bugs' head, transporting him back to King Arthur's England.

Rabbit Romeo (McKimson, 1958)- Elmer's pet Russian Rabbit (voiced by June Foray), demands love, so Elmer tracks down Bugs to satisfy her needs.

That's what's on the Bugs Bunny disc. I'll get around to posting the other contents later. Remeber, Looney Tunes Golden Collection Volume 4, will be out Nov. 14. Check your calendars!

YouTube/ DailyMotion Request

2006-08-04T23:22:00.000-07:00

Hey, cartoon fans! I'm writing this post as a request to readers (I'm sure I have some). I have always wanted to see the Columbia cartoon "The Little Match Girl" made in 1937, directed by Sid Marcus and Arthur Davis. If you have a copy of this rare short, please post it either at www.youtube.com or at www.dailymotion.com

What's in it for you? Well, if you have a site, I'll plug it, or a blog page, I'll plug it. I'm not sure what else I'd do. Thanks anyway.

-Brandon "I have readers, don't I?" Pierce

Jon and Liz?

2006-07-28T15:25:00.000-07:00

Well, after over four years of bad writing presented in the comic strip of Garfield, with no real plots, or character development, the writers of the strip finally decided to make a very noticeable shift.

If you haven't been following the strip lately, you've missed out. It all started when Jon Arbuckle decided to get a date with a woman named Ellen.

Ellen, leaves to use the ladies room, and Jon sees Liz out with another dude. Jon disguises himself like a waiter to investigate, but Liz sees through the disguise, and then the plot thickens.

So, Liz ditches the dope for Jon, and THIS is what occurs:

BTW, today, really is Jim Davis' birthday. Hoo-ray. But, I'm sayin' hoo-ray to Jim Davis and his writers for doing this! I know it hasn't ended yet, there's still tomorrow. And who knows is if this is even real. It could just be an "it was all a dream" storyline, as other Garfield fans have already mentioned. But, then again, even if it is, it's still the most interesting thing done in the strip since the 1978 Garfield meets current Garfield a few years ago.

-Brandon "my only thought is to entertain you" Pierce (feed me)

Chuck Jones on Bugs Bunny

2006-07-21T19:12:00.000-07:00

July 27, marks the 66th birthday of the greatest cartoon character ever, Bugs Bunny! 1940 was the year, the wascawwy wabby first outsmarted the dim-witted hunter Elmer Fudd, and questioned audiences, "What's up, Doc?" Chuck Jones knew the character very well, and wrote about the history of the character in his autobiography book "Chuck Amuck" in 1989, published by Farrar Straus Giroux in New York. Here are some excerps from the "Rabbit Transit" passage:

"In Bugs's case, there appeared in a few cartoons a sort of unfertilized half-cel of creativity, wandering wanly around our films, searching for its better-or-bitter-half. A crude crrature, half-or perhaps only a quarter-completed, but within it was a tiny spark of creativity.

The development of a major character such as Bugs, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, etc.-unlike most forms of life-was a hop-scotch affair, moving from director to director to director, picking up and dropping comic turns and comedic characteristics of possible use to the mature character. But none of this was deliberate. We not only didn't know that there was a comic genius brewing in our group, we didn't even know we were pregnant. For me, certainly, the idea that any film of mine would contribute any useful trait to an immortal cartoon character like Bugs or Daffy would have carried pretentiousness to absolute absurdity.

A Wild Hare (July 1940), directed by Tex Avery. In this film, through the brilliant, wild, and stimulating mind of Tex Avery, we catch a remarkable first glimpse of the possibilities implicit in the personality of Warner Bros. Cartoons' first true star. A Wild Hare had certainly won all filmic baby contests so far, but he was still a baby, still incomplete. It was up to us to find out, during the painful growth period-babyhood through childhood-so nervously recognizable to all parents. Wh had to find out who Bugs was. We already knew what he was.

Bugs Bunny was the wise guy that comes out on top over his enemy in "A Wild Hare", but his next appearence in "Elmer's Pet Rabbit", he is grouchy and irritable. This film was directed by Chuck Jones, unsure of what the personality should be. This character is almost what Robert McKimson would use for his early shorts. Tex Avery had Bugs be the loser in Tortise Beats Hare, and Friz Freleng had the wabbit be a troublemaker, who only gets his just-desserts in the end. But, then Tex Avery dished out "The Heckling Hare", which has the rabbit over his dog nemisis from start to finish. This is the Bugs Bunny we know and love, and have recognized this persona in 98% of his cartoons throughout his career. And it hwas Tex Avery, Chuck Jones, and Friz Freleng, who were the three early "parents" raising their "child", with Bob Clampett and McKimson doing weekend babysitting, and rubbing off their own traits onto the character. Bugs really is the best cartoon character ever. Well, that's what TVGuide said.

-Brandon "Falling Hare" Pierce

Happy Birthday to me!

2006-07-17T09:45:00.000-07:00

Well, okay. My birthday ain't until July 27. I shall be 19, and with plans on hitting college once September rolls around.

Wow. 19 years. Has it really been that long? Seems like yesterday, I was 4 and living in a bee-invested environment. Okay, no it doesn't, and the "bee" thing was a 2-day thing, due to poor apartment management (what, you've never had bee problems at your house?).

What do I want on my birthday? Hm. I could think of a few things.

* Mystery Science Theater 3000: Volume 9. I want it because there's a bloomin' season 1 episode! I also want Volume 10, which hits stores in August. Episode 212-Godzilla Vs. Magalon will be on the set! WAHOO!

* Hm. Oh, yeah, and for YouTube to be allowed to air classic animation again. Asking too much? Hm. Maybe I should lower my standards to avoid dissapoinment.

A week ago I also wrote a fan letter to Denny Siegel, from Whose Line is it Anyway?. Here's a pic of her, if you've never seen her:

As of yet, no response. But, who knows, maybe it'll come on my birthday. That would be sweet. Anyway, the reason I'm making a post now, is because I'm saving up a post dedicated to the cartoon Bugs Bunny. We share the same birthday. Different years, though. He first appeared in 1940. Well, gotta run.

-Brandon "A Wild Hare" Pierce

YouTube Blows!

2006-07-08T08:16:00.000-07:00

If you're a classic animation fan like I am, you are probably aware of the fact that now YouTube has turned chickenshit on us and have removed all of the classic animation clips from Looney Tunes, to Disney, MGM, Columbia and everything inbetween. Apparently they are fearful of any lawsuits from the bigname companies like WB. There is no logic in this. First of all, YouTube was not making any money off of the cartoons, nor were the people posting them. Posting cartoons on YouTube was no different then regualr cartoon sharing that fans do together at home, or on the net. What is the DEAL?

Another reason we're all pissed off, is because these classic cartoons are NOT getting any exposure of any kind on network television anywhere (well, they are shown on Boomerang.... occasionally, but really, how many people get Boomerang?). While yes, WB and Disney have been releasing they're old cartoons to DVD, other studios like Columbia have been sitting like bumps on logs on their cartoon library. YouTube was practically HELPING people see these wonderful works of art, which NOBODY can see today! If the head studios are so worried about copyright infringement, then they need to go the other direction. Forget about the lawsuits, and release the damn cartoons YOURSELVES! Don't give us that fake excuse that there is no market for classic aniamtion fans, because YES THERE IS!!!!!!!!

Go to goldenagecartoons.com and you'll find hundreds of them! They're all waiting for DVD releases! They'll pay good money! Many of today's cartoonists are fans themselves! john Kricfalusi, matt Groening, all of them are! They've been buying all the Disney Treasure DVDs, as well as the Looney Tunes DVDs! They're making lots of money, and are selling well! MGM, Columbia, WHY AREN'T YOU DOING THIS AS WELL!!! MGM, yes you've released the Pink Panther cartoons on DVD as well as Tom & Jerry, and that I am happy, but you still have so much more! The great Tex Avery! his MGM cartoons have not been appropriately released yet! What's up with that?

And Columbia? What's your story? Where are the "Fox & the Crow" shorts? Where are the Screen Gems? Where's "The Little Match Girl"? We want to see these cartoons! They are all an important part to the history of animation! We can't be stuck with such crap like Family Guy and Simpsons, or South Park. These shows suck! They hold nothing to the classics!

This is another reason I'm pissed at YouTube. They removed all the classics, but kept all of the non-classic cartoons up. THAT'S ANIMATION DISCRIMINATION! It makes no sense!

YouTube, if you're reading this, you've officially lost my respect. And all of you head honchos at WB, Disney, MGM, Columbia, etc. Get with the program. Let's see these cartoons back on TV, on a CHANNEL that everyone has! Sheesh!

-Brandon "still wants to see The Little Match Girl" Pierce

Jillian's, KBSG, and Rupert

2006-06-09T13:57:00.000-07:00

Well, here's a nice event I've been beating around the bush to talk about, but never did. In fact, it was last month on the night of the Survivor: Exile Island Finale. It was in Seattle, at a Jillian's where the KBSG (97.3) radio announcers were hosting a party along with Rupert! Who was a contestant in Survivor Pearl Island, and All-Stars.

Here is a pic of me getting an autograph of two of the KBSG announcers: Marina Rockinger, and Noelle the Producer. Rupert can be seen in the background:

And here's me getting an autograph from the strangely-hairy guy himself:
-Brandon "Go, Danielle!" Pierce

Why no rubber hose?

2006-05-26T17:39:00.000-07:00

As you may or may not know, rubber hose animation was a novelty in cartoons when they first appeared in theaters in the teens, and into the early 30s. Then, when color became the norm in 1935, rubber hose was considered cheap and unrealistic. John Kricfalusi's discussion on rubber hose on his blog, inspired me. I began thinking to myself why it died out? Was it a restricted dicision? Or did it just abruptly die out the way a fad does? (now that I think of it, stuffing phone booths is something that disappeared for no true explanation).

Here is a picture I took off my TV from Steamboat Willie:
I always thought this was some clever animation. A funny joke too. A cartoony way for Pete to get Mickey's attention. And Mickey rebels by razzing Pete. The antagonist tries to kick the rodent, but he flees the scene, and Pete gets a kick in his own fanny:

This scene used to irk me as a child. Personally any kind of cotortionism (I spelled that wrong, I just know it) still bothers me, but only if it's real. Cartoon body-flexing doesn't annoy me anymore. In fact, it's a great way to deliver a gag! But by the 40s, it was all gone! There was really only one person still doing it by then, and that's Bob Clampett. Watch his cartoon "Baby Bottleneck" and you'll see what I mean. Even his later TV series Beany & Cecil had some flexibility.
But this brings me to an observation on the DVD interview of Frank Thomas & Ollie Johnston on Mickey Mouse in Black and White Volume 1. Johnston comments, that doing rubber hose animation, even doing it today, wouldn't get you a job. You're bosses wouldn't think you were being serious. Well, on one hand, executives today don't know squat, but why would rubber hose be frowned upon?

I know John K. already had a rubber-hose animation discussion, but I'm starting my own. What are you cartoon fans' opinions on rubber hose animation? Should it have stayed, or are you glad it was done with? Or should it have been killed off sooner?

-Brandon "Georgy Girl" Pierce

United 93: Speculation Hell

2006-05-10T10:58:00.000-07:00

I just saw the film "United 93", and WOAH man, this film is eerie. A "speculation reconstruction" of the events to the Flight 93 plane highjacked by terrorists, but never reached its destination because of the many passengers who fought back at the terrorists who lost control of the plane resulting in a climatic plummet to Earth's soil. I was left in chills as soon as the credits started rolling. That's how powerful this movie is.

I was quite surprised to learn that many of the figures who witnessed the terror events played their own respectful roles in this re-enactment. Even the old guy who blew everything off as just "possible" highjacking appears in this film. Not my popular character for the film. I wanted to boo this guy for his careless acts. What a moron.

The passengers were potrayed by family members of the victims, according to Internet Movie Database. That had to be tough. Acting out the last moments of a loved one. I wonder if family members of the two highjackers potrayed the roles. Probably not, I'd have to look deep into that. One of the actors playing the terrorists had one long ugly eyebrow. Did the guy really have that "Bert mark"? Did the actor have one for real, or was that massive make-up going on?

The scenes of the passengers using the plane phones to call their loved ones is a bit of a tear-jerker. When watching the movie the first time, or have no knowledge of the 93 incident (I didn't. That's how much I pay attention to the news), you're left to wonder if they'll make it. Going into this movie a second time would be tough. Those phone scenes may hit harder, because I'll know they're not going to make it.

Great acting, and great directing from Paul Greengrass (if that's really his name). I recommend this movie. I generally don't like drama flicks, but this is an exception. Because it's historical, and is based on fact. I like those kinds of drama films. Go and see it, and buy the DVD when the time comes. All the lives lost on 9/11/01 deserve our rememberence.

-Brandon "possible highjacker" Pierce

Music in Cartoons- pt. 1: California, Here I Come

2006-05-04T11:38:00.001-07:00

Yo! I'm back! Starting now is a regular series of posts on my blog regarding the music you hear in cartoons. As you may or may not know, in Warner Bros. cartoons, musician Carl Stalling often slipped in actual songs into cartoons. Songs that were kindred to the action on-screen. For example, the song, "We're in the Money" would be played on the soundtrack if a cartoon character was counting money. Today, we'll talk about "California, Here I Come." The ditty was written in 1924, by Bud De Sylva and Joseph Meyer. The song was originally performed by Al Jolson (whom, I'm sure you're aware had an enormous impact on many WB employees). Thanks to Wikipedia for letting me ransack their site (SHHHHH!), here are the lyrics to this time-honored song: When the wintry winds are blowing/ And the snow is starting in to fall/ Then my eyes turn westward/ Knowing that's the placeI love the best of all/ California, I've been blue/ Since I've been away from you,I can't wait 'til I get going,Even now I'm starting in to call: California here I come/ Right back where I started from/ Where bowers of flowers bloom in the sun/ Each morning at dawningBirdies sing an' ev'rything:A sun-kiss'd miss said/ "don't be late,"That's why I can hardly wait,Open up that Golden Gate,California here I come. It should be noted that this song is used as the theme song for Fox's "The O.C." Regarding WB cartoons it is heard in Chuck Jones' "Hair-Raising Hare" when Bugs runs away from the scientist and is packing bags. It's heard throughout Frank Tashlin's "Porky's Railroad", and in Robert McKimson's "Walky Talky Hawky" when Henry Hawk picks up Barnyard Dawg's doghouse and starts hauling it away.If you want to hear a version of this song, I searched AOL and came up with dis: http://aolsearch.aol.com/aol/redir?src=singingfish&requestId=e8298c7bf5d64d64&clickedItemRank=1&userQuery=California%2C+Here+I+Come&clickedItemURN=http%3A%2F%2Fdismuke.net%2Fmusicfiles%2Fhowmusic%2Fhereicome.rm And, here's a little tidbit about myself: When I was a little kid watching Looney Tunes like nothing else was important, I used to notice the "California" music in many Porky Pig cartoons. I never knew what the song was, but because it was used in many Porky Pig shorts that I assumed it was Porky Pig's theme music. I was surprised when I saw "Walky..." and heard the music and thought, "Why are they playing Porky Pig's theme in a Foghorn Leghorn short?" Let the heckling begin!

Garfield the Monstrosity

2006-04-29T20:24:00.000-07:00

Things were going real bad for Jim Davis throughout the 90’s. The humor in his Garfield comic strip had gone down the tube. What was the reason? Well, it seemed as though every Garfield comic consisted of just Garfield insulting Jon. Characters like Arlene, Nermal, Liz, and even Odie the dog stopped appearing, and really to this day only make scarce appearances. Plus in 2001, one of the shoes had to drop by Lorenzo Music, the original voice of Garfield, to pass away. A sad event that was. Now we KNEW that any attempt at fully reviving a Garfield series would be meaningless. Nobody could replace Lorenzo. Garfield right there, died on the spot.
Then, Davis got an idea. An AWFUL idea. Davis got a wonderful, AWFUL idea! It was decided, now that Music was gone, to make a Garfield movie right there on the spot, and look for a new voice. But, who could replace Lorenzo? Logically, Davis should have looked for someone that sounded similar to Lorenzo. But, you know, that be too difficult, so Davis decided to just go the easy way out. Look for someone who sounded NOTHING like Lorenzo Music. For some reason, his crystal ball suggested Bill Murray.
Jim must have forgotten that Bill hated Lorenzo’s performance as Pete Venkman on “Ghostbusters”, unless Davis thought that Bill would like to have sweet revenge. Who knows? Bill probably liked the idea and said yes.
Now for a plot. Jim could have easily done what Spike Lee does with his superhero films and have the film be based on actual storylines from the actual comics. But, as The Pointy-Haired Boss from Dilbert once said, “If it’s easy, it probably isn’t worth doing.” Davis knew that, and when on his way. In the movie, Jon gets Odie from Liz the veterinarian, instead of from Lyman, Jon’s roommate in the early years of the strip, thus not being very loyal to his own firmament, or his fans who crave continuity. It’d be like if the Spider-Man filmmakers decided that Peter Parker was GIVEN his spider powers as a Christmas gift from E.B. White. But, then again, Hollywood can do anything they want, right?
The supporting cast is out of whack as well. Arlene is present, but does not acknowledge being Garfield’s girlfriend, and so is Nermal, but does not antagonize Garfield about being cuter than the orange orange. Also, Liz has an actual interest in Jon, and ends up in his caring arms at the end of the film! Uh-huh. But, thankfully the fans knew what to do in response to this unforgivable lumber. Curse it like there was no tomorrow!
Jim Davis must have taken the cursing pretty hard, and was filled with hurt in his controvertible heart. So he decides to gain revenge on us. Something that will teach us a lesson we will never forget. What’s that he plans? A SEQUEL! You heard me right, a sequel! I don’t think there’s anything we can do to fight back on this one. This is the ultimate revenge card Davis could have pulled. I’m sorry to say, but I think Davis has won the war. The only thing we can do is choose not to see it. But, we know it’ll still make good money. All those brainwashed kids, and their skittish soccer moms won’t know the difference between right from wound. They’ll be so confused, seeing an ugly live-like cat dancing around and shaking his sour stuff, completely different from the flat, cartoon feline present in the comic pages next to Fox Trot. Okay, I’m being paranoid. I just see this as an end of the world sort of deal. It’s just frustrating knowing that Jim Davis doesn’t know when to quit, or when to hire real comic strip writers who know how to be funny. It’s also shameful that Davis has ordered his grandchildren and great-grandchildren to take over the strip when his last breath is used. Talk about setting an automatic career for you not-even-old-yet decedents. What a way to be remembered. Not just for letting a cartoon cat be run into the ground, but to assume that the career you dish out is what your grand kids want. Humph! Sure glad he ain’t my grand-daddy.

Happy 9th Birthday to The Angry Beavers!

2006-04-19T11:13:00.000-07:00

This is nuts! I'll bet very few people realize that 9 years ago today, the great Nickelodeon series The Angry Beavers debuted. The Angry Beavers is my favorite Nicktoon. I was about two Beaver brothers named Norbert (voiced by Nick Bakay) and Daggett (Richard Horvitz). They were kicked out of their home after their mother had a second litter (it's the beaver way). The two eventually find their own bachelor pad and have all sorts of adventures in the forest and the human world. The show ran for 5 years and had at least 120 episodes (well, okay, just 62, but 2 episodes equaled one whole, and the Halloween episode was split in two parts). After doing some thinking, here are my all-time favorite episodes:
Born to Be Beavers: The episode that started it all. Dag and Norb learn to cope on their own.

Up All Night: The beavers think, since they're living on their own they can do whatever they want include, stay up all night.

Long in the Teeth: The beavers start a forest fad of growing their teeth long (and, yes, while still aware of the dangers).

Enter the Daggett: Dag trains himself to be a ninja, known as The Silent Wind of Doom.

Beaver Feaver: The beavers record a disco hit, that turns out to be nothing but a one-hit wonder.

Dag for Night: The beavers find a long-lost print of a never-finished B-movie. The beavers take it upon themselves to finish it.

Sans-a-Pelt: After a lame magic trick, the beaver lose their pelt and are stranded miles, and miles away from home!

Pass it On: The beavers and their forest friends (Barry the Bear, Bing the Tree Lizard, Treeflower, Stump, and Truckee) tell a "chainlink" spy story.

The Angry Beavers' Halloween Special- The Day the World Got Screwed Up: The beavers are trick-or-treating on Oct. 30th (to avoid competition), and eventually stumple upon the abode of their favorite actor Oxnard Montavo. His home is being taken over by aliens that are feeding on reality.

Mistaken Idenity: A Russian spacecraft crashes in the beavers' home. Neither one wants to clean up the mess (even though, now there are communists running around their dam. I think a simple home mess is the least of their problems). So the two have a bet that neither can go 24 hours while acting like the other.

Kreature Komforts: The beavers recieve a visit from their "simple" cousin who happens to be an expressionless 2-D real-life beaver.

Damnesia: The dam falls on Norb giving him amnesia. Dag informs Norb of who he once was and Norb is terrified of his former self. He renames himself "Troy" and vows to be a nicer beaver than Norb ever was (don't worry, Norb changes back by the end of the episode).

Happy Birthday you guys!

Scary Movie 4... the birds!

2006-04-18T06:36:00.000-07:00

I went to see Scary Movie 4 the other day. I have to say, the movie was actually pretty good, despite it's bad reviews. Although in my opinion, the original Scary Movie will always be the #1 pick in my book. The series started wearing thin with Scary Movie 3 (although Leslie Nielson's scenes made up for that), so I went into SM4 with low expectations. It's probably me going in with that perception, that is the reason why I came out of the theatre laughing my ass off (I suppose it doesn't help that I'm easily amused).

The movie is about Cindy Campbell (Anna Farris), much like the other three, and she has become a health care worker where she is assigned to take care of a timid old woman (played by Cloris Leechman) who lives in a house haunted by the ghost of a young Japanese boy. Cindy can't resist a paranormal investigation so she decides to invest paranormally. On her journey she meets Tom Ryan (played by Craig Bierko, the man who turned down the Friends rold of Chandler Bing) in a War of the Worlds-type role as a divorced father trying to take care of his two more-intelligent kids. His divorcee is played by Molly "Superstar" Shannon. Cindy also catches up with Brenda (Regina Hall) even though she had died in the previous movie (but, being a zany comedy, I guess continuity is the least important matter). The two girls get involved in some Amish comunity terrorized by fake monsters. Eventually, she catches up with Tom and his family, and they get held hostage by two clown-like aliens who plan on world domination. I don't know if it would be wise for me to blurt out the ending, and I didn't put a poiler warning. Let me just say that, while the movie itself was a good and funny, the ending was, by far, very much a huge burden to take. A major letdown to what could have possibly been a nice 4th entry in a comical series. Also, the Operah Winfrey bit at the end of the movie (oops!) was so faulty and tedious, that I don't understand why it wasn't left on the cutting room floor. It could have been snipped out and would not have been missed (and hey, that would have meant an extra special feature for the DVD!). Overall, on a scale of 1 to 10, I'll give SM4 a 7.2, because I'm not a harsh critc (or am I?). Hopefully this is the last of the series. A Scary Movie 5 just would be uncalled for. We get the point, a movie that pokes fun at B-horror films. But, if I want to see something like that, done better, I'll just watch Mystery Science Theater 3000, thank you very much.

Open for Business!

2006-04-17T15:53:00.000-07:00

Hello. My name is Brandon Pierce. I am a cartoon/film/television freak. This blog that I'm creating is a commentary/analazing habitation. Sure, not very original. There are other blogs that do this sorta thing, but um... I don't really want to write about me. Is that bad? Anyway. I saw the film Scary Movie 4, and plan on writing a review on it. It wasn't bad, but nothing tops the original Scary Movie flick. Anyway, bye. -Brandon "drunk as a skunk" Pierce