Watchmen Movie Review and Discussion

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When one is very young, the world is a vibrant, thrilling place filled with excitement and wonder.  So too are the fictional worlds one reads about in books or watches in movies.  But as we grow older and more jaded, the color and wonder begin to fade.  Things begin to look the same, and the world becomes a little more gray and a little less exciting.  That view carries over into our entertainments, which have to try harder and harder—to be bigger, louder, and more extreme—to even get our attention.  We develop a “been there, done that,” mentality, which is why we look back at the things we discovered in our youth with such affectionate nostalgia.  It’s why the thirty-something Star Wars fans panned the prequel trilogy and still hold the original trilogy as the Holy Grail.  They still watch the originals with the eyes of their childhood.  If they somehow had their memories erased and watched the older films “for the first time” with adult eyes, they would, while perhaps still enjoying them, find them somewhat juvenile and shallow, and certainly not the masterpieces they remember.

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All of this is to simply say that I, as an adult, find it difficult to get truly excited about things.  I enjoy reading and I enjoy cinema, but the pleasure I usually get from these endeavors is mild and fleeting.  I rarely experience the obsessive anticipation for a film that I did while waiting for The Empire Strikes Back when I was ten years old, or even the 1989 Batman film when I was nineteen.  I won’t generally keep thinking about a movie or book for long after it’s over, pining to go back and see or read it again so I can relive the experience.  I think the last time I had such an experience was when The Lord of the Rings films came out.  I had anticipated their release for years, because the books had been among my favorites since I was twelve.  I was like a child again, full of wonder and enthusiasm.  I love Batman and anticipated The Dark Knight greatly (and was not disappointed), but it wasn’t the same.

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Now a film has come around that I have waited years to see.  I feel like a little kid again (although I do NOT recommend it for actual kids!) when I watch it or even when I think about it.  It sticks with me and I can’t get it out of my head or my heart.  That film is Watchmen.

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Now, I will admit I do not come to the film fresh.  Like those Star Wars fans I mentioned before, my views are necessarily colored by the memories of my youth.  I discovered Watchmen when it first appeared as a monthly, twelve issue comic book series released in 1986-1987.  I had never read anything like it.  It took the concept of superheroes and turned it on its ear.  It addressed complex world issues, such as the then-current cold war and the threat of nuclear annihilation.   It philosophically discussed the nature of mankind.  And the ending presented a moral dilemma that made you second-guess who was the hero and who was the villain.  Could a completely horrible act be condoned if it brought about a greatly desired result?  Does the end justify the means?  If you read the ending of Watchmen and didn’t come away questioning everything you believed about right and wrong, you missed the whole point.

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Watchmen, by writer Alan Moore and artist David Gibbons, is a comic book (or, as the pretentious would call it, a graphic novel).  It is also serious literature.  It was the first comic book to win a prestigious Hugo Award, and it has been named one of Time Magazine’s top 100 novels from 1923 to the present.  It certainly has its detractors—those who refuse to acknowledge that the comic book form can rise above its humble roots, those who expect and want a straight-forward, action packed superhero story, and those who simply don’t get it—but for the most part it is acclaimed as a masterwork.

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Now, as I said, I can’t completely separate myself from my knowledge of the comic book while watching the film.  I can’t discuss it from the point of view of the uninitiated.  I hope the movie plays well for people who have never heard of Watchmen before, but I can’t know for sure.  All I know is that to me, it was absolutely amazing.  I have already seen it twice, and I know in the weeks to come I will see it several more times.

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Like the book, the film takes place in 1985 in the midst of cold war paranoia.  But it is a very different 1985 then the one we remember, mostly because of the existence of “costumed adventurers,” or superheroes.  These heroes, with one exception, have no superhuman abilities; they are simply men and women who have trained their bodies to physical perfection in pursuit of their chosen vocation.  They are very flawed individuals, and some take to the streets in their outrageous costumes and masks for reasons less noble than fighting crime:  thrills, sexual gratification, psychopathic compulsions, or the desire to scribe their own twisted morality on the world.  However, despite these flaws, or perhaps because of them, deep in their hearts they truly do want to make the world a better place.

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As I said, the existence of these costumed heroes has significantly changed the world from the one we live in.  The greatest bringer of change is Dr. Manhattan, the only one with actual super powers.  Due to a strange accident in a science lab, physicist Dr. Jon Osterman was transformed into an almost all-powerful entity, capable of manipulating matter, teleporting, and unleashing destructive energy.  He seems to have no limitations and is virtually indestructible.  Due to his intervention, <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />....America.... won the Vietnam War.  This victory allowed President Nixon to repeal the Twenty-second Amendment so he could run for more than two terms.  By1985, Nixon is in his fifth term as president.  A law passed in 1977 has outlawed superheroes, except those sponsored by and working for the federal government.  Dr. Manhattan and an amoral, violent anti-hero called the Comedian are the only two who choose to work for the ....U.S.....

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While the Comedian performs covert military operations for the government, Dr. Manhattan is the crux of ....America....’s military superiority.  The threat of his power is what keeps the ....USSR.... from attacking the ....United States.....  However, experts believe that the ..Soviet Union.. will not be cowed forever, and that they will inevitably launch a nuclear assault.  Dr. Manhattan might be able to stop ninety-nine percent of ....Russia....’s missiles, but the one percent that gets through will certainly be enough to destroy the country.  Nixon’s finger is on the button of ....America....’s own nuclear arsenal, contemplating a pre-emptive strike.

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It is difficult to remember nowadays (and impossible for young people who weren’t there) the mortal terror many of us felt at the near-certainty (in our minds) of nuclear war—of mutually assured destruction.  But to truly “get” Watchmen, you have to put yourself in that frame of mind.  Today our fears revolve around terrorism.  Back then, we truly feared the end of the world.  Perhaps we still do, but the reasons are very different.

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Amidst these times of global tension and paranoia, the Comedian is murdered. Rorschach, a hero who refused to retire in 1977 and now operates illegally, investigates.  Rorschach is an obsessive man with a code of moral absolutism, in which good and evil are strictly defined.  Everything is black and white; there is never any gray.  He also may very well be a sociopath.  As Rorschach investigates the murder, he develops the theory that there may be a “mask killer,” someone who is out to eliminate costumed heroes.  He proceeds to warn the remaining heroes that someone is out to kill them.

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On the most superficial level, Watchmen is a murder mystery.  The larger plot becomes evident as Rorschach continues his investigation.  There are many digressions and flashbacks, fleshing out the world and the lives of these strange heroes.  Some movie goers may be put off by these digressions, thinking they are unnecessary or that they make the movie “slow.”  Certainly, this film advances at its own, leisurely pace, but these digressions are character studies which delve into the nature of humanity, which is one of the major themes of Watchmen.  Why is Rorschach the man he is?  You have to learn his tragic history to know.  How did Dr. Manhattan get his powers, and why is he becoming detached from humanity?  A lengthy flashback will tell you.

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The remaining Watchmen are soon drawn into Rorschach’s investigation. Nite Owl, or Dan Dreiburg, is the closest thing we get to a traditional superhero.  He is mostly motivated by fighting crime and doing good, but there is an element of thrill-seeking (and a kinky fascination with playing dress-up) that motivates him as well.  He uses advanced technology in his battle against wrong-doers, the most spectacular toy in his arsenal being his flying owl-ship.  Silk Specter, or Laurie Jupiter (Juspeczyk in the comic), is a sexy, skilled fighter.  She was pressured into becoming a costumed hero by her mother Sally, who was also known as the Silk Specter in her youth.  Laurie, who is in a relationship with Dr. Manhattan, has some serious mommy issues to work through.  Finally, there is Adrian Veidt, or Ozymandias, who has physically perfected both his body and mind.  He is known as the world’s smartest man, and, working with Dr. Manhattan, is nearing a solution to the world’s energy problems.  He is creating a free, renewable source of energy based on Manhattan’s powers, which is sure to enrage the pioneers of industry whose bread and butter is the sale of fossil fuels and nuclear power.

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In the comic, we get to know each of these characters very well.  Each of them gets a full issue to examine their… um… issues… as well as their back-stories.  In the movie we see far less of this, but we still get significant glimpses of the histories of the Comedian, Dr. Manhattan, and Rorschach.  Sadly, Veidt, a pivotal character in both book and film, does not get much screen time.

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Critics have been split over the success of this film.  The website Rotten Tomatoes gives it a 65% on the “Tomatoemeter,” which means 65% of the reviews they have tallied are generally positive.  A score of 60% or higher qualifies a film as “fresh,” while scores lower than this give a film a “rotten” designation.

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Many critics have complained that some of the acting is far below par.  Almost universally panned is Malin Akerman as Laurie.  For the life of me, I cannot understand why.  The character is not written the same in the script as she is in the comic, but Akerman does a fine job with the material she is given.  In one scene in particular, where she experiences a devastating revelation about her past, she emotes powerfully the grief and despair I would expect the character to feel.  I agree with most critics, though, that standout performances include Jackie Earle Haley as Rorschach and Jeffrey Dean Morgan as the Comedian.  These are, in my opinion, the most meaty roles, and the actors do them justice.

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Since it is a murder mystery, a cold war tale, a philosophical exploration, and a character study, there is not much action in the comic.  The film is short on action as well, although what’s there is very intense, very violent, and very exciting.  If you are only interested in action, you might want to skip this movie.  You might also want to skip it if graphic violence disturbs you.  Some of the fighting is brutal.  Blood flies and bones break.  There is one very disturbing scene of an attempted, but interrupted, rape.  It is ugly and brutal, but necessary to the plot.

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Much ado has been made about Dr. Manhattan’s nudity in the film, but if you are at all mature and can handle the sight of a penis, it is much ado about nothing.  ....Manhattan...., having no physical need for clothing and a receding connection to humanity and its mores, does not see the need to cover himself.  It is essential to his character and representative of his estrangement from the human condition.  The attention many critics and movie goers have given to his nudity is both sophomoric and unwarranted.  There is so much wonder to look at on the screen at any given time as to make the appearance of a blue, CGI penis negligible.  All I can say is, “grow up.”

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Some are disturbed by the fact that there’s also some near-pornographic sex in the film.  Now, I think it could have been done more tastefully, but the sex is important to the story, especially as it deals with some of Dan Dreiburg’s hang-ups.  Frankly, this is a movie for adults with adult themes and ideas, so the intended audience should not be bothered by a little romp in the sack (or on an owl-ship).  Plus, I wouldn’t give up the opportunity to see Malin Akerman’s tits for nothin’.

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A major criticism of the film has been that the viewer develops little emotional attachment to the characters.  Maybe it’s my recollection of my affection for these characters in the novel, but I truly feel for each and every one of them while watching the movie.  The Comedian is an amoral murderer, but he is also a sad, lonely man who uncovers a horrible plot and is killed for it.  Rorschach is a psychopath, but his terrible past inspires pity and understanding.  Laurie is tormented both by her mother’s control over her destiny and her inability to face the truth about her past.  Dr. Manhattan is both more and less than human, and far sadder about that fact than he lets on.  Dan is lonely and purposeless, unable to feel alive unless he is wearing a costume.  And Adrian Veidt, as the world’s smartest (and probably richest) man must make decisions that torment him and perhaps drive him over the edge of sanity.

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The ending of the movie diverges from the book in a significant way.  However, the core theme remains.  I said earlier that, at the end, the characters face a nearly unthinkable moral dilemma.  The “villain” of the film has, by his actions, however heinous and insane, done a greatly desirable thing that will benefit humanity.  Should his crimes be exposed, allowing evil to be punished, when to do so would reverse the good that his evil actions have accomplished?  By Rorschach’s code of black and white, absolutely.  But the others—and the viewers—may have a different opinion.  Or maybe not.  The beauty of Alan Moore’s story is that it doesn’t decide for us.  We decide.  If we can.

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Since the end plays out differently in the movie, a wonderful, life-affirming scene from the book is removed.  It is a beautiful moment that moves me to tears every time I read it.  Without it, the ending of the film comes off as much darker.  Still, the movie’s ending works and is powerful in its own right.  I just wish one of my favorite scenes from the book made it to the screen intact.  This is the only real complaint I have with the movie, and it is a very small one.

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Visually, the film is dark but beautiful.  Director Zack Snyder and his crew of mad geniuses have painted a stylized, gutter-chic tapestry of an alternate ....New York...., and the special effects are out of this world (sometimes literally, as part of the movie takes place on Mars).  The costumes are top-notch, as are the sets, both real and CGI.  Dr. Manhattan is a triumph of animation.  Even if you don’t like the film’s story or characters, you may still appreciate it as a visual masterpiece.

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The final point I want to make is that this is not a traditional superhero movie, and it is absolutely NOT for kids.  It is violent and sometimes disturbing, and it contains nudity and explicit sex.  It’s rated R for a reason, folks.  I would say if your kids are at least 14 or 15 and pretty mature, take them to see it.  Younger or immature kids… leave them at home!  They will be disturbed by some parts and bored to tears by others, and they certainly won’t understand it.

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The opinions of naysayers notwithstanding, this is a deep, emotional work and a faithful adaptation of the comic book.  Much of the richness of the comic is missing, but such loss is unavoidable when condensing a lengthy work to a two-and-a-half hour film.  Watching it, I relived the joy and excitement I was able to feel more often when I was young.  Seeing one of my favorite stories play out on screen was an amazing experience, and Snyder has my eternal thanks for having the guts to make this film and do it right.

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Watchmen:  9.5 out of 10....
 

Last Sunday (Nov 2) I had the pleasure of attending Trans-Siberian Orchestra's 2008 Winter tour.  With the exception of last year, I have seen their show every year since 2000.  I guess that makes it eight times now, and guess what?  It just keeps getting better!

If you are unfamiliar with the group or have only heard their recordings or seen their TV special, you are missing out.  Nothing can compare to the pure power and spectacle of a live TSO show.  Their music, a fusion of rock, metal, classical, Broadway, jazz, and blues, coupled with an amazing light show incorporating lasers and pyrotechnics, is nothing short of spectacular.  There are roughly fourteen musicians on stage (two guitarists, two keyboardists, bass, drums, two "lead" violin players, and a six piece string section).  While much of their music is instrumental, they also incorporate eight to ten vocalists, who sing as soloists and as a chorus at various times throughout the performance.

After a rousing opening number (which features an amazing entrance by three of the performers… you have to see it to believe it!), the Orchestra leaps into Christmas Eve and Other Stories, their first album, which they play in full.  The music is tied together through a touching story, spoken in deep, rich tones by a narrator.  After the story is over, TSO breaks into a set of music drawn from their other three records, and they begin kicking major ass.  Have no doubt:  they rock.  They shred.  They shoot fire into the air.  They play Mozart and Beethoven and sing in Latin.

The show is a hit with all generations.  I brought my parents and my eight year old daughter, all of whom loved it.  When I asked my daughter what she thought, her opinion reflected my own:  "It was awesome."

TSO's origins can be traced back to the band Savatage. Savatage, originally a straight-forward, no-nonsense hard rock/heavy metal band, was founded by brothers Jon and Criss Oliva in the early 80's.  They had a great underground following and some commercial success, but they blossomed in the late 80's with their album Hall of the Mountain King, when they brought on producer Paul O'Neill.  O'Neill brought a more polished, symphonic quality to their music which continued to drive the band's success.

Savatage was dealt a tragic blow when lead guitarist Criss Oliva died in a car crash in the early 90's.  Although devastated, his brother Jon continued composing new music for Savatage, releasing an album called Dead Winter Dead in 1995.  The album contained the track Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24, a hard-rock rendition of the treasured Christmas song, Carol of the Bells.  When DJ's across the country unexpectedly began playing the track during the holiday season, executives at Savatage's label, Atlantic, contacted producer Paul O'Neill and asked him if the band would record a Christmas album.  He considered it, but thought perhaps a name change was in order.  "Savatage" didn't sound very Christmassy, after all.  He came up with the name Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO for short).  Collaborating with Jon Oliva and Bob Kinkel (who played keyboards on many of the Savatage albums), Paul began composing new holiday music.  These three "core" members of the group invited the other members of Savatage to the party, and also called on the services of a host of vocalists, a child's choir, and several other instrumentalists.  Christmas Eve and Other Stories was released to great success in 1996.  They began touring in 1999, and have since become a phenomenon.

This year, for the first time, TSO played two Savatage songs as a tribute to their departed friend, Criss Oliva.  They rocked out to Prelude to Madness, a heavy-metal take on the classical piece, Hall of the Mountain King.  Then they went into the beautiful, passionate ballad "Believe," perhaps the most beloved of all of the band's songs.  While non-Sava fans didn't fully appreciate it, I was nearly moved to tears.

If you get a chance, you MUST see TSO.  You will be moved.  You will be rocked.  You will feel the heat of the pyrotechnics burning the skin from your face.  At least if you are in the 12^th row, like I was.  I hope they tour forever… for me, Christmas without TSO would be like… well, Thanksgiving without a big frickin' turkey.

Later.

Starting when we were about 15 years old, some of my friends and I produced a number of cheaply made (budget approx. = $10.00) films, such as The Last Train to Timbuktu, and its sequels The Men From Timbuktu, and Timbuk3:  Let’s Get Serious.  We also filmed an "official" James Bond movie entitled Early to Die.  We jokingly refered to ourselves as "amature filmsmans."

Years later, my friend Linnen went on to found Blue Zone Films and actually made a few decent short movies.  Having no skill as a filmsman, I was barely involved.  However, I was set to star in a Blue Zone comedy called "Buddies."  Sadly, the movie was never finished, but we did put together a ten minute promotional collection of clips.  Here, for your entertainment, I present:  Buddies.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_QNVb_YHc8

I dare you to watch the whole thing.  You may wish to put your eyes out if you watch more than two minues.  You’ve been warned.

JNB

I have a new film to add to my list of favorites.  Last night I went to see "Sweeney Todd," an adaptation of the Stephen Sondheim musical.  This version stars Johnny Depp as Todd and is directed by Tim Burton.

The story of Sweeney Todd, the murderous barber who slits the throats of his patrons, has been told may times in print, film, and stage versions starting in the early 1800's.  It may or may not be based on actual events that took place in 18th or 19th century London.  Regardless, it is an exciting and emotionally engaging story heightened by Sondheim's dark songs.

I've been passing familiar with the story since my college days, when I saw a producution of the musical staged at my school.  Despite the poor vocal quailty of the actors (probably a bunch of theater majors without any vocal training... being a singer myself, I am very picky), I enjoyed the show and thought the story was absurdly delightful.  I had not thought much about the show for many years, but when I saw a trailer for the movie on the internet, I knew I had to see it.

And I was not dissapointed.  Burton's vision of a dark and gothic London is grimly beautiful, and Depp's performance as Todd is rightly reserved and sedated, only reveling in maniacal passion when engaged in slaughter or planning revenge with his accomplice Mrs. Lovett.

Many people will not see this because it is a musical.  And yes, if you don't like musicals, you will most likely be put off by the almost constant singing.  Much of the dialog is delivered in song.  However, unlike many musicals, the action doesn't stop so someone can stand in the middle of a stage and sing, nor are there any elaborate dance numbers.  The music here serves the story, not the other way around.

The singing is fuctional, but these are actors, not professional vocalists.  You will not be blown away by any vocal performances in the film.  But the voices suit the style of music and help to tell the story, and that is what matters here.  Depp carries off his songs quite well, as does Helena Bonham Carter as Mrs. Lovett.  It's amusing to hear the deep, bassy vocals of Alan Rickman (probably best known these days as Snape from the Harry Potter series) as Judge Turpin, Sweeney's enemy.

While it has its funny moments (a few of the songs are quite amusing), Sweeney Todd is no comedy.  It's a story about revenge and the madness pursuing revenge will inevitably bring.  And there is blood.  Glorious, spraying fountains of blood madly spewing from the necks of Todd's victims.  The exagerated geysers reminded me of certain scenes in the Kill Bill movies.  This puppy may be a musical, but it's a slasher film, too.  Don't take the kids!

I won't detail the plot here... there are plenty sources to read about it all over the internet if you are so inclined.  I'll simply conclude this little review (or whatever this is) by stating this was one of the most delightful cinematic experiences I've had in a long time.  It combines all my favorite things (music, a great story, revenge, madness, gothic romance, yummy meat pies, over the top violence, and buckets upon buckets of bright red blood) into one rich succulent dish.

Check out Sweeney Todd... or he might soon come to check YOU out.

Bwahahahahahaahahahaahahah!!!!

Hello again friends, Romans, countrymen... lend me your ears.

Some pretty exciting things on the horizon for yours truly.  Some of you may know that a publishing company in Austria, Otherworld Verlag (http://www.otherworldverlag.com/) is translating my book into German and publishing it.  This is interesting in that no publishing company in the US would touch my book with a 10 foot pole, so I had to go the route of self-publishing.  I guess those German-speaking folks know good fantasy when they see it.  The date is finally set, and they will be releasing the German version of The Talisman of Faerie (Der Talisman der Elben) in July of 2008.

But what is a fantasy book without sequels?  As part of my contract with Otherworld Verlag, I will be producing two more books to complete the story I started in Talisman.  I am hard at work writing The Sword of Kings, which I plan to finish by the end of the year and publish sometime next year.  The German version will follow in 2009.  When that's done, I'll be getting to work on the third and final book in the series, The Lord of Death.

Regular humans (other than American publishers) seem to like The Talisman of Faerie quite a bit.  I've got nothing but great feedback from those who have read it.  If you yourself have not yet had the pleasure, get thee to amazon.com or your favorite bookseller and order a copy.

Hey friends!

As part of a celebration of the release of the final Harry Potter book, I will be signing copies of my own book, The Talisman of Faerie, at Captain Blue Hen in glorious downtown Newark, DE.  The festivities start at 10 pm on July 20 and will continue until just past midnight.  Why not stop by and join the fun?  For more details, visit www.captainbluehen.com!

Here is the address:

280 E. Main Street, Suite 101
Newark, DE 19711
Phone: (302) 737-3434
email: info@captainbluehen.com

See you there!
Jason

This entry has been a long time coming.  A really long time.  Maybe it's because I've been lazy, maybe it's because I've been occupied with other things, or maybe it's because I haven't had anything interesting to talk about.  Experts agree it's probably a combination of all three.

Oh, it isn't as if I haven't had anything to say.  It's just that the things I've been thinking about recently are of interest only to geeks like myself.  Yep, total geekfest.  For example, are you interested in hearing about the first newly published J.R.R. Tolkien book in 30 years?  I thought not.  Even though the book, The Children of Hurin, lovingly compiled from various hand-written notes by Tolkien's son and literary heir Christopher, is a beautifully tragic tale that would give Shakespeare a run for his money.  Even though it provides a window into the First Age of Middle-earth, a time which pre-dates The Lord of the Rings by about 6000 years.  Even though it has beautiful illustrations by Alan Lee, famed Tolkien artist and one of the visual designers on The Lord of the Rings films.  No, even in light of all this you won't care about the book, which you can purchase at any bookstore or online, so I won't even mention it in my blog.

And if you don't care about that, then you certainly wouldn't enjoy reading about the new computer game based in Tolkien's world, The Lord of the Rings Online:  Shadows of Angmar.  It's a Massively Mulitplayer On-line Role Playing Game (MMORPG), similar to World of Warcraft or Everquest, set in Tolkien's Middle-earth.  It's a very fun game for those who have always wanted to see the sights of the Shire, swing by the Prancing Pony in Bree for a quick ale, visit Tom Bombadil in the Old Forest, or fight some undead wights in the Barrow Downs.  It's got absolutely beautiful graphics and gameplay is fun and addictive.  There are many quests to particpate in, and you can play solo or join with groups of other players to complete the harder missions.  Very fun for MMO game players or fans of The Lord of the Rings.  But I'm not going to talk about that here.

Tolkien related stuff is all well and good, but if I were to write a blog entry about geeky stuff you don't care about (which I'm not), I would have to include the new Spider-Man film.  I saw it recently and I have to say that, while flawed, it was a hell of a lot of fun.  There was some great action, some very funny stuff, and a lot of heart-felt drama.  It was also great to see Spidey's dark side, reflected by the black costume, which is actually a life-form from outer-space (don't try to understand this unless you've seen the movie... or better yet go here to learn more).  My main beef with the film is that there is simply too much going on.  There are three distinct plot lines that could have easily been films in their own right.  The result is a movie that feels rushed and incomplete, as none of the three plots gets enough attention.  Still, it's fun to watch, and probably the second best in the series (Spider-Man 2 is still my favorite).

Finally, if I had time to tell you something about Heroes, the best show on TV, like, ever, I would say that I am totally geared up for the final two episodes of the season.  If you are not watching this show... omg you should be shot.  It's that awesome.  I know that's pretty geeky of me to say, but there you have it.  I hope I remember to set my VCR (no, I don't have tivo, I'm behind the times) for the season finale, because I will be at work... yep, I just got a job.  Blah.  And it's night shift.  Double blah.  I'll tell you more about it next time, although I'm sure you don't care about that either.

So, to sum up, I really have nothing to say that you'd be interested in reading.  When I think of something cool, you'll be the first to know.

Peace

This Christmas I received a couple tasty treats in the form of Depeche Mode CD/DVD's.  Oh, I know it hardly counts that I ordered The Best of Depeche Mode myself from Amazon, but I did send it to my Mom's house, and she wrapped it and gave it to me.  Merry Christmas to me!  I also got the DVD Touring the Angel (a tour supporting their 2005 album Playing the Angel).  My sister got this for me from my wishlist on Amazon.  (I had no wishlist on Amazon until she made me make one; this DVD was one of only about 5 items I put on there.  My needs are small.)

Depeche Mode has been one of my favorite bands since 1985, and contrary to popular belief (this means you, Jimmy Z) they are not a "gay band."  They are, in fact, pioneers in the field of electronic music and have gone through many different periods of experimentation.  Back in 1981, when Vince Clark (of Erasure fame) wrote most of their songs for debut album Speak and Spell, their sound was happy, bouncy, cheese-covered techno-pop.  When Martin Gore took over the writing chores, the style became darker and more industrial.  His early stuff was unpolished, but by his third effort (Some Great Reward), he was already mastering is craft.  Through the mid-eighties to early nineties, Depeche Mode released a string of superior records that would raise them from cult icons to pop superstars (Black Celebration, Music for the Masses, Violator, Songs of Faith and Devotion).  While Black Celebration and Music of the Masses continued the facination with dark topics of earlier albums, they showed a growing maturity and a richer sound.  Violator became the band's breakthrough record with hits like Personal Jesus and Enjoy the Silence.  Songs of Faith and Devotion was fuled by a heavier, rockier sound, elevated by Dave's passionate vocals, live drums (as opposed to drum machines used on earlier recordings) and Martin's crunchy guitar work.

The band finished out the ninties with their album Ultra, and entered the new century with Exciter.  Many fans feel that these albums, largely filled with slow tempo techno-ballads, were weak compared to older efforts.  Some blame the departure of long-time band member Alan Wilder for the change in sound; personally, I think it it was a combination Alan's departure and poor production (bring back Flood, I say!).  However, in 2005, the band released Playing the Angel, which brought them, if not completely back to form, closer in style and quality to their glory days.  Of particular interest to me were the songs Precious, and the most recent single (which does not appear on the album), Martyr.

I was not originally going to buy The Best of DM, because I already owned every song that appears on it, except Martyr.  However, they released a version of the CD that comes with a DVD of many of their vidoes... around 23 I think.  The DVD makes it worth the price for any fan.  Music videos in general are weird, but DM videos are a feast of strangeness and madness indeed.

As for the CD, it is a good collection of songs, but no songs from Black Celebration are featured.  This seems an odd choice, as I consider Black Celebration to be their greatest album.  The song Stripped is my favorite Depeche song, and I don't see why it didn't make the cut.  Still, it's a good CD to throw in the car CD player when you're driving.

The concert, Touring the Angel, is a lot of fun.  I missed the tour this time around, so it was good to watch the DVD.  Dave is in top form, although I don't really like it when he stops singing and allows the crowd to sing for long periods of time.  He never even sings the chorus to Enjoy the Silence... a poor choice, in my opinion.  Otherwise, a great show.  Martin's outfit is insane.  It's all black, and it has wings.  He wears this black hat with plumage.  Typical Martin Gore.  He plays a lot of guitar this time out.  The concert features many songs from the new album, as well as a good number of past singles.  I really enjoyed the piano version of Shake the Disease, sung by Martin.

You will almost never hear a Depech Mode song on the radio, but they remain one of the most popular bands in the world, as proven by huge sales on their most recent world tour.  Although they enjoyed a period of pop fame during the Viloator era, they will be forever known as dark punk underground industrial electro-pioneers (okay, I just made that up, but it sums them up nicely).  They are sort of an acquired taste, so I don't recommend them to everyone... but once you catch the Depeche bug, you can't get it out of your system.  They've been around for 25 years and are still going strong.  How many of today's bands will be able to say the same?

I would guess this many:  none.

This entry is late in coming, but better late than never!  On December 16th several friends and I attended the Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO) concert in Philadelphia at the Wachovia Center.  TSO has been a Christmas tradition for me for six or seven years now, and I never seem to get tired of it.  TSO is a strange animal, and their music is primarily symphonic rock, mixed with elements of metal, classical, jazz, blues, gospel, and broadway.  The group consists of a six piece rock ensemble (two guitars, two keyboards, bass, and drums), no less than eight singers, and an eight piece string section led by electric violinist Mark Wood.

The first half of the concert, as always, was a performance of the entire Christmas Eve and Other Stories CD, complete with narration.  It tells the story, through music and words, of an angel sent down to earth by God on a mission to discover the worth of mankind's accomplishments in the years since the birth of Christ.  As the angel goes about his mission, he encounters many people and situations, some that challenge and some that reaffirm his faith in humanity.  It all ends well, when a father is reunited with his long-lost daughter on Christmas day.

The second half of the concert, introduced by long-haired guitarist and front-man Chris Caffery, features songs and instumental pieces from the group's three other albums.  These works include TSO originals as well as hard-rocking renditions of classical pieces.  Both concert segments are accompanied by an insane light show that uses multi-colored lights, lasers, pyrotechnics, and even snow.

The great thing about TSO is that it appeals to almost everyone.  When you go to one of their concerts, you see so many diverse people:  metal/rock fans, theater/orchestra fans, families with young children, old grannys & grampas, everyone.  It's a strange and wonderful phenomenon.

We had a fantastic time and are looking forward to catching the show again next year.

Here's the stuff I'm into right at this moment.

Dennis DeYoung.  The original keyboardist/vocalist of Styx put on a great show in Philadelphia on Sunday night.  He played with a five-piece rock band as well as a 35 piece orchestra.  The sound was full and beautiful, although the mix wasn't always to my liking.  Dennis's voice was a little rougher than it was last time I saw him back in 1997, but since he's in his late 50's I'll forgive him... for the most part, he still sounded great!  Damn, he can still hit those high notes!  He performed many of his hits from Styx (Babe, Best of Times, Come Sail Away, Suite Madam Blue, The Grand Illusion, Mr. Roboto, and more), two songs from his solo career (Desert Moon and Black Wall) and two songs from his Hunchback musical (Ave Maria and With Every Heartbeat... both awesome songs!).  He got several standing ovations throughout the evening.  Even the Overture, which featured a medly of several Styx songs arranged for orchestra, was a breathtaking experience.  All in all, a great night.

Casino Royale:  Bond is back, and he's better than he's been in a long time.  Critics are saying Daniel Craig is the best bond since Connery, and I can't say they're wrong.  This film is a reboot of the Bond franchise, telling the story of Bond as a less-seasoned agent who has just won his double-0 status.  It takes Bond back to his serious roots.  Gone is much of the campiness and over-the-top action that mar many of the Bond films.  This is a fairly serious action/drama film, and from what I understand it is fairly faithful to the book (although obviously updated to modern times).  I'll have to ask Linnen how faithful it really is, as he's the huge bond fan round these parts.  Anyway, whether or not you are a fan of Bond, if you like action or spy movies, you can't miss this one.

Heroes:  I think this has replaced Smallville as my favorite show.  Heavily influenced by comic book superheroes, this show is a fairly realistic take on what might happen if a group of people suddenly developed extraordinary powers.  The show's plot has been building slowly over the course of the season, introducing us to its many interesting characters and themes.  It's one of those shows that reveals its central mysteries slowly over time, which has the effect of addicting the watcher and making it impossible not to tune in week after week.  If you haven't seen it, give it a shot.

Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell:  This is the book I'm currently reading.  It's the first novel by author Susanna Clarke, and the hardcover weighs in at over 800 pages (the mass market paperback edition I'm reading is 1000).  Yeah, it's a long one, but it reads like water.  It takes place in the early 1800's, and the author's style intentionally echoes the style of the period.  The style resembles the social comedy of Jane Austen (a claim by critics:  I cannot say I'm familiar with Austen, but Clarke's style does remind me of another Victorian author, Oscar Wilde).  Mix in some Potter-esque magic, the war against Nepoleon, and a malicious faerie, and you've got the basic idea.

Working out.  I'm still not the strongest guy in the world, but I'm fairly proud at the progress I've made over the past year.  In addition to almost doubling the weights I can lift, I just achieved a personal best in running:  I did 4 miles on the treadmill in just under 30 minutes.  Not bad for a middle-aged dude who could barely climb a flight of stairs a year ago. :)

Well, that's my brain.  Next up, my brain on drugs.