Here are some new sh*te photies to start your new year right!
How did you spend your New Year’s Eve? Β I spent it unconventionally, for me. Β While Mrs. LeBrain snuck in some early evening Bingo, I went down to City Hall with my buddy Jason and his family. Β Apparently, there was going to be a toy show and sale / 80’s retro night going on. Β One of my favourite Transformers vendors in the whole wide world, B&K Collectibles, was going to be there!
There were a ton of people there. Β Also present was the DeLorean from Back to the Future, and K.I.T.T. from Knight Rider. Β Although I didn’t stick around to see him, Todd Bridges from 80’s sitcom Diff’rent Strokes was also on hand last night. Β Yee-haw.
After the toy show I got Jen at Bingo and we headed home to watch the Leafs barely beat the Bruins. Β I fell asleep well before midnight.
But…toys!
My two scores: Β Transformers Masterpiece Smokescreen. Β Similar to, but different from, Masterpiece Prowl. Β I also snagged some snazzy new missiles for my Prowl figure, from third party company Before and After. Β The kit includes the “Omega Launch” weapons which snap over Prowl’s normally teeny ones, and a decal sheet which I have not yet applied (if I do).
In Getting More Tale #347.5: Days of Christmas Past, you may recall our good buddy Aaron sent me another Mystery Aaron Mail (M.A.M.) parcel. Β It finally arrived, several days behind schedule, but safe and sound which is the main thing. Β With Aaron’s encouraging “Give’r!” I tore into the packaging, to discover the treasure seen below.
Raise the Dead – Live From Wacken is Alice Cooper’s latest offering, one I had been excited to get! Β One thing you have to credit Alice Cooper with is changing up his setlist tour after tour. Β No two tours offer the same highlights, hits and surprises. Β At a glance, I can see this 2 CD/1 Blu-ray set contains the following interesting choices: Β “House of Fire” from Β 1989’s Trash, “Caffeine” from the recent Welcome 2 My Nightmare, the favourite “Department of Youth” from the original 1975 Nightmare, and oldies-but-goodies “Killer”, “Dwight Fry” and “Go To Hell”. Β This is rounded out by numerous covers, perhaps from Alice’s soon-to-be-unleashed covers album? Β “Break On Through” outta be good.
Finally this is Alice’s last release with Orianthi on guitar, who has since split to play with Richie Sambora. Β I’m glad she has been captured live in concert in hi-def on Blu-ray. Β Thank you, Aaron, for this gift! Β The 2 CD format means that I can listen to it in the car, and the Blu-ray gives me Orianthi in 1080i hi-def, according to the specs! Β There’s also a 20 minute interview and 5.1 surround mix. Β Gonna be a rockin’ Christmas if this is any indication!
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This last set of pictures is a Christmas gift to myself, from myself! Β I ordered this guy back on November 11, and he only just arrived today. Β His name is Ratbat, and he is the Decepticon fuel auditor. Β In the Marvel comics series, Ratbat emerged as a bureaucrat on Cybertron who eventually came to Earth and took leadership of the Decepticons, Β a title he held for 11 issues of the series. Β For this reason, and for the reason that he transforms into a cassette, he is always high on my collecting priority list. Β I have a Masterpiece edition Soundwave figure, and I had five of his cassettes. Β All but Ratbat. Β Ratbat was only available with a special black Masterpiece Soundwave figure called Soundblaster. Β Although I would love to, I can’t afford to buy the same toy over again in a different colour just to get Ratbat. Β So I figured I’d never get one.
My buddy Jason then suggested I check out some the sellers on eBay, selling KO (knock-off) Ratbat figures. Β Knock-off figures are exactly what the sound like. Β Somebody copied the mold and made their own figures. Β Some are shit quality. Β Some are much better. Β Ratbat is one of the figures. Β There are two flaws in the paint of the cassette, but I’ve bought official Hasbro and Takara items new out of the package with similar flaws, so I can’t that’s particularly troublesome. Β There was also a teeny tiny extra bit of plastic in the jetpack assembly that I had to lightly shave down in order to transform nice and straight. Β Again, this can happen with a KO toy, but it can also happen with official Hasbro toys too. Β Ratbat (KO) came with no box, but did come with a microcassette case, and only cost me $20 plus shipping from China. Β MP13B Masterpiece Soundblaster, the official Takara release including Ratbat, is “on sale” right now at Big Bad Toy Store for $129.99, plus shipping. Β I think I made a good choice. Β Here’s Ratbat with Soundwave and all his cassette buddies!
Music, movies, and books! I’ve been very occupied these last couple days.
I get the Guiness’ Book of World Records, and the Ripley’s Believe It Or Not books every year. I imagine my surprise when I discovered a friend of ours in both books! Apparently, Sweet Pepper Klopek holds the world record for “Most Baking Sheets Buckled Over the Head for One Minute.” This is a guy who has been on my living room couch! Β Lemon Kurri says:
“He’s in there a couple times. Most mouse traps sprung on a tongue in 1 min too.”
I decided to do something special for Part 250…by not doing Part 250 at all.
This isn’t one of those bullshit prequels, like when George Lucas says, “Oh, Episode I, I had that written for decades,” when it was pretty obvious he was making it up as he went along! Β Nope, this isn’t like that. Β I started writing the Record Store Tales over 10 years ago, and what you see below is the original first chapter. Β It existed solely for the purpose of background and context, but I excised it in favour of starting things faster with the second chapter,“Run To The Hills”. Β Since that became Part 1, it makes sense that this earlier introduction should be Part 0. Β With hindight, I kind of wished I’d kept it in, so here it is! Β And don’t forget to check out my new complete Table of Contents, should you wish to read Β more!
Yeah…don’t ask. That’s me on the right.
A Few Words for Days Gone By…
What is childhood made of? In my mind, when youβre a kid, life consists of two things:
1. School
2. Summer Holidays
That was the cycle. Β To break it down to the core, to an 11 year old life was 10 months of school followed by two months of glorious, warm sunny freedom. Β Sure, youβd get to go home at the end of the day, but you were never truly free until the end of June. No more pencils, no more books, all that stuff. Β It was way better than Christmas holidays. Β The Canadian winters offered such fun treats as shoveling, besides snow pants, parka, boots (laced up too tight), and mittens which prevented you from using your fingers.
Our summers were boisterous. My sister Kathryn and I were like peas in a pod. We would play some kind of game every day, usually under my leadership. I would declare that today, we were going to play Star Wars. Other possible declarations included building fleets of Lego ships and cars, and having a giant war. Or inventing a new ball game. Β Once GI Joe came along, weβd dig trenches in the yard, as well as forts and garages of twigs and leaves, and have an entire day (or week) dedicated to Cobra Commanderβs new secret weapon. Aside from an occasional rebellion from my sister, our summers were mostly uninterrupted merriment.
My sister and I both clearly remember one such rebellion, where she wanted to do things her way. Β It involved our Star Wars figures. Β We were already mid-battle. Β I was setting up a perfect counter-offensive. The Millenium Falcon would sneak attack Vaderβs base, take out his Tie Fighter early in the melee, while Luke would take out Boba Fett. Leia and Lando had to distract Jabba The Hutt, so that he couldnβt stop Luke when he eventually confronted the Emperor. Game over! The plan was perfect. Now I just needed my sister to coordinate the battle with me, under my command of course.
Much to my disappointment, she had moved around some of the figures and now had them seated. Β Luke and Vader were next to each other. βWhy are Luke and Vader sitting there? Luke is about to attack and Vader should be getting into his ship.β
My sister continued playing with the figures, and without looking up, replied, βLuke and Vader want to be friends now. They’re having tea.β
It didnβt matter that half the figures were hers, if she didn’t know how to play Star Wars right. So I’d yell a bit, act like a big brother usually does, and eventually she’d go along with the plan, or cry and leave. Β The evil Empire would be defeated once and for all, thanks to my brilliant leadership and strategy. Β We were definitely pals, growing up.
For years, this was the way of the summer holidays. We’d be doing something awesome at home, or at the cottage, but it would always be something cool. It didnβt matter where we were: games continued wherever we went. Β We’d make a game out of anything. Β You give us a pile of junk and we’ll make a game out of it.
All things do come to an end. The Star Wars trilogy ended in 1983 and something needed to fill the vacuum. While GI Joe and later Transformers would temporarily take its place, I was getting older. Β My attention was drifting. Β I was looking for something cool, new, and exciting. Β Video games didn’t hold my attention and neither did sports.
Starting in 1983, several things happened in a short time frame. Β Styx released a single calledΒ βMr. RobotoβΒ that some of my friends at school were obsessed with. Β Then I heard a song called βDirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheapβ by AC/DC, and it was pretty cool too. Β Then, a newer band calledΒ Quiet Riot came out with an album called Metal Health that would go on to sell three million copies. Β This was my first rock cassette purchase when I was in the 6th grade. Β Something connected…
AC/DC. Β Van Halen. Β Ozzy Osbourne. Β Black Sabbath. Β Def Leppard. Β Motley Crue. Β Iron Maiden. Β Who were these people? I had a lot to find out.
This was a gift from Mrs. LeBrain. Β Johnny Cash, the Man in Black! Β This figure, from 2005, captures a younger, tougher Johnny. Β I love the little details like the nylon guitar strings, and the gold dots on his necktie. Β Not much articulation here, so this one has some very limited poses. Β He does come with a nice, detailed railroad track figure stand.
This one goes out toFanFigureZeroand his jaw-dropping site.
In downtown Kitchener last night, I dropped in at the great store Lookin’ For Heroes, to pick up the lastest issue (#94) of Transformers Re-Generation One. Β Unfortunately I was a week early, but they did have Eddie!Β Several different Eddies. Β I decided to start yet another Iron Maiden collection!
I already had the old McFarlane figures from a long time ago, but this new series has seven figures in it. Β And I plan on getting them all!
WATCHMEN :Β The Ultimate Cut – The Complete Story (2009 Warner 4 disc blu-ray set)
Directed by Zack Snyder, 216 minutesΒ
What’s the greatest comic book movie of all time? Β I’ve seen a lot of them. There’s quite a few I haven’t seen as well, but it’s a great topic for discussion. Β I always have to put Watchmen on the table when discussing great comic book adaptations.
Watchmen is a complex tale. Β Its original comic was ambitious, containing page after page of dense backstory information in the form of documents and faux-magazine articles, all very relevant. Β There’s even a parallel story taking place, a comic within a comic, which directly reflects one (or arguably more) of the characters in the main story. Β Characters and their psychology are key. Β In addition, neither the comic nor the movie are linear. Β The story unfolds within different time periods, flashing back and forth, as we learn more about the characters, their motivations, and the world they inhabit.
It is the world they inhabit that was the hook for me. Β I’m a sucker for alternate universe stories. Β Here’s one that sets us on Earth, 1985, but things have unfolded very differently. Β The influence of various superheroes/vigilantes has caused history to unfold very differently. Β Specifically, it is the presence of Dr. Manhattan, who puts a swift and decisive end to the Vietnam war, who influences history the most. Β In this 1985, Richard Nixon is still president, and masked vigilantes are now outlawed.
The Watchmen are a group of such vigilantes, originally known as the Minutemen. Β Some, such as Dr. Manhattan truly are superhuman. Β Others, such as Nite Owl and his successor Nite Owl II, are mere mortals with high-tech gadgetry and skill as their allies. Β All have retired, some in fame and some in anonymity…all but one. Β Rorschach. Β He remains active, alone and wanted.
The movie begins as a murder mystery. Β Someone has managed to identify and kill Edward Blake — The Comedian, once one of the most dangerous heroes alive. Β To overpower and murder Blake would require an individual of tremendous resources. Β Who? Β And are other former vigilantes also at risk? Β Rorschach seems to be the only one who wants to know.
Being a fan of the graphic novel, I was very happy with the way that Zack Snyder captured Watchmen. It was done with love and care. The things that are discarded, I didn’t miss so much. The things that he changed, I understand why it was done. Β There’s one layer to the story/mystery that has been discarded, probably to keep this thing under 4 hours! Β The things that are reverently exactly the same as the comic made my jaw drop in awe. Β The acting performances are what they are, but I have to give special mention to Jackie Earl Haley as Rorschach.
The soundtrack is one of the best in recent memory. Outside of Wes Anderson, I haven’t loved a soundtrack this much in a long time. Β It’s awesome from the stunning Bob Dylan classic “The Times They Are A’Changing”, to Nat King Cole, to Simon and Garfunkel, Hendrix and Philip Glass, and probably the weirdest use of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” in movie history. Β The soundtrack is where it’s at. Β The movie even contains a Village People sighting! Β I’ll skip My Chemical Romance.
This Ultimate Cut weaves the comic-within-a-comic, Tales Of The Black Freighter,Β previously only available on its own, into the main body of Watchmen. These segments are narrated by Gerard Butler. Β New live action linking sequences connect the movie to Black Freighter, much like it worked in the graphic novel. People who haven’t read the graphic novel might not understand what “Black Freighter” is doing there, but they should probably start with the less daunting theatrical cut to start with anyway.
The box set includes four discs, beautifully packaged. Hardly a complaint to be registered. The box is heavy and sturdy. Included is Watchmen: The Motion Comic, packed in its own case, 5 hours long on its own. One disc is the expired digital copy of the theatrical cut (whoop de do) and another disc is loaded with special features. Best of these is Under The Hood, which is based on the graphic novel segments covering Holis Mason. Β Mason, the original Nite Owl I, wrote an autobiography called Under the Hood; this filmΒ is a faux-documentary on his story. It is presented as a television program from 1975 re-run in 1985, including commercials and scratchy footage. At 35 minutes, this is an absolute must. Other special features include brand new audio commentaries, for those who dare to keep going deeper. This set is just loaded. Β Unfortunately I found the sound level inconsistent, I had to turn it up and down frequently.
Having said that, I’m not going to discard my Director’s Cut of Watchmen. Clocking in at almost four hours, watching this version is a commitment. I know that occasionally, I will want to watch the “shorter” version of the film. Since a digital copy of the theatrical (shortest) cut is included here, maybe you won’t feel the need to double-up on Watchmen editions. Β For an enriched viewing experience, set aside the four hours one afternoon and enjoy.
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