The Dish and the Spoon played at AFI Fest 2011. It is a wonderfully indie film with characteristics similar to the “Mumblecore” movement. Mumblecore is an indie film genre that came about at the turn of the century. Its defining characteristics include low production value, character-driven stories, unconventional plots, middle class/twenty-something characters, naturalism in performances, and improvisation. All of these attributes are found in The Dish and the Spoon, and its star, Greta Gerwig, is no stranger to the genre. Although written and directed by Alison Bagnall, both Gerwig and English co-star Olly Alexander have “additional material” credits, thanks to the improvisational nature of the film.
By Michael Fitzgerald Troy
Anyone who follows my insanity knows I have a soft spot in my heart for blondes, and Thor is no exception. I think I have my brother to thank for introducing me to the God of Thunder. A girl down the street from us used to sell him used comics for two or three cents, depending on whether it had its cover or not. It used to chap my ass that she would write the price on the book with a marker. (Even at a young age, I was an elitist for quality.)
Thor was always one of the books in the pile and always one of my favorite to look at. What's not to love? It had gorgeous art from Kirby, a leading man who went back and forth from heaven to the real world on a rainbow bridge, and an immortal that let Spider-Man call him "Goldilocks."
By Michael Fitzgerald Troy
Turkey, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and, um, Lady Gaga's 90-minute commercial for her new holiday EP and Born This Way remix album- er, rather 90-minute Thanksgiving special, A Very Gaga Thanksgiving.
Anyone who knows me knows I love Lady Gaga. I did try to ca$h in on her popularity with my Gaga tribute comic book, Going Gaga!, after all.
Directed and produced by Gaga herself, I have to say it was highly entertaining and beautifully shot.
The following is an interview with Trevor Roth, producer of Trek Nation, a documentary that follows Gene Roddenberry's son, Rod, as he explores the deep impact of his father's singular vision for the future.
Roth talks to Fanboy Comics President Bryant Dillon about the enduring Star Trek fandom, Rod Roddenberry’s quest to understand his father, and his love and loyalty for Captain Picard!
This interview was conducted on Tuesday, November 29, 2011.
By Michael Fitzgerald Troy
"I'm selfish, impatient, and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control and, at times, hard to handle. But, if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best."
― Marilyn Monroe
That is one of the many fantastic quotes of the late, great tortured genius Marilyn Monroe.
Sadly, or amazingly - depending of how full your glass is, it is also one of her quotes I relate to the most. I was truly saddened by the tragic death of the blonde bombshell. Of course, she died long before I was born, but it was tragic nonetheless. My mother idolized Norma Jean and passed the torch on to me. (Blonde is as Blonde does!) When I was young, one of my bedroom walls was dedicated to Madonna, but the one I could see while laying in bed was dedicated to Marilyn.
By Michael Fitzgerald Troy
Teen Titans #3 sees the introduction of DC Nu's lame excuse for a bandwagon-riding gay addition to the team with the introduction of "Bunker" (aka Miguel Jose Barragan and his psionic "big purple fist")... Um.
Dear Fanboy Comics Readers:
On behalf of the Fanboy Comics staff, I am proud to announce that FBC will be releasing its first graphic novel, Something Animal, on December 7, 2011! To commemorate this special event, we will be hosting a Something Animal Release Party and Signing that evening at Emerald Knights - Comics and Games in Burbank, CA.
For more information regarding the graphic novel, please see our full press release, below.
FANBOY COMICS RELEASES SOMETHING ANIMAL
LOS ANGELES, CA – November 29, 2011 – After witnessing his sister's brutal murder, Jack struggles to cope with the disturbing, psychological aftermath. Tormented by images of the attack, Jack is forced to confront the harsh reality that either his sanity is quickly crumbling or that he is turning into something else... something dark... something animal...
On Friday, as you may have seen, a woman at a Los Angeles-area Wal-Mart pepper-sprayed about twenty people to defend a stash of Xboxes. Another Wal-Mart customer was shot in the parking lot in a robbery. These may be the most egregious cases of assault this year, but reading news accounts of Black Friday behavior is a new holiday tradition, as sure as getting sick of Christmas music by Thanksgiving. You are, I’m sure, thinking of the Wal-Mart employee who was trampled to death a few years ago. To death. I cannot state this strongly enough; a bunch of people were so excited about the chance to save a hundred dollars on a shitty TV or whatever that they trampled a man to death. Perhaps, we need to rethink some things.
By Michael Fitzgerald Troy
Gay Marriage being legal is eligible for vote again here in California after being legalized for five minutes.
Next week they are thinking about taking back women's right to vote. Up next on the ballot is reinstating slavery. American is writing one embarrassing history book here.
We live in a society where Britney Spears and Kim Kardashian can legally get married for five minutes whenever they want, but when a man loves a man, it is up for vote. How dumb.
Fanboy Comics Managing Editor Barbra Dillon had the chance to chat with Pendant Productions Executive Producer Jeffrey Bridges about the resurgence of radio dramas and Pendant's role in the revitalization. In the following interview, Bridges explains the background of the radio or "audio" drama, the production process of Pendant Productions, and a few upcoming shows on the company's slate.
This interview took place on November 22, 2011.
Barbra Dillon, Fanboy Comics Managing Editor: Pendant Productions is an audio production group that creates and produces radio dramas. For those who may be unfamiliar, what is a radio drama?
Jeffrey Bridges: Radio drama is a resurging art form that previously all but died out in the United States after the invention of the television. They existed only in the medium of sound, and were broadcast over radio waves.