Coming-of-age films have a tendency to skirt clichés and follow predictable character and plot arcs; however, if done right, a bildungsroman can still feel new, and it can evoke empathy from its audience. Unfortunately, The Art of Getting By (previously titled Homework) does none of these things. The select redeeming scenes and character performances are vastly overshadowed by the underwhelming plot. Sadly, the story gets caught up in cliché after cliché which builds to a predictable and unsatisfying outcome.
By Michael Fitzgerald Troy
Hot on the heels of more seemingly endless bad publicity (her crystal choppers being all the rage last week), Lindsay Lohan is back in the slammer again. For a probation violation this time. And, Bluewater Productions couldn't be happier. Their Lindsay Lohan bio-comic was released the same day "Two-toot Sally" went back in the slammer again. You just can't pay for publicity like that. I should know, as I'm the biggest publicity whore in the tri-state area, and it IS hard out there for a pimp. Sure, she'll be free by the time you read this, as her justice system seems to have a revolving door. But, just for the fun of it, let's pretend she is shackled to some super affectionate woman with "Bertha" somewhere in her nickname, shall we?
Attention Los Angeles-based geeks:
Consider this your bona fide invitation to the official Los Angeles release party and signing for issue #1 of Ardden Entertainment's new "rockabilly western thriller” comic book, The Devil is Due in Dreary! Come and celebrate with creator David Parkin who will be on hand to sign copies of the book! Fanboy Comics is always excited to point fanboys and fangirls in the direction of cool, unique, geek-friendly events, and this promises to be a great time for all!
By Michael Fitzgerald Troy
In my humble opinion, ABC's Pan Am is one of the best shows on TV. I had my fears in the beginning that it may be more style over substance - not that there's anything wrong with that.
A little short on character in the pilot (the 1st episode, not the hunky blonde commanding the 333,600 lb. bucket of bolts), subsequent episodes have shown character and story development, and this week is no exception, as the girls' flight is rerouted to the Orient, forcing them into all kinds of toil and trouble.
John Carpenter’s The Thing is my new favorite horror movie. It generally goes for the long scare rather than the cat jumping out at you. Rather than cultivating terror, this film generates dread. This is achieved by breaking many of the rules for horror and following many of the rules of a mystery. There’s no damsel in distress, or damsel of any kind, and while things start to go wrong almost immediately after the movie starts, the villain isn’t revealed or even properly teased until we are maybe fifteen minutes in. We do get a strong sense of unease, but no real details are revealed until the characters visit the Norwegian base, which is the setting of the prequel. What this movie does so well is resist the temptation to become a monster movie, even after the scariest monster I’ve ever freaking seen is revealed.
I don't speak Themyscrian, but I can if you like. Hot on the heels of the announcement that Brian Azzarello would be changing up Wonder Woman's origin - that's right, kiddies... it seems maybe she wasn't born that way after all - I realized we haven't seen hide nor hair of Wonder Woman's baby sis. No! Not Debra Winger! (Who gives a magic lasso about that bloated old hag?!) I'm talking about everyone's favorite hot mess. For years, we have been pondering, "Who is Donna Troy?" (No relation.) Now, I wanna know, where is Donna Troy?!
Buffy: Season 9 #2 is a near perfect example of what a Buffy comic should be. Andrew Chambliss delivers a script that hits all the right notes (humor, horror, surprises, and the character-y stuff we Whedon fans love so much), and Georges Jeanty keeps pace with his writer, providing some of the best pencils he’s done on the series! This team is smokin’ hot and showing no signs of losing heat!
SPOILERS BELOW
By Michael Fitzgerald Troy
What should you be reading? The Ladies' Home Journal? (Probably.) You'll just have to settle for my latest commentary on ABC's delicious new "Soap Opera in the skies," Pan Am.
Kennedy is in town and he likes stewardesses; we're going to a party. That could easily sum up the entire episode, but I'd like to look a little closer at the extra smokehouse almonds we were treated to this flight.
The hits just keep on coming with the latest issue of Pariah from creator/writer Aron Warner, writer Phil Gelatt, and artist Brett Weldele. We learn the history of the socially deficient Franklin Hyde and why he needs all the “Vitros” to be gathered together. We learn why he’s so darn odd and what his parents are like. We learn what he wants and what he’s willing to do to get it. We learn all this, but, by the conclusion of the issue, we haven’t learned all we really want to know, which is: when can I get Issue #5?!
Dear Fanboy Comics Readers:
Our friends at Comikaze Expo are at it again, as they continue to impress with an all-star line-up for their November 5th and 6th show at the L.A. Convention Center. (Even Harry Potter himself wants you to attend!)
Comikaze's most recent announcement offers fans the chance to play old school video games like Super Mario Brothers and Mario Kart, with the opportunity to win a Comikaze Expo Grabbag valued at $200!