Friday, May 04, 2007
The man that did too much
Ever feel like you’re burning the camera, err… candle at both ends?
That’s what I take out of the new Spiderman installment.
The film will not disappoint in the action department, nor in the graphics department, not even in the story department – how could it with four major comic plot lines running the 2 hour and 36 minute gauntlet that is Spiderman 3?
Let’s see, you’ve got the Sandman, Hobgoblin, the Alien Suit, and Venom. Oh, yes, there’s also the ongoing story of Peter Parker’s life: proposing to Mary Jane, taking care of Aunt May, getting good grades, you know… everyday stuff. I guess that makes it five plot lines total – how does Spiderman do it? He must feel his life is like a crazed rollercoaster, running too fast… no time… can’t slow down… just gotta hang on a… bit… longer…
In truth, that’s what the film feels like, too… on the verge of collapse, a catastrophe just a momentary lapse in attention away. I think Sam Raimi (director) managed to balance all the twisting plot lines well enough, but he didn’t do justice to any of them. Each seemed to get short shrift. Too much to do, too little time.
Perhaps, though, this was a glimpse at what life is really like for Peter Parker. I mean, try to imagine balancing school, girlfriend, friends, family, and saving the city on a daily basis? Throw in an alien symbiote and Peter Parker’s life doesn’t just feel like an out of control roller coaster – it is out of control. It never stops, day after day.
I have always admired the Spiderman films (and the comic for that matter – or at least the better years of it) for their application to everyday life. Spiderman was always the hero of the people... the everyman hero who identified with the common denominator in us all. He’s hated and loved, powerful and weak, always late but just in the nick of time, the best friend you can’t count on, unknown yet famous, and he wins the day despite his flaws. A lesson in contradictions, his story is our story.
Forget the superficial moralizing in the film. This film is about American life – running, never slowing, got to do it all, damned if I’ll stop American life. Spiderman is the single mom, the father working two jobs, the fireman, the teacher, the soldier, the student (and even the evening law student).
You know what? Spidey always comes through alright. We will too. Keep fighting the good fight. Don’t stop.
Oh yeah, don’t forget to hang on... the ride can get a little rough.
That’s what I take out of the new Spiderman installment.
The film will not disappoint in the action department, nor in the graphics department, not even in the story department – how could it with four major comic plot lines running the 2 hour and 36 minute gauntlet that is Spiderman 3?
Let’s see, you’ve got the Sandman, Hobgoblin, the Alien Suit, and Venom. Oh, yes, there’s also the ongoing story of Peter Parker’s life: proposing to Mary Jane, taking care of Aunt May, getting good grades, you know… everyday stuff. I guess that makes it five plot lines total – how does Spiderman do it? He must feel his life is like a crazed rollercoaster, running too fast… no time… can’t slow down… just gotta hang on a… bit… longer…
In truth, that’s what the film feels like, too… on the verge of collapse, a catastrophe just a momentary lapse in attention away. I think Sam Raimi (director) managed to balance all the twisting plot lines well enough, but he didn’t do justice to any of them. Each seemed to get short shrift. Too much to do, too little time.
Perhaps, though, this was a glimpse at what life is really like for Peter Parker. I mean, try to imagine balancing school, girlfriend, friends, family, and saving the city on a daily basis? Throw in an alien symbiote and Peter Parker’s life doesn’t just feel like an out of control roller coaster – it is out of control. It never stops, day after day.
I have always admired the Spiderman films (and the comic for that matter – or at least the better years of it) for their application to everyday life. Spiderman was always the hero of the people... the everyman hero who identified with the common denominator in us all. He’s hated and loved, powerful and weak, always late but just in the nick of time, the best friend you can’t count on, unknown yet famous, and he wins the day despite his flaws. A lesson in contradictions, his story is our story.
Forget the superficial moralizing in the film. This film is about American life – running, never slowing, got to do it all, damned if I’ll stop American life. Spiderman is the single mom, the father working two jobs, the fireman, the teacher, the soldier, the student (and even the evening law student).
You know what? Spidey always comes through alright. We will too. Keep fighting the good fight. Don’t stop.
Oh yeah, don’t forget to hang on... the ride can get a little rough.
Thursday, May 03, 2007
Haikus for finals week
Study for finals!
Learn now before it's too late.
Cramming hurts my head.
What's a Trade Secret?
Secret information with
Business value.
Will 102(b)
Bar my patent? One year rule.
When was it published?
Ha! This is funny.
I wonder if it will help
Me learn anything.
Maybe I'm just bored?
The mind plays terrible tricks
With too little sleep.
Now, the guy next to
Me is wondering why I
Am counting fingers.
One, two, three, four, five.
Sylables: five... seven... five.
Count the haiku out.
Maybe I'm crazy.
It's OK to admit it.
Where's my padded cell?
Learn now before it's too late.
Cramming hurts my head.
What's a Trade Secret?
Secret information with
Business value.
Will 102(b)
Bar my patent? One year rule.
When was it published?
Ha! This is funny.
I wonder if it will help
Me learn anything.
Maybe I'm just bored?
The mind plays terrible tricks
With too little sleep.
Now, the guy next to
Me is wondering why I
Am counting fingers.
One, two, three, four, five.
Sylables: five... seven... five.
Count the haiku out.
Maybe I'm crazy.
It's OK to admit it.
Where's my padded cell?