An Eye (and Wallet) Opening New Hobby

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General Pop Culture, LOST

April 30, 2008

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I have purchased my first graphic novel, and it won’t be my last.

When I went to the Pop Candy party last month at Isotope in San Francisco, it was the first time I’d ever set foot in a comic book store. Pop Candy columnist Whitney Matheson is always recommending graphic novels and comic books, and I can certainly understand the allure now. Meeting Heroes artist Tim Sale was also an influential factor on my new hobby.

Here are some very helpful lists, courtesy of Whitney’s Comics Crash Course:

I am attending Comic-Con in San Diego this summer, primarily for the Lost panel and pop culture experience, but most of the booths and other panels will be foreign to me. I wanted to at least get a feel for the style of graphic novels out there before I go, so I chose one literally based on name recognition alone.  Pride of Baghdad is written by Brian K. Vaughan, who is a writer and producer on Lost. It is a compelling tale about a family of lions who experience freedom and danger after the zoo in Baghdad is bombed during the war.

Because Superman is my favorite superhero of all time, I borrowed Superman: Red Son from a friend with a sizable graphic novel collection (that I will be pilfering now and then). I have not read it yet, but it re-imagines Superman as a Soviet hero, which is a fascinating concept.

So do you have any comic or graphic novel suggestions for a beginner like me?

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My Netflix Queue Needs You

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Film

April 28, 2008

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Sigh.

Lately I have been disappointed by movies both in theaters and on DVD. So I am seeking your assistance. Yes, I had a contest late last year, asking for suggestions (some of which are included below). But I got picky and lazy, and now I’m seeking new inspiration.

Here is an alphabetical list of the films (and one TV series) that are currently in my Netflix queue. Some are new releases, others are older movies I’ve always wanted to see.  If you’ve seen any of them and have an opinion one way or another, please let me know by leaving a comment. In addition, feel free to make other recommendations.

  1. The Assassination of Jesse James
  2. August Rush
  3. Becoming Jane
  4. Conversations with Other Women
  5. Dan in Real Life
  6. Death at a Funeral
  7. The Devil and Daniel Johnston
  8. Dirty Pretty Things
  9. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
  10. Dogfight
  11. The Dreamers
  12. Frida
  13. The Golden Compass
  14. The Good German
  15. Hedwig and the Angry Inch
  16. I Am Legend
  17. I’m Not There
  18. The Iron Giant
  19. King of California
  20. The Kingdom
  21. Lars and the Real Girl
  22. Lions for Lambs
  23. Live Free or Die Hard
  24. Lust, Caution
  25. The Magdalene Sisters
  26. Margot at the Wedding
  27. The Motorcycle Diaries
  28. Murder in the First
  29. Mysterious Skin
  30. No Reservations
  31. P.S. I Love You
  32. Palindromes
  33. Pan’s Labyrinth
  34. Paris, Je T’aime
  35. Paycheck
  36. Reservation Road
  37. The Savages
  38. Sweeney Todd
  39. Things We Lost in the Fire
  40. Tin Cup
  41. We Own the Night
  42. The Wire, Season 1
  43. Y Tu Mama Tambien
  44. 27 Dresses

Thank you in advance!
 

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Quid Pro Quo, Widmore: LOST, Ep 4.9 – “The Shape of Things to Come”

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LOST, Television

April 25, 2008

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Initial thoughts, questions and crazy theories about tonight’s new episode are now posted on my other blog, Get LOST with JOpinionated.

For dedicated Lost fans, this was a very welcome return. It just keeps getting better. There really isn’t a better show on television right now; stellar on every level, from the cast to the scripts to the overall production.

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