Movie Review; "Scott Pilgrim vs the World"

Greetings "Surfacedwellers",

Haven't posted anything much lately, been busy do the the everyday living life thing not to mention work, art stuff, and unfortunately general laziness. This time instead of regailing you with the usual slow development of all things from the "house of the Dragon" I will entertain you with a movie review.

I know this film came out a while back (in fact the movie comes to video in October) but it was one of the more recent films I've watched so here goes... ""Scott Pilgrim vs the World" is another film adaptation based on a graphic novel or should I say a collection of graphic novels created by Bryan Lee O'Malley and it chronicles the mirthless mis-adventures of everyday life of yes, you guessed it; Scott Pilgrim! Pilgrim is a young twentysomething clueless layabout who when not practicing with his garage band friends ("Sex Bob-omb") is pretty much a "tool", using girls and being a general ass...then one fateful day, he meets the girl of his dreams; Ramona Flowers. Unbeknownst to Mr. Pilgrim his new love comes with some serious baggage in the form of seven evil exes who are out to disrupt any chance of Ramona establishing a normal relationship...Pilgrim finds this out all too soon-painfully!

I have yet to read the novels but I kinda liked the film-I know that's not exactly a ringing endorsement but it wasn't meant to be. The movie has a distinctive look and flavor to it aimed at the gamer/alternative music/comic set and it has a powerful soundtrack featuring music by Beck and Black Sheep among others. The film was produced and directed by Edgar Wright(Shaun of the Dead/Hot Fuzz) and done well- a good flow of energy only suffering minor slow spots in a few places. The cast was effective and with the aid of a well written script(Michael Bacall/Edgar Wright) they perform convincingly. The cast includes; Ellen Wong, Keiran Culkin, Brandon Routh, Alison Pill,Brie Larson, Chris Evans and last but not least Michael Cera(Juno) as Scott Pilgrim and Mary Elizabeth Winstead(Live Free-Die Hard)as the object of his obsession Ramona.

There are all sorts of films out there to check out, and you do not always have to like the serious epic classics or more introspective intelligent thought provoking stories, sometimes it's good just to take a break and watch a good funny, kinda stupid film and I guess that's the best way I can describe "Scott Pilgrim vs the World". It's a simple romantic fantasy/comedy with a message that isn't being banged over your skull like Donkey Kong...Hey it's not "Ben-Hur" or "Inception" for that matter but it is in my opinion an enjoyable little escape from the everyday crapola we are constantly subjected to in the real world...and that what movies are really all about-right? :)

end of August...ALREADY?

DAMN!, How time flies!

September is fastly approaching (September 3 is my birthday "hint,hint") and boy did it sneek up on me, been busy working my ass off at both jobs and snoozing when I can on the down time, that's not when I'm not on WoW("World of Warcraft"). Yes it's official, I have become yet another brainwashed Warcraft "zombie", well not totally brainwashed...I'm on the 10 day free trial thing to test it out.

It's ok for another avenue of escapism, when I'm not watching films or doing the art but I do not see myself getting addicted to it like so many others I've heard of, granted I do not have much of a personal life, but I do like to get out and hug the trees and hear the birds sing every once in a while ;)

Art update; Just finished the pencils and inks on a cover of the sci-fi maxi series "Super-7" for creator Robert Wawrzyniak (art pictured above), it will be colored by artist Scott Shoemaker. Just finished a couple of commissions for some clients plus a company logo and title design for a local business.

My work on "KUDU-MAN!" is going slow at the moment due to other jobs, so a Fall release will be out of the question at this point, so I am now concentrating on premeiring the book at next years MegaCon here in Orlando, that and some promo spots and book signings will hopefully be a good start for me and my first creator owned project...I'll keep all you "SURFACEDWELLERS" updated on all new developments pertaining to this and all other projects coming from the "house of the Dragon".

It's that time of year again...yep football season has started, the little crazed fan inside me has just two words for ya..."GO STEELERS!!!!!!"

-till next time sports fans, peace ;)

A case of the "Summertime Blues"...and Gout!

Greetings SURFACEDWELLERS,

Time for yet another action packed, fun filled, highly anticipated installment of, yes, you guessed it! "SURFACEWORLD"(please hold applause). I wanted to open this stunning little chapter with the Sun, that huge life giving orb of constantly burning gasses and inexhaustable energy...oh, and the BANE OF MY EXISTENCE!!!!

Now I'm aware that the millions of "SURFACEDWELLERS" out there are from all over this great globe of ours with all sorts of temperate scenarios but here in the "House of the Dragon" it's one hot place to be and no ,I'm not referring to it's popularity...it is ,in a word; B R U T A L!

We have been suffering from some irrepressable heat as of late here in sunny Orlando and I for one am sick of it! I have always been a cold weather guy and believe me had I the resources I would be living comfortably with my many fans in Canada, but till the great day of that planned migration I will have to suffer the slings and arrows of our ever increasing climate temperature.

No such thing as "Global Warming"....MY ASS!

To make matters even more unbearable I seem to be the recently proud father of a rather annoying (and painful) bout of Gout which makes walking somewhat of an adventure...Gout is an inflamation of the joints, a form of Arthritis, my Gout is attacking my big toe on my right foot at the moment and I'm treating it as best as I can save cutting my toe off with a rusty saw.

Well enough of my "bitchjing", what's new on the art front? Not much at the moment, I've been inking a new variant cover for the limited sci-fi series "SUPER-7" that I worked on with creator Robert Wawrziniak and artist Scott Shoemaker. Bob is planning on having "flip covers adorn each issue of the 12 part series, meanwhile he is also busy putting in the final dialogue balloons and wording in the issues...so hopefully come next Spring the first issue of this long awaited series will see the light.

I am continuing my work on my "KUDU-MAN" series, it's slow going but thats expected when one has a day job and stuff to deal with like say...the unbearable heat and gout!!!

I also recently entered a contest celebrating the 35th anniversary of "Captain Canuck" which ends in mid August, there are some prizes and cash rewards so I thought I would give it a shot see what happens.

For the moment that is about it, I have some others news that I will divulge next time around (don't want to give you guys too much info-tends to make the brain hurt ;)

Till next time kids, take care stay cool and watch that diet cause the GOUT is out to getcha!!!!

-peace ;)