Palicki’s costume is similar to the redesign found in current DC Comics issues, which I’ve been reading. Jim Lee and JMS’s alterations were also controversial when unveiled, but they may be only temporary. I think that leggings are more modern than a bikini bottom, and I’m surprised that the TV version doesn’t have shoulder straps rather than a probably uncomfortable corset.
The blue and red color scheme is mostly unchanged, although I would have gone with a darker blue for the pants and red or black for the boots. The bullet-deflecting bracelets, tiara, stars and eagle motif, and Lasso of Truth are still present.
I’m more concerned with the writing and direction of the new TV show. Ally McBeal‘s David E. Kelly and the leaked script excerpts and auditions haven’t inspired confidence, and NBC’s track record isn’t much better. I didn’t mind camp in the 1960s Batman or 1970s Wonder Woman, and not every metahuman series should be an angst fest like the X-Men or Spider-Man, but a balance of tones, villains, and action would be nice.
To be fair, the network has at least tried to launch superhero shows, such as Heroes and The Cape, but weak writing and weaker ratings did them in (ABC’s No Ordinary Family might be next). For each surprise hit like Smallville, there have been short-lived shows like The Flash, M.A.N.T.I.S., and Birds of Prey.
As I’ve noted before, DC Comics has been more successful than Marvel lately with adaptations from print to animation. Despite their cinematic blockbusters, neither has been lucky with live-action TV. Let’s hope that Wonder Womanand The Incredible Hulk not only bring back fond memories from 30+ years ago, but also earn a new generation of fans!
Thanks, friends, for the anniversary wishes. Janice and I have been together for 21 years and married for 16, so we’ve joked that our marriage is old enough to legally drive, and our relationship is old enough to drink alcohol! Time flies when you’re having fun!
To celebrate, we went out to dinner at Fuji. The Japanese steakhouse has become a favorite of families in Needham, Massachusetts. I’m glad that children are getting a chance to try sushi or tender beef from the hibachi, but I’m surprised that the moderately pricey meals are so popular.
Earlier in the week, I had lunch with co-workers at Papa Razzi in Newton Lower Falls. The food was good, but service could have been better. Janice and I also took advantage of a warm spell to walk to Acropolis, a Greek restaurant that opened in town last week.
Although we already have Farm Grill in nearby Newton, I was pleased with Acropolis‘ friendly service; falafel, pita, and rice and spinach appetizers; and kebab entrees. Our desserts were also noteworthy — excellent flaky moussaka and creamy Greek-style yogurt with honey.
Since Janice’s new commute by train gets her home later than me, I’ve been making dinners for the first time in years, and those who know me may be surprised that we haven’t had pasta every night. While I’m not yet at the point of experimenting with “molecular gastronomy,” I do hope to prepare quick, healthy, and tasty meals. Janice’s French toast this morning showed who’s still the better cook!
Welcome to the latest version of my blog! As of spring 2011, I’ll be posting my genre entertainment reviews, updates from recent role-playing games, and restaurant and travel reports here. You can find archives of my old blogs at MySpace and Yahoo 360.
Thanks again to former co-worker Ken G., who helped me set up this Web diary and who hosts it, you can also find links to past entries and related sites. Feel free to post comments or questions, and let me know what you’d like to see!
Fellow role-players, here is my update for Session T3.20 of the latest adventuring party in my “Vanished Lands” heroic fantasy campaign setting. The teleconferencing team met on Sunday, 13 March 2011, and has been using Pathfinder, Skype, and an online dice roller.
In one ancient world, there was a region where strange majicks and demihuman races thrived. After “Holy Steel‘s” journey to the distant empire of Khemet, another motley group gathered in the northwestern “Vanished Lands” to explore a world full of perils and wonders….
>>Telecom party Player Character roster, as of spring 2011:
-“Gawain Keary” [Paul J.]-male Saganim human Illusionist (proto-Celtic Wizard) and contact of “Kimo” [Beruk A.]; NGc, Age 20, Lvl. 1
-“Kovar” [Beruk A.]-male Half-Orc/Saganim human Paladin of Mithras; raised as an orphan; contact of the Order of the Golden Lion; LGn, Lvl. 2
-“Davven ‘Digger’ Hollysharp” [Robert A.S.]-male Faldine Halfling archaeologist (Tallfellow Rogue) from a pipeweed farm in Tarken; contact of “Tunnel” [Stuart C.G.]; CGn, Age 45, Lvl. 2
-“Asish Chen Ti” [Byron V.O.]-male Tsucharim human archer (Mongol-style Ranger), escaped from service to Nannuattan (eastern Dark Elf) Wizard Arbalas; contact of “Sukhov” [Beruk A.] and owner of Akita dog Genghis and horse Onimusha; NGl, Age 20, Lvl. 2
-“Jovinda Halflight” [Sammy H.]-female Half-Elf (Grugach/Hifalendorin) Cleric of Mekkil, goddess of nature; owner of horse Wyth-Amoi, or “Wind Spirit”; NGl, Age 23, Lvl. 2
-“Kazuo Takenaga” [Taum D’A.]-male Nezumi (Rat-kin) Monk from the Zedu kingdom in the Therud Forest; LNg, Age 20, Lvl. 2
“16 to 17 August 1229 B.C.E.:” Several weeks after defending it from Centaur raiders, the adventuring party returned to a farm near the abandoned Hifalendorin (proto-Western European) human hamlet of Alarn. Matron Violet Sandia invited the group to join her extended family for dinner.
Gawain entertains children with Prestidigitation, and Kovar and Asish ask “Sir Bonner of Runnymeade” [Jon W.B./Non-Player Character] to help train the peasants to defend themselves. However, the knight says that his skills are too specialized to easily share with simple farmers.
After the meal, Digger retires to the porch to share Hollysharp pipeweed and tales with some of the men. After some prodding by the Halfling scholar, Jonas and his son admit that they fled Alarn after signs that the hamlet was cursed. They confirm the party’s findings of the haunted upper floor of the “Mellow Mule” inn, unnatural beasts in the Aspar River, and mischievous Fey such as Korred from nearby woods. The men are more evasive, however, about the storm giant footprints.
Jovinda meets privately with Violet, who says that she took in her relatives but is disturbed at more news of Alarn’s problems. The elder doesn’t recognize the name “Vappu Lahja” at first, but she later tells the Grugach Cleric of an old fairy tale about a woman who found wisdom on the Plains of Sathendo and was stoned by those who couldn’t comprehend it.
Kazuo reluctantly agrees to talk with a young pregnant woman who is bedridden. He finds the well-fed Alyssa ranting about how some of her relatives are jealous that she is carrying the heir to the Sandia homestead. The emotional girl finds that the Nezumi Monk lends a sympathetic ear, and he tells her of the mysterious Vappu Lahja, whom he met with Digger after a Centaur ritual.
Later that evening, Tad takes Kovar and Asish to a barn to inspect the farm’s arsenal. The horsemen study the broken farm implements, occasional hunter’s weapon, and raw materials and make some suggestions. They also set watches as the party gets ready to bed down in a hay loft.
Gawain confirms that the new arrivals from Alarn are related to the farmers, and Violet asks Jovinda to request that another Cleric to be sent from the city of Nadwi. The priestess of Mekkil, goddess of nature, begins interviewing the entire household, beginning with Jonas’ wife Denise. She isn’t pleased to learn that Kazuo has mentioned Vappu Lahja, which he had said he wouldn’t do.
Kazuo offers to leave, and Digger insists that whoever attacked Alarn must be misinterpreting the guidance of Vappu Lahja. Gawain and Kovar say they have detected little magic and that the Monk and Rogue should be watched. Asish notes that the entire team (including compromised members Digger and Kazuo) should continue riding together to Nadwi.
The next morning, Sir Bonner patrols the farm’s perimeter, and Ranger Asish practices archery with the peasants. Kazuo is joined by Jovinda and Gawain in visiting Alyssa, and stern Kovar waits outside her room. Jovinda re-examines Violet’s bratty granddaughter and concludes that she is physically healthy.
Digger and Jovinda go to talk again with Violet before leaving, and Asish recommends that they try to identify the father of Alyssa’s child. The matron refers Jovinda to her cousin Viola, who works in the household of a Wizard in Nadwi. Armored Kovar not only keeps an eye on furred Kazuo, but also reminds his companions not to rush to judgment….
Please remember to post to the Google Group message board if I missed anything or if you have any ideas to discuss between games. Byron, thanks again for your help with the FATE 3e Starblazer Adventures: “Vortex” space opera! Sammy, I’m sorry that you had to postpone your trip to Japan. In the meantime, I look forward to seeing all of you next Sunday! -Gene
On Saturday, 12 March 2011, I screened the computer-animated movie Rango with Janice, Thomas K.Y., Sara F. & Josh C., and their friend Robin. As with the previous weekend’s viewing of Megamind, we were pleasantly surprised and enjoyed the comedic Western more than we expected to.
Rango, the first animated feature from George Lucas’ Industrial Light and Magic, successfully pairs the conventions of the Western with the most scraggly anthropomorphic animals I’ve seen.
As a fan of Watership Down, Redwall, and Mouse Guard, I’m pleased that director Gore Verbinski balanced modern grit, slapstick, and sympathetic characters. As with other cartoons, Rango‘s script and soundtrack include numerous allusions to other movies, from the obvious The Magnificent Sevenand Blazing Saddles to the more offbeat Apocalypse Now and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.
The celebrity voice cast acquits itself well, with Johnny Depp channeling Robin Williams and Capt. Jack Sparrow as the eponymous lizard Rango, Isla Fisher as tough gal Beans, Spider-Man 2‘s Alfred Molina as armadillo Roadkill, and Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy‘s Bill Nighy as Rattlesnake Jake.
Rango‘s supporting cast is also strong, including Ned Beatty, Abigail Breslin, Stephen Root, Harry Dean Stanton, Timothy Olyphant, and Ray Winstone. The plot is pretty standard, with former pet Rango finding his calling as sheriff of a desert town called Dirt that’s oppressed by various bad guys. The animation is state of the art, both realistic and cartoony.
Overall, I’d give Rango, which is rated PG for violence, a B+, 8 out of 10, or three stars. That puts it roughly on par with The Illusionist and Megamind. The next movie I hope to see in the theater is Zach Snyder’s hyperstylized Sucker Punch.
After the movie, we went to the Met Burger Bar at Legacy Place in Dedham, Massachusetts. The food and conversation were good, but service was a little slow, and the dining room was noisy. We’ll have to try more restaurants at that outdoors shopping mall.
Although I didn’t make it to the Pax Eastgame convention with Ken G. this past weekend, I did pick up my comic book subscription, among other things, in Norwood, Mass. Janice and also I enjoyed the annual “Death by Chocolate” charity event, which was better organized than last year’s and still tasty.
Gene's Worlds 