snakes on a motherfuckin' plane
You might remember a few posts ago I lauded the coming of V for Vendetta. If you're familiar with both the graphic novel and anarchism, you'll probably be as excited as the boneheads were before Romper Stomper came out. Hey... what is a "romper" anyway? Someone who romps? Anyway, I predict V for Vendetta will have about as much to do with actually practiced anarchism as Van Helsing had to do with entertainment. Which makes this post on Infoshop.org all the more perplexing. And I quote:
So far, so dodgy. I don't mind that a few people might want to capitalise on the opportunity the film might present in talking about anarchism as distinct from chaos. But then...
That's right, they're going inspire people with street theatre. I realise in this case it's easy to be a naysayer than to actually offer an alternative. My point is that perhaps this is not an opportunity at all. Putting aside the doginess of "propaganda by deed" (i.e. blowing shit up), I don't think a film is a substitute for actual work on the ground - or even a supplement. Of course, I haven't seen the film, but if the graphic novel is anything to go by, V for Vendetta isn't exactly Land and Freedom.
Okay, okay. If I can't write about anything remotely interesting, I can at least be a link whore for those of you who keep checking back. The following is a list of things that are getting me excited lately.
MC Chris.
AKA MC Pee Pants from Aqua Teen Hunger Force. It's nerd hip hop and more than a little contrived at times, but goddamn if I don't love the high-pitched voice and songs about Boba Fett. Best of all, you can download track for free from his website.
Battlestar Galactica.
This is fast approaching sci-fi perfection. I love the grittiness, the political intrigue and the savage violence. I watched an ep the other day (S02E17) that was about abortion. Abortion! After the first trimester! On a sci-fi show! And it played out really well, too. And the final episode offers a total blindsider in the final twenty minutes. So fire up your bit-torrents chaps, because that show is a doozy.
Sonic Covers.
I had forgotten how much I liked the music from the first couple of Sonic games on the Sega Megadrive. This fellow reminded me with this great video (see below). Coincidentally, about a week after I saw that vid, Coverville did a great show on video game covers in tribute to the 20th anniversary of Legend of Zelda's release on the Famicon.
This Friday marks the beginning of our most important opportunity in decades to communicate with millions about the possibility of a world without capitalism or coercion. On Friday, March 17, 2006, the long awaited film version of Alan Moore’s classic graphic novel, V for Vendetta, will premier throughout the US.
So far, so dodgy. I don't mind that a few people might want to capitalise on the opportunity the film might present in talking about anarchism as distinct from chaos. But then...
Through the use of literature, speakouts, lit tables, and street theater outside movie theaters showing the film, we can inspire moviegoers leaving the film to join the fight for a stateless society.
That's right, they're going inspire people with street theatre.
Okay, okay. If I can't write about anything remotely interesting, I can at least be a link whore for those of you who keep checking back. The following is a list of things that are getting me excited lately.
MC Chris.
AKA MC Pee Pants from Aqua Teen Hunger Force. It's nerd hip hop and more than a little contrived at times, but goddamn if I don't love the high-pitched voice and songs about Boba Fett. Best of all, you can download track for free from his website.
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Pic from Antipopper. I wish I had've thought of this first. Damn it. |
This is fast approaching sci-fi perfection. I love the grittiness, the political intrigue and the savage violence. I watched an ep the other day (S02E17) that was about abortion. Abortion! After the first trimester! On a sci-fi show! And it played out really well, too. And the final episode offers a total blindsider in the final twenty minutes. So fire up your bit-torrents chaps, because that show is a doozy.
Sonic Covers.
I had forgotten how much I liked the music from the first couple of Sonic games on the Sega Megadrive. This fellow reminded me with this great video (see below). Coincidentally, about a week after I saw that vid, Coverville did a great show on video game covers in tribute to the 20th anniversary of Legend of Zelda's release on the Famicon.
posted by Lumpen at 3/16/2006 12:41:00 pm
4 Comments:
I just started watching Battlestar Galactica last week, starting with the mini-series. I'm now about 4 or 5 episodes into the first season.
Finally, I understand what all the fuss has been about.
Haven't seen any battle star. It is pretty funny that people think the vendetta movie might elighten people, it's not as if E.T made us all believe in alien beings (okay maybe it did) it's basically fantasy, like the matrix anything can happen. You'd need a movie that dealt with real people and real issues not men in masks. But come on, street theatre!!! that's bound to put people off! who thinks like this other than preforming artists? Also it's not as if the movie makers are going to donate all there profits to charity now are they. Like you say, they should set an example by how they distribute it.
That mc chris mario song is great!
(romper stomper = booties)
street theatre = good
(threaten 'em: "we won't stop 'til capitalism does".)
V for Vendetta is actually not too bad for a popcorn movie. The whole 'Valerie' sequence is presented for example, and is deeply moving.
That said, the film abandons the central concept of the graphic novel, and presents V as a generic 'freedom fighter/terrorist' as opposed to an anarchist... They also basically give V a face, by implying too much about his appearance beneath the mask, and even go so far as to show him maskless, albeit in disguise. 3.5 out of 5 for people who haven't read the graphic novel. 2.5 out of 5 for people who have.
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