Monday, April 28, 2014

Seen It: Cannibal Holocaust (1980)


A fan of both spaghetti westerns and horror it was probably only a matter of time before the unrated Cannibal Holocaust found its way into by DVD player. Unfortunately, as Cher once hoped, I, too, wish I could turn back time. After having my nineteen year old son beg out of a viewing this with his [juvenile] old man after seeing the trailer ("I don't think this is my thing, Dad.") his apprehension proved to be justified. Watching what I knew was intended to be shocking, I had a variety of feelings, most of which ultimately led to regret.

Directed by Ruggero Deodato, from a screenplay by Gianfranco Clerici, Cannibal Holocaust  features a collection of incredibly unlikable protagonists played by actors who were rightly never heard from again. While unfortunate for the careers of the actors involved, their anonymity thereafter actually contributes to the movie's faux-reality set-up: they (or the characters they play) are, after-all, presumed "dead."

The most appropriate movie poster
I could find online.
As summarized by Wikipedia, Cannibal Holocaust "tells the story of a missing documentary film crew who had gone to the Amazon to film cannibal tribes. A rescue mission, led by the New York University anthropologist Harold Monroe, recovers the film crew's lost cans of film, which an American television station wishes to broadcast." What Monroe views on those recovered reels prompts him to question not just the perceived heroic nature of the film crew, but also the scruples of the broadcast company which seeks to profit from the footage.

The gore so prominently featured in most of the advertising associated with the movie serves to cement the antagonistic and base qualities of those same characters who are initially presented to we, the viewer, as it's "heroes." The fate of the documentary crew is clear from the onset (and the DVD cover art): they will be eaten by cannibals and it will be graphic. What is not clear until the end is that [SPOILER] their grisly fate is more of a comeuppance for their base and degrading behavior toward the environment and peoples they come across while tramping through the "Green Inferno" [END SPOILER] than the result of random fate.  In the pervasive not-too-subtle irony on display here, they fall victim to the same natives who's death and loss they hope will bring them the fame they intend their footage to gain them.

Some other points of interest include:
  • The inclusion of real animal cruelty. Real live animals from the jungle are slaughtered on film in a manner that can be a little disconcerting. That is not an animatronic turtle being dismembered and eaten by the would be documentarians. The charge of animal cruelty was just one of the reasons Cannibal Holocaust  has had a long (proud?) history of being banned. On the DVD I watched there was a "Cruelty-Free" version of the film for viewing in addition to the original edit.
  • Never have the Eighties (the movie was originally released in 1980) had such a late-Sixties/ early-Seventies vibe to it. The hairstyles, attitudes, visual hues and music on display have an anachronistic quality. This does however add to the time-capsule tone of the movie. The most memorable line in the movie is when the lone female--in the midst of chaos and mayhem--breaks the fourth wall to her cameraman and suggests "You know if this were New York, I'd probably be shopping right now!" Odd? Yes, but the line's possible comedic delivery loses all humor when taken in the context of the worst part of the movie.
  • With a title like Cannibal Holocaust one would reasonably expect the gore and violence to be rough. Surprisingly, though, by far the most offensive part of the movie is not the phony, staged cannibal-feasting scenes or even the real examples of animal cruelty, but rather the truly ugly treatment of women. While I am certain some college student can (and I'd bet dollars-to-donuts many have) write a dissertation on the symbolic nature of the treatment (the most chilling and degrading acts against women all stem from the behavior of the three idiotic Anglo male filmmakers) it plays as unnecessary. While I can stomach stupid, fake horror, the acts perpetrated against the female characters in Cannibal Holocaust are in shockingly bad-taste, even for a grindhouse flick. 
So is Cannibal Holocaust worth seeking out? As an entertainment it falls very flat. As a time-capsule consideration of late-Seventies shock film--or even as an exercise in how Italians viewed American culture--there is some small value to be had, most of which would be better left to hipsters and college students. The likelihood of my ever watching this again (a personal indicator of a movie's appeal for me) is nil, and I am both pleased and grateful that my son had the good sense to walk away from the Cannibal Holocaust experience when given the opportunity.

Sunday, April 27, 2014

Roadie: Cornell Big Red Invite

Sun, clouds, rain: this meet had it all. (4/27/14) 
After two days of coaching high school track and field, this morning I set out for Cornell's Big Red Track and Field Invite to watch SUNY Oneonta compete in a tune-up to next weekend's SUNYAC Championships in Geneseo. It was a cool late-morning/early-afternoon, and though I had initially thought of staying for more of the meet, I figured I reserve my outdoor endurance for next weekend's meet. I did have the opportunity to watch some of the more dynamic (translation: photogenic) events, such as hurdles, high jump and steeplechase, before taking in the 1500m, which in addition to having my son, Jack, also included a number of the freshmen x-c runners with whom my son is friends.

Women's high hurdles prelims. (4/27/14)
Men's high hurdles prelims. (4/27/14)
The temperatures continue being much cooler than normal for this time of year, but that is a weather condition to which we all are becoming more accustomed of late. I attempted to take some action shots of the events. I was unfamiliar with the order of events, so an attempt was made to capture some images of the Oneonta student-athletes as they competed.

Men's high hurdles prelims. (4/27/14)
Men's high hurdles prelims. (4/27/14)
Men's high hurdles prelims. (4/27/14)
Occasionally, distance guys jump too! (4/27/14)
Women's steeplechase. (4/27/14)
Women's 1500m run. (4/27/14)
Women's 1500m run. (4/27/14)
Women's 1500m run. (4/27/14)
Men's 1500m run. (4/27/14)
Men's 1500m run. (4/27/14)
Men's 1500m run. (4/27/14)
Men's 1500m run. (4/27/14)
Jack crosses the finish line in heat 2 of  the Men's 1500m run. (4/27/14)
After a busy weekend of coaching, I stayed at the meet only through my son's event (and just long enough to talk with him briefly afterwards before his cool down), before promptly setting off on the 90 minute drive back home. Despite the cold, it was a fine day for watching track and taking pictures. With only a few weeks left in his freshman year, I am thankful for having made it out to the meet, and for the fine young men and women on the Oneonta State team, as well as the supportive coaching staff with whom they train.
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Distance runners with Coach Angelo following the 1500. (4/27/14)

Monday, April 21, 2014

Backyard Birdwatching: Blue Jay

(4/18/14)
This past week I took advantage of the first few seasonable spring days of April by filling up the cylindrical bird-feeder hanging in our back yard. Suitably, I used a traditional feed for this common feeder--wild bird mix, but included a pinch of anti-squirrel pepper stuff in an effort to keep the grey squirrels a bay. The results were mediate as a variety of common urban birds came to feed, some of which I was able to snap pictures of from our second story bedroom window.

Blue Jays seem to be even more prevalent than in year's past or, more likely, perhaps I'm just more aware of their presence, even at school. The Heckle to the North American Cardinal's Jeckle, the both birds are among the most vibrant and colorful (and loud) birds which frequent local city backyards.

(4/18/14)
(4/18/14)
(4/18/14)

Friday, April 18, 2014

Fanboy Spring Break Adventures

The final product: IDW's Transformer comics in story order. (4/16/14)
When my stepson went off to college last fall, I continued carrying the comic book titles he had been reading for the past 5 or 6 years on my "pull list" from our local comic shop. These amount to anywhere from 4-6 titles a month, including the IDW Publishing's line of Transformers titles, Doctor Who and anything having to do with the video games (Halo, Assassin's Creed) he plays while home.

Each week, I add to the pile of books pulled for my stepson. (4/16/14)
Shortly after he left in September, I set about boarding and bagging all of his books (the process really can be sort of meditative), and organized the Transformers books by title, of which there are quite a few. Now, six months later and with time on my hands during Spring Break, I've returned to the four boxes neatly stacked in his room, and decide to reorganize the two short boxes which represent his IDW Transformers collection. This time, armed with a story-line chronology of the recent IDW mythos, I set about reorganizing all of the titles, thus representing a beginning to "end" story.

A "table" set for boarding, bagging and watching crappy zombie movies on Netflix. (4/16/14)
Though other titles are present, my focus this time was on the Transformers. (4/16/14)
There are many chronologies, or orders. for the Transformer's titles, but I went with one that seemed accessible to someone, such as myself, nit necessarily familiar with all of the ins-and-outs of the various adventures. Given that the comics sport centerfold covers rather than ones depicting events specific to that issue, it was even more necessary to have an order which was carefully broken down by title and number.

Gaps are identity after grouping issues by merged  story-line. (4/16/14)
Though the task may appear monotonous, I find it relaxing, and while I have yet to formally read each issue, I do enjoy thumbing through them. One great accomplishment of the IDW Transformer's line of titles is the relative consistency of characterization, especially visually. Thought he creative teams have been fairly regular, regardless of the issue most Autobots and Decepticons maintain a familiar look. This is much different than some of the books I collect (take Spider-man for example) where each creative team tweaks the hero's costume.

It is done. (4/16/14)
While my colleagues and students are vacationing in faraway (and warmer) locales, I am able to respond to their queries regarding the quality of my break with an assertive "very relaxing." In addition to walking, taking pictures and catching up on recreational reading, I spent this small portion of my time organizing my stepson's comic book collection, which for a fanboy is an excellent way to pass some quality hours.

Eventually, maybe when I retire, I will actually read the stories as there does seem be something there, and if my stepson (who is smarter than I'll ever be) can find some value in them, I may be able to as well.

Monday, April 14, 2014

Country Rabbits Gone Wild!

Two good ole-fashioned Eastern Cottontails. (4/12/14)
A beautiful Saturday evening was spent eating chicken barbecue at the kitchen table looking out into my mother-in-law's backyard. It was made even more special by the appearance of three wild rabbits. She lives out in the "country" east of Rochester, and while rabbits are certainly not unique to the city, seeing so many of them in such close proximity to one another, is.

Camo-style rabbits on the loose. (4/12/14)
According to my mother-in-law these bunnies frequent the overgrown "wild" area behind her house, which does get a number of different animals passing through, attracted by the apples that fall from the trees. populated primarily by old apples. They also are not very camera shy, having been slightly socialized by the country roads that run nearby.

"Look, he's posing for you." (4/12/14)
So unfazed by my presence (or that of the guy grilling in the driveway across the street that backs up to the lot), that I was able to catch the same two rabbits from a number of angles. The picture at the top of the post, wherein the rabbits look to be right next to one another, was taken from a different angle from the one directly below where you can see they are in fact 3-4 feet apart.

Chillin'. (4/12/14)
It was relaxing spending time hanging out with country rabbits, and it further motivated me to continue checking out our own kitchen window in an effort to catch city rabbits at play.

Saturday, April 12, 2014

Ghost of FCBD Past: Aphrodite IX (2013)

From Top Cow's FCBD 2013 offering Aphrodite IX  #1,
written by Matt Hawkins with art by Stjepan Sejic.
Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) 2014 is fast approaching (it's the first Saturday of May), and the list of this year's FCBD offerings is available for perusal, so it's once again time to take a look back at a previous year's free comic books that have somehow lingered in my longboxes...

I've recently posted about my ongoing conversion to Top Cow fandom, a journey that began last FCBD when I picked up a previously unfamiliar-to-me title, Aphrodite IX. If the intent of the FCBD initiative is to expose new readers to the medium (and older readers to new titles) than 2013's Top Cow freebie definitely turned the trick for me in a larger way than I had imagined (or in a way my wife--wallet--surely feared). While many FCBD offerings are promotional excerpts for future releases or more expensive graphic novels, Top Cow Productions, Inc. released the first issue of it's new Aphrodite IX series last May. An existing character first introduced in their uber-successful Witchblade franchise, Aphrodite IX was a soft-reboot of sorts, taking the cyborg character (as well as a primary antagonist) into the distant future.

Written by Top Cow President/COO (and judging from his on-line bio, Jack-of-all trades) Matt Hawkins with art by painter Stjepan Sejic, Aphrodite IX is something of a mixed bag for those (such as myself at the time) unfamiliar with the character. Beautiful artwork, interesting futuristic locales, dragons, and space motorcycles are always checks in the plus column, though. If the purpose of FCBD is to generate interest in titles, than it was certainly successful in doing that with this fanboy. A slight interest in issue #1, however, is later rewarded with continued reading as the unfamiliar plot points that can be seen as somewhat confusing in the first issue are clarified in later issues.

Aphrodite IX is still being published, though another change in status quo is apparently on the horizon later this summer. This FCBD will not see Top ow releasing another freebie for Aphrodite IX, but most quality local comic shops likely have the current series available at near cover prices (at my lcs, previous FCBD books are priced at $1). If you, like I, dig sci-fi-super heroics and sweet painted-style artwork then I recommend that you quickly catch up before the next narrative shift comes--lest you find yourself combing online store for gaps in the longer Top Cow Universe story. Be warned: once you pick up one book you will likely desire all that which preceded it, and take it from me, it is extensive and, worse yet perhaps, very satisfying!

Wednesday, April 09, 2014

A School Week In Bird Pictures

Female Mallard (left) and adult male Mallard (right) on Friday, April 4, 2014.
Most days, I bring my camera to work with me. This practice is not necessarily because I intend to take pictures, but primarily because I hope an opportunity to do so will reveal itself. The opportunity to snap pictures of birds the school courtyard outside my classroom window frequently occurs while I'm teaching. As I'm circulating around the room or lecturing I'll catch a shadow flit across the corner of my peripheral vision. It's either during a break in classroom discussion of during the five minute transition time between class periods, that the camera comes out.

Adult female Mallard basking in the sun in Thursday, April 2, 2014.
This is when (if I'm not in the middle of a thought or discussion), I'll retrieve my camera the drawer of my desk (where it;'s secured during the day). If I'm really lucky the window will be open so that I can just nudge it slightly to allow for greater visibility. Due to cold weather hanging on, it has been much more likely to be closed. Opening the window from a latched position is apt to create just enough of a squeak that any birds within the general vicinity will scatter. At that point I'll sit by the open window grading papers during lunch in hopes of catching them when (and if) they return.

Sparrow in tree on Wednesday, March 30, 2014.
Sparrow in shrub on Tuesday, March 30, 2014.
Adult Blue Jay chilling on Monday, March 30, 2014.
Though all are fairly ubiquitous species, it is relaxing to see so many birds frequenting the school courtyard in the weeks before the doors to it are unlocked. At that time the area becomes a thoroughfare between parallel hallways, and though I have yet to see anyone "bother" the birds, they are less inclined to linger in the grass or low tree branches with the increased human activity. Which of course does not mean that a good shot or two won't reveal itself during a class reading of The Scarlet Letter...

Saturday, April 05, 2014

Seen It: Gamera 2: Attack of Legion (1996)


A few weeks ago at Target I came across a discounted ($10!) triple feature Blue Ray featuring a lesser known (in America) kaiju star, Gamera. The two dsic Blue-Ray set includes all three films that are part of Gamera's Heisei cycle: Gamera: Guardian of the Universe (1995), Gamera 2: Attack of the Legion (1996), and Gamera 3: Revenge of Iris (1999). Despite long having the inferior-in-quality 6 film DVD collection Gamera War of the Monsters Collection on my movie shelf, it was this more recent iteration of the character I had been hoping to watch, due primarily to my own previous engagement with the character in the 1996 Dark Horse Comics miniseries Gamera: Guardian of the Universe (1995). The comic book series was something of a direct sequel the first of this more recent movie series.

Originally created in 1965 by the Daiei Motion Picture Company and now owned by Kadokawa Pictures, Gamera was released to rival the success of Toho Studios' Godzilla during the "monster boom" of the 1960s. Gamera is in effect a giant prehistoric turtle with tusks, fire breath and the ability to fly in a at least two different ways: one wherein his feet are replaced by thrusters, and a second during which he transforms into a whirling disc. A fan of Godzilla as a child, the only visual recognition I have of the character are from the occasional stills in Famous Monsters magazine or library books about movie monsters. Most peers who would claim fandom of Gamera when I was a teen had little actual experience with the character , and were seeking only to be contrarian of my appreciation of the King of All Monsters. Gamera's very diverse skills set (and the practical and CGI effects which bring them to life in theses newer movies) make him a suitable kaiju on par with the original Big G.

After spending a satisfying afternoon viewing the first two movies in the trilogy, the stronger of the films, Gamera 2: Attack of the Legion (1996), seems a better place to lay out some of the unique aspects of the Gamera mythos. While both movies are recommendation worthy, especially for kaiju fans, it is the sequel that really has a higher level of rewatchability. Some of the common giant monster tropes are present (pre-teen with psychic/mystic ability to communicate with hero-monster--check), though it is the small differences that make Attack of Legion so unique:
  • Despite the movie's title, Gamera is neither mentioned nor seen until nearly 40 minutes into the movie. This results in a much more character driven exposition, and when he does arrive, narrative shifts focus from quickly, his absence being noted by a soldier who comments upon seeing Gamera, "Now where the hell's he been?"
  • The use of the word "hell" is interesting. This may be the only Japanese giant monster movie to have an adversary for its star whose name is drawn from Scripture. One of the characters actually quotes Mark 9:8 in endowing the villain with the moniker Legion.
  • While Legion is comprised of a swarm of smaller bug-like creatures, there is one larger monster who serves as Gamera's primary physical adversary. Interestingly, this monster's name seems to be "The Big One." The phrasing is originally employed as a means of differentiating it from the others due to size, but it seems as though the cast settles on that as his name as the larger creature is repeatedly referred to by the moniker.
  • One of the many WTF moments involves the detonation of a nuclear device in an effort to stop the Big One. Think about it: The detonation of a nuclear device in Japan. WTF?
  • Gamera bleeds green blood. Lots of green blood. Referred to as uber-powerful upon introduction, the fact that Gamera takes a visceral and bloody beating at the hands of both Legion and the Big One raises the stakes and make his eventual victory all that more satisfying. All three films in the trilogy are considerably more brutal than your run-of-the-mill kaiju, punctuated by Gamera's self-amputation of an arm (fin?) in 1999's finale Gamera 3: Revenge of Iris.
Gamera (left) takes on the Big One (right) in the movies final battle.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Gamera 2 shares some superficial similarities with the Godzilla film I recently reviewed, Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989) and viewing them individually in so approximate a time period does allow for some compare and contrast. Perhaps because I am less familiar with his exploits, Gamera's film seems to provide less overt characterization. Little backstory of our protagonist is offered in Gamera 2, and oddly this mystery (as well as a very appealing design and skill set) do not necessarily detract from the movie. Gamera is viewed by those humans who populate his universe as mysterious and the de facto "Guardian of the Universe," and in this context, that is somehow enough.

If you're in the mood for good-old fashioned giant monster hi-jinks with new fancy effects, I strongly recommend picking up this inexpensive, but well transferred and highly entertaining Blu Ray.

Thursday, April 03, 2014

Haiku v. Haiku: Fight 2014!


With National Poetry Month kicking off this week, I didn't want to miss the opportunity to lay the groundwork for some haiku writing in my Advanced Placement Language and Composition courses. In order to mix things up slightly, rather than requiring that students simply generate two haiku, I assigned them to develop a Dueling Haiku. With Spring Break and AP exam administration on the horizon, what better time to still ourselves in the interest of crafting haiku? Our initiating activity was intended to covertly inspire students to collect the clay that would ultimately be shaped into their dueling haiku.

Initial journaling prompt.
Past experience has shown me that the "write about Nature, because we're going to write haiku" approach is lacking, I first shared a prompt (posted to the right) that would--if explained correctly--result in two 50-70 word free-writes about naturally occurring, potentially oppositional, animals or elements. The prompt does not overtly suggest that the final outcome will be two haiku (which when placed side-by-side are dueling), but rather nudges students to focus their thinking and writing on a specific subject as well as its opposite number. It was helpful to share some examples of potential topics that while initially too broad, could be refined in such a manner as to yield appropriate fodder for the poetic grist.

While students have been shown how to write haiku since elementary school, I annually like to revisit the form with them. The hope in doing this is to reveal some new background information, or to at least elicit from them a poem or two that does not consist solely of seventeen syllables thoughtlessly puked out on a paper ten minutes prior to class.

Some students insist that the haiku is an "easy" poetic form to master. My response to these shows of hubris is that "Writing crappy haiku is as easy as 5-7-5." Crafting good haiku takes time. The challenge here is to impress upon students that simply stringing together enough syllables in a familiar structure (5-7-5) does not mean one is "good" at writing them. I find it helpful to remind students that the while the form they (and I) have been taught since childhood is "haiku," it is not purely haiku in the Eastern sense, but more of a Westernized "traditional" Haiku form. The basic rules are well-know: haiku are comprised of 17 syllables, arranged in 3 unrhymed lines of 5-7-5 syllables and the content should evoke or link to the natural world.

The modified evaluative tool.
The use of the word "opposition" in the instructions can be confusing for students as there is no actual "conflict" or coordination between the two poems, only the potential for the reader to sense the opposing/contradictory/differing nature of the two forces, animals or moments. As I explain to the students, while there is no "shared DNA" between the two, there should exist an implied connection that is discernible to the reader. While the two poems can stand alone as well-crafted haiku, when paired together they offer a sens of opposition or express the dual nature of a subject.

Each time I deliver this lesson and assign the corresponding task, results vary. The majority of students can generate three unrhymed lines in a 5-7-5 syllable structure. Not all can write haiku that give pause for reflection on the image.  Often times the resulting poems are quite impressive, and my hopes are that some images will pop with evocative language this year, too.