movies and manga

[cornerofmadness]

Since my day consisted of nothing but migraines, intense exhaustion for no known reason (including blood sugar) and tenure packages, I had to find something else to talk about. So how about movies and manga?

I was just talking to likeadeuce about movies and remakes (even though we don't entirely see eye to eye on some of it) and I was thinking about the paper I read this morning which pretty much called the remakes something along the lines of overly familiar, franchised and feeble and over all I agree. There have been very few remakes I've like or have been successful. The Star Trek reboot for one was but that's already a few years old. (Hawaii 5-0 and Battlestar Galactica are/were TV sucesses even if I didn't like them).

Things that will be remade this summer, Dark Shadows (which looks awful Johnny Depp or no Johnny Depp), Dredd, Total Recall and Spiderman. Plus a various list of other reboots like Mission Impossible and the Bourne movies. I see no need to continually remake things. Spiderman isn't even that long ago but then again neither were the batman movies when the Bale remakes hit and those I've liked best of all.

I want (and the articles suggest that many people want) is for Hollywood to give up the familiar and try something new. Or at least find new books to adapt and ruin. That said I probably still won't end up seeing it. I see about one movie a year any more. I don't feel like paying for things that were on my TV in the 70's or pay extra for unnecesary 3-D. I DID want to see Hugo (where I hear the 3-D was very effective) and Tintin but with my aunt's final illness and death I missed those.

Coming this summer that could be possibly good, The Abe Lincoln Vampire Hunter (or hideously bad. Honestly I never read the book. I read Pride Prejudice and ZOmbies and well at least the zombies were decent...), The Hobbit (probably the one movie I'll see at the theatre), the latest Batman (though I'm waffling on seeing it), The Raven with John Cusack as Poe solving a mystery (wonders if that's based on the book), The Hunger Games (well I'd rent it at best. I didn't even like the book that much, too derivative) and 47 Ronin (okay definitely rent it but it's Keanu Reeves and an otherwise all Japanese cast doing vengeful samurai...that has to be so bad it's good right?)

Now for Manga. I'm trying to decide what (if anything) to add to the reading list now that I've finished up Fullmetal Alchemist, Hero Tales and I'm not sure, with her health issues, anything will be pubbed in the near future for the Saiyuki franchise. I'm looking for things you can buy only. With my migraines, broadband restrictions and shit luck with viruses, I prefer not to read online.

What I'm reading now: Dogs: Bullets & Carnage (not sure why I like it but I do. It's one of the ultra violent ones but at least there's a plot and I like the characters)

Fairy Tail (okay it's silly half the time and Lucy usually makes me want to stab myself in the eye more often than not but I like it)

Soul Eater (ugly art for the most part but I like the characters and the story)

Dance in the Vampire Bund (exploitive art but good storyline)

D.Gray-man (it's pretty)

Black Butler (it has demons)

Blue Exorcist (in the iffy pile)

Book of Friends (ditto)

Pandora Hearts (ditto)

Zombie Loan (started out reviewing it for a magazine and now am rather fond of it)

I know there is something else I can't think of and yes this list is already longer than anyone needs to shell out money for but still, got anything you like? Note: overly girlie shojo aren't my thing and 90% of plotless yaoi isn't either but if you know of one that has an actual plot besides sex let me know.