Review: Into The Spider-Verse (Spoilers)

First, if you haven't seen this, do.

Yes, even if you don't like "cartoons."

Are you back yet?

I honestly haven't been a fan of most modern animation. The desire seems to be to do things that can't be done live action, whilst making them as close to live action as possible. Most animators these days seem to want you to forget you're watching a cartoon. (Which has also killed much of the puppetry genre, sadly).

The team behind Into The Spider-Verse - directors Bob Persichetti (Puss In Boots, The Curse of the Were-Rabbit), Peter Ramsey (Rise Of The Guardians) and relative unknown Rodney Rothman, writers Phil Lord (The Lego Movie) and Rodney Rothman, and all the animators...played with this in a beautiful way.

One minute you're watching hyper-realistic 3-D animation and can almost forget it's a cartoon. The next...the next they're using everything you can do in animation. The philosophy was not "Let's do what we can't do in live action." It was "We're doing an animated feature. Let's remind everyone what the medium can do." Whether it was speech bubbles, interspersed motion comic frames, words following characters around the screen - Spider-Verse felt like this delightful mix of modern and traditional animation with techniques taken straight from online motion comics.

It didn't try to hide being a cartoon.

It reveled in it.

The story was one of the closest to perfect I've seen lately. There was one fight scene that dragged a little - and that was literally my only criticism. (When you want to yell "Just beat him already" at the screen, it's a bit too long).

The plotline itself was classic, true YA/MG (It kind of hovered at the edge between the two). It was an origin story, it was a coming of age story, and it was about how you don't start out great. You have to work at it.

It was about Stan Lee's assertion that anyone could be behind the mask. And in service of that, it made 616 Peter Parker...an older, somewhat gone to seed Peter who has lost MJ and is on the verge of despair...explicitly rather than implicitly Jewish. The set up for that was a blink and you'll miss it frame from his wedding, but it was clear.

Anyone can be behind the mask. A hard-boiled detective, a middle-aged guy with problems, a young girl (or two), even a pig.

And, of course, a black teenager who isn't sure who he wants to be. This movie, and Shameik Moore's excellent performance finally gave me the understanding of Miles Morales I needed. I'll always be a Peter Parker fan, but there can be more than one Spider-Man.

Which was the central message: There can be more than one hero. You are never alone.

By making 616 Peter a little bit washed up, the movie neatly skirted the risk of the White Mentor (a variant of the White Savior). In fact, it's Miles who saves Peter. From himself. The movie addressed race without a single touch of racism...my black friends all loved it. Miles Morales gives us a black-Hispanic lead whom I'm pretty sure white kids will have no problems identifying.

In short, this tied for best movie of the year with Black Panther. Not what I was expecting - I was expecting a fun afternoon. Not a movie that should be required viewing in animation school. The subtle style differences between the characters, the use of comic book elements, everything pulled together into a movie that only ever let you forget it was a cartoon so it could hit you over the head with Spider-Ham's mallet with it in a perfect way.

Oh, and the most perfect touch of worldbuilding - I don't know if this came from Ultimates comics because I avoided them to save money - but Miles' policeman dad doesn't work for the N.Y.P.D. - he works for the P.D.N.Y. This beautifully and subtly reminded the viewer throughout that they were in an alternate reality. Nice one, guys.

In other words, if you haven't seen this yet and you are into comics at all, you need to see this spectacular movie. Be aware there are strobe effects in a number of places - I wasn't triggered, but if you have migraines or a seizure disorder, be careful.

And let's set things up for it and Black Panther to cage fight in the Hugos?

So...

...rather than doing my own post I'm just going to link here. Victoria Strauss has done a great job of listing a bunch of shady "publishing services" and "marketing" companies that target self-published authors.

Please avoid these companies and any like them.

Also, it's totally aliens in New York City. That or the Spider-folks are here.

Or, welp, WHO broke time?

Welp, I'm back

And would like to remind anyone (or let you know if you hadn't noticed) that my short story "Temple of Children" is in the January/February issue of Analog.

This is a great way to start the year! The issue also contains stories by Adam-Troy Castro, Andy Dudach, Shane Halbach and Julie Novakova as well as old regulars Ed Lerner (hi yet again) and Bud Sparkhawk.

Happy Holidays

Going dark until after Christmas.

There's some really fun stuff in the works, though. Right after I come back I'll be working on a module for the Taloc Mayan Roleplaying Game.

Can't talk about the other cool thing just yet.

Nuclear Powered Mole Machines

They're a running in-joke in my space opera RPG campaign.

But NASA is literally planning on sending one to Europa. Called "tunnelbot" it's basically a nuclear powered drill that will go through Europa's ice. Well, it may not be nuclear.

But it likely will.

However, this is a long-term plan. The designers have not worked out what kind of spaceship they need to get it there or, big obstacle with many probe missions, how to land on the icy world.

Still.

It's a nuclear powered mole machine.

Interview on Whimsical Words

I did an author interview on Vonnie Winslow Crist's Whimsical Words blog - you can find it here.

I have another one coming up. In this one I talk about the last book in the Lost Guardians series (Although not in the world...but I need a break from the world, so will be doing other stuff for a while).

How SyFy's Nightflyers Missed the Mark

Space horror is a genre that isn't touched by television very often. SyFy's Nightflyers revisits the genre, and it gets many things right.

For one thing, unlike the 1980s movie, it doesn't whitewash the character of Melantha Jhirl - a character who was also whitewashed in the 1985 cover art (Martin was unhappy, but not famous enough yet to argue). In this case, although Martin had little involvement with the series, he did reach out and demand a black actress. Which gave us the able Jodie Turner-Smith. Martin himself was baffled as to how they were going to get a TV show out of a novella, but thinks they did a good job.

One big change is that the Nightflyer is apparently within the solar system, there's not much in the way of interstellar travel, and Earth is dying.

It's the ending that didn't feel right.

Nightflyers is cosmic horror. It's man versus the void. It's about sanity. It might even say something about long distance space travel. There's also some stuff in there about race, about xenophobia, about our natural fear of the other.

But ultimately, the volcryn are incomprehensible, space is huge, and we're all going to die.

The end of the ten episode season? It felt like 2001.

Now this may be that it's not the end, that they're going somewhere with this. After all, they have the full TV rights.

But it left me feeling that the writers missed the point. It left the entire thing feeling more like Alien (don't get me wrong, Alien remains perhaps my favorite space horror movie) than Lovecraft in space.

(Also, if you want to do a Martin space TV series, how about Tuf Voyaging? A flawed, very human, but intriguing protagonist, lots of possibilities for stories even once you've used the ones he wrote, and cats. Cats.)

And Another

Screen Actors Guild, this time.

(Also, yes, I forgot/didn't realize A Quiet Place was genre. My bad).

So, let's see.

Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture

Black Panther's in there. The only issue is it's up against Crazy Rich Asians (I wouldn't cry if that one won, given the precedents its setting).

And the rest:

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role in a Motion Picture

Emily Blunt for Mary Poppins Returns

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture

Emily Blunt for A Quiet Place

Blunt's on fire. I need to find something she's in.

Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture (Why don't we have more of this)

Ant-Man and the Wasp
Avengers: Infinity War
Black Panther

So, yeah, MCU has good stunt people.

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series

The Handmaid's Tale

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series

Joseph Fiennes for The Handmaid's Tale

(This is the first man I've seen nominated from that show)

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series

Elisabeth Moss for The Handmaid's Tale

Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Comedy or Drama Series

Marvel's Daredevil
The Walking Dead
Westworld

Some familiar stuff here. The SAG awards are selected by actors and performers, so they may say something a bit different.

And they recognize stunt people.

It's...Nomination Season

The Critics' Choice aren't as well known, but I just saw a headline saying that Black Panther got the second most nominations (12). This better than the "I suppose we'll put it in for Best Picture because everyone thinks it's so good" feel of the Globes.

Best Picture also includes Mary Poppins Returns. I saw a trailer for it with Fantastic Beasts, and I have to say that Emily Blunt is visually spot on, and the feel of the movie is...well...there's how long between it and the original? Feels like a year or so. Do we count First Man? People counted Hidden Figures, so...

Black Panther still missed out on Best Actor...which I honestly suspect is going to go to Rami Malek for Bohemian Rhapsody anyway. First Man is the only genre-ish nod - Ryan Gosling.

Emily Blunt is the only genre actress in Best Actress.

Michael B. Jordan does get a nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his wonderful portrayal of Killmonger (one of the best villains of recent years, IMO).

Best Supporting Actress sees Claire Foy from First Man. Still tossing up whether it counts.

The Critics' Choice has Best Acting Ensemble, and Black Panther is nominated there, but it's up against Crazy Rich Asians and the apparently excellent Widows.

Nothing of genre interest in Best Director or Best Original Screenplay.

Ryan Coogler and Joe Robert Cole get a nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay for Black Panther. First Man is also in there, although that's definitely one of those movies which wins awards despite people not critics not really liking them.

Gonna just go through the rest quickly.

Best Cinematography
Rachel Morrison for Black Panther
Linus Sandgren for First Man

Best Production Design
Hannah Beachler and Jay Hart for Black Panther
Nathan Crowley and Kathy Lucas for First Man
John Myhre and Gordon Sim for Mary Poppins Returns

I might forgive them if they go for Mary Poppins Returns, with its perfect evocation of the original, over Black Panther.

Best Editing
Tom Cross for First Man

Best Costumes
Ruth Carter for Black Panther
Sandy Powell for Mary Poppins Returns

Black Panther should win.

Best Hair and Makeup
Black Panther

Best Visual Effects
Avenger: Infinity War
Black Panther
First Man
Mary Poppins Returns
Ready Player One

Only one non-genre film in this batch, and that was Mission: Impossible - Fallout, which you could make a case for.

Best Animated Feature
Incredibles 2
Ralph Breaks The Internet
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

Best Action Movie
Avengers: Infinity War
Black Panther
Deadpool 2
Ready Player One

I want Deadpool 2 to win, except, it's a comedy?

Best Comedy
Deadpool 2

Aha, apparently movies can be nominated in multiple genre categories here. Unfortunately, I suspect Crazy Rich Asians will win here.

Best Actor in a Comedy
Ryan Reynolds for Deadpool 2

Best Actress in a Comedy
Emily Blunt for Mary Poppins Returns

Best Sci-Fi/Horror Movie
So, everything in here is genre. Sort of. Nominations are Annihilation, Halloween, Hereditary, A Quiet Place and Suspiria.

I'm guessing they aren't counting superheroes as sci-fi.

Best Song
"All the Stars" from Black Panther
"The Place Where Lost Things Go" Mary Poppins Returns
"Trip A Little Light Fantastic" Mary Poppins Returns

"All the Stars" also got a Grammy nomination, so...

Best Score
Ludwig Goransson for Black Panther
Justin Hurwitz for First Man
Marc Shaiman for Mary Poppins Returns

It's going to be hard to compete with an actual musical. Not familiar with the non-genre noms at all, but...

Best Actress in a Drama Series
Elisabeth Moss for The Handmaid's Tale

I need to see that.

Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Thandie Newton for Westworld
Yvonne Strahovski for The Handmaid's Tale

Entire lineup looks familiar

Best Comedy Series
The Good Place

Best Actor in a Comedy Series
Ted Danson for The Good Place

There's also a Big Bang Theory mention that I have to root against. Sorry to the fans, but I hate that show.

Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

Two noms for Young Sheldon. Ugh. Make it stop.

A Not So Fantastic Beast - the Problem with Nagini

Like a lot of people, I was vaguely disturbed to find that Nagini, the snake from Harry Potter was, in fact, an Asian woman cursed to turn into a snake. However, I had hope that the character would not be as offensive as the concept indicated. That she would be...you know. Badass.

I was wrong.

Nagini was worse.

We first see the character in a circus freak show, which she does not appear to be part of of her own free will. She breaks out, with the help of Credence...

...and then spends the entire rest of the movie following him around. Whilst every other character in the movie dresses practically, Nagini is never allowed to change out of her circus outfit. Literally silent, she serves only one narrative purpose: A vessel through which the audience can feel bad when Credence, an unlikeable metamorphmagus, goes with Grindelwald.

She doesn't even have a name. A "nagini" is what she is, not who she is (A nagini is a female naga, a serpent race from Hindu and Indonesian mythology. The movie would not change at all if she was not in it. She is pointless.

To sum up: Nagini is a Sexy Lamp, a clear example of the trope, and not being played to subvert it. Her dress is pure fan service, her lack of lines and utter lack of agency (She didn't break out until a man told her she should)...

The character would be bad enough if she was white, but making her Asian (and not even the right kind of Asian if we're going to say her family explains the legend - Kim, the actor, is Korean), only doubles down on the problems.

Her silent submission is a stereotype. The way in which she is put on display comes dangerously close to an allegory for prostitution.

And couldn't they have found her some better clothes?

Don't get me wrong, The Crimes of Grindelwald is not two hours of my life I won't get back. I was glad to finally see a heroic Slytherin (Sure, I'm Ravenclaw to the end, but...). To nobody's surprise, Scamander is confirmed to be a Hufflepuff.

And while Depp was mediocre, Redmayne does weird well enough that if he wasn't so famous I wouldn't mind seeing him take a turn as the Doctor (although I'd still prefer Richard Ayoade). Everyone else acted well.

Oh, btw, Rowling? That's an Each-uisge, not a kelpie. Or did you just change it because nobody could pronounce Each-uisge? If that's the case, I will totally forgive.

A treat from Mars

Just watch the video. Or, rather, listen to it. (It's safe for work, I promise).

Thanks Insight.

If you have a subwoofer, make sure it's turned on...

Golden Globe Nominations

So, they're out...and let's see what genre nods we have.

The obvious is Black Panther for Best Drama. I do think it has a chance of winning, but it's up against the rather more traditionally "award worthy" BlacKKKlansman. Biopic Bohemian Rhapsody is in there too, but given it's mixed reviews...

Musical or Comedy has Mary Poppins Returns, but I think I'd rather see Crazy Rich Asians just because of the precedent it sets. I would have loved to see Deadpool 2 in there...ah well.

No genre nods at all in the acting category. (Really? You couldn't find ONE of the wonderful actors in Black Panther?)

Animated does contain some genre nods. I haven't seen it (yet), but I would like to see Into The Spider-Verse win because it just looks so good. I've also heard good things about Ralph Breaks The Internet. I don't think Incredibles 2 has a huge chance against those two, and I haven't even heard of Isle of Dogs or Mirai.

Other genre nods:
Emily Blunt for Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical (Mary Poppins Returns)
Lin-Manuel Miranda for Best Actor in a Comedy or Musical (Mary Poppins Returns)
Ludwig Goransson for Best Original Score (Black Panther)
"All The Stars" for Best Original Song (Black Panther)
Elisabeth Moss for Best Performance By An Actress in a Television Series - Drama (The Handmaid's Tale)
"The Good Place" for Best Television Series - Musical or Comedy
Kristen Bell for Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy (The Good Place)
Thandie Newton for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television (Westworld)
Yvonne Strahovski for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television (The Handmaid's Tale)

Which all says there's a lot of genre stuff out there, but really, no actor nominations for Black Panther? Disappointed.

First look at "NIghtflyers"

I've intentionally not re-read George R.R. Martin's Nightflyers recently, because I never want to have the book fresh in my mind when a new adaptation is on the horizon.

I have, of course, been wondering just how SyFy was going to get ten full episodes out of a novella. So, apparently, has Martin (Who sold the TV rights years ago and forgot about it).

So far, while perhaps less than faithful to the book in details, the show's looking...pretty good. The best part is the extremely clever use of incidental music. The occasional suggestion of the flapping of wings recalls the title and gives the show an ominous feel.

So did starting with the ending, although some might disagree.

Alien, it is not, but it's been a...actually, I can't think of another out and out space horror TV show right now. Can anyone else?

The biggest problem?

Their absolutely terrible ship design. Guys, guys. At the very start, so it's not a spoiler, we see a character turn on the artificial gravity.

Unfortunately, the Nightflyer also has a spinning habitat ring.

It also has a deck plan that indicates they might be using thrust gravity (the ship is a "tower").

Make up your minds people.

Sorry, but it's pet peeving me...

Tropes Some of us are Done With

I'm not worried about spoilers here, but there are Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. spoilers.

One of the tropes I am the most tired of in television (which has the worst offenders, but the trope does show up in comics too) is the Marriage Ending.

By which I mean that TV shows often don't allow couples to marry until the show has been canceled, in the last episode or in an epilogue. If they do, then they will promptly kill off one of the characters, have them have to leave forever, etc. In some cases, this trope also applies to declarations of love.

Thanks for the twofer, Whedon.

Not only did Whedon let Fitz and Simmons get married only to kill Fitz off (It's a comic book show, so maybe it's not permanent) a couple of episodes later, but Coulson is dying, which means he was finally allowed to kiss May.

Seriously?

Can we stop?

There's this idea in media that marriage should be the end of the story. Married characters are sometimes allowed to be parents or mentors, but more normally they get divorced or widowed and then they get to start their story over. Black Lightning. Iris' father in the Flash.

I can only think of two SF franchises that have broken the rules.

One, despite the above, is the CW DC-verse. Barry and Iris got to get married and keep working together. And, finally, after way too much of the related trope of "They can't get together until the finale so we have to keep throwing stupid obstacles in their way," so did Oliver and Felicity. The writers also stated that they wanted to do this with Alex and Maggie, but Floriana Lima simply refused to stay on the show no matter what she was offered.

The other is Doctor Who, with Rory and Amy. And the Doctor and River, although their relationship was finite, it did last for quite some time, in its weird and quirky way.

Both are signs that things are getting better, but they still aren't there. The trope is even worse when it gets applied to same sex couples, where it crosses with Kill The Gays.

Makes me wish I could do a TV show...where the leads get married. In the first half of the first episode.

Marriage doesn't make you boring. Marriage is not the end of your story. Far from it.

Aww...

The ISS' new robot, CIMON, apparently got mad when somebody told it to cancel playing music and asked them "Don't you like it here with me?"

The little droid is still in testing (It's supposed to float at eye level, but hasn't been quite managing it).

Also, I'm sorry, but every picture of it I see makes me go "Moisturize Me."