The Lint Screen

Author: PD Scullin

  • X Marks Spot for Cinematic Gold

    Sometimes a winning franchise needs to go backwards to go forward and give it a shot of adrenalin. Such was the case with the Batman and Star Trek series, and such is the case with the X-Men tales.

    And she has super powers, too?
    X-Men: First Class takes us to the origins of super-powered mutants. Like Christopher Nolan’s 2005 Batman Begins and 2009’s Star Trek by J.J. Abrams, this prequel is action-packed popcorn-munching good times. And like those two brilliant prequels, this is one of the best in the franchise.

    The story in X-Men: First Class is rich, interesting, well acted and directed (by Matthew Vaughn of Layer Cake and Layer Cake fame). Learn about the early days of Professor X and Magneto, and what drove them apart. Hint: it wasn’t one lending his albums to the other and having them come back scratched (although that might make for a good sequel to this prequel).

    The effects are cool but do not get in the way of a complex and satisfying character-driven story.

    Not being an action comics fan, I didn’t know the beginning story of the mutants, how they came together and fell apart. It’s a classic tale of good and evil (oh, evil– why must you be so evil?). We’ve got Nazis, CIA spooks, Ruskies, JFK, government bureaucrats–– and those aren’t even the mutants!

    For mutated wonders, there’s mind readers, a metal bender, shape shifter, chameleon, flier and fireball spitter, harness-energy-and-then-zap-it-back-at-you wonderdude and more. Plus January Jones, who had some kind of superpower but she doesn’t really need it because, well, she looks like January Jones and that’s strong enough stuff to stop Don Draper in his Florsheims.

    There’s plenty of terrific performances by Kevin Bacon, James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence and a crew of up and comers who’ll be here soon enough.

    I won’t get into details. Suffice to say this movie has a lot of charisma, energy and charm, and is certainly the best action adventure fare this year.

    See it and believe in the power of fantastical stories again.

  • Palin Courting Meatloaf Vote

    She's out to win, you betcha!
    Although she has not officially declared her candidacy for President, or her intent in serving the remainder of her term as Alaska governor, Sarah Palin is reportedly actively seeking support from rock star/reality show megastar Meatloaf (real name: Hamburger Loafenz).

    Sources close to Palin report that the ex-Guv wants “Loaf-power” on her side.

    “Meatloaf is a natural born leader,” said one Palin camp insider. “Many people follow his every move. Donald Trump was smart enough to know that and use it for his benefit. Support for The Donald simply was really about Meatloaf support. Now that his Hairness has decided to vote no-go to running for prez, the valuable Meatloaf vote is up for grabs.”

    It's anybody's guess which way the big man will go!
    Washington insiders are speculating that President Obama may soon begin a full court press to win Meatloaf support.

    “Obama’s an astute politician,” said an anonymous White House staffer, “he knows that where the Loaf goes, so goes America. The 2012 election will not be about jobs, the economy, deficits, wars or foreign policy– it’ll be about what the public really cares about: the washed-up rocker vote.”

    Indeed. Now that Mike Huckabee has also announced that he will not run for the oval office, his rockin’ supporter, Ted Nugent (real name: Harvey Catscratchian) is also in play.

    “The smart candidate will be the one who can muster both Meatloaf and Ted Nugent support. And if that person can also somehow figure a way to get Steven Tyler’s vote, why that candidate will be swept into office. Heck, even if you only get a pair of them, well, two out of three ain’t bad. Both Palin and Obama know how high the stakes are, and they’re both working it hard! Yee-dawddle!”

  • “SEAL Team 6” Available For Use

    Disney Attorneys: are they more frightening that SEAL Team 6?
    Disney has made a great patriotic gesture by dropping its intent to trademark the phrase “SEAL Team 6” for use on garments, clothing, ornaments, and every object on earth. Now commoners can use “SEAL Team 6” without fear of being swarmed and pummeled with lawsuits by Disney legal counsellors.

    Thank you, Disney.

    However, Disney has decided to trademark some other phrases including the following:
    “Mom”
    “My penguin is jittery”
    “Hello”
    “Pass the salt, please”
    “Mother”
    “Is this your umbrella?”
    “Thanks”
    “That’s why they call it ‘marauding’”
    “Amen”
    “I think I have food poisoning”
    “Hey, how about wiping off the seat of the stationary bike before you leave, jerkwad?”
    “God”
    “Wad the tracing paper, dance a wee bit of a jig–– we’re going to Santa Fe!”

    Legal experts are unsure if Disney will be able to clear muster of trademarking all these phrases and words, but know they your ability to freely use them may be limited.

    By the way, is this your umbrella?

  • Pirates of The Caribbean Something or Other

    Shiver me timbers– wake me when it's over, maties!
    Here we go again–– an early entry into the summer big blockbuster season built on a successful multi-billion dollar franchise with an incredible cast including Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush, Penelope Cruz and Ian McShane. It’s Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tide!!! You’ve got great expectations, right?

    Yep, and expectations are dashed to the rocks like the surf.

    This rollicking adventures has lots of swashbuckling, sword fights galore, evil mermaids and more mascara than a New York runway during fashion week. Yet it bores.

    If you have kiddies, you have no choice– you’ve got to fork over more booty to Disney. But if you’re an adult movie fan, save your money. This lightweight fare isn’t worth your time.

    We’ve been there, done that and the bag of tricks feels empty. The plot is a convoluted tale of the search for the fountain of youth. The scriptwriters seemingly discovered energy drinks while writing this; the story is never ending.

    And the uninspired Hans Zimmer soundtrack only adds to the tedium. It sounds like needledrop music from beginning to end.

    Rob Marshall (Chicago, Nine) directs endless fight scenes with a deft hand for choreography, yet somehow this whole film lacks soul, humor, excitement and humanity.

    Frankly, my dears, I just didn’t give a damn what happened next.

    It’s a pity to spend so much money on big sets, lavish costumes, casts of hundreds, real star power, beautiful cinematography, cool special effects and end up with such precious little treasure. Unfortunately, it’ll make another billion. Cha-ching, maties!

    After viewing this mess, I felt like pirates have robbed me of a couple hours of my life. Yawn.

  • Hello, Beautiful World!

    Hey, this hellhole ain't so bad after all!
    It appears I am not one of the chosen ones selected for ascension into heaven during Rapturepalooza 2011.

    I assume Harold Camping made the grade. Maybe some others. But I did not.

    So, I’ve unpacked my bags with the DVDs, books, magazines, cameras, cinder block collection, slightly used lightbulbs, leftovers and other essentials for a long holiday.

    I’m resigned to further life on this planet with you, my fellow passengers. Where as yesterday I considered you “evil sinners” and “suckers”, I realize today that I might have been hasty in passing judgment.

    Today you look like my bestest friends and most cherished mates.

    So let’s take up the yoke of humanity going forward, do our best, have some fun and let bygones be bygones.

    Until the next Rapture (then, it’s every man, woman and child for him/herself).

  • Goodbye, Cruel World!

    Gone Rapturin'. Wish you were here!
    At 6 P.M. Eastern Standard Time today, the Rapture will arrive. Those of us who have led a good life of righteousness and obedience to Harold Camping will be whisked up to Heaven for our eternal rewards, while the rest of you are left behind and subjected to five months of God’s pranks–– earthquakes, hurricanes, tornados, aggressive life insurance salespeople, Donald Trump, poo-flinging monkeys and what have you.

    Talk about your haves and have nots.

    While I feel sorry for the rest of you suckers, I have to say I’ve enjoyed your company here on earth. It’s too bad you were evil sinners and didn’t make the upgrade list.

    I’ll be getting out while the getting’s good, and I’m hoping there will be no TSA in the after-gig because I don’t relish the idea of my fake hips setting off the alarms and having some saint or angel give me a pat-down. Although an angel pat-down might be a ticklish and enjoyable experience.

    In closing, I want to thank all the faithful Lint Screen readers for their literacy and patronage in making this blog one of the most popular on earth containing the words “Lint”, “Screen” and “The.” If you make the list for eternal salvation during Rapture, I’ll buy you a drink. If you don’t, I’ll wish you the best in lawyering-up and getting good representation for Judgement Day.

    Ciao, babe!