Summa This, Summa That — Joseph Susanka

Conrad Viedt's Role In Batman's Most Iconic Adversary

Conrad Viedt's Role In Batman's Most Iconic Adversary

Earlier this week, however, this Atlas Obscura piece reminded me that while the "implacable" and the "sincere" and the "out-of-place" bit is true, the pleasure behind it -- the thing that really makes the Joker horrible -- was missing from the character's original exemplar: the horrifying (yet sorrowfully suffering) Gwynplaine, of Victor Hugo's "The Man Who Laughs."

Today's Streaming Suggestion? The Best Agatha Christie Movie Ever Made.

Today's Streaming Suggestion? The Best Agatha Christie Movie Ever Made.

You can definitely see the Downton DNA in there, can't you? Even beyond the ever-wonderful and biting Maggie Smith. The "Upstairs vs. Downstairs" dynamic, in particular, reminds me of Fellowes' subsequent work. And the "Trouble Bubbling Under The Stuffy, Tradition-Bound Surface" stuff, as well. I could watch those wonderfully British staples forever, I think.

Six Years Later, This Is Still The Best Oscar Commentary I've Ever Seen

Six Years Later, This Is Still The Best Oscar Commentary I've Ever Seen

I once spent almost an entire day trying to figure out what music they used in this thing. It was literally driving me crazy. ...which might explain a lot, come to think of it. (The answer is the theme from Randy Edelman's score to Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story, aka, the second-best dragon thing Edelman's ever done.) ...and I've said too much now, haven't I?

Today's Short Is A Star Wars Fan Film. And It's Just As Great As You Could Have Hoped.

Today's Short Is A Star Wars Fan Film. And It's Just As Great As You Could Have Hoped.

The dialogue and acting aren't particularly memorable, but the scope of the visuals and the overall world-building elements are just splendid. The music's evocative (if a trifle loud for my tastes). And it packs a surprising emotional punch, as well.  In other words, it's pretty much a perfect homage to its source material, right?