DC Forever

We just had a big meeting w/ Warner Bros CEO re: @DCComics 2014 we will partner up and create the cool bad assery. #RockTalk @ActionTilson

4:25 PM - 31 Dec 2013

In an update, Ben Affleck's camp is now denying rumors that he may direct Justice League. Still, JL movie news is JL movie news, so let's look at this for a second.

The Town (94% on Rotten Tomatoes) and Gone Baby Gone (also 94%, and winner of four prestigious awards). These are Ben Affleck's two current directorial credits. And let's not forget 1993's I Killed my Lesbian Wife, Hung her on a Meat Hook, and Now I have a Three Picture Deal at Disney (I haven't seen it either, but I saw it on his Wiki and NEEDED to include it). 

So, exactly what is the issue people have with him directing Justice League? I can trace it to nothing more than the fact that he is, in fact, Ben Affleck. Am I a fan of his acting? Not usually (Though he has a few standout moments, specifically in Dazed and Confused and movies he directs, though there are two or three others). So why are people getting up in arms about this? It's an announcement met with nothing but hostility for one of the better choices Warner could make. Let's face it; when Affleck is behind the camera, he makes great character pieces, which is exactly what Justice League needs to be if it's going to be set apart from Avengers.

Avengers was a series of great set pieces and hilarious jokes. That's the Marvel film universe. A lot of flash and sizzle meaning ultimately nothing. I loved Avengers, but it didn't change or affect me in any profound way. Dark Knight Rises did, because I was following a journey of Bruce Wayne. His story meant something to me. So looking at that as a bar for Warner, why not let Marvel have the big action movies? Why not stick to what works for them in fantastic character-driven stories. Instead of the older JL origin, maybe go with something with more of an emotional bond. Watch them struggle against becoming a team, analyzing why it doesn't work for each specific member (Frankly, if everyone looks at Superman and says, "What do you need me for?" I would be fine with it. Have Supes deal with the realization that, as much as he tries, he'll never fit in, even among the other Supers). Then, give a threat that pulls them together in spite of themselves. Something magical that can take down Superman or something like that. Make the other members realize that they are just as good as Supes, and have that be the glue that binds them. The realization that sometimes, even Superman needs help.

Yes, I realize this idea is heavily following Superman, but if it's going to be done right, it has to be. The fact that everyone else pales compared to him HAS to be addressed, and has to be a driving factor. In the end, make it the story of a group of like-minded individuals joining together in spite of what they want, not because they have nothing better to do.

That was what Avengers failed at. The only reason they were fighting together was because they were told they should. The threat was huge, but they had very little drawing them together. There will need to be a reason. This is the kind of movie that will not only set JL apart, but will also be perfect for a director like Affleck. He can focus on those small character moments and take time with a smaller team (Supes, Bats, WW, GL, Flash, and one more), instead of expanding ridiculously (Including Hill, Coulson, and Fury, there were 9 major characters in Avengers fighting for screen time). 

Now, Affleck would need to play someone. It's part of his contracts. I'm okay with that, too. Let's look at the two performances of his that I liked and kept quiet about. First, Hollywoodland. In this movie, Affleck played George Reeves, the first Superman. Obviously, he was required to don the spandex for the role and take on a 40s-esque Superman. The performance (I remind you, partially as Superman), got him nominated for a Golden Globe and won a Volpi Cup for Best Actor.

The other will be a little more shaky. Daredevil. I hated that movie so hard. Hated. However, let's be clear; what I hated was the script and the directing and the musical choices. I loved Ben Affleck's turn as Matt Murdock (And I'm a big DD fan). I thought he was a perfect choice for the role. He had the mannerisms and look down. He was a little arrogant and playful, pulling nicely from DD's happier times. He was dark when he needed to be. It was a great and compelling performance, and one of the first to prove to me that the tights didn't stop a movie from being a character exploration.

So cast him as number six. Who should he play? Well, he does "Down-on-his-luck" and "Lesser-than" characters really well, so how about Ray Palmer Atom? Take a page from Matt Damon's book, have him put on a few pounds to be Blue Beetle (Because, yes, this movie will need some kind of comedy relief). Maybe Martian Manhunter, the only man who can face Superman but is too afraid of the responses to do so. There are a number of good choices that he could bring a lot to.

Links to songs can be found all over. For those curious about the artist, just click the link and away you go

It's Friday night at about 6pm. I've just walked up to the Social in Orlando for the free night of entertainment planned pre-Nerdapalooza, involving some amazing acts, designed partially as a greeting session for people you haven't seen in a while and partially to sell a few more tickets to stragglers. I slowly approach, having parked my car about two blocks away, wondering "Do volunteers have to stand in this line?" As though the universe were reading my mind, Schaffer tha Darklord (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O14k6sT8Fp8) steps into the line in front of me alongside the Epic Win Burlesque girls. Considering he's kind of a big deal, I realize my place in the pecking order (Low) and get in line.

That's one of those little things that makes Nerdapalooza so epic. It's not your traditional show. Instead, the artists are right there in the crowd because they are fans, too. They want to see these shows as much as you do. Over the weekend, it seemed like I bumped into everyone, just as I do every year. It was great, because after about two years, they're another friend you simply haven't seen in a while. When I first saw Random (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCJ0-hyJ-YM), he actually smiled, said hey and gave me a big hug. Schaffer remembered me as well, and so did many of the others. They were added to the list of people I get to see once or twice a year, friends I miss all the time except for that magical two and a half day span known as Nerdapalooza. Occasionally, they come through Orlando and I caqn say hey, but otherwise, my hearing from them through the year is relegated to Facebook and albums (As though trying to prove my point,as I wrote this, Sean from The Thoughtcriminals added me on Facebook).

Back to Friday, though. The venue hit capacity by 9pm, which was the second time I was worried this year. First was how late the show was announced. If we hit capacity in four hours, what would happen over a whole weekend? It's a worry I had my first year, too. Credit to Hex (Who runs the show) for always realizing what these venues can be, not what they are.

That said, this Nerdapalooza felt different. In years past, it more closely resembled a Con to me. Since 2009, Nerdapalooza has been held in various hotels. This worked twofold, as it offered both a nice staging area and a place for people to stay. Last year, a second stage was erected outside of the main room, allowing easier setup between acts.

This year was a tad more traditional, being held at The Social and The Beacham, two clubs here in Orlando linked by a door. The Social is smaller, but that just makes it more intimate. Like every year before, my worries were for naught.

Literally every performer brought it this year. Harder and better than I've ever seen most of them. Random had an epic freestyle, Schaffer dominated his set, Sci-Fried (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjS0txUNrWU) had their best show ever, etc. etc. It seemed like all weekend, I was saying and hearing the phrase, "That was the best they've ever done."

Anyway, my point is this; if you like cons, and you like to be a nerd, come to Nerdapalooza. It's more intimate than anything else. It's an opportunity to see and hang out with some people who make artwork (Both music and canvas) you appreciate, and the 700-1000 greatest people you've ever met.

If Jung was right, and parties are simply a person's way to seek validation on a massive scale, this is the greatest party the world has ever known.

Big ups again to one of my best Nersdapalooza friends, Radar Kilburn (freakinggeek.net) for giving me a constant source to bounce thoughts off all weekend. Great radio show/podcast.

I would also like to mention that there was a conga line led by a guy in a rubby pony mask set to Beebs and the Money Makers' song, "You Should be Dancing." Which, in my mind, will henceforth be known as "You Should be Prancing."

If you have any questions about the event, feel free to shoot me a message.

So, if you follow this at all, odds are you're a nerd (At least closeted). You may also have seen me, in the past few days, post about Nerdapalooza. Well, what is that, you may be asking yourself as you scratch your head in wonder and amazement. What is it, exactly? Well, to be quick, it's an annual two-and-a-half day Nerdcore music festival held in Orlando, FL. However, it becomes so much more than that to the people who go. In the past two days, I've had conversations I can't imagine having outside of the "safe zone" that is the Nerdapalooza stages. I've talked comics, Breaking Bad, Star Wars, and music. And that was pretty much within a single conversation. The music is about ideas I as a nerd, can actually connect with. It's not hip hop bangin' hoes, and it's not rock's whininess. It's about the joy you feel when someone mentions something you love. It's about comic books and video games and movies and shows and sometimes it's even about music itself. Music about being a nerd, in a building filled with love. That's Nerdapalooza. If you've been looking to get into this music, the schedule reads as a bit of a who's who of nerdcore (Missing some like MC Frontalot and MC Lars). I will happily post the entire thing now;

Friday: Team Rock-It, Geekapella, Tribe One, Armcannon, The One Ups, Frog Suit, Bit Brigade, Ben Briggs, DJ Cutman

Saturday: D&D Sluggers, R_Garcia, Marc with a C, Sci-Fried, Thoughtcriminals, Cual Core, Captain Dan and the Scurvy Crew, Random Encounter, Descendants of Erdrick, Adam WarRock, The Megas, Schaffer the Darklord, Metroid Metal, Math the Band, The Protomen, DJ Spice-J (DJ K.I.L.R.O.Y.)

Sunday: Those Who Fight, Professor Shyguy, Bit Brigade, The Money Boys, DJ RoboRob, Beeb$ and her Money Makers, Danimal Cannon, brentalfloss and the Cartridge Family, ytcracker, No More Kings, Mega Ran (Random), The NESkimos, Koo Koo Kanga Roo, The Protomen (Queen Album)

Besides almost 30 hours of music, I also had the unique pleasure of talking with other bloggers. I hung out with Radar from freakinggeek.net (A friend of mine for the past several years) most of the weekend, which was fantastic. I also got to hang out with Cap, Aaron and Tony from nerdyshow.com. Aaron owns A Comic Shop, Tony recently got married and graduated college, so deserves huge congrats, and Cap is just awesomely awesome. Finally, I got to meet a blogging icon of mine, Adam from geekrest.com. I've modeled much of my blogging style after him, and was grateful for the opportunity to talk to him. Perhaps soon I'll be able to help out on his site, which is an opportunity I'd be incredibly grateful for.

Treat your ears right. Listen to this track.