5.21.2004

Gods.

Recipe for a god:

*1 or more locus or domain (god of the west river, god of dreams)
*1 or more miracle or power
*1 or more omen or portents (omens inform your followers that you're going to do something, portents inform your followers that you want something)
*1 or more sacrifices or sacred items (you like burnt offerings; little bunnies are sacred to you)

Optional: worshippers

Just in case you were looking for it...
Rule 2.

Rule #2 of Storytelling (still in pondering status):

The main character is the theme of the show.

(Captain/Title character/Chosen One/Barkeeper etc.)

Examples:

(Keep in mind that I don't watch a lot of TV anymore; it's mostly limited to Joss Whedon and the Cartoon Network to be truthful)

Mal Reynolds is the captain; everything that happens to him relates to living according to his own code; the theme of the show is what happens when you live according to your own code.

Picard is the captain; everything that happens to him is about the fine differences between what is right and what is the rule/law; the theme of the show is what happens when you make those choices.

Buffy is the chosen one; everything that happens to her relates to "growing up"; the theme of the show is "growing up."

Samurai Jack is the hero; everything that happens to him relates to the things he honors; the theme of the show is honor.

Exceptions:

Multiple main characters:
Powerpuff Girls: How to be a girl (some satire and other jazz)

Dual main characters:
Star Trek TOS: Kirk and Spoc: Impulse vs. Logic
The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy: Simplicity vs. Sophistication (satire and farce)

Reversing:

Who's the main character of Friends? The theme of the show is friendship and relationships. Who does everyone else in the show
relate to (except Phoebe, mostly)? Ross. Ross is the main
character of Friends.

Anyway, just playing around.

(Rule #1: If you reveal the plan, something will go wrong. Only when you skip past the plan in the story does the plan go according to plan.)







5.10.2004

Hellboy

We saw Hellboy last week.

I liked it. There were plot flaws, but nothing so big that I was cheesed off.

I was first delighted when I heard them start playing Tom Waits. I forget which song it was...something off Heart Attack and Vine? But then I laughed with glee:

You're one microscopic cog
in his catastrophic plan
Designed and directed by
his red right hand

Nick Cave!

Muahahahaha!

5.08.2004

Book Review.

The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje

I haven't seen the movie.

This is a "well-written" book. The language is poetic. The characters develop as characters. There are flashbacks. The ending is sad and poetic.

The emotional intensity I should have felt--lovers leave each other, some of them die, bombs blow up Hiroshima--I didn't.

Woo hoo for "well-written" books.

Birthday.

Last week. Sucked. Don't ask.