I've lived in Toronto for 16 years, am a member of TIFF's year-round Cinematheque, but I've only been to a couple of Toronto International Film Festival screenings in all that time. Tonight was the first time where I actually attended a film's premiere where the filmmakers were also in attendance.

The film was Comic-Con Episode IV: A Fan's Hope directed (and co-written) by Morgan Spurlock of Super-Size Me fame. It was quite simply the best documentary I've seen on fandom.

First, a few notes about the experience.

It was held at the ScotiaBank Theatre (formerly the Paramount theatre - until a different corporation bribed to have their name on the place). For those who don't know Toronto, there's a very long, steep staircase and escalator of DOOM up to the cinema level. (Which today as most days is a genuine safety hazard getting down the escalator as two people stalling at the exit can cause a massive pile-up on the still moving escalator). Anyway, the staircase alongside the escalator was lined with many CosPlayers (that would be people in costumes) and there were more up at cinema level. Some good, some not so much. A lot of Storm Troopers, Bobba and Jango Fetts, Princess Leias (Leiam?), X-wing pilots, Darth Vader, a snow-trooper, etc. But there was also a number of X-Men (red-clad Jean from X-Men 3, Wolverine, Gambit, Cyclops, etc.), Superman and Supergirl, the Bucky-version of Captain America (with the Bucky/Winter Soldier domino mask), an extremely good War Machine with glowing chest, Scarlett and Snake-Eyes from GI Joe, a Transformer (Starfire/Jetfire seemed like the closest match - at least from the original cartoon that I'm familiar with, I don't know the later generations) and a Japansese giant robot with was probably Combattler or Raydeen, definitely one of the toys used in the old 1970s Shogun Warriors line as I did recognize it. Oh, and Female Shepard from Mass Effect 2, although not being a video gamer I only know the last because she's the superb costume designer actually featured in the documentary.

Someone took a TwitPic showing some of the CosPlayer staircase:
http://twitpic.com/6j1ogs

And a TIFF photo of Morgan Spurlock on stage with various Cosplayers:
http://ow.ly/i/h6SZ


When I got into the cinema, I saw Harry Knowles - the head geek of Ain't It Cool News and co-producer on the film - in the wheelchair section. But most of the filmmakers were seated in the row directly behind me, including Stan Lee. I'm positive all my friends here know who that is, and I doubt there's anyone who will google this film review without knowing that either. The total strangers to the left and right of me both turned to me to giddy announce that Stan Lee was right behind us. A geek bonding moment. And while I didn't take his photo - I felt just the same way as those beside me who did take his picture. Sure, I might gripe that Steve Ditko or Jack Kirby deserve a bit more mainstream recognition, but Stan Lee co-created so many iconic Marvel characters like Spider-Man, it's impossible for a comics geek like me not to be starstruck. (And yes, when he got on the stage he was the classic funny and hammy Stan we all know from the interviews, a sheer delight. For example, his joking complaint about the film was that Kevin Smith had more screen time than him.)

They brought most of the CosPlayers to the front of the stage to take their well-deserved bows. And after the film was finished there was a Q&A with Morgan Spurlock, other filmmakers such as the co-writer, cinematographer, Stan Lee, etc.

It was a fun time, and my sense is that the crowd was into the film as much as I was.

So, the film....

It succeeds where I think a lot of similar films have fallen short. Documentaries like Trekkies seem like glorified freak shows. We are largely meant to laugh at the CosPlaying Dentists who tell Tasha Yar actress Denise Crosby that it's the male dentist who often dresses as her. And then there was the SpinerFemme - portrayed as a creepy stalker in training. And sure, there are fans like that. And as a geek myself, I can say we often get maybe a little over-enthusiastic (although less than quite a few sports fans I know). Even the pretty good doc Waiting for Superman falls into that trap a bit too often.

This film doesn't. Sure, there are a few facepalm worthy comments from the lead cast of characters, but we see them as human beings first and foremost, with elements beyond an obsessive devotion. The movie followed a diverse cast of characters attending the famous San Diego Comic Com. There are two people who wanted to break in as comic book artists, both shopping their portfolios around - each different in background and attitude. There are the lovers who met at the previous year's con. The boyfriend plans to pop the question at the Kevin Smith panel, and some hilarious complications ensue. There is the collector who is on the look-out for the limited edition 18-inch Galactus action figure. Oh, then there's a costume designer and her gang, hoping to win that year's masquerade with some astonishingly complex outfits. And finally, there is the dealer, a 35-year veteran of the convention from Mile High Comics. In recent years, Comic Con has become more and more dominated by film and television, and that meant his comic book business was struggling. Part of his dilemma is should he sell a very rare and precious comic to stay afloat.

Each group has a focus, a goal - which gives the film a strong narrative. It doesn't become a freakshow, because we actually care about the characters. We want to know how their stories turn out, and we root for them. Cutting between the different characters and goals keeps the film moving along at a strong pace. Also, most of the featured folks do not wear costumes, and even the masquerade contest plot ... well, the folks seem more human and less freakish than the fans in Trekkers.

The film also splices in interviews with comic creators like Stan Lee, Kevin Smith (yes, he doesn't just make movies), Joss Whedon (who does write comics, although not nearly as well as TV), Robert Kirkman, Todd Macfarlane, Grant Morrison and Frank Miller among others. Also featured are celebrity geeks such as Seth Green, Seth Rogen and Eli Roth. Oh, and quick glimpses at some other fans. (Including a few Doctor Who cosplayers -- I spotted the 11th Doctor and the Brigadier, for example.) These quick interviews provide necessary background and also very funny lines.

Overall, the editing is superb, capturing wonderful movements. So superb that part of me wonders how much was scripted. And yet still the experiences feel authentic.

It's funny and moving, and a good look at geekdom.

I started to wish they'd spent more time on the shift away from comics, and bang.. there was the guy from Mile High with that very subplot. And then I started to think, it would be nice to see the effect this had on comic creators and not just the guy selling stuff, and bang there were a few brief interviews with comic creators talking about the issue. There were three or four occasions where just as an objection was forming in my mind, the subject was addressed.

There isn't any psychological professional talking about geeks and how they think, but I don't think there needs to be. The film does a good job of showing us these people as human beings - largely likeable ones - but with enough moments in that we can speculate on our own.

If I did have a criticism it's that I don't think they spent enough time talking about the corporatization of pop culture. Sometimes fandom feels like a supposed underground movement that's actually in favour of big corporations. Perhaps a little more of the stuff discussed in books like Thomas Frank's The Conquest of Cool was needed. Then again, some of the people making the film were part of those corporations.

Still, overall the film worked. It was sincere but funny at the same time. And the stars were never demeaned in their portrayal.

I'd highly recommend it.

Allen

P.S.:


Here's Harry Knowles's comments on the experience, including photos of two great cosplayers - and confirmation that it was Raydeen in the Shogun Warrior costume.

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/51157


Here's Spurlock talking about the companion book for the film:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-_dG3YmRZk

And here's the website of the Costumer featured in the documentary, including her audition for the doc:
http://www.fyriel.com/#!news

So, as part of the oral surgery madness, I had to attend a sleep clinic to make sure that they didn't need a machine go *ping* during the operation, as people with my jaw structure apparently often have sleep apnea. (Alternative explanations would include graft to friends in the medical profession or a stalling tactic by the surgeon going on maternity leave.)

So, I showed up at the clinic and found I'd been assigned to the Francisco Goya room. I'm not sure how many of you are familiar with Goya, but I know his work a bit. As I'd opened the door I wondered if I'd find one of his Black Paintings across from my bed. (Particularly Saturn Devouring His Son.)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Paintings

Fortunately, it was only "The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Goya_-_Caprichos_%2843%29_-_Sleep_of_Reason.jpg

But still as thematically appropriate as it might be, who the hell would have that in a room where you're trying to help people sleep? WTF?

In the words of Zaphod Beeblebrox: "OK, so ten out of ten for style, but minus several million for good thinking, yeah?"

Actually, as I almost never have nightmares and feel jealous of people who do, I wish it had affected me.

Allen

So, if this is configured right, this should appear on both LJ and DW.

So, the professional scumbag Fred Phelps's goon squad at the Westboro Baptist Church decided to take a break from their normal hate-filled activities such as protesting funerals of AIDS victims and instead went to picket the San Diego Comic Com -- Mecca (or Mecha) for over 100,000 geeks.

The geeks fought back with signs far funnier than anything the homophobes could come up with.

http://www.bleedingcool.com/2010/07/23/videos-westboro-baptist-church-vs-comic-con/

Allen

Rogers - Canada's evil mega-corp for cable and internet uses Yahoo for email. For some reason, Yahoo has decided that half of my best friend's email is spam.

The attitude of Rogers's tech support department is "we don't control Yahoo". So, apparently I'm paying rather large internet fees for them to do nothing at all. I understand better providers have these handy little whitelists which could easily avoid this problem. Not with Rogers/Yahoo.

Rogers provided me with a contact number for Yahoo. Yahoo's voicemail said they refuse to discuss any such issues. Then, Rogers suggested my friend fill in a Yahoo form as if she were a business requesting special access.

This seems an incredible amount of hassle just to allow my friend to email me as she chooses.

There may be people wondering whether they should go with Bell or Rogers. I'm posting this to let them know about a problem which would have caused me to sign up with Bell if I had known in advance.

Rogers also screwed up my cable bill last week. So, I'm not in the best mood with them at the moment.

I saw a couple of excellent shows at the Toronto Fringe Festival last night.

New Talent
Written and Directed by Brian Morton

It's a look at the underside of Hamilton (as a Hamilton native, I'm not actually sure what the overside of the city is). Although more than a little of the show is exposition, Brian gives each of three characters distinct voices, and all are superbly brought to life by the cast.

http://www.eyeweekly.com/fringe/article/94831

Remaining Performances:
Fri, July 9 9:45 PM - 1058
Sat, July 10 11:00 PM - 1066
Sun, July 11 4:30 PM - 1069

The Plank
by Femmes du Feu

A two-woman aerial dance act to a pirate theme. Well-chosen music, superbly choreographed moves and wonderful facial expression that gave it a mythic feel at times. Thanks to my pirate-obsessed friend for mentioning it.

http://www.eyeweekly.com/fringe/article/94839

Remaining Performances:
Fri, July 9 2:15 PM - 1054
Sat, July 10 5:15 PM - 1063

That's what the internet buzz is saying.

So, one simple question for the students of pop culture (and of hat-wearing bowmen): WTF?

Or more precisely, what the f**K is DC thinking?

With pictures of this train wreck:
http://www.bleedingcool.com/2010/06/04/is-this-really-the-worst-comic-of-all-time-a-defence-of-justice-league-the-rise-of-arsenal-3/

And a few descriptions of the awfulness:
http://www.savagecritic.com/brian/i-have-read-the-worst-comic-i-have-ever-read/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roy_Harper_%28comics%29
(Read the Rise and Fall section for a summary.)

The "writer" of this will be also writing the new Green Arrow relaunch where Green Arrow is now a killer, been outlawed and hides out in the new forest which has magically appeared in the middle of his hometown. I had considered looking into how Robin Hoody this new take is (a bit on the nose, it sounds) but after reading about Arsenal, I doubt it.

Oh, and here's a cover of issue 3 of the new Green Arrow comic.
http://www.bleedingcool.com/2010/06/04/green-arrow-3-a-cover-suggestion/

I don't feel any fan ownership of these characters. I know that Green Arrow, Roy Harper, Batman, etc. exist purely as corporate creations and the company can do what they'd like with them. It just strikes me as a really bizarre choice to publish a comic like this. I can't see how it will help them in the marketplace.

This is probably why I feel the same self-conscious sense of guilt and shame in entering a comic book shop as I probably would feel upon entering an adult-only video store. (Not that I know first hand, but I suspect porn shops have more appealing layouts and less creepy staff.)

Allen

(Of course, the geek in me feels compelled to point out that this is a picture of Lt. Leslie from "Obsession". And while this recurring redshirt may appear dead in that episode, he turns up alive in several later episodes. Oh, and on redshirt trivia, the only semi-subtle reference in the "hey, look at me! I'm clever and making references!" TV show Babylon 5 is that their security chief was named Garibaldi.)

Your results:
You are An Expendable Character (Redshirt)

An Expendable Character (Redshirt) 100% Jean-Luc Picard 65% Leonard McCoy (Bones) 60% Geordi LaForge 60% Deanna Troi 60% Chekov 50% Spock 44% James T. Kirk (Captain) 40% Mr. Scott 40% Data 32% Uhura 30% Beverly Crusher 30% Will Riker 30% Mr. Sulu 20% Worf 20%

Since your accomplishments are seldom noticed, and you are rarely thought of, you are expendable. That doesn't mean your job isn't important but if you were in Star Trek you would be killed off in the first episode you appeared in.

Click here to take the "Which Star Trek character are you?" quiz...

http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2009/03/07/catholic-abortion.html

Archbishop Jose Cardoso Sobrinho and Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re are sick, evil Malvolios not fit to run a hot dog stand let alone a major world religion that is supposed to provide comfort to millions.

Mother and daughter went through terrible experiences, and as a topper the church says "ta da, you're now cut off from one of your few sources of solace and are damned to hell."

Allen

P.S.: I guess I shouldn't be surprised that the Catholic Church thinks child sexual abuse isn't a big deal, but the sheer inhumanity still pisses me off.

Feels like it's been ages since I've said anything about myself on here. Some of that has been holding stuff inside. I've been in retreat mode for ages, and in some ways, I'm always in retreat mode.

Someone very dear to me once cited my insecurity, my timidness as a reason to like me, a strength. And I don't think it is. (I suspect that person's opinion has probably been revised now .. I'm actually too timid to find out.) I'd say my tendency to run and hide, to not actually articulate what I want (leading to a place where I don't know even know what I want) is my greatest weakness. Pretty much every stupid thing I do comes from that. Comes from an eagerness to please.

I think about Ricky Gervais's two TV characters. David Brent from the Office wants to be liked -- it's his primary goal. And he's a monstrous person. On the other hand, his Andy Millman from Extras is far more openly sarcastic and confident, and yet he's a more likeable person.


All of which is vague and whiny, and none of this is as frankly honest, interesting and soulful as what my friend Diresquirrel wrote in his blog recently.

Oh well, I guess that's because my creative side has been channelled into thinking about tournaments, necklaces, carts, manacles and vassals.

Allen