mr-grump

HBO MAX, AMAZON PRIME, YOUTUBE, DISNEY+, PEACOCK, NETFLIX, CBS ALL ACCESS/VIACOM, APPLE TV

So you decided to cut the cable because of the ridiculous cost and only go streaming.  You figure it’s cheaper and more varied, but is it?  Let’s assume that instead of buying in on Dish Net, Direct Tv and Comcast for over 100 bucks a month you can sub to one streaming service for about around 5 bucks.  So let’s find out how good a deal it is.  

So you buy into the top 8 streaming services let’s say they cost 5 bucks a pop that’s 40$ a mo.  480$ a year not bad considering it would be about 1,200 a year for a regular cable service.

Now lets double the price now we’re at 80$ mo now let’s factor in a cable internet hookup(since wifi can be unreliable)and say at least 20+$.  That put’s you at over 100$ a month and 1200 a year so your still paying what you would be paying for regular cable.  Is it worth it?

“Oh, I’ll just buy one service for a few shows and movies that I like.”

Nah.  That’s not how it’s going to work.  While less currently services like Amazon Prime, Hulu and Netflix will show movies and tv shows by different studios that’s because their still under contracts for about a year once the contracts are over those properties will go to the studios streaming services.

“But why?”

Well, why would they want to help out their competition?  

So Will Cable Die Out?

Nah, I don’t think so.  It’s still too early to guarantee that these mass streaming companies will be successful.  Also the system of making programming on cable currently is easier (and more cost effective) tan streaming.  Currently streaming budgets are starting to rival that of theatrical films(the lower to mid level ones).  Producing a show on cable is still easier, more cost effective and possibly profitable on the whole than with streaming(the same thing with broadcast programing) because of ad revenue(mostly).

Will there be an implosion once the Streaming Wars get on the way?

Yes but not how we might all think.  The cost of running and producing content for a service might wind up not make economic sense(ex CBS All Access is rumored to be verge with Viacom’s properties)  I can see multiple companies merging their service with other companies.  i can also see Amazon and Apple buy a studio (or studios) out just to get already existing content for their service and so they don’t have to create their own.  Ex.  there’s been rumors that Amazon might buy Sony(before I go on no that doesn’t mean that Amazon would then make spider-man films.  The rights are non-transferrable.  The Spider-Man rights would revert back to Marvel Entertainment).


Even when you cut the cable you still have to deal with the cable company because of the internet.

“But what about wi-fi?  That’s all I need to go online and to stream right?”

Not all Wi-Fi is the same some signals are stronger than the other.  If you want a real strong signal then your getting a modem and internet form one of the cable companies.  So their going to make their money off you one way or another.

As far as those that currently have cable I suppose you can always bounce back and forth between providers once your bill get’s too high.

Now that he is in charge of everything creative at Marvel most people are happy because of what this means for the movies and live action tv.

I don’t care about that so much.  What I’m interested in is the animation and comic book side of the equation.  So here’s what I want.

ANIMATION - Upgrade it.  The current animation looks like garbage.  Creatively do something instead of using character that just so happen to have a movie at the time of the premiere of the cartoon(ex Guadians of the Galaxy, Avengers and Spider-Man).

Animation or design wise get good(great)studios to animate the shows.  The current design of the current shows look so lazy.  The colors are muted and there’s a lack of shadows and shading which makes the cartoons look flat and boring.
 

This actually might be happening now.  While the Howard the Duck and Ghost Rider shows have been canceled it looks like the “Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur” animated show is being made.  It’s pretty sad that Marvel cartoons are the only action cartoon on weekend mornings(I’m not counting Japanese Anime).  it’s pathetic but if that’s going to be the case then there needs to be more variety on Disney XD and the OG Disney Channel(because not everyone is going to get Disney+) .  

One more thing about animation.  Would it be too much to ask that the next few Spider-Man shows have him be an adult instead of a kid?  Don’t use the excuse of that him being a kid makes him more relatable.  Marvel’s Spider-Man PS4 2018, Spider-Man into the Spider-Verse,  Spider-Man: Renew Your Vows, And the Spider-Man/peter parker just prior to the most recent comic book relaunch.  All were popular, well received, likable and he was a FREAKIN ADULT!

COMIC BOOKS
Okay here’s a big one *Ahem* PROMOTE COMIC BOOKS!!!
Question:  do you remember the last time you’ve seen comic books advertised in the newspaper, in magazines, on billboards, on signs, on television or at the movies?   (Rhetorical question)  No you don’t because the next time you see it will be the first time you see it!  

Look Warnermedia Disney I get it you don’t give a damn about comic books.  You only care about the merchandise and multimedia they provide.  Here’s the thing though.  At your feet you have a potential money maker if you would only put just a little bit of effort into it!

There are comics aimed at every age demographic, of every genre. This is a serious medium if you would just take it seriously you would see that you have a diamond in the rough.  Plus if your excuse is that physical medium is antiquated the just look at what’s happening right now.  Physical media would come in awfully handy right now wouldn’t it?

There are ways to get comic stories out to the masses that don’t include movies and live action tv (which let’s be honest water down the source material a bit).  How about promoting the comics and telling them that their on digital sites like comixology?  What about having digital only comic book exclusives and promote them?  Here’s another one, how about adapting more comic stories to audiobooks?  Imagine getting kids and adults into comic books that way.

(This is a bit abridge version from the Youtube video)

With the “Detective Pikachu” and “Sonic the Hedgehog” films coming out it got me thinking about video games in other media like television.  One of the earliest video games to tv shows I remember is - (play a bit from the “Super Mario Bros Super Show” theme) No, No!  That came out in 1989.  I’m instead talking about “Saturday Supercade” airing on CBS from Sept. 17, 1983 - Dec. 1, 1984(running for 2 seasons(?).  

The show was an hour long anthology and aired 11 min segments containing the characters from the games of “Donkey Kong”, “Donkey Kong Jr”, “Frogger”, “Qbert”, “Pitfall”(Harry) in the 1st season.  “Kangaroo” & “Space Ace” were introduced in the second season replacing Donkey Kong Jr, Pitfall and Frogger. The Show was made(produced) by Ruby-Spears(Productions).  Their company also made “The Plastic Man comedy Adventure Show”,  “Thundar The Barbarian”, “Mega Man” 1994-1995, “Chuck Norris Karate Commando’s”(?), “Cowboys of Moo Mesa”(?!) and “Police Academy: The Series” ?!  Well they were very diverse in their productions to say the least!

Instead of reviewing the entire series I decided to instead take a look at the first episode(s) of the series.  One more thing.  It’s been years since I’ve seen this show or played the games(that the shows is based on) So I probably will miss some easter eggs if their in any of the segments.

The Beginning:  Well, right off the bat the best thing seems to be the theme song.  If there’s anything that people will be nostalgic about it will be that.  It’s upbeat, bouncy and get’s you into the right mindset to watch the show.

Frogger:  Okay, first up is “FROGGER”.  It’s right here where you will see something interesting about the series as a whole.  Most (not all but most) of the shows don’t follow the plot of their video game.  Which makes sense considering most games back then up until the 1990’s didn’t have plots.  So what this show is doing is give a new spin for these characters.  For Frogger uh, Frogger is an investigative reporter.  Hey, the chief sounds like Scatman Crothers! (it's not) Anyway the chief is upset because the competing paper is getting all the good stories.  The chief orders him to find out who’s doing the recent robberies or else he’s fired(play Mr. Mcmahon).  Also while your at it “Parker where’s my spider-man pics!”.

After their informant (who I think is a mole I can’t tell the picture quality is pretty bad after almost 40 years) gives them the scoop a gypsy and WWF reject is plotting something evil.  During this segment and for the rest of them you will see the animators occasionally do callbacks from the games.  An example here would be dodging cars and later in Donkey Kong dodging barrels and going up ladders.  One thing that confused me then and now is how do these frogs exist in this world?  You would think that this world has nothing but anamorphic animals but then you see humans.  So this should be normal right?  No, because on at least 2 occasions people are shocked that their talking and walking animals.  They should be more shocked that Frogger and Shelly didn’t get at least a citation for walking around without any pants on!

After some tomfoolery they track down the babba yaga but she gives the the slip.  They track the duo to a warehouse where I guess the former wrestler superstar starts re-enacting his past glories.  It looks like this guy failed villainy 101 you don’t monologue and then leave the hero giving them a chance to escape.  You FAILED SIR!

They then come up with a plan so ridiculous that it just might works.  Shelly is disguised as the golden turtle.  How can you tell don’t all turtles look the same(that’s racist).  After he’s snatched the duo arrive just in time before he’s melted.  Que the chase scene!  The intrepid trio eventually captures the bad guys only to find out that…it’s one of the first people we saw earlier in the episode.  Hey, this is a SCOOBY DOO plot!

DONKEY KONG:  The plot for this segment is Mario and Pauline are trying to capture the big ape to take him back to the circus.  WAITAMINUTE!  That’s Pauline?!  Why is she blonde?  She was a brunette in the game.  Ah, well in the 1990’s Hulk comics Betty Banner was a blonde for awhile too(even though that had to do with her trying to hide her identity).  Didn’t the 1990’s upn cartoon also have Betty be a blonde for no reason as well?  Anyway, it looks like the climax will be when an non-italian racist stereotype sounding Mario, Pauline and Kong run afoul a dastardly trio that’s trying to steal an emerald.  Before that though shenanigans.

Anyhoo the trio of badness catch up to Kong.  The girl convinces him to work for them.  Well they(Pauline and Mario) catch up with him and begin replaying scenes from the game and once he grabs Pauline(I’m guessing this will be a thing for the rest of the series) I’m beginning to think that Kong has a “type”!  Welp, Mario(if that is your real name!)tracks Kong down to the swamp and springs his trap. However because of shenanigans he captures the thieves instead and Kong gets away.  How did they not see him escape?  He’s an 8ft 400 lbs ape?  I guess they haven’t any object permanence.  I do find it interesting that Pauline seems way too calm with always getting “handled” by Kong.  Is this a fetish of hers?

PITFALL:  The beginning of the episode is narrated by Harry’s niece(he takes her on adventures in this show).  Why does the cougar tiger thing have an eyepatch.  Now that’s an origin episode that I really want to see!  I gotta admit when I saw the the title of this episode I was hoping Jabbar Jaw would make an appearance.  But I wouldn’t see him again until one of “Mystery Incorporated’s” best episodes!

Pitfall Harry receives his mission to find some coins before his nemesis(or one of them)”The Shark” finds them.  Wait, that tiger/panther thing vaguely sounds like Snagglepuss.  Yeesh,  things must’ve gone really bad for Yogi and the gang for him to change his color, name and put on an eyepatch!

You know so far the concept for this particular segment isn’t bad.  In the game Pitfall Harry was an adventurer so having a show where he goes on several adventures makes sense.  The villains try to sabotage Harry’s plane with a boa constrictor however he is able to save the day by giving the constrictor a “bad touch” and they arrive to the location okay.  The trio then go underwater looking for the treasure and run into the "Sharks" sub that fires sharks?!

Brief sidenote.  The sub shot out 2 sharks.  Is this a thing in this universe?  If He were call the cat would he be able to shoot kittens at people.  Anyway they track down the shark gang spring their trap and…it’s over?  Really?  Sure his sub is broken but he has several muscle bound men while the heroes only have one competent guy, a little girl and a coward cat that hasn’t any depth perception.  If you can’t beat this trio then yeah should go to jail for life!

DONKEY KONG JR.:  What always got me about this segment was I don’t think Jr. ever caught up with Sr. or heck go toe to toe with Mario since I imagine unlike with the Donkey Kong segment he’s the villain.  This segment stars Jr. and Bones the human.  After getting run off the road by some ruffians said ruffians then kidnap a girls father and their truck.  The trio track them down only to find out that this is apparently a thing because the bad guys have been kidnapping truckers and their trucks.  Wouldn’t the police find it odd that a bunch of truckers went missing or the trucking companies?  (Observation)After a few minutes is Bones the submissive in his relationship with Jr?  I ask because of the way Junior keeps handling him and the fact that Bones always takes the bucket seat even though it’s his bike!

The guy that’s guarding truck is the worst.  How can he not hear the two of them talking or when Jr is screaming his catch phrase?  Is he really that into that samich?  Was he smacking his lips too loud?  Wait he doesn’t hear them talking or yelling but can hear Junior prying the steel open(which didn’t make any sound by the way!) and get’s knock down when a couple of chestnuts gently fall onto his head?  I don’t understand how science works in this show!  

Bones stumbles into trouble and get’s caught.  Would you like to see Juniors grand plan to get them out?  Okay their pretending to join their gang.  Just one thing could foul it up…okay 2 one is Bones the other is the fact that their talking loud enough for the villains to hear them!  Okay so the plan is to steal the key to this guys truck.  I think it really says a lot that Bones factored into no part of this plan at the bar.  Well we find out why later when Junior sets up a plan to nab the guys but Bones screws up.  So now Bones almost kills the kidnapped drivers.  Would it be safe to say that Junior should just go it alone by this point?  Well after Junior saves the drivers using a rope stronger than Spider-Man Web apparently he saves Bones again by…killing the villains?   THIS IS A KIDS SHOW CBS!  Yeah I know that they said their “in jail” but we never see that.  Sure there in jail.

Qbert wasn’t in this episode(the show rotates segments)but from what I can tell the concept is a bit weird.  The makers of this show decided to have Qbert set in a 1950’s world.  That’s like having the Mario Bros in a horror film(show clip of the Super Mario Bros movie)oh, wait…

As a whole this episode was, okay.  Quality wise it was on par with most shows during the 1980’s.  As I noted earlier 3 segments from the 1st season were cancelled and replaced with Space Ace and Kangaroo in Season 2.  It looks like they (the producers) knew which shows were stronger than the others.  Even though the show is mostly forgotten I have to imagine it still had a huge impact with getting later shows like The Legend of Zelda,  Sonic the Hedgehog, Captain N the Gamester etc. on the air.  While most of the video game shows were terrible some good ones came out like Sonic SAT-AM, Street Fighter II V and most recently Sonic Boom and Castlevania.

So while it started off shaky we’re now at a better place with video game cartoons.  Now if we hear that one is going to be made we expect it to be good unlike with the past.  I did also think would a concept like Saturday Supercade work today.  Maybe but it would be considered as experimental now as it did then.  Dedicating an entire hour with 4 11 min segments.  I don’t know what network would go for that.  Also would all 4 be comedic or do you toss in some drama ones in there.  Also various video games are aimed at different ages.  Do you aim each segment at a different demo or all segments at the same demo?  It might be best if these shows appeared on an animation block(ex 90mins to 2 hours weekly).



 

Nintendo: Pokemon Adventures(the true pokemon), Super Smash Bros., ZELDA, Fire Emblem, Animal Crossing, Chrono Trigger,

Playstation: Sly Cooper(since the movie’s never happening!), Uncharted, The Last Guardian, Ratchet & Clank, Jak & Daxter,  Kingdom Hearts(never going to happen but I can dream), Prince of Persia.  

XBOX:  Halo, Doom, GTA, Cuphead, Fortnite, Minecraft, Gears of War, Assassins Creed, Okami, Resident Evil.

SEGA:  Sonic the Hedgehog, Altered Beast, Contra, Earthworm Jim.

Are there any games you’d like to see become a tv series?  Also would you be game for them to be part of an anthology or as an animation block.  Comment below and let me know.

Mediocre.  Despite what people(the internet) felt Suicide Squad was a success making 746 million(over 300 in North America and over 400 overseas)and doing well on video. so people liked it and the major stand out was Harley Quinn.  So making a movie about her makes sense...except if you add the "Birds of Prey".  The film should be called "Harley Quinn: With the special guest stars the Birds of Prey".

The problem is that the supporting characters(The Birds of Prey) based on their source material could each have their own movie(series).  In the film they just come off as bastardized water downed versions of themselves.  Heck some don't even seem like that. EX. Cassandra Kane in the comics has one of the most fascinating backstories and best character arcs.  Plus for a decade she was DC's "BATGIRL" and here she's just an annoying pick pocket.  

I don't want to be too negative so here's a couple positives:

1.  Having Sionis aka Black Mask be the main bad guy.  It was a pretty good adaptation of the character.

2.  Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn.  Her version of the character is pretty accurate to recent depictions of the character in other medium.  I also liked her fighting style in the film.  It's at times serious but with a dash of madcap lunacy.

Overall some of the comedy and action is good but most of the main cast were woefully undeveloped. Based on what happens in this film I doubt we ever see proper versions of them in the future(unless the "FLASH" film will really reset the DCEU as it's rumored to do).

The writing wasn't that strong and because that the experienced actors couldn't really do much with their roles.  I mean c'mon Renee Montoya, Dinah Lance, Helena Bertanili, Victor Zasz(they defanged him) and Cassandra Cane and this is the best you can do?

What they could've done to fixed this is:
1.  Don't include any of the Birds of Prey.  Just be Harley Quinn film with Black Mask as the villain.  Don't have any of the birds in it.  Don't treat this as a backdoor pilot for another film series.

2.  Keep the same plot but have original characters in place of the "Birds".

3.  Bring back Jared Leto's Joker in some way.  Either in a cameo or as a dueling threat.  Then at the end of the film Harley leaving with will have more impact.

4.  Market the film better.  The first trailer came out only a couple months ago.  This film cost almost 100 million dollars.  Promotion should have been starting around August of September.

This is the list before I cut it down.

1. f-Krino Kousaka - Oreimo *
2. m-The Great Gazoo - The Flintstones
3. f-Angelica - Rugrats *
4. m-Joffrey - Game of Thrones *
5. f-Nellie Oleson - Little House on the Prairie *
6. EVERYONE - Family Guy *
7. f-Rosalind Shays - L.A. Law
8. m-Col. Cotton Lyndal Hill(Khan a barely #2) - King of the Hill *
9. m-Scrappy Doo - Scooby Doo
10. m-Shou Tucker - Full Metal Alchemist *
11. m-Gendou Ikari - Neon Genesis Evangelion *
12. Kyubey - Puella Magi Madoka Magica
13. f-Azula - Avatar the Last Air Airbender *
14. m-Griffith - Beserk
15. Dung Beetle - Bokurano! Hours
16. f-Alex - Wizards of Waverly Place *

Final for now LIST:
1.  Krino Kousaka - Oreimo
2.  Gendou Ikari - Neon Genesis Evangelion*(may remove him)
3.  Rosalind Shays - L.A. Law*(may remove her)
4.  EVERYONE- Family Guy
5.  Azula - Avatar the Last Airbender*(may remove her)
6.  The Great Gazoo The Flintstones
7.  Nellie Oleson - Little House on the Prairie
8.  Griffith - Beserk
9.  Alex - Wizards of Waverly Place
10. Scrappy Doo - Scooby Doo

2nd List
1.  Shou Tucker - Full Metal Alchemist
2.  Angelica - Rugrats
3.  Dung Beetle - Bokurano! Hours/Kyubey - Puella Magi Madoka Magica
4.  Joffrey - Game of Thrones
5.  Col. Cotton Lyndal Hill(Khan a barely #2) - King of the Hill