Riba Rambles:
Musings of a Mental Magpie

Posted by Lis Riba at 3:31 PM

Just fyi, I have not seen, nor do I currently plan to see, the trailers, video clips, and stills for the forthcoming Watchmen movie.

I did catch the first video clip released on the web, and decided that I like the original graphic novel enough that I don't want my internal soundtrack overwritten by the movie.

Maybe it will be superb -- I certainly hope so -- but for now, I wish to keep my illusions intact.

Posted by Lis Riba at 9:24 PM

I've been thinking of making a fanvid with images from Branagh's 1993 Much Ado About Nothing to the tune of "I write sins not tragedies" by Panic at the Disco.

Ian thinks that would be too... obscure.

What do you think?

Do you get it?

Posted by Lis Riba at 5:00 PM

So, on December 20th, Harvard Square Business Association will be hosting an "Everyone Loves Latkes Party" featuring treats made by the local restauranteurs.

Sounds cool, but why are they doing this on a Saturday? Doesn't that kind of miss the point (or at least, miss the target audience)?

I mean, even Brookline Liquor Mart reschedules their regular Saturday tastings for Sundays when they focus on Kosher products...

Posted by Lis Riba at 8:00 PM

So, is this a bona-fide publishing trend?

• Jun. 2006: Up, up, and oy vey!: how Jewish history, culture, and values shaped the comic book superhero by Simcha Weinstein
• Aug. 2007: Disguised as Clark Kent: Jews, comics, and the creation of the superhero by Danny Fingeroth
• Aug. 2008: Jews and American comics: an illustrated history of an American art form edited by Paul Buhle
• Nov. 2008: From Krakow to Krypton: Jews and comic books by Arie Kaplan

And here's the book which I suspect sparked much of the interest in this topic:

• Sep. 2000: The Amazing adventures of Kavalier and Clay: a novel by Michael Chabon

If you're in the Boston area and interested in the subject, Temple B'nai Brith in Somerville is having a guest lecturer tomorrow night (December 11), 7:30-9:00pm:

Jews in the Final Frontier

From Vulcans to Batman, from robots to wizards, Jewish writers and actors have shaped every level of American fantasy and science fiction. Born into immigrant families, many Jews often had to hide their 'secret identity' behind bland public masks — a social reality that led to the birth of such famous superheroes as Superman, Spiderman and scores of others.

And that's only the beginning of the story... Join us as we delve into the strange new worlds of F&SF texts and films as we explore their Jewish roots and continued influences in the present day!

Guest lecturer Joshua Breindel, a fifth year rabbinical student at Hebrew College, holds an MA in Jewish folklore. He is a talented storyteller and has been teaching Judaism and spirituality all around New England. This year he is acting as the spiritual leader of the Greater Jewish Community of Stowe, VT.

Recommended donation $8, RSVP here.

On a related note, the Evil League of Evil recently held open tryouts for new recruits.

You may get a kick out of the video application of Tur-Mohel.

Posted by Lis Riba at 12:13 PM

He's got a way with words.

About Obama:

“At a time of great crisis with mortgage foreclosures and autos, [Obama] says we only have one president at a time. I'm afraid that overstates the number of presidents we have. He's got to remedy that situation.”

How the First Amendment works:

“If [an LGBT-inclusive hate crimes law] passes, you will still be able to call me a faggot. I wouldn't recommend it if you're in the banking industry, however.”

Posted by Lis Riba at 11:36 AM

I've been saving this video for the first snowfall.

Source

According to reports, no injuries occurred during the incident.

Damn, now I want to play air hockey...

And drive safely, everybody!