Saturday 31 August 2013

Superhero Catch Phrases!

Updated in August 2013 due to awesome suggestions in the comments!
I'd love to add to them but I'm soooo busy...perhaps your favourite is missing? Let me know!!

Continuing on my deeply intellectual blogging theme, please find below some of my favourite catch phrases from comic book Superheroes (and Supervillains - everyone knows they always gets the best lines!)


Now, logic dictates that I can't include them all, but please let me know the obvious ones I've missed!!




  • IT'S CLOBBERING TIME - The Thing
  • IT'S CURTAINS FOR YOU DOCTOR HORRIBLE, LACY GENTLY WAFTING CURTAINS - Captain Hammer
  • HOLY (i.e. rusty metal) BATMAN - Robin
  • MERCIFUL MINERVA - Wonder Woman
also used by Wonder Woman
1. "Great Hera"
2. "Suffering Sappho"
3. "Thunderbolts of Jove"


  • FLAME ON - The Human Torch
  • I AM THE LAW - Judge Dredd
  • AVENGERS ASSEMBLE - Captain America
  • HULK SMASH - The Incredible Hulk (d'oh)
  • UP, UP AND AWAY - Superman
also by Superman
1. "Great Scott"
2. "Great Krypton"
3. "Great Rao"

  • OH MY STARS AND GARTERS- Beast
  • COWABUNGA - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (heroes in a halfshell)
  • SPOOOOOOOOOOOON - The Tick
  • WITH GREAT POWER COMES GREAT RESPONSIBILITY - Spider Man
  • YOU WOULDN'T LIKE ME WHEN I'M ANGRY - The Incredible Hulk
  • BY THE HOARY HOSTS OF HOGGOTH - Doctor Strange
  • I'M THE BEST THERE IS AT WHAT I DO AND WHAT I DO AIN'T PRETTY - Wolverine
  • TO THE BAT POLE ROBIN - Batman
  • BY CROM - Conan
  • MEIN GOTT - Nightcrawler
  • ODIN'S BEARD - Thor
  • BY THE GODDESS - Storm
  • I AN VENGEANCE, I AM THE NIGHT, I AM BATMAN
  • I'M THE JUGGERNAUT, BITCH.
  • I HAVE A PHD IN HORRIBLENESS - Doctor Horrible
  • READY TO DIE - Deadpool
  • I'LL EAT YOUR BRAINS - Venom
  • IT'S NOT THAT I DON'T CARE. I CARE MORE FOR HAVING FUN - Harley Quinn
  • KNEEL BEFORE ZOD
  • RIIIIIIIICCCCHHHHAARRDDS - Doom
  • I'M UNSTOPPABLE - Juggernaut (demonstrably not true)
  • Y'SEE LADIES, ANY FOOL CAN KILL, I WANTED TO DO IT WITH STYLE - Arcade
  • WHY SO SERIOUS? - The Joker
  • RIDDLE ME THIS - The Riddler

And my personal favourite
  • HERE I COME TO SAVE THE DAY - Mighty Mouse

    Next up! Comic based Movies!!

    * * * * * Updated!* * * * *
    Ahem, other companies release adaptations too
    There are so many adaptations of comics and graphic novels hitting the big screen nowadays that it's hard to remember that there was once a time when comics were sneered upon in the entertainment world, seen as lesser forms of both art and literature and definitely viewed as being more suited to children and teenagers than adults. 

    (Don't believe me? Check out comic book guy from the Simpson's - a biting inditement on anyone over the age of 18, who would choose to read comics)

    Then there was Superman - and we started to believe that a man could fly.

    Less than five years later, Batman proved that comic adaptations could be gritty, realistic (ish) and dark.

    And since then - a plethora of characters have made the leap from the printed page to silver screen.

    Some were wonderful (the first Spiderman film, Blade, MIB). Others...were not (the third Spiderman film, Electra, Ghost Rider). And let's be fair, there are always going to be a few that you love/loathe regardless of whether the films deserved it (Casper the friendly ghost - what can I say? I loved it).

    Much as we might wish too, we can't cover em all, so if you have a "must mention" be it bad or good - make sure you let us know in the comments below!!

    Here are some of mine! 

    The Good
    Superman *excluding the forth one
    Batman *excluding Batman and Robin
    X-Men 1 and 2
    X Men - First Class
    Thor *haven't seen the sequel yet
    Iron-Man *the second one hanging on by a thread
    Captain America *haven't seen the sequel yet
    The Avengers
    Men In Black *particularly the third
    Kickass *haven't seen the sequel yet
    The Crow *only the first one
    Scott Pilgrim vs the World
    Blade
    Tank Girl
    Ghost World
    300 *goriest chick flick ever...

    The Bad
    (not bad bad, just not as good as it should have been)
    Wolverine
    Daredevil
    The Fantastic Four
    Watchmen *too faithful an adaptation?
    30 Days of Night
    Hellboy
    The Incredible Hulk
    Supergirl
    Mystery Men
    The Mask

    The Ugly
    (diabolical, and the director/writer should be shot with a shovel full of ... sugar)
    X-Men 3 - GRRRRRRRRRR
    Ghost Rider
    Catwoman
    Electra
    Constantine
    Catwoman
    From Hell *Heather Graham - the typical cockney working girl. I think NOT
    Catwoman
    Howard the Duck
    Wanted
    Hulk
    Catwoman
    Green Lantern
    Josie and the Pussycats
    The League of Extra-Ordinary Gentlemen
    Barb Wire


    Wednesday 21 August 2013

    Interview with Claudia Christian

    There just isn't enough SQUEE in the world really.

    CULTURALLY FIXATED is delighted to welcome the sublime 
    Claudia Christian
    who joined us this week. 

    To hoards of SF fans, Claudia will always be General Susan Ivanova from Babylon 5 - one of the greatest SF characters in one of the greatest SF TV series EVER. However - as you'll hear during our chat - she's a true renaissance woman, with a diverse range of activities and creative outlets. 

    She writes. She sings. She enjoys food, travel and books. She's even written a few herself! All that on top of portraying countless memorable characters across tv and film. AND single handedly destroyed a small fleet.

    Intimidating?

    Just a touch. 

    During out chat we start off by discussing Claudia's latest project - it's more of a mission really - narrating One Little Pill. This is a documentary to raise awareness of The Sinclair Method - a revolutionary and scientific treatment for alcohol addiction that, Claudia frankly admits, saved her life. Claudia has been so determined to heighten the profile of this method, that she has founded a charity - the C Three Foundation.   

    From there, we discuss her no holds barred autobiography - Babylon Confidential - a memoir of love, sex and addiction. Every life story that comes out of Hollywood claims to be honest and open - this one actually delivers! Every soaring height and each crushing fall is explored with an often heartbreaking forthrightness. It turns out that Claudia is every bit as passionate, funny and honest in person!


    Finally, we moved onto Babylon 5. It's been 15 years since the show ended and the friendships created (and indeed the fandom) have sustained and become legend. It's always such a pleasure to discuss something that you love with someone involved in the process - to have it held in their hearts too is just a cherry on top. Or a raspberry...I don't like cherries. 





    Podcast Powered By Podbean



    Spoilers for all of Babylon 5. 
    And life the universe and everything. 

    Language warnings apply as usual.

    Listen HERE!

    On the go - the mobile LINK!


    If you're interested in learning more, you can contact Claudia (and her magic internet elves) here:
    One Little Pill
    The C Three Foundation

    On the web  - Claudia Christian
    On twitter  - @ClaudiaLives
    On YouTube  - HERE
    On FaceBook - HERE

    Babylon Confidential - a memoir of love, sex and addiction


    Fancy more of our inane chatter? You'll find us on twitter as @SteveCult and @Drneevil



    Sunday 4 August 2013

    Interview with Enver Gjokaj!

    Enver Gjokaj - actor, writer and inventor - joins Cult Neeve for a chat about all sorts of everything - from TV appearances to creating original content, being part of Lust for Love - a kickstarter project from before it became all trendy - and an exclusive look at what's coming next!

    And not one mention of Joss Whedon, The Avengers or Dollhouse. And if you don't know by now that's a huge lie - I just despair!

    We are also the first to find out more about the new web series that Enver has just finished co-writing. It's called Hollywood Hitmen and Dichen Lachman will be involved on the screen and off! Listen in to get all the available details! 


    VicTopher
    Usual ***LANGUAGE*** warnings apply. 

    Ditto ***SPOILERS*** though I can't think of anything that we really ruined. Better safe than sorry eh!

    Listen Here!


    Podcast Powered By Podbean


    Listen HERE!

    On the go - the mobile LINK!


    As Kiki - Dollhouse
    Fancy more of our inane chatter? You'll find us on twitter as @SteveCult and @Drneevil


    Friday 2 August 2013

    Warm Bodies Review

    Zombies are taking over the world. It's all but offical at this point.

    I mean, Leeds fell a while ago (see images HERE of the recent zombie marches) but its become clear that the rest of the world won't be too far behind. Even the Australians are afraid...though they haven't cracked the date just yet

    Literary classics are being revised - Pride and Prejudice and Zombies now seems like such a natural idea that I can't believe that no one attempted it before (dry voice).

    The Walking Dead (which I'm not actually a fan off) and Ugly Americans (unseen, but heard good things) ensured that the undead are slowly but surely taking over the televisual world.
    So it amuses me slightly that the film genera has become a bit stale in recent years, despite there being a glut available. So many rehashing the same stories and images, not even attempting to expand the mythology or try something new.
    
    What? No hug?
    Sure, 28 hours/days/weeks/years turned out to be a far more natural successor to the '...of the Dead' franchise than any of the series actual recent cinematic offerings. Zombies became faster; smarter; cruel and resourceful. And therefore more terrifying. I guess. For some*. 
    The so-different-I-honestly-don't-know-why-they-bothered adaptation of I am Legend continued this trend - converting the books vampire types to zombie-trope characters with over-wealming speed, aggression and pack mentality - maximising their monstrous strength.  
    I don't like.

    I mean I do... but... I was raised with slow, lumbering, vacant, shopping mall monsters.
    I guess I'm just a traditionalist at heart.

    Of course, there was Shaun of the Dead and Zombieland. My saviours if you will. Two films so faithful, irreverant, funny and wry that you can't help but love them. In fact, sometimes - when the speedy zombies get too much for me - I hug my SotD dvd close; chanting "We're coming to get you Barbara!!" mantra like.

    Warm Bodies is a Rom-Zom-Com and the closest thing that Shaun of the Dead has to a squel (Hot Fuzz and The World's End aren't sequels, they are Cornettos). While it lacks a certain bite (sorry, couldn't reist); it harks back to a softer, gentler more old fashioned film style, balanced with a more contemporary and cynical world-weary perspective.

    BLURB (The Guardian review)
    In a post-apocalyptic world, human survivors have barricaded themselves into a safe area of the city, but outside there are loads of shuffling, mumbling zombies, who are still in a relatively human phase before they degenerate further into hideous, skeletal attackers. 
    One of these nice demi-undead folk, played by Nicholas Hoult, is a cute guy who falls in love with the lovely human Julie (Teresa Palmer), daughter of zombiephobe survivalist warlord Grigio (John Malkovich).  
    Golly. Hasn't Nicholas Hoult done well. I still remember him as that odd looking freaky kid from About a Boy.

    I won't summarise the story line here - I honestly think that it's worth you watching it for yourself - whoever you are. However, the usual *SPOILER* warnings still apply. 

    Throughout the film, but especially at the beginning, the voice over was just golden. In fact, it might be one of the driest voice commentaries EVER. As a vehicle it's used quite well - heavy at the beginning with perhaps not quite enough of it in the middle while it tapers off as R becomes better able to communicate.  

    As a piss take of twishite (no - not the whole thing, but there were definite references), it was hilarious. Especially as himself wasn't entirely sure that they were in fact taking the mickey and was terrified that it was about to descend into rat shit. He'd been half convinced the lead was a Kristen Stewart clone at the start and was wary (he warmed to her as the film progressed) so the near heart failure was just delicious to watch!


    While this film - like most in the zombie house - focused on two primary protagonists, they were offered excellent support from Marcus and Nora (Rob Corddry and Analeigh Tipton), their best friends. All their interactions were just brilliant. Analeigh Tipton was equally good in Crazy Stupid Love and is definitely one to watch while Rob Corddry has a tendency to steal every scene he's in!

    I liked the tweaks to the zombie mythology too - introducing two types of undead - those like R, who are dead but fairly human like and the bonies, who are scary monsters. For a film that often seemed determined to stay within the lines, it was an unexpectedly bold move and I for one would be quite happy to see more tales set in that world. 

    As to the big issue - that of speed - Warm Bodies worked the two speed approach. In the main, the zombie wandered around, slow and almost placid. The second that they sniffed out a living person, however, they became transformed into vicious bloodthirsty monsters, moving with near in-human speed. 

    A really enjoyable film and one I've happily recommended to people! As per usual, we'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments or on twitter!



    *I can't be the only one who found original zombies terrifying precisely because they were so slow moving and drooly and thoughtless and ... relentless. Seriously creepy. They don't sleep, for example. So, even if you do find a great hidey hole - they can sniff you out and find you.
    Creepy.

    Breaking Bad - Ozymandias - Percy Shelley

    OZYMANDIAS
    PERCY B SHELLEY

    I MET a Traveler from an antique land, 
    Who said, "Two vast and trunkless legs of stone 
    Stand in the desart. Near them, on the sand, 
    Half sunk, a shattered visage lies, whose frown, 
    And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command, 
    Tell that its sculptor well those passions read, 
    Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things, 
    The hand that mocked them and the heart that fed: 
    And on the pedestal these words appear: 
    "My name is OZYMANDIAS, King of Kings." 
    Look on my works ye Mighty, and despair! 
    No thing beside remains. Round the decay 
    Of that Colossal Wreck, boundless and bare, 
    The lone and level sands stretch far away.

    First published in 1818

    The poem above was used to launch the second half of season 5 of Breaking Bad - one of the oddest, most compelling and addictive TV series. The internet is already rife with speculation as to what it all means. Me? I just can't wait for the remaining episodes to air!





    Also posted on Leeds Book Club.