A little over a year ago, we spoke with Larry Longstreth, the founder of the comedy team Bull Crank, a crew of filmmakers devoted to making comedy in the form of animation and live action short films. This time we’re speaking with a different Larry; a more mature and hopeful Larry, along with his long time partner Aaron Longstreth. With this interview we hope to see what they’re up to and why Bull Crank is no more.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008) (DVD)
So it came and went like a bolt of lightning in theaters and the intent for big screen wishes were to give folks a treat on the back story of new Jedi Ahsoka who is recruited and soon becomes a feisty second hand to Anakin during the massive Clone Wars and it’s not that bad a movie. You laugh but it’s true; “The Clone Wars” wasn’t really too bad of a film, we just grew up without the tales now catered to children. This isn’t the first time and sadly this isn’t the last time. The next person who tells me that Lucas raped their childhoods is going to get five fingers on the cheek and a kick in the ass. Because in spite of its inherent flaws and stunning departure from Lucas’s typical storytelling style, it wasn’t as bad as “Phantom Menace” and its television series is also one program you can’t put too much weight on because it carries the mantle well.
The Walking Dead #52
This is one of the first issues–in fact it’s the only issue–that has kind of disappointed me since I started reading. I mean I wasn’t too crazy on the issue telling the story of the Governor, but I learned to enjoy it. With issue 52 of “The Walking Dead” I was kind of disappointed. With Rick now hopefully on the way to recovery from his stomach wound, he and Carl are now alone and he’s teaching the lad how to drive. We open the issue with a humorous, terrifying, and touching moment between the two where Carl learns how to drive crashing in to three of the walking dead and in comes Michonne to the rescue.
The Rapture (2007)
Viewing the screener DVD for director Johnny K. Wu’s science fiction actioner, it’s pretty clear that the movie is a real work of love. Wu is all about action flicks and making the best out of very little. “The Rapture” is a movie that’s granted care and style from Wu who goes so far to include a “Silence” warning you find in theaters. “The Rapture” is no small accomplishment; it’s a sleek and really good take on a pretty old formula with some of the best special effects I’ve seen in an indie film. The man‘s work here can not be dismissed as he goes through painstaking work to feature some incredible aesthetics like wings, and force fields.
Speed Racer: Widscreen Edition (2008) (DVD)
I’m probably one of the five people in America who thought that “Speed Racer” just got a bad rap by critics and audiences. I mean, really, what were you expecting from this flick? When all is said and done, I don’t think it’s that bad a movie at all. In fact I’m more than willing to admit its bevy of flaws but am still able to enjoy it in spite of the evident caveats. “Speed Racer” is too cool to just dismiss. I mean for a two hour and fifteen minute movie (seriously, Wachowskis?) it’s actually easy to sit through with a very unique take on Speed Racer. I hate to play apologist to the Wachowskis and their big budget effort, but I have to appreciate the pulp neo-noir take on “Speed Racer” with a vision that doesn’t talk down to kids.
Iron Man: 2 Disc Ultimate Edition (DVD)
Come on even the most militant fan of “The Dark Knight” has to admit that at one point “Iron Man” completely stole the thunder from the marketing campaign Nolan and Warner Bros. steamrolled in to theaters and for a short while it looked like the sequel to “Batman Begins” was doomed to be an under performer. It was a brief window but surely enough Marvel took the steam from the Big Eared One. And why wouldn’t it? Marvel has done it again. Sitting down to watch “Iron Man” is an incredible experience and one that warrants at least three or more viewings for any fan of comic books. If you’re a hardcore comic book geek like I am, you’ll know that “Iron Man” had every chance to be a steaming pile because the character has always been a third rate joke in the Marvel Universe.
Movies That Age Poorly: Independence Day (1996)
Directed by Roland Emmerich
Written by Dean Devlin, Roland Emmerich
I can criticize his movies all I want, but Will Smith makes money out the ass, and most times without even trying at all. He can star in a bastardized remake of a classic Western show, a bastardized adaptation of a science fiction novel, or a bastardized adaptation of a classic horror novel, and the man will still bank about a billion dollars easy. Take “Hancock.” Wow. But one thing that I’ve alwys found ridiculous was that Roland Emmerich and Dean Devlin expected us to believe that these aliens have every capability to defend themselves against our forces from electromagnetic waves, lasers, bombs, and missiles, but they couldn’t protect themselves against a super virus? And it takes one virus to bring down their defense systems? Doesn’t that contradict their whole advanced technology strategy? And if they could communicate telepathically, wouldn’t it stand to reason they would operate their machines telepathically? And since when do jets travel as fast as alien technology?