Author: Movie Lists Man

If you’re like me, you’re always hungry for more YouTube channels to follow. I have insomnia and I need a lot of content to get me through the night. For example, if a channel releases one video a week, that’s maybe eight minutes of my nightly four hour sessions, so I need a lot of content.

Here are some of the less offensive channels that I’ve followed over the years that, if you aren’t already subscribed to, you may consider. Likewise, if you have some YouTube channels to recommend (no matter how big or small) please provide them in the comments below. I would be beholden to you.

The Late Late Show with James Corden

Someone once said of Rosie O’Donnell she interacted with the stars like a fan and that’s why people liked her. I think the same may be true of James Corden.

He’s not quite Jimmy Fallon, who seems to to just get it and sets trends with things like Lip Sync Battles, but he’s got great ideas. This Car Karaoke being one of them. Check out the one he did with Justin Bieber, it may actually make you Beliebe.

Corden has also done things like celebrate YouTube’s 10th anniversary and having major YouTubers on his channel like Jenna Marbles and Tyler Oakley, which is forward thinking.

There’s something sweet about Corden, cheerful. Like a hug personified. Especially when he teams up with similarly spirited people. Just look at him do singing telegrams with Demi Lovato. Looooooook:

 

Extra Credits

Extra Credits is all about video game education and analysis. If you ever wonder why certain games worked so well, or why certain games failed, or were curious about how the games industry functions, or were interested in making games yourself, you’ll find those answer to those questions thoughtfully, and amusingly, articulated and illustrated here.

The format of each episode is typically the same. An animated version of narrator Daniel Floyd stands atop a podium (like in a lecture hall), and reads scripts written largely by show writer James Portnow, a video game designer, consultant, and teacher.

I admire how the show considers modern viewers in order to better educate them. Dan’s voice is modified to be high-pitched so that episodes are shorter, while images (either animated or straight up pics from the ‘net) help illustrate their words and add humour.

There’s a lot to learn here, not just about video games, but other concepts as well. There’s a two-part episode that discusses The Hero’s Journey, which discusses the narrative model used in various books, video games, and movies, like Star Wars. Then there’s the episode where the show completely drops the show format and has James talk about his own personal experience with game addiction for half an hour.

One of my favourites, though, is the one showcased above, on Narrative
Mechanics that takes an old arcade game, Missile Command, and explains how games frame their interactions with characters to tell stories that we can intrinsically understand.

 

Every Frame a Painting

Unless you take a class specifically dedicated to Cinematography, it’s a tricky thing to understand.

It’s actually a pet peeve of mine when a reviewer says, “great cinematography,” because either they don’t know what they’re talking about or their audience doesn’t. Granted, because of the complexity of the subject you would have to dedicate a series of paragraphs to explain what you mean (which can be boring) but then why say it at all?

Anyway, in recent years I’ve dedicated more efforts to learning about cinematography and this YouTube channel does a great job teaching about the framing of shots in movies.

Does it ever bother you that in some action movies, the shots cut so fast that you sometimes lose who is the good guy and who is the bad guy? Of course it does. Come into my arms. We’re brothers now. Watch these channel, my brother. Understanding is within.

 

Michael Castro

One day I was looking for a male version of a female song to see if I could sing it at Karaoke in a lower octave. This produced some very disturbing results, but also produced Michael’s version:

He’s so far beyond my ability that I found mimicking him helpful and I started exploring his channel of other songs I might try. He mostly posts vlogs of himself and his family band (you may recognize his brother, Jason Castro from American Idol) these days, and somewhere along that journey I started to see more of him and fellow YouTuber (and now fiancee) Kandee Johnson.

I have this voyeuristic interest in watching people get along. There are so many grey layers to all our relationships (even ones outside of significant others) that it’s nice to escape sometimes into a relationship that appears pure.

While Kandee and Michael’s relationship obviously faces adversity from time to time, that’s off camera. And it’s hard not to admire their infectious optimism and light-hearted nature. They work naturally together. In the above video, Kandee is applying make-up to Michael’s eye.

Kandee: “Girls do this every day.” Michael: “Tell them to stop.”

Joe Goes

For a man who works so hard at his medium, his interview style challenges the conventions of what the traditional interview model would offer. Maybe that’s why he’s so likeable.

Joe Goes is a series where Joe goes to events and places and interviews people. It’s a comedy show, and Joe’s shtick is to pose mildly offensive or perverse questions in order to incite the interviewee. This particular routine isn’t completely innovative, but Joe also does these blank stare shots of him in his locations and with his interviewees. It’s the mark of someone who understands himself. Joe is a bit awkward and creepy himself, so he owns it.

He asks one girl, “if your sun burns, and your skin peels, can I have some of it?” The girl laughs, reluctantly agrees and tells him to sell it on eBay. Joe goes, “No, I’m making a girl out of it.”

This week I continue my Smallville journey. In the last post I talked about how Season Six was dark. Season Seven is much brighter, and better.

1. Kara!

Kara Kara bo bara, banana nana fo ferra~

I really like Clark’s cousin, Kara. Cute, unnaccustomed to Earth’s ways, and fun. For some reason Smallville doesn’t allow itself to have too much fun and prefers mellodrama, but I’m telling you: The show works better when it’s fun.

My only regret is that we see so little of Kara. I understand that two Krytonians is “too powerful” and small doses equals better doses, but if this season had six episodes of Kara bumbling through human life experiences, like when she’s trying to win the Miss Sweet Corn pageant, I’d be a happy man.

 

2. Clark, Kal-El, Naman, Traveller

In this season we learn that Lionel Luther has long since been a member of a group (Veritas) who was entrusted to protect the Earth from “The Traveller” (Clark) in case he ever went crazy.

It’s OK, Smallville. I’ll look the other way when you introduce a new plotline that doesn’t make sense. I didn’t like the Native American prophecy stuff either. I won’t point out the logical inconsistencies of Lionel having never mentioned the term, “the Traveller” before, or Veritas. Or poo-poo you for giving Clark yet another name.

I’m above that kind of thing.

 

3. Lana Temporarily Better

Just chill, Lana. Chill.

Lana gets to me. We spent six seasons listening to Clark go on about how Lana might not accept his secret, while Lana nagged Clark about how he can tell her anything, so now that she knows and is supportive I was yelling at the TV like, “I TOLD YOU, DUDE. GOD!” Then we get two or three episodes where Lana is super understanding and non-dramatic. She makes Clark pancakes and smiles at him. I like this Lana.

Of course that doesn’t last. She’s different after being with Lex, and wants to get revenge on him (for various reasons) at any cost, and she can’t help but be the worst. Just the worst.

 

4. Deeeeaaaannn DUUUUDE

I’m not proud of this, but I watched a LOT of Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. Whenever Lois and Clark kissed there was this audible, unbearable, smacking sound. And they kissed a lot. But I tolerated that sound because I enjoyed the show. I’ll have to go back and see why. I don’t suspect I would like it as much now.

But it was cool to see Dean Cain in Smallville, and as a VILLAIN no less. And a believable villain. I guess Dean Cain is more than a handsome slab of show hosting man-meat. Much love, bro.

 

5. Clois

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a TV relationship with such a slow-burn before. Smallville switched networks partway through the series, so it takes some cajones to go seven seasons without initiating a relationship between Lois and Clark that we’ve been expecting from the start.

Instead we get a few inside jokes and moments when the two characters instinctively comfort each other. It’s reserved, and manages to not be irritating with its build-up — only magical.

 

6. Zach

This should actually be called “6 Things You Need to Know …” because this is a small aside. This season features a new editor-in-chief at the Daily Planet, Grant Gabriel (Michael Cassidy). I remember Michael Cassidy from The O.C. where he played Zach Stevens. I almost didn’t recognize him he’s lost so much weight. And he wasn’t pudgy, either. I just thought he was one of those “Everything about me is big,” guys like Jared Padalecki. I mean look at the difference. I actually checked to see if he had cancer or something. Not that I could find. Hope you’re healthy, bud.

 

7. Finding its Way

I feel like Season Seven recovers from Season Six’s doldrums. We get a brief reprieve from Lana whining, Kara is cute, Lex is more straightforward evil (which is oddly enjoyable because it’s different), and there’s a few moments of carefree fun. It’s OK to have fun, Smallville.

After Season Four, Smallville left high school and moved away from Jonathan and Martha. I think it took a couple of seasons to find a groove. Season Seven is that groove. (Or so I thought. Enter Season Eight …)

I continue my journey through Smallville. In the last post I was worried the show was declining a little bit. Well, the bad times are here my friends.

1. Zod and the Non-Cliffhangers

After awhile you start to ask, “why end a season in a cliffhanger at all?” I know the show runners want people to come back the following season, but I’m starting to notice a pattern in Smallville cliffhangers. No matter how bad things are, by the end of the first episode back, Clark will be safe and sound and back in the barn loft.

When Season Six begins, Clark is in the Phantom Zone, Lex is possessed by Zod, and Metropolis is so overrun with riots it looks post-apocalyptic. It is as alien and far-fetched as the show has ever been, but by the end of the episode? Yup, you guessed it; don’t you worry your pretty little heads.

 

2. Green Arrow

I think Green Arrow is the best superhero-related addition to the show. Probably because he’s the most human.

In this season, we’re introduced to Oliver Queen, who moonlights as the vigilante superhero, Green Arrow. He doesn’t have any powers, just a god-like accuracy with his arrows. Oh, and money.

My DC knowledge is actually quite limited, but in the Justice League cartoon, Green Arrow challenged a lot of opinions and kept other heroes with super powers focused on humanity and the small picture; not the greatest amount of good for the greatest amount of people, but a stubborn viewpoint that ensures justice for everyone — especially the little guys.

I suspect that this attitude is typical to the Green Arrow character, because that’s how he is in Smallville. He’s the first person to challenge Clark on how he’s been using his powers. Yes, Clark has been using his powers to protect friends and family and the people of Smallville, but what about the rest of the world?

Characters need to be challenged in order to grow. And challenging Clark on a human level (by someone with no powers) helps root a show in things we can relate to, while making Clark a better, more interesting man at the same time.

 

3. Justice League Appears

I wonder if Marvel’s Cinematic Universe owes a litle credit to Smallville’s design.

In Season Four, Clark met Bart Allen, Kid Flash. In Season Five, Clark met Aquaman and Cyborg. Now in Season Six, we see them all united under the leadership of Green Arrow, as the Justice League. I’m not sure whether this was intended from the start, or the reception to the Bart was so good that they just kept going. Either way, it’s kinda cool and they don’t overplay it. Just give us a taste.

 

4. Lexana

Lana smootching the bad guy, Lana in love with the bad guy, Lana engaged to the bad guy, Lana impregnated by the bad guy. I am starting to realize there are people out there who like this relationship, but I’m trying to remember Season One when I liked Lana. When she was cute and hot and Clark was pursuing her, and little by little they worked their way into each other’s hearts. Pure, young love.

Not this monstrosity. Each kiss, each scene taints my memory. Booooo.

 

5. Nightmare Season

This season is dark. Ugly even. It starts with Clark in the Phantom Zone, a bleak, grey world filled with some the deadliest and cruelest beings in the universe, who are trapped, and angry that they’re trapped. Meanwhile, Metropolis is basically in anarchy.

Even though Clark escapes, he spends the season dealing with some of the monsters that escape. All the while Lex and Lana and smooching.

It’s a season filled with stuff we either don’t want to see, or feel compelled to look away from.

 

6. Over-Lexed

Did you ever have a time when your Father investigated something illegal/immoral you were secretly working on, found out you’d disappeared, had all of your research and facility removed during this time so that you wouldn’t be discovered, and then when you returned, give you a lecture about being careless before demanding to be cut into your secret project?

Or discover your son has murdered someone in the basement of the chapel he is supposed to be married in later that afternoon?

Because this is the kind of relationship Lionel and Lex have, and it is tiresome. I’m tired, Season Six. I’m so tired.

 

7. Kind of Stop Paying Attention

There are a lot of times during Season Six where I realized I wasn’t paying attention. Like when Jimmy gets knocked out and dreams of being a reporter in the 1940’s, or the episode where Clark wakes up powerless in an institution and is told everything he knows about himself is a lie, or yet another scene where Lex is saying one thing but meaning another and I just kind of … zone out. Lex and Lana begin another conversation about trust and I look at reddit.

Overall there’s still a lot to enjoy this season, but I think the repetition and bleakness made this season the weakest yet for me.

Continuing my Smallville journey. In the last post I talked about how Season Four was Smallville’s peak. Season Five proves that’s true. It’s not quite as good, largely because it feels like some of the characters lose relevance and zest. But it’s not bad. I think bad is coming later.

1. Dukes of Hazzard Throwback

Smallville does a lot of throwbacks to previous Superman iterations and other TV shows.

This season has, I think, one of the more heart-warming throwbacks to John Schneider’s (Jonathan Kent) TV show, Dukes of Hazzard. Dukes of Hazzard was an action comedy of sorts that ran from 1979 to 1985. It starred Schneider as Bo Duke, a good ole boy from Hazzard county who drove around with his buddy, Luke Duke (Tom Wopat) in an orange 1969 Dodge Charger called the General Lee. There are no shows like this today, so maybe it’s better to show you what it was like:

Imagine starring on a TV show for seven years and reuniting with your friend in an homage to that show twenty years later; jumping in a (blue) Dodge Charger where “one of the doors has been stuck since he bought it” (Bo and Luke could only get in the General Lee through the windows because the doors were welded shut).

It’s all kinda respectful and I love it.

 

2. The Family Man Episode

There’s an entire episode this season dedicated to a “what if” Lex story. In this episode, Lex is shot and experiences a near-death vision of his life as kinder, gentler, poorer Lex. It’s not unlike the plot of the movie The Family Man where a wealthy, single man gets a glimpse of what it would be like to be married with children in the suburbs. I recommend that movie. It’s much better than this episode.

When I see something like this I wonder, do people actually like Lex? Are we supposed to be torn at this point as to whether or not we think Lex is good or bad? Is this supposed to be the one episode we remember as Lex heads into a relationship with Lana? Is “Lexana” a genuine thing fans enjoyed?

Because he’s not painted as grey as the show thinks, he’s been painted black for a long, long time.

 

3. Clark Works Well with Children

There’s something about juxtaposing Superman with a child that works well. Particularly children that are vulnerable, or threatened in some way. We so desperately want to see the child be OK that standing next to someone who is bulletproof makes us feel safe.

Perhaps the best example of this is in this season where Clark meets a young girl who has was so traumatized she stopped speaking. She is also extremely anxious and the more anxious she gets, her powers to break glass activate and all the glass in the room starts exploding. It’s an over-the-top version of the formula, but I think the formula is so sound that all you need are a few reliable actors and it will work every time.

 

4. The Decline of Lana

Clark and Lana get back together (again) this season and I was SO HAPPY … for a couple of episodes. Then Clark starts lying to her again and her interactions with Clark become a merry-go-round. Her character effectively gets reduced to various iterations of, “Clark why are you pulling away from me, why don’t you trust me? Clark, I love you, you can tell me anything.” And then he doesn’t, and then there’s another episode, and another situation that forces the issue, and repeat.

I’m sorry to say it, but this was the season where I started to want Lana to go.

 

5. The All Powerful Jor-El

When you have an undefined, seemingly all-powerful force on a show, it becomes a cure-all solution for every problem, which ultimately dissolves tension from the show. There are two deaths this season that Jor-El rectifies. TWO. I can appreciate that people don’t stay dead in the comic book world, but when someone dies, or something impossibly bad happens on the show, we don’t worry as audience members — whatever it is, Jor-El’s got this.

 

6. Exploitation

I’m not proud to admit there’s an, “all right, all right, all right” part of me that appreciates the exploitation of women on Smallville, but this still needs to be said.

There’s an awful lot of parading of women’s … assets on Smallville. Particularly Lois. In this season there’s an Aquaman episode that makes sure Lois has multiple, well-framed shots of her coming out of the water in her bikini. Later, there’s an episode where she helps Chloe investigate a story by posing as a stripper, which, naturally, includes a scene where she does a dance on stage. There’s also the infamous apartment-above-the-Talon shower that every young woman on Smallville uses. Even Chloe finds her way in there this season and she doesn’t even live there.

I’m probably not recalling all the shirtless Clark moments, but I’m fairly certain exploitation is weighted towards the women on the show.

Just imagine how Erica Durance (Lois Lane) must feel when she receives a script that calls for her to be scantily clad for “plot reasons” yet again.

“‘Lois comes out in a bikini.’ Uh huh. This is gonna make Mom proud.”

 

7. It Still Has Great Moments

There is one bright moment that’s one of my favourite in the series. (Larger-than-normal spoiler alert). After Jonathan’s death, Clark spends an arduous episode tracking down his Father’s stolen watch. At the end of the episode, he gets the watch and returns home to find his Mom watching an old video of Jonathan driving a tractor.

“This young man’s a Man of Steel, look at him!” Jonathan says in the video. “Trying to show our son the back forty. After all, it’s all gonna be his one day, right? Clark, wave bye to Mommy, Son.”

And then he looks into the camera with that charming smiling and says, “bye bye.”

It’s simple and effective. Clark and Martha don’t say anything while watching, their reactions tells us how they feel. It’s how the medium should be used, to let images convey the character’s emotions rather than dialogue. And the scene gets me every time.

In my previous post I talked about Season Three of Smallville maturing a little. Season Four is all grown up.

Continuing my journey through Smallville, I believe I’ve come to the show’s peak, Season Four. It’s a season that is comfortable with itself, isn’t afraid to have a little fun, and is finally good enough to set up an emotional moment and ensure it delivers.

1. Martha Kent is the Most Important Thing in Smallville

I know Lois is hot, but a story doesn’t work unless you care about the characters and Annette O’Toole (Martha Kent) is the emotional center of the series. If there’s a touching scene in Smallville that works, O’Toole is usually part of it.

There’s an openness and warmth to her face, her expressions, her voice. It’s easy to feel for her, and O’Toole utilizes her gifts to earn our empathy. Like the scene at the beginning of the season where Jonathan is in hospital and the doctors want to turn off his life support. Martha refuses. When Jonathan wakes up, she tells Clark and Jonathan that, “My Father used to say, ‘life asks of you what he thinks you can handle,'” and that she held on because she knew they would all be together again. It’s not just a great speech, it works because O’Toole is the best one to sell the weight of what family means.

Later, there’s an episode where Lionel Luther and Clark switch bodies and Clark (from inside Lionel) must convince Martha that he is actually Clark. He tells her a story:

Remember when I was six and I was playing tag with Dad. And all of a sudden I started running faster than I’d ever run before and I was in the middle of Palmer Woods, completely lost. And you and Dad had to call Sheriff Ethan. And when you saw me you started crying. And I thought something was wrong with me. And you said, ‘No there wasn’t.’ And then you held me in your arms and you told me I was just special.

This is very weird coming from Lionel and hard to believe, but as soon as we see Martha’s face as she understands the situation, we buy into the story, we buy into the body swap, and we buy into her love for Clark. All because of O’Toole.

 

2. Dean Winchester Is In It

Smallville seems to be a revolving door of actors on their way to greater things and this is the case for Jensen Ackles who plays Jason Teague on Smallville (Lana’s love interest and assistant football coach). After leaving Smallville, Ackles goes on to play Dean Winchester in the Supernatural series.

I love Supernatural. If you haven’t seen it, I recommend it. It’s much, much darker, and has a far stronger horror element to it than Smallville, but if TV shows were family members, I would call the two shows cousins.

On Supernatural, Jensen plays a badass demon hunter. He suffers a lot on the show, so on the one hand it was nice to see him play a character on Smallville who doesn’t have to suffer so much. On the other hand, it was extremely frustrating to watch someone who is so adept in Supernatural at hunting demons be so inept at fighting dark forces in Smallville.

In the episode where Lana, Lois, and Chloe get possessed by witches’ spirits, Jason uncovers this, rescues Clark and runs off to go find them. I started to get excited. Finally, I was going to see a little bit of Dean.

Nope, Clark saves the day all by himself. Such a waste of one of the Winchester Boys.

 

3. The Witches

I was really worried about these witches. When it was airing, every so often I would check in to see if I should re-dedicate myself to the show. I distinctly remember doing this and seeing the episode where Lana, Chloe and Lois get possessed by witches from the 17th century. It was just too weird for me and that was it — no more Smallville. In fact, every time someone mentioned the show to me in the future, this was the episode I would think about. “Oh God, not Smallville. That show is terrible.”

But you know what? There’s only a few witchey episodes here and there and they’re not that bad. Certainly less unappealing when you’ve seen four seasons of meteor rock freaks, and powers, and aliens, and native american prophecies, and characters afflicted with an insanity that comes and goes. But a few witches? I can live with that. No matter how ridiculous they looked.

 

4. It Finds its Comedy Feet

After awhile, a TV series gets comfortable. Whether it’s the cast, or the writers, or some combination of both I’m not sure. But in this comfort, people start to have fun.

There’s an episode this season where a sorority-type girl gets body swapping powers and swaps into various bodies, including Martha Kent’s. Lois asks, “I don’t mean to be rude Mrs. Kent, but did you crack open the cooking sherry?”

Martha replies like an angry spoiled child: “Of course not. I’m just SUPER PUMPED about prom!”

Since Smallville is full of things that are hard to believe, I think it works best when they have fun with it.

 

5. Alicia, Alicia, Alicia

Alicia is my favourite. She should be everyone’s favourite. (Bigger-than-normal spoiler alert incoming).

This is how you do loss. Unlike the lackluster attempt in Season Two I discussed, the loss of Alicia works better because the show does a better job of establishing her vulnerability and likeability.

In this season, Alicia is released from the mental hospital. All she wants is a second chance with Clark despite the fact she tried to kill Lana. And Clark can’t help himself. He can be honest with Alicia. They’re vulnerable with each other. Clark’s willingness to believe in the best in people is just as strong as Alicia’s desire to be accepted by Clark and those around her. So when she’s taken from him, we already understand and accept how much they mean to each other. There’s more clearly defined loss.

And it is deeply felt.

 

6. Lois is Great

In this season we’re introduced to Lois Lane. While she’s not in every episode, it’s clear there is something special about her, something that even distinguishes her from all the other women on the show. And it’s not just that she’s abrasive, and gung-ho, and funny, and straight-forward, and that she and Clark don’t like each other, it’s that she doesn’t call Clark for help. She thinks she can do anything on her own. What happens when Chloe is in trouble? She calls Clark. When Lana is in trouble? Calls Clark. When Lois is in trouble? She thinks she can solve the problem all by herself.

 

7. Pappa Clark and Momma Lana

Did you think I was going to let you get away with this nonsense, Season Four?

There’s an episode where Clark and Lana find a baby boy in a mysterious crater. Clark brings him back home and he and Lana start to treat the child like their own, holding him, changing him, caring for him.

Clark likes kids, I get it. But he and Lana immediately assuming parenting roles when they don’t live together and aren’t dating is just bizarre. I’ll go as far to say this is the most uncomfortable, unbelievable episode yet, and this was the season with the witches.

I’m not mad, Season Four, I’m just disappointed.

 

8. It’s Figured Out it’s Emotional Power

Like most guys, I’m not very good at expressing my emotions. I like to keep them to myself and try and bury and forget about them. Usually they keep pretty well under the dirt, but we all go through tough times and when we do, the mound gets bigger.

Every so often, a TV or movie executes a heartfelt moment so well that a little emotion escapes, and the mound gets a little smaller, a little lighter. That’s a good thing. I could use a mini excavation right now.

There are a lot of moments in Season Four that have disturbed the dirt, and allowed some emotion to seep through to the surface. Like when Martha gives her speech about family, or when Lois convinces Clark not to kill a Meteor Freak, or when Martha recognizes Clark inside Lionel.

Season Four has probably been the best in that respect. I believe it is some kind of culmination of certain actors getting better, and the show evolving to a point where direction of the season and the projected storylines for all the characters is working well, and everything just sings. Mostly.

And it becomes like a friend, taking a moment, silently acknowledging that the pile of dirt is getting too big, grabbing a shovel, and digging.