All posts by Luke Miksa

Book Review: Superman vs. Hollywood by Jake Rossen

This article was published on the original Sorry I’m Late.com on 23/03/10.

Luke Miksa's: The Negative Space Bar

Deviating from the normal machinations of my regular writing topics, today I bring to you a look at a book that I found so engrossing that I just could not put it down. It certainly took up more of my free time lately then expected – I’m not saying that it’s the sole reason behind my recent tardiness in updating the website, but it is in fact the sole reason behind my recent tardiness in updating the website. That book is titled Superman vs. Hollywood: How Fiendish Producers, Devious Directors, and Warring Writers Grounded an American Icon by Jake Rossen.

I love Superman – this is no lie. From the toys and action figures, statues, comics, posters (cast signed, snoogans) and even the ‘S’ Shield ink that adorns my body – saying that I may have a man-crush on the fictional quasi-deity may be an understatement. So it was with great surprise and enthusiasm that upon reading Jake Rossen’s near 300 page ode to the Man of Tomorrow, I was surprised to see so much detail and – more importantly – so much information and stories that I didn’t know on a topic where I thought I knew it all (all with iron-clad references and quotations, as well as a surprising amount of first-hand interviews from some important players).

(more…)

Leave a comment

by Luke Miksa on July 7, 2012 • Permalink

Posted in Movie Talk

Tagged Book Reviews, Brandon Routh, Christopher Reeve, Gene Hackman, George Reeves, Negative Space Bar, Superman

Posted by Luke Miksa on July 7, 2012

https://sorryimlate.com/2012/07/07/book-review-superman-vs-hollywood-by-jake-rossen/

A Smelly Tale

This article was published on the original Sorry I’m Late.com on 29/09/09.

Warning, this blog has got nothing to do about anything. It does contain a mention of Tarfful.

You’re welcome.

Ok, so the plan for yesterday was to head down to Scienceworks and take a gander at the Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination exhibition, which I absolutely HAD to catch before the installation is over in about a month. It was going to be an awesome day of looking at props and costumes and stuff – killer day for a nerdlinger like myself. But of course, all things don’t always go as planned but it ended up entertaining none the less.

So me and my other nerd-ly inclined companion, who in this story shall be referred to as Slappybags, head off to Scienceworks. Horror takes over as we realise that it’s school holidays, and Scienceworks quasi-educational appeal for parents has made it a top holiday destination. Goddamit, I wanna see the Tarfful Wookie costume! The line was stretching all the way to Bespin, and a quick analysis led to a swift conclusion – F that!

(more…)

Leave a comment

by Luke Miksa on July 7, 2012 • Permalink

Posted in Movie Talk

Tagged Misc, Negative Space Bar, Star Wars, Tarfful, Toilet Humour

Posted by Luke Miksa on July 7, 2012

https://sorryimlate.com/2012/07/07/a-smelly-tale/

There Can Be Only One (Again)

This article was published on the original Sorry I’m Late.com on 24/09/09.

Luke Miksa's: The Negative Space Bar

Today in Hollywood, the terms remake, or even worse reimagining, are cause for derision from movie aficionado’s such as me. Nothing spoils a classic film or a childhood favourite more than a half-assed reboot. In spite of occasional box office successes, most of these dreaded reimagining’s are, for the most part, massive lumps of shit – despite the introduction of today’s superior CG effects and quite possibly larger budgets, they are missing depth – a certain charm – something which has made them such fondly remember pieces of celluloid to begin with.

Some future reimagining’s (I even hate typing that word) that are being talked about as future projects include such treasures as Gremlins, Robocop and it has even got to a point where director’s are digging up their own work – such as David Cronenberg with The Fly. But with all that being said, there is one reboot on the horizon that I cannot contend with. A cult classic from the 80’s, highly prized and definitely a personal favourite of mine – 1986’s urban sci-fi swashbuckler Highlander.

Before you get all up in my grill accusing me of blasphemy, first read what I have to say. As I said, Highlander is a personal favourite and a classic, no doubt. But there are just so many elements in the film, and the franchise as a whole, that starting from scratch could benefit from.

(more…)

Leave a comment

by Luke Miksa on July 7, 2012 • Permalink

Posted in Movie Talk

Tagged 80's, Christopher Lambert, Fantasy, Highlander, Negative Space Bar, Remakes, Sci-Fi, Sean Connery

Posted by Luke Miksa on July 7, 2012

https://sorryimlate.com/2012/07/07/there-can-be-only-one-again/

Avatar Day

This article was published on the original Sorry I’m Late.com on 23/08/09.

In a mere 16 minutes, never has an opinion changed so quickly. The general feeling I had leading up to these 16 minutes was somewhat apathy mixed with ‘hope-this-doesn’t-suck-itis’ (which is a real condition, look it up). Needless to say, a quick 16 minutes was all that was needed to turn that feeling into some serious fanboy, boner inducing giddy excitement. Those 16 minutes came in the form of 16 minutes of preview footage of James Cameron’s Avatar. It was Avatar Day!

I must say, up until the past week, there has not been very much promotion for this film at all – besides word of mouth stuff and internet reports. All we have been told is that Avatar will be James Cameron’s long-in-gestation super-movie, a movie that Cameron had to wait until technology caught up with his vision. The much talked about aspect is the newly designed Fusion 3D camera system, apparently ready to revolutionise the entire film industry. Talk is cheap, especially when all you hear is talk for so long.

(more…)

2 Comments

by Luke Miksa on July 7, 2012 • Permalink

Posted in Movie Talk

Tagged 3D, Avatar, Fantasy, IMAX, James Cameron, Negative Space Bar, Sci-Fi

Posted by Luke Miksa on July 7, 2012

https://sorryimlate.com/2012/07/07/avatar-day/

Tribute: William Atherton

This article was published on the original Sorry I’m Late.com on 11/08/09.

Luke Miksa's: The Negative Space Bar

Welcome readers to the very first Sorry I’m Late.com Tribute. The tribute section was intended to pay some respect to actors, filmmakers and characters that – from my perspective – don’t really get the attention they deserve. With that, let us begin the inaugural edition of the Sorry I’m Late Tribute!

William Atherton

William Atherton is the epitome of the corporate 80’s douche, based on his two most well remembered roles of EPA agent Walter Peck from Ghostbusters and arrogant reporter Richard ‘Dick’ Thornberg from the first two Die Hard films.

A quintessential working actor, Atherton was had steady work for over thirty-five years – mainly making appearances in television series’ such as Desperate Housewives, Law & Order and the 80’s version of The Twilight Zone, as well as the late 70’s ensemble mini-series Centennial.

What a Peck!

But he made his name as the snarky Peck from 1984’s Ghostbusters. He had everything you would want to hate in an antagonist – he’s condescending, he doesn’t believe in ghosts, he wears a suit, he has a beard – what’s to like? Played so well, in fact, that we do not only dislike him – we LIKE to dislike him. The interactions between Peck and Bill Murray’s Venkman are legendary – Atherton’s straight-laced portrayal was a perfect comic foil to Murray’s comedy style.

(more…)