It IT Spot: Rereading, part 7

Here we have the short, not sweet life of the Cochran brothers. Their aside is left out of the miniseries entirely, so this whole post is a SPOILER.

This isn't a formal aside from Mike's notes: just something King gives us. Eddie Cochran's body was never recovered, as IT ate him as The Creature from the Black Lagoon. And just for a bit of added horror, his little brother Dorsey died by being beaten to death with a hammer. From his stepdad.

This section is horrible, but it sets up a lot of important things. Another kid with a connection to the Universal Monsters that plague the rest of the book is one.

It makes sense that other kids in the town would have pop-culture inspired fears. We'll see more of it later (but that's getting ahead of ourselves).

The other important thing is Eddie's reaction to the Gilman coming after him. Even as he's dying, he thinks it can't be real and searches for the zipper on the creature's back. The only other child that expresses such a strong amount of disbelief in the face of death is our good friend, Stan Uris.

Disbelief isn't a saving grace in Derry. It is death, both literal and metaphorical.

The other, more subtle factor is Dorsey's aforementioned beating death. Bev is also subject to beatings, and at one point IT actually inhabits her father, trying to do something worse than a beating. We don't witness the incident (King is not a monster), but in the aftermath we get the sense that the stepdad may have been pushed into his actions by the malevolence in the town. Oh, in another area he still would have been an abusive POS, but he may not have been so much of a terror, or a murderer.

Every little bit of wrongness in Derry is magnified by IT, whether it's an explosive disaster, or a parent making the wrong choices.

There will be a lot more of that before we're done.

Watching the Bay

With the Baywatch movie coming out soon, you may be wondering "How can I possibly follow the complex plot-line established over the 11 seasons of the original show, plus the reunion movie and Baywatch Nights?"

Or you may just be wondering how much David Hasselhoff's ego has grown since he's sharing a role with The Rock.

Never fear, the internet is here! Specifically Allison Pregler's series, Baywatching. 

 The first taste is free.

This comedian...dare I say Hero?...is watching and reviewing every episode, providing hilarious commentary and behind the scenes context along the way. For example, did you know that Baywatch was basically kept on the air at one point by A&W Cream Soda and Waverunner TM product placement? Or that one of the characters was played by real lifegaurd/Firefighter Michael Newman, whose real rescues were re-created for the show? Or that The Guinness Book of World Records list the show as the MOST WATCHED SHOW OF ALL TIME?!

If you're like me (or the reviewer), you never gave a thought to Baywatch, aside from swimsuit jokes, and never watched the show. This will make you sad you missed the hilarity the first time around. Did you know there's an episode with an Orangutan? Or Gilligan?  Or aliens? Or SEVERAL with Ghosts?

Or Hasselhoff alligator wrestling?

Baywatching is on season 5 of Baywatch at the time of this writing, and has promised to go all the way through Baywatch Nights, so there's a lot of fun left to be had. I can't speak highly enough of Allison Pregler, and this series is hysterical. Check it out! 

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UPDATE! This blog has the notice of the creator herself!  

 

The IT Spot: New trailer AND Rereading part 6

 Oh boy, there's a LOT to unpack here!

First, we have Stan's Bar Mitzvah:

I think this is touched on in the book (just as a mention), and shows that Stan is more adult than the others. This will be part of his eventual undoing. His voiceover follows us through most of the trailer, hammering home the danger every child in the town is in.

We then see what I believe is the Apocalyptic Rock Fight, where Mike joins the Ka-Tet/Losers Club.

Another shot of the House on Neibolt Street, replete with sunflowers. I'm not sure who's walking in.

Next, the bullies, with Patrick Hockstetter, watching Ritchie (no doubt about to lay the hurt on him).

I'm sure this unpleasant fellow is Mr. Keene, the pharmacist, and bringer of unwelcome news. Also, check the classic 80s King-style glasses!

This is followed by a pretty funny section of Bill and Ritchie (with a Voice) trying to get Eddie and Stan into a sewer pipe...

...making the unpleasant discovery of the missing Betty Ripsom's shoe....

...and then this getting closer and closer before blowing.

We finally see the balloon lift away as Pennywise watches Eddie (I think it's Eddie, a lot of these kids look similar).

All in all, a good trailer, and shows a lot more about the kid's character and interactions overall. I approve, though I'm still not happy about Pennywise's look.

 On to the rereading!

Bill's flashback section is far more engaging than Ben's, at least for me. I find it so because I remember Ben's the most clearly (it does come first, after all), and there are still things about Bill that I forget. For example...

SPOILERS

The PTSD-esq behavior of Bill's Mom and Dad in the wake of Georgie's murder. Bill as an adult recognizes they were wrong to lose themselves so completely in unspoken grief that they stopped being his parents, but as a child he can only articulate it as 'Why are they crying so far apart?'

I cannot fathom the pain that comes with losing a child. King has other books and movies dealing with the subject from an adult POV. But this book is a child dealing with the loss of a sibling, and the subsequent death of the family. It's well done, and something that you really have to read to get the full effect.

SAFE

The section, much like the movie, splits itself. The first bit is about Bill getting Eddie's ashmah meds, in the wake of the bullies (notably Henry Bower's) attack on (and by) Ben.

 This isn't so much about establishing his relationship with Eddie and Ben as it is about his relationship with his bike, Silver. He is both physically and metaphorically using the bike to escape his problems (King outright says so), and it sets up the importance of the bike, which comes later.

The other half of the section deals with the aftermath of Georgie's death. Bill is handling as well as possible, with it culminating in the winking, bleeding picture of Georgie. It's done just about perfect in the mini series:

We've yet to touch on most of the loser's club. It may be surprising that King chose to reveal Bill's issues before the others, as Bill was the last adult gathered. I think it's because Bill's relationship with every member of the group is crucial to the dynamic, and unless we get his story out first the others would fall flat.

Join me next time, when you get two dead kids for the price of one segment!

Ro-Butts

There's been a lot of talk about advanced robots in the news lately. From Disney's advance/creepy Na'vi shaman...

Jimmy Fallon's cornucopia of creepiness (and butterflies!)...

To Bill Nye fighting (and losing to) a coffeepot.

Also a fridge, because why not.

 I didn't even like it when my smartphone figured out where I worked and started giving me updates on how long it would take to get home each day. Now I've got to deal with an uprising from the uncanny valley?

For anyone unfamiliar with the Uncanny Valley, watch this video. For anyone familiar with it, but wanting some extra-creepy examples, watch the video below. Warning: it is NOT funny. It features, among other things, a person with severe deformations from polio (portraying their drag personality and dance routine, so...yay?).

I think C.S. Lewis summed up my feelings for the look of most humanoid animations back in The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe (though the quote was about witches, not robots):

“But in general, take my advice, when you meet anything that is going to be Human and isn’t yet, or used to be Human once and isn’t now, or ought to be Human and isn’t, you keep your eyes on it and feel for your hatchet.”

In movies, the uncanny valley can be used for either good or ill, especially when it comes to horror. But when it comes to real life, I'd rather not have to deal with it. I've always been a bit of a Luddite when it comes to learning new technology. Until they get over the valley, or back off from it entirely, I'd admire these advances from afar.

Or at least watch Markiplier be spooked by it.

The IT Spot: Rereading, part 5

I've just finished the section where Ben thinks about his first meeting with IT, and we're given more of the old Ultraviolence.

Enjoy, my droogies.

It plays out half like the mini-series: Ben is lonely, threatened by bullies, etc. But unlike the series...

SPOILERS

He gets the shit beat out of him, is cut with a switch knife, and kicks Henry Bowers (his primary attacker/cutter) in the balls. He also dreams of his first encounter with IT, where IT takes the form of Karloff's mummy, not his dead father.

This is echoed by Ritchie's IT Teenage Werewolf, and by Mike's Kaiju-like bird monster. These were common enough monsters for the 1950. I hope the 80s adaptation lets them keep that theme going.

Overall, a satisfying section that lets you really get to know Ben. I remember it quite clearly from previous readings, so there's no surprises here, and little else to discuss.

SAFE

I'm sure this section will be filmed excellently, as it's very visual, bloody, and perfect King. Really looking forward to it in the theater.

So, are we not talking about the Chitauri?

So, like, remember back in 2012 when aliens called Chitauri attacked New York?

As shown in this helpful documentary.

And remember how we all basically just rebuilt New York and got back to normal after yelling at the people who did it?

Again, helpful documentary here.

So...are we not talking about how aliens are real, and anyone who knows an abductee is getting the "I F*CKING TOLD YOU SO!" speech constantly?

Also, apparently Christopher Walken was wrong, and Whitley Striber isn't crazy.

Like...really? As a society we're ignoring that completely and just getting back to normal? Never mind that a guy who shilled for war bonds in WW2 somehow reappeared no older, or how a green giant is here, or how there may be actual magic, godlike people, we're just done talking about aliens?

Maybe I'm in the dark, but shouldn't there be all sorts of talk about this? Like, some cult that worships the aliens? Or a Million Mom's-style protest group boycotting anything that has aliens in it, because Jesus didn't ever talk about aliens, so they're all going to hell?

Poor bastards. They're going to lose like 3 rentals over this.

I live in Michigan, and we haven't had any aliens here that I know of, but still, this can't just be a New York issue. I haven't heard Colbert or anyone talking about it.

He'd rather promote new movies and political views. Typical.

I don't know...maybe everyone is just too busy trying to put Tony Stark in jail for making a killer robot.

Yet, they keep making documentaries about it.

If we've given up on talking about Aliens as a society, that's fine. Just someone tell me, okay?

Or at least tell Roland Emmerich.

The Dark Tower Trailer

Yes, the trailer for The Dark Tower has dropped. Watch it, it's only a few minutes long.

Short answer, I'm conflicted.

I'll keep this spoiler free, as it's been a while since I've read the books, and Bahamute is reading it now. If you want something with spoilers for the books, and more speculation, this Wired article has you covered. I may do an in-depth analysis of the books, ala my IT blogs, when I'm done with them.

I love the casting of Idris Elba as Roland and Matthew McConaughey as The Man in Black. I like the style of the trailer, as it evokes the epic nature of the series, and the lines I can remember seem correct (it's been a while).

My biggest issue is that they're showing footage of events that happen in later books. If this changes the ending of the first book, which is looks like it has too, I hope they're planning ahead for those ramifications. Also, I really like the ending and the events they're likely skipping over.

TLDR: I can understand simplifying the story for the movie, but I don't have to like it.

I also hope The Tower is discussed more fully in the movie, as the line about what it is and what it does is far too brief.

Also, what the fuck is up with this?!

That says Pennywise, and is clearly part of a statue of Pennywise holding his famous lure, balloons. But...WHY?! I'm kinda excited to know.

Also, Roland shouldn't be on earth now. That seriously screws up later books. But again, if they're planning and it's part of the medium shift, it can work. Can. With hard work and planning/

On the plus side, I know what this is, and it looks perfect. Too bad it's two books early...(see my earlier remarks).

I need to see a longer trailer, but for sure they're using a lot of stuff from later books, and I'm not happy about that. I hope they're taking that into consideration, as it could really screw up movies two and three if they're not careful. But if they are, this could be really great.

Now, to wait for more footage...

 OKAY, one SPOILER filled thing that makes it all better. DO NOT READ unless you've finished the books. Seriously.

SERIOUSLY.

Okay, if you're sure.

SERIOUSLY. HUGELY GIGANTIC SPOILERS.

There's speculation that this is just another cycle of Roland's journey: a sequel to the events of the books, which explains any changes. Until I get a better idea, I really, really like that one. If that's the case, this will be awesome, no matter what.

The IT Spot: Rereading part 4

Haunt: to visit often.

Haunt: a lair or feeding place of animals.

These definitions are the opening part to one of the interlude sections, where Mike Hanlon, the one who stayed at home, digs into Derry's history. He opens by asking if a whole town can be haunted, and speculating on the animals in the town that killed Adrian Mellon, and that feed there in other ways.

I haunt Derry. I've haunted it for nineteen years. Is my reading feeding? Is Derry a haunt where I return to feed on horror and pain as much as IT does?

In Derry, I am a passive haunter. I return over and over to my favorite wells, King, Gaiman, Craven. I sup on horror easily, and often. I don't kill people, or hurt them to cause fear. I just sup on the false fear other others.

There are plenty of people that would call me a monster for reading (feeding), and King one for creating the haunt. I'm quick to snap at critics that judge me, or my haunts.I defend my haunts, gather with others in reality and online to commiserate over our haunts, to learn of new haunts, better haunts, older haunts lost to time.

Occasionally I create my own haunts here and there, letting others sup while I move on to greener, or redder pastures.

I'm not hear to say the haunts are good or bad, that I haunt for gain or ill. It's just something I've thought about a lot lately.

I am haunted by IT as much as I haunt IT. I think King might appreciate that thought.

SPOILERS

As for observations on the first Interlude section itself, it's mostly Mike speaking to his wailing wall, begging God not to let his fears about the cycle be true, that IT has returned. of course, we know IT has returned, as Mike has already his his fatal calls.

He speculates on how it may kill the others, giving a reason for each...aside from Stan. He just asks who won't return: 'Stan Uris?' and leaves it at that. Did Mike always know Stan would choose to kill himself rather than face IT? Is that why he spends so little time dwelling on it, not listing Stan's wife, or home, or tidy mind that couldn't quite forget as the others did?

I think he must have known. Stan mimed killing himself at 11 years old, when they made the pact. He was always a little too far into the land of grownups. For Stan, going back was worse than death: it was the death of logic and adulthood. In the end, he chose to die in the comfort of his home, rather than the dank sewers. I can understand the sentiment...if it didn't mean breaking the ka-tet and leaving his friends much more vulnerable, possibly dooming them, the town, and the innumerable victims of IT still to come.

The repercussions aren't laid bare, but they are there. Did more children die because the losers club was down by one? Did Mike get stabbed because of it? Did Eddie die because Stan broke the protection of the ka-tet?

I think so.

SAFE

This has been a long entry. That will happen, as for the first time I'm trying to take a real investigative approach to IT: with over 1000 pages of reading (and nearly that many left to go), my observations are bound to start meandering. I'll try to keep these diatribes to at most every other blog. Join me tomorrow for something else from pop culture, politics, or whatever else draws my attention!

Strike?

So, we may be on the cusp of another writer's strike (at the time of this writing).

Time to call the strike breakers. Or not.

The last time this happened, a lot of shows had shortened seasons with lasting aftereffects. LOST season four was seriously screwed up, and had plot holes it never really recovered from as a result. We also lost episodes of 30 Rock, Breaking Bad, House, The Simpsons, and a bunch of other shows I don't watch or don't care enough about.

The last strike was about residuals from DVD sales, and absolutely something that is important, and strikeabel. Writers deserve their due payment just like any other profession. This strike is about changes to master-contracts. Shows have shifted from on average 22 episodes per season to smaller orders, ala Netflix and other streaming platforms. Writers get paid per episode, so you do the math.

The specific issues writers are dealing with are:

1. The number of episodes, and therefore, episode fees are half the traditional number on many series.

2. These fewer episode fees are being amortized across more than two weeks per episode.

3. Writers are held exclusive and under option even when not working on these short season series.

4. Residuals are too low in the emerging rerun markets.

5. Script fees remain unequal to the network rates for the growing areas of the industry.

There are also issues with the Guild's heathcare being bankrupt. Isn't entertainment glamorous?

Essentially, this could be a repeat of last time: shows shorted, or cancelled. There's not a lot we as viewers can do for the moment: not streaming or watching your favorite shows won't show support. I'd say just keep an eye on the news, and if there's a way to show support (if the protest goes through), I'll let you know.

The IT spot: Rereading, part 3

So, I've breezed past Bev Marsh beating the crap out of her POS husband Tom (from Tom's POV, mostly), and Bill explaining to his wife that he has to go home to deal with the promise he made as a child, yet can barely remember.

These spots are more faithful, though abbreviated, in the mini series, especially Bev's bit. Her husband remains in the novel, following her to Derry to exact revenge. I miss that in the miniseries, as he doesn't suffer half as much as he deserves there.

More interesting, and less present, is the return of Bill's stutter. As a kid it's ever present (aside from a few key moments), and as an adult it gets worse over time. Not that it's noticeable in the performance of Richard Thomas, who mostly sounds like he's choking, if he bothers to try at all.

Moley moley moley mole.

SPOILERS

One of the most important factors in this section is Bill explaining things to his wife Audra: of all the married or attached members of The Loser's Club, he's the only one who tries. He even admits that he could probably remember everything right then if he started talking to Audra, but is afraid to do so.

With Bev and Tom, it's obvious why there was no explanation, but Eddie and Stan were married too. Why not explain more, or try to dig out the memories?

Stan, of course, does remember enough, or at least, that's what Mike later speculates, which is why he kills himself. Stan's mind was too tidy to let go as a child, and too ridged to handle the return as an adult.

Eddie loved his wife as well, but any effort to explain would have trapped him in the house with her, so fleeing was best.

Bill was the one to face IT in the Ritual of Chud. He was in the Macrospace with IT and the Turtle Maturin. His connection to the Turtle is strongest. I think that's why he could have dug out the memories then, if he really tried. Or at least why he believes he could have.

The other important factor is that the Loser's club Ka-tet is already broken, and the sense of that is filtering down. Bill and Mike aren't sure if Stan will come (and of course, he doesn't). That's something we face every moment we're with young Stan: we know he will kill himself, and break the club, leading to any number of horrors they have to face as adults. If he had lived, would Eddie have survived? Would Mike have been stabbed? Would the destruction of IT been easier, the town's death more cataclysmic?

Interesting questions, friends and neighbors, but not ones we'll get the answers to.

SAFE

I've officially finished rereading The Shadows Before. Now to head on to Derry: the First Interlude. I can't remember which interlude this is, but no matter what, it'll paint the bloody history of Derry in it's true blood-red colors.

I missed this book.