Trapped In a World He Never Made

Rewatched Howard the Duck last night. I'm not sure why this movie gets so much hate -- were audiences at the time hoping for more Star Wars and disappointed by this slice of good-natured 'eighties camp? The effects are well-done, the songs are by Thomas Dolby, and the premise that Howard is the one normal person stranded on this crazy planet where everyone's descended from apes is served by the performances: Chip Zien (voicing Howard) gives a conventional (yet wisecracking) performance, while around him Tim Robbins is manic, Jeffrey Jones alternates between deadpan and possessed, and Lea Thompson does this weird over-and-underacting thing that I'm still trying to process, but which has to have been a deliberate choice as I don't recall her being like that in the Back to the Future movies. There's a hilarious moment towards the end where she shouts a warning regarding the possessed scientist (who by this point has kidnapped her, sucked the electricity out of a dashboard cigarette lighter with a long proboscis, drained a nuclear plant of its power, and strapped her to a giant space-laser-thingy):

Look out! He's really mad!

It's not without its flaws: Beverley (Thompson) is in a rock band called Cherry Bomb, but the other members hardly get any screen time, which could be handwaved, except that she briefly mentions that Blumburtt (Robbins) is dating one of her bandmates (so why doesn't they have any scenes together?) Also, the aircraft chase scene towards the end goes on a couple of minutes too long. Overall though, this movie is of a piece with other zany comedy/fantasies of its time (Buckaroo Banzai, Tapeheads, Real Genius, Adventures in Babysitting) and ought to get the same kind of love. OK, Tapeheads mostly gets ignored, but that's a rant for another day.

Geek Social Fallacies

Not that it's anywhere near as bad a situation as victims of sexual harassment face coming forward, but my spouse was commenting on a thread about Bryan Moore, an artist who has not played fair with him (took orders for artwork and never delivered). He added that he's disappointed in a group that still have the guy's products for sale in their catalogue even though, when he'd spoken to them a couple of years ago about the guy, they'd stated that they "did not endorse his business practices." At this point the comments he began getting in the thread struck me as familiar-sounding:

(Names redacted): Hey hey hey hey!!!! I have not ordered anything from Moore so I can't judge him. But Andrew, you shouldn't judge the wonderful HPLHS because of your personal opinions on Arkham Studios...

I can only speak from my own experience, but I have had NO problems getting my orders from Mr. Moore and have never previously heard anyone complain of his business or his character. The attached is very distressing to me.

It really is a shame since he seemed like a great guy and showed me the utmost respect while I was still serving in the USAF.

(My spouse): $500 owing is more than just a personal opinion generally I agree they are fine folks over at the HPLHS however I'm dubious because they continue to list and thus directly or indirectly endorse Mister Mooore's work and business practices !

(Name Redacted) I just took the time to read the entire attached article. While OPs trinket is beautiful, don't attack him or HPLS. Bring it to their attention and handle the matter like adults. If they so choose to continue supporting Mr. Moore's work then you must take it upon yourself to make a decision to either deal with it or move on. Legal action can be taken, no? Small claims court? Let's just be adults.

This quote seems fitting "He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into the abyss, the abyss gazes also into you."

Hear that everyone? -- don't talk about those missing stairs in public, or you might become a missing stair!