Author: Darian

My Favorite Animated Movie and TV Scenes: Part 1

I love well-made animated movies and tv shows- especially the one’s being put out today. The stuff coming out of the DC Animated Movie studio is spectacular. Marvel’s stuff isn’t as solid, but they’re trying. And don’t get me started on Japanese Anime1.

I originally wrote a post on my favorite animated scenes in 2006. A lot has happened in the world of animation since then… so I think it makes sense to update this list – and expand it to seven.

Batman meets Superman – Superman, the Animated Series (“World’s Finest Pt. 1”, Season 2, Episode 34).

batman_superman_4[1]Superman – The Man of Steel. The Last Son of Krypton. The Man of Tomorrow.

Batman – The Dark Knight. The World’s Greatest Detective. The Caped Crusader.

Both are orphans, but that is where the similarities end. One is an alien from another planet, with God-like powers. The other, the perfection of human innovation, intellect, and physicality. One is loved; the other, feared.

There a lot of hub-bub (and rightly so) about the upcoming Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice. I’m excited about the movie, but uncertain if the writers and actors can accurately capture the tension, jealousy, and mutual respect between these two characters. Hopefully, the movie will borrow heavily from DC Animated Universe. In this continuity, Batman and Superman are uneasy allies that grow to respect each other. A number of scenes some to mind when I think about my favorite Batman v Superman interactions:

My favorite is their initial introduction in “World’s Finest, Part 1”; how they first meet each other, and discover each other’s identities is perfect. Continue reading “My Favorite Animated Movie and TV Scenes: Part 1”

the “REAL” Best Break-Up Songs – #1: Angela Bofill – I Try

[Note: This was originally posted on March 9, 2011. I’ve updated the post with new context and footnotes.]Angela BofilAngela Bofill recorded a number of great songs, but none stand the test of time like “I Try”. Recorded in 1979, “I Try” is the gold standard for R&B break-up songs. It’s is her signature song, from her best album (Angel of the Night).

Angela sang all that bitter teenage angst like as if she had a copyright on it.

Angie’s got a lot of heartbreak in her songs. “Song For a Rainy Day”, “Let Me Be The One”, and “Accept Me” are all about rejection and lost love. But those songs, while beautiful in their own way, can’t hold a candle to “I Try”.  Recorded in 1979, “I Try” is the gold standard for R&B break-up songs. It’s is her signature song, from her best album (Angel of the Night). It’s her magnum opus. Continue reading “the “REAL” Best Break-Up Songs – #1: Angela Bofill – I Try”

the “REAL” Best Break-Up Songs – #2: Stevie Wonder – Superwoman (Where Were You When I Needed You)

[Note: Originally posted on March 2, 2011. Updated with new context and footnotes.]

I love this song. I absolutely, positively, emphatically love this song. It’s easily one of my top 5 favorite songs EVER.

syreeta05[1]

“Superwoman…” is a song in two parts. The first part is about “Mary”, who wants to leave and become a movie star; the second part (“Where Where You When I Needed You”) has Stevie wondering why his lady hasn’t returned yet1.

The truth behind the lyrics are such: The song is about Stevie’s relationship with Syreeta Wright (to whom he was married to for 18 months in the early 70s). Stevie produced much of Syreeta’s music, but she wanted to go off and do her own thing and Stevie wasn’t so into that (supposedly he can be a control freak in the studio). You hear this in the lyrics – “Mary wants to be a superwoman and try to boss the bull around.” Mary is really Rita (Syreeta’s early recording name) and Stevie is “The Bull” (Stevie is a Taurus; he named is production company Black Bull)2.

Continue reading “the “REAL” Best Break-Up Songs – #2: Stevie Wonder – Superwoman (Where Were You When I Needed You)”

the “REAL” Best Break-Up Songs – #3: Bobby Womack – If You Think You’re Lonely Now

bobby-womack-071[1][Note: Originally published on Feb 28, 2011. Updated with footnotes]

Coming in at number three on my list is Bobby Womack’s “If You Think You’re Lonely Now” (from 1981’s The Poet). Unlike the other songs on this list, this ballad has balls (for lack of a better word). Bobby’s tired of his trifling, no-good, gold-digging woman, and walks out. No sad goodbyes, no regrets1.

“I’ll be looooong gone (and you’ll never find another man to treat you right)!”

Bobby Womack – If You Think You’re Lonely Now

the “REAL” Best Break-Up Songs – #4: Marvin Gaye – When Did You Stop Loving Me…

marvingaye_image_1024w[1][Note: Originally posted on Feb 24, 2011. Updated with notes and new observations]

I first wrote about this song 8 years ago. I haven’t ported that post over to this platform yet, but to summarize:

  • Marvin Gaye had an affair with a 17-year old woman by name of Janis Hunter (his muse for the classic I Want You album).
  • Anna (his then wife) filed for divorce and Marvin was forced to pay a large sum of money.
  • Marvin was going through the nose candy like Tony Montana; as a result he can’t pay everything.
  • The lawyers negotiate an agreement that some of the payment would come from Marvin’s next album.

Continue reading “the “REAL” Best Break-Up Songs – #4: Marvin Gaye – When Did You Stop Loving Me…”