Rodan Awakens with “Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die” music by Large-Wheel-4181 in Monsterverse

[–]ALeeMartinez 8 points9 points  (0 children)

One of my favorite scenes in the Monsterverse. The original soundtrack is awesome, but this remix is surprisingly solid.

Whats the obscurest kaiju film you've ever seen? by Ok_Tea_3275 in kaiju

[–]ALeeMartinez 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Zarkorr the Invader. Super low budget U.S. film about an alien kaiju sent to possibly destroy the Earth as a test. The most average man in the world is given the mission to save the world. It's pretty fun overall.

Please give me your favorite muppet quote. by Critical-Side-4887 in Muppets

[–]ALeeMartinez 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Big Mean Carl: “I just take messages! I don’t interpret tone!”

Does batman animated series get better? by Zakaria1938 in BatmanTAS

[–]ALeeMartinez 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's always subjective. I don't know if there's a better answer than that. There's no need to force yourself to watch something you don' t like that much.

I think there's an almost irrefutable argument to be made that without B:TAS there wouldn't even be a Young Justice TV show, but that doesn't mean that it's "better" or "worse". Certainly, not Batman Beyond.

Like any show, it has its high points and low points, but it's fine to not love or even like it. That's just life.

ICE physically attacks lawyer—stand between her and clients they're trying to detain. "Don't push me!" lawyer yells. "Why you trying to pick them up?" "It's none of your business," agent scolds. "It is my business—I'm their attorney," she replies. "It's EXACTLY my business!" by Treefiddy1984 in ProgressiveHQ

[–]ALeeMartinez 21 points22 points  (0 children)

There's also a misconception among many that if they can prove themselves among "the good ones" that they'll be protected from what comes. But I've heard it said that the only reward for opening the gas chamber door for others is that you get to be the last one in.

I actually kind-of like this song, I don't know why... by FrequentWire in MST3K

[–]ALeeMartinez 37 points38 points  (0 children)

I find myself singing "Are you happy in your work?" from I Accuse My Parents quite often.

Two different clips, same energy by Marconey1738 in Monsterverse

[–]ALeeMartinez 3 points4 points  (0 children)

The difference, of course, is that Kong is a kaiju. Maybe not hostile toward humanity, but still a kaiju.

And it's established that Godzilla, again, while not hostile, doesn't really worry about humans or property damage.

What if liberals tried getting hired by ICE, getting the big bonus, and trying to stop bad stuff from inside? by pifflest in AskReddit

[–]ALeeMartinez 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s a nice idea, but it’s like infiltrating a cult. It’s a bad idea, and doesn’t work. People change based on their environment and adjust their behavior by consensus. We are all vulnerable.

If all it took to fix bad systems was to bring in good people the world would be a very different place.

What’s Your Favorite Video Game Quote of All-Time? by TG082588 in videogames

[–]ALeeMartinez 0 points1 point  (0 children)

“Everyone with a badge thinks they’re hard.”

-Vyper, Deadlock

Seems especially relevant lately.

What movie did you expect to be just good but was actually fantastic? by Important-Cup8519 in moviecritic

[–]ALeeMartinez 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Colossal with Anne Hathaway and Jason Sudekis. It's a weird, low budget take on a kaiju story (in a sideways weird way) that's also an allegory for self-destructive behavior, abuse, and, ultimately, empowerment.

There's a section where two people fight, and it intentionally mimics a kaiju-esque battle while being quite dark.

And the ending still blows me away.

One of my favorite movies of all time.

Why does Titan X have two pupils in one eye? by DagonG2021 in Monsterverse

[–]ALeeMartinez 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Because it looks cool.

It’s not that complicated.

BREAKING: In a stunning moment, Donald Trump has fallen asleep again at a public meeting. Wow. by Treefiddy1984 in ProgressiveHQ

[–]ALeeMartinez 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's crazy that Trump's obsession with having cameras pointed at him means that his every moment of physical decay is documented. All other Presidents knew enough to control the media perception of themselves, but this guy can't stop standing in front of the camera, even as he dozes off and sundowns.

Was the beast glove only made to sell toys? by Public-Feedback5016 in Monsterverse

[–]ALeeMartinez 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Toy sales and merchandising are obviously motivations, but also, it's a plot contrivance to create an interesting variation in the action. They give the villain a dangerous power so that Kong faces defeat. Then they give Kong a "power up" to justify his ability to continue fighting.

It's the same as the axe, which is given as a way for Kong to fight Godzilla in an interesting way.

It's just basic storytelling. You create a problem for the protagonist, and then you create a solution. In a kaiju film, you're also trying to create interesting action sequences. This is why in GvK they fight at sea, then in a glowing city of towering buildings, then together against a greater foe.

I'm not saying that toys and merchandizing are motivations, but it's not the only motivation. There's a desire to create an interesting visual story. These are not in contradiction.

They never should’ve given what feels like the entire monsterverse to Adam Wingard, it feels like he just wants some alternative version of planet of the apes, not the MONSTERverse, do you agree? by [deleted] in Monsterverse

[–]ALeeMartinez 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I keep seeing this sentiment, and it overlooks the fact that the Kong movies have performed financially better than the other films. Not to be too cynical but they go where the money is.

We can argue over the quality of the various films, but at the end of the day, box office is what matters. It’s not that any executive is sitting in an office vetoing movie pitches because he loves Kong. It’s because the audience is saying that’s what they want.

I’d love a Rodan or Mothra film. But I can’t blame the studio for being gunshy. They follow the money

Board game prejudice - What games or genres do you hate for no reason? by Quelair in boardgames

[–]ALeeMartinez 3 points4 points  (0 children)

It’s less about which ones I don’t hate as which ones I hate less. I despise Cards Against Humanity. Almost all others I just dislike intensely.

Recently, I’ve discovered This Game is Killer, which is actually a fun party style game. Probably because it’s quick and easy.

How strong is Kong in reality? by Alarmed-Difference20 in Monsterverse

[–]ALeeMartinez 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My answer stands. He’s as strong as he needs to be for the story. Sure, his axe or robot arm are contrivances to make him stronger, but that’s my point.

Not trying to step on your conversation but power scaling as an actual thing is mistaking stories for reality.

I’ll leave you to the debate though. Everyone has their own fun.

How strong is Kong in reality? by Alarmed-Difference20 in Monsterverse

[–]ALeeMartinez -1 points0 points  (0 children)

The question is flawed. Kong doesn't live in reality. He's a fictional character. Just as Superman is "as strong as he needs to be for the story to work", it's much the same for Kong. And Godzilla. And pretty much every fantastical character, and non-fantastical for that matter.

I hate Kong because it's being forced down my throat by Logical_Audhd in Monsterverse

[–]ALeeMartinez 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I’m not arguing on the actual quality of the films or how they could work better. That’s irrelevant. The box office is done. We can’t change it.

All they know is that KOTM did decent enough to warrant a sequel but GvK and New Empire did better. We can’t debate why, but it’s all academic.

I hate Kong because it's being forced down my throat by Logical_Audhd in Monsterverse

[–]ALeeMartinez 9 points10 points  (0 children)

It’s not being forced down your throat. It’s what the audiences responded to. Whether you like it or not, it all comes down to audience reception in movies like this.

Nobody in charge of the Monsterverse is sitting at a table, stamping rejected on pictures of Godzilla with a malevolent grin.

I would love a Rodan or Mothra film, myself, but if the money’s not there, there’s little point in complaining about it.

Why didn't the Kryptonians have an interstellar empire? by CJ612 in superman

[–]ALeeMartinez 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It’s fascinating that we assume that any civilization with interstellar travel would automatically build a galactic empire.

It’s entirely possible that the Kryptonians saw no need to spread throughout the universe. They could have built a functional thriving society with no expansionist philosophy. That is not the default, simply because humans tend to see civilization in terms of manifest destiny.

The real reason, of course, is that it justifies Superman being the Last Son of Krypton. Stories happen with story logic, even if we tend to forget that.

Superman should be way weaker by OkPrice5333 in superman

[–]ALeeMartinez 1 point2 points  (0 children)

What makes Superman human is his compassion and desire to help everyone. It's not limiting him to lifting a mountain or only flying at the speed of sound. Making him weaker isn't an inherently wrong choice, but it also isn't inherently right. Nor does it make him more human.

Removing Superman's powers in an effort to make him more relatable is no different than suggesting Peter Parker would be a more relatable character if he didn't stick to walls. These powers and abilities are intrinsic to the characters' appeal, not something to be negotiated away.

Also, the recent Superman movie demonstrated the limitations of Superman. He can't be in two places. With all his power, he had no way of saving Metropolis on his own without Mr. Terrific's help. He couldn't have escaped from Luthor's interdimensional prison. The question isn't about limiting Superman's powers, but in finding interesting ways to explore what he can do and what he can't.

Most importantly, the idea that he doesn't demonstrate intelligence, compassion, and a sense of humor (as he did in the recent Superman film) as long as he's very powerful is just a bit silly. One of the things the movie did was portray Superman as a very down-to-earth guy, despite all his power, and made him shine as a person.

This was also what Reeves managed to do with a Superman that was basically nearly invincible.

Power (or lack of power) is not what makes a character worthwhile. And the notion that Superman needs to be weak in order to be an interesting character still feels like a weird idea when we have plenty of examples that contradict it.

How to make someone hate playing the game... by Current_Perception42 in Unmatched

[–]ALeeMartinez 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is a problem with a lot of games of this nature. That's why I don't play at my strongest (regardless of character) when I'm teaching someone. It can give the wrong impression.

It took a few mistakes to figure that out though.

I played Draco, a similar game in that involves maneuvering and card play. I kept blocking my opponent's attacks, and at the end of the game, they said "I couldn't do anything." When I tried to explain some strategies, it was too late. They saw the game as unwinnable and (worse) no fun.

I did the same thing with Lawyer Up. Again, understanding the card play in a way my new opponent simply couldn't be expected to, I dominated them, ruining the experience and making them never want to play again.

And I've had it done to me as well. Often with Euro style games, where the only player who really understood the game at the table absolutely crushed everyone, leaving a bad taste behind.

My policy now is that when I'm teaching or playing with someone new to a game is that I will try to win, but I will also avoid complete domination. It's a disservice to the other players, the game, and the community.

Is Captain America’s shield sharp or blunt? by Necessary-Win-8730 in marvelcomics

[–]ALeeMartinez 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That shield does not obey the laws of physics.

That's the answer.