tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post198450575465308437..comments2024-03-24T07:53:37.246-04:00Comments on J.M. DeMatteis's CREATION POINT: REMEMBERING MATHESONUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-15081636263062930912013-06-30T20:34:07.116-04:002013-06-30T20:34:07.116-04:00Absolutely agree about anthologies. There have be...Absolutely agree about anthologies. There have been so many movies I've seen that left me thinking, "Man, that would have made a great 30 minute 'Twilight Zone'!"J.M. DeMatteishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04293848326241642685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-7632550254135314512013-06-30T20:30:54.355-04:002013-06-30T20:30:54.355-04:00I think that's one of the advantages of the an...I think that's one of the advantages of the anthology format. Sometimes movies stretch a concept too thin. I don't necessarily think that's the case with FREQUENCY, but I've certainly watched films where a great premise fell apart in the third act. Happens to action movies all the time, where the explosions just get bigger. I think FREQUENCY works well because it marries the Serling and Capra tones. The idea of Dad coming to the rescue with the rifle has a down home American feel to it, much like the baseball backdrop. But I'm open to the idea that the movie could have gone a different way and had more of a TZ twist. David Waltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12087646905757912129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-32971864086044016812013-06-30T20:14:50.177-04:002013-06-30T20:14:50.177-04:00As I recall—and I saw it in the theater when it ca...As I recall—and I saw it in the theater when it came out—my experience went from a kind of Twilight Zone bliss to crushing disappointment. There was a point...maybe after the first hour...where, if they would have ended the story right there, it would have gone on my all-time favorites lists. But discussing it is making me want to see it again.J.M. DeMatteishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04293848326241642685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-14811308407816539962013-06-30T20:12:32.057-04:002013-06-30T20:12:32.057-04:00I enjoyed the climax where the father-son duo were...I enjoyed the climax where the father-son duo were fighting the killer from both ends of time quite a bit, but I can definitely see why it might not work for everyone!David Waltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12087646905757912129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-3312725259525010182013-06-30T20:07:21.329-04:002013-06-30T20:07:21.329-04:00As I recall, David, I totally loved the first half...As I recall, David, I totally loved the first half of FREQUENCY and then it went off the rails for me. Especially at the end when Dad showed up to shoot the bad guy. But it's been a long time since I saw it: maybe it's time for a reassessment.J.M. DeMatteishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04293848326241642685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-38396875456218542122013-06-30T20:04:49.381-04:002013-06-30T20:04:49.381-04:00That is a good summation of the series, isn't ...That is a good summation of the series, isn't it? <br /><br />Have you ever seen the movie FREQUENCY? Great film that's been described as Rod Serling meets Frank Capra. Jim Caviezel plays a son who contacts his long dead father through a ham radio. Caviezel's acting idol was Jimmy Stewart, so it really seems like a perfect storm of your favorite elements!David Waltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12087646905757912129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-53712633485306718492013-06-27T21:11:12.710-04:002013-06-27T21:11:12.710-04:00Well, okay. Since you have such strange weather, ...Well, okay. Since you have such strange weather, I'll thicken up your ace. A little. But if I were you I would crack out the pencil and paper. This cold black heart of mine only has so much slack to give.<br /><br />Wishing you nothing, but goodwill and hipness from here to the stars,<br />JackAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-31105305073143368752013-06-27T18:41:23.958-04:002013-06-27T18:41:23.958-04:00Sorry I misinterpreted, Jack!
As for why I'm ...Sorry I misinterpreted, Jack!<br /><br />As for why I'm ice skating in June—didn't you hear about the strange summer blizzard we're having? Why, it's right out of...THE TWILIGHT ZONE (cue music).J.M. DeMatteishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04293848326241642685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-84449740030043346012013-06-27T18:29:55.527-04:002013-06-27T18:29:55.527-04:00I meant thin ice with me, so really wouldn't t...I meant thin ice with me, so really wouldn't that make my vision of the world at least as important. And that can be pretty grim, so I think it balances out to a possibility of thinning ice.<br /><br />Besides why are you ice skating, I don't know about New York, but its Summer ion the Motor City. So I would imagine any ice would be insanely thin.<br /><br /><br />Wishing you nothing, but goodwill and hipness from here to the stars,<br />JackAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-67859678734163519412013-06-27T18:26:00.108-04:002013-06-27T18:26:00.108-04:00My vision of the universe is a little more positiv...My vision of the universe is a little more positive than that, Jack. So I'm going to keep on skating.J.M. DeMatteishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04293848326241642685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-51622534873852507782013-06-27T18:19:54.480-04:002013-06-27T18:19:54.480-04:00I'll take your word on that. But be wary, ice...I'll take your word on that. But be wary, ice has a habit of thinning when you least expect it. <br /><br /><br />Wishing you nothing, but goodwill and hipness from here to the stars,<br />JackAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-71726155359597282552013-06-27T18:11:16.482-04:002013-06-27T18:11:16.482-04:00There are more irons in the fire, Jack. Watch thi...There are more irons in the fire, Jack. Watch this space!J.M. DeMatteishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04293848326241642685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-54965043592552545432013-06-27T18:09:44.226-04:002013-06-27T18:09:44.226-04:00I'm not thrilled by only two Dematteis comics,...I'm not thrilled by only two Dematteis comics, but I suppose I'll allow it... for now.<br /><br /><br />Wishing you nothing, but goodwill and hipness from here to the stars,<br />JackAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-20137485974908664572013-06-27T18:06:28.849-04:002013-06-27T18:06:28.849-04:00And he wrote the sequel, THE NIGHT STRANGLER. (I ...And he wrote the sequel, THE NIGHT STRANGLER. (I don't think he had anything to do with the KOLCHAK TV series, though.) "Bigger than himself"? That's a great way to put it, Jack.<br /><br />Very glad you enjoyed LARFLEEZE. We're having a ball and the reception has been terrific. It's nice to have a place to go and be silly. Jack Kirby meets Monty Python.<br /><br />I loved working on that Superman story. Nothing else coming up in ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN, but I've got Supes slated for an appearance in PHANTOM STRANGER #14. Really looking forward to it.J.M. DeMatteishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04293848326241642685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-87423947969110280202013-06-27T17:54:40.933-04:002013-06-27T17:54:40.933-04:00I have it on DVD. Talk about good atmosphere. I ...I have it on DVD. Talk about good atmosphere. I didn't even know Matheson wrote the teleplay. I only knew about Jeff Rice.<br /><br />It is very interesting though. IN a way Matheson lives on even bigger then himself. Arguably, the most popular writer living today is Stephen King, who sites Matheson as his biggest influence. So people who never eead a Matheson story, or saw a teleplay performed may still have experienced his style in some form. It isn't perfect, but its still a monument of sorts.<br /><br />Larfleeze- The New 52 to me seems to be trying to recapture the post crisis era. Which understandable, there were a lot of great ideas there. Great works. And to me they had largely failed. Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of good stories, but there just doesn't seem to be as much variety... even the non-Superhero stuff seems a bit superheroey, while post crisis, much of the superhero stuff didn't seem all that superheroey. This is a step ion the right direction, not only does it provide variety, but it also does what JlI did, because like post-crisis, everything is so serious, this is a fun (and funny) break. You show those young whipper-snappers what fore!<br /><br />Superman- I am not a Superman fan, except for the golden age stories and few others. This is one of those few others... Even if I thought a page or two more would be great. It sort of reminded me of JLI Realworlds. So yes this is one of the few post 40s stories a non-fan of the Man of Steel liked. I don't know if that is good or bad, but here we are. So congrats, or sorry. Any more on the horizon.]<br /><br />Wishing you nothing, but goodwill and hipness from here to the stars,<br />JackAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-38509610037148215472013-06-27T17:38:27.484-04:002013-06-27T17:38:27.484-04:00Good timing, Jack. I'm actually watching Math...Good timing, Jack. I'm actually watching Matheson's classic, THE NIGHT STALKER, at this very moment:<br /><br />https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAy8v0FMoAMJ.M. DeMatteishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04293848326241642685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-88315500083035313062013-06-27T17:36:22.826-04:002013-06-27T17:36:22.826-04:00The thing I always associate with Matheson is atmo...The thing I always associate with Matheson is atmosphere. I remember him being able to build atmosphere well.<br /><br />Wishing you nothing, but goodwill and hipness from here to the stars,<br />Jack<br /><br />P.S. Larfreeze/Superman: Good.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-8616018109104663512013-06-27T08:40:45.308-04:002013-06-27T08:40:45.308-04:00Yes, that's the one, David. The devil-head sa...Yes, that's the one, David. The devil-head sacred the hell out of me when I was a kid.<br /><br />And what you say about "Nightmare"is, in many way, true for all the best TWILIGHT ZONES. It's not so much about the outer monster but the inner struggle. Shatner sees the gremlin, the others don't. Does he believe them and surrender to their definition of insanity or trust himself, face the monster and get his life back?J.M. DeMatteishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04293848326241642685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-25338396377882189772013-06-26T23:19:54.401-04:002013-06-26T23:19:54.401-04:00"Nick of Time"--is that the one where Sh..."Nick of Time"--is that the one where Shatner can't escape the town because he's obsessed with his fortune? Great episode! And yes, the bobble-head devil is quite the image!<br /><br />And "The Nightmare at 20,000 Feet" is indeed awesome. It's not just terrifying because of what Shatner sees but because of what the others DON'T. David Waltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12087646905757912129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-70341513299698731472013-06-25T20:31:23.394-04:002013-06-25T20:31:23.394-04:00I forgot Heinlein though.
The Shame!
Wishing you...I forgot Heinlein though.<br /><br />The Shame!<br /><br />Wishing you nothing, but goodwill and hipness from here to the stars,<br />JackAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-53561462550251344972013-06-25T20:12:42.593-04:002013-06-25T20:12:42.593-04:00A Mount Rushmore of science fiction sounds like a ...A Mount Rushmore of science fiction sounds like a great idea, Jack. But we'll have to build it on Mars. In Bradbury Valley.J.M. DeMatteishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04293848326241642685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-76663625084785867152013-06-25T20:04:45.620-04:002013-06-25T20:04:45.620-04:00I think there are many people, Eruch, who don'...I think there are many people, Eruch, who don't realize just how broad and deep Matheson's career ran. Enjoy the "time capsule filled with treasure." (Great phrase, by the way.)J.M. DeMatteishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04293848326241642685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-75016960278591180062013-06-25T18:54:05.286-04:002013-06-25T18:54:05.286-04:00Holy wow! I didn't know Matheson did all that....Holy wow! I didn't know Matheson did all that. Those are some great stories. "Nightmare at 20,000 feet" will haunt me to my dying day. Both versions are terrifying and well done.<br />Many of these episodes you mention await me, like a time capsule filled with treasure. Thanks for the tribute, now my life is a little richer for it.Eruchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00875321322126527300noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-32946615641311590842013-06-25T17:47:08.162-04:002013-06-25T17:47:08.162-04:00Matheson is dead?
God, it finally happened. All ...Matheson is dead?<br /><br />God, it finally happened. All the great names of Sci-fi's most classic era (50-70)have passed. Asimov, Bradbury, Dick, Matheson, Van Vogt to some. Can we make a science fiction mount Rushmore now? Can we mourn the loss of an era? Is it even possible?<br /><br /><br />Wishing you nothing, but goodwill and hipness from here to the stars,<br />Jack<br /><br />P.S. best Matheson or MAtheson based TZ... Third From the Sun.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-8411988232857582632013-06-25T16:10:30.026-04:002013-06-25T16:10:30.026-04:00Thank you, Bryan. "A true writing hero"...Thank you, Bryan. "A true writing hero" indeed.J.M. DeMatteishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04293848326241642685noreply@blogger.com