Movie review: South Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut

digresssmlOriginally published August 6, 1999, in Comics Buyer’s Guide #1342

Given how free speech is constantly under assault in this country, it’s somewhat amazing that one virtually never sees any movies on that subject. One would think that Hollywood would be leading the fight to protect the right to free expression, for if any industry depends upon that right, it’s films. Instead, we’ve seen the opposite: Hollywood being the first to bend over and taking it up the tailpipe, and asking “Please, sir, may I have some more” when it comes to everything from the V-chip to the ratings system.

So it’s nothing short of amazing when one of the big summer movies not only revolves around the concept of free expression, but also manages to encompass everything from the American compulsion for laying blame to the end of the world as we know it—all without seeming the least bit muddled or scattershot.

I am speaking, of course, of South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut, a double-entendre title that surely must have slipped past the MPAA (not to mention Paramount) for I suspect that it never would have gotten through.

My Schedule for NY Comic Con

I will be there Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Most of the time, you can find me at my Artist Alley table, which will be B5 (please save the jokes.) I will be selling Crazy 8 novels, YOUNG JUSTICE and BEN 10 teleplays, novels of FABLE, BATTLESHIP, AFTER EARTH, and HOW TO WRITE FOR COMICS AND GRAPHIC NOVELS. When I’m not there, I’ll be here:

Friday, October 11
Panel–MARVEL: Amazing X-Men & The Marvel Universe
Time: 11am
Location: 1E

Signing, Marvel booth, 2 PM

Sunday, October 13
Panel–Marvel Unlimited Plus Member Event
Time: 11:00am
Location: 1A08

Signing, Marvel booth, 2 PM

I hope to see you there.

PAD

Movie review: Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me

digresssmlOriginally published July 9, 1999, in Comics Buyer’s Guide #1338

It’s depressing not being a target audience. It’s disconcerting feeling one’s age. And it’s particularly uncomfortable when one feels that way when lots of other people are around, as was the case when I saw Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me.