The Doors Crawling King Snake

The sleeping snake!

The sleeping snake doesn't ask you to taste its knowledge.
It knows that you already know the truth.
It is rooted in the brain.
It is to be.
Known unknown!

The Style of Alberto Vargas!

It's Retro Tuesday on get@omnestar Tumblr site!

I am dedicating the entire day to the works of Alberto Vargas aka "Varga", widely known for his collection of pin-ups, the "Vargas Girls."

I discovered Vargas in the nineties during my waning trading card days. Collecting Soroyama and Olivia De Berardinis cards lead me to a Vargas pin-up card.  I snagged a prototype of a Vargas card in '92 but by the time the set came out in '93, my card collecting days were over.

In the recent months, I have discovered many awesome pin-up artists. Gil Elvgren and Earl Moran are two that immediately come to mind.    But I never forgot my attraction to Vargas' work, so I delved into a quest for the right pin-ups to post on my Tumblr blog.  Lo and behold, I was amazed to find an illustrious catalog of paintings spanning from the twenties to the eighties. And equally shocked to realize that not all of Vargas' work consisted of the pin-up style he became popular for airbrushing.

 

  The Sin of Nora Moran 1934  

Exemplary of his film studio days, The Sin of Nora Moran poster is one of Vargas' many film art contributions painted for Warner Brothers and MGM in the Thirties.  In 1940, during his tenure at Esquire magazine, Vargas was recreated as Varga!  Esquire then introduced the world to the Varga Girl calendar!  Vargas' work became so iconic that the nose art of many World War II aircraft was adapted from Esquire's pin-ups.

  Esquire Varga Calendar 1944

After his career at Esquire ended, Vargas lost the ability to release subsequent calendars under the "Varga" moniker because Esquire owned the name.  In 1960, Vargas joined Playboy as a staff artist and produced over 152 works.  

Unfortunately, when his wife died in 1974,  Vargas stopped painting.  He returned to work for a brief period prior to his death in 1982.

 

Bernadette / Bernadette Peters 1980

 "One day I will paint a Vargas Girl, so beautiful, so perfect, so typical of the American Girl, that I shall be able to show it to people anywhere in the world, without any signature on it, and they'll say, "that's a Vargas Girl,"  Vargas said in 1946.  Vargas has more then achieved his goal. The magic that he conjured with his signature style of airbrush and watercolor is now immortalized.

That Damn Dead Space...

Wow!!  I cant believe I have not been on here since May.  It's been hard to find the time to sit down and write.  I took on this blog with every intention to write daily.  I see why most blogs don't last or even get off the ground. Bloggers have to consistently update the content.   So many of my fave blogs are slow to get updated or even get updated at all. 
 
I salute all the hard workers out there who find time to write daily about their thoughts, hobby, skill, news, whatever!!.  I don't know how but I have managed to get daily hits.  So, I am going to strive to turn this thing around so my blog wont be another dead space on the internet.  Sorry I can't go full blast, but I will at the least send out weekly content.

Start placing bets to see how long I am going to last..lol. 

That Damn Review Show: Doctor Who, "The Hungry Earth" and "Cold Blood"

Welcome to, That Damn Review Show's snapshot review of the latest episode of the Doctor Who series.

"The Hungry Earth" and "Cold Blood" is the seventh and eigth episode of the fifth series of Doctor Who. The Doctor and his companions make an accidental and ill timed stop on the way to Rio.  The sight of an ecological anomaly, "blue grass," leads the crew to a deadly fate that may change the fate of humanity.

check out the link below for a full story summary:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hungry_Earth
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cold_Blood

That Damn Snapshot:

Damn Good:

Amy and Rory's interaction is slightly better in the two parter.  (enough to note)

Although, the Hungry Earth was slow paced it was a decent introductory story into the world of the Silurians.

The origin of the Silurians is interesting.  They were here before humans and they want their world back.  Is a world war with the Silurians a possible future follow-up?  It would be awesome to get the action that two part story failed to offer.

Given enough time, Rory could have turned into a great companion for the Doctor.  I certainly liked his dynamic with the Doctor better then Amy's.  Rory basically wanted to emulate the Doctor, but he was a bit of a bumbler.   I see Rory's potential for comic relief - we certainly need that since the 11th Doctor is so prone to tantrums- and growth into a man of action.

Damn Bad:

Cold Blood lacked the action that the trailer touted.   Hungry Earth seemed like the calm before the "hurricane", but Cold Blood was just a "slight thunderstorm with overcast skies."

There is a crack in time and space and the Doctor and his companions have been on Holiday.

Matt Smith as as the Doctor is becoming more and more uninteresting.  He really needs to find a away to evoke charm, adventure, and quirkiness into his version of the Doctor.  It's sad when reviewers speak of Amy Pond a mere companion almost more then the Doctor.

Speaking of which, I do not like Amy Pond.  What's her dynamic with the Doctor? One thing it's not:  unique. Just like all the modern female companions she wants to shag the Doctor, but she's WAY MORE AGGRESSIVE ABOUT IT. I am completely bored with that female/doctor dynamic.  Amy is almost a feisty, low rent version of Rose.  I cannot think of anything that the writers have done with her relationship with the Doctor that we haven't seen before between the 10th Doctor and Rose.  What is her character's potential growth? She is already solving more mysteries then the Doctor.  She's never frighten, she's saves the day.  Hell with these references the writers should be think about a spin off.  Sans that despite her heroic qualities she's quite dull.  The only thing that is slightly, slightly mysterious about her is the stupid crack - in time and space - mystery that revolves around her.

Rory's fate was ridiculous and a bit confusing.  Why did the light seep out to get Rory?  If the crack was there shouldn't it have erased the Silurians as well.  It wasn't enough that the writer's already killed Rory's character in Amy's Choice, they had to erase him from existence.

Damn That:

The crack- in time and space - mystery is the dumbest season overarching storyline that that I have seen in the modern Doctor Who series.  The writers are going to - to coin a phrase - "write and rewrite" the rules around its usage every episode.  The crack has been identified as a crack in time and space caused by a not so mysterious explosion, that will erase anyone and anything that it contacts.  When we first saw the crack, a probing giant eye searching for something was on the other side. (How is this possible?) Although we didn't see it an alien came through the crack into Amy's world. Huh! (Shouldn't have it been erased?)   Next we see the crack on the hull of a Britannic City being carried on a space whale.  It is stagnant and pure white light emanated from its core. (Nothing was erased!)  The crack dramatically returns and is expanding and erasing everything in its path.  The weeping angels fall victim to the crack. (As a result the Angels storyline should have not have occurred!  However, no one was snapped back into time prior to the events of the storyline. Why?) Finally, Rory is absorbed by a gaseous light streaming from the crack. (WTF?) Oh I failed to mention the Doctor stuck his hand in the crack (surprisingly he wasn't erased and really surprisingly his hand wasn't mangled by floating debris -which should have not technical not existed)  Oh and I failed to mention - the crack is making me forget things -  that Amy remembered the weeping Angels after they were erased but she forgot Rory soon after he was erased.  (possibly because she wanted too...and if he was erased how can the wedding ring he gave to Amy still exist?)

Overall, "The Hungry Earth" and "Cold Blood" was ok. Definitely not as boring as Vampires in Venice and Amy's Choice but still not even in the range of a mediocre Russell T Davis/David Tennant episode. 

Writer: Chris Chibnall Director: Ashley Way

"The Hungry Earth" and "Cold Blood 45 minutes aired Saturday May 22th and 29th, 2010.

That Damn Review Show: Ashes to Ashes, "The Answers"

Welcome to, That Damn Review Show's snapshot review of the last ever episode of the Ashes to Ashes series. 

Ashes to Ashes series 3 episode 8.  The team loses focus of a jewelry smuggling investigation as their worlds begin to fall apart.  Can the team reconcile their differences in order to stop the threat of the smugglers?

Sidebar - At first I was going to follow "Thumper's" advice, "If you can't say something nice... don't say nothing at all."  Lately, I have seen so many stories that people loved that I consider bad or boring  that it almost turned me off to reviewing.   I do not want to become the "jeering" reviewer.  However,  reviews are about sharing viewpoints and opinions - sparking conversation - and finding the threads of commonality in what we have perceived.  So with no holds barred, I am laying out my view point of the finale of Ashes to Ashes.

That Damn Snapshot:

Damn Good:

Paul Thordy turned out to be a red herring - thank goodness!  If Sam was reduced to a whining manic, I would have been thoroughly pissed.

The gang was reunited at the Railway Arms.  In a way, it was a fulfillment of my final thoughts wish.  Even though, we did not get to see Sam again we all knew that he was in there.

Alex received resolution to her plight.  For a moment I was afraid that she was going to become a "NRC" (non real character) of Gene's illusory world.  I applaud the writers for making a decisive end for her character.  The sudden shift to exalt the Guv's character this season weakened Alex' character, but at least she did not get lost in the tidal wave of "Fan Service."

Keeley Hawes, Philip Glenister, Daniel Mays, Dean Andrews, Marshall Lancaster and Montserrat Lombard were absolutely fabulous in the finale.  Fans can't escape the wave of emotion that is thrown at them because all of the actors executed there roles so flawlessly.

Damn Bad:

With finality, I can "truly"say that episode 8 belongs in the Damn Bad category.  As I sat on the couch watching the story unfold, I realized that the events in  Life on Mars and Ashes to Ashes were reduced to mere fantasy.  Sam interaction with his father did not happen...Alex witnessing the Guv come to her aid as a little girl did not happen.  The stories of the week were reduced to basically a holo deck session from star trek.  The tiny details that I loved about both series were reduced to a SIM's experience.  Were the stories populated by "NRC" or were they also spirit's of dead people? Some seemed like spirit travelers, like Viv James and Louise Gardiner, but others like the Baddies and especially the coworkers at Fenchurch CID seemed like holographic/illusory environmental back drop.

Although, I was happy to see Gene, Ray, Chris, and Shaz become more prominent in the series, I did not like the almost primary focus on them in the final episode. It should have been Alex making a choice between Heaven and Hell.  It should have been Alex showing up last to aid Gene in the end; not Shaz, Ray and Chris. It should have been the supporting cast to support her not vice versa. THIS IS ALEX's story. NOT GUV's, NOT RAY's, NOT CHRIS's, NOT SHAZ's but I say it again ALEX's.  She is the protagonist. The story should have centered around her.  Alex's character was reduced to a point of exposition for the rest of the characters.  I really wonder how Keeley Hawes felt about her character basically becoming a supporting character?  I know it irked me!

I guess the only reason that the characters went to their respective time periods 70's and  80's were to work out issues with their "VR", NRC", "FAKE" parents.  Seriously. Seriously. How cheated would you feel if you finally worked out a life's worth of turmoil with, your wife, friend, loved one, and found out it was a dream or in this case NRCs?

Damn That:

Keats descent into madness was utterly ludicrous.  Now, I know why I had a hard time pinpointing Keats' identity. I was trying to relate him to person. Instead of a who, he turned out to be a what; a "plot device".  Keats' sole purpose was to bash open the finale's drama.  No wonder the writers didn't develop his character.  It was not needed.  Keats is simply the devil or a demon bent on taking souls to hell.  Doesn't that say it all!! No! Not for me! What guidelines was Keats' operating under? There had to be some method to his madness.  If not why didn't he unmasked the fake reality at any point. What was he waiting for and why? If he wanted the character's souls so badly he had plenty of strategic moments throughout the season to gain them. Instead he waited to unleash his devilish scheme after all the character's had their epiphanies.  Once Keats was uncloaked he became a ludicrous cliche of a devil or a demon - hissing and curing  - I'm sorry folks it was laughable.  In strange twist, he did more to serve for the characters crossover then Gene; his advise prompted changes in their characters, he told them the truth of their death, he exposed the truth about Limbo, and he forced them to make a decision about their fate.  What are the writers trying to say about demons...hmmm?

The Guv forgot....What the hell does that mean?  When did he forget he was dead, prior to Life on Mars or after Sam's disappearance? - just a guess, he probably forgot when he started having urges to get in Alex's pants - The Guv kept making references, "it's my world".  So did he know or not?  Did he think that he was in a real reality or did he know it was Limbo?  I don't think the writer's knew.  If it was his job to assist the spirit travelers to the other side why the hell did he make light of the details that they shared with him.  Oh that's right he forgot! Hmm but did he help Sam and Annie move to the other side...yes.  How could he do that if he forgot?  We all witness that the Guv was ready to shoot Alex to keep her from uncovering his grave.  Did anyone ask why?  He's there to assist the spirit travelers to move on.  What difference does it make if she knows his secret or not.  In the end Jimbo was right, the Guv was not doing his job.  Jim's report should have gone to God's administrative office stating, " I hereby state that Gene Hunt is no longer acting in the capacity of his position to assist crossovers.  He has taking over the realm of Limbo and made it his personal playground - documented reports of reckless driving, alcohol abuse, and "NRC" physical abuse is enclosed. Furthermore, Gene Hunt has not only halted the crossovers but has reduced the travelers to mere underlings, who are under his servitude. Most disturbing of all, he perpetuals tries to illicit sex from the spirits. Recommendation for immediate termination and replacement."

My favorite series is over and it ended with a hokey conclusion. DAMN THAT!!! The hokiest thing of all basically a lord of the dead trying to sleep with a sojourner ie Gene and Alex. STUPID.

Overall, episode 8, was utterly my least favorite episode of the season.  The reason: the conclusion did not make any sense at all! None!  And in the end it took all the weight/meaning from both series and reduced them to Ashes. Now I understand the series title.


Writer: Matthew Graham
Director: David Drury

DCI Gene Hunt – Philip Glenister
DI Alex Drake – Keeley Hawes
DCI Jim Keats – Daniel Mays
DI Ray Carling – Dean Andrews
DC Chris Skelton – Marshall Lancaster
WPC Sharon 'Shaz' Granger – Montserrat Lombard
Luigi – Joseph Long
60 minutes aired Friday May 21st, 2010.

That Damn Review Show: Ashes to Ashes, "The Final Curtain"

Welcome to, That Damn Review Show's snapshot review of the latest episode of the Ashes to Ashes series. 

Ashes to Ashes series 3 episode 7.  After attending the funeral of a lost colleague, the team becomes embroiled in a terrorist plot that may uncover more about themselves then they realize.

That Damn Snapshot:

Damn Good:

Chris finally had the "the mysterious music moment" and was able to detect someone or something familiar... "BRILLIANT"  I absolutely loved this scene.  Since the series had very little time, I was beginning to think Chris was not going to get the what appears to be a "character defining moment".

Gene and Alex almost have their moment. "TWICE"  The chemistry these two actors are able to create is tangible.  I actually found myself sitting at the edge of my seat trying to coerce the scene to end the way we all wanted it too.

Tobias', an alleged terrorist, disappearance after his discussion with Chris, aligned, with Shaz, Ray and Chris' "star moment" may lean to the fact that although Fenchurch is not real, they are.  This actually detracts from Alex's private dream theory and validates a mutual experience may be occurring with her colleagues.

Damn Bad:

The mystery around Keats' did not have an evolution this episode.  His performance was stock.  It would have been great to see more of a character arc because I really don't understand his motivation.

Damn the circumstances that keep Alex and Gene from doing the "do"...lol

What the hell happened to Paul Thordy?  How can the writers open up the Pandora box and not focus on it in the very next episode?

Damn That:

I do not have any DAMN THATS!!!

Overall, episode 7, was my favorite episode of the season.  It had a little something for everyone, romance, mystery, murder, sinister plots with even more sinister people.  Let's all hope for the sake of the finale that Alex truly and finally learns how to have true faith.

My damn thoughts:

I wanted to share some of my thoughts of the upcoming finale.

I have to say the writers have done an excellent job with the mystery of both shows.  I have examined the salt of information that has been sprinkled throughout the series, but my Sherlock Holmes seems to be broken.  However, I am going to take a stab at creating a theory.

In both the past and the future Alex was susceptible to walking daydreams . In Sam's case, he was able to die in the future and return to the past.  At this point all that I can surmise is that neither reality (past nor future) that Sam and Alex experienced was real. 

The cop that is in the unmarked grave will lead to her character defining moment that Alex has to have faith.  Gene has been very insistent in each episode to remind Alex of this fact.  It has to play out.

Gene is crucial to both of the title character's growth and healing.  Like wise with Shaz, Ray and Chris who all experienced  "the mysterious music moment" after Gene's praise. So here its is,  Gene may be either a simulated program or the avatar of a doctor using an advanced "world simulation" psychotherapy program to treat patients.  However. Keats throws a monkey wrench into this theory because I can't really tie him to it  All I can think of is Keats is also an avatar/doctor who is trying to prove the "world simulation" therapy does not work. 

I know I am going off the limb not backing the "the dead people" theory, but it seems like the most obvious yet hokey outcome.  Ultimately, I hope my theory is wrong and that the writers has devised an ending that will be superior to all the fan theories.  However, no matter the outcome, I am glad that they were able to devise a mystery that fueled a tremendous amount of brain activity/stimulation for the show's viewers.

Final thought: I hope that John Simm returns and all the character's are reunited somehow at the Railway Arms.


Writer: Ashley Pharoah
Director: David Drury

Guest Star:
Tobias Ndbele: Lucian Msamati

60 minutes aired Friday May 14th, 2010.

That Damn Review Show: Ashes to Ashes, "The Riot"

Welcome to, That Damn Review Show's snapshot review of the latest episode of the Ashes to Ashes series. 

Ashes to Ashes series 3 episode 6.  Gene Hunt leads a police task force into the Fenchurch Prison to quell a riot.  However, the riot swells out of control and the police are forced to retreat.  In the madness of the retreat, Sgt Viv James, one of CID finest,  is left behind with the merciless inmates.  Gene and the crew put everything on the line to bring out one of their own!

That Damn Snapshot:

Damn Good:

Although humor is a major draw of the series, it was damn awesome to see an episode light on humor and boiling over with high stakes.  Everything about this episode tightens the noose of dread around everyone, Gene's swiftly losing the trust of his entire staff, Alex is lost and starting to drown in a pool of confusion, Shaz seems to be suffering from a similar battle with confusion, Chris and Ray's fate is intertwined, and Viv's loyalty may cost him everything.

Keats' loathsomely conspired plans are starting to undo Gene's world.  A full fledged mutiny seems only moments away.  If Keats represents justice - like he claims to be - justice must be shady.  Keats seems determined to aid character's into death in an unforgiven state.

The irony of the rioters plan really drew out true fear of our favorite characters' imminent demise.

Damn Bad:

I know I am going against the grain, but the Paul Thordy enigma was more frustrating then mysterious.  I was adverse to the whole notion that the character presented. (Please let this be a another red herring.)

Damn That:

Unlike most characters in the show, Viv did not get a second chance at grace.

Overall, episode 6, was superb.  It successfully raised the end game stakes of the show.  The clues are scattering like marbles and the mystery of the show is expanding in so many directions.  Despite the fan's theories the final episode may contain a shocking revelation that we have not fathomed yet.

Writer: James Payne 
Director: Jamie Payne

Paul Thordy - Steven Robertson
Sgt Viv James - Geff Francis
Jason Sachs - Stanley Townsend

60 minutes aired Friday May 7th, 2010.