Monday, November 15, 2004
What's in that TrimSpa anyway?
At last night's American Music Awards, model/reality show subject Anna Nicole Smith looked fabulous showing off her slimmer self, famously thanks to her use of the TrimSpa product. But then she started talking. Hoo boy!
Friday, November 12, 2004
Smallville’s Witchy Women
Well, it couldn't last. After three great ones in a row, this week we get a campy little episode that relies on the acting ability of Kristin Kreuk to carry it. And, she's just not that good.
Unlike Tom Welling and John Glover, who both displayed a little versatility in the body-switching episode, when Kristin is asked to do more than Lana, she just can't handle it. Part of it was the script, I'm sure, but every time she spoke as "Isobel," I cringed. Alison (Chloe) Mack and Erica (Lois) Durance didn't really have enough to do besides look like sexy Goths to make a judgment on their ability to act out of character, but I thought Chloe did pretty well with the few lines she had. Lois just had to look good. Which she did exceedingly well.
Well, at least Lois looked good.
Unlike Tom Welling and John Glover, who both displayed a little versatility in the body-switching episode, when Kristin is asked to do more than Lana, she just can't handle it. Part of it was the script, I'm sure, but every time she spoke as "Isobel," I cringed. Alison (Chloe) Mack and Erica (Lois) Durance didn't really have enough to do besides look like sexy Goths to make a judgment on their ability to act out of character, but I thought Chloe did pretty well with the few lines she had. Lois just had to look good. Which she did exceedingly well.
Well, at least Lois looked good.
The episode certainly continued this season's trend of amping up the sex and skin factor, which is good or bad depending on your perspective. For the ideal WB demographic, that's a good thing, but for a "young Superman" show, it might be a bit much.
With the three teen witches wreaking havoc among the student body to pop music, this episode reminded me a lot of The Craft, which had a similar storyline. The scene with Clark screwing up the visit with the Princeton scout, however, was straight out of Risky Business. Except for the final moments when Lana learns it was Lex, not Clark that got Jason fired, we had no progression of storylines this week. Even Clark's football playing didn't really factor in (except for the Princeton recruiter, I guess). We still don't really know anything about the connection between Lana's tattoo and the cave symbols, other than the fact that Lana is apparently the descendent of a witch. But what does that mean? And, following last week's Mxy episode, we again see that Clark is vulnerable to magic. But that's it. No Lionel, precious little Lex, and even Clark's parents didn't show up until the very end. Heck, Clark barely used his powers in this episode. I hope no one was tuning in for the first time this week.
I have to say, though, I do like the Jason character. He's not a bad guy, except for his poor judgment in dating a student. I like how he and Clark get along, and he can play the older brother role better than Lex can now.
Speaking of Lex, wow, can he play the piano or what? By the way, did Lana make his scroll disappear? Did it come back? What happened there?
Next week, we get more Lex and Lionel, so things should heat up again.
With the three teen witches wreaking havoc among the student body to pop music, this episode reminded me a lot of The Craft, which had a similar storyline. The scene with Clark screwing up the visit with the Princeton scout, however, was straight out of Risky Business. Except for the final moments when Lana learns it was Lex, not Clark that got Jason fired, we had no progression of storylines this week. Even Clark's football playing didn't really factor in (except for the Princeton recruiter, I guess). We still don't really know anything about the connection between Lana's tattoo and the cave symbols, other than the fact that Lana is apparently the descendent of a witch. But what does that mean? And, following last week's Mxy episode, we again see that Clark is vulnerable to magic. But that's it. No Lionel, precious little Lex, and even Clark's parents didn't show up until the very end. Heck, Clark barely used his powers in this episode. I hope no one was tuning in for the first time this week.
I have to say, though, I do like the Jason character. He's not a bad guy, except for his poor judgment in dating a student. I like how he and Clark get along, and he can play the older brother role better than Lex can now.
Speaking of Lex, wow, can he play the piano or what? By the way, did Lana make his scroll disappear? Did it come back? What happened there?
Next week, we get more Lex and Lionel, so things should heat up again.
Fantastic Four Promo Reel
Not quite a trailer, but an early promo piece. It looks pretty good.
The Fantastic Four hits theatres next July.
Monday, November 08, 2004
A Gweat Wefewence site
Like recent Dreamworks' animated movies (Shrek, A Shark's Tale), Warner Bros. classic Looney Tunes/Merrie Melodies contained lots of pop culture references of the day from, celebrities to World War II to radio and TV shows of the day. Every once in a while, I get the urge to research some of those references, thinking it would make a great book or article -- an enjoyable way to learn some American history from the '30s to the '60s.
That urge struck again as I watched the new Looney Tunes Golden Collection vol. 2 DVD this weekend. Well, today I stumbled on a site that had the same idea I did -- the Warner Bros Cartoon Companion, an alphabetical index to most of the references found in the classic cartoons. The site also includes biographcial information on many of the toons' characters and creators. More comprehensive biographical info can be found elsewhere, but this site is a great starting point if you're curious about some of the verbal and visual gags. Here's a great example:
Now, there's certainly plenty more that's not here, so maybe my idea is still a good one, but nevertheless this a fun and informative site.
And the Vol. 2 DVD collection is even better than Vol. 1.
That urge struck again as I watched the new Looney Tunes Golden Collection vol. 2 DVD this weekend. Well, today I stumbled on a site that had the same idea I did -- the Warner Bros Cartoon Companion, an alphabetical index to most of the references found in the classic cartoons. The site also includes biographcial information on many of the toons' characters and creators. More comprehensive biographical info can be found elsewhere, but this site is a great starting point if you're curious about some of the verbal and visual gags. Here's a great example:
“B.O.”
Rendered in a long, drawn-out “beeeeeeeooooooohhhh,” this was the tagline for Lifebuoy soap. (It stands for “body odor”.) Examples of its use include the pseudo-Hawaiian verbiage given by Bugs in Wackiki Wabbit (Jones, 1943) and by the Mad Russian-like dog in Hare Ribbin’ (Clampett, 1944), right after he has sniffed the armpit of Bugs Bunny.
Now, there's certainly plenty more that's not here, so maybe my idea is still a good one, but nevertheless this a fun and informative site.
And the Vol. 2 DVD collection is even better than Vol. 1.
Identity Crisis News
Identity Crisis #6 (of 7) hits this week. Also out this week is a JSA tie-in issue with art by Dave (Watchmen) Gibbons. The issue features the autopsy of the first victim.
Identity Crisis #6
Other series that will tie in to the mini-series in the next few months include Flash, Teen Titans, Outsiders, Adventures of Superman, Firestorm and Manhunter.
At this weekend’s Wizard World Texas convention, DC announced that Identity Crisis will be collected into a hardcover in either September or October 2005, with a softcover targeted for summer 2006.
DC has posted their slideshow from the convention on their site. In addition, more DC news from the convention can be found at Comics Continuum.
Identity Crisis #6
Other series that will tie in to the mini-series in the next few months include Flash, Teen Titans, Outsiders, Adventures of Superman, Firestorm and Manhunter.
At this weekend’s Wizard World Texas convention, DC announced that Identity Crisis will be collected into a hardcover in either September or October 2005, with a softcover targeted for summer 2006.
DC has posted their slideshow from the convention on their site. In addition, more DC news from the convention can be found at Comics Continuum.
The Force is Strong in This One
The first teaser trailer for Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith debuted in theatres with The Incredibles this past weekend, and is now available on the Star Wars website. The final prequel chapeter shows exactly how Anakin Skywalker becomes Darth Vader. If the teaser is any inidcation, Episode III will more than make up for Episodes I and II.
On the road to Darth Vader
It was, well, Incredible!
I knew going in that I would enjoy The Incredibles, the latest Disney/Pixar release. After all, they’ve been five for five with Toy Story I and II, A Bug’s Life, Monsters, Inc. and Finding Nemo. It’s directed by Brad Bird, whose previous film was The Iron Giant, an animated masterpiece, and it’s about superheroes, my favorite subject. But, with all this in its favor, I was still a little concerned that it couldn’t live up to my expectations. The promising reviews all around were certainly a good sign. But, I had to see for myself, and couldn’t wait for the DVD release. So, fingers crossed, I went to the theatre for the first time since Spider-Man II, the current standard-bearer for the superhero film. Until now.
The Incredibles is simply the best superhero film ever made. Better than the first two Spider-Man, X-Men, Batman and Superman movies. From its self-aware superhero observations on the impracticality of capes and villain monologues to its portrayal of the indignities of getting older – gaining weight, reliving glory days, working a mundane job, The Incredibles was so much more than a cartoon or kid’s movie.
Intelligent and affectionate deconstruction of comic book superhero conventions is nothing new for comic fans of the 80s when everyone from Alan (Watchmen) Moore and Frank (The Dark Knight Returns) Miller to Giffen/Dematteis (Justice League International) have sent up the silliness of parading in public in long underwear as self-appointed saviors alone or in groups, but never before has it been done so masterfully on the big screen, animated or live-action.
The Incredibles is simply the best superhero film ever made. Better than the first two Spider-Man, X-Men, Batman and Superman movies. From its self-aware superhero observations on the impracticality of capes and villain monologues to its portrayal of the indignities of getting older – gaining weight, reliving glory days, working a mundane job, The Incredibles was so much more than a cartoon or kid’s movie.
Intelligent and affectionate deconstruction of comic book superhero conventions is nothing new for comic fans of the 80s when everyone from Alan (Watchmen) Moore and Frank (The Dark Knight Returns) Miller to Giffen/Dematteis (Justice League International) have sent up the silliness of parading in public in long underwear as self-appointed saviors alone or in groups, but never before has it been done so masterfully on the big screen, animated or live-action.
The Fantastic Foursome
Years ago, Mr. Incredible (Craig T. Nelson) was the city’s dependable superman, rescuing cats from trees, stopping bank robbers and saving building jumpers. His cohorts in city-saving included FroZone (Samuel L. Jackson) and Elasti-Girl (Holly Hunter), not to mention a wannabe sidekick who tries to tag along, albeit unsuccessfully. But eventually property damage and personal injury lawsuits lead to the forced retirement and relocation of the heroes, now living anonymously in the suburbs, holding down 9-5 jobs and taking care of the kids. Mr. Incredible is now just Bob Parr. He married Elasti-Girl, now known only as Helen Parr. She raises their two kids, Violet (with invisibility and force field powers) and Dash (super-speed), who she tells to hide their inherited powers so they can fit in and be normal. But fitting in is not always so easy. Bob, meanwhile is an insurance claims adjuster, who can’t quite give up his do-gooder persona as he helps policyholders exploit his company’s loopholes, much to his supervisor’s chagrin.
Bob and his old running buddy FroZone, sneak out at night to go “bowling.” What they’re really doing is sitting in their cars listening for emergencies on the police band so they can anonymously save the day. Bob, in particular, needs the outlet. Soon, his desire to just help people catches the attention of others who want to help him in his quest. The offer, not surprisingly, turns out too good to be true. Madness and mayhem ensue.
The film’s most obvious influences are the Fantastic Four comics and the James Bond and Spy Kids movies, but the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. It’s an action adventure, situation comedy and adult drama in one beautiful computer-generated mix. Pixar, in its first movie to showcase human characters, wisely doesn’t try to portray people realistically (anyone who saw The Hulk knows why), but as exaggerated cartoons appropriate to their characters. Despite that, it is easy to forget you are watching a cartoon, especially when the setting is the island hideaway of Mr. Incredible’s mysterious sponsor. One scene that stood out to me had some of the characters emerging from the water with their hair and outfits wet. For some reason seeing how well that was done made me realize the attention to detail Pixar’s team of animators puts into its work.
Pixar, unlike the pop culture in-joke-filled CGI films of Dreamworks like A Shark’s Tale and the Shrek movies, continues its streak of timeless animated classics. But this time, they’ve stepped it up to create a fun-filled family adventure film for all ages. You don’t need to be an animation or superhero fan to enjoy The Incredibles. You just have to be a fan of solid storytelling and good movie-making. See this movie.
Bob and his old running buddy FroZone, sneak out at night to go “bowling.” What they’re really doing is sitting in their cars listening for emergencies on the police band so they can anonymously save the day. Bob, in particular, needs the outlet. Soon, his desire to just help people catches the attention of others who want to help him in his quest. The offer, not surprisingly, turns out too good to be true. Madness and mayhem ensue.
The film’s most obvious influences are the Fantastic Four comics and the James Bond and Spy Kids movies, but the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. It’s an action adventure, situation comedy and adult drama in one beautiful computer-generated mix. Pixar, in its first movie to showcase human characters, wisely doesn’t try to portray people realistically (anyone who saw The Hulk knows why), but as exaggerated cartoons appropriate to their characters. Despite that, it is easy to forget you are watching a cartoon, especially when the setting is the island hideaway of Mr. Incredible’s mysterious sponsor. One scene that stood out to me had some of the characters emerging from the water with their hair and outfits wet. For some reason seeing how well that was done made me realize the attention to detail Pixar’s team of animators puts into its work.
Pixar, unlike the pop culture in-joke-filled CGI films of Dreamworks like A Shark’s Tale and the Shrek movies, continues its streak of timeless animated classics. But this time, they’ve stepped it up to create a fun-filled family adventure film for all ages. You don’t need to be an animation or superhero fan to enjoy The Incredibles. You just have to be a fan of solid storytelling and good movie-making. See this movie.
Saturday, November 06, 2004
Smallville 4-8: Mixing it up with Mxy
OK , now we’re at 3 great episodes in a row. No resolution to the open questions of the last episode, though some of the ongoing drama from that episode are still in full force, most notably, Clark knowing about Lana and Jason. No Lionel this week either.
The only real criticism I have about this episode is the blatant product placement for old Spice Red Zone and watching Chloe getting manipulated into kissing someone yet again. Jeez this poor girl…
In another nod to comics lore, Smallville is visited by Mr. Mxyzptlk. Only, this guy isn’t a mischievous imp from the 5th dimension, but a foreign exchange student, sponsored by LuthorCorp. Apparently Lionel saw potential in the young Mikhail that’s not apparent in his grades. While Lex ties to find out what is so special about him, poor Chloe is finding out first-hand. Mikhail seems to have some sort of bad luck power, which he activates by looking at someone and telling them to do something. Now, that’s not really a bad luck power as much as the power of persuasion (which a Krypto-freak of the week had in the first season using a handshake).
No 5th dimensional imps appeared in this episode
Mikhail uses this power as a gambling aid, quickly becoming the biggest bookie in Smallville. Clark, who as we know (from the comics, anyway) is vulnerable to magic, becomes one of Mikhail’s targets on the football field (apparently Clark un-quit from the week before). Mikhail looks at Clark and says “trip,” which Clark does, though he had enough momentum going to get him into the end zone. What also happened though is Clark lost control falling hard onto an opposing player, breaking his collarbone.
The injury is enough for the coach to think Clark may be using steroids. Assistant coach Jason doesn’t believe that though and actually lies t the coach about it. But there’s another reason – Clark could blow the whistle on Jason and Lana, so Jason doesn’t want to risk angering Clark. Not particularly ethical, but then neither is dating a student.
Jonathan, of course, is all over this. After exactly what he feared – he would hurt someone with his powers – happens, he wants Clark to quit immediately, and this time Martha agrees. Bu not only does Clark enjoy playing so much, he is now a hero to the team. Wearing the uniform makes him feel like someone else, like he can do anything. Hmm, get use d to the feeling Clark.
Chloe and Clark decide to bring Mikhail down. Chloe Googles his name, but doesn’t get any hits, but the search engine asks is she means “kltpzyxm” (his name backwards, nice touch). Apparently the power runs in his family and only a swarm of locusts negated their powers. Chloe somehow (it’s a bit of a stretch) figures out it’s the sound of the locusts and gets some sort of sound device from her Uncle Sam (that would be Lois’ Dad). She plugs in to into the stadium sound system during the game, and it indeed seems to do the trick.
As we approach the end of the episode some really cool things happen. First Clark tells his Dad right before going out in the field about the conscious decision he makes with every play to hold back his powers and not hurt anyone, something Jonathan could never understand. And Jonathan doesn’t say anything. He realizes he can’t. Then he smiles and says Clark is starting to sound just like his father – and he’s not talking about Jor-El. And then , as if to prove that Clark really is on a whole different playing field, he does something that is a pure comics moment (though more like something from the Flash). On the sidelines between plays, Mikhail tells Clark he’s going to kill Chloe if he doesn’t blow the game, showing that even without his power, he’s quite resourceful. Back on the field, he sees Mikhail threatening Chloe with a knife with his X-Ray vision. But he still won’t throw the game. He calls the play and gets ready to throw the football, but then just as he throw, he super-speeds to Chloe and Mihail knocks him out and frees Chloe, before racing back to the filed to complete the pass. No one is the wiser. THAT’s a super-hero!
We close with a few moments that show Lex truly is heading down a dark path. Even though Mikhail has lost his powers, Lex is still interested in learning what he is capable of. He takes him down to a sub-level at LuthorCorp, where he will apparently stay now. He says he won’t be alone, but we don’t see what he means. Seems to me that Lex has bunch of former “freaks-of-the-week” stashed. He also makes it clear to Clark that he got Jason tired by making it know he was dating Lana. His reason for doing so seems to have nothing to do with Clark though. Creepy. Good stuff.
The only real criticism I have about this episode is the blatant product placement for old Spice Red Zone and watching Chloe getting manipulated into kissing someone yet again. Jeez this poor girl…
In another nod to comics lore, Smallville is visited by Mr. Mxyzptlk. Only, this guy isn’t a mischievous imp from the 5th dimension, but a foreign exchange student, sponsored by LuthorCorp. Apparently Lionel saw potential in the young Mikhail that’s not apparent in his grades. While Lex ties to find out what is so special about him, poor Chloe is finding out first-hand. Mikhail seems to have some sort of bad luck power, which he activates by looking at someone and telling them to do something. Now, that’s not really a bad luck power as much as the power of persuasion (which a Krypto-freak of the week had in the first season using a handshake).
No 5th dimensional imps appeared in this episode
Mikhail uses this power as a gambling aid, quickly becoming the biggest bookie in Smallville. Clark, who as we know (from the comics, anyway) is vulnerable to magic, becomes one of Mikhail’s targets on the football field (apparently Clark un-quit from the week before). Mikhail looks at Clark and says “trip,” which Clark does, though he had enough momentum going to get him into the end zone. What also happened though is Clark lost control falling hard onto an opposing player, breaking his collarbone.
The injury is enough for the coach to think Clark may be using steroids. Assistant coach Jason doesn’t believe that though and actually lies t the coach about it. But there’s another reason – Clark could blow the whistle on Jason and Lana, so Jason doesn’t want to risk angering Clark. Not particularly ethical, but then neither is dating a student.
Jonathan, of course, is all over this. After exactly what he feared – he would hurt someone with his powers – happens, he wants Clark to quit immediately, and this time Martha agrees. Bu not only does Clark enjoy playing so much, he is now a hero to the team. Wearing the uniform makes him feel like someone else, like he can do anything. Hmm, get use d to the feeling Clark.
Chloe and Clark decide to bring Mikhail down. Chloe Googles his name, but doesn’t get any hits, but the search engine asks is she means “kltpzyxm” (his name backwards, nice touch). Apparently the power runs in his family and only a swarm of locusts negated their powers. Chloe somehow (it’s a bit of a stretch) figures out it’s the sound of the locusts and gets some sort of sound device from her Uncle Sam (that would be Lois’ Dad). She plugs in to into the stadium sound system during the game, and it indeed seems to do the trick.
As we approach the end of the episode some really cool things happen. First Clark tells his Dad right before going out in the field about the conscious decision he makes with every play to hold back his powers and not hurt anyone, something Jonathan could never understand. And Jonathan doesn’t say anything. He realizes he can’t. Then he smiles and says Clark is starting to sound just like his father – and he’s not talking about Jor-El. And then , as if to prove that Clark really is on a whole different playing field, he does something that is a pure comics moment (though more like something from the Flash). On the sidelines between plays, Mikhail tells Clark he’s going to kill Chloe if he doesn’t blow the game, showing that even without his power, he’s quite resourceful. Back on the field, he sees Mikhail threatening Chloe with a knife with his X-Ray vision. But he still won’t throw the game. He calls the play and gets ready to throw the football, but then just as he throw, he super-speeds to Chloe and Mihail knocks him out and frees Chloe, before racing back to the filed to complete the pass. No one is the wiser. THAT’s a super-hero!
We close with a few moments that show Lex truly is heading down a dark path. Even though Mikhail has lost his powers, Lex is still interested in learning what he is capable of. He takes him down to a sub-level at LuthorCorp, where he will apparently stay now. He says he won’t be alone, but we don’t see what he means. Seems to me that Lex has bunch of former “freaks-of-the-week” stashed. He also makes it clear to Clark that he got Jason tired by making it know he was dating Lana. His reason for doing so seems to have nothing to do with Clark though. Creepy. Good stuff.
Thursday, November 04, 2004
Tuesday, November 02, 2004
More Episode III teaser stuff
The first teaser trailer for Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (see teaser poster below) premieres in theatres with The Incredibles on Friday. It will appear on Access Hollywood on Thursday night and will also be available to AOL subscribers on Thursday. It will likely be all over the web on Friday. Here's a description, courtesy of comingsoon.net:
The trailer does begin with "A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far way." and includes Alec Guiness famous line "A young Jedi named Darth Vader, who was a pupil of mine until he turned to evil, helped the Empire hunt down and destroy the Jedi knights. He betrayed and murdered your father."
Some awesome highlights I should point out include a hooded Anakin with glowing red eyes - much like Darth Maul's, a scene of the Emperor wielding a lightsaber, I'm assuming during his battle with Yoda, which looks like he is throwing across the room. In what seems to be a full out war over Coruscant we see an early prototype of the X-Wing fighter with an extra wing cutting across the fighter and a curved nose. There's also a shot of a group of Wookies lead by Chewbacca getting ready to attack. We also hear James Earl Jones speak as Vader though his voice is a slight different then we are used to hearing in the original trilogy.
Sunday, October 31, 2004
Saturday, October 30, 2004
Crazy Spidey stuff
I haven't been reading Marvel Universe Spidey comics (I'm fairly up to date with Ultimate Spider-Man via trade paperbacks), but I've been reading about some crazy stuff going on.
First, in Amazing Spider-Man, there's a couple of folks running around, saying they are Gwen Stacy's kids. Their father? Norman (Green Goblin) Osborn!
Meanwhile, in Spectacular Spider-Man, Peter has gone through a transformation, turning into a giant spider. He escaped this horror, but not unscathed. Like the movies, Peter now has organic web-shooters, as well as enhanced Spider-sense:
First, in Amazing Spider-Man, there's a couple of folks running around, saying they are Gwen Stacy's kids. Their father? Norman (Green Goblin) Osborn!
Meanwhile, in Spectacular Spider-Man, Peter has gone through a transformation, turning into a giant spider. He escaped this horror, but not unscathed. Like the movies, Peter now has organic web-shooters, as well as enhanced Spider-sense:
No wonder I stopped buying these books. Sheesh!
Read more about these developments here.
Ving Rhames to play Kojak on TV
Who Loves Ya Baby? Ving Rhames does...
According to MSNBC:
According to MSNBC:
Rhames has signed with USA Network to a weekly series of “Kojak,” debuting in March, Bonnie Hammer, president of USA Network and the Sci Fi Channel, said Tuesday. Filming begins in Toronto in January. Production wrapped in August
on a two-hour original movie, which will now serve as the premiere episode for the nine-week original series, the network said.
JFK satirist Vaughn Meader dies
From CNN:
Vaughn Meader, who gained instant fame satirizing the presidency of John F. Kennedy in the multimillion-selling album "The First Family," only to have his star plummet when the president was assassinated, died Friday. He was 68.
New Hannibal Lector novel on the way
Thomas Harris will publish a new novel next year, "Behind the Mask," exploring the origins of Hannibal Lector.
According to Reuters:
According to Reuters:
"Millions of readers in 25 languages have wondered how Dr. Lecter developed his particular appetite for evil. This novel will satisfy their curiosity," publisher Bantam Dell said in a statement announcing the book would be ready late in 2005. Chillingly brought to the screen by Anthony Hopkins in the 1991 film "The Silence of the Lambs," Hannibal Lecter is due to be back on movie screens for another outing based on the new novel. Film rights for the book have been acquired by The Dino De Laurentiis Company, producer of "Red Dragon" and "Hannibal."
How do you Tullamore Dew?
Celebrating my birthday: Chris, Unk, Dad, Skip and me with our customary shot. I love this shot (the photo and the drink)
Friday, October 29, 2004
Smallville meets Freaky Friday
Let me start by saying that if Lana and Chloe don’t completely write off Clark at this point, they are just damn fools. I mean, how many times has he pulled multiple personalities on them, whether it’s Red Kryptonite, transformations into Kal El, or now, Lionel-possession. At least when it happens to the ladies, they can blame it on the Nicodemus flower, spiked Gatorade or cave bug bites. Clark has to keep his mouth shut about his personality switches. But, if this means that Lana and Clark will stop pining over each other, and Chloe will stop with her one-sided crush, then all the better. Sadly, I don’t think that’s gonna happen. But, hey another great episode. Two in a row. Now we’re talking.
Lionel, who’s dying from liver disease, requests to see Lex, but not to make amends with this son as he pretends to, but to attempt to do a body switch thanks to some (apparently) Kryptonian artifact. Luckily for Lex, the artifact calls to Clark, who shows up at the prison in time to separate Lex and Lionel. Unfortunately, that means Lionel and Clark switched bodies instead. Oops.
It doesn’t take Lionel long to figure out just how fortunate Clark’s intervention was. The discovery of his powers on the farm with Jonathan is quite the revelation for him. And let me say here that Tom Welling is to be commended for his range, acting as Clark possessed by Lionel. I had no doubts that John Glover (nice to see him again, by the way. He’s been gone too long) could pull off acting like Clark, but Welling impressed here as well. This will hopefully bode well for his post-Smallville career. Let’s hope it doesn’t lead to hosting Ripley’s Believe it Or Not.
So Lionel-as-Clark shows just how much of a crush he has on Martha (is that heat vision or are you just happy to see me?). He quits the football team, catches student Lana and faculty Jason in a compromising position in Jason’s office (OK, these two are TRYING to get caught) and pulls a major fast one on poor Chloe. For a second, I thought Lionel had a thing for teenagers, but then he show that he’s true to form and displays the ultimate cruelty, as he is fully aware of “Miss Sullivan’s” unrequited love for Clark. He takes to his new body and powers well, and is set to blow Smallville with his offshore account, but hits a few snags. First is the voice recognition problem, which he solves with some threats to the imprisoned Clark-in-Lionel’s body. The bigger problem if Lex figuring out how to clean out the account. Like father, like son.
Meanwhile Clark, stuck in prison in Lionel’s powerless body, finds himself on the receiving end of several beat downs, though he does manage to fight back with the fighting skills he’s picked up even without powers. Lionel’s nebbish little cellmate, who somehow helped with the switcheroo is a convenient exposition device someone for Clark to talk to, as well as a much-needed ally. Eventually he figures out how to clue in his parents to the situation, but Lionel is not ready to give up his power without a fight. He also visits Lex, surprising him with Clark’s new-found love of scotch. Lionel makes it clear quickly who Lex is dealing with though and goes for the kill until Martha shows up with kryptonite. Fortunately, Lionel-as-Clark doesn’t display superpowers, save for a really strong grip on his neck, and neither of them actually see the kryptonite Martha uses.
Eventually, thanks to the cellmate’s assistance, Clark manages to trick Lionel in the prison so that the switch happens again and all is seemingly back to normal. Except….
Chloe’s mad at Clark again; Lana’s mad at Clark again (for putting the moves on her AGAIN), but makes him promise to keep his mouth shut about her and Jason, which he is actually just hearing about for the first time. And he appears to be off the football team as well. Meanwhile…
Lionel seems to have no recollection of what happened, meaning Clark’s secret appears to be safe. But there are two interesting side effects – one, he is completely healthy again, and two, he is now “good,” as in no longer a conniving, scheming murderer, but that was a little unclear. Also, unclear was the ending. Lionel/Clark’s cellmate was released from prison (he claimed he was framed) and is picked up by Margot Kidder, Dr. Swann’s (her late former co-star, Christopher Reeve), to whom he turns over the body-switching artifact. On whose behalf, was the release-in-exchange-for-the-artifact arranged? Lionel, who promised to get the guy out and was shown previously to have a relationship with Swann? Lex, acting on his own, or in conjunction with Clark, who asked Lex to help get the guy out in the previous scene. But Clark wouldn’t want the artifact turned over to anyone. So what’s going on here?
Next week, a re-imagining of Mr. Mxypltlyk (whatever), who is not a 5th dimensional imp, but a mysterious European gambler with “bad luck” power.
Lionel, who’s dying from liver disease, requests to see Lex, but not to make amends with this son as he pretends to, but to attempt to do a body switch thanks to some (apparently) Kryptonian artifact. Luckily for Lex, the artifact calls to Clark, who shows up at the prison in time to separate Lex and Lionel. Unfortunately, that means Lionel and Clark switched bodies instead. Oops.
It doesn’t take Lionel long to figure out just how fortunate Clark’s intervention was. The discovery of his powers on the farm with Jonathan is quite the revelation for him. And let me say here that Tom Welling is to be commended for his range, acting as Clark possessed by Lionel. I had no doubts that John Glover (nice to see him again, by the way. He’s been gone too long) could pull off acting like Clark, but Welling impressed here as well. This will hopefully bode well for his post-Smallville career. Let’s hope it doesn’t lead to hosting Ripley’s Believe it Or Not.
So Lionel-as-Clark shows just how much of a crush he has on Martha (is that heat vision or are you just happy to see me?). He quits the football team, catches student Lana and faculty Jason in a compromising position in Jason’s office (OK, these two are TRYING to get caught) and pulls a major fast one on poor Chloe. For a second, I thought Lionel had a thing for teenagers, but then he show that he’s true to form and displays the ultimate cruelty, as he is fully aware of “Miss Sullivan’s” unrequited love for Clark. He takes to his new body and powers well, and is set to blow Smallville with his offshore account, but hits a few snags. First is the voice recognition problem, which he solves with some threats to the imprisoned Clark-in-Lionel’s body. The bigger problem if Lex figuring out how to clean out the account. Like father, like son.
Meanwhile Clark, stuck in prison in Lionel’s powerless body, finds himself on the receiving end of several beat downs, though he does manage to fight back with the fighting skills he’s picked up even without powers. Lionel’s nebbish little cellmate, who somehow helped with the switcheroo is a convenient exposition device someone for Clark to talk to, as well as a much-needed ally. Eventually he figures out how to clue in his parents to the situation, but Lionel is not ready to give up his power without a fight. He also visits Lex, surprising him with Clark’s new-found love of scotch. Lionel makes it clear quickly who Lex is dealing with though and goes for the kill until Martha shows up with kryptonite. Fortunately, Lionel-as-Clark doesn’t display superpowers, save for a really strong grip on his neck, and neither of them actually see the kryptonite Martha uses.
Eventually, thanks to the cellmate’s assistance, Clark manages to trick Lionel in the prison so that the switch happens again and all is seemingly back to normal. Except….
Chloe’s mad at Clark again; Lana’s mad at Clark again (for putting the moves on her AGAIN), but makes him promise to keep his mouth shut about her and Jason, which he is actually just hearing about for the first time. And he appears to be off the football team as well. Meanwhile…
Lionel seems to have no recollection of what happened, meaning Clark’s secret appears to be safe. But there are two interesting side effects – one, he is completely healthy again, and two, he is now “good,” as in no longer a conniving, scheming murderer, but that was a little unclear. Also, unclear was the ending. Lionel/Clark’s cellmate was released from prison (he claimed he was framed) and is picked up by Margot Kidder, Dr. Swann’s (her late former co-star, Christopher Reeve), to whom he turns over the body-switching artifact. On whose behalf, was the release-in-exchange-for-the-artifact arranged? Lionel, who promised to get the guy out and was shown previously to have a relationship with Swann? Lex, acting on his own, or in conjunction with Clark, who asked Lex to help get the guy out in the previous scene. But Clark wouldn’t want the artifact turned over to anyone. So what’s going on here?
Next week, a re-imagining of Mr. Mxypltlyk (whatever), who is not a 5th dimensional imp, but a mysterious European gambler with “bad luck” power.
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