Fangasmic

Besides porn and unicorns, we here at Fangasmic also have a keen interest in International independent cinema. Which is why the Brazilian film Do Começo ao Fim (English title: From Beginning To End) caught our attention.

The trailer's here, but why don't we let the summary from NewFest, the New York LGBT Film Festival, speak for itself:

Easily our most talked-about film of the season. Director Alusio Abranches challenges and titillates the viewer with his story of two model-gorgeous brothers whose close relationship evolves into a sexual one.

ERIC KRIPKE, IS THAT YOU? WHEN DID YOU HAVE TIME TO GO MAKE A INDEPENDENT FILM IN BRAZIL IN BETWEEN YOUR BUSY SCHEDULE OF RUNNING A TV SHOW AND USING FANGIRL TEARS AS LUBE?


You know you were thinking it. Credit/blame for this goes to thatneedslube.

In the world outside the fangirl corners of the internet where incest has been effectively normalized, the film has gathered a fair amount of controversy- though it also, perhaps consequently, did extremely well at the Brazilian box office.

It's worth noting that the brothers in Abranches' film are only half-brothers. That's right, it's not even full incest. Pfft, I say. Until someone makes a movie with two fully related brothers and throws in some gangbang demon lactation MPREG, I think we win in terms of "controversial" over here. Nice try, though.

Do Começo ao Fim was released in Brazil last year, and is beginning to make its way through the indie film circuit elsewhere. We haven't seen it yet, but for those fen based in New York City with nothing to do tonight, tickets are available at the door for a 10:30 pm screening. If anyone's seen it, let us know what you thought.

Now that Monday is here, it's time for some Deep Thoughts with Fangasmic. Today's essay is one that was promised you last week: reboots- and no, we don't mean that tragically underrated 90s Canadian cartoon.

The ongoing trend of remaking old properties has been well documented in the mainstream media. Every day seems to bring the rumors of another one; they're everywhere. Off the top of my head I can think of several: Sherlock Holmes, Star Trek, Bewitched, Get Smart, The Brady Bunch, The Mod Squad, Starsky and Hutch, Charlie's Angels, Battlestar Galactica, the upcoming movie of The A-Team, and the list continues. Most recently we've heard that Gilligan's Island is getting re-heeled, and Man From U.N.C.L.E. possibly not far behind. It begs the question, what else is left to reboot? (If you thought I Dream of Jeannie was safe/too problematic thanks to its 1960s gender politics, think again.)

It's easy to see where the trend comes from. Viewing past pop culture through the ironic lens of the present is what makes the successful VH1 franchise I Love The Decadewhateverthefuck tick. And forget individual shows, there's a whole cable channel devoted to nostalgic television that does pretty well for itself. There's obviously a market for this stuff.

Reboots may be a one-trick pony with limited narrative scope- look at that list above, you'll notice that BSG is the only non-movie up there with more than 2.5 hours of material- but that doesn't seem to be stopping anyone. Just recast it with younger, more attractive people, throw in some explosions and a few winking nods at the silly conventions of the original and boom! You've got yourself a remake.

And sure, maybe no one has ever considered The Brady Bunch sacred territory, but what about shows that Fandom has embraced? What happens when an old fandom gets rebooted, not just a franchise?


( What happens? People stop being polite...and start getting REAL. )

Welcome to the very first ever Fangasmic music review! With Glee back in our lives, we decided to celebrate around here by taking a stab at talking about music for a change.

Now, you might be wondering, how in the name of Hilary Duff is whyareyoulikethis in any way a credible commenter on music? After all, I have perhaps the worst taste in music of anyone I know. My iPod is full of cheesy pop, moldy old standards and more showtunes than you can shake a stick it at. And yet, this makes me uniquely qualified to comment on the album that is the subject of today's post.

That would be John Barrowman's latest, titled, with the kind of quiet, retiring modesty Barrowman is know for, John Barrowman.



( If you can duck from the confetti, you'll find a review under here. )

John Barrowman is available in the UK now, and has charted higher than any of his other albums. Have any of you listened to it? What'd you think?