X(-Files) Marks the Spot

I've always wanted to believe.

Believe that they never canceled the X-Files, and that each week a new one was waiting for me to enjoy. From its deep mythology that everyone can associate with, to the wonderfully deep and eerily detailed creepy characters fliterring about in the shadows up to who knows what nefarious deeds.

Thankfully us X-Files fans have the upcoming Fringe by the already-legendary J.J. Abrams (Alias, Lost) soon to arrive on our TVs in order to fill the gaping hole we've felt since Chris Carter's show left the airwaves (or, depending on whom you ask, once David Duchovny left the show- I personally enjoyed the show after his departure well enough.)

But before we move on to Fringe, we get another treat to the team that started it all with the release of "X-Files: I Want To Believe" in theaters this week. I'm sure if you're a fan, you want to believe it's good. Is it?

Certainly that question is always up to each individual- leaving the theater today I heard someone mumbling about how bad The Dark Knight was... and I can't comprehend the mind that can interpret the Dark Knight as "bad". But, everyone has their own tastes! What of the X-Files, though?

The thing I like best about the movie was that it is in essence a movie-length stand alone episode of the show. Roughly 7 years have passed since the first movie, and as such life has moved on. I'll leave it to the movie to fill you in on what's going on with Mulder and Scully (I'm anti-spoilers, always) but suffice to say if you have never seen the X-Files, you really wouldn't be in the dark whatsoever seeing this film. It is clear enough who these people are and the relationship they have through the story. This is a necessary move for many shows that make the leap to the big screen, as you can't assume someone is going to know every last detail. Plus, it's been years- who remembers other than the truly diehard fans? (I don't remember what I had for dinner yesterday!)

The story itself is what you'd expect on any week of the X-Files- nothing more, nothing less. This being the case, I anticipate the "casual" fans of the X-Files (those who love the show and have seen most or all of the episodes) will enjoy it just fine. It's not going to rock your world, or leave you thinking "that was the most amazing thing ever!" You'll should still feel like you got your money's worth- the acting alone is well done enough to cover that cost.

If, however, you've never seen the X-Files, while you will understand this movie (as I mentioned, it's quite clear for the newbies) you probably will think you've seen better "cop"/suspense movies. On the same hand, I feel like X-Files diehards- those who tape X's in their windows and/or have written Mulder and Scully slash fiction will likely be disappointed. It's a hard call, but with the level of jadedness in today's entertainment crowd, I am guessing the fanboys are going to feel the film is too "mundane".

In fact- the one thing you'd think would be involved in an X-Files plot would be aliens/ufos to some degree... nothing of the sort in this case. The plot is actually something not too far-fetched from what goes on in real life. In a way, this makes it all the better for me, as Mulder and Scully's relationship drama seems to hit home with more impact. By showing them in a less science-fictiony styled world, it makes their travails all the more potent and touching.

Should you see it? As always, your call- only you'll know for sure if this is going to appeal to you. And I can't tell you if you'll like it or not. For this X-Files fan, it was a happy trip back to a beloved story franchise that is missed dearly. Seeing Mulder and Scully up on screen just felt "right", again.

And I certainly hope there's more to believe in in the form of more X-files movies to come.

Batman Defeats All Records... And Starts an Online War.

Unless you live in a cave, you are fully aware that the newest entry in the current Christopher Nolan-directed Batman franchise swooped into theaters this past weekend, sweeping every record imaginable under its long, dark cloak with more likely to follow in the coming weeks.

Time article on Dark Knight's Record-Breaking Weekend

Yet, even when a movie of such critical and public acclaim comes along, it seems there in no pleasing some people. Certainly not everyone is going to like the same things, nor should it be demanded that they do. But there's a level of hatred in the critics that makes one stop to scratch their heads and wonder why these people are so far off the page from everyone else.

Case in point? Examine film critic David Edelstein's review of the movie.

Now certainly Mr. Edelstein is entitled to dislike any particular movie he desires. And, as his "job" (and I use that term loosely, as I find "Critic" to be just underneath "Supervisor of Watching Paint Dry" in terms of usefulness to society) he is entitled to put out a negative review, warning the ten people that will makes their film viewing choices based on his comments not to go see the film and instead revel in the glory that is "Space Chimps".

No, it's not about David Edelstein that I'm referring to when I say "critics". It's about the people in the comments. All of those people at the bottom of any discussion online concerning the new movie, hidden behind the anonymity of netnames, cyberspeak and devastatingly broken grammar. Take a moment and read some of the comments on his review and others across the internet. I'll wait here, promise.

There are a "large" amount of people online speaking up in support of Mr. Edelstein's view that the movie is too dark and societally bleak. Yet the converstaion goes farther than that- people are bringing concepts into their view of the movie as if it relates to real life. That's right, some are blasting the movie because it's too reflective of the times we live in, and that this desensitizes (younger) viewers from the horrors of killing people, regardless of whether you are wearing clown makeup or not.

Anyone coming to the defense of the movie, say, by pointing out it is in fact a movie and not, in fact, reality, are being grouped into the ever-popular "fanboy" grouping and dismissed as not worthy enough to discuss the film.

I certainly don't know what's in the water that's causing this level of hatred online, but is it not possible to hold opposing views without viciously attacking each other? While I cannot personally comprehend what someone would not like about "The Dark Knight", I am not about to label them an idiot or begrudge them their choice. Yet, I'd like to see some compromise from their side as well in not dismissing the opinions of those who loved the movie simply as frothing drones who serve at the whim of the Batman marketing department.

Want proof of this phenomenon? Check this blurb out on IMDB.

One thing is for certain- love it or hate it, Batman is the new Knight of the box office, and where his records are set, more of the same will follow in an attempt to recapture the largest opening in movie history.

Though it may have been dark, it was a very dark green for Hollywood.