A “Heroes” Fall

I’m a huge fan of the show, Heroes (Mondays, 9pm, NBC), but have been on the cusp lately. This season, although rendered exciting with the introduction (and brief life, for some) of new characters, was too short, felt contrived at times, and ended rather bluntly. To make matters worse, the mid-season replacement, “Heroes: Origins”–which was supposed to tide the fans over the winter break while Volume 3 is developed–has now been canned due to the ongoing writers’ strike. What is a Heroes fan to do?

I truly hope that Volume 3 of Heroes will be much better than the inevitable “sophomore slump” that befalls many a television program after an explosive initial outing. Although, judging from their “teaser” about Sylar recovering his powers, my faith is dwindling. In spite of Zachary Quinto playing the role of the mass-murdering super effectively, I have grown tired of Sylar. Is Tim Kring trying to create a Superman-Lex Luthor relationship between our Gifted Ones and the preliminary arch nemesis? Will that formula work? And, if Volume 3 introduces yet more characters into the mix, will it comprise of even more bad guys to band together with the evil Sylar to outmaneuver the increasingly team-oriented Petrelli & Company? Will an X-Men vs. Brotherhood of Evil scenario actually work for this threatened franchise or will that move be the final nail on the programming coffin?

Heroes is currently hanging on a thread borne from my appreciation of the comic book genre, but I can’t guarantee that thread’s tenacity for too long. Tim Kring et all have to dramatically improve the series for this fan starting with Volume 3 or that fifteen percent drop in their show’s fanbase will grow ever so much more. Here’s hoping for a Heroes comeback…

Does “The Golden Compass” Point True North?

I’m on my second sixteen ounce cup of joe (the decaf kind, unfortunately), it’s dark outside, Dylanesque music is playing in the background, and am contemplating how I’m going to spend my rare weekday off. I have personal errands up the yin-yang, but I’m finding myself too lazy to even think about those things right now. Therefore, I’m going to talk about The Golden Compass, a movie I am dying to see.

Much has been written and said about this upcoming movie. The Catholics (or Christians, in general) are up in arms about its atheistic message. Author Philip Pullman, on whose trilogy, His Dark Materials, the movie is based, is atheist, and has specifically noted in interviews that the trilogy (of which The Golden Compass is the first of three) is about “killing God.” The movie’s premise is about a little girl who has been chosen to free an alternate universe from the confines of organized religion and, to do so, must eliminate God. Now, I see why Christians all over are more than nervous about the film!

I’ve been Catholic all my life, and I believe in God. I haven’t read these books, personally, but I don’t see the big deal. Religion to me is an individual communion inasmuch as it is a community. I think that as long as my belief in God is intact, I don’t see why I should attack other people’s beliefs. I respect divinity in all forms–whether they be represented as angelic beings or multi-armed deities. Faith is such a powerful thing; it cannot be confined to a singular notion. God gave humanity “free will”–Philip Pullman is exercising that gift whether he acknowledges it or not. That is the beauty of my faith. Now, I’m certain that there are many religious “fanatics” who may jump all over this blog entry. Again, my faith is intact, so I’m not worried. And, it is their “free will” that they’re exercising so I have to respect it.

I think people should focus on the theatrical nature of the film, rather than its purported message. It makes me wonder if, say, Muslims would respond to the film the same way the Catholics have had its premise been killing Allah. Perhaps they would. After all, it would be akin to attacking their community’s belief. This movie–these books–are fantasy-based, and fantasy is just that. It is make-believe, a world of pretend…let’s not forget that.

Of course, I can’t stop people from thinking the way they do. Again, I have “free will” to thank for that. As for me, I’m going to see this movie, devour a huge bag of popcorn, and enjoy every second of cinematic genius I expect the movie to be.