Villains, part 2

As I continue to study heroes and villains, I'm struck by how particular villains are. Generally, they are the ones five steps ahead of everyone else, infinitely adaptable, and capable of nearly anything. What's sometimes frustrating to me is that because of the huge setup that makes the villain all powerful, there has to be some weakness (usually a silly item like water against the Wicked Witch, or kryptonite, or maybe popcorn). It seems a bit foolish to spend so much time showing the power of a villain, and then let him get offed because he had a bag of grapes tossed his way (no, that wasn't a specific example).

The villains that are making my list of all-time top bad guys are not treated this way. For a current example, think of Voldemort. If there's any specific weakness he has, it's pride/arrogance. Yes, there is the wierd way that he can't kill Harry Potter, but good enough reasons are given for those that it doesn't come off as weakness. More importantly, he doesn't suddenly act foolishly at the end just to make the plot work out. He continues acting to complete his purposes throughout, it's just that he doesn't win.

On the other hand, think of Lex Luthor. He is a brilliant mastermind who always comes up with incredible designs and schemes, yet nearly always does something dumb and that's what allows Superman to win. It drives me nuts. Allow the hero to succeed without dropping the villain's IQ, or suddenly neutralizing their power. The reader feels cheated.

My absolute favorite villain is the Evil Queen, Maleficent, from Disney's old animated Sleeping Beauty. She is fantastic: powerful, smart, completely wicked. She died because the hero got in a lucky throw with his sword, yet even as she died she nearly killed him anyway. It's wonderful, scary, and gives the audience no reason to believe the villain won't succeed. A truly brilliant villain.

- M

Shark! Sharks!

I'm fascinated by sharks; always have been. They are incredible eating machines, but also one of the most graceful creatures on our little blue planet. Even their skin as aggressive, apparently as abrasive as sandpaper (which some tropical natives actually do use in that way). All in all, they are marvel of technology, precisely designed to be the best at what they do.

The movie, Jaws, stirred a big craze in sharks--mostly fear, but then that is what a horror story is supposed to do, right? Since that movie came out, lots of people viewed sharks as a man-munching machine of destruction. Naturally, that's not really true, but it did get a lot of interest in the area of shark research and probably was a good thing in general terms. I won't discuss the politics of it all, but predators do as predators do and it's best to make sure that's understood when you're in their environment. Humans just stink at moving through water, but we weren't designed to do it well anyway so why should we be surprised.

What is impressive though, is how little we still know about sharks. With all the money poured into research, and all the time spent on it, we don't know much more about them than we did 50 years ago. I find that incredible. One program I watched on the Discovery Channel mentioned that if we could actually see through the ocean clearly (like a pane of glass) that we would freak out because of all the stuff living in it. And, I'm sure that would include all the predators swimming around as we enjoy the ocean surf.

- M

Trilogies and series stories

The first trilogy I ever read was The Lord of the Rings. I loved the continuing story, greater than one single story. I've read many trilogies since then, and I still enjoy stories that span multiple volumns. There's just something wonderful when a tale takes hold and keeps on going through book after book. You get to see characters grow and change, the setting usually alters due to the characters moving through it, and even the plot itself flows and adapts. It's neat to see.

Maybe the greatest thing about a lengthy story is how deep the characters become. You get to know them very well (hopefully that's a good thing), and understand their motivations. Before long, the world of the story becomes part of yourself and it's easy to see yourself within the story as well. I love that feeling. I realize my own imagination is very strong, but I can't believe that I'm the only one who gets lost inside a world of stories. I think it's the biggest reason we read fiction.

Also, there is the reason of the three part story. Act 1 brings us the characters and sets up the villain and the troubles, Act 2 tears down the heroes and gives victory to the villains, Act 3 grants the heroes overall victory and punishes the villains. Not all trilogies follow this pattern, but it's fairly common. And, it works. I look forward to seeing how it's handled. I suppose that's why "bad" endings are not typical (because it's jarring, and unexpected).

Enjoy a good book, settle down for a comfortable nights entertainment watching a movie series, or listen to family talk about their strange old uncles. Take the time to go on an adventure.

- M

Time to move, time to play, time to watch, and time skip?

It's curious how time is handled in stories. In movies, probably the great majority, time flows in a pretty tight linear stream from one thing to another. However, in other mediums (notably books) time can flow in really disjointed ways--skipping around like a frog on a highway. It's amazing we humans have so little trouble following time jumps like that, but they're common and so we apparently don't mind. Flashbacks are a great example, since they yank us out of the present and throw us to some point in the past.

There are a number of movies that employ time as a major theme (actually, now that I really think about it, I'd have a pretty long list if I started naming them). I think it's because we live time from moment to moment, but remember time as much more than the progression of events and more like a flow of experience that doesn't necessarily go from one to the other but rather connects together in the wibbly fabric of our thoughts. Time is only an element of a greater whole.

Perhaps another example is the detective story, since quite a lot of those require the audience to remember all sorts of past events and pull them into the present. There don't seem to be any particular genres that utilize this more than others (except maybe science fiction and it's time travel stories). Jumping around the timeline is so normal that I don't give it much thought, until later.

- M

Jumping to conclusions

Why do we always jump ahead of things and then get disappointed when we didn't guess correctly? How many times have you read a book, or watched a movie, and figured out the entire story in your head? Naturally those guesses turn out wrong, maybe not every time but a majority probably. The reason? We all think differently, so what we expect isn't the same. Sure, there are times when stories are painfully obvious and you can guess those. I like stories that take me by surprise, take interesting twists, and throw me to the wind to watch me twirl.

Truly original stories are worth any sort of trouble to obtain. They take us in new directions, give us new options, and help us jump out of the ruts we so commonly fall into. It's like getting a helping hand to punch us in the face when we're being stupid. Sometimes we need that.

Of course, this is just my opinion. Every story has its own sense of originality, since a completely unique person created it. Like the movie, Field of Dreams, says, "If you build it, they will come." I believe, so let them come.

- M

Fads, fans, and other air conditioning

What makes something catch on so quickly it turns into a fad? What further makes that fad into a worldwide fad? Recent examples are the Harry Potter Series, Twilight, and even the 50 Shades of Gray. Quality never seems like it matters--think about the pet rock phenomenon (though the real treat was the little booklet that came with it, and the wonderful writing it had). I've twisted my brain around it, and have come to the conclusion that fads are some wierd kind of fruit that magically appears wonderful for whatever reason. Yup, I've got no idea. We humans are a strange lot.

Looking at the question from another angle, what about the fans? Why are they fans? Like many things, we all like what we like and don't like what we don't like. I've tried explaining it to my kids many times, but it really comes down to a gut feeling and nothing else. So, no, I don't expect fans to really put voice to why they like it, because they just do. More power to them! Enjoy the passion of enjoyment, and don't let anyone tell you differently.

I'm sure we've all imagined what it would be like to be the center of such a fad. I look at it like being in front of window air conditioning. It's great while you're in front of it, but not nearly as enjoyable when you aren't in the same room. Fame is a tough position, with all those eyes on you it can be pretty intimidating. I tip my hat to those who handle it with dignity and selflessness.

- M

Big, really big, just hugely vastly big

I love jokes. Puns, little stories, punchlines. All sorts. Humor is the lifeblood of what it means to be human. Well, maybe not that grand, but it's a great thing. Enjoying a good joke keeps you young, loosens your mind, and makes you take life a little less seriously. Why not enjoy it?

I grew up with comedians, and not just in my own house. Recordings, radio, movies. Comedy came in from all areas. It hasn't stopped. For that, I'm very glad. I'm richer for it, not just a sense of humor, but a sense of life. All that from laughter. Amazing.

Just how big can jokes be? I doubt anyone knows, but we have comedy movies and plays, books and operas. I really doubt there has been any part of human history without jokes. I wouldn't be surprised if the first thing Adam said to Eve was a knock-knock joke.

- M

Friendship

Throughout our lives we form many friendships. Most are people we really don't know well, some we know a bit, a few we now closely, and a handful who are very close friends, and maybe we are fortunate enough to form a select number of lifelong friends. It's amazing to me how this works, and I never tire of watching the wonder of friendship around me.

Entire stories can be fashioned around this concept, and many successful one have. But, just like anything with true value, it goes beyond the pages and permeates our lives. Friendship is something we humans treasure, long for, and will sacrifice for. Think about your own close friends and ask yourself, "What would I give up to maintain this friendship?" I'd bet it's a lot, especially for the deep, true friends who will care for you no matter what.

Love is born of friendship. But, it is also born of vulnerability. To open yourself up so far that someone sees all your flaws and weaknesses, alongside your strengths and glories, is difficult at best. This dynamic infused into stories makes them very powerful, because we can all relate to the experience. It's wonderful to experience works where great friends drive the narrative, but I'm a sucker for character driven stories anyway.

Friends. Cherish them.

- M

Sacrifice

Rummaging my own memories, it seems like all heroes (and even villains) sacrifice. Sacrifice their hopes, their dreams, people, relationships, money, whatever is of value to them. I suspect it's because the act of sacrificing something important carries tremendous emotional weight. Doing so gives the audience reason to care, and that's the point.

The supreme sacrifice of death makes heroes/villains far more dynamic. When they are willing to do so, they step into the realm of absolutes. Of course, if that happens all the time even that becomes boring. Anything done too much does that. But, to see the hero go into a building, knowing there is a bomb inside, then seeing the building explode... well, it causes a lot of tension. Part of it comes from hoping the hero comes back out, but what if they don't? Both tensions are good, and create interest. If the motivations are believable, then the audience is hooked until the tension is resolved.

I'm a sucker for a good sacrificial story. Daylight with Sylvester Stallone is an example that springs to mind. He's a firefighter captain, a New York tunnel collapses (naturally an underwater stretch), and he makes his way inside. His heroics are "manly" of course, but he constantly puts himself in jeapardy to save others. It's a good movie, maybe not great, but very watchable and I highly recommend it.

- M

Goofiness and fun with words

I love good wordplay, especially when it is all kinda goofy. Maybe that's why I like The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy so much. There's a lot of fun there, and yet it does make a kind of sense. You just have to let your mind roam free to enjoy it. The only trouble is that I find the style of it worming it's way into my own writing when I read it too often.

Goofiness is fine though. People like having their brains tickled and watching as things jump around willy nilly. Maybe not all people, but those with a good sense of humor do. I love reading books that have their own style twisted around, unexpected and surprising. It makes the story even more pleasurable than it would be otherwise, because just reading brings pleasure.

Mostly though, I like when authors become a little goofy because it means they aren't taking themselves overly seriously. Not that I mind a serious book, but I find them normally stale and dull--fine for a textbook, but not for most fiction.

- M

Forward to the Future

When I was a kid, the future was practically paved with golden streets. There wasn't any dream too small, and everyone expected to be hoping into flying cars and tearing around the skies. Walt Disney's Epcot Center wasn't just imagination, but a glimpse of our adulthood. It was entrancing, enticing, bombastic, and positive.

What happened to it? Maybe I'm just not in the right places anymore, but it seems like the future has turned into those sinister dark places they show in movies (Blade Runner, for example). I want the uncompromising optimism again. I want to see a world filled with hopeful people, driving ahead because they're glad to see how things are going. Actually, I just want a revival of hope for what's in store. No more dark futures, give me gleaming stainless steel robots!

I've often wondered about a phrase I heard from the movie, "Amadeus." Mozart is complaining about writing operas about Hercules and so on, saying that he thinks they are too lofty and stale. He wants something more realistic. The answer he is given is fantastic: "They represent the best in us all." (sorry, not a direct quote, but I hope it's pretty close)

Bring back the best, show me what to look forward to, and give me back the future of my dreams!

- M

Without words, yet still enchanting.

I absolutely love pure music. No words. Nothing to break the enchantment of listening and letting the tune burrow into your soul. I'm sure everyone reacts differently to music, but I'll bet there are times when every one of us craves pure music alone. It's instincual, primeval, a base desire we all share. Music like that always puts me in a contemplative mood, but it's powerful and seemingly opens my mind to greater possibilities.

Actually, I'm in awe of composers. The skill it takes to put music together amazes me. I've tried doing it, and frankly failed miserably. That luscious ability is beyond me, which makes me even more impressed when I listen. Music is a divine tapestry which weaves in and out of our lives, hopefully making us better for it.

It's hard not to think of music as a magical creation. It's mysterious, lovely, and wonderous all at the same time. I hesitate to imagine a world without music (though it makes for a great story plot), and I am ever grateful to those of you who create it.

Thank you, musicians and composers. You've made our world a better place with your talents.

- M

All time favorites, or at least a bunch of stuff I love

When someone asks me what my favorite something is, it's nearly impossible to pin down just one thing. I usually give a list of my top five or so. Take movies for example, if I was asked to name my top movie, I'd be at a complete loss to pick only one--although if it was by number of times viewed, then Star Wars (Episode 4, A New Hope) would definitely win hands down. My favorites change all the time, which is why I never pick a security question asking my favorite anything, because a year down the line it'll likely be different.

A friend of mine has a book filled with past major hits in books, and the funny thing is that I've generally never heard of both the book and the author. Amazing that such top sellers could be so easily forgotten only a couple decades later. But, we humans are a fickle lot, so I shouldn't be surprised. This is actually the reason I've studied the classics so much, because I am deeply interested in knowing what it is about these things that have captured the attention of so many for so long.

I wonder what would happen if someone sets out to make a "classic" using the techniques they've learned. Would it be celebrated, misunderstood, or ignored? It's a good question, and I'm sure people have tried it. I'd love to know of ones that are successful.

- M

Revenge!

Funny how strong an emotion revenge is. It's also a powerful motivator, and reasonably understandable by the audience as well. Taking a likeable character and then doing awful things to them, only so they can have a story of revenge is a pretty solid plot. Think of The Count of Monte Cristo, which is probably the greatest story of complete revenge ever set down. The framework offers strong themes, possibly even redemption, and is easily manipulated.

Of course, trying to make it all somehow a good thing is much harder. I suppose it depends on how far that revenge goes. Either way, the power of payback is a force to be reckoned with. I think we all have a tremendous desire to see the bad guy get what's coming to them, especially bullies. It's especially hard to see the bully get away with anything at the end, which is a good plot twist by the way.

We all have a sense of fair play, and that's what revenge plays against. How far should it go? Should it even be done? What about forgiveness?

Stories allow us to sort out these feelings in a safe way, and life vicariously through others. But, I think stories can also illustrate the rights and wrongs about certain things, such as revenge. Stories teach. The best stories teach without preaching, and we learn even when we aren't aware of it.

- M