http://www.chrismcelwain.com/dispatchesfromcrazytown Dispatches from and Discourses inspired by life in China, life in Los Angeles, and being Chris McElwain Tue, 08 Jun 2010 23:10:42 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en In an interview about his role developing the next Superman movie, Christopher Nolan observed that the popularity of superheroes like Batman and Superman is attributable to "the essence of who those characters were when they were created" and that no adaptation should stray far from that essence. This is contrary ... http://www.chrismcelwain.com/dispatchesfromcrazytown/?p=222 My fourth semester of law school has taken a toll on Dispatches from Crazytown. It seems like it’s been an eternity since we examined the classic Superman story arc No Time for Meat Sauce. But I haven’t given up on the series of reflections I intended to post about the ... http://www.chrismcelwain.com/dispatchesfromcrazytown/?p=210 Over the past several months, I’ve been doing a lot of research on the recent Superman copyright lawsuit. This is partly as an assistant for a Boston author who’s writing a book on the subject and partly in the hopes that it might provide me with a topic for the ... http://www.chrismcelwain.com/dispatchesfromcrazytown/?p=206 2:10:00 Two hours in, the military and the politicians graciously step aside and leave the spotlight to other facets of China's Harmonious Society. First up and with much fanfare: science and technology. Scientists aren't known for being impressive marchers, so the parade organizers haven't even attempted to scour the country ... http://www.chrismcelwain.com/dispatchesfromcrazytown/?p=200 Continuing my review of China's seemingly interminable parade in honor of the country's 60th Anniversary. 1:29:00 The things-on-wheels segment reaches its big finale as a convoy of trucks roll out carrying China's nuclear missles. The crowd greets the appearance of the giant phallic doomsday devices like tweens at a Jonas Brothers ... http://www.chrismcelwain.com/dispatchesfromcrazytown/?p=192 Continuing my moment-by-moment review of China's big 60th Anniversary Display-of-Might Party. 37:30 Uh oh. Hu is going to give a speech. That's going to kill the festive mood in a hurry. "Countrymen, Comrades, Friends," he starts out. Not a bad opening, Chairman, but someone's going to have to coach you to ... http://www.chrismcelwain.com/dispatchesfromcrazytown/?p=189 Last week, Beijing hosted the New China 60th Anniversary Celebration Rally. The event made headlines in the West mostly due to the anachronisticly Stalinist spectacle of having nuclear missiles dragged through the streets of a major city. As anyone who saw the Olympics opening ceremony could probably guess, though, the ... http://www.chrismcelwain.com/dispatchesfromcrazytown/?p=184 This weekend our neighborhood played host to the 36th Annual Korean Festival. Somehow or other, I missed this epic event last year, so I was surprised by its scope. Not only was there a three-hour parade that shut down Olympic Blvd. between Vermont and Western (terminating at the Koreatown Plaza, ... http://www.chrismcelwain.com/dispatchesfromcrazytown/?p=182 In 1983, the City of Los Angeles began to drill a great tunnel. The intention was to place a train under the ground that would one day be able to ferry travelers from one end of the sprawling metropolis to the other. By 2000, passengers were indeed able to move ... http://www.chrismcelwain.com/dispatchesfromcrazytown/?p=174 It's been over a year since we moved into El Castillo del Frog, our outpost on the western frontier of Koreatown. Long overdue for another report on more of the notable features of our neighborhood: Seoul International Park Since seeing Sin Nombre, Katie and I have developed an unhealthy fascination with notorious ... http://www.chrismcelwain.com/dispatchesfromcrazytown/?p=169