The LA Times has a list of pop culture's most pronounced overrated and underrated entries. They've added Netflix to the "overrated" list. To quote:

We've long been an advocate for this DVD-delivery service, but lately we're starting to wonder if it's really deserved. The Hurt Locker and Inglourious Basterds have been lost in "very long wait" rental jail since their release dates, and how hard can it be to add a usable search function for weekly new releases?

This struck me for a couple reasons: it took me forever to get Hurt Locker from them, and my local library snagged me a copy of Inglorious Basterds long before Netflix did. And, yes, it's just about impossible to search for new releases on the Netflix site, a situation I think Netflix intentionally created to dampen demand for all the newest releases.

I have the three-movies-out-at-once plan, but am considering going down to the one-movie-out plan. Netflix is definitely one of those situations where the hype hasn't come close to the reality. Kind of like March of the Penguins.*

* Yes, I know that's an old reference, but I still feel burned for going to see that boring-ass movie.

The vast majority of television commercials are inane at best and horribly, horribly obnoxious at worst. But sometimes, an agency gets it right, like in the currently-airing USPS commercial about the creepy clown gift (see below).

I suspect a casual poll would reveal that most folks you know are secretly terrified by clowns. Remember Poltergeist? When I saw that film in the theater many moons ago, the clown attack spurred dozens of people to literally squeal in terror, an accomplishment I've seen no film achieve since. 

What is it about them that allows these almost-overtly demonic symbols (flame red hard, menacing grin, distorted physical features such as the bulbous nose and the Bigfoot-sized feet) to permeate so much of our cultural landscape? As a horror archetype, I understand. But as circus performers and birthday party regulars? That's just wrong.

The full commercial:

Okay, he's been at this for a little while now, but I wanted to take the opportunity to welcome our new colorist, Mike Estlick, to the fold.

Bienvenue, Mike!

And while I'm at it, I'd like to thank Drew Moore for everything he was able to do for the strip, from way back in the pre-Zuda days. We wish him the best!

Hulu is currently showing Ed Brubaker's Angel of Death. I saw this when it first hit DVD some months back (I don't think there was a theatrical release), so I don't remember much. I do, however, remember enjoying it overall:

• It's reminiscent of 70s era crime movies, with just the right touch of crazy thrown in.
• It's from Ed Brubaker, the best writer in comics.
• Zoe Bell is, well, Zoe Bell. Who doesn't like their women with a little fight in 'em?

What are you waiting for? Check it out.

I came across a linking issue with the "first" link on the strip pages and just fixed it. If you ever come across any HTML issues with the site, please feel free to contact me.