More fantasticness from Virginia Renaissance Faire

Here's me with Maia and "Fast Fingers" - two of my favorite members of Pirates for Sail.



And here's me with a very well-dressed sailor and Jack Sparrow.

You can see more photos here.

It's Wench-tastic!

Wow. I had SUCH an amazing day today at Virginia Renaissance Faire, hanging out with some of my very favorite people. Thanks to Paul, Melissa, and the Pirates for Sail for making it such a great day. Here's a pic of me in costume - more to come!

It's different outside the ivory tower

It's no secret that newspapers across the nation are struggling to survive. Traditional business models are failing and viable options are taking their time to appear.

Many different potential solutions are being discussed, including giving newspapers unique tax breaks or charging readers for every story they read. These ideas have merit and should be critically discussed. One suggestion that isn't proving viable, though, is making newspapers a purely online venture with no accompanying print product. As often as I hear this idea bandied about, I sadly find that people who advocate for such change too often fail to grasp the notion's underlying economic instability.

Although it's an enticing and seemingly progressive hook on which to hang one's hopes, nowhere near enough revenue can be earned through the exclusively online structure to sustain the staff needed to create a respectable news product. Ask even the most popular bloggers about their monthly ad revenue and they'll tell you some cold, stark facts.

Nonetheless, the exclusively online approach is the path my alma mater is pursuing with its student newspaper. In an explanatory essay posted to the University of St. Thomas web site, my former mentor says it's incumbent upon the school to "lead the way, rather than following heel marks on the news-gathering landscape." To be clear, I am glad they're looking more forward than back.

I'd suggest, however, that Dave Nimmer walk across campus and spend a few days with his colleagues in the business department. For the path he's setting students upon is not commercially viable. And to make students think this new model they've followed in school will play "in the real world" does them a great disservice.

Among the benefits Dave cites in defense of the exclusively online model are that "news stories can be posted daily, not weekly." True. But honestly, if The Aquin staff wasn't already doing that, they were 10 years behind most weekly publications. Other mantras supporting the switch include a pledge to cover campus news in an apparently newfound "fearlessly and fairly" manner, which will "provide valuable practical experience" to students. I applaud those aspects of the mission, but fail to see why these bullet points exist in Dave's essay on the death of print.

More to the point of the exclusively online model comes a promise to "emphasize more news and less paper" and a note that "printing a hard-copy Aquin is wasteful." I'm sure these notions play well among the ecologically minded, but they're not applicable outside the ivory towers of college. What are newspapers that rely on display and classified advertisers to do? Take all those ads online where they're lost in the shuffle, get no static play and cannot be retrieved, save by chance? Online ads are too often ignored, irrelevant or infuriating.

Is it any wonder why online ad revenue is so small compared to the premium prices companies pay for a full-page (or front-page) ad?

One could suggest the economics behind journalism are not the concern of those who gather and report the news. I, however, would strongly disagree. Old dictates regarding the figurative firewall that stands between advertising and editorial no longer apply. Editorial, advertising, circulation, administration — we're all in this together "in the real world." We need to acknowledge this more openly in the workplace and classroom than we have to date and collectively develop a new, more sustainable business model.

We must teach and demonstrate a news sense that is economically prudent. Editors should ask advertising sales reps for story suggestions. Reporters should pass along advertising leads to the business office. Such collaborative methods will only help the newspaper business. These and similar tactics should be explored if not directly taught at St. Thomas.

To instead hear that St. Thomas students are being taught that print is dead — that they should discard a system needing rejuvenation, not final rites — makes me question how well prepared new graduates are to navigate an industry in turmoil.

Who's got some NYC subway tips for me?

In less than 24 hours, I'll be in New York City and riding the subway. I'm not exactly relishing the notion, but it's for a good cause, so I'm grinning and bearing it.

I'm curious, though, if anyone has any tips to prevent my mugging or murder? I did a quick read of the city's official transit web site tonight, so I know I'm supposed to stand in the Off-Hour Waiting Areas. I'm also not supposed to pull out my wallet, display cash, close my eyes, heed any disturbances, board an empty subway car, talk to strangers, cross the road without looking both ways, breathe or swallow, apparently.

Sheesh. Metro it ain't. So any practical tips and advice are welcome.

It's $40 for the mediocre seats?

I was rather excited to see on Metro yesterday an ad for Video Games Live, the touring concert series that brings orchestrated game music to the masses. I saw a performance the last time the show was in town and would love to see another.

Jotting down venue information for the July 10 performance, I made a note to check on ticket prices when I got home. Surely in these depressed economic times, I thought, ticket prices would be reasonable to encourage sales. Alas, no. Tickets start at $20 each — and that's for admission to the lawn beyond the outdoor theater's edge. Mediocre tickets cost $38 and the best seats in the house go for $48. That's not reasonable. That's not even practical. I'd have to sell my PlayStation 2 and all accompanying games to get two tickets to the event. And that ain't gonna happen.

Thanks for coming back to town, Video Games Live, but this price gouging game is over.

Job hunting? Get your butt to D.C.!

Washington, D.C. has just been named the third best place to live and work, according to Kiplinger. Their key point of evaluation this year was jobs:

When our numbers guru, Kevin Stolarick, evaluated U.S. cities for their growth potential, he looked not just at the overall number of jobs, but also at the quality of those positions and the ability of cities to hold on to them when the economy softens.

For the curious, D.C. ranks below Huntsville, Ala. and Albuquerque, N.M. The other cities on the top 10 may surprise you - not a lot of large urban centers in there.

But Washington makes the list, which is further proof of what Josh and I keep saying: D.C. is where it's at! Come join us in the nation's capital! It's fun. We promise!

Might as well hate?

I don't often pay attention to the graffiti that accompanies my Metro rides. There are only so many times I can read about Borf before the vandalism seems a blur.

But something caught my eye coming home from work Tuesday. On the west side of the retaining wall between Takoma and Silver Spring was painted a small and simple phrase: "Might as well hate." So subdued I almost missed it, the phrase struck a chord with me as I saw it the same day that the California Supreme Court ruled that a law barring same-sex marriage in the state was legal. The ruling had spurred an outcry from many gay Americans, including one Washington Blade reader who said of the justices behind the ruling, "let there never come a time when their shame ceases."

At a time when Americans are fighting for equality, praying to keep their jobs and struggling to pay the bills, it's easy to feel defeated. And when it seems like the world hates you, it's so tempting to hate the world right back.

But you shouldn't. Because that would be giving up.

Now don't get me wrong. I'm not saying there's a magical solution to the world's problems. But giving up? Well, giving up only ensures that you'll never find the solution. Did the folks at Equality California give up today after they lost their court case? No, they pledged to take their case for equality directly to the electorate. They found another road to travel. Is it the right one? Will it take them to where they want to go? I don't know. The point is they're still trying. Not hating. Trying.

Might as well hate? No. Despite what the graffiti would have you believe, there's so much more to do in this short life than hate. All I ask is that you try to remember that simple truth. Don't waste what little time you have among us dwelling on the negative.

Stan is The Man

When it comes to all things Marvel, generally Stan "The Man" Lee knows best. As the creator of the modern Marvel Comics universe, he's the authority on the subject. So when he tells Marvel they got something wrong, Marvel should listen.

Such was the case with yesterday's "Amazing Spider-Man" comic, printed in the Washington Post and other newspapers across the nation. In the comic, Stan made it clear that Marvel misfired when it undid the marriage of Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson. Writing away the plot as nothing more than "the weirdest dream," Stan in two panels rectified an error that continues to anger many "Spider-Man" fan.

Stan, you really are the man. Thank you.

Although the daily "Amazing Spider-Man" comic strip doesn't fall within Marvel continuity, I find it interesting that there's clear dissention in the ranks on this issue. I find it even more interesting that Stan Lee is leading this charge. Marvel should take heed of the "ton of requests" that Stan received on this matter and undo its mistake in the main "Spider-Man" books.

Maybe then we can restore a sense of normalcy to a comic I grew up reading but haven't touched since Peter Parker lost his wedding ring.

Another false alarm

I suppose I should be grateful that my apartment complex went a whole three months without a fire alarm. But somehow gratitude is not the first emotion that hits me when roused at 3:30 a.m. by a blaring klaxon.

Yes, my apartment complex had yet another false alarm last week. It's was early Wednesday morning when the alarm sounded, forcing Annie and I from our warm and comfortable bed, down 14 flights of stairs and out into the chilly night. And wouldn't you know it — all for naught. I would have been livid had I not been so tired. So very, very tired.

Having not lived in a great many apartment complexes with fire alarms, I'm not sure if my experiences are any better or worse than average. But at least four times the horn has sounded in the last 12 months. How does that compare to your experiences?

Live from New York, it's me!

At least, it will be me in a few days. And hopefully it'll be warmer than the last time I was there.

So what takes me to the Big Apple? I've accepted an invitation to speak at an LGBT summit in New York. I'm a late addition to the "Putting the 'B' in LGBT Summit" being held Saturday at the LGBT Community Center in New York. The event focuses on bisexual issues, an often misunderstood part of the pride rainbow. So for one day, a distinguished group of individuals are coming together to set the record straight. So to speak.

Panels include discussions about bisexual myths and realities, how bisexuals are uniquely affected by traditionally gay issues such as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," how the media can be encouraged to become more bi inclusive. Some great authors, editors and activists will be on hand for the event, and we'll doubtless dispense a few bits of wisdom as we make bad jokes and poke fun at each other. It should be a fun show. And did I mention it's free?

So, yeah, for one night only: Me. Get your tickets now.

Newspaper fail

From Failblog

Awesome is too weak a word

You'll either immediately understand the awesomeness of this product, or it'll be completely lost on you. If it's lost on you, I promise not to hold it against you. Much.

Thanks, Madthoughts!

I love comics with obscure "Square One" references...

From xkcd

I'm back (finally)

Sorry about my recent absence from the blog. Too many states have been legalizing same-sex marriage for me to catch a break. But I'm back. So let's talk geeky Hollywood news!

• Those of you who were living in fear that the two "Lord of the Rings" prequel films might be less Hobbity and more fillery can settle down now. Peter Jackson has gone on record saying the films will split "The Hobbit" into two parts rather than having one film on the book and another leading into "Fellowship of the Ring." Are you happy now, Matt?

• Life has not yet allowed me to see "Wolverine — which Rotten Tomatoes would say is a good thing — but a spinoff is already in the works. I'd say plans for a spinoff of a spinoff seem odd, but this is the X-Men franchise, so that's about par for the course.

• It was bound to happen sooner or later, but Marvel and DC Comics are finally going head-to-head at the box office. A recent change to the "Green Lantern" movie schedule has pushed it to June 17, 2011, which is the same day "Thor" is set to debut. Where's my money going? Where do you think?

• Raise your hand if you think giving a rookie screenwriter the "He-Man" assignment was a good idea. Anyone? Anyone? Yeah. That's what I thought.

• Of course, there are worse ideas. The idea of turning "Battleship" into a movie would be one such idea. I mean, the notion of a "Monopoly" movie produced by Ridley Scott is one thing. But this? Seriously, Hasbro, stop the madness.

• On the bright side, it looks like "Ghostbusters" is borrowing a page from the "Star Trek" playbook and turning over the franchise to a new generation. A third movie is moving forward with support from Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, Harold Ramis and the rest. I just can't help but wonder how the franchise would look with J.J. Abrams behind the camera…

A "common cement speech"

This is funny, touching, and inspiring - well worth a watch. Enjoy!

What's the deal with Annie and pirates?

When my boss gave me some good news the other day, I responded "Huzzah!" which prompted him to ask, "What's the deal with you and pirates, anyway?"

It's a fair enough question, but I had to think about it for a minute.

I guess it started when I fell in love with swashbuckling movies. My interest was piqued when I saw Hook, but I fell HARD for the 1993 movie The Three Musketeers. Even today, it's one of my favorite movies. The costumes (the puffy shirts!), the romance, the adventure - it was fun and romantic and basically tapped directly into my adolescent brain's happy place. I had a copy of the movie poster on my wall for years.

And the first time I went to the Minnesota Renaissance Festival when I was 14, well...it felt like home. I saw it as a magical place where it was OK, even encouraged, to be an adult wearing a costume and "playing pretend." I felt like I'd found my people, in a way, though I've been content to be a spectator who enjoys wearing garb, rather than plays a direct role, when I've gone each year.

Shortly after we moved here, Piratz Tavern opened and again, I got that "MY PEOPLE!" feeling. A place from another time with fantastic entertainers in awesome garb who really care about what they do. It's a wonderful escape and I feel like I fit in there - and best of all, I can go there year 'round, as opposed to once a year like the Renaissance Festival! I recently got myself some pirate garb - which I guess is my way of owning a piece of the magic.

But honestly, a lot of it boils down to this:

Puffy shirts, bodices, and accents are hot.

And that's all I have to say on the subject.

Huzzah!

Top ten places I want to go before I die

For your edification.

10. New York City (I've technically been there, but never really gotten to do the tourist thing)
9. Caribbean
8. Norway
7. Hawaii
6. Egypt (specifically, the pyramids)
5. Hong Kong
4. Southern France
3. Tokyo
2. London
1. Paris

What's your top 10?

It's that time again...

Via I Can Has Cheezburger

Infomercial rap

Thanks Madthoughts!

Which movie series will next experience the "Star Trek" reboot effect?

The past few years have seen a number of "rebooted" movie series. James Bond got a harder, edgier feel with Daniel Craig in the title role. Then a new director and a let's-start-from-the-very-beginning attitude gave Batman a brand-new (and much darker) feel. And now we have Star Trek, helmed by a new director, with new actors playing established roles. (And in the future, we'll even get a new Tron flick, with a soundtrack by Daft Punk!)

I think we can officially call this a trend now, which makes me wonder which series will be the next to have its continuity rebooted and a brand-new director and vision brought into the mix.

Some I'd like to nominate:

"Ghostbusters" - Watching the original movie the other night, I remembered how sharply it was written - but winced when I saw the poor claymation special effects. If ever there was a great movie series waiting for a fresh perspective, some great new CGI, and a fresh cast, this is the one. The forthcoming video game is a nice step in the right direction.

The Zucker brothers films ("Naked Gun," "Airplane!", "Top Secret," etc.) - I know the most recent Zucker brothers films were...shall we say...full of SUCK, but the early ones were so darn good and hit all the right notes in terms of silly parody. If someone new takes a similar silly-without-insulting-your-intelligence formula and makes it work for today, it could be really good. (Or it could wind up like the "Scary Movie" series...ugh.)

"Sneakers" - OK, it's not a series, but it has the potential to be. What a great setup - a group of guys, all with slightly sordid pasts, who are hired to test the security systems of banks and such. You've got humor, suspense, and a brilliant cast - what more do you need? Let's try again, with a series in mind, and I think this could really go places.

What are your votes for a movie franchise that needs to get rebooted?

Kitteh vs Turntable

VIa I Can Has Cheezburger

Star Trek: Redux

Awhile back, Josh began collecting the Star Trek Fan Collective series of DVD sets. What we both dig about them is that they are thematically grouped and typically include some of the best (or at least most well-known) episodes of all five Star Trek series. I'd never really watched much of the original series, but by contrast, I was totally addicted to Next Gen. DS9 enthralled me for about a season before I got tired of its claustrophobic, soap-opera feel, and I didn't really get into Voyager or Enterprise. But watching these themed sets helped me appreciate the better parts of each series.

So we've been starting to go back and Netflix latter seasons of DS9 and Voyager. Josh wanted to rewatch the Dominion War episodes of DS9 and I wanted to watch the post-7-of-9-introduction episodes episodes of Voyager. The Dominion War was a bit of a non-starter - it's not an easy series of episodes to just jump into without having watched more of the previous seasons. So we abandoned that and went to Voyager season four, which we've been enjoying.

This is one of the things I love about Netflix - the ability to easily go back to old TV shows you once enjoyed, or never got a chance to appreciate. We're open to suggestions of episodes or seasons of any Star Trek series (or other series, for that matter). Tell us in the comments what we should watch next!

Nom x 3

I've long been a fan of Roscoe's barbeque sauce, but now I have a new favorite, borne from my trip to Austin in March: Salt Lick. You can order it online. If someone in your life loves sweet and tangy barbeque with just the right amount of smokiness, get them some of this sauce. Seriously.

Happy birthday to...

...me and a bunch of other people born on this day, including:

• Jason Biggs (1978)
• Tony Hawk (1969)
• Emilio Estevez (1962)
• Ving Rhames (1961)
• George Carlin (1937)
• Katharine Hepburn (1907)
• Florence Nightingale (1820)

Man, Tony Hawk turns 40 today. And I thought I was old at 32. Of course, I don't have a lucrative video game franchise that puts my name in lights. Hmm. You win this round, Mr. Hawk. You win this round.

My jaw just dropped

I can has interest in a first-person shooter game? For a high-quality, sci-fi Nintendo Wii game set in Washington, I can.

Seriously, check out the investment these game makers have made in replicating the Metro subway system. Even the map on the subway car's wall is accurate. "The Conduit" is now officially on my radar.

Super awesome animated gif

Thanks, KittyKittyBangBang!

How awesome is the new 'Star Trek' movie?

So very, very awesome. And profitable. Discuss.

Saver Smackdown: The Final Battle

After a week of brutal eliminations, it's all come down to this.

No longer are "Rayman Raving Rabbids" or "Bully: Scholarship Edition" vying for my attention. There shan't be a "No More Heroes" or "Blast Works: Build, Trade, Destroy" on my shelves. And my galactic adventures this week will be limited to appreciation of the new "Star Trek" movie. Neither "Star Trek: Conquest" nor "Geometry Wars: Galaxies" will pry open my pocketbook. There are only two games I'm still considering adding to my collection — the two games left standing.

Okami vs. Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures

So which one shall it be? In this final round of Saver Smackdown, it's up to you. Help me decide what bargain bin Nintendo Wii game I should purchase!

So sleepy...

Via The Daily Bunny

Kitteh vs fan

Via I Can Has Cheezburger

Saver Smackdown: Day 6

On to Day 6 of the Saver Smackdown, where you can help me decide what bargain bin Nintendo Wii game I should purchase!

There were eight games priced $19.99 and cheaper that caught my eye. We've already eliminated four from consideration. Now we need to axe two more so we can get to the final round. So in this installment of Saver Smackdown, we're pitting the second two winners against each other as we narrow the field. Ready? Fight!

Geometry Wars: Galaxies vs. Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures

We're going to work around the lack "Geometry Wars: Galaxies" video with this look at the franchise's Xbox Live version. But since the game experiences are substantially the same, you can see that both games share similar assets (crazy arcade fun) and problems (lack of depth). By comparison, the "Indiana Jones" video indicates the game is every bit as fun and engaging as the "Lego Star Wars" games. Your characters remain essentially invincible; the only real challenges come from some occasionally difficult platforming challenges.

So what's your pick?

Saver Smackdown: Day 5

It's Day 5 of the Saver Smackdown, where you can help me decide what bargain bin Nintendo Wii game I should purchase!

There were eight games priced $19.99 and cheaper that caught my eye. We've already eliminated four from consideration. Now we need to axe two more so we can get to the final round. So in this installment of Saver Smackdown, we're pitting the first two winners against each other as we narrow the field. Ready? Fight!

No More Heroes vs. Okami

I offer for your consideration video reviews of each game. Note that the "No More Heroes" segment is bloody and uses foul language, so view at your own risk. The video segment for "Okami" is more appropriate for general audiences. Some takeaways from the video reviews are that "Heroes" runs about 15 hours in length while "Okami" runs about 30; "Heroes" seems to fall short of its potential, but "Okami" seems to generally hit its marks; and "Heroes" seems like it might be more accessible — or at least casual — than "Okami."

So what's your pick?

Saver Smackdown: Day 4

It's the last of the prelims in Day 4 of Saver Smackdown, where you can help me decide what bargain bin Nintendo Wii game I should purchase!

There are eight games priced $19.99 and cheaper that have caught my eye. I'm slowly introducing you to them and asking for your help in choosing one over the other. The winning four games will then be narrowed to two — and a final round will yield the winner.

In this installment of Saver Smackdown, our spiritual successor to the prior Super Smackdown and Silly Smackdown contests, we have construction versus destruction. Ready? Fight!

Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures vs.
Blast Works: Build, Trade, Destroy

If it's anything like my "Lego Star Wars" game, "Lego Indiana Jones" would make for good, casual fun. And it's scrubbed clean of "Kingdom of the Crystal Skull," which is a good thing. "Blast Works" is less casual, but more customizable. The game lets you create your own ships, enemies and bosses as part of its robust level designer. And because all that content can be shared online, the game just keeps growing.

So what's your pick?

Saver Smackdown: Day 3

We're up to Day 3 of the Saver Smackdown, where you can help me decide what bargain bin Nintendo Wii game I should purchase!

There are eight games priced $19.99 and cheaper that have caught my eye. I'm slowly introducing you to them and asking for your help in choosing one over the other. The winning four games will then be narrowed to two — and a final round will yield the winner.

In this installment of Saver Smackdown, our spiritual successor to the prior Super Smackdown and Silly Smackdown contests, we have galactic wars and galactic trekking. Ready? Fight!

Geometry Wars: Galaxies vs. Star Trek: Conquest

Akin to glorious arcade games of yore, "Geometry Wars" is a straightforward shooter that challenges you to stay alive as long as you can. It also features two multiplayer modes, allowing two players to cooperate or compete. "Star Trek" offers a more robust experience, allowing players to choose a side and strategize their way through "The Next Generation" universe. The best part? You can unlock and play as the Borg.

So what's your pick?

Saver Smackdown: Day 2

Welcome to Day 2 of the Saver Smackdown, where you can help me decide what bargain bin Nintendo Wii game I should purchase!

There are eight games priced $19.99 and cheaper that have caught my eye. I'm slowly introducing you to them and asking for your help in choosing one over the other. The winning four games will then be narrowed to two — and a final round will yield the winner.

As we continue the Saver Smackdown, our spiritual successor to the prior Super Smackdown and Silly Smackdown contests, we have Japanese legends and high school drama. Ready? Fight!

Okami vs. Bully: Scholarship Edition

Beautiful in design and execution, "Okami" seems a delightful game. I admire how the creators turned a Japanese legend into a compelling gaming experience. Also compelling — but for wholly different reasons — is "Bully." The intriguing game immerses you in schoolyard politics, dealing with nerds, jocks, classes and the like. And it, too, boasts a solid story.

So what's your pick?

Yes I iz.

Saver Smackdown: Day 1

I think it's been too long since we did a Smackdown. So let's revive the contest as I call on your help to decide what bargain bin Nintendo Wii game I should purchase!

There are eight games priced $19.99 and cheaper that have caught my eye. Over the next four days, I'll introduce you to them and ask for your help in choosing one over the other. The winning four games will then be narrowed to two — and a final round will yield the winner.

To begin the Saver Smackdown, our spiritual successor to the prior Super Smackdown and Silly Smackdown contests, are some crazed rabbits and a quirky assassin. Ready? Fight!

Rayman Raving Rabbids vs. No More Heroes

"Rayman" appeals to me because the minigame format works particularly well and the game has a good sense of humor. I mean, any game that includes a cow-tossing segment has done something right. On the other hand, "Heroes" offers a quirky adventure in an impressively free-from environment. And it lets you wield a lightsaber. Or beam katana. Whatever.

So what's your pick?

New(ish) Harry Potter trailer - dang this looks good!

Now we know even more

Two months after we got our first glimpse of "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra," the full trailer is now available.

Although the trailer repeats much of the material we've already seen, it also holds an abundance of new scenes. And since I had a lot of free time on my hands yesterday, I decided to write about the 79 new shots. As before, you can click any image for a much larger version. Enjoy!

A new shot of Destro's underwater base. The large submarine could be Destro's transport. He embraced such means of travel in the comic books.
Destro, presumably inside his base and flanked by his own troops. If tradition holds, these soldiers would be his Iron Grenadiers.
A nighttime desert scene. It seems the film's producers seem to be making good on their promise to visit exotic locales.
An odd shot featuring nomadic travelers with camels walking above some machines burrowing or traveling underground.
The apparent control room of Destro's underwater base. Note the main displays showing what I believe to be the missiles unleashed later.
A close shot of the Baroness. It's difficult to discern her location in this scene, what with the nondescript background.
The burrowing machines we saw earlier, perhaps, arrive at some unknown location. The multitude of vehicles could indicate a siege is underway.
Baroness and Storm Shadow disembark from their vehicles as other burrowing machines arrive at the unknown location.
Soldiers are given their Viper uniforms. We now know these masks to be Viper helmets rather than Battle Android Trooper faceplates.
An arctic missile launches. Two items of note: The missile bears Destro's MARS brand and some warmly attired people are watching.
The missile continues its ascent, notable only in that G.I. Joe operatives neither prevent its launch nor immediately stop it.
The missile is shown to be one of many to be presumably simultaneously launched. But what streaks across the sky to the left?
Two people in Paris watch as a missile strikes the Eiffel Tower. This apparently leads into the events we saw during the Super Bowl commercial.
A new, wider shot of the Eiffel Tower as it's consumed by Destro's destructive nanomites. You do remember about the nanomites, yes?
Another new shot of the Eiffel Tower's destruction. I think it's notable that this target was chosen over another, such as the Statue of Liberty.
A shot from above as the Eiffel Tower begins to fall. I can understand the desire to highlight this sequence; it's certainly an compelling one.
You don't realize how many editing cuts go into a sequence like this until you grab a frame from each one. Wow.
Paris pedestrians and tourists flee as the Eiffel Tower comes crashing down. Destro's midday attack provides maximum impact.
An apparent G.I. Joe transport takes team members to Egypt as they begin or continue their mission to stop Destro.
An apparent military vehicle appears to descend into what could be G.I. Joe headquarters. Don't you love how very specific I can be?
Possibly the same vehicle from above as it lands in what is almost certainly is the entrenched G.I. Joe base, The Rock.
Several apparent G.I. Joe team members, including the red-headed Scarlett, disembark from their military transport.
Duke at what early movie scripts indicate to be the bodiless funeral for his best friend. But the friend lives — and turns rogue.
Scarlett zips down a line, apparently leading or joining a G.I. Joe operation, covert or otherwise, already in progress.
Ripcord sporting attire marked with the G.I. Joe insignia. I have no clue what structure that is behind him. Guesses, anyone?
Duke, possibly participating in the same nighttime operation in which Scarlett is shown above. A lot seems to happen at night in this movie.
Snake Eyes, also possibly participating in the operation. His skill with a blade, impossible to convey with a still image, is impressive.
Another scene with Duke, this time as he's apparently being recruited for G.I. Joe. "I want in," he says.
A series of shots establishing the Delta 6 Accelerator Suit. In classic Hollywood reveal style, we start with the boot and go from there.
What appears to be the shin or lower leg portion of the suit. The twirling component around the ankle is a nice touch.
Portions of the suit's lower arm, elbow and glove armor are visible in this shot. It's a complex piece of technology, to be sure.
Duke in what appears to be the G.I. Joe armory. I'm unsure who's speaking behind him. Could it be Heavy Duty? Or someone new?
The apparent acceleration component of the accelerator suit is this spinning mechanism along the wrist. Who else expects it break down?
A brief glimpse of someone, probably Duke, fully suited up. The resemblance here to "Halo" armor is somewhat striking.
Another shot of the suit's accelerator mechanism. Note the laser pointer affixed to it. Does the suit fire projectiles?
Ripcord in the same G.I. Joe armory, apparently. Seemingly more skeptical of the suit that Duke, Ripcord grimaces slightly.
Duke, Ripcord and our, ahem, suit salesman, together in one shot. He seems to be slightly contemptful of Ripcord.
A possible testing ground for the accelerator suits at or near G.I. Joe headquarters. I see now the movie has more CGI work than I first realized.
Duke begins to run in his accelerator suit. You'll notice he lacks his helmet, though, likely indicating a necessary rush to aid or engage.
With his momentum gathered, Duke takes a flying leap. Or something. There's a lot of quickly cut shots in this trailer…
Apparently desperate to catch the flying vehicle passing nearby, Duke takes his chances in the accelerator suit.
A rather sizable explosion lights the forest at night. It's difficult to see here, but I think an airborne vehicle swooping low launched the attack.
Wielding an automatic weapon, Baroness fires away at her unseen target. The apparent reflection near her indicates she's outside.
A challenging shot to discern, a seemingly armored person on right is struck by an energy projectile of some kind.
Another tough shot, it seems that the above accelerator suit test goes bad. Tumbling head over heels, someone has a disastrous finish.
Flying through some kind of tunnel, an airborne vehicle avoids flames and possibly debris as it progresses along its path.
Two airborne vehicles, resembling the kind Duke leaped from a building to catch, launch from a larger ship and streak into the sky.
Standing in what might be the G.I. Joe control room, Hawk yells out that "the mission is a go!" To whom he's talking and what mission he means is unclear.
A befuddling shot, it seems that Duke is helping or protecting a wounded Baroness. You'd think that to be Destro's job, but no.
A vehicle speeds by, firing or leaving in its wake some type of energy projectile or wave, which rips apart the road's pavement.
Judging form their uniforms, two G.I. Joe team members are working in the cockpit of some type of vehicle. But is it theirs? Or is it stolen?
What looks like another view of Destro's underwater base. If so, the base is far larger than what I previously imagined.
Not to be outdone by Duke, Storm Shadow gathers his momentum to take a flying leap. Perhaps that's what I'll call this trailer: Flying Leap.
Crashing through the window of what might be some government building, Storm Shadow begins to fall downward…
…and continues to fall downward, ever closer to the busy road below him, until he reaches and grabs a ledge to stop his descent.
A busy scene where some female figure fires a weapon — or two — across a bridge or walkway. The explosion seems to destroy the walkway.
Duke, I think, yells something indecipherable as he watches events unfold through a window or viewport. He's apparently troubled.
The apparent front end of a vehicle that's moving, for reasons unknown, at ramming speed. We also don't know who's driving or why.
Topped by Snake Eyes, the ramming vehicle quickly approaches another vehicle and the momentum flips it upward.
Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow locked in battle. It's interesting to note that their fight seems to occur inside a destroyed base. But who's base?
The two continue their battle as they momentarily disengage and draw their swords. Let the martial arts action commence!
Our first good look at Storm Shadow let us see a figure who's costuming and presentation are very close to the character's classic style. I approve.
Displaying again the sword wielding prowess we saw earlier in the trailer, Snake Eyes moves in to confront Storm Shadow.
In yet another shot of their battle, it seems that Storm Shadow is moving to dodge the attack Snake Eyes has brought.
A side angle shot of the fight, we see for the first time that someone is lying on the ground nearby. Who is this person? Why are they there?
The vehicle we saw before collides with a commuter train and begins to fly upward — in defiance of physics — out of control.
Now tumbling through the air and completely out of control, the vehicle spins as it reaches its apex and begins its descent.
A commuter train, perhaps, moves through what should be a peaceful urban area. This shot leads into a scene from the Super Bowl commercial.
Back underwater, a vehicle is struck by some type of energy projectile or wave. You notice how often such devices are used?
Now a quick cut that yields little information, a missile spins directly toward the camera and is followed or pursued by an airborne vehicle.
Scarlett and Breaker appear hard at work inside a control room. Might this be Destro's underwater base?
Another shot of the missile — or a different missile altogether — as it explodes and we see the green sphere it carries inside.
The green sphere, possibly those pesky nanomites again, expands as the airborne vehicle heads directly for it. A good shot from the cockpit.
Enveloped by the nanomites, the airborne vehicle is unable to divert quickly enough to escape harm and the vehicle is ravaged.
The mystery pilot yells as some type of automated system quickly surrounds his head with what appears to be a pressurized helmet.
Another confusing shot, this view from high above (or even space) shows the remains of something that was apparently recently destroyed.
Someone falls from on high back to Earth. It's possible this person ejected and is falling from the previous shot.
Back on solid ground, the Baroness tells us that "this has only just begun." Considering at least one sequel is planned, that's good to know.
What seems to be the Baroness' hand flips a switch, possibly activating the weapons system we see in the next shot.
A weapon system fires several missiles. This leads into more shots of Joes in accelerator suits, which we saw in the Super Bowl commercial.

Some final thoughts: I was again disappointed not to see Joseph Gordon-Levitt in the trailer, but I'm getting more excited for this film. We've got a better idea how the film is coming together. It won't be "Citizen Kane," to be sure, but I have high hopes for "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra."

What say you?