The Designibles

"The Incredibles dwell in a kind of extraordinary dystopia, at once a celebration and an exaggeration of Eames-era modernism. Flanking either side of their suburban abode are split-level houses whose bland facades are punctuated by rows of tailored boxwoods: they’re robotic stand-ins, a kind of horticultural mutation of Stepford-wife stupor. Inside the house, chairs and tables sport blonde, Danish wood finishes, a mid-century palette further amplified by hints of color: chartreuse upholstery and avocado appliances form the perfect backdrop for a duo of wizened heroes who’ve been retired from active duty.

"Yet as the pace quickens and the action builds, the design does too. Slick designer vehicles (think Philippe Starck on steroids) transport us to new architectural destinations: here are sites dotted by grand concrete allées, framed by volcanic window treatments and walls of perfectly gridded weaponry. Even Syndrome, the villain’s sensurround computer screen is well-designed, boasting well-kerned Bank Gothic letterforms within an icy blue-grey interface. It’s design run amok, at once exquisite and terrifying: Fritz Lang‘s Metropolis meets Frank Lloyd Wright’s Imperial Hotel in Japan."

From Design Observer.

I saw The Incredibles tonight and yes it is very, very, very, veeeerrrrrrrrry good. But then, you already knew that didn't you.

Related links:
+ Superhero spoof and suburban satire. Review by Roger Ebert.
+ No more heroes. "Mr Incredible quits! As reality increasingly resembles cartoons, the worn-out superhero is leaving the world-saving to Bush and Arnie. But there was always something fishy about those capes."

Other links today:
+ Burning to write a novel but don't have the talent/motivation/stamina to write it? Share your idea with the Library of Unwritten Books instead. Just don't grumble when someone else takes your thoughts straight to the top of the bestseller lists.
+ Does anybody care if their MP3 player sounds good?
+ George W. Bush Christmas decorations. "This 4 ½ inch likeness makes a unique gift for friends and family who respect and support our nation’s leader."
+ Type "weapons of mass destruction" into Google and hit the "I'm feeling lucky" button.