Initial Thoughts on Disney+ Docuseries "GET BACK" by The Beatles

 

 

Over the last four days, Jennifer and I watched the three-part Beatles docuseries “GET BACK” over on Disney+. I had been hyping it on Facebook ever since it was announced a few years ago that director Peter Jackson was going to take the footage that has been locked in a vault for decades and make a definitive docuseries out of it that would in a way re-write and re-place the abysmal “LET IT BE” film that for 50 years has been termed the documentary about the break up of The Beatles. The footage and sound recordings had been meticulously restored. I felt that since I’ve hyped my excitement up about wanting to see this docuseries, I might add my two cents. I thought since many of you know that I am a diehard, lifelong Beatles fan, you'd like to know what I thought.

For this longtime fan who has poured over the music of The Beatles, listened to this material for thousands of hours over the since early childhood including collecting and listening to bootleg outtake materials of these sessions, reading book after book of analysis on the subject matter, and even owned a bootleg copy of LET IT BE on a pirated DVD, etc. --- well, this docuseries changed my perception on many things of what I’ve believed yet what was most important to me to watch as a fan was to see the dynamic of the Fab Four working together in the studio and seeing how these songs materialized while witnessing the dynamics and drama going on in their interactions. It did rewrite the history books and what I had previously thought.

While it was said that Peter Jackson had free reign to cull the footage and make this documentary to reveal the true happenings of what was  going on, I still do suspect there were a few selective moments that may have been left out to not cast certain people in a negative light --- most of all – probably John Lennon as he was struggling with a drug problem in the early part of January 1969 before they moved the sessions over to the Apple Studios. The traditional history was that Yoko Ono caused the break up of The Beatles and I purely don’t believe that was the case. But I digress. 

To distill all of this into a quick reaction of the docuseries --- yes, I loved this film and thought it was truly amazing. It was very much a “Fly on the Wall” experience to watch The Beatles make one of their greatest albums in their final year all together as one group. To see and hear songs “come together” was truly out of this world like watching childbirth to hear them materialize. 

I mentioned to Jennifer that this 6+ hour docuseries  is really for the hardcore diehard Beatles fan to watch. Again, I had to break it up and watch it over four days with her because of the length of the 3-part docuseries. I think for the casual fan and/or a “newbie” who doesn’t know much about The Beatles, it would be best if there was a companion abridged “Reader’s Digest” version of this to make it a shortened 2-hour film at the most to watch it one sitting. I read the other day that Peter Jackson did put together this shortened version that he premiered at two red carpet events for the rich and famous in London and Los Angeles and I hope that Disney will make this version also available for the casual viewer that would be more likely to watch it in one viewing for the highlights. Otherwise, I think this is too much to digest unless you were somewhat more invested into The Beatles.

So, while I could write a whole thesis on my reaction(s!) to this docuseries, I will just keep it simple and say that I absolutely loved it. For decades, like I mentioned, the only way to see the original 1970 “LET IT BE” film was through pirated copies as it was a sore spot for The Beatles. Now, with Peter Jackson’s intervention, this has finally after all these years been lovingly remastered and given back to the fans to see a fuller, bigger picture of what more honestly transpired during those sessions, and it was a love letter to and from The Beatles to their fans – and actually this was a gift to Paul, Ringo, and their loved ones as it is a sore spot no more. I truly loved “GET BACK” and thought it was “Fab”.

 

THRILL SEEKER COMICS "What's New?" Update for Thanksgiving Weekend 2021

 

Happy Thanksgiving Weekend to all!

 

I’d like to welcome newcomers joining the THRILL SEEKER COMICS Facebook group in recent days. With the release of the upcoming INDIEVERSITY comic book – a guidebook to the varied worlds of the independent comics multiverse – that the THRILL SEEKER COMICS Universe will be featured inside as one of the worlds spotlighted of the Independent Comics multiverse, I expect that we might get a few new visitors who may want to explore and find out more about THRILL SEEKER COMICS.

 

I thought I would give an update today of what is going on with the relaunch of the THRILL SEEKER COMICS series. As I mentioned in the last update, the new year 2022 will mark the 20th anniversary of the first THRILL SEEKER COMICS story that debuted in SHOOTING STAR COMICS ANTHOLOGY #1 where readers were introduced to the Golden Age EMERALD MANTIS, the SACRED SCARAB, and the infamous YELLOW JACKET: MAN OF MYSTERY in a short story.

Well, I can reveal a little bit of news in what I hope will be an exciting update here on “WHAT’S NEW!”…

 

THRILL SEEKER COMICS is returning in 2022 with brand new stories in this year of celebration that will feature the return of our old friends, including the aforementioned Yellow Jacket: Man of Mystery and the various eras and characters to bear the name of the Emerald Mantis. There will also be an introduction to a new cast of characters as this world expands in these upcoming adventures for 2022. For the time being, most of these projects and what will be released must remain secretive until release time gets closer. As of today, I already have a handful of these brand-new stories 100% completed with finalized art ready for the printer. I’m also completing one story over these next 10 days and then I have another story featuring a brand-new character debuting in the Thrill Seeker Universe to finish by Christmas. It is a productive and exciting time for me and I wanted to share that good news in this update.

 

Ever since “lockdown” began with social distancing due to the worldwide virus, I have had a chance to reflect on my own personal life work balance and what matters and goals were important to me. I’ve realized with this upcoming 20th anniversary of THRILL SEEKER COMICS debut with Shooting Star Comics, I have some dreams painfully left undone when it comes to this independent comic book series of mine that I’ve wanted to continue to do for so long. I’m not trying to make excuses, but life threw me some curveballs this past decade that made it difficult for me to work on new tales, but while things are still crazy in the world of ours, much of the drama and obstacles that I was previously dealing with have been put behind me. I am now several months now engaged in new work for THRILL SEEKER COMICS.

 

I realize that the time is right for me to revisit these old friends and get back into working on new comics. Since summer, I’ve been busy working about four hours a day (outside of my day job) on working on these new THRILL SEEKER COMICS stories and art. (Remind me to talk about in a future update how “biphasic” sleeping patterns have literally opened up a new window for me to work on these projects in the middle of the night with all efficiency). I’ve completed two previously abandoned projects already. I can report that I have 34 new pages of work completed in these last few months. I also have a tight publishing schedule with several THRILL SEEKER COMICS projects planned out that I am currently working on. I am successfully happy to say that over the last 100+ days, I have kept on schedule with the new workload and met my self-imposed deadlines to prepare new material for next year’s relaunch. My excitement level is high and my creative juices are flowing. Earlier this year, I purchased a Wacom Cintiq Pro digital drawing pen and monitor that has revolutionized the way that I work and has led me to work more efficiently with my time and manner in which it takes me to draw and produce new art. 

 

I admit that I have wrestled with my thoughts on what to say or share publicly with all of you about relaunching THRILL SEEKER COMICS with new material as we’re still several months out from things be ready for distribution. I’ve been busting at the seams to share the news, but I don’t want to be premature on announcements of upcoming projects that are still 4- to 6- to 12- month out so that any excitement and momentum wanes by that time when things are ready, nor do I want to overpromise and not deliver on anything. I want to make sure work is completed. My focus has been on the work and not the hype. I want to have “everything finished and in the can” all ready to go before I start revealing and then immediately and/or very soon afterwards be able to promote and provide the availability of these new adventures for you. Does that make sense? 

 

So with that note, I think I will make my next big update come out between Christmas and New Year’s Day. I promise next month that I will have some examples and begin to share at lease one thing that is on the horizon for the new year and 20th Anniversary celebration.

 

All the best!

Scott McCullar

The Gingko Tree

 

 

Once again, I am watching live right now from my window the Gingko tree in my neighbor's front yard releasing all of it's leaves at once. It is just raining down the golden yellow Gingko leaves. The Gingko is my favorite tree. The leaves are all falling to the ground in one big shedding action. While some people love a sunset or to watch a shooting star, this is about as close as I get to looking at God's amazing wonderment in action with nature and just be at my utmost awe over this simple cyclical action. There is something spiritual about this annual moment for me that I just can't convey into words in how it moves me so much. I just happened to walk outside this morning to witness it once again. I think I was at the right place at the right time for right reason. I didn't miss it this year. And I am grateful.