Hello,
For those of you who do read this lonesome blog, I promise you - More Is On The Way. I've been swamped with school and I began writing for Get The Big Picture. Hopefully, I could be hired full time to keep writing for them. But, don't worry, I will still write for my own personal blog, I just can't duplicate what I write here from other there and vice versa. I have seen Green Lantern and I will try to write a review sooner or later. You know what, I'll just tell you about my thoughts right now. It sucks, you'll be disappointed. It's a bit boring and the action is dull. Your better off watching Thor and I didn't like Thor either but Thor is way superior.
I am trying to get a LazyDog podcast going so stay tuned in the future for that.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Sunday, June 12, 2011
What Movies Should I See?
I seem to review films that I've recently seen and haven't necessarily seen all 17,000 films ever made. Here is your opportunity to control what movies I see or not. Write down in the comments section below which films I should review, new or old, in theaters or on DVD. These could be movies you've seen and want my opinion on it or movies you want to see but are afraid they're time wasters.
Super 8 Review
JJ Abrams has done it again. His last film, Star Trek, was a sensation that was virtually unparalleled to any other film that was released that year but was probably overlooked because of Avatar, released later that year. Super 8 first trailer was shot way before the film finished its script and ever since then the hype started. What is this mystery film produced by Steven Spielberg and directed by JJ Abrams? With a marketing ploy that stayed clear away from revealing any big spoilers, the film finally released and is a breath of fresh air; staying away from the buff action hero, the sexy yet somehow smart heroine, or the huge set pieces set in exotic places that are home to explosions.
Super 8 takes place in 1979 and opens after a funeral. Joe, played by Joel Courtney, is distraught from the accidental death of his mother at the local steel mill. Joe, distraught sits outside on the swing set while everyone in town gossips about what happens next. Joe’s friends Charles, Martin, Preston, and Carey discuss what the body looked like and whether her head was crushed or not. This conversation sets up the entire films tone; never taking itself too seriously.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Discussion: Talking during a movie
I just came back from watching X-Men: First Class again. While in the theater, a woman constantly talking and my friend next to me was too. Now, I'm pretty lenient when it comes to babies, but I really get irritated when people can't seem to pay attention and they constantly ask questions or when young people constantly play around, disrupting others with their racket. I know what you're thinking, "he sounds like an old man." Well, talking during a movie is a pet peeve of mine and I would just like to know, what are your stances on talking during a movie?
X-Men: First Class Review
The film opens up in Poland in 1944 at a German concentration camp with a twelve year old Erik Lensherr being separated from his mother by Nazis. After seeing that he could manipulate metal, Erik is called to see Dr. Schmidt or Shaw (Kevin Bacon). Schmidt bullies Erik into trying to move a Nazi quarter and threatening to kill his mother as incentive. Erik, who is desperately trying to move the coin, watches as his mother is shot and he goes ballistic, moving everything metal around the room. Meanwhile, in Westchester, NY, a 12-year-old Xavier awakens to Raven (Mystique) raiding through his refrigerator. A friendship is then bonded between them that at first seems to last.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Discussion Topic: Remakes. Should they be done?
Ok, everyone, since Martin Scorsese is going to be remaking his own film, I would like to know if remakes are necessary when it comes to your viewing palette. To listen to my opinion just listen to the last ten minutes of the 9th episode of my podcast, Come On Our Movies. The questions based on the topic are as follows: What is the purpose of a remake? What films should be remade, if any at all. Is it appropriate for directors to redo their original material? Should first time directors have the opportunity to take on such a task? What films should be untouchable in terms of a remake or a reboot? When is it appropriate to remake or reboot a film or franchise? Does the quality of the remake depend on who stars and directs or the studio and the producer? Can the same be said for sequels? What film should have the (dis)pleasure of being remade or rebooted? Who should star/write/direct? I look forward to reading your posts. |
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The Hangover Part 2 Review
If you loved the first ‘Hangover’ film like I did, you were probably excited for the sequel like everyone else in the world. There’s a saying, “if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it”; it works well for video games, why won’t it work for films? The Hangover Part 2 is the same exact film as its predecessor with Stu taking the place of Doug as the groom-to-be, a monkey taking the place of baby Carlos, and a monk as the stolen lion. Stu is getting married to Lauren (Jamie Chung) in her parents native homeland of Thailand, and don’t worry, the rest of the Wolf Pack is back including Alan, Phil, and Doug including Mr. Chow who steals the majority of the laughs. The gang, just like in the first one, celebrates the bachelor party and end up blacking out and wake up the next day hung-over with no recognition of what happened the night before. The film is bigger, more vulgar, but not better. The first film was dark humored but was enough to handle. The second, however, is too dark to laugh at. If Todd Philips thinks that we could laugh at death and drug overdose, then he is surely mistaken. Zach Galifianakis is typecast as the overweight man-child who may or may not have mental health issues. His character seems to be a bit more demented and comes off as a murderer with the mentality of a four-year-old boy. Bradley Cooper is nothing special, he’s the one trying to keep everything under control and Ed Helms is trying to keep it cool but is overwhelmed with the knowledge of what happened to him. I will not give anything more away. The vulgarity is heightened and the nudity is doubled; it feels as though Todd Phillips tried to one up the original but falls very short in doing so. Nick Cassavetes as the tattoo artist is entertaining to watch but those who don’t know who he is will think nothing more. Bryan Callen, who plays the chapel owner in the first, reappears as a strip club owner. All in all, The Hangover Part 2 is much of the same film as the first with few laughs in the beginning. Ken Jeong steals the laughs as Mr. Chow.
3 out of five stars.
Kung Fu Panda 2 Review
Nine, count them, nine sequels have been released this year, so far, and not too many of them have been great with the exception of Scream 4 and Fast Five. I think Kung Fu Panda 2 qualifies in those ranks. Kung Fu Panda 2 takes place right after the first. Po is “training”, trying to fit 40 dumplings in his mouth. The film opens up with the legend of Shen, a peacock whose fortune was he would be defeated by a foe who is black and white. Shen then leads his army of wolves to kill China’s panda population. When Shen returns to his village, his family banishes him for such an evil deed. Shen goes into exile, stealing metal from shop-owners to create a kung-fu killing cannon turret. Po must defeat Shen while learning the peace within himself as well as learning the truth about his family. The film isn’t as good as the first film but it is as entertaining with some of the coolest action sequences of the year, superior to that of Thor if you can believe that. Kung Fu Panda 2 does its job of making you laugh and entertaining you. Jack Black owns the character of Po and Gary Oldman is great as the voice of Shen. Jackie Chan, Seth Rogen, David Cross, and Lucy Liu bring enjoyment with little quips here and there. Angelina Jolie’s character, Tigress, has a bigger role than in the last film as Po’s friend who helps him along his journey. There isn’t much wrong with this film but the story does drag and does hurt the film because it does run at 94 minutes. The ending is great, especially the cliffhanger for a third film, which, personally, I am excited for.
3 1/2 Wuxi finger holds out of 5.
Welcome!
I will never forget my first camera. The camera was $250 and it was purchased at an expo in Miami. My mother bought it for me and I fell in love. The gray palette of the camera would make aliens jealous. The quality of the video, at the time, was jaw dropping to me. I thought the editing suite that came with it was top of the line. I couldn’t believe I had this piece of technology in my hands; I felt in control of the world, as if the camera I was given was the key to the world that only Presidents had. I got home and I put in batteries and took it for a test drive, recording the mundane and vacuous things like a television set, my grandmother cooking, and my own hand. The camera took pictures too. The bright flash from the light could blind Helios. I remember, how annoying I was on that first day, taking pictures, making my mother and grandparents see spots. I went to bed that night with an idea in my head. The very next morning, which was a Sunday, I put my thoughts together, picked up my camera, and shot my first short film, Breakfast. I brought together my footage into the computer like a painter bringing his paint to the canvas. The editing suite is my canvas and my paint is my footage. I thought I was a genius; I spliced my footage digitally and showcased my film to my mother about two hours later. I felt accomplished; “this is how Mother Theresa must feel”, I thought. I hit nirvana. Though I have grown up, my passion is still there, but it’s a bit more controlled like Tony Stark’s alcoholism. I found a way to try to express my feeling for film and here it is. Here is where you can find news, trailers, and my opinions about the latest news and information. I aim to bring you the news as I see it, discussions for anybody to express their opinions, reviews as well as links to my podcast, Come On Our Movies. Enjoy.
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