The Dark Knight Rises Blu ray+Digibook Review

 
Hey Inter-webers!

Hmm, is that a word even? Ha!

Anyway, I recently picked up The Dark Knight Rises Blu ray+Digibook combo pack that is for sale exclusively at Target.

Hear my thoughts in my first Blu ray movie review below.



Check back soon because I'll be putting up Blu ray reviews and Blu ray/DVD updates on my You Tube channel!

Until then, Laterz!

Farewell 2011, Welcome 2012! My Thoughts, I Guess.

 
Well, well...it's that time of the year again. Don't know what I'm talking about?

Where have you been, living under an rock?!

Just pulling your leg(s)! I know you all know what time it is, and, once again, like every year we sit back and reflect on what we've been through during the last 12 months. Yeah, it may be boring, tedious or an unnecessary waste of time, but we still do it anyway to remind ourselves of the good times or bad times that we have encountered. I personally don't reflect or like to partake in the whole end-of-the-year wrap up thing; I just move on. I mean, tomorrow will be Sunday--it's no different than last weekend, just that it will be 2012.

Oh well, enough of me babbling about nonsense.

I guess this will be the last blog post of 2011, and starting sometime after today, I will post up a new entry that will represent what will become of me and this blog for 2012.

So many things to be grateful for as this year comes to an end. First, my greatest accomplishment, academically, is completing my M.F.A. in creative writing at Stonecoast. For me, it was a long hard but well fought battle and in the end my endeavor has made me into a better writer with a better sense of what I want to create and put forth for others to read. I'M A DAMN POPULAR FICTION WRITER AND I HAVE THE CREDENTIALS TO PROVE IT NOW!

All kidding aside, this is something that I am very proud of, and I know that everyone in my graduating class also feels the same way about their own individual battles and accomplishments. This final residency, we will all walk through the stonehouse or the Harraseeket Inn soaking up every last detail that we will take with us as memories of a glorious two years that we all spent bonding. It's funny but I know most of you in my graduating class will read this, and all I want to say is that I proud of our group and am honored to be a part of it.

STONECOAST WINTER CLASS OF 2012 RULES!

I know, corny! I had to do it though! ha! :)

Enough of the mushy stuff and let's get on with what the future holds for my blog: It's All In My Head. I honestly don't know. Go figure. I have some ideas of what I would like to post up as future blog entries and they involve more movie reviews and top personal video compilations. I meant to do this a while ago, but I may also start reviewing video games. I am a gamer, always have been, but I want to balance the blog with other resourceful commentary on my writing as well and things that I encounter. Again, this blog is about my what floats around in my head, hence the title.

I recently purchased a microphone, Bwahahahaha! (That's supposed to be me sounding very sinister.) I'm thinking that I may incorporate podcasts to the blog, or to compliment certain entries. I have many artist friends, and I was talking with them recently; I discovered how many similarities we share when it comes to creating our work. Even though we choose different outlets for self expression, the process still has some likenesses. There are lots of ideas rolling around in my cranium right now and I'll have to flesh them out at some point and see where I can do with those thought clouds. Of course, just getting to together with friends and talking about random nonsense is always good.

I'm excited about the podcasts and the possibilities that it could present. I'll definitely let ya'll know what I come up with.

A couple of surprising statistics and data I discovered recently about this blog! I have two followers now! I know who you are, of course! My initial apprehension with this blog was whether anyone would read it, but I have had readers, so I am happy about that. Since it went live about two years ago, I have had about, somewhere in the ball park figure, of 1500 visits! WOW! I'm not sure if that's average or not, but I'm satisfied that people are finding it and reading. Back to my two followers! I glad you're on board, and I welcome others to follow me or to continue reading--I won't bite...hard at least. ha!

Another idea just crossed my mind. I was thinking about possibly creating another blog for podcasts rather than just putting them here? Hmm, don't know yet. I've thought about creating another blog but the thought of maintaining two, AAAHHH! Then I thought maybe it could be a partnership with another blogger or writer(s). Hmm, who knows because I haven't decided yet. My mind floats in and out of ideas, it's weird, but I'll make sense out of all of it at some point.

Back to stats! I noticed a while ago that most of the searches that led to this blog involved: squirrels, the anime convention I went to two years ago and zombie stuff. Strange. However, the most surprising statistic I found yesterday was that my "Braidesmaids: Movie Review" blog post got *184* page views. That's insane; I raved about the movie because I liked it, for a chick flick, but I didn't think I said anything about it that was amazing. Hmm... maybe I am doing something that is working.

I think I'll stop here. This entry is already pretty long. I guess it wasn't much of a reflection, it is what it is. Geez, I'm so random even when it comes to my own thoughts. Ha! Rest assured that I will continue to deliver on the random and quirkiness. From here on out, I'm putting my 5OUL ON D!SPLAY. A little bit at a time, at least.

The words "5OUL ON D!SPLAY" are actually a song title. If you know this song and/or enjoy it, you ROCK!

Again, have a great Happy New Year and make the most out of 2012! I'll see you on the flip side.

Until then.

Stranger Than Fiction: A Thought About The Film

 
I think it's a beautiful thing to engage in something, anything, with such passion that you lose yourself as you hone your skills to reach a goal, perfection or an ending.

This is the same in any media chosen to express whatever your passion is. I love reading books or stories that introduce characters so likable that you feel the pain of their loses or the enjoy of their accomplishments. The same goes for movies and the film Stranger Than Fiction is no exception to that rule.

I loved Will Ferrell's portrayal of the lonely, fated protagonist Harold Crick. Here is a character who is plain and hapless in his monotonous life that we see a reason to follow his story. The fact that Emma Thompson's character Karen Eiffel narratives his daily activities further provides a more in-depth understanding of Harold's narrative archetype that we, as the audience, find more compassion. Even Thompson's role as the eccentric writer and narrator are so rational, for writer's at the very least, and I personally find a weird connection with her character. Being a fiction writer has allowed me to really comprehend and also sympathize with the plight of creation and responsibility of fulfillment.

What do I mean by responsibility of fulfillment? It is the act of creating and the art of skillfully providing a reason for existence. Even if your character is to die, such is the case with Harold Crick, the writer still has to provide meaning and justification for the characters death. Writing endings are not easy by no means, let me tell you. So many aspects of narration, character development and story must be taken into account when you slowly reach those final pages and bring your written masterpiece to a close. I always find it difficult to end a story after I have provided such a fond and in-depth look at something that I poured my heart and soul into.

I feel such a great deal of responsibility in capturing and expressing a story with profound visualization and emotion that not only speaks to me but also hits a definite chord with readers of all kinds. The film Stranger Than Fiction does this on many levels. Mind you that what you're watching is a literary tale told visually and every aspect of plot, narration and arch are presented. At times I felt as though this could have actually been a graphic novel, a manga maybe, because it is literally a developing story that is in motion.

I liked the contrasts that progressively appear and further change and enhance the characters lives. Harold and Karen's lives are some what identical in the sense that they work in systematic fashion to approach situations. Harold operates in a corporate and mathematical/computational environment while Karen provides us with the common, at times unorthodox, method of story creation. When Maggie Gyllenhall's character Ana Pascal enters Harold's life it implements a vast contradiction to the life and organization that has ruled Harold's life. She is his opposite and Ana compliments, or in this case unbalances, his perspectives very nicely.

Another aspect of interest is the character of Prof. Jules Hilbert, played by Dustin Hoffman. I always look at this Hilbert as the mage or all knowing guide that helps Harold through his dilemma. He is instrumental in grounding the protagonist in a reasonable reality where Harold can attempt to find answers to his plight. Hoffman is just a lot fun as Hilbert; the kind of literary specialist I wish I had in school, ha! 

I think the one moment that has stuck with me about this film is Harold and Karen's meeting. It is the moment where Karen as an author not only realizes that one of her fictionalized creations turned out to be real, but also her responsibility of giving him a meaningful and justified existence appears. On top of that, she also went further to provide a rational excuse to change. It is something that all us writers go through when we create. We always change where it is necessary while keeping in mind how it will effect the choices that we have made up to that point.

Even in writing, it is all about making choices and decisions and being responsible in making sure we fulfill those intentions.

Conan the Barbarian (2011)...I'll Take A Pass.

I wish I had taken a pass on this, but I saw it and I can never get those 2 hours back.

I've been away from here for a bit. I know, I know. Before you start complaining that I don't spend enough time with you let me just say.... Yeah, you're right!

Anyway, here I am again to bring you a short review, or more specifically, my thoughts, on the remake of Conan the Barbarian. Remake?! Yeah, that seems to be the trend these days in Hollywood. Either remake something from the 80's or make a movie out of some TV show from the same time period.

Firstly, let me start by saying that I never really listen to what critiques say in their movie reviews, but they were right to give this 1 star!

Back to the movie! I have to say that I was really disappointed with how this film turned out. I was expecting more of a competent story but instead received a film where Conan seemed to juggle between seeking revenge for his father's death and getting caught up in some other distraction that served as plot. I use the word "plot" loosely just to give the actions that happen in this film a title, but in reality an actual "plot" ceased to exist after Conan's father is killed. Well, he actually kills himself! OOPS, spoiler!!! Sorry, but I don't give a damn at this point!

I mean, don't get me wrong, the film did follow the traditional movie formula of beginning, middle and end. Father gets killed, son seeks revenge, becomes ruthless conqueror/killer, meets girl, loves girl, girl gets captured by arch-nemesis... you know where this is heading! And that is exactly it! The original 1982 Conan followed a similar formula, but I felt there was more meat to the story compared to the 2011 version. Yeah, how can I compare the out-dated 1982 version with the superior modern approach and special effects of the 2011 version?

Simple. The original Conan had a story which showed us how Conan grew to become the savage barbarian that we know. Viewers saw the child put into slavery and become the monster that conquered all later. More importantly, young Conan witnessed his mother get killed before his eyes. That traumatized him and gave us a reason to sympathize with him. Granted that Arnold's portrayal of Conan is tamer compared to Jason Momoa 's more savage portrayal of the character. Now, while I understand that the more savage approach is accurate for this type of character, I felt no sympathy or connection to him in Conan 2011. It just felt like this was a movie that showed us - this is Conan, now watch him go berserk in the name of vengeance.

My friend and I both felt that there were many unanswered questions that could have provided some clarity to what and why certain things were happening. Why was Khalar Zym and his daughter Marique searching for the mask? Maybe the movie did explain it, but I missed it because I became comatose after the first 20 minutes. Seriously the movie dragged at first and never seemed to pick up after that. At one point, Conan's first encounter with Khalar, it did seemed like things got exciting but that must have been because I needed someone to get killed already. However, after that it went flatline again. I also thought this version would follow the original's storyline. I wanted and was hoping to see a more modern version of Thulsa Doom, the snake king played by James Earl Jones, but this version followed a different storyline entirely.

Either way, I was expecting a climatic end fight between protagonist and antagonist. The fight was intense but the pay-off was so anti-climatic. Khalar just falls to his doom. WTF! However gruesome the original's pay-off was (Conan decapitates Thulsa's head after a few hacks) it was more satisfying compared this version's conclusion. Oh! Speaking of conclusions. The remake didn't even have the infamous scene of Conan sitting on his throne pondering his next course of action, which "is a tale for another story." I think that's how it goes. My friend and I thought this movie was so bad that maybe it needed Red Sonya to appear and maybe add some more intensity to the movie. Hey, it would have been fun to see a red haired amazon cross blades with Conan.

Man, I would've loved to see Red Sonya appear that way she would have been captured and Conan would then have to rescue her. He would've gotten his ass handed to him and maybe his arms cut off in an uber ridiculous battle.  All that just so I can say:

"Yeah, you know what? There was a point where he would had his arms all cut off, and he was on a hospital bed, and he was flaying around these little useless fucking knobs, and he was screaming and crying his fucking ass off going, 'aarrgh, aarrgh, put that Lin Kuei robot shit on me! I need to go save Sonya!'"

***$20 to whoever can guess where the above quote comes from!***

Hmm... I may have to think about the $20, but if you can figure it out then you and I are on the same wavelength or something. Ha! I just love where that line comes from and it fits right there so nicely that I couldn't resist. Have fun with that!

Well, honestly, I felt disappointed and confused at times as to where Conan the Barbarian 2011 was getting some of its references from, where it was going, how is he getting there, etc., etc. I felt like I lost almost 2 hours of my life watching this and I'll never get them back. Well, maybe if I watch the original I can reverse the damage. It's a thought.

Okay, that's all of now. Feels good to post a new entry! I guess I just needed to ad my two scents on Conan the Barbarian 2011. I'd pass on it. Save your money. Unless you want to see a mindless tale of revenge.

Until next time!