5 Days of War: Movie Review

 
Well, it's been a while, but I'm back with another brand new movie review.

I don't think I'll have a lot to say about this film because I really enjoyed it. So, I'll just rave about how immersed I became at the story that unfolded as I sat in a lit room and witnessed the horrors and sacrifices brought about by war.

To begin, I have always enjoyed well told/filmed war movies. The struggle to survive is evident in the need for soldiers to carry out a task, and while this is present in the film, the perspective is different. The film is based on the real life war that transpired between Russia and Georgia. Now, let me begin by saying that I'm not familiar with the history or ensuing conflicts between these two countries that led to the war that lasted 5 days.

The aspect of the film that caught my attention was the news reporting angle. 5 Days of War centers around a journalist by the name of Thomas Anders played by Rupert Friend and his struggle to stay alive long enough to escape the war zone and release the film footage he and his cameraman caught of the carnage as Russian mercenaries entered a village in Georgia and slaughtered civilians. So, the entire film is an action documentary of what took place, but without the need of having the film shot from a first person perspective.

Now, I've read that this film received mixed reviews with most of its criticisms pointing to the fact that the film portrays only the Georgian side of the conflict. All the while the Russians are portrayed as barbaric killing squads marching along the Georgian countryside eliminating everything. Some critics claimed the film was a dangerous form of propaganda used to promote sympathetic reactions from audiences. Again, I not familiar with the actual reasons that brought about the war, and while some of these criticisms against the film may be true, I'm not here to pass judgement. Although, during times of war, everything that we see or are allowed to be shown by the media is put up for criticism. We can never be sure if what we're being told is true or exaggerated.

The term 'propaganda' is correct in some ways; as journalists, you try to push your information because the world has a right to know. So here we have just that. Thomas Anders embarks on a mission to uncover the truth about a possible confrontation between Russia and Georgia and ends up with a front row ticket to a real first-hand experience of life and death. This brings me to a interesting point that I have always know to be true. War journalists and photographers are the most hardcore and fearless people in the world. To put yourself in harms way, deliberately now, is insane! Even with proper precautions, journalism rights/permissions and military escorts, they run very real risks that could have fatal consequences.

Anyway, these were the points of the film that kept me immersed and wanting to reach the end. Another interesting fact, there was very little news coverage of the war due to the fact the as this was happening much of the world, and the news media, was busy covering the Olympics. Add that to the pile building in front of you as a journalist!

It was interesting to see Andy Garcia play Mikheil Saakashvili, the President of Georgia. Other cast members included: Val Kilmer, Dean Cain, Emmanuel Chriqui and a brief cameo by Heather Graham. All in all, I really enjoyed the film. My interest in it first came when I saw the trailer a few months back, and I wasn't disappointed. It's an action film at heart and it provides several moments of intense confrontation and quick pace.




Well, I hope you enjoy and until next time!

Resident Evil 6 Official Trailer!

Oh. My. Lord!

It hasn't been ten minutes since I posted my last blog entry on Resident Evil: Retribution, and now I see the official trailer for Resident Evil 6 the game.

I have now officially gone off the deep end.

After the mediocre RE5, I was left wanting something more substantial, new...something with elements that reminded me of what scared and thrilled me about the early games. Way back when, I read rumors that RE6 was to be a reboot of sorts. It would continue to progress later into the RE universe, but it would also implement the use of creepy atmospheric settings that we all enjoyed when we played through RE 1, 2 and 3.

What am I talking about? Raccoon City, or some similar setting. Personally, while I played RE 4 and adored the new game play and the 3rd person behind the back camera angle, the lack of a city setting made it feel strange for me. Don't get me wrong, it was great.

However, it was feeling less like Resident Evil and more like an action/shooter game. RE5 is a clear indication of this.

Anyway, no more talk. Just Enjoy what I believe will be a return to Resident Evil roots. I am really so damn excited and I can't contain my enthusiasm!



I know a lot of what I'm saying may be difficult to understand for non-Resident Evil game fans, but this is impressive. From what I can tell so far, the setting seems to be in a city, a large city at that. Leon Kennedy and Chris Redfield for the most part are the primary characters. Again, it is still too early to tell what the story is behind this new chapter and who the real enemy is. Umbrella, Tricell or some other new entity.

One definite plus is that it looks like I'll be walking through long, dark and scary corridors again...and ZOMBIES are back! I just hope that some old Umbrella beasties return as well. A Tyrant here, a Hunter there. Come on, Capcom, do it for me!

More to come when I find or stumble upon it!

Until then, spread the 'Evil' - Resident Evil 6 is almost here!

Resident Evil: Retribution - Official Trailer

 
Well, well, look at what we have here...

So, the trailer for the next installment of the Resident Evil movie franchise is here. I'll place the link after I have said my two cents on it.

I'll keep this short.

With the way the last film ended, I wasn't surprised that another film was being put together. But, where does this latest in 3D explosions, gun firing and zombie fighting take place? I have no idea, but I'm very curious and looking forward to getting an explanation as to where these flying beasties, giant lickers and Michele Rodriguez (she played Rain in the first film) came from!

Yeah, I knew that either all of some of the characters from the earlier movies were going to be coming back. However, I'm still confused as to how they returned and what their purpose will be. As it is the trailer seems to suggest that we are still in a post apocalyptic setting some time after Resident Evil: Afterlife. Another battle takes place on the ship where our heroes rescued K-Mart, (Yeah, I still laugh every time I hear her name); then we see some kind of fortified city with Alice (Jovovich) resembling some kind of one man army.

There are so many questions, but these trailers always leave me and just about anyone with a million questions as to the setting or connect to the games. Once again, I think there is no connect, timeline wise, with the games anymore. I mean, Afterlife can vaguely be connected to RE5 because these was an Axeman and the last battle between Chris/Claire and Wesker was a direct ripoff of the final battle between Chris/Sheva and Wesker from Resident Evil 5 (game). That's it!

Oh, but WAIT! Is that ADA WONG I saw in there! Yes it is! She's in her RE4 attire too! So Hot!

Now I'm hooked. What does she have to gain in this movie. The world is dead; for who could she be working for that needs information on the T, G, V, Plagas virus? Her role in the games was to retrieve information on the virus and to bring back a sample to her employer. However, in the games, the world hadn't gone to shit yet, so what's her deal here? Hmmm...

I even heard or read somewhere that Leon Kennedy will be in this film. I can't confirm, and I wouldn't be surprised if he shows up just so that the entire game cast could finally make an appearance in the flesh.

Well enough of me talking. Check out the clip below and tell me what you think!



What do you think, guys and gals? I know some of you out there are RE fans just like me. So much going on in those 60 seconds of a teaser trailer. I hate the opening commercial sequence. Either way, I'm excited to see what does adds to the film franchise and where it ends up.

More Resident Evil news as it becomes available or I stumble upon it! Also, Resident Evil movie reviews coming soon and why the games are my favorite.

Until then, look alive and share the "Evil" in Resident Evil.

I End A Chapter With An M.F.A.

 

Hello Internet World,

This will be my first post of 2012, and it is both exciting and bittersweet. I’m not going to sit here and explain the exciting because I think those were explained in my last post. Also, I can’t think of anything exciting right now. However, the bittersweet part is very much clear and lingering on my mind. I’m back in NYC after a wonderful week in Maine, and I brought with me so many memories and a new degree under my belt.

This past Saturday, the 14^th, was my graduation from Stonecoast.

Yup, I finally received my M.F.A. in creative writing. I still can’t believe how two years of hard work, making friends and having fun with such a small community of writers came to an end. It felt like only yesterday that I began my next step in my academic career by trying to get my masters degree, and now it’s all over. Every residency brought me joy and knowledge into what I was capable of in my writing, and with each workshop and mentor, I progressed through difficult times and achieved a necessary tool or skill that helped me to become the writer that I am now. This doesn’t mean that I’ll stop learning, of course not. It just means that I won’t have that support community so accessible anymore.

Well, that may not be entirely true because some of us can still email or meet to continue to share work. More importantly, it’s a way that maybe we can get together and still have fun.

So, how did my final residency go?

I think it went very well despite the fact that both my reading and my presentation were toward the end of the week. I was bummed a bit by that schedule, but in the end, I’m actually glad that it went that way. It’s not that I had a poor reading or presentation, not at all. As it turned out, I was actually more nervous about my reading as opposed to my presentation. I know this must sound silly, but that’s how I felt. The entire time I kept telling myself that I wished my presentation was scheduled earlier in the week, so that way I could finish up with a great reading. Here’s the funny part. I spent the entire week adjusting and editing the PowerPoint for my presentation. I started adding more information and making it longer, or in some cases shorter.

Originally, I thought the PowerPoint I had put together was sufficient to get my ideas across. However, the more I looked through it, the more I became paranoid and unsatisfied I got with it. So, I kept fidgeting with it until I had something that I felt was more thorough than what I started with. On top of that, a couple of nights before the presentation, I even put together a nice video to go along with the PowerPoint.

Can you believe I did all that! And I didn’t even look over my reading until the day before it was scheduled to take place. I knew what I wanted to read, but the extra work into the presentation kept me so immersed that pushed it to the side. Ha Ha!

When I did actually get to look over my reading, I had trouble adjusting my voice to it. This sounds strange I’m sure, but I could not find that pace and tone that I wanted to use. In addition, the very words that made up my story sounded weird. I think for most readers, when they read their own work out loud, it sounds awkward. Still, I tried my best to adjust my voice and find an appropriate pace to read my story. In the end, my reading turned out very well. I read my short story “The Guardian’s Paw” and it brought a few laughs and everyone enjoyed my take on anime/manga fiction. I felt such relief after. One down, one to go. I never realized how much anxiety I had built up around my reading, so after I read I was so much calmer.

My presentation on Manga was such a thrill for me. I actually felt very comfortable and excited about it. I mean, I spent all that time beforehand fixing and creating that I was amped! Everything went so well. Actually, not entirely. During the last ten minutes, I showed the video that I put together and half way through the power went out! Can you believe that? Ha Ha! The projector went out and so the lights, but my laptop kept playing. Soon after, everything came back on, and I finished showing the video and ending my presentation. Now, that’s a good way to go out on a high note. Or, is it a power outage note?

I even acted in two staged plays and that was fun. Several people came to me afterward and complemented me on how I did. They were all amazed by how well I acted out the parts I was given. Let me tell you that while I was humbled by their comments and appraisal, I didn’t think I did anything special. I’m not an actor, but I just played the parts the way I thought they needed to be. Above all, I just wanted to have fun with it. Everyone involved enjoyed the plays, being a part of it, and we made everyone laugh which I call a successful night in my opinion. If there was one downfall this residency, it turned out to be the fact that I got sick for about three days. I never got sick during a residency, so this was quite unexpected, but I made the most of it. I ate fruits and drink lots of orange juice as I recuperated.

Graduation came and went, and I said goodbye to so many people. I had such a good time talking to people, but in the end I also felt sad that it was over. It’s going to be so weird not having packets due by the end of the month anymore. Still, I will keep myself busy and continue to write new stories as I send other stories for publishing. It’s the beginning of a new journey and I want to mark my place somewhere on the path that I take. 

Even as I write this, all I can think about was how, a day ago, I was there with all of my Stonecoast buddies, YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE! Now, I'm far away. Oh man, I'm not going to think about it. I'm in denial that it's over. I'll probably be like that for a bit, ha!

For now, I'll walk holding my head high knowing that I accomplished another noteworthy academic goal. I graduated from the Stonecoast MFA Program with my Master’s Degree in Creative Writing, and I’ll do my popular fiction brothers and sisters proud.

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.

The New York City Subway Rider

Hey all, it's been a long time but I'm still here. Good to be back, although I'm not sure if in full capacity or limited, ha!

Well, this first blog post, in over a month, is more of a rant.

New Yorkers are know for being many things. We're tough, obnoxious, loud and we're always saying "Hey", "Yo!", "You feel me, Dawg?" and "What's up with that?" Actually, that last one is mine! Anyway, I think You get what I'm saying. I hope! However, today, I want to concentrate on one type of New Yorker; the NYC subway rider.

I'm a subway rider and some of things I have seen are 1) entertaining, but 2) annoying. The occasional dance group that comes on and performs is enjoyable to watch, but sometimes other performers come on and make more noise than is really wanted. Yes, I'm talking about you Spanish guitarists who come on and start singing. We may speak the same language but hearing you in the morning is so annoying that I don't want to deal with it and every other rider feels the same way. There are different pairs of you musicians, I know this for a fact because I've paid attention at times, but all of you seem to play the same song! Okay, you did play a Christmas song once, but enough already!

Luckily my ear-buds have been able to provide relief, but sometimes not. My music can only cover so much. Honestly, I'd rather torture myself with my own music because at least I have control over when to stop or start. When you guitarists come on it's a whole different story, I'm afraid.

What else is annoying about an NYC subway rider? Those that eat on the train. Now, I'm not talking about a small snack because I sometimes do that, but those that bring their whole KFC or Chinese food meals on and start eating. I mean, seriously! You can't wait to get to your final destination, be it home or office, to eat your food? Why must you sit there and eat surrounded by other people that may have not eaten yet or are disgusted by hearing the sounds of your teeth chewing. First of all, you're in a narrow subway car, people are all around you and you still come on and bring your food that already smells good. So, you're making the whole car smell like your food. YOU ASSHOLE! What if I hadn't eaten anything yet, or what you have smell and looks better then what I ate? You are so annoying! Sometimes I feel like saying, are you gong to share that with everyone in this car because you're making everyone else smell your food already? AND, I know for a fact that you will be the low-life scumbag that will leave that empty container under the seat after you're done.

Okay, not every person who I see eating on the train does that. BUT, I know some of them do!

Oh, and what about the subway rider who sits but doesn't lean all the way back into the seat? Mr. Hunched-over-in-his-seat. I'm going to say that not all of these types of riders are bad. No. Most sit this way and stay that why. I'm talking about the type that sits this way and shifts between leaning back in the seat and then hunches over again. You sir are the biggest douchebag. And you have the gall to get angry or make faces when people try to sit in the space next to you. Why? There's a seat next to you, but you sit in such a way that your body is slouching into the next seat. They're going to touch you, brush up against you or shove their way into that seat! That other person is entitled to a seat. It's not his or her fault that you cannot sit straight in yours. OH, and then, when you're in your hunched over position and people are sitting on either side of you; I don't know what possessed you to do this, but why would you start stretching your arms out in odd angles?

I'm sitting across from this asshole of a rider and all I can think is what an ass you are. The whole time I'm laughing in my head at how dumb, arrogant and inconsiderate you are. The woman sitting next to you, I know, felt the same way. Every time you did your stretch, she looked at you with eyes that said what the hell are you doing and can you stop that you jerk? 

But you know who is more annoying? You obnoxious, loud, immature public high schoolers, that's who! Again, not all high school kids fall under this category, but those of you who have gotten on a train between 2:30 and 3:30 in the afternoon know who I'm talking about. Never was there a time where I wanted absolute peace then when public high schools unchained the doors and reckless abandonment was set free. Well, enough about that.

Well, that's it for now. We New Yorkers put up with a lot, but sometimes I think it isn't necessary or wanted. Although, other times, it's great being an observer because I wouldn't have stuff to say or rant about!

Until next time! Stay Safe!

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.