Gloria Oliver's Blog, page 42
August 21, 2015
Movie Review - Hitman: Agent 47
Hitman: Agent 47
Starring: Rupert Friend, Hannah Ware, Zachary Quinto, Thomas Kretschmann, Ciarán Hinds, and more.
Directed by: Aleksander Bach Screenplay by: Skip Woods and Michael Finch Story by: Skip Woods Cinematography by: Óttar Guðnason Music by: Marco Beltrami
Premise: Katya has been searching for someone most of her life, though all she has to go on are tiny bits of memory and little else. When John Smith shows up in her life, he tells her she is being targeted by Agent 47, an enhanced assassin, who wants nothing more than to silence her and her missing father and the knowledge he possesses. And though that seems true at first, is that what's really going on? (Rated R)
Review:
1) Acting - Total Thumbs Up: Rupert Friend does a great job being the stoic Agent 47. Even better was watching him bring out little ticks of 47's personality showing he's more than just a killing machine made of flesh. The awkward moments he has with Katya are hilarious on several levels.
Hannah Ware did a great job as the not so normal Katya. Dealing with particles of memory, avoiding the touch of anyone around her, and coping with overstimulated fear, she knows she's not normal, yet as she spends time with 47 you get the definite feeling she thinks she's found someone worse. lol. Zachary Quinto also did some great work as John Smith. (There's a point about his name that ends up truly having a lot of impact. After it's all done, think about him and his name. Heh heh.)
2) Special Effects - Total Thumbs Up: Lots to like and love with the special effects. Plenty of cool gadgets and setups. The jet engine and the multiple ways it's used were quite nice and visually exciting. The CGI showed through at a couple of places, but not too badly, and was easily overlooked. The subsequent flames and chaos more than make up for it.
A ton of destruction ensues in different locations some very close up, others quite large!
3) Story - Thumbs Up: Way back in the day I played the original "Hitman" game. Hardest thing ever! lol. So hubby and I have had a long time fascination with the character of Agent 47. The red tie, the dark suit, the hairless head, the double .45s, these are all signature marks of the game and the man.
The Hitman game was turned into a film once before, back in 2007. Timothy Olyphant played him then, a man who has one of the best deadpan faces in the business. If you enjoyed that version, you should also like this one, as both were written by Skip Woods.
If you don't know anything about the game, no worries. They fill you in on some quick history at the start of the film. The beginning sequence/mission also tells you all you need to know about 47's mad assassination skills. From the start things are murky, the truth hidden, with much subtly implied and lots of red herrings - so stay vigilant!
As the film went along there were also several lovingly awkward moments, as we're shown little, unexpected bits of 47 as he interacts with Katya over time. The fact she starts picking on him as the film moves along gave a nice subcurrent implying things later made more evident by her father. There were a couple of moments that just made me laugh, they were so cute.
The bathtub scene with the rubber ducky was both cute and disturbing. Heh heh.
A few surprises, though on several of those you'll know something is coming if you pay attention to the signs. There's one, however, that should catch you by total surprise. :)
There's one tiny bit of extra footage right after the credits begin rolling at the end. But nothing after that.
4) Stunts - Total Thumbs Up: A ton of stunts, several which are helped along with some CGI, but many that are not. Lots of gun battles, car chases, and hand-to-hand combat. Some imaginative Fu as well. They chose to do shaky-cam during several bits of the close combat action, but it wasn't overused. Though I do prefer my hand-to-hand not shaken or stirred.
The chase scene in the parking garage was great! What happens after in the street intersection even more so.
5) Locations/Cinematography - Total Thumbs Up: They chose some awesome filming locations for this one. Singapore was absolutely jaw dropping. The commercials had made it seem like the film was in the future, but it isn't. That's actually how Singapore looks right now! (Google for pics, you'll see.) The arboretum alone was fabulous!
Conclusion: Hitman: Agent 47 has everything you'd want from an action film - great stunts, decent story line, bullets, explosions, and a little more. And they left it wide open for a sequel.
Rating: 3.75 out of 5 (Hubby's Rating: Worth Full Price of Admission)
Starring: Rupert Friend, Hannah Ware, Zachary Quinto, Thomas Kretschmann, Ciarán Hinds, and more.
Directed by: Aleksander Bach Screenplay by: Skip Woods and Michael Finch Story by: Skip Woods Cinematography by: Óttar Guðnason Music by: Marco Beltrami
Premise: Katya has been searching for someone most of her life, though all she has to go on are tiny bits of memory and little else. When John Smith shows up in her life, he tells her she is being targeted by Agent 47, an enhanced assassin, who wants nothing more than to silence her and her missing father and the knowledge he possesses. And though that seems true at first, is that what's really going on? (Rated R)
Review:
1) Acting - Total Thumbs Up: Rupert Friend does a great job being the stoic Agent 47. Even better was watching him bring out little ticks of 47's personality showing he's more than just a killing machine made of flesh. The awkward moments he has with Katya are hilarious on several levels.
Hannah Ware did a great job as the not so normal Katya. Dealing with particles of memory, avoiding the touch of anyone around her, and coping with overstimulated fear, she knows she's not normal, yet as she spends time with 47 you get the definite feeling she thinks she's found someone worse. lol. Zachary Quinto also did some great work as John Smith. (There's a point about his name that ends up truly having a lot of impact. After it's all done, think about him and his name. Heh heh.)
2) Special Effects - Total Thumbs Up: Lots to like and love with the special effects. Plenty of cool gadgets and setups. The jet engine and the multiple ways it's used were quite nice and visually exciting. The CGI showed through at a couple of places, but not too badly, and was easily overlooked. The subsequent flames and chaos more than make up for it.
A ton of destruction ensues in different locations some very close up, others quite large!
3) Story - Thumbs Up: Way back in the day I played the original "Hitman" game. Hardest thing ever! lol. So hubby and I have had a long time fascination with the character of Agent 47. The red tie, the dark suit, the hairless head, the double .45s, these are all signature marks of the game and the man.
The Hitman game was turned into a film once before, back in 2007. Timothy Olyphant played him then, a man who has one of the best deadpan faces in the business. If you enjoyed that version, you should also like this one, as both were written by Skip Woods.
If you don't know anything about the game, no worries. They fill you in on some quick history at the start of the film. The beginning sequence/mission also tells you all you need to know about 47's mad assassination skills. From the start things are murky, the truth hidden, with much subtly implied and lots of red herrings - so stay vigilant!
As the film went along there were also several lovingly awkward moments, as we're shown little, unexpected bits of 47 as he interacts with Katya over time. The fact she starts picking on him as the film moves along gave a nice subcurrent implying things later made more evident by her father. There were a couple of moments that just made me laugh, they were so cute.
The bathtub scene with the rubber ducky was both cute and disturbing. Heh heh.
A few surprises, though on several of those you'll know something is coming if you pay attention to the signs. There's one, however, that should catch you by total surprise. :)
There's one tiny bit of extra footage right after the credits begin rolling at the end. But nothing after that.
4) Stunts - Total Thumbs Up: A ton of stunts, several which are helped along with some CGI, but many that are not. Lots of gun battles, car chases, and hand-to-hand combat. Some imaginative Fu as well. They chose to do shaky-cam during several bits of the close combat action, but it wasn't overused. Though I do prefer my hand-to-hand not shaken or stirred.
The chase scene in the parking garage was great! What happens after in the street intersection even more so.
5) Locations/Cinematography - Total Thumbs Up: They chose some awesome filming locations for this one. Singapore was absolutely jaw dropping. The commercials had made it seem like the film was in the future, but it isn't. That's actually how Singapore looks right now! (Google for pics, you'll see.) The arboretum alone was fabulous!
Conclusion: Hitman: Agent 47 has everything you'd want from an action film - great stunts, decent story line, bullets, explosions, and a little more. And they left it wide open for a sequel.
Rating: 3.75 out of 5 (Hubby's Rating: Worth Full Price of Admission)
August 19, 2015
Picture Kaleidoscope 8/19/15
So hard to get moving today....
We're headed back towards sunsets and sunrises again! Woot!
We've no idea what was going on, but there was a constant fire plume by some apartment complex constructions near the Irving Convention Center. You can see it just to the right of the building.
Beautiful layered interplay of light and shadow!
A nice surprise when we stepped out after dinner that day. :)
The light vs. the darkness!
I'd missed this so much!
The interplay of colors is always so much fun.
Alien Mothership seeking crashed child. Heh heh
The sky was doing fun stuff Monday morning. :)
Have a spectacular day!
We're headed back towards sunsets and sunrises again! Woot!
We've no idea what was going on, but there was a constant fire plume by some apartment complex constructions near the Irving Convention Center. You can see it just to the right of the building.
Beautiful layered interplay of light and shadow!
A nice surprise when we stepped out after dinner that day. :)
The light vs. the darkness!
I'd missed this so much!
The interplay of colors is always so much fun.
Alien Mothership seeking crashed child. Heh heh
The sky was doing fun stuff Monday morning. :)
Have a spectacular day!
August 17, 2015
Mind Sieve 8/17/15
Another round!
Fan Fun
Westworld Teaser Trailer - HBO - Ooohhhh!!!!!!
SQUEEE! SQUEEEEE! SQUEEEEEEE! Star Wars Episode 7 The Force Awakens Official Comic-Con 2015 Reel. SQUEEEE!!!!!! Behind the scenes awesomeness!
Colony - USA - Official Trailer - Looks interesting for sure! Sweet!
Into The Badlands Season 1 ComicCon Trailer - Oh this looks good!
Social Media/Author PlatformTwitter Removes 140-Character Limit for Direct Messages: This Week in Social Media - article by Cindy King at the Social Media Examiner.
6 Ways to Improve Engagement With Social Media Content by Heidi Thompson at the Social Media Examiner. Yet more reasons on why I need a clone. Hah!
Writing AdviceWhat Went Wrong with Season 2 of “True Detective”? Cautionary Lessons for Writers by Kristen Lamb.
Third Person, Present Tense Is My Space Jam by Chuck (NSFW) Wendig.
Have a great one!
Fan Fun
Westworld Teaser Trailer - HBO - Ooohhhh!!!!!!
SQUEEE! SQUEEEEE! SQUEEEEEEE! Star Wars Episode 7 The Force Awakens Official Comic-Con 2015 Reel. SQUEEEE!!!!!! Behind the scenes awesomeness!
Colony - USA - Official Trailer - Looks interesting for sure! Sweet!
Into The Badlands Season 1 ComicCon Trailer - Oh this looks good!
Social Media/Author PlatformTwitter Removes 140-Character Limit for Direct Messages: This Week in Social Media - article by Cindy King at the Social Media Examiner.
6 Ways to Improve Engagement With Social Media Content by Heidi Thompson at the Social Media Examiner. Yet more reasons on why I need a clone. Hah!
Writing AdviceWhat Went Wrong with Season 2 of “True Detective”? Cautionary Lessons for Writers by Kristen Lamb.
Third Person, Present Tense Is My Space Jam by Chuck (NSFW) Wendig.
Have a great one!
August 16, 2015
Virtual Tourist - TERA 8/16/15
Hope you've had a great weekend so far!
TERA
Southern Arun
Ostgarath
Castanica
I am so in love with this street!
The city of my race - Castanics - LOVE their signs!
Roses are everywhere!
And all sorts of things glowing things! :)
A closeup on the cool fiery signs
Isn't this thing wickedly cool and pretty?
Different angle
And out into the lands by the city.
Lots of glowing flora
Harsh but beautiful
Nature's lamppost?
Ash, fire, sulfur!
Darkness eternal...
Our first outpost outside the city.
It's already Sunday. Make it count! :P
TERA
Southern Arun
Ostgarath
Castanica
I am so in love with this street!
The city of my race - Castanics - LOVE their signs!
Roses are everywhere!
And all sorts of things glowing things! :)
A closeup on the cool fiery signs
Isn't this thing wickedly cool and pretty?
Different angle
And out into the lands by the city.
Lots of glowing flora
Harsh but beautiful
Nature's lamppost?
Ash, fire, sulfur!
Darkness eternal...
Our first outpost outside the city.
It's already Sunday. Make it count! :P
August 14, 2015
Movie Review - Mr. Holmes
Mr. Holmes
Starring: Ian McKellen, Laura Linney, Milo Parker, Hiroyuki Sanada, Hattie Morahan, Patrick Kennedy, Roger Allam, Phillip Davis, Frances de la Tour, Charles Maddox, Takako Akashi, and more.
Directed by: Bill Condon Screenplay by: Jeffrey Hatcher Based on the Novel by: Mitch Cullin Based on Characters Created by: Arthur Conan Doyle Cinematography by: Tobias A. Schliessler Music by: Carter Burwell
Premise: 93 year old Sherlock Holmes is living in the country, caring for bees and trying different methods with which to combat the growing gaps in his memory. He's befriended by the housekeeper's son, Roger, who encourages Holmes to write the true story of his last case - the one which drove him to stop being a detective, and one whose particulars he can no longer recollect. (Rated PG)
Review:
1) Acting - Total Thumbs Up: Ian McKellen was outstanding in this film. Playing a character aged 93 and then the same character 30 years prior, he did a marvelous job showing vitality in the latter, and growing disability in the former. He also masterfully intertwined some mannerism from Jeremy Brett when first greeting his client for this final case (the way he sat was so familiar it sent shivers of familiarity over my skin).
Laura Linney played a very subdued, yet vital part as Mrs. Munro, Sherlock's current housekeeper. Between fear for her and her son's future, putting up with Holmes, and her deep anger at the husband who died on them in the war, she adds a wonderful layer to film. As her relationship shift and changes between her, her son, and her difficult employer, she shifts between enemy, employee, and more.
Milo Parker was a total delight. His emotions were easy to read - his eagerness as his young mind clamps onto the opportunity to have discourse with such a learned man and learn from him - his anger at the betrayal he feels at his mother. The fact he's found his place, yet realizing others might have different plans, whether he likes them or not.
Those who've watched a lot of BBC programs will find a lot of familiar faces in the film. :)
2) Plot/Story - Thumbs Up: This is not a happy story - nothing dealing with the diminishing faculties of one's mind could ever be - so if you hate that kind of thing, this film is not for you. I felt it ended in a high note (as high as you could get with your faculties still going down hill), but hubby did not feel the same at all.
I thought there was a lot to love about the film. It's based on a novel called A Slight Trick of the Mind. I've not read it, so I can't say one way or another on how faithful the film was to the novel - though this type of thing normally works better in a written form.
Sherlock Holmes fans will find a lot to like. Lots of little quips, name dropping, points of contention and pokes of fun. And of course something most of us never envision - The Man himself having to fight the biggest crime to humanity and unable to do a thing about it - the deterioration of a mind.
Reality merges and clashes as Sherlock tries to recover bits and clumps of memory he's lost. Using the pretext of wanting to write a story about his last case, Sherlock realizes the boy is a catalyst and he might finally be able to do as he's been wanting to for some time. As he struggles with this, another mystery or two arise, and at times these mix up together in his mind.
The pace is slow, the audiences getting the same bits and pieces as Sherlock, and even other hints totally unseen by the great detective, as they are too close to home. I thought it worked well for the piece, but others might not.
3) Locations/Cinematography - Total Thumbs Up: The seaside farm house in Sussex, England was a beautiful spot for the central location of the film. The flashback scenes on his last case were set in London - including the location for 221B Baker Street. The scenes in Japan were done there and in the UK. Hiroshima years after the bombings still reeled from the war, the forests nothing but ash, and we even get a view of the iconic domed building from that city. These great locations and the attention to detail gave the film lots of flavor.
4) Costuming/Makeup - Total Thumbs Up: The makeup work on this film was superb! Integrated with Mr. McKellen's fabulous acting work, they totally sold the image of a 93 year old Sherlock vs. one 30 years younger and both played by the same man. The film had a lot of close ups, so scrutiny was immediate - and it was perfect. Major kudos! The costuming was also top notch work. The mixed Eastern and Western styles in 1947 occupied Japan, British styles for both 1917 and 1947. The clothes made easy markers for the audience to keep them grounded in the particular year being covered.
Conclusion: Mr. Holmes is a slow, simmering film placing the greatest detective mind ever known to deal with the same issues and fears suffered by anyone with a diminishing brain capacity. I would suggest bringing a hanky, just in case. A different viewpoint for Sherlock Holmes fans, but the style and pacing may not be to the tastes of all movie watchers.
Rating: 3.75 out of 4 (Hubby's Rating: Better for Matinee)
Starring: Ian McKellen, Laura Linney, Milo Parker, Hiroyuki Sanada, Hattie Morahan, Patrick Kennedy, Roger Allam, Phillip Davis, Frances de la Tour, Charles Maddox, Takako Akashi, and more.
Directed by: Bill Condon Screenplay by: Jeffrey Hatcher Based on the Novel by: Mitch Cullin Based on Characters Created by: Arthur Conan Doyle Cinematography by: Tobias A. Schliessler Music by: Carter Burwell
Premise: 93 year old Sherlock Holmes is living in the country, caring for bees and trying different methods with which to combat the growing gaps in his memory. He's befriended by the housekeeper's son, Roger, who encourages Holmes to write the true story of his last case - the one which drove him to stop being a detective, and one whose particulars he can no longer recollect. (Rated PG)
Review:
1) Acting - Total Thumbs Up: Ian McKellen was outstanding in this film. Playing a character aged 93 and then the same character 30 years prior, he did a marvelous job showing vitality in the latter, and growing disability in the former. He also masterfully intertwined some mannerism from Jeremy Brett when first greeting his client for this final case (the way he sat was so familiar it sent shivers of familiarity over my skin).
Laura Linney played a very subdued, yet vital part as Mrs. Munro, Sherlock's current housekeeper. Between fear for her and her son's future, putting up with Holmes, and her deep anger at the husband who died on them in the war, she adds a wonderful layer to film. As her relationship shift and changes between her, her son, and her difficult employer, she shifts between enemy, employee, and more.
Milo Parker was a total delight. His emotions were easy to read - his eagerness as his young mind clamps onto the opportunity to have discourse with such a learned man and learn from him - his anger at the betrayal he feels at his mother. The fact he's found his place, yet realizing others might have different plans, whether he likes them or not.
Those who've watched a lot of BBC programs will find a lot of familiar faces in the film. :)
2) Plot/Story - Thumbs Up: This is not a happy story - nothing dealing with the diminishing faculties of one's mind could ever be - so if you hate that kind of thing, this film is not for you. I felt it ended in a high note (as high as you could get with your faculties still going down hill), but hubby did not feel the same at all.
I thought there was a lot to love about the film. It's based on a novel called A Slight Trick of the Mind. I've not read it, so I can't say one way or another on how faithful the film was to the novel - though this type of thing normally works better in a written form.
Sherlock Holmes fans will find a lot to like. Lots of little quips, name dropping, points of contention and pokes of fun. And of course something most of us never envision - The Man himself having to fight the biggest crime to humanity and unable to do a thing about it - the deterioration of a mind.
Reality merges and clashes as Sherlock tries to recover bits and clumps of memory he's lost. Using the pretext of wanting to write a story about his last case, Sherlock realizes the boy is a catalyst and he might finally be able to do as he's been wanting to for some time. As he struggles with this, another mystery or two arise, and at times these mix up together in his mind.
The pace is slow, the audiences getting the same bits and pieces as Sherlock, and even other hints totally unseen by the great detective, as they are too close to home. I thought it worked well for the piece, but others might not.
3) Locations/Cinematography - Total Thumbs Up: The seaside farm house in Sussex, England was a beautiful spot for the central location of the film. The flashback scenes on his last case were set in London - including the location for 221B Baker Street. The scenes in Japan were done there and in the UK. Hiroshima years after the bombings still reeled from the war, the forests nothing but ash, and we even get a view of the iconic domed building from that city. These great locations and the attention to detail gave the film lots of flavor.
4) Costuming/Makeup - Total Thumbs Up: The makeup work on this film was superb! Integrated with Mr. McKellen's fabulous acting work, they totally sold the image of a 93 year old Sherlock vs. one 30 years younger and both played by the same man. The film had a lot of close ups, so scrutiny was immediate - and it was perfect. Major kudos! The costuming was also top notch work. The mixed Eastern and Western styles in 1947 occupied Japan, British styles for both 1917 and 1947. The clothes made easy markers for the audience to keep them grounded in the particular year being covered.
Conclusion: Mr. Holmes is a slow, simmering film placing the greatest detective mind ever known to deal with the same issues and fears suffered by anyone with a diminishing brain capacity. I would suggest bringing a hanky, just in case. A different viewpoint for Sherlock Holmes fans, but the style and pacing may not be to the tastes of all movie watchers.
Rating: 3.75 out of 4 (Hubby's Rating: Better for Matinee)
August 12, 2015
Picture Kaleidoscope 8/12/15
Morning!
Let's see what I can share today. :)
The River Zion by Jon Secord at Earthshots.org. I love the connection with the river, as if it has gone from the ground to the sky. :) He's got lots if nice shots at his site as well!
Green Pool by Brandon Nixon at Earthshorts.org. So peaceful!
Brandon Nixon has a lovely site too! It includes mountains, landscapes, real estate, and more! He's putting that camera to all sorts of uses. :) (Dang - love that mountain shot!)
I Quit My Job and Spent 3 Years Visiting 60 Countries with My Camera by Walter Chang at PetaPixel.com I can't even imagine doing that. He got some great shots too!
Portraits of a Baby Boy and Bulldog Who Were Born on the Same Day by Michael Zhang at Petapixel, Photography by Ivette Ivens. OMG - they're so adorable!!!!
Have a great day!
Let's see what I can share today. :)
The River Zion by Jon Secord at Earthshots.org. I love the connection with the river, as if it has gone from the ground to the sky. :) He's got lots if nice shots at his site as well!
Green Pool by Brandon Nixon at Earthshorts.org. So peaceful!
Brandon Nixon has a lovely site too! It includes mountains, landscapes, real estate, and more! He's putting that camera to all sorts of uses. :) (Dang - love that mountain shot!)
I Quit My Job and Spent 3 Years Visiting 60 Countries with My Camera by Walter Chang at PetaPixel.com I can't even imagine doing that. He got some great shots too!
Portraits of a Baby Boy and Bulldog Who Were Born on the Same Day by Michael Zhang at Petapixel, Photography by Ivette Ivens. OMG - they're so adorable!!!!
Have a great day!
August 10, 2015
Mind Sieve 8/10/15
I am feeling lucky today. Let's see if I can get a full Mind Sieve post out today... Heh heh
Fan Fun
Deadpool Teaser Trailer - Oh my!
Queen of the Desert Official Trailer - looks fascinating!
Sherlock Series 4 Promo #2 - Moriarty is BACK?!?!?!
The Last Witch Hunter New Official Trailer - looks fab! Can't wait!
Social Media/Author PlatformHow to Create a Promoted Pin Campaign on a Budget by Wade Harman at The Social Media Examiner.
How to Host and Promote a Twitter Chat by Aaron Lee at The Social Media Examiner.
Writing AdviceAre You Dreaming or Doing? by Jami Gold.
Flawed Characters vs. Too Dumb to Live—What’s the Difference? by Kristen Lamb.
Woohoo! I actually made it! YES! But can I do it again?!?! Eek!
Fan Fun
Deadpool Teaser Trailer - Oh my!
Queen of the Desert Official Trailer - looks fascinating!
Sherlock Series 4 Promo #2 - Moriarty is BACK?!?!?!
The Last Witch Hunter New Official Trailer - looks fab! Can't wait!
Social Media/Author PlatformHow to Create a Promoted Pin Campaign on a Budget by Wade Harman at The Social Media Examiner.
How to Host and Promote a Twitter Chat by Aaron Lee at The Social Media Examiner.
Writing AdviceAre You Dreaming or Doing? by Jami Gold.
Flawed Characters vs. Too Dumb to Live—What’s the Difference? by Kristen Lamb.
Woohoo! I actually made it! YES! But can I do it again?!?! Eek!
August 9, 2015
Virtual Tourist - TERA 8/9/15
Morning!
TERA
Dragon Temple
This place is so cool! :)
Yes, skulls do add just the right touch! :)
About to run into trouble.
Impressive
Ewwwwww
Look at that ceiling!
Super nasty dude.
There's a guy in the shell driving it! Dang!
Love the atmosphere.
Lovely! Taking scales to a whole new level.
And ending with this little beauty
Closer view of that ceiling
Mummified dragon head?
Nice columns
Blood fountain. That can't bode well. Ack! Forgot to take the UI out. Grrr.
Have a fantastic Sunday!
TERA
Dragon Temple
This place is so cool! :)
Yes, skulls do add just the right touch! :)
About to run into trouble.
Impressive
Ewwwwww
Look at that ceiling!
Super nasty dude.
There's a guy in the shell driving it! Dang!
Love the atmosphere.
Lovely! Taking scales to a whole new level.
And ending with this little beauty
Closer view of that ceiling
Mummified dragon head?
Nice columns
Blood fountain. That can't bode well. Ack! Forgot to take the UI out. Grrr.
Have a fantastic Sunday!
August 7, 2015
Movie Review - Fantastic 4
Fantastic 4
Starring: Miles Teller, Michael B. Jordan, Kate Mara, Jamie Bell, Toby Kebbell, Reg E. Cathey, Tim Blake Nelson, Owen Judge, Evan Hannemann, Dan Castellaneta, and more.
Directed by: Josh Trank Screenplay by: Simon Kinberg, Jeremy Slater, and Josh Trank Based on Characters Created by: Jack Kirby and Stan Lee Cinematography by: Matthew Jensen Music by: Marco Beltrami and Philip Glass
Premise: Despite the opinions of his teacher and his peers, Reed Richards continues to work at making his dream of inventing a form of teleporation a reality. With Ben Grimm at his side, he makes enough headway to get himself noticed by an unexpected source. Dr. Franklin Storm believes Reed has stumbled upon the answer which has been holding back his own dimensional travel program. He gives Reed a full scholarship to come learn and work at the Baxter building. Bringing back a disgruntled Victor Von Doom, and his own authority bucking son, Johnny, into the mix, he uses his adopted daughter, Sue, to hold them together long enough to create wonders. But when the opportunity to be the first people to go to the other world is suddenly denied them, the young scientists decide to go for a ride despite them. And things go wrong. (Rated PG-13)
Review:
1) Acting - Thumbs Up: The young actors Owen Judge and Evan Hannemann did a fantastic job setting up the audience and getting us to connect with Reed Richards and Ben Grimm. Miles Teller and Jamie Bell pick up from there as the story rolls forward seven years. Kate Mara does a different take on Sue Storm, making her more of a loner than previous incarnations. It was great fun watching Reed trying to connect with her despite her own reservations. Michael B. Jordan also did very well as the authority clashing Johnny Storm. Toby Kebbell was grim and distrustful as Victor, but he too could be surprised.
2) Special Effects - Total Thumbs Up: There were a lot of cool CGI effects in the film. The dimensional globe was quite impressive, especially when we see the first version of it in Reed's garage. The setup of his science project version made it look very impressive, even if his teacher didn't think so.
Johnny's flame and Ben's rock skin looked great. And they did a fabulous job of actually letting Mr. Fantastic use his stretch skills effectively. Sue's fields and bubbles also got a spiffy look.
The green goo on planet Zero was super cool. Loved the cracks. The swirling gas and bioelectric micro-lightning looked great. And what happens after that? Very nice.
The planet, however, was not cool. If I see one more alien planet with 45 degree angled rocks jutting from the ground everywhere, I'm going to SCREAM! It's an alien planet, for pete's sake, use your imagination! With CGI you can make the planet look like anything! So why is it that everyone is using the same setup? 45 degree angled rocks are becoming a visual cliche in science fiction movies. I don't understand why they're overusing them like this? Why? (As I saw it for the first time through the camera screen, I kept expecting Riddick to step out from behind one of the angled rocks and take a pot shot at them...:P)
3) Plot/Story - Neutral: I knew from the commercials the film was not going to be cannon. Dimensional travel instead of space travel, super young people instead of late twenties to mid thirties, got it. I went to see it totally prepared for all that and more. And to give them credit, the first half was fabulous! Totally loved how they started the story and swept us up in the tale. Which made the second half, once things actually go bad plotwise, a complete and total copout! *cry*
**(SPOILERS!) WARNING WARNING WARNING (SPOILERS!)**
Sue keeps the guys focused, Sue makes the suits to keep everyone safe, Sue gets promised, like the rest, that she will get to go on the first voyage...And she's bummed like the rest when they take the opportunity away...But the guys go off to get drunk, decide they're going anyway, and NEVER called her! They bring in Ben (who I did think should go) but left her out! They never even thought of her. If I was her, I would have been FURIOUS! Horrible turnout be dammed. Heck, she might have kept them all safe! Yet she spent all this time all this work and they forget her? Then, since she gets her powers as part of an energy discharge when the group comes back, they're just actually subliminally implying she won't be as powerful as the rest. Well Grrrrrr. (Though at least she did get pattern recognition and intelligence, so it could have been worse...) (And really, it was a cheap plot shot to just make four travel canisters instead of five.)
Victor...you are a genius. yet you stupidly put you hand into reactive energy on an alien planet without taking scans, precautions, or anything else. Really? Worse, you decide to suck the Earth into a blackhole for no real good reason. Worse, if you can make a syphoning interdimensional conduit from pure power and rocks, why didn't you use that to open a portal to come back yourself? The character of Dr. Doom in the comics is scary because he defeats people with who have superhuman powers with his intelligence! But no, let's just make him smart but then give him a ton of super natural power which he will waste stupidly blowing people's heads off for no real reason. UGH!
Reed...You ran away. At first I thought, good, so you can collect your thoughts, make a plan, and come back to save the others. But no. For a full year, you just run around. You've controlled your power, you can make yourself look like anyone. You know Sue looks for patterns, yet you never tried to contact your friends EVER! You only end up talking to them again because you got captured (great fight!), really, Reed? Really? You can create a dimensional rift with speakers and wire but not figure out a way to help the people you feel GUILTY about messing up? REALLY?
And talk about skipping reality fallout. An entire secret base is a giant hole in the ground with only four survivors - four survivors who are super powered. Yet they're instantly embraced as heroes rather than scapegoats for the loss of life and millions of dollars? Not like there was anyone there to back up their story. But our government just took them at their word? Let them quit and gave them everything they ever wanted? Yeah, right...
And finally, they get all sorts of goodies they ask for, but they don't end up owning the Baxter building and no 4 with a circle for the helicopter pad. Boo!
Ben Grimm keeping track of kills in the field? Double Boo! And not a single one of them moved to save a single human at the base or on the other dimension. They only cared about Franklin and didn't really even try to save him with an invisible shield or elastic push. Argh!
And last, but not least, what about the fact that though "being turned back to normal" is the giant motivation placard for which Ben is out there killing people, but by the end, it's not even a consideration anymore. Yet nothing had really changed to make him not want to go back. Come on!
**(END OF SPOILERS)**
No real surprises, no real twists, not even a Stan Lee cameo... Boo! Nothing at the end of the credit either. (Though Fantastic 4 #2 is already in the works.)
There are years and years and years of great Fantastic Four plots out in the comic verse, yet this is what they went with... Sigh...
4) Stunts - Total Thumbs Up: Nice work for the stunt people and interlaced CGI. Watching Ben Grimm (The Thing) kick some booty with bad guy military peeps? Awesome! (Killing count - not so awesome.) The facility personnel and their bad travails toward the end were nicely done.
Conclusion: Fantastic 4 had a great first half, then threw all that work away by shoving in an unimaginative and not well thought out problem, assuming audiences would be satisfied with just bright lights and action. So they threw the whole thing away. Boo!
Rating: 3 out of 5 (Hubby's Rating: Worth Full Price of Admission)
Starring: Miles Teller, Michael B. Jordan, Kate Mara, Jamie Bell, Toby Kebbell, Reg E. Cathey, Tim Blake Nelson, Owen Judge, Evan Hannemann, Dan Castellaneta, and more.
Directed by: Josh Trank Screenplay by: Simon Kinberg, Jeremy Slater, and Josh Trank Based on Characters Created by: Jack Kirby and Stan Lee Cinematography by: Matthew Jensen Music by: Marco Beltrami and Philip Glass
Premise: Despite the opinions of his teacher and his peers, Reed Richards continues to work at making his dream of inventing a form of teleporation a reality. With Ben Grimm at his side, he makes enough headway to get himself noticed by an unexpected source. Dr. Franklin Storm believes Reed has stumbled upon the answer which has been holding back his own dimensional travel program. He gives Reed a full scholarship to come learn and work at the Baxter building. Bringing back a disgruntled Victor Von Doom, and his own authority bucking son, Johnny, into the mix, he uses his adopted daughter, Sue, to hold them together long enough to create wonders. But when the opportunity to be the first people to go to the other world is suddenly denied them, the young scientists decide to go for a ride despite them. And things go wrong. (Rated PG-13)
Review:
1) Acting - Thumbs Up: The young actors Owen Judge and Evan Hannemann did a fantastic job setting up the audience and getting us to connect with Reed Richards and Ben Grimm. Miles Teller and Jamie Bell pick up from there as the story rolls forward seven years. Kate Mara does a different take on Sue Storm, making her more of a loner than previous incarnations. It was great fun watching Reed trying to connect with her despite her own reservations. Michael B. Jordan also did very well as the authority clashing Johnny Storm. Toby Kebbell was grim and distrustful as Victor, but he too could be surprised.
2) Special Effects - Total Thumbs Up: There were a lot of cool CGI effects in the film. The dimensional globe was quite impressive, especially when we see the first version of it in Reed's garage. The setup of his science project version made it look very impressive, even if his teacher didn't think so.
Johnny's flame and Ben's rock skin looked great. And they did a fabulous job of actually letting Mr. Fantastic use his stretch skills effectively. Sue's fields and bubbles also got a spiffy look.
The green goo on planet Zero was super cool. Loved the cracks. The swirling gas and bioelectric micro-lightning looked great. And what happens after that? Very nice.
The planet, however, was not cool. If I see one more alien planet with 45 degree angled rocks jutting from the ground everywhere, I'm going to SCREAM! It's an alien planet, for pete's sake, use your imagination! With CGI you can make the planet look like anything! So why is it that everyone is using the same setup? 45 degree angled rocks are becoming a visual cliche in science fiction movies. I don't understand why they're overusing them like this? Why? (As I saw it for the first time through the camera screen, I kept expecting Riddick to step out from behind one of the angled rocks and take a pot shot at them...:P)
3) Plot/Story - Neutral: I knew from the commercials the film was not going to be cannon. Dimensional travel instead of space travel, super young people instead of late twenties to mid thirties, got it. I went to see it totally prepared for all that and more. And to give them credit, the first half was fabulous! Totally loved how they started the story and swept us up in the tale. Which made the second half, once things actually go bad plotwise, a complete and total copout! *cry*
**(SPOILERS!) WARNING WARNING WARNING (SPOILERS!)**
Sue keeps the guys focused, Sue makes the suits to keep everyone safe, Sue gets promised, like the rest, that she will get to go on the first voyage...And she's bummed like the rest when they take the opportunity away...But the guys go off to get drunk, decide they're going anyway, and NEVER called her! They bring in Ben (who I did think should go) but left her out! They never even thought of her. If I was her, I would have been FURIOUS! Horrible turnout be dammed. Heck, she might have kept them all safe! Yet she spent all this time all this work and they forget her? Then, since she gets her powers as part of an energy discharge when the group comes back, they're just actually subliminally implying she won't be as powerful as the rest. Well Grrrrrr. (Though at least she did get pattern recognition and intelligence, so it could have been worse...) (And really, it was a cheap plot shot to just make four travel canisters instead of five.)
Victor...you are a genius. yet you stupidly put you hand into reactive energy on an alien planet without taking scans, precautions, or anything else. Really? Worse, you decide to suck the Earth into a blackhole for no real good reason. Worse, if you can make a syphoning interdimensional conduit from pure power and rocks, why didn't you use that to open a portal to come back yourself? The character of Dr. Doom in the comics is scary because he defeats people with who have superhuman powers with his intelligence! But no, let's just make him smart but then give him a ton of super natural power which he will waste stupidly blowing people's heads off for no real reason. UGH!
Reed...You ran away. At first I thought, good, so you can collect your thoughts, make a plan, and come back to save the others. But no. For a full year, you just run around. You've controlled your power, you can make yourself look like anyone. You know Sue looks for patterns, yet you never tried to contact your friends EVER! You only end up talking to them again because you got captured (great fight!), really, Reed? Really? You can create a dimensional rift with speakers and wire but not figure out a way to help the people you feel GUILTY about messing up? REALLY?
And talk about skipping reality fallout. An entire secret base is a giant hole in the ground with only four survivors - four survivors who are super powered. Yet they're instantly embraced as heroes rather than scapegoats for the loss of life and millions of dollars? Not like there was anyone there to back up their story. But our government just took them at their word? Let them quit and gave them everything they ever wanted? Yeah, right...
And finally, they get all sorts of goodies they ask for, but they don't end up owning the Baxter building and no 4 with a circle for the helicopter pad. Boo!
Ben Grimm keeping track of kills in the field? Double Boo! And not a single one of them moved to save a single human at the base or on the other dimension. They only cared about Franklin and didn't really even try to save him with an invisible shield or elastic push. Argh!
And last, but not least, what about the fact that though "being turned back to normal" is the giant motivation placard for which Ben is out there killing people, but by the end, it's not even a consideration anymore. Yet nothing had really changed to make him not want to go back. Come on!
**(END OF SPOILERS)**
No real surprises, no real twists, not even a Stan Lee cameo... Boo! Nothing at the end of the credit either. (Though Fantastic 4 #2 is already in the works.)
There are years and years and years of great Fantastic Four plots out in the comic verse, yet this is what they went with... Sigh...
4) Stunts - Total Thumbs Up: Nice work for the stunt people and interlaced CGI. Watching Ben Grimm (The Thing) kick some booty with bad guy military peeps? Awesome! (Killing count - not so awesome.) The facility personnel and their bad travails toward the end were nicely done.
Conclusion: Fantastic 4 had a great first half, then threw all that work away by shoving in an unimaginative and not well thought out problem, assuming audiences would be satisfied with just bright lights and action. So they threw the whole thing away. Boo!
Rating: 3 out of 5 (Hubby's Rating: Worth Full Price of Admission)
August 5, 2015
Picture Kaleidoscope 8/5/15
Good Morning!
Let's see some pics!
Petticoat Adjustment by Linn Smith at Earthshots.org Too cute! Sadly no website for Linn Smith. :(
A View To Remember by Artur Stanisz at Earthshots.org - The sun is at just the perfect spot, no?
Mountains by Artur Stanisz - he's got lots of lovely scenery pics! Prints for sale as well.
A lovely Redbarn panorama from Ed Mooney!
Music Visualized with Light Painting Photography by Michael Zhang at PetaPixel. Photography by Stephen Orlando. Cool concept!
Have a great day!
Let's see some pics!
Petticoat Adjustment by Linn Smith at Earthshots.org Too cute! Sadly no website for Linn Smith. :(
A View To Remember by Artur Stanisz at Earthshots.org - The sun is at just the perfect spot, no?
Mountains by Artur Stanisz - he's got lots of lovely scenery pics! Prints for sale as well.
A lovely Redbarn panorama from Ed Mooney!
Music Visualized with Light Painting Photography by Michael Zhang at PetaPixel. Photography by Stephen Orlando. Cool concept!
Have a great day!
