Sorry

This is the first time I posted here in a while and I must say that I am sorry to anyone who is reading this that I haven't posted here in such along time.  I am still enjoying films and still watch many, many films and I sill have a great passion for films in general and like I said I continue to watch pretty much everything.  Its just that I don't have the time to sit down for a few hours to write up stuff about them.  Now I did enjoy doing that sharing my thoughts with everyone, but at the moment I just don't have the time.  I could ramble on and on about how amazing The Avengers was or how Epic the Dark Knight Rises was but like I said it all comes down to time.

This blog was meant to be something fun kinda like a hobby and not a serious job like thing
but hopefully in a the next little while I'll have a chance to come back and continue to do this
but until that time I hope you enjoy all the previous ones and found them at least helpful in
some way.

The Great Debate Star Wars Vs. Star Trek

With this Video the debate continues what is better: Star Wars or Star Trek?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BYNdTHjstI


So I think I'm going to weigh in on this thing
I also have various Ideas about the 2. Personally I always felt
that Star Trek was very claustrophobic at times were most of it
took place on the Enterprise or some other ship. True they did go
to different worlds and had different things going on but still the
majority of it took place in this enclosed space. Now I can't say that
I ever been a true fan of Star Trek I do like many of the ideas that it
puts forth like replicators, HoloDecks, characters such as Data and
the idea that humanity put aside its pettiness and is work toward a
common goal. But as a whole I can't say I truly enjoyed Star Trek.
in my opinion the saving grace of the franchise was the new movie
by jj abrams I greatly enjoyed that movie and it was amazing I think
that one movie was better then all the other Star Trek movies combined.
becasue it didn't have that feel of claustrophobia and was fast, fun
and exciting.

As for Star Wars I always felt that is was far more open they don't
spend all there time on ships. Also I felt Star Wars was more imaginative
with thing like all its creatures and aliens, In Star Trek everyone looks
humanoid. In Star Wars you have bug guys, Lizard guys, people like the
gungans and all that fun stuff.
Also Star Wars has more "personality" where things look used ships
have dings and scratches, paint scuffs, things are hanging off them.
It makes it more realistic where Star Trek is all clean and smooth
and molded round plastic.

Also timeline wise, the fun thing of Star Wars is that it could be
happening right now somewhere out there is the depths of space
which is a really cool idea. where Star Trek is in humanities future
like what the 23rd century and beyond.

Also Star Wars has a very interesting "mystical" aspect to it that
also ads to its fun, where Star Trek is pretty much straight forward
Science Fiction.

In the end its like trying to compare apples and oranges they
are both similar but different also this debate is is similar to the
one fans fraught over for year which is better Marvel or DC?
both have there strengths and their weakness it all comes down
to a personal choice.

The Muppets (2011)

I remember watching the Muppet show when i was a kid.
it was great I have many memories of it and how I enjoyed it
they were big when I was little. I remember watching the movies
"The Muppet Movie", "The Great Muppet Caper",
and of course The Muppets Take Manhattan

But as time goes on things do go out of style somewhat
I remember when Jim Henson died.. one of the images I'll
never forget is I think it was from either Life or Time Magazine
on the over it had a directors chair that said Jim Henson on it
and Kermit hang off the top of it.

In my opinion He was a great man and a true visionary
as well as a creative genius the world needs more people
like him. Also in the film this is a scene what plays
tribute to him that made me smile. I think he would
have loved this movie.

But as I said as time goes on things go out of style
the Muppets had a few features in the 90s but I think
they did poorly and alot of them were direct to video.

They were all but forgotten then a few years ago
the Muppet Show had a anniversary it was something
like 30th? I'm not sure but there was renewed interest
for a while and then it faded off again.

The Muppets were pretty much forgotten..Until now.

The movie basically centers around two brothers
(one who is apparently a Muppet) who are life long
fans who take a trip to LA to visit Muppet Studios
and find out that an evil oil tycoon is planing
to tear now the beloved studio which has gone
into disrepair. The young Muppet Walter (voiced by Peter Linz)
must gather the Muppets (who have disbanded) together
again for one final show and reintroduce them to a world that has
moved on and pretty much forgotten them.

The over all story for this is simplistic but at the
same time it works so brilliantly for this movie
becasue this movie focuses more on the comedy then
anything else and I would have to say that this
film is funny, there were so many good jokes and
gags in this film. I don't want to give away anything
if you haven't seen it yet, but its not short on the
hilarity there was very little time that I wasn't smiling
and/or laughing at this. This film was also filled
with plenty of fond happy memories.

Like always with the Muppets there is singing in this
and the songs are not over done but are well put together
and at the same time funny. also what would the Muppets
be with out Celebrity guests the the list of names are
very long with people like Zach Galifianakis, Ken Jeong,
Sarah Silverman, Whoopi Goldberg,Neil Patrick Harris,
Selena Gomez and on and on one person I thought for sure
who would be in this was Justin Bieber but he wasn't
I guess he doesn't like the Muppets..
The only thing I didn't like about this movie
was the scene from the Trailer featuring Danny Trejo

The acting was perfect the comedy was a hit each time
and funny, The Muppet puppeteering and effects were
the best and any and all visual effects were seamlessly
excellent

This film was nothing short of amazing! Like I said it was
filled with fun, laughs, plenty of fond happy memories.
It shares a lovely message about the importance of
family and friendships and what can be done when we work
together and introduces a whole new generation to what the world
need more of, which is togetherness. It also shows you that even if you
feel out of place there is always somewhere that you'll fit in and were
you feel like you belong.

So I highly recommend this film, if you grew up with them
or just want to introduce your kids to the zany wackiness
that you enjoyed at a kid then, take them to see this they'll
lovely it, and you will too.


but sadly not everyone likes the Muppets...

Immortals (2011)

One man must rise against an unstoppable army, lead
his people and become Immortal...

This is loosely based off the stories of Theseus as
he goes on a quest to find the Epirus Bow and stop the
Evil King Hyperion. I wanted to see this becasue
the trailers looked very cool and I'm a fan of all the
Greek Mythology. Now this was quite the film all the action
and effect shots were amazing. The fights and the action were

very quick and brutal. This movie for one doesn't
pull any punches. Its uncompromising, Unflinching, vicious,
bloody and basically gory. Some scenes might make
you want to turn your head and wince, namely
the "Ball Busting" scene.

There are exploding heads and bodies in slow motion! Even though the
slow motion fights were very impressive they are extremely graphic
and...in 3D! with blood splashing towards you.
Speaking of 3D it was pretty good effect especially in the fast and
slow paced fights and yes there was even nudity..Nudity in 3D!

I would all so like to say I liked the production design as well as the
costumes they were excellently done. I loved all the various masks
Hyperion and his army wore. The Designs were all Unique and interesting
especially the one for "the Minotaur" Even though the production
design was very good they didn't do alot on a big scale it seemed that this
all tood place in the same general area. There was some Interesting landscapes
but not much. I think alot of the production went into the fine details.

One of the things That I thought really sold the movie was the music .
The Sound Track for this was incredible! The acting wasn't bad either
Mickey Rourke does a great villain and the guy soon to be the
New Man of Steel (Henry Cavill) was very good as well I would have to say
I believed in this anger and this reasons for rising up. as for Freida Pinto
she did well also especially in one key scene, you'll probably know the one
I'm talking about...

As for the story I felt it was kind of loose it reminded me of things like
Gladiator and the Scorpion King. The whole film seemed like it was a cross
between 300 and Clash of the Titans (2010). One of the major problems I had
with it was the depiction of the Gods to me they didn't seem very God like..
I for some reason expected something more I felt the Gods in movies like
Percy Jackson and Clash of the Titans (2010) were better compared to the ones
in this, but in the end..

If you are looking for some deep hysterical epic this is not that. If your looking for
something driven by pure action and visual effects then I think this is the one for you.

Puss in Boots (2011)

I remember there was talk about making a
solo Puss movie since the release of Shrek 3..?
and it finally arrived. I wanted to see it
becasue the character of Puss was such a
great character in the Shrek films I wanted to see
how he would be on his own.

Now I have to say it wasn't a bad movie
Antonio Banderas is truly the one who brings this
character to life. The films was superbly voiced by
Banderas, Salma Hayek and Zach Galifianakis who of
course play the character of Humpty Dumpty
and yes they continue with the fairy tales featuring the
above mentioned Humpty as well as Jack & Jill, little boy Blue
and the Bean stock complete with Golden Goose.

There wasn't alot of music in this like there is in Shrek.
There was some but in but it was very low key. Also it did
of course have some humor and odd funny moments such as the
"Dance Battle" and the action was very good, you did get to see
Puss flying all around and doing alot of Jack Sparrow style
stunts and sword fights.

As for the story I think this was meant to be possibly what happened
before he met Shrek. You see this "Origin Story" and he goes on
an adventure that makes him the famous/notorious character seen in
Shrek 2. All in all this wasn't a bad movie it was fun and exciting,
but I don't think it was as good as the Shrek Films but it is still worth
a watch if you liked them.

Real Steel (2011)

First off the main reason I went to see this
is becasue I like robots. and this has plenty of them!
and I would have to say that they make this movie
drip with cool but this movie is not only cool but it
is heart felt as well the human aspect is just as important
as the flashy robots duking it out.
the story is basically about this down and out
boxer (played by Hugh Jackman) who is trying to make
a living with a broken down old robot on the fringes of
the Sport. Then he finds out that the mother of this son has
passed away and he is the sole guardian of the young
boy (played by Dakota Goyo). he makes a deal with his
sister in law's husband to take the boy for the summer
while they go on vacation, as well as some money for signing the kid over to them.
both father and son are not thrilled to be together
but they try to make the best of it.
During a scrounging mission for parts in a junk yard
for parts they come across a broken down old robot named Atom
and take him back were they are staying at and have him fixed
up by Jackman's mechanic/roommate/childhood friend/Love interest
Bailey Tallet (played by Evangeline Lilly) the robot Atom
comes off as something special, something worth keeping and
the father and son go on the road and fight there way up
the ladder to an actually main event title shot for the
robot boxing league and along the way the boy learns more
and more about his father and the two bond over this shared
experience and Jackman's character learns that there is more important
things in life then money.

Now I know the story seems somewhat simplistic and it is
true, while watching this I leaned over to my friend that
went with me and said "I know where this is going, I know what
is going to happen" and sure enough I was right.
Now even with that I can't say it took way from the movie
at all. because the old saying goes "its not the destination
that matters its the journey" and I thought going from the
opening to the end credits was a very nice journey.
I would have to say that the movie itself was well crafted
it was excellently written as well as acted. I felt this
was a very powerful movie aside from all the robot action
which of course was expertly done and overly exciting
the Robots and the robot effects were jaw droppingly good.
but the human element was well handled. this wasn't
a movie that was all about the flashy robots but actually
had emotion and a very human feel to it.

Around the end of the movie was this really touching moment
where the boy gets to see how great this father was as a boxer
while he uses Atoms "Shadow Mode" (The robot mimics what the
control person does) and Evangeline Lilly character
gets to see him pretty much "fight one last fight"
that moment is so emotionally charged you want to jump up and
cheer.

Also talking about emotion I thought at many times the
robot Atom was developing a personality, as if he was becoming
alive with thought and feeling all its own..
There was a scene were Atom is sitting on a table and his
body is a bit slumped forward but its head is tilted towards
a full length mirror and it looks like it is looking at itself
as it is looking at its own reflection.
I thought for sure at that moment that the eyes would flash
or blink or it would say something or move in someway that
would show you that it had a spark of life.
It didn't of course but it makes you think that it did.

In the end this film was very good from start to finish
and alot of people were saying that it was just like
"Rocky but with Robots" and I would have to say that
the comparison is pretty correct, that is how I would
describe it its this generation's "Rocky" but that
aside this movie was amazing and I would have to say that
it is a must see.

Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)

Now I wanted to see this due to its prequelness
How did it become a Planet of the Apes?
it all apparently started with a brilliant young scientist played
by James Franco who is the leading expert in all things
to do with the brain as he works to solve and cure the mystery's
of Alzheimer's disease. What he is doing is very noble and
come from the heart because he wants to save his father
(played by John Lithgow) from the crippling disease.

He Develops a cure which seems to work on a Ape which
has been dubbed "Bright Eyes" but after and tragedy
in the lab they loose the ape, but Franco is left
with a small baby ape who is the new born son
of "Bright Eyes" Franco's character brings the
baby ape home to his ill fathers delight and
the two of them name the small chimp Caesar.

They soon find out how special this lil chimp
is as the experimental drug has been passed on
from mother to son and as Caesar's intelligences
grow the two men begin to raise his as a human child.

As Caesar becomes more intelligent by the day
and proves how much of a miracle the drug is
Franco's character uses it on his father which
in turn reverses the effect of Alzheimer's
for a short time.

After a incident with a neighbor involving
Caesar and his growing curiosity Faranco's
character along with his new Girlfriend and
veterinarian Caroline Aranha (played by Freida Pinto)
come to the decision that it is not right to
keep Caesar cooped up in the house and decided
to take him to a local national park and
show Caesar the beauty of the world and
and what it is like to be...free.

But sadly not everything goes so smoothly
as Caesar begins to question his place in
"Man's World" as well as the
treatments no longer having any effect
on Franco's father and after a second
incident with a neighbor Caesar
is taken from everything he has know
and is put in a Animal shelter.

Caesar quickly becomes displeased with humanity
and feels as though Franco's character has turned
his back on him even though he does do everything
he can to bring him home. Caesar rises to the
head of the other apes and starts a revolt while at
the same time franco tries to fix his
miracle cure with disastrous results...

First off I though this was an amazing movie.
it is truly one of the best of the year.
I liked how they included things such as lines and
saying from the original films. The acting
on this was no less then perfect. I really enjoyed
the performances from everyone especially
Andy Serkis who truly brought the ape of
Caesar to life. The writing was very good and
there was some "monkey business" going on
as in some jokes by the CG Apes.
But I would have to say the effects were
breathtaking and showed true emotion in their
presentation and animation.

Now I did want to say that the neighbor guy was a
real jerk. I felt that he was a total hot head in
both instances with Caesar. The first
one where he was going to hit him with the bat was
in my view uncalled for.
Also for the second with the car was as well he should
know that the old man (John Lithgow) was not well and
has Alzheimer's and that is no reason to be a jerk to him
Also true having Alzheimer's is not excuse either but still
the guy next door could have been a little more understanding.
As for Caesar attacking him well Caesar was protecting
his "family" from someone who was being overly aggressive
and yes that is no excuse either but still
I think the guy next door brought it upon himself.

Also the young guy at the animal sanctuary I believe he got what
he deserved as well. he was the greatest example of being a jerk.
If you want respect from the animals you have to show them respect.
that is why Caesar didn't want the other young guy hurt becasue he
didn't do anything to the apes unlike the one that was spraying
them with the hose and using the cattle prods on them.

Now even though this movie had a good story and I enjoyed
it, it does leave mw with a lot of questions..
mainly how does this fit into either version of "Planet of the Apes"?
it doesn't seem to line up with either the Charlton Heston version
or the Tim Burton version featuring Mark Wahlberg.

Both take place in the future where both Heston and Wahlberg
are space explores who get sucked into a lets say
"Time Anomaly" which shoots them into a even further future
where earth is apparently ruled by a society of super
intelligent talk apes.
But then again this movie take place in present day...
How does this fit into the already established continuity?
Personally I thought this in a way synced up with
the Tim Burton version best due to the ending of that film.
and I was told there was a scene in after the initial credits
so I thought you would see the main ape from Burton's appear in the
POD and changing the past leading to the end of Burton's version but
that didn't happen instead you get a somewhat explanation on how
the human population declines, but that still doesn't explain
how the intelligent apes from San Fransisco get to places like
Australia and Japan? Also how do you get back to the first
film? Where astronauts crash on "the planet of the Apes"?
If your really paying attention there is new footage on a
TV in the background about the first maned mission to Mars and then
in a following scene you see a Newspaper headline saying the
shuttle has been lost in space. Which you could say is an
explanation and how this links up but I feel that it is so off
to the side and "blink and you'll miss it" that is feels more like
they are just covering their ass story wise then anything else.

But other then that is this an amazing movie and is worth seeing
it has a good story, some nice action and amazing effects. you shouldn't
be dis a pointed.