Ralph Breaks The Internet
(2018)
Watched at a theater on 11/27/2018
While I liked it (admittedly I did check the time during the movie's 3rd act), I did not like it as much as the first one. The dialogue was more simplistic, more child-like. There was one scene with lots of familiar female characters that could probably hold a child's attention had tons of innuendo that probably would only resinate with an adult about the relation of women in determining their "roles". There was so much corporate name placement in this film, that I laughed not sure if that was the desired reaction. While the audience demographic might have been young, I wish the story had been more mature and fully formed. One quick non-speaking cameo of a recently deceased (in our reality) individual gave me pause and sadness,
I saw the relationship with Vanellope looking up to Shank as a mother/hero (like oh maybe, WONDERWOMAN?) figure.
Tuesday, November 27, 2018
Posted to the Screen Junkies -- Honest Trailer Commentary of "ELF"
published 11/27/2018
Posted 11/27/2018:
Some of my favorite/modern classic Christmas/holiday movies (ok TV, but many made it to the big screen via Fathom series) are from the modern era (our 21st century) of Doctor Who. In order of importance (to me): The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe (S7--12/25/2011), A Christmas Carol (S6--12/25/2010), Last Christmas (S9--12/25/2014), The Christmas Invasion (S2--09/29/2006), The Next Doctor (2008-the one with David Morrissey), The Snowmen (S7E6--12/25/12).
published 11/27/2018
Posted 11/27/2018:
Some of my favorite/modern classic Christmas/holiday movies (ok TV, but many made it to the big screen via Fathom series) are from the modern era (our 21st century) of Doctor Who. In order of importance (to me): The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe (S7--12/25/2011), A Christmas Carol (S6--12/25/2010), Last Christmas (S9--12/25/2014), The Christmas Invasion (S2--09/29/2006), The Next Doctor (2008-the one with David Morrissey), The Snowmen (S7E6--12/25/12).
Saturday, November 24, 2018
Bill Maher on the death of Stan Lee
(November 11-22, 2018)
Posted to Double Toasted video published 11/22/18:
I have in the past found Bill Maher's bluntness and humor entertaining, even informative. I just wish he voiced his opinions when Stan Lee was alive and able to respond. Kind of ignorant and arrogant to chose this time and place to unload his own prejudices. Wonder what Bill Maher's opinion is on Greek Mythology, Aesop's Fables, and Hans Christian Andersen? Since Bill Maher is so fond of books without images, let me give him a suggestion: The Power of Myth by Joseph Campbell and Bill Moyers. Might be informative, should he be willing to increase his understanding of literature, history and imagination.
(November 11-22, 2018)
Posted to Double Toasted video published 11/22/18:
I have in the past found Bill Maher's bluntness and humor entertaining, even informative. I just wish he voiced his opinions when Stan Lee was alive and able to respond. Kind of ignorant and arrogant to chose this time and place to unload his own prejudices. Wonder what Bill Maher's opinion is on Greek Mythology, Aesop's Fables, and Hans Christian Andersen? Since Bill Maher is so fond of books without images, let me give him a suggestion: The Power of Myth by Joseph Campbell and Bill Moyers. Might be informative, should he be willing to increase his understanding of literature, history and imagination.
Friday, November 16, 2018
Fantastic Beasts 2: The Crimes of Grindelwald
PG-13 2 hours 14 minutes
This movie could have been better, but (as a long time fan of HP) I was entertained. I have a feeling that this movie's major problem was series-its. I base my assumption on news that there will be 3 more of these in our future. So Warner probably took 3 square pegs (aka sensible scripts not an ancient tv show) and pounded them into 5 round holes (aka we need to build an addition at Wizarding World). And as for the Star Wars prequels being better than we thought, 2 words: Jar-Jar. Let's not forget Anakin's problem with sand (and personal boundaries).
I enjoyed Fantastic Beasts:The Crimes of Grindelwald. While not my favorite movie, I was not bored or checking the run time. I think the problems started, not with the Director, but with the format. The Fantastic Beasts series is scheduled to be (total) 5 films. I think what we just saw was the "sophomore slump" or using another analogy, an early move in a long chess match. While I would rate this movie as Fresh (Rotten Tomatoes), I could not in good conscience recommend this film to someone unfamiliar with the books and movies of this world so maybe my fandom is affecting my rating.
I enjoyed this movie, admittedly not as much as the Harry Potter movies or even the 1st Fantastic Beasts. I think the problem probably began with studio instructions to expand Fantastic Beasts to 5 parts (aka movies and/or cash-grabs). The truly scary (and muggle) thought that occurs to me is that if next 3 are even a moderate success, will the studio order more screenplays further diluting this world? Ironically that would be the opposite of the definition of (slightly magical) concept of alchemy (making ordinary metal into gold).
While I was entertained (no time checks) I can see this movie's flaws, too many people, too many subplots, too much action/exposition and not enough magic. I wonder if the decision to make this series run 5 films was the studio's idea? Possibly it also was the studio's idea to throw in all that exposition. Sadly (or perhaps through greed) they do not want to "force" people to allot the time to read the Harry Potter novels and to watch all the Harry Potter movies. Those books (and movies) not only had magic as a theme, but made me long for a real-life Hogwarts (and I did not even want to go to sleep-away summer camp). May the magic return in part 3 (and 4 and 5).
This panel said it, without the assistance of books absorbed into our brains, it is hard to follow the logic concerning some of the plot and characters. With 5 films (and potentially having no magical abilities) we are left in the middle of a journey without GPS only our trust in J. K. Rowling. I will continue on the journey, but many may not.
No extra scenes in closing credits, just some animation.
No zinger, short scene at the end of closing credits.
PG-13 2 hours 14 minutes
This movie could have been better, but (as a long time fan of HP) I was entertained. I have a feeling that this movie's major problem was series-its. I base my assumption on news that there will be 3 more of these in our future. So Warner probably took 3 square pegs (aka sensible scripts not an ancient tv show) and pounded them into 5 round holes (aka we need to build an addition at Wizarding World). And as for the Star Wars prequels being better than we thought, 2 words: Jar-Jar. Let's not forget Anakin's problem with sand (and personal boundaries).
I enjoyed Fantastic Beasts:The Crimes of Grindelwald. While not my favorite movie, I was not bored or checking the run time. I think the problems started, not with the Director, but with the format. The Fantastic Beasts series is scheduled to be (total) 5 films. I think what we just saw was the "sophomore slump" or using another analogy, an early move in a long chess match. While I would rate this movie as Fresh (Rotten Tomatoes), I could not in good conscience recommend this film to someone unfamiliar with the books and movies of this world so maybe my fandom is affecting my rating.
I enjoyed this movie, admittedly not as much as the Harry Potter movies or even the 1st Fantastic Beasts. I think the problem probably began with studio instructions to expand Fantastic Beasts to 5 parts (aka movies and/or cash-grabs). The truly scary (and muggle) thought that occurs to me is that if next 3 are even a moderate success, will the studio order more screenplays further diluting this world? Ironically that would be the opposite of the definition of (slightly magical) concept of alchemy (making ordinary metal into gold).
While I was entertained (no time checks) I can see this movie's flaws, too many people, too many subplots, too much action/exposition and not enough magic. I wonder if the decision to make this series run 5 films was the studio's idea? Possibly it also was the studio's idea to throw in all that exposition. Sadly (or perhaps through greed) they do not want to "force" people to allot the time to read the Harry Potter novels and to watch all the Harry Potter movies. Those books (and movies) not only had magic as a theme, but made me long for a real-life Hogwarts (and I did not even want to go to sleep-away summer camp). May the magic return in part 3 (and 4 and 5).
This panel said it, without the assistance of books absorbed into our brains, it is hard to follow the logic concerning some of the plot and characters. With 5 films (and potentially having no magical abilities) we are left in the middle of a journey without GPS only our trust in J. K. Rowling. I will continue on the journey, but many may not.
No extra scenes in closing credits, just some animation.
No zinger, short scene at the end of closing credits.
Friday, November 2, 2018
Bohemian Rhapsody
(2018)
This biopic is for Queen fans only (I belong to that group) as beyond Rami Malek everyone and everything else (excepting the songs of course) are just interesting backdrops. Ironic, as throughout the film the term family was used almost as much as in a Fast and Furious movie. Full disclosure I did get a bit misty towards the end of the movie in a non-musical moment at Freddie Mercury's family home. No minds blown by this film, except why Mike Myers...why? Yes this film could have been better and perhaps with Sasha Baron Cohen in the title role along with another director much darker.However, all the way home I listed to Queen, and truth be told I would see this movie again.
Even though I walked into the movie theater knowing that Freddie Mercury died all those years ago, it was still hard watching events unfold. There was no death bed scene and several upbeat songs so I was a sodden mess exciting the theater.
This is an ordinary bio pic, with a couple of impressive video touches, but if you don't like Queen going in, then you probably will not like Queen when exiting the theater.
My expectations were low going into to see this film. As a fan of Queen I wanted the music and the band. I did not expect to see the best bio-pic of the decade. I did like Rami Malek in this part, everyone else was more background than fully developed characters. However I wonder what this movie would have been like, with a different director and Sacha Baron Cohen in the lead.
(2018)
This biopic is for Queen fans only (I belong to that group) as beyond Rami Malek everyone and everything else (excepting the songs of course) are just interesting backdrops. Ironic, as throughout the film the term family was used almost as much as in a Fast and Furious movie. Full disclosure I did get a bit misty towards the end of the movie in a non-musical moment at Freddie Mercury's family home. No minds blown by this film, except why Mike Myers...why? Yes this film could have been better and perhaps with Sasha Baron Cohen in the title role along with another director much darker.However, all the way home I listed to Queen, and truth be told I would see this movie again.
Even though I walked into the movie theater knowing that Freddie Mercury died all those years ago, it was still hard watching events unfold. There was no death bed scene and several upbeat songs so I was a sodden mess exciting the theater.
This is an ordinary bio pic, with a couple of impressive video touches, but if you don't like Queen going in, then you probably will not like Queen when exiting the theater.
My expectations were low going into to see this film. As a fan of Queen I wanted the music and the band. I did not expect to see the best bio-pic of the decade. I did like Rami Malek in this part, everyone else was more background than fully developed characters. However I wonder what this movie would have been like, with a different director and Sacha Baron Cohen in the lead.
Thursday, November 1, 2018
Joe Rogan Experience #1191 - Peter Boghossian & James Lindsay
published on 10/30/2018
Comment posted 11/01/2018:
I listen (and laugh) to a podcast, "Dumb People Town" (http://www.supersklars.com/). This podcast highlights and details the dumbest behavior of everyone--at least everyone who makes the news. Now I am wondering if I should not be crying.when I listen. Sounds like students are being taught by "zombie" professors (sooo tired after having to publish their 5th article or book) whose audience is composed of somnolent acolytes. Probably am being too harsh however, political correctness almost seems to be inversely proportional to critical thinking or humor. All that being said these guys should write for Comedy Central.
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