I've decided for this year to get rid of the "100" part of this movie project seeing as how, in the three years that I've been tracking the movies I've watched during the course of that year, I have yet to reach that lofty goal of 100.  So, instead, we will simply call this the MOVIE PROJECT.

The overall goal and purpose of this project is to track all of the "new" movies I've seen during the course of the calendar year.  "New" is in quotes because it actually refers to ANY movie that I watch that I had never seen before.  So, classic films like CASABLANCA (which I've never seen before) will be listed as well as the new AVENGERS film when that comes out.  Movies that I've already seen and I've decided to watch again will not be listed (because, if I did, then this list would definitely be over 100 titles) as well as TV shows (I'm still working my way through the STAR TREK series). 

Like previous years, I'm also including a rating of the movie.  Did I like it?  Hated it?  It's just a snapshot of what I thought at the time.  The rating scale does include half stars.

5 STARS - life changing.  I love this movie.
4 STARS - an excellent film.  Highly recommended.
3 STARS - Competent film.  Neither good nor bad.
2 STARS - More bad than good but still had something one can appreciate.
1 STAR - Ugh.  Not pretty at all.
NO STARS - ACK!!!! Mine eyes!!!!  It Burns!!!!

Hopefully I'll watch more movies this year.  2011 ended at 63 films.  Maybe we'll hit 80 this year.


( What movies did I watch? Read on... )

It has been a long time since I've sat in front of my computer and typed out a review.  Hell, I missed out on doing a review for THOR, TRANSFORMERS 3, and GHOST RIDER: SPIRIT OF VENGEANCE.  So apologies if this doesn't flow the way it should... I'm a bit out of practice.

What kind of movie, though, could get me out of semi-retirement?  What movie would move me so that I was compelled to write about it?  What movie has me so excited that I can't wait for everyone else to watch it so that I can talk about it with more people?  MARVEL'S THE AVENGERS, of course!

Comic book movies are difficult to make.  Do you appeal to the fanboys who will want an accurate portayal of their favorite heroes?  Or do you go for the broader appeal and try to get everyone to watch but possibly sacrificing the very fans that you seek to court.

I had mentioned it before in my review of  THE DARK KNIGHT (http://krono0666.livejournal.com/5534.html) .A successful comic book movie needs to do one of two things.  Either it 1) embraces its comic book roots whole heartedly or 2) it transcends it source material.  THE DARK KNIGHT is the latter.  Despite the fact that it stars a man wearing a bat suit, the movie is grounded in a reality that, if you take Batman out of the picture, it still manages to stand on it's own.

As for the former catagory, IRON MAN had inhabited that spot as probably the best example of a comic book movie that is successfull because it embraces its source material (you can read that review here http://krono0666.livejournal.com/3029.html)

Well, IRON MAN has been ousted from that position.

( Should you ASSEMBLE to the theaters? )

I really disappointed myself last year. 

I had the lofty goal of trying to watch 100 "new" movies during the course of the year.  However... although I started out strong and it looked like I would make my goal, in the end, I just couldn't do it.  In fact, I watched less movies last year than I did the year before when I started tracking my progress.  I guess 66 movies isn't that bad. Anyway, I want to try it again. 

The goal, like last year, is to watch 100 "new" movies during 2011.  "New" is in quotes because it actually refers to any movie I have not seen yet.  So classics like CASABLANCA would count as well as a modern movie like TANGLED.  And like last year, I will only include those "new" movie and not everything that I've watched during the year as I have a tendancy of watching a lot of my old and favorite movies over and over again.  Also, there will be no TV shows listed here although I am smack dab in the middle of watching STAR TREK.

Like last year, I'll also give a rating as to what I thought of the film.  The rating scale hasn't changed however, it does include half stars.    

5 STARS - life changing.  I love this movie.
4 STARS - an excellent film.  Highly recommended.
3 STARS - Competent film.  Neither good nor bad.
2 STARS - More bad than good but still had something one can appreciate.
1 STAR - Ugh.  Not pretty at all.
NO STARS - ACK!!!! Mine eyes!!!!  It Burns!!!!

I wonder how many I'll see this year.
( Read more... )

It seems like, aside from me updating my movie list, I haven't been on here lately.  And when I do, I find that I've been saying the same things over and over again.  Apologizing for my lack of posts or bemoaning my lack of.... whatever.  And this post, I guess, isn't much different.

I'm tired.  I'm so very tired.  There's the obvious physical tired.  And, being up at 2am isn't doing myself any favors.  But it's more of a mental tired that has left me in a.... contemplative mood? 

I'm burning out.  I know it.  It feels like I've been running on all cylinders non-stop... or swimming against the current just trying to keep my head up... and it's left me so mentally drained.

I try my best to live up to the belief that life is about balance.  That harmony in life is achieved through, not necessarily finding balance, but in the quest to find that balance.  Life is about finding balance... not achieving it.  But I don't feel so balanced right now.  I'm not close to achieving that equilibrium that I'm suppose to strive for.

I feel empty right now.  I'm finding it hard to feel.  There's a numbness that has spread over me and I don't know how to shake that feeling off.  I know I don't like it... and yet.

Does the emptiness stem from loneliness?  I talk about balance and I wonder if I've every really understood what that meant.  Why do I keep my friends at arms length.  Can anyone say they really know me?  And who's fault is it if not my own?  I'm lonely because I've chosen this loneliness.  But why can't I stop feeling like somehow I deserve this loneliness... as if I'm somehow punishing myself because I'm unworthy of friends?

I don't know what has brought all of this about.  I just know that this mental tiredness has made me vulnerable to myself.

I really don't envy Pixar.  They have set up such huge expectations within their fans that, inevitably, it will catch up with them and ultimately a movie will come out that will disappoint their fans.  And, from reading the various reviews, it looks like that movie is CARS 2.  And that's a damn shame because, while definitely not Pixar's best film, it isn't a bad movie.  Allow me to clarify.

CARS 2 has the unfortunate distinction of being the worst reviewed Pixar film that the company has released since they've started doing movies.  Almost every reviewer (both professional and amateur reviews) are saying that Pixar messed up and that the "mighty has fallen".  Damn you, Pixar.  Damn you for making a bad movie!  Damn you for making us have such high expectations... so much so that we expect every movie you do to be a home run.  The truth is, while the movie is not Pixar's best film, it is still a solid and enjoyable movie that, taken outside of the merits of other Pixar movies, is a fun and enjoyable animated spy/family film. 

While I enjoyed the original CARS, it was never one of my favorite Pixar films.  I'm not sure if it was Owen Wilson... or the story... or the fact that I don't understand the inner working of Nascar.  Whatever it was, I wasn't a fan of the film.  And, from what I understand, many people felt that way.  After a few views, however, I've come to appreciate the character growth that LIGHTING McQUEEN goes through and the motley crew that made up the supporting cast.  Sure it took a few years but I warmed up to it.  But a sequel? A sequel was the last thing I expected.  And yet, here it is. 

I bring up the character growth for a reason.  You see, Pixar films work because the stories are full of "heart".  The characters are likable but also go through a growth that makes you want to root for them.  Look at Marlin's growth during his quest to find Nemo.  Or the changes that Woody went through before accepting Buzz in TOY STORY.  These movies worked because, well, Pixar had a formula.  And CARS 2 deviates completely from this formula.
( But if doesn't follow the formula, how does it rate? )

It's a little past 2 a.m. and I should really be getting to sleep.  But I can't.  I'm feeling rather foolish right now. 

I actually went downstairs and lay down in the spot that Shadow use to lay down at.  I stared at his picture and held the imprint of his paw in my hand.  I miss him.

I'm feeling rather foolish about it.  It's been how many years now since Shadow died?  Honestly, I don't remember anymore.  But I miss him... and I feel stupid for doing so.

I'm not sure what I feel more stupid about... the fact that I miss my dog who's been gone for over 2 years now... or the fact that I'm writing this down and gonna hit "post"... I feel pathetic doing so... writing about it, that is... and yet here I am.  Ready to hit "post".

If I were feeling creative... or if I had any pictures on this particular computer, I would have gone ahead and posted up pictures of Shadow.  But I'm not feeling creative... nor do I have pictures on this computer...

I miss Shadow.

Six months into the year and I have not kept any of my New Year's resolutions... especially the one about me writing more.  I could make excuses like I've been extremely busy at work... I haven't been inspired... the planets weren't in alignment.... whatever.  Hell, you would have thought that there would have been a THOR movie review in me somewhere.  Well... I'm back as it were and I'll do my best to write more.  But, enough about that.  If anyone is here, you're here to read about what I though of the movie.

There's a reason why I try to stay away from anything that is overly hyped and embraced by the populace.  More often than not, I just don't get it.  I'm not saying I have this highly evolved sense of humor or that I'm some sort of comedic genius.  Hell, I love low-brow humor as much as the next guy.  Shit... I get a rise out of almost any movie Kevin Smith makes and all he's about are dick and fart jokes.  But there are times that I just wonder if I'm watching the same movie as everyone else.  I just don't get it.

And so we have THE HANGOVER PART II.

I'll be honest.  I didn't watch the first HANGOVER until this morning.  Everyone kept saying it was the funniest movie they had seen in a long time.  They said it was over-the-top and filled with so many great moments.  So I watched it.  And waited for those great moments they spoke of.  And kept waiting.

Don't get me wrong, the move was fine.  It has some funny moments... but let's be honest: the funniest movie?  Not by a long shot.  So much of the movie just didn't jive with me.  None of the characters were particularly like-able.  Hell... they were all pretty much douches.  The movie was just filled with these absurd moments that, while entertaining, were not that funny. 

But this isn't a review of the first HANGOVER...

Or is it?

( What did I think of THE HANGOVER PART II? )

I'm not one to make New Year Resolutions.  I never felt the need for them nor was I ever one to keep them anyway.  And yet, as last year drew to a close, I got to thinking about where things were going in my life and where did I want things to go.  So I thought that this year, maybe I'd try and figure some things out.

In no real particular order:

1) DRAW MORE: As I've gotten older, the one thing that' suffered has been my drawing output.  With the exception of this year's holiday card, I haven't really drawn much.  And it sucks because I really feel that my abilities have atrophied.  I really need to get back to basics, start drawing more again. 

2) WRITE MORE: I don't necessarily mean to write stories.  I think, mostly I want to write more here.  I need to just write more.  Everything from the important to the mundane.  I'm not sure how many people actually read this but, I guess I'm not really doing this for anyone except for myself.  So maybe there'll be more movie reviews.... maybe there will be more rants.... or maybe there will just be some random words.  Whatever... I just need to write more.

3) MAKE MORE TIME FOR MY FRIENDS:  As much as I try, I don't know how successful I've been at being in my friends'  lives.  Times where I should go out and celebrate special occasions with my friends, I know I've been a tad antisocial.  I've used work as an excuse for not being there.  I know I should stay in better touch with my friends, too... Hell, isn't that what Facebook is for?  To my friends reading this, life might have you too busy, but know that I'll be there.

4)MORE "ME" TIME:  Yeah, that seems to be contradictory to what I just wrote... but I mean more about having more time outside of work.  Whether that means more time reading, or watching movies, or even hanging out with my friends.  I realize that work has encapsulated so much of my life that I've neglected keeping myself sane.  And that just doesn't sit well with me.  So this year, more "me" time.

5) SPOIL MY NIECE MORE:  Yeah... that one's simple.  While I'm at it, I think I'm going to try and spoil my other goddaughter more, too.

That's all I can think of right now... but you know what, if anything else comes up, I'm gonna just add it on to the list.

Last year, a friend of mine started tracking the movies she watched during the course of a year.  It was an interesting experiment so I decided to take part.  My overall goal was to watch 100 movies I hadn't seen before by the year end.  Unfortunately I didn't manage to reach that goal however I got rather close. 

I decided I'm gonna try this again and see if I can get to that lofty goal of 100 flicks by year's end.   Same as last year, I'll be tracking every film I see during the year that I haven't seen before or it's been way too long for me to actually remember what the damn thing was about.  I'll include both movies I watch in the theater as well as movies on dvd/blu-ray.  So that mean I won't include movies I've seen a million times (no Empire Records or Dogma) or tv shows on dvd (because then this list would be filled with only seasons of Star Trek).

I'll be keeping this list at the top of my blog to keep this all fresh in my mind and I'll also be rating the films using the same grading scale as last year.  Here's that scale:
    5 STARS - life changing.  I love this movie.
    4 STARS - an excellent film.  Highly recommended
    3 STARS - Competent film.  Neither good nor bad.
    2 STARS - More bad than good but still had something one can appreciate
    1 STAR - Ugh.  Not pretty at all
    NO STARS - ACK!!!! Mine eyes!!!!  It Burns!!!!

Anyway, I got to 76 movies last year.  I'm hoping I can reach 100 by Dec 31.  Here's hoping there's some good stuff this year.

( Now on to the movies!!!! )

I know I haven't written much.  Mostly movie reviews.  Truth be told, aside from my reviews, I haven't really had much to say.  I do promise I'll try and write something more "substantial" soon.  Until then, you'll just have to make due with this.



I've been play Mario games for years.  Love them.  They are some of my favorite games to be released on any console.  Yet, something about the established lore has bothered me.  It has nothing to do with the fact that Princess Peach/Toadstool can do nothing but get captured.  It has nothing to do with fact that Mario should have put a Bullet Bill through Bowser's head a long time ago and they could have saved themselves a whole lot of heartache year after year.  No... it's something else.

I don't know if anyone else ever read the instruction manuals of games.  I did.  I loved reading them.  They always had some tidbit of story... things that, now a days, they somehow manage to mention it in gameplay.  This passage came from the instruction book of the original SUPER MARIO BROS that came out on the Nintendo so many years ago:

"One day the kingdom of the peaceful mushroom people as invaded by the Koopa, a tribe of turtles famous for their black magic.  The quiet, peace-loving Mushroom People were turned into mere stones, bricks, and even field horsehair plants, and the Mushroom Kingdom fell into ruin."

Does anyone else see a problem here?

Let me clarify.

Everyone knows that the "HERO" of the Mushroom Kingdom starts out small or normal.  It's only through the consumption of mushrooms that he gains the power to become SUPER Mario.  Now... following that logic, re-read the above passage.  Do you see where I'm coming from?  

The hero of Mushroom Kingdom gains his super strength by EATING/ABSORBING/CONSUMING the very people he is suppose to be saving.  Look... it's right there:  "...Mushroom People were turned to mere stones, bricks..."  So every time you break a brick and out pops out a mushroom, you are, in fact, releasing the trapped victims of the Koopa's magic.  But what do you do in return?  YOU EAT THE DAMN THING to gain it's power!



You probably think I'm crazy, right?  I mean, that doesn't look like a resident of the mushroom kingdom.  It looks nothing like Toad or the Princess or many other retainers that you've encountered over the years.  To that I say... sure... back then.  But here's proof.

The above pictures shows the mushroom as it first appeared in the game.  Looks like an average mushroom (if, by average, you mean a mushroom that can move about on it's own and grants special powers... not unlike the 'shroom consumed recreationally by most hippies).  But later games changed how the mushroom looks.  Starting with SUPER MARIO BROS 3, this is how the mushrooms began to look:


So what do you see?  A face!!!  They gave the mushroom a face!  So that means that my theory that the mushrooms that Mario released from the bricks were, in fact, the population of the Kingdom that he was tasked to rescue.

Wha WHA!!!!

Mario has killed more of the population of the Mushroom Kingdom than Koopa ever has.  All Bowser ever did was transform the people into bricks and kidnap their princess.  Mario on the other hand has EATEN countless citizens of the mushroom kingdom.  Let's not even talk about the Goombas that the killed... yet even more residents of the very same kingdom he was tasked to rescue.  Proof?  Also taken from the instruction book of the original SUPER MARIO BROS game for the NES:

"Little Goomba: A mushroom who betrayed the Mushroom Kingdom."

So, while they did side with the enemy, point-of-fact, they were citizens of the Mushroom Kingdom.

So what have we learned?  Mario, while the supposed savior of the Mushroom Kingdom, is, in fact, probably responsible for more damage than Bower will ever hope to achieve.  I say the Princess really needs to re-think her reliance on the portly plumber and shudder every time she hears Mario speak about pizza topped with pepperoni and mushrooms.

I don't know about you, but I'm disturbed and disgusted.