Archive for the ‘NERD Stuff’ Category

Posted on July 20, 2010 - by OP40

Dream a little dream.

It’s always great to see how far we’ve come. Whether it’s our careers or our lives in general, seeing where we are now relative to where we were is always an interesting endeavor. So it is in experiencing “Inception”, this thought comes to mind in how the concepts set forth in this movie, are so easily absorbed and understood thanks to our past movie experiences. This new movie starring the great Leonardo DiCaprio and directed by “Dark Knight” mastermind Chris Nolan, will take you to places you’ve no doubt been to before, but do it in a whole new way. And isn’t that is why we go to movies?

At its core, as with all movies, the basic plot of Inception has been done before, many times. And in adherence to my “absolute no-spoilers” policy, I will not divulge what the plot actually it is. I myself went into this movie completely “fresh” as Frank Costanza likes it, and it paid off big time! But if you must know, it’s a crime caper. A heist. It’s a group of super cool people getting together to take something from someone who seems to have too much. In this case, it’s done via dreams. Where in theory, we are at our most vulnerable. I will say no more than that. But if this concept seems a bit complex, fear not. For Mr. Nolan explains it all to us in a way where it blends seamlessly into the movie and never gets in our way. Or the movie’s for that matter. Which is rare with movies like this.

This movie has a little bit of everything of what make summer movies so great. And any movie for that matter. Some of them include, but are not limited to: Great looking people, mysterious pasts, lost love, multiple world locations, child prodigy’s, tight fitting retro-button down shirts, scenes in some foreign café where you know it’s probably 120 in the shade, fancy gadgets, a college classroom scene with funky characters on a chalkboard, stolen kisses, big and BIGGER guns, car chases, silver briefcases, longing for the past and last but certainly not least, a runaway train in downtown traffic. That last one is a summer movie staple for sure.

As usual, I won’t get into too much detail other than to say that this is a must see. Well designed characters with enough coherence with each other to keep together a relatively complex plot that treats us with the respect us longtime movie and TV viewers deserve. After all, we have been training for quite a while. Go see this thing!

Posted on July 16, 2010 - by OP40

Pain comes in bunches

The ART of the “Bionic Elbow”.

Posted on June 22, 2010 - by OP40

The Original Sugar Mama

You can take what you want from it. Most take it as Starlet’s inability to cope with a world that changed and left her behind. But for me it’s a tale of a man’s failure to make for himself a world in which he can exist in his own skin. His shame is magnified on a daily basis. And all but the one who truly loves him knows. It is Sunset Blvd 1950 Directed by Billy Wilder

Posted on June 21, 2010 - by OP40

The case for Casey

Casey Viator. Greatest forearms in history. And a ‘stache to match.

Posted on May 7, 2010 - by OP40

I am Iron Man….2.

What separates Iron Man from the other “superhero” movies has nothing to do with originality or any notion that it is a “better” superhero movie. Why the original garnered so much critical acclaim for originality I never understood. For me, and I think for many, “The Dark Knight” will be hailed as the best hero film of all time. And this due in part to it being very un-superhero like. If that makes any sense. But back to IM2 and what makes it special. What separates Iron Man from the other hero flicks is how the regular dude is more interesting than the hero himself. What usually brings these types of movies down is that we long to see the hero, the suit, the gadgets, CGI, etc. and grow bored while we wait. But with Iron Man the opposite is true, we want to see more Tony Stark, more Annie Potts and more token black guy who happens to be the only guy who actually steals something in the movie. However, stereotypes aside, Cheadle is OK, but we miss Terrance Howard in this role for sure.

Moving on to the rest of the cast and why it’s special/fun. This movie is a hero movie version of an ensemble flick. Similar to Ocean’s Eleven but in a world where things explode and steel clad men fly at supersonic speeds. The movie never gives you a moment without a well known, quality actor on the screen. I mean every part of the movie is populated with at least 2 of each. Not just 2 heroes, but 2 amazing heroes Downey Jr. and Cheadle, not just two villains, 2 amazing villains, Rourke and Rockwell, not just 2 hotties, 2 SMOKIN’ hotties, Paltrow and Johansson (add Kate Mara as an extra piece of eye candy as a FED in uniform and Olivia Munn as an entertainment reporter). A let us not forget the contributions of Favreau and oh yeah, Samuel L. Jackson. Whom any Director should note, that placing Jackson is a booth in any Diner setting, and letting him talk, is cinema magic every…single…time. Oh, oh, oh and how can I get out of this topic without mentioning Gary Shandling! The back and forth between his character and Stark, is worth half the admission price alone. No one can say f-u better than Shandling. Oh and John Slattery as a Disney type visionary…geez I can’t stop!!!

The movie is incredibly fast paced and never dulls for a moment. It’s a non-stop ride that doesn’t waste time with the hero’s “emotions”. Who cares. Yes, Stark’s mortality is an issue, but it is dealt with in a way that adds to the story and lets you in on an important aspect of the story without trying to compete with a Meryll Streep flick. The movie, front to back remembers what it is and what it’s trying to do. It’s there to excite and thrill…and it does just that. Very well.

On the political end, the movie is very unique in that it found a way to place prominent political voices on the screen and “shut them up” in a fun and very Bi-partisan fashion. It is refreshing, and as a Conservative playa…I am just happy whenever we aren’t portrayed as racists or backwoods sodomists. The movie did present some political arguments consistent with Conservative points of view such as issue of the private sector’s superior ability to create vs. that of the Government as well as that same Government exercising an abuse of power in attempting to control, possess and steal for the “greater good”. Health Care debate anyone? Also, the movie takes long overdue jabs at the whole “Green” movement…at one point a nutcracker suggested to Stark they create an electric jet. Coo-koo. But in the end, very enjoyable for us Neo-Cons…oh and no anti-Palin jokes. Amazing huh?

Lastly, in this log winded review, is to address the kid-friendliness of this feature. After Transformers 2 ruined summer movies for parents and kids with gratuitous sex and cursing, this movie makes it possible to take your kid to the movie without cringing and having to bring up false topics to discuss with your kid just to distract him from the half-naked teen on the screen. Favreau I think may have children, I don’t know, but short of some cursing at a Senate hearing (leave it to Washington to bring in the profanity) I don’t recall much cursing at all. And the sexual innuendos are more classic images such as sexy dancers, high heels, tight outfits and redheads in black leather. Ouch. All this no more offensive than that hottie driving the Volkswagen Taureg daddy always leers at during baseball practice. All within parameters, thx Jon.

What’s interesting about this movie is that I just enjoyed it. Even now as I write this I think to myself, “OK, what did I NOT like about it?” But I then I refrain from the exercise by reminding myself that it’s a Superhero movie, why bother? Concern myself with storylines? Plots? Sub-plots? It’s not worth it. I’ll leave that up to the basement dwelling comic book collecting dudes who know more about what it “should have been”, but for me it was exactly what I wanted, a summer fun movie with good looking people doing fun stuff on screen. It has enough stuff to keep the kids entertained while dropping enough sanitized adult humor related more to human mental frailties than a sexual innuendo joke overload. You hear me Shrek? Ugh. But in the end, get a friend, or friends, find a cool theater on a hot day and jump in and enjoy the world of Tony Stark and his marvel of private sector ingenuity.

Posted on December 21, 2009 - by OP40

Avatar: More of the same? Or renewed Brilliance?

Here’s a newsflash, “Avatar”, yeah, you’ve seen this movie before. You’ve seen every scene, every character, every situation, every consequence, every moment, every everything. One could say the movie is certified as “green” due to how much recycled material makes up the bulk of the movie’s content. But with that said, it is also safe to say that you have never SEEN a movie like this one. It truly is ground breaking visually, and for that, deserves a closer look.

Now, unlike what many people have said, the movie is not so groundbreaking that you will be “blown away”. Chances are most of us have already seen 3D movies and already know what to expect. In Avatar, there are few 3D tricks that stand out or seem out of place. Although I will say that Cameron’s choice of placing his characters in these very elevated locations, throughout the movie, at times does seem superfluous as one big 3D trick on its own. But we have seen so many advancements in cinema that it takes much to truly amaze. Cameron’s own “T2” and Spielberg’s “Jurassic Park” did way more to amaze than does “Avatar”. Heck, “Titanic” also had more of a “wow” factor than this movie did.

To say Avatar “borrows” from other sci-fi flicks is another understatement. It recycles everything from “Aliens’” humanoid forklift/robot to Minority Report’s interactive, super responsive touch screens. But it does it on its own and fits well in the movie. Then again, it could be that both are examples of super cool futuristic porn that Cameron knew could make us feel right at home with his sci-fi romp.

Regarding the storyline, it’s pompous, arrogant, over-the-top, simplistic and overall very basic. Yet we accept it because the story is so out there that we care little past the gorgeous visuals Cameron sends our way. It’s a trade-off I think. And I for one am cool with it. Anyone who tries to sell this movie’s story as anything deeper than some politically inspired diatribe thinks you might be interested in some swamp land for purchase as well. It’s all about some made up sounding thing called “unobtanium” (i.e. unobtainable?), which I don’t know is a character nickname for this foreign mineral, but it’s surely a metaphor for oil, that evil thing we all kill for, yet can’t live without. I’d like to see Cameron make a movie without plastics, explosives or oil burning vehicles on his set. That in itself would be ground breaking on its own.

But politics aside, ‘Avatar’ is a must see movie, but only at a 3D showing. If anything to see the kinds of creatures and world’s Cameron creates in Pandora, the alien planet where the movie takes place. A world of lit walking surfaces similar to Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” video and plants that light up at night. All the while reminding us how bland our Earth really is. It’s a wonder why anyone wants to save such a boring planet. Nothing compared to Pandora really, especially with 6 legged mammals and ride-able flying creatures. It really is comical to see all these creatures Hollywood likes to create when given a powerful enough computer. Once again, our own world offers little competition to these way more wonderful worlds.

I could go on indefinitely with this movie, both pro and con, but overall it’s an enjoyable movie that you must see, again in 3D only. Leave the kids at home though, they will grow bored with this world of “Avatar”, only us grown-ups should be subjected to its colorful visuals, accompanied by its bland storyline.

Posted on October 5, 2009 - by OP40

“Zombieland” Review: Fun zombie killing times?! Well yes, but only while it lasted.

So I’m not the greatest zombie/horror fan out there, but lately I’m started to enjoy these movies, primarily due to the “survival” aspect of the genre. This one, with Woody Harrelson caught my attention since I first heard the opening sounds of Halen’s “Everybody wants some” during a trailer. So I was looking forward to it’s release.

Upon first glance the movie hits on all cylinders right from the beginning, an opening sequence of shots to include slow-motion scenes and a “how-to” on basic “Zombieland” history and basic survival tips. It was fun and witty. (including the straight to the gut jab at us fatties needing more cardio…yes I know! ) What happens then is the movie settles down and sets it’s pace at much less than what the beginning promised and what I expected. The story adds and introduces characters in somewhat predictable and odd ways, not entirely adhering to the storyline as presented. The characters are like-able at most. The main character’s story narration gets tired and loses its “pop” well into the story.

This zombie movie is different than most in that the characters are actually moving and interacting across a large landscape, and traveling rather than simply bunkered in a house or mall, so the “tension” is somewhat diminished. Diminished to the point of their enjoying a leisurely stay at one of Hollywood’s elite funny-men. No tension/fear here.

Overall the movie was fun, but left me wanting more. If asked to recommend it or not, I say check it out if you have a lazy Saturday to kill, otherwise, hold up for something better. If you like the genre and some of the actors, then definitely go give it a look.

Posted on August 22, 2009 - by OP40

Inglorious? Not so much, in fact, quite, quite glorious. Almost to a fault.

Another short review, this one of the magnificent “Inglorious Basterds”. Although short, I can talk about this movie quite extensively if given the opportunity. So if you down, hit me up for some convo. on IB!

I had my doubts whether or not to see this movie. To invest the time to see what the previews had, previewed. Not sure I wanted to see “that” movie. Heads being bashed in, collecting “Nazi scalps”, all cool, but not for $10. But in the end, I trusted in Tarantino and went for it, not seeing enough poor reviews to convince me otherwise.

And man was I lucky that I did NOT get the movie advertised. Instead, I got a smart, conversation heavy(albeit subtitled), tension filled thrill “tour”. Not a ride, it was a stroll through WW2 via an alternate yet similarly gritty, thoroughly fascinating time in history where we can find ourselves marveling at what evil is truly capable of if given a free reign.

If you are looking a head bashing, throat slashing romp through the French country side, skip this movie. But if you are a fan of great dialogue and movies taking you in directions you weren’t expecting, basically a classic Tarantino flick, this is for you.

Go see it, fast!

Posted on August 22, 2009 - by OP40

DISTRICT 9 REVIEW: SOMETHING SPECIAL THIS WAY COMES, THEN QUICKLY LEAVES EARTH.

My brief review of District 9:

District 9 starts off as one amazing movie. Unique and potentially magnificent. But then, slowly but surely, it transforms, right before your eyes into an a good, not-so unique sci-fi shoot-em up. With a very vague and disappointing ending to boot.

It goes down as a very watchable, must see film, especially for sci-fi fans. However it feels like an opportunity lost to make something really special. It’s as if Peter Jackson stepped in 2/3rds of the way through production and advised the Director “this is all great, but where is the fun stuff’? And there the movie is changed.

But the change is acceptable in that it does not completely spoil the movie, just brings it back to the “pack” so to speak. To say I am disappointed may be accurate, but in the end, I got something special at the beginning and ended with something known at the end. I guess it’s just as well.

Go see it.