So, I have a big problem with Rottentomatoes.com and Metacritic.com and basically any site or newspaper that critiques movies. My problem is that people who review movies tend to be cynical, tend to overlook the good, and tend to sometimes dramatize the bad in movies. I always try to preach that people think for themselves and when it comes to movies, this is especially true.
Basically, don't let others' opinions movie you one way or another. If you go watch a movie with your mind already set, your doomed to succumb to that self-fulfilling prophecy.
Granted, some movies are just so good it doesn't matter and, on the other hand, some are just so bad.
Anyways, that's enough soapboxing.
Here are two movies I've seen recently and MY opinions of them.
Valkyrie:
This movie is about the most famous failed attempt to assassinate Hitler by his own people. I'm not sure how "true" these events are but I did see a documentary on the History channel awhile back and from what I can remember, this movie sticks pretty well with history. My only complaint about it is lack of character development. Stauffenberg (Tom Cruise's character) is probably developed the most because he is the main character but there are many men shown that are developed enough. I wanted to more about these men, these German Nazis, who took it upon themselves to kill Hitler, free Germany, and end the war. Guess I'll have to watch the documentary again.
8/10
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button:
This movie is truly epic, both in length of runtime and length of character. It is about 3 hours long and follows the life of Benjamin Button, a man (played by Brad Pitt) who's body starts off old and gets younger as he gets older. His mind, however, fits his age. There are so many neat things about this movie: the scenery, the characters, the plot in general. I'm not going to go on and on about it but I definitely recommend it. It is truly an intriguing movie that will have you thinking about it when you leave the theaters. If you like movies like Big Fish, Forrest Gump, etc. then I believe you will like this.
9/10
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Mom got drunk and Dad got drunk at our Christmas party.
Know the lyrics to that song?
I decided this break I want to do more than sit on my ass and watch time go by. I want to write, damn it. I have been writing but I want to work toward submitting stuff finally.
Fo' sho'.
I decided this break I want to do more than sit on my ass and watch time go by. I want to write, damn it. I have been writing but I want to work toward submitting stuff finally.
Fo' sho'.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Old emotions are coming back to me.
"Persephone" by Third Eye Blind.
I'm doing it. Slowly but surely I am capturing everything, and I do mean everything, in House on Hickory Hill. All of those emotions I felt at camp and am feeling now. All of those relationships that were or should have been. All of my hopes and fears. They are rearing their heads in my novel. This story began as a seed of experience and is growing into something so much more.
I'm doing it. Slowly but surely I am capturing everything, and I do mean everything, in House on Hickory Hill. All of those emotions I felt at camp and am feeling now. All of those relationships that were or should have been. All of my hopes and fears. They are rearing their heads in my novel. This story began as a seed of experience and is growing into something so much more.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Some thoughts on the Punisher.
I own the Director's Cut of the Thomas Jane film, I probably won't see Punisher: War Zone until it is out on DVD, and the 80's film is on my wish list.
Over at www.aintitcool.com, they already have a review. Read it if you wish.
A lot of people (including comic book writers) treat the Punisher as some one-dimensional psychotic murderer, which just pisses me off. I only like seeing his violent killings to a degree. Without depth, the Punisher becomes a bloody, campy, lame piece of shit.
To truly create a well-down Punisher franchise, you need to start with the origin. This formulic approach to storytelling is tried and true. The first film always develop's the origins in some ways to the character. A good Punisher franchise would start off with a film about a nice guy named Frank Castle who goes to Vietnam. The things he sees there, the choices he makes, turns him into something wicked and dark. He says 'yes' to the Grim reaper and essentially because a self-proclaimed Angel of Judgement, punishing the guilty much like Ghost Rider does.
After all the Vietnam shit happens (which should be about 2/3) of the movie, Frank comes back and tries to settle in a civilian life with his family. When they get killed, caught in the crossfire between gangs, that is when Frank loses it. He has been haunted by Vietnam all this time, he gave in and said 'yes' to some force that allowed him to live. In return, it took his family. Now he becomes the Punisher. First killing all of the members of those gangs, and realizing his true purpose: Killers, rapists, psychos, sadists will come to know him well. He is the Punisher.
In film number two, he is the Punisher in his prime. Here you can introduce villians like the Russian, bring in Jigsaw (who could be introduced in film one as a perfect-faced gang leader), etc. In this film, the Punisher (because he is no longer Frank CAstle) becomes psychotic. He kills relentlessly but then in one scene, he begins to doubt and question himself (maybe he kills one of the bad guys in front of the guy's kids). He's realizing that all of his war experience...it just creates this blind, bloodthirsty hatred. He kills without thinking, without considering the consequences and others' choices. He realizes that he isn't punishing but revenging. Perhaps at the end he decides to hang up the skull-shirt and maybe try on the badge. Or maybe he tries to kill himself. Statistically, this would be the best film.
In film number three, should there be one (which is dangerous...because the third film of the trilogy tends to be the worst as far as comic book movies go) Frank is a cop again. He tries his best to be a good cop but his tactics are questionable at best and so he ends up getting suspended over and over again. He realizes that the judicial system is flawed, so at night he becomes the Punisher again, one with a brain. He doesn't necessarily kill at first, more like setup criminals or something. But then some big bad guy forces him to become violent and dirty again. He must find a balance between good justice and killing. Perhaps at this end, he attempts to put a bullet in his own head. Depth can be added by creating a love interest who is a sort of femme fatale, in the same vein as the punisher. There's a good story arc in the Punisher Max series where he meets a woman who has been betrayed by these other women (they are the wives of mob bosses). This particular woman is sisters with one of the mob wives. Frank can see himself reflected in her thoughts and actions and it scares him. It causes him to look at himself objectively. Perhaps Frank is killed, so is the big bad guy in the climatic battle, but the woman lives and by giving his life, the woman gets a second chance at hers.
Just some thoughts.
Over at www.aintitcool.com, they already have a review. Read it if you wish.
A lot of people (including comic book writers) treat the Punisher as some one-dimensional psychotic murderer, which just pisses me off. I only like seeing his violent killings to a degree. Without depth, the Punisher becomes a bloody, campy, lame piece of shit.
To truly create a well-down Punisher franchise, you need to start with the origin. This formulic approach to storytelling is tried and true. The first film always develop's the origins in some ways to the character. A good Punisher franchise would start off with a film about a nice guy named Frank Castle who goes to Vietnam. The things he sees there, the choices he makes, turns him into something wicked and dark. He says 'yes' to the Grim reaper and essentially because a self-proclaimed Angel of Judgement, punishing the guilty much like Ghost Rider does.
After all the Vietnam shit happens (which should be about 2/3) of the movie, Frank comes back and tries to settle in a civilian life with his family. When they get killed, caught in the crossfire between gangs, that is when Frank loses it. He has been haunted by Vietnam all this time, he gave in and said 'yes' to some force that allowed him to live. In return, it took his family. Now he becomes the Punisher. First killing all of the members of those gangs, and realizing his true purpose: Killers, rapists, psychos, sadists will come to know him well. He is the Punisher.
In film number two, he is the Punisher in his prime. Here you can introduce villians like the Russian, bring in Jigsaw (who could be introduced in film one as a perfect-faced gang leader), etc. In this film, the Punisher (because he is no longer Frank CAstle) becomes psychotic. He kills relentlessly but then in one scene, he begins to doubt and question himself (maybe he kills one of the bad guys in front of the guy's kids). He's realizing that all of his war experience...it just creates this blind, bloodthirsty hatred. He kills without thinking, without considering the consequences and others' choices. He realizes that he isn't punishing but revenging. Perhaps at the end he decides to hang up the skull-shirt and maybe try on the badge. Or maybe he tries to kill himself. Statistically, this would be the best film.
In film number three, should there be one (which is dangerous...because the third film of the trilogy tends to be the worst as far as comic book movies go) Frank is a cop again. He tries his best to be a good cop but his tactics are questionable at best and so he ends up getting suspended over and over again. He realizes that the judicial system is flawed, so at night he becomes the Punisher again, one with a brain. He doesn't necessarily kill at first, more like setup criminals or something. But then some big bad guy forces him to become violent and dirty again. He must find a balance between good justice and killing. Perhaps at this end, he attempts to put a bullet in his own head. Depth can be added by creating a love interest who is a sort of femme fatale, in the same vein as the punisher. There's a good story arc in the Punisher Max series where he meets a woman who has been betrayed by these other women (they are the wives of mob bosses). This particular woman is sisters with one of the mob wives. Frank can see himself reflected in her thoughts and actions and it scares him. It causes him to look at himself objectively. Perhaps Frank is killed, so is the big bad guy in the climatic battle, but the woman lives and by giving his life, the woman gets a second chance at hers.
Just some thoughts.
Monday, November 24, 2008
1 in 4 American girls has an STD
Yet another line of lyrics from a song off of 3EB's Red Star EP. In this case, from the song "Nondairy Creamer."
I failed to mention in my previous post that the three EP songs: Red Star, Nondairy Creamer, and a live version of Why Can't You Be are all featured on Third Eye Blind's myspace. You can get there quickly by just typing in www.thirdeyeblind.com
"Nondairy Creamer" may seem ridiculous at first, and it kind of is, but I've realized something. I can not dislike any Third Eye Blind songs. I thought I disliked "Tattoo of the Sun" and "Self-Righteous" but now I like the former and love the latter. Same thing with "Nondairy Creamer." It has truly grown on me.
I'm also following in with an unreleased song, "Persephone." Apparently it didn't make the cut to get on their last album, Out of the Vein. Supposedly it may be featured on Ursa Major which comes out next year sometime. Keeping my fingers crossed.
"Old emotions are coming back to me."
I failed to mention in my previous post that the three EP songs: Red Star, Nondairy Creamer, and a live version of Why Can't You Be are all featured on Third Eye Blind's myspace. You can get there quickly by just typing in www.thirdeyeblind.com
"Nondairy Creamer" may seem ridiculous at first, and it kind of is, but I've realized something. I can not dislike any Third Eye Blind songs. I thought I disliked "Tattoo of the Sun" and "Self-Righteous" but now I like the former and love the latter. Same thing with "Nondairy Creamer." It has truly grown on me.
I'm also following in with an unreleased song, "Persephone." Apparently it didn't make the cut to get on their last album, Out of the Vein. Supposedly it may be featured on Ursa Major which comes out next year sometime. Keeping my fingers crossed.
"Old emotions are coming back to me."
Sunday, November 23, 2008
You were so pretty in the days you spoke your mind
Those are lyrics from the song "Red Star" off of Third Eye Blind's recently released Red Star EP. It is a taste of things to come, definitely a holiday teaser. I pray that Ursa Major comes out in February like they say is supposed to, but I'm not holding my breath. Well, in a way I am. The EP is pretty good.
I've been trying (and failing) once again to write a song. Every time I try to write a song the lyrics come out as cheesy love song lyrics and the guitar part is mediocre at best. A good song doesn't need complicated guitar work, I know that. I'm just having trouble coming up with good lyrics. I don't want my lyrics to be like every other wannabe out there who sings songs about his estranged lover, or breakups, or shit like that.
Damn it.
I've been trying (and failing) once again to write a song. Every time I try to write a song the lyrics come out as cheesy love song lyrics and the guitar part is mediocre at best. A good song doesn't need complicated guitar work, I know that. I'm just having trouble coming up with good lyrics. I don't want my lyrics to be like every other wannabe out there who sings songs about his estranged lover, or breakups, or shit like that.
Damn it.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
House on Hickory Hill
Okay, if you look to the right you will notice I have updated the word count for my camp novel, House on Hickory Hill.
I wrote over 200 pages this summer longhand and I literally just got finished typing them up yesterday. I took a lot of breaks.
You'll also notice I am over my 90,000 word goal but the thing of it is, is that I am not finished.
Whether you knew or not, this is how I have my book setup:
Prologue
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Epilogue
Each day is divided up into smaller, numbered sections. All the days are finished except Monday needs to be finished and Tuesday hasn't even been written. There are huge gaps between Sunday/Monday and Friday/Saturday because I wrote all of this at different time periods. There are many inconsistencies that I, unfortunately, have to work out. I changed a lot of my ideas around specifically one big one: originally this was Andy's (main character's) first year at camp. I decided it would work a lot better if Andy is returning to camp a second time after a one year hiatus. So he worked there the summer he was 18 and now he is returning as a 20-year-old. It's great because he left a bit of a legacy and everyone is so glad he's back. And then around Wednesday the shit hits the fan.
This book has a lot going on because there was a lot I wanted to put in it. I wanted to reach a wide audience. There's something for everyone: love, sex, action of all sorts, friendship, humor, morbidity, mindfucks (in a way), suspense, mystery, lore of all sorts, etc.
It's packed but not saturated or overwhelming, I feel.
So this isn't even draft 1. This book is in all sorts of forms. I've gone through Monday/Sunday/Wednesday/ and parts of Thursday already. So those parts are practically on draft 2. The latter part of Thursday, Friday, and Saturday are all first drafter. Monday needs a lot of work. And Tuesday is currently nonexistent. The epilogue has been written on paper but there are a lot of changes I want to make to it.
So I would say, after writing the epilogue, finishing up Monday, and writing Tuesday, I will have over 100,000 words so about 400 or so pages. Then editing is going to be long and arduous because of all these inconsistencies. Not to mention my writing has improved dramatically over the two years I've been writing this (started in 2006 when I was at the actual camp this is based off). It is hands down the largest undertaking I've done in terms of writing.
I wrote over 200 pages this summer longhand and I literally just got finished typing them up yesterday. I took a lot of breaks.
You'll also notice I am over my 90,000 word goal but the thing of it is, is that I am not finished.
Whether you knew or not, this is how I have my book setup:
Prologue
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Epilogue
Each day is divided up into smaller, numbered sections. All the days are finished except Monday needs to be finished and Tuesday hasn't even been written. There are huge gaps between Sunday/Monday and Friday/Saturday because I wrote all of this at different time periods. There are many inconsistencies that I, unfortunately, have to work out. I changed a lot of my ideas around specifically one big one: originally this was Andy's (main character's) first year at camp. I decided it would work a lot better if Andy is returning to camp a second time after a one year hiatus. So he worked there the summer he was 18 and now he is returning as a 20-year-old. It's great because he left a bit of a legacy and everyone is so glad he's back. And then around Wednesday the shit hits the fan.
This book has a lot going on because there was a lot I wanted to put in it. I wanted to reach a wide audience. There's something for everyone: love, sex, action of all sorts, friendship, humor, morbidity, mindfucks (in a way), suspense, mystery, lore of all sorts, etc.
It's packed but not saturated or overwhelming, I feel.
So this isn't even draft 1. This book is in all sorts of forms. I've gone through Monday/Sunday/Wednesday/ and parts of Thursday already. So those parts are practically on draft 2. The latter part of Thursday, Friday, and Saturday are all first drafter. Monday needs a lot of work. And Tuesday is currently nonexistent. The epilogue has been written on paper but there are a lot of changes I want to make to it.
So I would say, after writing the epilogue, finishing up Monday, and writing Tuesday, I will have over 100,000 words so about 400 or so pages. Then editing is going to be long and arduous because of all these inconsistencies. Not to mention my writing has improved dramatically over the two years I've been writing this (started in 2006 when I was at the actual camp this is based off). It is hands down the largest undertaking I've done in terms of writing.
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