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I watched a Solo: A Star Wars Story a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. That was the night it came out last month. And here we are with my movie review and thoughts which I am trying to dredge up since I can't remember too much.

It was alright. Not spectacular. Just so-so. The problem with delving into the origins of characters that are already great as they are is that the mystery becomes common. Han was 'solo' in escaping from his hard knock life as a street urchin thief. He was like a Oliver Twist in space. Does that sound interesting? It is until it isn't.

Revealing his back story makes the extraordinary ordinary. Han for as long as I've been a Star Wars fan was a swashbuckling character. Yet, as a youngster he was in it for the girl. Dude, lighten up.

The story seemed to have taken just months before episode IV. But I would've thought it would've taken place years before. Like he would take a few years to become the scoundrel he was in episode IV. Compression of time made me worried.

Beyond that, it was a nice to remember that Han shot first.

I was intrigued for the sequel, but we are not getting it. Too much Star Wars.

3 of 5 stars.

Labels: movies, thoughts

I only saw the first one on cable. Deadpool 2 had Cable. I'm not enamored of the guy. Both of them.

It could've been better.

3 of 5 stars.

Labels: movies, thoughts

I have been lame. I haven't even kept my blog updated of the movies that I have seen. So to remedy that I will now share a few thoughts on Avengers: Infinity War

I liked it. Was not as good as Black Panther or Thor: Ragnarok. Could've been better. It left me wanting to see the next chapter. Luckily, it isn't going take a few years to get that; it's coming out next year.

4 of 5 stars.

Labels: movies, thoughts

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is the type of film you get when you believe super heroes should be gritty. While not and bad as reviewers say, it's only bad because they know that by liking The Dark Knight, that this is what they deserve. Thanks, Christopher Nolan!

Is Zack Snyder the second most hated director in Hollywood after Michael Bay? Maybe. He's made a few movies that rub people the wrong way, but needless to say he makes movies which regular shmoes like. I think he needs some mental help though. His is a too cynical take on life. Dark. Grim. Dank. Dour. That's all I can say of his style. There is no light in his world.

It's a tale which tries to set up the DC Cinematic Universe. I'm not a DC fan, so I could care less.

Make mine Marvel.

3 of 5 stars.

Labels: movies, thoughts

I did like Mission Impossible 4: Ghost Protocol, but I thought it lacked emotion. It was a very rote, by the numbers Misson, but no heft in outlying why we should care about IMF. They were gonna be disavowed, but "meh," why should I care. The previous installments in this film series forced Ethan Hunt to the brink emotionally. Whether through revenge and betrayal or love and passion, Ethan always was running fueled by his emotions for getting the job done. In this movie, it lacked the personal, emotional investment for Ethan to keep running.

That is not to say the plot was a mess, but the standard rogue agent with a nuclear bomb makes me think Lex Luthor, and Lex Luthor was a comic book villain. This could've been a plot for any other task force team -- someone look up what John McClane is up to.

I think Paula Patton is beautiful. I think Brad Bird did a fine job on his first live action film. I hope Brad Bird doesn't just do live action films anymore. I think Tom Cruise runs funny. Simon Pegg is overexposed. Anil Kapoor should be in more Hollywood productions bringing some Bollywood over. I thought when the twist came that Josh Hallowell would be under that mask. I wonder what the IMAX hype was all about.

3 of 5 stars.

Labels: movies, thoughts

When I think of Captain America, I think of an earnest hero. Chris Evans does come across as an earnest Steve Rogers in Captain America: The First Avenger. His head is too big for the scrawny body. Even when he becomes, Captain America his head is too big for his body, but that's alright, for Cap, his ideas and thoughts that stand for America are too big for his body. He embodies America of the World War: earnest in trying to defeat the Axis powers. He is an avenger for justice!

Weird that the US creates its own super soldier to do battle with the übermensch of the Teutonic Germans. Weird that as created in the 40s that that's what takes to beat the Nazis.

I like girls that look like Hayley Atwell's Peggy Carter. Brown eyes, red lips, slim fitting skirts, trim jackets, brunette. I'm a sucker for that look.

I keep wondering about the CG that created a scrawny Chris Evans. He's like the mini Brad Pitt in Benjamin Buttons. Then he's like a Chris Evans in Scott Pilgrim. Just plain funny guy. I guess it was good that Johnny Storm died as it would be confusing for an audience that will be watching the FFxAvengers cross-over.

Speaking of Avengers: Avengers Assemble! I'm psyched for it! Was Nick Fury supposed to be one of the army soldiers? Wasn't the Captain fighting alongside Nick Fury and his howling commandoes in WW2? Was that black guy supposed to be Nick Fury? At least I thought so. When you caught a look at the Howling Commandos, did they remind you of Nick Rivers' crew in Top Secret!?

The movie is not bad for a comic book movie. Could've used better writing but don't all comic book movies need that? It's on par with the Green Lantern but a step below Thor for this years comic book movies. Yet they all got the same rating.

3 of 5 stars

Labels: movies, review, thoughts

After all the bombast of the latest summer films, Super 8 was a nice respite. It doesn't hit you over the head with action scenes after action scenes, but it builds slow like films of yesteryear, the 70s to be exact.

It harkens back to lots of movies that occurred before the advent of Michael Bay. There is not much spinning or hyper-cutting or stupid action that happens for actions sake. There is a deliberate pace, a build up to the climax.

It's an abandoned alien story with a modern twist. CG. It had some close encounters aspects, mixed with ET, some Goonies, some ID4. It was 1979. It was fun to bike to school, to your friends house, to town. Biking is good. It gets you around. Ask Elliot.

The alien was supposedly friendly. How friendly can you get stuck on this rock since Roswell.? He was also weird. I couldn't decide what he was or if it was cool. Not really, but ET phone home right?

I saw this in a digital theatre and it was dark. Not the movie, but the projection. I should've watched the analog print. Better that way. Has this digital stuff been terrible especially with that 3D technology?

3 of 5 stars

Labels: movies, review, thoughts

These aren't the X-Men I grew up with. This aren't Professor Xavier's first students. Where's Jean Grey? Angel? Scott Summers? Iceman? Who's this Darwin fella? Is he even in the comics? The Hellfire club was the original bad guys? Where's The Fellowship of Evil Mutants? And how fucking funny is the title: The Fellowship of Evil Mutants? I think I got that wrong.

So, I caught X-Men: First Class and wish I hadn't. They retconned everything. Why? Are we so bored of the original X-Men that we could not care to see any of them again? And then they get these guys to fill in? Banshee? Havok? Angel? I know I stopped reading X-Men, but where are all these mutants coming from?

The movie revolves around the Magneto versus Xavier view of being mutant: rule over or co-exist with humanity. Magneto comes through anger to create his world view. Xavier comes from privilege. Magneto was Bondian. Xavier was prissy. When did the X-Men become lame? (Right around the first xmen movie)

Well, at least Rose Byrne was in it. Once again, remember when she was the frumpy one?

2 of 5 stars.

Labels: movies, review, thoughts

The latest Disney ride as movie, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, sucks.

It's not that anyone wanted another movie. It's not that this was boring. It's that who could care less about this third sequel. Not me or the writers or the directors or the actors they were interested in the money. Not me I wanted a movie, but I got a mess.

2 of 5 stars.

Labels: movies, thoughts

The Hangover Part II is the same movie as The Hangover except in Bangkok, Thailand. Every story point in the original happened in the sequel. Nothing different. For a comedy, it's very pedestrian.

I did laugh out loud, but I feel that I had to because it is a comedy. Yet, most of the funny was in the trailer. Then you had to laugh because the movie was pedestrian.

At least, esurance salesgirl was in it.

3 of 5 stars

Labels: movies, thoughts

I should've been posting more from Hawaii, but who could think about using a computer when you're in paradise? I couldn't do that, but I did keep my travel journal which should go up sometime in 2011. For now, let me write down some recollections that could've been part of a blog post, but failed to materialize.

The flight out is the suck.
Can't you just drop us off here?
Hawaii has more radio stations playing reggae as Jamaica. I presume.
The Big Island looks just like Iceland, except for the palm trees.
There are no plants on the west side of the Big Island, then you go up over Mauna Kea and lushness abounds.
These clubs make me have the same game? Maybe I should hit a driver more often?
Bob is a crazy driver.
This road is painted onto the side of Mauna Kea, then paved, then under construction.
I need Dramamine.
Stars are cool. Wish I could see the Milky Way. Or a galaxy. But that fuzziness in Orion's sword is still pretty cool.
That dude was a star geek.
This lagoon is pretty cool.
That paddle boarder is way out there. So are we.
Is this turtle mating? No. It's getting its teeth cleaned. Or did it just ate that fish?
Snorkeling, meh?
This breakfast is awesome. Eggs sunny side up on rice with some sausage? Over easy with mahi? Yeah it's good.
More fish.
Go to Big Island Candies.
Must remember how to rent a car. Or a van. Or at least something on this island!
Nendoroids on vacation. Nakano!
Is place is the fake Hawaii?
The west side of Oahu is the real Hawaii. Too real.
Can we go to the North Shore now?
Shave Ice!
I can really crank a driver. Never new that.
My iron play is gone. The hell!?!
Eagle! No. Birdie!
I haven't had any fruit yet.
This guy can cook!
A lot!
Lechon! Is awesome.
But it's awesome.
Ramen. No. Sushi. Yes.
Everyone drives the speed limit in Hawaii. When you're in paradise, what's the hurry?
Did I just go to Tokyo?
What kind of crazy tees does 88 Tees serve? Only the Japanese can like them.
Bob has an awesome view. Plus these Diamond Head breaks look smooth and easy.
We need Hawaiian Sun drinks on the mainland.
This hotel is hip.

There's probably more, but I probably can't remember any of it. It was a great time. I wonder how long it will take to get back.

Labels: Hawaii, thoughts, vacation

How can The Rolling Stones' "Exile on Main Street" be their best album if I haven't heard any of the songs on it?

Labels: hmm, thoughts

I really wanted to say this in my Inception review, but forgot before I hit the post button.

This movie will remind you that Nolan's best film was the playfully, inventive Memento.
I got a vibe of Jacob's Ladder -- where and when is all this happening.
I also got a vibe of Flatliners -- they come back.
Nolan likes to work with Cillian Murphy.
He also loves Michael Caine, but then again who doesn't?
Seeing Ellen Page made me wonder about my car being ticketed.
I thought Ellen Page was gonna be the new Neo.
Why couldn't Ellen Page have constructed awesome things on the fly?
How come Ellen Page was dramatically underused? Or was she overvalued?
Was that The Pin?
"I am a cypher, a cypher wrapped in an enigma... smothered in secret sauce."
The movie caps a funny week of weird, strange dreams -- earthquake!

Labels: movies, thoughts

After releasing the very lyrical movies, Up and Wall-E, Pixar returns to the movie franchise that put them on the map. Excuse me, I don't understand the appeal of the Toy Story franchise. I may be a simpleton and one of the few that didn't find Toy Story 3 as another Pixar knock-out, blockbuster hit. My low opinion of the Toy Story franchise has biased me into not paying proper respect to the movies. I just can't understand it.

RottenTomatoes.com has Toy Story 3 at 99%. I may have seen a different movie. Wait a second while I go read some of the blurbs there.

Okay, I'm back. While it does top the tomato meter, a lot of the blurbs give it decent coverage following in the previous movies' greatness yet also acknowledging the formality of this final installment.

The movie doesn't wow me like the other Pixar films. Even the ones I don't regard highly, Finding Nemo and Ratatouille, I can find something to like. The Toy Story movies I find nada. Does this make me soulless?

What I find wrong with the Toy Story franchise is that they're routine. Maybe the first installment might be a groundbreaker, but the rest I find unappealing. Yes, I know that their stories reflect how we grow up but that don't mean squat to me.

The final movie just wasn't impressive enough. It's better than some other animated schlock, but not high in the Pixar patheon.

Most other Pixar movies give me hope that animated films can move beyond the kiddie movie ghetto, but Toy Story is the quintessential kiddie movie at least superficially. It drives me crazy that they don't make it awesome. There was a point where I was hopeful that Pixar was gonna be brave and make the movie bold, but I knew that it had to have the happy ending.

That being said. The movie is solid story telling. Flawless in execution. Kids will like it many adults as well. Ho-hum.

3 of 5 stars. Plus a meh.

Labels: hunh?, I'm a fool, movies, thoughts

It's 1 AM and here I am writing up my thoughts on Knight and Day. This way, when you read my review/thoughts, it'll keep you away from a very muddled flick. Unless, of course, you like messes.

The commercials don't convey how messed up this movie is. It looks like a fun ride with Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz, except it was a movie saddled with a random script and little chemistry between the two protagonists. I was hoping for a fun ride, but got sick as the movie winded its way to its happy ending.

I thought the film was written and produced by Tom Cruise, because of his prominent mugging in the camera. I wanted to see that though. I wanted the jumping on Oprah's couch Tom Cruise promised by the trailers. I got it but in too high a volume. But he was certainly the best thing going in the movie. "With me. Without me." Hee hee.

Cameron Diaz has the Cameron Diaz problem: beautiful in one light, ugly in another. She was ugly for most of the time in this one.

There were some good parts -- kicking the waiter, a dangling Tom Cruise, but they were parts of the muddled mess.

I think you may want to watch it, but don't forget I told you its a head scratcher.

2 of 5 stars.

Labels: movies, thoughts

Why do I keep labeling these posts with thoughts on the film I watched as reviews? I don't think I review them well, but I do do some snarky commentary. On occasion, I do write something resembling a review, but it's few and far between.

That said, then let's see what I have to say about The A-Team.

I wasn't a fan of the original show. Never really watched it religiously because I couldn't get over the fact that they shot at the bad guys, but never killed anyone. So my expectations are low already. I can't compare it to some beloved show from my youth, because it isn't beloved.

It was fun, pure summer movie fun. Lot's of things blowing up. People dying! People shot. Face macking on some girl. Hannibal scheming. Murdoch crazy, actually lunatic insane crazy. BA being a badass. What more do you need from mindless summer entertainment? Popcorn, too. Then there is the Jessica Biel. Hot. Beautiful legs. Except, she wasn't needed. A little bit of the love-romantic interest? Not needed. All we need is the plan so that it comes together.

Yup. It does.

3 of 5 stars.

Labels: movies, review, thoughts

Plenty to talk about. Hard to write down though. Trying to capture some things that have been rattling around my head this early month of 2010, the year we make contact.

Watching movies is getting hard again. Netflix queue is backed up again. Perhaps it may take longer than usual to unclog and I'm sure I'm approaching the last overdue record. Sunshine why must you mock me? Going to the movies? Also hard, especially with lame movies like this. Are there gonna be anything good coming out? Or do I have to wait for this or this.

Baseball season will commence soon. In thirty or so days, spring training. Then I will get to sit next to Nick Markakis in right for thirteen games. There's still time if you want to join me. Yet, they just raised the prices for walk up games. How am I going to go to all the business men specials on the spur of the moment? I planned to go to all the day games and root, but I'm disappointed in the price hike. Didn't we just show up and buy tickets lots last year?

Work is still sucky. I'm not feeling it as a software engineer. I wish I knew someone that would make working fun. Let's build out good software. I wish I could be cool again.

Got a cool app. Mini-Link. Don't know if it works. It's a social app. Why aren't Mini drivers girls?

Trying to read lots of books. Still stuck on that city one. I'm onto Green Mars. I have to get to my Christmas present. I still go to the bookstore, but I'm trying to hold off on the books.

Anime! Anime! Anime! Manga! Manga! Manga! The only spring anime I'm torrenting is Baka to Test to Shokanju. Funny! Still watching KimiTodo, Cross Game, and Railgun. Still buying lots of manga.

Nendoroids are my favorite. I have received four more and I haven't opened up the boxes on three. I want more. More nendoroids! They are so cute.

Plenty of more to say, but I can't keep writing. Hit me up in comments with your thoughts especially those of the 16 early days of January.

Labels: anime, baseball, link fest, mini, nendoroid, thoughts, wishing for a pony

I'm reading Scott Pilgrim, but am hearing Philip J. Fry in my head. They're the same character, right?

Labels: just asking, thoughts

Because I've seen another movie since I saw this one, I have to write up my thoughts and/or review on the latest Mike Judge film, Extract. But, for real, I completely forgot I saw this film until TheSeed, as we were leaving the theatre reminded me.

Extract follows the same Mike Judge movie release M.O: A misleading ad campaign, a less than stellar opening weekend, an early, ignominious exit. Maybe it would follow the rest of his other movies and become a hit on video and constant rotation on Comedy Central. Maybe. It's got a chance. It fits right in after Waiting and before Employee of the Month.

The bad ad campaign starts with the misleading idea that Mila Kunis is the love mistress there to steal Jason Bateman's heart. She's there, but her story is completely different.

The movie is terrible. Not very funny. Completely forgettable. Don't watch until it comes on Comedy Central. Although, it did make Kristen Wiig look kind of cute. But that's not enough.

2 of 5 stars.

Labels: movies, review, thoughts

Wolverine is a terrible movie. The plot changes left and right. Was it an homage to Watchmen? "Someone's murdering our old team." Or did they just make it random. He was helping then he was the enemy then he's part of the plot. Or he was my friend, then my brother, then my enemy and now my friend again.

The opening was another homage to Watchmen.

Why was Sabretooth jealous of Wolverine? I don't know. They never show Wolverine doing anything awesome. In fact I thought Sabretooth was the bad ass.

Hugh Jackman was always miscast as Wolverine. Too friendly and not menacing enough. "I'm the best at what I do, and what I do ain't pretty." Sure. Sure. Pretty boy. I haven't seen you do anything kick ass.

I always thought to know the origin of Wolverine was the suck. This movie shows how stupid it was.

I want to see Professor Xavier/Magneto movie.

2 of 5 stars.

Labels: movies, thoughts