The Addams Family is morbidly fun. Perfect casting with great chemistry, great visual and off-kilter humor with a very enjoyable soundtrack. RIP Raul Julia, the best Gomez Addams.
Monday, January 19, 2015
Toy Story - Notes on the Narrative
Toy Story is probably one of the best subversive movies out there. What you think is a story about the beginning of a friendship is actually the story of an egotistical asshat (Woody) who's main goal is to break the spirit and crush the reality of a friendly, well-meaning toy (Buzz) out of jealousy. Woody only let's up once Buzz is broken (physically and psychologically), whereupon he regains his power and status between the two and returning Buzz to the group regains his power and status with the other toys. Andy's feelings and Woody's relationship to him never really mattered; it's all about Woody's pride and his relationship/status to the other toys.
But the excellent direction, pacing, humor and catchy soundtrack by Randy Newman (which should have been an obvious sign) prove quite the distraction.
Three cheers for the bad guy!
But the excellent direction, pacing, humor and catchy soundtrack by Randy Newman (which should have been an obvious sign) prove quite the distraction.
Three cheers for the bad guy!
Friday, January 2, 2015
House of Flying Daggers review - beautiful cinematography with an excellent soundtrack
House of Flying Daggers is a very enjoyable Eastern love story with some good twists. Yes, it can be a bit slow at times and there's not much story outside the love story/relationships - the larger picture story of the revolution/conflict is largely an after thought. However, the real highlights are the beautiful cinematography, fun action and excellent soundtrack. I particularly enjoyed the occasional silence/lack of dialogue to communicate and convey emotions
Recommended for those looking for a beautiful-looking action-romance with great music who enjoy a patient journey.
Recommended for those looking for a beautiful-looking action-romance with great music who enjoy a patient journey.
Thursday, January 1, 2015
Black Mirror series 1 and 2 review
I love the premise of Black Mirror - a dark look at how technology and society interact, as well as what our future may hold. The anthology format allows them to tell whatever stories they want, increasing the ability for satire.
Unfortunately, the premise of the show is also one of its downfalls. Tonally, the show is excellent and the music does a fantastic job of highlighting the dark nature of the show. However, the stories, particularly in the first series, fall too much into the realm of gimmicks. It felt too much like the episodes were relying on their satire premise rather than actually telling good stories.
The second series does a better job of rectifying this, with the first episode of the second series, "Be Right Back," being perhaps the best of the anthology. However, the second two episodes aren't quite as impactful, with "White Bear" being perhaps the worst of the anthology.
There are so many great, lofty ideas in the show, but the anthology nature combined with mixed runtimes and episodic nature hurts them. Few of the episodes actually feel complete. A number of them feel like they could have been fleshed out more, either as a mini-series or feature (ex. "White Bear" and "The Waldo Moment.").
Despite the above, I actually do recommend the show primarily for its dark tone and music. It's good, if not very good on the whole, but select episodes may be hit or miss. I'm definitely curious about the Christmas special.
Ranked episodes below, best to worst:
Be Right Back (very good)
The Entire History of You (very good)
The Waldo Moment (good)
The National Anthem (good)
Fifteen Million Merits (meh)
White Bear (meh)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2085059/?ref_=tt_ov_inf
Unfortunately, the premise of the show is also one of its downfalls. Tonally, the show is excellent and the music does a fantastic job of highlighting the dark nature of the show. However, the stories, particularly in the first series, fall too much into the realm of gimmicks. It felt too much like the episodes were relying on their satire premise rather than actually telling good stories.
The second series does a better job of rectifying this, with the first episode of the second series, "Be Right Back," being perhaps the best of the anthology. However, the second two episodes aren't quite as impactful, with "White Bear" being perhaps the worst of the anthology.
There are so many great, lofty ideas in the show, but the anthology nature combined with mixed runtimes and episodic nature hurts them. Few of the episodes actually feel complete. A number of them feel like they could have been fleshed out more, either as a mini-series or feature (ex. "White Bear" and "The Waldo Moment.").
Despite the above, I actually do recommend the show primarily for its dark tone and music. It's good, if not very good on the whole, but select episodes may be hit or miss. I'm definitely curious about the Christmas special.
Ranked episodes below, best to worst:
Be Right Back (very good)
The Entire History of You (very good)
The Waldo Moment (good)
The National Anthem (good)
Fifteen Million Merits (meh)
White Bear (meh)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2085059/?ref_=tt_ov_inf
Happy New Year - Time to Shed Our Defensive Culture of Blame
First, read this: http://www.newstatesman.com/laurie-penny/on-nerd-entitlement-rebel-alliance-empire
There are a lot of great points and I do agree with the general view on society's current state/situations (there's a lot of privilege out there with plenty of room for improvement), but I take issue with the general tone and construction of the piece in that it continues to generalize both men and women and only comments/calls out that SOCIETY is wrong. To paraphrase the piece, SOCIETY is bad due to patriarchy, as such, BOTH men and women are flawed (but nerdy white males have it easier than they're possibly willing to acknowledge) - I have no issue with this statement and actually recommend reading her link towards the end of Rebellions and Empires.
What I take issue with is that I'm getting tired of statements/pieces with this message because they present no real solution nor do they go to the actual source of the problem (regardless of who wrote the article). They generalize people in the sense that they are a complicit (or active) part of society and society is the problem. EVERYONE is thus inherently bad.
Sure, they acknowledge that everyone has a different life which may comparatively be difficult, but continue to generalize and inadvertently be negative. It's a backhanded, unintentional if not direct, insult, as opposed to being something more positive, uplifting and eye opening.
We need to more directly call out the root of the issue - the INDIVIDUAL. Society is made up of a large number of individuals. We do not individually act as a society. We are not psychic, even if there's occasionally a group mind. The INDIVIDUAL is what we can change. Like a pebble thrown into calm water, if we can change an individual it can have a ripple effect to hopefully spread more positivity. To walk among a society composed of beacons of light would be simply illuminating.
Be a good HUMAN, not just a good man or a good woman. Treat others as you want to be treated. Take more confidence and comfort in yourself and your individuality. Know that at the end of any day, the lowest common denominator is YOU. Actively LISTEN to each other. Maintain a POSITIVE ATTITUDE, for attitude is one of the best things we can control. Build positive habits. Acknowledge that we are flawed and imperfect. Take responsibility for all of the good and bad in your life and reflect on how and where you can change and grow. Soak it all in and reflect. Remove the bad.
For better or worse, we're currently in a CULTURE OF BLAME, with the center of the blame being who's currently in power in our society/culture - heteronormative white males. There's a lot of blame going around, on oppression (by minorities) and victimization (by majorities). I frequently see a constant failure to accept any negative responsibilities, regardless of side - and both sides are contributing to the blame/negativity. The amount and degree of that doesn't even really matter, everyone has some degree of it and all that matters is the individual level.
There will probably always be differences between us humans - sex, gender, sexuality, ethnicity - but we're all human. We're all individuals with our own unique backgrounds and identities. We all have difficulties, some more than others. We should be open and honest in discussing these situations, but not as a means to pass blame, simply to acknowledge the difference and learn how to change and improve. How can I as an individual be more empathetic, compassionate, helpful - how can I be more HUMAN?
Change can be very difficult and hard. We're often so caught up in emotions, technology, digital communication as a CULTURE OF DOING that we fail to act as a CULTURE OF BEING. The kneejerk reactions need to stop. We need to pause and reflect. Check ourselves and our thoughts.
The internet in this GOLDEN DIGITAL AGE is a great power that allows us to communicate on an instant global level. It's a great power that needs great responsibility and we have not been using it properly. We are perpetuating the fast spread of negativity because we like DRAMA. Take a look at pretty much any news outlet - sensational negativity. Take a look at all of the hotbed issues of the past few years and see what difference we as a society are actually making, how quick we are to forget - Occupy Wall Street, Ed Snowden's leak, Sandy Hook, Trayvon Martin, Catcalling, Gamergate, Ferguson.
Communication is very important. Incredibly important. RIDICULOUSLY important. It's what makes us the most advanced species on the planet, the most advanced species in the currently known UNIVERSE. Yet, what is it we're communicating, through both ACTIONS and WORDS?
It's January 1st, 2015. A fresh day of a fresh year. Let's pretend every day is a new day and new year. Let's focus on the positive and wash away the negativity of the past. Every day IS a new day. Every day IS a chance to be a new and better person, a new and better version of you. This year, as every year, I choose to make my New DAY'S Resolution a simple one:
Be a good human. Be the best me possible.
There are a lot of great points and I do agree with the general view on society's current state/situations (there's a lot of privilege out there with plenty of room for improvement), but I take issue with the general tone and construction of the piece in that it continues to generalize both men and women and only comments/calls out that SOCIETY is wrong. To paraphrase the piece, SOCIETY is bad due to patriarchy, as such, BOTH men and women are flawed (but nerdy white males have it easier than they're possibly willing to acknowledge) - I have no issue with this statement and actually recommend reading her link towards the end of Rebellions and Empires.
What I take issue with is that I'm getting tired of statements/pieces with this message because they present no real solution nor do they go to the actual source of the problem (regardless of who wrote the article). They generalize people in the sense that they are a complicit (or active) part of society and society is the problem. EVERYONE is thus inherently bad.
Sure, they acknowledge that everyone has a different life which may comparatively be difficult, but continue to generalize and inadvertently be negative. It's a backhanded, unintentional if not direct, insult, as opposed to being something more positive, uplifting and eye opening.
We need to more directly call out the root of the issue - the INDIVIDUAL. Society is made up of a large number of individuals. We do not individually act as a society. We are not psychic, even if there's occasionally a group mind. The INDIVIDUAL is what we can change. Like a pebble thrown into calm water, if we can change an individual it can have a ripple effect to hopefully spread more positivity. To walk among a society composed of beacons of light would be simply illuminating.
Be a good HUMAN, not just a good man or a good woman. Treat others as you want to be treated. Take more confidence and comfort in yourself and your individuality. Know that at the end of any day, the lowest common denominator is YOU. Actively LISTEN to each other. Maintain a POSITIVE ATTITUDE, for attitude is one of the best things we can control. Build positive habits. Acknowledge that we are flawed and imperfect. Take responsibility for all of the good and bad in your life and reflect on how and where you can change and grow. Soak it all in and reflect. Remove the bad.
For better or worse, we're currently in a CULTURE OF BLAME, with the center of the blame being who's currently in power in our society/culture - heteronormative white males. There's a lot of blame going around, on oppression (by minorities) and victimization (by majorities). I frequently see a constant failure to accept any negative responsibilities, regardless of side - and both sides are contributing to the blame/negativity. The amount and degree of that doesn't even really matter, everyone has some degree of it and all that matters is the individual level.
There will probably always be differences between us humans - sex, gender, sexuality, ethnicity - but we're all human. We're all individuals with our own unique backgrounds and identities. We all have difficulties, some more than others. We should be open and honest in discussing these situations, but not as a means to pass blame, simply to acknowledge the difference and learn how to change and improve. How can I as an individual be more empathetic, compassionate, helpful - how can I be more HUMAN?
Change can be very difficult and hard. We're often so caught up in emotions, technology, digital communication as a CULTURE OF DOING that we fail to act as a CULTURE OF BEING. The kneejerk reactions need to stop. We need to pause and reflect. Check ourselves and our thoughts.
The internet in this GOLDEN DIGITAL AGE is a great power that allows us to communicate on an instant global level. It's a great power that needs great responsibility and we have not been using it properly. We are perpetuating the fast spread of negativity because we like DRAMA. Take a look at pretty much any news outlet - sensational negativity. Take a look at all of the hotbed issues of the past few years and see what difference we as a society are actually making, how quick we are to forget - Occupy Wall Street, Ed Snowden's leak, Sandy Hook, Trayvon Martin, Catcalling, Gamergate, Ferguson.
Communication is very important. Incredibly important. RIDICULOUSLY important. It's what makes us the most advanced species on the planet, the most advanced species in the currently known UNIVERSE. Yet, what is it we're communicating, through both ACTIONS and WORDS?
It's January 1st, 2015. A fresh day of a fresh year. Let's pretend every day is a new day and new year. Let's focus on the positive and wash away the negativity of the past. Every day IS a new day. Every day IS a chance to be a new and better person, a new and better version of you. This year, as every year, I choose to make my New DAY'S Resolution a simple one:
Be a good human. Be the best me possible.
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons review - A Great Step Forward in Interactive Narrative
Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons is a great step in the direction of games as art. It tells a very interesting narrative in a tight amount of time (around 5 hours, leisurely), doing a great job of combining the interactivity with the story.
Speaking of the story, it's the main draw of the game. The ending is must-play, while the rest of the game is very good. The emotional journey is the key driver in Brothers. While I do think the bulk of the story could have had more emotional elements throughout that led up to the ending, the ending still was able to provide me with a positive impact.
As such, I definitely recommend a playthrough.
Speaking of the story, it's the main draw of the game. The ending is must-play, while the rest of the game is very good. The emotional journey is the key driver in Brothers. While I do think the bulk of the story could have had more emotional elements throughout that led up to the ending, the ending still was able to provide me with a positive impact.
As such, I definitely recommend a playthrough.
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
Big Hero 6 and the Need for Good Storyboards
Considering the quality of talent involved, Big Hero 6 was a letdown. Co-Director Chris Williams was involved in large roles on two of the more charming Disney Feature Animation movies of the early 2000s - "The Emperor's New Groove" and "Bolt" - so I was rather hopeful that BH6 would at least have heart and charm. It did have both, but only in small doses, instead suffering from a syndrome of mid-2000s video games - great graphics (or animation) over solid, emotional narrative.
Before continuing to the problems, here's a quick list of the good:
1. Beautiful animation
2. Baymax was the best character, followed by Fred
3. Great to see ethnic diversity, even if one character bordered on stereotypical (Go Go)
4. Best of all, the pro education, science and experimentation message
However, none of the above was able to overshadow the generic story with mostly one-dimensional characters who lacked proper emotional arcs/development, particularly both lead character Hiro and the villain. Hiro's emotions lacked a good flow, causing his overall journey to feel shallow (not giving specifics so as to avoid spoilers). The villain had an absolutely unnecessary mystery element to them. There was no need to incorporate a mystery like that when doing an intro film for not just a single character, but a team. It was an extra layer that added nothing.
Like when Hiro and Baymax would take in a spectacular view, when zooming out to the see the big picture of the movie, the story becomes rather strange raising several questions. What is this story about? Is it about the brothers? Is it about a young genius discovering his potential? Is this a world with superheroes? Is this story about superheroes? Is it about relationships in general? Is it a team coming together to overcome the odds? It was scattered, to say the least, with the POV needing work.
As well, in a rather surprising move for a Disney movie, the world felt INCREDIBLY dangerous. The ragtag team of superheroes are actually a group of college students with no prior fighting skills utilizing super sharp and harmful weapons while the villain was overtly violent and murderous. It was shocking how often I felt the characters were in actual danger, particularly due to the previous world issue point (is this a world with superheroes who can take a beating or not?). Because these were real humans in larger-than-life situations, it lacked the proper weight when each superhero discovered their powers. Everyone just accepted their incredibly dangerous new reality as if there were no repercussions (and were suddenly mostly pros). That's a scary message for kids that more than balances out the positive message of point #4 above.
The reasons above could easily have been discovered and resolved during storyboarding had the film given that stage its proper due. To be fair, I have no idea what the pre-production and production phases of the film were like; it could have been plagued with problems. As it appears that there will be a sequel (which I am actually OK with), I hope Disney takes the time to learn from the mistakes of the first film. I'd love to see another example of a sequel that surpasses the original, even if the bar isn't that high.
An additional criticism that should have flagged the quality of the film - the poor use of pop music and rather mediocre soundtrack. The occasional pop song in a film can be great (such as the use of numerous Prince songs in Tim Burton's first Batman), but the ones in Big Hero 6 felt... childish. Granted, they weren't nearly as bad as other kids movies.
On a pet peeve final note, the character Honey-Lemon bugged me. Throughout the film she was the only character to properly pronounce Hiro's name as "Hee-Ro" rather than the more standard american "Hero." However, as even Hiro would pronounce his name as "Hero," I would have preferred if she had done the same. It's similar to Data from Star Trek: The Next Generation.
Before continuing to the problems, here's a quick list of the good:
1. Beautiful animation
2. Baymax was the best character, followed by Fred
3. Great to see ethnic diversity, even if one character bordered on stereotypical (Go Go)
4. Best of all, the pro education, science and experimentation message
However, none of the above was able to overshadow the generic story with mostly one-dimensional characters who lacked proper emotional arcs/development, particularly both lead character Hiro and the villain. Hiro's emotions lacked a good flow, causing his overall journey to feel shallow (not giving specifics so as to avoid spoilers). The villain had an absolutely unnecessary mystery element to them. There was no need to incorporate a mystery like that when doing an intro film for not just a single character, but a team. It was an extra layer that added nothing.
Like when Hiro and Baymax would take in a spectacular view, when zooming out to the see the big picture of the movie, the story becomes rather strange raising several questions. What is this story about? Is it about the brothers? Is it about a young genius discovering his potential? Is this a world with superheroes? Is this story about superheroes? Is it about relationships in general? Is it a team coming together to overcome the odds? It was scattered, to say the least, with the POV needing work.
As well, in a rather surprising move for a Disney movie, the world felt INCREDIBLY dangerous. The ragtag team of superheroes are actually a group of college students with no prior fighting skills utilizing super sharp and harmful weapons while the villain was overtly violent and murderous. It was shocking how often I felt the characters were in actual danger, particularly due to the previous world issue point (is this a world with superheroes who can take a beating or not?). Because these were real humans in larger-than-life situations, it lacked the proper weight when each superhero discovered their powers. Everyone just accepted their incredibly dangerous new reality as if there were no repercussions (and were suddenly mostly pros). That's a scary message for kids that more than balances out the positive message of point #4 above.
The reasons above could easily have been discovered and resolved during storyboarding had the film given that stage its proper due. To be fair, I have no idea what the pre-production and production phases of the film were like; it could have been plagued with problems. As it appears that there will be a sequel (which I am actually OK with), I hope Disney takes the time to learn from the mistakes of the first film. I'd love to see another example of a sequel that surpasses the original, even if the bar isn't that high.
An additional criticism that should have flagged the quality of the film - the poor use of pop music and rather mediocre soundtrack. The occasional pop song in a film can be great (such as the use of numerous Prince songs in Tim Burton's first Batman), but the ones in Big Hero 6 felt... childish. Granted, they weren't nearly as bad as other kids movies.
On a pet peeve final note, the character Honey-Lemon bugged me. Throughout the film she was the only character to properly pronounce Hiro's name as "Hee-Ro" rather than the more standard american "Hero." However, as even Hiro would pronounce his name as "Hero," I would have preferred if she had done the same. It's similar to Data from Star Trek: The Next Generation.
Birdman - A Groundbreaking Narrative of Required Viewing
To put it simply, it's a work of art that requires processing.
Upon leaving the theater, I thought it was more good than bad, but always interesting. After digesting it for some time, that still holds true. I'm not sure if I'd put it in my Top 5, Top 10 or even Top 50, but it's a very special movie. It's special because it manages to successfully walk the line between two worlds - it simultaneously celebrates and takes down both theater and cinema.
Director and writer (and team) Alejandro González Iñárritu made a completely unique piece of film that takes storytelling to a whole new level. There really is nothing quite like it and probably won't be for some time. Its legacy for the general public will more than likely end up as a cult independent movie primarily for film lovers, but its achievements will hopefully transcend its status.
Strangely, the only thing I may be able to compare it to is Scott Pilgrim as to how much the directors just own their story, narrative and experience; self-contained stories with their own language. It's incredibly meta and beautifully so.
The layered acting is also fantastic and one of the most noteworthy achievements of the film, due in part to its long takes. While Emma Stone and Edward Norton are the standouts (Norton's debut scene being one of the best of the experience), Michael Keaton obviously is the one to carry the movie. He's equal parts over-the-top and honest/vulnerable. I'd love to see him do a third Batman movie after this.
Not only do I highly recommend Birdman, I'll go so far as to say it's required viewing for fans of cinema, theater and/or narrative in general. Even if you don't fall in love with it, this is an important movie.
Upon leaving the theater, I thought it was more good than bad, but always interesting. After digesting it for some time, that still holds true. I'm not sure if I'd put it in my Top 5, Top 10 or even Top 50, but it's a very special movie. It's special because it manages to successfully walk the line between two worlds - it simultaneously celebrates and takes down both theater and cinema.
Director and writer (and team) Alejandro González Iñárritu made a completely unique piece of film that takes storytelling to a whole new level. There really is nothing quite like it and probably won't be for some time. Its legacy for the general public will more than likely end up as a cult independent movie primarily for film lovers, but its achievements will hopefully transcend its status.
Strangely, the only thing I may be able to compare it to is Scott Pilgrim as to how much the directors just own their story, narrative and experience; self-contained stories with their own language. It's incredibly meta and beautifully so.
The layered acting is also fantastic and one of the most noteworthy achievements of the film, due in part to its long takes. While Emma Stone and Edward Norton are the standouts (Norton's debut scene being one of the best of the experience), Michael Keaton obviously is the one to carry the movie. He's equal parts over-the-top and honest/vulnerable. I'd love to see him do a third Batman movie after this.
Not only do I highly recommend Birdman, I'll go so far as to say it's required viewing for fans of cinema, theater and/or narrative in general. Even if you don't fall in love with it, this is an important movie.
Saturday, July 26, 2014
My Resources for Life Lessons
Hello blog!
It's been a long time.
Just wanted to make a quick post about a few of my favorite sources for life lessons. I'll update this when relevant.
1. Improvisation - It teaches everything you need about being on a team (and having fun)
2. The book "Good to Great" - Excellent lessons on business and how not to panic when things aren't going well
3. http://www.marcandangel.com/2014/07/06/12-quiet-rituals-of-enormously-successful-humans/?utm_content=buffer02a96&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer - These really are great life lessons for success
4. http://www.businessinsider.com/ways-rich-people-think-differently-2014-5 - An eye-opener to different thought processes. It's not the black & white of rich vs poor, it's really about the mindset of successful people and how they view the world.
5. Standup - Nothing like putting yourself completely out there for all the world to see. It's nice to hold a mirror to yourself for full introspection. When you challenge yourself is when you grow.
6. The Golden Rule - because it's just nicer
It's been a long time.
Just wanted to make a quick post about a few of my favorite sources for life lessons. I'll update this when relevant.
1. Improvisation - It teaches everything you need about being on a team (and having fun)
2. The book "Good to Great" - Excellent lessons on business and how not to panic when things aren't going well
3. http://www.marcandangel.com/2014/07/06/12-quiet-rituals-of-enormously-successful-humans/?utm_content=buffer02a96&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer - These really are great life lessons for success
4. http://www.businessinsider.com/ways-rich-people-think-differently-2014-5 - An eye-opener to different thought processes. It's not the black & white of rich vs poor, it's really about the mindset of successful people and how they view the world.
5. Standup - Nothing like putting yourself completely out there for all the world to see. It's nice to hold a mirror to yourself for full introspection. When you challenge yourself is when you grow.
6. The Golden Rule - because it's just nicer
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