A place that I can talk about things like movies, shows, tech, and the pertinent nature of geek culture. My opinion is the one you want, because it's the only one that's right.
Saturday, October 31, 2015
Star Wars Trailer #3 Breakdown
Shameless Self Promotion
For months I have been dark, but I cannot keep my silence any longer. Too many things have come to pass that I feel I MUST comment on. The inner nerd (and the outer one) can keep this vigil no longer. Movies, conspiracies, books, and even television have all seen additions that have made me come out of hibernation to ask you this one, simple question:
There has been an awakening. Have you felt it?
Seriously though, it’s time to return. I decided to take a break from writing this blog, which turned into an extended vacation of sorts. This led to a hiatus, which turned into a pit of loathing and self-deprecation, and a spiraling meltdown of the brain with endless questions of existence. Yes, woe is me. But woe is you too, since you have been without my words and thoughts for a long time. So here we go.
Getting right down to business, the first thing I want to talk about is STAR WARS!
Yes, the long awaited sequel to the original Star Wars trilogy is finally within sight, starting with “The Force Awakens.” It was around three years ago that Disney acquired the popular franchise from the king neckbeard himself, George Lucas.
Can you believe that the next chapter of the popular space opera is filmed and being readied for consumption as of right this minute? It is truly amazing to think that in my lifetime alone I have seen the dormant OT (Original Trilogy circa 1977-1983) get a revision in the mid-90’s with the Special Edition, then get a PT (Prequel Trilogy, also known as “Utter Crap”), to now having the one of the largest and most widely known companies produce a brand new and fresh addition to the saga coming in December.
I can only imagine how some of you older ones feel, having witnessed the destruction of the dinosaurs and all the other historical events that make you old now seeing your inevitable end creeping closer. Oh, and also there is a new Star Wars for you to scratch your head at and ask, “W-what’s an Ewok?” or “Jabba the What?”
There are now three trailers out for this movie (which are each equally hype inducing), several books and comics to lead us through this “Journey to the Force Awakens,” and a television show that his bridging the gap between the PT and the OT, called “Star Wars Rebels.” I believe I have commented on this show in the past, and let me tell you, I was wrong.
“Star Wars Rebels” is in fact a pretty good show. Freddie Prinz Jr. doesn’t ruin any part of the show, and that stupid Ezra kid, while still stupid, isn’t as Jar Jar Binks as he initially came off as being. I could not have been farther from the truth with my initial feelings about the show. I has all the story and heart as the original movies do, with some twists and action elements that keep the viewer wanting to find out what happens. It is worth a look at, if you were wondering.
Secondly, I would like to switch gears and talk about one of the projects I have been working on for a few years now. It is a comic book that a friend and I have developed and will be released in December. It is called “The Red Hand.” You may have heard me talk about it either here on the blog or some other medium, but I assure you it IS a real thing that IS going to come out very soon.
Without giving the entire plot away, the basics of the story are as follows:
There is a man.
That is pretty much it. Thanks for reading my blog and may the force be with you!
I’m just joshing you, guy. Pffsh.
The story is about a man named Matt Walker, a divorced father of one who works for a company that develops new tech and armor for the military. After a tragic death in his family, he sets out to bring justice to the one who caused it, and along the way unravels a mystery that is too big for anyone to ignore. Using prototype armor from the company he works for, he goes on a vigilante mission to find the man responsible for the death that cut him to the core and forced him to become the Red Hand. But far from being a superhero with powers or special abilities, Matt must fight his way through gangsters and thugs, all while battling his inner turmoil at losing a beloved family member.
Obviously there is more to the story than that. There are other characters and things that happen, but that is essentially it. The first page will be released in December, followed by the next page later in the week, or possibly the week after. Depending on how it all comes together we may do a bi-weekly release, rather than a weekly one. But the first issue is going to be kind of a trial-and-error process that will help us not only gauge the interest in the story but also gather other info that will help us as we release more. But we are excited and eager to show you all.
Expect more from me very soon here on the blog. I already have my breakdown of the newest Star Wars trailer, so look forward to that. But that is all for this edition of Night Rider. Stay tuned to see me in a clown costume bring new meaning to the phrase, “jump the shark.” Just like the Fonz did. Ayyyyyyyy.
So long, jerks!
Monday, October 27, 2014
Come and rock me Doctor Zaius!
So I was pretty pumped to see this movie and I feel like my expectations were matched pretty evenly. As a fan of the originals and the reboot from 2011 (not the Tim Burton one), I was hoping for a film that held my interest, not confused or angered me.
I'm looking at you, Tim Burton.
Nothing can top the original from the 60's, but as long as an 'Apes' film stays in the same vein as its origin, it has the potential to do well. Rise of the Planet of the Apes (released in 2011) achieved this by introducing how the apes became sentient. This was a good starting point, especially because it didn't focus on evolution, but instead adopted a more scientific approach. It also focused on the apes and not the humans, unlike other movies.
I'm looking at you, GODZILLA.
I liked this new movie for those very reasons, with only a few nuanced reasons I didn't like. Read on for my review, and get your stinking paws off me!
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes takes place ten years after 'Rise' from 2011. Apes have built a thriving community in the woods of Muir forest in the San Fransisco area, and it's obvious they are better off that way. This film takes the idea of apes becoming sentient and exacerbates it, or speeds it up, showing how things have changed since the first ape became self aware by coming in contact with the monolith.
Wait...no...that's a different movie.
What I like about this is that while they are still very primitive, they do have a kind of intelligent culture developing. It's not like what is shown in the 60's film, but you can see how things are heading in that direction.
For example, they use a mixture of sign language and grunts as you'd expect, but also some actual words to communicate, which makes sense because of how their leader, Caesar, was brought up by the humans. Their language shows how intelligent they have become, but having the apes talk isn't used as a gimmick or trick like in other versions.
Still looking at you, Tim.
Tensions rise after a human runs into a couple of apes, gets scared, and shoots one dead. This leads Caesar to let the humans know just how things will proceed by telling them to stay away from their territory. The only problem is that mankind isn't as self sustaining as the apes.
Unlike the apes, the humans need power, as their fuels are running dangerously low. Their only hope is a dam that lays within the apes territory. The whole situation is a powder keg, and as you can guess, things don't go well - for either party.
I won't say much more about the story than that, but I DO want to comment on the characters and their place in the story.
All good stories have similar characters. Think about it this way: Batman and Joker are essentially the same character, only with different motivations and goals. And it doesn't have to be heroes/villains either, like in the case of Han Solo and Luke Skywalker. They are the exact same character story wise, just with different backgrounds, but with the same kind of "hero journey."
Caesar and the main human character, Malcolm, have the same goals in the movie. They both want to keep the peace between apes and humans, all while keeping their family and people safe. They both are leaders, but find it increasingly difficult to maintain control or influence. It's this familiarity that makes the two unlikely friends.
But JUST friends. There's no ape/human kissing like in the 60's movie.
Ugh.
There are a few really scary moments, and I don't mean scary as in like "BOO!" or jump moments. Just look at this picture and you'll see:
I mean, is that not unsettling? An ape with a gun, like, is really strange. I realize in the original the apes had guns, but I think because it was just a dude in a suit it wasn't scary, for me at least. Maybe it was back in the 60's. But that image is enough to add an element of fright to this movie that is both good and bad. Bad in the sense that my wife refuses to watch it with me, but good because thank the lord I get a moment to myself, y'know?
Basically, the movie is well done, and is left open for another sequel that I'm sure will blow the peals off bananas. Which, oddly enough is my only complaint, the lack of more banana jokes. Or bananas IN the movie for that matter. Oh well.
All-in-all, I give this movie five Charlton Heston's screaming on a beach out of five.
I hope you enjoyed this "review" and continue to visit this blog. It's just a hobby, but it's nice to have visitors. So feel free to comment or whatever here or on Facebook, Twitter, or Tumblr.
That's it for now. I'll go back to playing Ingress. What? You've never heard of Ingress? Hm. Well....
www.Ingress.com
Thanks again. Here's a glimpse at my next post:
Just kidding, that's a dang, dirty ape.
Monday, October 13, 2014
Rebels And Starry Wars And Stuff
Sunday, October 5, 2014
Saturday, September 20, 2014
It's Pumpkin Season Guys...
Just like how everyone wants to be Batman (yes you do), everyone loves pumpkin pie. It's a delicious treat that starts becoming available in the fall, and makes for a great latté at your favorite coffee shop. You can have it with whipped cream, or a scoop of ice cream, or even plain for all you simpletons out there. Weirdos.
But none of this matters really. Why? Because you can only get pumpkin flavoured things in the fall. Sure, thats when the season for pumpkins starts and they are growing and junk. But, with all the genetically modified foods out there, you'd think someone would've made a pumpkin that grows all-year round.
It's depressing, but this isn't a food blog, so sooooo.......
Star Wars Episode VII began filming this year and it set the world on fire with anticipation. That fire has spread uncontrollably since pictures and artwork have been "leaked" from the set. Most of you have seen them, but I'd like to highlight some of the most exciting ones I've seen.
Set to be released late 2015, Star Wars Episode VII will hopefully look something like this:
This is obviously not official (because Carrie Fisher is NOT that thin), but it is a glimpse of what it will look like. Now don't get your hopes up, because like I said in a previous post, there will be no Lando in Episode VII, so just ignore Billy Dee there in the middle. This next one is done with photoshop, but it's no less exciting:
This one features most of the main actors that have been announced to be in the movie(s). Again, it's photoshopped and not official, but does it not excite your midichlorians a little? Now on to some official stuff.
So this is a "leaked" picture of the new Stormtrooper helmet, and an artist rendition of what they'll look like onscreen. It's reminiscent of the old ones, but way cool and whatever. My question is this: if the Empire was destroyed in Return of the Jedi, why are there still Stormtroopers?
These pics were leaked recently. It's of the Millennium Falcon and two new versions of the X-Wing fighter or the Z-95 Headhunter, I'm not sure. Who knows. It's so cool to see the Falcon and something that resembles a spaceship that I don't even care. This is awesome.
This is all fine and good and Star Wars is cool, but what I really want to know is what the story will be about. What will happen? What has happened to my favorite characters? I'm interested in these things because I think all Star Wars fans are worried, and I'll tell you why....in song.
When the original trilogy (or the OT) was released in the 70's and 80's, no one had a problem with the story. It was solid and entertaining and an adventure to watch and grow up with. And when the prequel trilogy (or the PT) was announced everyone got excited. There would be more Star Wars in the world! Yay us!
But man, were we all wrong. The story was convoluted, the acting was bad, and the only really good thing to come out of it was Ewan McGregor and his portrayal of a younger Obi-Wan Kenobi. God bless him for that.
And Mace Windu. He was baaaaad.
"Say 'what' again, I double dare you!"
George Lucas single handedly created the sci-fi film layout with the OT. But with the PT he single handedly destroyed his own creation and forever blurred the lines that separated his fans from everything else. After Episode I, people who had been hardcore Star Wars fans felt jaded and ended up looking for alternatives to feed their desire for sci-fi.
That's when movies started trying to be Star Wars, and I think it was a good thing because it paved the way for Disney to start making movies that would later prove their competence at taking the reins of Star Wars. It's like when Han gave the Millennium Falcon to Lando in Return of the Jedi.
And she won't. Star Wars fans have been hurt in the past, and we won't be happy with anything less than perfect, unlike Star Trek fans who just accept the fact that every other film is going to be terrible. "The Search For Spock"? Ugh, please. And don't get me started on the updated versions either.
So, I am excited for the new Star Wars movies. I especially can't wait for official pictures of the cast, like Luke in his Jedi robes, or Han I'm his space pirate costume. Or even the newcomers like whoever Daisy Ridley or John Boyega are going to play. This is as close as we can get right now:
As long as George Lucas has nothing to do with this new set of movies, I am fine. Because no one wants to see things like this anymore:
I think about those pictures a lot.
Thank you for reading my blog. I will be reviewing movies shortly, I just have to see them. Like the new Ninja Turtles, Planet of the Apes, and Guardians of the Galaxy. Those will be sometime soon.
Until then, please click an ad, because I can't. Google will kidnap my wife and child and hold them hostage if I do.
Which is why I have Liam Neeson on speed dial.
Goodbye, and thanks again.
























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