by rodvanblake | Jul 24, 2017 | Blog, Character Journey, movie review, Storyline
War of the Planet of the Apes heralds the return of Caesar. Everyone’s favorite accidental genius chimpanzee from the new Planet of the Apes trilogy is back. As trilogies go this is a good one. Most trilogies have a good to great first film only to trend downwards into the third. Thankfully this one has a steady quality throughout the three films. At least that’s my humble opinion. Then again I like action science fiction movies as I have been enthralled the genre and even published my very own science fiction novel as a result. Are there plot holes? Senseless ploys for cheap attempts at emotional connection? Absolutely but I believe if you are a fan of the first two films, you will like this one as well. If you have not seen the first two films, stop what you’re doin cause I’m about to ruin…never mind go see the first two before this one for continuity and better enjoyment. Seriously book mark this review rent the first two digitally and go see Rise of the Planet of the Apes and Dawn before heading into to see their conclusion with this film. Then come back to finish this review to see if you agree with my analysis. Now for the rest of you that have seen the first two films you already know how Caesar came to be the intelligent leader of the apes in Rise, then the problems that came with his right hand ape Koba who could not forgive humans for the atrocities committed...
by rodvanblake | May 10, 2017 | Blog, Character Journey, movie review, Storyline
It seems that Marvel/Disney has achieved what for many motion pictures is a nearly impossible feat in that the second Guardians of the galaxy movie is as good and possibly better than the first! Now in my humble opinion Volume 2 does not surpass the first film but comes very close. I have seen a lot of reviews saying it was better and while I feel it was a bit more substantive as far as emotional content, it falls just shy of the mark that film hit for me. I am also honest enough to admit that could possibly be due to the attachment I have with our first cinematic introduction to Peter Quill and his band of intergalactic misfits. First of if you’re not a comic book fan and have not seen the first film, stop what you’re doing, bookmark this blog, rent or buy Guardians of the Galaxy then go see Vol. 2 if you have not done so already! These are easily two of Marvel’s best efforts to date that have everything even if you’re not into super hero, action, or sci-fi films. These two films have a lot more to offer than awesome space battles and intense action which are two of my favorite things personally but they’re combined with comedy that’s not forced and emotional weight that makes it all easy to relate to despite the fantastical veneer. In this second installment we are reintroduced to Peter Quill(Starlord), Gamora, Drax, Rocket Raccoon and Groot now in adorable baby form...
by rodvanblake | Apr 12, 2017 | Blog, Character Journey, movie review, Storyline
It took me a couple weeks but I was finally able to check this film out despite the angst and vitriol spewed at it in the wake of Scarlett Johansen being cast as the Major. I liked the original anime released back in 1995 directed by Mamoru Oshii based on the manga series written and illustrated by Masamune Shirow, neither of which had a problem with the casting by the way. If you’re unfamiliar this story follows the exploits of a leader of an elite team called section 9 who is basically a brain housed inside of a fully synthetic android body. I believe the brain, or “ghost” of the woman who is in the body is definitely Japanese, but the body can be modeled after what ever race you want. Also interesting to add that many anime characters often have European features but the Japanese still consider them as Japanese or Nihonjin in their eyes. Most of the uproar occurred here in the U.S. where it’s at approximately 31 million in revenue yet 96 million worldwide and doing well in Japan. Go figure. That’s not to say I think whitewashing doesn’t happen because I know it does. I just don’t think that was the case with this film. Getting back to the plot the Major in the anime and loosely in this film is always questioning her existence and searching for a past she only vaguely gets bits and pieces of through flashbacks they call glitches. The film is visually stunning with plenty of CGI but not so much that it gets overwhelming. Where it...
by rodvanblake | Mar 6, 2017 | Blog, Character Journey, Storyline
20th Century Fox who owns the rights to X-men, and Wolverine have always had the bad habit of putting kid gloves on their films from the Marvel universe. I’m thinking the surprise success of Deadpool gave them the confidence to give Logan an R rating. Comic fans from the 80’s or prior who may have kids…this is not a kid friendly movie! There is extreme violence, vulgar language, and is themed for adults despite it’s comic book origins. That being said I think it had to be that way in order to be faithful to the character and it hit the perfect tone for an old disgruntled mutant on his last leg as far as how they would act and see the world if it ever happened in reality. In this latest effort we see Logan who is not a spring chicken anymore, seems to have fallen on hard times scrapping for money as an uber driver with a limousine. He is taking care of Charles Xavier who is suffering from ALS and mutants have been gone from the world as far as Logan knows. He later finds out there are in fact other mutants and one in particular is a clone which shares some of his genetic material. Enter Laura or X-23. The X program is still going and this little girl is a fugitive from the company currently running it. She turns to Logan for help. Donald Pierce...
by rodvanblake | Feb 24, 2017 | Blog, Character Journey, Uncategorized
Keanu is back for the second installment of John Wick and does not disappoint. I have seen some other reviews of this film which opine that it’s better than the first. I don’t agree. It’s John Wick doing John Wick stuff in his usual no holds barred visceral way, and quite enjoyable if you liked the first one but not better. In this movie the main character is drawn back into the world of ultra chic secret guild of assassins we were introduced to in the first film, and we get to meet the one responsible for Wick being able to retire. After the events of the first film Wick dipped his pinky back in and his former benefactor decides to call in a blood marker for having done him a favor before. John Wick tries to respectfully decline stating he aint about that life anymore, and chaos ensues similarly to what happened in the first film. Not trying to give too much away in case anyone reading this has not had a chance to see the film. It is late in the month though and I highly recommend going to see this film if you have not already. Wick has another dog in this one and I was hoping they would not mess with it this time. The action was great and properly paced as they move from one set piece to the next. If you’re a fan of the first film or...
by rodvanblake | Jul 7, 2016 | Blog, Character Journey
I often wonder where R.A. Salvatore got the idea for Drizzt who was initially supposed to be a side character introduced to us in the Icewindale trilogy. Do authors get their characters from people they’ve run into in real life, or do they simply pull them from their wild imaginations? I think it has to be a mix of both whether you’re a seasoned sci-fi or fantasy author or someone who is aspiring to be the next New York Times best seller that nobody has heard of yet. Art is and will always be in some way a reflection of life. Yet United some characters are born of hypothetical beings put in created situations. We all know how cheap jerseys most of us would react in certain situations but that can be a bit boring right? The events New of numerous natural disasters have in fact happened over the years, but what if you were there and had super speed or strength to do something about what the results were? I would hope the scenario would change somewhat. That’s the beauty of science fiction, fantasy, comics and a myriad of other creative avenues of expressing these what if scenarios. cheap jerseys In my short experience as an author some of the characters in my book are in fact inspired by people I have interacted with during my time in the Marines and other wholesale nfl jerseys times of my life. Others were simply people or being I created based cheap jerseys China on expanded what if theories. I am curious to know how others come the up with there...
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