Sunday, April 20, 2014
Saturday, July 27, 2013
The Wolverine review for my friends at "Hey Let's Talk About This" podcast
Hello,
I haven't blogged since April and there's been many a thing that I have desired to blog about... Controversial reviews of Marvel's latest, "The Wolverine" movie have inspired me to break my silence.
My good friend Dave is a member of the talking heads of "Hey Let's Talk About This" ( https://www.facebook.com/HeyLetsTalkAboutThis ) a podcast about all things movie/game/tech etc that I tune in to on Saturday Nights when time affords. He said that tonight there would be a heated discussion about the film, and since I will be entertaining friends at my place & will be unable to chime in, I figured I'd give em my 2 cents ahead of time.
As an English Teacher, I will first prove my expertise on the subject of "Wolverine." As an expert, my opinion then holds more sway...hopefully.
It's like the beginning of the summer when I told my cousin that I really enjoyed "World War Z." He told me that it was a good movie, but as a zombie flick it wasn't that great. Now I'm not a huge zombie buff (I want to watch the walking dead but my wife gets queezy way too easily) so I have to appreciate that he's seen EVERY zombie movie ever made (not joking) and he's probably right. I still enjoyed the film, but didn't realize that it was lacking.
So let me first give me credentials:
Exhibit A: Wolverine #109, my letter to the editor printed in the back...so I've been IN a Wolverine Comic...many of the films critics haven't even been IN a comic book shop.
Exhibit B: My trade paper back copy of the Wolverine mini series purchased on January 17th 1994. How do I remember that date? Well it was a Monday...there was no school...Los Angeles suffered a devastating earthquake, and I went to Media Play in Orem where I purchased this trade paper back...as well as my first album ever...Ace of Base' "The Sign."
I could go on and on and take pictures of the hundreds of Wolverine comics I own. I could show you my son's birth certificate (Middle name Logan)...but the guys at "https://www.facebook.com/HeyLetsTalkAboutThis" probably want to get to the meat of this review.
The X-men comic books, when focusing on the team, would highlight certain characters for a few issues at a time. Maybe Cyclops would have a 3-4 issue story arc where he does something amazing...though not likely...he's a tool. Wolverine would get his highlights here or there, but Marvel knew that he had more story to tell since his past was so mysterious and what not. So Marvel let us explore Wolverine by bouncing between 2-3 story lines. The first being: Weapon X. The second being: Japan. The fact that the movie was set almost entirely in Japan was so refreshing for me.
When was the last time a Superhero movie came out where a major city wasn't in danger? Whether it's the Avengers stopping Aliens, Superman stopping...Aliens, or Spiderman stopping...lizards, or batman running around with a nuke, comic book movies almost always focus on the SAVE THE WORLD mentality.
Did this summer's Man of Steel have better action than The Wolverine? Well it certainly had MORE of it. It was pretty epic. But tell me, did anybody within the sound of my voice care at ALL about Superman or Lois Lane in the end? Were you even aware that Lois was a character? This is where the strength of the Wolverine comes in. This movie did was the "Wolverine Origins" movie could not do in 2009, it explored Wolverine's character in an effective way. By the end, we cared about his journey.
I loved the flash backs/ dream sequences with Jean Grey. Logan's dealing with ghosts of his past helped bring depth to a character who is usually more animal than man. Many movie goers (the nay sayers) probably just wanted Wolverine to scream and slash people up the whole time. I get that, it would be fun...like Man of Steel was fun...but it'd all just be eye candy.
The direction in this film was great. The locations were awesome, and the almost entirely Japanese cast made everything so authentic that I felt like I was watching a foreign film.
Now the mini series doesn't go into the whole CGI Silver Samurai realm. As a comic book fan does it bother me that they strayed from the comic a bit? Not really. If they stuck to the comic book every time then they would have been fighting Dark Phoenix on the moon in X-men last stand. It doesn't always work.
Most reviewers said the same thing: The first 3/4 of the movie were great, but the last 1/4 relied on the CGI big scenes. I agree, I probably would have liked something a little less "robotic" at the end. However, the rest of the film was so good that it doesn't bother me. It's like the, "I can forgive Jar Jar's presence because I know that Darth Maul eventually shows up and is so cool that it overshadows any shortcomings...though just barely"
Spoiler Alert:
One thing that REALLY bugged me...unless they fix it in the first 5 minutes of next year's "X-men Days of the Future Past"... was the loss of Wolverine's adamantium claws. Given the fact that they are supposed to be fighting HUGE METAL SENTINELS in the next X-installment....they best fix him up and fix him fast. I collected comics from 5th grade until 10th grade. Sometime in 1993 they decided it'd be a good idea to take away Wolverine's adamantium, care of Mangeto, and then not give it back for like 5 years.
They ALMOST gave it back once...then it didn't work out. At that point I quit reading marvel comics for about 5 years. Eventually they gave it back and now the character is back to being awesome...but if they think they can pull this off in the movie? They are going to be dead wrong.
Overall if I was going to give this movie a ranking, I'd give it an A- simply because of the CGI cop out ending and the ADAMANTIUM ISSUE! To overlook the rest of the movie would be a crime. Hugh Jackman was more Wolverine-ish than ever before. If you know the comics? You loved the movie. If you want a summer action packed blockbuster? You probably didn't get what you were coming for. Just know that this was a quality piece of work from this Wolverine specialist's point of view.
Go see the movie!
And tune in to Hey let's Talk About This" https://www.facebook.com/HeyLetsTalkAboutThis on Saturday nights-
JR
P.S. I'm also overlooking the CGI bear.....that....like Kingdom of the Crystal Skull....never happened
I haven't blogged since April and there's been many a thing that I have desired to blog about... Controversial reviews of Marvel's latest, "The Wolverine" movie have inspired me to break my silence.
My good friend Dave is a member of the talking heads of "Hey Let's Talk About This" ( https://www.facebook.com/HeyLetsTalkAboutThis ) a podcast about all things movie/game/tech etc that I tune in to on Saturday Nights when time affords. He said that tonight there would be a heated discussion about the film, and since I will be entertaining friends at my place & will be unable to chime in, I figured I'd give em my 2 cents ahead of time.
As an English Teacher, I will first prove my expertise on the subject of "Wolverine." As an expert, my opinion then holds more sway...hopefully.
It's like the beginning of the summer when I told my cousin that I really enjoyed "World War Z." He told me that it was a good movie, but as a zombie flick it wasn't that great. Now I'm not a huge zombie buff (I want to watch the walking dead but my wife gets queezy way too easily) so I have to appreciate that he's seen EVERY zombie movie ever made (not joking) and he's probably right. I still enjoyed the film, but didn't realize that it was lacking.
So let me first give me credentials:
Exhibit A: Wolverine #109, my letter to the editor printed in the back...so I've been IN a Wolverine Comic...many of the films critics haven't even been IN a comic book shop.
Exhibit B: My trade paper back copy of the Wolverine mini series purchased on January 17th 1994. How do I remember that date? Well it was a Monday...there was no school...Los Angeles suffered a devastating earthquake, and I went to Media Play in Orem where I purchased this trade paper back...as well as my first album ever...Ace of Base' "The Sign."
I could go on and on and take pictures of the hundreds of Wolverine comics I own. I could show you my son's birth certificate (Middle name Logan)...but the guys at "https://www.facebook.com/HeyLetsTalkAboutThis" probably want to get to the meat of this review.
The X-men comic books, when focusing on the team, would highlight certain characters for a few issues at a time. Maybe Cyclops would have a 3-4 issue story arc where he does something amazing...though not likely...he's a tool. Wolverine would get his highlights here or there, but Marvel knew that he had more story to tell since his past was so mysterious and what not. So Marvel let us explore Wolverine by bouncing between 2-3 story lines. The first being: Weapon X. The second being: Japan. The fact that the movie was set almost entirely in Japan was so refreshing for me.
When was the last time a Superhero movie came out where a major city wasn't in danger? Whether it's the Avengers stopping Aliens, Superman stopping...Aliens, or Spiderman stopping...lizards, or batman running around with a nuke, comic book movies almost always focus on the SAVE THE WORLD mentality.
Did this summer's Man of Steel have better action than The Wolverine? Well it certainly had MORE of it. It was pretty epic. But tell me, did anybody within the sound of my voice care at ALL about Superman or Lois Lane in the end? Were you even aware that Lois was a character? This is where the strength of the Wolverine comes in. This movie did was the "Wolverine Origins" movie could not do in 2009, it explored Wolverine's character in an effective way. By the end, we cared about his journey.
I loved the flash backs/ dream sequences with Jean Grey. Logan's dealing with ghosts of his past helped bring depth to a character who is usually more animal than man. Many movie goers (the nay sayers) probably just wanted Wolverine to scream and slash people up the whole time. I get that, it would be fun...like Man of Steel was fun...but it'd all just be eye candy.
The direction in this film was great. The locations were awesome, and the almost entirely Japanese cast made everything so authentic that I felt like I was watching a foreign film.
Now the mini series doesn't go into the whole CGI Silver Samurai realm. As a comic book fan does it bother me that they strayed from the comic a bit? Not really. If they stuck to the comic book every time then they would have been fighting Dark Phoenix on the moon in X-men last stand. It doesn't always work.
Most reviewers said the same thing: The first 3/4 of the movie were great, but the last 1/4 relied on the CGI big scenes. I agree, I probably would have liked something a little less "robotic" at the end. However, the rest of the film was so good that it doesn't bother me. It's like the, "I can forgive Jar Jar's presence because I know that Darth Maul eventually shows up and is so cool that it overshadows any shortcomings...though just barely"
Spoiler Alert:
One thing that REALLY bugged me...unless they fix it in the first 5 minutes of next year's "X-men Days of the Future Past"... was the loss of Wolverine's adamantium claws. Given the fact that they are supposed to be fighting HUGE METAL SENTINELS in the next X-installment....they best fix him up and fix him fast. I collected comics from 5th grade until 10th grade. Sometime in 1993 they decided it'd be a good idea to take away Wolverine's adamantium, care of Mangeto, and then not give it back for like 5 years.
Overall if I was going to give this movie a ranking, I'd give it an A- simply because of the CGI cop out ending and the ADAMANTIUM ISSUE! To overlook the rest of the movie would be a crime. Hugh Jackman was more Wolverine-ish than ever before. If you know the comics? You loved the movie. If you want a summer action packed blockbuster? You probably didn't get what you were coming for. Just know that this was a quality piece of work from this Wolverine specialist's point of view.
Go see the movie!
And tune in to Hey let's Talk About This" https://www.facebook.com/HeyLetsTalkAboutThis on Saturday nights-
JR
P.S. I'm also overlooking the CGI bear.....that....like Kingdom of the Crystal Skull....never happened
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Shoot her! Shooooooot Her!
I was 11 years old when Jurassic Park first hit theaters. I recall reading a juvenile novelization of it and hearing about how my cousins had already seen the movie on opening day...I was jealous. One Saturday in June or July, can't remember, my dad took my brother Cody and I to go see the movie. We were very excited. I'd been dreaming about it all summer. Then...the first scene of the movie happened.
It started with some trees waving back and forth, and I was expecting for a T-Rex or something to pop through and roar. Instead...it was a simple forklift. Little did I know that I was about to go through.
"Loading team step away...Gatekeeper.....Gatekeeper open the gate...."
Then, the outline of the dinosaur ran, kicked against the door, and the poor worker fell down. Then...in true Spielbergian fashion (just like in Jaws) an unseen creature grabbed the guy and pulled him in. The sound effects were horrifying as the raptor pulled the guy screaming into the cage. Muldoon did his best to get his fellow workers to "Work her back!"...but to no avail. Then...his desperate cries of "SHOOOOOOT HER! SHOOOOOOOOOOOOOT HERRRRR!" The grip that Muldoon had on the guy's poor hand slipped....and it was all over...
There I sat, my heart had fallen out of the back of my pants and I was pale. I'd been so excited to see this movie and now I was nervous to be sitting there. Truly an epic scene that I wasn't prepared for.
Fast forward almost 20 years to 2 nights ago. I sat with my friends Brent and John in a darkened theater with 3d glasses on for the re-release of Jurassic Park on the big screen.
It did NOT disappoint. Now you must realize that besides the Hobbit, I've never really enjoyed 3d movies. This is especially true of 3d done in post, which was of course the case for Jurassic Park. HOWEVER, they did such an incredible job with the 3d rendering (spared no expense of course) that there was no blur at ALL. The dinosaurs were crisp and kept trying to eat me I swear.
Thank you Mr. Spielberg....Films of this quality are never made anymore...or don't I mean extinct?
It started with some trees waving back and forth, and I was expecting for a T-Rex or something to pop through and roar. Instead...it was a simple forklift. Little did I know that I was about to go through.
"Loading team step away...Gatekeeper.....Gatekeeper open the gate...."
Then, the outline of the dinosaur ran, kicked against the door, and the poor worker fell down. Then...in true Spielbergian fashion (just like in Jaws) an unseen creature grabbed the guy and pulled him in. The sound effects were horrifying as the raptor pulled the guy screaming into the cage. Muldoon did his best to get his fellow workers to "Work her back!"...but to no avail. Then...his desperate cries of "SHOOOOOOT HER! SHOOOOOOOOOOOOOT HERRRRR!" The grip that Muldoon had on the guy's poor hand slipped....and it was all over...
There I sat, my heart had fallen out of the back of my pants and I was pale. I'd been so excited to see this movie and now I was nervous to be sitting there. Truly an epic scene that I wasn't prepared for.
Fast forward almost 20 years to 2 nights ago. I sat with my friends Brent and John in a darkened theater with 3d glasses on for the re-release of Jurassic Park on the big screen.
It did NOT disappoint. Now you must realize that besides the Hobbit, I've never really enjoyed 3d movies. This is especially true of 3d done in post, which was of course the case for Jurassic Park. HOWEVER, they did such an incredible job with the 3d rendering (spared no expense of course) that there was no blur at ALL. The dinosaurs were crisp and kept trying to eat me I swear.
I know this movie like the back of my hand. In fact if I needed to I could quote the whole thing while I watched it...but somehow, on the big screen this was almost new. This is one of those rare movies that makes such an impact that it transcends a "movie" and becomes "an experience." I'm not sure if the girl sitting in front of me had ever seen it before. Based on her reaction to one scene in particular, I'd guess this was her first time. Ellie Satler had just rebooted the system and turned the power back on in the shed. As the camera goes from floor to her face while watching the lights pop back on, she declares, "Mr. Hammond I think we're back in business" at which point a Velociraptor burst its head through the pipes and screamed at her. We were in stadium seating, but I swear the girl in front of me jumped up to my eye level and SCREAMED loudly. It was AWESOME! Watch the clip here.
Thank you Mr. Spielberg....Films of this quality are never made anymore...or don't I mean extinct?
Monday, March 25, 2013
AHAHAHAHAHHA made it
So...I used to blog here a lot. Then I started Grad School and I disappeared because any time I was on a computer I was doing homework. Well, as I concluded my 10 page paper on Sunday evening, I knew that I only had a couple of smaller assignments remaining until I graduate from grad school in April.
I'm so glad to be finished with the program. It took a lot out of me, made me feel frail and mortal, and resulted in me being tired, sick, and blech. These last few weeks have been nothing short of AAARGH! I have work at the high school from 7:15-2:45. We are currently in the middle of the school elections which has found me staying late to do student interviews and such. On Monday and Wednesday I work (once again) at Discovery Academy in Provo until 8:45 at night. On Tuesdays and Thursdays I have grad class from 4:30-7:30. Plus, we had a new baby (Parker Logan Reeves) on 3-1-13. SO it's been a STRESSFUL month. Well, with the elections ending Friday night and Spring Break next week, I feel that I'm alive enough to come back and type my thoughts/feelings.
Anyways,
I love the Spring Time. I love when the weather warms to the 60's and 70's and life is...alive. The other day during lunch some students and I were playing ultimate Frisbee. Students were flying kites, kicking soccer balls, and a few were even making out under a tree like crazy. I think the kid came up for air twice...yuck.
One of the best parts of Spring is the excitement I feel for the upcoming movies about to be released. Today...I bought my first ticket to a new movie. I got my I-max Star Trek 2 ticket for May 15th.... I'm just gonna go through the list of movies that I'm most excited for, then I'll leave you alone.
(in no particular order)
1. Iron Man 3- (preview looks awesome, and it'll be interesting to see what a post Avengers movie with an Avenger as the star in it is like.
2. Star Trek 2: Into Darkness- Considering the fact that the J.J. Abrams JUST signed on to do Star Wars VII, this movie will not only rock like the first one did, but shall also give me a good feel as to what we should expect in 2015.
3. Oblivion: Look, I know a lot of people dog on Tom Cruise for his choice of religion etc. But I for one love his movies, and this one looks pretty tight. Never hurts to boast "Morgan Freeman" in the cast either. Love me a good sci-fi flick.
4. Fast and Furious 6: Ummmmmm ok, I know that these movies aren't "great films" for snooty hipsters to enjoy. Fact is though, they are some of the best action flicks ever put to the big screen. In the trailer for part 6, Vin Diesel drives his car through the front of an exploding plane so...yeah...can't wait.
5. The Wolverine: Ok so I said there was no order....but this is probably the one I'm looking forward to the most, especially after the "nowhere near as cool as it could have been" Wolverine Origins, which I enjoyed...but did not LOVE. This could be the best movie of the summer for me.
I'm so glad to be finished with the program. It took a lot out of me, made me feel frail and mortal, and resulted in me being tired, sick, and blech. These last few weeks have been nothing short of AAARGH! I have work at the high school from 7:15-2:45. We are currently in the middle of the school elections which has found me staying late to do student interviews and such. On Monday and Wednesday I work (once again) at Discovery Academy in Provo until 8:45 at night. On Tuesdays and Thursdays I have grad class from 4:30-7:30. Plus, we had a new baby (Parker Logan Reeves) on 3-1-13. SO it's been a STRESSFUL month. Well, with the elections ending Friday night and Spring Break next week, I feel that I'm alive enough to come back and type my thoughts/feelings.
Anyways,
I love the Spring Time. I love when the weather warms to the 60's and 70's and life is...alive. The other day during lunch some students and I were playing ultimate Frisbee. Students were flying kites, kicking soccer balls, and a few were even making out under a tree like crazy. I think the kid came up for air twice...yuck.
One of the best parts of Spring is the excitement I feel for the upcoming movies about to be released. Today...I bought my first ticket to a new movie. I got my I-max Star Trek 2 ticket for May 15th.... I'm just gonna go through the list of movies that I'm most excited for, then I'll leave you alone.
(in no particular order)
1. Iron Man 3- (preview looks awesome, and it'll be interesting to see what a post Avengers movie with an Avenger as the star in it is like.
2. Star Trek 2: Into Darkness- Considering the fact that the J.J. Abrams JUST signed on to do Star Wars VII, this movie will not only rock like the first one did, but shall also give me a good feel as to what we should expect in 2015.
3. Oblivion: Look, I know a lot of people dog on Tom Cruise for his choice of religion etc. But I for one love his movies, and this one looks pretty tight. Never hurts to boast "Morgan Freeman" in the cast either. Love me a good sci-fi flick.
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Year in Review 2012
2012 had a lot of ups and a lot of downs. Personally I was all over the place with grad school and work and stress and such, however the world seemed to be a pretty ugly place this year. From that guy killing his kids and burning down his house in February to the Batman shooting to the Elementary School shooting a couple weeks ago...we live in a messed up place. I've got another kid due in March, and I have to pause and ask myself what kind of world I'm bringing that boy into. Anyways, here's my best of the bests list this year.
MOVIES
I can't really put them in order this year since there were so many awesome flicks. I can however put one above all others.
1. Moonrise Kingdom
This movie was a masterpiece. I've rarely been as entertained as I was when seeing this one. The all star cast was hilarious and nobody tried to steal the show...(though I believe that Edward Norton may have done so on accident). There's one awkward scene on a beach that is easily skipped. Best line of the movie...and of the whole year. Suzy: Was he a good dog? Sam: Who's to say? If you haven't seen this movie...stop reading and go NOW to your local red box.
2 and 3 are a tie between The Hobbit: An unexpected Journey, and The Avengers.
I saw the Hobbit more times in theaters than any other movie this year. This was the first big book I read as a kid. I believe I was in 4th or 5th grade when I first ventured into middle earth. I was so geeked about this movie that I bought 40 copies and made my class of seniors read it so that we could justify an epic field trip to see the movie. I saw it first at midnight in 2d and thought it was good. After my subsequent viewings in 3-d I've decided that this is on par with any of the LOTR films. The action was incredibly cool but the visual feast put together by Peter Jackson was glorious.
Honorable Mentions in Film: I also enjoyed the following films this year: The Grey (Lliam Neeson punching wolves), Prometheus (Alien prequel that was so intense I may have caused serious liver damage) Skyfall (James Bond's most successful venture yet) John Carter of Mars (If you know what the source material was...it was great) . Lincoln and Les Miserables have yet to be viewed by me...but I'll throw em on here anyways.
Music
It was a great year for albums and a great year for attending concerts. I only bought a handful of albums this year, but I'm a still gonna rank them.
1. The Smashing Pumpkins- Oceania
I know I know, big surprise that I put this as number one. Not everyone likes these guys, and even if you do like them, many people have only casually enjoyed a few of their hits. This is a special album however and is critically acclaimed as a success. Their music used to mean a lot to a teenaged me full of angst and whatever. This album transcends their old hits and puts together a rather incredible collection of loud and soft songs.
The Celestials:
Violet Rays: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0F6qS1XlSM
Inkless: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kukO9PT83IQ
2. Metric- Synthetica
So a few years ago I saw "Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World" which totally blew my mind and became an instant favorite. I bought the soundtrack and found a track by Metric called, "Black Sheep." I thoroughly enjoyed it, so I bought their "Fantasies" album. It quickly became a favorite, so I was excited to hear that they were going to have a new album this summer. It came out at the same time as the Pumpkins' album so I didn't get into it immediately...but soon thereafter I couldn't get enough of it. Breathing Underwater and Clone are two of the best songs I've heard in a long long time. Enjoy them, pick this album up...just skip the first track if you don't like language.
Breathing Underwater:
Clone: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3a9K0c2ue0
Here's a shot of Emily Haines, lead singer for Metric, whom I was lucky enough to see in concert in October.
3. The Killers- Battleborn
Look, the Killers are just GOOD. This album is incredible in that it isn't as "poppy" as the other albums this band has produced. Their sound is maturing, and this record is a testament to what a great band is. So many bands like the Beatles start out with kind of poppy sounding songs/albums that hook the general public. Like the Beatles, the Killers have matured and are now making in depth music that still pleases the ear, but also has a bit more to it.
Here's the video for Runaway.... dig it:
So there's my movies and music for the year. I could do a whole article on the best comic books of the year....but that can wait for another day.
Best Moments of the Year
1- Finding out I'm gonna be a dad again- Boy #3 due in March
2- P-Nut (bass play for 311) answers my tweet about me not being able to afford tickets to the show....he gets me 8th row seats for free
3- Applying for a job as a principal in Alpine School District
4- Hulk smash Loki....
5- Disneyland with my wife and children.
Here's hoping 2013 finds us and you in good fortunes. Farewell goodnight, last one up turn out the lights
MOVIES
I can't really put them in order this year since there were so many awesome flicks. I can however put one above all others.
1. Moonrise Kingdom
2 and 3 are a tie between The Hobbit: An unexpected Journey, and The Avengers.
Considering my love for comic book movies, this should come as no surprise that I held this film in such high esteem. This was a risky venture to be sure. Throwing Hulk, Thor, Captain America, and Iron man into the same movie was tough, but somehow they pulled it off. The action was incredible and let's face it: Hulk smash Loki was the coolest part of any movie this year.
I saw the Hobbit more times in theaters than any other movie this year. This was the first big book I read as a kid. I believe I was in 4th or 5th grade when I first ventured into middle earth. I was so geeked about this movie that I bought 40 copies and made my class of seniors read it so that we could justify an epic field trip to see the movie. I saw it first at midnight in 2d and thought it was good. After my subsequent viewings in 3-d I've decided that this is on par with any of the LOTR films. The action was incredibly cool but the visual feast put together by Peter Jackson was glorious.
Honorable Mentions in Film: I also enjoyed the following films this year: The Grey (Lliam Neeson punching wolves), Prometheus (Alien prequel that was so intense I may have caused serious liver damage) Skyfall (James Bond's most successful venture yet) John Carter of Mars (If you know what the source material was...it was great) . Lincoln and Les Miserables have yet to be viewed by me...but I'll throw em on here anyways.
Music
It was a great year for albums and a great year for attending concerts. I only bought a handful of albums this year, but I'm a still gonna rank them.
1. The Smashing Pumpkins- Oceania
The Celestials:
Violet Rays: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0F6qS1XlSM
Inkless: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kukO9PT83IQ
2. Metric- Synthetica
So a few years ago I saw "Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World" which totally blew my mind and became an instant favorite. I bought the soundtrack and found a track by Metric called, "Black Sheep." I thoroughly enjoyed it, so I bought their "Fantasies" album. It quickly became a favorite, so I was excited to hear that they were going to have a new album this summer. It came out at the same time as the Pumpkins' album so I didn't get into it immediately...but soon thereafter I couldn't get enough of it. Breathing Underwater and Clone are two of the best songs I've heard in a long long time. Enjoy them, pick this album up...just skip the first track if you don't like language.
Breathing Underwater:
Clone: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3a9K0c2ue0
3. The Killers- Battleborn
Here's the video for Runaway.... dig it:
So there's my movies and music for the year. I could do a whole article on the best comic books of the year....but that can wait for another day.
Best Moments of the Year
1- Finding out I'm gonna be a dad again- Boy #3 due in March
2- P-Nut (bass play for 311) answers my tweet about me not being able to afford tickets to the show....he gets me 8th row seats for free
4- Hulk smash Loki....
Here's hoping 2013 finds us and you in good fortunes. Farewell goodnight, last one up turn out the lights
Sunday, September 16, 2012
What's Going ON!? Ghosts, Football, Free 311 Show,...wait did I say G-g-g-ghosts!?
September 16th...last post was in July...my bad.
Been super busy with Student Council and Grad School and Life.
So what's new?
Having a new baby in March...gender unspecified as of yet. Looking forward to spending a few days in the hospital watching basketball with wife and baby.
Moonrise Kingdom is the best movie of the summer. If you haven't seen it yet? Do so, it's gonna win awards this year and it is freaking hilarious.
Football season started...I got a new TV to enjoy it on. Tis beautiful. Digging the plasma.
I didn't have enough $ to go to 311 this summer so I tweeted at the band to wish them a good show...in reply the Bass Player said, "Dude I can't get you in." I was given 3 tickets on the 311 guest list...8th row just off center...it was probably the best show I've been to for them. So tight.
Found an old record player in my classroom, started stock piling records for "Vinyl Fridays" with my classes. A couple of seniors brought me the Beatles' "Abbey Road" and "Rubber Soul." They are incredible. Student council has been very stressful. Probably more stressful than I was expecting, but we're trying to turn the school's pride up.
Oh....
The other day was ridiculously frightening. So I had to get some stuff from the basement for student council. The basement is located beneath the Pleasant Grove High School Stage which appears on Utah's list of haunted places. http://www.theshadowlands.net/places/utah.htm The room is full of props from plays which makes the room super creepy. I'd just finished teaching my students about ghost stories and what not the 2 days previous and had been mocking the idea of the school being haunted. While down in the basement getting props I mocked the ghost...oops. As we exited the room and started walking up the stairs I turned the light off so that the room behind me was now dark. A student said, "Mr. Reeves don't it's scary." I replied, "don't worry about it we're fine." Moments later something LOUD crashed against the wall in the room only a few feet behind me. I'm never one to have believed in stories like this, but it happened. I can only assume that something hit the wall where all of the prop swords hang. It was a very LOUD and HARD crash. We freaked, we ran...and when two students went back down to check what it was....nothing was out of place. So...yeah I'm never going down there again.
That's about all that's going on. Life is good, hope it is for you too- JR
P.S. Avengers Vs X-men has been the best series ever. I highly recommend picking this up when it comes out in trade paper back. Just finished issue #11 and 3 words.......Cyclops....Kills....Xavier.
Been super busy with Student Council and Grad School and Life.
So what's new?
Having a new baby in March...gender unspecified as of yet. Looking forward to spending a few days in the hospital watching basketball with wife and baby.
Moonrise Kingdom is the best movie of the summer. If you haven't seen it yet? Do so, it's gonna win awards this year and it is freaking hilarious.
Football season started...I got a new TV to enjoy it on. Tis beautiful. Digging the plasma.
I didn't have enough $ to go to 311 this summer so I tweeted at the band to wish them a good show...in reply the Bass Player said, "Dude I can't get you in." I was given 3 tickets on the 311 guest list...8th row just off center...it was probably the best show I've been to for them. So tight. Found an old record player in my classroom, started stock piling records for "Vinyl Fridays" with my classes. A couple of seniors brought me the Beatles' "Abbey Road" and "Rubber Soul." They are incredible. Student council has been very stressful. Probably more stressful than I was expecting, but we're trying to turn the school's pride up.
Oh....
The other day was ridiculously frightening. So I had to get some stuff from the basement for student council. The basement is located beneath the Pleasant Grove High School Stage which appears on Utah's list of haunted places. http://www.theshadowlands.net/places/utah.htm The room is full of props from plays which makes the room super creepy. I'd just finished teaching my students about ghost stories and what not the 2 days previous and had been mocking the idea of the school being haunted. While down in the basement getting props I mocked the ghost...oops. As we exited the room and started walking up the stairs I turned the light off so that the room behind me was now dark. A student said, "Mr. Reeves don't it's scary." I replied, "don't worry about it we're fine." Moments later something LOUD crashed against the wall in the room only a few feet behind me. I'm never one to have believed in stories like this, but it happened. I can only assume that something hit the wall where all of the prop swords hang. It was a very LOUD and HARD crash. We freaked, we ran...and when two students went back down to check what it was....nothing was out of place. So...yeah I'm never going down there again.
That's about all that's going on. Life is good, hope it is for you too- JR
P.S. Avengers Vs X-men has been the best series ever. I highly recommend picking this up when it comes out in trade paper back. Just finished issue #11 and 3 words.......Cyclops....Kills....Xavier.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Dark Knight Tragedy...Bale a Hero
Grad school has kept me so busy that this is only like my 2nd or 3rd post this summer. Probably for the best. I just had to take a minute to share some thoughts on the shootings in Colorado. I'm a midnight movie guy. By my count I've seen I believe 5 midnight movies this year (The Grey, John Carter, Avengers, Prometheus, Spiderman)....yep 5. I awoke on the morning of the 21st ready to go see the early showing of Batman at 9:00....but of course first I read the news and saw the videos and got a really sick feeling in my stomach. This whack job piece of $#it decided to ruin the lives of countless people by shooting up a theater for NO GOOD REASON. Really it's sad. This guy's mental state had to be completely gone to do something like this. People will blame the media, guns, left wing, right wing, whatever, but what it comes down to is that someone made a decision that affected the lives of hundreds if not thousands of people. There is no bright side to this story...until tonight.I just saw on the news...and I am admittedly tearing up as I type this...that Christian Bale...the actor who has portrayed the Dark Knight in this highly successful trilogy...showed up in Aurora Colorado to visit some of the victims of this terrible event. What's most impressive about this is that he did so on his own accord...his own dime. He did not represent Warner Brothers Studios...he's just that kind of a guy. I know Christian Bale got into some hot water a few years back for some yelling on a set or something, but you know what? Slate is clean. I just needed to take the time to write out my respect and gratitude to a guy who went out of his way to help some people in need. I think we all need a bit more of that in our lives. For that I thank you Mr. Bale. "So shines a good deed...in a dreary world"- Wonka
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