11
2016
#HardcoreHenry/@HardcoreHenry Or “#FPS: The Movie” #Reaction/Discussion
I know for a fact that you sat there, clicking away at the game controller, and you wonder to yourself: “Man, there are enough cut scenes here that I wish this FPS game would just play itself.”
God clearly loves you. For your time has arrived, gamer. The outside world has ignored you for too long. You waited for a movie to call your own. DOOM
came close, but it wasn’t the whole movie.
In the year 20XX, you are Henry. You got into an accident and you have been rebuilt. We clearly have the technology. And for the very low cost of six-million dollars. Better… Stronger… Faster…
*a man comes in and whispers in Gator’s ear about using copyrighted stuff*
Er… Okay, moving on. So you are rebuilt, by your wife who loves you very so much so that she forgets to give you a voice box, for reasons. Then some warlord comes out of the wood work, wants that technology for himself, and then kidnaps your wife. Now you, the silent hero, must wage war on the streets of Moscow (!) to get her back!
This is a pretty cool idea actually. This movie will only work if the POV does not change from Henry. Even a second out away from Henry would ruin this movie.
Hardcore Henry also comes to us from Russia. I am not one for boycotts and I don’t think any of the Russian oligarchs would like to see one of them portrayed as a warlord, so I say support it!
This is also a giant “Fuck You!” to the whole SJW movement. They hate the whole Damsel In Distress Trope and will scream at the top of their lungs when they see it. All the more reason to check it out.
Well, see ya’ later!
(more…)
08
2016
#JungleBook: The #JungleBookTrailer/@TheJungleBook #Reaction And Discussion
I haven’t done a “Trailer Reaction” in a while, because frankly I have not had much reaction to any of the trailers that have come out. That ended last night.
My first reaction was, this is a cartoon with a live-action Mowgli. Which is fine, IF Neel Sethi (who plays Mowgli) can act. And it looks like Sethi does a great job making me believe he is talking to animals in this trailer. We watch cartoons all the time and enjoy them for not being real. Like I said for the teaser, can we the viewer suspend our disbelief for the shake of the story. This trailer put some of those fears to rest. I personally can see myself enjoying this flick.
Speaking of the story, there isn’t much to it I am afraid. However that too can be pushed aside if the journey is enjoyable. This doesn’t look like a complete rehash, but Shere Khan showing up in the beginning of the trailer maybe a editing trick. This isn’t Kipling stories, but I take it in a pinch.
I am not generally one for racial/ethnic or gender casting just for their shake, but I think Neel Sethi and Scarlett Johansson are brilliant casting choices. 11-Year-Old Neel Sethi doesn’t feel like an affirmative action casting, because he looks like he can act. I am sure that they were only looking Indian kids, but choose him for a reason (I hope). And the teaser was proof enough that Scarlett Johansson was the right pick for Kaa. It is like, I didn’t know Scarlett Johansson should be the only choice to play Kaa until now.
Well, see ya’ later!
(more…)
05
2016
#FLSen: #EnviroWacko Endorses #FloridaMan For #Florida Race
There is not much going on in Florida’s US Senate race that this one almost flew under my radar. Moe Lane breaks down the nuts and bolts here:
Long-time ecological fanatic and general crazy person Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has endorsed Alan Grayson for the Florida Senate Democratic nomination. And very possibly Alan Grayson even wants this endorsement.
And Rep. Alan Grayson sure does want this endorsement, if for no other reason than to shore up his environmental street-creds. Sure he supported ACES Act Of 2009 (Cap And Trade Bill), but Grayson has done fuck all since. Now Alan Grayson can say that he is the “lone, true environmental defender” running for the Florida US Senate race and environmentalist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. agrees. With the Democrats shifting far to the left, this is a huge get.
Now Rep. Alan Grayson and super environmentalist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. can hammer Rep. Patrick Murphy for the Keystone XL pipeline vote. In fact, RFK Jr. mentions Keystone XL in his endorsement. I wish Murphy all the luck in countering and getting an environmentalist to endorse him. In fact, I would not be surprised to see more environmentalists start lining up behind Grayson.
I dare say Moe Lane understates the importance of this endorsement. This is a game changer. Rep. Alan Grayson now out-flanks Rep. Patrick Murphy on every level. This is like the Sanders/Clinton race, on the Florida state level.
As a side note, I endorse Lt Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera for the US Senate.
Well, see ya’ later!
(more…)
28
2016
My #Challenger Memories
Since everyone is posting their “memories” even if they were watching this on TV, I might as well add my own to the mix. I remember that I was at Cape Canaveral and watched it in person.
And I say “remember” because I honestly remember being there, but everyone tells me that I wasn’t there. When I look back on the event, I don’t see a TV screen. I can clearly see a road, trees, and a group of people all watching the liftoff. I also remember looking around out in the open with everyone in the crowd asking if that was supposed to happen when the boosters came off. Everyone was mulling about, checking their hand/car radios trying to get information. With nothing happening, the crowd broke up and that is all I remember.
I was five at the time, so my memory can be called into question. And it should. However why would my mind make something up like that?
Sorry if this is turning about me instead of being about the Challenger’s crew. Yet I mainly bring up my memories, mainly because I think the Challenger’s crew would be applaud to discover that we are remembering them on the ground instead of in space 30 years after their death.
Ask me my thoughts on the Space Shuttle, and I will yell at you asking why we only made so many ships. I have noticed a trend in history where we make a certain number of a class of warship and then we are off to build a newer model. Except with the Space Shuttle, everyone was asleep at the wheel until it was time to retire the shuttles. We need to work smarter, not harder. Okay, mini-rant over.
My prayers are with the family’s and friend’s of those left behind. The Challenger crew is at rest now, there’s nothing more that I can do for them. I will ask for peace for all those who need it today.
Well, see ya’ later!
(more…)
19
2016
The #RebelScum By @BloodBrotherCC #Review/#Reaction And Discussion
I just stumbled onto this video, a couple days ago and I am just now getting to write this up. I am not normally into the whole fan film scene, so let’s jump right to the film:
What I Liked
I like the stop motion effects, film making, music/sound, and the acting.
CGI is really overrated. People are discovering the stop motion and practical effects are more desirable than CGI these days. While stop motion is immediately apparent, it does not bring down my suspension of disbelief.
Every aspect of film making here is well down, including camera angles and editing.
They did use honest sound effects from the movies, but they effectively used Gustav Holst’s Planet Suite for the music. Well done!
The acting by the two amateur leads was by far the best. I honestly believe the Rebel pilot and Snowtrooper, was a Rebel pilot and a Snowtrooper. Thumbs up, all around!
What I Didn’t Like
The writing. Don’t get me wrong, I love the concept and the writing overall. As someone who has been doing 100-word short fiction for some time now, I enjoy a pithy story.
My only problem is that structure of the narrative. Yes, I understand everyone hates the three act structure. However to jam four acts into a short film is maddening. The pacing suffers as a result of this and I will explain why this is the case.
In the first (and longest) act, the pilot wakes to discover he is now all alone on Hoth. The second act is all about the Rebel pilot finding the injured Snowtrooper. Next comes the third (and quick) act of the pilot searching Hoth and almost taking his life. The fourth (also quick) act is the sort-of twist ending that everyone thought the Rebel pilot should have done to begin with.
If I was writing this film, I would have combine the first and fourth act together with some tightening. Then I would have kept the second act intact, with the exception of cutting before he lowered his gun. Then with my slightly expanded third act, I would hit people over the head with the twist ending.
Bottom Line
I do liked this short fan film, but I do not love it. I will give these guys lots of praise for making this with their own time and money. You guys get a personal thumbs up for doing such an amazing job. I would not be sharing this on my website if this film was completely unredeemable. Do not give up on your dreams of being film makers.
But I have to be honest, the writing just falls down. A few more rewrites with a 3rd-party critical eye might have been helpful. I hope you take this constructive criticism and use it for future projects.
Overall Rating: A solid 7 out of 10. Recommended.
May the Force be with you, always!
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12
2016
Let’s Have A #Suicide Discussion
I was going to have another KosKids article, but then I read Jazz Shaw’s moving article on suicide that brought me to tears. I highly recommend reading it. It is as moving as it is wonderfully written. In fact, I am still crying. I am going to call my dad right after I write this to tell him I love him, just because I have time to do so.
However moving his piece on suicide was however, I still can’t bring myself to forgive suicide.
Suicide
My view on suicide is a simple one: It’s murder. It is the selfish and cowardly act of taking of a life. Murder is only justify in the mind of the person committing murder. However suicide has the added horror of that you are taking your own life.
Nope, you can’t justify suicide to me on any level. I can’t endorse it or recommend it as a logical course of action.
Is the person who commits murder or suicide an evil, selfish, and/or cowardly person? No, we have degrees of murder. I think we should grade suicide on a similar scale.
If you are mentally and/or physically healthy, then committing suicide is a great sin in my opinion. People who commit suicide as an “easy out” because their life stinks or when they have committed other crimes, is an absolute cowardice act. There are no excuses here. Don’t get me started on suicide by cop nonsense or throwing yourself in front of a train/car, putting other people’s lives in danger is maddening dumb. Simple depression, in my opinion, is not a justifiable reason to kill yourself. I often go through bouts of crippling depression and yet I haven’t killed myself.
If you are mentally and/or physically deteriorating, I would condemn the act of suicide and yet still morn the loss of the individual. Jazz Shaw’s dad was facing crippling medical problems. Jazz himself is facing possible mental problems like his poor mother went through. Robin Williams had DLB, which strips you of your ability to plan or analytical/abstract thinking. While I deplore the suicide, Robin Williams was likely unable to tell right from wrong at that point.
Assisted Suicide/Euthanasia/Right To Die
It is one thing to kill yourself, it is an entirely different story to ask someone to kill you for you or mercy kill you. Whatever euphemism you want to use, no one should “help” you murder yourself.
One thing we have to think about, is consent. People who cannot consent to dying, may want to live. If you have DNR, that is not “assisted suicide” as much as it is a “let me die” order. It is a consent form to not revive you. If there is no consent form, then we have to assume that they want to live.
Also, pulling the plug on breathing machine is different from letting someone starve to death. If that person can live without machines, then they are alive in my book. Withholding food and water is a horrific way to die, no matter how you slice it.
Dr. Stephen Hawking/Michael J. Fox/Charles Krauthammer
It may surprise you to learn that Dr. Stephen Hawking is one of my heroes. I thoroughly disagree with the man politically and socially, but I think he is one of the bravest men on earth. Despite Dr. Stephen Hawking’s crippling ALS, this man has made great contributions to science. Dr. Hawking could have given up long ago, but he did not. He talks with his cheek muscle through a computer. However bad my life seems, I think of Dr. Hawking and how he chose to live instead of killing himself. The man is 74 and was diagnosis with ALS in 1963 when he was 21! Incredible!
And look at Michael J. Fox! He has Parkinson’s Disease, but despite not acting as much as he used too, and yet Fox has decided to live! How awesome is that! Thumbs up to Fox for not giving up hope.
Dr. Charles Krauthammer is crippled, yet has also chosen to live. I agree with him politically than the other two. He wrote a book called Things That Matter and the number one thing that should matter, is living.
Jazz Shaw
As for Jazz Shaw, I admire him too. If I could write half as good as him, I’d be writing on Hot Air too.
I hope he doesn’t take the path that his dad took and I will pray for him. I hope he fights to the bitter end. Whatever happens, however, know that I respect him as a man and political commentator.
One thing I would suggest, Jazz, if you are reading this: Write a book. Like, right now. Put it all down before you go any further. It would be a crime against humanity to lose what’s on your mind. You have now lost any excuse. Just do it. I will be the first one to line up for your book. In fact, I will buy the hardcopy and move heaven and earth to get it signed. Alright?
Well, see ya’ later!
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08
2016
Ending “The Swamp” Podcast
I have been thinking about this for a couple of days now, but it is with a heavy heart that I think I will be ending the podcast. I am notifying my current co-host now. Kat has been an absolute doll and I highly recommend her.
The reasons are clear to me. To be brutally honest, everyone and their brother is doing a podcast. No one is banging down my door to be on my podcast, I can’t even get a single candidate running for office to commit. And I want to focus on my writing.
I am, however, going to produce five more podcasts to bring the total number to 50 podcasts. They will still be available for download long after I end the podcast. Who knows, maybe I’ll come back for special podcasts in the future.
While I want to stay fast and lose with when and who will be guests on the last five podcasts, but I really would like the following people to email me to schedule a time when best suits for you:
Laura Fillault
Sooper Mexican
Tania Gail
Red Eye Robot
Susie Moore
Don’t think of this as an ending, this is just a new beginning. As soon as the last podcast is over with, I will be starting a crowdsourcing campaign to get my book self-publish.
Well, see ya’ later!
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07
2016
#JaneGotAGun/@janegotagunfilm Trailer #Reaction And Discussion
I hate to get political when discussing or reacting to movies. Doesn’t mean I will shy away from it. Take for example, this upcoming movie Jane Got A Gun:
I first want to get the non-politics talk first, just because. My first reaction, is that of the cast list. On my goodness, this is a Star Wars prequel reunion (more or less)! Natalie Portman, Joel Edgerton, and Ewan McGregor were all in the prequels at one point or another. If you don’t know exactly what Joel Edgerton did, he played the young Owen Lars. Also of note, Ewan McGregor is replacing Bradley Cooper, who replaced Jude Law, who replaced Joel Edgerton, who replaced Michael Fassbender.
The trailer really doesn’t do the movie’s plot justice. It makes it seem like Jane (Natalie Portman) is an outlaw fighting the good guys and she needs help defending her home. That seems, interesting, to say the least. However that is not the case. Here is the synopses I got from the Wikipedia page:
Jane Hammond (Natalie Portman) has built a new life with her husband Bill “Ham” Hammond (Noah Emmerich) after being tormented by the Bishop Boys gang. She finds herself in the gang’s crosshairs once again when Ham stumbles home riddled with bullets after dueling with the Boys and their relentless leader, Colin (Ewan McGregor). With the vengeful crew hot on Ham’s trail, Jane has nowhere to turn but to her former fiancé Dan Frost (Joel Edgerton) for help in defending her family against certain death. Haunted by old memories, Jane’s past meets the present in a heart-stopping battle for survival.
The trailer is setting us up for one thing and the movie is going in a different direction. Maybe the truth lies somewhere in between. This is why people don’t like trailers. The movie presented in the trailer seems a lot more interesting than the synopses. Just saying.
However my interest in the movie is more academic than anything. With “Gun Control” all the rage right now, I have to ask a couple questions to the left:
Would progressive/liberals take away Jane’s right to self defense and strip her of her gun? Does “Stand Your Ground” not apply here? Would they tell Jane to piss on herself when the bad guys comes to take her? Do you think a “Gun Free Zone” sign outside Jane’s house turn back the Bishop Boys?
I would really like to hear your answers.
Well, see ya’ later!
(more…)
30
2015
#LazerTeam/@LazerTeam Trailers From @RoosterTeeth And Reaction
Jesus? How did this fly under the radar for me? There are no two trailers out and it will start in theaters January 27th.
Here is the first trailer:
Now here is trailer number two:
For completion’s shake, here is the teaser. However there is nothing new in the teaser. The trailer channel on YouTube that I normally go to didn’t have all three, so that is the reason I went to Rooter Teeth’s YouTube site.
Oh yeah, let’s talk about this: Rooster Teeth. Has. Made. A. Fucking. Movie.
I know many other people know about this, but how could I have not known? Well, I kind of stop following Rooter Teeth shortly after Red Vs Blue: Season Five. I just lost interest. I had other stuff to do.
My reaction to Lazer Team? I want to see it. Lazer Team has Burnie Burns and Joel Heyman from the original Red vs Blue crew. Geoffrey Ramsey, Matt Hullum, and Gus Sorola will not be in the movie as far as I know. There are a few new people to Rooster Teeth and other people. I like the concept and it looks like a hard “PG-13″ (if you know what I mean).
Unfortunately, I am unlikely to see it anytime soon. There are a couple screening locations in Florida, however they are either sold out or too far away. Hey if you guys want to send me a reviewer’s copy, I will not be opposed to that at all. Email me and you can send me a copy.
Well, see ya’ later!
(more…)
29
2015