The original animated Beauty and the Beast is one of my personal favorites from the 1990's and is only second to Aladdin. The film doesn't necessarily lend itself to a live adaptation, but not many of the animation films do. Cinderella might lend itself to live action, but Jungle Book doesn't and it turned out fantastically.
I'm still not sold on Beauty and the Beast and it might be because this trailer went extremely heavy on original content. The trailer hit the viewer over the head with imagery and music from the original animated film. There are scenes lifted directly from the original and it just didn't seem to mesh for me.
I've watched the trailer a few more times and I've liked a little more each time, but it didn't get me excited to go out and see the film like I hoped it would. The CG might have also been an issue for me. What was displayed didn't seem a natural fit for the world, but hopefully this will change when seeing the film.
I'm still hopeful for Beauty and Beast. The story is great and the talent involved for the movie is fantastic. The second trailer hopefully will highlight some differences and highlight how the CG fits more with the world.
The impending release of Rogue One A Star Wars Story has
prompted many articles to speculate the film could fix a major plot hole in
Star Wars Episode Four a New Hope. The prevailing theory is around Jyn Erso’s, father,
Galen Erso, who has a major role in designing the Death Star. In the trailers
he is trying to contact the Rebels to possibly give them the plans to the Death
Star. This has led to speculation Galen may have purposefully made the thermal exhaust
port a design flaw. This would clear up the pesky plot hole of an exhaust port
two meters wide ray shielded and can only be defeated by a force user.
Can you guess which way I lean on this story? The Thermal
Exhaust Port in episode four is not a plot hole, it is a plot device. The only
person capable of destroying the Super Weapon is Luke. He must give himself to
the force in order to save the day. Without the use of the force he wouldn’t
have been able to guide the Proton Torpedo’s into the port. This helps move the
story forward and proves Luke is someone exceptional and launches him on the
rest his hero’s journey.
Let’s look at it from the nerdy pseudo-science angle. The
Imperials simply didn’t think it was possible for someone to destroy the
station through the port. The port, I assume, emits heat produced by the
stations power. It would be logical to think a station which is the size of a
small moon would produce a vast amount of heat from whatever power source they
use in a galaxy far far away. The exhaust port expelling the heat from the
stations power, would be connected to the power, and would cause an explosion.
The station moves, so it has to have a tail pipe. They even used this plot
device in Star Trek VI.
The only way this tail pipe can be attacked is by shooting torpedoes
into a small opening after flying through other defenses and making it past
sentry Tie Fighters. Having a small hole being the only way to blow up and
succeed in the task is not a plot hole, nor a design flaw in the Death Star.
The thing has to move and it’s logical for it to have something to expel its
exhaust. On top of this the only way it
was actually destroyed was by someone using the force to accomplish the task.
Without Luke the Rebellion is destroyed and ended on Yavin Four. The only way
he saves them is by using the force. This isn’t a plot hole in the movie, it’s
something which adds to the character and the universe overall.
I honestly hope they do not address this in Rogue One. It
would be a serious retcon of the story, and one which would take away from the
heroic feet Luke accomplishes in the first film. It’s okay if Galen knew about
the exhaust port and wants to get the information to the Rebels. However, to
have him create the exhaust port for the specific purpose for the Death Star to
be destroyed is ludicrous to me. If this were the case, he would have had to
know a force user would be part of any attack on the Death Star. It would be a
poorly designed design flaw. Granted it would have to be one cleverly disguised
to fool the Imperials, but if he made it, he made a flaw nearly impossible to
exploit. The Rebel pilots didn’t have much hope they could accomplish the feat
before the battle, well, all except for Luke.
If you still think it is to convenient that a thermal port connected
to a power source can cause a change reaction explosion, I’m not going to
convince you otherwise. I think the story is nearly perfect for Episode Four
and I hope they don’t use Rogue One for any major retconning. Minor stuff to
expand the story is fine, but this would be a major departure and I don’t see
them doing this. So for those clamoring for Rogue one and Galen Erso to fix the
massive problem in Star Wars A New Hope, I hope it doesn’t happen.
Do you think this is a plot hole, and if so should
it be corrected in Rogue One? Do you think it isn’t like me? Comment and let me
know.
Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets is the latest film from director Luc Besson and stars Dane DeHaan and Cara Delevingne. The movie is based off a graphic novel and definitely has Luc Besson's influence front and center.
Besson is a very interesting director and has done films all across the spectrum. Last years Lucy wasn't received very well critically. I never could make it through the entire film, but the first part of the film didn't hold my interest. The Fifth Element on the other hand is a film I adore, and I'm not sure why. It's silly and not exactly the best story, but if it's on television or I come across it on Netflix I always seem to start it.
Valerian seems to give off a very similar vibe as The Fifth Element which gets me excited for the movie. I really enjoyed the strange song choice in the trailer and it set a very interesting tone. I hope this is the tone for the entire film and Besson is able to have another hit movie.
The CG in the trailer worries me. It looks like CG from the 90's. Hopefully they are still working on it and it will improve with time, but if it's this rough when the movie is finished it might be an issue with audiences and critics. Maybe the characters and story are good enough to overcome the poor CG. Either way I'm excited to get another Science fiction epic from Besson.
What did you think of the trailer? Comment and let me know.
John Boyega posted today that he started filming on Pacific Rim Maelstrom. It is the sequel to the first Pacific Rim, which is a film I found extremely enjoyable. Boyega is playing the son of Idris Elba's character from the first movie. The first Pacific Rim is not high cinema art and it had problems with some acting and story, but it delivered on what I wanted to see. Robots fighting Monsters with just enough plot to keep me engaged.
A follow up to the first film wasn't needed, but hey if they are going to make it, I'll go watch. I hope the second provides a more interesting story tighter script and acting. I don't think Charlie Hunnan is a bad actor, but I'm not sure he was given much to work with in the first movie, and his performance suffered. John Boyega is such a charismatic and fun presence he is an overall better choice for the project. It gives me hope the second film might be more successful and well received than the first.
I'm not overly excited for the second film, but it can still be a ton of fun. With the addition of Boyega it has me interested. Maybe the first few trailers will get me more excited, and have me wanting to go out to the theater on opening night.
Anyone else excited for the second Pacific Rim, or is it more of a wait and see approach? Comment and let me know.
Mass Effect is one of my favorite games I've ever played. I liked both the follow ups, and didn't even mind the ending of the third. It's the first Mass Effect which holds a special place to me. It was a game tailored made for a nerd like me. A great Science Fiction epic which place the player at the center of the story.
Bioshock has been a master of RPG's since they released Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic. I am extremely hopeful Mass Effect Andromeda will be another feather in their cap as a great RPG Science Fiction game.
This trailer didn't show much, but what it did show felt like the Mass Effect universe, even if the game takes place in another galaxy. The game is going to look fantastic, just like they all have, but my biggest question is if it will be more of a true RPG or a shooter hybrid.
I enjoyed the second and third Mass Effects and liked the gameplay style, but I wanted more RPG elements similar to the first. I am hoping this game goes back to the roots and providers more true RPG elements. I'm not sure they will, but I'll still end up pre ordering because I know I'll play it regardless of reviews.
This is a good teaser trailer, and a good taste for N7 day. I'll be anxiously waiting for more information for the game. Let's hope the game is as fantastic as this initial trailer looks.
The sixth episode for the third season of Star Wars Rebels,
Imperial Super Commandos, has Sabine, Ezra and the captured Fenn Rau go to
investigates his Mandalorian outpost after contact is lost. The episode is
another side mission and providers more background about Sabine and what has
happened to Mandalore after the fall of the Republic. On the surface this
episode feels and seems like more filler and doesn’t advance any overall main
story arc for the season. However, I think the Mandalorians are going to play a
major role in the season and this might be the introduction of a major arc
involving them and how they could help the Rebellion.
Overall the episode is solid. It expands the backstory of
Sabine and has some great actions sequences. The introduction of the
Mandalorian Stormtroopers is another plus for the episode and welcome addition
to Rebels overall. It sets up to hopefully have Mandalore to play a bigger role
in the season overall. Filoni was able to bring in Mandalore and establish
their culture in the Clone Wars. The plan might be to have Sabine and Rau be a bridge
to bring them into the fold. During the fight with the Super commandos Sabine’s
mother is mentioned and they say she is helping the Empire on Mandalore. The leader also mentions that Sabine’s mother
is disappointed in her because she left the Imperial Academy. This could lead
to the crew traveling to Mandalore to see Sabine’s mom and to help Fenn Rau
gain control of Mandalore and secure their support for the Rebellion.
I hope this is what Imperial Super Commandos is setting up.
If not, then this episode was another fun interesting side mission that seems
to have little overall impact for the main stories. Knowing how Dave Filoni has
decided to tell his stories I doubt this is the case. This episode needs to be
the start of a bigger arc or it would seem the season has stalled. Nothing has
been moved forward since the first two episodes of the season. We have seen
Thrawn setting up traps, but nothing has moved forward with the main story
line. What is the main story for this season? I thought it would be the crew
fighting Thrawn and suffering losses through the year or finding more out about
the Death Star. This has yet to materialize and I am hoping we start to see a
main story thread start to develop.
The biggest problem I had with this episode, and the season
overall, is the continued reliance on Chopper to get the crew out of trouble. In
this episode he unlocks Sabine and Ezra after Rau gets the drop on them in the
shuttle. For this episode Chopper is part of the mission. Rau knows he is on
the shuttle. It made no sense for him not to do something with Chopper after he
knocks out Sabine and Ezra. Granted after Rau sees the destruction of his
outpost he doesn’t care about Ezra and Sabine escaping, but he didn’t know that
before he walked out and saw the base. Then later Ezra is compelled to reveal
his force powers to save Chopper. Granted Chopper is part of the crew and a
meaningful one. I don’t mind Ezra revealing himself to save Chopper. I just
would prefer Chopper to not be as big of a part of every episode. I probably
should just get over this aspect since the show is geared for kids and he
providers the comic relief to keep them engaged. However, they should still
make his portions of the story make sense within the framework of the show.
This was another good episode for the third season. I hope this
was the start of a longer story arc involving the Mandalorians. If not, it’s
still just another solid side mission. The show does need to start moving forward
with a more focused narrative. The side episodes are fun and good character development,
but the main narrative should be explored to keep the audience engaged. Having more
side missions, you run the risk of the audience tuning out thinking they can
miss episodes and it not affect how they watch the show.
What did you think of this episode? Do you want
a more major story arc in involving the Mandalorians? Do you think this was
just another side episode? Comment and let me know.
I really thought this was going to be one I wouldn’t enjoy.
Doctor Strange starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel
Ejiofor, Tilda Swinton, Mads Mikkelsen, Rachel McAdams, and directed by Scott
Derrickson. The film is a true origin story for Doctor Strange, and while there
have been many origin stories for superheroes over the past ten years this one
is still unique. It introduces magic, different dimensions, and how they all
relate to one another. The movie keeps the origin of Steven Strange fresh.
Going into the film I wasn’t sure what to expect. I hadn’t been wowed by the
trailers and thought this might be the first miss for a Marvel film since Thor
2. Walking out, Doctor Strange had me wanting to go read comics about the
sorcerer supreme and wanting to turn back around and watch the film again.
At its core Doctor Strange is a character piece. We go on a
journey of self-discovery with Steven Strange where he has to grow as a person.
He starts off as a complete egotistical jerk who only cares about his own worth
and standing in the world. The injury he
has to his hands in a car accident forces him to lose his job as a surgeon. He
searches and tries everything in his power to gain his standing back, which
leads him to search out the Ancient One. Instead of finding an answer on how to
heal his hands, his mind is opened to a completely different reality. While this
journey is fantastical at the center is still a story about a man who must gain
more humanity. It’s a story that has been told many times and in many different
ways, but still can captivating and relatable if told well.
A main reason Doctor Strange is able to pull off its
character piece is because of the actors involved. Benedict Cumberbatch is
absolutely fantastic as the good doctor. He plays the jerk at the start of the
movie perfectly and his transformation is subtle and believable. From the story
and his portrayal, I bought into his character transformation. There are great
supporting cast all around him to help tell his story. Rachel McAdams does a
good job as the love interest and something which keeps Strange tied to his old
life. She could have been more developed overall as a character, but McAdams
did a good job with what she was asked to do. Chiwetel Ejiofor is fantastic in
everything he does and he doesn’t disappoint here. He has one or two show
stealing scenes with Cumberbatch which highlight the movie. Tilda Swinton
nearly steals the movie as the Ancient One. The serenity and subtle
profoundness she brought to the role was extremely well done. I’m not getting
into her casting other than to say she was great and I’m glad she was in the
film. All of the actors did a good job and is one reason the story works so
well when it is set with a very weird backdrop.
The overall strangeness of the different dimensions and
mysticisms will keep some from enjoying the film. I could completely understand
someone walking out of Doctor Strange and not enjoying the movie because they
didn’t understand what was going on in regards to the magic. The action is also
very trippy and at times hard to follow, but I still found it extremely
enjoyable to watch. I can see some who wouldn’t and I couldn’t argue if this
turned them off to the film. I ate everything up with the magic and traveling
to different dimensions and how they used time and time travel. I thought it
all was well done and is one reason I could see myself going back to the
theatre and watching the movie again.
The only slight downfall for the film is something found in
most marvel movies, the villain. Mads Mikkelsen does a good job in the role, he
just isn’t given much to work with. I think there is actually a very
interesting villain and character somewhere on the cutting room floor for
Doctor Strange. Kaecilius seems to have an interesting background which could
make him relatable. There seems to be a tragic backstory which could have been
dived into to give the character more depth, but either it was never part of
the plan or was cut because of time. Which the pace of the movie and how
quickly it moves is another strong aspect of the film. The lack of depth in
Mads character is also made up for by a fantastic climactic scene which makes
the journey of the film payoff extremely well.
I went into Doctor Strange not knowing what to expect. I
didn’t know if this was going to be a movie I was going to enjoy. I thought it
could have been a Marvel film just below par of the rest. One which was fun to
watch once, but not something I had to rush out and buy when it became
available to own. After seeing Doctor Strange, this changed. This film is a
must see for any super-hero fan and worth seeing for those who just simply like
science fiction and fantasy. I’m not sure it will relate to a mass general
audience because of the mysticism, but tons of people love Harry Potter, so
maybe not. I’ll be trying to talk my son into seeing it so I can watch it
again.
What did you think of Doctor Strange if you have
seen it? What were or are your expectations for the film? Comment and let me
know.
