2015/07/31

Scream TV Show Episode 2 thoughts

I wrote this brief review of the Scream TV show.  There are a few major flaws in this show:


  • They say that you should care about the characters so when they are killed you "feel it" as it were
    • WRONG!  People don't got to slasher flicks for the characters, they go to see the horrible teens...yes they are mostly horrible...get hacked to bits
  • The reason a slasher flick doesn't work on a TV show is that they are going to build a kill a week (most likely) but that just doesn't work
  • They are trying to make it like Scream but you can't.  It will end up being more of a who done it type TV show
  • The fact that they are going with the same character types from the movie is also a major flaw. You can't go home again, even the movies learned that
  • They had the chance to make it an updated version of the movies.  
    • Wait...this new podcast character is basically the Gale from the movie...good grief, where is the dumb deputy to finish this
  • Wow, daddy issues from one of the guys you're suppose to believe is the killer.  Right out of the movie.  
  • The problem with a slasher TV show IS that you start to feel for the characters and you don't want them to die.  
    • Also when you find out just who the murder is you'll most likely be disappointed/angry. They will have to continually point toward other characters, even more so then in a 90 minute movie.  
  • Plus most of the character do not fit in a 600 minute context without you wanting them ALL dead.  
    • Take the "Randy" characters.  In the movies I loved Randy.  I related to him and his plight with Sidney.  His obsession with movies and what not.  I UNDERSTOOD him. Now look at Noah character from the TV show.  I want to slap him.  He starts off like Randy but by episode 2 he is getting it on with a chick who he seemingly never noticed before and standing up to his bully?  How does a nerdy geeky kid relate to that?  He should be the one we relate to.  Not Emma.  
Overall after episode 2 I see so many flaws in this show but it is like a trainwreck that I can't look away from.  The characters are horrible ripoffs and parodies of well written ones, the plot horrible, the acting okay at best.  I should stop but I want to continue watching because I want to see it get better.  I want this to be good.  It is a sickness that I have!  But much like most things, I don't see the odds much in their favor.  Until next time, this is the bearded Fat Man saying....Abyssinia!!

Movie Review: Burying the Ex




This time I am watching the flick Burying the Ex from 2014.  It stars Anton Yelchin, Ashley Greene and Alexandra Daddario, three actors I have not seen in anything off the top of my head.  "A guy's regrets over moving in with his girlfriend are compounded when she dies and comes back as a zombie."  As of 7/31 it has a 5.3 rating on IMDB.  
  • Uggg, Man ass in the first 3 minutes
  • Wow...this script and acting isn't real great.  Why do I watch this stuff?
  • I honestly think I'd slap this girl, even if she is good looking.  I hate hippies!
  • Wait....this guy is the new Chekov?  This doesn't make me want to watch the flicks 
  • Wow Alexandra Daddario has amazing eyes!
  • I assume this hippie chick dies....but not soon enough....seriously even I want to kill her
  • Wow Max looks like a mix between Elijah Wood and Ethan Hawke.  Woods creepy hobbit eyes and Hawke's white trash goatee
  • The is the oddest choice of music for this scene
  • Wow Travis has worse tact then I do about things!
  • How old is Yelchin?  His hair line is awful for a youngster
  • Have I mentioned that Daddario has amazing eyes?
  • What the fuck is a malted?
  • I just looked it up and Daddario is three years younger then Yelchin yet he looks ten years older.  Some people do not age well.
  • That is one clean looking zombie
  • Wow....this zombie is quite different then others....
  • Daddario has an amazing smile as well
  • Okay that was gross!
  • This bartender looks like a cheap version of Chris Jericho
  • OH MY GOD!  THE ZOMBIE JUST SAID SHE COULDN'T FEEL HER FACE!  I SAY THAT WHEN I'M DRUNK TOO!!
  • Is coming back from the dead as a zombie romantic or way too clingy?  I'm...I'm asking for a friend
  • I think I've become obsessed with hair in movies, I can't stop looking at his hair
  • The contacts are a nice touch
  • Oh nice!  The hair was a nice touch too!
  • Somewhere Joey Styles is screaming CAT FIGHT CAT FIGHT!
  • Uggg, the sound track is god awful
  • I think it is cold in the ice cream shoppe
Well...that was different.  I really don't know what to say about the flick.  It was average.  Nothing special but nothing horrible.  Average much like IMDB rating.  Aside from the early bad acting I have nothing to say about the film.  Probably the worst movie review ever!  I give it a 5/10.  Until next time...Abyssinia


2015/07/29

Valkryie


This time I am going to review the 2008 flick Valkyrie, which can be purchased from Amazon by clicking here.  It stars Tom Cruise, Bill Nighy, Carice van Houten.  "A dramatization of the 20 July assassination and political coup plot by desperate renegade German Army officers against Hitler during World War II."  As always, you'll see my thoughts as the flick plays then some comments after that might contain spoilers.  As of 7/29 it has an IMDB rating of 7.1
  • An oath about swearing allegiance to someone/thing....that is odd!  Who would do such a thing?
  • Wait...this is about killing Hilter...to save lives not to take power?  Huh...not what I thought 
  • And Tom Cruise just became the Drew Barrymore of this film....wait....maybe not
  • I know Hitler studied the occult but did he really promote a teacher from Hogwarts to Major-General?
  • Uggg, those kids are annoying
  • What is with Cruises hair?  It is awful
    • Why have I become obsessed with actors hair recently?
  • These guys sure aren't very hidden, they are pretty open about their attempted coup
  • Did that guy have a British accent?
  • Wow...that is quite the soft version of Hitler
  • Was that guy Italian?  Sure looked like he was part of the mob!  That he was going to make me an offer I couldn't refuse
  • This whole thing is very awkward
  • This is strangely much more boring then I had anticipated.  
    • I know it is a "true" story but a lot less spy-ish then I thought it would be
  • Was that Brock Lesnar driving them to the bunker?
  • Wait...THAT IS EDDIE IZZARD?!?  The Fat Stephen Colbert?!  WOW!
  • I expected Hitler to more...well insane
  • This is the worst game of telephone ever!
  • Why the weird look between Claus and Hitler?  
  • The driver looks like a shrunk down version of Lesnar, right down to the angry look!
  • Nice to see Danny Webb show up, he is an underrated performer
  • District 13?  So it was the Nazi's fault the Hunger Games began?  
    • Too Soon?
  • A lot of German writing in this movie for some reason....
  • Harvey Friedman is a weaselly looking guy!  Probably a perfect Goebbels
Honestly I don't know what to think about this movie.  I know it is historically accurate but the flick itself is slow and probably could have been cut down some.  The scene with the family did little to advance the plot other then to give Cruises character a further reason to want to eliminate Hitler.  The rather drawn out portion of gathering the districts as well could have been cut down.  

As for the subject of the film what can you say?  

I'd give the flick a 6/10.  The pacing was just a little off.  The acting was good to very good but there was no standout performances.  Visually it was average as well.  So I gave it a slightly above average rating because there were a few above average performances and nothing made me cringe or the like.  honestly the one drawback was the pacing of the film.  I feel like there were just a few too many stutter steps for its own good.  

A decent film but I'd like to see 10-15 minutes shaved off the film personally.  Until next time, remember, the odds are never in your favor...and Abyssinia!

2015/07/28

Random Stuff

I haven't done a "real" blog post for a while so I thought I would today.  So here we go:

  • Last week Hulk Hogan & Colin Cowherd both got fired for racially insensitive comments. Below is what the Hulkster said.  You can read the report at the best pro wrestling website Pwinsider:  
    • She is making some real bad decisions now.  My daughter Brooke jumped sides on me. I spent $2-3 million on her music career, I’ve done everything like a jackass for her.  The one option Brooke had, Brooke’s career besides me, is [to] sell beach records."” They claim Hogan was mad because a "black billionaire guy" had offered to fund her music career.  They then quoted Hogan as saying, “I don’t know if Brooke was f*****g the black guy’s son.  I mean, I don’t have double standards. I mean, I am a racist, to a point, f*****g n*****s. But then when it comes to nice people and s***, and whatever."” They claim he later said, "I mean, I’d rather if she was going to f*** some n*****, I’d rather have her marry an 8-foot-tall n***** worth a hundred million dollars! Like a basketball player!  I guess we’re all a little racist. F*****g n*****.”
      • Where did he say this stuff?  On twitter?  A Youtube channel?  Nope.  In a illegally taped sex tape.  That is right, Hogan was taped without his knowledge, that tape was released to GAWKER.  Hogan sued them and now this portion of the tape shows up in the media.  Interesting.  Now that isn't to say I condone what Hogan said, but the way these things came to light make me uncomfortable as well.  Unfortunately I don't see Hogan kicking out of this and the red and yellow is probably gone for good
    • Colin Cowherd said this Thursday:  You don’t think a general manager can manage? Like it’s impossible? The game is too complex? I’ve never bought into that, ‘Baseball’s just too complex.’ Really? A third of the sport is from the Dominican Republic.’
      • Perhaps people read too much into this statement.  "I did not intend to offend anyone with my comments," Cowherd said in a statement. "I realize my choice of words was poor and not reflective of who I am. I am sorry."  I however don't think he should have been fired.  I think his firing has more to do with the fact that he is leaving ESPN.  He has said stupid stuff like this in the past.
  • We had several shootings last week.  Fuck what is it with Americans and our guns?  Good thing we don't have stricter gun laws or someone might have problems getting guns.  
    • Yeah I know criminals won't follow the law but look at these people.  I doubt they would know where to go get illegal guns
  • Recently it was reported that Twitter will take down jokes for DMCA 
    • Yeah apparently jokes copyrighted
    • Who is to say that you're the first to tell that joke.  And I have a friend who better watch himself, that jackass has been stealing my jokes for years!  Yeah you know who you are MPM!
      • Yeah, I might sue now, people always thinking I was stealing his shit!  Probably what lead me down the path of stealing music and shit from the internet.  I blame him for getting sued by Metallica.  
      • Think I might throw some mental anguish and what not into it as well.
  • While at the liquor store today, what I was out of rum on a Monday and I was not going to attempt Monday Night Raw sober, they didn't have the big half gallon bottle of Sailor Jerry's but said they would have more in tomorrow.  I bought a pint...it should get me through the show (that is a joke, I stopped by while I was out getting gas).  I joked that is their way of getting repeat business.  They then threw in a free flask.  I think I have a new liquor store...for enabling me (of course that is REALLY a way to get repeat business!)
  • The Boys Scouts of America have ended their ban on Gay Troop Leaders.  No joke here just a good thing finally happening
  • The American Mens National Team lost recently in the Gold Cup Tournament.  Yeah I didn't hear about it the next day because everyone was too excited about Sharknado 3!  Yep, soccer is the most popular sport everywhere but here in the US of A.  Here Sharknado 3 and Deflategate is much more important that "football"
  • I have Spongebob playing in the background while typing this up, how do people NOT find this show funny?
  • Hulk Hogan and Colin Cowherd lose their jobs but Donald Trump actually gains grounds in the polls after saying racist stuff.  USA! USA! USA!
There, some random thoughts throughout today (7/28).  Until next time, remember, may the odds be ever in your favor...and Abyssinia!

2015/07/27

Mockingjay Part 1...a Movie Review



This time it is Mockingjay Part 1 that I'm looking at.  As of 7/22 it has a 6.8 rating on IMDB and stars Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth.  I'd like to point out that I am watching this pretending I don't know what will happen even though I've read the books.  I try to not put spoilers in my thoughts but after that in my thoughts there may be.  Enough talking...here...we...go.... 
  • Weird way to start the flick, feels quite a bit like a sci-fi flick, Alien-esc
  • I felt like Boggs was going to say "War never changes".  Oh man Perlman would have made a good Finnick
  • Julianne Moore as Coin?  Nope....not what I envisioned at all, too much compassion in her eyes and face.  Not hard 
    • Glenn Close is more what I pictured, a hard looking woman
  • Heavensbee still isn't jovial enough.  I though of him as enjoying the entire thing much more.  He seems too serious and weighted down by it all
  • I just don't care for Jennifer Lawrence and it pretty much ruins these films for me.  I don't like to be that influenced by the actors in a film but what can I say I am unfortunately
  • Interesting speech by Snow.  However doesn't he see that he could be pushing them, the districts, just that one step too far.  You can only kick a dog so much before he fights back. Know when to kick and know when to coddle.  
  • Lawrence pretty much makes a few faces, kind of like Kristen Stewart
  • I like Peeta.  One of the few people who makes sense in this entire series!
  • Interesting that they use Effie instead of the her prep team.  Doesn't quite work as well I don't think but Banks is a much bigger actress then the other actors
    • I also think this eliminates certain aspects of the books about 13 which I'm not sure I like.  I know I said I was going into this without the books in mind but this popped into my head
  • Why is Gale in this room?
  • Abernathy is another character I like.  He feels real like Joanna did in Catching Fire
  • Interesting that they kept Pollux in this film when the Avox were ignored in the first to flicks and had semi-important roles
    • Elden Henson is an interesting casting.  I liked him as Foggy in Dare Devil
  • I do not like the casting of Cressida, too young in my opinion.  Guess this is why I am not a casting director though
  • BOY SCOUT SALUTE!
  • I like the actor Robert Knepper, he usually plays a good bad guy
  • Where is Hawkeye or Oliver Queen when you need them?
  • Did they just shoot the planes down onto the hospital?
  • UGGG, her voice is enough to make me side with the Capital!
  • Someone watched Starship Troopers.  "Want to know more?"
  • Do the ends justify the means?  Is that a question that Katniss is asking herself?
  • I bash young Katniss a lot, both in the movie and book reviews, but she is just so unlikeable. She sulks like a teenager but then wants to be treated differently.  She loves Peeta and wants him saved but is constantly dragging Gale along.  She wants revolution but then gets made when the rebels don't morn the losses.  I guess that is a part of being a teenager but I don't like it
  • Wow....Gale is even worse with women then I am...and that boggles the mind
  • Peeta once again the voice of reason and saving everyone
  • Why hasn't anyone said "Bring the rain" or "GO GO GO" as of yet during these bombings?
  • I actually don't want to see the battle to rescue Peeta, Joanna and the others strangely.  It feels out of place and I feel like the Finnick story is being overshadowed.  What Snow did is very important but what do I know
  • Man Donald Sutherland is amazing 
  • Wow, they did an amazing job of making Peeta look completely destroyed
  • That was the best acting Jennifer has done the entire flick, loved the bugged out eyes
  • The uniforms, the speech on the balcony, very German like
    • I don't think they were going for that but it just hit me it like that
Overall I enjoyed this flick if it wasn't for a certain actress.  I don't know why I hate her so much but she is awful!  I don't like her as a personality or an actress and I can't get over it.  Sadly it hurts my rating of the flick and I'm sorry about that.  6/10 so slightly below the IMDB rating.  I feel like they added a bunch of filler to make this into two movies so that they can get more money...which I can't blame them for.  It is all about making money but they needed to make it good and I feel like they didn't.  Felt like a midseason episode of a TV show, a little plot advancement but a bunch of filler.

I liked the job they did making Peeta look beating and destroyed but my biggest complaint is that they talked over Finnick giving out the secrets of the Capital.  I feel like it was important but they couldn't have someone overshadow Katniss I guess.  We had to watch her "act" and then make her the distraction.  Whatever.

Overall probably would have rated it higher if it wasn't for some acting in the flick.  If you like the series check it out.  The series is getting better as it goes.  

2015/07/25

Brief first impressions of the Scream TV Series

I am watching the first episode of the new MTV series "Scream".  I am a big a fan of the movies, especially 1 & 2.  This however...is a long LONG way from the movies.


  • First off the writing on this is HORRIBLE (it is only the first episode).  If teens actually talk like this I honestly think we need to skip this generation!  
  • It is like they took the movies, dumbed it down for a different generation and made this show
  • Aside from Aubrey and Emma, the acting is awful!
  • Good grief, the show is so meta that it makes me hurt
  • Honestly the writing is awful
  • Is this I Know What You Did Last Summer?
  • The fake Randy is horrible in this.  Jamie Kennedy was perfect in the movies, this kid has a creep factor of 11 out of 10!
Not impressed at all with this first episode.  I'll give it a few more but honestly Wes Craven allowed this is beyond me.  Perhaps he couldn't do anything but hopefully he tried.  If I saw this before the movies I'd avoid the movies like I do the sun!  How the hell does this show have a 7.5/10 on IMDB?  I'd give it a 3/10 thus far.  

Catching Fire...the movie



I know what you're thinking, why is he watching this flick if he hated the first flick and only thought the book was okay.  Well I like movies and after finishing the books I am interested now to see how they compare to the movies.  Of course most of you know but it stars Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth.  It currently has a 7.7 on IMDB as of 7/21.  If you've read my other reviews you know the drill.  You've got my thoughts as I watch the flick.  I try to avoid spoilers but they may slip in.  You've been warned!


  • This movie is two and a half hours?  Really?  Hmmm, as much as I disliked the first one I'm not sure if I should do this
  • So Gale is 20 and Katniss is 17 right?  Why do they both look much older then that?
  • For being the most famous person in Panem right now Katniss sure can run off to illegal land pretty easily
  • KISSING COUSINS!!
  • 20....Gale looks like he is old enough to be Katniss dad
  • Katniss really is horribly unlikeable
    • Is it Katniss or Jennifer Lawrence that is unlikeable?
  • The casting in this movie doesn't fit my visions of any of the characters.  Everyone from the first flick seems older then they should.  
    • Haymitch and Effie aren't bad
    • I don't find President Snow nearly sleazy enough!
  • Caesar is pretty exactly how I imagined him.  But what do you expect from an exceptional actor like Stanley
  • Effie isn't horrible either, although almost over the top however
  • Can someone explain why people like Jennifer Lawrence so much?  She actually makes me hate Katniss more!
  • Philip Seymour Hoffman as Plutarch Heavensbee, an interesting choice, however I had more of the guy from Beetlejuice and Demolition man more in my mind.  Glenn Shadix, although he had passed on before the flick.  However this first scene is one of the most uninspired scenes I've seen!  
  • Ooooo, I like the casting of Patrick St. Esprit as Thread.  Very close to how I envisioned him in my head.  
  • Uggg, Morphling...really?  I hate that!  Just call it morphine!  Did Collins just have a typo and they left it it through three books/four movies?
  • I wondered this while reading the book as well, do you think the quarter quell was a set up by the Capital?  I mean that is a huge risk if they are set up by Snow, what if Katniss was to win a second time?  Seems like to big a risk for someone like Snow although Heavensbee could have been behind it
  • How do they keep getting out in the meadow without being seen?!  IT MAKES NO SENSE!
  • Why aren't the peace keepers beating the hell out of everyone in District 12 like they do the other districts for the boy scout salute?
  • Wow the casting of Finnick Odair is NOTHING like I pictured him.  Nothing at all!  I was thinking more Jason Momoa.  He isn't big enough in my mind
  • I love Caesars huge smile!  Perfect
  • Why would anyone cheer for her?  She is so unlikeable?  I can't get over it and I almost always cheer the horrible unlikeable people!
  • Strange casting for Johanna Mason, not quite what I envisioned but better then a lot of the casting
  • Beetee on the other hand, nothing like I envisioned, not old enough or crazy enough.  Wiress however is almost exactly what I envisioned.  Great casting there!
  • Much like the book, I already don't care if any of the others live or die.  I only HOPE Katniss does...which is probably not what they want
  • Why does Katniss care that the last games master was killed again?  
  • I just read that Grant Gustin aka The Flash was considered for Finnick.  Perhaps I pictured him differently then everyone else
  • Okay I like this Joanna character quite a bit!
  • The more over the top Caesar is the more I like him!  
  • How stupid are these people?  Why not just walk up and slap the President in the face?  Or kick him in the balls?
    • I mean the revolution is one thing but being as obvious as they are is just stupid
  • Cinna is getting what he should have expected.  I would have put a little blood on the tube personally if I was directing but thats just me
  •  People died that we never actually saw!
  • Easy way to thin out the herd but not very exciting from a fans point of view that is for sure.  A weapon/trap that can take out everyone in one swoop is not good from a games master point of view if you ask me.  I think I could make a decent games master however.  Like one of my favorite video games Tecmo's Deception.  
  • I will give the flick this, it picks up in acts 2 and 3
  • The spinning did nothing but change the time, the tree still tells you where lightning will strike and what not
  • The movie makes the Jabberjay trap seem much worse then the book did
  • Yep, Joanna is easily my favorite, she is someone I would rally around (and for once I don't mean that as a double entendre...although that works as well)
  • Okay Finnick has grown on me.  Still not what I envisioned 
  • Uggg, not a fan of that shot.  Contrived that she is right where the light would be.  A beautiful shot and I understand why they did it but just a little to cliche for my taste
  • Also probably wouldn't have burst in right where they were, what with stuff falling on the people they're saving and all
  • Nathan Fillion?  Oh nope just her dad...I mean Gale....who I realize is the same age (Liam and Jennifer) but they sure don't look it.  

Okay the flick is over and I'll start with a rating. 6/10.  Jennifer really brings it down for me.  I just don't like her and more importantly I don't like her acting.  I can get past her if I thought she was a good actress but I don't.  However it helps my hatred for Katniss.  

Aside for the weird casting I did enjoy the film.  A little boring in the beginning but once they get to the Capital it gets better.  

To be fair the casting probably fits other peoples thoughts of the characters just not mine.  

Overall I enjoyed it more than the first flick.  I am interested in seeing the last two (uggg, why they are making it two flicks is beyond me).  A little long but when going off a book it is better to be long then to cut too much.  

Check it out if you have time to kill.  I wouldn't set aside time but if you liked the book or if you're bored there are worst movies to check out.  Until next time...may the odds be ever in your favor

2015/07/23

Penguins of Madagascar...The Movie...or a case of the wrong voice actors



This time I am going to review Penguins of Madagascar from 2014 starring Tom McGrath, Chris Miller and Christopher Knights.  As of 7/21 IMDB has a ranking of 6.8.  Below are my thoughts as I watched this flick:
  • Ugg, the first voice we hear is awful!  I mean it.  Not a good sign
  • What the fuck?  That isn't Kowalski voice!  Oh right they didn't keep the voice actors from the TV Show.  Which is very sad
    • Seriously the voice acting...why did they change it?  I realize these are the movie voice actors but they aren't the voices everyone knows for the characters
  • Thus far I'm not impressed.  Weird character designs for everyone but Skipper.  Wrong voice actors.  Nope....I'm not happy at all
  • Okay the chase scene is pretty cool and Skipper is pretty damn cool still
  • What about Doris Kowalski?  Oh how quickly you forget
  • OH MY GOD!  They can't get the TV actors but they can get that horrible Ken Jeong as a voice actor.  Yep.  Makes perfect sense.  I HATE HIM!
  • Okay Dave's word puns are kind of annoying yet kind of funny
  • I have to say I can't even tell that it is Sherlock as Classified, which is a good thing
  • The Northwind in their battle armor is pretty cool.  I have to say that is a bitching design
  • John Malkovich does a great job in this
  • Well this is just weird even for the Penguins!
  • Uggg, Privates voice is just awful!

Lets start off with a review.  I say 5/10.  Average.  Middle of the road which is sad because I love the TV show.  As I eluded to above part of it is the fact that they have different voice actors.  I know it is the movie actors but if it wasn't for the actors on TV I doubt we'd have this movie so to cut them out of the flick for "more well known" actors was wrong in my opinion.  I will say they did a decent job of adult jokes to go along with kids jokes to keep adults, unlike me, entertained.  The writing is what you'd expect from a kids movie, nothing special and perhaps even a little subpar.  I am disappointed overall with this even if my score is average.  If you have kids it is worth watching but if you're a fan of the show don't bother, you'll only be disappointed!

2015/07/21

Mockingjay: A Book Review


I finally finished the Hunger Games series last night.  You can pick up the series here.  You can find my past reviews of The Hunger Games and Catching Fire on older posts.  

Overall I'd give this a 2.5 out of 5 and the series the same.  Average.  I will admit that I read Mockingjay in one sitting basically.  I wanted to know how the series ended, even though much of it become obvious.  That is a good thing but...

Suzanne Collins has the abilities to make me hate almost every character in her series.  By the end of the series I liked two characters I think.  Finnick and Beetee.  By the end of the series I pretty much hated everyone else.  

From here on out there will be spoilers boys and girls so you've been warned.

I honestly don't know how Collins mapped out her characters but it must be with the idea that everyone in Panem is bipolar!  Okay almost everyone.  Finnick and Beetee are pretty much constant but everyone else flip flops sides so often I think I got whiplash a few times!  Peeta isn't too bad but his decision at the end does make me dislike him.

Lets look at the end first I guess because the idea that Katniss would agree to have one more Hunger Game makes me wish she had died even more then I had before.  It goes against everything she had been for the entire series!  She hated the game but then is willing to send kids from the Capital?  WHAT?!  She is in love with Peeta but often throws herself at Gale.  I realize she is 17 so I give her a bit of a pass on that...I guess.

I am trying to think of another series, book or movie or TV, that I've hated the main character as much as I have "The Mockingjay".  Off the top of my head I can't think of one.  I realize that the character goes through a lot in a few years and that it would mess anyone up but she is just so unlikeable!  Gale isn't much further behind although he is a little more consistent with his hatred.

Collins also didn't hid the fact that President Coin wasn't much better than President Snow.  I found it weird that her right hand man Boggs basically said not to trust her at the end since they were both from 13 and against everything and everyone else.

Overall the book series is a great idea and I am probably being a little hard on the series since it is a Young Adult book meant for a younger audience.  I just feel that just because it is meant for the youth of the world doesn't mean that it has to be dumbed down.  I feel like there was such an opportunity to make younglings think about bigger things and show that anger and revenge aren't the answer yet again and again and again its all about revenge and death.

Oh and the fact that Peeta, even though he loves Katniss, forgives her for things like another Hunger Games made me a little sick.  Love doesn't conquer all and I would think sentencing another generation of kids to suffer like they did is something you can't forgive but I guess I'm wrong.

If you want a fun-ish series that is an easy read this isn't a bad series and feel like there was a miss opportunity for more for the younglings!  Until next time...may the odds be ever in your favor....but don't be like a Mockingjay!

Space Milkshake: A Movie Review



This review is for Space Milkshake, a 2012 flick starring Kristin Kreuk, Amanda Tapping, George Takei.  It is currently, as of 7/18, rated as a 7.6 on IMDB.  Here are my thoughts as I watched the flick!
  • Well the acting 5 minutes into this flick aren't doing anything to encourage me about the flick
  • I will say the effects aren't horrible but the script is awful!
    • I swear I jinx myself every time I say something like that.  The effects got to udder shit
  • Can't say this is good or bad...just weird thus far.  I can't tell if I should be taking it seriously or more as a joke.  So confused.
  • I have no idea how to take this flick, none at all.  
  • This movie is just here.  It isn't bad but it isn't good either.  I have no idea what to say about this film.  This will be the worst review ever!
  • I suddenly want to sing the Rubber Ducky song from Sesame Street.
  • I'm still confused by this movie.  Plastic knifes as weapons, the sandwiches.  the weird alien thing.  
  • I've never wanted to be Wendi as much as I do right now
  • Wow it squeaks like a rubber ducky!
  • Possibly the worst looking space suits in the history of space suits!
So first off I guess I'll give it my rating.  I give it a 4/10.  I have no idea what this flick was suppose to be.  A comedy?  A serious sci-fi flick?  A spoof?  It seemed to be all of those yet none of them.  I don't think I laughed once but I couldn't take it serious because of Billy Boyd's character who seemed to be a spoof character.  It was a case of trying to do too much but not doing any of them well.  I was expecting a "good" bad movie.  Instead I just a blah movie that honestly I was disappointed with. How it is a 7.6 on IMDB is beyond me.  It has to be because of the stars and not the flick.  

There you go.  For once I'm going to say don't bother with this flick personally.  

2015/07/19

Ant Man or a non-Marvel Marvel movie

Last night and went out and saw the newest Marvel Universe flick Ant-Man starring Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas and Corey Stoll.  Right now, as of 7/19 IMDB has it rated at 8.1.  I'd give it a 7 personally.  I will say that Michael Peña was probably the best part of the flick.  He is an extremely underrated actor who is amazing in everything I've seen him in.

Here goes, there will be spoilers from here on out so you've been warned.  The flick itself didn't feel like a Marvel flick.  It felt more like mix between Anchor Man and Shaun of the Dead...oh wait because both of the writers worked on this.  I didn't realize Anchor Man author Adam McKay worked on it till writing this.  However some of the jokes had McKay written all over them....horrible pun not intended.

Oh and let me say that I hated Evangeline Lilly hair throughout the movie.  HATED IT!  I was distracted by her hair throughout the film.  Don't know why but it bugged me.

There were a few things I disliked about the flicked.  I felt that Scott Lang (Rudd) accepted the entire thing way too quickly.  I felt that Pym (Douglas) accepted the idea of using a convicted felon way to quickly.  I realize it is a movie and you only have so much time for back story and what not but I didn't like that.  Also I didn't like that they don't mention Howard Stark and Peggy Carter by name in the film.  I saw Carter and thought it was her but didn't think they would just drop her in the film and not atleast say her name.  I had no idea it was Stark till looking at IMDB.  I guess I had to remember seeing him in Iron Man 2 to know it was Stark as it was the same actor.  Slightly disappointed that I had to remember a movie from five years ago to know the characters.  I guess I'm not a big enough fan to remember every actor in every Marvel flick ever!

For the most part that is what I disliked.  A few little things.  I really liked the effects, which are always top notch in Marvel flicks.  However I did feel like I was watching Honey I Shrunk the Kids a few times.  Judy Greer and Abby Ryder Fortson, Lang's ex and his daughter, were really good in their roles and I didn't hate a child actor for once.

There was an Avengers tie in and I like that Lang mentioned calling the Avengers at one point. There is of course a post credit scene that confuses me a bit.  I won't say much about it other then Captain America makes a surprise appearance along with his former friend Bucky Barnes.  But it makes little sense to me right now because I don't have a time frame for it.  It is obviously after Winter Soldier but I don't know if it is after Age of Ultron and if this is setting up Civil War.  Does it take place DURING Civil War?  So that is interesting.

It was an interesting film but I didn't feel like it was a Marvel film.  It felt different and I don't mean that in a bad way.  Guardians of the Galaxy was the same way but this felt even further out there and I don't know if that is a good thing or not.

I'd say go see this flick if you're a Marvel fan or not.  There are a lot of good laughs, lets be honest Paul Rudd is a great actor, and some good action.

There you go, yet another movie review.  Hope you're enjoying these and if you have a movie you'd like to see me review let me know in the comments.  Until next time...abyssinia!!

2015/07/17

Movie Review of The Colony or the Tale of Three Acts


The Colony is a flick from 2013 starring Kevin Zegers, Laurence Fishburne and Bill Paxton.  I tried to watch this once before but stopped.  Can't remember why, too much to drink.  Not enough to drink. Anyway IMDB describes it as:  Forced underground by the next ice age, a struggling outpost of survivors must fight to preserve humanity against a threat even more savage than nature.

So I am going to give you my running thoughts without spoilers.  Then I'll go into my review that will have spoilers, so you've been warned:

Unfortunately I had technical difficulties and I lost my thoughts of the first thirty minutes so we're picking up 30 minutes in (and any thoughts I remember as they come to me:

  • I feel like Ethan Hawke should be in this flick!
  • Is this a zombie flick?  Aliens?  cannibals?  I'm not sure.  Feels a little bit like the game Metro for those of you who played that.
  • Kevin Zegers is the Ethan Hawke of this flick, right down to the red neck facial hair
  • When crossing the bridge why jump, you can still walk over the beams
  • If I see Bill Paxton in a movie, I assume he will be a bad guy, always
  • Ah the typical jump scene
  • Visually this movie has been amazing, it looks awesome while traveling from colony 5 to 7.
  • I have to say 25 minutes in I was bored, its picked up some now that they're at the other colony. 
  • OH MY!  Reavers!
  • The femmy kid is going to die, never run from the group! 
  • WORST SHOT EVER!
  • I always forget how cool Laurence Fishburne is until I see him in something
  • Ah they are feral, interesting idea.
  • Ah yes, the road sign will protect us!
  • Zegers character is not very bright at all, anyone watching knows what is going to happen next
  • Oh Zegers knew what he was doing...and did it anyway...foolish
  • Lots of gut shots in this flick
  • I like the fights in this flick, more realistic then in many flicks
  • These people sure don't move fast knowing what is coming
  • I mention the fights and then this one happens

Okay The Colony.  I remember seeing this either On Demand or Netflix and thinking, this looks good.  Good is the best I can give it.  Over on IMDB currently as for 7/17 it has a 5.3 rating and I think that is about right.  Average.  The idea is interesting.  Mankind starts a second ice age by trying to control the weather thanks to global warming (a glimpse into our future perhaps?).  We first are reminded that sickness kills and if you get sick you either take "the walk" into the snow or take a bullet.  Then a nice power struggle between the leader and his second in command.  They go investigate another colony who isn't responding.  Feral people.  People die.  They follow them back and their colony gets destroyed.  Yeah nothing Earth shattering and unexpected.  Anyone who has ever seen a move saw this all happening.  The acting was average.  Fishburne was his usual self as was Paxton.  I can't say anything harsh about the flick but nothing great about it either.  

Overall I disliked the first and third acts.  The first was really boring and the third lacked a lot of logic.  However I really dug the second act!

Overall average.  Not a horrible flick but honestly I don't see myself going back to it again and I dislike the ending.  Very much like Snowpiercer I hated the ending as it didn't really resolve anything and you're left to your own imagination to what happens next.  Not a fan of that!  If however you want to pick this flick up click the link above to go to my Amazon store and buy it!

2015/07/13

American Justice...a movie reivew


American Justice is a film from 2015 staring John Schneider, Tommy 'Tiny' Lister and James Russo. Not a bad flick but nothing fantastic either.  Obviously direct to DVD!  My thoughts as I watched the flick:
  • Its hard to buy Zeus/Tiny Lester as a cop as he is almost always a bad guy...and the President once
  • Wow that criminal kidnapped Mimi from the Drew Carey show....nope...I think that is actually her makeup!
  • Tiny's character is named Justice....really?  Wow
  • YOU JUST GOT KNOCKED THE FUCK OUT...shit...wrong movie
  • Wow Zeus and Johnny Morrison in the same flick
  • Huh...cops wearing jeans and sexual harassment...although Vida Guerra does have a decent ass
  •  Damn Bo Duke is a bad ass!  Too bad he can't drive his raciest car anymore
  • Wait...crooked cops?  In a small town?  NEVER!
  • No way...a wrestler in a movie is going to fight...never saw that coming
  • I am 24 minutes in and I have heard more Mexican racial slurs then I think an entire season of The Shield...maybe
  • Why are movies suddenly doing the blood splatter on the screen thing?
  • Green screens are cool.  Not in this movie but they are cool
  • Tiny is so bad ass in this film that windows break before he jumps through them!  BAD ASS!
  • The cops killed my husband, are blackmailing an outside cop...I think I'll call the major, he can't be involved!
  • John Schneider is actually enjoyable in this film.  Aside from the one cop the acting hasn't been too bad in this film.  The script is bad...but the actors are doing the best they can with the what they're given
  • Malcolm Danare is a little over the top in this film
  • Wow Justice is serving some justice in this flick!  
  • Okay that ending was bad.  I was enjoying it till then.  
  • "Awesome" a "music" video during the credits
Overall I enjoyed the movie.  It wasn't anything fantastic or anything like that and it isn't something I'd watch again I don't think but I've watched a LOT worse.  83 minutes and mostly action. Reminded me of old 80's action films with little plot and mostly bad dialog and explosions but with less star power.  Sorry to say that Tiny and John!  Lets be honest Tiny is best known recently for his brief appearance in The Dark Knight or Fifth Element and John will always be Bo Duke and recently for the General Lee/Confederate Flag debate so it wasn't driven by stars!  But enjoyable.  The killing scenes were effectively done without going over the top.  The low budget showed through on wardrobe, the police uniforms were awful and I'm glad they talked about Morrison and his long hair as a cop!  The ending was bad all around for several reasons including the fact that there is a major plot point left unresolved which isn't good because I doubt we see a second one!  Overall if you've got nothing going on and are looking for an okay to decent action movie this isn't a horrible choice and I'm sure you'll be able to get it cheap soon.  You can actually watch it over on Amazon Prime Streaming now or pick it up here (its my Amazon store where I get a little back for any purchase so feel free to pick it up)!  There you go.  Until next time, abyssinia!! 

2015/07/11

Batman vs. Robin...a movie review


I decided to check out Batman vs. Robin from a few months ago.  Here are my thoughts as I watched: 
  • Blah, horrible "animation" to start off with the batmobile
  • Jason O'Mara is not Batman!
  • This is a creepy version of the Doll Maker...well his victims anyway!
  • I like that DC has made the films slightly darker then they used to be
  • Wait...IMDB tells me that the Doll Maker was Weird Al?!?!  Doesn't sound anything like him
  • I miss the Animated cast from the 1990's
  • Not a fan of Stuart Allan and his version of Damian Wayne
  • I wonder if they made Nightwing look greasy on purpose
  • Wait...that is Batman!  I hear Batman...why is Kevin Conroy cast in this movie but not as Batman?  WHY?!  WHO WOULD DO SUCH A THING?!  THEY SHOULD BE DESTROYED
    • Yes I know I sound like a fan boy with that comment but why cast him in the film, just to give the fans a slap?
  • Batman is not nearly as tough as I remember him
  • Now horribly computer "animated" cars.  Boo!  They just look out of place with everything else looking good
  • Batman is nothing like I remember in this "New 52" Universe.  To quote the Doctor "I don't like it"
  • Also Batman falls for a lot of traps which is very strange, the Batman I remember only did that on purpose
  • Sometimes the bad guys do stuff that makes no sense.  This film has quite a few of those moments
  • The bad guys run like the Ninja Turtles on their "new" show, which weirds me out both here and on their show
  • Batman has Hulkbuster armor?
  • Seriously this is the worst version of Batman ever!
  • Pretty sure if Joker fought this Batman Gotham would all have giant smiles on their faces
Okay first off the voice acting, much like most of the new DC Universe...well it sucks.  They just don't fit the characters at all!  Nightwing isn't horrible but the rest....blah!  The storyline I believe is from the New 52 and I believe loosely follows the comics storyline.  The storyline itself isn't bad, kind of interesting, and would have been great back in the Animated Series but here it felt rushed.  As I mentioned about to have Kevin Conroy do a voice and have it not be Batman is just dumb.  Don't use him or use him correctly.  My biggest problem is what Talon does.  I don't want to do any kind of spoilers but his actions do not fit his character at all.  It was the actions of someone less calculating and cerebral. Over on IMDB I gave it a 6/10 due to some bad animation and the voice acting.  I would have done a 5.5 but you can't.  It is average at best.  I miss the good ol' days of the Animated Series and Justice League.  Until next time...abyssinia!

Raiders of the Lost....Shark? Movie Review

While looking around I found a movie called Raiders of the Lost Shark (2014).  Below are my thoughts:

  • Five minutes into this flick I realized I didn't have enough rum to watch this flick so I stopped it and off to the liquor store I went
  • With a new bottle of Sailor Jerry's I continued the flick...and I don't know why!
  • It might be the second worse thing I've watched, only thing worse is Special Dead, which I couldn't finish!
  • I guess the film takes place in Canada...according to the "deputy" in the film
  • I'm confused as the one chick wants to out under the stars when the sun is shining...maybe she is just really REALLY drunk...like I should be
  • I have to say the film looks good (minus the shark).  Nothing like you'd expect from a flick like this
  • The "Flying Shark" scene is just awful and the fact that it didn't get cut from the 71 minute film boggles my mind!
  • All I know while watching this is that the Doctor solved his flying shark problem with a singing co-star, they should have tired that
  • Wait...it is now snowing...yet we had girls in bikinis swimming earlier today...not even Michigan weather is that fucked up!

I am not going to do my usually good and bad section because honestly I can't say much good about it.  They made it, distributed it....which is more than I've done with a movie so there is that.  Beyond that...wow!  I give it 2 out of 10 at IMDB because of that fact and that fact alone.  DO NOT WATCH THIS!  It isn't good bad or funny bad....its sad bad.  I'm sorry to everyone involved if that is mean, I give you all credit for doing what I haven't but it was bad!

2015/07/03

Arkham Knight Review

If you follow me on the Facebooks you know I've been playing Arkham Knight for the last week. The third in the Batman series of games.  Here are my thoughts on the game:

Pros

  • The voice acting is once again stellar.  Kevin Conroy is the voice of Batman, always has been and always will be, well since 1992!  
  • The graphics of the game are off the chart.  I haven't played a lot of games on the next gen consoles that are only for them but this one...wow!  I'd swear (and maybe they are) some of the videos in the game are just that, video
  • The game play itself hasn't changed since the first of the series...and that is a good thing.  You can button mash the hell out of the game if you'd like and survive (well 98%...I'll get to the other 2% later) or if you want to be more technical and sneaky and what not you can do that too.
  • The storyline will show up in both areas.  I won't spoil anything but some of it is amazing (Love the Dynamic Duo) 
  • The addition of the Batmobile, from a storyline and a fan perspective was great.  The rest...well see the cons below
Cons
  • The Batmobile makes the game miserable at times.  It has some of the worst steering I've ever seen in a video game!  
  • The storyline is kind of predictable unfortunately.  For the most part the storyline goes exactly where you'd expect with very few surprises (although there is one surprise that I was very happy about)
  • The return of the Riddler Trophies.  They don't annoy me as much as they are extremely time consuming to get and honestly some of them I don't know how people found them?  Thank goodness for the interwebs and my cheating!

Honestly the Batmobile and the "racing" missions drove me insane!  So many time I nearly threw my control in frustration!  Worth the money however!