Biggs' Zone

A Geek's Cogitations, Conjectures and other Cortical Experiences

Category: Movies Page 16 of 27

Biggs’ Top 5 Action/Adventure Movies

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On February 5, 2020

In Biggs Top 5, Movies

I am a huge movie buff so picking my favorite top 5 action/adventure movies is very difficult. In fact, in order to even whittle the list down to 5 I have to set some further qualifications. So for this top 5 list I chose movies that are non-franchised. A “non-franchised” is any movie that is not part of a trilogy or large collection of related films (ex: James Bond or the Marvel movies that make up the Infinity Saga). It’s also based on if I were channel surfing and these movies came on, I would be inclined to continue watching without starting over. This list is in no particular order.

I actually want to watch all these movies just merely by building this list. In fact, as I was building this list I felt like a few other movies deserve some honorable mentions (i.e. movies that almost made the list). Chris Evans performance in The Losers is one of the best parts of the film. While I do not care for the type of music DMX performs, his nerdy character is Exit Wounds is my favorite. Finally, The Fifth Element because it’s just a fun movie to watch and it’s quite quotable.

I Have Spoken!

Star Wars Is More Than A Movie

By

On January 3, 2020

In Geek Culture, Movies, Star Wars

This Is Not A Review

I’m not going to write a review for The Rise of Skywalker. My loyalty to the franchise creates a bias which doesn’t provide you with accurate incentive. The only suggestion I have is to ignore everything you read on Facebook and Twitter. As with any movie you need to try to go in with open eyes and open expectations. I know that’s hard to do with so much toxicity from myopic fans and critics. Also, as with any Star Wars film, I think this movie falls under the “critic proof” classification. It wasn’t made to win an academy award.

It wouldn’t matter to me if this movie only made a million dollars or if it makes a billion dollars; I love it. It’s an extremely satisfying end to a sublime saga. Regardless of the box office tally, the critics and the dissenting fans, Star Wars is more than a movie to me.

Star Wars Goes Beyond The Movies

There are fans that just watch the movies and there are fans that indulge beyond the movies; I am the latter. I was about 8 years old the first time I saw Star Wars, and I don’t think my parents quite realized what they had started when those yellow words first appeared on the screen. These films not only fuel my fascination with how movies are made but also my love for science fiction and fantasy.

Star Wars is also a unifying bond between family and strangers (assuming we can all agree to disagree on controversial subjects). When I attended the Star Wars Celebration last April, I felt welcome in a sea of strangers. However, we were all there for a common purpose, to celebrate the franchise we all love. In fact I would go so far as to say I was more comfortable among 10,000 strangers than I am among 30 members of my own family. It’s an indescribable sense of community.

It’s Relatable, Like Sports and Politics

I’m trying to put into words why my enjoyment of Star Wars goes beyond the movies. I’m struggling to explain it in more relatable terms. It’s like talking about sports. You cannot control the outcome of any sporting event (as a spectator), but you can regale about the past or imagine possible futures. Also, the more knowledge there is between folks the greater the enjoyment and a more interactive dialog.

I’ve played many of the games (video games and board games). I’ve watched many of the other series and I’ve read many of the books (novels and comics). There is so much to enjoy about this franchise than what you see in the theaters. Perhaps this is the reason I can find so much enjoyment even in the movies other folks like to disparage. Perhaps this is why I enjoy involving my family, including my daughter, who is just beginning to experience it herself. The amount of official canon outside the films is almost endless (I’m excluding fan-fiction and fan theories).

The divisiveness of the fanbase now is practically a microcosm of our country’s political state. We are too busy trying to tell the other side what is wrong with their point of view. Nobody seems interested in digging deeper into the details to find there might actually be common ground and facts to support it.

I invite anyone who has canonical issues with any of the movies to reach out to me, especially if your knowledge is limited to just the films. I’d love to have an open and honest dialog about it and see if we can’t come to some kind of mutual appreciation. I’m not going to try to change your mind, but I do hope you will see why I love Star Wars to the most minute of details.

/MTFBWY

Confronting fear is the destiny of the Jedi.

The Calm Before the Rise (of Skywalker)

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On December 17, 2019

In Movies, Star Wars

After tomorrow, the countdown to the final Skywalker Star Wars movie ends. It’s been 40+ years in the making, and I’ve been a fan of ALL OF IT since I was 8 years old. I never imagined that I would have a passion for something as trivial and trite as a movie franchise. Thanks to George Lucas, Kathleen Kennedy and Disney I get to share that same passion with my kid and that is priceless.

Anxious, Excited and Scared

I don’t know what to expect from this movie. I’m anxious, excited and scared. I’m anxious for it to finally be here and excited to finally see the conclusion. I worry about the reemergence of more “fan” toxicity (which is why I will be on a social media black out for a few days). I love Star Wars. I’ve loved every moment of every movie, animated series and live action series. The fact that I get to mention “live action series” is practically a dream come true. I have zero doubts that I will feel the same for this movie; and TO HELL with the fanbabies.

I’m man enough to admit that I will walk into this movie knowing that I might tear up a bit. In fact, in the trailer when C-3PO “takes a last look at his friends”, that hits me “right in the feelz”. Every. Single. Time. Is this the end of C-3PO? What will happen to the Millennium Falcon? Will Chewbacca survive? What will happen to him? The future of the new characters feels trivial compared to my questions about those that have been around since 1977. I love the new characters. Rey, Finn, Poe, Rose, BB-8, D-O; they are worthy additions to canon. However, they’re not Luke, Leia, R2-D2, Han, Chewie, and Lando. How do I want their stories to end? Granted we already know how it ends for a couple of them, but will they all meet similar fate? I think, above all things, I just want to know if this is the end of their journey, or just the end of this one.

So screw the fanbabies! They cannot ruin this for me. This movie will be a defining film of the franchise and of the decade, and a milestone in my life.

/MTFBWY

Confronting fear is the destiny of the Jedi.

Rise of Skywalker Trailer Reaction

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On October 28, 2019

In Movies, Star Wars

Now that I have had some time to digest this new trailer (and watch it about 8 more times), I’ve come up with a few thoughts. Some conclusions I’ve made based on what I’ve gleaned from the trailer; others are based on some of the other things I’ve read on the Internet. Everyone is posting their theories and trailer break downs, but this is my Rise of Skywalker trailer reaction.

If you haven’t watched the new trailer yet, or again (and again), then go do that now (or again).

I think this trailer is much different than the other two; it’s far more nebulous. There were major plot points I extrapolated, correctly, based on each trailer. In The Force Awakens, it was Kylo Ren’s heritage. In The Last Jedi it was the reason for Luke’s cantankerous behavior and hermit lifestyle. This trailer, however, leaves very few clues. Although, the fact that Kylo Ren was the crux for both of those major plot points makes me wonder what will be his final role?

Is That The Mortis Dagger??

Altar of Mortis

At about 1:50 into the trailer we see Rey and Kylo Ren destroy a statue. The scene doesn’t really indicate if they are working together or if that statue is collateral damage. Regardless, what’s important is what Rey is holding in her left hand? It appears to be a dagger which begs the question, is that the Mortis Dagger??

If you watch The Clone Wars then think back to Season 3, episodes 15, 16 and 17. Anakin, Obi-Wan and Ahsoka leave for a mission and suddenly find themselves on the planet Mortis. On this planet lives The Father, the Daughter and the Son. All three seem to be incarnations of the Force and all three are immortal. The Son, which is the incarnation of the Dark Side, has become too consumed with his power. The Father helps Obi-Wan and Ahsoka acquire the Mortis Dagger which removes immortality and can therefore be used to defeat The Son.

I’m going to stop there 1) because you should go watch those episodes, if you haven’t yet and 2) I think you know where I’m going with this. Episode IX director, J. J. Abrams, has said that the Rise of Skywalker will “unite all three trilogies”. Granted, The Clone Wars is not a movie but an animated series, however it is part of the Skywalker Saga. Using the Mortis Dagger to destroy the Emperor not only makes sense but would be another one of those brilliant tie-ins. I’m really digging this idea and I really hope the Internet and I are correct.

There is not a lot to glean from this trailer, other than the possible modus operandi of permanently killing Palpatine. Therefore I’m going to move on to other reactions and thoughts I had about this final trailer.

Read More

The Final Skywalker Trailer

By

On October 21, 2019

In Movies, Star Wars

A bittersweet event. The last trailer before the release of Rise of Skywalker and the final trailer for the Skywalker saga, released on Carrie Fisher’s birthday. Here it is!

HOLY KENOBI OMGBBQ!!!

We were regaled with this trailer for the first time during Monday Night Football. Fortunately you didn’t have to watch the game, just half time. Much to Tom Brady’s chagrin, that is the only reason anybody tuned into the game because nobody likes watching the Patriots.

By no means is this the last Star Wars trailer, there are at least three more coming in 2022, 2024, 2026. Potentially more if the rumor mills are correct about Rian Johnson still working on a movie (or two, or three). It is the last trailer we will see for a couple of years (but we have some live action series to keep the geek fires burning).

A trailer analysis will come later.

Breathe. Just breathe. Now reach out.

Movie Review: Avengers Endgame

By

On April 28, 2019

In Geek Canon, Geek Culture, Marvel, Movies, Reviews

Avengers Endgame

Avengers: Endgame

Directed By: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
Starring: Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo

My Rating: [rating=5]

Despite the looming “Superhero Burnout“, this movie is crushing it at the box office. It is already breaking the same records The Force Awakens broke four years ago. I fully expect this film to continue to break records set by Star Wars, including top grossing movie of all time in the domestic box office. Honestly, I’m glad it’s a Marvel movie too.

In the spirit of the #DontSpoilTheEndgame trend, this is a SPOILER FREE movie review, however if you have not seen Infinity War yet, then consider this your **spoiler alert**!! It is impossible to talk about this movie without talking about the events of the previous film.

Half of the living things in the universe, including half the Avengers, are gone; wiped out with a single snap. Thanos has vanished to bask in the balance he has created. Meanwhile the remaining Avengers are trying to piece the world back together and move on. However “moving on” will not be something they are willing to do, especially when Scott Lang shows up with an idea.

Biggs’ Review

This is a pretty amazing movie, though I do have one particular complaint, which I will get to shortly. This movie has quite a few epic moments, one of which I know many fans have been waiting for since Age of Ultron. I will not say what that is so as to remain spoiler free but I think you will know it when you see it, and deem it “worthy”. This movie is quite the finale for the Avengers Initiative. One of my favorite parts happens during and end credit montage. This is not a spoiler. The signatures of Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Mark Ruffalo and Jeremy Renner are shown as if to signify the signing of their magnum opus. This is such a fitting tribute.

Is This The Best Movie I’ve Seen?

No, not by a long shot. In all fairness I almost gave this movie 4 stars. There is a particular plot mechanic that is rarely done well and Bruce Banner’s rationale is pretty insufficient, in my opinion. There is also a “passing of the torch” moment which does not particularly coincide with canon (at least from what I’ve read); however, it is still pretty cool. Be that as it may, the way in which they wrap up the story’s of a few of the character’s is brilliant and well done … and emotional. After the movie ended, my first instinct was not to see it again; at least not right away. The main reason being the 3 hour run time. Actually I feel more inclined to watch all the other movies again!

This movie is a magnum opus and truly a fitting end of the past 11 years and 21 movies. The feeling I had leaving this movie will probably be much the same feeling I will have leaving The Rise of Skywalker. A sense of emotional finality; these are characters that not just defined our lives, but a generation. Watching these events come to an end feels akin to a graduation or major life milestone. The events and the people of the years prior make up the journey we all had to take. Sometimes the end is hard because we endured so much to get here, but we grew along the way. We form bonds and relationships with people, real or fictional. It’s the journey that’s worth celebrating at the end but it’s also what makes it difficult. After all, part of the journey is the end.

#ThankYouAvengers

film_reel“The screen is a magic medium. It has such power that it can retain interest as it conveys emotions and moods that no other art form can hope to tackle.”
– Stanley Kubrick

 

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