Biggs' Zone

A Geek's Cogitations, Conjectures and other Cortical Experiences

Category: Movies Page 29 of 33

The Force Awakens Trailer #2

By

On April 17, 2015

In Movies, Star Wars

Unless you have been living under a rock, you should have heard that the newest teaser trailer has been officially released. One of the local news anchors said he feels like he’s 9 years old again after watching this trailer, and I have to agree with him. Granted when he was 9 the first Star Wars movie was coming out and when I was 9, it had already been out for 12 years. Be that as it may, it still doesn’t change the fact that I also feel like I’m 9 years old again after watching this trailer; especially at the very end of the trailer.

In case you haven’t seen it yet, I am going to put it right here:

Movie Review: Ender’s Game

By

On March 2, 2014

In Movies, Reviews

enders-gameMy Rating: [rating=5]

Starring: Asa Butterfield, Harrison Ford, Sir Ben Kingsley

Plot: I’m not going to go into the plot much because I encourage you to read the book. The book is amazing and pretty much my all time favorite book. Andrew Ender Wiggin is a prodigy. He has the ability to counter nearly any enemy attach, and he’s only 11 years old. His remarkable abilities attract the attention of military leader Colonel Graff who believes that Ender may be Earth’s last hope against an alien attack, but first Ender must complete Battle School to receive the proper training.

Biggs’ Synopsis: As an avid fan of the book, I was pretty apprehensive about the movie. Everyone knows that Hollywood loves to destroy a good book (ex: Eragon). I know the author, Orson Scott Card, was standing between Hollywood and the making of this movie, leaving all of us anxiously awaiting the day when the movie will finally be made. Personally, we were not disappointed. I think the movie was great! It stayed fairly true to the book and I think it nailed Ender’s philosophy. There are a few sub-plots the movie leaves out, but it doesn’t really take away from the main story. I do wish they had spent more time on the battle room where we really got to see Ender’s abilities shine.

Also, the soundtrack is amazing! I bought it immediately after watching the movie and have already listened to it numerous times. If you haven’t read the book, do that first. Seriously, don’t watch the movie until you have read the book. If you have read it and are reluctant to see the movie, I would still encourage you to see it. If you are not the kind of person that can take the time to read the book, then go ahead and see this movie (but I would still strongly urge you to read the book).

/cheers.

New Respect for Ashton

By

On August 15, 2013

In General Cogitation, Movies

[embedplusvideo height=”388″ width=”640″ editlink=”http://bit.ly/1a7QYb2″ standard=”http://www.youtube.com/v/zuBSRC1zpHw?fs=1″ vars=”ytid=zuBSRC1zpHw&width=640&height=388&start=&stop=&rs=w&hd=0&autoplay=0&react=1&chapters=&notes=” id=”ep4098″ /]

Whether you’re a fan of Ashton Kutcher or not, the advice he gives in this video is almost as important as the audience whom he is addressing. He won a Teen Choice Award and, as you can tell from the video, he has thousands of screaming fans. You know there are teens hanging on his every word and when you have a captive audience who is easily influenced by celebrity behavior, I’m glad he took the opportunity to provide sound, practical advice instead of trying to influence teens with some hippy, celebrity political nonsense.

I think what I love most about his speech is the passion in which he delivers some of the key points. The notion that opportunities don’t always just fall in your lap, they are acquired through lots of hard work is something that I think is lost in younger generations. You learn to appreciate the things you have when you work hard to obtain them. I love his attitude toward his success as an actor and that he had to do all the shit jobs before he got his big break.

I wasn’t all that motivated to see his latest movie where he portrays Steve Jobs. I had a hard time imagining “Kelso” as one of the biggest innovators of the modern era. I even joked that Kutcher as Jobs seemed about as plausible as American Pie’s “Steve Stifler” as Bill Gates. However, after watching this video, our Kelso has grown up. He even admits that one of the points he makes in his speech was something he just learned after playing the role of Steve Jobs. It’s rare to see a rising star appear humble in front of thousands of screaming, doting girls.

It’s that humility, and his great advice, that has given me new respect for Ashton Kutcher. Now I do feel motivated to go see his new movie.

For the Love of Movies

By

On July 8, 2013

In General Cogitation, Movies

film_reelI’m among a fairly large group of folks that really enjoy movies. Though, I’m not talking about just watching a movie for its entertainment value, I really get into the movie making process. When I watch a movie, I’m watching it for the plot, the script, the score, sometimes even the cinematography. In some films I even try to image how they accomplished some special effects. I’m the guy that actually watches the special features on all the blu-ray or DVD discs, especially if there are behind-the-scenes and/or “the making of …” featurettes.

When I was in college I actually tried to apply for internships with Lucasfilm. I was pretty adamant about it; I would resubmit my resume for even the slightest change. I knew I didn’t have a hope in hell but my chances were better than if I hadn’t submitted at all. Obviously I was never contacted, but that’s OK.

It might seem a little childish and/or a silly pipe dream, but I still wonder what it would be like to work on a movie. I often wonder what it’s like to be there when the magic happens. I know its not a glamorous career regardless of what your role is in the process. I know there are a lot more happening with green screens and computerized special effects these days but, being in the computer industry myself, I would still find that extremely fascinating. I’m not an actor by any means, so that is definitely not something I would be any good at; however I did have a professor in college tell me that I might have a knack for directing.

I’m reluctant to say it would be a dream job because would I still consider it a dream after working in the industry for a few years. Be that as it may, I will continue to live vicariously through the performances of some of my favorite actors, blu-ray special features and HBO behind-the-scenes. Is that show Movie Magic still on? I use to watch that all the time in my teenage years!

/cheers

Movie Review: Identity Thief

By

On June 15, 2013

In Movies, Reviews

film_reelMy [Rating: 3]

Starring: Melissa McCarthy, Jason Bateman

Synopsis: Sandy Patterson (Bateman) is great at his job, married, two kids, one on the way. He leads a perfect life. His world is turned upside down when his identity is stolen from someone (McCarthy) on the other side of the country. If he wants to keep his job and get his life back, he will need to bring the thief in himself. Unfortunately he’s not the only one that’s out to get her.

Biggs’ Review: Unfortunately this was one of those movies where most of the funny scenes were shown in the trailer. Perhaps my expectations were higher, but I was expecting to laugh more and the movie did get to the point where it felt like it was running a little long. When you have comedic talents such as Melissa McCarthy, Jason Bateman, John Cho and Jon Favreau in a movie together, you expect to laugh from one minute to the next, however Favreau and Cho have such little screen time it seems like its hardly worth mentioning their names in the credits.

Melissa McCarthy is hilarious though and her comedy alone does make it worth checking this movie out but I’d rent it. I’m pretty certain that she had to have ad-libbed some of of her lines. Jason Bateman was funny in his passive aggressive way, which is what I enjoy about his acting.

/cheers

Movie Review: Star Trek Into Darkness

By

On June 11, 2013

In Movies, Reviews

film_reelMy [rating: 5]

Starring: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Benedict Cumberbatch

Synopsis: As a result of Kirk’s decision to violate the prime directive to save Spock’s life, he is disciplined and demoted (in true James T Kirk fashion). However a vengeful “super soldier” seeks retribution against Star Fleet which throws the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise into a tumult of scandal that brings Star Fleet to the brink of war. Their actions and decisions will test their resolve, their friendships and the lengths they are willing to go for the “needs of the many”.

Biggs’ Review: I had to watch the first movie a couple times to get use to the alternate timeline. There are a couple concepts I’m still trying to become adjusted to (ex: the “love story” between Spock and Uhura). Now with that said, I thought this movie was amazing. I have to say that watching Karl Urban portray Bones (my favorite of the original crew) is worth it that in of itself. He is spot on, as if the soul of DeForest Kelley had been transferred into Urban’s body.

I was skeptical when Benedict Cumberbatch was cast as Kahn. He doesn’t exactly look anything like Ricardo Montalban (opposite body types in fact). I stand corrected. I almost like Cumberbatch better as a villain then I do as a hero (i.e. Sherlock Holmes – which is phenomenal). So I would say that if you don’t see it for Karl Urban, see it for Cumberbatch.

The music, as always, was superb. I love the subtle hints of music from the original television series. If you are a Trek fan, then you should have seen it by now! If you are a Sci-Fi fan, then you need to go see it now!

(to, lovingly, steal @TheRealNimoy‘s sign off, albeit fitting) LLAP

Page 29 of 33

Previous

Next

Powered by WordPress & Theme by Anders Norén